What I'm loving right now.

Here are a few things that I have been enjoying recently. I hope it inspires you! Happy Wednesday.

1) I am trying this project as soon as I can find boots from the thrift store to cover. Thanks to Kinsey for always sharing the some of the best inspiration & tutorials. Sincerely Kinsey's Sweater Boots DIY

2) This photo from Shop Planet Blue's Look Book makes me wish that James' van was all ready to go so that I can do a photo shoot with shots on the inside, and of course on the outside by the hand-painted cacti...

3) If this interview from Free People on Alexandra Valenti didn't just prove my girl crush on her, let this actual statement to be a fact.

4) This photo has been in the Bag Muses Pinterest page for a while. I snatched it somewhere off the Shop Spanish Moss Blog. The design inspiration seeker in me just goes wild for it.

Crafter / Artist Inspiration : P.H. Fritzgerald Photography

Whimsical, unusual, nostalgic, and charming. Last week, I spent a bit of a lot of time over at P.H. Fitzgerald's photography portfolio website. These photos inspire me to take more photos and to go outside more often. I forgot to mention that I am now a member of the Zipcar family! Meaning that I can rent a car for a few hours - giving me the opportunity to get out of the city and into the corn fields. Boy do I miss the corn fields.... they're the best here in the midwest. 

The first photo I'm sharing reminds me of the mini road trips that I miss. Thank you P.H. Fitzgerald for bringing me back those memories and getting me excited to get in my first Zipcar.

-Alexz

An Ode to Anna Piaggi

"I must say it is more economical to dress from the antique auction houses than Paris couturiers," she once told WWD. "I have dresses that should be in museums that only cost me $50." - Anna Piaggi

An ode to a smart woman with a worthy, and very unique, style.

Friday I'm In Love : WITH NOVELLA ROYALE

Thanks to the NR Blog for their pictures.

Novella Royale. Novella Royale. I love the way that sounds coming off the tongue. So much that I'm renaming today's post of Friday, I'm In Love and changing it to FRIDAY, I'M IN LOVE WITH NR. Caps necessary.

I've been following the Novella Royale brand and blog ever since I came across their Instagram. I first saw a pair of their bellbottoms, but quickly was smitten by their bags and overall lifestyle (All for supporting other bag creators and I can totally talk up another bag designer! I'd do a couple or more dares for my very own NR bag). I've been meaning to share their name, and was reminded to after Laura added them onto one of the Bohemian Collective Pinterest boards. This company is truly an inspiration to me as a one-woman show behind Bird Trouble. They are one of my personal style inspirations, as well as one of Bird Trouble's inspiration because I can see their drive and hard work. I'm just obsessed with those bellbottoms and am loving the fact that they're bags are also made out of recycled leather jackets. NR and I know what's up (nudge, nudge- right Mary Meyers?) when it comes to helping reduce waste.

Not only these reasons, but also because they just really make me want to move back to sunny California and make myself a pair of bellbottoms. I'll just stick to making the bellbottoms.

Inspiration to distract the tiring holidays

Hopefully everyone had a good holiday weekend! Here's a little update with mine:

Christmas Eve was spent with a fairly new friend of mine. We listened to music, he watched me mix deviled eggs mixture on his floor, helped me with 3 trays of what I like to call 'cherry granola cups with a chocolate bottom'. There were only 2 trays by the end of the night. During my creative cooking time [creative because I have no clue what I'm doing in the kitchen- I just throw things together], Stephen customized a tattoo sketch for me. We stayed up late to finish tattooing my wrist with my brand new lovely tattoo. I gave him a pouch to give to his sister as an X-mas gift and a birthday gift, essentially in-trade. My Christmas day was very chill. I spent the day with a friend's family, was fed generously, and was treated to a bunch of little gifts too. I brought the deviled eggs and the remaining 2 trays of the  'cherry granola cups with a chocolate bottom'. Christina and I had a smartphonephotofilters photoshoot on the couch with our wine while we watched Elf... haha. Oh the things that best girl friends do under the influence of a few glasses...

Here's some style inspiration, because my brain can't process any other posts until after the holidays.

Artist Feature :: Leslie Oschmann

Leslie Oschmann for Swarm is an artist, a re inventor, a bag design, a furniture designer, and a manipulator. I found Leslie through Anthropologie and a curious me, after seeing one of her bags, I decided to google her and lurk around her website. It, of course, looks all cute and shabby. After reading up on her on decor8, I learn that she's a former visual director for Anthropologie.

She does it all! I really envy artists who try a bunch of different mediums. I'm actually trying to venture out to printing and painting on canvas at the moment, and learning something new is always a fun challenge. Honestly, if I can learn everything, I will. I'm not into books or history or biology, but anything crafty.. I'll want to master it. At least once.

Here's some photos of her work! :::

images from SFbaygirl, Decor8, Anthropologie.

xoxo,
Alexz

Designer Feature ::: Hound

HOUND's designer and founder, Jennifer Beeman, is based out of Chicago and having a local connection to her might be why I love this line so much, but I love it for so many other reasons too. Her spring/summer 2011 line was inspired by the shadow lines from light going through woods. It's so clean and so peaceful. 

Her items are so great though because they capture a light, airy, classic straight line fit. I love the bold pastel colors and the simplicity of everything. Though she seems the lines straight and gives each piece a vintage whimsical vibe. It makes me want to go camping, or hiking at Starved Rock. It's only an hour and a half away. Once my car is out of the shop, I'm going to try to plan a camping weekend so I can hopefully be as inspired by something similar like Jennifer was.

Here are some of my favorite items from her Spring/Summer 2011 book. 

Can we please talk about how beautiful these pictures are?!

