StoryBoardC

Boy Blue Bedroom Basics.

Last week I went with my friend to her local Public Library and spent a enjoyable afternoon reading magazines  including Smithsonian Magazine that featured Southern Mid-Cenury Color photographer William Eggleston. 1. His above Memphis Tricycle image hit right in the heart. Loved the view and solidarity of this well beat up/ much loved little boy's tricyle from the ground view up. It reminded me of my own early formative years in Memphis and our house. I adore his own description,

 "Sometimes I like the idea of making a picture that does not look like a human picture. Humans make pictures which tend to be about five feet above the ground looking out horizontally. I like very fast flying insects moving all over and I wonder what their view is from moment to moment. I have made a few pictures which show that physical viewpoint. . . . The tricycle is similar. It is an insect's view or it could be a child's view."  

This Simple image has inspired a what if room.  If I ever do have a little boy this will hang with honor in his baby/toddler room. And inspire the rest of the rooms decor. 2. Serena & Lily's Fillmore Fabric Headboard in Navy Linen. 3. Jonathan Adler Oatmeal Grasscloth Wallpaper for a wall or two:) 4. A Vintage Red Fiberglass Children's Chair from Three Potato Four. 

Are you ever inspired by a photo or art piece that inspires a whole room?  Happy Tuesday Evening. Love, C. 

Autumn Preview.

Yes, look at that Autumn light I captured late last week in my neighborhood. Even a few trees are changing.  It is a little bitter sweet though and this morning while I was laying in bed waiting for my iphones bell tower wake up call. I noticed the morning light having that nostalgic feeling ten folds. Soon school will be starting. Pumpkin Spice lattes will be served at Starbucks again. Getting my drift fall is around the bend... I am excited but a little sad. This summer I really fell in love with and hate to see it go so soon. 

But, seasons change and I might as well embrace it:) Here is two things that are helping it along. 

Well, Hello September issue of Town & Country with Hemingways on the cover and yummy articles inside!!! and J. Crew's Double Cloth Townhouse Trench in Camel. Oh those brass buttons are calling my name, "C. buy me and drive around in old Uncle Vic (volvo) to the farmers market or mass on Sunday then afternoon drive to the Mississippi River Valley.  I think also see my gal pal Stephanie in the sea salt or flame version:) 

Now what is getting you all excited about Autumn? Happy Friday !!!! Love, C. 

Elizabeth McKay.

I know the preppy chic can be smelled from miles away..... "Bless her heart" (insert southern drawl). This C. girl loves herself some prep indeed. Where does it derive from anyhow? My upbringing down south did not help the obsession one bit I am sure or a Momma that can matchy match and accessorize like it is know bodies business. There is just this part myself deep down inside that craves casual southern chic. Bold Prints and colors in a classic silhouette. I try to find balance residing in the mostly casual land of 10,000 lakes. But, the warmer weather begs for brightness! So, I go with it when I can. Now on my  journey of health I find myself daydreaming more about clothes and planning upcoming weight loss milestones with wardrobe treats. A Lilly Pulitzer shift and a few pieces from the newly discovered designer Elizabeth McKay. Who completely reminds me of my favorite interior designer Palmer Weiss. Heck you might as well dress like you decorate your house:) Now here is lookey at some of my favorite's:

I just adore this printed shirt dress. So, timeless yet bold.

Sand Tunic in Fern Orange. *This reminds me of the wallpaper in our Memphis Dining Room growing up:)

Twiggy shift dress in yellow tulip. I think it should be named Mrs. Kennedy instead. So, classic. 

Louise dress in Classic green. 

Last, but not least the Sand Dress. Oh for gosh sakes this dress just oozes comfort and a walk on the Beach. PS can you tell I am so digging the Horsebit gold toggle closure on many of these dresses and shirt? Love, Love, that detail!

I just Love Elizabeth's vision and find so many elements in common when it comes to inspiration.

"I have always been inspired by color. As a child of the 80's, I grew up admiring the powerful colors and whimsical prints of the era. Color and print are the cornerstones of this line and define each collection I create.   Each print is unique and speaks to me through color.  The prints are bold, creative, colorful and conversational.  I love matching up my prints with rich and luxurious fabrics – fabrics and textures that convey a feeling of time and place. I worship Grace Kelly and Jackie O. Both women embodied femininity, were impeccably dressed and maintained a timeless sense of style that could be contemporary in any year.  I love women who dress for themselves and believe that casual never means careless. And, more than anything, I love creating timeless, versatile pieces that that are comfortable and wearable and represent true feminine expression." —Elizabeth

Please do go and check her out for yourself. Happy Tuesday Friends. Love, C. 

