Back to School Time!

I Heart Teachers!!

30. Years. Ago.

When I was a kid I wanted to be an artist. I had been considered "artistic" most of my life, hanging out in my room for hours drawing, walking over to J.K.Gill to admire the art supplies and watching over my mothers creative and talented shoulders as she sketched and painted. Art was something I loved to do, it gave me a place in the world and it began to define me. Being artistic is good cover if you are a shy, introverted, young girl, believe me! Quite possibly, the best artistic experience I have had in my life, and certainly the most fun was when I was in High School in a class called "Art Staff". Not just anyone could sign up for this class, portfolios were submitted and there was a selection process. I'm not sure how I pulled it off but at the time I actually had a "cool" friend who wanted to try out with me. She was beautiful, popular and could really draw. We both wanted to be in this elite group, we both entered our portfolios, we both waited for our acceptance letters, I got mine. I was sad for her but she was happy for me, these were really more my people then hers. To be in this class meant we were in charge of making banners for school events, designing and painting murals in the school hallways (I wonder if they are still there!!) and silk screening t-shirts and posters. It was fun, creative and sometimes hard work. I loved it! I have great memories of my 2 years on "Art Staff", but what I remember most is the feeling I got being a part of this class, of this very talented group of fellow artists, I felt like I belonged there, and it's part of what got me to where I am now. I know some of my fellow "Art Staffers" went on to careers in the art world, and I would like to think that my many years as a hairdresser, and my fewer years as a blogger, could be considered "art" as well!

I Heart the Library!!

I went to the library with my kids today and picked up this book. I'd seen it referenced on another blog and was inspired enough to put it on hold at my local library. It features eclectic design in relaxed settings with really beautiful photos. I've been in a design rut lately and could use a little creative kick start!

Do It!

I believe this with all my heart!

Thank you for reminding me Honeycomb Print Shop

Why So Snarky?

I see a lot of beautifully decorated rooms and truly inspired and eclectic home design all over the Internet. There are a multitude of decor blogs giving opinions about things they love and just as often things they are tired of. Haters I call them! This poster has somehow made it onto the haters list. I don't know why, except maybe they feel the need to express their coolness by jumping on the bandwagon of snark. Well I still love this poster! I have it in pink and it is the first thing I see when I gaze down the hall way to my daughters bedroom. It makes me smile and reminds me of how constant love is. So ignore the haters I say and embrace this classic work of art! You can now get it in other colors. If I only had more wall space.

It's Never too Late to Make a First Impression.

When you walk into my home you walk, right into my home. There is not a foyer that tastefully sets the tone for the rest of the house or a hallway that gently leads you into the living area. Just open the door and there you are, right in the middle of it. I have over the years moved furniture in and out and hung and rehung art, to find the most inviting arrangement to be the first thing that someone sees when they walk into my home. This is my latest configuration and I think I like it!

"And the Oscar goes to...."

When my oldest son was in high school he took a pottery class. He is a writer and at the time was big into screen writing, penning such classics as "Blood Fest" and "70's Snug", soon to be at a theater near you, I'm sure! Well, along with a lovely blue bowl and a less lovely, but much more interesting, pinch pot trio, he made this "Oscar" for himself inscribed with "Best Screen Writer" It makes me smile every time I look at it, not because of how imperfect it is, but because of how perfectly confident he was, and is. When he wins his first real Oscar he can put them side by side on his mantel and remind himself where it all started.

Great Advice:

Next time you just know your right...

Hair-DO!!

As an amateur decorator,

a lover of letterpress art from ETSY

and a longtime hairdresser,

I love this little bit of simple beauty.

Embrace it baby!!

Rock It Resell

When I was pregnant with my daughter Clare, my sister Mary began her own business. Beside the fact that I was proud of my baby sister for having the smarts (and the guts) to do this, I was thrilled with the fact that it was a consignment shop for maternity and children's clothing called "Baby and Me". What perfect timing! Along with her friend and partner Anita, they have since opened 2 more "Baby and Me" locations. They have a thriving business and in this economy it has continued to grow. They have lately taken on a new endeavor, in a new market. Last October they opened their 4th consignment boutique called "Rock It Resell" which serves their "aging" demographic: young people and adults. Another coup for me as my children get older and I haven't been pregnant for years! I had the privilege of helping them design their new shop and it was truly an honor and so much fun. I loved every moment of it, from roaming Goodwill looking for fun art and props, to taking a "field trip" with them to Anthropology to get ideas. Between multiple thrift shops, IKEA and "HomeGoods" we got it done and it looks so great! It is a space I am very proud of and when I go there, not only do I get to see my sister and shop for amazing clothes at a great price, I get to hang out in a place that I had a hand in creating. I love it!

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year!

Have a Super Special 2011!

My Talented Sister

The best Christmas gift I got this year was from my sister Katherine. She is one of the most thoughtful and talented people I know. She put together this amazing and very sweet work of art for all of her siblings which I am lucky enough to be one of. It's an ode to our childhood and growing up together, that I will cherish forever. Thank You Sister, I love you too!

It's True..

I love the simplicity and truth of this

The Art of the LP

My family is too darn big to buy gifts for the whole crowd, so a few years ago we came up with a gift exchange. Everyone brings one gift based on a theme and then draws a number to decide the order of choosing and opening a gift. There is stealing involved and it's pretty fun. This years theme was "plastic" and after getting my original gift of saw blades (in a plastic case), stolen (I was not unhappy!) I got this great book. It's covered in a plastic sleeve, and record albums (for those who remember them) are made of vinyl which is a form of plastic, right? It's filled with both iconic and obscure album cover art, that brings to mind visions of my sisters and I driving over to Music Millennium to roam the stacks. Those great memories are really the best gift!

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery!

OK, that last one is mine! I saw this in the latest ELLE Decor, and thought that those pretty pink chairs had a familiar look. Its called The Pink Wishbone Project and the proceeds of these auctioned off chairs go to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. A worthy cause, for sure, but they totally stole my pink chair idea!

On the subject of chairs....

Another great piece of original art via etsy

this one by uniqueseeker

I Love Chairs!

I never met a chair I didn't want, love, or want to love!

I wish I would have thought of this

but James Hopkins did and it really

made me smile!

I'm Hungry!

Blame it on my low-carb lifestyle, but I love me some bacon!
I may need to get this poster for the shrine to swine in my kitchen.
(Kidding, I don't really have a shrine!)

ShowPDX

images from showpdx

If you live in Portland, or are here in the next few weeks, check out this great art/furniture design show. My daughter and I went to the Preview Party last night not really knowing what to expect and were pretty blown away! There were so many amazingly simple, functional and really beautiful, tables, chairs, cabinets and lamps, made mostly out of wood, metal or glass. Really cool and innovative, one-of-a-kind stuff by local craftsmen (and women)! All the way home in the car my daughter was coming up with great furniture ideas of her own, I guess that is the point of art: it inspires. We were inspired! Check out ShowPDX!!

I Love Teachers!

In honor of my kids starting school tomorrow, a new twist on an old favorite!

find it here!