SAVE I Heart Art!!

I have enjoyed the I Heart Art weekly feature so much......but, have you??
My supply of I Heart Arts is dwindling & I'm wishing, dreaming, pining for new participants!
Come on, join in! It's so much fun!!
I Heart Art is all about sharing your favorite painter, photographer, sculptor, illustrator, etc. with me & all of the millions of Seams of Thought readers (er.....close to millions).
Please, tell me how art has inspired you!

How do I sign up, you ask? Well, it's simple.....
Just e-mail me the following info:
1. 1-3 of your favorite artists
2. 1-2 of your favorite works from each artist & photos of the works
3. Reason(s) why you love this artist or work of art (length of explanation is up to you)

When your artist is featured, it will be titled as your pick (using your name & link to your blog, if applicable) and will feature photos of the work you have chosen & anything you have written to me about this artist.

Help save I Heart Art!!!

liberté

Taking a cue from Jules at Belle Maison....

Ah, FREEDOM!!

Freedom by alternate:words

Freedom by Ivan Makarov

Freedom by Dawn M. Armfield

Freedom by driAn

high on books

Unsure of what to read next after my Kite Runner high, I skimmed the book shelves and chose Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri.
So far, I am loving it!
I really enjoyed The Namesake, so I had high hopes that Unaccustomed Earth would not disappoint. I'm only 100 pages in, but so far it is wonderful.

This Nathaniel Hawthorne quote starts off the novel perfectly....

Human nature will not flourish,
any more than a potato, if it be planted and replanted,
for too long a series of generations, in the same worn-out soil.
My children have had other birthplaces, and, so far as their fortunes may be within my control, shall strike their roots into unaccustomed earth.
- Nathaniel Hawthorne, "The Custom-House"

i used to work there

photo by practicalowl

Today is layoff day.
For the last year my work life has been exactly like this photo, surrounded by shit but still having an intact desk to sit at and work to do.
Alas, it has come to an end & it's time to gather up the photos of my kitties, the chocolate in my desk drawer, and my favorite pen & leave this shit hole.
And so the life of the unemployed begins....

inspiration from amy chin

The very talented prop stylist, Amy Chin, offers inspiration by the boat load!
These shots in particular really struck my fancy.
Oh, the color!

hooked on you

Thanks to Paper Schmaper, I've been oohing and awing over the Hooked On Walls website for the last hour. The company sells beautiful wallpaper, but the images on the site are what took my breath away. So inspiring!
You almost don't notice the wallpaper in most of the shots, which might not be what they're going for.

i've got to keep on moving

As I enter my final days at my current job before the big layoff, the Men at Work song Ain't Nothing Gonna Hold Me Down plays over & over in my head.

I find it quite motivating & I feel the urge to get up on my desk & DANCE. I probably won't actually do this (although at this point there's nothing to lose), but I'm doing it in my head & it's SO MUCH FUN!!

...Ain't nothing gonna break my stride

Nobody's gonna slow me down

Oh no, I've got to keep on moving

Ain't nothing gonna break my stride

I'm running and I won't touch ground

Oh no, I've got to keep on moving...

flickr fashion inspiration

Found these fantastic photos on Flickr by searching "fashion".

Pour l'inspiration...

Chile Fashion Week by kevinkobek

CAER/Fashion Shoot Blank Mag by Simon Pais-Thomas

1930s Berlin Fashion by nyctreeman

parisian chaussures!!

My dad & step mum just returned from Paris & they brought me these adorable Parisian flats!!!

Aren't they beautiful?! They have every element that I love in a pair of shoes....
pretty details (pleating & a bow), patent leather, a cap toe, and a classic color combo (cream/black). They are also very versatile - great with jeans & dressed up.

Tres magnifique!!

i heart art.....susan

This week's I Heart Art is by Susan.....and it has to do with me!
In 2001, I painted a rhino with watercolor to give to my dad & step mum for Christmas. My dad is a veterinarian and they are both animal/wildlife lovers, advocates, and conservationists, an influence that has become a part of who I am. I wanted to paint something that would illustrate our shared passion for these things, so I chose to paint them a rhino. I am not a realistic painter and see things more abstractly, hence using shapes and bright colors to make up the composition. I wanted to capture the mystical essence of the rhino, his strength, and his kindness. Not sure I accomplished these things, but that was the goal anyway.

