CHEER: PHOTOS FOR CHRISTMASTIME

One thing that I've always wanted to do, and just started doing this year, is taking family photos for Christmas. Jon and I talked about it when we first got married, but always ended up waiting until the last minute. This year we had our friend Danielle from Valimont Photography snap some holiday pictures for us a couple weeks ago. I love how they turned out and I'm so thankful that we took the time to get our pictures taken. While I love photographing my life and can usually be found with my camera by my side, photos of Jon and I together don't happen very often. Sometimes paying a friend and//or professional photographer for 30 minutes of their time is totally worth it. :)

For today's 12 Days of Christmas Cheer, I'm sharing some family photo inspiration for Christmastime! It's not too late to get your family together to snap a couple shots to put in your Christmas cards. ;)

Photos Found Here: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10

Tips on getting a good family photo:
1. If it's just you and your significant other, try setting up your camera on a tripod and using a self timer. I might even suggest buying an inexpensive wireless shutter release for your camera so you can easily snap pictures. For bigger families or if you don't have a good camera to shoot with, consider asking a friend with a DSLR to take some photos of you. :)
2. It's always best to take photos in natural lighting. Outside is even better, especially if it's a little overcast. Using a flash can appear harsh, but capturing the soft glow of lights inside or sharing your Christmas tree buying experience outside is the best for beautiful photos.
3. Get in your element. If you and your family are adventurers or bookworms, show that in your picture! Have fun and don't feel like you have to be too posed.
4. Use props! Sometimes it's easier to get into the photo taking spirit when you have a couple props. Try making your own Christmas sign, wrapping each other up in lights or wearing fun hats. Don't you just love the one of the kids on the chalkboard floor above? So clever!
5. Leave room for text. If you would like your photo to have text designed over it or plan to use something like TinyPrints to create your Christmas cards, make sure some of your photo options have a lot of space on one side, just have your photographer zoom out a little more so you can edit it how you like. :)

This year, I decided to design my own cards and took one of the pictures from our shoot and did a simple text treatment over it. We got our photos printed via Shutterfly and will be handwriting cards and putting the photos in each envelope. This turned out to be very affordable! Do you take family photos each year for Christmas? If so, what were some of your favorite photo taking memories and tips?? Be sure to check out Jenny's blog later today to get some great Christmas card inspiration. :)

Just in case you missed it, check out some of our other Christmas Cheer posts and be sure to follow along on our Facebook page!
Day 1: Advent Calendar DIY - Here + Jenny's
Day 2: Our Favorite Christmas Movies & Music - Here + Jenny's
Day 3: Snow Globe DIY + Homemade Marshmallow's 

5 THINGS WITH MILA

Hello! My name is Mila, and I am a multi-tasker to the max! It is in my nature to take on many tasks and roles in my life and because of that I am always thinking of ways to stay inspired. I always knew I needed to be in a creative field when I was deciding what I was going to study in college. Growing up along two Architect parents, I felt comfort in creation and developing ideas. After a few detours, I also studied Architecture, took time after my Bachelors to work in the professional field, and now, am back in school pursuing my Master’s so that I may one day, be a licensed Architect. Being an architecture student gives you little free time, but I stretch it out as much as I can, creating jewelry with my mother and sister, developing my blog, Mila's Thoughts, and exploring all areas of design. In such a competitive field, where so much needs to be invented and re-invented to stay original, staying inspired is key. Here are some things I keep in mind:

1. Understand what you love. ---> Before we set out to accomplish something, we have to make sure our heart is all in it. Ask yourself, am I doing what I love? Do I believe in what I’m about to put all my energy into? If we don’t have passion, it is going to be a bit tougher to stay inspired and create to the best of our ability. This is something we will always have to work on in our careers, because let’s face it, sometimes we just don’t have the luxury of working on things we love. But if we have an understanding of it and we get excited about the task, it will show. It will be that much more successful.

