I’ve been attempting to make some progress on my wedding planning lately, but I can’t seem to get past decor and concepts at this point. Maybe it’s just the interior designer in me. All I can think about it is, “how am I going to make this look pretty?” I figure, since I have over a year to make this happen (even though I’d love to get married tomorrow), I can play in imaginary wedding land a little longer. This stylish Mexican wedding shoot has me dreaming of bright colors, simple elegance, and fun details. I love it! It’s like if Kate Spade got married in Mexico.

* via Grey Likes Weddings

Typically I dread Mondays. These Monday Motivation posts are probably serving my own needs significantly more than they are serving anyone else’s. Though, I sincerely hope at least one of my readers feels slightly more motivated on Monday’s because of them. Last night, as I was preparing a post for another blog I write for, I was feeling pretty jazzed to continue my work today. Maybe it’s because I have a looooong list of things to do (a list I can’t wait to complete!), or maybe it’s because it’s dark and stormy outside and I’m enjoying being in my warm office with my coffee, computer, and Miles. Who knows?! But somehow…

This Monday is definitely O.K.! I hope it’s o.k. for you too! Let’s see where the week takes us…

* hand-lettering  by the awesome Gemma Correll

This week’s Friday I’m In Llama is dedicated to my childhood BFF who just gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I can’t wait to meet her mini-me!

Welcome to the world Skylar! I hope your first week was awesome. And Happy happy Friday to everyone else!

This Bolivian baby belongs to photographer Sybil Vane

Fashion photographer Nicole Bentley recently shot one of the most gorgeous spreads I have ever seen for the March issue of Vogue Australia. Entitled “Viva La Revolution,” this vibrant ten page spread took place down in Mexico and featured model Alina Baikova. I love everything about this! In fact, I couldn’t leave out a single page. Viva la revolution!

A few weeks back I had a twitter conversation with a fellow shop owner that was looking for bright Brazilian art. It made me realize just how unfamiliar I was with Brazilian artists (shame on me!) Through a bit of research, I came across the work of Beatriz Milhazes. Upon viewing her work, my first thoughts were, “whoa!” and “have I been living under a rock?! Why have I never seen her work before?!” Born in 1961 in Rio de Janeiro, Beatriz’s work is influenced by Brazil’s exotic flora and fauna, popular Brazilian motifs, and the vibrant colors that have surrounded her throughout her life in Brazil. I am already a huge fan and have added “purchase a Beatriz Milhazes painting” to the list of my life’s goals. Really, it’s now #28.

Her installation pieces are also quite breathtaking. These stain glass windows and glass mobile pieces are beyond amazing!

To view a selection of Beatriz Milhazes’s work and learn more about her incredible career, check out this site.

Like many of you, I spent much of Friday reading about and watching the devastating news coming out of Japan. I can’t seem to wrap my head around events like this. How one minute the world is just as you know it, and the next, the destruction from a natural disaster can literally change our map. I think if many of us could, we would rush over to lend a helping hand. I know when I see people suffering, I just want to help. Thank goodness their are creative companies like W + K Studio that are coming up with creative ways in which all of us can help through donations.

W+ K Studio has designed this beautiful print to raise relief funds for the Japanese quake. They are asking for a minimum donation of $25 with 100% of the proceeds going to the relief effort.

Thank you W + K Studio for creating a beautiful way for all of us to pitch in. Also, my wonderful friend and graphic designer Hijiri K Shepherd is donating 50% of her sales to the relief effort this week.

Typically I like to share motivating words but today (my first day back from a blogging hiatus) I thought I would share this motivating image instead.

As someone who has needed some quiet time-out lately, I find this image incredibly inspiring. Sometimes you just have to disconnect from your daily stresses. Happy Monday.. I hope you’re able to find some time to disconnect this week. It’s a good thing.

*image via Lucky

I’m unplugging and taking the rest of the week off! See you next week!

image via we heart it

It’s a bit cold and dreary here in the bay, so I thought it would be the perfect day to share this bright and beautiful Doors and Gates series by photographer Donna Cleveland. These photos were taken in colorful San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, a gorgeous vacation destination I’ll be dreaming of all day.

I’ve come down with a nasty case of the flu so I’m going to keep this short and sweet. On the days you just can’t give it your all, at the very least…

And yes, that goes for every day. I’m going to go crawl back into bed now… Hope you all have a much happier and more productive Monday than me. blah.

Image via we are creative people