what i'm watching... take on me (literal version)

the original video for aha's take on me is an 80s classic... this "literal" version has me cracking up!  thanks to littlebrownpen for sharing :)

Take on Me: Literal Video Version - watch more funny videos

xoxo,

lesley

new blog/project... falafel for the soul

i am so excited to share my latest project with you all... it is a blog/project called falafel for the soul, and it's all about spreading encouragement and positivity.

here is a description of the project:

this project is simple.  in a world where we are constantly bombarded with negativity, i want to spread optimism and inspiration - guerilla style - by randomly putting up post-it notes with encouraging messages in public places.

the project was inspired by and uses submissions from erin and jeff's free encouragement project.

if you have any encouraging messages you would like me to share, or if you have photos of messages you've seen out in the world, please send an email to 315thomas@gmail.com.

please go take a look if you have the time... and have a lovely day!

xoxo,

lesley

inspired by... isabel marant

here's my latest DIY fashion creation... a pair of tough chick chain-wrapped boots inspired by the footwear in isabel marant's spring ready-to-wear show.

as you can see, the designer boots are amazing... but with a price tag of $1400, they are nowhere near my budget.

to emulate the style, i used a pair of black slouchy boots i already had in my closet.  i used some black velvet ribbon i had lying around, weaving it into two five-foot lengths of large-link aluminum chain (which is lightweight and cost effective - perfect for this project).  

and... voila!  my very own cheap but chic chain-wrapped boots.  i can't wait to wear these when the weather starts cooling down!

xoxo,

lesley

fashion finds... zip it up

{photo from zip it zipper supply shop}

this week's fashion finds at papernstitch are all about one of my favorite new trends... zippers!  check them out here.

xoxo,

lesley

note to self

i think this print by linocutboy pretty much is perfect.  i think the message is fantastic, and i would love to have it hanging in my studio as a reminder to stop being so hard on myself.

xoxo,

lesley

what i'm watching... dancing with the universe

many of you have probably already seen this video... and if you have, i encourage you to watch it again.  if you haven't, take a five minute break from whatever you're doing and watch it.  with everything that's going on and all the negativity around us, i hope this will put a smile on your face and make you feel good about the world.

xoxo,

lesley

etsy finds... slowowl

i am so very excited to share my latest etsy find with you... a beautiful new shop called slowowl.  

slowowl transforms vintage plates by covering almost the entire surface with colorful glaze... leaving the pretty patterns underneath to show through silhouettes of birds she leaves unpainted.  gorgeousness!  

there are currently only a handful of items for sale, but i have to admit i am tempted to buy every one of them (especially the pink one... i call the pink one!)... but i'm afraid i'll have to find a bit of empty wall space in my apartment before i do ;)

xoxo,

lesley

fashion finds... ombre effect

check out this week's fashion finds over at papernstitch!  

ombre effect.

xoxo,

lesley

fresh mint

left: soft french lace bag by tortilla girl, $60

right: the gardener print by munieca, $13

don't these just look perfect together?  both were featured on the front page of etsy this morning.  two of my favorite etsy shops, and this just made me fall in love with them all over.

xoxo,

lesley

forgotten fragments by sarah-jane cook

this is my 3rd post about embroidered art in the past week... i think it's safe to say i'm obsessed!  i'm sorry if you're getting sick of all this embroidery, but sarah-jane cook's forgotten fragments series just has to be seen.  

the series is comprised of hand stitched doilies featuring found notes and lists... from quick messages to loved ones, to grocery shopping lists, to seemingly incoherent lists of random words and markings.

other people's discarded notes have become a kind of cultural phenomenon (check out passive aggressive notes and grocerylists.org to see what i'm talking about), and i always find them interesting to read... sometimes amusing, sometimes touching, and other times horrifying.

i think sara-jane's doilies are a great new interpretation of these discarded notes... she takes these "forgotten fragments" and transforms them into heirlooms to be passed down, memories to be cherished forever.  a very interesting idea and a lovely execution.

sarah-jane also has an etsy shop with original embroidered pieces for sale, and a flickr page showcasing her work.

xoxo,

lesley