I’m thrilled to introduce a guest contributor for today, Megan Gonzalez. Perhaps you’ve seen her work with her company, MaeMae. I’ve been a fan of her beautiful work for quite awhile now and I’ve long been impressed with the style boards she creates and features on her site for each client (and the movie she created?! It’s a must watch!). They are in itself beautiful works of art. As I’ve been featuring more and more style boards here for different projects (remember Becca’s wedding inspiration board?), I thought it would be wonderful to hear from the expert on how to create them for your own projects.

Hi! I’m Megan and I run MaeMae, a creative studio located in Minneapolis, MN. Since I was in elementary school, I have collected magazines tears, notes and drawings from friends, and postage stamps. When I got my first computer in college I filled folders on my desktop with photos and designs I found online as well as scans and photos of pages from books I discovered at the campus’ library. Now if I didn’t have the job I do, I think we’d label this all compulsive hoarding… but fortunately I get to put all of these found and collected objects and images to good use in my work! Read on →

A little while ago we made some DIY Painted cardboard vases inspired by traditional blue and white ones. We loved them but then we thought, we need to make some that can actually hold something! So behold the upgrade: 2D Cardboard Vases! These are an easy project to whip up in just a few hours. To create, you basically follow the same course of action you would take to create a pinata, but on a smaller scale. All you need is cardboard, tape, hot glue, and paint! We styled ours with spray painted leaves and branches we foraged in our backyard, but now they’re currently holding paintbrushes and pencils! You could fill them with fresh flowers by slipping a small jar filled with water inside the cardboard vase first.

Let’s get started on some 2D Cardboard Vases!

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This tablescape was inspired by traditional blue and white porcelain that seems to never go out of style. The earlier versions of white pottery with blue glazed motifs have been found in 9th century present-day Iraq. China began their own renditions in the 14th century and the trend finally caught on in Europe in the 18th century. Can you believe it’s still popular today?! We wanted to make a paper version as a cheap and quirky alternative to the real thing. Enter: DIY Painted Cardboard Vases. We recycled cardboard boxes to cut out some traditional vase forms and then painted them to give them some real character! You could paint more traditional designs such as plant and botanical patterns, or make them a bit artsier. Here, we were inspired by the work of Danielle Kroll for our patterns. Easy, cheap, and sure to make a statement!

See how we made the vases and shop the entire tablescape!

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Continuing our series on inspiration boards, I wanted to talk to you about my own style board. This post is a bit of how-to identify your own style, and a lot of  here’s-what-goes-on-inside-my-brain-when-I-buy-clothes-and-go-to-get-dressed because maybe, just maybe, it will encourage you to start one of your own and inspire you to become more thoughtful about the things you put on your body too, because you know what? Life is just TOO SHORT to dress boring! 

Clearly, I’m no fashion expert and this is not a fashion blog, but I do love clothing and I find that being able to identify your style helps identify your creative identity in so many other ways. I love reading about it, watching documentaries about it, and staying up to date about it, especially if it’s clothing that’s bright, fun, interesting and well-made. I find joy in the design and artful aspect of clothing design from the surface pattern to the colors to the shape to the craft, and finally the presentation. It really is the ultimate in art and craft because you both wear it (practical) and express yourself through it (art).  I’m not interested in the type of fashion that is only meant to reveal your body, but the kind that doesn’t take itself too seriously and takes risks. 

At this point in my life, I’d say I’m living pretty true to the idea of how I’d like to dress. Of course, I wish I could buy the last few season seasons of Gucci, Dolce, and Dior’s collections, but other than the lack of couture, I’m pretty happy with the key pieces I’ve been collecting over the years. It wasn’t always this way though.  Read on →

Rebecca here with a wedding update (see part one here) ! We’re nearing the big day and luckily I feel cool as a cucumber! The major decisions have been made and I’m enjoying the process of seeing all the details and components come together. There is still plenty to be done, but I feel like I have a handle on things. How is that possible?! I’m just as floored as you are! I am fully aware of the stress and anxiety that many brides-to-be often feel while engaged. Trust me, I’m no stranger to these feelings. I was anticipating being overwhelmed, even expecting it. Worrywart is my middle name.  However, I’ve realized that taking a few initiatives in the very beginning of the wedding planning process have made a BIG difference. My number 1 suggestion? Make a wedding inspiration board! This is extremely helpful for a number of reasons…

Continue reading for all the tips!

Read on →