CUT and DRY

Black and White Photos: Tips I Wish I'd Known...

2013-06-14T15:44:00.001+02:00

...when I began my photographic adventure in black and white photography. Here are some tips I'd love to share with you today...

Low ISO

Low ISO is particularly important when it comes to black and white photography where noise created by ISO can be obvious. Reduce your ISO. A lower ISO means your sensor is less sensitive to light, but is also less likely to create noise.

ABOVE LEFT A noisy image of tomatoes.

Tonal Varieties/Contrast

Tonal Varieties/Contrast are vital elements that can give interest to your black and white photos. These elements can lead the viewer's eye into your image. Because you can't use colour the contrast and tonal varieties become the more important.

Symmetrical Patterns

Symmetrical patterns are interesting in black and white photography.

Lighting

A good lighting, side lighting or light from any one direction can create more impact in a black and white photograph.

Lines

Lines look good in black and white images and help direct the eye by adding a new dimension to a photograph.

Oh well, black and white photography is fun!

My dears, I hope you have a wonderful, inspiring weekend! xx

P.S. I'm sorry I've been M.I.A; but now I am back and I have a bunch of photos to share with you all.
Look forward to catching up on your lovely blogs!

I really love this blog. Patrick Tillet. Desert Oddity. How interesting!

Linking to The Weekend in Black and White

Do You Have Any Pet Peeves?

2013-06-07T15:42:00.001+02:00

{Random picture of a girl taken a while back.}

It seems almost everyone has pet peeves. Yes. I've got some pet peeves. (Let me know if I should include some more.)

Here's my list:

People who are mean to animals.
Noisy eaters.
People who talk with food in their mouths. I find that extremely rude.
People who throwing trash into a recycle bin.
People who blame anything but themselves for their failure.
People who pick their noise in public.

Of course I have plenty of annoying qualities myself, but I am completely at peace with them. Haha!

What are your pet peeves? Chime in!

Hope you have a lovely weekend, and here are a few wonderful blogs from around the Blogland.

Gorgeous photography Foto ao Acaso!

Brilliant Abstract Artwork La Fotografia Efectista Abstracta

Outstanding photography Foto Fer

Wonderful photography OHLAR d' OURO

Inspiring photography Klicktossan

Beautiful poetry Poesia y Vivencias

I love this kitty. Amazing poetry La Gata Coqueta

Wonderful flowers Maya da Ines

Beautiful skies ceuepalavras.blogspot.com

Inspiring blog Kelly's Thoughts and Ramblings

Beautiful photography Ruth's Photo Blog

Quirky and Inspiring photography The Bitch is back

Amazing Travel Blog by MAGDA

Inspiring blog Aussi Dimi decoupage

Beautiful oil painting Christa Mavropoulou

Need a good laugh? A View from the Edge

Gorgeous flowers Mijn klein paradijs

Amazing Australian Adventures by Red

Such a delight It's Me

My Google Plus Page: https://plus.google.com/101363327672273423546/posts , if you'd like to see.

Mountain - Laurel, Bay - Laurel or Daphne of Apollo

2013-05-31T16:03:00.000+02:00

Mountain-laurel plant and blooms.( Photos SOOC)

The bay laurel is a plant personified in Greek mythology. {Greek word Daphne, or Daphne of Apollo=Bay laurel.}

Bay laurel or sweet laurel flower buds and leaves. (Touched)

Greek mythology has always been a source of fascination for me. So I thought I'd share the story (myth) of Apollo and Daphne with you today.

Apollo was the god of the sun, light and music in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. He was also associated with youth and beauty.
The curse of Apollo was brought onto him when he insulted the young Eros (Cupid) for playing with bow and arrows. As the myth says, the insulted Eros (Cupid) took two arrows, one of gold and one of lead. With the leaden shaft, to incite hatred, he shot the nymph Daphne and with the golden one, to incite love, he shot Apollo through the heart. Apollo went crazy over Daphne, and she in turn abhorred him.
Apollo continually followed her. Seeing that Apollo was bound to catch her, she called upon her father, "Help me, Peneus! Open the earth to enclose me, or change my form, which has brought me into this danger!".

