Our Designed Life.

Did you know?

monialicia — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:42:02 +0000

Our designed life has moved! If you have found yourself here from a click, odds are you’ve got an old link. So please, refresh those bookmarks and rss feeds, we are now over at www.ourdesignedlife.com

Time for a change

monialicia — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:21:07 +0000

Why hello ladies and gents, how is your week going so far? I have some news for you today, I have decided to give Our Designed Life a little facelift, and boy does it need it. When I first started the blog, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t understand really how to post let alone design a layout. A year has come and gone and thanks to you loyal readers my humble little blog is a success! For the time being posting will be a little light as I am working on a totally new look for the blog. The goal, one month. One month to have a new look, new features, new giveaways and a new server. But I will be back! Promise.

You can still keep up with all my shenanigans on Twitter and I will keep the links and weekend shots going over on Facebook too

And do stop by and check out my daily photos as I will be keeping that going for some daily inspiration.

Thanks to all of you again and see you in a few weeks!

{{photo by Monica Alicia for our designed life}}

Etsy Top 3 Tuesday

monialicia — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 17:46:40 +0000

Happy Tuesday everyone. Its time for a little stroll through Etsy. Shall we….

First up are the darling designs from Carambatack Design. Each piece is created by Annette Mangseth from Norway, and has a one of a kind feel. Prints, original illustrations and ACEO (art, cards, editions and originals) kept me clicking and clicking, I just love them all. And if you fell in love with Annette’s shop, stop by her Flickr photostream where you can find her paper and crafts, carved stamps and tons of drawings.

Now this next shop is geared more toward the little guys and gals. More and more of my friends are having babies, and its important to give your little one a colorful place to lay their little heads. Barking Bird Art has cute and colorful creations designed by Rebecca from Portland Oregon. These are sure to make that kiddo smile and stimulate creativity.

And last but certainly not least are the designs over at Maryink. I am a total tee shirt and jeans kind of girl, but its so hard to find something that is age appropriate and worthy of wearing. I could so see myself in these shirts, and most are 100% organic cotton so you know they feel fantastic! Each shirt is created using found vintage items, original illustrations, clip art and photography and are then printed by hand. And, everything in the store is on sale!

And the winner is

monialicia — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:48:26 +0000

The lucky winner of the CardsInk giveaway is Megan F. She will receive 10 cards of her choice from CardsInk. Megan, check your email, and congratulations. And a thank you everyone who played!

Who’s up for a trip?

monialicia — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:35:17 +0000

Happy Friday everyone. I hope the week flew by for you. Or you were at least able to stay dry and warm. I suppose I am in a bit of a “let’s just go somewhere” phase that had me checking out cute and affordable hotels around the country. If you are looking for a place to lay your little head out in New York, check out The Pod Hotel. At rates under $100 during the week and $140 for the weekend, its definitely worth a glance. Located in Midtown this trendy budget friendly place has fun rooms with “hip, convenient and personalized accommodations” and has a lovely outdoor dining terrace. The goal this year, to make it back out to NY!

Staying with friends? Re live your early years with these fun bunk beds and stay up late watching your personal t.v!

And apparently the rooms inspire slumber parties, photo opts, serious hair flipping and jumping on the bed. Now that’s my kind of room!

All photos via The Pod Hotel

Tumblr Thursday

monialicia — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:32:03 +0000

Time for some Tumblr Thursday inspiration don’t you think? Perhaps its the lack of sunshine here in my little corner of the globe, but bright pops of color seem to be the running theme this week… although isn’t it pretty much there every week!? Anyway, the work week is almost over and I don’t know about you, but I just want to escape into some of these shots. That little orange chair there, me want.

All photos from Tumblr, please click each photo for the link and credit.

Who said shoes have to be put away in a dark and gloomy closet! Loving these little guys on a little shelf, besides for as much we us gals pay for footwear, we better treat them like art!

Happy Thursday!

