Souvenirs + Resonance

Some Things That Happened In May

2013-06-09T20:39:00.001-04:00

Overall, the weather was pretty spectacular with the exception of some rain. I put out my hammock at mom & dad's. Got as many snuggles in with Mac cat as possible while he was still a sweet munchkin. Somehow, I finally managed to find my camera's battery charger (clutter rules my life). Then I serendipitously fell into a temp job with a family friend where I got to use a typewriter everyday for a few weeks. There were wild & rowdy patriotic beers on a sailboat, followed by one super serene night at my peaceful place on The Sound.

I took a bunch of drives down my favorite faux-country road to my hometown. We were hit with an insane heat wave, which included a night bartending without functional ac. I wore yellow nails (though never as well as I hope to). Oh, and I got a tattoo of the constellation Orion! Trey decided to sneak into the apartment hallway to cool down on the old tile floor, I fingerweaved a few bracelets with jersey fabric, and spent a quiet weekend alone in my adorable little town.

I'm amazed we're already over a week into June. My birthday is creeping up fast! I'm attending a tiny house fair in Vermont next weekend and can't even begin to explain my excitement. No idea what a tiny house is? Check out my pinterest board for for a peek -- I'll definitely be explaining more before I leave on Friday. Anything you're looking forward to coming up before July?

All Natural Skincare with Cinnamon & Honey

2013-06-04T11:25:00.000-04:00

I have somewhat dry skin. It wasn't until I was around 20 that I recognized this as fact. For years, I did what everyone else did: head to the drugstore, grab something with alcohol and/or salcylic acid, apply to face, and hope for the best. The results were never astounding.

Then there was this one tan summer when I sort of stopped washing my face all together (I thought this would make my tan last longer?) My skin was glorious. I wasn't walking around with shmutz all over my face -- I'd do a quick scrub with a damp towel after my shower to exfoliate a bit, then moisturize, but that's it. At some point though, you do need a proper clean & what I've learned about having dry skin is that traditional, commercially pushed products are a shitty idea.

And that's where this stuff comes in:

Note: I'm well aware that raw honey is more potent in its beneficial components than my Stop & Shop brand, but you know what -- it's all I've had around the house, and I promise you my skin feels amazing.

How to prepare your Cinnamon & Honey:
1. Squeeze out about a tablespoon of honey (into a little bowl, or your hand -- I'm partial to the hand so I don't waste any).
2. Add a few shakes of ground cinnamon (probably 1 teaspoon or so) to the honey and mix it up.

What to do:
Now you have a few options, you can use your honey & cinnamon for a quick face wash, or a 15 minute mask. The only difference in application is whether or not you start with a wet face.

Facewash
1. Wet your face with warm water.
2. Apply mixture to your face using gentle upward circular motions.
3. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
4. Splash face with cold water to tighten pores.
5. Moisturize.

Mask
1. Apply cinnamon & honey mixture to a dry face using gentle upward circular motions.
2. Leave mask on your face for around 15 minutes. (Do not expect it to dry).
3. Rinse throroughly with warm water.
4. Splash face with cold water to tighten pores.
5. Moisturize.

*It is totally legit to omit the cinnamon for a super soothing honey-only facial cleanser, as Bohemian Kate explains in her post.

Why it works:
Cinnamon has natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties & antioxidants. Along with the graininess to exfoliate when rubbed onto the skin. Honey has antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-fungal properties, and has been used on skin for thousands of years. It softens the skin by attracting and retaining moisture & contains alpha hydroxy acids which exfoliate and hydrate.

______________________________________________________

I highly suggest you try this out! Not only do I find that it does wonders for my skin (the word "supple" keeps coming to mind, and kinda grossing me out at the same time), but it smells good, tastes good, and gives you the benefit of knowing exactly what it is you're putting on your face. It's a win, win, win :)

Oh, and I wrote about my foray into naturopathic remedies a few months ago -- with a garlic oil concoction for chest congestion that starts at your feet and moves to your lungs. Sounds ridiculous, but works like a charm -- you should check it out.

I Am A Rock, I Am An Island

2013-05-28T18:49:00.000-04:00

A glimpse of my Sunday evening: in my peaceful place and my comfy clothes, with my zone-out tunes. I hung out 'til it got dark, contemplated for a while. Then I came home, ate ice cream and watched 4ish documentaries. It was sorta perfect. Awesomely calm.

After working for a sixteen day stretch, this was the perfect way to unwind. The weather finally cleared up and left New York with a gorgeous Sunday and Memorial Day. I hope you had a chance to get outside and enjoy yours!

Mac Attack!