Susan, my step mum, has chosen The Rhino as one of her I Heart Arts!
I'm touched and flattered....

This cheerful rhinoceros greets me every morning as he frolics on green meadow-pillows in the blazing hot sun. I love the geometry of his tough lattice hide, softened with Crayon colors. Gorgeous, by the artist formerly known as "DV", now known far and wide as the Seamstress of Thought. - Susan

Merci Beaucoup!

To participate in I Heart Art, click here!

new prizes!

Went shopping last night & found some very exciting treasures!

Luggage Tag Jacket from Anthro!
(sorry for the tiny image, but it's the best I could do)
I've had my eye on this jacket for months, but never bought it because the price was too hefty. Imagine my excitement when I saw it hanging on the sale rack last night & it was just my size! I scooped it up & ran off to the dressing room. The fit is perfection and I love all of the beautiful detail.
A real prize!

Volatile Kathy
I found these beauts at Nordstrom in the perfect green (that I have been searching for my whole life, sorry no photo) for only $59! They're so comfortable and the color is grand. I almost purchased them in blue also at the store, but decided not to. Then I went online to Zappos this morning & saw the canary yellow color & couldn't pass them up. I really love the shape & you can't go wrong with comfortable heels in pretty colors.
A necessity!

P.S. I received the red jacket from Nordstrom, previously posted about here, and I love it! It is made really nicely & has a great look and fit. Definitely keeping it. Still waiting to receive my L.A.M.B. heels from Shopbop, which should arrive today.

tear jerker

What a fantastic book! I just finished it last night, with tears running down my cheeks. The story is incredible & Khaled Hosseini's writing is magnificent.

Highly recommended!

I plan to watch the movie now that I've finished the book, but I'm sure it will pale in comparison.

like, totally!

Although I typically hate slogan tees, I make an exception for tees with environmental or animal-related messages. I found this veggie tee on F21 and it made me laugh. And, the smiling veggies are so cute!

I like to think that I fall into this category.

senior citizen

Have you read Harper's Bazaar Fabulous at Every Age section?

In every issue I always fit best into the 60s and 70s age range!! Forget 20s, 30s, or even 40s, my style is that of a senior citizen!

I love this month's selections for my age group...

60s - The gold Montblanc watch is fabulous and the Oscar de la Renta runway look is to-die-for. I love all of the bright & bold colors.

70s - The black, white, and grey pieces are classic and so sophisticated. Tres fabu!

audrey and chanel

I am anxiously awaiting the 2009 release of Anne Fontaine's biographical film, Coco avant Chanel, staring (my forever girl crush) Audrey Tautou as Coco.

Audrey is magnificently magnificent and a perfect pick to portray the fabulous CC.
I fell in love with Tautou in Amelie (an all-time favorite film) and can't wait to see her in this role.

photo by Ralph Wenig

Vogue Italy, April 2008

Vogue Italy, April 2008

photo by Ralph Wenig
A disgusting habit, but French women make smoking look so glamorous.

J'adore Audrey!

mon amour pour adele

Adele has been playing over & over on my iPod for the last few weeks. I just love her.

Her debut album, 19, is really fantastic!

Her music has an Amy Winehouse-type feel, but more bluesy.

Music to my ears!

unemployed? time to go shopping.

My need to shop has intensified since finding out that I'm going to be laid-off at the end of the month. Why is that?
I spent the afternoon browsing my favorite shops online & made these impulse purchases...

Kensie Stretch Cotton Jacket - Nordstrom

L.A.M.B. Danielle Cap Toe Hidden Platform Pump - Shopbop

I really love both of these pieces!! They are great business attire additions to my wardrobe and I can't wait to receive them on my doorstep.

lazy sunday

Betty spent the day lounging in the sun while I lounged on the sofa.
It was so hot outside, so the a/c was on & the activity level was low.

Sleepy Betty.

Time for a bath.

news flash!

My little labor of love, Lulu and the Bee Calligraphy, is featured in the latest issue of Phoenix Picks, which came out today!!

You know I was up at the crack of dawn, brimming with excitement as I opened my e-mail to see what The UE had cooked up for me. Here it is.....

