Friday Favorites

one: rose mini print from tuscanystudios
two: implore earrings by simplytess
three: rusty trunk print from Daydreamers
four: renee scarf by cosyupyourcloset

I had one of those funny realizations driving into work this morning: I want to be happy. Okay, don't laugh yet :) But, I was thinking about this summer and the things that I've done, places I've traveled, moods, attitudes, and feelings I've worked through and I realized that even in the darkest of my moments if I made the decision to keep moving, to try a little harder to see it from the other person's point of view, to take a stab at being positive regardless of the murkiness of my feelings, my spirit and soul moved towards happiness. It's like something very basic in me strives towards a balanced place of happiness and peace. Okay, you can laugh now :) But, I have to admit, that there have been moments, sometimes days, and even weeks when I haven't been happy this summer: disappointment with myself, arguments with those I love, frustrations at work, depression, and physical trials. They've all been there. And yet, the moment I took even a little step forward (into the light, after the storm, in the morning, out of the cave, after the tears, once I've picked myself up, however you want to say it) there was momentum there to keep moving forward. It was the simplest of realizations, almost laughable :)

Coffee table relocation

Over the past few days Andrew and I have been camping out in our living room. Where the air conditioner is. It hasn't really been that bad as far as temperature goes, but golly gee, the humidity is intense enough to have you sticking. to. everything. And that's just not cool. Especially if you haven't shaved for a few days and it's your legs that are sticking together--prickles abound! Anyways, we pulled our mattress off our bed and plopped it on our living room floor. Our coffee table has been relocated to the kitchen, the chairs are shoved up against the wall, and we rest our feet on the bed when we're sitting on the couch. It's seriously thrown off the feng shui! But, hey, we get solid sleep and don't wake up a million times, adjusting the sheet and moaning about the heat and humidity :)

In other news, I've been delayed in writing about something rather important (my sincerest apologies, Jude): Do not leave unattended! Please hop over to Jude's newly revised and ravishing blog to find out about this fabulous opportunity. I have just a few more things to write and draw before I send mine out :) HURRAY!

* images from Domino magazine

Door County

Happy Wednesday! I have pictures from my trip to Door County to share with you :) And although I'm sure you would all love to read a lengthy play-by-play, I'll keep to the highlights!

Door County Blackberry Merlot
Mini Put Put Sunday morning
Playing Bocce Ball after wine tasting at Stone's Throw Winery
French Country Inn in Ephraim (cutest B&B ever)
Fish Boil with Earl
Stripping down and swimming in Lake Michigan (didn't get pictures, thank god)
Buying elegant paper in Egg Harbor
Delicious lunch in Fish Creek
Walking in the rain Saturday morning
Walt's delicious rice pudding breakfast
Stolen kisses from Andrew
At least 10 hours in our little red bug Creating some of the best memories with dear, dear friends

Circus

Friday was a blur. Due to a shift in responsibilities at work my Friday looked a bit like a terrifically colorful and raucous circus. Balance this, jump here, twirl about prettily and don't forget to smile. I dashed home after my "performance," packed madly, and zoomed out of Madison for muchly needed weekend away! To Door County with friends! I'll hopefully be able to post pictures tomorrow. Anyways, the new responsibilities will keep my posting a light this week. But, I'll be in touch!

These images are from House Beautiful (I think)!

New Day

Today is a new day! Thank you so much for helping me get out of my "thought-rut" yesterday. So much wisdom and so much understanding, thank you, thank you. I'm taking the evening to journal and ruminate on the subject. I think the overwhelming thought was: take the disappointment, look at it, examine it, and then move on. You have to imagine me sighing with great relief!

"Tomorrow is fresh with no mistakes in it."
~ L. M. Montgomery

These images are from the spectacular Toast magazine found via Black*Eiffel

Disappointment

I've been working at our other work location these past few days, which, I'm afraid, is not conducive to blogging. And I've missed you guys! Holy wow, is anyone else as addicted as I am? Just a little nibble from Marie Claire Maison. I love all the different delicious rooms, trends, food and design they display on this site. Thought you might too :)

Okay, I have a question for you. Kind of a tough question, and a personal one at that, but a question that is pretty important to me right now.

