Weekend Inspiration

This block from Paloma's Nest is precisely the kind of inspiration I need to keep the 5 Simple Things momentum going. I'm also thinking it would make a great Christmas gift.

The digital version of the Design*Sponge newspaper is now available for download. I'm hoping to pick up a hard copy in Park Slope tomorrow (I'm getting a hand made silhouette of my little guy at Pink Olive...more here).

I've made Heather's Heirloom Tomato and Plum Salad three times this week. It's delicious. And the salad dressing is perfection. Tonight I added cucumbers. Jules loved it. Watch the video...it's beautiful!

As we honor and remember 9/11 this weekend read these inspirational quotes from women who were touched by the tragedy. 

The Cool Casa

My self-professed design junkie friend Denise has an oh so cool blog on all things interior design called The Cool Casa. In addition to featuring cool products and design resources, Denise also shares some of her great thrift store finds, some of which are now available in her new etsy shop. Looking for something specific? Just let her know and she'll try to hunt it down for you.

Blue skies

Nothing but blue skies and lots of fun in my weekend plans. Hope you have a great one!

Image via She Hit Pause Studios on etsy. This artist features polaroid transfers that are rubbed onto water color paper. Stunning.

Starting the week off right

Words to live by. And inspiration to plow through my to-do list.

 

via groundwork on etsy

Dreamy photographs

Dreamy prints from Lonny via their Etsy shop

Flags, fun and freebies

I've been on the lookout for a flag garland for some time now. This one from Oeuf I adore (and how cute is that baby?!).

Here's one from Etsy I've been keeping an eye on.

I was really hoping to make it myself but I haven't gotten around to picking up fabric. So on Sunday I decided to pull out construction paper and colored pencils and make a temporary one with Jules. I don't love the colors, but it was all I had. And Julian says it's perfect. So for now, it's staying put.

Local mamas: are you heading over to SuburbanMomma's Momma's Night Out tomorrow? The lovely organizers managed to add even more deals and giveaways to the already long list of awesome stuff (details here). And all proceeds from the event benefit bergenPAC. Mingle, score a deal or two (I'm addicted to daily deals and have already scored two from SuburbanMomma), enter a great raffle, and support the arts. Good deal all around. See you there.

Loaded with contradictions: My kind of azabache

Like many Cubans and other Latinos, I was wearing an azabache within minutes of being born. In Latin culture, it’s custom for babies and adults to wear one to protect them from mal de ojo or the evil eye. I wore some version of it (pin, necklace charm) until I was old enough to refuse to do so.

Much to the dismay of many family members, I chose not to follow the tradition with my son. I’m definitely superstitious (you’ll never catch me walking under a ladder or putting my purse on the floor), but this was one superstition I didn’t feel the need to follow.

But I might just be having a change of heart. Enter The Light and the Truth Bracelet by nomoikoru. The strong modern gunmetal is an interesting contrast to the rustic vintage eye stamp, while the magnesite bead is a lovely counterbalance to the dark black glass bead. I’m considering picking one up for myself, and even having one sized down for Jules, because this here is an azabache I can get down with.

Paris is flying...and so am I

 

Last weekend I celebrated another birthday. And I must say, this one felt really great. I feel positive about my intentions for the New Year. I’m truly happy and eager to experience all that life has to offer. Luckily, each and every day I’m able to experience life through the eyes of a child. And that has been a big part of the inspiration behind this blog. I will be using this space as a place to collect things that inspire me, but more importantly, I hope to stimulate my creativity, curiosity and imagination. This blog will serve as my reminder to experience more  -- to look up every now and again. The view might very well be amazing.  

Image via ChelseaVictoria on Etsy

(I'm buying this print as a birthday present to myself!)