GIMME FLAIR (OMG!)

Please (pretty please!) go see: Gimme Flair, my brand new webshop featuring pins, patches, and buttons by about thirty different makers from across the globe. It's seriously a dream come true to work with this many awesome artists and I think you will all love it. Xoxo.

interior inspiration : my home redecorating plans.

Good afternoon! I hope everyone enjoyed a lovely spring weekend. Today I am sharing some images of interiors that I am using for my own inspiration. Our home style has been pretty much the same since we moved into this house (almost five years ago) and I am ready for a change. I am still going to keep a lot of my usual style (lots of vintage collections, pops of color, sweet kitschiness), but I am in the mood to give it a new look. More whites, better displays, some new furniture, and less chaos. Some of these images I have posted before, but I wanted to use them in this post for my own reference, like a little online inspiration board...

Sources (from top to bottom): Anna Kern, LivingEtc, inside a black apple, Design*Sponge: Olga Naiman, LivingEtc, James Merrell, Johnny Miller, Anne Naumann, LivingEtc, Design*Sponge: Bjorg Juto, and Apartment Therapy: Diana Fayt.

a little business.

Just a quick note before I (finally) head off to bed: I do not usually post about advertising on here, but I wanted to mention that I am currently having promotional rates that are going on for only one more month. Design is Mine has a rather large amount of readers, so if you are interested in joining the sponsoring team, just email me and I will send you information regarding the current rates and statistics.

Thanks everyone - see you in the morning!

and so...

I am off for the weekend. This week has been rather wretched, mainly due to the overwhelming heat, so I am welcoming the (slightly cooler) weekend with open arms. Have fun everyone!

(Above photograph by Cig Harvey)

the summer social.

Sorry that it has been a little quieter than usual here this week. In case you are wondering, I have been getting things together for this...





The Summer Social is an event that Abby Powell Thompson is putting on this Saturday here in Portland. There will be a number of creative people selling their artwork, along with good food and vintage beauties. I feel quite lucky to be a part of the whole thing and seriously cannot wait for the weekend. More information about the event can be found on the Summer Social blog. If you live in Portland or will be visiting this Saturday, please stop by and say hi (and maybe even buy a slice of homemade pie from me!)

and away we go!

And so, I am off for the weekend! I have decided to milk this birthday for all it's worth, so I am quite ready to start the festivities. Have a wonderful next couple of days everyone! (Above image by the lovely THUSSFARRELL)

flickr friday : birthday.

Yes, it is true. This weekend I turn twenty-seven years old. I plan to tear up the dance floor, that's for sure.

1. party, 2. cherry pie, 3. happyhalfbirthdaytome, 4. happy birthday, 5. message box birthday, 6. pink balloons!, 7. full of hot air, 8. cut the cake, 9. march 07 cards, 10. pink glassine lined bags, 11. candles, 12. a good day for a birthday, 13. Magic is a gift for the Lonely Souls, 14. After, 15. Birthdaygirl!, 16. nearly three

and i'm back...

from our trip to Connecticut and New York City. I had a great time, but am quite happy to be back home in Portland. Tell me, how has your week been?

an apology + some lovely links.

Good morning everyone! So, as you might have noticed, it has been a bit hard to get internet access while here in NYC. I've had to borrow a laptop and our hotel doesn't have free wireless access, so I haven't had the chance to sit down to get any blogging done. I will be back in Portland on Friday night, so posts will return around then.

As for now, I thought I would share some nice links that I quickly found among my Google Reader. Enjoy, and I'll be back this weekend!

• An amazing wedding idea with globes and vintage maps.
  
• The wonderful Jennifer Altman has a brand new shop that is absolutely breathtaking.
  
• Totally loving the new Style Me Pretty site.
  
• Ultra cute engagement photographs.
  
• Ez has some free goodies again, this time adorable printable recipe cards/labels.
  
• The summertime Kindred has launched!
  
• A creative and cute clock idea.
  
• Pretty, pretty interior styling
  
• Joy's new site is up and it's beautiful.
  
• Emma's Saturday Sweets are always a treat.
  
• Love the colors in these photos of Emma Watson.
  
• Another stunning wedding on a farm.
  
• Breathtaking flower photographs from Pia Jane Bijkerk.
  
• A first look into Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland.
  
• Yet another gorgeous wedding idea by Chelsea.
  
• A bit of Zooey love.
  
• Starting to see stripes and I love it.
  
