Category: Inspiration
Inspired Giveaway: Custom Chalkboard Bottles
| April 12, 2012 | Posted by Linsi Brownson under accessories, favorite things, giveaways, i heart this blog |
So, how about a giveaway?
I recently met the spunky blogger Kristina, of Nook & Sea, at an event for creatives – so I wasn’t really surprised to learn that in addition to writing about design she’s also a pretty crafty gal. She offered to sponsor a giveaway here and I jumped at the chance to share these beauties with you beauties. Let’s do a giveaway!
The Prize: Set of 2 handmade chalkboard bottles with custom wording of your choice.
These adorable bottles will liven up your decor AND make you smile every time you see them!
My suggestions? Affirmations or quotes that inspire you to be your best self everyday.
It’s totally up to you what to write, but first you gotta win! Here’s how:
Complete an action below to get the number of entries shown. You can do multiple actions, and some can be done everyday for additional entries. Be sure to read the actions carefully to see what you can do daily to increase your entries! For actions you have done in the past (say, if you already follow @RedefineHome on Twitter) just click directly on ‘I did this’. This will be verified before I select the winner.
Spilling My Wardrobe Secrets
| April 3, 2012 | Posted by Nicole L. under announcements, fashion, Gather, Inspiration, weekend fun |
That's me!
Nicole from The Wardrobe Code here! While I love putting together my fashion collages here on Inspired Design Daily, what I really love is working with my clients. It’s a good day if I can make a client see her existing wardrobe in a different light, or inspire another to develop a signature style.
Since I’m a wardrobe coach, my fashion philosophy is a bit different from most wardrobe consultants. I believe that empowering my clients to build their wardrobes strategically is far more satisfying than simply styling a client in the latest trends. So, because I want everyone to get a little sample of my world, I’m taking this fashion show on the road with 2 events in May.
1.) First I’ll be demonstrating my best service Ready, Set – Dress! live for anyone who would like to come learn my secrets, and it’s free!
Watch me work with a client, up close and personal. You’ll get a peek at my wardrobe organizing method and learn how to combine what’s already in your closet into dozens of outfit combos.
2.) Next, I’m hosting a seminar Total Wardrobe Makeover that will fundamentally change the way you think about your wardrobe.
Did I say this would fundamentally change your perspective? Because it will. Somewhere along the way, most of us just all collectively forgot how to to make fashion work for us – I blame it on the 80s. But this workshop will get you back on track and building a wardrobe that will impress everyone around you.
Both events are in the heart of Orange County in a funky, cool art lounge called The LOFT – and the first event is limited to 50 people. You can learn more about each event here.
Seriously, don’t miss out!
Nicole Longstreath is a wardrobe coach in Orange County, CA and author of Reclaiming Your Wardrobe, an ebook dedicated to building a smarter wardrobe, avoiding bad purchases and uncovering your unique style. She also publishes a weekly outfit inspiration collage, exclusively for readers of Collages & Commentary.
Art Inspired Fashion
| March 13, 2012 | Posted by Nicole L. under accessories, art, clothing, Design, fashion, Inspiration, vintage |
As of today, we are just 7 short days away from spring! Instead of using the 2012 pastel trend to my advantage, I wanted to find an art piece which which communicated the vibrancy of spring in a different way.
I love this simple Picasso line drawing of a woman with long, flowy hair. Atop her head is a wreath, and I imagined that below the neck she was wearing something bohemian - which is inherently “spring”. To interpret this into an outfit, I chose a monochromatic scheme of a drop waist blouse and wide, drapey trousers.
To invoke a bohemian look, I would suggest taking your cues from style a la 1920s vs. 70s, hippy-chic. An empire waist will always say, “groovy, baby;” whereas a drop waist hints at something more avant garde.
Shopping credits: trousers – Maison Martin Margiela, shoes – Jimmy Choo, bag – J. crew, blouse – Anthropologie, necklace – Marni.
Nicole Longstreath is a wardrobe coach in Orange County, CA and author of Reclaiming Your Wardrobe, an ebook dedicated to building a smarter wardrobe, avoiding bad purchases and uncovering your unique style. She also publishes a weekly outfit inspiration collage, exclusively for readers of Collages & Commentary.
