dandiart: Art Nouveau + William Morris

The wonderful world of William Morris.

dandispark: slap creativity awake

1. Become a "Now-ist"

2. Plan "artist dates."

In The Right to Write, a book by Julia Cameron on how to start writing, her suggestion was simple: each week, calendar a personal "artist date" to a museum, new restaurant, untraveled running route ...  anything of interest. I like to think of it as a "me" date.

3. Not sure of a first artist date? Go to Blick.

I know this artsy store is intimidating (case in point, I went for the first time last Sunday and was so flustered by the hipster artsy sales clerk that I almost signed up for a watercolor workshop just to act like I knew what I was doing...) but surrounding myself with art materials motivates me to put creative thoughts into creative action. So invest in some new pens! a new journal! Go wild (and who knows maybe you will sign up for a watercolor class). 

4. Wednesday Vacations

I believe I am my best self on vacation. I try new things. I nap (a lot). I keep my room tidier. Why can't the normal week feel like a vacation? Solution - designate one part of every wednesday as "vacation time." Treat breakfast as a meal (instead of the usual grab and go yogurt situation). Walk somewhere new. Have a porch party. The little things count.

5. Meditate! (Or at least read this book - The Road Home A Contemporary Exploration of the Buddhist Path by Ethan Nichtern)

dandiwear: girl from Ipanema

Tall and tan and young and lovely 
The girl from Ipanema goes walking 
And when she passes, each one she passes 
Goes "A-a-a-h" 

When she walks she's like a samba 
When she walks, she's like a samba 
That swings so cool and sways so gentle 
That when she passes, each one she passes 
Goes "A-a-a-h" 

Oh, but I watch her so sadly 
How can I tell her I love her 
Yes, I would give my heart gladly 
But each day as she walks to the sea 
She looks straight ahead, not at me 

Tall and tan and young and lovely 
The girl from Ipanema goes walking 
And when she passes, I smile, but she 
Doesn't see. She just doesn't see 
No, she just doesn't

Girl From Ipanema x 5

I like the Kate Spade and Ray Bans take on the cat eye -- the winged curve is noticeable but not to the point of being unwearable.

Kate Spade 

Blue + White - my favorites for summer 

Lilly Pulitzer - Beach Pant 

My sister turned 24 this week! When discussing what to look forward to  her friend chimed in "You can officially wear hats now!" I like that. 

Tildon Metallic Floppy Straw Hat 

 
Trina Turk - Caipirinha Tote


  
Blue + White *eyelet - my summer favorites 

Gap - Eyelet tank

dandiwatch: This is Our Youth

Last Sunday I had the privilege of seeing the play This is Our Youth at Chicago's Steppenwolf theater (just before it goes to broadway!). Starring Michael Cera, Kieran Culkin and Tavi Gevinson, This is Our Youth follows the lives of three teenagers troubled by fears of who they are--and who they are to become.

dandiread: If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland

Go buy this book. Brenad Ueland uses a direct approach to writing make the argument everyone can write. I believe her. Its time we silence the critics and do what we love!

“Everybody is original, if he tells the truth, if he speaks from himself. But it must be from his true self and not from the self he thinks he should be. ”

“I learned…that inspiration does not come like a bolt, nor is it kinetic, energetic striving, but it comes into us slowly and quietly and all the time, though we must regularly and every day give it a little chance to start flowing, prime it with a little solitude and idleness.”

"Orthodox criticism … is a murderer of talent." 

dandidesign: slim aarons

dandiwatch: silicon valley

Why Erlich Bachman is my favorite character from HBO's new series, Silicon Valley.  

At first I wanted to dislike Erlich. His exaggerated personality took up too much space and dialogue.  But unlike Richard, "Big Head," Bertram and Dinesh, Erlich's skill set does not lie in coding but storytelling. At the end of the day, PiedPiper needs Erlich because he says what is on mind and does not look back.