The unimagined inspiration

After visiting Anthropologie in Greensboro, we have been asked to stew in our creative juices and find inspiration in life's little discoveries.  To achieve this, I took the time this weekend to get out and have some engaging unimagined experiences of my own with the hope that stories, concepts and visual merchandising "moments" will begin to take form.  The following four posts are the result of this past weekend-- some images and thoughts of mine to muddle over.

Image taken from Anthropologie.com

Taco Truck Stop

Barbacoa heart burn descend upon me and curse me with your sinful deliciousness!  I reckon it's time to eat standing.  Never before has a parking lot smelled so good.  Let's all stand beside a taco truck, like kids too close to the TV screen.  Let's stare at the menu and fantasize about our options while we watch orders appear in a window, wrapped in thin foil and white paper.  This particular taco truck is located in the Fitch Lumber parking lot.  Carrboro, NC.

There's something romantic about dining truck-side at dusk in a familiar parking lot.  I appreciate the experience because it sheds a new light on a few of life's mundane elements-- A parking lot is filled with the scent of gilled meat and cilantro, a delivery truck is painted with elaborate colorful decals, a telephone pole is dressed with flyers and a taco truck community is created!  It's magical-- like the witching hour... and so so tasty.

Secret Gardens

Secluded corners tempting me with fountains, ferns and lounging animals.  These are the places I peer into.  Waiting rooms for those who seem blessed with endless time.  These are the gardens to grow old in.  

It's no joke, I love looking into people's gardens-- it's nothing short of voyeurism.  I fantasize about the time spent there and the people who care for the plants.  I love the idea of an isolated piece of paradise-- cultivated and unexpected-- thriving behind a facade. These are some gardens I found in Wilmington's historic district.

Carolina Coast

Salt and jasmine to rouse the senses.  Sardines and sweet tea to cleans the gut.  Bleach and polish to keep us honest.  Mint juleps and oyster shells to seduce the past.  WD-40 and spinner reels to turn our heads.

To me the coast is cyclical.  Sand castles are built and destroyed with the tide, facades are weathered and painted with the seasons, tourists come and go... it's a place to come full circle.  A time to think about the last time I swam in the ocean.  The Carolina coast is a far cry from the Miami boardwalk and it sure ain't the Jersey shore. It's something in between... something soothing and nostalgic, at least in my mind.

Blue Ribbon Nights

Sweaty glass bottles perched on deck railings.  Old industry gone trendy.  Pearlescent snap buttons, side parts and leisure sneakers. Paperback novels stuffed into back pockets and remnants of posters on bathroom walls.  Guitar picks, cue chalk and lipstick stains left behind.

Nights spent wandering with friends in and out of familiar spots where characters are just as colorful as the posters on the walls.  This is still necessary.  The images above were taken at the Carrboro music festival.