Some News....

Only 3 (8x10) paintings left at Cocoa & Hearts from the 6 that were added! The rest SOLD out! 
 

Thanks soooo much to all of YOU who blogged about my work, super grateful!! 
 

Image above by Monika of The Doctor's Closet - love this pic!

Also, the NEWEST Love Candy print in SILVER is NOW on SALE for $15!! (normally $25) Via Made by Girl

And to top things off Made By Girl is featured in the August issue of Better Homes and Garden -Do It Yourself issue 

-love print image by jen ramos

Olive & Cocoa...

I'm back....sorry I missed yesterday but I had so much to do & then I just decided to take off with some friends & go bowling! I'm not the BEST bowler- but I did hit a few strikes. Felt good to bowl with the exception of those UGLY bowling shoes, which I cant stand wearing.....

Anyway, back to blogging. Today I wanted to write about this cute company called Olive & Cocoa - which I've been hearing about for awhile now!

They have a wide selection of products from home accessories to kids decor! I've rounded out some cool stuff I think you'll like, but you can always head on over to their site for more! Most of the items I chose had the color PINK...can you tell I'm obsessed??

-images via olive and cocoa

What's Your Passion?...(Made By Girl)

It's such a nice feeling to see my paintings in someone elses home. For quite sometime I only made original artwork for myself & my family.  

After coming across so MANY copycats of my Made By Girl art, I decided it was time to venture into one of my OTHER passions.... painting.


I admit, at first I was a little SCARED. The thought of NOT SELLING one single painting.... crossed my mind. However, I decided that worrying wasn't going to BENEFIT anyone & that I had to have faith in what I was doing. 
 

To tell you the truth, I have loved painting since........aaah yes, FOREVER.  It is a passion. 
 

I started painting when I was about 7 years old & even painted a landscape scene on my dad's back (with magic markers). That was my dad's idea. He was so IMPRESSED with my ability to draw & paint that he told me to draw whatever I wanted on his back. He has a pretty WIDE BACK, so there was PLENTY of space!  

I ended up drawing an ocean, a few palm trees, a boat & a whale.  I remember the BIG smile my DAD had when he turned around & looked at his back in the mirror! To this day, he talks about it!!
 

In essence, painting has always been a part of me....a God-given gift that I am grateful for. 

So, what THING are you passionate about doing?? Have you ever thought of sharing this passion with others? OR does that thought scare you??

This is one of the paintings I did - it was one of the first few I launched that sold out the first week. Becky Kimball of 'All that I Love' blog purchased it & sent me these lovely pics! Nice huh?

-bottom 2 images by becky kimball

visit Cocoa & Hearts to view a gallery of my work. NEW paintings just added today!

On My Mind...(Via Made By Girl)

And LAST BUT NOT LEAST....Kate Moss's leather pants by Balmain.

1. marc jacobs

2. la tropezienne tote by claire vivier

3. jesse lauren

4. butter london

5. hot pink blazer via zara

6. steve madden

7. alexander mcqueen bracelet

Beklina, Modern Organic Fashion...

I can't recall how I came across Beklina - but I loved this shop right away due to the fact that it was all for Eco. The shop is a family operation & they hand select the best sustainable style available as well as heirloom wares! 

It's ALL about modern organic FASHION.....and living a green lifestyle. 

For ALL of you ladies who LOVE zig zag patterns, they have an amazing TOTE (which is also one of my favorites) hand woven chain-stitched in Kashmir !  It's made of 100% wool with leather trim, zipper closure! Perfect for meetings or just a casual night on the town! LOOOOVE it! 

-images via beklina

Cocoa & Hearts News...

I love how Monika of The Doctor's Closet - captured a few of her fave things including one of my Cocoa & Hearts paintings! Cute huh? 

I'll be adding 5 NEW 8x10 paintings either today or tomorrow - stay tuned!! 

-image by monika

Dana's Closet...(Made By Girl)

Welcome back! Monday again....and it's back to work for most of us!  Most of the weekend was SUPER rainy here...& of course today is sunny!

