Sourcebooks and their importance for artists

I want to talk about finding sources this week. Sources are important for artists and craftspeople; they spur on the creative mind and offer tools to accomplish it's vision. Therefore I think it's safe to say that searching out a good source is a worthy use of one's time, and once you've found a good one it's often a spring that can be visited again and again without running dry. One of the most valuable places to find this? A book.

A sourcebook is any book that you use in your work, whether it's as a drawing reference or for clip art in your graphics. It can also be a book that you simply find full of inspiring images. Obviously we also have the phenomenal sources that the internet brings to our fingertips, but there is wisdom in keeping close a small arsenal of books as sources. Having something immediately tangible comes in handy for an artist now and then. Join me after the jump as I catalogue a few different kinds of sourcebooks.

Crispy Fish Tacos: impress all your friends.

When I go to the grocery store for the week, I like to plan meals around what's on sale, namely what sort of meat is on sale as that can be the priciest piece of the puzzle. Lo and behold, Tilapia, which is maybe my favorite fish, was on a pretty fantastic deal last Monday. In the cart it went and out came the old smartphone.
I know. I'm becoming one of those people who stands in the middle of the produce section squinting at her iPhone oblivious to the milling patrons trying to squeeze past her parked cart. But let me tell you this: the epicurious app is phenomenal and totally worth it.
No, I'm not being paid to tout this app, I just love it. Let me gush for a moment: it lets you search for recipes on-the-go in a myriad of different ways. One can search by main ingredient, meal/course, dietary consideration, dish type, and season or occasion. For example, when I found the Tilapia, I pulled up the app to search for a meal.I searched by main ingredient (seafood) and cuisine (mexican) and it lead me to this sure-to-please recipe for fish tacos. Plus, once you find your recipes, it will make a shopping list for you to check off as you go through the store and it organizes it all according to produce, dairy, meat, and on and on so you can make one quick pass. AND if you have multiple recipes that call for the same ingredient, it adds up the total for you. Oh my. Pure bliss.

So, back to the fish taco platter.
There were a lot of firsts for me: I had never marinated fish (or really anything) in buttermilk, I had never pickled anything, and had no clue how to make salsa verde. Thankfully those days are behind me now. This fish is pretty straightforward, it's really making all the little accouterments that can be time consuming. The recipe calls for Halibut or Bass, but I think you could use any of the flaky white fishes and this would work. Here's the scoop from the recipe:
Read on for the recipe after the jump!

definitely flattered

flattery blog

First off, sorry all for my long and spontaneous vacation from blogging. I threw out my back at the end of March which landed me on the rug in our living room with an ice pack and a bottle of ibuprofen for about a week. Yes, my extremities were fully functional, so I had no excuse not to get my little fingers typing, but when your back doesn't work, I find it's difficult to put the rest of yourself to work. After I was finally able to hoist myself off the floor, Spring Break rolled around for Sean and I, and we promptly rolled out of town. But now it's back to business as usual, and I've accumulated quite the list to share with you, including an outdoor art project, a gorgeous wedding, and maybe even a recipe or two.
But before all that I wanted to share a couple exciting somethings: HomewardHandmade has been getting some press! I felt so honored to find one of my pieces featured on flattery, an adorable fashion blog. Seriously, I can't look through her posts without turning green with envy. Lucky for me (and you!) you can peruse and purchase her closet. I blushed when I found my little flower crown pictured along with some other creative Etsy women I so admire, like Garden of Whimsy, K is for Kani, and The Honey Comb.
On top of that, the lovely Sam at The Frosted Petticoat featured the same piece in one of her beautiful inspiration boards. If you're looking for some wedding ideas, this blog should be a stop on your list. You can  view real weddings, inspiration collections, and even the bloggers take on what a wedding would look like for an unlikely pair (one of her featured ideas is for the hypothetical wedding of Angelina Jolie and Mr. Darcy). Stop by and give her a look, and thank you for the love! -hil

the frosted petticoat blog

Put a bird on it? Don't mind if I do...