• Some of the nicest wedding invitations I have seen.
  
• Betty always has amazing style. Really.
  
• Wouldn't you love a circus wedding?

thought of the day : i love new york.

"New York," by Kat Macleod- first appeared in The Cocktail, 2005 (Via Oh Joy!)

And so, I am off to Connecticut for a couple of days and then New York City for all of next week. I won't be blogging tomorrow, but I am going to try to keep it going regularly starting Monday. See you then- have a wonderful weekend!

flickr photo illustration of the day : birthday.

"happy birthday" by d e b b i e.

Today is my totally awesome husband's birthday, so I am taking the rest of the day off to celebrate it with him. This will probably entail his yearly apple cake, bad movies, and fatty southern food. I'm excited. Have a happy Tuesday everyone!

let's get out into this sunshine.

I must admit, I am feeling rather uninspired today, so I think I am going to take a random one-day break to catch up on some things and spend the day out in the sunshine. See you all tomorrow (or later tonight)!

Image above by Gemma Booth.

flickr photo of the day : springtime soiree.

Untitled by abbytrysagain.

I hope you all had a fabulous, sun-filled Memorial Day weekend! The above photograph is a polaroid that my friend Abby took of me and my sister-in-law at the springtime party I threw on Sunday. It was a beautiful day with fresh farmers market food, sweet sun tea, quilts spread out on the grass, bunches of flowers in old bottles all over the place, petal-studded carrot cake and strawberry pie, and wonderful people. I really had an amazing time and it made me feel like this is going to be a truly lovely summer.

a list.

Notes from a Friday night...

1. I apologize for being terribly behind in my emails. I plan to take a day very soon to go through them all and reply.
2. I am making a vow to not bake for two whole days. I am not sure if I can make it.
3. In conflict with the above statement, I cannot stop thinking about making this. It is way too beautiful for words- I will just have to wait until sometime next week.
4. I am rather obsessed with Lookbook. I always appreciate great style from all over the world.
5. There will be no Best of the week post this week. With a broken computer charger all week, I am way behind on my Google Reader. Next week!
6. This time of year is by far my favorite. Portland is absolutely gorgeous, the weather is amazing, and the produce at the farmers market is the best. Few things satisfy me more than a cool Autumn breeze coming through my back door in the morning while I am drinking tea and/or baking bread.
7. Sometimes white can be perfect.
8. My blue hair is fading and I haven't plucked my eyebrows in over a month. I need to freshen up.
9. I have many plans for this site. Someday soon I will sit down and write it all out and really get going with it all.
10. You all inspire me. You really do.

flickr photo of the day : self.

Is it weird to put a photograph of myself as the flickr photo of the day? I just always adore my friend Alice's images and I love this one she snapped of me this morning after I baked some miniature strawberry bundt cakes.


"summerummer" by landcameralandcamera.

And with that, I am leaving early for the weekend. Tomorrow is my birthday and some much needed rest is needed. I hope everyone spends the next couple of days doing something they love.

a little bit of me.

me blogging, photo by Alice

I know that I rarely choose to post anything personal on here, since everything is meant to be based on design, but every once in awhile I think it is fun to do so. Today I saw that Chelsea of {frolic!} posted a survey that I thought would be fun to fill out. If you would like to comment (or if you're a blogger, post) your own answers, I would love to hear them!

Three ways you are stereotypically a girl:
1. Pink is my favorite color. Something about it, especially in good design, always tends to cheer me up.
2. I love shoes.
3. I am extremely domestic. I cook, bake, clean, and garden all the time. And I love it.

Three ways you are stereotypically a boy:
1. I belch and fart, I admit it.
2. I have a fowl mouth (my husband says I talk like a sailor).
3. I always think girls are hotter than guys.

Three of your everyday essentials:
1. Coffee from Stumptown
2. Cell phone
3. At least one baked good
-------------------------------------------------------------

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was just about to graduate high school at age 15 and start my first year of college.

2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today?
Drop off my voter ballot, go to the thrift store, blog on my food blog, send out thank you cards, and cook a delicious meal.

3) Snacks I enjoy:
bread and honey, Gouda cheese, vegetarian jerky, fresh fruit, baby carrots, pretzels, bagels and cream cheese, macarons, and muffins.

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
Pay off our debt, travel all around Europe, buy a bakery, buy a big Victorian home with a huge kitchen, buy a new wardrobe, put away money for my kid's college expenses, eat at all the amazing restaurants in the city, and donate money to the things I believe in.

