I can’t get the desert off my mind after being inspired by Karina Manarin’s gorgeous printed textiles, accessories and apparel. It feels like along with the heat, the light becomes warmer, giving everything in these places a beautiful glow. Here are a few of my favorite recent images of these magical locations.




1. gideon photography via the frosted petticoat
2. kurt boomer photo via style me pretty
3 & 4. jose villa via inspired by this
5. aaron feaver for bleach magazine

Karina Manarin is “an artist, textile connoisseur, illustrator and pattern enthusiast.” With a BFA in fibers, Karina offers gorgeous and earthy hand dyed accessories and apparel. Some of her pieces use a traditional Japanese technique called Shibori while others stem from Karina’s illustrations or photographic visuals of her travels.

I can totally see her love for patterns, geology and vintage art books throughout her work. Karina experiments with various paints, pigments, dyes and other materials and the final products are definitely beautiful culminations of her experimentation. I can’t help but catch a little tinge of wanderlust when I flip through her lookbook, read her blog and browse her shop and I hope you find each piece just as intriguing as I do.

Giveaway: Paired perfectly with chunky earrings and any outfit, Karina is offering this gorgeous hand dyed graphic scarf to one lucky reader here on The Lovely Dept!

Mandatory entry: Visit Karina Manarin’s shop & comment with your favorite item
(You can answer this daily!)

Extra entries:
• Like Karina Manarin on Facebook
• Like The Lovely Dept. on Facebook
• Follow Karina Manarin on Twitter
• Follow The Lovely Dept. on Twitter
• Favorite Karina Manarin on Etsy
• Pin an image from this post to Pinterest

Leave a separate comment for each entry to count!
Ends 6-5-2013 midnight PST.
I will announce the winner, chosen at random, on Twitter at the end of that week!

If there’s anything I love most about an artistic practice, it’s a peek into the artist’s process and studio. I can’t ever turn down the chance at a studio visit or a look into a sketchbook. There’s something magical about the space where art is created and making takes place.

Here’s a peek at upcoming artisan Karina Manarin‘s studio space. I love the little vignettes of inspiration and textiles paired with the bright space. Stay tuned for a closer look at Karina’s gorgeous textile work, plus a giveaway tomorrow! For now, visit her Etsy shop to see more of her hand dyed and printed apparel and accessories.

Summer is here and that means exploring and getting out into nature with friends. As I’ve started searching for fun little getaways, I’ve been really drawn to both images of the woods and the gorgeous landscapes of the desert. Luckily here in California, both destinations are just a few hours drive away.

A few of my favorite pieces from Karina Manarin like this gorgeous printed scarf really grasp the essence of the colorful, desert inspired rocks in her prints. I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite items inspired by the sticks and stones of the great outdoors.

1. Herkimer Diamond Ring from lumafina
2. Cristal Collection illustration from Ana Montiel
3. Catherine Weitzman Gold Branch Bangle
4. Mod Valentine’s Day shoot via Ruffled
5. National Geographic photo from 1976

• Photo via flickr

Happy Friday! After working on a super fun little project for Design Milk this week, I’ve been spending my free time on a Parenthood binge. Do any of you watch this show? I’m just wrapping up the first season and it honestly never fails to make me laugh and cry all within the same hour. Plus, I love that the show is set in Berkeley, even just to hear the street names and landmarks.

This weekend we have friends in town and it sounds like we may be headed into the redwoods – which is one touristy thing that honestly never gets old. Being surrounded by enormous, gorgeous trees is a little bit magical.

Here are a few links that I’ve been thinking about this morning:

• My visit to Oakland’s Umami Mart : the go-to place for gorgeous Japanese barware and kitchen goods.

• My artist husband, Kyle, was featured on Daily Serving!

• A super funny and sentimental animation by my superfriend Jesse James Dean.

When I’m lacking color ideas, I often find myself looking through my Pinterest boards for a spark of inspiration. I always find Ashley Goldberg’s work intriguing both in color and form and these patterns are a bit of whimsy reminiscent of bold block prints.

Plus, how could I resist her “Make it yours” print? I would love any of these patterns on a fun tote or scarf for that extra pop of color with any outfit. You can find more prints and illustrations from Ashley at her Etsy shop and all of her patterns can be viewed on her Flickr page.

p.s. Our Cat&Bot Jewelry giveaway winner was just announced on Twitter! Did you win?

p.p.s. And if you didn’t win this time, subscribe and stay tuned next week for another gorgeous artisan shop feature & contest! xo

Lucy Engelman is a super talented illustrator based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I can’t get enough of the detailed drawings she creates around food, flora and fauna – three of my very favorite things. My favorite part is heading to Lucy’s blog to see some of her drawings in progress. Once her Etsy shop returns from a short hiatus, I can’t wait to add a few of her prints to my walls.

Danielle Kroll’s illustrations are playful and quirky and beautiful at that. This Brooklyn based gal is super talented with an arsenal of impressive clients under her belt including Anthropologie, Land of Nod and more.

The funky, childlike nature of many of her personal projects is what really drew me in and had me hooked from the moment I visited her site. Plus, I can’t resist when I get a peek into an artist’s sketchbook. You can visit Danielle’s site or her blog to see more!

This week I am focusing on artists and illustrators and kicking it off with a super fun twist. Kirra Jamison is an Australian based artist and illustrator I’ve admired for years and she has more than just one trick up her sleeve. As I have continued to follow her art journey I am constantly in awe at everything she brings to the table, including newfound adventures in food. She’s now also an incredible food stylist and blogger over on her side project, Keke, in addition to being a guest contributor to the mouthwatering Tasty Tuesday column at The Design Files.

Keke is her food blog that she started back in 2011 while living in Tokyo. It’s a wonderful gathering of home style recipes from Kirra and her friends. Which one of these are you craving right now?




• Artwork by Kirra Jamison
• All photos by Brooke Holm for Keke & The Design Files

Bailey’s Irish Cream Crêpe Cake via A Thousand Threads

It’s Friday! The weather has made a turn for gorgeous and sunny here in Berkeley. I can’t wait for the weekend – not only is Sunday Mother’s Day but it’s also Wanderlust in the City here in San Francisco. Are any of you attending? I’ll be there yoga mat and leggings in tow!

Instead of just rounding up my favorite links, here are a few new blogs I’ve fallen head over heels with this week:

• Wit & Vinegar from the oh-so-funny yet informational and relatable, Billy. Wit & Vinegar is all about food, design and nonsense – three of my favorite topics.

• A Thousand Threads with musings on “Life, love, and the little things… one thread at a time.” from the beautiful Laicie. Isn’t this crepe cake completely mouthwatering?

• Madalynne featuring a gorgeous blog design, beautiful photos and sewing knowledge from the talented Maddie.

What are some of your favorite blogs right now?