Spring Fever

Well, it's official I have full blown spring fever! We have had a few days of gorgeous weather here on the Carpinteria coastline, and now I have the itch for long warm days in the sand and tropical drink in hand. This feeling always seems to creep in this time of year, usually sometime around April 12. Which just so happens to be our wedding anniversary, and this year is the BIG 10!!! No, we didn't have a tropical destination wedding, but we did honeymoon in Jamaica. I still dream of the white sand and warm islanders spirit. "Every thing is everything, man?", yes everything was everything, and still is, wow ten years has flown by! 

I believe this spring fever started coming on back in January, when I was approached by a bride to do some custom table linens for her Mexico wedding coming up next month in May. I obviously couldn't pass this up, anything for love right? She wanted table runners with the Otomi and El Jardin prints in a custom salmon color. They turned out so great I couldn't let them go without playing around with my own table set up first, so here is a peek. Cannot wait to see images from the actual event, all my best Amanda!

BRIKA

So Excited to share this with all of you! I was approached by BRIKA a few months ago to do a feature on myself and Rincon Road. For those of you who haven't heard of BRIKA they describe themselves as "an online community that celebrates craft, storytelling and the belief that our lives are as beautiful as we wish to make them." It was a no brainer for me, of course I excepted. The women behind this brand Kena Paranjape and Jennifer Lee Koss, are very talented. I fell in love with their concept! BRIKA features new makers everyday, telling their story, and offering a selection of their creations at a discounted rate to their members. 

I have had such a fun time working with the members of the BRIKA team, and today my event goes live! They have selected a collection of my organic tea towels, and I have even created an exclusive design that will only be available through BRIKA. The design was inspired by their fun and vibrant branding and identity. 

So, to get a peak inside my studio, and learn a bit more about me, be sure to check out my profile page on BRIKA. My event will last for 2 weeks, so if you are a fan of the organic tea towels be sure to snatch them up at a good deal! 

Also, don't miss out on all the other talented makers! There is so much fun stuff!!!

Here's a peek at the exclusive BRIKA design. (Photo by me)

Kids, Tractors, and Color!

There are lots of exciting things happening here in the studio! Some I can share with you now, and some will be coming later. 

Did you all happen to catch Aden and Isabel's Colorful Shared Space - Kid's Room Tour over on Apartment Therapy a few weeks ago? If not, it's a must see! Our good friends over at EM Design Interiors ordered a custom Applegate Tractor print for the room, in a fun vibrant orange. Thanks to the post, and fabulous styling of the photos, I have received quite a number of requests for the same print. I'm excited to share that it can now be found in the Etsy shop here. It is easy to customize with color to fit in your space too. 

Photos by Helynn Ospina. Interiors by Em Design Interiors.

If you are a fan of Rincon Road's organic tea towels, you wont want to miss the exciting event I will be sharing with you all tomorrow! Stay tuned.

Mommy & Me Valentines

Happy Valentines to you all!

It's been a yucky week around here, my poor girl has had a fever since Sunday! No end in sight of this nasty flue season. BUT we are making the most of our time together at home this week. I'm a bit behind schedule, but I did manage to make my annual Valentine's / thank you's for those extra special people that helped and supported Rincon Road design studio this past year. I like to do a Valentine rather than a Christmas or New Years card, manly because I can actualy put some thought into them. Things are just to busy for everyone during the holiday season, plus it's something fun to look forward to each year! This year's goodies are kraft paper hearts stuffed with candy and decorated with my 

Arrow block print.

Taylor crafted along side me this week, making her Valentines form an idea we found on Pinterest with glow sticks. What kid doesn't like glow sticks? She added her spin on things with the addition of a pink neon paper heart. Gotta love a girl with good taste! You can find the tutorial and free template Taylor used here on Kommunicated.  Pictures of our creations are below. XOXO

All photos by your's truly.

PS. Want to see what other fun DIY's have been inspiring me lately? Check out my Pinterest boards here.

Happy New Year!

Hope you all have been enjoying your holidays. I wanted to take a moment and thank all of you for a fantastic 2012! I'm looking forward to an exciting new year, full of inspiration, new beginnings and happy moments with family and friends! I wish you all the same, my best to you and yours in 2013!

PS. Out of the studio for one more week, but back at it on January 7th! XOXO

A Time For Family & Tradition

It's that time of year again! A time for gathering with friends and family, carrying on those family traditions. That's what it's all about! Too many times this time of year we all get caught up in the commercialism of the holiday season, stressing out over  the commitments we all have. Trying to make it all work this time of year can be overwhelming! 

That is why I hold so tight to those precious moments with friends and family. One of those moments happened to be this past weekend. I have the privilege of being married into one of the most loving and caring families, yes I'm a lucky girl! One of their family traditions has always been to gather the first weekend in December and bake my husband's great grandmother's famous cookies. This is my favorite event of the year, and in the recent years I feel so honored that we all have gathered at our home. This year we had family as far as Arizona come in for the special day. 

Photos snapped by me throughout the day.

It's a day full of warmth and love, grilled cheese & champagne toasts, and yes cookies, lots of cookies! One of my favorite days of the year, always leaves me ready to start the holiday season and reminds me of what is really important, FAMILY! Hope you all take a moment this season and enjoy those moments, and maybe start a new tradition.

Midas Touch

Wow! So where has the year gone?! I feel like I have been on a warp speed roller coaster that has no end. Now here we are just about ready to celebrate Thanksgiving and my last post was around the 4th of July! Who ever said you gain so much time when your kids start school must not have children. I have missed blogging, it's such a creative out let for me, and gives you all a glimpse at the thought process behind my designs. 

Speaking of, the new Autumn / Winter line is out, and can be seen here! It was inspired by the frescos inside Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Montecito, CA. The church has a deep history with our family dating back to the early 1900's. My husband and I were married there, as were my parents, and now my daughter has started kindergarden at the parish school (following in mommy's footsteps). So much fun to go back, and see it through a child's eyes again. Here is a peek at some of the designs.

It's funny how much my designs start to influence my choices in fashion and interiors, or maybe it's the other way around.  The other day I looked down at my hand while I was jotting down a note and noticed my newly purchased gold ring on my finger with freshly gold painted finger nails. Later that night while flipping through my Pinterest boards I noticed a reoccurring theme, GOLD, GOLD, and more GOLD! I guess I'm partial. Here are a few of my favorite gilded pins, enjoy!

1. Gold sequin clutch from Zara via Brunch at Saks. 2. I don't know the original source for these, but what girl wouldn't need a pair of glittered boots? 3. Black & Gold nails found here. 4. A little bit of gold for the littles too Oh Joy for Winter Water Factory. 5. Drama! pinned via sisterwolf on tumblr.

1. Atlas Long Pillow from Heidi Merrick's home collection! 2. Love this Egyptian Pendant light from Snob. 3. Gold DIY, paint branches gold via Casa Sugar. 4. DIY Gilded Terra Cotta via Design*Sponge. 5. Gold Flatware via The Glossier Nerd. 6. Tiles via The Perfect Bath. 7.Love this Cali print found on Fab. 8. Judy Ross Waves Cushion via Provide. 9. Moroccan Brass Tea Tray via 100 Layer Cake. 10. Metalic Gold Acid Washed cow hide by Capolavoro. 11. Amana Brass Bath Collection from Serena & Lily. 12. Regina Andrew Lighting Tapered Gold Floor Lamp via Layla Grace.

If I don't get back here before Thursday, I'm sending you all  warm Thanksgiving wishes full of family and close friends, and of course some yummy food! So much to be thankful for, including all of you! My best!