words worth reading

a few of my favorite excerpts from Eat Pray Love:

There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under the jurisdiction. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with. I can select what I can read and eat and study. I can choose how I'm going to regard unfortunate circumstances in my life — whether I will see them as curses or opportunities. I can choose my words and the tone of voice in which I speak to others. And most of all, I can choose my thoughts.

I have a tendency not only to see the best in everyone, but to assume that everyone is emotionally capable of reaching his highest potential. I have fallen in love more times than I care to count with the highest potential of a man, rather than with the man himself, and I have hung on to the relationship for a long time (sometimes far too long) waiting for the man to ascend to his own greatness. Many times in romance I have been a victim of my own optimism.

Operation Self-Esteem: Day Fucking One.

People tend to think that happiness is a stroke of luck, something that will descend like fine weather if you're fortunate. But happiness is the result of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly.

— Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love

Happy Weekend, all!

photo source

Traveling Polka Dots

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this spread from the August issue of Matchbook Magazine. The photo series A Timeless Pursuit was captured by photographer Gray Malin and portrays a young woman whose wanderlust is only rivaled by her sense of style, as she journeys from Paris to New York to LA in a vintage Oscar de la Renta. I kind of want to be her.

LCYgraphics Presents

I'm excited to unveil a few projects I've been working on this past month. I still specialize in blog design, but even more clients are young females working to get their own businesses off the ground (you go, girls!), so I'm excited that logo design and branding are becoming a larger part of what I get to do with LCYgraphics.

Sequins and Stripes - a style blog and brand by Chicago fashionista, Liz Schneider
logo, blog, social media and business branding design

Beau Lifestyle - a lifestyle blog by a Holland native currently living in Spain

blog design

CBL Music Studio - informational website for music instructor, Carol Beth Litkouhi

logo, website*, and business branding design
 *We created her website using the Blogger platform.

Velvety Delight

So I finally saw The Tourist. Other than a handful of Johnny's perfectly delivered quips, the only thing I really enjoyed about this movie was staring at those velvety delights in their fictitious suite at the Hotel Danieli. As you all know, I do not like red in interior design. Yet these sexy, over-sized beauties left me starry-eyed, wishing I had such luxurious softness in my own life.

 

Mmmm so so yummy. Even Carrie and Big's condo rocked a blue velvet sofa in the Sequel Whose Name We Do Not Speak.

If I were in the market and this were in the budget, I'd probably invest in Room and Board's extra-long Hutton Sofa. The question is: pink or navy? I'm thinking pink. If you're going the velvet route, you might as well make a statement and plan the entire room around this showstopper, a la the red monstrosities in The Tourist.

It's All in the Details

Dancing sign, oversized vine jugs, hats on sculptures, unique lighting, wide-planked floors...

Huge book, tiny chair, the mirror frame, a tray on the floor, that hand...

Worn leather, nailhead trim, a teensy foot stool, the perfect plaid throw, that wall sconce, a dark painting...

Painted brick, tone and tone, again the lighting, the perfect moody shady of grey...

Unique seating, built-in storage, lucite, again the lighting, geometric nailhead headboard, layered bedding...

T O I L E T on the ledge above the toilet...

I adore the thoughtful details that went into decorating this Brooklyn home. Makes me look twice around my own home for the unique pieces and special accents I've placed throughout the rooms. It also makes me want to add more. The home belongs to Kathleen Hackett and Stephen Antonson, the authors of the how-to book Home From the Hardware Store. The couple have proudly filled their house almost entirely with second-hand items and homemade goods. I mean... I can relate.

In other news, I need that DANCING sign.

source

LCY Listens: NEW Mumford and Sons

Mumford has been unveiling tracks off their upcoming second album as they've toured the past few months. If there was ever any doubt whether their next record would be as good as the first, rest assured, it will be.

Title: Hopeless Wanderer
Favorite lyrics: 
"Hold me close 'cause I'm a hopeless wanderer.
And I will learn to love the skies I wander."

Title: Lover's Eyes
Favorite lyrics: 
"Were we too young?
And heads too strong?
To bear the weight of these lover's eyes?"

Title: Below My Feet
Favorite lyrics: 
"Keep the earth below my feet
For all my sweat, my blood runs weak
Let me learn from where I have been"

Oh my god, shoes.

Whenever Glitter Guide features a Glitter Girl or a Style at Home feature, my eyes are immediately drawn to the requisite shoe shot. I love seeing what kind of styles, brands, and colors people have in their collection. All heels? Mostly flats? Sandals? Pumps? A lot of colors and texture or are there more traditional styles? I know my personal collection is pretty much all over the board, but I generally purchase shoes that really pack a punch, whether they're covered in sparkles or cheetah print or bright colors. I avoid sky-high heels (can't walk in them) and I've never purchased any kind of wedge (simply don't like the look), but other than that, I say the funkier the better.

How about you? If you lined your collection up, would any time of pattern appear? Do you keep more traditional styles or do you get adventurous when it comes to dressing up your feet?

escape

I wouldn't mind escaping to this cozy little beach house for the rest of the week... or month... or summer. How relaxing it would be to sprawl out on that white couch with a good book, play a game of chess on the deck, or enjoy a long meal with friends around that spacious dining room table. All while taking in the serene open land and water surrounding you.

Yes. That sounds nice.

source

alaina's notebook: critters

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

I absolutely love the charm of these critter-covered summer pieces. They lack the tacky factor of the critter craze from J.Crew days of yore and instead add sweet, playful detailing to these feminine ensembles. I'm in need of a new bathing suit, and the baby chick bikini just might fit the bill.

see more pages from alaina's notebook

words worth reading

i want to fall in love in the city.
after sunsets. bar talk.
a spare key to his place to slip in after work.
to make dinner in his tiny kitchen.
my little bag of make up and toothpaste on your sink.

we’d take the subway during rush hour just to puzzle piece ourselves together.
we’d share every park like our backyard.

i’d embarrass you with tourist pictures of us.
peeling oranges with my fingers to feed you on street corners.
we’d stay outside just to watch people passing by.
i’d hold onto your hand anytime i want.

i’d warn you when we meet. I am a selfish lover.
i don’t mean it the way you take it.
i mean i am selfish in expressing my romance.
i love quickly. with any number of things.

i laugh too loud. too often.
i share too much. too soon.
i want you here. then i don’t.

i want to fall in love with you while crossing the street.
during the midnight movie.
when i stumble on uneven pavement.
weaving in and out of tourists in a hurry and bumping against you.

i want to fall in love with you as i stare at the tall tall buildings and fall in love with this city.

- a poem by that kind of woman
photo source

If I Had A Boat

 

 

I love love love the water. Being on it, being in it, being near it. I feel a little more at ease when a body of water is close by. But I've never been sailing. And I would like to remedy that. There's something so romantic and enchanting about sailboats. The wooden decks, the massive white sails, the work it takes for a worthwhile ride.

After a quick online search, I learned that through Chicago Sailing, you can charter sailboats for private parties of 4 or 6 people (there's also a boat for larger groups).  It's not cheap, but it's definitely more affordable than I would have guessed. I think this would be a worthwhile investment before summer ends. My four best friends and I and an afternoon on the water with a picnic and panoramic views of the city. Sounds good, no?