Washed Out

A little something to end the month with.

Lists

I have a mess of journals that look just like this, and Mia Nolting's lists really resonate with me. The whole stream is just really fantastic, but here's a few of my favorites-- Reminding me to write about my personal life more often so that I can reflect more accurately, more often.

Stylish Blogger Award

Brynn of Chartreuse and a Twist offered me the stylish blogger award this last week, and I'm told it's my job to tell 7 things about myself and then pass it on to 10 other bloggers. I feel it's a little redundant to talk about myself, as this entire blog is a bit narcissistic in and of itself. I talk about myself constantly, and with no problem. Regardless, I'll indulge.

1.Currently OBSESSED with The Cults' new album. Currently listening to it on NPR for free.

2. Camera Obscura's Let's Get Out Of This Country has been my all-time favorite album since high school.

3. My cabinets are like an episode of Hoarders: Colorful, clean dishes edition.

4. I buy Yogi Peppermint Tea in bulk off of Amazon. I drink it that much.

5. I'm going to college to become an American Sign Language interpreter. I'm about a year and a half in.

6. My favorite meal is breakfast.

7. I've watched the entire series of Sex and the City at least ten times. In junior high, I swore that someday I'd have an apartment just like Carrie's. I like mine more.

I don't have a close enough relationship with 10 other bloggers to pass the award on, so if you've gotten this far and wish to participate, please do and then link me.

Wayne Dyer/ Change

I'm So Glad You Were Born

Photos by Aubrey Trinnaman for Oh Happy Day.

This is pretty much the cutest mash of birthday cards I've ever seen. Most of the cards I get sit on the counter for a few days before being swept into a trash pile, but this idea took the "form and function" of a birthday card to a whole new level.

From Jordan Ferney's blog, she describes the project as a campaign with Yahoo as a way to keep in touch with family and friends. She and artist Shanna Murray (Who's artwork I just love) collaborated to create this postcard poster, designed to come together as the 25 postcards are mailed by each family member or friend with a sweet message written on the back.

I'm just so impressed with the creativity and aesthetic quality of the project. Also, it's completely free. The download and instructions are here.

An Education

Currently inspired by An Education and Carey Mulligan's wardrobe in the movie. I've been scouting out 60's-era pleated skirts at the thrift store to potentially craft identical outfits.

Managed to score two very good contenders last weekend, which I'm pretty excited about. Only thing left is to coax my legs into a presentable condition. That, or I'm going to need to invest in a pair of cute tights.

Summer Sunglasses 2011

Maybe not a big deal for some, but finding the perfect pair of sunglasses is an ordeal for me. Like jeans, they're tedious to find, and often call for a special trip devoted JUST to finding the perfect pair. I got lucky this year, as I found these at Urban Outfitters for a mere $10, AND on my first try. I was totally in love with my pair from last year, which broke in my purse because I don't know how to take care of things.

This time will be different, I swear it. Into the safety pouch they go.

Here's the link to the exact pair.

The Question

Be Inspired, Be Inspiring

Picture by Sarajea. Click to go to source.

When you take it in, put it out. Something good to remember. I struggle with finding worth in my creative endeavors sometimes, and I'm sure I'm not alone. The trick is to do it often and to not think about it too much. People who do that are the best kinds of artists, and in my opinion, people. They've learned to let go and let things evolve. I also find that there will always be someone out there who appreciates your passion, so-- put it out there, people.

Found Phrase

So, have you ever typed some random word or phrase into google images just to see what sort of things it would show? I do, because I get bored, and I rarely spend my time constructively. The images that list are extremely random, which adds to the fun. I typed in a phrase that came into my head just now-- "stick to what you know", and here's five out of hundreds of images that came up in the search that resonated with me. Click my links to see the aimless websites where I found them. Some of them were surprisingly fun, like the "How to Choose a Book to Read" article.

Books

Knitting

Soup

Circle

Blouse

I sort of want to make this a regular thing now.

The Peter Pan Collar

Hello, darling.

Don't love that price, but the Charles Anastaste blouse is a great piece to keep in mind while shopping this Spring.

Mina Stone Collection

So completely in love with these shapes from the Spring/Summer 2010 collection from Mina Stone. I've always gravitated towards loose-fitting tops and dresses, and she makes it look so chic.

Look how cute her bio is.

Anna Garforth

At each click of my mouse inside her portfolio, I think "Why didn't I do this first?" This girl is genius, and I actually shouldn't kid myself that I'd have executed it nearly as beautifully and perfectly as she does, but it's inspiring to see such simple ideas brought to life in such incredible ways. I mean, just look at these cookies.

Work by Anna Garforth, found in Anthology Magazine.

His & Hers

We make a great pair.

Pining For Warmer Weather

She has the right idea about summer. Those colors! Even the moss lit up to match her outfit.

Sunday Night Movie Night

Natalie Portman, I love you, but No Strings Attached was the worst $1.60 I've ever spent on a one-day rental. This wasn't a romantic comedy, it was a sex-fest train wreck. When I wasn't cringing or covering my eyes with my boyfriend's arms, I was laughing at the not-purposefully funny lines of an out-of-touch screen writer. I thought for sure that a coupling like Mindy Kaling and Natalie Portman would make this fool-proof, but I was wrong.

