Free: Love + Kisses Photoshop Brush Set

I look kind of funny in lipstick. No really, I'm not being mean to myself...just stating a fact. I think this unfortunate truth has something to do with my cartoonishly bowed top lip. The peaks are as pointed as mountain tops which isn't much of an issue in my standard clear lip gloss, but throw on anything with color and those points make me look like a lady who is trying just a tad too hard.

Even with this knowledge firmly planted in my mind, I was still lured in by the array of stunningly vibrant lipstick colors on display at Target last weekend. In my momentarily dazzled state I managed to convince myself that somehow in these new bolder shades, I would surely be transformed into a glam chick who rocks a magenta lip like nobody's business. Well, suffice to say, even though I ended up with three colors so pretty that I could cry, they, as predicted did nothing but draw a neon pink spotlight to my overly-arched kisser. Le sigh!

So while my dreams of breezing around Alt Summit with a color-saturated smile are all but gone, I decided that I could still make that lipstick worth something. Behold the Free Love + Kisses Photoshop Brush Set (download using the button above)! There are two lip prints and several different love-themed words and phrases in the set for good measure. And since they are photoshop brushes, that means you can use them with any color you fancy (they don't have to be shades of pink and red like mine here). Use the set to spice up a love note, smother a Valentine-themed blog post with, etc. etc. I'd love to hear what you make out of them! xo Ez

P.S. I'll be leaving for Alt Summit early tomorrow morning. If you'd like you can follow me and my adventures over on instagram (creaturecomforts) and Twitter (creaturecomfort). I'll see you here for regular posting next week! xx

Photoshop Brushes Tip 1: The lip prints are slightly transparent (it makes them look cool layered over other things)...but if you want them to look darker just click your mouse 3 or more times in one spot to build up the color and make them less transparent.

Photoshop Brushes Tip 2: If you'd like a little help on loading and using photoshop brushes, you can watch my video tutorial: Basic Tips for Using Photoshop Brushes that I created last year. *You can find the Inky Brush Set used in the video right here.

Note: I use Photoshop CS3 and I'm unsure of how these brushes will work with older versions of Photoshop. Fingers crossed that they will work for you.

Violet Tulips

I fell in love with the color of these gorgeous violet-hued tulips last week, and couldn't stop photographing them. Don't you just love the way the light glows right through the velvety petals! Let's get even closer, shall we?!

If you're interested, you can find a print of this photo up in my shop along with a newly-listed capture of some pretty peonies that look just like pink petticoats. Have a beautiful Monday friends! xo Ez

Inspired by Surface Designer Elizabeth Olwen

One of the things I'm really looking forward to at Alt Summit next week is a pattern design workshop that I signed up for. I am constantly inspired and amazed by all the gorgeous and imaginative prints and patterns out in the world, and relish the thought of being even one tiny step closer to understanding the hows and whys of their creation. I did share one quick post a little while ago about Creating Seamless Patterns in Photoshop...but I'm hoping to learn even more (then I can come back and share it with you guys).

But anyhow, I digress. Today I want to share the work of an incredibly talented surface designer with you. Elizabeth Olwen got in touch this past holiday season to share her pattern designs, and I'm afraid that even though I instantly fell in love with her aesthetic and incredible eye for composition and color, I was too swamped with holiday obligations to do much more than bookmark for later.

Ahh, but today at last, I am finally getting to point you in her direction...so all is not lost! Hooray! First check out Elizabeth's website for a beautiful sampling of her work, and her blog for regular pattern updates (so inspiring). Then be sure to stop by her Society6 shop where she sells prints, pillows, and other goods, and finally swing on by Wallpapered to see the brand new line of wallpapers they offer featuring her prints! So, so good!

I hope Elizabeth's work will inspire you as much as it does for me! xo Ez

A Subtle Golden Touch

Lately (for far too long actually) I've been crushing on glamorous little pops of metallic gold on everything from home accessories to fashion. I especially love it when the gilding is done in an understated or unexpected way...like a sprinkle of gold studs on the heel of a pair of black flats or a gold stapler on a desk. Pretty! 

For Any Room: Love Print by Jennifer Ramos - Twine

For the Dining Room: Rose Gold Flatware | Ceramic Heart Mug - West Elm

For the Washroom: Gold Frosted Linen Makeup Clutch - Gift Shop Brooklyn | Nail Varnish - Sephora | Gold Eye Pencil - Sephora

For the Living Room: Hand Painted Pillow - Me Longings Studio

For the Office: Acrylic Clip Board (via) - Russell + Hazel | Gold Floral Pattern + Painted Stripe Cards by Rifle Paper Co. - Greer Chicago | Acrylic Stapler (via) - Russell + Hazel

For the closet: Superstar Bobbi - Ban.do | Eternnal Flats - Zappos

Pinterest Picks: Mint to Emerald

It's probably been more obvious than I'd like, that I've been having a bit of a struggle getting back into the swing of things here on this good ol' blog of mine. Things are picking up and getting better, but it's a slow process. Thank you all again so much for your support and encouragement (both through comments and emails) over the past two weeks. It has meant more to me than I can ever express!

Anyhow, for today I figured what better way could there be for me to spark an interest in finding pretty things to share in the coming weeks, than a quick little virtual toe-dip into a pond of my favorite hue. Ahhh! Come on in the water's fine! xo Ez

P.S. You can find an entire Pinterest board that I've devoted to this color right here! You can also find past posts in my Pinterest Picks series here...and/or follow me over on Pinterest too!

Credits: One (via) // Two (via) // Three (via) // Four (via) // Five (via) // Six (via)