Simple Things by Zero 7I've been thinking about the beach lately...mostly for two reasons. First, my best friend just got back from North Carolina and she and I FINALLY got together the other night to swap stories (hers about the beach, mine about jewelry and design). And second, I'm going to be taking a little beach vacation in July with my sister (yearly trip to Indiana to stay at a house right on the beach)! Needless to say, I'm pretty excited and thought I'd do a "beach-themed" post featuring some of my favorite items to further the excitement.
First of all...gotta have the sunscreen, an umbrella and a big straw hat...especially me cause I burn to a crisp otherwise!
I like the Aveeno suncare products because they aren't harsh but they are strong (I sometimes use baby sunscreen cause I figure if it's good enough for a little one's skin, it's gotta be gentle!) 
Straw Hat from J. Crew 
Love this huge umbrella and chair set from Fiber Built Umbrellas...plenty of shade! 
Next I worry about a cute swimsuit and equally cute cover-up, flip flops and a beach towel.
I really like the J. Crew bathing suits and I'm thinking I'm going with a one-piece this year...Maybe this one in navy?? 
I got a really light and fun sheath cover up when I was in Miami last year and I absolutely love it! This one is similar: 
And of course, sandals are a must! I've always got a pair of these on hand from J. Crew (ummm...can we see a theme here?) 
If I had all the money in the world, I'd get this beautiful beach towel from Missoni. As it is, I usually just use something that is readily available (there's a whole collection of towels at the beach house!) 
Finally...I need the beach equipment, which for me means sunglasses, a great read, something to keep me cool and a great bag to tote everything around in.
I love my huge sunglasses! I have just one pair (which I'm always misplacing) but I always make sure I put them in my beach bag before I head out...these are similar (I don't remember where I got mine): 
A great book is essential to me when I'm at the beach and I've been eyeing a few to take with me:
I've read her other books but I really want to read Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella 
Where Are You Now? by Mary Higgins Clark looks really good when I feel like a little mystery... 
And, even though it doesn't look very beachy, I can't wait to read the new David Sedaris book When You Are Engulfed In Flames. If it's anything like his other books, it will keep me laughing all day! 
One really important essential at the beach is a way to keep cool when it's sooo hot (even in the shade of a huge umbrella!). I like to keep cold drinks on hand and I could definitely use one of these insulated coolers/totes: 
My last essential is a large tote bag that I can stuff everything in and that will stand up to sand, sun and sunscreen. I have a few but I'm thinking of upgrading to this: 
Is it time to leave yet!?!? What are your beach essentials??
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Beachy Keen
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Weekly Win It-Off The Wall-Winner!!!
Congratulations to our winner in the Weekly Win It give away from Off The Wall:
Dianne!!!!
She is the lucky winner of a beautiful hand painted frame from the fabulous gals over at Off The Wall!!
There were 14 entries in the Off The Wall contest!
Thanks to everyone who entered the contest and thanks again to Jaime and Melissa for participating in this weeks give away!! You guys are the best!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Weekly Win It!!
Yay!! The Weekly Win It feature is back and what a way to start off!! This week's featured artist is none other than Off the Wall!!! This fabulous duo is made up of partners Jaime and Melissa, two talented and upbeat ladies who specialize in faux finishes for architectural elements, home accessories and pretty much everything in between. I first came across these two via their blog and quickly discovered their wonderful portfolio of work. Some of my favorite items are their frames featuring wonderful Bible passages and quotes. How great are these for framing your loved ones and remembering God's goodness every time you look at their picture?? I also really love their beautifully finished shutter and garage doors as well as kitchen cabinetry. 
I've really gotten to know Melissa over the past few months through blogging and email, and I know that both of these ladies are quite talented and special, so I was super-excited when they offered to participate in the Weekly Win It!! I can't wait to introduce you to these wonderful gals (or help you to get to know them better) so sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of Off the Wall!