Suddenly, her skin turned into bark, her hair became leaves, her arms were transformed into branches, and her feet became rooted to the ground...
Apollo used his powers of youth to render her ever green. Since then, the leaves of the bay laurel plant have never known decay.

Since summer is coming, I just wanted to say farewell to spring through flower photos. Pale pink mountain-laurel blooms seemed the obvious choice as willing subject. Aren't they beautiful?

Hope you have a lovely, relaxing weekend! xx

Linking to Weekend Flowers , Today's Flowers , Little Things Thursday .

Adorable Animals

2013-05-24T15:38:00.002+02:00

How graceful this lead goat is!

This cute little goat is a bit shy of people and does not want to show himself until he smells food!

Miniature Horse peacefully grazing away...

Farm animals and pets are so adorable and lovable creatures.

Awww!! One-week-old baby goat.

Are you looking at me? Are you looking at ME?

See...this cute little cat looks like it's about to Eat the photographer alive! :)

Hello, my lovely people! I am so sorry that I have been gone so long, but so glad that all went well with my check-ups (Big sigh of relief!).
So I'm back and ready to go! I've missed you all so much and can't wait to catch up with everyone.

Hope you have a lovely weekend (and I wish everyone that celebrates a Happy and Safe Memorial Day Weekend!).

Got any big plans for the holiday?

Have a great one, and here are a few wonderful blogs from around the Blogland. xx

Brilliant poetry by the lovely Nevine Dreams, Deliriums, and Other Mind Talk

Such a cute Rose-breasted Grosbeak Viewing Nature With Eileen

A quirky and lovely Riot Kitty

Grace and Reflection Good Things Happened

Beautiful Golden! Lady Fi

Willard Asylum Photographs Lisa Gordon Photography

Cute kittens and beautiful flowers The Farmer's Daughter

Omg! Deadliest Catch Women Talk About Life

Fun 5 Things Domestically Challenged

I love this glass-bubble chandelier Yonca is Cooking

Linking to Farmgirl Friday , Camera Critters, Happy Friday Live

Have a Sweet Weekend!

2013-05-17T15:44:00.000+02:00

Sprinkle Marshmallow Pops.

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to go right? Well, this has been one of those weeks for me. I'm so tired...Not to mention I'm forcing myself to have my annual medical check-up (ouch!) next week. (I hate going but it is important, so I remind myself I am a responsible adult, that full physical is critical to on-going good health and off I go, albeit with great reluctance.) So if I'm a little off over the next few days now you know why.

I hope your weekend will be everything you're hoping for and more.

Have a super sweet weekend! xx

*Comments Off*

Love

2013-05-10T15:40:00.000+02:00

Love is the flower you've got to let grow.

Study in Tulip.

I hope all is well in your neck of the woods! I've been very busy with work, so I'm a bit slow on making blog visits lately. My apologies. (I'm doing great, though, so I can't complain.)

Whenever I look at flowers, it makes me smile. Flowers can make the most simple rooms lavish and fabulous! It's great to have flowers in your house. I like to put fresh flowers on my kitchen table where I can smell them and enjoy them as it is where we spend most of our time. It's always a good go-to spot for me.

Have the flowers been blooming where you live?

Hope you have a beautiful weekend, my dears! xx

And here are a few wonderful blogs from around the Blogland.

Sarcastic Granny

Sylvia From Over The Hill

Joyful Reflections

A Rural Journal

Chatty Crone

Adventure Before Dementia

Our Neck of the Woods

Missing Moments

Desert Colors

An English Girl Rambles

Photos By Senior Hiker

Birds and Nature in the Forest of Dean

Imac-Photos From the Mind's Eye

Craver-Vii

Have a great one! And Happy Mother's Day!

