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

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

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.

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

Cover Up

A couple of years ago I started redecorating our living room. We were focused in creating a studio, so we painted, I bought a couple of desks and bookshelfs and got started. As always we had a low budget, so I got everything from IKEA.

The thing is that in order to be affordable they have very specific colors. I bought a couple of NILS chairs with a green cover. It wasn't the look I would prefer but it was fine by then, the first phase was completed.

Time went by and I bumped into Bemz, a design shop of style covers for IKEA furniture, ¡quite a discovery!. After some time selecting and picturing how they would look, I picked three styles.
One of the cool things about Bemz is that you can ask for samples, for free!. As soon as they arrived and saw them I knew what I wanted. The other thing I considered was the fact that they all are machine washable.

A very important thing to keep in mind is that no matter how beautiful something is for your room you have to be able to clean it easily.

I picked this cute baby, from the Marimekko selection. Beautiful. I got it within four weeks from the day I ordered. I was a little nervous with the pattern, as for the windows I already have a pattern from Emma Jeffs's lovely Otto window film. But  I think it works just fine.

Finally to add some color I put a yellow cushion from Zara Home. The whole studio changed with just a couple of details, I'm really happy with it.

Photos: Elli O.

Champagne Thursday

Photo: Paramount Pictures

When I heard about Champagne Thursday in a movie, I fell in love with the idea of having champagne just because.

The first time we had a champagne day was to celebrate our lovely Marie's big promotion. We got together just to toast, it was spontaneous and nice. We sat on the floor, Ander was playing behind the sofa, husband on his computer.

So here's my proposal, get together with your lovely friends and have wine or champagne, celebrate you adore each other, laugh and talk. Make it a regular thing, it's fun and you mess up a little with routine.

We just had one last week. Here's how we did it:

Champagne Thursday:
1. Make some invitations and drop them on your friend's mailbox, it's lovely to get more than just bills and advertising. Here's a template, add date and time and print.
2. Have some appetizers, we usually have cheese and olives. This time Marie made a delicious pizza dip. Thanks love.
3. Have champagne, friendship is an excellent excuse to celebrate, it deserves a good glass of bubbly. This was courtesy of Katy.
4. Dress up, put on that cute cocktail dress that's in your closet.

1. Champagne Glasses by Tanya Streeter for Habitat
2. Panda Chocolate Fondue €18,00
3. Mini Spindle Tea Light Holder € 13,70

Here's a little song that can set the mood for your Champagne Thursday. More for the rhythm than for the lyrics, I love it. Sara Bareilles Gonna Get Over You. Cheers!

Photo: Elli O.

Nice to meet you

Meetings are like dates for me, as I close most of my deals online or by the phone I get pretty excited when I actually meet someone in person. Here's how I prepare:

Outfit:
My signature color is black, I try to add contrast with some bright tones in accesories, shoes or like in this case lips. For this look I used this gorgeous Joli Rouge by Clarins.
One of my favorite outfits lately: black pants, high heels, striped blouse. My favorite buy from summer, this jacket, love the detailed shoulders, super cute!, plus it works with some jeans and flats too (for a more urban look).

Gadgets I take:
iPhone (old but still works), Macbook Air (super like, beautiful and problem solver) + lovely Kaos sleeve by Tous, USB Flash Drive (husband just bought me a 32 GB new baby).

Have some pretty cards made, even if you aren't a freelancer it's nice to give your number on a card instead of a napkin. I made mine at moo, they are affordable and you can make some pretty things if you are creative. I made 3 styles, one for my Creative Shop, one for friends and one for "thank you".

My picks to complete a meeting look:
1. Kate Spade Rainspot Laptop Sleeve € 44,00
2. Swarovski Bunny USB Pearly Red €79,00
3. Swarovski Crystalline USB Pen White Pearl €65,00

Photo: Elli O.

La paloma que une a más de cien

EL proyecto 31Mil Retratos por la Paz llegó a Bilbao a través de "La Zapoteca", la paloma de papel que Diego Huerta creó para representarle en Europa.

Moritz Bernoully fue el primero en recibirla, en Rotterdam. Moritz comenzó, junto con "la Zapoteca", la distribución del mensaje de Diego: “el deseo de la paz en México, por medio de retratos de personas de su localidad”. Se la llevó de viaje por Polonia, para luego enviarla a Euskadi desde Frankfurt.

De la mano del fotógrafo Lucho Rengifo, he tenido el privilegio de aportar algo a este proyecto tan extraordinario. La experiencia ha sido magnífica. Es un proyecto en toda regla: tuvimos reuniones de gestión y planificación. La disponibilidad nos marcó dos fechas en el calendario y luego planificamos rutas que cotejamos con amigos.

