(Available HERE)
Whether it's the crimson red of a Royal Air Maroc boarding pass that leads to buying a new bedroom lampshade....
Or the kitchen scenes in "Downton Abbey" (can we pause to drool over that series for a moment?) that suddenly make you reconsider a flagstone floor....
Or the reckless spread of flowering potato vines at a local restaurant that spark an idea for adding style to a front door....
"Aha" moments are everywhere if you just look for them.
When it comes to travelling, I am most enticed by destinations in which there exists a precarious balance between unruliness and order. The souks in Marrakech were not only a kaleidoscope of culture, they were a barrage of colors, textures and ideas. Yes, it was hodge-podge; yes, colors clashed; yes, there was more pattern-on-pattern that seemed possible for the human retina to absorb, but everywhere you looked there was something that seemed to jumpstart a dazzling flash in your brain.
And don't even get me started on Scotland.
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34 comments:
I think a Downton Abbey rewatch-a-thon may be in order. Immediately.
xx Miss W
ps Yes. Yes on Paul Smith. Inspiration may be found in everything. (As Tania Kindersley says "Beauty is everywhere; you just have to look for it.")
Yes, the miracles of life are all around us to inspire us and keep inspiring us. So glad you are back to inspire us all.
pve
Inspiration indeed often comes from the most unlikeliest of places...and at moments when you are not seeking it actively...I guess therein lies the beauty of the creative process...one can often not guess what started it all!! lovely post, Lisa. I hope to see you on my blog soon!! xx meenal
Miss Whistle: I'll rewatch it with you. 'I trust Mr. Pamuk has been taken care of...?" :)
PVE: I'm happy to be back too! xxoo
I love that quote! And bravo to your first Monday video!
I loved it! Your photos are always so full of life, and I love seeing things through your eyes.
I cannot wait for Season 2 of Downtown Abbey, but I'm confused about when it starts?? I once read Spring 2011, but then I've seen Fall 2012. I hope it is sooner than latter!
LOVE this! I am in the midst of a long blog break, and can relate to your needing a respite with the New Year. You were missed- but this come-back is grand. Thank you for inspiring.
Isn't life grand? So much to make us all happy. Love the music, especially the horns. Who is it?
Oh, you are inspiring me today! This book looks fabulous and loved Downton Abbey (which I think I heard about from you), watched the whole DVD set in one day and can't wait for Season 2 (whenever that is). Have a most creative week. XO
Meenal: Will definitely visit your blog soon...thank you for telling me about it. xx
Emily, Debra: Thank you so much -- your feedback is appreciated!
Baker Martin: English Beat, "End of the Party." So good, right?
GIft Wrapped Life:
Wasn't DA wonderful?! Maggie Smith was priceless ("In these moments, one can usually find an Italian who's not too picky") and the dark dealings of Thomas and O'Brien made me shiver. Thank you for posting! xx
Sometimes you've got to squint to catch the ghost and sometimes you've got to open your eyes wide...
I love how you can spin a globe and put a finger on a map and then point that same finger towards a corner of your house- look Morocco! France! Scotland!
Geography measured by carpets and teacups, not borders or wars...
Thanks for sharing more of your creative projects, your webcasts are lovely!
my father always used to tell us to "look up" and you see things that are not even apparent at ground level.
xo
Kudos - inspiring Mondays have arrived!
If one seeks beauty, one tends to discover it, even in unlikely places. If one's mind is elsewhere or unreceptive, the most remarkable beauty can fail to move. It is really a state of mind/heart I think.
Welcome back!!!! I just loved the video and have watched it several times...the music is perfect. How clever of you. The message is also profound! Pay attention!!!!
I love it all and especially your choice in music - English Beat - my favourite.
Scotland.
An endless source of inspiration.
Lisa, your first webisode inspired and delighted me this morning and was the perfect start to the day! Loved the whole integration of experienced pleasures and inspirations (abroad or otherwise) being transfered to daily surroundings and life, a beautiful way of enveloping ourselves with what we've hold dear in our hearts.
