LAMA Blog

Adios & Gracias! FINAL LAMA SALE

Lamadesigns — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:31:29 +0000

Dearest LAMA Friends and Customers,

Three years ago I decided to take the journey of my life to bring you Latin America in the Modern Age. It was an exciting vision that sent me all over the world and moved me to create a beautiful place on the web to share my unique finds. I never imagined the impact LAMA would make and all of the beautiful words that would come my way from publications I admire and LAMA fans and customers who took the time to share their warm thoughts. Each and every one meant so much!

Being the restless person I am, the time has come for me to embark on a new journey in my life. And so, with immense gratitude, I want to say thank you to all of you who have embraced my vision and supported LAMA. I feel honored by your kindness and patronage.

As difficult as it is to say goodbye to this chapter in my life and this business I have loved so much, I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to create LAMA. Someone special told me along the way (in Spanish) “it is so important to know where you come from in order to know where you’re going.” I will be eternally grateful to have made a strong connection with my culture and to have been given the chance to share it with thousands of LAMA visitors and customers. What a dream come true this has been for me and I have all of you to thank for it!

Please be sure to stop by LAMA for a final opportunity to pick up your favorite products at up to 75% off! Quantities are very limited and this sale won’t last long!

Adios and Gracias!

Lots of LAMA love,
Christine E. Martinez & Miles the trusty shop dog

Monday Motivation: Become Great!

Lamadesigns — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 18:42:09 +0000

I took a little time off from blogging here last week to tend to a few important things in my life, but mostly to get ready for a big LAMA announcement I’ll be making to my friends and customers tomorrow through the LAMA newsletter … I’m closing the LAMA shop. *deep breath.. massive sigh.* It’s a decision that has been in the works for some time now and was by no means an easy one to make. LAMA was the biggest dream I have ever dreamt, and it came true beyond my wildest expectations. It’s who I have been for the past few years and nearly everything my mind has focused on and my attention has gone to. So making the decision to move on has been a bit grueling, but it’s the right one for me to make. In other words, don’t cry for me Argentina, I’m heading on to a new journey in my life and excited to do it. It’s time for me to use all that I have learned and do something amazing. I know what it is to start at the beginning of something, at just a tiny seed of an idea, and I know what it takes to make it great. At the heart of it, you just have to love what you do.

Although I am closing LAMA and sad to do it, I have zero regrets about a single thing I have done with this business. And if someone were to come to me and tell me about their dream to open a business, I would say, “Yes! Do it!” Without hesitation. I will be eternally grateful for all the incredible things I have been able to do and all of the talented and special people I have met all over the world along the way. I have stories and memories great enough for a novel (hm, maybe I should write one…). I have a life that I am proud to live because I had the courage to do so, and it all stemmed from a little idea that popped into my head while I was jogging with Miles four years ago.

Yes, I am deeply sad to say goodbye to my little shop of treasures and to this part of who I’ve become. To be honest, I have tears in my eyes at this very moment. I wouldn’t be human if I didn’t. But I can hardly wait to see what’s around the corner! I have no doubt, whatever it is, it will be GREAT.

As for the LAMA blog, I may take a bit of time off, but I am still dedicated to promoting the work of Latino artists and designers as I feel they are grossly underrepresented in the design world.

Thank you to everyone who has taken this journey with me. Small things really do become great when done with LOVE.

Be sure to stop by LAMA (starting tomorrow) for the big “Adios & Gracias” sale. You won’t want to miss your last chance to pick up your favorite LAMA items.

*image via Design Me Daily

Hola

Lamadesigns — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 18:32:03 +0000

Keeping it short and sweet today, I just wanted to share this awesome “Hola” sign. I would give at least one finger to have that in my home. *sigh*

photo by Elise Blaha via Ez Pudewa

Monday Motivation: Getting Through Tough Decisions

Lamadesigns — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:16:46 +0000

Lately my life has been full of tough decision making. As a first time small business owner, navigating my way through tumultuous economic times and the ever-changing world of e-commerce, I’ve had my fair share of tough decisions to make. Some I’ve had to make quickly, while others have required a ton more thought and energy, constant revisiting, and extensive consultation from friends and family. And after all of that, I haven’t always felt 100% about the final decision made. I guess that’s just the nature of difficult decisions. When I’m feeling less than thrilled about a choice that had to be made (way less), I try to keep in mind…

Everything is temporary. And all feelings, no matter how strong they may feel, will pass and ease over time. Keeping this thought close helps all of my tough decision making feel a lot less daunting and a whole lot less scary.

