Wallpaper
We are always thinking of new ways to seek and share inspiration...
We are always thinking of new ways to seek and share inspiration. For the holidays we thought sharing a few photos or visual inspirations may be nice. You can download to use them as a decoration, wallpaper photo for you phone ... or even as a last minute gift idea if you're in need. Hope you enjoy them ... :)
Wishing you a Happy holiday!
Wallpaper for Iphone Download
Misty Trees | Flower Textures | Sand Waves | Elk, California
Pillow Case - Studio Matsalla
Pillow Case - Studio Matsalla
Print Download
Misty Trees | Flower Textures | Sand Waves | Elk, California
*All images © copyright by elsa kawai. They are for are only for personal use, it is non-commercial, editorial usage.
Classic Sounds
As the holidays are approaching I always look forward to spending more time with family and friends....
As the holidays are approaching I always look forward to spending more time with family and friends. When people come to visit we always enjoy listening to music ... especially old records. It always seems to be a big part of the weekends. It's nice hearing the crackle and imperfections the old vinyl can bring ... discovering music in a different way and listening to an album as a whole ... something we don't often do in todays music world.
As the years go by and technology advances everything seems to be turning digital .... books, photographs, music. It's nice making it convenient and accessible, but for some reason the classic forms always seems to be a bit more satisfying. We've started trying to be a little more traditional ... collecting vintage books, printing photographs, and playing more and more records, things that guests seem to enjoy.
For this post we've teamed up with Urban Outfitters and RewardsStyle to give some Holiday gift ideas. We've picked out a few items centered around music that we've enjoyed to have around the house. We often look for gifts and Urban Outfitters has always offered an array of great products fitting a variety of budgets. Ranging from classic vintage to modern ... you'll surely be able to find something that makes the perfect gift.
Articlegoods - $10 off your purchase by using this special code "ELSAKAWAI"
Happy Socks , Enjoy 15% off & free shipping using this code "HappyElsa" valid until 12/31
Hope you have a Happy Holiday ... ;)
Collecting Memories
The summer season is always thought of as the time to travel...
The summer season is always thought of as the time to travel. Full of happy of times and thoughts of fun and sun ... memories that stay with us for life and help to shape who we are. Travel is something I feel is important for that very reason ... helping us see another perspective and grow as a person.
One thing we try to do while traveling is bring those perspectives home with the keepsakes we gather ... focusing on only a select few things that recreate the rich culture and style of other cities. Collecting visual memories and remembering the feelings that traveling creates ... the excitement of getting inspired by your surroundings and the sense of being at ease while on Holiday. The keepsakes help me to create a little visual diary at home, hopefully keeping you smiling and remembering of those special times ... ;)
Gravel & Gold - Boob Pillowcase . Diamond Quilt . Flokati Shag Rug
Seeing the seasons
Seeing the seasons change around you is something that I haven't experienced for a long time...
Seeing the seasons change around you is something that I haven't experienced for a long time. It reminds me of when I first arrived in America ... back East in Rhode Island. Seeing the seasons change for the first time ... from summer to fall then winter. The beautiful colors that appear and then disappear as all the leaves loose hold ... the excitement of the approaching summer once spring temperatures are on the rise.
Transitioning North from the city it has been nice to discover the different green around us. Being here long enough to see the different shapes and tones that develop with the seasons. It inspires me to learn more each day ... looking closer into the details ... diving deeper into things and exploring like when you were younger.
I find myself using elements of nature and styling within photos ... it seems to create such a nice balance to the photograph. I think that nature is something we are instinctually drawn too. We visit nature to relax ... to see something beautiful ... to revive ourselves. You can gain so much inspiration from nature and it's natural design.
Here's a few photos captured lately ... ;)
This spring, Boxed water is planning to plant 100,000 trees. Every photo you post on social media, using the hashtag #Retree, Boxed Water will plants 2 trees in our national forests ... :)
Gravel & Gold - The Boob Pillowcase
Excited to be a part of Arte magazine. A new quarterly magazine dedicated to providing a minimalist take on creative culture. A wonderful team to collaborate with .... Lets help them launch Issue 01 at kickstarter
Local Charm
Mexico has always offered me great experiences when wanting to get away...
