a little reminder... from your artist within

i recently did a little fingerpainting project with my 1.5 year old and it reminded me of the mass amounts of creative juices that we all have flowing within us.

to watch my little man, hesitant at first, eventually just dive in and get messy... spreading paint...slapping the canvas...asking for more paint...completely consumed until he decided that his masterpiece was complete... it was awesome and inspirational.

we are all creative, we just sometimes forget to let it ooze out of us... but when we do it feels damn good.

so on this fantastic first of day summer, let's all be sure to do something to let our creative essence shine... doodle...paint...cook without a recipe...sing out loud...write a poem...dance in your living room...the world will be better for it & so will you!!!

a very dear friend sent this quote to me & i have it plastered in many places to serve as a reminder to the creator within me...

"The first step- especially for young people with energy and drive and talent, but no money- the first step to controlling your world is to control your culture. to model and demonstrate the kind of world you live in. to write the books. make the music. shoot the films. paint the art." - chuck palahniuk

inspiration icon... zooey deschanel

i've got a few girl crushes... we all do, right?

these are the girls that you are part jealous of, part inspired by, part in awe of, and part preeetttty sure that if you had the chance to hang out with them for an afternoon that the two of you would become inseparable b.f.f's from now until forever?

well yeah, that's how i feel about zd. this kitten never ceases to amaze me.

let's count the reasons why...

1. she owns her personal style.

2. she was in elf.

3. she can act.

4. she can sing.

5. she just got her own tv show.

6. she's crafty & in the know.

7. she blogs.

8. she's married to a musician.

...but i think the most amazing thing about her is that her sweetly coy, girly, quirky, whimsical flirty-ness manifests itself in all that she does. i love that. she oozes herself in everything she touches and that is rad.

now if only we could just happen to bump into each other, say some witty remark that gets us both giggling...and then chatting...and then shopping...sharing a glass or two of bubbles...going to a show together...then karaokeing and dancing together... and eventually splitting a best friends charm together...that would be awesome.

wouldn't it?

inspiration icon...martha stewart weddings

oh martha...where do i even begin? you do it all... from tv. to radio. to the web. to your local department store... living. weddings. body+soul. everyday food. and the long gone, but dearly missed, blueprint. all this, plus the countless other projects you have that i failed to mention, are what makes you this month's inspiration icon.

you've built an empire AND done some legit time in the clink, all while holding your head high, looking beautiful (even in an orange jumpsuit), and convincing the masses of us that we CAN make crafts, cook meals, and decorate our lives with as much ease and perfection as you do.

you amaze all of us... but you amaze me most with your wedding magazine. i've been married almost four years and i STILL buy your WEDDING magazine... every. time. it. hits. the. stands.

...but, how could i resist?? the color palettes, d.i.y projects, and recipes go well beyond just helping a girl plan the wedding of her dreams. they serve as a GREAT inspiration source for all of us who are looking for fun ways to entertain. it is a go-to resource, a bible of sorts, to me...so thank you for being such an inspiration icon.

and yes... your picture perfect wedding photospreads send me into a daydreaming tailspin that have me begging my husband to let me go all out and plan anniversary celebrations, for us and our closest friends & family,every five years. he rolls his eyes, but i think it's a go.

inspiration icon... jonathan adler

inspiration is everywhere... especially these days with the help of our little friend the world wide web.

and with inspiration comes inspiration icons... those people who stand out in the crowd. who grab your attention and suck you into their world. who set the bar in your book. those who light a fire under your butt and motivate you to make your own, individual, mark on this hugely awesome world we live in.

i have a growing list of these icons and the first i'd like to share with you is jonathan adler... ceramics master and the namesake behind his ever-growing, highly coveted, home decor & interior design business.

he's the hip-daddy of "happy chic" and an inspiration icon to me because... he embraces and confidently exudes his individuality and unique personality as the foundation of his business. from his classic pottery pieces to his newly launched table linens, his pieces are recognizable, a bit quirky & always fun... most importantly, he makes you want to be a part of his world. oh...and he believes in rustic modernism...my fave.

in his own words...
Jonathan Adler
...is a design company dedicated to bringing style, craft, joy, and a general feeling of grooviness to your home.