Inspiration 01

Give me a..."ENTER LETTER HERE AND SHOUT IT VERY LOUDLY!" And then do a cheer and dance if you feel so inclined. Which I just did, at my desk, at work.

I like the "make it big" vibe the two photos above have. The fun and playfulness of making one letter big, and intertwining it with a person makes for a very engaging portrait.

Photo Credits:
Showroom Magazine 
The Brand Audit by Nubby Twiglet

Change is Brewing.

I'm sitting here at my desk, engulfed in a mixture of anxiety, panic, and excitement. Mostly, excitement, but the panic. It's there. Oh it's there. I'm in "charge forward" mode. I've been reflecting a lot this past year, on where I want my career and personal life to go. My current situation isn't letting me maximize my skills, growth, and potential for a few reasons that I would like to chum up to business politics. But business politics aside, I've been wanting to make this change for a long time. And because of one reason or other, I back out. Get nervous, cave to the advice of others and get back to this place. This internal standstill with myself where I know where I want to go, but I feel like the influence of other factors prevents me from breaking through.

I have to keep mum for a little, on what this big change is but, it's coming. I'm ready for it though I got some grown up thangs to handle first. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. Breaaaaathe.

The Name Game

After creating, and abandoning an embarassing amount of blogs and domain names, I think I've finally quit being a floozy, and I've settled. Design Life Hub! Designlifehub! Desiiiiiiiign. Liiiiiiife. Huuuuuuuuub. Yes. I like the sound of it. I think it encompasses much of what I wish to capture here on my little free space of the internet,  and it rolls off the tongue nicely. Finally, I'm in a committed domain name relationship. Heavens, sing.

I don't even know where to begin quite yet on developing a logo for this blog. So for now, lets just file DLH under TBD. I'm exploring ideas and catching vibes. So, someday. Let's hope sooner than later. Right now I'm in the discovery and development process. Which means, I'm avoiding it like the plague.

Thrift Finds

I'm not sure when I became an old lady who trolls antique stores in search of golden animal treasures and other such things, but some where, some how, it happened. I've fully embraced it. Living across an Eco Thrift, one of northern California's largest thrift stores for antiques, isn't helping the cause either.

After work, I have this internal battle where I ask myself; should I pull into Eco Thrift or not? And who am I kidding, 99% of the time before I even answer the question I've already got my left turn blinker on waiting to turn in through the little back street. Sometimes I walk out feeling like I just won a raffle prize, other times I'm like what a load of crap.

Anyways, below is some of my favorite loot. The prices at which I've gotten everything are dirty cheap.

I got my cousin this cute little bolero cowboy necklace, because she a country girl!

On the left, is a one of a set of brass elephants I found. The trunk duals as a functional and convenient ring holder. On the right, a very serious soldier. 

I used to keep my chunky jewelry stuffed in an oversized zipblock bag (hey it did the job) but now, thanks to my newfound obsession with brass, I found these nice sturdy bowls and things around here look a little more glamorous.

The round brass tray served as the perfect resting spot to make my perfumes look all organized and fancy. Though I must embarrassingly admit, during the morning rush of getting ready I slam or pull out my drawers too fast and I knock them over constantly. My mornings are filled with expletives.

 And lastly, a nice little brass dish for pocket change. 

I'm a total brass junkie, and if its dirty, unpolished, and lackluster, well even better. Because polishing brass is strangely gratifying. 

A Career Change | When the Universe Speaks, Listen

Photo

I finally feel at a point where I'm ready to take the plunge, and make a career change. I've been dabbling in Graphic Design for the past year and a half, but with out structure and projects, I feel like my growth and skillset has flatlined. I am officially enrolled in a Graphic Design program. Cue the happy dance.

I had a wonderful conversation with my aunt who is an incredible teacher and a life mentor. She told me, when the universe is speaking to you, listen to it! You have to put out into the universe what you want, and the universe will give it to you. But if you never put it out there, it's never going to come. I felt like randomly shouting AMEN! Because her words resonated so deeply. I feel like it's my time to give myself a chance. Let go of all my fears, and just run with it. I might fall flat on my face, hit some struggles, but you know what? I'll get back up because face planking is stupid. Here I come, UNIVERSE!

4th of July in Boonville, CA

My brother was recently visiting nearby with his girlfriend and her family. They stayed in this teeny tiny town and kindly invited me to spend the 4th of July with them in Boonville (aka, the boonies!) I spent the weekend eating delicious BBQ, sipping on spirits, and enjoying some truly kind and genuine company. When they asked if I could spend the night, I was like ohhh I hope its not an imposition. Don't mind the fact that my overnight bag is already resting on an extra bed, I'll take that vacancy! It was a fun filled weekend. I do miss living in the same city as my brother, he's such a funny and inspiring person. 

The house they were staying was built in the 1890's. It has been updated inside, so it didn't have too much of an old feel in the interior, but it did have its quirks. 

 My brother's girlfriend, Kalli, came equipped with a backpack full of explosive fireworks for the fourth. She's a keeper. 

On Friday, we decided to venture out and head to a river close by. I wouldn't exactly call it a river. It was more of a giant pond. I didn't dip in, I'm not a big fan of swimming, especially in still waters. But my brother, his girlfriend, his gf's sister Veronica, and their dad couldn't resist. 

 I put together this gif of my brother and his girlfriend and her family diving into the water. Seeing other people so happy, well shoot, it just warms your soul. 

And this old man swimming with his two old dogs, was so stinking adorable. 

Patterned Throw Pillows

When I first saw the above image, my first thought was, now THAT'S a party. A pillow party to be completely cheesy and dorky. Who says a couch has to be donned in a sea of solids? No one. That's who.

Society 6, CB2

Joss & Main, West Elm, Urban Outfitters