1. Thrifted Lands End tank top
2. Thrifted handmade crochet lace collar (pinned on with safety pins so I can remove it to wash the tank)
You too can have this outfit, if…what?! You mean you don’t have a mother who mails you boxes full of fun clothes and sewing notions? Oh.
I am overwhelmed. I feel like it’s impossible to meet some of the deadlines looming this week. My mind keeps racing up and down my to-do list.
I panic over the fear of not doing something I should. I beat myself up over what there is left to do. I get discouraged by my weaknesses. I should have already done this, I should have been stronger, I should have done more, I should have… I focus on the undone, the unfinished, the incomplete.
I am a perfectionist.
This is a terrible way to live; this is not freedom.
I want, instead, to live life with open arms, accepting the endless grace God has for me. I want to receive the peace He is offering me. I want to trade in my turmoil for rest. I want to lay my stubbornness down at His feet and admit that no, I can’t do it all. No, I can’t do it perfectly.
But His grace is sufficient. His power is perfected in my weakness.
And if I feel like I’ve failed today, it’s okay. His mercies are new every single morning.
Bosnian Coffee in Sarajevo, via RamblinCat on DeviantArt
It’s only right that we top off the end of the the long three-day weekend with COFFFEEEEEE. That delicious caramel-colored coffee goes perfectly with the rustic-looking ceramics, don’t you think? I liked the photo even more when I read that it was taken in Sarajevo!
Fog Linen via Old Faithful on {frolic!}
I love the classic look of this striped towel. Although this one uses Japanese fabric, it’s modeled after the Turkish linen towels which were first hand-loomed near the Aegean and Black Seas centuries ago.
Farrin Stripe Chemise via Toast UK
This striped tunic featured in Toast UK’s newest Autumn 2011 Women’s catalogue was definitely inspired by Turkish linens!
Pink toile wallpaper via decorsupplies.co.uk
I don’t usually go too crazy for pink, but this pink twist on toile really caught my eye. Or maybe it’s just the super-clean, clutter-free space that’s appealing to me ;-)
Red Ombre Ruffle Pillow via That Funky Boutique on Etsy
I’d just love to cuddle up here amongst all those knit pillows with that cup of Sarajevan coffee.
Cable Knit Throw via Mi Casa Revista as seen on Inspirations Deco
I’m a huge fan of cable knit, especially when it’s done in off-white and earthy tones. Check out the rest of the photos from this pretty Spanish house — there are more cable knit throws and pillows throughout the home.
Cable Knit via Closet Visit
Alright, one last dose of cable knit for good measure. If Autumn has arrived where you live, you can use this to keep warm. Me, I’ll just keep dreaming while the AC is humming away…
You might also like to read Monday’s Pretty Things from previous weeks
After looking at all those beautiful early 1900’s baby clothes in yesterday’s post, I was determined to cross “sew Aveline a dress” off my list of creative goals.
I traced one of Aveline’s dresses onto paper, then used that paper as a pattern/guide to create this new dress. My mom had given me the white cotton, and I already had the daisy fabric (it was a little remmant I found on a sale rack). It’s a little summery, I know; but we live in Florida, so we’ll definitely still be wearing white after Labor Day.
I’m so happy with how it turned out! (Just please don’t inspect the stitching too closely.) As a very beginning sewer, this a big accomplishment to me — even though it might seem like no big deal the sew-my-family’s-entire-wardrobe-while-grinding-flour-from-the-wheat-berries-I-just-harvested types. ;-)
Today is my first time linking up with the weekly Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop. Gussy Sews is hugely inspirational to me — she’s a Michigan girl living in the Twin Cities, who, after teaching herself to sew just three years ago, now runs a very successful handmade business! Each week she chooses a theme for the Inspiration Workshop, and bloggers everywhere participate by sharing their interpretation of that theme. Gussy says,
This week’s prompt is vintage. Do you have a favorite vintage piece of clothing or accessory? How about a favorite vintage shop? Or is there an old car you admire? The possibilities are endless…
Alrighty, then! Let’s get started. No big surprise that I’m interpreting vintage with a baby flair, right?
