as you may have noticed, my friends and favorites list is not that long. you may assume that (a) I have no friends at all (b) I’m quite self-centered or (c) I’m very self-centered. the answer (d) is a little less scary: there are lot of favorites. and friends. my purpose was to avoid a long list without any comment because this makes the whole deal less personal. I prefer introducing the persons in question one after the other. sometimes all by myself. sometimes with a little interview. so you can get to know them a little better.

let’s start with wide open spaces, a blog written by Emily Paben: great finds, very multifaceted.

What was the main motivation to start a blog of your own?
I was deeply in need of a creative outlet.  I am at home with two little ones but longed for a little corner of the world of my own to celebrate all the things that I love.

The best experience that you made with it was…
Finding like-minded “friends”.  It is such a great feeling to get comments from people that let you know that what you are sharing is resonating with them.  It makes this world feel small.  And kind.

Which difficulties did you encounter?
Finding the time.  I would love to really do this thing well, and I could, I believe.  If it was my full time job. It is hard to achieve the results that I want with the time that I have allotted.

Websites that you visit every day:
cup of jo. it’s pretty good & mary ruffle. simple lovely. design mom.  wow - I really love those Kirtsy editors.

My mood board:

What means “good design” to you?
beautiful, functional, thoughtful.

Your inspiration sources besides those found on the internet:
God.  Nature.  My kids.  Loads of books.  Letters & fonts.  Ribbon and anything texturally interesting.  Magazines.  Films.  Music.
Things a spot while taking walks, and train rides.  Definitely traveling.  And cooking.  My garden.  I guess I’m inspired by anything if I let myself be.

Your relationship with fashion could be described as…
Erratic.  Sometimes I love it other times I loath it.  I admire the creativity & craftsmanship but dislike the insane cost & snobbishness often associated with it.  I love art that is accessible to the masses fashion often is not.

Describe your own style with a few words:
Eclectic.  Bohemian prep.

Favorite designers or brands:
I’m dreaming here - Penguin, Paul Smith, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Chloe, Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, Donna Karan, Chanel, Calvin Klein, J. Crew.  Frye.  Monique Lhuiller, Prada, Ferragamo, Stella McCartney.

The worst fashion faux-pas is surely…
Showing too much skin if you haven’t the body for it.

Visiting a new city: let’s be spontaneous or following a plan?
I like to have a sheet of paper with all of the information for all the spots I might like to visit.I like to plan before the trip and then wing-it once I arrive. I don’t want to stick to any sort of schedule,
but I like to know all the best places should I happen to want to go.

Which place/ city would you move to without hesitating?
So, so many.  I would move most places without hesitating.  But this week here are my top three:
Copenhagen, Bruges, Amsterdam.

Three of your favorite books:
The Giving Tree, Love in the Driest Season & The Little Prince.

The most beautiful movie:
Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet.

A song you would always sing along to?
Brown Eyed Girl By Van Morrisson.

…and a song you would never sing along to?
Girls by Beastie Boys

A thing you always wanted to say but you never dared:
You need to re-think some of your style solutions.

A great thanks to Emily. more interviews will coming soon…