2013-05-20T00:06:00.002-04:00

Meet Mac! My parents brought this adorable little orange kitten home about ten days ago. I've visited nearly every day since. I just cannot stay away - he'll only be this perfectly tiny for a little while. And this especially cuddly. He's all purrs, plus a little piss & vinegar. Such a sweetheart.

While dad came to the decision this guy would be called "Mac," because as he explained, "I started thinking of orange things... cheddar, mac n' cheese, etc." My sister and I had really liked the name Hines, after our beloved former Pittsburgh Steeler, Hines Ward (or even "Heinz" for that matter, after the field where he played). So, in my mind, a collaboration ensued.

That brainstorming and more Steel City pride had me decide this handsome ginger kitty will be formally named: Mac N. Cheese Hines Bradshaw.

Don't you love his face?!

I hope you've had a great week -- I've been wildly, unimaginably busy for the past 10 days, with a menacing 6 laying ahead of me. No complaints though. Busy feels great. Will try and give you a rundown about it all sometime later this week.

Anything new or exciting been going on with you lately? Can you believe June's around the corner?

And Yesterday I Saw You Kissing Tiny Flowers

2013-05-05T14:29:00.002-04:00

I hope you're having a beautiful Sunday.

Favorites from Charmaine Olivia

2013-04-19T18:15:00.003-04:00

I fell in love with a painting of a deer in gym socks on tumblr a long while back. Then there were some badass female silhouettes floating around, and they were uh-mazing. It turns out Charmaine Olivia is the brilliant artist behind all of it -- and a whole lot more. Her work is youthful, strong and sexy, with a little edge. I've thrown together a few of my favorites for your viewing pleasure:

naiya | obsidian

rose study 2

sculpting grace | headaches

deer in gym socks

I'm sure I'm late to the party on these -- kind of like when it took me years to realize that Led Zeppelin was behind Fool In the Rain and Over the Hills and Far Away, and all their other songs I always loved but never realized were Zep. Embarassing to say, that happened - when I was twenty.

If you dig the images above you should visit her gallery and do some oogling of your own.
I hope you're having an inspired Friday!

80 Degrees in April

2013-04-09T22:05:00.002-04:00

Today I head a few miles away to Manor Park to lounge on some rocks overlooking the sound. I got a few pages into Women Who Run With The Wolves before I started sweating to death and worrying about getting a sunburn.

"Once women have lost her and then found her again, they will contend to keep her for good. Once they have regained her, they will fight and fight hard to keep her, for with her their creative lives blossom; their relationships gain meaning and depth and health; their cycles of sexuality, creativity, work, and play are reestablished; they are no longer marks for the predations of others; they are entitled equally under the laws of nature to grow and thrive. Now their end-of-the-day fatigue comes from satisfying work and endeavors, not from being shut up in too small a mindset, job, or relationship. They know instinctively when things must die and when things must live; they know how to walk away, they know how to stay." - Clarissa Pinkola Estés

I also made a few totem animal connections today. I'll look into their messages and share what I find soon.
Were you lucky to experience any unseasonably warm weather today?

Ski Season Day 2 [Catamount]

2013-03-08T14:22:00.000-05:00

I've posted snowy .gifs before, and I'll ~~probably~~ post them again. I can't help it. There's nothing like waking up in a winter wonderland. I love how snowfall puts the whole world to sleep. I'm not even upset today's storm kept me from trekking back up to Windham for another day on the mountain. I love to ski, don't get me wrong -- but flat light & white out conditions spell a possible uninsured nightmare. Prudence is a bitch.

So instead of skiing, I'm here at my desk by the fire escape listening to an assortment of classic rock (check out the mix in my sidebar) while my riding associate Baby Sean plays Call of Duty. In honor of his presence, I'm finally posting pictures from a trip in early January. He was there, and so was our buddy Tommy.

It went a little something like this:

Winter's flown by with ferocity, and tomorrow's projected to hit nearly 50 degrees. But for the next few hours I'll relish what could likely be the last big snow of the season. Days like today strengthen the hope I'll hit my goal of 10 days out this season. Fingers crossed.

It's Late, I'm Up

2013-03-08T01:25:00.001-05:00

I love this art print from Tina Crespo.

Liebster Blog Award

2013-03-07T11:54:00.003-05:00

Oh hey, sometimes I forget that anyone out there's reading. So imagine my shock when Meggs tagged me for a Liebster Blog Award -- like, weeks ago. I'm a bum who took forever to post the damn thing, but this is exciting. First, I've got all these fellow tagged bloggers to check out + who doesn't love answering questions about themselves? Seriously.

