Finding Inspiration Offline

for when my phone is boring me!!!

I am outside this summer. I am saying yes to invites even if that means I have to sit in traffic after work for 30 minutes, connecting with people I haven’t seen in months (or years), and spending my free time wandering. Though the internet and social media can be an amazing place to explore and find inspiration, there is nothing that beats the physical touch of holding a book you haven’t read yet or staring at a painting that you studied for weeks in your college art history courses.

This is me, using the internet, to encourage you to explore what is around you.

I had the absolute pleasure of making the trek out to my old stomping grounds in Brooklyn this past weekend. Though it feels like every place in the city has been touched (or gone viral on tiktok…), I love finding a hidden gem.

I stumbled upon this lovely “bookstore” called High Valley Books across the street from McCarren Park in Greenpoint- I put bookstore in quotes because this is a man’s apartment full of archival and vintage design, fashion, photography, architecture magazines & books that he has for sale by appointment only. Bill Hall, the owner, has curated this incredible collection that will have you wandering the place for upwards of an hour or two- there’s no shortage of inspiration here.

For my NYC creatives, this is a must-visit. I was shocked how many of my friends who frequent the area and love a good vintage design book did not know about this hidden bookstore.

My final purchases (it was hard to narrow down), were this Gebrauchsgraphik International Advertising Art magazine from 1959, and a vintage Flaunt Magazine from 2002. Obviously, the covers are what drew me in immediately- but the content inside left me mesmerized by the ideas.

Inside the 2002 Flaunt Magazine

As someone who works in fashion and is constantly digging into archive vogue runway shows, it’s a treat to see some fashion advertisements and editorials that have been lost in the ether. The creative direction of each of these spreads all feel so different from each other but they also encapsulate the fashion and trends of the early 2000’s. The vibrant colors and range of playful fonts make me yearn for more like this- but I have a strong stance on so many of the recreations we see today will never evoke the same emotions these do! It’s just not the same anymore! But I love now having these images in my possession to look back on.

Inside the 1959 Gebrauchsgraphik Magazine

I loved being able to purchase two magazines from two very different moments in time within the art and design world- I think what caught my eye most when opening this magazine was the use of color within some of the advertisements and the typography. It’s interesting to see how much advertisements have changed over time and what stands out to a consumer- especially now living in a world where influencers are the main agenda for selling product nowadays. Advertisements are such a relative form of art that have reasoning behind the imagery, text and color choices, which I find so fascinating.

I am a passionate believer in your favorite color palette lives in the world all around you, rather than whatever a random article online tells you. You just need to have your eyes open! I find myself searching for great color combinations on my walks these days, seeing which colors stand out to me and if the colors nearby ground them so they stand out. I find myself wondering which color combinations are intentional, and which ones just found each other in nature.

As an added layer of whimsy within my life, if I saw a color combination I loved out in nature, I try to bring them together within my closet as well. I saw this incredible purple passionflower hiding within the leaves and loved the hues of purple grounded by greens and browns, with a soft yellow to break up the purple. When deciding what to pair my new-vintage purple knit top with, I had an idea of what to play around with.

If you’re ever feeling bored and monotonous within your closet, it’s a fun challenge to give yourself. I loved the ripe yellows and oranges at the fruit stand paired back to the punchy reds. I tried to emulate that through my busy Sunday outfit. Why not add a little whimsy into your routine?

If given the opportunity, I will match my Mister Softee ice cream choice to my outfit, because why not.

Make a point to explore places around you, even if it’s an hour drive or your friends don’t want to join you for the trip. My favorite spots have come from aimlessly wandering and driving until I see a sign or a spot on the map that intrigues me.

A few weeks ago I visited one of my favorite places in Connecticut, Grace Farms. I feel so lucky to have grown up in the area and be exposed to such a beautiful place in my teen years, that I now frequent as an adult as a bit of a reset for my racing mind. It’s quiet and beautiful and perfect for a solemn Sunday afternoon.

I am also a big believer in- you never know who you’ll meet tomorrow or next week or next month that can change your life. And bringing yourself to new places can be a huge part of that. I’m always shocked to hear how many people from Connecticut haven’t ventured over to Grace Farms, or a lot of the other amazing art institutions we have. I encourage people to do their research on what is in their area! You never know what you’ll stumble upon.

Spending time with friends who inspire you creatively and emotionally! Sometimes, there’s just nothing better than leaving a conversation with a friend feeling motivated and open to whatever comes your way. I’m lucky enough to have many amazing friends who ground me while still pushing me outside my boundaries and making me want more for myself. It’s such a special and personal way to find inspiration within yourself while having encouragement from those around you. Sometimes, saying yes to things you ordinarily would say no to, can open a whole new world for yourself… who would’ve thought….?

A paper lantern I drew on; a top I made from my late grandmother’s tablecloth

Last but not least, just make things. Even if they don’t turn out incredible or how you imagined, it’s a gift to be able to make things and share them with others.

Thank you all for being here and for reading. If you ever want to share your thoughts in the comments or dm me on instagram, please do- I love chatting. Until next time!

-Izabela