Inspired by Kate Spade

I've always admired Kate Spade. At first, it was really from a business sense. How does someone create something SO simple--a black nylon bag--and charge SO much...just for a name? That's savvy. Then, as her business developed, I grew more and more enamored with her design and sense of style. We share an aesthetic for color and whimsy, modern mixed with vintage. I launched Truly Fine nearly two years ago and later found her line of paper goods. I love her sense of humor and think the partnership she established with Cranes a smart move.

After creating mini "hosting" and "guesting" guides for the holidays I discovered her little book trilogy--Occasions, Manners, & Style. Lovely illustrations and well written. One of those moments where I actually wanted to BE Kate Spade. Finally, she has a fun part of her website called "Behind the Curtain" and the design of it is SO chic! I love the layout, the color, everything. It's a poor screenshot, I admit, but wanted to include just the same...

She is a creative modern woman whom I admire still--an entrepreneur and style icon who continues to inspire me in all that I do.

Craftifesto

Okay, I must get tuned into handmadeNATION, and buy the book I have been eye-ing and believe is available at the Museum Store for my employee discount price of less 30%. Rockin. This poster, available on Etsy, is illustrated by this fascinating artist/designer I found by perusing the 20x200 site. Her name is Kate Bingaman-Burt and she has a kick ass blog called What Did You Buy Today?. More about THIS content on See Sarah Spin. In the meantime, her illustrations complete this rad book by Faythe Levine which explores the DIY explosion and the "new wave of art, craft and design."

Merry Inspiration

I'm pleased to share a coffee table book I received for Christmas...30,000 years of art...which is quite beautiful. I find myself drawn to the usual suspects like Rothko, Klee, Matisse, as well as ancient, primitive works. So modern! It's especially nice to see one of my favorite works from SDMA, by Juan Sanchez Cotan, it's called Still-life with Quince, Cabbage, Melon and Cucumber. I'm particularly drawn to a good still life and THIS is perfection.

Gratitude

In this stressful time (globally) I'm making an effort to be more grateful. I've always been driven by the "little things" and feel it might provide me a better perspective if I make these acknowledgements known.

I'm thankful for the beautiful view from my backyard, classic fragrances by Jo Malone, great children's books like The Big Orange Splot, by D. Manus Pinkwater, and man-size safety glasses that turn boys into super-heroes.