Mexico has always offered me great experiences when wanting to get away. Each time we visit ... it becomes a more comforting and relaxed place ... full of smiling faces and wonderful people to meet ... warm sunny skies and beautiful beaches.
Sayulita is a town we found that offers this very effortlessly. It was so nice spending time with friends in this unique place ... exploring the rustic little streets and local artist storefronts ... sharing laughs and conversation while watching the rain from our balconies. Here are a few photos from our little adventure. Hope you enjoy the inspiration ... ;)
Ring: Delfina Delettrez , Kristen Elspeth, Lele Sadoughi Bracelet: Failjewelry
San Pancho Beach
Sandals: Tony Bianco
Bag: Issey Miyake Shoes: Asos Dress: Asos
Boat Party - Whale watching & Snorkling
Thank you Kenny & Elisa for this wonderful adventure ... we were so happy to be a part of something so special ... ;)
Puerto Rico
It was so nice to get to make it to Puerto Rico for the first time ...
It was so nice to get to make it to Puerto Rico for the first time ... getting a chance to meet new friends and visit with good company. The island has a very uplifting and calm feeling to it. People are so full of smiles ... being so helpful in every way as none of us spoke much Spanish. I really enjoyed our little walks around exploring the warm beaches ... experiencing the different weather changes you get while being on an island. Changing from hot warm sunshine to cloudy and faded with little droplets of rain.
Island sunsets are so interesting to me. I love all the abstract shapes that are created from the trees and plants ... it always seems to have so much more energy and vibrance. During the sunsets, I often thought of the local fisherman ... catching the fish for the village and getting to enjoy the beauty of being on the sea. You could always feel when the night was approaching ... starting to hear the lovely frogs singing to each other with the breeze coming in from off the ocean.
Hope you enjoy the inspiration..
Slip On: Missguided
Cuff: & Other Stories Skirt: River Island
Hat: Sensi Studio
Ring: Fail Jewelry, StefanieSheehan Bracelet: Failjewelry
Captured using iphone with some light editing with vscocam app ...
Florida
It was so nice to visit Florida for my first time ....
For Thanksgiving we headed down south to spend a few days with Rob's family. It was so nice to visit Florida for my first time .... spending quality time with the family and seeing where Grandma and Grandpa lived for so many years. Hearing the old stories and memories from when everyone was younger ... and how much things have changed over the years. It was refreshing to be able to catch some sun and admire all the beautiful clouds ... taking our time, not being in a rush and filing the days with random beach walks. I feel thankful for times like this when we are able to get together because they always help put a smile on my face ... :)
The tropical climate reminds of being home in Malaysia ... soft white sands on the beach ... lots of coconut trees and green palms wherever you look. I was fascinated with all the different palms and lush green. It inspires me to think of what we can plant around our garden sometime ... and hopefully give it a little of that tropical feel of home ... ;)
Here's a few inspirational photos from our trip. Hope you enjoy ...
Dress: Pippa Lynn (similar here, here) Hat: Anthony Peto
Bracelet: & Other Stories, Aprilsoderstrom
Shorts: Target
Ring: Tiro Tiro Bracelet: & Another Stories, Tube Bangle
Sandals: Sam Edelman ( in black )
Bird House
Our recent weekend projects have been spent trying to fix up the house ...
Our recent weekend projects have been spent trying to fix up the house ... walking around figuring out what are the things we can do ourselves. It's been fun learning ... little by little each day ... the processes and way things are done. Lately we've been getting a lot of inspiration discovering all the beautiful textures throughout the nature and forest all around us.
As we were exploring the woods the other day, we found some old wood scraps and decided to make some little bird houses. We wanted to make some little cozy places and help attract more birds to come visit the garden ... maybe even sing a little song sometime ... hehe
It was nice to photograph this inspiration when the house was so empty ... I hope we can continue keeping it this minimal way. Hope you enjoy the inspiration ... ;)
Paper Bag : That Way
Poster: The Poster Club Sofa: CB2
Hope you enjoy this tune...
Getting Away
A recent ritual we've developed is getting away to spend time at home in the forest...
A recent ritual we've developed is getting away to spend time at home in the forest. It feels so much different than being in the city. The sound in the forest is so soft ... hearing the birds chirp and the wood peckers knocking ... the strongest roar being the wind blowing through the trees.