I’m especially drawn to the simple designs from the early 1900’s — the ’10s, ’20s, and ’30s. In fact, a very talented friend handmade Aveline a gorgeous little garment fashioned after a 1930’s dress.
Isn’t it lovely? It won’t fit her until she’s a little older, so until then it’s displayed on the wall in her room.
I just love old baby clothes. Have you ever browsed the Belle Heir website? It’s so easy to get lost amongst all the pretty vintage baby things. This 1935 number even has the same kind of pintucks as Aveline’s dress!
Here’s a linen romper from 1910 — such delicate embroidery! (That blue section you see around the goose is cross-stitched.)
Don’t you just love the black stitching on this 1930s peach gauze dress?
I like the subtle addition of color with the striped placket on this 1930s linen dress.
Another 1910-era cotton romper.
Vintage 1930s Knitting Patterns
It’s fun to imagine the little people who wore these outfits. The photographs on vintage patterns, like these 1930s Bairns-Wear Knitting Wools pieces from the Vintage Knitting Lady, give a little peek into what the wee girls and boys might have looked like. I gotta admit the recurring appearance of nuns made me giggle.
Now I’m completely and totally inspired to make Aveline a dress like I mentioned in my creative goals for the remainder of 2011. Off to look through my stack of fabric!
I’m thrilled to have Elise of Hey, Sweet Pea on the blog today. She is truly has a gift for design, and her zest for life is contagious. Take it away, Elise!
![Hey, Sweet Pea [Branding + Design]](https://oaxacaborn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/designblog.jpg?w=1086 "Hey, Sweet Pea [Branding + Design]")
Thank you to the beautiful Gina for asking me to share about my life! There’s nothing I love more then guest blogging for my amazing (and talented) friends. Gina is truly a rare gem and I’m so thankful we stumbled across each other via Twitter several months ago.
My name is Elise Ostermann and I am currently the Art Director at “Hey, Sweet Pea.” I specialize in branding + design and my boyfriend, Scott, specializes in video + animation. Needless to say, we are quite the creative duo!
But we didn’t always own a small business. Up until one month ago I was a designer for SONY’s digital media marketing department in Los Angeles. I was commuting 2 hours a day and away from home 11-12 hours a day. Although I loved being a part of the Hollywood and LA scene I craved the flexibility of my own schedule, I yearned for more creative projects, and I wanted one-on-one relationships with clients. So after 5 months of planning, dreaming, researching, and networking, I made the leap! I quit my day job, left my LA apartment, and took my first big road trip. Landing in Texas wide eyed, nervous, and excited, I officially launched HEY, SWEET PEA.
Oftentimes, people ask what my new life looks like. First of all, my day consists of lots and lots of…sitting. I stare at my large computer monitor all day, sometimes for 10-12 hours straight. I respond to emails, send invoices, design, run our social marketing platforms, have client meetings, and play my music really loudly!
One lesson I learned right away was how important it is to stick to a schedule. When you work from home, it’s easy to lose track of time, spend too many hours on a minuscule task, or work way too hard. That’s why Scott (the man who always looks out for me,) made me a little schedule to which I stick.
MORNING: My mornings start off with some bed making, cleaning, and a hearty breakfast. Scott and I are P90X fanatics, so we love to eat big healthy breakfasts. I pick out a dress for the day (my favorite outfit). Then I walk six steps, plop down at my desk, and spend the rest of the morning responding to emails, sending out our price sheet, corresponding with potential/current clients, and chatting online with my favorite inspirational colleagues. I also look for some daily inspiration on: http://www.thefwa.com/ OR http://dribbble.com/
LUNCH: It’s always important you take a lunch break! I’ve always struggled with taking a break in the middle of the day, but I’m working hard at taking some time off to let my brain/body rest. I usually heat up some healthy leftovers (from the night before) or make a fresh salad. Oftentimes, I’ll lay out by the pool or watch a TV show (yes, I love http://abcfamily.go.com/).