2. Soak up energy from the things you like and the people who support you. ---> What’s better than looking at your favorite things to inspire you? If you believe in something, a book, a design, an article, then you can learn from its strength. When I want to get inspired for my architecture design class, I research. I open books on my favorite designers, watch videos of their work, and speak with other architects and students. Or I go to those in my life who know me best: my parents and my boyfriend. They believe in me so they can help me believe in myself. The energy in those sources makes my mind go into major inspiration mode. I absolutely love going to the lectures at my school when they host an architect. They give great presentations on their work, how they produce, and stay inspired. I sketch the whole time, write lots of quotes down, and save it for when I need it. (Usually at 3am when I’ve reached my limit and am too tired to keep designing!)

3. Talk about what you’re doing. ---> Conversation is very important for those with a creative soul.  When I just can’t seem to resolve an issue in my design and looking at my sketchbook makes me dizzy, I stand up and go talk to my peers, or my parents. Don’t be afraid of discussion because it is through the combination of minds that we come up with the greatest ideas. Buildings, just like many other things, are created through collaboration. Bouncing off ideas, or simply stating your thoughts to someone else, can help you get back on track because many times all you needed was another set of eyes or ears to catch what it was that got you stuck in the first place. When we are passionate about what we are designing, we can talk about it and defend it, even when it needs a little work. And hey, who doesn’t like a good coffee break at your favorite spot with the perfect mood for inspired conversation?

4. Customize your workspace. ---> Where you work, create, craft, read is so important to your productivity. Having your own personal space will really help you get comfortable and be able to create without worrying about the mess, or the people around you. I have a few different places where I work: the office, my architecture studio, and my desk at home. I can’t really adjust my office space but when it comes to studio and my home, I make sure to make it comfortable. My favorite item is a pin-up corkboard. Show case what you love. Surround yourself with the necessary supplies. The right lighting, music, maybe a T.V. Sit on something comfortable. It can be simple, as long as it allows you to focus on what you’re producing and not how awkward you feel producing it. When you need inspiration, you should be able to find a book//magazine at arms reach. Look at your inspiration board, and have plenty to sketch on. There’s always a good coffee shop as well. When I need a good latte and a cozy spot to read, I head over to my favorite one.

5. Have fun! ---> It is best if we enjoy the process. The good and the bad. You need a break? Take one! Reward yourself and don’t put more pressure than you can handle. The more sincere we are about what we do, the better it is, so having fun while we work (or when we take a break) will make our product amazing. Surround yourself with the music you love, your favorite supplies (I have my favorite pen that makes all the difference!) and go for it! And definitely make sure to smile through the process.

I believe in all of you and I hope these 5 tips were helpful reminders and can help you refocus when needed. Remember, it’s okay to have an off day. That’s what we’re here for – to support each other. Thank you, Savannah, for letting me share & also for being one of my sources of inspiration! -- Mila

Find Mila Here:  Blog  |  Twitter  |  Etsy

Thank you, Mila, for your fabulous tips on staying inspired!!

5 THINGS WITH THE WONDER LIST

Both wide-eyed dreamers, Emily and Allie started The Wonder List with hopes of staying inspired and sharing that inspiration with others. Best friends since college, their bond has been marked by an uncanny sense of connection that continues to build as their friendship is written into each other’s stories. Through all of their experiences, together and separate, they have learned that life is frequently the reverse of what you might have expected, but they have also learned that the reverse is often more beautiful than anything you could have imagined. The key to discovering this beauty, perhaps, is simply to stand and wonder.

1. Free yourself. ---> Simply give yourself the freedom to be inspired. Spend hours and days thinking about what inspires you, what you love, and what brings passion to your life. Make a list with two columns and proceed to outline all the things that you love and all the things that you loathe. You are a deep well of inspiration that needs to be tapped. This exercise opens up a beautiful inner conversation and allows you to see brilliant correlations.

2. Explore through travel. ---> Traveling to a new place provides an instant fresh start and allows you to feast on the inspiration of the unknown. By being intentional in planning and taking trips, you open yourself up to opportunities that may not exist in your place of residence. Make it a priority to save money for that out of state or overseas experience and take advantage of a weekend getaway in the next town whenever possible.

