Showing posts with label inspired by.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspired by.... Show all posts

I have a GIRL CRUSH...


I have a huge girl crush on Kate Bosworth. I love her. A lot. I love her laid back, relaxed style and I do love her hair too. I also like that she repeats a bit of her clothing and clearly has her favourite items she wears again and again - just like a normal person. Case in point is the suede ankle boots she wears in 4 of the photos above. I actually just purchased a similar pair from big w. Here is how I plan to wear them - Kate Bosworth style:



KATE BOSWORTH STYLE



I'd pair my new boots with denim shorts and a slouchy top/jumper (it's a bit hot for jumpers at the moment here); a plain top, pretty skirt and bright necklace or with a simple black mid length dress. I'd probably wear a bright red lip to jazz things up a bit and some bright bracelets if I was feeling like it needed a bit more oomph (this would depend on my mood). I'd also pair it with a tan messenger bag or my current bag (I did a DIY for it). 

Do you have a girl crush at the moment? I have a number of them, and one massive boy crush, but that's a blog post for another day. 

tara louise. 

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A Short Film made with Instagram

I just came across this lovely little film by a Brazilian dude - Fernando Sanchez - called Summer Eleven. It was made entirely of instagram photos. It's pretty awesome. Take a look.


Summer Eleven / A short film made with Instagram from Fernandosanches.net on Vimeo.

What did you think? 

tara louise. 

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Purple. Floral. Blurred.



 Last weekend I bought myself a bunch of purple daisies at the farmers market. I started taking photos and found I liked the shades of purple and patterns they made when out of focus. I took some more. These were my favourites.


Super pretty if you ask me. 

Have a great weekend. 

tara louise. 











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Wake up your inner child.


I have just read this article about waking up your inner child and how it can be important to your every day life. 

Do something fun childlike today.

Here's a few fun/stupid things to make you giggle:

Jump in a puddle
Run through the rain
Roll down a grassy hill (this isn't as easy as when you were a child, but still fun!)
Blow bubbles
Pop some paper clips onto your nails and make creepy long claws
(If you eat cheezels/burger rings) pop them on your fingers like rings
Buy some hubba bubba and shove the whole pack in your mouth and try blow a super big bubble to cover your whole face.
Dack someone (I do this on a weekly basis! Not in public though)
Buy a pack of allen's lollies and pop the teeth ones over your real teeth
Buy some liquorice and leave a stick over your teeth for as long as you can and see how green you can get your teeth.
Make + eat fairy bread
Walk in shoes that are bigger than your own feet ( i like walking in my husband thongs - practical when i can't find mine but it makes me laugh coz I feel like a bit of a clown).
Dance like an idiot.
Pick some teeny tiny weedy flowers and give them to someone
Blow a raspberry on someone - preferably someone you know.

There's a few to get you started.
It makes me laugh just thinking of them all!

Kids are great. Release your inner child.

tara louise. 

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Treasure Yourself Project

I've realised over the past couple of weeks that when work is busy I completely lose the plot at home. I don't look out for what I'm eating, I don't exercise as much and all the housekeeping goes down the drain. I'm exhausted by the time I get home from work and can just about manage to plonk myself in front of the TV and grab some dinner. 


Enter the Treasure Yourself Project. 


I started the 8 week challenge last week and while at the moment it feels like  bit of a chore and just something else I have to do, i need to get out of my unmotivated funk and get stuck into it. The lovely and inspiring Lori Harding started it and it's really taken off. 




Last week was all about goal setting for the next 8 weeks and what we hope to achieve from it.

Here are my goals:





I would have liked to quit sugar for the 8 weeks, however I feel like if I cut out sugar I won't get to eat anything but fruit and veg. overly dramatic? yes. but that's whats going through my head. So I've decided to make a conscious effort to not eat as much sugar and not as much bread as I have been eating. I'm taking the more clean eating approach to things. 

I also want to get back into a better exercise regime and start yoga/pilates again. I have downloaded a number of apps on my phone and a fitness program to do each day but just haven't started yet. I'm using the excuse that it's too bloody cold at the moment (a stupid excuse i know because when i start to exercise i'll be warm. i know!). 

This week we are to get a vision board happening. I'm working on mine on pinterest and on my blackboard wall by my desk. I will post photos of this next week and will recap how my week has gone. 

Would you like to join in? There is a Facebook group you can join and Lori posts links to her blog posts from there too so you can keep updated!

Join in. It's great to look after yourself and really appreciate what you've got and what you're grateful for. 

tara louise. 



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2012 A/W collection

A super dooper quick post before I rush off to work this morning.

