In my attempt to get back to some basic pleasures, I’ve been spending more and more time hanging out in local bookstores. It used to be one of my favorite outings with Miles. I would spend hours flipping through design books I could never afford to take home, and Miles would sit on the carpet gnawing on a nylabone or a favorite of the moment toy. My recent bookstore hopping has had me thinking a lot about the most incredible bookstore I have ever had the fortune of visiting. El Ateneo located in Buenos Aires is the largest bookstore in South America and one of the most mind-blowing bookstore experiences one can ever have. I particularly loved how the box seats served as reading areas. This theater turn bookstore is heaven on earth for book lovers, and I look forward to going back someday.

* images via Flickr

Even though my wedding is over a year away, I’ve been a little obsessed with all things wedding related since my engagement. Well, maybe a little before then. I love weddings! Searching through some of my favorite wedding sites, I thought about a particular wedding blog I’ve been meaning to share here for some time. Para ti Novia is wedding blog that is “redefining the modern Latin wedding.” It was introduced to me by my good friend Junia who had her own gorgeous modern Latin wedding last year. For many young Latina brides that come from traditional families, it is often a challenge to break traditions in order to have a wedding that suits them. In my own experience, I have had a lot of luck showing my family inspiration photos of other weddings. I find that it goes a lot further than trying to explain new styles and non-traditional weddings. Para ti Novia, which is full of stunning photos of non-traditional weddings, is a great place on the web for new Latina brides to take their families. How could you not fall in love with a wedding like this!

*photos by Sarah Yates

I’ve mentioned one of my favorite photographers and bloggers, Karina Manghi, here before so I was thrilled to come across some amazing photos of her home over on Decor8. Karina’s amazing sense of style, color, and design have really come across in this “industrial chic” space of hers. What a dream home! But I have to say, I’m mostly just completely jealous of her closet.

To view more photos and info, check out this post on Decor8

Like many people, I often draw inspiration, motivation, and consolation from song lyrics. Musical artists often create incredible poetry intertwined with their catchy beats. For me, music is most often my go-to art form when I need sympathetic words, an energized kick in the pants, or the opportunity to just let go to another place. At this point, I’m in the middle of a lot of transitions in my life that require quite a bit of exploration. Sometimes, when you’re in that particular place in life, things don’t often turn out as you’d hoped they would. In those times, I like to remember some of the great poetic lyrics of one of my favorite artists, Tupac Shakur.

If things should get tough for you this week, just remember, “Baby don’t cry, I hope you got your head up. Even when the road is hard, never give up.“

* image by Jessica Wright via Design Work Life

Be back next week!

Based out of Spain, Grossomodo is a small (but awesome) clothing and accessory company. Their hand made clothing silhouettes are inspired by the 50′s and 60′s and they also favor a soft and sweet color palette. I adore their ultra-feminine designs and I particularly love their gorgeous fashion photography. Check out this peek of their current Spring/Summer 2011 catalog.

Their blog is a must see as well. It’s entirely in Spanish but the work and photos shown speak for themselves.

I don’t know about you, but when I get overwhelmed by a project, I start to drag my feet. Big time. And that’s the best case scenario. Other times, if I’m feeling particularly overwhelmed by a project, I’ll start ten other projects just to avoid that one. True story. Last week I started running with Miles again. Giving some serious running time attention to the project I’ve been avoiding, and breaking it down into smaller conquerable steps, I thought to myself …

What am I running from?! I can do this! So this week, I’m going to stop avoiding big things that seem scary and get to work. One tiny step at a time.

Happy Monday! I hope you make it a goal this week to stop avoiding the “scary” things. They’re probably a lot less scary than you think.

*image via Tony Kuch

Today’s Friday I’m in Llama was sent over to me by the lovely and talented Spanish designer Adriana Bellet of Jeez Vanilla. Adriana is in the midst of planning her wedding and came across these wedding llamas by Evan Stremke. Lucky for me, she sent the link over and I was instantly smitten with these love llamas.

I have to say though, my favorite part of the email exchange between Adriana and I was becoming familiar with her work. For a while I have been admiring the work of Spanish designers. Spain is just bursting with talent! And Adriana is yet another example.

Those plates are my absolute favorite! Wow. Thank you so much Adriana for getting in touch and sending over this week’s Friday I’m In Llama! All the best to you and your wedding planning! Happy Friday Everyone!

Have a llama you would love to share? Please do! Email me at info[at]lamadesigns.com

It’s been one long and wet winter here in the Bay Area. At this point, it’s fair to say I’m over it. These beautiful images by Los Angeles based photographer Lou Mora have me dreaming of hot summer days. California style.

Recently the Huffington Post created a slideshow featuring the world’s most colorful destinations. Naturally, destinations like Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Chile made the list. I think most people you ask would list “colorful” as one of their top five adjectives to describe these countries. It was exciting for me to see some of the other color saturated cities around the world that I didn’t know about. I was particularly blown away by Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, South Africa (first image below). One word: whoa!

And two little known places of my own that I had to add to this collection… Las Penas in Guayaquil, Ecuador and the Central Market in my mother’s hometown Ambato, Ecuador. She took me there and bought me the best juice I’ve ever had made from fruit I’ve never seen. Then I snapped the photo below. (thanks mom! it was really cool to explore your old neighborhood.)

* via peppermint bliss