Oh my gosh, what miraculous birds!

Linking to Today's Flowers
Linking to Floral Love
Linking to Weekend Flowers

(Video by Cornell University and National Geographic)

(Of Course) You Matter

2013-05-03T15:55:00.001+02:00

The majority of us lead quiet unheralded lives as we pass this world. There will most likely be no ticker tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give.
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around. It's overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt.

Leo Buscaglia.

Orthodox Christians (The Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches base their Easter date on the Julian Calendar) celebrate Easter this Sunday, May 5th.

Hope you have a wonderful, inspiring weekend (and I wish everyone that celebrates a Happy Easter!)

Have a great one, and here are a few wonderful blogs from around the Blogland. xx

Ignis Fatuus: The Foolish Fire. How interesting!: Pen and Paper

How about some Old Steam Engines: Mad Snapper

Teresa, one of my beloved writers: Journaling woman

Winter Leftovers, fantastic photography: The Smitten Image

Once upon a Missouri Trip: A Nut in A Nutshell

I love those Duck Reflections!: The Run*A*Round Ranch

Hawaii Inspirations: Comfort Spiral

Escape Britain: Cruises from the UK: Emm in London

What Are You Looking Forward to, This Weekend?

2013-04-26T16:14:00.000+02:00

This weekend I'm so excited for the simple little pleasures that I'm hoping to take full advantage of.

Here's what I'm...

looking forward to:

Flowers. Spring Blossoms.

Midnight-snack. Mini Chocolate Croissants.

Food. Freshly baked puff pastry filled with mincemeat and fresh double cream topped with redcurrant.

Fruit. Strawberries and Berries.

Sunset. I love to watch the sun setting over the horizon, painting it in shades of red and orange, glittering on the water of the small lake...

Walks. I'm so looking forward to long walks in the woods.

So glad it is the weekend...I've been feeling quite inspired lately guys. Today. It's gonna be a great day for you, for me, for all of us!

What are you looking forward to doing this weekend, my dears?

Hope you have a great one! xx

Linking to The Scoop by the wonderful Katherine.

Have a Lovely Weekend

2013-04-19T15:45:00.001+02:00

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.

Josh Billings.

...to add a little bit of cuteness to your day!

It is a beautiful spring day; not quite as sunny as yesterday, but definitely pleasant. I sit by the window and look outside for a long time as I sip my morning coffee slowly, wrapped snugly in flannel against the chill.

What are you up to this weekend? The weather's pretty good here so I'll be spending some time outside. On Sunday I'm cooking up a nice meal for a couple of friends. Who wants to cook on the weekends? Me! Yeah, really. Smile. It's Friday!

Hope you have a safe and lovely weekend, my dears! xx

Linking to Happy Friday Camere Critters Tuesday Muse

G+ Comments + Left Holding the Baby

2013-04-12T15:46:00.002+02:00

So I'm back from my wonderful blogging break. I always love coming back, catching up on reading your lovely blogs-always something interesting to learn.
To be honest with you, that two weeks holiday was so resting for me and has really given me a new lease of life.

Well, I've never thought that a comment from a fellow blogger, Lisa ,Two Bears Farm and the Three Cubs on my page in a non-blogging environment like Google Plus would make me feel so glad. It is not often that bloggers stop by to comment on Google+ pages and vice versa. But I have to say folks, definitely, it's always beautiful in Blogland!-heartwarming people, interesting photos, kind words and loads of inspiration; I could go on...
I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you so much for reading CUT and DRY. Also, I want to reiterate how much I love my readers, and how much I love blogging and 'living' in Blogland!

Life is full of phenomena. Left holding the baby. Ever wondered why?