5)Places I have lived before:
Oxnard
Los Angeles
Hollywood
Burbank
Glendale
Fullerton
Portland

daily style.

I fully admit that I completely stole this idea from the wonderful Ez. This morning she posted about her realistic daily style, which was so nice to see from a blogger I admire so much. There is something I love dearly about getting little glimpses of the personal sides of other design bloggers, since usually all we get to see are images and words involving products and other artists/designers. So, I decided to do the same and show my readers what I realistically wear on a normal day (which is usually spent in front of the computer, baking, taking care of two small children, and taking little walks around our Portland neighborhood). Yes, some days I dress up in more eye-catching clothing like vintage dresses and big heels, but most of the time I live in jeans and flats and much prefer comfort. I encourage other bloggers to do the same- I (and I'm sure many others) would love to see! (Please note: these are not actually pieces I own - I usually don't spend much money on clothing- I am obsessive thrifter! It is just to give an idea of my daily style).

• 1. Black Blazer by Deuxieme (£324.00)
  
• 2. Zagiri Ruffled Top ($27.80)
  
• 3. Heart Pendant Necklace ($50)
  
• 4. Opaque Pantyhose in Lake Blue ($14)
  
• 5. Antler Girl Tee ($25)
  
• 6. Black Hoodie ($60)
  
• 7. Vivian Straight Leg Jean ($32)
  
• 8. Me Too Nell Shoes ($83)
  
• 9. Tulip Hobo ($22.50)

pretty plates and 8 random things.

The ever-so inspiring Heather of Creature Comforts and Wren Eleven just added these completely adorable vintage decorative mini-plates to her shop, Wren and Chickadee. I love 'em!

Speaking of Heather, I found this "8 Random Things" entry on her website, so I thought I would go for it, since I never really write many personal things about myself on here, which I hope to change over time.

No. 1
I have been: a lifeguard, a babysitter, a health food store manager, a secretary, a massage therapist, a shipping manager for a cd company, a cashier at a bookstore, and an office assistant. I am now a mum/baker/blogger/illustrator.

No. 2
I like to pretend that I love the outdoors, but I would much rather be in a nice hotel in a city than in a tent in the woods. I have discovered that I am not the outdoor type.

No. 3
I am always having an internal struggle between being a total cynic and an idealistic romantic. I can never find a balance between the two.

No. 4
I suffer from: migraines, fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, insomnia, chronic sinusitis, and a mitral valve prolapse. I try not to complain often.

No. 5
My favorites include:
Movies: Amelie, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Breakfast at Tiffanies, and Wet Hot American Summer
TV Shows: Sex and the City, Freaks & Geeks, Project Runway and Grey's Anatomy.
Musicians: Of Montreal, Belle & Sebastian, The Smiths, The Finches, Camera Obscura, Mates of State, and Rainer Maria.
Other Things: the color pink, fanciful desserts, Harry Potter, beautiful design (obviously), French pastries, outdoor food markets, people who have amazing personal style, earl grey tea, dark chocolate, and vintage clothing.

No. 6
I have horrible and disgusting habits. They range from peeling split ends and fingernails to reading celebrity gossip late at night.

No. 7
Ever since I was a teen, I have claimed (very strongly) that I never wanted to have children. Ever. Then I fell in love and suddenly changed my mind. I have two children by the names of Riley and London. I absolutely adore them.

No.8
I despise melted cheese, close-minded individuals, traffic, radishes, Hummers, suburbia, 80's fashion, cliques, eggs, crowded buses, the smell of seafood, and a large portion of southern California.

new things coming!

(sources can be found here.)

I was feeling inspired tonight by one of my favorite color combinations, pink and grey, so I decided to put out the September layout a wee bit early. So, here you go! Not very Autumny, but refreshing nonetheless.

I just wanted to take the time tonight to say thank you so very much for following this website. I have gained an enormous amount of fabulous viewers in the short time I have been doing Design is Mine, and for that I am quite thankful. I love all the feedback and mentioning around the web- it all makes me feel so wonderful.

I have many plans for this site in the near future, including (but not limited to):

• Interior design spotlights with folks who have gorgeous & stylish living spaces.
  
• Artist interviews.


• Recipes for beautiful food.


• How-to articles (based on fashion, interior design, and art themes).


• A massive shopping page.

and much more! So keep on checking for updates, sending the emails, and being your terrific selves!