Party planning: Baby Shower

Yesterday we threw a surprise baby shower for our lovely Marie, who's having a baby boy. This kind of events take a lot of planning and organization. We first exchanged emails with ideas, then got together and started working. Everything was so nice and cute, our future Mamma was happy and we all had a great time. 

Here's what we did:

MENU:

Starters: guacamole & eggplant dips with grilled cheese & tortilla chips

Salad

Pasta Carbonara 

White wine

Dessert: Strawberry tourbillon cake, herbal tea or coffee.

GIFT:

Stokke Tripp Trapp Chair 

FOR THE PARTY:

1. Photo session made with Pocketbooth app. It's pictures and laughter nonstop.

2. Paper bracelets by Fiber Lab.

3. Follow the light lanterns by Emma Jeffs, this cuties led our surprised Mamma to the party.

Outside the box

Taking some time to reboot and think.

After some intense months I've been able to design again (or at least getting into the mood to do so). Took my camera and started doing some shots of our living room and of my little guy (he posed and all, so cute my boy!).

Been rereading some of my favorite books, trying some of the "games" that made want to become a designer. Relying on love. 

Found this article very helpful, as in this hard times is easier to look the other way. It's rough but being realistic actually helps and force us to focus in order to achieve a certain goal.

Nice to meet you II

They've been some improvements since my post about professional meetings. A new tool has arrived, a beautiful white iPad (thanks mom & dad!).

Selling has become a very important part in my professional life, somehow I'm having a lot of meetings where I have to make a presentation. Getting people together and try collaborations has been my priority. So I've been updating (on a budget) my looks. One thing I had to put in consideration was the iPad case. There are so many gorgeous covers out there, I wanted one that was both protective and stylish, I went for budget and color to make the list shorter.

I decided to pick a black one, that's my color, I have to deal with that. So I went for a beautiful clutch by Marshall Bergman. Fits both iPad and Macbook Air 11", it's perfect!.

Now the looks:
I've been trying both casual and formal looks, depending on the client. For the first one I went a little urban, with a T-shirt and jacket. Medium height heels, more comfortable in case you have to run to another appointment.

For the second one I went for something a little bit formal, not too much, I got this top at Zara and fell in love, the back it's just exquisite. In this case I used super high heels and red lipstick.

Accessories: 1 / 2 / 3

Shades of Blue

So in love with this photos of the extraordinary Christina Hendricks, she graces the cover of the latest issue of  The Hollywood Reporter. Feminine and provocative as her character in Mad Men.



Photos: Joe Pugliese

Twenty Five, Ninety Five

That's the price of my super lovely buy of the season, I fell in love with this pants at first sight. So spring, so colorful, so happy and fun. And affordable!

I loved Kate Spade's campaign for this season, ever since I watched their musical chairs I became obsessed with the look with the pink pants. Once I got them, it was a matter of adding some accesories and patterned heels (look 1).

Even though I love style I'm not one of those girls that buy all new trends every season. I have to buy on budget so I'm pretty realistic when it comes to fashion, I'd love to accessorize or use more colors, but I have to keep it real and simple. Besides if you are comfortable and feel nice you show it and that's all that matters.

Happy pink spring!

Photography by Elli O.

Happening

All this things happening, so incredible challenges, but most important, opportunities. My father always says to me how we have to be able to take chances and grab opportunities as they come, 'cause they don't do so often.

The only thing is that I've been running for the last month like a maniac, and I mean literally, I even take my flats in my bag to make errands after visiting clients, and still be able to pick up Ander on time.

My lovely boy has been amazing and supportive, I've been trying to balance a couple of important projects and being a mom. I've even managed to have him a play date with cupcakes and all, it was the first time he had a school friend at home and he was pretty proud.

Hopefully I'll soon be able to show here some new products for my Creative Shop. So excited! Even though my moments may be on blur they look as beautiful as this picture, taken by Ander.

Have a nice week.

photo by Ander Iribar

Can I Just Say...

