This year I’ve been trying to be selective about what I buy – and choosing whenever possible to support artists and makers of handmade things on Etsy. So every few weeks, there’s been some small something that I’ve found, purchased, and been delighted by from the world of Etsy shops…

+ This creamy soft hearts tunic tee, handprinted on super soft organic cotton by Linea Carta. I first found this Etsy shop via the haystack needle, and I love all the variations of the textiles and designs that they offer.

+ These silver hoop earrings by Aunali Metal. Totally simple, large hammered hoops, but I can imagine wearing this one pair of earrings every day!

+ This recycled leather card holder/wallet in yellow by Chic Modern. It’s a nice minimalist wallet that nicely limits that amount of cards and things that I can carry!

I’ve also bought little beeswax candles and vintage handkerchiefs and pretty earring fixings. I’m realizing that there’s an Etsy shop for any “thing” need that I have!

Any recent Etsy treasures that you’ve been delighted by lately? I’d love to hear what you’ve found!

Sometime last fall, I started a new habit of daily writing – not necessarily blog writing, or creative writing, or academic writing – and not necessarily everyday. But on most days, I just put words down from my head – a “brain dump” of sorts. The idea was sparked by a quick flip through The Artist’s Way,  an early 90′s classic on creative living. My big takeaway from the book was the idea of writing “morning pages” as a way of clearing out the mental clutter for a more clear + creative mind. Sensible, it seemed.

Around the same time, I stumbled on the brilliantly simple 750words.com – a straightforward website to make those morning pages become a part of everyday digital life. And with that, this (most) daily writing habit stuck. The website sends cheery daily reminders and offers all kinds of fun (and funny) stats about your writing – your speed, mood and word count. If you’ve got some mental clutter to unload, it’s worth a click.

And on that note, it’s time to write… Now what little habits or tricks do you have to declutter your mind? I’m always open to new ones!

The past weeks have been flying by, crowded with work and home projects and a mix of little adventures. There’s has been no shortage of inspiration in the world and on the web! My online notebook lillieinthecity [finds] is a running list of images, words, and thoughts that have captured my attention. Here’s a few things that have caught my eye recently…

+ This little illustrated guide to DIY sustainable living at home: Make Your Place: affordable, sustainable nesting skills

+ Inspiring invocations and weekly goodness from white hot truth: We are here now to give witness to a shared truth / that absolutely everything is progress / that we have all that we need / that brilliance is unfolding. Here and now.

+ A lovely illustration by Ann and a quote to live by: One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. – virginia woolf

+ Reading about Heidi’s process for cookbook writing.

+ Inspired by Wayne Thiebaud‘s brilliantly simple sketches.

+ Agreeing, yes: All artists are entrepeneurs, all entrepeneurs are artists. – linchpin

+ Feeling this: There are things you do because they feel right & they may make no sense & they may make no money & it may be the real reason we are here: to love each other & to eat each other’s cooking & say it was good. – storypeople

+ Hungry for Tempeh Curry or anything involving tempeh or curry.

Spring always seems to be brimming with inspiration and possibilities. I’m looking forward to the new season’s energy and anticipating lots of new things in the next few months.

What, who, or where has been inspiring you lately?

listening to: On A Good Day by Joanna Newsom (listen)