happy weekend + warm weather picnic

I cannot believe we're approaching the end of another month! This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, even though it technically doesn't start until a month from now, so my brain is set on bbq's and picnics. These fashionable objects are sure to make preparing an outdoor get-together that much easier and enjoyable.

For a hot day, a delicious, home-made Popsicle would really hit the spot, especially if you experiment with you favorite flavors and use the Zoku. I haven't tried it yet, but my mouth waters just thinking of the infinite possibilities. Try some of these recipes and let me know what your favorite is.

For grilling the best burgers on the block, I bet this colorful FYRKAT Picnic Charcoal Grill would make them taste even more delicious (not sure why, it just looks cool!). There's a wide range of colors you can choose from and not that expensive for being so stylish.

Now, this SAC à BAGUETTE is for sure what I need. The Baguette is my favorite bread and I've been known to carry one around for munching throughout the day, so this SAC is perfect for carrying it and my picnic for my weekend outing.

Have a fun and safe Memorial Day Weekend and I'll see you back here on Monday, with more Minted designs. Happy Weekend!

{ Images Via :: Williams-Sonoma :: SAC à BAGUETTE :: bodum }

the cutest wedding invite

In the four months that I've been blogging I don't think I've ever posted an invitation I didn't design. Well, today is that day.

I came across the cutest Wedding Invitation through head vs. heart and I simply fell in love with the illustrations. Aren't those bride and groom dollies adorable. Andres, the groom and designer, created these mellow-yellow invites for the big day with his love, Junia. They're so simple in the way everything is laid out, but I so love how the colors and illustrations come together. So nontraditional; more like a gig-poster which is well suited since they're such music lovers (check out this post).

The gray and yellow color palette is one of my favorites, and this Amy Butler design they used as a backer really ties everything together perfectly (LOVE Amy Butler...I want to be her when I grow up!!).

I like how he incorporated the yellow banners to carry the headlines for each piece. This large flower reminds me of one I used to draw when I was in elementary school (I've been trying to incorporate it into a pattern for a while...I'll show you soon).

Andres is a talented designer, and, may I add, works for Minted...total envy!! And (yes, another 'and'), come to find out, their wedding was in my backyard of Chula Vista, so cool they're (or were) locals. Check out Andres' blog for insight on more of their Wedding Invite Suite, along with images on Style Me Pretty of the big day; Love It!

{ Images Via :: soundslikeyouandme }

colorful doors

When ever I'm roaming around the city, or when I have a chance to travel outside my town, doors are definitely what catch my eye. I love the colorful variations of a sometimes simple construction or the decorative ornamentation of the old-world styles. These are just a few of the most attractive doors I found through Flickr.

I've always liked the color yellow. Having a yellow front door to your house is like having your home smile back as you return from work every evening.

Red is my all-time favorite color, though, and this Asian-inspired door seems so regal.

This one may be more on the rustic side, but that ultra-bright turquoise really makes it pop.

{ Images Via :: Flickr :: Flickr :: Flickr :: Flickr :: Flickr :: Flickr :: Flickr }

paper {flower} bouquet

One of my favorite blogs is Mademoiselle Dimanche's because of her keen eye for textile design and decor. As I was perusing her blog the other day I came across the fabulous creations of Jurianne Matter. Aren't these the most decorative and colorful paper flowers you've ever seen?

You could put them in a vase for those days when you don't have fresh flowers, they'll be sure to brighten your day.

They'll make any cupcake look even more delicious.

Or, you can decorate a simply-wrapped gift on the flash. They're colorful and versatile and perfect for any craft. Check out Jurianne's site for other great paper creations.

{ Images Via :: Jurianne Matter }

on the {minted} challenge

Hello all, welcome to a new week. Hope it's a great one.

I mentioned last week that I'd be participating in the Minted Design Challenge Holiday Card Spectacular, well, I've uploaded a few designs...take a look:

{ Dotted Season's Greetings }

{ Joyous Snowflakes - Single }

{ Frosty Peaks }

{ Joyous Snowflakes - Double }

Click on the images above or the green 'vote for me!' link on the top right to vote for them. If one of my designs wins it will be sold on Minted, how great is that? Well, the $5000 first prize isn't bad either!! Please, pretty please, pass this link around to everyone and anyone you know so they could vote for me...I sure would love to be on Minted ($5G!!!).

Here's the link: http://www.minted.com/designer/lizzybloves, or click on one of the specific designs found on that page to post on Facebook or Twitter.