Are you familiar with any local designers? Who are your favorite?

xoxo,

Alexz

Shop love.

Hi Readers! Ever been so amazed by someones craftsmanship? I'm sure you have!
So amazed that it makes you want to explore new crafts to see what your own hands can do?

Personally, I've always wanted to work with wood or other raw materials but having a small space right now seems to be stopping me. My dad gave James a lot of tools and some intense saw looking things. Now that we're moving into a bigger place for August, I'm thinking we're going to be able to explore a lot more technique. Since James already enjoys whittling (he whittled me an acorn necklace the first month we were dating!), I always get excited about the possibilities for when we actually can start.

This post is dedicated to all the artists that make things that blow my mind.
Thank you for being awesome!

I ran into Tumbleweed's Oddities three days ago and was INSTANTLY hooked. I love their craftsmanship, their clean look, and the fact that their sunglasses are good on dudes and chicks. I mean, I just think they're so bad ass. It's hard not to think so! Also, Beca has a cheerful crafty blog that will definitely inspire you too.

Apartment Five has a small collection of their handmade SHOES in their etsy shop. I LOVE the soft look of these. It looks as if they were meant to be worn. Not only do they look comfortable and wearable, they'll most definitely start up a conversation with friends. I'd be all "Hey! How's it going? Good, yeah I bet. WELL GUESS WHAT! I BOUGHT THESE AWESOME HANDMADE SHOES! Aren't they so sweet? Yeah I know." Hence, the person I'm having a conversation with wouldn't have a second to speak because I'd be so excited to introduce my feet.

I think it's kind of genius to combine bark, yarn, and feathers. I also think it's pretty awesome to combine them into a one of a kind over-sized ring. This fellow lady Chicagoan (who I'm pretty sure looks super familiar), The Gypsy Fox, describes herself as "a rambling, roaming, crafty vagabond fox inspired by nature."
Pretty awesome in my book.

Not only do I have a local Chicago girl crush on Steff Bomb (no, I haven't met her yet but I still have a crush on her), but her creations are insanely cute and irresistible. She was nominated Chicago's 2011 Best Crafter and she surely deserved it! Even though I love to sew, I can't imagine the time and planning it takes to make an adorable plush. I made a squirrel once (RIP after my dog eating it) and it was... ok, I guess.
Nothing compared to this craftsmanship!

Surprisingly, I haven't tried screen printing yet. I have all the materials, minus the squeegee, I think.
I give Bark Decor an A+++ for their prints and the quality of them. Can't forget to mention that this towel is only $10! That means you can buy two- one for the kitchen, one for the bathroom. Done, and done.

Who are some of your favorite artists/crafters that inspire you?
Have you been inspired to try a new craft out and how did it work for you?

xoxo,
Alexz

Exhausted

Ever feel like the inspiration and spark was sucked right out of you? Then to top that up, I feel like life has been extra stressful and it's is exploding on me all at once. That's what I've been feeling all week! Unmotivated, uninspired, and nearly hopeless. I mean, that's why I'm making this post. I need to get back into the groove tomorrow, crack open my window, and get to sewing because it feels like the start of Spring!

vogue fashion

Eyul Aslan

the cherry blossom girl

This last one's been really fun on the eyes and it's got me all mind crazy!
The Coveteur.

What do you guys do when you get these feelings? Go for a run, read, get together with some friends, or maybe impulsive shopping (cough, NO that's not me)? I'd love to hear what calms you down.

It's SEVEN weeks 'til Christmas?!

Happy Saturday everyone!
I've recently been searching on Etsy for Christmas gifts. During the day, I work as a receptionist at a hair salon so I'm always counting down the weeks to Christmas. I don't want to scare you but... it's 7... SEVEN... 7 weeks til Christmas. YIKES. Don't freak out though. Hopefully this post will inspire you to create, buy, or plan on your purchases!

Here are some of my favorite items I've been lurking on Etsy.
I think MarmeeCraft's The Little Lacemaker Print is gorgeous! It'd be perfect for that feminine girlfriend of yours. Plus, prints always make good gifts and they're priced great for everyone!

PonderandStitch's Triple strand cuff bracelet. I'm in love with this gal's stuff. Her stuff is so adorable and this cuff is made from a repurposed vintage hankie from Belgium!

Seriously. IHeartNorwegianWood's Long Champagne Fridge Earrings. I'm OBSESSED. Can someone just buy ME these? Haha!

LemonBird's Tomato with Raw Honey and Cinnamon!!! I'm drooling. This is a perfect gift for, say... your significant other's parents? Lemon Bird has so much natural, amazing, and tasty looking food items made from of local items out of California.

For your vintage lover friends... TheVintageCabin's Ship Wall Hanger would make a great "OOOO!" gift.

Good luck in your holiday escapades!

Also, if any of you are Etsy sellers and you're trying to prepare your shop for the holidays...
check out the forum post I made.

Alexander McQueen.

Most of you should have read through the internet, or heard through the news, that Alexander McQueen was found dead this morning at his London home. I woke up and, still half asleep, I looked at Facebook on my phone, only to find out that one of my biggest inspirations when I was in Fashion Design school had been found dead. McQueen's bizarre, edgy, and gothic fashion designs inspired me to step outside of the box with my sketches and my textiles design project. Even though McQueen is no longer breathing, no longer walking on this earth... his creative work will forever inspire artists of all kind.

“McQueen influenced a whole generation of designers. His brilliant imagination knew no bounds as he conjured up collection after collection of extraordinary designs,” said Alexandra Shulman, the editor of British Vogue.
Quote found here.

Here is a few photos of McQueen and his designs that I've gathered from weheartit and just a few some my hard drive.