Sums up how I feel

[source]

It's finals week. One more final tomorrow morning. I look forward to blogging when I'm recharged and feelin' good.

Sleep

a VimandVigor original made at polyvore

I'm really digging sleep today. Maybe it's because I got 3 1/2 hours of sleep last night and then woke up for at 6:00am for an exam. Pillows, silk pajamas, and chenille robes are my inspiration today. Even those $405 polka-dot silk chiffon shorts from Jean Yu. Dry clean only. "Sorry I'm running late. I have to pick up my silk chiffon panties from the cleaners." Oh the fabulous life.

Goodnight at 9am.

Little boxes on the hillside

Z-Glass Tiny House

I'm a huge real estate geek. I'm constantly looking up real estate in other cities to get a feel for the market and see pictures of the city's interior and exterior styles. The other night, as I was looking at Asheville, NC real estate I stumbled upon a development project for a Tiny House residential community. Curious, I googled the tiny house project and discovered "Tumbleweed Tiny Houses."

I know some people might think I'm insane, but I think the concept of Tiny Houses is a great thing. In our culture we hoard onto too many things, waste too much energy on our over-sized houses, and buy furniture to simply fill up space. These Tiny Houses range anywhere from $16,000 to $60,000 to build, and some can actually be delivered ready-made. For a lot of the Houses, building plans can be purchased so that a homeowner can physically built his or her house.

I think I could definitely live in one of the small houses. A regular tiny house would be a great idea for an inexpensive vacation residence in the mountains or countryside. I would love to check these houses out in person!

Here's some pictures from Tumbleweed's photostream on Flickr:XS exterior
XS interior
XS kitchen

Loring

Unordinary canvases

I love this stuff. I've never mustered up the guts to paint the furniture I have now (I've got my dad's taste for antiques), but I think it would be an awesome project for this summer to paint a couple chairs or a table. Using furniture as a canvas seems not only fun, but therapeutic, too. For real! I'm going to go buy some 99cent pieces of furniture from the thrift store down the road. Another project for my summer to-do list.

Here's some examples of really neat furniture via Etsy:

[maryjostudio]


[heathersartstudio]

[ymeier]

[channon]

Dennis Hopper

Dennis Hopper

1936-2010

[timesonline]

I'll admit that I barely knew who Dennis Hopper was before I heard his 1996 NPR interview on the radio the other day. Afterwards, I was naturally inspired by his creativity. He discussed his childhood growing up in the Dust Bowl, working with James Dean, studying with Lee Strasburg. Not only was he a brilliant, dedicated performance artist but he was also an avid photographer, director, writer, art collector (he bought an original Warhol soup can painting for $75!), painter and sculptor (how about that for a resume). He was a man who struggled with substance abuse and failed marriages, sure, but he was constantly learning about the arts. His loyalty and enthusiasm for self-expression is so intriguing.

So here's to you Mr. Hopper--you'll continue to be an inspiration to artists everywhere.

PS. Check out his Facebook-esque self portrait. I wonder what he was thinking when he took this.

Sucker for sweets

In honor of my summer vacation from writing English papers galore, I've decided to begin this blog. I love looking for inspiration in things both ordinary and offbeat. I've begun a high stress job in the special events category, so I hope my goal of daily inspiration will help me cool my jets and relax.

Without further ado, here we go. Inspiration #1... Drum roll, please.

MMMMMM.....CUPCAKES:)

Like most women, I'm a sucker for sweets--especially chocolate. One would think that having my fill of wedding cake every weekend at work would satisfy my sweet tooth. False. Maybe I'm just stressed out because I have finals next week, or maybe this new low-sugar special diet is bringing out my savaged animal instincts. I guess drooling over these pictures will have to do until I find some self-control in the sweets department. And when I do, I will post my creations.

I want this soft & delectable frosting to melt in my mouth right now.
[ Upward Facing Dude ]

Looks too good to be true. But it is. It even has Nutella filling.
[ sugarcrushmiami]

OH MY GOD. I will learn how to make these babies as soon as I get an afternoon free.
They definitely bring back childhood birthday party memories.
[DaintyCakesTampa]