Incandescently Happy


I love Pride and Prejudice. The book, the movie, all of it.
The 2005 one is my favorite, and I especially love the part at the end of the movie when Elizabeth says that Mr. Darcy is only allowed to call her Mrs. Darcy when he is "Completely and perfectly and incandescently happy".
I just love that phrase: Incandescently happy.
When I am very very happy, I secretly think to myself that I'm not just happy, but incandescently happy.
It's the best kind of mood to be in.


All I Want Is the Best For Our Lives My Dear

I was lucky enough to see Beirut in concert recently. Oh my goodness, one of the best concerts I've ever been to. I loved it so much.
Zach Condon is a talented man.
And the girl who opened for them (Lady Lamb the Beekeeper) was very talented as well. She's my new favorite. You can download some of her stuff that she played here for free.
It was so much fun, such a well put on show, and everyone present had a jolly good time.


The bassist had super cute glasses


And my friend and I got the accordion's set list!!




Pablo Picasso

Went to see the infamous Picasso exhibit at the VMFA this weekend (the last weekend it was there) and though I decided Picasso isn't my favorite artist (I can't tell you how many times I looked at something and said "I don't get it". Though I suppose not all of us are supposed to... hence the "misunderstood artists") it was so much fun (especially going to one of the last showings at 11:30 at night). These are some of my favorites of his that were there.....




I didn't know he had some photography. I loved this one. Especially his head peeking in the mirror. I love vernacular photography.

I feel culturally enriched.





In A Kingdom By The Sea


I was reading a book of poems I got at the Book Exchange recently and came across this poem by Edgar Allen Poe (whose work I rather like despite its macabre and frequent deaths of beautiful women). It's called Annabel Lee. It was apparently his last complete poem. I don't really know why but I kind of fell in love with it. It's so sad but so beautiful. In it he says "we loved with a love that was more than love", which was one of my favorite lines. After all, wouldn't we all like to be loved that way?


Tea and Tomatoes


Growing up I wasn't super picky, however there were a few things I refused to eat (frito's, beef stroganoff, and fruit loops for example). Tomatoes were one of them.
I never liked tomatoes. 
The taste just did not appeal to me.
I liked ketchup, and tomato sauce... but plain tomatoes were just not ok.
However, as I got older, and the Summer season started year after year, my Mother would buy tomatoes upon tomatoes because the rest of my family loved them. She would slice them up nice and big, put them in seasonings and sauces and marinades, and my family would go to town.
And they looked so good.
I started really wanting to like them. So I started trying a bite every year. Hoping that maybe this would be the year I liked them.
I discovered I liked, no loved, fried green tomatoes. But fresh red juicy tomatoes still escaped my taste buds. They just did not appeal to me.
Until this year. 
I am proud to say that this is the year I finally like tomatoes. 
Cut up a bunch of baby ones, put a mix of seasonings on them and man... sooooo good.
Along these same lines, I've never really liked coffee, sweet tea or just regular hot tea (you probably wonder what I even drink. The answer... hot chocolate... and water.) Over the past year I now like all of these too (with lots of sugar). Except the coffee has to be ice coffee.... preferably made by my friend Nikki. 
So there you have it. I am now a regular connoisseur of food. 

(P.s. If you put a little tomato on a Triscuit cracker... mmmmmm)



Bridal Shower

So a friend of mine is getting married soon and she had her bridal shower recently and asked me to take some photos for her!
Here are just a few.
She has wonderful taste and I love her sense of style. She made all of the decorations herself. Gotta love a little DIY.



















 






This One Goes Out To All The Mama's


But most especially my Mama.
For always being there for me. For (mostly) tolerating my occasional overly eccentric style of dress. For teaching me many, many life lessons (there are far too many to even count). For raising me the way she did. For always supporting me in everything I do, and for pushing me to follow my dreams and do better. For always listening, no matter how trivial my complaints or concerns. For instilling in me a love for thrifting. For being my best friend. For laughing at everything. For being patient with me (sometimes when I least deserve it). For being the best example of what a good Mom looks like, one I can only hope I'm as great as when it's my turn to be a Mother. And for so much more that she really should have more than one day a year to celebrate her.
Here's to you Mommy. I love you.



Literary Wish List


Some books and journals I've come across lately that I wouldn't mind adding to my library. Some of these are so fun.


Q & A a Day: 365 Questions, 5 Years, 1,825 Answers

I Was Here: A Travel Journal for the Curious Minded by Kate Pocrass



Listography: Your Life In Lists by Lisa Nola



Fantastic Plastic Cameras Book by Kevin Meredith



Alice's Cook Book by Alice Hart



Creative Walls: How to Display and Enjoy Your Treasured Collections by Geraldine James



A Perfectly Kept House Is The Sign of A Misspent Life by Mary Randolph Carter



The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent A Year Trying To Sing In The Morning... By Gretchin Rubin







Leather Owl Journal







So Audrey: 59 Ways to Put a Little Hepburn in Your Step by Cindy De La Hoz




I wouldn't protest if anyone wanted to buy these for me....







Ode to Audrey

Today is Audrey Hepburn's Birthday.  I love her. She's my favey fav. But then again, who doesn't like Audrey? I'm not really very big on obsessing over celebrities, and I don't really keep up with any or hollywood in general really (though I do love Zooey Deschanel and Taylor Swift. And I may have crushes on Christian Bale and Adam Brody to name a few...).
However, not only was Audrey a talented and beautiful actress, but a genuinely kind and wonderful person. I read her biography a couple years ago, and it was a very interesting read. I thought so anyway.
I can't really remember when my adoration for her started but I think it was around the time I saw Breakfast At Tiffany's when I was maybe 13 or 14 years old. Needless to say I have loved her ever since.
So in honor of her Birthday here are a few of my favorite pictures of this iconic actress.









Thank You

I wanted to thank everyone's encouraging response to the birds nest ring I made! I had made two for bridal shower gifts (remember, I have a lot of weddings to go to this year) and they seemed to be very well liked by their recipients. So much so that I had other girls wanting one, and I already have several orders lined up! So as soon as I stock up on more wire I will make a few and put them in the shop. Promise.
Though I need to figure out ring sizing....
Anyone know if there's a ring sizer or something I can buy at a craft store?

Also.... May is here? What the mess. Why is 2011 going by so quickly? I would greatly appreciate it if it would slow down please.... If only because it makes me more and more aware of how slack I am being about getting this business venture up and running as the months go by.
I'm getting there though.
I just need a little encouragement sometimes.
And a whole lot of pushing and prodding.