Daydreaming of Warm Destinations

Today it is 35 degrees in Minnesota. The sun is shining and this is warmer weather than what we have been having, so I should be happy. However, everyone is coming back with sun kissed skin from their vacations and I can't help but daydream of warmer destinations. Currently, my feet are cold, I always say that I have popsicle toes. Right now I can't think of anything I would enjoy more than sticking my little popsicle toes into some really warm soft sand. Photos are taken from Exclusive Resorts.

Noa Noa

Noa Noa and Noa Noa miniature have the cutest clothes ever! They carry clothing for adults and children. The clothes are sold mostly out of Europe and Canada. The first shop was opened 20 years ago in a small merchant town in Northern Zealand. First seen on Decor8

Simple Life

I truly believe this quote, I just wish I could live by it. It is true on so many different levels. Whether it is the amount of things you are doing or the amount of things you possess. I have people in my family that have vowed to a life a poverty (by becoming a priest/nun) and truly live a simple life in all aspects. Have you ever noticed sometimes the people with the least amount of 'stuff' are truly the happiest people of all? I remember back in my twenties watching a television clip of a tribe in Africa where the people had absolutely nothing but a little hut, dirt for a floor, and maybe a cast iron pot for cooking. I remember vividly watching that video and observing how happy the people were. They were dancing and laughing and I remember thinking, at that time in my life, those people were happier than me. It was at that time, when it really resonated with me that 'things' really do not make people happy. And, I know we ALL know that. We ALL know that love is what truly makes us happy. But, then why when I know this, do I still want to possess things? Is it all just greed?

I recently got married and moved into my husband's house. I literally walked away from everything I owned and after several months, I thought "Wow, I can really do this." I can walk away from it all. It was actually very uplifting and freeing to let go of everything I owned and think that I didn't need any of it. However, the time has come when I need to move all of that 'stuff' into my new home and I've found that I cannot just let go of it like I thought I could. I've gone back to my house and found things from my childhood and found family heirlooms from my grandparents. But, I not only found things with family history, but just 'things' that I cannot let go of.

Since I was a teenager, I've collected costume jewelry. I looked at my jewelry collection and thought, "Oh, this is so much fun." I should continue to collect more... but why? Why do I feel that I have to have more? Isn't what I have enough? It is. Why do I have this need to collect things? The more 'stuff' I have the more work it becomes, and it really doesn't bring me more happiness. What is this obsession with stuff? Is it just me? It can't be just me, is it? I remember my art professor in college asking the class "What do you collect?" He said it is natural for creative types to want to collect things. Is this really true? Is this why I want to collect things? I know there are very very creative people out there that do not collect anything. Is it some type of mental disorder? Well, I think when it gets out of control, it can be a disorder. Or, is this a result from the way we were raised? My mom always said to hold onto things...just in case. Or, is it a part of our society?

I have a friend Lynn who truly lives a simple life. Lynn can let go of anything. If you walked into her home, you would be amazed at the simple life she has chosen to live. And she doesn't own a huge house that just makes it look like she doesn't have a lot of stuff. She truly has a clutter free life, and to be honest, I think she probably is the happiest of most people I know. Lynn's mom did not hold onto anything. Her mom was the same way. She would select just a few pieces of nice art to display and that was it.

Anyway, cheers to Lynn for living a simple life. And, here's to you and me wherever you may be in your life. If you already get it and are living a simple life or if you are like me and trying to get there.

Chairs from Target

Would you believe these chairs are from Target? I like the styles and fabric choices. Found at How about Orange

Love Is...

This is a cute video by Betty Crocker. I think you will enjoy it. Found at Daily Decadence

Creative Photography

Karen from Alkemie found these photographs, on what she labeled as 'perspective photography', at Interesno. The website isn't in English, but filled with enough photographs to entertain you for hours. I thought these photographs were really fun and wanted to share them with you. Thanks Karen!

Rove Arounds

Rove Arounds specializes in unique clothing for children. Frustrated by clothing options available for kids today, Rove Arounds designs clothing that are comfortable with patterns and colors with kids in mind. The patterns used to design the children clothing are from the late 1960' - 1970's.

When I was in college, my girlfriends and I would always say..."If I had money, I would dress like this..." Well, now that I think about it, if you can find a local artist such as Tamah(the founder of Rove Arounds), you could work with her to create a few custom designs unlike anyone else. I think I'm at the point where I'd rather have just a few really cool pieces of clothing that I really love rather than having too many that are just ok. So, I purchased the Swing Tunic above. I really really like it. What do you think? Oh, and would you believe it was on sale for a mere $28. Can't go wrong there! Rove Arounds has more clothing varieties on etsy at RoveArounds.etsy.com.

Wall Candy Arts

Wall Candy Arts has fun wall decals for kids. I actually purchased those green dots for my craft room. (I'm really just an adult sized kid.) Unfortunately, the decals are a little expensive. So, if you are feeling adventurous, you can make your own wall decals, just see my post here. Or, did you know that you can create your own chalkboard paint? If you wanted to do something really quick and simple, you could paint little chalkboard circles on your walls. And how do you do this? Just add a little tile grout to whatever paint you desire and voila, you've got yourself chalkboard paint. See step by step instructions at Martha Stewart. Have fun and be creative!

