This week’s Friday I’m in LAMA is an adorable llama illustration that was sent to me by artist Gaston Caba. I have to say, it was the best thing that showed up in my inbox all week!

Gaston is a wonderfully talented illustrator and founder of the recently established company “We Love Patterns.” We Love patterns is “devoted to create a growing collection of extra-cute, colorful & funny pattern artworks, hoping to help to add charm and whimsy to all different kind of products.” I don’t think I could love that more!

Thank you Gaston for sending me your illustration and introducing me to We Love Patterns! I’m so happy we’ve met. Cheers!

* if you’ve got an awesome llama pic you would love to share with us, please do at info@lamadesigns.com. We can’t get enough! Really!

A couple of months back I was thrilled to receive notice that LAMA had been nominated for an Oakland Indie Award in the “Innovator” category. The Oakland Indie Awards celebrate the social and environmental impact of Oakland’s independent businesses and artist. Naturally, I was extremely flattered and honored to have LAMA considered for this award by a city I love so much. This past Friday, I nearly jumped through my office roof when I found out that LAMA had gone from nominee to FINALIST!

The whole experience has been so fun and rewarding. The nominee mixer a few weeks back was such an inspiring evening, and learning about the other nominees has been really special. I can’t wait to attend the award ceremony over at Jack London Square. It looks like a great event with tons of fantastic food, awesome folks, and Oakland pride! The event takes place on the evening of May 14th from 5:30-9. If you’re in the area, I highly suggest you come out to celebrate and support the people that make Oakland such a great place to live. Ticket info can be found here. A big THANK YOU to everyone who nominated and supported LAMA! I am deeply touched and honored.

I was so excited when the lovely Alisa Openshaw asked me to do a fun interview on her stylish blog, A Piña Colada. Alisa was one of the many amazing people I had the pleasure of meeting at the Altitude Design Summit in January. I’m so happy we’ve stayed in touch.

Aside from a fun interview, we’ve decided to do a giveaway! The prize? Our adorable, fun, and eco-friendly Fiesta Flags in the color of your choice! To find out how you can win you very own Fiesta Flags, head over to A Piña Colada for details. Good luck everyone and Happy Friday! Thank you again Alisa for inviting me to be a part of your beautiful blog.

It’s been a pretty gray week here in the Bay Area, so I’m really loving the bright and beautiful colors in this abstract collage art by Silvana Mosquera of Buenos Aires based Al Borde Llama. I would love to have one of these pieces in my office!

Click here to check out more work by Al Borde Llama.

I have a thing for cool prints and patterns so I was really excited when a friend of mine pointed out this week’s Friday I’m in Llama. I’m definitely in llama with this print by Tyler Thompson.

Thanks Paul!

Happy Birthday Mom!! I couldn’t do it without you.

*photo by the lovely Karina of El Beso.

Recently I stumbled on the work of Los Angeles based artist Sean Finocchio, and I was immediately taken back to my childhood memories of days spent in the city of angels. Growing up in an LA suburb with a handful of other Latinos, it was always exciting for me to head into the city for a bit of weekend culture at my abuelita’s (grandmother’s) house. Though I loved exploring her 1950′s LA bungalow home, I absolutely hated being dragged to the local carniceria (meat market). Looking back now, I completely appreciate the culture that was foisted upon me, and the artwork below has me feeling all kinds of nostalgia. How I would LOVE to have this in my apartment!

Click here to check out more of Sean’s amazing work. I’m thinking about picking up a set of his taco truck notecards, which I’m also loving!

Always great to wake up and find a sweet mention on a cool blog. Thanks Urban Style Vibes! We think our Fiesta Flags are perfect for summer also!

Check out the full post here.

I often get photos, illustrations, videos, etc. of cute llamas from friends in family. It makes sense given I named my business after such an adorable animal. How could friends and family not send me adorable llama pictures?! I thought it would be fun to start sharing my collection here in a little segment I’m calling “Friday I’m In LAMA.” (just a little play on one of my favorite songs by The Cure). This Friday’s llama was sent to me earlier in the week by one of my very best friends. It brightened my otherwise manic Monday… okay, done with the eighties song references. Enjoy the sweet and fluffy llamas below!

This past Saturday I had the privilege of attending TEDx Berkeley on the gorgeous UC Berkeley Campus. As a small business owner working mostly alone, I’m constantly trying to find sources of inspiration. Since discovery TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) a few years back, I have had countless numbers of hours of inspiration from the TED speakers I have watched. You can imagine how excited I was to actually attend a TEDx event! I went home that day feeling exactly as I had hoped, excited and energized! (though part of that energy could have come from the free chocolate they were handing out and the bubble tea I drank immediately thereafter.)

This morning I was thrilled to hear of the TEDx event happening today in Buenos Aires! Oh, how I wish I could beam myself down there for this event. I’m convinced we’ll be able to do that in the future. I mean, hello?! Have you seen the iPad?! Hm, maybe I’ve just been watching too much TED. Anyhow, TEDx in Buenos Aires will include 25 amazing speakers including Inés Sanguinetti (the co-founder of Latin American Art for Social Transformation), Miguel Brechner Frey (whose work is revolutionizing Uruguay education by providing laptops for all children and their teachers, and Constanza Ceruti (the only female high mountain archeologist in the world dedicated to the study of the Inca ceremonial complex in the Andean peaks.) Spanish Speakers, this event is being streamed here if you want to watch.

Definitely a can’t miss event if you’re lucky enough to be in beautiful Buenos Aires! I can’t wait for all of the follow up reports of the event.

*photos taken from tedx berkeley facebook page and tedx buenos aires