That's the stuff

Things are blooming!  There seems to be an explosion of color everywhere I look lately, and I love it.  I am definitely an outdoorsy person (hard to be in NYC) and the world breathing new life into nature is something that I find so compelling, even inspiring.  I have been having a serious issue with motivation as of late, so being able to be outside, enjoy the weather and experience my daughter discovering dirt and flowers is something that is breathing new life into me.  Here are some pictures of the things I have seen in the past few days that have given me joy and creative rejuvenation. 

Now let's see how that translates into jewelry....stay tuned.

Upcycle!

I don't know if I have been living under a rock or what, but I am new to the concept of upcycling.  If you don't know what upcycling is, here is the definition according to Wikipedia:

"Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value."

Kind of like recycling, but better.

In Metal Jewelry is totally committed to upcycling and here is a good example of a piece of jewelry that had a former life as something else.  This glass rosette was part of a mirror previously and is now a rockin' pendant that just says summer and sun to me.

Long live upcycling!

Oh, the beach...

Yesterday was almost 80 degrees in NYC and it would have been an amazing day to hit Jones Beach on Long Island...but my husband and I chose to take our daughter there today when it was 63 degrees and so foggy you could not even see the ocean from the parking lot.  Go figure, but we like to do things that are unexpected so it ended up being very us.

Though we had taken her to the beach a couple of times before, this was the first time she was able to walk about independently and really explore what the beach is all about.  It was such a great joy to watch her learn about sand and breathe salty air for the first time.  There are times when I'm so tired I haven't showered for two days and can't remember the last real meal that I ate, but these are the times that I am so grateful for being able to experience the wonder of life and the world through Sofia's eyes.  It makes everything more....just more. 

This ain't your Gramma's quilt

One of my dearest friends is an avid quilter.  She  made me a gorgeous quilt for my 30th birthday, for my wedding and one when my daughter was born.  I remember when she told me that she was going to start quilting and I told her that I liked the idea of a quilt, but didn't like that all the ones I had seen looked like something you found at your gramma's house.  She laughed, told me she understood, but she wasn't going to make quilts like that, and indeed, she has managed to make gorgeous, contemporary (even, dare I say, trendy) quilts.  I am always impressed by her!

Kangaroo Stitches is also making some interesting quilts (among other things), but the best thing they offer is the custom quilt option.  That way you can guarantee that you won't be getting a gramma quilt, either for yourself or for a gift.  Rock on quilters of the world!

Breathe...

My kid is the joy of my life (next to my husband of course, in case he is reading this :), but there are days when my sweet angel looks a little more like this:

But I want it Now by ArtySandP

Which leaves me feeling like I need to take this:

Navy Cotton Yoga Mat Bag in Springtime Floral by Sleeping Virginia

And find the nearest yoga class I can get to and just breathe....ahhhh....much better.

*Awesome print by Artysandp and beautiful handmade bag by Sleepingvirginia.  Both accentuate my point so well.

We want the funk, gotta get that funk...

I love that song and I LOVE this funky little alien creature robot girl print illustration from ACEO.  There is something about that little face that I just find so endearing and adorable.  I am also partial to green and blue, so this little gal fits the bill for me.  And I also love that you can get this print made into a blank card. Brilliant!

Selling things that I find funky, but wearable in an everyday way is something that I am always striving for in my jewelry style, especially when I am antiquing and looking for vintage items.  I think that's actually why I like antiquing so much, I love the element of finding something funky that may have been totally common in its time, but is more unique now because of the passage of time and fashion trends.

This isn't a vintage find of mine, but it is a handmade find from Funky Felt Flowers.  This great felt cocktail ring is so original and again, love the color scheme.  I never would have thought to make a ring out of felt, but it is so fun and fab!

Puppy love

Before I had my kid, my dog Isa was my one and only baby.  And boy, does she miss those days!  Now, she is desperate for any attention that anyone will give her (poor thing) so when I can do something that will make her happy and use minimal energy on my part, I do.  Okay, I try to.  Or, at least I think about it.

This adorable dog bed from Pet Design is a great way for me to spoil my pup a little bit, and since everything is currently on 20% off sale (with promo code THINKSPRING), it won't break my bank to give my pupster some lux and love. 

See Isa, I still love you!