3. Talk that talk. ---> Gain inspiration from conversation. The people you’ve interacted with in person, over the phone, or via email in the last week are the people who inspire you. They know you and you want to be known by them. It’s worthwhile to schedule coffee and dinners – staying late to talk about life or tabling the conversation for the next date. Ask the hard questions; find out what inspires them and how they can be an intentional resource on your journey.

4. See the world through new eyes. ---> People-watching has immense potential for inspiration as there is a wealth of insight to be learned through observation. It proves the value of closing your mouth and opening your eyes by forcing you to notice the intriguing people moving all around you. You never know when your next outfit inspiration will pass you on the street, so pay attention!

5. Get back to your roots. ---> How refreshing and inspiring a trip to your hometown can be. As our grandmothers always said, “You can go home when you can’t go anywhere else.” This is so true and important for young people to remember. Inspiration is often found when you step away from everything and go back to the nest; to recharge and be reminded of the cloth you were cut from. On numerous road trips to Florida, we always cherish the hours spent in the car. Breathing in the wide-open spaces, thinking, dreaming, singing our favorite songs, and usually crying a few tears on the drive back.

Find Emily & Allie here:  Blog  |  Allie's Twitter  |  Emily's Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Bloglovin

Thank you so much, Emily and Allie! It has been such a special experience seeing you both grow as bloggers and getting to know you ladies. Your inspiration topics were so unique and perfect to start us all on a good path this summer. I totally recommend adding The Wonder List to your "must reads". These ladies are very talented writers and always have inspiring content! :) 

FAVORITE SOURCES OF INSPIRATION? + GIVEAWAY WINNER

This month, I asked my sponsors to share some of their favorite sources of inspiration! Feeling a creative slump? Check out some of their suggestions and their beautiful blogs and shops! :)

Find Annabel Here: Blog | Shop | Twitter --- Inspiration: Kuvva | Color Collective

Find Sara Here: Blog | Twitter | Shop --- Inspiration: Pinterest | Vintage Books

Find Teaka Here: Honey Line | Sneak Peak | Bow T-Shirt Tutorial --- Inspiration: Blog | Vogue

Find Nat Here: Blog | Shop | Twitter --- Inspiration: Pinterest | Wild Olive

And now it's time to finally announce the winner of the March Giveaway!! Congratulations #18, Kelsie Rae! Please email me at Savannah@maiedae.com with your shipping info. :)

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

5 THINGS WITH PIE N THE SKY

Hello there! My name is Melisa and I run a blog and shop called Pie N' the Sky. I love fancy, lovely, frilly things and I love, love to blog and craft! So much of what I do stems from my desire to inspire, so I thought it was fitting to share five tips on staying inspired! Hope these tips can help you out!

1. Surround yourself with inspiring people. ---> My Mr. is probably my biggest source of inspiration. He's creative and when he shares with me what he's doing, it motivates me to create. Being around friends who are inspiring will help your ideas to stay fresh. Soon, you'll be too inspired and not have enough time in the day to create everything you have ideas for!

2. Keep a Journal. ---> This is something I've done for years and years! I love to journal and having a notebook in my purse makes it easy to jot down ideas whenever they hit. I don't know about you, but I seem to get inspired in the most random places and at such random times, too! Having a journal at hand helps me to remember all the good ideas. ^_^ Even your journal itself can be a source of inspiration. If I've made my journal, every time I look at it, it gets those creative juices going. Need some help thinking of things to journal? I always like to doodle or make lists to start... Here's a list I made of things that inspire me; it helps during those days when I'm just not feelin' it because I can go back and read it and BAM! I'm inspired.

3. Blog or Craft because you want to, not because you have to. ---> This was my biggest fear when I started my blog and shop; I never wanted my hobby to become my work. Even if it became my "work" I never wanted it to feel like work. I wanted it to always remain a source of refreshment and joy and never a source of stress or worry. I love to craft and create, so sometimes I need to just make something simply for the joy of making something. This time of creating for fun really helps me stay inspired. I challenge you to go back to the initial reason you started your craft. It'll inspire you to keep crafting and remind you of how much you love what you do.