It's so wonderful to have you and your creatively sweet & clever self back again...
xo J~
Ah, yes, let us pause to drool over Downton Abbey, and the covered markets in Istanbul and Jerusalem, where I spent a lot of time, probably like the souk you mention.
Lisa,
I am pretty sure you were a designer, a really fabulous one, in your previous life! The video totally made me smile...and want to visit Scotland! Perhaps my husband would be up for wearing a kilt after work!!!
I LOVED the video !
I am sad that Downton Abbey has not reached Argentina yet.
I need to go to Scotland and find a long lost relative .. or at least visit friends.
Your blog makes me smile every day , for that, I thank you !
C
It's wonderful to have you back. I could never begin to thank you enough for all of the things to which you have introduced me. I thrive on inspiration, and you are so very good at that!
The webisode put a smile on my face. It is wonderful and so inspiring. I loved "Downton Abbey" and found myself fixated on so many design details on the show, even in the credits, all so lovely. And I love your ideas about travel and absorbing our experiences and bring them home to incorporate into our lives. I did that a bit when I visited Charleston last summer and brought back a needlepoint kit designed by Vanessa Bell. When I am finished I will have a touch of Bloomsbury in my home. So glad to have you back!
Oh how lovely! You warmed my heart right up. Great music too! Sheep, every color of green, thistle wallpaper and sweet curls on your little ones head...beauty surrounds! I'm so glad you are back! You're my favorite blog!
So nice to have you back, I missed your blog so much. I had a feeling that was the English Beat -- it takes me back to such a happy time in my life. Your webisode was full of inspiration and made me long for spring!
Watching "Downtown Abbey" now. On Episode 3 and loving it!
Indeed! Traveling! So agree on that one and opening British, German or French design magazines always give me that inspirational kick!
(I love that term: Armchair traveller..)
Reading for that matter, and of course being in nature!
I am so happy you decided to share a little of your insights!
Come by one of those days!
xoxo
V.
So happy you are back. I felt so empty when Downton Abby was over.. Thought of you often.
Your pictures of Scotland are very Paul Smith.
xx
A couple of years ago a dear friend and I were living 3000km apart and simultaneously blue for a while. She devised a brilliant habit to kick us out of the doldrums: we started the WONDERFUL FILES. Every couple of days we would sent phone-snapped photos of something that looked wonderful or evoked wonder. She posted them on her blog. It was the best tonic for meloncholy, and a great new habit. Inspiration truly is anywhere if you practise looking.
PS fab to hear from you again. your blog is a major source of colour and wonder in my world. Thankyou.
Oh I'm so glad you're back!!
I loved your film and completely agree with your sentiments in this post- inspiration can come from the most delightfully unexpected places and moments, isn't it grand?!
And I loved "Downton Abbey"as well - my favourite Maggie Smith line; "WHAT are week-ends?!" so funny.
As for adventurous travel...don't even get me started :)
Welcome back!
xx
SP
where have i been!?? a friend just told me about your blog, scanned and an instant love. you immediately went on my blog roll
we have much in common, went through same mindset went wending my way through casablanca medina's. the greatest offender.....me in a flowered dress when the chants went off and there i was standing in the middle of the masses wondering what to do.
currently in england on sabbatical to get away from stresses, think and absorb the moments. the massive anglophile in me is seeking someone to adopt me
your blog lisa is a balm to my soul, to keep it great for yourself try not to put too much pressure on yourself. three a week?!
stay fresh, i am one of many that wants you to stay around.
cheers!
debra
Ahhh, I needed this bit of respite. It's Friday 11 March and my head hurts from watching the news all day. The video is inspiring! Where can I get your world map cushion cover?! And yes, I love my Hunters. The moment I put them on, I'm a fearless 6-year old girl that jumps in puddles and treads through mud without a care in the world, but rather proud to return home with soiled wellies at the end of a walk. Glad to have you back. -Grace
Ha, Downton Abbey just aired it's first episode last night in Denmark! And I totally agree, awesome kitchen... *swoon* :)
A Life Unhurried: Grace, the cushions are available at Hollywood at Home, Peter Dunham's showroom in LA.
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