starla michelle.

Hi!

Today we are loving the AMAZING oil paintings of Austin-based artist Starla Michelle. Seriously, I have not stopped swooning since I stumbled upon her work on Pinterest. The explosions of colors, trees dripping with flowers, bead and jewels; animals that radiate all of nature within them. Her paintings are like the magical pictures books, the ones you could page through again and again, always discovering some wonderful, new detail. Plus, when I look at them from afar, they look like embroidery! Love that!

Her latest series mixes letters of the alphabet with corresponding animals. Someone give this woman a children's book deal! You can find Michelle's prints for sale at Anthropologie and Skylne Art Editions.

All art © Starla Michelle

Also loving today:

This collage.

Kurt Nimmo via Just Another Masterpiece

This photo.

Via Ilich

And this book cover.

Via Flyer Goodness

That's all for today. I'll be back again this week with more to love. xoL

beth hoeckel.

Hello again. We're already sliding into Friday...where does the time go? It's the first week of June, but it feels like November here in L.A. (love that!), and today we are loving the collages of Baltimore artist Beth Hoeckel.

Heockel's subjects gaze with awe--or just behave like silly humans--against stunning backdrops of nature and the universe. She captures what I love most: a sense for both gravitas and the absurd, all rolled into brilliant works of art. You can read an interview with the artist here and browse her pieces for sale at etsy and Society6. I think I'm going to be investing in a new iphone case very soon.

Moonrise from the Point of View series

April Showers from Point of View

Escape Route from the Evidents Series

Garden of Eden from Evidents

High Seas from the Veil series

Foliage from Veil

All art © Beth Hoekel

A few more things to love:

This swimsuit.

 These photos.

 Pachuca Rosie, Boyle Heights via La Infinita Tristeza

Love that First Fridays is tomorrow night at the Natural History Museum. I still haven't been, but I'm dying to go. The topics include "Finding L.A.'s Hidden Wildlife One Photo at a Time," "The Magic of Math" and "How Birdwatchers Can Save the World." Musical performances include Avid Dancer, Chicano Batman and Hanni El Khatib--his songs have recently been catching my ear.

And in honor of the alluring Mr. Khatib, here is your Song of the Day from his 2011 debut album When the Guns Come Out.

 That's all for today, but I'll be back with more to love soon. xoL

love #12.

Hello, and Happy Humpday! I was having a tough time coming up with a feature today, so I'm just going with a Love List, because as always, there is still so much to love.

Let's not waste any time.

1. LOVE: the prettiest laundry room ever! Who would not want trompe-l'oeil butterfly wallpaper surrounding the washer and dryer? The stunning room was featured in this year's San Francisco Decorators Showcase by Evars + Anderson Interior Design.

Images (c) Evars + Anderson via Oh, by the way...

2. LOVE: this dress.

3. LOVE: this poster for my friend Brian's band.

Of course, if you have a band made up of designers and art directors, the posters are going to be amazing. If you're in the Minneapolis area, go check out The Melvilles!

4.  LOVE: this cover for Fahrenheit 451 (a book I still need to read--embarrassed!). Includes a real match and spine like a matchbook--be careful with this one, kids.

Design (c) Elizabeth Perez via Buzzfeed

5. LOVE: the NYC photos of Ruth Orkin.

Photo (c) Ruth Orkin, 1950 via OrkinPhoto

6. LOVE: this poster for Jules et Jim, a film I really need to see again.

Images via The Red List

7. LOVE: Matisse.

Seated Young Woman in a Net Dress, 1939 via Fondation Beyeler

8. LOVE: the totes at Stitch and Tickle's etsy shop. This one is a must-have.

Photo (c) Stitch and Tickle

OK, I hope you enjoyed today's selection. I know it's a bit of a mishmash, but I just decided to go with it. As always, I'll be back with more. Love, Lexa.

chickens.

This week, I came across artist Holly Frean's portraits of chickens on plates and fell madly in love.

These are paintings from a recent exhibition at Anthropologie in London. The unique, colorful beauty she lends her subjects reminds me why I almost never eat chickens. She also works magic with portraits of dogs, cats--and yes, even humans.

You can view more of her gorgeous work at her site and at artsy.net. There are still a few plate designs for sale at anthropologie.eu.

30 Chickens no. 1 via artsy.net

30 Chickens no. 6 via artsy.net

Plates available at anthropologie.eu

All art (c) Holly Frean

More to love:

Cinespia has announced their schedule for late April/May, and The Godfather (April 25th) is already sold out! I'm most excited for Vertigo and Mulholland Drive.

Poster by TinyButDeadly via Deviant Art

Poster by kuse2ooo via Deviant Art

This gorgeous botanical print number from Seed Store in San Francisco is the perfect summer dress (IMHO).

I've mentioned my friend and artist Jeff Newman before--one of his brilliant paintings hangs in my living room. He is having a show at NUisms Art Show this Saturday night, April 18th at Vapor Star Beverly Hills, 7-11 p.m.

Art (c) Jeff Newman

Anyone who pokes fun at Coachella fashion? I'm in love.

Photos: Rachel Murray/Getty Images via nymag

And here's your Song of the Day, courtesy of the delightful Murder City Devils.