Vintage Japan

I'm on my way out to work.  Before I head out, I want to leave you with these incredible vintage Japanese images courtesy of Ookami Dou.  They are absolutely divine! Go ahead daydream., I dare you.

Courtesy of Ookami Dou

Anahata Katkin

I'm jumping up and down like a mad woman.  I just stopped over at Anahata Katkin's blog and was informed that she will be featured in Somerset Studio's July issue. 

 If you're not familiar with her, do yourself a favor and click on over to her blog as soon as you read this post.  Anahata is cofounder of PAPAYA! Inc.  She is such a special artist with a whimsical, edgy and ethereal style that will transport you to places bound with beauty and spirit.  Her art is not meant to be explained but to be experienced. 

This girl can teach us all a thing or two about how to weave and live A Woven Life.  As I sit here burning some sage I think to myself...."Perhaps, if the Gods are good to me, I can one day have the pleasure of interviewing her."  I just threw subtlety right out the window with that one!  I suppose I get so energized by her art and philosophy because she is a testament to my belief that we can "follow our bliss" and create authentic lives.  What are we waiting for? Shall we. 

Anahata Katkin (right)

 

Etsy Picks

My favorite color in the world!  Here are my Etsy picks for today. Enjoy!

Sidheshee's Boudoir

Aurum Jewelry

http://www.giardino.etsy.com/

Creative Thursday

Across the Universe We Go

For a sweet dose of inspiration, check out Across the Universe. It's one of my favorite blogs by artist, Shilo Shiv Suleman. Her illustrations, photography and poetic genius always make me smile. Can you believe we all have this creative thread running through our veins? We do.  Each of us has an instinctive desire to create.  It makes us feel alive! Closer to our truth.  I believe there is a proverbial source of creativity at our disposal.  A communal pot, which we can add to or collect from dreams beyond our imagination.  It is where we get our most animate thoughts and ideas from.  The more we add to it, the more we grow and get in return.  That's the beauty of it.  Nurture each others thoughts and endeavors.  Grab a nice cool glass of lemonade and watch them sprout forth incredible deeds before your eyes.


 

Frenchtown or Bust

Last week, my good friend and I decided to jump in the car and head to Frenchtown, NJ.

If you find yourself yearning to escape the stresses of everyday life, head to Frenchtown!  It's such a quaint town full of charm and artistic spirit.  Our first stop took us to Two Buttons, an incredible warehouse owned by Eat Pray Love, author, Elizabeth Gilbert and her husband. 

Two Buttons Imports

The warehouse has some of the most amazing  imports from India, Thailand and beyond.  From gorgeous pendant light fixtures to the most divine garden statues, one could easily lose track of time and get immersed in how special it is.  I was in heaven!  I picked up some of my favorite Nag Champa incense and some Tibetan prayer flags I will display in our new yard very soon!    We had the pleasure to meet Susan, who was such a warm and welcoming friend.  Susan has such an inspirational life story tailored to fit A Woven Life's philosophy.  Stay tuned for our upcoming post on Susan.  Afterwards, we dropped by the Lovin Oven next door at the suggestion of Susan and had a wickedly delicious warm strawberry rhubarb pie.  We walked around with no agenda, we laughed like school girls and sang Frank Sinatra songs off key all the way back home!  The perfect ending to our little adventure. 

We all work so tirelessly to attain the things we need in life.  Take time out for you to breathe.  Grab a friend, jump in the car and drive.  Indulge in the sweetness of life and rhubarb pie.  Let your mind wander, dream, envision and you are one step closer to creating A Woven Life.  You deserve it! 

Inspirational and Unconventional

At times ridiculed and thought to be crazy, these men marched to the beat of their own drum and emerged as innovators!  May we all find our inner creative genius! Happy weekend.  Keep on weaving!

John Lennon

Johnny Depp & Tim Burton

Albert Einstein

Live Your Life.

With life comes responsibility, right.  I'm sure that many of you can relate to having to hold down one, two, maybe even three jobs in order to keep up with your daily obligations.  We have bills to pay.  Student loans that seem will never be satisfied and so; we wake up everyday and make the most of what we've got.  What about our responsibility to ourselves and our dreams?  I've had many people tell me I'm just a dreamer.  That I have a fantastical idealistic view of what the world should be.  I stand before you guilty as charged.  Is there something wrong with believing, down to my core, that we have the right to live the life we desire?  Are you living that life?  Or was it neatly tucked away in the back of a closet in exchange for someone else's expectations.  Perhaps, I am the only one feeling this way, but something tells me I am not alone.  I have to admit there are days where the rebellious side of me wants to make erratic decisions in lieu of doing things responsibly.  In those moments, I can't help but feel I am a child trapped in an adult's body.  To those of you who may be thinking I need to suck it up and grow up, I'll leave you with these words of wisdom, by a man who knew these very struggles.  Henry David Thoreau.

"The mass of men, lead lives of quiet desperation.  But there is no need for them to, if they would only direct their own lives rather than doing what they thought others expect of them.  Live your own lives".

........Sticks out tongue and smiles.