Honestly, I almost turned it off for good after the period scene.

I knew we should have rented Black Swan.

A Slightly Overcast Weekend

A great find from this weekend. Would you check out that all-star cast? The New Yorker, Esquire, Harpers, the Paris Review... Plus, look at that type on the cover. I couldn't NOT get it for $2.

Saturday I spent some time with my baby brother Nathan, who is 10 and has a very thick head of flaming strawberry-blonde hair. My mother told me that when she told him he was coming over to my house for a few hours, he threw his hands up and shouted "Yes!" It's always a good feeling when your siblings are happy to hang out with you. Trent and I took him to Ruby Snap, this AWESOME specialty cookie shop with cookie names like "Suzie" and "Vivianna", and even the "Audrey", which is made with Almond dough, almonds, cranberry, and white chocolate.

I went with the Zoey and the Lilly. I was only able to snap a picture of Zoey, as I couldn't even wait until we got into the car to tear into the Lilly, a lemon sugar cookie with lemon heads and a lemon glaze. The lemon heads are baked into the dough and melt into a pool of hardened lemony sugar that give the cookie a chewy texture. It was heaven. The Zoey is very much like a muffin-- with blueberries, poppy seeds, and a fresh-squeezed lemon glaze.

It's pretty much a weekend tradition now. Thrifting and cookies from Ruby Snap.

Oh, and look what I found? Another painting. I think it's sweet.

Blue Valentine

I remember counting down the days until this came to the theater in Salt Lake and how anxious I was at the thought that it would be given a rating that would keep it from being played in such a conservative city like mine. My friend Shawn saw it a week before I did, and when I asked him about it, he said "It was so good, you shouldn't see it."

I totally didn't get that until I went and saw it with my boyfriend and I fought some pretty intense feelings throughout the whole movie. I could barely keep back tears during their breakup. The woman in front of us actually left for that scene and didn't come back. That's power. That's real, raw emotion. I love it because you don't see that everyday. People don't go to the movies to watch actors mirror our own, non-glamorous, sometimes very messy love lives.

I'd recommended it for the soundtrack alone. My very favorite band in the world, Grizzly Bear, did an amazing job of setting the mood, and it left me feeling very nostalgic.

I prepared myself for the movie by reading this W Magazine interview of Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling, so I definitely knew what I was getting myself into. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who hasn't seen it, but honestly, it isn't something I'm going to add to my collection. Life is too hard to add it to our escapism as well.

Audrey - Chemise

This is hella sexy, and it's called the Audrey Chemise, for God's sake. If only it were in my size.

From Fortnight Lingerie on Etsy.

We Had A Good Run Together

Goodbye, little boy blue. My beautiful Saarinen-looking chair has been sitting in my garage for EXACTLY one year tomorrow. I found him at the thrift store for $2, which was such a bargain, I kidded myself into thinking I'd restore him to his former glory with a new cushion and a place in front of the computer, but alas, it was not meant to be. He turned out to be too short and uncomfortable as a computer chair, and so off to the garage he went.

I'm really hoping someone nice answers my ad in the classifies and gives him the home I never could.

Anna Garforth

At each click of my mouse inside her portfolio, I think "Why didn't I do this first?" This girl is genius, and I actually shouldn't kid myself that I'd have executed it nearly as beautifully and perfectly as she does, but it's inspiring to see such simple ideas brought to life in such incredible ways. I mean, just look at these cookies.

Work by Anna Garforth, found in Anthology Magazine.

Skirts from Zara

I'm absolutely itching for the warm weather and a nearby Zara. Or AT LEAST an online shop, I mean, honestly...

Aren't these shapes amazing? I especially love them paired with a sweater. I almost wonder if skirts like these could be thrifted. They certainly have a very nostalgic feel to them.

Also, does anyone else have issues with their legs? I haven't done the casual skirt/shorts thing in a very long time because I don't understand how women keep their legs looking so great. I have a hard time remembering to shave, let alone moisturize. And don't even get me started about the mysterious bruises. Also, I'm adamant about sun protection, and my legs haven't seen much sunlight in the last 10 years, albeit the occasional swim excursion.

All in all, skirts aren't my thing, but I'm starting to reconsider.

P.S. I saw these skirts on the blog Ramis Kim, which I've been stalking for a few days now, and I'm obsessed with it. She's friends with Jeana Sohn, the Closet Visit girl!

Essential Summer

Market tote

Gugliuzza Clogs

Trousers

Sunglasses

Vintage Kodak 35

BDG Linen Fedora

Forgive My Simple Ways

Gorgeous Paintings by Malene Landgreen

Ugh, I feel like a HUGE idiot. I've been replying to comments with no-reply email addresses assuming that because I wasn't getting error emails, they were going through. My boyfriend pointed out the illogical ways of my thinking, so it JUST occurred to me that people JUST MIGHT not be receiving these "RE: comment" emails.

I've been replying to comments this way for a very long time, so please, if you said something to me that begged a reply and I didn't, please know that it wasn't because I'm an uptight bitch, it's just that I'm dumb.

What do you say we start fresh? This time I'll be sure to send you messages with legitimate destinations.