I, for one, am looking forward to the long weekend ahead. After meeting a big deadline tomorrow, I plan on doing some major decompressing: kicking back, doing a bit of hiking, having a few cocktails, staring at the ocean, and stepping away from the computer til Tuesday. Hope your Memorial Day weekend will be just as relaxing. Enjoy!
(This is where I want to be… by Kurt Rahn)
Well, it finally happened: after weeks and weeks of being buried in work, I finally imploded under the stress. I love freelancing, but I’m constantly at odds with maintaining a balanced life: it’s all or nothing when it comes to the work. It’s a good thing I live by the ocean—not that I’ve been able to break away for a walk on the beach, mind you. But knowing it’s there does give me a sense of calm. It’s funny how a big body of water, and nature in general, can put things into perspective. I realized that a while ago, so I guess it’s no surprise I’ve been drawn to these photos from Society6 lately. Until I can take a break and get down to the beach in person, gazing at these will do the trick.
(Salt Water Cure, Maps, Distractions by Tina Crespo)
(Not all Who Wander Are Lost by Jillian Audrey)
Have you guys been by an Anthropologie store lately? Can we talk about the garden display? It is so dang cool! All your favorite farmers’ market fruits and veggies recreated with paper mache (and even a little sewn fabric). This produce almost looks better than the real thing. And if you’d rather skip planting a real garden this year, Anthropologie posts a DIY tutorial on how to create your own root veggies. These pics were taken at the San Francisco and Berkeley stores—and boy, do I hope my own tomatoes look this good in a few months.
I went hiking in Tilden Park (in the East Bay) a few weekends ago, just as the fog came rolling in. It was right before sunset when these two people on horseback rode by, and headed up the path towards some burned out trees. I thought the pics turned out a little Sleepy Hollow-ish (maybe I should’ve saved for a Halloween post!) I love how the fog makes everything look so mystical—but am hoping for a warm, sunny weekend instead. Enjoy!
The Char-Bea collection for Urban Outfitters: I’ve been seeing this range of bedding, pillows and rugs on a lot of design blogs lately. And for good reason: they’re awesome! Created by Portland artist Ashley G., they’ve been an instant hit (the reversible duvet cover above is already sold out). She uses really interesting color combinations—and I love how these designs are both soft and bold all at the same time. Now anything that looks similar is catching my eye. So if you were lucky enough to grab this bedspread, or are planning on getting any of the items below, I’ve found some artwork and accessories that go with them. Perfectly.
(Top left: Circle collage by Esther Ramirez; Middle left: Painted ceramic vase by Shade on Shape; Above right: Painting by Zoe Pawlak; Below left: Paper collage by Coutrney Price; Duvet, pillows and rug by Ashley G.)
I came across these cool posters by French illustrator Mathilde Aubier on Etsy a while back. The restrained color palette caught my eye—it’s a change of pace from the bright, bold colors I’m normally drawn to. (I especially like these two of her cat Miko.)
Love these collage-y looking images too. And they have a real retro feel. (The top one in this series was done for Etsy’s twitter background: you can download it here.) And since I’m a sucker for a good collage—and anything vintage—this is one shop I’ll be visiting again.
I’ve got another busy week ahead—and it’s so important for my sanity to get up early for a walk and a dose of fresh air before getting buried at my desk. Whether you work from home, or commute to an office, it’s a nice way to claim some “me” time while transitioning into the work week. Here’s to the quiet beauty of Monday mornings. Before the madness.
