...BUTTERFLY inspiration....!

Last week I was able to be spontaneous and jump in my car for a quick trip down South to visit my oldest brother and sister-in-law visiting Santa Barbara.  I went solo (sans hubby and pups) so my drive down was pretty loosey-goosey....I had unknowingly set my pace so that it matched up with an arrival at Ellwood Beach at the same time with some of my family that was heading there.  I was so excited to exit the 101 Southbound about 20 miles early and meet up with them because I have for YEARS harbored intentions of visiting the Ellwood Bluffs while on one of my many visits to SB but had been side tracked for one reason or another.  Reason being for my urge to walk these protected coastal bluffs was to catch a glimpse of the Monarch butterflies that migrate there during the months of December and January.  They form clusters on the eucalyptus trees there and the sight is not only nostalgic (my mom used to take us here as kids), but is also quite special, breathtaking and peaceful.  It is a drop in the bucket of live events going on worldwide.....craziness is going on everywhere and here you can pause time and look UP and just see hundreds of butterflies floating and flying around.  It's nature just showing off her best.  And I love it.

the path to the b-flies

they are everywhere....

omg!!

looking East

looking North

As always, this experience had my brain going full force of all things butterfly related.  I put together some of my favorite and iconic designs as well as a few recently discovered items on these inspiration boards:

1. Pierre Paulin Butterfly chair, Holland 1963.

2. linen "Dreamers" fabric by Lulu DK.

3. Butterfly "Exhibition Dress" by Yumi.

4. red hot, suede "Butterfly Cutout Sandals" by Giuseppe Zanotti.

5. glass domes with butterfly collections, France 19th century. 

6. Fornasetti lacquered wood tray.

7. La Mendola maxi dress, Italy 1960s.

8. Andy Warhol acrylic on paper, circa 1986.

9. mid-century French butterfly wall sconces.

10. leather, studded butterfly clutch by Gucci.

Soundtrack is Bob Marley, because it's his birthday today and I hope he is as free + floating as a butterfly wherever he is: