Some festive illustrations

~ HAPPY HALLOWEEN!! ~

Artist Love: Maira Kalman

There are so many inspiring artist/illustrators out there and one that always stands out in my mind is none other than Maira Kalman. I am a big huge fan of her work and am always fascinated by her ability to draw inspiration from almost anything and caption her work with her thoughts. Her style is her own, a mix of whimsical and elegance, and her subjects always interesting and tell a story.

Overall I'd say it's pure loveliness on paper.

Bathroom Spruce-Up:

I've been dreaming of a new bathroom for it seems like forever now - but with me being a renter, replacing my current tub for a porcelain claw-foot and antique pedestal sink is kind out of the question...So when a complete re-do might not me an option, accessorizing can also do the trick & a small spruce up is a great way to change things up a bit - especially when you're not on a dream bathroom budget!

Here are "some of my favorite (bathroom) things" - I love mixing some old with some new and adding some small doses of color here and there, and using non-cliché things for bathroom decor :)

Read more to see a complied list.

A little nightlife..

I tend to alternate from being a night owl to an early bird - and last night I was very much channeling my inner night owl. Although my evening was spent in my pjs instead of my dancing shoes, I had a very thrilling late night of sharpening pencils and swooshing wet paint on paper. I continued my feel good night with a quite mundane but nonetheless delicious grilled cheese sandwich (I gotta make sure my pantry is better prepared next time). 

It's amazing how grilled cheese's (and perhaps love) can provoke inspiration! It also happens to be a great night owl meal - because of that I am posting a delicious recipe I came across from one of my favorite non-stuffy simply delicious food blogs "Closet Cooking" :)

Get the recipe here.

Song Bird - Pomplamoose

It's a great feeling when you discover new melodies that give so much pleasure to your eardrums. I decided it might be nice to periodically write about what I am listening to - an old favorite or a newly discovered musical muse. Either way, hopefully it'll make other ears happy as it does mine :)

These Sunday morning tunes are brought to you by Pomplamoose. They've been a favorite of mine for a little while now and I can't help but find so many occasions when Pomplamoose is just appropriate - during happy times, sad times, relaxed times, coffee times, working or just doodling times.

By definition they're "an American indie music and indie jazz duo consisting of multi-instrumentalists". I might add that YouTube is also a main way they continuously expose their music to new eyes/ears. Their videos are unique in that they show off the quirky process and the spirit of their music. I also can't fail to mention the handful of great covers that they have done - which include songs from "Mr. Sandman" to Lady Gaga's "Telephone".

I'd sum them up by saying they're a rare groovy gem.

To hear a bit of them read on...

An eye for the Cateye

As I was getting my Mad Men fix (4 episodes to catch up on!), I'm becoming so intrigued with the vintage looks of all the women on the show.  I always gawk at all the furnishings, fashion, but I'm so intrigued by the fabulous make-up! I've especially taken extra notice to the show's early 1960's looks including the "Cateye". I really love how bold and exaggerated it became during that time.

Personally I think its hard to pull off a good daytime thick Cateye, but with enough practice perhaps I can perfect the technique. I recently picked up a new liquid eyeliner, Maybelline Stiletto, and it's my favorite so far! - and a steal at $5.

Post Bon Voyage

Just returned from a business/birthday trip - I'm another year older and as murky as that usually sounds to me, I can't complain probably because I was too busy filling up on fun this past week - that of which consisted of good AMAZING food! I leave you with what I think is to be one of the best sugary meals ever invented..The Crepe! More specifically a crepe stuffed with Nutella, bananas and coconut..pure mouth euphoria.

Maybe it was the trip or perhaps the crepe, but I definitely feel recharged & have mounds of inspiration swimming in head...let another year if aging begin :)