Preorder Move Slow & Make Things, and enjoy a collection of thoughtful bonus content created just for you!

a slice of life

a slice of life

tips on decorating cakes with flowers

Before we chat about flowers and cakes, two things…  The winner of the mini landscapes is Ann Stuart Cassell!  Congrats!  And yes, for those asking, I will do more of those minis and have more giveaways in the future. Second, a new The Creative Exponent podcast is available – Episode 5: Don’t Wait for Perfect.  You can listen to it HERE. As soon as I put the in my shopping cart, I envisioned a four-layer naked cake decorated with flower sitting on top.  I have long loved that look, specifically done by Courtney of French Country Cottage.  She just has a knack with flowers.  And cakes. I initially started thinking through my cake pans, figuring out how I would make this cake and then I remember the time I baked 5 dozen mini cupcakes the night before the Lucketts Spring Market and realized I should just hire this out to

Read More
a slice of life

buy for good

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Who Gives a Crap?  I know…hang in there with me.  I promise that this is an awesome sponsored post and you’ll be glad you stuck around for it. When the e-mail arrived in my inbox inquiring about a collaboration with a toilet paper company called Who Gives a Crap, I’ll be honest, my first response was something like, “I cannot see myself writing an entire post about toilet paper.”  But, I’ve learned to follow my curiosity and resist assumptions, so I clicked over to the to check it out for myself.  After reading about their mission, I was sold and I felt like my readers would be, too. In their words, this is why they do what they do… “We’re determined to prove that toilet paper is about more than just wiping bums. We make all of our products with environmentally friendly materials, and we donate 50% of

Read More
a slice of life

Would you like me to buy you something in Lucca?

In just under a month, I will be heading back to Europe!  I am so excited!  It was such a rejuvenating, inspiring trip and I loved seeing Europe as an adult.  (I grew up in Germany, so I got to see a lot of Europe as a child, but it’s completely different as an adult.) I will be traveling with my mom again and we’ll be meeting up with Wendy and her husband, John, in Paris before heading to Italy.  We initially thought we would visit another part of Europe, but we all wanted to go back to Paris again and see more of it.  We’ll also be taking a day trip, so we can see some of the French countryside and will travel to Italy by train to see more of Europe en route.  We’re still planning out what we’ll do in Paris, but I’ve started my wishlist. We

Read More
a slice of life

climbing up weeds

Walking has become one of my best tools for generating ideas.  In the past, I sort of felt like walking was an alternative to “real exercise”, but since I’m still limited by my shoulder (I’m still doing PT), walking has been what I can reliably do.  And I’ve seen and felt the benefits of it beyond just weight loss and increased energy.  That time is spent learning, thinking, and just being open to new ideas.  It’s become a hybrid task that bridges personal and professional perks. So, while I was walking yesterday, on a path I have walked hundreds of times before, I noticed a small floral vine creeping up an obnoxious weed. I observed it for a minute while Sebastian was sniffing around and then we kept walking.  After a few steps, I turned back around for a closer look.  I tromped through the tall weeds, confusing Sebastian, and

Read More
a slice of life

How I Journal

I’ve mentioned journaling a few times on Instagram and here on the blog and have received some questions about how I journal.  I know there are a lot of “journaling methods” out there and I wouldn’t say I follow any specific method, but just started writing and figured out the best way to organize it all for my brain and my creative work. The first thing I learned is that writing everything in one notebook didn’t work.  My ideas, to-dos, thoughts, plans, and notes were like a debris field scattered across too many notebooks that I had to sift through every time I wanted to reference something I wrote down.  It would’ve been fine if my journaling was just about putting something on paper, but I journal so I can remember and revisit things.  I collect quotes, fragmented ideas, and thoughts, notes on books I read, sermons I listen to,

Read More
a slice of life

ABLE leather backpack & other pretty workhorses

I don’t spend a lot of money on clothes or shoes or purses or jewelry.  I don’t eat out a lot or get expensive coffees every day.  I don’t get the works done to my hair every eight weeks and I don’t get my nails and toes done with any regularity. What I do buy is good supplies.  I love notebooks, binders, portfolios, pens, pencils, papers, pouches, and anything that’s a pretty workhorse. My newest pretty workhorse is a from … I saw this bag first when I visited Shaunna in Florida.  It caught my eye, but I didn’t ask her about it. When she visited me a couple of weeks ago, I admired it again and this time asked about it.  It’s the .  Well, it wasn’t a day or two later that I ordered it.  She has owned hers for a couple of years and has traveled with

Read More
a slice of life

two years ago today…

Two years ago today, we moved from Biglerville, PA to our current home in Rochester, MN.  Can you believe it’s been two years?!  In some ways, it feels like we’ve been here longer than that and, in other ways, it seems like we just got here. There are certainly things I miss about PA.  I miss living close to my parents and an easy 6-7 hours away from Jeff’s family.  There are, of course, people that I miss.  And, I miss my favorite antique stores.  I had some pretty sweet honey holes and some great business connections who consistently helped me find good stuff.  (If you’re in the PA/MD/VA area, you can check out my list of favorite places HERE and HERE.) Even with those things that I miss, I’m so glad we moved.  This is the right place for us in this season of life. Jeff loves his job

Read More
a slice of life

mastery & all things worthwhile

Mastery… I’ve been thinking about that word a lot lately and have been challenged by it as I’ve been reading books like Essentialism and The Creative Habit. If I had to draw a diagram of my creative journey, it would probably look more like a spiderweb than a straight or even meandering path that heads in one direction.  And, I have to be honest, these books have made me feel like that’s wrong. I once was on a straight path that led to Broadway. The markers on that path were plays, voice lessons, dance classes, monologues, auditions, stagecraft, improvisation, and hours of rehearsals. It was practicing a routine until I could do it without thinking and rehearsing a script until I could mutter it in my sleep. It was singing scales to improve my range and learning how to stand in the hotspot of a light without looking at it. 

Read More

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

next art sale

May 20th, 2026 at 1pm EST

Now Available for Preorder

Move Slow & Make Things

A book about creativity, intention, and making things with care. Sign up to receive updates, preorder details, and exclusive bonus content.

From the Studio

Artful pieces for your home and everyday life.

From original paintings and art prints to Pup Club releases and curated goods, each piece is created or chosen to bring warmth, creativity, and character into your home.

From the Studio and Home

Shop the Feed

A handpicked collection of items styled and shared throughout posts, projects, and social feeds. Every product is thoughtfully chosen to reflect a timeless, collected aesthetic.

Recent Video

Spring Posts

Explore the Shop

Explore the Blog

Categories
error: Content is protected.

Pin It on Pinterest