Tell us a little bit about your studio and how the two of you came to be partners? We teamed up in 2004, not realizing the connection we would share. But we knew instantly that God had something strange and uncharted planned for us. I (Jaime) already had an established and busy career in the faux finish industry and was living out her calling, while Melissa was earning a degree in Fashion Merchandising. After graduation, Melissa began work as a human resources assistant… not so much her dream job. Knowing there was something more; Melissa quit her job to pursue her love for something more creative. That’s when a friend told her to call me. Melissa began working for me hourly as I trained her in the skills of the faux world. Beyond working incredibly well together, an immediate friendship was born and we became business partners soon after.
Our studio is in Olive Branch, Mississippi. We welcome clients to come by to customize their orders and shop our existing collection, provided they can appreciate the very fine aroma of paint thinner, the sound of saws and sanders singing, and two boys trying to torture each other in the background (that would be the Roberts boys of course!).
Where do you get the inspiration to create your beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces for the home? We have so many different inspirations, but a love for anything old that we can transform into something that people actually love to buy and place in their homes is motivation to keep trying to come up with some new ideas. We love vintage architecture and salvaged pieces. We can’t miss a thrift store or side of the road where a discarded treasure can be found. We love the romance and the idea that a home is a reflection of who you are and where you want to be. You shouldn’t want to be any place else.
What is your most favorite project you’ve done for someone’s home and why? Our favorite project on the faux finish side of our business so far, has been an old world plaster finish with revealed brick in a beautiful East Memphis home. Our client commissioned us to manipulate plasters in a room that was once her porch. She trusted us to give her the feel of a European villa. The room felt lost in time, at least a couple hundred years old and it was a complete success.
From our product line, I don’t think we can pick just one. When we come up with a favorite, it will probably be time to quit. I hope we never have a favorite… that means we are still breathing!
Do you two have any painting or faux finishes in your own homes? You know the old saying, “ the cobbler’s children has no shoes.” We find with our faux finishes and with our products that we are the last to get them. As soon as we finish something new, someone comes along and ends up buying it. But we will have to change that soon, there are so many pieces that we both want.
What is the largest project you and Jamie have ever taken on and how long did it take you to finish it? I think kitchen jobs are the longest, especially when we come up with something cool in a finish, and the client keeps adding and adding. We have several clients that will never be finished, because they are constantly coming up with ways to keep us in their home. At least they don’t want to get rid of us.
Tell us a little bit about your creative process? How do you figure out what you are going to do when presented with a project? Ultimately, we go with what first comes to mind, and figure out a way to make it work. Instincts are your best indicator that a project will be successful. When you see a project for the first time you know instinctively what should be there and it is just a matter of trying to make it work. We rarely stick with a rigid way of doing things. Usually when we plan, that is when we end up tossing the project plan and starting over. It is when we embrace the unexpected that we come up with the coolest outcome.
Wow!! Thank you so much girls for taking time out of your BUSY lives to share a little more about yourselves and your work...you are both fabulous!!
So now the moment you've all been waiting for...this week's fabulous give away is this lovely Zebra Stripe Table Top Frame (ummm...this would fit in perfectly in my home-too bad I'm not allowed to enter!). This fun and funky frame can be yours...just leave a comment on this post and tell us what your favorite product is from the Off The Wall store.
Please check here for contest rules and regulations!
Thanks again ladies...you're the best for doing this give away and the best bloggin' buddies a girl could ask for!!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Inspiration...
I've had this saved on my desktop for about a month now and have been meaning to tshare it with everyone. I think I'm going to post it up on my bulletin board at work and look at it when I'm feeling down or discouraged (which has been the norm for the past couple of days unfortunately). Where did I get this, you ask? One of the blogs I occasionally read, My Polaroid Blog of course!! I highly recommend visiting this inspiring blog to take a look at the wonderful photos posted by Jen...who would have thought Polaroids were such an art form??
