july's guest blogger!

this month's guest blogger is julia! here she talks about her recent move, and how unpacking has made her feel inspired & 'at home'.

Hello! I’m Julia Tsarpalas, a graphic designer and lover of everything adorable. 

I just moved 2,500 miles away from Chicago to Los Angeles to pursue my graphic design career. Not unlike Tabitha, the past two weeks have been full of unpacking, cardboard, and getting settled. As a self-proclaimed tv addict, plopping down in a new city with no cable was a little daunting; then I discovered online tv marathons. Terrible choice (for productivity). But one fateful day, a week after I moved in, my internet went down. As much as I hated it at the time, praise the interwebs for going out because it was really good for me. I was forced to unpack more, and subsequently rediscover some of the things that really make me happy, such as reading, organizing, and stuffed animals/knick knacks. I graduated from college in 2011 and kept many of my (favorite!) decorative items packed away. Unpacking suddenly turned into a game of finding what else I forgot I owned. As I evaluated the finds, I noticed what a vast array of items I had: a clock from my grandmother’s house, a lamp from my childhood bedroom, modern furniture from college (from CB2), posters I designed throughout college, my favorite stuffed animals from both childhood and now, and little hand-painted German knick knacks.

1. Handmade, German cuckoo clocks

2. Some of my favorite coffee table books: visual, informative, and adorable

     3. An assortment of my favorite knick knacks from across the years, including the Lowly Worm and giraffe from my childhood toys (the Hello Kitty clock is the loudest (cutest) alarm clock I have ever heard, but it does have the best “Goood Morrrning!” when you press the button)

My point is this, if you start to collect bits and pieces you love throughout your life, one day you’ll take a look around and realize that, even 2,500 miles away, home isn’t that far away. Some might say this is materialistic, but I say more power to you! Not to worry though, I’m not asking you to become a hoarder or even really realize you’re collecting these items. If you can acknowledge what makes you happy about a particular space or time in your life, even in retrospect, you can draw from that energy and recreate it. The items don’t have to be expensive, in fact, the more personal items, hand-made or gifts, are often the best. It could be as simple as mimicking a furniture arrangement from a space you love. Does the space you love have a lot of light? Look for windows in your home or get lots of lamps! Does this space feel warm and cozy? Incorporate blankets, fluffy rugs, or my favorite: soft lighting and stuffed animals. Does the space smell a certain way? Find a candle or even just a fabric softener that you enjoy to infuse the space with a subtle mood. Whether you’re a designer, painter, dancer, writer, or even just a dreamer, it’s important to surround yourself with things that inspire you, things that make you want to go out and do something. Every night now, when I get home, I’m excited to be there, happy to be there. Those two feelings are paramount in creative beginnings. I still have one empty wall above my futon. I’m thinking I should probably design a few more posters for the space. And you know what? Bring it on!

4. Various pillows that I thought were pretty awesome and an old blanket that my great-grandmother crocheted, accented by         the Moonlight Sonata futon cover  

5.   5. My most-recent and all-time favorite stuffed animals. The Jellycat Gator and Giraffe have been my most-recent acquisitions after I obsessed about owning the gator for at least a few years of my life. And yes, I’m 23 years old. No shame. The lamp serves as one of my favorite sources of light; it casts a warm familiar glow on everything and invites me to curl up in bed with a good book (and my Jellycats)

6. My bookshelf is a mixture of books about design, art, and writing. Books written in German from children’s book to novels. Books from my childhood with images I’ll forever cherish, and frankly never forget. Those books inspired me when I was little, and they continue to be a source of motivation as well as a study in illustration techniques. The bottom shelf holds board games and the childhood stuffed animals that I simply could not get rid of. Maybe eventually I’ll weed them out, but until then, they make pretty adorable bookends

7. My life in short: a childhood nightlight next to a Vera Bradley photo board from college next to a graphic, colorful Kleenex box

