Spring Fashion 2015

I was sitting in the car wash waiting room, and saw the Spring InStyle from across the room.  I was so excited!! I can't wait to be inspired to dress for a new season.  I took a few photos of things I saw, and it got me mentally planning my wardrobe for the warmer months.  (Plus, with the SURPRISE visit to FL in a month or so, I get to try a few things out early.) 

Love these braids for sweaty days!

Flower Belt?  Yes, Please.  

One of my March Outfits.  I'm sooo excited!

And this one... I was cracking up laughing.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  How do you change position?  What happens to those flowers when you walk?  If you are interested, they have it in both long and short lengths.  Bahahahahahahaha!

Also inspired by the fashion, Miss S decided to put together this get-up one morning... 

And lastly, I was inspired to go through all of her clothes and organize them for now, as well as for the spring.  We have a HUGE pile for the consignment store!  Now.... if I could only be as inspired to tackle my own closet.  

When you don't know how to be creative

Recently, I went to this amazing art space in Pontiac, MI with my one of my dearest, Gerri.  I had every craft supply at my disposal, and had absolutely ZERO crafting mojo within me.  One reason, was that I wanted to chat and catch up with my friend, and some times I have to get deep into "the zone" to start a new creation.

I walked over, took this sunshine sign off that wall, and started to copy the illustration.  It was a wonderful exercise, as it allowed me to relax, chat, and create. 

Another dear friend, Kat K, had spoken to me months ago about doing a "study" on art techniques.  In that same conversation, she used one of my favorite quotes: "I am allowing myself to suck right now".

Being an artist isn't always about making great things, it is about not forcing things.  I highly encourage taking another piece of art/craft that someone else has made, and copy it, to learn from it.
(Don't sell, steal or pass off as your own, mind you, but use it as a study:) 

Random Observations

Going here.  Soon.  

Soleil will do anything for a French Macaron.  Or (/mɑːkɑːrɔːn/ mah-kah-rōn;^[1] French pronunciation: ​[makaˈʁɔ̃]^[2]) as the pretentious Hipster at our local cafe corrects me in saying...

Perhaps I should stop buying my 3 year old daughter shoes.

Why I hate going to the commissary.  The bread aisle looked even more bare.

Returning home, and dreading leaving it when we move.

Easy meal for Cinco de Mayo.  Throw whole chicken in crock pot+italian season+chicken broth+onions.  Shred, add taco sauce at end or leave plain, like my kids like it.   Oh, and don't think I made the Spanish rice... I made the Trader Joe's frozen, microwave brown rice and then heated up rotel, and added it in, cooking until heated through.  (It was pretty good.)

Selling this.  I want a Cameo because it fits my lifestyle better.

Cleaning Craft Cabinet.  (I never have need to walk into a Michaels/Joann's again.  But I will.)

Be back soon!!

I cannot believe we are in late April.  We have been on our house hunting trip and I will return very, very soon.

I don't have any photos, but here is what I am inspired by at the moment:

Nautical Home Decor

Anything involving monarchy

Face painting videos

Enjoy the Spring!

My Command Center

My Command Center.  I did not create this term--my little brother, Andy, gets credit for the title.  My mom has a place in her house that is where she sits with her coffee and her computer, a blanket, a dog or 2, and settles in.  He calls it her Command Center. I have one of those places as well, and the red couch is it.

I start my day here, and usually end it here, too.  I plan things, plan to create things, drink coffee, facebook, email, and sometimes even just sit and listen to music.

My favorite "Command Center" activity: drinking coffee. 

I leave my pile of magazines in this spot, and use it to rip out inspiration.  I write down or "pin" new recipes here, and review my week's itinerary.  It is one of my favorite spots in the house.
Where is your "Command Center"??

A recent magazine article that inspired me.

Inspired by... SPRING 2013

Some days, I walk around and am inspired by lots that I see.  Thank goodness for the iPhone....I take a ton of pictures to remember later.  When I need some ideas and feel the need for creative vibes, I go window shopping, go to Barnes and Noble and leaf through new magazines, or seek out a cute bakery that I have never been to before.  Luckily, I have a very cute sidekick who loves these types of trips. 

Since we have been showing the house, and we need to be out and about, we have had been out A LOT.  So much, in fact, that I just want to settle into my craft room and not leave for a few days.  I shouldn't complain... I want to sell our house, but I am realizing that I am more of a homebody than I realized.  

 Angel Food Bakery. AMAZING.  The staff was ridiculously attentive and very nice, and there is a long glass counter where you can watch them make all of the day's treats.  I had to pull Soleil out of there!

 Coffee was really good.  (It is Peace Coffee, my favorite.)

 My pretty writing materials for "Ease into Spring" by Bella Cirovic.  She sends daily emails with activities, inspiration, thoughts to think about, etc. She has another ecourse scheduled for June and you can find it here.  I am loving her current course!

Oh and I made this.  Another Apron... I am not claiming it as Project 21, as you guys have seen 2 other aprons already!  (I love making them....) 

Inspired by...

Cute craft displays at the local toy store.

The return of embroidery.

Scrapbook with lots of bits.

The clean look of Russell & Hazel. I bought my planner from here, and the shop has the prettiest displays.  It makes me feel organized just by looking at it!

Winter 09/10 Inspiration

In the bathroom at "Moon and Sixpence" in Bath.

I want to wear her outfit.
As I eat this... (prosciutto, salami, pastrami, parmesan, tomato)
I found a few cool things in the magazines I read at Jika Jika (our fav cafe in Bath.)

Another outfit I want to wear:
Love the bright colors to left and in background.
Will definitely use this page as some scrapbook inspiration.