 

O.K....so, last week I found out I did not get the job I was beyond confident I was going to get. Now to make a not so long story shorter- I am beyond sick of applying for jobs with the attitude to just pay the bills and do my WORK time. So, I can REALLY come home do what I am beyond head over heels in love with design and writing. 

Yesterday talking with a good friend who has connections. We got on the subject of my chicken shit attitude about submitting my portfolio (this blog is my portfolio) to a local Marketing/Design Company in town called Mark!t ions ago. Reason why I never got around to it. Quite honestly in my then jobless emotional delicacy, I couldn't handle the rejection of something I love so dearly.. But, now with rejection clearly a close, yet terribly annoying buddy as of late. I am thick skinned enough now to be prepared for whatever outcome. So, Heck what do I have to lose after seeing this above ugly job ad on there website this morning....

So, this is what I came up with:) It might not be perfect. But, hey I am self-taught for gosh sakes:) I do have vision, passion to learn and knowledge to know my best design is yet to come. What do you think dear blog friends?  Love, C. 

PS I will keep you posted. 

I have recently rediscovered the joy of Swimming at my local YMCA. Bringing back such fond memories of my love for it as a kid. I remember when my family first moved from Memphis to Tallahassee, Florida for my Dad's Job with the Federal Prison System in 1980. We lived at the Days Inn on the corner of Apalachee Parkway and Capital Circle for a couple of Months while my parents house hunted. One of my favorite things to do besides following around my favorite housekeeping lady around was going swimming at the crack of dawn. I am not kidding, I could barely stand it waiting for my parents to awake. Sitting by the air conditioner window unit and peeking out the center crack of the light blocking curtains counting the minutes that my mom would take me down to the pool courtyard.  

When she would finally rise. We would head down the open hallway stairs, with sound of  the clippity clop of my flip flops and her carrying two pristinely white bleached Motel towels behind me. The pool courtyard was like a little paradise. Perfectly groomed grass, meticulously lined beach loungers and Palm trees at each corner of the pool. It was a usual sweltering summer and the mornings light glistening on the freshly clean pool water was so wonderfully inviting. There was just nothing like jumping in and being enveloped in that cool water and the overpowering smell of the chlorine.  

I loved floating and splashing around in the shallow end. Closing my eyes and feeling the sun on my face as the water rippled around me. Pool perfection.

Then adolescent insecurity eventually took away my joy for water. I Remember swimming in Junior High and how traumatizing it was around your peers if you were less than perfect at that age.  Eventually in high school I dabbled in the joy of swimming with my best friend at the Y or with my job working with kids during the summer. But, I didn't recapture that pool passion completely ever again until now. One thing I have learned from finding joy in exercise again- Try it all. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and experiment with all kind of fitness. If I would of just stuck with walking or strength training. Yawn... I would of given up by now on the exercise thing. the first two weeks at the Y I tried about everything. Did cycling again. Nope didn't dig that anymore. Then strength training. Boring!!! I would rather find alternatives to building muscle. * I still do my sit-ups and crunches:) I did try Zumba and completely enjoy that and the creme de la creme of fitness love- Swimming!!!!! I do laps continuously for about 1 hour now about 5 times a week. I only began with 20 minutes and worked my way up! The benefits have been amazing not only physically, but emotionally. Great thinking and planning time! Physically I have noticed more strength and tone. I love the way my muscles feel working against the water. The pool atmosphere itself I rather enjoy. It was built in the early 1960's and I love the pool decor of pastel geometric tiles of ice blue, light yellow, green and orange. Now if only I would look over and see Don Draper of Mad Men swimming laps next to me. Wink.  But, I do daydream of getting a vintage fancy swimming cap and bathing suit:)

But, for now I am beyond happy to have found my fitness groove:) Totally curious what is yours? Happy Swimming Sunday. Love, C. 

*** Vintage Swimming Images by the great Tom Palumbo and Slim Aarons.