High Flying Fun with DIY Kites
| March 8, 2012 | Posted by Elissa C. under Create, do-it-yourself, Guest Bloggers, Inspiration, Projects, Sustainable Living |
This week’s DIY Post is going to be short and sweet (thanks to a nasty sinus infection and a lack of coherent brain power from yours truly). Luckily, the internet doesn’t require sound so you can’t hear my hacking cough and croaky voice. I finally got it back today (sort of). I’m still working on the feeling better part.
When I was thinking of what to write about for my first March post, my mind immediately thought of the old weather adage that my first grade teacher taught me: “March roars in like a lion and out like a lamb.” It has been exceptionally windy in Alabama so far this month so I thought that a DIY kite post was in order.
These kite projects are easy to follow and fun for adults and kids alike. Because kites are easily destroyed (or at least the ones I had as a kid were) I focused on using recycled materials or other items that can be found in almost any household. So gather your string and prepare for some cheap and high-flying fun!
This DIY by GiddyGiddy is perhaps the most adorable kite tutorial (and family) that I have seen so far. The directions are easy to follow, but this one will require more than just a few minutes to assemble. The cuteness factor is upped by using colored wax paper, but you could also use regular wax paper and achieve air-worthy results. GiddyGiddy's blog is good for more than one look through. There are a number of other crafting projects that are totally worth trying out. Click the image for instructions.
We have an unending supply of plastic bags that we keep around the house. We use them for garbage bags for our small trash cans, for bagging up plan trimmings around the yard (and now that I have this tutorial from WikiHow) for making kites! All you need are a couple of sticks, a few plastic bags and some string. You could jazz it up with a Sharpie marker or fly it in it's undressed state. Either way, it's fun for an afternoon of fun (or more, if you avoid crashing it into the ground). Click the image for instructions.
This DIY from LightlyEnchanted isn't a kit in the traditional sense, but it's still fun to make. This is perfect project for younger children and will take much less time to create than a regular kite. Kids don't normally care about the engineering process, they just want to play with the finished product. This one uses the leftover cardboard tube from rolls of toilet paper or paper towels, orange crepe paper, and glue. You could mix up the colors and create rainbow fish, or stick with the plan and pay homage to the traditional Chinese goldfish kite by using orange. I remember flying kites and my youngest sister always had a hard time coordinating the running and throwing actions needed to get a kite off the ground. Even the youngest of children can still have fun waving it around in the yard and it won't fly off into the sunset when the string runs out. Click on the image for instructions.
The kite DIYs above are strictly for the pleasure of flying. However, there are apparently entire sports built around kites and harnessing the power of the wind. Power Kiting, Kitesurfing and Kiteboarding all have their own communities and terminology, and they look like a fun hobby for those who aren’t afraid of taking risks with their body.
Just try not to do it like this guy.
Happy kiting!
Chrome’s comeback…
| March 6, 2012 | Posted by Lauren Moss under architecture, Design, Guest Bloggers, Inspiration, interiors |
When doing work on homes, it can seem like the decisions required and options are endless. One example of this problem is attempting to match finishes and materials- it can be overwhelming (and sometimes impossible) to achieve the desired appearance.
That said, a debate continue: when it comes to finishes and fixtures… brushed metal or chrome? Not too long ago, the answer for many contemporary architects and designers would have been simple: brushed stainless steel, preferably.
But lately, we’ve been seeing more polished products in kitchen and bath design, as well as in door hardware, fixture finishes and other details.
Perhaps it’s the influence of recent trends in contemporary kitchen design, where high-gloss, lacquered finishes are becoming more mainstream, with modular European designs installed at higher rates and with increased influence on custom cabinetry design. For a couple beautiful examples of this aesthetic, check out Boffi or Porcelanosa.
We’ve recently installed chrome fixtures and hardware in several projects, and when incorporated thoughtfully, it adds some reflectivity and interest to any space.
Oh, and one more thing- don’t fear combining the two finishes- it can work well and add some sparkle to a kitchen, bathroom, what have you… So, have some fun and explore what’s out there!
Cheers, Lauren
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