Happy Monday! If you find that by Wednesday, this just isn’t your week, keep in mind … everything is temporary!

*image via word boner

Friday I’m In Llama: Say It In Llama!

Lamadesigns — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:33:32 +0000

This week I learned how to write in llama. How’s that for a week’s achievement! I also learned how to read in llama (naturally.. reading and writing do go hand in hand). Allow me to translate just in case it’s not completely clear…

Miles and I want to wish you all a very Happy Friday!

Want to have a blast writing in llama? Check out llamafont .. the BEST WEBSITE EVER!!!!!

A big thanks to all of my friends that emailed this site to me and to Omiyage and Bekka Palmer for tweeting it over.

Rosa Navarro

Lamadesigns — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 17:27:06 +0000

Anyone who knows just a little about me will confirm my obsession with dogs. Yes, I’m obsessed! (see here) I love dogs. And I love how many artists and designers out there share my love for their pets. Looking at the work of Spanish artist Rosa Navarro, I can tell that she is also a big fan of the four-legged. Her illustrations really capture the sweet facial expressions that dogs have… the little look in their eyes that can’t possibly be captured unless you’ve seen it many times. These illustrations just make me happy.

DIY Do Brasil Bracelets

Lamadesigns — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:49:17 +0000

Recently I came across designer Aurelie Bidermann’s jewelry and fell in love with her “Do Brasil” collection (of course!) Searching around for retailers, I was jazzed when I found this incredibly simple DIY woven chain bracelet project on how to create your own Do Brasil inspired jewelry!

With very few and fairly easy to obtain supplies, this fun and easy project yields some pretty great results. I’m not a major DIY girl but I think I just might have to give this one a try! Be sure to check out Honestly…WTF for full instructions. Honestly, who much do you love the name of their blog? Ha!

The Gourmet Tea in Brazil

Lamadesigns — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:21:20 +0000

I’m typically not one for minimal spaces. I think they’re lovely and I appreciate the designer’s restraint, but I can’t help but to want to go in and throw a ton of stuff around. I love decorative objects! But, sometimes I come across a minimal space that is so perfectly executed, there isn’t a thing I would change. That’s how I feel about The Gourmet Tea Lounge + Store located in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I love the way the simple and colorful Gourmet Tea packaging jumps out against the stark white walls. The colored rectangles painted on the counter counters and the pop of color from the light fixtures add the last bit of needed punch in this otherwise minimal space. As a major tea fan, this is a tea house I would spend hours lounging in.

* via Arch Daily

Monday Motivation: Residual Energy

Lamadesigns — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 17:12:36 +0000

I had an incredibly fun and special Saturday with two of my best girlfriends. Feeling a bit “meh” lately about a lot of things, it was exactly the kind of day I needed to put me back on the positive track. After all, what could be better than a day of wedding dresses and tea houses!

Spending the day trying on gorgeous wedding dresses for the first time and having tea at my favorite SF spot, Crown and Crumpet, left me with the most amazing energy that I’m still feeling today. Perhaps it was seeing myself in a whole new light (as a bride!), or the genuine happiness my friends felt for me, or the massive amounts of caffeine and sugar we consumed at Crown and Crumpet, but the residual energy I’m feeling today is something I hope to keep up all week long. Lesson learned. Creating happy energy over the weekend can spill over to your Monday in the best way. I feel ready to take on this week!

Happy Monday! I hope your weekend has left you with amazing residual energy!

*image via you’re just not my cup of tea

Friday I’m In Llama: Marion Rose

Lamadesigns — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:02:56 +0000

I’ve been overcome with the strongest urge to collect portrait paintings lately. Particularly original oil on canvas paintings. There’s just such an incredible quality to the way oil paints blend into each other and the texture they leave behind. I think when I have the funds (someday!) to start collecting original art, I just may have to add this stunning llama by Marion Rose to my walls. Aren’t the colors gorgeous?!

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you have some exciting weekend plans in the works. I’m going to be trying on wedding dresses for the first time!! Eeeeeeeek!!! YAY!