it's been a while

wow.. it has been some time since I've written anything on here. a lot has happened since i last checked in! what's ironic, is the last post on here was a few days after my wonderful friend of 22 years told me about zach, and just 6 days before our first date.. fast forward a year and zach and i are engaged, i have a new job, and we have a new home!  it's really crazy how life works.  

as i mentioned, i  have i left my menswear bros for the wonder-filled world of event design.  i have met some of the most incredible women (with a sprinkling of some truly amazing men). this next chapter in my career has pushed me, creatively, in ways i thought i would never experience.  this world is truly magical..  and it puts a whole new pressure on planning a wedding!  i am completely up for the challenge.

now.. onto the new space!  though we stayed in the same building, sadly the cozy studio did not provide enough space for the stuff of two people.  zach moved into my studio last july, and in september we moved upstairs to a one bedroom, better known on IG as the #antonioucohenhaus!  i wanted to share some photos of the new place, and as of yesterday i think we are finally as finished as we will ever be!  we still don't have a bed... but you know.. we'll get there.

happy sunday!

lodge vibez

This nook was the dreamiest...

interior inspirations: kids rooms

Interior styling for kids and baby has come a long way.  I am loving these spaces that I've seen on Instagram. There may be a new project coming up!  Excited to see where it goes.

Photos by: @littlepeainteriors . @sophie_vine . @shinasiconcept . @maecocointeriors . @kristinplanskymurals . @bexyylou . @sweetcreationsboutique . @bebe_sac . @alwaysme_baby . @littletotem . @littlegatherer . @roxyoxy_creations . @genwoocraft . @tralalagifts . @littlewillemsens . @houseofhawkes . @the_wild_unknown . @chairishco 

day 23: freedom + forgiveness

The painting above was originally a tattoo design for a little yogi friend of mine, Joanna.  Last summer when I was back home visiting I took one of her classes (which kicked my ass in the best way) and then after we spent the afternoon in the North End catching up on life, talking about my illustrations, her yoga, and what it was like for her moving out of NYC and back to Boston.  She has really built a beautiful life for herself in back home.   She teaches yoga and lives in one of the coolest neighborhoods in Boston.  I think she was the first person to help me see that you don't HAVE to stay in NY to find this "career fulfillment."  I know that seems a little obvious but when you're in it you feel it's the only option.  She definitely opened my eyes a bit.

If you are in the Boston area and want to take a class from my friend Joanna, she teaches at North End Yoga + South Boston Yoga.  Her classes are fantastic.  I sweat so much she needed to bring me a towel in the middle of teaching.  I really loved her class.  When I go to visit I'll have to make a pit stop in the city.  Her website is joannabenevides.com

So I think the wild flowers above are a nice little symbol of freedom for this practice. I really love this watercolor.. especially with the piles of snow outside, it's a reminder of spring.  As always, Adriene leads a relaxing and empowering practice in day 23.  I don't want it to end!  I have a feeling this yoga challenge will quickly become my new "series on Netflix that I just watch on repeat." BUT she does have other videos that I am very excited to dive into.  

Take care, be well, and happy Sunday!

@yeswilliamsburg instagram takeover

Today I took over @yeswilliamsburg's Instagram account and I am loving it.  I am doing what I love which is sharing what inspires me. This time it's with a larger audience than my own.   Very cool!

Every restaurant and every shop in Williamsburg has such a cool vibe and is so visually stimulating.  All I do when I'm here is take pictures.  So far I've taken everyone to Bakeri, my most favorite and adorable coffee and bake shop, my bestie Sadah's apartment that she let's me go crazy and style and decorate however I want, GANT Rugger Williasmburg, my proudest moment in my Visual Marketing career, and Sprout Home, where I get my flower crowns and love to look at all of their trinkets, plants, and home decor!  There are so many other places I could share as well but I only have 3 more posts left! 

Above is a photo of my fire escape from when I lived here.  I loved setting it up with all of my plants and pillows.  I would have a beer and watch TV through my window while I sketched.  It was heaven.   I miss it.  But one thing I definitely don't miss are the sounds of Bedford at night... I do not miss that. 

Anyways, I'll be posting away into the night so follow along on @yeswilliamsburg + @thecrabandthemoon!

day 15: half moon

How fitting. Day 15, halfway through and it's all about the half moons!

I took some time to reflect on why I started this challenge.  I wanted clear my mind, reunite with my happy, and to feel good both inside and out.  My mind, like everyone I know, gets completely filled with unnecessary stress and negative perspectives of current situations.  I wanted a moment where I could dust all of that away.  A moment where none of that exterior shit that takes up far too much energy matters. When I step onto my 10+ year old bright blue mat I take time for me, and I breathe away all of it. 

Day 15 and I already feel changes. My body feels slimmer, stronger, and I stand up straighter.  And I smile more!  The theme of the half moon got me so excited. It's the moon I was born under and the halfway point of my first challenge of the new year.  The half moon pose was a challenge since it is all about balance... another thing I'm striving for in the new year.  Even though I fell out of the pose oh so gracefully, it reminded me that every day is different with new challenges.  Points like that in the challenge teach me to appreciate all stages of any process.  Even if you unattractively fall flat on your face.

inspiring sundays

Today I found some inspiration on Franklin Street in Greenpoint.  Sadah and I had the most adorable brunch and then walked around.  We hit up People of 2morrow, Home of the Brave, a few other cute home decor shops.  The store designs were all just as beautiful as the product.  Makes me excited for the day that I have a whole house to design instead of just one room. 

I also got closer to finishing my frame wall.  Very excited about that.  I think I need maybe three more and my collection will be complete!

So the shopping therapy was taken care and now we take care of the mind and body...