19.09.2011

Quedamos a las 5 de la tarde en el Restaurante Atlanta, donde mi querida amiga Katy nos invitó a un café. Así pudimos planificar la ruta y la mecánica. ¡Listos!.
La ruta empezaba a las 6. A menos cuarto empezamos a montarlo y a hacer pruebas en el parque de Doña Casilda, al lado del Museo de Bellas Artes de Bilbao. Aquí estábamos Lucho, Esteban y yo. Y llegan Toribio y Adrián, que nos acompañaron por todo el recorrido, ambos hablando con la gente e invitando a "posar" por la paz. ¡Gracias!

Llegó el momento. Yo estaba muy nerviosa. ¡Respira…! y a empezar: "¡Hola!, ¿te apetece hacerte un retrato por la paz en México?". Con esta frase me acercaba a la gente, que sinceramente fue muy amable. La mayoría se tomaban al menos el tiempo de escuchar. ¡Gracias!

A este sitio llegó Adriana, mexicana también, y muy entusiasta. trajo a unos cuantos a posar, además de su encantadora familia. ¡Gracias Guapa!

Suena mi móvil. Arantza me llama desde el Guggen: "¡ya tengo a todo el parque preparado!", me dijo. “¡Vamos hacia allí!”, y sí que tenía al parque preparado. Por Aran hicimos la foto con los músicos, quienes ya estaban listos. ¡Gracias!

En este sitio me topé con un grupo de turistas mexicanos. Cuando me acerqué con mi frase, me dicen: "¡Somos de México!". "¡Yo también", les respondí. ¡Un abrazo de grupo!. Fue muy bonito esto, en especial para mí. Yo soy de abrazos, no lo puedo evitar.
Luego a poner un tweet: "Estamos en el Guggenheim". ¡Madre mía!, cómo tarda mi móvil en publicar.

A mis espaldas siento que hay una persona, es Diego. Otro abrazo, por hacerte la foto, y por tu apoyo en twitter. ¡Gracias!.

Luego a la pasarela. Aquí un grupo de amigos de Lucho, y más gente. Aquí me topé con Giovanna, otra mexicana que vive aquí, y lo mismo: “¡somos de México!”, “¡yo también!”. Más fotos con su preciosa hija y sus amigos de Xalapa, que estaban de visita. Aquí llega mi marido, me ayuda a cargar la bolsa de la lámpara (que pesaba un poco). ¡Gracias!

“¡Al Zubizuri!”. Ya empezaban a desmontar, y vi a una señora a la que no sé por qué sentí que debía preguntar. Me dijo…"¿por México? ¡claro!", es un sitio muy especial para mi. Nos acompañó un poco y estuvo hablando conmigo, compartiendo su historia. ¡Gracias!.

Otros amigos de Lucho, y más gente que aceptaba posar. ¡Gracias!

Ultima parada: Teatro Arriaga. ¡A montar el equipo!. Más gente se acerca. Un inglés me dice, "¿For peace?. For peace, everything!". ¡Gracias!

Ver álbum: Plaza Euskadi, Guggenheim, Zubizuri-Arriaga.

26.09.2011

Esta vez me acompañaba Ander. Amama no puede quedarse con él. "Hijo, tenemos que hacer los retratos por la paz". ¿Lo del video de Diego?", me pregunta. "¡Sí!", #LaPazComienzaCreyendo.

Quedamos en El Willows de Las Arenas, mi sitio favorito. “¡Un té de rooibos, vainilla y fresas, por favor!”. Aquí empezamos la sesión. La camarera fue la primera, no sin antes ir a por su camiseta que pone "je t'aime". ¡Gracias!

Al Puente Colgante. Suena mi móvil. Es Fernan: “¡ya estoy aquí!”. Le veo. “¡Un abrazo!”. Alguien me toca el hombro, es Cristina que está a mis espaldas y me dice: “¡ya estamos listos!”: con ella sus encantadores hijos (Gorka, Iñigo y Kerman), su tía y su madre. Fer y Cris se quedaron un rato acompañándonos, hablando con viandantes y ayudando. ¡Gracias!

