happy friday!

Every so often I take some time to read through the creative/motivational website, 99%. Their name derives from Thomas Edison's famous quote “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration” and it couldn't be more true. How often (and quickly) do you get ideas for projects, businesses, inventions, or even recipes that never even see the daylight?

I love this website because it re-rejuvenates and inspires me to keep at whatever creative endeavors I have floating around in my head. More importantly, it teaches me how to be more focused and productive so that I can at least make some of those ideas happen!

I've got work cut out for me this weekend with my latest project but I'm ready to get'er done after reading these three articles. If you're easily distracted like me and want to get your work/projects moving - even if it's making your own Christmas decorations by Thanksgiving -  you might want to click through for a read too. Go ahead, it' okay - these don't count as distractions :)

•  Lab Rat: What Happens When You Unplug from Your Internet Addiction?

• Setting the Scene for a Productive Day

• 10 Online Tools for Better Attention & Focus

and for some inspirational viewings this weekend: 10 Awesome Videos On Idea Execution & The Creative Process

Have a good one, everyone!

image by anamu

happy friday!

London's Autumn colors are still going strong but the rain has officially begun.  It's time I finally get serious about buying some wellies before it's too late...I guess I'll just have to go shopping ;)

Have a wonderful weekend, enjoy the season!

This week's three rad links: • Clever designs comparing the Big Apple to the City of Light on Paris Versus New York via State of Unique

• State of Unique - new blog for modern design made in America curated by the people who brought you Unique LA (congrats, Sonja and team!)

• Beautiful food blog from down-under, Island Menu. Currently posting their spring plates and come winter, we can live vicariously through their summer meals and photos while we're shaking in our boots.

Happy Friday!

[vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/31246627 w=741&h=420]Beautiful lights to kick off a beautiful weekend. I hope to get out and enjoy it since I'll be quite busy working on a few projects + figuring out a last minute Halloween costume (yikes!). I'm always so unprepared for this holiday. Any big costume plans for you?

Have a good one!

This week's three rad links:

• Dream handbag via Of a Kind (should have put it on the Amex!) • New app to digitize old photos via GOOD • My vintage hair style image has gone tumbling found via Sart(re)orial (loving the classic style inspiration here)

happy friday!

This is my mom. She's amazing. She has a thirst for life that is beyond admirable and inspirational. She knows how to live in the moment, savor life's little details, and make the most out of everything that comes her way (good or bad). She's truly a great role model.

She's also really funny and witty which made for several giggle-fests that I'll never forget! I'm so happy that she got to see parts of the world she had always dreamed of and that I got to share a part of this chapter of life with her.

So this weekend, let the ones you love know how much you appreciate them, spend some quality time together or email/skype if you're not near by. There's nothing like family.

Have a good one everybody!

happy friday!

I'll be back next week to share some goodies from Barcelona but in the meantime, enjoy this cross-stitching fox spotted above the Columbia Road Flower Market last Sunday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

happy friday!

The last time I experienced real autumn weather was when I did a semester at the University of Rhode Island. The fall foliage blew my mind and I'm starting to feel the exact same way this time around in London. The park and streets in our neighborhood are covered in fallen leaves every morning and it's pretty ridiculous how much pleasure I get out of hearing crunch, crunch, crunch beneath my feet as I walk along.

I can't wait for my mom to experience autumn in London with me!

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone. Get out there and enjoy the season!

This week's three rad links... • CicLAvia happens in LA this Sunday. Cycle, walk, play in the city streets - it's the most AMAZING thing I ever did at home, read why here. • It's getting cold and I need these to keep warm - beautiful vintage kantha quilts via Wit & Delight • Touching logo tribute to Steve Jobs via Bored Panda. He was such a gift to this world.

happy friday! + LA architecture month

AIA and the City of Los Angeles have declared October Architecture Month. Since it begins on Sunday and I'm not there to take part in their many events, I'm going to celebrate by sharing some photos from my archives.

There's not hiding it. I. Love. LA. It is my home, my heart, and it will always be the best city in the world to me. As a native it's interesting to live outside of LA and hear what other people think, say, and ask. These are usually my responses...

Yes, there's traffic but you have it too and just as bad.

Yes, there are celebrities but no one cares about them.

Yes, it's "SO big" but it's got something for everyone and every mood, hobby, interest.

No, we don't decorate palm trees for Christmas, we get pine trees just like you do.

No, Santa Monica Beach is not littered with busty blonds. Sorry.

... I could go on but I'll spare you.

My point is that a lot of people, visitors and those who live there alike, never stop to take a look at the real LA. They simply trug along the Hollywood points of interest or are too jaded to appreciate what's right in front of them. That's why I love that AIA and the city have devoted an entire month to highlighting the Architecture of LA. Though it seems that they're mostly promoting modern and future developments, I'm going to champion what we already have. Sure our buildings are not as old as other cities' but they're ours and they're special too. For example, we have the epitome of an American Craftsman in The Gamble House, preserved Victorian homes at Heritage Square, a Downtown with layers upon layers of architectural history, and perfectly executed mid-century homes like the Stahl House. Each one of these tells a story about the history of the city and there are many more just oozing with beauty and intrigue if you take the time to look past the stucco strip malls.

So, for this weekend, I'm going to remind myself to be inspired by the buildings that surround me in my new home. Any detail, any sign, even if I've walked past it a hundred times, I may actually see it for the first.

Have a wonderful weekend!

This week's three one rad links ( it's the only one I really want to share) ... • Walking tours of Downtown LA by the LA Conservancy. I did one and wish I would have done the others too. Choose from Art Deco, Theater District, Modern Skyline and more.

happy friday!

It's the weekend again - hooray!

I  snapped a photo of this Give Box while walking around Mitte in Berlin. Just before I took it there were two people taking "gifted" goods, appearing to be shopping as you would in any store except everything there was free and came with the "take something, leave something" philosophy. It was a really special thing to come across.

Soooo....in the spirit of sharing, yesterday I posted that I'd give away a copy of the Hello Etsy Handbook from last weekend's summit. Thanks to those who commented - they were so fun to read! Unfortunately I could only select one name but am happy to say Yay, the book is yours! to Jilly! And just so you know, I literally googled "how to select a random name in excel". We like to play fair here.

Have a wonderful weekend!

This week's three rad links... • For all you typeface fanatics, a beautiful branding project for the 10,000 lakes of Minnesota via No Subject LA •When the weather gets cold, drink something HOT. Love this recipe for my fave cold-weather drink, Apple Hot Toddy via Freautcake • London Shop Tours #2 and #3  by Lotus Events for Poppytalk - I shot the photos! Take a peek here and here.