I really want to share my inspiration mood board thingy for my collection this Autumn/Winter for tara louise designs. .  I'm loving how unwintery it is - i'm clearly not ready for the colder months am i!? and well, when that's the case, why not brighten up cold wintery days with neons, pom poms, polka dots and geo prints.


bring on winter i say! 
bring it on.

tara louise. 

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1 million acts of kindness

Do you watch The Project on channel 10? If so you'll know what I'm harping on about. If not, then I shall explain.  Last night they did a feature on an organisation called 1Million Acts of Kindness. It's all about sharing the love and helping others out - making you feel good and the person/people you've helped out great too. I jumped onto their website and really want to take on their 8 week challenge. It's a free challenge which starts mid-May and they give you daily examples of how to be kind, such as letting someone in front of you when you're in a queue. I'm thinking of creating a team and basically want to know if you would like to be extra nice with me for 8 weeks. I think this is such a lovely idea and I'm keen to get moving on it.


I watched this video last night on the website and it's so cool. It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside and i seriously want to do this (i'm running the Gold Coast 10km marathon - wonder if they'd do this for me!! haha).



So are you into making people feel all warm and fuzzy? 


Would you like to make someone's day shine a bit brighter? 


If so, please head on over to my facebook page and show your interest by commenting on the post about this. 


tara louise.


PS. They also have a pinterest page.

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Follow the yellow brick road...

This week I've started feeling more normal and "with it" since we got back. 

The week we arrived is a distant memory and i barely remember anything that happened that week (jet lag + a cold/flu germy, asthma-y thing isn't a great combo! add to that the first days back to work and easter and I was screwed from the start really!).
The week before last I was in a complete daze and my brain was certainly not planted firmly in my head.

This week I feel like I'm getting back on top of things and making steps towards exciting changes for the future. 


 I went for my first run in ages (or maybe it was last week - not sure now! see it's all a daze) and went to zumba last night and while it was tough i didn't need my puffer once! Result!

I'm clearing out the house and doing a giant spring clean and letting go of a lot of crap.
It's feeling good.

I'm almost back. Not quite yet I don't think.
Seems like an eternity since we got back, but I'm getting there slowly.
I'm following my yellow brick road. 
One small step at a time, but I'm getting there. 

I'm going to print these images out too and create an inspiration board to keep in mind as I get too hung up on what other people are doing and their successes.



here's to new adventures

today

very true.

everythinglovely.tumblr.com

believe that.


These are all keeping me going and inspired.

I hope something in here can inspire you too or spur you on to try something different.

tara louise.

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Who irons in your house?


ironing


Good morning! (first up- i am still here, just not been very inspired to blog at the moment...apparently ironing has inspired me to do a post. say what!?)

 I have just finished reading this post by Melissa over at Suger Coat It about her aversion to ironing. We have this discussion quite often at work and at home.

 I work with my husband and I work with my dad. My mum has always ironed the whole family's clothes (but she's never been one of those people who irons hankies/sheets/undies) for as long as i can remember. She hates ironing and bitches and moans every sunday afternoon/night when it's time to iron dad's shirts for the week etc. Back in the day, about 3 years ago I suppose, my husband started working in the family business (LJ Hooker Currumbin on Currumbin Beachfront for those who need a real estate agent right about now - hows that for a plug!) and suddenly needed work shirts. I was the doting new-ish wife and ironed his shirts when I had the time and was free in the mornings. It comes up quite often in conversation how I used to do his shirts all the time and now I never iron his shirts. And no I don't iron his shirts anymore (I don't iron my own clothes unless i really really have to). And I know you're busting to find out why I don't iron his shirts anymore...or how I got out of it. He complained. I didn't iron his shirts well enough apparently. Fool! So as simple as that I never have to iron his shirts anymore. His mum washes and irons all his shirts now.

We were talking about this last week at work. Dad was saying how I should iron his shirts because mum's always done his. Amber who works with us, mentioned she irons her partners shirts whenever he needs them. My husband was having a little sulk and grump because I'm the only one who doesn't do them for him. Until they found out he complained. The consensus was, mate, if you complained, you're on your own!

My beliefs about anti-ironing are this:

- a good shake usually gets most creases out
- running your hand over gets the rest
-anything still remaining while drop out the longer you have it on your body (it's called gravity).

Me, a stepford wife? Not quite :)

Who irons in your household? Do you iron at all?

Now i'm off to go to work 
(and no i haven't ironed a thing this morning to get myself or my husband ready!).
Result!

tara louise. 


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Street Images: Graffiti or Art?

I think it depends which way you look at it.
I see it like this: Tags - graffiti. Pictures - art.

One thing I love about Europe is the street art. Berlin in particular has so much around with lots of artists in the one city.