Joli Jewelry

Jody Lyons is the creator of this funky jewelry. In the mid-80's, Jody earned her undergraduate degree in Marketing. She then went on to receive two Masters degrees from Columbia University ins Psychology. Jody owned a small practice and worked in drug rehabs. However, ten years later, she found that making jewelry is what has captured her heart. And, I think it shows! Jody lives in New York and is able to use influences from the infamous NY fashion industry as well as architecture and apply them to her own sense of style in her jewelry. Joli Jewelry can be found at The Curiosity Shoppe and The Clay Pot. Visit or contact Joli Jewelry for a store near you.

Inspiration from a Bohemian Girl

Today I crossed an inspirational blog. Denise from Bohemian Girl Designs inspires me in a couple different ways. In her blog, Denise shares her experiences as becoming a new mother through some beautiful photographs and touching videos. She also has a website called Denise Andrade that demonstrates her amazing beautiful talent as a photographer.

Also, I'm inspired by Denise's experience while visiting Squam Art Workshops. Squam. Wow! What an amazing place. So, what is Squam? You will find the best description of Squam by viewing one of their slideshows. (Click on one of the photos.) Squam is basically an artistic retreat at a remarkable cabin on a lake. A place to talk to other creative individuals, be inspired, inspire others, take some classes or rent a studio. It's your experience, your dream and your destiny. You can do whatever you want on your retreat.

One final thing I would like to leave with you. Did you see "Born in Brothels" when it came out several years ago? Well, the same producing team has created another documentary called "Who Does She Think She Is?" And would you believe the director of this movie will be at Squam in both June and September? See the video clip below.

Emma Hack

Emma Hack is a body artist. Designboom describes a body artist as someone who creates art on a human body as opposed to a canvas. These images are from Hack's wallpaper series. What amazes me about Hack's work is how well she can match the body paint color with the wallpaper color and reproduce the design so that the person camoflauges so well with the wallpaper. Hack's talent is simply amazing. See more of her work at Emma Hack.

Second Life

Photo from Necrodisiac

Previous two fashion photos from Second Life Pros

Did you happen to catch the episode on PBS about the online video game called Second Life? Second Life is a virtual world that allows you to explore the entire world and interact with other players. Now, with the risk of sounding too 'geeky' I'd like to share a little information with you.

In order to get in the game, you first need to create an avatar which is a personal representation of yourself. For starters, you can just choose one of the delivered avatars. Once you get more skilled you can modify your avatar to be a closer or modified representation of yourself. Once you have your character or avatar created, you are free to roam and explore your Second Life. You can fly through art galleries, architectural homes or would you believe take a class? You can even roam through clothing stores and choose your diva outfit. If you've ever dreamt of being a fashion designer, you give it a short in your second life. However, my intuition tells me that learning the software to create your fashion line may be quite involved.

What really caught my interest about this video game is the opportunity to learn. I have often wanted to learn a second language and I am hoping that sometime soon, Languagelab will provide this opportunity. Currently, Languagelab is teaching English as a second language . Languagelab uses techniques like having a large magnetic board with word magnets that can be manipulated to form sentences. Students interact with a teacher, practice speaking, listening and reading. The Second Life blog states "It’s long been known that immersion in an environment with native speakers is the best way to practice and learn a second language. " I think it would be fun to learn a second language in a creative environment while interacting with other players and learning how to speak a second language.

If you have the time, check out Second Life, play around, interact with some of the other avatars. Check out some of the fashion designs some of the developers have created.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper has taken a huge come back. Check out the new and innovative wallpaper you can use in your humble abode. See more wallpaper designs on Designboom.

Tick Tock Wallpaper comes with black and white images of clocks and you fill in the color. This wallpaper lets you become a part of the design process and customize the wallpaper of your desires. Found at Mini Moderns

Similar to the Tick Tock Wallpaper, The Family wallpaper is a clever way to 'hang' photos, drawings, paintings and images of whatever you'd like without having to arrange and reaarange. Found at Lisa Bengtsson

Surrealien wallpaper gives a surreal look by warping the wallpaper pattern when it surrounds an object such as a light switch or door frame. Warp your room at Surrealien.

This Ant'ique wallpaper looks so traditional. However, if you look real close, this wallpaper is far from traditional. When you look at the pattern, it is made up of tiny little ants. Created by designers Gam plus Fratesi

If none of the above options interest you, you could always buy a sharpie and create your own look such as Charlie Kratzer. Found at Kentucky.

Megan Bogonovich

Looking for something to inspire my creativity, I came across these sculptures by Megan Bogonovich. Do they inspire you? The colors, textures and creativity have me inspired. If you live on the east coast or near New Hampshire, you could hop on over to the Artstream Studios and take a workshop with Megan. The workshop allows you to work with Megan to create wonderful hand built vessels, tiles and pots in porcelain. Source: Art Esprit

Publish Your Ideas

Have you ever been interested in sharing some creative news with others but didn't necessarily want to own a blog? If you have creative news you'd like to share with others, please send me the information and I will post it here. I've been on a little holiday vacation these past two weeks and would love to hear from you. Just drop me a note. Image by Cig Harvey.

Mango Three

I enjoyed these illustrations and thought I would share them with you. You can see more illustrations on their website, Mango Three. I first saw them on Illustration Friday.