8. 2 posters from my portfolio. The one an example of bright, bold color and typography and the other a constant reminder to just stay calm. When the going gets tough, take a deep breath, and do better than you ever thought you could. That way, you’ll just keep surprising yourself. There is nothing more satisfying than proving to yourself that you could. A little bit of positive reinforcement along the way, even from yourself, goes a very long way.

if you’re interested in what julia is doing, both in life and design check out her portfolio site [www.juliatsarpalas.com] & her blog at [sugarbeaver.tumblr.com].

june's guest blogger!

this month's guest blogger is meghan! she is the founder and designer of swallow's heart - an amazing jewelry line that i am obsessed with. today she shares with us some great tips for thrifting :]

 

Hello! I’m Meghan from Swallow’s Heart. I’m a North Carolina girl at heart but currently live in southern Georgia with my sweet soldier husband and our two Siberian Husky puppies. I make whimsical vintage and nature inspired jewelry, and opened my own etsy shop last year. I love design, hiking, road trips, animals, and of course thrifting!

 

So, you know that feeling you get when you walk into a thrift shop (antique store, flea market, yard sale)? That feeling of potential, of never knowing what you’ll walk out with? These secondhand stores are my absolute favorite places to find unique and inexpensive items – items that nobody else will have. Anytime I travel to a new town, I love to check out the thrift shops. It instantly makes me feel more like a local. I’m definitely no expert when it comes to thrifting, but I’ve definitely learned a lot over the years... so I’m really excited to share a few simple tips that I’ve learned over the years that have changed the way I shop at thrift stores.

 

 

Get inspired. Before I hit up my favorite thrift shops, I take a quick look at my Pinterest boards – just as a refresher for projects on my to-do list. Let’s be honest, you’re probably not going to actually make all of those pinned DIY projects unless you can find the materials for cheap, right? If you’re like me, you’ve pinned lots and lots of project ideas, but easily forget about them when you’re shopping. So, get in that inspired-state-of-mind before you walk out the door.

 

Make a list. From those Pinterest boards (or wherever else you stockpile inspiration), write down a few of your favorite projects that you want to tackle. Fold it up and take it with you. After way too many overwhelming encounters at thrift shops, I began taking lists, and my trips became not only more focused but also more productive! Taking lists also helps me to stay on track and not buy excessively. ;) Remember, just because it’s cheap doesn’t mean you actually need it (or will wear it).

 

 

...But don’t be too boxed in. Take your lists, but don’t be limited to just that. The beauty (or curse?) of thrift stores is never knowing what you’ll find, so be open to the inspiration that comes naturally while you’re shopping. If you have an idea for something and the price is right, go for it!

 

Know your style. Although I’m always on the hunt for new projects, I also have a “default setting” at thrift stores... no matter where I’m at, I always check for certain things – like milk glass, vintage linens, maps, mason jars, vintage plates, old tins, and vintage jewelry (both to wear and to use in my own designs). These are things that I collect – my “regulars” – so by now I know to always keep an eye out for them. The more you go thrifting, the more you will learn your favorite go-to items.

 

Take your time. Thrift stores are FULL of amazing finds but sometimes you have to really take your time and pursue the hunt! I know this may be an obvious tip, but really, when I’m in the thrifting mode, I take my sweet time. Rummage, rummage, rummage through that junk! We had been on the lookout for old hymnals forevvvver, and one day found a few stacked under other books. Thrift store items are usually not organized very well, which means you have to do the work (part of what makes it so cheap!).

 

Hit or miss. More times than not, I walk out of a thrift store empty-handed. Try not to be discouraged if you have a few bad luck shopping trips. Thrift stores are always being restocked and reorganized, so you have to keep checking back every week or two. Saving a few bucks and finding unique items is worth the hit-or-miss aspect of secondhand stores, so don’t give up!