Winter is coming here in California and it's beginning to get chilly. It's such a nice time of year to walk the woods or browse around the garden ... sipping a warm cup of tea or morning coffee ... taking a minute to sit down for some inspirational reading. The misty fog in the mornings is my favorite ... it closes off the distance and makes things even more quiet and calming.
Here are some photos from our recent little shoot. Hope you enjoy the inspiration ... ;)
Hat: Lack of Color Sweater: Iris & Ink
Shirt: thousand piece puzzle Cups: Enamel Camping Cup
Drawing Pen: Fiftythree Jeans: Uniqlo
Shoes: & Other Stories
Magazine: Kinfolk
Black Dress: Kow Tow
Bag: Proenza Schouler PS11 Cuff: & Other Stories Bangle: & Other Stories
Ring: Fail Jewelry
Magazine: Cereal
Magazine: Kinfolk
Magazine: Cereal Volume 6 Ring: Alice & Leon
Outfit inspiration and collaboration with thousandpiecepuzzle.
Hope you enjoy this tune...
An Egg Story
I definitely have a fondness in my heart for eggs...
I definitely have a fondness in my heart for eggs. Each morning I get an egg for breakfast makes me happy and gives me such a homie feeling ... they are a big comfort food for me. Another thing I enjoy about eggs is how simple yet striking they are ... the bright white paired with the rich yoke coloring. They offer so many different styles depending on how they are prepared ... keeping things different and allowing you to be creative.
I thought it would be fun to imagine what an egg would do during his free time with other eggs. Imagining how they would play around and hang out with each other ... or maybe even help each other out when they are in need of a rescue ... :)
Hope you enjoy our short little egg story ...
Oceans of Dreams
Growing up, I always enjoyed taking naps and listening to the white noise throughout the house ...
Growing up, I always enjoyed taking naps and listening to the white noise throughout the house ... fans constantly spinning to cool the hot humid air .... the clock ticking as I shut my eyes trying to fall asleep.
Lately we've been using a white noise machine when getting into bed ... choosing between ocean waves and forest rain to help inspire our dreams as we sleep. I've been having lots of ocean dreams ever since ... my favorite sleep sound currently ... ;)
Listening to all the waves throughout the night has left me thinking of the beach each morning when I get up. Here's a few pictures from our current shoot inspired by our ocean dreams lately. Hope you enjoy ... ;)
Sunglasses: Acne Studios
Shoes: Yes by Solestruck
Watch: Nixon
Perfume: Commodity
Sweater: Everlane
Jeans: Uniqlo
A Collaboration with Yes by Solestruck & Commodity
All photos taken with two lenses, Nikon D300s & 85mm lens.
Till then... here is a little tune for ya:
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High Contrast
We have another dream of someday building a room with high ceilings and all white walls ...
We have another dream of someday building a room with high ceilings and all white walls ... filled with glass and windows dedicating it to photographing ... our own little private studio ... ;)
A place to use natural light to manipulate shapes and shadows ... transforming the contrast and depth of the objects we see. Spending more time building and learning about props and what ways they are used best.
Lately we've only been able to shoot once a week ... making it more exciting each time we get to plan our next outing. Exciting to dedicate a day seeking a place to shoot ... talking over our concept and the feelings we want to portray. Brainstorming what is possible and allowing us to practice our styling ... hoping we get better each time ... ;)
Here's a few inspiration photos from one of our recent practice shoots ... a collaboration with SoleStuck and & Other Stories.
Top: Hokk Fabrica Dress: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: YES by Solestruck
Makeup: Chanel Iphone case: Case Scenario Perfume: Commodity
Hand Cream: & Another Stories
Ring: Shashi Bracelet: US - Heart & o - remember
Sunglasses: Acne Studios
Here is a some tune for you... till then..
Other Stories
Along the Coast
One of the dreams we have is to someday live in the forest.