AFTERNOON: I spend the afternoon focusing on design. I have a weekly/monthly schedule to which I try to stick. I love focusing on one project at a time, but oftentimes I am juggling so many clients I have to touch multiple projects in a day. Sometimes I’m designing for a huge corporation, sometimes I’m designing a logo for a small business, sometimes I’m designing a website for a photographer, other times I’m creating artwork for TV shows, computer software, or nonprofits. It all depends on the day and the current clients I have. Some of my work can be found here: http://eliseostermann.tumblr.com/
LATE AFTERNOON: This is when I take a break from the business/design side and focus on HEY, SWEET PEA’s online presence. I’m a huge Twitter/Facebook fan and love interacting with my followers or posting sneak peaks of our current work. Most of my clients come from Twitter and Facebook, so it’s important I set aside time specifically for those platforms. If you ever want to write my company during this time I’m on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/HeySweetPea & Twitter here: @EliseOstermann
EVENING: I always try and take the evening off. It’s hard to leave your work behind when the work is sitting in the next room. The concept “don’t take your work home with you,” isn’t the same for a small business owner. So, I like to make sure and stop working at a decent hour, cook up something delicious (we’re currently loving the recipes over at: http://www.skinnytaste.com/), watch some TV, go on a date with Scott, or work out. If I have to work, I always try to work after I’ve taken a good long break. I also try and go to bed at a decent hour. As a small business owner, and a creative, it’s easy to get burnt out. So I always try to let myself rest, take a break, and recuperate before the next day.
Although the life of a small business owner or a graphic designer may sound o-so-glamorous, it has its mundane and normal tendencies, just like any other profession or schedule. But, the most amazing part is, I get to work from home and I get to design my heart out. As any new business owner would tell you, it’s a work in progress. I’m learning new things every day. I’m making mistakes, but I’m also making huge leaps forward. I’m thankful for this time in my life. I’m thankful for this opportunity. And I’m thankful to Gina for asking me to share my life with you.
PHOTO CREDIT [First Image]:
Margaret Jacobsen Photography
http://www.margaretjacobsen.com/
You might also enjoy: A Day in the Life of Cedar Taylor of TheVintageWife.com
I thought I’d share a few creative goals with you. This is what I hope to accomplish over the next four months. I’ll keep you updated on my progress as I work through the list!
Alright, September, I’m ready for you!
Happy Monday, dear readers! This week’s edition of Pretty Things is all about burlap.
Defined Lines Scarf via Anthropologie
I’ve really been drawn to these colors lately. Well, I’ve always been drawn to coral and orange, but recently I’ve begun to love mustard yellow, as well. And it’s no secret that I have a weakness for pashminas and scarves! The threads in the warp and weave pattern on this scarf remind me of a softer, more feminine version of burlap.
Roman Shade out of a Burlap Sack via Better Homes & Gardens as seen on Red Door Home
The natural look & the rustic texture of burlap really appeals to me. I also love the fact that printed grain sacks (or coffee bags!) often have the names of other countries printed on them.
Italian Cottage via Cote Maison as seen on Style Files
In keeping with the mustard yellow and burlap theme, here’s a strikingly beautiful corner of an Italian cottage. This space as the potential to appear cold since it has stone walls and a tile floor, but so much life is brought to the space through textiles. I like the mix of fabrics on the pillows, but it’s the row of baskets which really caught my eye here.
Circle Patchwork Rug via VivaTerra
This crocheted wool rug (no longer available from VivaTerra) makes me want to make my own! The color combination here is perfect, I think. In theory I like how the circles are all different sizes, but in practice I’d find it very hard to refrain from making them all uniform!
Burlap and Twine-Wrapped Bouquet via Style Me Pretty
This is so simple and yet so striking. White blooms against the natural burlap and twine — just lovely! I really like it.
Burlap Headboard via My Home Ideas as seen on Re-Nest
I don’t think it gets much better than this last photo. Guatemalan coffee burlap headboard? Curtains reminiscent of a gypsy caravan? Red and yellow pillows? SIGN.ME.UP.
You might also like to read other editions of Monday’s Pretty Things.
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