4. Make an Inspiration Playlist. ---> Music is a such a huge part of my life. I love, love to make playlists for everything that I do. Music is constantly inspiring me and I think you'll find it will help inspire you too! Certain songs will always get me in a mood to craft, but sometimes it's good to add to the playlist and refresh it. I like to do a feature called Music Monday where I share a few songs that are currently inspiring me, in case you need a few good ones.

5. Read blogs. ---> Not just any blogs, but blogs by bloggers who inspire you and motivate you to create. Every blog I read is different and I read them for unique reasons. For instance, I love reading Busy Bee Lauren, because of how open and honest Lauren is. She inspires me to write more heartfelt posts. I love reading Bleubird, because of how Miss James writes. She inspires me to share my daily adventures in new and innovative ways. I love reading A Beautiful Mess, because Elsie is just the sweetest. She's always coming up with fun new features and her styling is just the prettiest. She inspires me to do more styled photo shoots and start new features. I love reading Food Coma, because she always has such fun recipes. She inspires me to share more recipes and DIYs. These are just to name a few, but you see how easy it is to stay inspired if you just go to the right places? I always like to start my day by visiting at least one blog. That always helps me to start off with inspiration and be more creative throughout the day.

Hooray! Hope this helps you to stay inspired. And if you're simply not feeling inspired, that's okay, we all have those days. You needn't worry though, because these tips are the perfect recipe for a constant flow of inspiration! Thanks so much for having me here, Savannah!

Find Melisa Here:  Blog  |  Shop  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Pinterest  |  Bloglovin

Thank YOU, Melisa!! Staying inspired really is a huge key to staying motivated. It's so important to keep your thoughts and ideas in a place you can reference them often and write in whenever you need to! I loved your #2 tip. I do this personally by keeping a Moleskine journal with me at ALL times. It's perfect for when that innovative and exciting idea hits out of nowhere!! 

What are ways that YOU stay inspired?? 

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR NEST: BLACK, GOLD & LOTS OF COLOR

To be honest, I've been in an anti-nesting mood lately. Since Jon and I are moving to a townhouse in August, we haven't put any effort into our apartment. I've been pondering ideas for our new place and I'm currently on the hunt for a killer dining room table and chairs. I've been loving the mix-matched chairs and simple sturdy table look...I'm thinking it might be the direction I go in. :)

 

Photo Source: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

What has been inspiring your nesting lately?? Have any tips for making a rental look killer? Happy April and Happy Monday!

5 THINGS WITH SOCK MONKEY & GEE

Hello, MaieDae readers! My name is Megan. I run a style blog called Sock Monkey and Gee and a little vintage etsy store called Vintage and Gee. I am a 28 year old girl from Tennessee living in the-middle-of-nowhere, West Virginia, with my wonderful husband. A few things about myself: I am a bookworm, I love all things floral, a collector of vintage dresses, and have a degree in Art.

Since I am inspired daily by all the beautiful things surrounding me, I decided for this post to write about the things that inspire me.

1. Tumblr and Pinterest. ---> These two sites are nothing new. Most people who blog or read blogs know that these two websites are addicting. I have always been a collector of pictures and have knick knacks laying around all over my house. So, when I discovered that I could basically make a whole blog of things that make me happy//inspire me, I was hooked.

The wonderful things about "pinning" or "reblogging" pictures is that 70% of the time, it does not have anything to do with fashion. It could be a color of a wall that makes me realize that you have never thought about wearing that color before or seeing a photo from the 1930's of two girls wearing a certain accessory or hairstyle and inspires you to try it yourself.

2. Blogs/Bloggers. ---> The most obvious things that inspire me are Blogs//Bloggers. This is the main reason I started a blog to begin with. I had been an avid reader of fashion//style blogs for a year before I finally found the courage to start my own. I follow a lot of blogs. I always have and probably always will. It can be overwhelming, but I like to have a wide variety of blogs on my blog roll.

I believe each blog that I read has its own style and inspires me in different ways. Some of my favorite blogs at the moment are (there are many...I always hate choosing): Heres Looking at me Kid, Bawk Bawk Bawk, Hummingbird Girls, and Steffys Pros and Cons.