A empezar… "¡Hola!, ¿te apetece hacerte un retrato por la paz en México?". La gente responde y empezamos a hacer unos cuantos retratos. Me acerco a un chico que parece extranjero. Viene con su hija. "¿English?", le pregunto. Me dice: "yes but spanish too". Empezamos a hablar y le explico. Me dice que sí que se hace la foto. Es de Australia y vive aquí. "Una muy buena amiga vive allí!, le digo. Me pregunta: "¿Dónde?". "En Perth", le respondo". "¡Yo soy de ahí!" me dice, “qué coincidencia”. (¡Saludos Mayo!).

Llegan mi amiga Vanessa, su hermosa hija, sus hermanas y su sobrino. ¡A hacerse la foto!. ¡Gracias!

Llegan mi suegra, nuestra buena amiga Lali y mi sobrina Sofía. ¡Una foto más!. De mis favoritas, ¡claro!: Ander tiene en sus manos a "La Zapoteca".

¡Al Muelle!. Más fotos. Me salta un mensaje. Es Maite: "¿dónde estáis?". Viene con su familia. ¡Bien!, dos fotos más: la de ella y y la de Alessandro. ¡Gracias!

“¿Tú eres Firelli?”, me pregunta una pareja. "Sí", respondo. Somos los padres de María (Le Marie, mi gran amiga). Un par de fotos más, ¡gracias!

Me acerco a una pareja. Aceptan hacerse la foto. son Carmen y Mikel, quién muestra mucho interés y nos dice que es un blogger, y que piensa publicar un post sobre el proyecto. Le dimos una invitación, nos hizo preguntas, fotos y un par de vídeos. ¡Gracias!

Más tarde llegan Eva y una amiga. “¡Cuánto tiempo sin vernos!”. ¡Gracias!

Luego cambio de plan: vamos a la plaza del metro. Nuevo tweet. De camino suena mi móvil. Es Marie: ¡ya voy para allá!. Junto con ella, Jonan y dos amigos más. La última de la noche, Ianire (hermana de Marie), que vino en bici desde Leioa para hacerse la foto. ¡Gracias!

Ver álbum: Las Arenas Getxo.

Las palabras con las que me quedo de esta aventura: Creer, Paz, Hola, Gracias. Los nombres: Josu, Katy, María, Lucho, Esteban, Endika. En este mes han sido mi apoyo. Me han enseñado tanto… De todo corazón, ¡gracias por tolerarme!.

A Diego y Dany: el proyecto atrae a más gente porque está muy bien pensado y desarrollado. Ustedes lo han tomado con la seriedad que requiere. Han creado unas palomas hermosas, nos han invitado de una forma preciosa a movernos y actuar, luchar por lo que es importante. Nos han unido más como personas, sin importar nuestro lugar de nacimiento. Eso es muy especial. Les agradezco infinitamente haberme permitido participar, y les hago formalmente la invitación a Berango Beach (no es beach, así le digo de cariño, como "motivación" a la visita). Aquí tienen su humilde casa. Serán bienvenidos.

A todos los que se hicieron la foto, los que me escucharon, por su tiempo y su sonrisa...

Fotografía: ©Lucho Rengifo
Arte: Elli O. 

Rue Magazine

Open publication - Free publishing - More fashion

Found out about this gorgeous magazine through an interview to Megan Knight Gonzalez. I loved her studio and made a post about it. This magazine has become in one of my must reads, and it introduced me to the wonderful Bri Emery, which I think, emanates a very positive attitude about design and style, work and the challenges of life. Love to read her Design Love Fest. Love, what a wonderful philosophy of work, life.

MaeMae

I'm currently adding some details to my studio, hopefully I can come with an inspirational board (quite a task 'cause of the lack of space). As I was reading Megan Gonzalez's blog I found photos of an article for a magazine (post later) featuring her gorgeous studio. I believe that to be creative you have to start with your own work space.

Awe

Learning lessons in the appreciation of beauty through the soul. Amazing and inspiring story from a lovely woman that shares with us her passion for motherhood. The Nienie Dialogues by Stephanie Nielson.

I personally had a laugh with the picture on the Ninie asks of this post, because I happen to find our living room like that pretty often (with only one kid, that's the amazing thing, his ability to work for two).

Just in time

For some Holiday planning, this year's christmas mood is starting to show. I was so happy to see that Ez from Creature Comforts launched Gifted, a beautiful magazine with lots of freebies and DIY projects. A true labor of collaboration and talent.

Open publication - Free publishing - More christmas

Via Twig & Thistle

Rebuild and Reborn

Sometimes I make myself believe I'm not able to create things with my own hands anymore. I've been working for so long behind my computer that I forget the magical feeling of shaping something, creating a lovely box from a piece of paper or ironing prints into fabric, I don't do those things as often as I used to.

