Time to pick up a Valentine

Here are some clever Valentine's at an Etsy shop I recently discovered... They may just make the Valentine's Day scrooges reconsider. And Scrooges, your Valentine could be your mom or the sweet lady you get your coffee from every morning - so brighten someone's day!

Inspired home: Schuyler Samperton

It's no secret that I dearly miss Domino Magazine, which to this day I still find a source of constant design inspiration. One of my most beloved (now dog-eared and tattered) issues features Schuyler Samperton, an interior designer based in Los Angeles. Domino Magazine may be gone, but Sampterton is still going strong. Here are samples of designs from Samperton's website.

Samperton's design aesthetic leans toward bohemian, with vibrant pops of color, varying textures and patterns, and fresh fauna and flora taking center stage. I love how she combines traditional pieces with exotic accents like Moroccan lanterns, bamboo and antique Persian rugs. Every room in her portfolio includes thoughtfully arranged personal treasures that all seem to carry a history with its own story to tell.

Inspired gift idea: Numi tea

I have the opportunity to chat with someone from Numi Tea today. As a tea lover, it's exciting to learn more about one of the top tea producers from an insider. Numi Tea is one of those rare products that is an ecologically sustainable superstar. All of Numi's products are certified organic with a wide range of exotic flavors from Chocolate Puerh Black Tea to White Nectar Osmanthus Tea.

For those of you dedicated to the eco-lifestyle like I am, you will be happy to know that Numi's packaging is produced from 85 percent post-consumer waste, which annually conserves more than 5,202 trees and reduces landfill by 334,560 pounds. Numi also participates in a carbon offset program with Big Tree Climate Fund which is an organization I support.

I have previously mentioned my love for bamboo in this post, which I apparently share with Numi. Numi's gift boxes and tea chests are made from bamboo. This lovely set found at World Market would make a delightful holiday gift for any tea lover.

My favorite Numi product, is the gorgeous flowering tea collection which are an atheistically and sybaritic sensuous experience making for a lovely and truly unique gift.

Inspired faces places and things

I have recently taken up knitting which is something I've always wanted to learn. Knitting keeps me occupied whenever I'm idle and is relaxing and highly addictive. I have three projects underway which are all scarves using the basic knit stitch method. I wanted to master this stitch before I learned a new technique. It's been really fun to see my knitting improve as I go. My first scarf (the white one below) is full of holes, but the latest one I have been able to actually knit without looking at my stitches. Once I finish all three I'm going to post photos and then onto learning the purl stitch!

Not only is knitting a huge stress reliever, but it also is a powerful brain booster. Knitting engages both the left and right side of the brain. I read an article by a chief scientic officer of Neuroscience solutions who said "At around 30, our memory and congnitive and motor abilities begin to decline, but anytime you learn a new skill, you change the brain physically."

Pin-up girl costume

As Halloween draws near, I'm scrambling to pull together all the pieces of my costume. I hardly ever opt for a "scary" costume because all the makeup, faux blood and gore tend to get uncomfortable after an hour. I have always admired the "Rockabilly" look inspired by the pin-up girls of the '30s and '40s. Here are some photos that I am using as inspiration for my "pin-up" girl costume. After all, I think the best part of Halloween is being someone else for just one night...

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Inspired place

I have an obsession with twinkle lights, lanterns and paper parasols. I am surprised this fact hasn't surfaced sooner. Right now I wish I could escape to this happy little room full of my favorite things. Nuturing your inner child is always healthy, yes? Mark my words, someday I'm going to have my own little retreat full of what some may believe belong in a street market.

Domino Magazine archives are back

I have taken a little break from blogging to deal with life-in-transition. I have been juggling numerous projects and potential plans, but I am jumping back into the saddle next week.

However, I couldn't resist sharing some exciting news. The beloved and departed Domino magazine will have archives available on Brides.com. Domino magazine, which is, was, and always will be very dear to my heart, is the reason I started blogging. I find that so many of my favorite blogs share the same creative vision of my favorite publication. Flutter Inspired is an attempt to channel that spirit. Right now there are only a few of the original articles up, but Brides.com promises to add to the collection. Here is a snippet of inspiration pulled from the site.

How to Arrange Flowers for a Creative Centerpiece

Thai-inspired feast in tiny space

Domino creates a healthy home for Katrina surviors

{All Photos from Brides.com}

I am hoping there will be a such a cult-following demanding more Domino, that maybe the old team will get together and bring us new content -- online?

Herbs and Wildflowers

Maybe it's summer, or the recent trip to the family flower shop, but I've got wildflowers and herbs on my mind. Here is a little visual treat for the eyes - the following flora is so pretty you may want to eat them. Best part: you can!

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Inspired travel: Mini vacation

Though I am a hiker, biker and nature lover, I am not a camper. After a long day traversing the outdoors I like to enjoy a comfortable bed and a warm shower. But, after seeing this adorable "camper" I think I could change my mind.

This MiniTear teardrop trailer is so light it can be hitched to the back of a Mini Cooper!

The back opens up to a slick little kitchen - complete with a collapsable table.

The cabin has a cozy bed with a night light for reading and cubbies for your necessities.

I would get one of these compact picnic backpacks for the trip which has been on my wish list for a while.

And maybe even this sweet little portable sewing machine... just in case your struck by sudden inspiration to make a...sundress. Ok, I know it's random, but it was too cute to exclude on my list of compact fun!

Inspired home: Cottage dreams

I love my condo and I am so completely grateful for it. But, I long to live in a cottage loaded with charm like this one. The Highland Park three bedroom (not including the den), two bathroom Craftsman beauty fits my vision.

Love the red door, big porch, the architectural details in the windows, hardwood floors and oh, to have a yard! I'm already decorating it in my head... for more beautiful homes check out Take Sunset

Inspired table by Atlier Joya

I spotted this beautiful tablescape over at Atlier Joya, a San Francisco based florist, and just can't stop thinking about it so I'm going to stick it on the blog for everyone to enjoy. I wonder if I could make that light fixture with the mason jars...

Inspired place: Green Acres Lavender Farm

I have returned from my travels in Northern California. I had a lovely time visiting with family and old friends in my little city by the bay. On the way home, my S.O. and I stopped at the Green Acres Lavender Farm in Atascadero which I've always wanted to visit. It was breathtaking. The second we stepped out of the car the sweet scent of lavender immediately permeated the senses.

We met the owners who are warm and incredibly knowledgeable on the topic of all things lavender. Sadly, the farm is up for sale as life has taken the owners on a new adventure. The property would make for an incredible bed and breakfast so if you know anyone in the market... There is also some resident cats who will need new homes all of which were really sweet, friendly, beautiful kitties. I've already got dibs on Sir Felix of Lavender who I have fallen madly in love with.

The lavender isn't in bloom until July, so I am aching to go back during their 5th annual lavender festival July 10th. Maybe I'll see you there!

Inspired place

I am on my way to San Francisco for a little inspiration and R&R. I figured since that is where I left my heart, I might be able to find it there again.

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For Lily

I live in Dana Point, California. We had a gray whale in our harbor this week. We went down to catch a glimpse and were surprised to find news crews, sheriffs, helicopters and excited masses of people. We walked out on the crowded jetty and saw her - a real, live, whale, up close. It was completely awe inspiring to be able to see such a majestic creature just feet away. Locals named her Lily and while we were on that jetty we got the whole story.

At first, it was speculated that she was an old whale and had come to the harbor to beach herself. But as it turns out, Lily was actually quite young and a damsel in distress. Gray whales migrate from Baja to Alaska each year. Lily was caught in a fishing net and the weight of 150 pounds of fishing net tangled in her tail and fins was making it too difficult for her to continue her migration. Whales are social creatures, and she must have been in a pod that left her behind. The folks at Sea World came to her rescue and she remained docile and still as can be, for four hours while they cut the fishing net off her. We, humans, put her into peril, yet she still trusted us enough to let us come inches away - even with the roar of the helicopters and the slew of boats surrounding her.

And once they cut her free we all rejoiced for our self-appointed hometown hero. She picked our harbor as her haven and so many of us were honored to be a part of her story. Lily died today. I am not sure how, because I'm too heartbroken to hear anything about the gentle soul whose story was sure to be a happy ending . She touched the hearts of so many - none of us the same - yet all of us bound together, inspired by her courage. We, the human race, have to do better for our wildlife. A whale shouldn't suffer because we were careless with a fishing net, and an entire eco-system shouldn't die from an oil spill. The Earth's creatures should all be treated with honor, compassion and responsibility. And I'm proud to say I saw people from all walks of life do just that by rallying around a whale named Lily.

If you want to support whale conservation, please send this message to president Obama urging him to stop plans to legalize commercial whaling. Do it for Lily.

Inspired art: Holga Dreams

My S.O. and I have been enamored with the surreal, dreamy imperfection of Holga photography and finally bought a Holga 135BC camera. We have gone on FOUR "photo shoots" and have not produced a single photo yet. After the first three rolls of film were totally botched, we watched a bunch of Youtube instructional videos before our next excursion. We finally felt prepared, so we went to the mission in San Juan Capistrano and took some very magical pictures of sun-dappled gardens, fountains and crumbling architecture. And the film was yet again blank. We are in search of lessons, since it is overtly obvious we are hopeless Holga photographers. The work of these Etsy holga masters is what we aspire to;

Where I found you by Holga Jen

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Spring skies by Beaded Wire

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Route 66 by Futurowoman Photography

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Brighton Pier by Bomobob

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Venezia by Eve Simone Photography

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