The Wedding Quill

You know your BFF has lost it when she becomes obsessed about the minor details of her wedding invites as in, “Do you think silver-leaf wedding bells are too much?”

Safeguard your friendship by suggesting to your gal pal that she go straight to Lulu and the Bee. Master calligrapher Dianna Andrade takes care of the dirty work by hand-creating customized monograms and addressing invites with gorgeous calligraphy; she will even design the invitations for a personalized touch.

www.luluandthebee.com

Merci, merci, merci!!!

i heart art....mary!

Welcome to this week's I Heart Art by Mary!

Mary's choice is particularly sweet because she has chosen her photographer husband (and my brother), Scott Vickers, as her favorite artist - aw!
Take it away Mary....

So, this may be an obvious choice, but an artist I would love to share is Scott Vickers!
His photographs really capture what I think many of us take for granted everyday - the environment around us. In a day and age where many of us are so consumed with the daily grind, it is difficult to take a step back and enjoy what is around us. Often times when I am busy at work, I find that visiting his website of photos helps me to relax and hone back in on what really is important.

Sand Dollar Sunrise
I love the colors in this photograph. If you ever get the opportunity to drive along California's coast, Big Sur is the best way to go! We were on our way to my friend's wedding at Limekiln State Park and were just in awe of the wonderful cliffs. This particular beach is captured so eloquently, where you can see the mist of the splashing waves in the back and the color of the sky resonates onto the sand. This photograph almost looks like a painting and I believe he captured this sunset beautifully from the ground up.

Yellow Wildflowers at Joshua Tree
This photograph resembles a background choice from Microsoft Windows! I love these wildflowers! It makes you want to run through them like Laura Ingalls from "Little House on the Prairie"! The wildflowers are the main focus here, but you can't help but notice the gorgeous sky. I asked him if he adjusted the color of the sky, as many photographers do alter their shots, but he stated that no photo-shopping was necessary. The angle of the shot is what I am most impressed with. Taking the shot from the view of a small individual yet you can see the flowers just unending.

Empty Highway Running Through the Desert
What I love about this particular photograph is the angle. You can see the tiny pebbles in the roadway as it cuts through the desert. Often times driving through the desert I tend to sleep or just allow much of the landscape to pass me by. I think this angle is great how it is just huge where you stand, and as it gets further away the less room there is to see what is ahead. The "road less traveled" metaphor comes to mind as I gaze into this photograph. It seems unending and yet you cannot tell how long the road continues on for. It gives you the sense of being right there, standing on the roadway - great shot!
- Mary

Thank you Mary!

To participate in I Heart Art, click here!

you're not the boss of me

Now that I'm on the hunt for a job, my work wardrobe needs some sprucing up & I'm in search of inspiration. At my current job, I can wear jeans and tees everyday if I want to. So, transitioning to more "professional" attire for interviewing and possibly everyday wear is required.
There is nothing that makes me more uncomfortable than matching slacks and a jacket. It's just not me, which means I have to find ways to look sharp sans the matchy/matchy suit look.

Favorite-fit Wool Crepe Trouser - J.Crew
I do believe that I need a pair of these slacks in navy. The fit is perfection and navy goes with everything I own. I love this look with the blue collared shirt and red shoes.

Wool Hacking Jacket - J.Crew
I love this combination! The jacket would be great for an interview (with different pants) and the whole look is perfect for everyday.

Mini-seersucker Pencil Skirt - J.Crew
I'm a sucker for seersucker & love the pairing with the yellow floral top.

Rebecca Taylor Tee & 18th Amendment Pants - Nordstrom
High waisted, wide legged prettiness! The top is so feminine & the pants are just my style. A great spring look for work.

Inspiration photo from F21
I know it's F21, and not the nicest for work, but I do love this photo. The stripped blazer with a floral top, and the smarty pants specs make for a great work look. Trade-out the jeans for a pair of navy trousers & you have yourself a winning combination.

be still my heart!

I first eyed the Carrie & Big spread on Because I'm Addicted and it made my heart go piter patter. Today, my very own copy of the June issue of Vogue arrived in the mailbox!! The spread is fantastic and brilliantly photographed by the talented Annie Leibovitz.
Oh happy, happy day!!

As you know, Sex and the City: The Movie opens on May 3oth!!