Art & Design of Kelli Murray

I just spent the most amazing 5 days up in the north woods of Wisconsin over the holiday weekend.  You know those places that make your heart flutter at just the thought of it? ….a home away from home…a place you feel free and child like and simply…happy….without a care in the world?  That place is Wisconsin for me.  (I know what you are thinking…WISCONSIN!?!)  Yes. It’s true.  Probably mostly due to nostalgic memories I have of summer vacations spent at my grandparents cabin on the lake.  Almost every summer as a kid me and my sisters would pack our bags and head to Eagle River Wisconsin to visit our grandparents and squeeze in as much FUN into 14 days as we possibly knew how.  We have a big family, and if we were lucky….all our cousins would meet us up there at the same time.  Sometimes close to 15 rugrats terrorizing the north woods!  We would swim and tube and ski and wakeboard….we’d bike and build forts and catch fireflies.  And boy did we eat!  Giant sized pancakes with grandpa’s homemade maple syrup (which he also poured over his ice cream for dessert!)…..grandma’s famous eggs in a nest, lucky charms,  klondike bars and otter pops…OH MY.   At night we’d gather around the campfire and make smores and laugh til our stomaches hurt.  On a warm night we would sleep under the stars out on the dock and dream about the future and what boy would be our first kiss.  It is all still quite magical in my mind.

How ironic that the man I married grew up doing the SAME THING in a town not too far from where we vacationed in Wisconsin! (We learned this a ways into dating).  Sam is originally from Minnesota and his family owns three log cabins on a plot of land spread 80 acres wide, dense with forest, in a small town called Solon Springs.  They call it Hathaway (just the name of it sounds enchanting!) It has been in the family for over 40 years.  This was my first trip with Sam to this place I had heard so much about.  And it was even better than I had imagined it would be.

I wanted to take this jeep on the plane back home with me!

Sam reeled one in on his second cast.

This is my new family (but certainly not replaced) who I am so incredibly thankful for.  Meet the Larson’s……Me and Sam, Hannah, Jesse, Mary, Mark, Nell and baby Andrew, Jared, Amy and Benj

Friends of Type

Since there was no show to be seen from the lake….we bought our own fireworks.  The boys had their fun! HAPPY 4th!

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We Love Creativity and Syrah Wine Parlor joined forces on Thursday, May 20th to present BLOOM, An Exhibit of Art & Photography.  The night was a huge success.  It was the first time I had been to Syrah and the place blew me away.  Take the virtual tour of the venue online! You’ll see what I mean!  It’s always fun for me when I get to show with my husband.  We make a good little team although Sam always ends up lugging all my stuff back to the car at the end of the night. (I guess that’s what husbands are for right!?)  Thanks to Brookes who put put it all together.  Stay tuned for his new poster project that is in the works!

Artists and Photographers: Kelli Murray, James Tull, Brooks Sterling, Pablo Aguilar, Matty Davis, Eric Wixon, Bob Hoste, Sam Larson, ManRabbit, Crystal Powell and, Stephen Forrester.

Helena from A DIARY OF LOVELY was sweet enough to feature me on her blog!  It is a weekly series she has called “My Stuff”. It’s really just the inside scoop on everything I love! I thought i’d post the feature here on my blog as well. Thanks again Helena! You’re blog is inspiring!

INSPIRATIONS
Favorite Discovery:  Recently : Using a laser beam as an exercise program for my cat! Seriously try it.  It’s hilarious.
Favorite Place in the World: I have to say that home (Encinitas, CA) is honestly my favorite place to be. But a few of my favorite places to travel include Tokyo, San Francisco and New York.
Style Icons: Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Zooey Deschanel, Alexa Chung
Favorite Designer:  Monique Lhuillier / Miu Miu / Marc Jacobs
Favorite Movie: I could watch Princess Bride a thousand times and never get sick of it.  A few runners up would be Dirty Dancing, Away We Go and 500 Days of Summer.

CLOTHES
Jeans: Silence and Noise
Underwear: Hanky Panky
Watch: Nixon. I have far too many of them (my husband works there) Today i am wearing the all gold kensington.
Day dress and day bag: Free People dress / Vintage Chanel bag
Evening Dress: Sarah Seven / Alice + Olivia
Shoes:  Rosegold / Jeffrey Campbell

HOME
Inspiration: I am a blog-a-holic.  Coco+Kelley / Decor8 / Bloesem
Favorite Art: Ghostpatrol / Amy Sol / Thomas Campbell
Bedding: Anthrolpologie! (I have the cirrus collection)
Stationery:  Precious Moments was my first love.  I remember when I was in elementary school trying to re-create the characters. I guess you could say it was my first art inspiration.  I had dreams of becoming a greeting card designer…and actually still do!
Coffee table books: The Satorialist, Flee Market Style by Emily Chalmers,  BLK/MRKT Two
Flowers: peonies

BEAUTY
Perfume: Daisy by Marc Jacobs
Moisturizer: Laura Mercier
Mascara: Loreal Volume Shocking
Shampoo:  Paul Mitchell
Soap: St.Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter

I am heading to Hawaii for some sunshine and relaxation! Be back soon!

Today’s inspiration. By Zephyrance – don’t wake me up.

I love this quote.  Sometimes life can be scary and full of “What if’s”…

What if I try and I fail? / What if no one understands? / What if I just can’t do it? / What if I’m wrong?

Often we let our fears or insecurities hold us back from pursuing our dreams or reaching our goals. But replacing that fear with curiosity….seems achievable, and less intimidating.  And maybe that curiosity will birth a new found courage. Who knows?  But we’ve all got to start somewhere.