Hey! Happy New Year! 2013 has a nice ring to me:) So, I have been trying to paint more and keep busy artistically while at the same time running around town chauffeuring my kiddos, helping with homework, shopping for food (sadly not much time for the stylish kind), playdates, taking the busy bodies to dance classes, tutoring sessions, karate, lego workshops, then there's meal planning, spring cleaning,....well, you get the drift.....busy mom! So here's a peak at a few moments of time I randomly get in between the other stuff.

April in Paris

I know April is almost over but I just had take note that finally Spring has sprung! I live for the sun and days spent enjoying family time outside. The smell of a freshly cut lawn, bright bouquets of daffodils, tulips, birds happily soaring, the Prosseco popping.....lovely.

When I think of spring, I also think Paris. A beautiful season to be in one of the most beautiful cities. I recently heard that the famous Hotel Ritz Paris is undergoing a two year renovation and a bit of a face lift. The prestigious & palatial hotel was founded in 1898 by Cesar Ritz and was reportedly the first hotel in Europe to have a bathroom en suite, a telephone & electricity for each room. Many famous guests have been linked to hotel such as Coco Chanel and Ernest Hemingway.

As the jet set holds it's breath in hopes that not too much is changed, I found these amazing photos recently taken of Kate Moss in this most elegant of hotels. May the Ritz live long and stay true.

What is your favorite place to visit in Spring?

Have fun in the Sun!

Fedora Me Not

Well, I have to say honestly, I'm not a hat kinda girl. Off the top of my head, no pun intended, there are 3 fashion things I don't do: baseball hats, fanny packs and the color brown. Why? Who knows, though the fanny pack one seems a no-brainer.

The other day I was at Target, or as my kids call it, the local Disneyland, and I randomly saw and fell in love with this simple, beachy, fedora hat. A hat! I know! I had images of myself frolicking on the beach with my family wearing this adorable accessory. I was creating outfits in my head. Craziness. It actually looked ok on me too, giving me the thought that just maybe I can get away with this. Hmmmm.

After my easy-peasy $12 purchase I felt like I started seeing fedoras everywhere, online, pinterest, magazines, shops. This just might be my favorite piece this summer...if I actually wear it. A hat.....

Here are some of the images I fell in love with....

What is Inspiration?

Inspiration. The great spark from out of the blue. We all have moments when we hear a song, listen to someone talk, watch a program or even as simple as take a quiet walk and whoosh! In comes that inspiring idea! I love those moments, often crave for them. Lately I notice that as a busy mom with so many responsibilities and details to manage everyday, I often wish I had more time to experiment with my art, be more crafty, and write down all those darn inspiring ideas that came and went! I used to paint more. I love it. It's such a relaxing, zen thing for me and if I can make one person, if only my own kids, to smile from my chaos on canvas well, then I'm inspired again!

Here is a painting of mine that came to me as I got inspired from looking at Van Gogh's beautiful brush strokes. I believe that beauty is often in the simple things and that's what I like to stick to in my attempt at art; yes, simplicity please- as the kids run crazy and smother my life with their sweet and sticky kisses :)

Quatrefoil

An old treasure rediscovered:)

I came across this stain glass piece of a peacock I made way, way back in the day. I actually love it (something we cant say about all handmade adventures) and well, it's that beautiful blue again! Trying to find the perfect place to display it now. Have you ever made something that you are proud of?

Beauty in Blue

It seems like deep inside I'm always on a quest to find beautiful treasures bathed in the color blue. All blues are eye catching to me but in particular I love cobalt, sky, navy, periwinkle and turquoise. Currently I'm on a search for a few great vases or either oriental or Italian ceramic for a mantle. Here is some blue-eye'd candy:)