"The Work You Do While You Procrastinate Is Probably The Work You Should Be Doing For The Rest Of Your Life"

I first saw the work of Michelle Armas on the wonderful blog Miss Moss.  I love the playfulness of Armas's abstract pieces - the mixture of colors and patterns just stand out from the canvas.  But what I found even more intriguing about Armas is her story and what led her to becoming an artist.


Armas began painting only a few years ago to battle the stress of her corporate branding job in New York.  One thing led to another and Armas got out of dodge, returning to Atlanta in an attempt to make it as a full time artist.  


I love stories like Armas's.  I love hearing about people whose passion becomes his or her occupation.  It is so encouraging to have a story like this one when we live in a world where self doubt and insecurity can stand in the way of following your true course.


Miss Moss had the perfect quote by Jessica Hische for Armas's story - "The work you do while you procrastinate is probably the work you should be doing for the rest of your life."


Food for thought!


***You can see more work by Michelle Armas here and her blog here

"Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises"

I am absolutely loving the mint green trend for summer.  The color is so vivid and fresh, one feels reinvigorated when wearing such an ethereally delicate pigment.

Photo via The Fashion Police

Mint green can be seen on both the runway and Hollywood.  Diane Kruger's stunning mint green Giambattista Valli Couture Gown, worn at Cannes to the premiere of Moonrise Kingdom, absolutely took my breath away.  And while the dress's design had a beautiful silhouette, the thing that really stood out to me was the color.  That mint green palette on loose airy fabric just combined to make her look as if she was floating down the red carpet.

Below are some of my favorite mint green pieces for summer:

 1.) Sandro, 2.) Bebe Signature Stretch Color Skinny Jeans, 3.) TopShop Stripe Burnout Midi Dress, 4.) Nishe Lace Sweetheart Dress, 5.) Yuzefi 'Cage' Belt, 6.) TopShop Knot Front Shirt, 7.) Walnut Sling Back Eapadrilles, 8.) Ray Ban Wayfayers, 9.) Rag & Bone Bristol Fedora, 10.) Urban Outfitters Sparkle & Fade Drapey Layer Tank, 11.) TopShop Metallic Crochet Shorts, 12.) Prabal Gurung Tuxedo Jacket, 13.) Asos Three Floor Freshers Color Black Maxi Dress, 14.) Madewell Dyed Midi Shorts, 15.) Charlotte Russe Pleated Mint Tie-Front Blouse

What color palette are you looking forward to wearing this summer?

Ballet - A Dance Executed by the Human Soul

I first saw these beautiful Jose Romussi images below on the blog Because I'm Addicted.  Romussi, a mixed media artist, took vintage photographs of agile ballerinas and affixed bursts of colorful thread stitching throughout the images.

I just love how the addition of the vibrant threading transforms the classic pictures into something modern and avant-garde.

You can see more of Romussi's images on his flicker page here.

Enjoy!

Dusk Drives & Bike Rides

photo via Mixtapes & Cupcakes

I have really been loving the above two playlists, which were thought up by Lindsey over at the great blog Mixtapes & Cupcakes.  These are her summer playlists, which she describes as "songs a bit more light, more airy, then have chilled electronic beats or a 70's folk pop vibe... dusk drives is a bit more indie with more synths and perfect for a night drive, bike rides is pretty sunshine-y and perfect for the outdoors."


I think her description is right on the money, and these two playlists have been the perfect combination and rotation for a lazy and relaxing weekend ... perfect for me embracing the beginning of the summer!


I hope you all enjoy them as much as I do!

What are some songs on your summer playlist?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

photo via Grandville Historical Society

"I walked over to the hill where we used to go and sled.  There were a lot of little kids there.  I watched them flying.  Doing jumps and having races.  And I thought that all those little kids are going to grow up someday.  And all of those little kids are going to do the things that we do.  And they will all kiss someone someday.  But for now, sledding is enough.  I think it would be great if sledding were always enough, but it isn't."

-Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

When I was younger, one of my favorite books was The Perks of Being a Wallflower.  I just fell in love with the main character, Charlie - I loved his innocent and yet perceptive perspective on the world, loved his struggle to make sense of growing up and the understanding of the costs one pays with getting older.


 I remember the scene above, as described in the novel, being so poignant for me (and still is to this day).  I too miss the rapture, sincerity, unreserve, and novelty of when you are younger.  How everything is a new - raw - exciting experience.  There are times where I really miss the "ignorance of youth" (now I'm sounding old, but you know what I mean) - a time where everything was innocent and fresh, your guard was down because mistakes of the past haven't happened yet and you were a little more fearless because you weren't yet encumbered by the responsibilities of what comes with adulthood.  


There is another scene in that book where the character Charlie is driving in his car with his friends and he describes the moment as him feeling "infinite" ("And in that moment, I swear we were infinite.").  I remember when I was a teenager having nights like that - where your friends and the possibilities of the night sends a spark within you that makes the moment become everything, become enough, become infinite.  It has been such a long time since I have had that feeling - that electric sensation that comes with beginnings and youthfulness.  And my biggest fear of growing up was always of that feeling slipping away.


I wish as you get older you could hold onto that sensibility a bit more.  I wish as you get older "sledding were always enough" ... "but it isn't," and really how can it be?  


But I guess it gets replaced with other assured emotions that are the result of experience, and perhaps that is the design so when you have a family of your own you can remember and relive the feeling of being "infinite" through the eyes of your children and family foundation.  Just a thought....

Art & Fashion: Van Gogh Rodarte Print Dresses

I love the fashion creations of Rodarte.  But I was especially enamored by the Mulleavy sisters' spring 2012 collection that utilized Vincent Van Gogh's post-impressionist paintings of sunflowers and swirly stars from his starry nights as the base print for their designs.


Inspired by the complexion and depth of color and texture of Van Gogh's images, the prints have a pixelated quality that I really enjoy because it so draws from Van Gogh's distinct brushstroke style,  adding another textural component to the designs.

Beautiful Alexandra Valenti Photographs

I saw these photographs by Alexandra Valenti on Design Sponge a week or so ago. I think these images are just beautiful.  They remind me of capturing a childhood dream, with the carefree abandon represented in the essence of the images combined with the swirls of watercolors.

The pictures bring to mind a quote from J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan, "On these magic shores children at play are forever beaching their coracles.  We too have been there; we can still hear the sound of the surf, though we shall land no more."

Do these images evoke any memories are emotions for you?