Here is the best street art (and pretty graffiti) i found while wandering around the UK + Europe:


does it inspire you much?
it inspires me oodles. love it!

tara louise. 

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March 2012 Desktop Calendar

Here is this months calendar, inspired by this washi tape table.

Stripes + Candy colours.



I hope you like this one! 
I'm in love with next months calendar. So much, i kinda wish I could marry it.
Can't wait to post it next month. 

Please feel free to share this around with your friends, family, on your Facebook page on twitter or pin it on interest. 

Thanks a bunch! Have a great month. 

tara louise. 


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UK + Europe bound

I'm pretty excited (+ well stressed out) that the husband and I are off to travel around the UK and Europe for a month on Sunday. Apart from doing all the normal things you do when you get ready to travel - book flights, accommodation, research dairy free/vegan cafes in the places we're going (you know, because we all do this) - one of the other things that takes up a large majority of my organisation and time is spent on deciding what to take to wear.

I'm a fairly light traveller (on the way over anyway) and am getting better at this as i get older and travel more. This time I'm taking a suitcase (I've travelled with a backpack most times over the past few years) and a husband who is the opposite of a light packer (why wouldn't he need to take 32 shirts for a month long stay in brazil where he barely wears a shirt? true story - i had to pack his backpack at the end for him and counted them - and made him leave about half there for his cousins). I've been researching winter styling, winter/spring trends and have stumbled across one or two travelling lightly tips on pinterest.

I found this on travelista on how to pack lightly and mix and match outfits.



Source: travelista.com via Tara on Pinterest



I've tried to base my suitcase packing on this model. As it is rather cold in the UK + Europe at the moment I'll be taking a lot more long sleeved options and things to layer. 


Some of my inspiration pictures:






And so following these bits of style inspiration, I pulled together a virtual packing list on polyvore. Her'es what I plan on taking + a bit more. I don't have all these exact outfits, but have picked them based on similarities to what I have in my own wardrobe. 


1. Shirts Jumpers Bottoms




2. Dresses Shoes Accessories

2. Dresses Shoes Accessories

3. The Real Accessories. So as I said I'll be taking more than what I have here. At the moment I have oodles sitting on top of my suitcase and have to edit lots of pieces. I am aiming on taking about a half a suitcase over and filling up the rest of mine and husbands suitcase with goodies from topshop, h+m, zara, primark and oh so many other amazing shops.


how do you plan your wardrobe for travelling??

tara louise. 

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An inspiring start to the week

A QUICK INTRODUCTION:  I found this video this morning on one of my creatively charged friends facebook pages. This guy is so refreshing + inspiring. If I were to walk down the street near him, I'd probably think he was some dude wacked outta his brain on crack or something, but watch the little video and found out his past and story behind him. Really makes me realise I judge people too quickly and to not worry about what other people think so much. Check it out.



I hope this inspires you as much as it's inspired me and kick starts your week.

tara louise.

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Last minute speedy WREATH TUTORIAL

i've been researching my wreath for this year for quite a while now. i finally settled on a design a while ago and finally got around to doing it last week - because well i tend to leave everything to the last minute. and well it's sat there since because i don't really love it. it needed something extra and i couldn't work out what - and well with christmas rapidly approaching, i dont really have time to sit and wait for inspiration to come.

i sat this afternoon looking around my sewing room for inspiration and this is what i came up with...


(a dead give away i live in qld is the fly screen.....not very pretty, but practical and necessary)


follow on for the super easy tutorial...

so you can see what i started with.....i planned on incorporating this into the wreath.
you'll need all the things in the photo on the right + sticky tape, mt tape/other pretty tape/fabric and a sewing machine.

pretty simple this step....just keep sewing and place the triangles into the sewing foot as you go.

wrap the length of triangles around the edges of the embroidery hoop taping as you go to hold them in place.

on the left was my original vision...but it looked like crap. so i ditched the leaves/feathers idea.

instead i just covered the ugly tape with the mt tape. you could also wrap fabric around it to cover the tape. i'd probably still use both too for added support and strength.



i tied mine onto the flyscreen with bakers twine. but fabric would work too or any string really.

and that's husband in the background.


i love that it's not traditional, but the circular hoop means wreath to me.

if you re-make this or are inspired by this (because you, like me also leave everything to the last minute and haven't organised a wreath yet), i'd love to see your version.
please put it on facebook and be sure to tag tara louise designs.

tara louise.

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inspired by....real living + home beautiful

and by real living i mean the real living mag + home beautiful mag. every issue is so chock full of awesome ideas and styling tips, that my brain goes into over-drive.

here are some things that have inspired me in their latest issues....