Lately I've been doing two videos a night.  That's just how I function... I'm in my zone and I want to keep going.  Day 10 was nice and is why I love these videos so much.  They are challenging but they also allow you to relax and not feel like you have to have this crazy difficult work out everyday.  It's nice.  I also just think she's hysterical.  

I hope some of you have tried these videos or at the very least they have inspired you to get out and move around in your own way.  One of my best friends, who was also a yoga instructor, would always encourage me to just simply move around a little.  It doesn't take much to release stress and make your body feel good.   

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

day 5 + 6 + i found my crow

And by crow I mean my crow pose in yoga and not my original raven painting.  Trying to be a little witty here combining my yoga practice with my painting practice. And yes that's my Treasure Troll top knot and belly button.  Anyways, I am SO excited because, like I said, I found my crow again and I held it for a whole 10 seconds!  It's the small victories on this feel good inside and out new years resolution challenge.  Tonight I completed days 5 and 6 of the 30 days of yoga and I feel great!  I will of course leave the videos for you to follow along as well.  But first!  I want to share my very special surprise from today... it felt a little like Christmas..

My dear friend Kat finished my wall tapestry!  This is her first woven tapestry and I absolutely love it.  I have big plans for this guy.  One of which is that he will hang from a branch from my home town on the wall next to my bed.  When he is finally complete I will of course show him off! For now he's just hanging out on some antlers.  So excited!!

I hope you are getting inspired either through these little yoga videos or through learning about new and beautiful ways to make your home feel cozy!  Part of feeling good in the mind and body is feeling good in your space!  Maybe that will be my mantra.  Keep my mind, body and space clean and feeling good.

With that being said, I'm going to light some sage and cook a little dinner!

Namaste. (prayer hands emoji)

interior inspirations: the perfect corner

For a few years I've dreamt of having a space where I can sit and drink my tea and sketch by a window... possibly in a beautiful chair.  I also pictured this happening as snow is falling outside the window and I'm wearing a cozy sweater.  Yes.. I know I'm crazy.  But!  I finally have my little nook.  And I love it so much. My space is still being pieced together but it's definitely getting there.   

throwback thursday: paper dolls

It's strange when you identify with certain words so much that when you see them it's as if you're reading your name.  I perk up every time I read the words "paper doll." My name was taken from a 1980's soap opera called Paper Dolls, my first blog was The Life of a Paper Doll, and my personal Instagram still remains @paperdoll_ta.  

Yesterday I received an email from my favorite local kitchenware store, Fishs Eddy, with the subject title "Paper Dolls Box #2 [small size]" and I got SO excited.  For those of you who are not familiar with Fishs Eddy it is a kitchenware company run by Syracuse alum (woo!) in the Flatiron district of NYC.  Their store's interior is a little piece of upstate NY countryside heaven.  You can find everything from archival plates, to quirky dinnerware, to classic table settings.  It's such a great shop.  My DG sorority sister and best friend introduced me to it when I first moved to the big city.  

What I love about Fishs Eddy is the story behind it because.. if you can guess.. I can relate to it so well!  The owners were wandering through the small towns that make up upstate New York and stumbled into Fishs Eddy.  This little town is where they discovered a barn filled with dishes and bowls and platters!  And they got to take home all of it!   When they brought everything back to their apartment in NYC the seedling of Fishs Eddy started to sprout!

While attending Syracuse University you found yourself doing a lot of wandering through backroads and small towns.  My friends and I would make a point to find cool little undiscovered (to us) streets and antique stores to run around and get lost in.  This company reminds me of that moment in my life.

Fishs Eddy has been collaborating with illustrators and artists for years. This particular project, Paper Doll Box #2 [small size], is something that designer Todd Oldham brought to the table. The funny thing about this scenario is that Todd didn't actually draw these dolls, he discovered them at a flea market in Ft. Worth Texas! You can read his story any more on the Fishs Eddy blog! These girls and boys are now printed on a tray, a glass and a pillow which make up the collection. Go to fishseddy.com to shop it!

All photos are from fishseddy.com

gift giving: lovewild design

A few months ago I met Sierra of Lovewild Design at the Artists & Fleas in Brooklyn. Her shop just jumped out at me. She really created her own little world down to every last detail. Everything from her products to the dress she was wearing to the milkmaid braid in her hair, she fully embodied her brand. It's people like Sierra who inspire me the most when trying to build my own brand.

That day I purchased a gift for a friend and a gift for myself. The tea vial gift set got the butterflies flapping in my stomach. Had to have them! They're almost too pretty to use, but as you can see from our Instagram I've cracked into them a few times!

Almost all of her products are made of sustainable materials. My favorite items are her plantables, the confetti or letterpress coins that can be planted and turned into wild flowers! Every piece has so much thought put into it. Please check out their website lovewilddesign.com. With the holidays right around the corner these are perfect stocking stuffers or hostess gifts!

birthdays in wonderland

My 29th birthday was an absolute dream from start to finish.  It started with a vacation home to see my family and close friends, went on to celebrate in a teepee in a beautiful park, then sipped champagne and St. Germain under the super moon and ended with a fairytale.  My dear friend Sadah planned a whole day filled with clues and activities based on one of my favorite stories, Alice in Wonderland.  Everything lead up to the final event which was a late night interactive play called "Then She Fell" in Williamsburg.  This play takes you through a psych ward and into the mind of Alice.  Very similar to Sleep No More, but a little more personal.  My favorite part was the mad tea party.  It was SUCH a great experience.  I really do have the best people in my life. Thank you to my Angel Face as well for helping with the surprise.  It was seriously a day I will never forget.  29 will treat us well!

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happy summer solstice

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