A few years ago, scientists revealed an instinct in women intact and unaffected by the age of technology. Glancing through glossy art books Lee Salk (Scientific American, May 1973) noticed that four times out of five Mary is depicted holding the infant Jesus against her left breast. The Madonna sparked off a series of experiments and observations to determine on which side women hold their babies and why.

First he determined that modern mothers still tend to hold their baby on the left. On 255 right-handed mothers, 83% held the baby on the left. As a control, women were watched emerging from supermarkets carrying baby-sized packages; the bundles were held with no side preference.

Then, dental patients were given a large rubber ball to hold during treatment. The majority clutched the ball to their left side, even when it interfered with the dentist's activities. This suggested that in times of stress objects are held against the left side.
At that point an apparently contradictory phenomenon was observed. A large number of mothers who brought their premature babies to a follow-up clinic were seen to hold their babies against their right side.

So, 115 mothers who had been separated from their babies for 24 hours after birth were observed for holding response. The experimenters presented the baby directly to the mid-line of the mother's body, and noted how she held the baby. 53% held the baby on the left and 47% on the right. And it was also noted that the mothers of the group who had held their baby on the left had already had a baby from which they had not been separated after birth.

The author suggests that "the time immediately after birth is a critical period when the stimulus of holding the baby releases a certain maternal response." That is to say, she senses the baby is better off on her left.
Left-handed holding enables the baby to hear the heartbeat-a sound associated with the security of the womb. In order to discover whether hearing the heart has a beneficial effect on the baby, the sound of a human heartbeat was played to 102 babies in a New York nursery for 4 days. A control group of babies was not exposed to heartbeats.
The babies in the beat group gained markedly more weight and cried far less than the babies in the control group.

(From an article in Spare Rib)

So interesting! Isn't it?

Wishing you all a wonderful, relaxing weekend! xx

10 Smart things . Inspiring and so true!

(Bottom Photo via Pinterest)

Have a Happy Weekend!

2013-03-29T16:21:00.004+01:00

Everyone deserves a little "me" time every now and then. You know how hard it is to keep up with everything. There comes a point in our lives when we need to take some time off our busy schedules and do nothing. Just be and enjoy everything around us. It's been a bit of a hectic week...to say the least. So I'm going to take a little break next week from blogging-even an Internet pause. Because I truly need and want time to dedicate to myself and my family.
But I just wanted to pop in and try and quickly post something...for Easter's sake!

Last-minute Easter decorating ideas...
A Blog award and a hilariously hilarious video...

Here are a few Easter decotating ideas that are easy to create.

Cute Easter Bunnies from Le Shop.

Beautiful Easter eggs made of smalt.

An Easter dinner would be incomplete without beautiful spring flowers and cute items adorning the Easter table.

Small cuttings of Spring blossoms can add a cherry yellow to your kitchen.

Eggshell Votives. This is an incredibly simple Easter decorating idea, yet very elegant!

Eggshell Votives How-To: Use extra large eggs. Carefully break an egg at the middle of its shell. Pour out the yolks. Put your eggshell in a little coffee cup. Simple eggcups make a beautiful base as well. Finally, insert a tealight into each one and behold the beauty.

Seriously, are these the cutest Easter candles you've ever seen? An essence of simplicity-simple to create and beautiful to behold.

On a different note, a little blog love came my way. A few days ago, I was very pleased to be bestowed the "Very Inspiring Blogger" Blog Award by Tracy, at Petty Witter . Tracy is a brilliant blogger, book reviewer, writer and a good ~~blogging~~ friend of mine. Please pay her a visit. (To be continued.)

Goats Yelling Like People by RSVLTS. This is hysterical!! It was literally impossible for me NOT to laugh out loud:)

My dear friends, hope you have a great weekend (and Happy Easter and Passover!)

Wishing your Easter is filled with love, peace, joys of Spring and the season's blessings!
Big hugs. xx

P.S. Look forward to catching up on reading your blogs soon!

Blossom Up!