Some people see this day as a marketing strategy for a consumer audience. I'd like to see it like a perfect day to say "I love You" and kiss and hug my dear friends. To kiss husband passionately (Casablanca style), to remind my son how amazing life has been for me ever since I held him in my arms.

We are alive. I love you.

Song: We're Alive from My Name is You

Desired Things

I've already written about the impact this poem had in my life.

I love my copy, I got it on a rainy day in London, on a lovely trip we did with my father.

I thought about having this word around the house, as a reminder of how important is to know the things we want. Sometimes I forget that I'm a proud an lucky mother to an amazing healthy and happy boy. I've always wanted to be a mother, since I can remember that was my first priority, to go through the incredible journey of creating a little baby. So I made this little installation to keep focus, and realize that I've accomplished one of my most important dreams.

The sign with the word desiderata was a gift from my dear friend Ivette. She asked her brother Felipe to make it on his workshop. Now I have your art in one of my walls, this adds so much to the project, your time, a photo from a rainy day and love. Thanks guys, you are amazing.

La Petite Galerie

My boy is turning six this month. Every year we make a little party at his school. We celebrate with other kids, this way the mom's get a little less "crazy" with all the organizing and decorating. I'm always in charge of this last part, since I already had the kid's illustrations (from last year's party), I decided to make a "Petite Galerie" theme.

An important factor was budget, always this word, but seriously it doesn't has to be expensive to be fun. I used some basic A4 paper and I made a design using this awesome frames from outside the line. I printed a dotted pattern on the back, added a little crayon (from a chinese shop) and sealed with a little transparent label. To make it a theme I called my local printer and ordered A3's that we used as place mats.

I suggested we had donuts instead of a cake (since they are six kids, and every one wanted to blow their own candle). They agreed and I went for some at a local store.

The kids liked it very much, in every invite there was one empty frame, so they could draw their own portrait. We had lots of sugar and fun. And on a budget!.

A big thank you to all the moms on the organizing committee.

Photography & Artwork: Elli O.

A Little Princess

This year started with lots of new projects and beautiful news, our dear friends Ainara & Iñigo are going to be parents of a lovely girl!. The little princess is going to be named Nerea. We celebrated with a dinner party at Marie's where her husband, Jonan, cooked for us a delicious meal (you are awesome hosts, thank you!).

I was in charge of all the decorations, here's a list of some of the things that made a cute ambient for our dinner honoring baby Nerea:

1. Marie's gorgeous table cloth, made by her sister.
2. Pink and white pom-poms, made of tissue paper.
3. Signs on card holders.
4. A "Tree of life" made with an artificial plant and some words attached to the leaves with tiny wood clips.
5. Bear moneybox for little notes with messages for Nerea.

Photography: Elli O.

Best wishes...

We are so lucky, we've been chosen to be the audience of so beautiful acts. The sunrise, the aurora borealis, the music, the lightnings, the snow, the wind, the colors…

I wish you all a beautiful and spectacular new act in this gorgeous play called life.

Here's a good song to welcome a year. Gathering Stories by Jónsi from the movie We Bought A Zoo.

"Our kid zigs.

 
Opens doors


Over the doors


I am alive"…

Jónsi

Funny Lady

Loving Kristen Wiig's photo session for this month's cover of Paper Magazine. This girl had me at hello, it's not just about Bridesmaids (that she co-wrote and started), it's her style, her talent (she acts, she writes, she sings!).

Above all, what I admire is her ability to make us laugh, I mean, yesterday I was feeling kind of down, I watched this skit and laughed so hard that I almost cried. We need to laugh more, is healthy.

Tank top by ADAM Basics, skirt and shoes by Marc Jacobs

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JAKE CHESSUM
STYLED BY MARTHA VIOLANTE

Little Bird Whispers In My Ear...

This year has been about messages, we've had a pretty hectic one, lots of changes. But I guess that everything has happened in order to give us the courage to take those steps that could get us into a happier life, accept challenges, make decisions and actually do things.

Top 5 messages taken from this year events:

1. You need to give love to receive love.
2. Budget is not a bad word.
3. Give time and you'll get happiness back.
4. Even in loss we find strength.
5. You are beautiful.