I'll be uploading more designs (I have until the 10th) so check back often. Thanks a bunch and let's hope I place high!!

{ Images Via :: LizzyB Loves on Minted }

colorfulness of helen

As a designer (and aspiring textile/surface/pattern creator) I'm always on the look-out for the most colorful and decorative designs which inspire me to keep doing what I do.

A few months ago my eyes were caught in a gaze as I came across the colorful work of Helen Dardik. I just fell in love with her illustrative whimsy.

Some of her pattern design seems a bit folk-y for my taste, so I don't see using it in my home being that I'm more of an eclectic minimalist, but looking at it makes me happy.

I would, however, hang a piece of art on my wall, something like this, maybe (hmmm, I think buying Katie Daisy's Sweet Bird has given me the 'art' shopping bug).

This one seems very appropriate for a little girl's room, Pretty in Bright Pink, Don't you think?

{ Images Via :: One Lucky Helen :: Helen Dardik on Etsy :: Orange You Lucky }

my new favorite song

I've posted about Ximena before, my new favorite musician/singer, well, this past Monday Gabriel and I attended a very intimate and spontaneous gig where she performed some of her favorite songs and new tracks from her upcoming release. We were literally about 75 people or less so it was as if we were all gathered in her living room chilling and listening to great music (as she put it).

With the excitement of the night I quickly came home and searched for more of her music to keep me in the thrill. I came across her jazz-y rendition of a very seductive and classic Bolero, Delirio, which I instantly fell in love with. Take a listen below:

{ Image Via :: LastFM :: LastFM }

bochic love

By now you know I have a fascination with jewelry, I have posted about it many times after all. And, I'm not typically a diamonds type-of-girl (I wouldn't reject a gift of diamonds, of course!), I like anything sparkly & decorative that catches my eye. Well, I was just swept away by the most beautiful jewelry you can feast your eyes on...I've gone to Jewelry Heaven (wait, I think I've said that of Carole Tanenbaum's Vintage finds, too)!

Bochic, where was I to have missed gazing at your beauty for so long?

Aren't these the most exquisite creations ever?!

Of course the First Lady dons these lavish jewels, too.

They're not the most affordable, but...Yes Please! A girl can always dream.

These are just some of my favorite pieces (everything on the site is my favorite).

You'll surely be as mesmerized as I was when you view the complete line on their site.

{ Images Via :: Bochic }

urban influence + what is brand

I came across Urban Influence a couple of weeks ago through Graphic Exchange and fell in love with their work. While perusing their site I found this very cool branding video and wanted to share. So, What is Brand Anyways?

{ Images Via :: Urban Influence }

a sweet bird in the mail

I'm back...after a somewhat relaxing week off from blogging. This week, I'll be concentrating on LizzyB Loves so you'll be seeing a few more items from my portfolio. And, later in the week, I'll keep you posted on my design for the Minted Holiday Design Challenge, so come back often and keep a look-out for the button on the right so you can vote.

A couple of weeks ago I posted the beautiful art of Katie Daisy, and mentioned how I fell in love with her Sweet Bird illustration but was sad that it was no longer for sale. Well, lucky for me she added a few more in her shop and Gabriel bought it for me as a loving gift. I got it in the mail just this Saturday and it was a wonderful surprise which brightened my whole weekend. I immediately bought a frame for it and it now hangs right in front of me on the wall as I sit and work on my computer. A brightly-colored, smile-evoking piece of art; my first!

With much joy and in celebration of my new acquisition, here are a few samples of some of my favorite Katie Daisy pattern designs.

Aren't these colorfully-lovely?!

See you back here tomorrow.

{ Images Via :: LizzyB Loves :: Katie Daisy }

i'd rather be...

That's exactly what I'd like to be doing, but life must go on. This week is one of those filled with unwanted feelings of wonder: 'I wonder what I should do', 'I wonder what will happen', 'I wonder what I'll be'...so I'm taking a mini blogging break for the week and focusing on some cool LizzyB Loves stuff, among that submitting designs for the new Minted Design Challenge; I'll keep you posted on that so you can vote for me!! :)

See you back here on Monday, with a refreshing look on life and design.

{ Image Via :: Design*Sponge }

happy weekend + a modern gift for a modern mom

I'm not a mom yet (nor will I be in the near future, :) ), but I came across these very original fashion items which I thought would be a perfect Mother's Day gift...for me at least.

