friday pic & pin

With everyone talking about Fall being just around the corner, I'm psyching myself up for 24/7 summer living. It's a world of difference from last year when I barely saw the sun so this time around I'm definitely thankful to be closer to the equator.

This chair would be my perfect "endless summer" piece; reminiscent of the rattan furniture that Malaysia is known for but totally modern in material and with a retro design twist. I can imagine the shadows it casts while out on a sunny patio or inside a dining room with an overhead lamp. It's rocking my world, it really is.

Hopefully I find more endless summer inspirations while out and about this weekend. Have a good one and stay cool!

This week's three rad links...

• it's a #patternparty and we're all invited via August Empress

• i wanna wear this t-shirt on my wrist, do add recycled gold via EcoSalon

• a girl who knows what she wants and goes for it - let's all make a list via Mrs. Lilien

(image left: mock-rattan in Penang, Malaysia by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Blue Dot)

friday pic & pin

Happy friday guys! It's been a busy week but I'm not complaining. I still haven't done much with my office nook so when I saw this vintage + modern work setting I knew that I had found my inspiration. I already have the antique wood table (though would never think of painting it, Joe would kill me), a nice black chair has been on my list, and I do love black and white for artwork. That abstract painting is too awesome for words but the shop it's from is currently down for a re-launch next month (such a tease). However, it did give me the idea to unpack the vintage photos I bought last year in London's Camden Market. Do you remember the DIY wall decor I made with them? I think they'll look great above my desk but I might try a new display method to keep things fresh.  Do standby.

I hope you have great weekend finding inspiration all around ya!

This week's three rad links...

• a practical and beautiful use of vintage canvas paintings via sfgirlbybay

• when Olympic branding was done right: Mexico 1968, Munich 72

• picking the brain of creatives in 60 seconds via Atlas + Isolation

(image left: Vintage B&W Photographs by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via I Need Nice Things)

friday pic & pin

 

Happy Friday, everyone. Will you be watching the Olympics this weekend? I'm hoping to catch a re-play of the opening ceremony since we forgot to set the recording on our home TV. With all of the mayhem surrounding the events I can't decide whether I'm happy or sad that we're not there but nevertheless I'm excited to see glimpses of the places we came to know and love.

We'll be in Singapore through the weekend and so far so good. It's a world of difference from KL from what I can tell and it probably wasn't a good idea to come (because it is so nice). Will share more on that next week.

Until then, have a good one!

This week's three rad links:

• clever lunch sack DIY for you or the kids via Camille Styles

• now i really want an iPad - 6 inspiring digital travel magazines via Say Daily

• IKEA does digital cameras in their signature minimalist (and now green) way. sign me up! via Travelettes

(image left: South Bank Center Bunting, London by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin origin unable to find)

friday pic & pin

We have been itching to put some art our walls so maybe we'll get ambitious this weekend and buy the supplies to make it happen. As made obvious by my Pinterest Art Thou Wonderful board, I'm really drawn to impressionist and abstract style paintings and I'm loving this one by Kristy Gammill. If only it were available as a print! I could really use a dose of bright inspiration in my office nook...any recs on websites or artists I should check out for good selections? I have a difficult time committing to art since there's so much to choose from but  guess I could start by printing my own photographs. It would make a fun weekend project and I do like them. Hhhmmmm, food for thought...

Have a wonderful weekend and see ya back here on Monday!

This week's three rad links...

• beautiful block-print textiles via I ART U

• something most adults can relate to: making friends after a certain age or stage in life via NY Times

• classic camper road trip in New Zealand via Wayfarer Magazine (on our list!)

(image left: flower shop, London by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin originally via Kristy Gammill Flickr)

friday pic & pin

Happy Friday, y'all. What are your plans for the weekend? I'd like to think that we'll be ambitious and do a day trip to a nearby attraction but I have a feeling that a serious Revenge marathon will be had instead. We bought the first season on iTunes (yay for Apple TV!) after watching the pilot figuring that it was entertaining enough to pass the time. BUT, now we're totally hooked and have watched several episodes per night this week. Was it big back in the States? I'm so clueless in this department these days. I'll also be giving our new plants some TLC (i.e. real air & sunshine) tomorrow. This collection inspired me to be a good plant mama and that means giving the little fellas a break from our necessary evil - the AC.

