Colorful Mondays {Buildings}

Posted on February 25, 2013 by Ma

Adare, Ireland

Even on a cloudy day, colorful architecture brings me joy. Harbor towns in Scandinavia and Ireland have painted their homes for centuries so the fishermen could recognize their homes when returning from sea. Greek towns use colors to curb headaches from the shining sun combined with the bright, white plaster. There are practicalities for the use of color but I think they are simply gorgeous and fun. The colors bring cheerful and inspiring thoughts which is a great way to start the week, right? The last photo above is of a candy shop in Ljubljana. Doesn’t that just fit? The sweet colors of mint green and pretty pink certainly inspire me to indulge in some chocolate mints! The colors are so inviting.
Sure, I’ll stop in for some treats and gaze out the window for some people watching!
Do colorful buildings inspire you?

My Own Children’s Artwork

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Ma

I absolutely love it when my children create artwork for me. My son’s proud stance while holding up the piece of paper into the air to make sure I see every detail makes me proud in return. It sends me back to when I was little and my imagination was endless. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the real world and worry about “real” stuff. Watching my son focused on only his drawing and hearing the stories behind his art, helps me let go of real life even for just a little bit.
My children’s drawings definitely inspire me to be creative and help slow down our hurried lives.
Do you have your children’s artwork up on the fridge or in your office or framed to inspire you?

Fast and Easy Black Bean Soup

Posted on February 22, 2013 by Ma

I am not a chef so that alone will prove that this is a very simple dish that anybody can make. It’s also very fast. With three little kids, I have to do a lot of things in a hurry and making meals is one of them. Another good note, is that it’s really a cheap meal. There aren’t too many ingredients and the ones used are not expensive at all. Give it a try!
It will give you more time to do the things that inspire you.

Ingredients:

2 cans (15.5 oz. each) of black beans OR 1 can (29 oz.) of black beans
1 can (15.5 oz.) of petite diced tomatoes
1/2 of onion
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
olive oil

Chop the onion. Sautée the onion in olive oil. Add the garlic powder. While this is sautéeing, purée the black beans. Pour the can of petite diced tomatoes into the pot with the onions and garlic. Pour the puréed black beans into the pot. Cook until hot and voilà! It’s done and delicious. I like to have it with crackers and shredded mozzarella. Enjoy!

Photo credit: Ma

I Left My Heart in Croatia

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Ma

Above: Hvar

The two photos above: Opatija

The two photos above: Zagreb

The four photos above: Dubrovnik

Need I say more? Croatia is such a beautiful country. The water is clear and warm. The mountains are grand. The towns have such gorgeous, ancient architecture with winding little roads where you easily get lost. The capital city has more of an Eastern European feel than the coast with its open markets and colorful buildings. There is something marvelous about Croatia that I can’t pinpoint. Maybe its the ease of seeing what it was like to live in archaic times thanks to lack of major tourism. Perhaps it’s just for its pure beauty. It’s a country that will always have a special place in my heart.
Whenever I need a good dose of inspiration, daydreaming about living in a medieval town on the Adriatic coast in
Croatia brings inspiration and happiness.
Do you have a place where you have traveled that has a special place in your heart?

Photo credits: Ma

Cozy, Warm Fireplaces

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Ma

It’s so cozy to sit back on a cold day and relax in front of the fire. All I need is to feel the warmth on my face.

I’ve thought of putting the above fireplace in the master bedroom or in the breakfast nook.
I already have two fireplaces in the house… do I need more?

I’ve had the non-working fireplace in three different apartments in New York City. Even that is a pleasure to look at.
There are so many creative ways to decorate them.

I love the look of this old fireplace in the kitchen. It brings me back to the old, old days of the 19th century.

And then the classic mantel.
I love to decorate the mantel with a couple of simple objects such as
battery-powered candles and flowers.

I love sitting outdoors on a beautiful day or evening.
A fireplace on the patio would make me very happy. It would give me a lot of time
to think and therefore be inspired! Do you have a fireplace that you enjoy?

Photos: Houzz

Colorful Mondays {yellow}

Posted on February 18, 2013 by Ma

How wonderful yellow is. It stands for the sun. –Vincent Van Gogh

The color certainly makes a bold statement. Only a little amount used and it pops. It shines with happiness and optimism. This beautiful, bright color even increases metabolism and improves memory. Yellow is the color of new ideas and inspires creativity. When yellow is clear and brilliant, and not muted, it sparks my imagination. I definitely get the urge to get things done! How does the color yellow make you feel?

Artwork above thanks to Ma, Vincent Van Gogh, Pinterest, Houzz

Inspire Ma on Facebook

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Ma

Follow Ma on Facebook! Go to http://www.facebook.com/inspirema and “like” it!

Coffee Shops and Cafes

Posted on February 14, 2013 by Ma

What is it about hanging out at a coffee shop with friends that makes me want to go home and write in a blog, or take photographs, or buy new fashions? Is it the conversation, the interior design, the caffeine, perhaps? Even without the conversation, I can sit in a coffee shop alone and people watch, read a book, or my favorite… just sit and daydream. I can brainstorm a lot at a coffee shop or cafe. Where do your thoughts flow the best? In your home, outside in a park or at a coffee shop or cafe?

Photos by: Rick Smith

Patterns, Patterns and Patterns… but mainly Damask

Posted on February 12, 2013 by Ma

Aren’t these gorgeous?! I do love patterns… especially Damask! I always find myself gravitating to this particular pattern. It’s gorgeous! Perhaps it’s the luxurious look or its history or even just how the monochromatic colors intersect with one another. The pattern was used only for formal rooms’ furniture or formal occasions’ table linens. Now, it is in any room and for any occasion no matter how casual. I’d love to reupholster furniture with this fabric or wallpaper some rooms… maybe I’ll make t-shirts! Actually, I do have a green and white shirt with this pattern. From the sample given above, you might be surprised by that. Hey, even my favorite coffee mug is black and white Damask. I’d love to go on and on but am I the only one? Do you gravitate to this pattern as well? I find this pattern very inspiring which is why I love to start each morning with my Damask mug.

Snow Day

Posted on February 8, 2013 by Ma

In December, I absolutely love the idea of a beautiful snowfall from the dark clouds in the bright, blue sky. I love to cozy up in a thick sweater under a blanket on the couch while watching my favorite show and eating my chocolates. Ok, everything after the part about the blanket is true year round but the cozy part! I love it in the winter. But hey… just last week The Groundhog told me that we only have six weeks left of winter. My thoughts have moved on to sunny, Spring days with my kids running outside on the very green grass. Suddenly, we’re expecting a huge blizzard and/or Nor’easter. Do I just go back to my December thoughts and feel the same way about the snow? How do you feel about the snow in February? Do you dread the thought or does it inspire you?

Photo credit: Rick Smith