3. Thrifting. ---> One of my favorite hobbies is going shopping at the thrift store. I think it is the thrill of not knowing what you are going to find that keeps me addicted. I try to go at least once a week. The thing that inspires me at the thrift store is finding a pattern//print that I have never seen before and I then begin to start daydreaming about all the colors that I can match with it and all the outfits that can be created from one random shirt for $2. I do love shopping at big "modern" when I can...but living in West Virginia, there is slim pickens when it comes to shopping.

4. Art. ---> I think this is the hardest one for me to explain. I have always been in love with Art. It is just a part of me. I believe I sometimes do not realize how Art is so much a part of my daily life. I have been taking art classes from the time I was in first grade all the way up to graduating college with a degree in Art. The color//paints//techniques are always surrounding me and inspiring me in my artwork...which I think just bleeds through to my fashion//style. I hope that makes sense. My favorite artists are: Gustav Klimt, Robert Rauschenberg, Helen Frankenthaler, and Marlene Dumas just to name a few.

5. Quotes/Books. ---> I love to read. I am one of those crazy people that have 10 books by their bedside and still have nothing to read and then proceed to buy more books. If you have ever read my blog, you will know that I use quotes quite often. One reason I do this is because I am a horrible writer. :)

But the main reason I use quotes is because they inspire me to create a certain post in the first place.
I have always kept a notebook full of quotes from my favorite books or poems that make me think or put a smile on my face. In my mind, when picking a quote, it makes me set the mood of an outfit or pick a certain location I would like to be for an outfit post.

Thank you, Savannah, for asking me to do a post for your amazing blog. I really hope this random gibberish of a post made sense and inspired you a little bit. xx

Find Megan Here: Blog  |  Etsy  |  Twitter  |  Tumblr  |  Pinterest  | Bloglovin

This is great, Megan! I especially love your perspective on art and how it influences your fashion posts and whole creative process. :) Fantastic insights!

5 Things with A is for Ampersand

Hello, all of you pretty MaieDae readers! My name is Amy, and I run a silly little blog called A is for Ampersand. By day, I'm a graphic designer for a local Apple specialist, as well as the blog outreach coordinator for Blowfish Shoes. But by night, I like to blog about thrifty adventures and pretend I'm a career thrifter and vintage connoisseur. I love cats and music far more than is socially acceptable and spend most of my days galavanting in our 1984 Westfalia Vanagon.

When Savannah asked me to guest post here about staying inspired, I realized it was exactly what I needed as I was having trouble with it myself. I recently made the big switch from full time, at my graphic design job, to part time so I could focus on my other endeavors--Blowfish, my shop, freelancing, living life. It was all very exciting but very hard to find the all-important life balance. I still firmly believe that life is too short to waste away doing things you despise, so I worked hard to balance it all out and find ways to stay inspired so I could excel in each aspect of my professional life. While none of these tips are anything special, they are what help me time after time to refresh my creative side and stay productive and inspired.

1. Write it ALL down ---> This is something a lot of bloggers write about and there's a good reason-- writing clears the mind. Whether it's writing down your to-do list, things that inspire you, or ideas for future blog posts//products, WRITE IT DOWN. I can't stay inspired when my mind is cluttered, so when my mind won't stop running, I take the time to write it all down, get it out, and refocus. And if you're an avid writer, you might want to check out 750 words--a site based on the book The Artist's Way. You can learn more about it there, but it's a fantastic daily exercise to keep a clear head. In fact, if you're really interested in experiencing a creative revolution, I HIGHLY recommend trying out The Artist's Way. It's pretty intensive and hippy dippy, but it works and I'm a huge fan.

2. Get in your zone with music you love ---> I can't work without music--it just won't happen. As a music junkie, I try to remember that not everyone is as motivated by music as I am, but music can be a powerful inspirational tool. It might seem silly, but when I find myself in a designer rut, I have my go-to bands that always somehow make working in Illustrator that much easier and magic ensues. (Radiohead, Deerhunter, CocoRosie, Arcade Fire, Animal Collective.) Spotify is a great app for finding new music and making playlists to get you going.