I found this gorgeous episode from a talented group of women, Spruce Upholstery, they are launching a tv pilot and I loved it. They rebuild furniture into unique amazing pieces, when they explain some of the process in this video they tell how we can preserve some old structures and give them a new look. For me this is kind of a motivational profession, as you need a lot of patience and dedication into one piece at the time, so inspirational.

I truly enjoyed this videos, made me want to sew, lets hope I can manage to stick to this task and do it.

Process: Upholstery with Spruce Home from Etsy on Vimeo.

Via Design Sponge

Melissa Chaib

Mexican illustrator (from Monterrey, ¡yei! homeland) has a fun and free style in her pieces. Her work and clever statements made my day.

As I read her diary I get her fearless attitude, love her work and her thoughts. Another artist to follow.

Via Here Name Was Lola

In good company

I love to see when design and charity come along and bring people together for fun and a purpose.

As I started reading about Ashley Ann's book party I felt so inspired to keep looking for charitable messages to spread through design. She did an amazing project that required time, dedication, but mostly a charity objective: to donate children's books for The Joyful Life Library, more about this project after the jump.





Here are some pics of her party, loved the invitations, the popcorn boxes, the tags for kids to fill so that they directly give the book.

Her blog is amazing, I found immersed in all her initiatives, she's a dedicated mom, and a conscientious one, 'cause one of the things I look the most in people is the responsibility of teaching kids our place in the world, our humanity, our ability to help.

The Joyful Life Library



After I saw all the pictures and read all the party details I clicked on the gorgeous logo por this cause. And truly found it admirable.

This project came after loss, Heather from blessed little nest, shared the story of her little Samuel, who passed at 6 weeks old. I can't imagine to overcome something like that, she's been able to share it and invite everyone to honor life, through acting. Thank you Heather.

via poppytalk

Focus II

I have to accept that one of my most beloved distractions is the appreciation of other designer's work.

Mostly women, I spend most of my afternoons listening to music, and enjoying so delightful stories from this girls, they share so much through their pieces.

Tea and art, it's practically narcotic.

Since I've been collecting this blogs for a while I'll post this three at once.

Blanca Gómez
With so little, shapes and color she can project so much.


Suz Sánchez
Blown away by her patterns of life.


Verónica de Arriba
Gorgeous characters we meet through paper, necklaces and all sort of materials.


All this gals are spanish, two of of them from Bizkaia, which makes me so happy, I used to meet artists through friends at exhibitions (back in my city), now I'm happy that I keep on finding them through other channels, but still can enjoy their work and purchase it. So motivating, to see, share ... to be.

Hands as instrument

When I go to art exhibitions, and stare at beautiful paintings or sculptures I feel so thankful for being able to show a litlle of what my thoughts are in a decent way.

Back in the days, artists were experts in several techniques, from drawing, painting, shaping, all with natural elements and their mind wide open.

Now for designers like me, its possible to translate some clients ideas into images, with taste and clever shape picks, because of the help of software.

But we still can find amazing and truly breathtaking design, that can be called art.

Irma Gruenholz's beautiful clay illustrations are amazing, the combination of materials create gorgeous environments.

via netdiver

Emerging

My last post was about nature at rage, claiming its right to flow through what now became concrete structures on the way of what once was the path for water to flow.

My beloved Monterrey has been punished by a disaster, fortunately human losses were minimal, but the city has collapsed and has a lot of material damage.

Even if we are far there are ways to help, through our family and friends. Even through art, because this is happening to fast, our planet is starting to complain about all the exceeds of humans. Today is in one place far, tomorrow it could be near.

Diego Huerta made a series of photos about this particular disaster, there are breathtaking, a testimony of what happened through damage and people. Because one of our proudest treasures is our people, so many of them poor, but happy.

Thank you Diego for this gesture. And thank you to all who are there helping, thank you to those gorgeous kids that made of some pictures a statement: Let's rise, we can do it.

Via Mayola's mail

Click here to see all the pictures.

Es el momento...

De regalar momentos. Después de un desastre natural, de vernos a salvo, de contactar con los nuestros y dar abrazos... gracias.

Un momento, para observar, ¡estoy bien! ¿y mi familia?

Un momento, miro por la ventana, los echo de menos, ¿y yo qué puedo hacer?


Un momento y actuar, hay mucho que hacer, ser voluntario es posible, es solo eso, un momento...

Y ahora quedan trozos, el vehículo serán los pies, un momento para meditar, ¿qué hemos hecho de nuestra ciudad?

Un momento y actuar.