Image for the week*

We've got a party happening this coming weekend, and although I know I should probably enjoy the days in between until then, I can't help but feel excited for a home full of new and old friends and surprises lined up in every nook and cranny. 

(Images from this super sweet shop)

Into the weekend...

Magazines can be a mixed bag.  Like books and music, they bring out the snob in me. There are a handful of magazines that I enjoy reading through religiously.  And Anthology is becoming one of those.  Wouldn't this latest issue be a fun and relaxing distraction for your weekend?  They make a trailer for each one- which is pretty cool. Here you go:

Issue No. 4 Trailer from Anthology Magazine on Vimeo.

This weekend, I'll be working on some prep stuff for a party we're having next weekend, catching up with a friend, and going for a nice long walk all by myself.  Have a happy one.

Love,

Cath

O.M. freakin'.G.

I'm kind of freaking out over these lookbook shots from Rodarte for Opening Ceremony.  Fresh and gorgeous.  Oh, the things I aspire towards... 

 

 

 

{Go here for more... Weeeeeeee!}

Top Five Tuesday: Books

I confess to sometimes being a little obsessed with Anthropologie.  But it's mostly because of stuff like their doorknobs and say, oh I don't know, butter dishes.  Though the first place I head to when I visit an Anthropologie store is their book section.  Here are some new ones I've come across that would be a nice addition to my own stash.

 

 

 

{ more here }

Image(s) for the week

I can't help but feel very well and content looking through these photos of designer, Stella McCartney's home.  They put me right smack dab in the center of a long drawn out, "AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH".

Would you agree?  

She's got a great way of creating gorgeous and effortlessly wearable designs without compromising ethics and integrity.  Mad props.

Into the weekend...

I can't figure out if this week was painfully slow or whip fast.  Do you have weeks like this, when you feel you are, simultaneously, totally slacking but then hyper-focused on boat loads of work?  The brain is a funny funny phenomenon.  Anyhow, I came across more of Lou Mora's photography and thought these would be nice images to take you into your weekend.

And, after I work on a couple of orders, I'm heading off to see a movie with a friend.  (It feels luxurious to see a movie in the middle of an afternoon!).  And then... who knows.  I am open to some pleasant surprises.

Happy weekend.

Love,

Cath

My dream for today...

... is to be here

while wearing this...

...and eating these

 

What are you dreaming of?

[macarons] [balloons] [dress]

Holy geez...

This room!

 

Are you a book lover?  I am.  As in, I have way WAY too many books in our home and they are constantly threatening to take over.  Which is fine by me.

And how is it that those chairs somehow fit perfectly in that room?  They pull out the bright and happy (and pink!) in every part of the space.  So cool.

(image found here)

Top Five Tuesday: Things I Love Now

These have caught my eye and have become five of my new favorite things...

Sometimes happiness in material form is perfectly fine.  Wherein bliss, it is claimed, can only be attained within your own calm (and with a glass of wine...  and then maybe with sex.).

{Found here: {1}Book {2}Candle{3}Dress{4}File Cabinet {5}Kitchen }

Word for the week (year. life.): Pleasure

I just celebrated my birthday and it was a good one.  Which makes me consider the year ahead and all the possibilities that may go along with it.  Which, then, makes me consider the week ahead as a fresh start.  And all I can think of and feel is freedom and pleasure.  So I'm going with it.  Pleasure.  I'm goin' in.
You are welcome to join me...

(apple found here)

Into the weekend...

What'cha doin' this weekend?

It'll be my birthday, so that means I'll be eating a lot, kicking back a bit, spending an afternoon with my bestie, and all around enjoying this life.

Birthday or not, I hope you'll be doing the same!

 

Love,

Cath

 (photos: Alexandra Grablewski via Decor8)

Scarves!

It's hard to miss the latest craze with scarves.  When I first came up with the idea to design a line of scarves for Ciara Obscura, I was relatively unaware of this new trend emerging once again from the core of fashion history.  I love that they can be worn in the hair or accessorize like mad (neck, belt, bandeau, wrist...). Here are some from the new collection:

But I mostly love this video from the hugely talented Bri Emery of the gorgeous Design Love Fest.  Spirited and inspiring (and, of course, fun):

SCARFFY from Bri Emery on Vimeo.

So sweet.

Oh neat!

How cool are these decals for a kid's room from Pop and Lolli?  I think they're a fantastic idea, don't you?  

(I'm enjoying the fact that the little one is cracking up in the second to last photo.)

Into the weekend...

I'm learning a lesson in patience and going with the flow over here this week.  So to encourage myself further into this letting go, I'll be dreaming of this and trusting that everything comes at the right time.

 Enjoy a lovely weekend, friends.

Love,

Cath

Photo from Honey Tree

So close...

Final website designing is still in the works, which means it'll just be a little bit longer until I can share the new line with all of you.  Almost there.  In the meantime... hope this photo makes you as happy as it does me.

(photo from The Sartorialist via Cup of Jo)

Sponsor Appreciation...

It's my pleasure to spotlight the artists and businesses you see along the side of this blog.  They're all pretty great people with something pretty special to offer.  Interested in advertising on this blog?  Email me for details: info@CiaraObscura.com

Here's a peek at some of my favorites from each...

Vintage Trunk Show...

and from Otherworld Tattoo...

 good, solid, flippin' awesome tattoos and prints:

Plus you can keep up with their latest on their Facebook page

and then Blue Magnolia...

 this from a previous post on Blue Magnolia's owner/designer Kerstin Horneman:

And then some treasures from Bocage...

From Popko Studio... marketing services for small businesses :

and photographer Kiel Rucker... this series, alone, on puppy dog Tera is so, SO awesome. Here are some more photos:

Aren't they great?