simple + old + alive

I love everything about this photo found here via here and you can find even more beautifully simple photography here

Reminding me how much I appreciate the beauty of the simple, the old and house plants inside random found and collected containers.  Refreshing my excitement for my very own collection of age old somethings.

Twila!

photo by Twila

portfolio sketch by Twila

When considering my first interview for Slow Southern Style I did not hesitate to interview Twila of Twila's Vintage Clothing. A great representation of southern style done right with personality, confidence, creativity and charm. A young belle with fresh, effortless style often inspired by olde days gone by. She's a fashion designer, a vintage collector, a free spirit and a Lafayette native turned brand new Brooklynite.

>>> You can read the full post + interview here <<<

website / shop / blog / facebook

the tastiest town

Southern Living magazine hosted The South's Tastiest Town Awards and the votes are in Lafayette, LA is the tastiest, winning by over 35,000 votes.  A place I am proud to call home for so many reasons just added another. Its full of flavor.

I covered our winning the tastiest town challenge for the New Orleans based blog Slow Southern Style you can read the full post here.

more for your $

here's a great idea...

find full tutorial here

our tiny dancer

Well, it's that time of year again.  Recital costumes and pictures and preparations oh my!  And I couldn't help but title this post after my favorite Elton John song...

I'm sure your quite familiar yourself. And how about that part in Almost Famous, I loved that movie back in the day.  Here's some history and facts behind tiny dancer the song. Written to capture the spirit of California, seems fitting for my tiny dancer whose proud to be made in California.

my recent faves

Some of my recent etsy faves just a few for now...

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

If only I still lived on the beach where sea glass and driftwood are plentiful.  Simple earthware always calls to me.  Thief and Bandit's way with printing textiles is one in which I aspire to attain.  Gather's work with metal and natural stone is dreamy to me.  And Gaia Conception's use of locally sourced organic fibers, rather simple, ultra comfy and sometimes versatile silhouettes is my creative hearts desire.

hmm...

"Many of us knock on the door but remain outside, because knocking and entering are entirely different actions. Knocking is necessary, consisting of reading books, attending meetings, asking questions. But entrance requires much bolder action. It requires one to enter into himself, to uncover hidden motives, to see contradictions, and to realize his actual power for self-change."  - Vernon Howard

>>> be bold ya'll <<<

instaGRID

Brand new to me, I think this is my favorite way to enjoy the many incredible captured moments of the popular instagram app. At least the most visually pleasing. Visit my GRID if you'd like and you can create your own here. 

grounded luxury

What a beautiful home!  I love the set up and location for her small family of farm animals and added little touches of decoration that create such a charming environment. And how sweet is that rustic attractive space those sweet critters have to call home, it even has curtains.  I also adore the antler chair, moss covered table setting pictured above and that sunroom!!!

Find more pictures of this luxurious yet grounded home here at the selby.

color I like

found here

If you are looking for a gift for yourself or someone special and you would like something that's easy to wear, makes a statement with a whisper not a scream, and gives a nod to eco-design than...

shop here

my little corner where you will find reasonably priced handmade + vintage.  Inspired by nature, folklore, and a simple life. Nurturing the beauty in the unconventional.

backyard home

A beautiful spring morning. I love this time of year. The temperature is just right and the birds are singing a happy song.  It's a time for new growth and fresh beginnings. Nature resurrects from hibernation, recovering from months of lying dormant.  Though here in south Louisiana we didn't see much of a winter this year I certainly feel the welcome of spring.

Pictures taken with instagram and my iphone follow if you'd like. It's something I just may use way to much of but damn I enjoy it :).

hmm...

pursue |pərˈsoō|  verb  * follow (someone or something) in order to catch or attack them  * seek to attain or accomplish (a goal), esp. over a long period  * engage in
reverence |ˈrev(ə)rəns|

noun* deep respect for someone or something       verb [ trans. ]    * regard or treat with deep respect
ORIGIN Middle English : from Old French, from Latin reverentia, from revereri ‘stand in awe of’

nomadique

LaceyDU introduced her new collection 'Nomadique' live today at Hemline, a local boutique.  I was happy to break away from the kiddos to show my support for my fellow boho and to take a few pictures of the beauty she never fails to create.

We are working together with a few other ladies to host our first fashion show, Fresh & Local. In just a few short weeks we will feature some of our newest creations and the freshest ways to style them using handmade + vintage.

Lacey had her first trunk show at Hemline a few months back take a look here.

shop / facebook

peek into bb spring 2012

more photoshop practice

Here's just a little peek into what I have been working on. I have a several more pieces complete with a few more still in process. I will introduce more over the next few weeks. Currently, there is a lot gettin' done in my humble studio. Old ideas being seen through. Fresh ideas naturally developing. New creations to be excited about. Hemp cotton cloth. Vintage textiles reincarnated. Simple belts inspired by similar vintage accessories. Rag braid.

Getting things accomplished feels real good...inspiration is a driving force.

<>

today

 the first half of today...

March arts + fleas

Lafayette Arts + Fleas on the 2nd Saturday of the month
this was last weekend

vintage + handmade

find a few of these pieces in my shop

<> vintage floral blouse <> tomato cotton twill belt <> protection + compass <> antique lace shorts

house plants & good advice

This Brooklyn couple, is more than a jewelry designer and a photographer...

“I think both of us and our generation have been brought up in a consumer society and we are only just now, at our age realizing that it doesn’t have to be that way. You can have good things in life without having a lot of money, or be constantly buying. And that is what happening now.”

More of their interview and pictures of their lovely home found here via here

This Brooklyn loft is a nice, comfy, intimate, lived in space.  Probably not a very big space and it has all that one (or two) might need with office and studio space too.  I love all the house plants and how they are placed just so throughout!

I recommend reading the interview it has little bits of some pretty good advice! Especially for those of us that may have a passion for doing things a little bit differently, that sometimes feels like its going against what has been taught by the masses of society. A few simple opinions that just may help you feel like you are on the right track and put a gentle smile on your face.

>>> Follow your heart <<<

collection & layout

There were so many pieces in this collection that I adore. Simple, comfortable, feminine. Dresses, skirts and tops.  I am working on similar silhouettes in my own studio, similar but different of course. Designs and fabrics I have been gathering and collecting for many moons now. I am excited to finally be at this place, creating with ideas and resources that have been lingering. Clearing my space for anew, both physically and creatively. Handcrafting a limited selection with remnants of vintage and natural textiles like hemp and cotton. While also incorporating vintage textiles like curtains and tablecloths and turning them into something wearable with a completely different function, like these found here and here. A thing I have been dreaming of doing for years now. Though rather simple in general it's very special to me! 

I also like the layout of this page of her website, how it opens as an image that I assume are bits from her studio/store, an intimate feature I like. Then it parts to allow for a scroll through her collection.

And I learned something new that I will share just in case you don't already know...

to take a screen shot like those featured above simply hold down command shift 4 then scroll over what you would like to capture and it snaps a pic and saves it to your desktop. Simple as that!