Blog – Page 55 – Holly Whittlef

February 9, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

ARGENTINEAN INSPIRATION

Last October, I finally checked off a very important country on my to-travel list: Argentina.

You see, I have been absolutely obsessed with Argentina for as long as I can remember. I couldn't really tell you why or how my obsession started. Jokingly, I tell people that a country known for red wine, steak and the tango is a country I want to visit. That and I always thought the idea of a torrid Argentinean love affair sounded enthralling in the "Life is short, why the hell not?" sense.

Arriving in Argentina on a damp, rainy Sunday afternoon, I was immediately enthralled with the architecture, style and color of South America's second largest country. I literally died and went to color heaven (is there such a thing? I can hope). Any country that celebrates bold, bright colors and regularly uses neon + flourescent hues in their signage is one that is fully appreciated by me.

Two weeks. Eight cities. A combined 1600 pictures. Twelve bottles of wine. Five liters of Argentinean beer. Three buses. One iPod stolen. Two tango shows. One fútbol (read: soccer) game. One unforgettable cup of Freddo's dulce de leche ice cream.

And not to mention, loads and loads of design inspiration.

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01 llama statue along the Quebrada de Humuhuaca
02 patterned floor at Casa Rosada
03 a Santiago Calatrava-designed bridge along Puerto Madero
04 street art in Cafayate
05 one of my favorites from the MALBA
06 the walls of The Empanada Shop in Cafayate
07 event poster in Purmamarca
08 street graffiti in Buenos Aires
09 San Telmo Market jam band with serious street swag

Published by Holly Whittlef in Inspiration, Travel

January 31, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

NEIGHBORHOODS OF PARIS

I happened upon this most lovely video from Havas Wordwide Paris this morning. It was one of those Twitter things where I found someone new to follow then found someone else new to follow via the new follow and I read a bunch of their tweets and voila! - this clever montage of Paris neighborhoods was officially discovered.

Its use of simple lines, shape and beautiful typography exquisitely represent Paris' neighborhoods and make me want to go back to drink bottles of wine, eat banana nutella crepes and wander through each and every arrondisement. I just had to share it.

Discovered on Obvious State via Kate Woodrow via Megan Gonzalez.

P.S. You can now follow my blog with Bloglovin!

Published by Holly Whittlef in Inspiration

January 26, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

ESSENTIALS: Summer Bike Riding

I know I shouldn't be doing this.

It's rather masochistic the way I'm torturing myself by daydreaming of summer, bike rides around Lake Monona, jean shorts, blinding bright sunshine and melty cold ice cream cones when it is EIGHT DEGREES OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW. But I have to. I fear the only things that will carry me through these bitingly cold winter days are the happy thoughts of leisurely summer bike rides.

Summer bike rides happen to be one of my very favorite things. The manfriend and I enjoy spending our weekends biking the lakes and bike paths of Madison and occasionally stopping to swig down a cold beer or devour a large scoop of Wisconsin-made ice cream. Chocolate peanut butter from Babcock Hall happens to be a favorite (Wisconsinites, you know what I am talking about). And any appropriate bike ride deserves stylish bike gear, amiright?

Casual, breathable clothes. A backpack to carry snacks. And all the necessary (read: functional AND cute) bike accessories.

It may only be January, but I say it's never too soon to start stocking up in preparation. I've got several of these gems already checked off my list and my eye on several others. Please, don't forget a bike helmet and perhaps an obnoxiously loud bike bell too. I mean hello, safety first!

Published by Holly Whittlef in essentials, fashion