2013-03-22T15:42:00.001+01:00

Welcome Spring, officially! (Spring arrived in the Northern Hemisphere on March 20, 2013.) Despite the chilly, rainy weather, some plants are starting to flower. Spring is finally here and I have much in the way of spring colour in my garden.

Flowers always make me feel happy. I believe in the goodness and power of flowers. According to a recent research conducted at Rutgers University-the State University of New Jersey-flowers can have a long-term positive effect upon people's moods.

In a perfect world, I would fill every square inch of my home...

with flowers every day.

{...But the flower was not satisfied to complete the preparations for her beauty in the shelter of her green chamber.

She chose her colours with the greatest care. She dressed herself slowly. She adjusted her petals one by one. She did not wish to go out into the world all rumbled, like the field poppies. It was only in the full radiance of her beauty that she wished to appear. Oh, yes! She was a coquettish creature! And her mysterious adornment lasted for days and days.

Then one morning, exactly at sunrise, she suddenly showed herself. And, after working with all this pains-taking precision, she yawned and said:

"Ah! I am scarcely awake. I beg that you will excuse me. My petals are still all disarranged..."}

-Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince.

I love this book. It's a really inspiring book for folks of all ages. Have you read it? Isn't The Little Prince just the sweetest?

Do you have any exciting plans for the weekend? I'll be relaxing and catching up on my reading and maybe taking a nice walk or two. The ever-growing days beckon me to spend more time outside of the house enjoying the fresh spring days and nature in its very best.

Hope you have a wonderful Spring weekend! xx

Linking to: It's a Spring Thing Linky Party , Weekend Flowers , Today's Flowers

How Did Your Blog Name Come About? + Have a Great Weekend

2013-03-15T17:37:00.002+01:00

Life without blogging is kind of like a life without air, right? :)

So I get asked this quite a lot. How did your blog name come about? Here's how...

While the choice of blog name is definitely quite important, naming my blog was not one of the hardest things I had to do. It was a ten minute decision and luckily I'm still happy with it.

My blog name came to me while watching a video about healthy lifestyle, in which a doctor says to his patient. "...take care when guessing, since health problems do not always have cut-and-dried answers."

And that saying struck me. I liked that Cut-and-dried (cut-and-dry less common) which means straightforward, clear or certain because of its meaning.
It's clever, honest, easy to memorize and precisely reflects the voice of my blog.

After 3 years of blogging, I'm still quite happy with my blog name; oh well...it seems to be working with me.

What about you?

Hope you have a lovely weekend! xx

P.S. Photo SOOC

Husbands and Wives + Have a Delightful Weekend!

2013-03-09T13:49:00.000+01:00

Croque Madame: French Grilled Sandwich

Just a random post for today. I found this one while digging through my archives and thought I'd share it with you.

So grab your mate (well, not literally) and take a few minutes to sit back and enjoy it.

A wife was making breakfast of fried eggs for her husband. Suddenly, her husband burst into the kitchen.

"Careful," he said, CAREFUL! Put in some more butter! Oh my gosh! You're cooking, too many at once. TOO MANY! Turn them! TURN THEM NOW! We need more butter.

Oh my gosh! WHERE are we going to get MORE BUTTER? They're going to STICK! Careful. CAREFUL! I said be CAREFUL! You NEVER listen to me when you're cooking! Never! Turn them! Hurry up!

Are you CRAZY! Have you LOST your mind? Don't forget to salt them. You know you always forget to salt them.

Use the! Salt. USE THE SALT! THE SALT!

The wife stared at him. "What in the world is wrong with you? You think I don't know how to fry a couple of eggs?"

The husband calmly replied. "I just wanted to show you what it feels like when I'm driving."

And the moral of the story is...don't nit-pick at your spouse. For a marriage (or relationship) to be successful, couples need to maintain respect for each other.

Nit-picking is a sign that you don't respect your mate, in my opinion.

My dear friends, hope you have a wonderful weekend and here are two ideas to keep you entertained this weekend.