Also, don't forget to check out the Weekly Win It give away which I will be posting tomorrow!!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Friday Flickr Find
So, I'm a total dork for posting these photos, but I love them! Ever since I was a little girl, I've wanted to live in a castle...my sister and I used to pretend the sofa in our parents basement was a castle and there was a drawbridge (i.e. cushion) to get over the moat we created out of blankets (see, the dorkiness started early on!). I think My Little Pony might have been involved, but I digress. Anyhow...I think now-adays, I'd settle for visiting any one of these beautiful castles (except maybe Leap Castle which is supposedly super-haunted!!) instead of owning one (too much upkeep!). Hope you enjoy and have a great weekend!!
Castles & Dreams 26 - Haunted Mansion 6, originally uploaded by Ewciak & Leto (I'm back my friends :) ).
Matchbook Sign Language
I found this while randomly surfing the Internet and thought it was too cool not to share. 
These are matchbooks that artist, J.F. Keller found on the street and manipulated to form a sign language alphabet (plus and added extra that's not so nice!). Very cool!!
Here are some other projects by the same artist:
Live Free or Die
Typeface for a New York Times article
Harmen Liemburg Lecture Poster
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Weekly Win It!
So, as you may have noticed, I haven't done my Weekly Win It post in about a month. Mostly due to having to frantically prepare for my show...somewhat due to the fact that I have yet to send out questions to the people who are waiting to participate as the featured seller!! Yikes!!! I apologize for slacking off and promise that the feature will be back next week and will continue after that (until I get too busy to think again!!). Make sure you come back and visit as next week's artist is a great one...you're not gonna want to miss it :)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Hi, I'm a Marvel...and I'm a DC
Having a nephew (and brother-in-law) who are obsessed with superheros and anything having to do with them, I am constantly bombarded with all things superhero. Since I love my nephew to pieces, I listen attentively when he shows me his new toys or wants to tell me about the new movie he's seen. My sister gets in on the action too and seems to find the funniest things! I thought I'd share something she showed me last weekend, I think most people will find this funny, even if they're not a fan of either of these franchises.
I couldn't stop laughing when I saw these!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Happy Monday!
Well I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend! Mine was quite relaxing and only semi-productive (which is what I needed after the craziness of the previous weekend).
I got some time in with my sister and her kiddos, I bought a couple of books to read, planted some flowers and caught up on a guilty pleasure (Ghost Hunters) via You Tube.
My sister and I went to the Sex and the City movie on Saturday night and it was everything we hoped it would be! We laughed, we cried, we laughed so hard that we cried! I highly recommend it (especially if you're a long time fan of the show!).
I also got the chance to stop by Anthropologie on my way home from work on Friday night. My boss' place was being photographed for an article that's going to appear in the fall issue of Chicago Home and Garden magazine and he needed me to drop something off there on my way home. Since Anthropologie isn't far from his place...I decided to stop by and browse a little bit. Needless to say, I was there for about an hour but I did pretty good and only ended up purchasing one thing (a mug that was on sale). I managed to take a few clandestine pictures while there and I thought I'd share...
Linens galore...I wish I could afford to buy them all!!
They had brilliant colors throughout the place. My kitchen would be set if it was red or yellow!
I LOVE these chairs...now I really wish I had a patio...
Their jewelry is beautiful...and I love the way they display it (it was pretty much all gold though!).
So what did you do this weekend??
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday Flickr Find
So I know I skipped my Friday Flickr Find for the last couple of weeks and I apologize for that!! I really had to cut back on blogging while I was preparing for my show but I promise that I'm back and will be posting as usual!!
This week's Flickr Find was inspired by Inspiration. It's all about nature...namely trees, my favorite natural wonder. I love photos of trees and have them scattered all over my bedroom (it's kind of a thing). I'm truly inspired when I look at these photos...I think it helps me to remember the glory of God and the strength and beauty of His creation! Have a great weekend everyone!