The Rules:
1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Answer the questions the tagger set for you, PLUS create 11 questions for the people you tag.
3. Tag 11 other bloggers with less than 200 followers, go to their page and let them know you've tagged them.
4. No tag backs.

11 Facts About Me:
1. I've been a skier for as long as I can remember.
2. By the time I was 2 years old, I knew all the words to Bob Marley's Legend album.
3. I once drove solo NY to CO, and back to NY, couchsurfing and Walmart-parking-lot-sleeping along the way.
4. Sixteen of my eighteen years of schooling occured in Catholic schools.
5. "I believe in god, only I spell it nature," and u-n-i-v-e-r-s-e.
6. Stuck somewhere between hippie, skibum, & hayseed.
7. Heritage: Irish, Lithuanian, German, French, Scottish, English.
8. My nails are always painted; turquoise is my go-to color.
9. Um, well I'm not really sure how to put this.. but uh, yea.. four twenty.
10. I have one boob implant. (Result of a freak breast assymetry remedied when I was 20.)
11. I adore the tiny house movement and would love to build a little Fencl of my own.

11 Questions from Meggs of Live Well and Breathe:
1. What's your favourite book?

I'm a huge Beat era nerd, so Minor Characters by Joyce Johnson (one of Jack Kerouac's early girlfriends) comes to mind immediately. Well, it might not be my favorite of all time, but I loved it. During a rough patch a few years ago, it was exactly what I needed to read, and spoke so many of the words I wanted to say. I haven't revisited it since, but I'm sure I will! Here's one of my favorite quotes from the book: "But has it become my own madness not to have outgrown those years when the door first swung open on a world I never managed to explore as completely as I longed to?"

2. What's your favourite way to relax?

This is a toss up between two pretty different things. #1 is lying near the water with a book. (I'll take a lake over the ocean, but either is lovely.) Oh and if a hammock's available, even better. #2 includes a sunny day, country radio, my car, my camera, and wide open rural roads. I love to explore.

3. What's your best advice?

If it's not helping, it's hindering. This relates to a cluttered junk drawer, a stale relationship, unneccessary fears.. anything really.

4. What's one thing about yourself you like?

I like my independence. I take pride in the things I've done all by myself. Mostly, my solitude is a result of being interested in things no one else cares to do, which is totally ok with me. I don't expect even the best of my friends to get excited about the prospect of driving for 2000 miles, or waking up at the ass-crack of dawn to spend the day throwing themselves down a mountain. I was ostracized as a kid, and live in an area where my interests are -- I don't know... not the norm? So doing my own thing started early and stuck with me. I almost never go anywhere (by car) as someone else's passenger, either. I like to the be in charge of myself (though I take on as many passengers as Connie'll allow). I always have my own vehicle, and I hate to drive in convoy.

5. What's the last thing you did that you think back to fondly?

I don't even have to think that far back. All of my ski days this year (only 5 so far) are super fond memories. Also, I'm fond of the ice cream I made from scratch on last week! Ice cream's my favorite... it's a problem, really.

6. What's one thing you're determined to learn?

Hooping skills. I wrote about receiving my hoop as a gift back in August, and haven't made a ton of progress since. But I will, really! When the snow thaws and nights are not so nippy, I'll be back in the park working it out.

7. What's the thing you're best at making?

This is the last question I answered because it took forever to figure out what it is -- 'cause I'm fairly skilled at a whole bunch of things. But I guess if I'm being real, what sets me apart from others based on my ability is braids. I'm really good at "making" braids in my own hair. [see instagram for a few examples] I do inside out french, one-sided, fishtails, 4-strand, waterfalls, all the fun stuff. I'm not that good at giving them to other people, though.

8. What's your favourite place to be?

Away from the city.

9. What's something big you're planning to do this year?

Well, it's not THAT big, but I want to go pond skimming at the end of the ski season. If you don't know what that is, youtube it. It's absolutely ridiculous, and I've been wanting to do it for years -- especially in some sort of costume, yet to be determined. Also, this.

10. What's the first thing you do when you wake up?

I don't have much of a routine. I guess after making my way to the bathroom I usually beeline for a cup of coffee (in cooler weather), or morning smoothie (when it's warm) and open up my laptop.

11. What's the last dream you had that you remember?

Isn't this terrible? I barely remember my dreams, like at all. I don't know what it is... I know I used to, they just haven't been as vivid in recent years. Usually I'll only remember one person who was "there," though not much of what went on. Most recently my dart friend Jay was in a dream, but I couldn't tell you why! So vague..