Lately I've been obsessed with the work of Kate Broughton. I find myself stopping by her Etsy shop almost everyday, just wondering what new treasure awaits me. To be fair, I didn't discover her on my own. You might remember my friend Laura who did all the great photography for the HomewardHandmade shop. One day I saw that she had favorited these awesome nail decals...they had birds on them! I was immediately smitten, and became even more so in the minutes that followed. What did I find in Kate's shop but temporary tattoos featuring scissors and balls of yarn, a beautifully illustrated chart of British Birds, and other printed odds and ends sporting her lovely natural designs. Stop by and take a look. I'm sure it will brighten your day. -hil

more of Kate's products after the jump!

Brooklyn Laundry: why Lindsey Manilla should curate your closet

You may recall me mentioning a visit to New York City a few months back. That visit was to see a lovely Brooklyn based fashionista by the name of Lindsey Manilla, whose been a dear friend of mine for the last eight years of life. We've been through a lot together: road trips, break-ups, weddings, funerals, graduations, job interviews...you get the picture. I remember Linds when she was still a red-headed, polka dot obsessed high schooler, and even then she was one of the most creative and ambitious people I knew. That hasn't changed. At 25, Linds has already had the opportunity to design for brands as illustrious as J.Crew, Trovata, ADAM, Club Monaco, and Rag&Bone. And now she's bringing her talents to the streets; that's right folks, you can buy her hand-picked looks in her freshly launched vintage shop on Etsy, BrooklynLaundry.
Lindsey has always been a classy dresser, but one of the most remarkable things about her taste is she can spot the most well-made, classically fitting piece in a room in a matter of seconds. She says that "in Fashion Design, you are constantly observing...Constantly!!! You design a lot less often than you think! What is very important is that you are always taking in what's happening around you. What's on the runway, what people are wearing, what color is suddenly on nails everywhere."

This talent alone is not the secret to her success, however. She pairs it with a discerning eye and sees it as her mission "to take it all in and interpret accordingly. New styles and products are constantly coming out, but what  I find most impressive are the styles that have lasted through the trend cycles. The classics that you know when you buy, you will be able to wear time and time again, and in a million different ways. These are the types of pieces I look for myself, and what I select for Brooklyn Laundry. I like to think of it as 'curated classiness,' as my home page on etsy will inform you."As the owner of the closet I most covet, I can tell you Linds is phenomenal at this task. She's helped me move away from buying things I won't wear in a year to investing in pieces I know I can constantly transform and that will continue to be classy for years to come. Her mantra has always been to buy classic shapes: "As a girl on a budget, I think classics are a smart way to shop. Why waste the money on a quick trend? Hold off and put your money  into a piece that is going to build your wardrobe and is going to give you a lot of miles."
More on Lindsey and Brooklyn Laundry after the jump!

a few quick ideas for your Valentine

Valentine's Day is less than a week away (eep!) and if you're a procrastinator/romantic combo like me, you may be in need of a couple creative ideas. Have no fear, I'm here to help! Whether you like the simple and sweet route or you're into big romance, this just may be the ticket. Enjoy! -hil


number one: wood carving set
I know what you're thinking: maybe not the most romantic thing, but hear me out! I remember in the early days of our dating relationship, Sean and I climbed a tree that had some sentimental importance to us and carved our initials into it. Simple, but it was such a fun date. Give this kit to your sweetheart and personalize it by sewing their name into the case or just buy one knife and have it engraved. Pair it with a bottle of wine and hopefully mild weather and it makes for a very sweet Valentine's. Plus, if your boo is into it, they can take up whittling as a hobby afterward.

number two: treasure hunt locket

I'm completely smitten with this little acorn locket from ChristineDomanic on Etsy. The top unscrews to reveal a hidden canister inside. Roll up a scroll of paper extolling your Valentine's virtues or, to add a dash of excitement, put a clue inside sending her on a scavenger hunt. Now no one is looking for you to pull a Leslie Knope (how could any of us compare?) but it might be a fun way to start off the festivities. More ideas after the jump!

Etsy part deux: what's to come

Thanks to everyone for all their support and encouragement last week! It's been great having so many folks swing by the shop. The next set of pieces are ready to go, so don't be a stranger: they'll be going up in the shop over the next couple of days. But, since I love you all so much, you get to see them first here. Enjoy! -hil

The Etsy Shop: HomewardHandmade is here at last

I am extremely excited to announce that the Etsy shop has finally gone live! HomewardHandmade is now up and running, available for you to peruse as you please. You'll find one-of-a-kind headbands, hair wreaths, and combs both nature and vintage inspired. All photos in the shop are by the talented Laura Elise Cox, and all makeup by my sister Lindsey, who just launched a new blog that will share her extensive makeup how-to's and tips with the world.

I warmly invite you to visit the shop today and to swing by again next week when the rest of the items will be posted. Until then, here's a little sneak peak. Enjoy! -hil

View more shots after the jump!

a note on florists and buying flowers.

an original arrangement from Sprout Home

Whether you like it or not, Valentine's Day is fast approaching. And despite myself I am longing for some flowers. I used to pretend I didn't want anything special on February 14; my practical side reminded me that flowers get marked up because of the high demand. It was all a sham, though, and now that I have such a wonderful person to celebrate with, I am putting away all pretenses: bring me a bouquet!
Now, ordering flowers can seem a bit daunting. Sure, you can go to your local grocery store and pick up something pre-done (and they're not half bad!) but come February, the prices on those blooms will be going through the roof, whereas the prices at your local florist might stay the same or allow a little bargaining. I'm here to give you the insider scoop today on how to get something special for your someone special without putting a hole in your wallet. Tips and tricks after the jump!

a good beer is hard to find

Joe Wilson

Since our return from Fort Collins, Sean and I have been experiencing Good Beer Withdrawal. Colorado is like the promised land, only instead of milk and honey it's flowing with Craft Beer. It's not that we don't have it in Ohio, just the selection is slim and it's at least double the $2 price tag it was out west. So the other night on the way home I stopped at one of our favorite little specialty beer shops and, lo and behold, they had 21st Amendment Brewery's Fireside Chat Ale. 21st Amendment is a brewery out of San Francisco aptly named to celebrate the repeal of prohibition. All their beers are sold in cans: a fresher and more sustainable packaging. The Fireside Chat Ale is a spiced winter ale that warms your frigid bones in these gloomy January days.

Joe Wilson

Almost as creative as it's brews are 21st Amendment's names and accompanying illustrations on the cans and packaging. Fireside Chat features a smiling and smoking FDR having a cheerful conversation with an elf by his hearth and, as with most of the brews that come out of 21st Amendment, it's named for something in American history. Back in Black, a (delicious!) black IPA boasts a drawing of Paul Revere, lantern held high, riding a motorcycle. The Brew Free or Die IPA shows a monolithic Abe Lincoln breaking free from Mount Rushmore. I found myself wondering who was behind these creative cans and these detailed illustrations. The answer is Joe Wilson, a UK based illustrator who is known for his meticulous pen and ink work. You can check out more of Joe's work at his site or a fuller portfolio here. As for the 21st Amendment, you can pick up a six pack at any liqueur or wine shop that carries specialty beer for $8.99. Enjoy! -hil

Joe Wilson

Gift Guide for the Amateur Botanist

I realize that I have not yet done a Christmas gift guide and I mean to remedy that today. It may be a bit last minute and even obscure, but I wanted to curate some items centered around a hobby of mine: Botany. What's that? you might say. Isn't that a course you sign up for to fill your natural sciences requirement in undergrad? The answer is yes, but for me that grew into something I really enjoy. Tree and plant identification makes me feel more connected to the world and it adds another enjoyable aspect to hiking and trail running. Sure it takes some memorization and study, but it's nothing this gear can't help with. Enjoy! -hil

details after the jump!

bridesmaid dresses for the whimsical wedding

sohomode blog

My good friend Ellen is getting married at the beginning of April and I am very excited because a). she is marrying a wonderful man who is committed to her and makes her heart glad and b). it is going to be so so beautiful. Ellen's taste is perhaps the taste I would trust most in the world. I hold it in high esteem and love talking art with her because we understand each others sensibilities. That's why I was absolutely over-the-moon when Ellen found these outstanding vintage-eccentric bridesmaid dresses by Louise Hedley. Louise allows bridal parties to select their own vintage fabrics (often each girl in a different pattern) and then she makes a custom dress. The result is that oh-so-lovely, elegant-but-not-overthought beauty that is so Ellen and will be perfect for her big day. Louise also has an Etsy shop where you can buy her styles ready-to-wear. Enjoy! -hil

two times photography

jade pierce photography

Gift Guide for the Chef

Todays gift guide is brought to you by guest blogger Lindsey Stevens. Lindsey lives in Cincinnati and is an avid cook. I know I am in for a treat every time I get the honor of eating her food because she is always up for a challenge and loves to experiment with new ingredients. She's earned a degree from Midwest Culinary Institute and has curated a list of goodies with which every chef should stock their kitchen. Thanks, Linds!

