Momathon Blog

On my desk today

Thinking about Valentine-y hearts, bouquets of pink blossoms, and all things pretty today. I have a stash of glitter pens from Martha Stewart that I adore to use for embellishments on my art or an envelope I pop in the mail. Here is what’s on my desk today—a collection of items I am using in my illustration and design work. Check back next Friday for another collection.

A few things:

It's almost the weekend. Looking for some DIY inspiration? Check out my book reviews--loads of photos--featuring a selection of amazing decorating books here. 

February 14th is only 17 days away. You can find my Valentine printables at my shop Salt and Paper Designs on Etsy.

My post "What we end up saying when we point fingers" is a hot topic on the online community BlogHer. Join the conversation on BlogHer on Facebook.

Photos by me, Chris Olson. 

 

What we end up saying when we point fingers

Chances are if you caught the news this morning you saw the picture of Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer pointing her finger at President Obama by Air Force One that landed in Phoenix Wednesday. 

They were both smiling in the photo, but the body language that stands out is her finger wagging at him. We've probably all pointed a finger at someone. As a mom these are not my proudest moments. In fact, I've learned pointing fingers at kids (or adults) doesn't work. It usually backfires. It's almost like waving a mini white flag. 

Kids see right through the finger pointing. When I point, I usually am so frustrated that I am unable to say the best words to make my point. And if somehow I miraculously manage to utter the right words, the pointing finger is far too distracting. 

Back to the President and the Governor. In the age of cell phone cameras, you would think we would learn the lesson. Photo ops are every where. And photos often speak louder than words--or worse, say the opposite of what you were really saying.

Just Add Glitter (Video)

I love glitter. More is better. Can you ever have too much of it? Glitter generally makes people happy. Some of my favorite blogs talk a great deal about glittery things--The Pretty Blog on Pinterest, Design is mine, Rue, Design Mom, {frolic!}, sfgirlbybay, and The Etsy Blog.

So where does glitter come from? Here's a short sparkling video from my friends at Etsy via the amazing Retronaut .

All That Glitters: The History of Shiny Things from Etsy on Vimeo.

Winter blues (the happy kind)

Looking for a pop of color for a winter weekend getaway? Check out this fresh wave of blue via Ann Taylor (pointy flat), Talbots (knit jacket), Boden (mariner stripe sweater), Jason Wu for Target (blue dress), Garnet Hill (beach towel and swimsuit), Boden (blue floral dress), and Garnet Hill (retro sailor tee).

 

(Fashion mood board by me with images from Ann Taylor, Talbots, Boden, Jason Wu for Target, and Garnet Hill.)

Are you in a creative slump?

 
My creative vision is big. I have no shortage of "great" ideas. Probably too many. And I tackle them all at once. This is not a time saver. This is a time waster. By three in the afternoon just when my creativity seems to be peaking, I have to slow down and juggle all those after-school activites. Working on so many creative pursuits often means my completed projects don't match my ambitions. Unfortunately, this is exactly when creative types like me end up procrastinating--or worse, quitting.

Here's the first truth about my creative process that I rarely admit: I am too easily distracted, but that is also how I think I get so many "great" ideas.

Here's the second truth: Even though I think I have good taste, I can't be an expert on everything. (Remember Nora Ephron's line from her movie Harry Met Sally: "Everybody thinks they have good taste and a sense of humor but they couldn't possibly all have good taste.") 

Some sunshine love on a Monday

Hovering around freezing in my neighborhood today so I thought a little sunshine love would brighten the day. The best part of January is the days grow a wee bit longer. Spring arrives in 55 days, Summer begins in 148. 

Heart art me, Chris Olson.

A little salt in the sweet, a little sugar in the savory

 

Blues and jazz icon Etta James died of complications from leukemia on Friday at age 73. Her last album "The Dreamer" was released just three months before her death. I love so many of her songs, but her jazzy torchsong "At Last" was a favorite.

James had a voice with a soul so rich and authentic that it would flatter almost any song of any genre. The four-time Grammy winner's influence on amazing talents including  Beyonce, Bonnie Raitt, and many more will keep James' sound alive for generations to come.

My favoirte Etta James quote comes from the LA Times article back in 1992 via a recent NYTimes article:

“A lot of people think the blues is depressing, but that’s not the blues I’m singing. When I’m singing blues, I’m singing life. People that can’t stand to listen to the blues, they’ve got to be phonies.”

More reflections on the Queen of Soul here: 

Etta James: Singer's Passion, Great Range Remembered

Good Times Or Bad, Etta James Kept Love Going : NPR

Listen to the NPR interview here:

Etta James | NPR

Etta James illustration by me, Chris Olson