Fly

Current Inspirations: A Bohemian Disco

My current inspirations: faded colors from vintage clothes like pumpkin corduroys, pewter lamé bodysuits, and sun-bleached pink silk slip dresses; vignettes of dried flowers with sparkly disco balls and old rattan furniture. Fresh ferns paired with crinkled polyester in gold; and lounging ladies hosting a salon and serving old-fashioned cocktails on a lush patio.

Inspired By: Circle Play

I first discovered the Colombian made brand, Nora Lozza at Anthropologie during a brief visit to NYC last year. The products range in accessories from purses to jewelery—including these lovely earrings that play with shapes in leather. I adore the neutral palettes for their resort 2017 collection (as seen above). After seeing the earrings I began to see more frequently circular (and half-circle) shapes pop up in art, furniture, and other designs. Here are some images I've collected for my inspiration board.

clockwise: Melon Cirlce Purse from Baggu; Kim Ramain-Colomb's industrial design diploma project called Habibi, cosmetic packaging for the brand inspired by Moroccan traditional make-up (read more here); Iris Chair by designer Merve Kahraman; Shape Study Prints by artist Bobby Clark;

Current Inspirations

Current inspirations: neon colors, carefree black ladies on pink, maps, electric jungles, funky printed things, abstracted pink, Corinne's album photography, and vintage celestial-inspired ephemera.

What are you currently inspired by?

Creative Challenge Day 3

Surround yourself in beauty. Hanging up art work, images from a favorite magazine or an old book is a great way to be inspired. You're not necessarily creating a vision board or mood board, these are just images you find to be beautiful, which then become subtle reminders that you can create beauty, too.

Here is a peek at my recently updated inspiration board in my studio. I've been adding images here and there as I find them.

 

 

Current Inspirations

Here's a little peek at some things I've been collecting on my digital mood-board. I'm currently curious about line, graphic shapes, and obsessed with layering contrasting textures.

Fly Trend: Electric Jungle

Lately, I've been inspired by neon brights and unexpected electric hues combined with the exotic plant-life a tropical forest. I like to call it electric jungle. Here are a few items that speak to that funky aesthetic.

clockwise: Bantu Wax for J.Crew; Reina Muerte Wedge; Multicolor Brooch; Printed Leather Clutch; River Island Tropical Print Wedges; Painted Pineapple Pouch; Under Sun Melamine Dinner Plates; Superga Jungle Out There Sneakers; Cool Melons by Lynnie Zulu.

#wadamelon

I'm seeing watermelon everywhere! Is it because of the pervasiveness of Beyonce's "wadamelon" in 'Drunk in Love?' Is it because we're on the heels of summer, or the mere fact that watermelon is just delicious? I don't know, but the highly recognizable combo of green, pink and black in a circle or triangle is a fun palette and print to play with — especially this time of year. Here are a few items inspired by the refreshing summery fruit.

clockwise: P Johnson Watermelon Print Pocket Square; Old Try Watermelon Letterpress Print; Watermelon Bowl; Watermelon Studs; Tattly Watermelon Temporary Tattoo; Kate Spade Watermelon Flats.

Nudes for Fall

I'm usually drawn to bright hues and bold patterns but lately I've been looking at pale pinks and grays as a "pop" of color. Nude nail colors, like Sheer Petal and Gray Suede from Revlon have been my regular go-to colors lately; and I'm in need of a fall bag to carry my binders and books for teaching and love the idea of a pale pink tote bag. Last fall/winter I was rocking some pale lavender booties that I still love but I'm thinking about getting a lower heeled alternative. These light grey booties from Aldo are really might fit the bill. And finally, opting for subdued color palettes in my new prints has been something I've been exploring.

What colors have you been eyeing for fall?

Aretha Inspired Color

I saw this vintage photo of Aretha Franklin on Pinterest and later saw a recent photo that seemed to be paying homage to the former. I love both versions! And the color palette used in the two is delicious.

Janelle Monáe's Q.U.E.E.N.

I love love love this song and video "Q.U.E.E.N." by Janelle Monáe featuring the awesome Erykah Badu. The message is dope and the styling throughout the video is fabulous.

Stripes on stripes on stripes with pops of red and gold all on white makes for wonderful creative inspiration for fashion and home.

clockwise, Black Horizontal Stripe Giclee Kiss Table Lamp; Half Circle Leather Bag; Fontana Vase; Linked-In Stripe Necklace; Sunglass Pouch; Red Lacquer Wastebasket; Hammer-Split Brass Cuff; Giuseppe Zanotti + Anja Rubik Cutout Suede Pumps; Ecote Carpet Fringe Hobo Bag;

 Do you dig the video?

 

Ravens: Purple Love

In honor of the Baltimore Ravens win, here are a few items in the royal championship color.

clockwise, Selvedge Guatemalan Hand-Woven Scarf; Leather Shoulder Bag; Bolu Rug; Baltimore Domino Sugar Print; Port of Call Clutch from Lizzie Fortunato.

Inspired by: Solange's Losing You

I love when all the things I love come together in one place to make a beautiful piece of art. Like the styling and art direction in Solange's music video for "Losing You." Because of the pattern mixes and color, barbershop signs and tailored looks inspired by The Gentlemen of Bacongo, this video makes me happy.

I was drawn to the pops of reds dancing throughout the muted vibe of the video.

These items came to mind when thinking about the warmer colors in the video.

clockwise: Cashemere Polka Dot Sweater, Lizzie Fortunato Sacred Valley Necklace, Gentlemen of  Bacongo, iPhone Boombox Docking System, Caress Shoe, and Sandstamp Pants.

And then I totally fell in love with the mint green boom-box and the man in the monotone green suit. He's my favorite, I think I need that suit.

I don't incorporate a lot of green into my wardrobe, but lately I've been drawn to mixing green tones with unexpected patterns.

clockwise: Solid Silk Boyshirt, Bangles by The Glossy Queen, Barbershop Hair Sign from Togo,  Kimchi Blue Leopard Ankle Boot, Vintage Radio, and Toothpick Cord.

 What about you, is there anything you're diggin' about the video?

Walter G Textiles

Admiring the beautiful textiles of Walter G, a brand named after the grandfathers of Australian duo Lauren and Genevieve.

Loving the the warm crimsons and magentas...

and cool indigo tones in the lookbook photos and in the latest collection.

Music for Your Weekend: No Doubt

All I can say is I love No Doubt and I love this new single "Settle Down" off their new album Push & Shove (title reminiscent of the pop grundge era, maybe?). Hearing from them again takes me back to my high school days when my homegirls and I jammed to "Don't Speak." This new single definitely captures the energy that No Doubt once mesmerized me with back then, but doesn't feel repetitive or stale like we're stuck in the 90's.

And the video is fun to watch, like video-watching used to be back in the day — oh no am I now speaking like a grown adult with the "back in my day" talk?

Take a listen and let me know what you think. (I love how the music plays out at the end.)

Beyonce Palettes

Have you seen the Beyonce Palettes Tumblr page? It's a wonderful collection of photographs of Beyonce with color palettes inspired by each image. What a fun idea. Wish I thought of it.

Check out the many, and I mean many, palettes here.