content & travel: Bali

I've been dreaming about going to Bali for years.  Not in an Eat, Pray, Love kind of a way, but more in an Exotic, Serene, Beautiful kind of way. My father used to go to Bali for work when we were kids and he would bring us home the most curious treasures (I still have a quirky paper stick puppet I think is so cool) and there were always tales from people in California going there to surf.

And while I am going on an incredible trip in less than two weeks now (stay tuned for those adventures!), I can't help but thinking about stowing away to Bali, especially when two cool things that relate to Bali popped on my radar already this week.

The first is this video my boss sent me, which we both really enjoyed, about building bamboo cities in Bali. Not only was it well done in tone, pace and story, but it just made me want to go see this structures! Check it out:



The other cool thing I saw was this great coworking space, Hubud, which gets it's name from "Hub in Ubud." Expats from all over the world come to work here and I have been thinking about it all day - wouldn't it be great to take some time, not off, but to work in such a different environment? Imagine the creativity that could pour out...  Check out their video:

crafty gals

For the past two Friday nights, Roommate and I took sewing classes.  That's right - 1950s style.  There's a cute fabric shop in the South End called Grey's Fabric & Notions and everytime I walked by, the sign for classes always caught my curiosity.  I always wanted to learn how to use a sewing machine, so we took the opportunity to get crafty and took the Basics class.  It was a lot of fun and at $25 per class plus supplies, a great deal.  Sarah, who owns and operates the shop, was our teacher and she was super cute, fun, but most importantly, patient (because girlfriend needed it with us).  She even made us tea and put out treats - how nice is that?  Our first week we made pillows and this past Friday, bags!  I'm definitely going back for other classes.  Check out the photos (I'm going crazy on instagram on my iphone lately).

 (fabric choices)

 (Sarah cuts fabric)

(instruction)

(finished!)

hats galore

Here ye, here ye: there are THREE occasions for fabulous spring hats in the next two weeks: Easter, The Royal Wedding & The Kentucky Derby.  While I don't particularly look good in hats, I still think it's fun form of self expression one time a year.  At what other time are feather & silk flower monstrosities on top of your head are en vogue?  And while this year I spotted a gorgeous turquoise number in a local shop that would be perfect, sometimes these hats can run a little pricey... ($200-$300 pricey). 

So I scoured etsy to bring you some more affordable options to go with your bourbon for all those lovely parties.  Cheers!

(Proud as a Peacock hat, $45)

(fuchsia fascinator cocktail hat, $65)

(spring fling modern pillbox hat, $34.50)

(yellow top hat, $45)

(blooming pink sun hat, $35)

(if you're really against hats, this peony clip is a lovely option, $20)

*Kentucky Derby Hats picture courtesy of Chateau & Bungalow

carrying on

(MALL COP wrap, approx. 6am, May 2008)

It's been a week on the new movie and it's, dare I say it, the 5th Kevin James movie I've been lucky to be a part of.  I love this job, I love this crew, I love my team.  I feel great and am open to opportunity.  Instead of putting my extra energy into looking for work or worrying about super-short contracts, I can put my energy into creativity and self-expression.  Isn't that beautiful?

diy: clementine candle

How To Make a Clementine Candle from maxwell gillingham-ryan on Vimeo.

Great video today over at Apartment Therapy on how to make a clementine candle.  Fun party decoration for those spring dinner parties we're all dreaming about...

before & after

My mind is blown with this before & after shot of a kitchen over at design sponge.  They often have awesome before and after posts; great for inspiration, so check it out.  This one was a heart-stopping transformation.  So lovely!  While the idea of remodeling a kitchen totally terrifies me, it's still pretty neato.

yarn bombers

I've been itching to pick up knitting needles again and I love this article about gals in the South End "yarn bombing."  These graffiti knitters work includes wrapping colorful rectangles of knitting around lampposts, hanging mittens from trees, snaking a knit flower vine around a bike rack and tagging a dog park fence with knitted bugs.  I just make scarves.  Read more here. 

inspiring local: Olivia Chaffee

If your a Bostonian and happened to pick up a Stuff Magazine this week, be sure to read the article entitled Heart and Sole (or just do it here).  My coworker told me her roommate was featured and it's a great inspiring story.  It features Olivia Chaffee, an art teacher in Dorcester who started a program where kids design sneakers.  Her project, Walkin' the Tightrope, was a way for kids in this harsh neighborhood to do some thinking and channel creativity, using donated blank Converse sneakers as their canvas.  Finished designs will go on display at the Good Life March 5th from 4-8pm for a fundraiser - consider going if you're in town!

It never ceases to amaze me how a little creativity and kindness can cook together into something truly inspiring.

change of space

This couple turned a gymnasium in Beacon, NY into their dream home.  Read all about it over at Ready Made and dream all about their creativity as you gush over the photos.

invent your future

I believe in human creativity.

I was totally inspired by this video on BostInnovation's website today.  I wish I had the brain for science.



Such amazing things happening right across the river, expanding passion to creation (or as I like to say as you know, turning dreams into plans).

Here are some inspiring images that came out of the lab.

 (using lasers to activate neurons in the brain)

 (animated billboard design created by the MIT Media Lab)

(an all fabric keyboard)

("Colorful Dreams" created by the Lab using an I/O brush)

(Kismet, a sociable robot, created in the late 1990s, now on display in the Lab)

(entry way to the Lab)

(The MIT Media Lab)

natural reflection

The fall colors are pretty much gone - how did that happen so quickly?  While the days seem incredibly short (is it me, or did it seem like it was dark at 3pm?), that's no reason to get down.  I find this time of year to be a perfect time for reflection - what do I want next year to look like?  Am I being the person I think I'm being?  How might I like to reinvent myself?  I don't feel depressed - I feel like I have the space to create since life seems to naturally slow down when the weather gets cold.

I got into a car accident a week ago and my current reflection on that is that I need to slow down, be less reckless and relax - message received, God.  We'll see what else I come up with over the next two months.

*photos courtesy of Bippity Boppity Boo, Boston Discovery Guide & Elements of Style

devil in details.

Just purchased an antique stamp set from nothing elegant on Etsy.  This is a first attempt at being more crafty and being the devil in details, hoping it welcomes new ideas and creativity everyday.  My roommate laughed at me. 

table top inspiration.

My Pottery Barn catalog came yesterday; perfect timing with fall on my mind!  I couldn't help but gush over their perfectly set tables.  I simply enjoy a well set table.  If you're having people for dinner, it really sets the mood.  And while I deplored setting the table as a child, now I look at table setting as something creative.  Really, it's an art.

(fresh flowers are always lovely and I love hand written baby menus)

(great dishes, great color, great details at Jamie Meares from ISuwannee's shop, Furbish)

(obsessed with making pop art of your friends in place of place cards - doubles as a gift! a Coco+Kelly idea)

(Pottery Barn Fall 2010 catalog fav & inspiration for prethanksgiving at the Berkeley Penthouse 2010)

Now, I can't stop thinking about ideas for how we'll set our table (er, in two months).  We have about 30 people to a SIT DOWN potluck, with passed food, so that means extraneous stuff takes quite a backseat and makes it more of a challenge so we can make sure to fit everything and everyone.  Check out pics from previous years.

(fall leaves, baby votive candles, cranberries and flowers)

(still leaves, flowers and cranberries; names written on plates to determine place)

Already collecting ideas.  Love putting names on wine glasses as a place card.  We could do something similar.

(from the improvised life)

 Another Pottery Barn inspiration -

(cutting out leaves and putting them and a pencil in a flute and have everyone write what they are thankful for.  Cute and functional!)

Any ideas to set a beautiful table without taking up too much space?