Husbands and Wives. Husbands and Wives is a 1992 American drama film directed and written by Woody Allen. Films stars Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Sydney Pollack, Judy Davis, Juliette Lewis, Liam Neeson and Blythe Danner.

It's Just the Right Time! A lovely book by our fellow blogger Robyn over at Life by Chocolate .

It's a magical collection of poetry and painting for folks of all ages. Check it out here .

Have a great one! xx

Linking to Sunday Snapshot

Life Lately

2013-03-01T16:03:00.001+01:00

Browsing through old photos. I totally love looking at old photos...brings back so many great memories. Reliving delightful memories will always bring a smile to my face. And I am a sucker for that nostalgic feeling, but sometimes it's too much and I need to stop!
Life has been going pretty good lately. Well, my life may not be perfect, but I am thankful for everything I have; I am blessed. I don't have everything that I want, but I do have all I need. I live a very positive lifestyle and encourage others to do so! After all, I've found it easier to look at things positively. Over the years, I have come to realize that "It pays to be positive".

My favourite quote right now.

I'm not gonna miss you, sweet little macaron...at least for the next couple of weeks. I'm on a diet to lose weight, but I'm much more conscious about what I'm putting into my body these days.

This is Puddles. My new neighbour's furry friend. He's so...
darn cute! Isn't he?

Loving pink for Spring. I think most of us are ready for spring, right?

Innovating ideas for redoing my bathroom. {From Ikea.}

Looking forward to enjoying my bike.

How has your life been going lately, my dears?

Happy March! I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing weekend. Have a great one! xx

Linking to Camera Critters

Hints of Spring + Have a Lovely Weekend

2013-02-22T17:15:00.001+01:00

So spring is officially one month away, but today I found myself daydreaming of spring. And spring...
with its lovely colours and brightness has always meant so much to me; it always has brought a smile to my face.

Today I felt a little bit of spring had arrived at my house. So I decided to do a post filled with some beautiful spring-ish things.

Is it starting to feel like spring where you live?

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! xx

P.S. Sorry for the delay in posting.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2013-02-14T15:24:00.001+01:00

Happy Valentine's Day! Everything in our life should be based on love.

This post is dedicated to all those who have a caring and loving spirit for others, for animals, for Mother Nature. To all those that love life and live it everyday.

In entirely unrelated news, I'm battling a cold so all I want to do right now is curl up in bed with a steaming cup of tea, and do nothing.
I just wanted to check in so that you know that I am still around. I'll try to pop in to read and comment on your blogs when I can, but for now I am going to crawl back in bed. I need to get well so I can catch up with work and all of you.

Hope you have a love-filled day, and remember you're loved! xx

*Comments Off*

Little Pleasures + Have a Lovely Weekend

2013-02-08T15:42:00.001+01:00

A peaceful walk around a lake. {It doesn't matter what season you visit. It's always beautiful.}

Photos with a twist.

A visit to Duck Island Cottage. Swiss Chalet for a British Bird-Keeper, St. James's Park, London, UK.

{This pretty cottage was built in 1841 as the home of the bird-keeper in St. James's Park.
It also had a club room for the Ornithological Society of London, which once helped to look after the park's ducks and geese. The design, like a Swiss chalet, was intended to be the contrast to the grand architecture of government buildings nearby.
The cottage has been altered several times and its use has also changed. It was once a store for bicycles confiscated in the park but it is now used as offices.}

Dandelions are easy to love and always make me smile...

Chocolate Birthday Cake.

My hot, steamy cup of coffee is part of my morning ritual. Sometimes it seems like my brain can't function without it.

Chocolate Chip Muffins.

Ride a bike!

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." Albert Einstein.

With all this wintery weather, I am in need for some colour. Nothing can brighten up winter like a bunch of beautiful flowers.

"To show a child what once delighted you, to find the child's delight added to your own-this is happiness."
JB Priestley

They say it's the simple little things in life that make all the difference.