How do you deal with disappointment in yourself?

I realize that there's a great deal that that question could cover (work, love, art, family) and I welcome any and all insight, whether personal stories or just sage wisdom you've collected along the way. But, I feel like I'm in a "thought rut" that's crippling and bouncing it off you guys probably would help! I'm personally going through the process of discovering the right combination of "Try, try again" and "this is a handicap I have to deal with" in the work arena. And of course, when it comes to certain things that are important to you, you rarely remember all the successes, you just remember the things you did "wrong!" So, like I said, any and all thoughts, observations, stories, or wisdom would be so, so helpful right now!

Friday Favorites

1. Linen pillow cover, from meringuedesigns
2. Vintage button ring, by foundandmade
3. Kamifusen zipper pouch, from takae
4. Blue celadon dinner plates, from chloelepichon

Oh goodness! My day is flying... in a good sort of way. I mean, you have two meetings in the morning and your day is half done. *poof*

I hope everyone has a stellar weekend--even if all you do is go grocery shopping! I'll be back on Monday ready to hear all about your adventures!

Toot-a-loo!

I.O.

I should have kept my trap shut! I should have. I told my husband this morning that it didn't sound like there would be much going on at work today. And what do you know? I've been running around like a crazy person all morning.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who suffers from FOM'S disease. Many of you empathized with me yesterday. Here's a new one, IO: inspiration overload. Don't you love it? Thank you, Jen. Taking that into consideration, let me help you with the IO today with these pictures from Judith Miller, Inc. I think you'll like them! Which duo is your favorite?

Self-medication

Yesterday I was at the other work location, so I'll have to catch up on your blogs today! I feel I suffer from FOM'S disease. Fraid Of Missing Something. It's terrible, really!

Today I wanted to post a number of little things that make me happy, because some days you simply have to self-medicate and surround yourself with beautiful things! Elegant interiors from Point Click Home, fashion from Aquascutum and two music artists I've been enjoying for years, Madeleine Peyroux and Feist! And to top it all off, here's one of my all time favorite Feist songs. Andrew will play it just to see me bounce around like a little child. Makes me very happy!

Helping the kids out of their coats
But wait the babies haven't been born
Unpacking the bags and setting up
And planting lilacs and buttercups

But in the meantime I've got it hard
Second floor living without a yard
It may be years until the day
My dreams will match up with my pay

Old dirt road
Knee deep snow
Watching the fire as we grow old

I got a man to stick it out
And make a home from a rented house
And we'll collect the moments one by one
I guess that's how the future's done

How many acres how much light
Tucked in the woods and out of sight
Talk to the neighbours and tip my cap
On a little road barely on the map

Old dirt road
Knee deep snow
Watching the fire as we grow old
Old dirt road
Rambling rose
Watching the fire as we grow well I'm sold

Happy Monday

I have a girlfriend at work who calls me up with a bright “Happy Monday” or Tuesday, Wednesday, so on and so forth. It might sound a little too perky for a morning greeting, but honestly, it’s one of the best ways to start the work day!

My weekend was filled to the brim! The farmer’s market, grilled chicken, homemade bread, long walks, coffee shops, Bellini’s on the rooftop of the Sundance theater and on mini-movie-athon. It was a good weekend!

Here’s a little collage of images from the talented Katya de Grunwald!

Friday Favorites

one: Cote d'azur frame, by greencricket
two: Lantern Lamp earrings from jewelera
three: Clothe, by lizarietz
four: Children silhouette from lepapierdesigns

Sometimes when I have a lot of little things I want to write about I spend long dwaddles of time trying to figure out a way to string them all together. When you see lists in my blog entries, that's clue to the fact that I failed the string-effort! This morning, I wanted to mention that beautiful Blaze just got engaged to her marvelous boy that she's been cooing about all summer! CONGRATULATIONS! My little sister is pioneering the expansion of our family clan and is due sometime in March (she's named her/him Cricket--so if I start posting lots of baby stuff, it's all for Cricket)! I have goosebumps all over, I'm so excited! Jude, over at Randomly Run4istRun is cooking up a new project for us, so keep your eyes peeled. A good friend of mine, Green Cricket, has just opened up her shop on Etsy and I'm so, so proud of her! And my Andrew just found out that he's one of the TOP 5 FINALISTS for best paper for the Legal and Research Writing crew of his class! Holy Shamoly! So much excitement!