The clutch is made with aluminum can pull tabs and the bottoms of recycled cans, now that's an original re-purposing idea. The Owl Locket just drew me in with his dark, round, mesmerizing eyes, and the decorative texture around the edge is the perfect accent. And well, this Gold-Toned Hinged Cuff has my name all over it. I don't have any gold jewelry...this would be a great piece to start my collection!

Happy Weekend and Happy Mother's day to all of you out there, especially my Mom, my Sister, my Grandma, and my friend Jazmine, (she's the only friend I can remember has a daughter, and another on the way :) ).

{ Images Via :: MoMA Store :: Plasticland :: Carole Tanenbaum Vintage Collection }

rob ryan revisited

I can't put into words how much I LOVE Rob Ryan's work. I've only talked about him here and here, and I'm always amazed at his elaborate creations.

I came across a great time-lapse video via his blog which really puts the time and effort needed for each intricate creation into perspective. Watching it leaves me in awe and speechless. I've watched it a couple of times now and with each little piece that is taken away from the whole I just keep shaking my head in wonder as to the patience they all have to cut away one piece at a time.

{ Image Via :: Mister Rob }

a fascination with owls

I've unconsciously posted many lovelies having to do with owls in the past few months, like here and here. I'm just so drawn to them (and why shouldn't I be, they've been everywhere for a while). So today I've accepted the fact that they are my favorite creature, with their big, round eyes and feathery bodice, and I'm sharing with you my favorite 'Owl-y' finds.

I came across this (top left) enigmatic deco owl pendant through one of my favorite online shops, Plasticland (come to find out, they started with a brick & mortar store in my favorite neighborhood of San Diego, Hillcrest). I love it's stylized dark, round eyes and the pattern created by the Swarovski crystals, and thanks to my sister's belated birthday gift I just bought it for myself last night; thank you very much!

Those candied-yellow Owl-y earrings come from another Etsy favorite, Sora Designs. I just love all of her pieces and would buy them all if I could.

To round out my finds I chose another Antiqued Silver pendant from Plasticland, another owl cookie jar from Anthropologie (to match this one), and the Owl motifs found in Paperchase designs, be it greeting cards, stationery sets, gift wrap, or mag bags...I love them all.

{ Images Via :: Plasticland :: Sora Designs :: Plasticland :: Anthropologie :: Paperchase }

carla morrison

I'm usually the last one to learn of anything new. There's so much going on these days, and especially with all the social media outlets, anything new seems old by tomorrow. But well, I love my finds, be them from yesterday or a few months (or years) ago; they're new to me.

That being said, I came across another great voice thanks to Gabriel (we like to call him the human jukebox). She might have released her first EP a few months ago (thus my rant above, :) ) but the fact that I just learned of her existence is from pure curiosity. You see, Gabriel being the loving boyfriend he is, lent me his Ipod this past week for my commute into work, and as I was deleting all of his music so I could upload my own I saw Carla Morrison's name and thought to myself, "hmmm, that name looks interesting. Might be a new 'Chic Geek'* songstress I just have to listen to." So, I left her song on the Ipod to listen to later.

On my way back home from work I tuned into my saved song to unwind from the days duties, and to my surprise Carla Morrison's song 'Esta Soledad' was exactly the type of song I was hoping it would be. Totally another Chic Geek to add to my music library.

Her voice is soft and melodic, and has that indie, alternative, Latin touch which I so enjoy (as these two I've posted about before here and here do). Come to find out as I was doing some research on her, she's from Baja California; a 'Paisana' we would say in Spanish, she being from the same region as me. So of course, I must support. Keep an eye out for her...she surely will be a great success! For more info visit her MySpace and for some free songs (legal, she uploaded herself :) ) click here. Enjoy!

*Gabriel has coined the term Chic Geeks to describe the new genre of Mexican/Latin alternative female musicians due to their indie/bohemian/rocker music which is the opposite of the more POPular sugar-coded sounds that prevail

{ Images Via :: Club Fonograma :: Carla Morrison TV :: Last FM :: Last FM }

the perfect travel fix

Hello, happy first of the week (well, technically the first of the week is Sunday, right?). You'll know I'm having one of those days (or weeks) when I start talking endlessly about travel...daydreaming of a distant place.

Well, today I have for you a very cool video created purely with a Sony Cybershot (which I found via the always inspiring Prêt à Voyager). Around The World In 80 Seconds is the creation of two very talented Frenchmen, Alex Profit and Romain Pergeaux, on an adventure I would surely like to be a part of. This was the perfect fix for my travel craving.

{ Video Via :: tourdumonde80 }