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Guess what?! I wrote a BOOK! If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may have already heard the news. I announced it just before Christmas, when I surprisingly found out that it was already available for pre-sale on Amazon!  I spent the majority of 2018 working on this project, dreaming up the projects, shooting the pictures and writing the copy. It was a true labor of love, and the biggest + best opportunity I have gotten thus far. Getting to write a book (of some kind) has always been a dream of mine, just one I wasn't sure how to bring about on my own. I don't necessarily consider myself a writer, per se, at least not in the traditional, grammar snob way. BUT I have always loved creative, free writing. Keeping a journal since 6th grade, writing down the details of my life, and creating little short stories. That naturally evolved into a Xanga, Livejournal, blogger and eventually- this blog right here. I guess the next natural progression was a book!  This opportunity first came about a couple of years ago, shortly after I left my teaching position. A editing house out of London reached out to me to pitch them a few ideas on what I would write a book about if given the chance. Naturally, I pitched all art related ideas and doing a book about painting just felt right.  The projects in this book are labeled as 'plays', 'prompts' and 'projects' and range from easy to slightly challenging, I wouldn't say hard, though. I really wanted it to be a book for 'everyone' type of thing. Something that adults and kids both could enjoy painting their way through. Something that art teachers could use as a jumping point for class projects, or that a beginner could pick up to start their acrylic painting journey.
The book is only on pre-sale right now (on Amazon and Barnes and Noble) and I haven't even received a physical copy of it yet. So I will be sharing more about this through out the coming months, maybe even giving you some teasers of projects inside.  DIY Shoe Makeover Ideas to breathe new life into old shoes! I've teamed up with DecoArt and 12 other makers in this free ebook download to give you 30+ projects and shoe makeover ideas.  I had so much fun getting to play with DecoArt's new line of Stylin Paints and you can too! I am hosting a giveaway to win a full set of the Stylin line over on my instagram so hop on over to there to see how to enter.
From beige to blooming! These platforms were totally transformed by a little bit of paint! Not to brag, but they have seriously been my favorite sandals all summer long, and every time I wear them I get compliments. They give me all the flower power vibes and make my feet so happy! I show you just how I painted the pattern on these shoes in the e-book. The Stylin paints are super easy to use and work on a variety of fabric options. They are a must to included in your DIY tool kit.  Don't you love this leather collar I made to go along with the platforms?! It's a funky statement piece that I also share how to make with you in the ebook.  Next up in the ebook I give these espadrilles a colorful makeover. The paints worked just like they do on a canvas on these shoes and looks like an (p)ARTY on my feet!  Download the ebook and head over to my instagram for the chance to win a set of all 14 colors of the Stylin DecoArt paints, so you can do all the projects in this book!
Also, a little birdie told my that DecoArt is hosting a sale on all Stylin products that are 40% off including the Value Pack (which was already an amazing deal). On top of that... if customers use the coupon code: STYLIN30FS they can receive free ground shipping in the United States on orders over $30 that contain at least 1 Stylin product. Don't miss out! And PLEASE share with me if you do one of these projects, I'd love to see! Take a pic and post it on instagram and tag me (@myfriendcourt) or use my hashtag --.> #iliketoARTYhard  Women's slouchy jumpers are probably one of my favorite year round outfits, as it feels like you are wearing your pjs, but it also makes a really big style statement too! The one I am sharing today is the perfect women's slouchy jumper for spring.  I picked up this gem of a jumper last spring at the Inman park festival from a shop called Baizaar. It is light-weight (feels like you're not wearing anything) and great for spring and summer here in GA where it can get insanely hot.
Today was a VERY beautiful spring day, so I threw on my slouchy jumper and Chris and I got out of the house for happy hour on a patio somewhere. You see, as a lot of the country has been experiencing- the weather has been drunk and flip-flopping all around. It is great one day and the next day it's rainy and in the 30s again. So, ENJOY IT while its here.
Chris (my hubby) is a commercial/fashion photographer, so he helps me out with my photos and since I'm no model he also helps me pose sometimes. He said crouch down and well...haha this is what we got! I feel like I see other girls pull off this sort of pose so well but I just don't know about me.   These purple tassel earrings are my new fav! They are super light weight, which makes them easy to wear all day. and I got them from target. And my handbag and tassel is by (moi) StudiOH, Shoppe!
 Also, I switched to this all natural, tea-tree oil, ph scalp balancing shampoo and conditioner and now all of a sudden my hair has all this body and wave to it and I don't even know who I am. I've always had pretty straight hair, except for in middle school when I had a perm! lol But I love it, and had to get a picture of it. This is me letting it air dry, because I need to get one of those diffusers and see if I can really get it to curl! Has this sort of thing ever happened to you before? SO WEIRD!  Wondering How to Get Inspired? I am sharing 5 tried and true ways that I find inspiration without Pinterest or the Internet. I have been doing these things since middle school. Be it looking for inspiration for my next art project or outfit, these 5 ways that I find inspiration have helped me time and time again when I catch myself in a creative rut. Now, don’t get me wrong- I LOVE me some Pinterest, but do you find yourself just pinning away, constantly looking for inspiration but not ever stepping away from Pinterest to actually apply it?! No…just me?! hehe …But really, I am sure you can relate. Pinterest can be like a time warp, that sucks away your time AND creative drive all at once. I have boards that I use for inspiration for my art, and designs and some days when I go back to it I just start pinning away like a zombie or just get stuck feeling like I’ll never create something as cool as what I pinned… Ya know? In these cases, I believe it’s always good to go back to your roots. And when I was young, and un-jaded by the world (and the internet and all of its cool ideas), I was filled with so much creative energy and could find inspiration everywhere. SO, I started thinking about what I would do when I needed inspiration back then and realized, other than Pinterest and the internet (and wine)- I still find inspiration the same way. And for me, it ALWAYS works. So if you want to know How to Get Inspired without the internet, try these 5 things and let me know how it works for you!  How to Get Inspired without the Internet - 5 Ways:
 thrifting in East Atlanta village 2. Get out in nature :: When I say I believe in returning to your roots, I mean it literally. Get outside, smell the fresh air, let the sun hit your face and clear your mind. Look around and find inspiration in the mundane beauty that nature has to offer.  roaming the flower fields in the South of France 3. Go to a library or bookstore :: I don’t know about you, but I love books. From their covers, to their smells, to the beautifully written words and pictures inside. There is always inspiration to be found inside of a bookstore or library. I personally could spend hours flipping through and tabbing off pages in books (or snapping pictures on my phones -SHHHHH!!).  A rainbow library I spoted in Iceland 4. Flip through old magazines :: Like books, magazines- old and new, are a great source of inspiration. So, next time you're at your Grandma’s house, flip through her old stack of magazines. Trends are always repeating themselves, and an old college professor of mine once told me that good artist borrow, but great artist steal an idea and make it better ;P  image via unsplash by Charisse Kenion 5. Get inspired by Music :: I mean HELLO! Who doesn't love music and use it as a source of inspiration to make them feel better, good and creative?!?! But digger deeper than just the sounds you hear, look at the words, album art and music video. Be inspired be the full experience.  some of my favorite records I hope at least one of these five ways can help you find inspiration if you are feeling in a creative rut. But please, share with me (and my readers) what you do to get + stay inspired in the comments. We all have those moments where we find ourselves in a rut, and no matter how much we don’t want to be there, sometimes its hard (but keep fighting, you got this). Remember to support and uplift your fellow artist and creatives, always!  Psst!: How do you stay inspired? Share with us in the comments!
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