Pretty Spaces :: Art Wall

I have been wanting to create an art wall in my house, just trying to decide on the perfect spot... the office or the living room? Both? When you start to create your art wall keep in mind that your art can be unconventional.  A pretty page from a magazine or calender, vintage book page, greeting card or scrapbook paper, even a blank canvas and some stamps or typography printed at home. Using inexpensive gallery frames mixed in with a few thrift store finds you can make your own art wall in 30 minutes for $30, and if you're after a more cohesive look a little spray paint can make all of your collected frames white.  The great thing about a gallery wall is that you can add to it over time and switch out prints depending on the season or mood. Here are some (stunning) real life art walls for inspiration, found on flickr.
(Just click on the photos for the source)...Choose a color scheme...... or choose color......Use vintage frames to add interest...Combine collections and trinkets...

"Don't Decorate, Curate.
Virtual Inspiration For Your Real Home."
via Art Wall Online

Enjoy the rest of this beautiful weekend! Love, Mia

Things to Make & Share :: Lace

• 1 :: RetroNaNa • 2 :: Marchare • 3 :: JFlairGoods • 4 :: Pretty Tape •

• 5 :: Nothing Elegant • 6 :: Craft Pile • 7 :: From Soul • 8 :: Karaku •

So lately I have been loving the Japanese Deco Tapes- and all of the cutie supplies popping up on etsy. Combined with my love of lace... well, I squealed when I found these! Another thing to love... the fun little inspiration photos in each listing. So many cute ways to use them, just in case you couldn't already think of enough! ♥ Love, Mia

fresh look :: { love }

• 1 :: AE Sequin Cami • 2 :: Bare Escentuals Buxon Liner •
• 3 :: Bare Escentuals Buffing Brushes • 4 :: LORAC Shadow in Moonstone •
• 5 :: NARS Polish in Orgasm • 6 :: Too Faced Lip of Luxury in Nude •
• 7 :: Victoria's Secret Eau de Parfum • 8 :: Sephora Cat Eye •
• 9 :: AE Chambray Western Shirt • 10 :: Champagne Clutch by Sew Lola •

Happy Valentine's Day! ♥ Any plans for this romantic weekend?
Kevin and I are going out this evening, and I have found the perfect outfit, including the most gorgeous handmade clutch from Sew Lola. I was looking for an excuse to buy it, so when I saw that the champagne silk was a perfect match to my top, it had to be mine! As some of you may know, I have bit of an addiction to Sephora beauty... Well I did my homework and found the perfect 'sexy yet subtle' makeup too! Dark black liner & lashes paired with champagne shadow, blushing cheeks and nude lips. Sephora offers a variety of kits to make it easy for you, and if you're going for the cat eye look- very retro glam- I recommend trying a gel liner. They're easier to work with than a pencil or liquid liner, and the brushes will help you get the perfect point. Just follow the natural curve of your eye lid, wing the brush up and out and then fill in! Voila! xo Love, Mia

Window Shopping :: Get Organized

• 1 :: Bear Duck Designs • 2 :: Nellie Corrine • 3 :: Sewing Momma •
• 4 :: Nestlings • 5 :: Ginia • 6 :: Bits n' Pieces • 7 :: Ginia •
• 8 :: Paper Pumpkin • 9 :: Downstairs Designs • 10 :: Half Pint Salvage •

I'm working on organizing my desk and work space at the moment,
perhaps it will be good enough that I can actually post some photos!
I'm looking for a unique ribbon dispenser for my packing & shipping
table right now- Let me know if you find one! ♥
Oh, and while I'm doing some spring cleaning, I'll be listing
some overstock supplies I have in my destash shop too!
Love, Mia

Mia, Where Have You Been?

"Gone Fishing" by Jenny Beth Photography

I'm so sorry to have disappeared again. I miss you, my humble little blog! And on our first anniversary, too! Where does the time go? Life has just been getting in the way, and I put some of the simple, enjoyable things on the back burner for a bit. I took some time off from working after the Holidays and then I played catch up for another month after that... I still have more new goodies to list in the shop, though I've been adding hair pins and earrings like a maniac and have a record 165 items in my etsy shop right now!

I learned some new things; Flame working at a local studio to make my own glass beads, and the tip of the iceberg that is PhotoShop! I'm excited to start using what I've learned to add new features to my blog and photographs. I also spent some time organizing the chaos that is my "studio", and also my home. I am a natural clutter freak, but I have a hard time focusing in an utter disaster. There is still plenty to be done there as well, believe me, but that will have to wait until my poor toe is feeling better! So finally, I spent the last month visiting the doctors and dentists that I have avoided for some time, joined a gym, and am working on just feeling better and being healthier! Spring always makes me happy, energetic and motivates my creativity... so here's to hoping for lots of sunny days!

I promise not to ignore you, blog. Though it may be unrealistic to say I will post 5 days a week (which then causes me to get overwhelmed and 'forget it' all together...) I do solemnly swear to post as frequently as possible, here and there, not because I have to... but because I enjoy it. Er, you, dear blog.
Love, Mia