Inspiration of the Month {July}

The ample amount of free time in the summer calls for lots and lots of leisure reading. First on my list: "Looking for Alaska" by John Green. Despite my slower-than-normal tendency of reading books, I finished "Looking for Alaska" in one sitting on a lazy Sunday afternoon, lost in a heart-wrenching fictional story of adventure, mischief, young love, loss, impermanence, and suffering. My very first John Green book; let's just say I am now dedicated to reading every book he's ever written (three down already!), because this guy is an ardent writer of inimitable young adult novels. I honestly can't express how much I loved this book and everything about it. I felt like I was sprinting through the forest just steps behind Miles and Takumi, my heart racing faster and faster as my mind consumed each string of words. I befriended the wildly enigmatic personality of Alaska Young, growing closer to her with every flip of a page. I shared Miles' aching loneliness and his endless thirst for knowledge and answers. I felt the thrilling rush of rebellion and the fear of getting caught when Alaska snuck into the Weekday Warriors' rooms and lit up cigarette after cigarette in the smoking hole. And lastly, I felt the wretched, sick-to-my-stomach pain of losing a piece of your heart forever. A sensational masterpiece of a novel. Depressing? Yes, most definitely. But you should know that the sad stories are always my favorites.

A few quotes from the novel that really struck something inside me:

"I have lost something important, and I cannot find it, and I need it. It is fear like if someone lost his glasses and went to the glasses store and they told him that the world had run out of glasses and he would just have to do without."

"The times that were the most fun seemed always to be followed by sadness now, because it was when life started to feel like it did when she was with us that we realized how utterly, totally gone she was."

"If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane."

"We need never be hopeless, because we can never be irreparably broken. We think that we are invincible because we are."

Mathilde Aubier is a wonderfully talented French artist, graphic designer, and illustrator. Most of her artwork creatively combines organic shapes, earthy colors, and black and white photos to form simplistic masterpieces with a unique vintage feel. I admire the fact that she has created an unmistakable identity amongst all of her pieces. Her work has sparked my infinite love for collage illustration.

Wes Anderson's work is truly an art form in itself. Of the five Wes Anderson films I've had the pleasure of watching thus far, The Royal Tenenbaums takes the cake (although Moonrise Kingdom is a close second). A melancholic story about family, separation, true love, living life on the edge, a father's honest efforts, and a seemingly dysfunctional family that makes a heartfelt recovery. Beautifully played out. I especially love Margot Tenenbaum's infamously secretive character, played by Gwyneth Paltrow.

New music discoveries are just the best, right? Pacific Air is an American indie pop band consisting of two brothers, Ryan and Taylor Lawhon. Their debut album "Stop Talking" is the perfect soundtrack for summer. Every single song is a brilliantly catchy anthem, but "Roses" and "Float" have been on repeat the most for me. Give them a listen and I promise your ears will be thankful! :) These guys definitely deserve to be heard.

We're about halfway through summer and blue skies are calling. I've been keeping busy and filling my weekends with carefree adventures in the awe-inspiring outdoors. Can't believe August is here already!

xxKristin

P.S. Other outstanding bands currently on my radar: The 1975 and Finish Ticket, both irresistibly captivating. Check them out!! What new music has made it onto your list of summer jams? I'd love to hear! :)

the deep end

when i was young
they taught me to swim
in the shallow waters
of a backyard pool.
what they never taught me
was how to swim
when you're drowning in sorrow
and it's swallowing you whole.
trying to stay afloat
with an anchor on my heart
salt water in my lungs
and pouring from my eyes.
i'm fighting, heaving, gasping for air
but it all winds down
to my impending demise.
thrown into the endless abyss
the deep end never prepared me
for this.

Inspiration Palette {Neon Yellow}

Electric and joy-evoking, there's nothing quite like a touch of neon yellow in your home furniture, tabletop decor, or summer wardrobe. Paired with a neutral grey or a calm wash of palladian blue, it makes everything come alive without overdoing it. Splendidly illuminating and perfect for summertime.

xx Kristin

P.S. How cute is that DIY paint-dipped stool??

