Take a closer look

I've been home from New York for almost three weeks now and, sadly, still haven't uploaded my pictures yet.  I'm really horrible with things like that.  But, when that day finally comes, I've got some rad pictures from the greatest museums in New York that I think you'll like.  Until then, here are some art photos that I didn't take, but they're amazing and pretty trippy nonetheless.  

Letting go

How do you let things go?  Is there anything you do or say that helps push negative energy away?  That's something I'm struggling with right now, and I don't know what to do.  

So, in honor of letting go, I want to share with you a very interesting photography series.  It captures a moment right before people are about to say goodbye to the greatest gift they've ever received - their very own life.  These pictures document their last wish - their last meals before execution.

I love collages

I have been feeling so unmotivated and uninspired lately.  I'm in one those funks.  Those frustrating funks that you know you'll snap out of soon, but it's still getting to me.  I need a project.  Something to will me out of bed in the morning.  Something to get excited about.  But, until then, I'll just peruse through the blog Record the Day.  It makes me happy.  The collages are simple, yet beautiful.  They remind me of all the magazine collages I'd make as a kid.  Only these are more elegant looking.  

Dorm done right

It's that time of year again: back-to-school.  It feels so weird to not be making runs to Staples or Office Depot, buying up all their Ballpoint pens and decorative notebooks.  It feels weird to not be registering for classes and praying I get the schedule I want.  And, it feels weird to not be planning my first-day-of-school outfit (yes, I did that even as a senior).  

As students at my alma mater moved into the dorms yesterday, I'm sure many of them were facing one of the biggest challenges in their life to date: decorating and organizing their sardine can-sized room.  If you never had to experience such joy, let me tell you - making use of such a small space and making it feel like home is a tough task.  But, this guy below sure knows how to do it right.  I must say - I'm quite impressed.

Chalk makes a comeback

Hi everyone!  I'm so so sorry for the long run of postless days and even more sorry that I did not give you forewarning.  I just moved back down to Southern California and into a new apartment with my best friend.  It feels good to be back, but I still miss New York from time to time.  Back to the real world though!  

Although my main focus right now is looking for a job, a lot of my attention, of course, is being hogged with thoughts of furniture arrangement, color schemes and wall decor ideas.  With so much interior design on the brain, I thought I'd share with you my latest obsession: chalk.  

Indeed, that thing I'd doodle on sidewalks with has circled back around.  Only this time I want to paint on more than just the ground.  Here are some fun ways to use chalkboard paint:  

Chalkboard walls:

Doors:

Cabinets:

Refrigerator:

Wine glasses:

Planters:

Storage:

Calendars to keep schedule:

To remember recipes:

To create pieces of art:

To record inspirational quotes:

Ruffles galore

I'm not usually a belt person, but lately, I find myself eyeing belts like I do bracelets.  They can really pull together an outfit that's lacking something.  I think this ruffle belt would look especially great with a simple one-color dress.  The even better part is that you can make it yourself.  And, I do love a good craft project.

If a belt is not enough for you, try these DIY ruffled purse and heels.  They're adorable, but, for some reason, I feel like my own handmade ones wouldn't turn out quite the same.  

Replacements

I absolutely love photography, and it excites me when I see artists doing something fresh and interesting with their photographs.  Wonderfully-captured pictures are a joy to look at and admire, but these photographic experiments really inspire me. 


Michael Hughes replaces famous landmarks with their souvenir counterparts, and Jason Powell uses old photographs in place of the current-day structures.  I love this out-of-the-box thinking.  These pictures are so fun and unique.  

Map art

Maps aren't normally thought of as works of art, but these ones of Paris and Brooklyn definitely prove otherwise.  They're so beautiful; I can't imagine how long the paper cutout of Paris took!  I just wish there were more for sale than just Paris and London (which is the artist's other cutout).  I would love to find a regional map of Southern California as awesome as one of these.

Blast from the past

Well, folks, next time you hear from me I will no longer be a resident of New York, but, instead, will be back in Sunny California. And, in just a week and a half, I'll be back in "the OC." I'm looking forward to moving into a new apartment and having a fresh space to decorate. Although I already have all the furniture I need, these pieces from Jellio are so fun! I would actually want to buy a gummy bear lamp, but too bad they're over one hundred dollars! A girl can still dream, I suppose...

Have a spectacular weekend, everyone!  

XOXO, Amy

Sexify your place

I cannot believe I leave New York in less than 48 hours.  Though I know it's not for good, and I know I will be back many more times in my life, it's still sad nonetheless.  Luckily, I got to see something amazing on one my last days here - Carrie Bradshaw's iconic stoop from my favorite show "Sex and the City."  I felt like such a tourist, snapping tons of pictures of this mere porch.  With Carrie in mind on this Thursday night, I thought I'd share this fabulous post I found on how to recreate her apartment all for yourself.

Check out Bandelle for a more detailed description on how to get your own Bradshaw look-a-like pad, or take a peek at some other apartments from the big and small screen that you could copy for yourself.   

Post-it pictures

They're often thought of as no more than a mere office supply, but after seeing this YouTube video, I have a newfound fascination for post-it notes.  Take a look at the many faces of these sticky little square, round, heart-shaped, pink, yellow and hot green pieces of paper:

reminders:

small art:

big art:

3-D art:

cover walls:

cover your entire apartment:

Photos five and six via {Weburbanist}

New meaning to courtesy

These cards by Gramkin Paper Studio may not be the friendliest (though I'm sure we've all thought what's written on them at some point in our lives) and I would never actually give one to someone, but they're so beautiful to look at that I almost...maybe...sort of really do want to hand them out.  However, there are some fun cards of theirs that I'd love to give to a few friends who I know would appreciate it.  Hope you get a laugh from these like I did!  

XOXO, Amy      

Baby talk

I can't stop thinking about babies lately!  Don't get me wrong - I don't have a baby, I'm not expecting one anytime soon, nor do I want one anytime soon.  But, there is a very special three-week old boy who I'm going to meet in just five days, and I couldn't be more excited to finally hold this new baby nephew of mine.  

As the aunt of a new life, I've found myself looking at all things baby lately - clothes, toys, little booties, etc.  And, though I can't afford to spoil my now two nephews as much as I'd wish, I still love admiring these things that no longer appeal to people older than, say, four.  

Toy talk aside, however, I absolutely love these baby shower activity notepads.  Put these notes together in a book, and that would be such a special gift for any mom-to-be.  I could see there being something like this for a bridal shower  or even graduation party as well.  Now, I just hope I can remember this shower game five or so years down the road from now...

Another thing I'm going to have to will myself to remember half a decade from now is this awesome cardboard playhouse.  Any future child of mine will surely possess at least a small amount of creativity.  And, this house would definitely be fun for kids to draw on and make their own.  In fact, I kind of want one of these for myself!

Photo {one} and {two}