diy inspiration garland

I've been adding some bright and fun decorations to our office so my desk will seem like a more pleasant place to work (it's totally worked and I'm definitely not typing this post from our living room couch, btw). Hanging this colorful inspiration garland added a big splash of color and pattern to the wall with a minimal amount of money and effort.

After making my ribbon hanger, I thought I might be able to use twine to hang even more things above my desk. I wanted something akin to a bulletin board (remember those?) for hanging up photos, magazine clippings, and cards I find inspiring. Even though I love Pinterest, it's still nice to physically pin things up now and then. Rather than buying and having to hang a bulletin board, I just used mini clothespins (which I'd been wanting to buy for ages, they're so adorable!). 

If you want to make your own, all you need is twine, mini clothespins, and tacks. I used mini clips from Cavallini, but Knot & Bow also has some that are even smaller. Just measure out one or two lengths of twine, hang it between two tacks, and then start pinning up your favorite images!

The best part is, it's easy to change what's hanging up without putting more holes in the wall. If I get tired of looking at one image, I just unclip it and and replace it with another. So easy!
Or if I get tired of the whole thing, I'll just pull it down and there will only be 4 tiny tack holes in the wall. No commitment!

monday links

I'm in LA this weekend for a quick work trip, a visit with my mom, and hopefully some sunshine. Here are a few links for your enjoyment this Monday morn:

This video on how ink is made is beautiful and surprisingly mesmerizing. It kinda takes me back to this classic from Sesame Street. 

Two Japanese artists constructed this giant kaleidoscope in a shipping container. How amazing would it be to get to go inside?

Tired of the Bold Italic? Check out The Sans Serif: San Francisco's least reliable, most entertaining source for news. 

[Top photo from Lauren Conrad]

kinda inspired: offbeat geometrics

Highway print pillow by Leah Duncan

Hello Friends! I thought I'd switch things up a bit this week and introduce a new series: Kinda Inspired. I'll be sharing a peak at whatever has been catching my eye, in the hopes of getting your week off to a creative, inspiring start. 

This week I'm feeling inspired by offbeat geometric patterns. They're not quite traditional geometrics, as they all share an imperfect, handmade quality. Some of them seem simple at first glance, but the irregularities of the artists' handiwork are what make them interesting: the overlaps in printing, the subtle asymmetry, the lines that don't quite connect. And of course, the layering of bold, gorgeous color draws me in like a moth to flame...

Katherine Sable, Show a Little Ankle, 2011, oil on linen, 66 x 54 inches

Nathalie du Pasquier

Mid-Century Modern Wrapping Paper

Hans Peter Sundquist, Untitled #1303, 2013, spray paint on fabric, 9 x 12 inches

See more patterns I'm loving on my Pinterest page.


[From top: Printed Pillows by Leah Duncan, Katherine Sable via Two Coats of Paint, Nathalie du Pasquier via Patternbase, Wrapping paper from Normans Printery, Hans Peter Sundquist]

monday links

Happy (day after) Mother's Day! Hope all you mamas out there had a fantastic weekend filled with family- and beautiful flowers!

I am in love with Gray Malin's photography. His photographs a bit pricey, but I may just have to save up to invest in one because they are so, so gorgeous! The only problem will be deciding on which one. I love the colors in all his beach photography, the Antarctica series is both breath-taking and hilarious, and how can you not love these llamas? Warning: the Dolce Vita series will really make you want to go on vacation. The series he's currently shooting features a rainbow of dyed sheep! Whaat?!

A Cup of Jo featured a great round-up last week of sources for affordable art. She featured some great sites and artists I hadn't seen before. They've got me itching for some new art for my walls! I'm quite smitten with this painting "Married to the Sea" by Clare Elsaesser. 

There's a heat wave coming to the Bay Area this week! They're saying it could be 90 degrees on Tuesday! I'm thinking this might be the time to finally bust out my Zoku and make some popsicles with all the great fruit that showed up at the market this week. These recipes for boozy popsicles sound amazing, as does the raspberries and cream recipe from the People's Pops book. Bring on summer!


[Flower photo via Once Wed, Coogee Beach photo by Gray Malin, Married to the Sea photo by Clare Elsaesser, popsicle photo from Green Wedding Shoes]