(did you notice the paper doilies paperclipped onto the ribbon??!!)


are you inspired by magazines too? which are your favourite?

tara louise.

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Fridays Faves





3 re-discovered blogs i'm enjoying...


link                                                        link                                                            link


and 3 posts i'm loving this week...


one  |   waking up full of awesome

two  | brightening someones day with these


three |  if you're easily distracted: go be productive (amazing but don't think i could do it!!)


hope you've had a good week!

tara louise. 

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fridays finds


some blogs i've discovered this week...


link                                                        link                                                           link


and 3 posts i enjoyed this week

one |  Do: Embrace your "youness" {such a lovely inspiring post}

two |  a lovely crochet feast for the eyes + mind

three |  this "make it beautiful" video


have a great weekend.

tara louise. 

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fridays faves...


Some blogs that i've discovered this week....




And 3 posts i'm loving right now....

one |   some lovely marimekko decorations: must see and must try!

two |   check out this mt tape expo documented by hello sandwich (heaven and total eye candy for the stationery obsessed!)

three |  this post for beautiful interior ideas



it's been a rough day so that's all for today.
enjoy your weekend.

tara louise. 

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Inspired BY...frankie

Every fortmonth (thats a new take on the whole fortnight thing) i'm busting for the new frankie mag to come out. chock full of pretty things to look at and hilarious articles i am contantly inspired. i'm even inspired by the advertising in the mag. and well yesterday they launched their new website and my gosh, it is pretty! here's some of what's inspired me....




i just love love love the kiwi fruit cut with the flowery cookie cutter and the cookie cut veges (i've seen this done with watermelon but never thought to apply it to other fruit and veg. silly me i know!


so these are a few things that inspired me yesterday (when i should have been working). i have more new posts on the way.

tara louise.

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i've been busy....continued

and carrying on finally with the last post.....the bits and bobs i've been making the past week:

item three: drawers
when: last sunday
inspired by: numerous pins on pinterest



first pics were the before photos. this was a hamme-down (the way i say hand me down) from a friend and it's been my cupboard/drawers for a few years now. it's pretty but not very practical. the paint has been flaking off and i've never got around to painting it. until last sunday. this went hand in hand with cleaning out my cupboards. so it got a lick (spray in my case) of paint - in a  neutral colour as this will be our babies drawers when we have babies - and now lives in my sewing room.

there's nothing in it yet.
i'm getting to that part.


item four: cross top + skirt
when: over the last week [cross top] + this morning [skirt]
inspired by: this polly dolly post


this was the last polly dolly i did. i loved this set. especially the 2 outfits on the edges. and that bag. far out i love that bag! but the thing i knew i could create was the outfit circled. it's been in my mind awhile now. so decided to re-create it.

the cross top: a quick tutorial


hard to call this a tutorial really.
i bleached a shirt. it started out like this:


a few days of sitting in bleach later and i had a white shirt again. i specifically chose a shirt in kmart that said DO NOT BLEACH on it. figured then if i bleached it it would go back to white! and i must say it took a while longer than i thought. i was scared the bleach would eat the shirt if i just left it to soak and had read on numerous blogs that you were supposed to bleach and rinse and repeat. i bleached it (in diluted bleach) and rinsed slightly then let it sit for a bit uot of the bleach. it seemed to work better this way. then repeated this a few times. i'm pretty happy with the whiteness now.

i then got together my supplies: paint, masking tape, new white top, fabric fixative anda paintbrush. plus an old newspaper or cardboard to put in the middle of your shirt.

mark out the cross with tape...i actually used a ruler for this. i eyeball everything but found the ruler/tape measure to be better. it would have pissed me off if the corss was a bit crooked or one part of it was. i painted the edges first, then moved my into the middle. when i do this, i find it's best if you almost push the paint into the fibers of the fabric rather than just paint it in. really get the paint in there. this seems to make the paint wear better and looks more like it's been printed on.

then chuck it in the dryer for half an hour to really set the paint when it's all dry.
took me hardly any time at all. the bleaching took the longest.


the skirt:


is in the fabric above. i don't have any photos of it yet. it's a midi skirt and has an elasticated back. and this happened by complete accident which is amazing because i've been wanting to attempt this type of waistband for ages.
i started this before our fathers day brekky this morning and finished it about half an hour ago.
it has pockets and everything.
although i may need to unpick those and move them up the skirt a bit.

(i also just "made" the "mt tape" that the fabric is "stuck on"with too. might do a quick tutorial for that over the next week)

(and i apologise for the amount of  "inverted commas" in the previous sentence!)

what have you been making lately?

tara louise.



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