art: amy rice

i'm just loving the work of mixed-media artist amy rice.  just.loving.  her etsy shop is just filled with beautiful, interesting, and inspirational prints, but my most fave pieces are created with the help of atlases and cut outs....

and we rolled

go your own way

 absolutely love.

~ go check it out for yourself to see more beauty ~

amy rice website

first discovered on poppy talk, where you can find a lot more on amy/her work

 

monday faves: 3.21.11

i missed friday faves this week :(

there have been some majormajor changes at my work the past week and i just haven't had the luxury of blogging.  still, friday faves has become a true fave of mine.  i get to compile all these lovely images and blog posts, and then carry that inspiration over into my life.

so anyways, i feel badly that i couldn't do a friday faves this week.  i know it's late, and i know it isn't too comprehensive, but i still wanted to do a little compilation.  so here it goes...

 ~ adorable bridal shower invites ~

definitely my kind of party!  [via]

~ marion cotillard ~

*marion cotillard in interview magazine, back in aug 2010*
I thought Nine was disappointingly boring, but had the one saving grace of being filled with beautiful women, one of whom being Ms. Cotillard, who simple exudes subtle sexuality.  this picture is perfect proof.  read article

~ great fashion-action shot~

this pic will definitely be on my inspiration board for our next photo shoot!  anja rubik just nails it in this editorial from vogue spain, march 2011, shot by alexi lubomirski  [via]

~ a funky & fabulous reminder ~

would love this framed somewhere i could see everyday

by Ingrid Hall Collection [via] 

~ a beautiful tub ~

simply put: absolutely beautiful.  found here, original source/company (sadly!) unknown.

~ adorable little girl ~

swoon!  she is just too too cute.  and how can you not smile when looking at this pic?!  [via]

giveaways:

emerson made gift card

it's official - IHOD has some of the all-time greatest giveaways!!  this time it's store credit to the unbelievably incredibly shop emerson made.  TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS credit!!

if for whatever reason i were lucky enough to win, i would get either the ultra-chic but still work appropriate black scallop skirt or the adorable tiny stars yes dress.  love!

fun items by cameo nouveau

this lovely giveaway package includes adorable earrings, makeup, and a hand beaded bracelet, alll by this great shop Cameo Nouveau.  thanks to BB&B for this giveaway, and for introducing me to cameo nouveau!

head on over to enter for yourself.  oh, and you get an easypeasy extra entry, just be a facebook fan of bright, bold, and beautiful! 

another great plum pretty sugar giveaway

 this time the prize up for grabs is the pink love poppy tank, hosted by the fab sandy at sandy a la mode.  i didn't win last time, but maybe one of us will this time around!

enter for yourself (by friday) here!

have a happy, productive, and inspirational week!!

~ kait

etsy spotlight: mary wangerin

i am absolutely in love with the work of mixed media artist/painter mary wangerin.  here are my 2 fave pieces for sale on her etsy site ~

she is brave in all things:

all my light shines for you:

completely in love.

more info: facebook page

blog

~ glad to have found this beautiful artwork on lovely happenings ~

design: eclectic bedroom

love:

- deep blue headboard and matching bench

- ...that looks incredible with the pop of red in the blanket & pillowcases

- built-bookcase

-....& books everywhere!

- fireplace in the bedroom

** awesome art over the fireplace**

yup, i definitely see myself in this lovely eclectic bedroom.

via

i want: renegade art fair - laura berger

chicago artist laura berger's prints are beautifully simple illustrations, full of affirmation & pure happiness - perfect decor for any room.

^ my sentiments exactly.  + books, that is.

 ^ (complete text reads: 1:You are stressed. You go do some yoga, ok? 2: Sit down. Breathe. Think about nice things. Like donuts and hippos. 3: Go to a place and have them put needles in your head. 4: Now take a bath. You were pretty dirty anyway. 5: Now drink a very large and soothing beverage. 6: Now go dance for several hours. Repeat step 5 as needed. You are cured!)

