Love. Obsess. Inspire.

Obsess: Paintings by Joanna Kustra

I thought the overall feel of this project by Joanna Kustra went well with the feel of today's giveaway post.

Announcement: New "Just For You" Weekly Giveaway Series!

Hi All! With the addition of some new fabulous series, the month of September promises to be a very exciting time here at Love. Obsess. Inspire.! My favorite of these new additions is our "Just For You" giveaway series! Each week a different artist's work will be featured on the site and you will be given a chance to enter and win their donated item! 

To start this series off on the right foot, we have set-up a full week of giveaways! And that's not all, following this celebratory week we will also be featuring a new giveaway on Wednesday and Friday until the end of September! So let's get started with our first giveaway of the week, featuring these beautiful and dramatic Rose Earrings from Bohemian Whimsey!

The details, there are three ways to enter: 

1. Visit each sponsors shop, snoop around, and then come back to post your favorite item including the link. Please, one entry per person.

2. Post about this giveaway on your blog by either linking to Love.Obsess.Inspire or by post the banner above! Please then come back and leave a comment with a link to your post.

3. Twitter about the giveaway! Please then come back, leave a comment and a link to your twitter!

Lastly, our one very lucky winner will be announced on the morning of Monday, September 7, 2009! So good luck and get posting :)

I have fallen in love with these sweet illustrations from Chachke Designs! Sarah, the artist behind Chachke Designs, is a stay-at-home mom with an Interior Design degree and as you can see has a real passion, not to mention talent for designing kids' party graphics.

Obsess: Enter to Win at Simple Blueprint

As many of you may already know, I am obsessed with the blog, Simple Blueprint. The author Joanna has the most wonderful finds and is always adding new features to her blog. So I was beyond ecstatic when she announced her new bi-weekly giveaway series. 

This week starts the second giveaway of the series and I couldn't be more excited to have a change to enter to win this visual novel created by SEEK. Below, is a sneak peek of layouts from the book. Make sure to visit Simple Blueprint to enter to win!

P.S. Will Love.Obsess.Inspire. be starting a new weekly giveaway series of its own? Check back in tomorrow ;)

NEW WEEKLY SERIES!!

I must confess... I am a recovering shopaholic (well sort of) and though I am working on taming my "Rebecca Bloomwood" within, I still get the weekly urge to venture over to Etsy and go on a full out shopping spree. 

This is why I am so excited to announce the new series, Weekend Window Shopping! Instead of reconnecting with my dear friend Visa, I will be featuring Etsy artist and the products I "can't live without, but have to for the time being." 

So I hope you enjoy each find and if you happen to purchase an item from one of the featured shops, let me know (it will be like I am shopping through you, whoohoo)!

From left to right: Owl Music Babies (Mimi Shop), Firebird Hair Slide (Ifa Bird), My Lovely Ladie Paper Cut-Outs (Paper Cut Die Cuts), Single Boo-boo Kitty Stress Doll (Kitty Baby Love), Halloween Egg People (Asher Jasper Shop)

Love to Love- Whitney from Darling Dexter

One of my favorite features on Love.Obsess.Inspire. are the dialogues with fellow bloggers. I love being able to reach beyond a post and begin to see the person behind the great finds. Each person I interactive with becomes something of an inspirational figure and Whitney from Darling Dexter is no exception... see for yourself!

Q #1: What are the 5 random things that make you, well you?

1) I'm terribly soft spoken and fairly shy.

2) I have the capability to not worry, at least that's what my husband says.

3) I'm probably one of the pickiest eaters you will ever meet.

4) I like to go to bed early and wake up before everyone else is up.

5) I'm restless -- I always need to have a new project or something along those lines going on in my life.

Q #2: You blog, Darling Dexter, is an a daily source of inspiration for so many of us, what inspired you to start blogging?

I had just graduated college, got my first job as a graphic designer, and moved into an apartment with my now husband -- I was looking for a way to connect with other creatives and to share the many design projects I had going on in my life. 

Q #3: I see that you are currently a graduate student at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), can you tell us more about your experience at SCAD and what you are pursuing as a degree? 

During my first job out of college as graphic designer I quickly realized it was not for me. The 9-5, sitting at a desk, office life completely drained me so I decided to take photography courses at a local arts center. One class led to another and I eventually decided to go back to school. SCAD offers a MA in photography which seemed perfect for me -- a short program that got be up to speed with different techniques. While at SCAD though I've ventured over to the Fashion department and am actually becoming torn as to whether I should focus my attention (and money!) between photo and fashion. There  could be more to come in that... :)

Q #4: What keeps you busy when you are not posting your amazing finds?  

Sewing, sewing, sewing. Taking photographs. Eating delicious meals that my husband makes me. Spend the weekends shoot weddings with my photography business, Oh, Darling!. And cuddling with my 5 year-old Bichon Frise.

Q #5: What are some of the things on your to-do list?

- Launch my own clothing line

- Expand my baking skills

- Visit old friends more often

- Move back to NYC for just awhile longer

- Then move back to my home state and buy a fixer-upper home in the mountains of NC

 

Q #6: When you see each word, what is the first thing that comes to your mind.

Picture Frame : urban outfitters -- I opted for one of their plastic wall photo holders -- I love it! I'm able to show off SO many photos without losing counter space.

Purple : fashion! I'm so into purple clothing right now.

Donkey : farm, I would love to live near one of those one day :)

Crafts : not enough time! so many crafts, so little money & time

Apple : golden delicous, my fav.

Postcard : Savannah -- you can't walk into a store here without running into a postcard rack

Q #7: If you were to press shuffle on your ipod, what are the first three songs?

I and Love and You - Avett Brothers

Flowers in the Windows - Travis

Silver Lining - Rilo Kiley

Last, but not least...

Q #8: At the moment, what are the three things you are in love with, obsessed with, and inspire you?

Sewing - I've always sewn but I've taken a few classes lately and really perfected my skills. It's so therapeutic and inspring

Large Format Photography - Though it can be a bit hefty and right now really hot in Savannah to lug around, I've really enjoyed learning how to use the 4x5 camera and it's endless capabilities.

Tumblr -- I don't post as much as I use to but I don't have to! There is so much inspiration flowing on that site

Bonus Question: Any advice, for people who are taking the plunge and starting their own blog? 

Be true to yourself. Blog about things you love and don't get caught up in trying to make it pleasing for others. I have to constantly remind myself of this. If I start looking at my reader stats or check to see how many comments I get -- I get lost in what it's not. For me, Darling Dexter is my little place online where I share my work, highlight people who are making cool things, and anything that sparks my interest. If I start thinking about it too much or try to make it more than what it is, I feel I'm not being genuine to me. 

P.S. Whitney has been kind enough to supply us with an original piece of artwork. If you would like, post a comment and magically an amazing piece of Whitney's work will be sent to your inbox ;)

Obsess: Sometimes Dark, But Always Beautiful

Sometimes dark, but always beautiful... illustrator Raphael Vicenzi knows how to enhance the meaning of each piece with simple words. 

Love: Mix It Up

One of my favorite sites for satisfying my sweet tooth is Bakerellla! This blog always has the most amazing treats, like these Cowgirl Cookies. Not only is the delicious recipe posted on the site, but included are instructions to make gifts for friends and family! I just love that!

Obsess: Bat of an Eye

Not only am I obsessed with the photographic works of Cem Kamaoglu, but I love how the detail of these funky eyelashes play just an important roll in this series.

Obsess: A Dash of Color

I am obsessed with Alexander Ovchinnlkov's delicate works and how each piece tells its own story. Not to mention, his sense of composition and ability to add a dash of color to complete a piece.