Inspiration of the Month {June}

The carefree and lighthearted essence of summer is playfully illuminated by these painted images. Los Angeles-based photographer Alexandra Valenti imaginatively combines daring colors, whimsical patterns, and boundless vivacity in each photograph that makes me yearn for the outdoors. I can just smell the trees and feel the invigorating caress of lake water around my ankles.

Benjamin Zank sure knows what he's doing. There's an indescribable serenity about each of his photos, and it's obvious that they have been thoughtfully composed. Ben's numerous self-portraits "aim to stretch the viewer's imagination and express his feelings when words fail," which he undoubtedly achieves. I love the somber colors and the subtlety of human presence. Inspiring.

As an avid lover of rooftops, city skylines, and movies, the idea of Hot Tub Cinema makes my eyes widen with excitement...it even makes my love for drive-in theaters seem a little pathetic (who knew that was possible, right?!). During the summer, Hot Tub Cinema takes over rooftops in London "with astounding views across the city's inimitable skyline." What a perfect evening getaway, breathing in the fresh air, surrounded by city lights and best friends. And apparently they have plans to tour internationally in the near future. Sign me up! :)

The Capilano Suspension Bridge. If you haven't heard of it before, just be glad you have now--if you're not afraid of heights, that is. I stumbled across these stunning photos (the first two listed below) by Amitabha! on Flickr, and of course that led to some research and now I'm left with the unyielding desire to visit this place...in Canada. To walk amongst the trees and casually gaze down upon the vast green abyss, what a phenomenal feeling that would be.

So who's ready for roadtrips and popsicles and heat waves and July 4th celebrations? I sure am! ...Although I could actually do without the triple-digit heat waves. June wasn't exactly one for the books, but here's to hoping July restores the happiness in my heart. Here's to hoping.

What are everyone's plans for the summer?

xxKristin

Inspiration of the Month {May}

"Alone Out There" by Ryan Everson. The title says it all, really. I am completely enamored with this boldly expressive piece of art. In my eyes, it's a prime representation of throwing your vulnerabilities out into the cold, dark abyss that is our world. And that's kind of what art is all about, right? Wood, lights, neon, steel, rope, and foam flawlessly mended into a beautiful, larger-than-life masterpiece.

Another one by the great Ryan Everson in collaboration with Jason Garcia, feast your eyes upon "Fear Expanded." His work is "unlimited by materials and processes and examines emotional states, fame, fear of the unknown, sincerity and inward reflection." The photographs convey such a powerful idea that fear exists only in your mind, and sometimes a different perspective is all you need to conquer your fear. If you choose to face fear straight on, it seems to vanish altogether. Ingenious.

Speaking of great...THE GREAT GATSBY. This is definitely a must-see. As if F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel didn't set my expectations high enough already, the movie was brilliantly executed and I loved every second of it. Everything I imagined it to be and more. Visually striking, visceral, thought-provoking, emotional, festive, and painfully despondent. Modernized but still impeccably classy. And they couldn't have picked a better actor to portray Gatsby; Leonardo DiCaprio absolutely nailed it. I felt every inch of his pain, every ounce of his love, and every jolt of his laughter. Honestly, I just can't wait to see it again. And again. And maybe again. Yeah, it's one of those movies; take my word for it. And don't even get me started on the soundtrack...I'll just leave this here. :)

Mierswa & Kluska is a collaborative project between photographers Andreas Mierswa and Markus Kluska. These gorgeous photographs were taken inside of musical instruments, making them look like large, spacious rooms with wooden walls. I can't get over how well they captured the delicacy of the light streaming in. Transcendent. And I especially love how this first photo of a guitar resembles a grand auditorium with a spotlight on the stage.

Paige Bradley's stunning sculpture, entitled "Expansion," depicts a woman seeking inner peace. Her body is fractured, with light seeping through the cracks, showing the persistent struggle between liberation and being contained. “I ponder if we are more defined by the container we are in, rather than what we are inside. Would we recognize ourselves if we could expand beyond our bodies? Would we still be able to exist if we were authentically 'un-contained'?" There's some food for thought.

It's hard to believe May has come and gone so quickly. This month has opened my eyes to so many opportunities, and I feel so incredibly blessed. And summer is right around the corner! I've got my reading list, camera, and a deep craving for adventure. I'm ready.

(Less than 2 weeks til school's out!)

xxKristin