 

There are lots more tips out there (like bringing cash and dressing comfortably), but these are just the top six tips that usually work for me. I must walk into a thrift store with the right mentality (those lists!) if I’m even going to have a chance at a successful trip. I hope these tips are helpful in your next thrifting adventure. If anyone else has any other thrifting tips, I’d love to hear!

 

Well, thanks so much for letting me share a few of my simple thrifting tips with y’all! And thank you, Tabitha, for inviting me to be a guest writer on your lovely creative and unique blog. I was excited and honored to write about one of my most favorite hobbies.

 

Here’s to a weekend of thrifting! ;)

want to know more about meghan? follow her blog & her pinterest page!

april's guest blogger!

this month's guest blogger is sally! we randomly found each other via twitter & pinterest because of our similar style and design interests. then i found the blog she shares with her friend fran, and i fell in love. here she tells us about her neck of the woods :)

Originally from Hampshire in the South of England, I’ve now lived in London for *woah* almost six years, and consider myself a true Londoner. I cannot imagine living anywhere else at this stage in my life. I’ve lived in South, West and North London but have happily been living in Islington now for two and a half years, which means it must be pretty good! So I thought I’d share with you what I love about Islington, and also some of the lovely things there that inspire me every day.

The main road through Islington, Upper Street, and all the streets off if for that matter, are filled restaurants and bars, lovely old English pubs and cute little cafés. Squeezed in between are lovely gift shops, some seriously lovely fashion stores, charity shops, art galleries and swoony furniture and design shops. Add to that the most adorable antiques market on Camden Passage, and I can’t really think of anything that Islington is missing. 

The area is surrounded by streets of gorgeous North London houses and pretty greens so its a fab place to mooch around on a sunny day. Personally I think it’s a great go to place when you need to pick up a gift for a friend, or to buy more bits and bobs for your house, which you probably really don’t need! Here are a few of my favourite finds from Islington shops at the moment…

image one, two, three, four, five, six

Oh, and If you’re ever in London, I seriously recommend jumping on the number 30 bus from King’s Cross for a mooch around Islington, and give me a shout if you ever need any tips on London! 

want to know more about sally? check out her blog and beautiful pinterest account! :)

march's guest blogger!

kate fodera of 'live inspired' shares with us her struggles with adulthood, and the creative journey she is taking to overcome them.

I was sitting on my couch and eating an obscene amount of Ramen noodles a few weeks ago when it hit me  -  Oh God... I’m 25 years old. 

This realization shouldn't have been as life-altering as it was, considering I’ve been this age for a little over 3 months, but regardless... it was. As I had crinkled, limp, soggy noodles hanging from the right side of my perfectly glossed lip, I thought to myself, “What am I doing with my life?”

I’m successful when it comes to having a career I love and enjoy doing day in and day out. I’m successful when it comes to following my dreams of writing professionally. I’m successful when it comes to surrounding myself with amazing, hilarious, supportive, and loving friends and family. 

Don’t get me wrong, all of these things are EXTREMELY important when it comes to living a happy, healthy, and fruitful life; however, there are other things a girl should know. She should know that you cannot substitute Squirt soda for lemon juice when cooking. She should be able to kill scary spiders. She should be able to successfully pass as a functioning member of society.

To put it bluntly - I’m perhaps one of the worst stereotypical adults I know. I’m successful when it comes to completely useless things:

• I can lick my elbow
• I can make killer Ramen
• I can make my hair insanely huge (no seriously, I can)

Things I’m not successful with:

• Cooking something other than killer Ramen
• Sewing/hemming
• Crafting
• Other stereotypical adult-stuff

Whether I was ready or not, I realized that it was time to learn. 

I understand that these skills are “old-fashioned” but whether the date is year 1945 or 2012, a girl has to know how to cook something both edible and healthy. That’s when I decided to start my new blog, Perfectly Aware.

I became perfectly aware of the fact that I’m not really a functioning adult in the stereotypical sense of the word. It was time to make a change and not only would I make this change, but I would document my trials and tribulations. Being 25, I know myself... I know that I’m going to struggle. This journey to adulthood is going to be tough, it’s going to be messy, it’s going to be full of perfectly-strung-together swearwords. 