Read on for details and Lindsey's comments after the jump!

Gift Guide for the Mustachioed Man

Well folks, today you're in luck. I am fortunate enough to share with you a carefully curated gift guide from one of our dearest friends. If you have a Ron Swanson in your life, look no further than this handy compilation. This is a guest post from outdoorsman extraordinaire Brian Quay. Brian lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with his lovely wife Shannon and their Siberian Husky, Manii. He is currently pursuing a Graduate degree in Natural Resource Economics from Colorado State University. Brian is a fan of climbing mountains, growing mustaches, reducing his carbon footprint, and brewing beer. Enjoy!

Read on for the details and Brian's comments after the jump!

A last minute list for Thanksgiving day

Happy thanksgiving! I hope you're all cozily snuggled on your couches watching the big parade. But if you're anything like my family, you're probably busily making a schedule for oven use or being sent out to the grocery store with a last minute list in your hot little hand. So to help with these eleventh-hour errands, I've compiled a short list of items that never hurt to have around this capitol of all cooking days. You can view it after the jump. Hope it's helpful and have a great holiday! -hil

(Modern) Ceramics & Co.

Whenever I inevitably stumble onto Etsy, their "featured" page is often hit or miss for me. Just because I think every artist has a voice in the back of their head that mumbles, "you could make that yourself," and mine really tends to pipe up at that point. Not that I ever would sit down and make those things, or that I even could, my inner creative just gets a little stubborn, which ends up being extremely good for my wallet. So when I see something on there that makes me ready to empty my paypal, I know it's awesome. That something this week was the JeezVanilla shop. 

Well, it's actually unclear to me whether the shop is called a). JeezVanilla or b). (Modern) Ceramics & Co. Either way, it's great. JeezVanilla is the moniker used by shop owner Adriana. I stalked her just a wee bit on her blog and even though I can't read a thing (all in Spanish) she has the cutest engagement pictures I've ever seen. Seriously. I just showed them to Sean and we both felt extremely jealous.

Adriana makes a variety of goods, including various printed cramics, notebooks, and some textile goods. I was drawn to the shop because of the "Retro People" series she prints onto her items. These consist of faceless portrait illustrations that are all labeled with a date and titled things like "The Charming Man" and, "The Flapper Girl." Upon further investigation, I found Adriana's explanation of this series:

Read on for more about JeezVanilla after the jump!

Dreams of snow, show jumping bunnies, and a salute to pet lovers everywhere

Last night I had a most glorious dream. I was walking in the snow at the end of the street I grew up on and I had with me three trained bunnies. Yes, bunnies. And they were spectacular. I'm not sure what exactly I had trained them in, but they were very well behaved and followed me everywhere. I taught them to burrow through the snow drifts and race up the hill and back, like it was some sort of obstacle course. When I woke I was quite disappointed that my little dream rabbits weren't all nuzzled up against me in my bed. So naturally I YouTubed "bunnies in the snow." Wowza, there's a lot of boring footage of rabbits snuffling around frozen backyards. One video from Germany even edited in little thought bubbles above the rabbit's heads as though you could understand what they were thinking out there in the snow. Lucky for me I'm semi-proficient in German so I could understand the thought bubbles, which said things like, "What's all this white stuff?" "It's fun, but cold on the feet." Let me tell you, I really would have been on the edge of my seat if it weren't for that German minor back in college.

My dream did bring to mind a video I'd seen years ago, one that was actually pretty impressive:

Bunny Hopping, as it's called, is a pretty serious sport in Sweden and Denmark, where it's grown in popularity since it's advent in the 80's. Now, I know this all seems a bit out of the blue, but it made me start to think about the fanaticism of pet owners these days. Let me tell you, if I had one of these rabbits I'd spoil them rotten, and I have a couple friends who are cat moms and they'd do about anything for those felines. There's actually some pretty sweet stuff out there for pets of all sizes these days so here it is: your holiday gift guide for pet lovers. View it after the jump!

