This Keeps Me Inspired Part I.

Staying inspired is essential not only for a blogger, but for every one feeling the need to constantly develop themselves. There are days, when it’s easy to come up with new ideas, but there are some, when motivation to create something is deeply below the zero point. That is not a good feeling at all. I never feel that, when traveling to new places. There is no better source of inspiration than that. Between the journeys, it’s important for me to stimulate my imagination as much as possible.

Because it’s Christmas time, I decided to give you, my dear readers, a little gift a and share with you what I love most. Things that are my daily source of inspiration for quite some time.Of course, my list would be way too long if I mentioned all of them, but here are at least few, for me the most important. I hope they could also inspire you on your own creative journey.

BLOGS

Firstly, I would like to express my admiration to so many amazing blogs out there. As I’m very visual, great photography is a must for me, to fell for someone’s blog.

Beyond all is the blog of Shini Park called Park&Cube, for me. There is no need to introduce it to many of you. If you don’t know it yet, I strongly recommend you to visit her amazing website.

It is a celebration of original creativity, precise photography and graphic design that easily overshadow any luxury magazine. I don’t know anyone more talented in this field. Maybe, only her good friend Sarah Mikaela from Framboise Fashion is close to that level.

When it comes to following fashion trends, I can always rely on my favorite stylist/fashion icon Chriselle Lim, who I introduced you earlier this year, on my blog.

Some other favourites are Paris in Four Months, Journey into la Ville Lumière, HonestlyWTF,  Bold Bliss, Egg Canvas or Instagram account of Hello Emilie and Karen Rosalie.

BOOKS

Stories I read are usually very visual, too. How? Read Haruki Murakami‘s books and you will understand. His novels are almost poetical, enveloped by mystery, deep and true. Reading them is like watching a well filmed movie, just better. You see all the described places and characters right in front of you, piercing your mind with their personal story. I have never been disappointed by any of his book, but South of the Border, West of the Sun remains my favorite.

We all need to get motivated, from time to time. Books of Laurent Gaunelle, French author and specialist for Neuro-linguistic programming, help us, with his stories, to discover our own convictions and behavioral patterns, holding us back. Together with the main characters of his thrilling novels like “The Man Who Wanted to be Happy” and “The Man Who Risked It All”, we learn how to deal with our own demons, self-doubts, to fully live our lives. The fact, that his books take place in very attractive places doesn’t hurt, too.

For anyone, interested in developing their creative skills, I recommend to read very fresh and entertaining books by Austin Kleon “Steal Like an Artist” and “Show Your Work”. It will encourage you on your own creative way, I promise!

Besides that, I have bookshelves full of fashion and photography books, as well as travel, architecture, biography and art books. They are real treasuries. It’s not about reading any of those books outright. I use to browse and read parts of them here and there. And I’m not sure how, but I usually find this way the missing puzzle, to complete the idea that I’m working on, at a moment.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews are great tool to learn from others and look at things from the new perspective. I enjoy reading The Talks, that brings an interview with the person from the world of art, business, fashion, film, food, literature, music or sport every week. You can find there the most famous stars, as well as people, who are maybe not that known for public, but surely well recognized in their industry. Interviews are short and so much to the point! Exactly what I appreciate.

Humans of New York showed us all that everyone has something interesting to say. Thanks to Brandon Stanton’s talent to ask and listen to the others I, together with millions of other passionate followers, discover the soul of real, ordinary human beings, who are, in fact, never ordinary.

Another favorite source of interviews is Lunch with the FT.

MAGAZINES

For me, as an architect’s sister and as an all design obsessed person, there is never enough time to collect stylish pictures on Pinterest or to browse beautiful magazines like Cereal Magazine, Kinfolk, Dezeen or ArchDaily.

LIGHT AND SHADOW

Nothing makes me want to take a picture as much as beautiful light combined with shadows. I literally stop and gaze for a while, whenever I notice a beautiful lighting situation. And if it is possible, I take photos. I only wish I lived somewhere more in the south, to experience that more often. In 2017, maybe? I hope so.

Last, but not least, the source of my energy are YOU, all my readers! Thank you for finding time to read this and for all your feedback. It’s everything.

I know I haven’t mentioned yet the movies, series, galleries etc., but hey, it’s not the end of all the days! I will dedicate a post to that, soon. But for now, it’ s your turn. What are your favorite sources of inspiration? Please, share it in comments!

And don’t forget to fully enjoy Christmas holidays with your loved ones.

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Creative direction and Editing: DANIELA RIFAI  Photos: DANIELA RIFAI and MARTIN JESNY