What inspires me?

Designers are often asked what inspires them and when I read other designer’s answers, I feel humbled.  Or envious that people can edit their answers like that!  I know the question refers to what inspires me regarding design but I have a hard time separating design from the rest of life.  When your work is play, is there really a difference?  Seriously, how many people would put “bakeries” on their list? But I feel a certain inspiration from food, being the granddaughter of a chef (the chef at John F. Kennedy’s inaugural dinner if you will indulge my shameless namedropping).  Of course I am inspired by the typical list of great people, great events, great places.  Mostly, I am inspired by words...
Here’s the short list of some of my uncommon inspirations:
• Formal printed invitations
• Bakeries – flour, sugar, butter, baked in an oven – what else does one need in this life but a cookie and someone to share it with?
• Costume jewelry – probably more of an addiction than an inspiration
• Clothes – bit of a clothes horse here, but I was a fashion designer in my previous life
• School Supplies
• Victorian houses
• New York & Paris
• Laduree – that combines Paris AND Bakeries!!
• Wine tasting
• Drapery trim, especially silk pom-poms
• The Holy Trinity; silk, velvet & linen
• Good, Beautiful party food – or “nice” food as my friend calls it
• Traveling – except for the long plane ride
• Valentine’s Day
• Pink & Red & sometimes Orange
• Snow days
• My Westie Clarence who thinks he’s a black Lab
• My fun family including My Cute Husband, The Funny One, The Rock Star and The Princess