Have you heard?

monialicia — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:03:03 +0000

If you follow me on Twitter or are a fan on Facebook, you are very aware of my newest little project. And if you don’t, well, come on, what are you waiting for. Just kidding, sort of. Anyway, I wanted to share with you all that I started Project 365, a photo a day project that will take me through the year. To date I have 16 shots (I started a little late and didn’t make it for a Jan. 1st start), some of them I love, some I shot just to shoot. Sometimes it happens, what can I say. Just scroll up to the top and click the tab “Photo of the Day” to see what I am up to.

And if you are interested in starting your own Project 365 I highly recommend it as well as joining in on the fun over at Project 365′s Flickr group with over 16,000 folks all showing their best of the day.

Currently crushing on…

monialicia — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 19:37:33 +0000

I think everyone has that list of items that if given the chance would snatch up in an instant. Sadly for me, its all still a dream, but if I won the lotto, I would splurge on these lovely little things to fill my place. Besides, its always nice to look! And with that, a few items my heart would flutter over.

1. Forest Glasses 2. Bird Nest Place Card Holders 3. Droplet Fruit Bowl 4. Ella Canisters

1. Self Watering Planters 2. Driftwood Garland 3. Round About Planter (I just got this delivered, I love it!)4. Button Love Cushion

1.Kenneth Cole Un-Beweavable 2. Winter Aconite Tote 3. Treasured Trinkets Necklace 4. Laureate Headband

Etsy Top 3 Tuesday

monialicia — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:39:30 +0000

Its Tuesday and you know what that means! Etsy Top 3 Tuesday!

First up is a little shop filled with adorable little sketches. Flapper Doodle, run by artist Kate Gabrielle from New Jersey, is loaded with little doodles of “Eloise and Ramona” out on the town and strutting their stuff. Be sure to check out her whole collection, they are darling and if you are crunching your pennies these days, don’t fret, Kim is offering a fantastic little deal. Now until 1/21, all her 4×6 mini doodles are only $1! So please browse and buy… a few of these little guys would make a darling little collection. Just saying! And check out Kate’s blog to stay up to date on all things Eloise.

Next up is the talented Geninne from Geninne’s Art Store. Now, Geninne is no stranger here on the blog, her work was also featured here, as well as this totally helpful video she shot on making a rubber stamp. Can I just say, after watching the video, it inspired me to start making my own! Anyway, her shop is just filled to the brim with colorful images that are just begging to make a new home for your walls. And do check out her blog for amazing inspiration and shots from her hometown in Mexico City.

And rounding out what seemed to be an all art Tuesday is Yellena‘s colorful shop. You know me and my love for all things color, Yellena has an amazing eye for detail and patterns. Organic and whimsical shapes must fill her brain to get these little masterpieces. And she doesn’t stop at prints and paintings. Check out her amazing light fixtures for School House Electric, they are divine!

I might just have to snatch up “Spore” (above right). I seriously heart it.

A CardsInk Giveaway!

monialicia — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 18:13:56 +0000

Happy Monday and Martin Luther King Jr day to everyone. Hope most of you have the day off, and if not, hope today is at least quite and productive! Boy do I have a treat for you today, anyone up for a little giveaway?? That’s right, CardsInk, a sweet little card shop filled with designs submitted by readers just like you, have come up with a pretty swell little giveaway for all the Our Designed Life readers. Yay! CardsInk will generously gift 10 cards to one lucky reader (and you get to pick which 10!), to enter it couldn’t be simpler. Scroll down for the details.

To enter the CardsInk giveaway, there are several ways you have a chance to win.

*Hop on over to CardsInk and check out their SHOP FOR CARDS section. Come back here and let me know what design(s) you would pick should you be the lucky one. 1 entry

*Check out the VOTE FOR CARDS section and vote. Come back here and tell me what you voted on. 1 entry

*Tweet it out to the masses. Be sure to include @Ourdesignedlife so I can see it, and come back here and leave a separate comment. 1 entry

*Become a fan of Our Designed Life on Facebook. Come back here and leave a comment letting me know. Already a fan? Just let me know in the comment, that totally counts! 1 entry

The winner will be chosen using Random.org, you must come back to Our Designed Life and leave separate comments to be eligible. Contest will close Sunday, January 24th at 8 pm, Pacific Standard Time. There are 4 possible entries per person. Contest is open to US residents only.

And a HUGE thank you to CardsInk!