Cross your fingers that I make it out alive, wearing hemmed jeans and holding a load of freshly baked banana bread.

*follow kate's journey by checking out her new blog, perfectly aware!*

february's guest blogger!

jessica smith of peace. love. design. shares with us what made her fall in love with her job.

choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” -confucius

three years ago, upon finishing the third wedding invitation i had ever done, i had a friend say “wow that is just so cool that you get to design wedding invitations! you are so lucky!” i sighed and under my breath mumbled its only temporary, i swear.

i have a confession to make. now although i have always been a hopeless romantic, i had absolutely no idea that i would fall so deeply head over heels in love with weddings. but when you step back and think about it, its romantic enough to find someone that you want to spend forever with. its that much more incredible that on one specific day, you stand before your closest friends and family, look into each other’s eyes and swear that you will love, take care of, and commit to one another for as long as you both shall live. it's beautiful and sacred. it covers my arms with goosebumps and fills my eyes with tears. 

i know what you are thinking... a wedding invitation is a piece of paper i get in the mail, rsvp to and toss, hoping i kept the directions to the church. but when you really think about it, it is so much more. its the first chance you get to share the news. and even more so, its the first glimpse your guests get at your big day. it is what sets the stage. 

which brings me to my next point. weddings can often get stuck in a rut. cheesy, corny, predictable. they can be completely generic and overdone. i think couples often forget that this is THEIR day. this is the first time many people will get to experience them as a couple. because i am one of the first stops on the way to the altar, i get the opportunity to encourage my clients to really think outside of the box when forming their wedding style. and trust me, i understand it isn’t easy (i'm in the midst of planning my own wedding!) i tell each and every client that it is time consuming and completely overwhelming to do it this way. but in the end, you will be standing at the altar, or getting a forkful of cake shoved into your face... and all the while, everything around you will reflect you and the love of your life. and the new life you are embarking on together.

my friend was right. i am lucky. everyday is an adventure, a new project, and a new idea. and i am just getting started.

so stay tuned.

peace.love.design. is a full service graphic design studio located in detroit, michigan featuring unique and custom designs for weddings, parties, events, and businesses. visit www.peacelovedesign.com for more information!

january's guest blogger!

i am so happy to announce that starting this month, a lil' expression will be featuring a creative guest blogger every month! to kick off the new tradition, kim o'brien will be telling us about her lovely craft & what inspires her. enjoy!

I'd like to think of my jewelry as timeless. To me it is a lot like iron work in that it is lasting and (hopefully) always in style. It seems to be a stretch to say that I am influenced by two things that seem so diametrically opposed, but my other inspiration is nature. To me they fit together, iron work is a gate to a garden, a wall to a grassy yard, its rungs create a window to peer at flowers through. They compliment and contrast each other at the same time. One stands through all of the seasons, while the other falls to seed to bloom later. 

In my iron work series, I add texture to mimic a weathered gate and add abstract flowers to some pieces, bringing my two muses together. My textures are created in various ways. Some are painstaking, made by drawing line after line with a scribe. While other textures I create by using an old dinged up hammer whose surface mars silver to perfection. My dot series are just simple gestures of color used to capture parts of seasons that I enjoy. My favorite of the autumn colors is goldenrod, I love seeing those tall weeds pop up in the fall. 

   

  

What I love most about being a jeweler is the making. Using tools, playing with fire and getting good and dirty. I've given up on having nice nails as I spend most of my days sanding them away while I clean up my creations. Now that I am making full time I am pleased to say I get to work in pink combat boots and jeans every day and I love it! What I don't love (and what we speak of so little) is that it is hard. I don't get to just make jewelry. I have to package it, gets stores to carry it, price it, sell it, promote it. It is tough work and work that one can only do out of love. If you are thinking of turning your hobby into a full time gig you need to consider a few things. First, price your work to sell at wholesale or you will never make a living. The next important thing is you must love what you make so much that you are ready to live your life around it. Then, get ready not to have a steady paycheck for a long time. I've been at this full time only a year and I am still working out the kinks. It is tough and done out of love. 