My dears, what are your simple pleasures? I'd love to hear.

Hope you have a beautiful weekend! xx

Linking to Today's Flowers .

Linking to Fridays Fences .

Update: I hope everyone up in the north is warm and safe from the storm Nemo.

Trance State

2013-02-01T15:56:00.001+01:00

In San Diego Harbour, California. I was talking to a woman from the Tradition of the Moon-a kind of initiation path for women that works in harmony with the forces of nature.

"Would you like to touch a seagull?" she asked, looking at the birds perched along the sea wall.
Of course I would. I tried several times, but whenever I got close, they would fly away.
"Try to feel love for the bird, then allow that love to pour out of your breast like a ray of light and touch the bird's breast. Then very quietly go over to it."

I did as she suggested. The first two times I failed, but the third time, as if I had entered a kind of trance, I did touch the seagull. I went into that trance state again with the same positive result.
"Love creates bridges where it would seem they were impossible..."
I recount this experience here, for anyone who would like to try it.
(By Paulo Coelho)

This is a beautiful excerpt from Paul Coelho's book, "Like the Flowing River."
I wanted to share it with all of you because I know you will love it.

As promised, I'd also like to share this feel-good You Tube video with you all, showing two guys and a girl holding up signs that said "Free Hugs" in the middle of a crowded downtown street.
I have never experienced the "Free Hugs" experience. I'll be honest...I think I'd have to draw the line at hugging a complete stranger on the street, but I liked this video just because of the positive spirit it has.

I believe that hug, physical contact and intimacy are enough to assure us that we are still loved and that we are not alone...they remind us that we are all connected.

Hugs have healing power...maybe we should think about reaching out for a hug a day!

Hope you have a wonderful, inspiring weekend! xx

Linking to Camera Critters

Have a Hug-ging Weekend!

2013-01-25T15:48:00.001+01:00

I just want a hug!!

I am definitely a hugger. I mean really! Well, obviously, I don't just go around hugging anyone but I love to hug my family members and close friends that I haven't seen for a while; I am not a cheek kisser hello/good bye though.

I love hugging people I care about (reaching over and heartily pat on the back) as a means of showing my love and affection for them.

Have you ever thought how important hugs are? I know I haven't. The Internet is full of sources to verify how important hugging is. The touch of a hug has a healing effect on your body.

It's good to have physical contact sometimes. It's just feels nice emotionally, it is good for the soul.

Studies also showed that hugging improves your health. Did you know January 21st is National Hug Day?

Let us not forget to embrace those whom we love.

Here's a touching real life story about love and hugging from newborns! Rescuing Hug. This is the sweetest thing I've ever seen! Literally.

Are you a hugger?

Hope you have a wonderful weekend! xx

P.S. Ever wondered what would happen if you attempted to hug random people in the street?

Stay tuned.

P.P.S. And remember, hugging is contagious. Big hugs to you all!

(Photo by my friend Kiki)

Linking to Camera Critters

What Are Top 6 Favourite Movies of All Time?

2013-01-18T15:47:00.002+01:00

Well, I'll admit it. I am embarrassingly addicted to watching movies. Yep! I am a little crazy about movies and anything that has to do with them. Would you judge me if I tell you that I love to watch movies...almost all the film genres and types!

Watching movies has been my hobby since I was a child. I can get lost in a good story.
While I don't use movies as an escape from my life, somehow the music, the characters, the scenes seem to have a great effect on me; I feel like I am being transported to a magical place full of fantasy and mystique. In other words, I let the movies carry me away...pure bliss!
Also, watching classic old movies it's a great opportunity to have a historic trip through time, or see life and lifestyles from a different perspective, which I do cherish a lot.

Apart from entertainment, movies can be pretty inspiring as well. Some films I just watch to take a break from the world around me, which is always nice. Because for a certain amount of time I can concentrate on someplace else, faraway lands and peoples, and be far away from where I am at.

