My very first print article I’ve ever written came out in Faerie Magazine TODAY (pssst…..secret 15% discount code is: dangerdiary).

Truth: I haven’t bought a copy of a real live magazine since Jack White was on the cover of Rolling Stone and before that I can’t even remember how long.

I forgot what a source of inspiration holding something in your hands can be! I got lost in the otherworldly photos of midsummer garden parties, enchanting handmade houses, castles and Little Red Riding Hood photo shoots.

It’s only Tuesday – so we can all use some inspiration to kick ass this week.

Here’s some quick tips to get you all re-charged and get that imagination flowing!

I like to:

1. Pretend I’m a Secret Spy.

I hunt for gems in random public conversations.
Okay, okay…. I eavesdrop…don’t judge.
I go to my local coffee shop armed with my notebook and a pen. I get inspired by watching other people and making up imagined lives for them in my notebook. Or – I’ll listen in to a conversation and pick out one sentence and use that as the start of a story.

2. Play Dress-Up.

At the local flea market, I scored a vintage purple falling apart gown with black lace for 20 bucks that looks like Snow White Gone Goth. I paired with my white flower crown and hit the Hudson Project festival last weekend. Just being in this dark faerie tale dress inspired me and made me feel like I was creating my own faerie tale as I danced in the mud. Also, rocking out some wigs on occasion makes me feel like I’m someone else for a moment…and that’s kind of cool.
When I’m other people:

3. Hit the Record Store.

Trust me on this one. Hit your local indie record store. Run your fingers through some fine ass albums of bands you may or may not have ever heard before – marvel at the artwork, the photos and the song titles. This is a huge source of visual, writing and fashion inspiration for me.

4. Hang Out with Inspiring Partners-In-Crime.

Kim Boekbinder is one of my favorite people on this earth. We’ve lived together, played together, secretly carried ugly faux wood paneling to the garbage together at 3 in the morning (don’t even ask) and while I was naked covered in body paint on a trash bag in our living room, she covered me in baby oil to help scrub it off – only 48 hours after meeting me.

One of the things I love about her (beside her artistic body oil rubdowns obviously), is that she makes her wild dreams into realities. She lives for her art, pulls genius moves to make it happen and achieves the impossible time and time again…. maybe that’s why she’s “The Impossible Girl”.

Her thinking-out-of-the-box saved me from a nervous breakdown three days to the end of our Kickstarter for Revolver. She inspires me to believe that dreams can come true and she’s got the hustle, the talent and the brain to make it happen.

5. Get Lost.

Shut off the iPhone.
Rip up your maps.
Go out and Wander.
Uncover whole new worlds.

I asked you on Twitter and here’s what some of you said:

@Kristi_Klein said: “I get inspired by listening to music. Something with a big soaring sound and pounding bass drum always gets my mind flowing.”

@whiterabbitdays said: “By watching my dog, Patch. Her wild strength, freedom and unconditional love.”

also: “By being aware. Noticing detail. A dew drop, a spiderweb….everything can be inspiring if you are still and mindful.”

@gizzylovett said: “Sometimes, even by something simple like being on a swing with closed eyes, just surrounded by wind and feeling free.”

@joha_89 said: “My inspiration is LOVE.”

@EmilyJackCO said: “Music and reading. And working out in the gym – pushing myself further than I thought I could go…is a new level!”

@4OClockOphelia said: “I feel inspired with candles lit, the right music, the rain dripping down on the window and a hot cup of tea.”

@sweetindeed said: “Through music. Everything I do has a soundtrack:)”

How do you get inspired to do something or create something new?  Share in the comments!
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