Have a great weekend!

Oh, and I didn't do much online browsing or blog reading this week (I know, bad blogger - slap on the hand) but I did catch this beautiful photography project Words to Shoot By via the Flickr blog. Consider it a link so rad that  it takes the entire week's spot :)

(image left: building facade, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin originally via Geninne)

friday pic & pin

Madrileña, Serena Olivieri, painted her summer uniform in watercolor and I'm dying to see what she shows us next. I can totally relate to the heat that she's experiencing as we were in Madrid last summer and it was definitely MUY caliente. I won't mind a bit of heat this weekend though - we're planning on firing up the grill and enjoying the pool for our very own belated 4th of July BBQ. I'm silly excited :)

Have a great weekend!

This week's three rad links...

• summer lovin' with My Better Half posts via Amanda Jane Jones 

• my colombian heart danced with joy after reading this via The Guardian 

• launch of intiMINT - casual and sexy lingerie - with the bonus of being made in the USA. we like that via Ecouterre

(image left: Sicily pool lounge by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Serena Olivieri)

{happy friday} pic & pin

Goodbye June and hello July - my official summer month. The Fourth of July has always been my kick off to the season so we're practically there, even if I'm not in the States to celebrate. I'd love to welcome it with this orange number by Reformation. Don't you just love the structure? Wait until you see the back...!

This weekend I'm crossing my fingers for some sunshine (it's been awfully hazy), looking forward to a succulent planting craft party, and maybe getting a start on our new shopping list.

I hope you have a great one!

This week's three rad links...

• a few songs of summer via State of Unique (expect one or two of these on next month's mix tape)

• get crafty on demand with Creativebug video workshops via sfgirlbybay

• ladies, let's take these from the fellas via Design Crush

(image left: Barcelona beach by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Reformation)

{happy friday} pic & pin

What a week. Just as I was feeling more comfortable in our new city I had a bit of a set back. I'll share more about it next week but today I want to look ahead and be excited for what is to come. We got word that our ocean freight shipment has entered customs so it's just a matter of days before we get to lounge on our perfectly cozy duck egg blue sofa (yay!).  I've been on total nesting mode and all I can think about is making our new apartment the best it can be until we can really go crazy designing and decorating a more permanent space one day. When I saw this concrete counter I immediatly pinned it to my home board. It's so.....us! It reminds me of our Downtown LA dwelling days with beautiful polished concrete floors but it also makes me long for the ritual of unpacking a gorgeous spread of fresh goodies from a farmers market. I mean, this kitchen is just begging to be covered with beautiful fruits and veggies.

There are markets here, of course, and while they're great, they are still a very different kind of experience. But, we do have a spankin' new modern kitchen so for now we're still living the dream. Pinterest sure has a way of making you dream all sorts of dreams, doesn't it? It can be a good thing though. How else do we create the lives we want if we don't have dreams and goals to work towards, even if it is one drool-worthy visual at a time?

With that in mind, here's to a weekend of making dreams come true - however big or small they may be. Enjoy!

this week's three rad links...

• pattern by duct tape - a brilliant DIY with endless possibilities via Justina Blakeney 

• long but interesting read on creatives and the economy via Salon (tweet source Rena Tom)

• my buddy Kai Brown has released a new album, LALA Vol I! watch his chuckle inducing pledge video and help fund Volume II via Pledge Music 

Minted Design Challenge Update: one of my holiday card designs made it to the second (and final) round - thank you so much if you voted! There are two more days to pick your final favorites so get clicking!

