Sometimes, when you’ve been working on the same project for several years, it gets a little.. well.. maddening! At least, that’s what started to happen for me. I think anyone with a creative side needs to take on half a dozen projects at the same time to satisfy whatever it is that makes them nuts when they’re not being creative. At least, that’s my theory. This has been a very interesting summer for me. I have found my way and lost my way about eight times. I have thought about where to take myself and my career until I thought my head was going to explode. I have walked around aimlessly searching for answers. The funny thing was, the answer was so painfully simple: do more of what you like! Then I thought, “okay, so what are a few of my favorite things?” 1. Searching for great products. 2. Writing about them and sharing them with others. 3. Design blogs. 4. Dogs! That short list led me to my newest undertaking; a contributing editor for one of my very favorite design blogs Dog-Milk!

What’s really cool about this (besides everything!) is that I get to be a part of a design blog that I love doing work that is just fun for me. Dog-Milk is the sister site of Jaime Derringer’s very successful Design-Milk blog. Design-Milk is one of the first design blogs I started reading years back when I was fresh out of art school and looking for some inspiration. I’m so excited to be contributing posts her way at this point in my life. Speaking of posts, my first one went live yesterday! Based on the incredibly cute and hilarious Hipster Puppies blog, I decided to do a roundup of great products to help your pup get this of-the-moment look. Go check it out!

The best part about this, is now that I have something new to focus some of my energy on, it has really inspired me to get back on track and move into a cool new direction with LAMA. It is a direction that is right for me and hopefully for everyone involved. I’m looking forward to sharing what that is soon. So, to wrap up, I guess the biggest lesson I’ve learned this summer is to decide what you want to do, and then be the person who does it.

Graphic designer and photographer Albano Garcia enjoys documenting his city, Buenos Aires, the way he experiences it on a daily basis. His photography doesn’t capture the romantic tango dancers and vibrant street musicians we are accustomed to seeing, but rather, it captures the grittiness of city life and the unseen streets off the tourist path. Two years ago, Albano started a photo-blog entitled Flaneur. In his words, “Flaneur is a french term that refers to a man who flows thru the city, letting himself go, with no hurry, finding the unexpected; a call to serendipity. And precisely this is the subject of these photos, this project is focused in portraying Buenos Aires, my own Buenos Aires, mixed from time to time with towns and cities from other latitudes.” His incredibly successful photo-blog has since been turned into a beautiful book by the same title. Below are some of my favorite shots. Enjoy!

To view more of Albano Garcia’s work, visit his website here.

On October 1st, Vans is set to release these incredible new shoes based on the Mexican holiday Dio de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, as part of their Vault collection. Featuring heavy embroidery in the popular sugar skull motif, this fiesta on your feet will be available in black and white or in multicolor. I don’t think I even have to say which ones I prefer.

*via High Snobiety*

Today is a particularly rough Monday for me. I’m going on day two of the worst cold I’ve had in a while. Ugh. I thought spending all day on the couch yesterday catching up on Man Shops Globe and Top Chef would mean I would wake up this morning feeling much better. It didn’t happen. Aside from the extra strong cup of tea I made this morning, I thought I needed a double dose of motivation to get me going.

The first is a little bit of wishful thinking. The cup of tea (with lemon and honey) I’m sipping on right now is delicious. Good enough to solve everything? That remains to be seen. If not, the illustrated message below might be the tough love this cold needs.

What else can you do when you have a mountain of work to tackle? I wish you could all see the sympathetic stare Miles is giving me right now. I think he’s trying to coerce me into going back to bed. If I wasn’t so determined to “just get on with it,” I might take him up on it. Cheers to Monday! *cough* *sneeze* *cough*

*beautiful illustrations via tearriffic and Kristin Nohe

Sharon Montrose’s new animal print shop has been making it’s way across all of my favorite blogs recently. Naturally, I am a huge fan of her work. Who doesn’t love a beautiful animal photography?! I was especially excited about Sharon’s work after a blogging buddy of mine pointed out the Llama.

*Sigh* Gorgeous!! At only $25 for an 8.5″ x 11″ print, this would make the perfect gift for me! I mean, for someone. While you’re there buying me.. I mean, someone a gift, be sure to check out the rest of Sharon’s animals.

Also, be sure to check out the “on the wall” section of Sharon’s site. Her interior shots are stunning and really a treat all to themselves. The turquoise chairs in the photo below are just WOW.

Thanks again Ms. Bekka Palmer for pointing me in this wonderful direction. Lot’s of llama love to you and a BIG HAPPY FRIDAY to everyone else!

A while back I discovered Ester Ramirez’s incredible work with paper and I’ve been a huge fan ever since. Essimar Papel is an amazing art studio that creates a range of gorgeous paper products such as cards, art prints, sculpture, and even paper jewelry. I completely adore the vibrant colors Esther uses in her work. I just want everything she creates! In fact, I think it would be wonderful to commission her to create something for LAMA. What do you think? Hm…

To check out more of Esther’s work, be sure to visit her blog, flickr page, and etsy shop!

Yesterday, my recent interview with a Interviewher was posted on their very cool and very beautiful site. Interviewher is dedicated to sharing the stories of successful women who have “self-started their own business ideas and trends.” I was incredibly flattered when I was contacted by them last month for this interview about how I developed LAMA. It is quite an extensive interview covering topics such as how I got started, challenges that I have overcome as a business owner, and point by point advice on how to start your own successful online shop (this would be a great read for anyone thinking about taking the plunge into e-commerce).

Thank you again Interviewher for inviting me to participate in this fun interview. It was a great way for me to reflect on the journey I’ve been on for the past couple of years and share what I’ve learned with other aspiring business women.

Interviewher is always looking for awesome women to interview so if you’re interested in sharing your story, be sure to contact them here and let them know who you are.

I’m not a big fan of matodors and bull fighting. Sure, there is a lot of romantic and cultural nostalgia to this sport, but after attending a bull fight in Ecuador a couple of years back, I can definitively say that I’m just not into it. I am, however, loving these matador illustrations by Happy Menocal. Colorful and vibrant, I can see myself creating a framed Matador collage in my home. Some things are just best left on paper (and in the movies).

I’m a little groggy this morning but feeling great! (Wow, I never thought I would say that on a Monday). The reason? I’ve recently had a very cool opportunity come my way. I’m not ready to share what that opportunity is just yet, but I will say that it’s going to be a great way for me to focus on another major passion of mine. I’m really proud of myself for going after it.

Today’s Monday Motivation comes from one of my favorite illustrators, S. Britt. To me, it’s a great reminder that a little bit of self-affirmation works wonders. Happy Monday!

I always love when people send me Friday I’m In Llama suggestions! Especially when those suggestions are something I can buy and add to my growing collection of llama paraphernalia. This week’s amazing llama find was sent to me by not one but two lovely people.. Bekka Palmer and Ben Silbermann. The adorable llama below is part Areaware’s new collection of Animal Boxes by NY designer Karl Zahn.

There are a variety of adorable animals to choose from but of course, I’m partial to the llama. In fact, I’ve already ordered mine. This little wooden llama needed a home, my desk needed a wooden llama.. it was a win/win situation. Thanks again Bekka and Ben!! Happy Friday everyone! Have the best weekend ever!

*have a Friday I’m In Llama suggestion? Please send it to info@lamadesigns.com!! Gracias!