Watercolour

Watercolour is, in my opinion, one of the most delicate forms of artistic painting.  Now I know there are a lot of very delicate, time-intensive mediums out there, but with watercolour - there is such a freedom about it.  You are at the will of the pigments suspended in water, layer upon layer of free-formed color.  Yes you apply the color, the stroke, the amount of water - but ask someone who's tried to achieve a piece of work such as this and they will tell you - it's not that simple.

Silver Ridge Studio's Etsy shop has me in awe of the ethereal water paintings done by Cate Parr, an England native, now living in Los Angeles making amazing portraits for all to see.  I spotted one of her portraits in Lucky's February issue and fell into a state of inspiration.

You can view her work on her Etsy shop, here.  Be ready to fall in love with some amazingly feminine portraits.

It's Time For...

...2011 calendars!

In LOVE with this Keep Calm & Carry On spoof calendar.

So sad that they're sold out.

Shout Out: ShannyBear

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Just for you!

Should that have been with, or without a question mark in this context?

Eva Juliet

Eva of Montreal has a fabulous Etsy shop called Eva Juliet, which is full of fun prints available in English and French.  Here a few I really love because of their original artwork paired with a creative and inspiring message...

Take a sip of Creativitea

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE, to be what you want to be.

Because everything is relevant, Choose Joy.

Hump Day Fav: Greeting Cards

If there is one thing me and the bestie have in common (besides our shoe size), it's our love for all paper goods! From cards, to post-its and random organizational notepads- we love them all, here is a round up of fun and cheerful note cards to send someones way.

Gotta love the use of lyrics on this one
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Fun, hand-painted postcard, just because 
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Simple and Sweet
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Love, love these simple blank illustrated cards- perfect to send "just because"
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Isn't this just the sweetest?
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Let's Get Personal, Shall We?

Talk about adding your own personal and unique touch to show how special all those people in your life are right?  All joking aside, you have to admit, while it is a fill-in the blank, the letterpress does add a special touch right?  Maybe.

Find it here.

Happy Happy Birthday!

I remember the day this crazy blog began and I can't beleive it has already been a year!!! Well, Happy Birthday The Lime & The Coconut! I love love love pretty much everything that goes up on this blog and I just wanted to share some of my all time favorites that have either inspired me or just simply made me smile!!!

Here are some of my favorite posts over the past 365 days...

Fashion ...

If you know me.. I am a huge shopaholic and I cannot stay away from clothing websites to save my life. One of my new favorites of the year is http://www.lulus.com/ where I found my graduation dress that Erin posted about. This dress was so stinking comfortable and totally adorable! I got it in gray and am thinking of sporting it this weekend in San Diego for my 5 Year Anniversary!

Wedding...

Who ever thought of using cotton to make a wedding dress??! Well I think it is a genius idea and when my day comes I will definitely be sporting a cotton gown. This one is Erin's all time favorite and I can't deny it. The bottom of the gown zips off for two separate looks and I think it's incredible! I hope I see you wearing this some time in the near future!

Etsy...

I have yet to purchase from Etsy but I think the site is amazing and offers such great products. This is one of my favorites. If I was bold enough to wear this I definitely would.. Maybe I'll made a DZP list and put "Wear a daring accessory" on it and purchase this..

Books...

Erin recently completed this book for her DZP and handed it over to me and I cannot put it down! I find myself laughing out loud while on the stairmaster at the gym.. and then realizing I'm in public. Chelsea Handler is a genius in this book, and probably her other ones, if you haven't thought to pick this up - I strongly suggest you do! Just to be able to LAUGH

Family...
I love when I see posts about our family, friends, animals, etc. This is one of my favorite pictures of me and my lovely sister from over the years and I can't even tell you how much I love this woman. She's pretty incredible, to keep it short and sweet. This blog has thrived because of you and I just want to wish The Lime & The Coconut a Happy 1st Birthday!

<3 alex.dehart

In the Age of Nostalgia

I am constantly dating myself saying things like, "Remember when Michael Jackson was of darker complexion?" It seems as time progresses the more the "things" I thought were cool, became familiar with, and grew up with are now outdated. Well, in the name of The Lime & The Coconut's first birthday, I thought I would share these neat birthday cards made by Venerate Cards on etsy that share the same sentiment. The front of the card displays a line drawing of a technological device that is now out of date with the phrase "If you remember these..." On the inside of the card a simple phrase is state in the middle of the card, "you're getting old!"

They are fun cards that intwine a bit of nostalgia, humor, and simplicity, which is truly everything I would want in a birthday card.

Happy First Birthday, L&C!

Best,

AB

Visit Venerate Cards' Etsy shop to see other designs!

State Your Love

The Wheatfield is an Etsy shop run by Katie Lombardo, an illustrator wandering the country.  Her shop is full of her illustrations that were inspired by her travels.  Most pieces are done by watercolor and acrylic paints, others are prints done from her original illustrations.  I absolutely love her illustrations dedicated to the states she's visited, take a look:

What makes her illustrations even more interesting, is the fact that she's set a goal to paint all 50 states and then create a book of her illustrations! 

Traveling Journal

I am someone who lives vicariously through my friend's traveling photo books.  Here's a journey journal for you travel bugs making your way throughout the country.  Buy one here and you can document your traveling days with checklists, pages for after thoughts and a nifty compartment so you can safely store any treasures you collect along your way.

Sweet Nothings

What do you call your significant lovers?

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A Heart for Amy Bach

This is where your heart is - when it's not in Fully of course.

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Personalized Love Hearts

British artist Veronika Pollard cuts out tiny hearts from colored paper or newspapers, then arranges them in artful ways.  She creates a 3D art piece that can be personalized with initials, or an anniversary / wedding date.  These are simple yet sweet pieces, while I'm not sure how she places some of the hearts, I still feel like this is a legit DIY project for anyone... find them at her Etsy shop.

Sweet Harvey has Sweet Prints

Sweet Harvey Etsy shop is full of unique illustrations that have been individually letter pressed on an antique letterpress.  All of these cards are also available as art prints.

Often I Ask Myself:

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Gardening Calendars

Have you ever wondered when particular veggies are in season?  When they are at their peak of freshness and taste?  How about when is the best time to begin planting?  I do.  Especially when I think of having a small garden of my own in the future, I absolutely wonder what I will be most successful with. 
Well Krank Press has these perpetual gardening calendars that give you all of that information to help you through the seasons.

Each page is dedicated to a particular month (the page above refers to January, specific to Southern California) and has two lists: planting recommendations and what is in season at the market.  There's also a third list that allows you to fill in some notes for either recording your harvest for that month, or use it to keep track of that month's birthdays!

Tiny Trinkets

Yet another Etsy shop with some adorable merchandise.  Love Erica has some very delicate necklaces with the most unique, tiny charms for your wearing pleasure.  Yes, some of her necklaces have the usual hearts and lockets - but the adorable carousel, teddy, tea cup and sparrow are truly exceptional.  After my last Etsy buy, I'm starting to really consider going the jewelry route for my next one!