(image left:  mushrooms at Marylebone Farmers Market, London by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via H2Design, origin annaleenashem)

{happy friday} pic & pin

It's the weekend and I'm pretty sure that some fun chores and cleaning are in order. If I had a floor covered with these handmade tiles by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Marrakech Design then I don't think I'd ever mind sweeping up! I got so scroll happy when I first found them several months ago via Remodelista. Well, the design blog has one-upped themselves with a new round up of modern takes on Moroccan tiles - can I have one of each in every room please?!? They are so beautiful. One day, one day...

Have a wonderful weekend!

This week's three rad links...

• Game Boy, floppy disk drive, and AOL login - their sounds + more captured for all eternity in the Museum of Endangered Sounds via Smashing Magazine

• last minute Father's Day DIY gift ideas with an ol' staple: neckties via Ecouterre

• my scandinavian design-loving heart wishes it had an iPad for this new magazine, Trendenser via Poppytalk

(image left:  Penang pineapple by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Remodelista)

{happy friday} pic & pin

Heellooooo weekend and hello pool time. We've been having extremely warm weather in KL (according to locals, I still can't tell the difference) so I'm only more justified in lusting over a wardrobe full of easy-to-wear dresses. This graphic seascape one caught my attention with its muted colors and dreamy print. It looks like the designer used an actual photograph and I absolutely love the idea of turning one art form into another. Does anyone know of a company that takes your photographs/designs and turns them into ready-to-wear garments? Or at least prints the fabric? If either of those don't exist then someone please do it, get a Kickstarter campaign going and I will back that thang UP! Seriously, please, someone do it.

As for the weekend, we don't have any plans and that in itself is worth looking forward to...

I hope you have a good one!

This week's three rad links...

• lisa followed me on Instagram and i checked out her site - SO impressed with her creative self-portraits!

• and I'm really impressed with these magic fingers via Eco Salon

• now here's something closer to my creative abilities: a jersey weave sweater DIY via The Forge. great concept for using fabric scraps, too!

And one more thing, if you're in London, do check out this crafting and shopping event hosted by Papermash. Lynne, shop founder and owner, asked me to design the invite and I had so much fun doing it, just wish I could attend!

(image left:  Penang waterfront by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Les Nouvelles)

{happy friday} pic & pin

The States had their three day weekend and now it's our turn for an extended break in honor of a king's birthday (right there with you, UK! Well, kinda). We're leaving the concrete jungle behind and heading north to Penang where tons of yummy food and beach time await.  I'm beyond excited to be by the ocean again since my last dip in the water was nearly one year ago in Sicily (pictured above)...you can obviously see why it satisfied for so long! I only wish that I had bought the Turkish towels I was coveting from Handmade Interiors in London - such beauties and they're perfect for stuffing into a small bag for a quick trip. I think I'll have to give these ones from Bath Style a closer look.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. To those in the UK - Happy Jubilee! Enjoy a Pimm's Cup, or two, for me ;)

This week's three rad links...

• See my snap of beautiful Regent Street in London on Style Passport's special Jubilee homepage. I also shared my fondest London memories and favorite spots on their blog. Thanks for having me SP!

• Emerson Fry can do no wrong. I'm dying for this new dress...aaaannndd everything else they've got.

• "Our goal is to provide sustainable income and employment for these women..." - loved this  interview with Kate Spade's CEO and CFO on their work with Women for Women via Supply Change 

And I can't end the week without thanking Apartment Therapy for featuring my Re-Style Your Wireless Internet Router DIY - it spurred insane amounts of re-posts and traffic to the blog. Welcome new readers!

(image left:  Mediterranean swim dock by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Design Crush)

{happy friday} pic & pin

Ahh...the weekend. I'm feeling so much better now that we're officially back online and able to take care of business (like booking our first getaway to Penang next month!). Thank you for the sweet and encouraging comments on yesterday's post - just had one of those days and had to vent.

Back on the brighter side of life, one thing that I quickly fell in love with here is the fresh watermelon juice available everywhere. It's a staple beverage and it's literally all I've ordered at restaurants and cafes since we moved. Well, there have been a few mojitos in between which is why this Watermelon Mojito Poptail made me crazy excited. In fact, with all of these grown up Popsicle recipes calling my name I may never drink my drinks again! Now I really have a reason to shop for a juicer...