Anyhow, today I'd like to introduce you to Dana who was kind enough to share her lovely closet with Made By Girl!  Dana is also a blogger who blogs at Shopaholic via Romania. The first time I saw these pictures, I thought...this is my kind of closet.... an entire room that feels like a small boutique! Cool huh?

I'll let Dana tell you a little bit about it: 

This is my walk-in closet :) It is an entire room dedicated to all my clothes
& shoes & bags & jewelry. 
It is made entirely with an IKEA closet system (Stolmen). I also have a very
old sewing machine (gift from my mother) and a tall mirror with wood frames.

My favorite part? The shoe shelves, obviously! Enjoy! 

Do you have a closet that could possibly be featured on Made By Girl? If so, email me here. We'll review it & let you know.

-images via shopaholic

Thanks to All These Blogs....

...for featuring Cocoa & Hearts on your blog! I'm super grateful! 

  

Your Weekend.....(Via Made By Girl)

-image by jen ramos

J. Marx Atelier...(Made By Girl)

On this Friday, I bring you....

Jessica Marx runs a full service design company called J. Marx Atelier where she creates interesting, innovative, and thoughtful products and environments. She obviously has a great sense of style, always paying close ATTENTION TO DETAIL.... I love when designers have the ability pay attention to all the little things when designing a space. Very Important! PERFECTION!

I tend to do the same thing- it's something that takes skill & focus.  Jessica also writes a blog called, 'Life's Little Jems', mostly a lifestyle blog where she brings her readers daily inspiration from a designer's point of view! 

She's quite the entrepreneur, also opening an online shop by the same name, Life's Little Jems (The Shoppe).  How amazing are all the GOLD home accessories?!? 


Below, are some of my favorite pieces from her store, enjoy! 

 -images via Life's Little Jems

Bathroom Re-do by Jessica of Alice Lane

Jessica over at Alice Lane re-designed her sister's bathroom & I was so impressed with the after pictures that I saved them for my inspiration files.  I love how the white subway tiles look against the dark chocolate brown walls and the Venetian mirror- what a statement piece?!?! Don't you think? 


I was really considering something like this for my master bathroom, but with 2 mirrors....however, Venetian mirrors can be so costly!!
 

If anyone knows of a good source for Venetian mirrors under $400 a piece, let me know! 
 

Did you notice the cute HAND DRAWN design sketch that Jessica drew?!? 

Its hung on the wall !! What a cute & CREATIVE way to keep the memory of the bathroom re-do!  

You WON'T BELIEVE how Jessica did all this!! Read about it here.

 BEFORE:

If you're in Utah or heading there....Jessica also has a lovely showroom there by the same name as her blog, Alice Lane. 

ALICE LANE SHOWROOM

1350 South State Street 

Orem, Utah

801.802.6266

-images via alice lane

Mai's Bedroom Makeover... (Made By Girl)

A blogger friend, Mai from 'A Cup of Mai' blog recently made over her master bedroom & decided to share it on Made by Girl with all of you! Mai & her husband moved into their home 3 years ago & finally got around to sprucing up their bedroom. 
 

She told me they went back & forth with decorating, returning items and so on....then finally decided on a COLOR scheme & TA DAAAA....a new bedroom make over revealed!!!  I'm only showing you the AFTER photos of their room- for the BEFORE picture, you can head over to her blog here.  


At the bottom of this post you'll be able to find all the sources, enjoy & thanks to Mai for sharing! 

My FAVORITE parts of the room are the splashes of bright YELLOW & that luscious headboard! It's from Target....can you believe that?!?!? 

-images by mai

(Resources)

Headboard- Target

Yellow lamps- Crate and Barrel

Bedding- Pottery and Barn

Square yellow pillows- Target

Side tables- World Market

Drapes-Pier 1

Rug- bought from CB2 years ago 

Ghost chair- gift from my husband 

Parson table - overstock

Ceiling light- overstock

Gallery frame - mix between ikea and thrift store. I spray painted whatever

Yellow mirror- thrift store spray painted yellow

Let Mai know what you think of her makeover!