Time Flies

I love the symbolism of these clocks: Time flies! These were designed by Susanne Philippson and can be purchased through DesignShop.

Cassette Closet

Patrick Shuur from Creative Barn created this insanely unique closet. Nine Hundred and nineteen cassette tapes were meticulously attached to the closet's wooden frame. This piece was built to be used as an office space divider. You could essentially create a similar piece. This piece took many many many hours to build. But, you could do something on a smaller scale, using cassette tapes or any other material. I would maybe start with just a wooden box, maybe a little chest for storage that could also double as a coffee table. I don't know, what do you think? It is currently for sale at the Creative Barn. Source: How's House

Box Doodle Project

Doodlage featured a story on the Box Doodle Project. It is interesting to see the different approaches people come up with in how they actually use the box in their design. As David Hoffman has stated on the website, "The rules are quite simple: rearrange a box to make any kind of figure or object. Make the most of least."

Shawn McNulty

I attended the St. Paul art crawl this weekend where I was able to connect and talk to many local artists. During the crawl, I stumbled upon one of McNulty's post cards. ShawnMcNulty.com explains: "Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, Shawn McNulty is an active contemporary painter in the Minnesota art scene. He defines his style as "the idea of recognizable shapes and structures within an irrational environment with emphasis on form, color, and composition." I enjoy his use of color.

JR Art

JR is an undercover photographer that transforms his photos into posters. He uses buildings across the world as his canvas to display his art. As his website states: "JR finds inspiration in informal encounters he makes following his travels and his intuitions." He creates art out of everyday encounters. I love it. What do you think? See more of his amazing photography at JR-Art

Marten Jansen

I really enjoy these abstract paintings by Marten Jansen. He grew up near Amsterdam. When he was 17 he was interested in music and actually wanted to become a composer. Because his parents opposed his music interests and with his own self doubts, he studied economics (1983). Later he developed an interest in physics and mathematics. In 1990, he started painting. In 1997 Jansen states that things just started to click and he became much more motivated to produce art. Read his full biography.

Amanda Talley

I love the simplicity of Amanda Talley's artwork and I love the color choices she uses. Amanda's artwork is quite sought after. She has worked with designers such as Gerrie Bremermann. He used her painting in a design project (top photograph) which was featured in Southern Accents. I first saw Amanda on Bayou Contessa where the owner was fortunate enough to have purchased a couple of Amanda's paintings.

The Black Apple

I have been a huge fan of Emily Martin for years. I'm not sure why I haven't posted information about her sooner. I suppose since she has been posted on nearly every other blog, I felt I didn't need to write about her. However, I haven't seen her work lately and got excited all over again when I saw it. She is THE biggest seller on etsy. Her shop name is The Black Apple. Check out her blog, it's sure to inspire you. Inside a Black Apple.

DIY Nightstand

Check out this DIY project on cucumbersome. The original table sells at Anthropologie for $698.00. This project was created for a mere $96.00. This table is relatively easy to make and if you already have a table you would like to spruce up, the project would cost even less than a hundred dollars. You basically cover the drawers with decorative trim from the hardware store. If you are interested in the full directions, you can find them here at cucumbersome. First seen on DesignSponge.

Decorating on a Budget

I really like this room from Domino. A girlfriend of mine once taught me a simple trick when it comes to decorating. Her advice was to find a room you love in a magazine or on the web and just copy what you see. It is such a simple idea yet very effective. In this room, the designer Steven Gambrel, designed this room on a budget. Gambrel usually works on projects that are in the million plus range. But here, he gives great ideas you can implement into your own home on a budget. His simple tips are inexpensive yet very effective. I particularly like these three ideas: hang curtains high to make the windows seem elongated; create a molding with paint a shade darker or lighter to the walls;use mirrors to open up a room. Read the full article here at Domino.

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.