3. Take time for your hobbies ---> I learned this the hard way-- take time for the things you love! I can't express to you the importance of setting time apart for doing things that mean something to you. When you own your own business, it is so easy to fall into the guilt trap of working constantly because your computer and phone are right there--don't do it. Set apart time each day//week for free time to do the things that interest you on a personal level. Doing so will only rejuvenate you and refresh you for the work ahead. Nobody can work forever!

4. Try a new form of inspiration ---> As much as I love Pinterest, and as good as I think it is for inspiration, it's far too easy to fall into the comparison game. Spending too much time on these sites can easily lead to feelings of inadequacy--it's exhausting to see so many perfect things in one place! Trust me. Rather than relying on the internet, try finding inspiration elsewhere-- nature, art museums, drives, music, fashion, thrifting, whatever. Take some time away from the screen to be in the moment and remember that there is life past work and the internet. Look at things differently and see how you can apply what you see to you work.


5. Become an autodidact ---> One of the greatest things about the internet is that we can learn virtually whatever we want to do. I am a self-taught designer--I started doing it almost 10 years ago and have constantly pushed to learn more. If there's an aspect of your small business that you feel needs improving, take it upon yourself to get out there and learn it--google it, get some books from the library, and teach yourself. The beauty of being an autodidact is you have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. And I find that the more skills I learn, the more inspired I am in every aspect of my career. New skills lead to new ideas, which all leads to feeling empowered and continually inspired.

Whew. Lengthy post! But I sincerely believe in all of those things and have learned the hard way with many of them. Staying inspired always helps me live in the moment, and that's something I find so incredibly important in this day and age where workaholics are the norm and everything runs at a frenzied pace. Thank you so much to all of you for sticking with me and joining in on the quest to stay fulfilled and inspired. You can always come and visit me on my blog or join me on Twitter. I'd love to visit with you! What are your tips for staying inspired?

Find Amy Here: Blog  |  Shop  |  Twitter

Thank you so much Amy!! I love the new resources you suggested, I can't wait to take a look at Spotify and The Artist's Way!

Holiday Blog Party: Giveaway # 1

Giveaway time! We are kicking off this blog party right with a fantastic giveaway. I've been reading Grace's blog, Design*Sponge, for a couple years and I've always found so much inspiration in her posts. When she released her first book, which is a beauty, I was beyond thrilled and pre-ordered it as soon as I could! It's been a great source of inspiration and I've loved pouring over each page.

And to kick off our week of holiday DIYs and inspiration, what could be better than a giant book of creative DIYs and inspiration?!

Here's all you have to do:

Main Entry

1. Become a follower of MaieDae via GFC (on the left column) and comment with your favorite inspiration//DIY for the holidays. Be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!!

Bonus Entries (please leave one comment per bonus entry)

1. Like MaieDae on Facebook and get daily updates on our posts and projects. 

2. Follow MaieDae on Twitter.

3. Tweet about the Giveaway! Copy and paste this: @MaieDae is having a Holiday DIY Blog Party & is giving away a copy of Design*Sponge at Home!! http://maiedae.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-blog-party-giveaway-1.html

4. Sign up for the MaieDae Monthly Newsletter! (on the left column)

Extra Things to Note

* Please leave one comment per bonus entry.

* Giveaway is open internationally!

* Winner will be announced at the end of the Holiday DIY Blog Party. 

Best of luck and Happy Holidays!!! -- Check back tomorrow on my blog and Jenny's blog for two DIYs that are perfect for giving. :)

Inspiration for your Nest: Doe a Deer

I don't know why, but for the past couple holiday seasons, I've had an obsession with buying deer//reindeer decor. Maybe it's because they remind me of my alma mater? I've always had a thing for animal decorations...so for Christmas, I'm deciding it's deer time! I just have a couple little ones in my collection, but I'm hoping to grow that slowly every year. :) 

Here are a couple of my favorite deer related decor to decorate your home:

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

What do you collect during the holidays for your home? PS - Isn't that top little deer couple so stinking cute?!