I love words, so I take some and save them for a rainy day. I love to dress them with nice typography, print or e-mail them. I'd like to believe that for every message there's a little bird that whispers in my ear, even if there are bad news.

Here are some of the words for this season, you can download them here if you like.

I'm looking forward to this new year, hopefully we'll get to grow and learn as much as we did this one. I hope you have a very happy celebration with your family and friends.

Photography: Elli O.
Art: Elli O.

After Tattoo

So in love with this photo shoot of Noomi Rapace for December's issue of BlackBook magazine. Noomi has been recognized internationally because of her incredible portray of the female character of last decade, Lisbeth Salander, in the Millenium trilogy.

After that transformtaion, which I found compelling, she now has moved on. She looks so chic and stylish, I'm looking forward to see more of her work.

Photography: Yu Tsai
Styling: Brad Goreski

WURM It Up

I'm not only in love with this app, but so thankful too. Anna O. alias @tirelessweaver created a beautiful and awesome platform that enables anyone to be an "artist", sort of say.

Lover of patterns, as she declares, made available brushes and editable settings that give endless possibilities. I'm still learning to use it, but have already made like 20 canvas.

The other thing I like is that it randomly picks the brush, canvas background, colors and transparency, so every tap it's a new adventure (you can edit the settings every time you like). Here are some images of my "art", I did most of them during our road trip (of almost 11 hours).

Via Featured by cg.
Art: Elli O. on WURM App

Look Up

And enjoy the view. I'm amazed by the beautiful colors in the sky, this place is a little remote, so we get to see lots of open spaces. Every day we have different tones and shades. I love it. Here are some images of what I have seen...

Photos: Elli O.

Here Comes the Sun

We scheduled a week off to come to Almería. Since we arrived we've had beautiful and sunny days. We make pancakes in the morning and spend the day having long walks or visiting the towns nearby.

Time is the most precious thing we take from this trips, the amount we spend together, laughing, holding hands, kissing.

We cook every day together in the kitchen, Ander keeps running and playing with his cousin. It's lovely.

Things I love so far:
1. The Sun.
2. Kids running on their way to the swimming pool.
3. Having a cup of tea while I watch the sunset from my balcony.
4. Kids pretending they are zombies.
5. The beautiful patterns everywhere.
6. Work a little outside with a cool breeze.

We drive all those long hours, … Is to see this two have fun in their little adventure. Ander and our niece are having a blast!.

Here's the song of this trip. The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun

Photos: Elli O.

There's Something About Michelle

That captivates an audience. At only 31 she's already an acclaimed actress. What I like the most of her is her focus and determination into conveying complex emotions through the characters she plays.

I've been waiting for December's issue of ELLE Magazine UK for a while. Since I saw the behind the scenes I was eager to see the photos and read the article. I've finally got the digital issue (¿How amazing is that it's available for iPhone too?). I loved the article by Jenny Dickinson, I read it over and over before I go to sleep.

Michelle has been featured in every interview and magazine because of her critically acclaimed portray of the one and only Marilyn Monroe in My Week With Marilyn.

I admire this girl's style, professionalism and above all, her dedication as a Mom without compromising her passion for her work.

Article: Jenny Dickinson
Photography: Alexei Hay
Fashion: Leith Clark
Artwork: Lisa Rahman

Wedding Day

Love and distance. I know that story.

My beloved friend Val got married on the 11th, I couldn't make it, I already knew that but still I was sad. But not for long, she posted a couple of photos (just a preview of her photo session) and I could see not only happiness but a sweet mood.
They where shot in local places, streets of town (they wed in Puerto Vallarta). They are very casual but unique. Just like them.

Love and distance... Val has to move as I did, she and I have some similar stories. I love you my sweet angel. 

Photography: Paulina Ulloa
Dress: Cymbeline

Here's a little song I wish I had danced at my wedding, when I heard it I could relate to the story, as when we get lost we usually find ourselves. This happened to both husband and me, he found me across the ocean, I found myself in this journey. Love and distance...

Find Yourself by Brad Paisley.