One of the dreams we have is to someday live in the forest. When we get a chance every now and then ... Rob and I enjoy taking a drive and exploring the coast. Trying to relax in the forest going for short walks and taking a deep breath to enjoy the coastal air. The weather changes often and it's so nice to see how it transforms ... ;)
Looking at the nature all around is so serene and sheltering ... giving you a very comforting feeling. I feel like I'm getting a little green thumb ... hoping to learn more about the different beautiful flowers and greenery around me ... hehe. I find it a bit fascinating the different forms and shapes the trees become ... so unique from one another. Sometimes you get lucky meeting some cute little animal friends that pass by ... I think Cows are becoming one of my favorites.
Here's a few inspiration photos for you ... hope you enjoy ... ;)
All photos taken with two lenses, Nikon D300s, 18-200mm
Till then...
Other Stories
Minimal
Lately I've found that Rob and I have been talking a lot about living a simple life ...
Lately I've found that Rob and I have been talking a lot about living a simple life ... trying to practice everyday learning how to use less and have less. It's so interesting to see what you come up with trying to use only what you have around. It has helped our creativity as well ... looking a little deeper into things ... seeing what else they may have to offer.
If you follow on instagram, you've probably noticed we've been trying to create a more minimal gallery. It's been very interesting and challenging looking at photos in this way ... learning how to train your eyes to find simple space within the images we see ... the ease of tones that create a common calming feeling in the shot ... or things that you're able to enjoy in the most simplest form.
Here's a few photos from a little collaboration we had with YES by Solestuck.
Hope you enjoy them!
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Follow
Menu - Giveaway
It's been a few months since Rob and I started blogging ...
It's been a few months since Rob and I started blogging ... sharing things we enjoy and stuff that helps inspire us. We've really been enjoying all the mini projects and adventures ... giving us a creative outlet and allowing us to practice that creativity on a daily basis. We wanted to thank you all for stopping by and supporting us ... all the wonderful emails that we get are great encouragement and helps us each day.
We wanted to celebrate this by having a little giveaway from one of our favorite brands Menu. Their products are all great quality .... well designed in a very minimalistic way. We picked out this little chunky marble candle holder. It is so simple and beautiful ... and we thought it would be really cool for a giveaway :)
There's 2 separate ways you can enter to win one of these little guys:
- First ... follow us on Bloglovin and leave a comment below.
- Second ... you can follow us on Instagram and repost any photo from the giveaway using the hashtag #ekgives.
Open to readers worldwide and winner will be drawn two weeks from today. Thank you again for all the support ... ;)
Good Luck and hope you enjoy this photo inspiration!
Till then... Good Luck :)
The Little Cracks
It's always nice to have an off day with no plans....
It's always nice to have an off day with no plans. It's a free day when you can go explore anywhere and see what new experiences and situations you can find. As you know we really enjoy looking around and investigating old buildings ... with all their cracks, character, and accidental beauty. One particular spot we stop at pretty consistently is Urban Ore in Berkeley. A pickers paradise of old building materials, books, electronics, etc ... it's always a good place to get inspiration and every once in a while ... find a cute vintage diamond in the rough.
While exploring the alleys we came across this simple and aged property. Seeing all the cracks and lines ... it reminded me of the sweater I was wearing. Having the lines in my sleeves pair with the imperfections of the doors and walls behind me. Hope you enjoy the inspiration ... ;)
What do you like to do when you have no plans?
Ring: House Of Bourgeois Bracelet: Hermes ( similar here ) Kamryn Dame
Ring: House of Bourgeois | Vintage Ring Watch: Nixon
Dress: Missguided
Shoes: YES by Solestruck ( on sale )
Ring: House Of Bourgeois
Sweater: Alexander McQueen Shoes: YES (on sale) Hat: H&M Sunglases: ADSR
We also had the opportunity to work with Asiyami Gold for a featured post regarding our trip to Joshua Tree.
Take a peek if you have a minute. Till the next time ... ;)
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Undetected
We've been heading to the woods more lately ... walking around and seeing all kinds of greens.
We've been heading to the woods more lately ... walking around and seeing all kinds of greens. It feels good each weekend to get out, since we all spend so much time on our computers through the work week. It makes me feel like I can more easily rest my eyes with the greens you get to see in nature ... :)
If I could have one super power ... I think I would choose the ability to be invisible. Being hidden is very interesting to me and makes me very curious about what I would see. You would be able to see true honesty and picture things completely uninterrupted in their natural state.
