bright, shiny, new

Oh dear goodness, I haven't updated in ages! (Disclaimer: I think this post will amount to little more than a Dear Diary... so sorry that I haven't written... kind of entry... cue imaginary violins.) Life has been busy, busy, busy over the last month, but fortunately it's been full of a lot of new exciting happenings. I've got some fun new work ventures, well, in the works, some creative projects on the horizon, and will have a lot more free time on my hands going forward which I trust can only be good for the art-making. Mysterious, no? Rest assured I will be writing here more often and making this a home for a decent amount of my creative writing going forward. Organizing all of that is on my to-do list to as well. (Ha!) On that note, happy Friday! Tonight I'm off to celebrate the great wild yonder that is my future with a Paula Vogel play, some cheap Chinese food, my secret twin Carrie, and assuredly some drinks.

Inspiration: American Classic

When I think about the phrase "American classic" my mind can't help but wander to tried and true fashion, food, and music. Truth be told, this probably says a lot more about me than it does the term. Regardless, I think of Levi's worn until they're paper thin and Converse sneakers so well-loved they're tattered at the seams. A red and white gingham dress in a classic cut topped off with a bold shade of red lipstick. Apple pie, milk and cookies, and a heaping helping of comfort food. A great guitar that mellows with age and dancing with your sweet heart to old love songs on vinyl. Strung together they're something like an incantation for simple pleasures and simpler times, but when grouped in this fashion there's something really hip about their pairing. Both qualities of which are worth taking note of: you can easily build a beautiful day that's equal parts familiar and modern with items and that are near and dear to you. Rather coincidentally, this inspiration board came together in shades of red, white, and blue, with touches of greenery and shades of sepia to compliment. Because in addition to the triumvirate listed above, classic Americana also makes me think of landscapes full of sun and old photos brimming with smiles. Cool, casual, and a tad sentimental, it's a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll.

Clockwise from top left: Leaping Converse All-Stars via Santa Barbara Chic; Chenille-Dot Tulle Veil with Bow by Suzanne Couture Millinery at Martha Stewart Weddings; Table Setting via Snippet & Ink; Apple Pie via Martha Stewart; Guitar Shot by Katerine O.; Red and White Gingham Anqelique Dress by petapledger on Etsy; Just Married Sign by Modern Press via Kiss The Groom; Farmhouse Photo by Jasmine Star via J'adore Details; Cookies and Milk by Martha Stewart Weddings

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON FEBRUARY 19, 2010

Inspiration: (Hand)Made With Love

While many people bemoan Valentine's Day as nothing more than a commercial construction meant to take advantage of consumers (and certainly this view isn't without reason), I believe that the holiday at its most basic is a truly lovely one: a day for sending kind words of love to those we care for, be they sweethearts, family, or friends. Even when we first began dating, the hubby and I have always aimed to keep the day sweet and simple ourselves. While we don't use the occasion to spoil each other with big ticket items, we always manage to make the day special by carving out time to share a really great dinner and to gift each other with a penned poem or card, sometimes a mixtape, on at least one holiday when we lived apart a brown paper package covered in a cartoons drawn by yours truly, and, almost always, gobs of chocolate. (It should be noted that this last item is one that I'm always and forever, without any shame, glad to consume in either context of the word.) And as we continue to celebrate the holiday in this fashion, I've come to realize that the tradition is rather close to what I first knew of Valentine's day as a child. Then it was a day for crafting valentine's out of construction paper, doilies, and paste smeared with a popsicle stick, a day for penning juvenile verse and writing cards for family, friends, and classmates, a day for helping to make cookies in the shape of hearts and, again, eating gobs of chocolate. And really, I think the day at it's most ideal operates somewhere along those lines, as an occasion to give something made with love to those you care for. As a child my parents always told me that the best presents were those that were made by hand, and the older I get the more I believe this sentiment to be true. Truly, there's little better than getting something made just with you in mind, even if the gift is as simple as words on a page. Indeed, in an era when email is ubiquitous, when is the last time you were given a love letter you could hold in your hands? Could there be any more marvelous a gift? Inspired by this, I was moved to create an inspiration board that was a grownup version of the Valentine's Days I knew as a child and the ones that I now aim to create. And so it's full of items made with love, in various shades of red and blush. All of the items included contain handmade elements, be they the wax paper and crayon hearts hanging in a window (similar versions of which you may have made as a child- I know I did), the paper moon constructed for a sentimental wedding, or the hand worked flower detailing on both the dress and shoes. Handmade touches always lend a certain amount of warmth and charm to any look, but this is a style that manages to be chic and elegant at the same time. The frayed edges of fabric, the curving calligraphy, the envelopes sealed with string- these crafted elements all radiate a sort of perfect imperfection inherent in their design, which is, I think, a lot like love. Much love to you all, dear readers! Happy Valentine's Day!

Clockwise from top left: Handmade Envelopes by Martha Stewart; Hand Lettered St. Valentine's Day Menu by Cynthia Warren Design; Blume Printed Peep Toes Heels in Papaya Dots by J. Crew; Needle Felted Conversation Hearts by felt cafe; Dessy Bridesmaid Dress Style 2780 in Flame by The Dessy Group; Waxed Paper and Crayon Hearts by Martha Stewart; Paper Moon via Snippet & Ink; Rose Heart Centerpiece by Martha Stewart; Genova Brass Locket by Japonicas Boutique on Etsy

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON FEBRUARY 12, 2010

Inspiration: Sunny Disposition

Dear Winter, 
I don't wish to be harsh but I must confess... I think we need to take a break from this whole, you know, whatever it is that we have between us and spend some time apart. Please understand: it's not you, it's me. The cold hands, the wet socks, the dry skin... well actually, maybe it is you. But seriously, how soon until you pack up your bags and head south? 
(Far From) Affectionately Yours, 
Pamela

While I adore the fact that living in New England means that I get to experience four distinctly beautiful seasons, I'm also the first to complain about the cold and lack of sunlight this time of year; both features of winter really do me in during these darker months. Fall, summer, spring- all of these seasons I'm glad to greet. But winter, along with all of it's chilly accouterments, falls at the bottom of my list of loves. As such, this inspiration board was born out of my need to inject a little sunshine into my aesthetic life! Yellow this bright makes quite the statement and even color therapy suggests the shade perks you up. That this would be a great look for spring or summer goes without question- it is fresh, bright, and incredibly peppy- but the addition of a few richer citrus hues makes for a style that could also easily work for fall. And, for all the same reasons, wouldn't it be a lovely way to fight off the winter blues if you're having a wedding while there's still a chill in the air? I know that I, for one, would love to walk into a wedding in the dead of winter that was this warm and cheerful. Good day, sunshine!

clockwise from top left: Just Married Personalized Sunshine Banner by Earmark on Etsy; Yellow Boutonnieres by Martha Stewart Weddings, Yellow Baroque Wedding Invitation by Peak A Boo Designs on Etsy; Light Catcher Earrings from Anthropologie; Polaroids via Snippet & Ink; Bride with Bridesmaids in Field via Green Wedding Shoes; Yellow Bouquet by Martha Stewart Weddings; Yellow Shoes Photo by Simply Bloom via Green Wedding Shoes, Couple with Floral Spectacles via Snippet & Ink

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT BEANTOWN BRIDE ON FEBRUARY 5, 2010