Cheers to a great weekend!

This week's three rad links...

• Joe used to live upstairs from this new Downtown LA restaurant (and I four blocks away). Definitely on the list of places to check out next time I'm in town via Oh Joy!

• Teaser issue of the new lifestyle magazine, Verily via their site designer Breanna Rose. Can't wait to read it this weekend, you know, since I have the internet and all :)

• These guys never let me down with design/photography giggles and awe. The latest is their collection of perfectly timed photos - I love the basket ball one ha!

(image left:  sun soaked terrace in Madrid, Spain by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Endless Simmer )

{happy friday} pic & pin

I've been working with a wardrobe of ten or so pieces for the last three weeks and you know what, it hasn't been half bad. Now I'm wondering what I'm going to do when my entire closet arrives on Monday (yes, our stuff is coming!). I don't have much as I've edited down my options time and time again but nevertheless it's probably still more than I actually need. For the past several years I've focused on buying less and investing in pieces that have longevity, make me feel [insert positive adjective here], and preferably are made locally by independent designers or by companies that follow ethical and/or earth friendly practices.

Right now I'm all about versatility, not just in how transitional a piece may be from spring to fall, but by how much I can actually do with the garment itself. I can't wait to get my Versalette in the mail (highest funded fashion-campaign in Kickstarter history, btw) and I love the colorful six-in-one options in this dress by Loomstate. My latest obsession is this little black number that I pinned from Plumo. Though not "versatile" like the previous two, It's the perfect dress up or down go-to piece where you can give it any look with a change of shoes and accessories - a blank canvas basically. If I ever decided to actually limit my wardrobe to ten pieces this dress would definitely make the cut.

We'll surely end up at a mall over the weekend but I'm confident that there won't be any apparel purchases happening for me - I've got my eye on the prize and it has pockets, too.

Have a wonderful weekend playing dress up or keeping it casual - maybe even do both with the same piece ;) Enjoy!

This week's three rad links... • My monthly mix-tapes may be thematic but this curated and designed collection takes the cake via Smashing Magazine • Totally coveting these gold leaf posters from my LA loving lady, Vanessa. Buy and custom order here. • London I miss you! Great little city guide by Fiona over on Alison's Show & Tell blog...still so much left to explore...

(image left:  London Pub Chandelier by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Plumo )

happy friday + {new} pic & pin

Happy Friday, everyone! Today I'm introducing a new post, Friday Pic & Pin, where I get a little creative with the post-editing of an original snap and pair it with a favorite pin from my Pinterest boards.  I love the color stories and themes that develop on Pinterest so I wanted to share bits of them while using my own photography (gotta keep things OG around here, right?). Let me know what you think!

I had a great full week in KL and have already met/chatted with more strangers than I did in London. Super friendly people with one in particular, a retired Batik artist named Aziz, who won my heart. I plan on taking a class with him so I'm sure you'll be hearing more about him soon. On the home front we got the keys to our new apartment yesterday and I so wish that we were moving in this weekend. It's much more spacious and fab than I remember it and I can't wait to get in there and play house. Feel so lucky to have found a place that felt like home as soon as we walked in - especially in a new country. Now if only I can find a way to make my closet as beautiful as the one pictured above...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, enjoy this week's three rad links (i know, it's been a while)!

• LA peeps - this will make you CRACK UP. It's mostly Westside based but even Eastsiders will relate. • I have mad admiration and respect for Lauren Conrad so when she shares her bikini boot camp plan, I listen. I mean, I have to now that I can't hide under big coats anymore. • If you're in NYC this weekend, do check out the official launch of my girl Jess's Tout Le Monde Cambodia Collection clutch purses - they're as beautiful as the stories and the people behind them. Shop online here - congrats, Jess!

Oh, and I updated my profile page with new info and fun polaroids...can't believe it's been over a year since I last looked at it! It's spring cleaning time around here alright.

(image: left: sunrise view of KL Tower by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: via this Pin, originally via Martha Stewart)