the Creative Thursday blog

this book!

If you're on my email list then you're already aware of all the changes coming for 2015. And if not, it's time to let you know!

I've been ready for these changes for quite a while... and then this book showed up in my life, several times actually, the first week of the new year. And now, there's seriously no going back.

Since December, posting on this blog has felt a little paralyzing - because there's no easy way to say this, but it's time for me to let it go. It's surreal to stop a commitment you've been keeping consistently for almost nine years, especially when this is also the first time I've kept such a commitment. What I haven't decided yet, is if I will leave it up, or let it go entirely? There's a lot of good stuff here! And yet I'm also not this person or artist anymore. I've changed. What this book has me understanding more than ever, is that holding on to your past anchors you, rather than supporting you to be fully in your present and confidently step into your future.

What I know for sure is that I'm officially done with maintaining all of these online homes. Everything for Creative Thursday will be moving to one site, and that moment can't happen soon enough. The new site will absolutely have a place for me to share news and "talk" to you when I have something important and interesting to share. So, it's not like I am suddenly going to be silent now. Nope, that's not going to happen. Also, my intent with the new show is to share more of my thoughts and experiences there via video. I'm also working on re-vamping how I approach sending email updates.

We'll see? A lot to think about?! And it does not all have to be decided right this moment. I just wanted to pop in, say a quick hello and recommend this book. It really is a game changer.

happy 2015 xo

 

 

indeed...

If you're in L.A.! and eclectic art and furniture is your thing, like it is mine, you need to know about 'indeed...' {well actually if you are in the states, because shipping might be an option! and and you can follow along with new items that are available on Instagram @indeedhomedesign}

Our friend Jon just opened his new shop @ 5522 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90019.

Jon used to have a shop in Carpinteria. Let's say that over the years, most of our furniture = from Jon.

He has a great aesthetic. With so much looking the same today in design and home furnishings, I have always found Jon's finds refreshing. His pieces are Personality + Quality.

Definitely pay him a visit. indeed... is open Wednesday - Sunday. 

He even has SWAG, already! 

lunch & an earthquake with Amber

We're just FINE!

Ok, as I'm sure you know the news tends to sensationalize a bit. I don't think that I was in the strongest part of, but I DID feel it. And this being my third earthquake, I have to say it was rather exciting. Really, you'd almost have no idea an earthquake had happened as I continued my errands out in Los Angeles today. I kept having to ask people "did you feel the earthquake?" and most did and some people didn't feel a thing, and some people looked at me like maybe I was just a tad too "enthusiastic" about the experience. If you're not a Californian, I think that you have to realize that people here are used to them, and those who've been through them before, especially the big Northridge quake in 1994 (which I was not here for), don't panic over these kinds of smaller quakes.

The funny thing is that I was at lunch with my new friend, Amber. I had planned on introducing you to Amber here on my blog, just not in conjunction with an earthquake. But ten minutes into meeting each other for the first time, we shared a salad and an earthquake outside at The Grove. By the time we realized what was happening, it was over, as is common for earthquakes, usually just lasting a few seconds. We did both look up at the huge two-story glass windows we were sitting by ~ wondering when and if we should move away from the glass that might break above us. But it turned out not to be a concern, and we calmly went on with our lunch, after our adrenalin rush settled down.

And it turned out to be such a great lunch and visit. This is yet another story of a friend I've met via the internet. I "met" Amber through Etsy when I bought some of her beautiful wood creations, the sweet little houses in the photo above. Amber's other identity is Woodmouse. She makes the most charming wood toys and sculptures. I instantly fell in love with her house series and could literally line them up endlessly in my home.

When I bought the houses, Amber asked if she could sculpt some of my characters for me in wood. She often takes on commission pieces. And these are what she came up with. Aren't they fantastic?!!! I LOVE them. I think she did a perfect job capturing the spirit of lewis, olive and oscar. I brought them home with me today where they now happily reside in my studio.

All I can say is Amber is as sweet as her creations. An entrepreneur, (she has quite a few accomplishments under her belt that she is incredibly humble about), a stay at home mom, a talented artist and another thoughtful, lovely creative spirit who I am excited to say shares the same city as me ~ as this way we can have more in person visits, hopefully minus the earthquakes. You can learn more about Amber over at her blog, and purchase her  creations here at her Etsy shop. And...psst...she let me in on an exciting secret today, and all I will say is if you fall in love with something at her shop, I'd probably buy it right away!

so great to meet you Amber!!!

(and those of you in internet land, thanks for checking in on me ;))

pretty peonies

I leave you with some pretty peonies. Peony blooms are some of the most intricate and beautiful I've ever seen. And every year at this time, I'm delighted, because good ol' Trader Joes has them available to bring home with you.

See you soon!

this where I’ve been, still am, and will continue to be

I kind of fell off the face the earth into patio furniture land. I didn't even offcially get to wish you a happy weekend, because on Friday we bought some new chairs + ottomans for our garden. They were on sale just this week, so we had to move fast. The ottoman's are a MUST by the way. If you're feeling frugal, like you "don't really need" an ottoman to go with the chair. You do. An ottoman, I've realized, is essential. And if there are two of you, you can't share either ~ you must have your own, which is why yesterday morning we were out again, to get the second ottoman. My entire life I don't think I've truly had comfortable patio furniture. While these are not vintagey and cool, (I've found that vintagey and cool does not always cut it in the comfort department) they are some of the most comfortable chairs I've ever sat in. Did I mention that they rock too? They're from Target, and they even come with the faux "embroidered" crewel throw pillow ~ a nice little bonus!

Needless to say with our now summer like weather this weekend, this is where we've parked ourselves ~ except for jumping into the ocean early this morning for surfing then a fun breakfast visit with Mark and John. Really once I sit down, I can't get up. Good thing there's an outdoor electrical outlet close by, so I can bring the ol' laptop with me, as this might just have to be my new office.

hope you're having a beautiful weekend....I'm headed back to my chair.