Honesty can be tough sometimes ... which is the only thing that makes me wonder if I would really want to experience it. For now we'll just have to practice trying to camouflage into our neighborhood. Here's a few photos from a recent hide & seek walk. Hope you enjoy the inspiration ... ;)
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Accidental Beauty
Rob and I have a dream of building a home together someday...
Rob and I have a dream of building a home together someday. We've spent many hours talking over ideas and finding inspiration on Pinterest ... visiting places like Fioli and the Hearst Castle to get ideas ... learning their styles and how people built homes back then.
On our road trips, we often pullover for abandon places that catch our eye ... taking a quick break to explore around like we were little kids ... giving you those little butterflies of uncertainty in your stomach. They are full of so many details that give them such a bigger story. I think of them as accidental beauty ... It's so interesting to picture in your mind what these places were like in their prime and capture the stories they still tell today.
Hope you enjoy the inspiration ... what are your favorite "Accidental Beauties?"
Photo are taken with Nikon D300s & 18-200mm lens.
Here is a tune we pick for you to enjoy too ...
Lines
When I was drawing in art school ... one topic I found so much fun and challenging was lines and shapes...
When I was drawing in art school ... one topic I found so much fun and challenging was lines and shapes. I enjoyed learning how to combine repetitious lines and other forms ... creating symmetry and pattern into my art.
When I see graphical patterns or lines ... it reminds me how much I appreciate these designs and the flow they have. Thinking about each of the separate pieces and the form produced ... giving a different sense of movement to the piece when you wear it .... it also makes things so much more fun too ... ;)
Hope you enjoy the outfit ...
Top: House Of Sunny
Bag: Celine
Sunglasses: Prada ( similar here ) Bracelet: H&M ( similar here )
Ring: Alice & Leon Bracelet: Hermes ( similar here )
Shoes: Vagabond
Also pick a few fav:
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Chris Schoonover
I feel like I've made a lot of new friends through my Instagram. Each day I enjoy spending time getting lost in the images and finding inspiration ..
I feel like I've made a lot of new friends through my Instagram. Each day I enjoy spending time getting lost in the images and finding inspiration .. there are so many amazing artists out there to admire. I recently had the pleasure to chat with this amazing artist Chris Schoonover (instagram & vsco). I love his photographs ... they are so bold and simple at the same time with subtle hidden messages. I asked Chris for a few pointers and insights and wanted to share with you all. I figured this was a great opportunity to introduce a new series I want to feature from time to time titled "Photo Makers." I also want to thank Chris for sharing and helping me kick off this new series.
Tell us a little about you?
My name is Chris Schoonover and I am a photographer based in New York City. I mostly take portraits of models and people from my life/travels.
How long have you been a photographer?
I've been a photographer since August 2013 when I got my first camera. Before that I was just using my phone.
What have been some of the most rewarding aspects of being a photographer?
I've gotten to work through a lot of my problems by taking photos. It takes my mind off of things for a while and I get to make something I like and can share with people. I think it gives me something to offer to people.
Where do you find your inspiration? What do you do to get inspired?
I find my inspiration a lot of times from other fashion and art photographers. I'm constantly looking at contemporary art photo books to get ideas. Tumblr is also one of my favorite places to find new and old photography.
What is your current fav topic to shoot and why?
Recently I've been working on a project with my brother where we are photographing pro wrestlers. It's been fun to see and learn about that subculture and photograph it in a way that's unfamiliar to the sport. I've also been photographing models In everyday situations and making it seem a bit dreamy. As long as it's aesthetically pleasing, I'll shoot it.
What is your fav camera lens or is there any specific equipment you love?
I shoot with a canon 5d mark 2, but I think my favorite would be my Fuji x100s. It's easy to carry around and takes away the burden of carrying around a ton of gear.
Do you have any simple tips or advice you could share to help be a better photographer?
Make sure you're always looking at other photographers work. You have to study so you know what has and hasn't been done. Go and take photos of things even if it makes you a bit uncomfortable. People like to look at things that are unfamiliar. Finally, take photos of things that you like. Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Focus on what you are doing and make it count.
Thanks for stopping by ... hope you enjoy the inspiration ... ;)
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