Brooks, beasts and birthday lunch...Oh My!

My new saddle with all it's packaging. 

This morning Sean gave me my birthday gift and it's...a Brooks saddle! If you don't realize how awesome this is, you don't realize how big a nerd I am about these saddles. These things are LEGIT. Brooks has been making saddles since 1866, back when John Boultbee Brooks' horse died and he had to start commuting to work on a bicycle. The discomfort of his saddle inspired him to find a solution. That said, these leather saddles are still crafted today in a tradition passed down over centuries. When I opened the box and saw it today, it was like receiving something out of a time machine. It doesn't feel like most things that are made today; it's sturdy and made with outstanding craftsmanship. It almost feels like something you'd buy in Diagon Alley were you heading back to Hogwarts. Even the packaging of the item speaks to the tradition of quality. It exudes a quite confidence that says, "this is the best saddle you could ever have for your bike." I'm so excited to get it up and running on my LHT.

After that I was lucky enough to be graced by the presence of my friend Annie. As I had spent the morning watching The Next Iron Chef on food network (go chef Samuelsson!), I was feeling ambitious in the way of the kitchen and made some mini pizza tortes.

that recipe and more after the jump!

balloons + birthday

So I am finally starting to get into birthday mode. Maybe it's the unseasonably warm weather, or that we've been super busy, or that my folks are out of town, but I just haven't felt that fluttery "my birthday is coming!" feeling this year. But today. Today it is sinking in. For starters I got my first birthday presents of the year from Sean's family this weekend, and I'm so excited about each of them! Today I cleaned up the house from our trip north and put this beautiful throw (except in mustard yellow!) they gave me on our bed. It looks perfect and was a great surprise because I registered for it way back in April but then thought Crate & Barrel had sold out of them. But Heidi is a shopper to beat the best of them, and that didn't stop her. It was such a sweet, thoughtful gift. I also reorganized all my makeup into this cute bag from them this morning. And, as soon the the aforementioned unseasonal weather abates, I will be wearing my new birthday mittens everywhere, even to bed. I love my gifts! Thanks, Oswalds!

On top of all that, Sean woke up early and made me his signature breakfast bowl this morning for birthday week. It was so sweet, and nice to have time together in the morning.

Since my birthday is, after all, tomorrow, I thought I'd share what in my opinion is one of the cutest ways to celebrate a birthday: Geronimo Balloons! This little LA based company delivers happiness in glittery-fringed balloon form for any occasion. Have I mentioned how much I love weather balloons? Not to mention these decadent "balloon troopers"! Gosh, they are just lovely. The founder of this company, Jihan Zencirli, started making these whimsical wonders to celebrate occasions with her friends and family in 2010. Well, she wasn't too hard to miss. Since the balloons were so big, she would drive to locations with them bobbing out the sunroof of her VW Bug or, better yet, just tie them to the back of her bicycle. Now if the thought of that doesn't bring a smile to your face, I don't know what will. I think if my birthday could take a physical form, I would want it to look like a handful of these balloons: lovely, fun-filled, and there to simply be enjoyed. -hil

top three antique store finds

On my way back to the studio from a coffee run yesterday I stopped in the local antique shop. I admit, it is my weakness. I walk right by it on the way to and from getting my morning americano, and the windows are filled with the most alluring fascinations: a taxidermy raccoon playing poker,  an ancient mannequin missing its left arm (with a rather risque "MIAMI" banner tied casually around her, might I add), and a hispanic altarpiece of the madonna and child. Do you really expect me not to waste 45 minutes wandering aimlessly in this curiosity cabinet?

See? You'd never guess those little guys
used to be a dusty cluster of grapes.

I guess I should mention my hope was to find some neat vintage flare for the headpieces I've been making, and I emerged victorious: for $2, a cluster of grapes made from small, pale jade beads. Disassembled, these little orbs, which are already anchored to durable wire, have added some nice whimsy to my creations.

Anyhow. I had to leave behind some real treasures yesterday, and I'm still grieving. Fortunately I had the old cell phone with me and snapped some quick pictures by which to remember these hot commodities, just in case, you know? You can view my tope three pics after the jump. Enjoy! -hil

ps- what's your favorite thrifted/antique store find?