In other news, I have a free weekend! A delicious free weekend. Somehow these have become most coveted. I'll be heading to the Farmer's Market and hopefully get in a long, leisurely walk. I would love to watch a few movies (maybe even a chick flick or two), drink some chai tea, and make a full dinner! What's on the docket for you this weekend?

Grant and Kelly

These images make me think of Grace Kelly and Cary Grant. Annie Leibovitz created romance with each scene, capitalizing on the seductive quality of New York and high fashion. I realize that not everyone is a Sex and the City fan (Ms Peach and Court, I know you're exceptions). Not everyone watched endless reruns with a 6 pack of Diet Cherry Coke and a bag of Oreos with their sisters in college. So, I simply avail to your sense style and beauty!

Speaking of Cary Grant, I have to mention that some of my all time favorite movies involve this classically handsome man! The Philadelphia Story, Charade, and North by Northwest. If you've never seen these movies let me highly recommend you put them on your Netflix que!

Small Things

If you trust in Nature, in what is simple in Nature, in the small Things that hardly anyone sees and that can so suddenly become huge, immeasurable; if you have this love for what is humble and try very simply, as someone who serves, to win the confidence of what seems poor: then everything will become easier for you, more coherent and somehow more reconciling, not in your conscious mind perhaps, which stays behind, astonished, but in your innermost awareness, awakeness, and knowledge.

–Letters To A Young Poet, by Ranier Maria Rilke

These serene images are from the talented Honey pie living found via {this is glamorous}.

Case of the Mondays

I had a serious case of the Monday's yesterday! Went on a massive search for my keys only to find them in my purse a half hour later. Left my lunch on the kitchen counter. Files at work disappeared at the wrong time and then didn't upload like they were supposed to. Amazing! My phone had died on the way to Duluth on Saturday and I forgot my charger at home, so I had five missed calls on Monday morning. Got my hand slapped for missing said calls by a dear friend who needed to get a hold of me. Lovely! Some days, honestly, I just need to stay in bed. Without a doubt, Andrew was the best part of my day yesterday, with lots of shnuggle time, a yummy quiche with lots of cheese, and a sugary foreign flick.

Thank you to all the people who wrote and gave me their migraine-related wisdom! I can't believe how many of us struggle with migraines. Everything from lack of sleep to raw onions were listed as triggers. I've decided, with a heavy heart, to give up alcohol for a bit, just to see if the migraines go away. I'll keep you posted. Thank you again, for all your stories and bits of info, I can't tell you how much I appreciated hearing from everyone!

The pictures are a series of images collected from House Beautiful and Cottage Living! They were all so beautiful and in my favorite color scheme, they made me happy, just looking at them! I have to say, when you're feeling blue, it's best to go on a search for something beautiful to liven up your day. Whether it's a song, a print, a piece of jewelry, or a beautiful new blog! Sending love!

Friday Favorites

Good morning! I feel like a new person! Thank you all for the well wishes, I have no doubt they helped, greatly :) I'm in the process of trying to determine exactly what prompt these migraines. I've started my food diary and have great plans on reducing heavy exposure to sun and getting ample amounts of sleep. Those seem to be the triggers. Any one else have any recommendations on prevention, or triggers to consider?

I get to go to Duluth this weekend! I'm so excited :) We're going up for a baby shower, but I have plans on hitting the beach on Park Point and the Brewhouse. The Brewhouse, my dears, have the BEST veggie burgers and pub fries. They are divine. Worth throwing the diet out the window for! I'll try my best to remember the camera so you guys can see what I see!

one: Be still, from livinginfreedom
two: Brown felt retro hat, by RetroReproHandmade
three: Dishcloth trio, from MyissaG
four: Woodgrain satchel by keykalou

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend :)