{Pin it Forward} What home means to me

I'm excited to be taking part in sfgirlbybay's Pin it Forward theme of what home means to me. This is such a close topic for me as I'm in the midst of finding a new home for two this month. One of the most important aspects in creating a home (for me) is creating a place where I can let go and let love in through art, color, DIY projects, cozy nooks, patterns, entertaining, and dreaming. Check out my pin interest board here to see more.

A place where DIY is always welcome.

A space to cozy into for the afternoon.

A place to play with pattern.

A place to entertain in.

A space to speak my mind.

A space to renew.
A place to gather memories of loved ones.
A space to play, work, and create.

Be sure to check out the Pin it Forward schedule to follow other bloggers as they post about what home means to them. Check out today's line up over at some of these lovely blogs Living Fresh, Sylvie's Garden, Lavie Boston, and Good Measure (to just name a few). Enjoy :)

Fresh Label Freebies

My apologies for the lack of posts this week. Life/work has been kicking into high gear but I just wanted to stop by and share with you these fabulous little labels brought to you by little sightings blog. I love her color choices for these, so fresh and perfect to organize your workspace with.
Simply print on sticker paper, trim away the excess white and apply to your hearts delight!

Clicking on: Handmade Portraits

Check out the full scoop here.

Wednesday Wishes

A happy Wednesday to you today! While I don't claim to keep up with style (rarely will you find me shopping) I do indulge in shopping for workout wear instead! I find there is a direct link between what you wear to workout and how it makes you feel. Wearing an outfit that fits me well while allowing me to move freely and is easy on the eyes makes for a more satisfying sweat session, in my opinion. Which is why I am making today's Wednesday wishes post about investing in some new pieces. The hanes and old navy tee are classics and can be replaced easily without breaking the budget while some other pieces like the crop pants and shorts are an investment because they will carry me through many seasons to come.
Be sure to check out the lovely Courtney, Katie, and Kellie to see what wishes they are posting about today too!

Photoshop for Real

Almost better than the real thing! Created by fazyluckers.

Bedside Calla Lilies

I've had the pleasure of their company for the last week on my nightstand. Is there anything more lovely to wake up next to? Okay, maybe second to the one who gave 'em to me :) I wanted to photograph them in a more abstract way and I love the way the photographs turned out. I think these would look amazing printed in large format, matted and displayed in an over sized frame.

Free Font Friday

I'm excited to share with you this new template I created for my weekly free font Friday post! It's going to be a beautiful weekend here in Chicago and I'm excited for a photo shoot I'm assisting in tomorrow. I'll be sure to include all the details next week :) Until then enjoy my font picks for this week. Creampuff and Seaside Resort, are the perfect downloads to jump start your weekend, wouldn't ya agree? TGIF!

Loving: Alphabet Letter Freebie

The lovely duo behind Two Brunettes have fun Alphabet banner letters for you to download over at the Ruffled blog. Simply download each letter, print, punch holes on each corner and hang with twine or ribbon. Oh, and it even includes a heart to us as a space! I plan on making one for my nieces 9th Birthday coming up in June, she'll love it almost as much as I'll enjoy putting it together for her. Enjoy!

Clicking on Spuce Home

Upholstery With Spruce Home

Note Keeping

I don't know about you but I'm always writing notes/ lists for myself to remember what to pick up from the market or just for jotting down notes in a jiffy. I always keep a notepad in my purse for such occasions and printing out some of these free notepad sheets would just make me smile a little brighter. Thanks Yasmine for the lovely downloads :) Just click on each image and get to printing!

Wednesday Wishes

Hi and welcome to another week of Wednesday wishes! I've been craving art this week and since Joe and I are on the verge of moving, we are waiting until we move (in July) to join art forces (mine + his), I am dedicating this weeks post to a few pieces that I've had my eyes on for a while. I am so looking forward to (1.) having more wall space and (2.) displaying art we've collected from independent artists. My collection has taken off after receiving an awesome painting from this talented gal a few weeks ago :) Hopefully there is enough in the budget to include one or more of these great works too! (click on each photo for artist details.)

Don't forget to check out the lovely Katie, Courtney & Kellie to read all about their wishes for today too! And please feel free to join us by posting your own wishes every Wednesday. Just be sure to let one of us know so we can tune in :)

Blog Button Submission

One of my daily reads, Creature Comforts is calling for blog button submissions to be part of her link love gallery! If your ever in the mood to seek out art, decor, design, and crafty inspiration this is by far the best place to go! Browsing through her collection of blogs all nicely catalogued stirs creativity and feeds the artful soul :) Click here to find out how you can submit yours.

Save me a piece

I couldn't think of recieving anything more pleasantly sweet than this cake for my birthday. This cake was created by a husband for his wife. Almost too good to eat!

Cake found via Design for Mankind

Loving: Flowers in May

Happy Monday everyone! It's cloudy and on the verge of storming in the windy city which is why I needed to find myself a cheery pick-me-up to start off the week. I'm currently loving these illustration posters by Flowers in May. My favorite is the baking set and lazy Sunday! Click on each poster to find out more. Enjoy :)

A Beautiful Start to the Weekend

Lovely blogger Becky wrote me a while back to see what she could do to help out for A Beautiful Idea project. We teamed up and I'm offering her first 5 readers one of my paper crafts (your choice) with any purchase from the donation shop. There is a great range of sweetly priced items to fit even the smallest of piggy banks :) Once you've made your purchase, email me at: evphotogal@me.com let me know your pick along with your address and I'll be smiling all the way to the post office! A beautiful idea for a truly worthy cause! Here are some of my favs available for purchase now....

Wednesday Wishes

It's Wednesday and time for another roundup of wishes. These may seem so essential this week, but I really do wish for them!

1. Sleep. I wish for more sound sleep. Lately I've been waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to stay asleep. I've tried reading, that helps a little..sometimes.

2. Stretch time. I wish to get back into a regular yoga practice. I used to take classes every week, but have longed to get back into a routine. It just feels so good after a long day of being on my feet.

3. Weekend. I'm having one of those weeks, where I wish for it to just be Friday already. Plus I'm so excited to hang out with my family for Mother's Day.

Please stop by Katie's, Courtney's and (birthday girl) Kellie's blogs to read all about there wishes for this week too!

Work in Progress

I've been keeping busy this week with a fun design project that I'll share with you later next week. But for now I thought it was fitting to share with you an illustration in progress by the talented Kris Atomic. There are few artists (that I know of) that capture the progression of there work. I don't know about you, but I enjoy seeing all the pen and eraser marks before the magic of color begins its transformation. What are you creatively working on these days?

Loving: Happy Poster

Are You Happy?

Design on a Dime Contest

I was excited to read yesterday morning about a contest Design Sponge is hosting along with a Design on a Dime special event called Housing Works. They are offering 5 VIP tickets to this 6th annual special event to the winner of Design Sponge's decorating with thrift store finds contest. I know so many people who scour thrift sales, flea markets, and curb sides to score fab vintage finds. Now's your chance to enter those babies to win tickets to a great event in NY! Click here to read about all the details and how you can enter! Here is my curbside (dresser) and Goodwill (bedside table) finds that I am proud to call my own! Fingers crossed :)