This week I’ve been thinking a lot about inspiration. Sometimes inspiration is hard: the days become filled with the mundane and necessary tasks of living and the things about which we’re truly passionate can get lost in the shuffle. I like to keep a mental list of the things that inspire me, so when I feel myself drowning in the day-to-day, I can look to those things and bring my focus back to what matters. This Friday’s favorites are all about inspiration.


1. New gear! Yup, I got myself a shiny new camera this weekend. I hate to be all consumerist and say that buying things is inspirational, but I have to admit, having this to play with this week has really reinvigorated my love for photography and the joy I find in it. I cannot wait to play with it all weekend, especially since I’ll be going to a photography and food styling workshop on Saturday.

2. Planning. This may sound strange, but I am an organizer by nature. I get totally inspired by taking the time to sit down and make plans for my creative endeavors. Thinking about what I want to do and scheduling ways to make time for it in my life ensure that creativity is part of my day-to-day. I have a notebook (this Moleskine Recipe notebook) that I use to keep track of what I’m cooking, what ideas I have for new recipes, and what I want to write about.

3. Other writers and bloggers. People are the best inspiration. There are a few writers I read regularly because I am so excited by the things these people are doing: Elise Blaha, Joy Wilson, Tracy Benjamin, Molly Wizenberg, and Deb Perelman are just a few of the women out there doing awesome things. They make me want to do awesome things, too.

4. New yarn. I haven’t done any knitting or crocheting in ages, but my soon-to-arrive baby niece needs her own Aunt Laura-made manta. Soft colorful yarn makes me excited to pick up those needles again.

5. Oakland. Living in this city right now is fantastic. There is so much creative energy flowing around this place, so many people fearlessly putting their ideas and their work out there in the world, and it is amazing. I love all the new restaurants where people are crafting exquisite food, the small boutiques where people sell their handmade goods. I love the urban farmers and beekeepers, the DJs and dancers, the diverse crowds congregating at Lake Merritt and in all of our beautiful parks. I am beyond inspired being surrounded by all of this energy and creativity.

What is inspiring you these days? And what are you inspired to do?