Art & Design of Kelli Murray

Chin up, chin up / Everybody loves a happy face / Wear it, share it / It’ll brighten up the darkest place / Twinkle, sparkle / Let a little sunshine in / You’ll be on the right side, looking at the bright side / Up with your chinny-chin-chin.

- Charlotte’s Web circa 1973

My sister and I were watching the original Charlotte’s Web the other day with her little babes.  Bruce – 2 and Copper – 5 months.  Bruce said “Hey “elli”, let’s watch “ilber”.  I couldn’t resist.  I forgot what an awesome movie it is.  But maybe I love it so much because it brings back the child in me.  It makes me think back to when me and my sisters were little and we would all huddle around the tv and watch it together and sing along. I still know almost every word to “Chin Up” ! haha.  Ohhh to be 2 again!   Anyway, Charlotte’s Web really has nothing to do with this post other than titling it “The Bright Side” from the  Chin Up song.  I’ve always been into pairing pretty things with rougher/tougher things when it comes to fashion.  Here, I paired my skinny military cargo’s with a more delicate chiffon blouse and flower crown.  Shoes are old Steve Madden, borrowed from my sis.  And my hair is freshly whitened….by none other than….my sis! She’s the only one who get’s that I want it as close to white as possible…almost grey even. I know, it’s weird.  But I just can’t rock that yellow tone.

My headband, is surprisingly hand made by my mom.  (I say surprisingly because she would be the first to tell you she’s not much of the “creative” type) I was very proud of her…and I love it!  I wear it as a necklace, a crown/headband like in these photes, and even as a belt shown HERE.

Photos by JOIELALA

THE CAVE – Mumford & Sons

Silk Military Blouse - Urban Outfitters / Cream Lace Shorts - Nasty Gal /

Over the Knee Socks / Lace Up Boots - ASOS

1.  Heart stamped Macarons

2. ‘Be Mine’ Card by Rifle Paper Co.

3. Vintage Floral Dress from Gary Pepper Vintage

4.  Braid illustration by Lisa Congdon

5. Pale Rust Cushion with Pom Poms

6.  Heart tattoo photo via Purse n’ Boots

7.Valentine Shoes – Ban.Do Heart Shoe Clips

8. J T’aime Template

9. DIY Cupid Arrows Cupcake

10. Handmade valentine on Aesthetic Outburst. (found via Pinterest)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I hope your day is FULL OF LOVE!

xo -Kelli

Myka Haddad is one half of the event design company I love, Sitting in a Tree.  Her partner being none other than my friend Tori Hendrix. Myka’s incredible San Francisco loft was just featured on The Collection Event Studio Blog.  Tori commissioned me to create the bride painting above “Vows in the Valley” for Myka to have on her wedding day.  So fun to see how she worked it into her decor! What a dreamy space huh!?!

See the full post and more photos of her lovely home over on The Collection.  Photos by Edyta Szyszlo.

OHHH this BAG = my new best friend.  It doesn’t match with anything too well, but I suppose that’s the point. Perfectly mis-matched.  It’s from Anthro (surprise, surprise).  That store gets me every time.  I seriously need to scale down my visits because it’s near impossible for me to walk away without something lovely in my hands.  The fabric is some sort of knit tapestry, and I think it would make for a beautiful upholstered chair. Haha. I just might get a chair made to match my purse…not really. But that’d be neat.

The grey knit hooded scarf I am wearing in these photos was sent to me by WHOLESALE-DRESS.NET. I had never heard of the website before a representative of the shop emailed me about styling a few free samples into my LOOKBOOK posts. They have SOOO much awesome stuff….and for such great prices!! I had the hardest time deciding on what to get.  I had had my eye on a hooded scarf from ASOS for the longest time, and lucky for me I found almost the exact same one on WHOLESALE-DRESS.NET. I love it.  And although winter is quickly fading into Spring here in San Diego, I am going to wear this baby for as long as I can drag it out.

Scarf - Wholesale-dress.net / Bag & Dress - Anthropologie / Tights - J.CREW / Boots - Steve Madden; Hoodlum

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I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Sam and I are finally booking our tickets to Chicago in March! Main reason is to attend our dear friends wedding. (YAYYY CARLY & CHRIS!).  But we are extending our stay to enjoy the Magnificent Mile that is Michigan Avenue! I can hardly wait! Maybe they’ll have some cute maternity stores…or NOT maternity stores that I can find things to fit my belly in. (oh Lord).

Mostly, I am looking forward to doing THIS with my kitty all weekend! (it’s been a long week!) xo -Kelli