There's nothing I enjoy more than sitting on the sofa and watching a good movie, especially on Saturday nights...snacking away. Totally normal.

Here are some of my favourite films, in no particular order:

The Godfather
The Silence of the Lambs
Titanic
Back to the Future
Gone with the Wind
The Matrix (I like The Matrix because of its intriguing concept-reality, illusion and philosophy. The film is considered to be far-ahead of its time as well.)

The Lives of Others. Such a great movie! I would highly recommend it. (Okay, I cheated! There are far too many to choose from.)

What about you?

Hope you have a wonderful, relaxing (long) weekend! xx

P.S. Grab a nice big bowl of hot buttery popcorn and enjoy your movie!

(Photos of Marlon Brando courtesy of Google images)

When Photography Meets Fantasy

2013-01-11T15:42:00.003+01:00

Flying In A Dream.

Today I'm so excited to have linked to one of the greatest photographers around the globe, Peter From.
Born in Finland, and based in Sweden, Peter From is a brilliant author, photographer, digital artist, web editor and one of my beloved photographers.

I really love the artistic elements of his photography; the composition and lighting, the perspective and colours.
I love his unique and beautiful way to express himself. Always present beauty and wonder in the world around him.
His photos are truly gold; he always manages to bring out a touch of magic...a quirky element of his photography that always fascinates me.

I am totally in love with his exquisite photography and I hope you'll love it as much as I did!

You'll find Peter From on Google+ if you haven't already. Visit here for more.
Some artwork is worthwhile because it is too beautiful!

Peter, thank you so much indeed. We are so lucky to have you out there.

Hope you all are having a great start to the new year. Have an inspiring weekend! xx

(Photo and Caption by Peter From)

Feeling Blue?

2013-01-04T17:39:00.001+01:00

Think you're the only one feeling blue? You've got company.

Good morning! I hope you all have had a very happy holiday and are having a great start to the new year.
But the post Christmas period can sometimes leave many of us feeling a little blue.

I'll be honest with you. I used to get those after Christmas blues-not anymore!
When you think about all the joy that Christmas brings; all the preparations of the last several weeks: gift buying, get-togethers, twinkling Christmas lights-when it's all over, you may be experiencing a sort of "let-down" feeling, which is completely normal.
Now that the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is over-as reality returns...going back to a mundane routine, miserable weather, packing up the car to get back to our homes for work are enough to lower our spirits and make us feel melancholy.

But hey! It's a new year! Seize it!
I am excited about 2013 and the challenges and chances it brings. I love New Years. I always look at them like a new book.
We will open the new book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves.
The book is called Opportunity.

And what about New Year's Resolutions? I gave them up long ago, because New Year's Resolutions are for the most part destined for failure consistently, in my humble opinion.
That said, just some goals to aspire to in this sparkling brand new year including more photo-ish things this year. And of course, blogging!

My dears, do you get the post Christmas blues?

A kiss for all of you! xx

Happy New Year!

2013-01-01T17:46:00.001+01:00

Little Deer Welcoming the Sunrise.

Happy New Year everybody! I hope you have a great year ahead of you full of love, happiness and unexpected surprises. May you and your family have a wonderful and blessed 2013!
2012 was a great year and I'm so thrilled to have you here. You, lovely people, brighten my life and inspire me everyday with your laughter and creativity. Thank you so so much for reading Cut and Dry.

Love you guys! xx

*Comments Off*

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

2012-12-28T15:57:00.001+01:00

...So be good for goodness sake! I still can't believe that 2013 is just five days away. Is it just me, or is December flying by?
Right now I'm looking forward to: spending time with friends and family, walking in a Winter Wonderland and baking shortbread cookies.
I hope the New Year brings with it lots of promise, peace, joy and happiness to everyone!

What are your plans for New Year's Eve? Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy New Year! xx