 i want this print framed in my room:

it's kinda impossible to look at her work & not smile :)

etsy

flickr

blog

i want: renegade art fair - spike press

store #2 from the renegade art fair back in september is another design co. with super cool concert posters -- spike press.  they have some of the neatest typography i've seen in a long time.  mixed with beautiful colors.  & for awesome bands.  yup, i was a big fan of spike press.  here are some personal faves:

here's the awesomely bright & fun la roux poster i bought, which is now prominently displayed in my room:

see tons more killer posters here

i want: renegade art fair - vahalla studios

so maybe i'm months behind, but it's better late than never, right?!  back in september, when i spent two full days in complete ecstasy at the renegade craft fair in chicago [which actually took place a 10 min walk away from my apt -- score!], i wanted to highlight some of my fave vendors.  but then life took over & i didn't have the time.  & then i forgot.  anyways, i was cleaning up my room today and came across my map from the event & decided it's not too late to share some of my faves.

the first i'd like to highlight is vahalla studios - a design company that makes killer concert posters, all of which would look beautiful framed in a fun & funky home.  here's my selection of wants, based on both fave designs & fave bands ~

and my #1 fave, the one i desperately wanted to buy when at the fair:

not only do i love feist, but the colors in this poster would fit perfectly in my room.  sooo cool.

you can buy all of these posters & more here.  they also have a pretty cool blog.

design: lavender in the living room

love:

- high loft ceilings

- cool artwork 

- this remarkable light fixture [the owners of this loft are actually the designers for the brand -- ochre!]

- double mirrors across from the window, to expand the room & double the light

- no tv! i love that in a living room.

- lavender couch. obviously. i mean, it's incredible.

so lovely.

found in elle decor [scanned by greige]

link love 11.5.10

design/decor
- are you a swinger? some great use of swings in design
- lots of chandelier love [i also included an image from this post here]
- i loooove this before & after living room 
- a cool new way to do gallery walls without ruining the walls with nails [too late for me, but maybe it can help you!]
- some beautiful rooms with stone walls

fashion
- beautiful pink pieces by christian dior cruise 2k11
- lovely lace ~ featuring the valentino dress i'm soo obsessed with
- 5 trends we wish would disappear -- i completely agree with all 5.  do you?
- love these 10 Styling Tips For the Newly Single Girl, Inspired by Blake Lively my fave advice is to go all out, be bold, wear ruffles. however, not a fan of the harem pants. [see previously listed article]
- more incredible fashion advice: how to dress like emma stone. such a fashion icon of mine when it comes to casual style.
- keira knightley's style transformation - thank goodness she traded in belly shirts for chanel!

photography
- a tribute to dogs in fashion photography
- incredibly cool photography series

etc.
- i love messy buns
- so apparently everyone & their dog dressed up as either lady gaga or snookie this past halloween, except for yours truly, thank you very much.  oh, & except for ellen degeneres.  sort of.  check out her twist on the ubiquitous snookie costume trend.

happy friday!

-kait-

design: pretty purple armchair & art

 i just can't get over how beautifully this lavender armchair goes with the incredible artwork above the fireplace.  wow.

via

first found on little blue deer

random: mini book cutouts

today i came across this picture on the blog lottie loves & was immediately intruiged.

it's a pocket book garden by printmaker kyoko imazu & it looked absolutely enchanting.

after a few clicks, i found her etsy site & blog, & i became mesmorized with the 2 other little book cutouts she has for sale.  here are a few photos of what can be found inside...

incredible!  truly pieces of art.

oh & you should definitely read her little stories that accompany the books, found here & here.

~ i love the idea of carrying a whole other world around with you in your shirt pocket, hidden in a little book binding. ~

design: deep purple dining room

love:

-deep & dramatic color of walls

- fun table cover

- b&w framed photos

** amazing artwork on wall **

now i'm not sure what exactly is going on in this piece of art - it sort of looks like a mosaic of broken glass.  maybe it is glass, maybe it's just paint; either way, i love it.

photo from elle decor, via tobi fairley

art: jo braun mosaics

artist jo braun makes beautiful pieces out of salvaged materials, such as... 

meter parts, hardware,

neptune's gallery, in situ,

 keys,

keyscape

and electrical parts.

 meters, prototype , insulators, prototype

so cool!

still, my favorites are her mosaics of trees, made out of recycled glass & other materials:

ampullacaeruleus floris

live & know 

inspiring & beautiful.

*check out her website for tons more pictures & information*

[especially the incredible installations]