When I am in a creative rut, I grab my camera and adorable dog and set out for a walk. We go to new neighborhoods, sample the coffee and croissants there. While we are strolling the area I take pictures, lots of them. I look for colors, textures, patterns, flowers, gates, designs and capture it all. At night I sit down and take it all in. Seeing what I like about each photo, looking for colors or gestures to create in metal. I do rough sketches of my ideas. Some sketches stay around for years and others are made into metal immediately. My other source of inspiration is looking at works of other artists and jewelers, especially from the Art Nouveau movement. Art Nouveau seems to capture the style I am ultimately aiming for. Bright patterns, flowers, lines and gestures are brought together to create amazing images. Ultimately my goal is to make limited series of work so I can show in galleries and move slowly away from the craft fair hustle and bustle. Oh, and my other goal is to stay in my pink boots and jeans. Even with all of the heartache, I don't want to give up making jewelry. In fact, it is something I need to do. 

want to know more about kim? see her jewelry & learn more about her!

guest blogger - kate fodera from live inspired!

I suppose I should start this post off with a small introduction because that’s how all good things start, isn’t it? You have to know who the person is to even care about what they’re saying :]

Like Tabitha said, my name is Kate and we met waaaay back in the day when we were young hooligans in college (Side note: young = 2 or 3 years ago and hooligans = talking out of turn in Italian class. We were rebellious, what can I say?).

I started my blog Live Inspired when I decided to up and move to Nashville. I have a bad habit of wanting a steady stream of change and spontaneity in my life and my sudden move to Nashville was a product of that. I moved with an acquaintance and it was by far the best decision of my life. Neither of us had a job, we had to find an apartment in 1 day, and I was in a city where I only knew my friends' second cousin. You might be asking yourself, “What? Why does this seem like a good thing? Sounds pretty irresponsible to me.” and you’re right... It was. But that’s how I knew that I could put on my big girl pants, make friends out of complete strangers, and ‘make it’ on my own.

I’m lucky. I have a supportive family and a great group of friends, but there’s something about seeing who you become when all of that (okay, most of that) is stripped away and all you have is yourself. You find that talking to random strangers at your local Starbucks isn’t as scary as you think it might be. You find that when people tell you, “Stay off of _______ street at night” - you stay off of ______ street at night. You find that if you need to work two jobs to afford Smart Ones frozen dinners, then you do what you have to do.

I thought I knew who I was before I moved away, but sweetheart, I found out quickly that I hadn’t learned a gosh darn thing. By writing my blog, I found that I truly express myself best through words. There’s something about the elegant string of phrases and syllables that just expresses who I am and who I hope to become. I was able to take my life, turn it upside down, and see things for what they really were through fresh new eyes.

For me, that was moving to Nashville and recording my thoughts and emotions online for the world to see (and by the world, I do mean the 30 people who regularly read my blog). I was able to learn what it was like to get lost and have to find your way home without a GPS, make new friends by saying, “I just moved here” and eating new foods (I would do anything for some sweet tea and a biscuit right now).

I was inspired. I felt new. I felt refreshed. I felt like I had rediscovered what it felt to be alive and what being alive truly meant. It meant not knowing who I was. It meant not knowing if I would make friends. It meant working hard for what I want. It meant following my heart whether that took me to Nashville or took me 5 minutes away from my hometown.

I’m back in Michigan now, but I wouldn’t have traded that experience for the world. I am who I am today, as I’m sitting in a bakery writing this blog post, because I up and moved without knowing what would happen tomorrow. The unknown can be thrilling if you let it be.

to read more of kate's amazing posts, visit her blog and facebook page!