I Tag:
Laura [Girl in Flight] ▲ Richelle [We Shall Fly] ▲ Kelley [A Crooked Trail] ▲ Anna [Photographs and Memories] ▲ Haley [Haley Here]
▲ Bridget [Folk Ties] ▲ Lou [Stars In Jars] ▲ Claire [Be Earthwise] ▲ MacKenzie [Soul Makes] ▲ Stefanie [Living Deliberately]

My Questions:
1. When someone says, "Wow, [your name here], that's so YOU," what do they usually mean?
2. Have you moved residences often in your life?
3. What's your favorite active/athletic passtime?
4. What would you consider your most peaceful time of day?
5. Where do you fall in the birth order of your family (only child, first born, etc.)?
6. Do you have a favorite TV show?
7. What's one of the most adventurous things you've done in the past year?
8. If funds were not an issue, and you found yourself at the airport tonight, a week's vacation ahead of you -- where would you fly?
9. Do you have any favorite names?
10. What's your general "uniform" of dress?
11. What do you want to be when you grow up?

If any of you tagged ladies end up participating drop me a comment with the link! I'd love to see your answers.

It's Looking Like a Limb Torn Off

2013-02-09T17:27:00.002-05:00

I just love this song. And that line... you are the ever living ghost of what once was. Ooooo, it's just so beautiful. Like, the kind of descriptive that touches your soul to tears... but in the best way.

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

An Ode to the Road + Connie

2013-02-08T00:32:00.000-05:00

park county route 90, co

walt whitman

bagley bridge, nh

william least heat-moon ▲ clay county, wv

montgomery county highway 115, ny

My car's been in the shop for a few weeks now, after sitting in my parents' driveway for, well... a few months. When it conked out in August, I was in no financial position to check it out (ie: I just took myself off of unemployment benefits without any job lined up). My anxiety over the possible diagnoses lead to nervous procrastination. So she sat, and I made due without. (I also happen to live with a ~~guy~~ godsend who lets me use his car all day while he's in the city.)

When friends hear that I haven't had my own ride for six months, their jaws generally drop. While being an amazon blonde is one of my most defining characteristics, I'm equally recognized for always having a car, and always offering to drive. "A car" is specifically my Connie, The Conference Room, a Chevy Equinox -- and we've been through a lot.

I got the vehicle new nearly 9 years ago, with less than a hundred miles on her. Since then we've been out to Colorado, down to Nashville, and all over the eastern seaboard -- country muddin', climbing mountains, down dirt roads, by the beach -- taking pictures the whole time. I've driven 125k+ miles of this country, and loved every second.

Turns out some of my more badass off-roading escapades lead to the extra time in the shop. Initially, it seemed that the only problem was with the fuel pump -- but it turns out somewhere along the way I managed to strip the drive shaft & lose my 4wheel drive. Not that I noticed, but I'm thrilled to know it's all about to be fixed. A sturdy car is best for the longest of drives. Wee! I cannot wait to have her back.

Do any of you have destination suggestions for my next road adventure? Or also have a weird love for your car? Spill.

Curation of Late

2013-01-27T23:16:00.003-05:00

Here's a little of what's been populating my tumblr recently. In case you were curious.. and even if you weren't.

Words haven't been coming too easily lately, but I'm connecting with tons of imagery - worth saving's my inspiration board.

Guaranteed

2013-01-27T22:15:00.000-05:00

Caturday + Garlic in My Socks

2013-01-19T14:19:00.000-05:00

Well, it's nearly 1 o'clock, so it's a little degenerate to say good morning. So hey -- happy Saturday! Gratuitous cat & boyfriend picture aside, I hope you're all out there having a great weekend. I've been fighting a terribleawfulnasty cold + fever the majority of the week, but I'm feeling pretty ok now. While I was more or less incapacitated, I took some over the counter meds to combat the shittiness, but also dabbled with a few all-natural remedies.

Turns out that I didn't have many of the ingredients needed for the homeopathic recipes I found online (apple cider vinegar, grapefruit seed oil...), and I wasn't about to venture out of the house. But, I did have garlic. Sweet, glorious garlic. You guys, it's amazing for chest congestion via, wait for it ---- your feet.

_______________________________________________

I know it sounds insane, but it's honestly miraculous. I did it twice, thinking the first time might have been a fluke. It wasn't. It works.

Here's what you need to try it out for yourself:
garlic | olive oil | plastic wrap | socks

Here's what you do:
1. Crush a clove of garlic under a knife, then let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Put it in a little bowl & add enough olive oil to cover it up.
3. Wait a half hour or more, then slather the oil on the bottom of your feet.
4. Wrap your feet up in plastic wrap & throw on your socks.
5. Sleep, or don't, but try to leave the oil on your feet for at least 5 hours. The longer the better.

Within a few hours ~~your breath~~ you will stink of garlic, but the tightness/congestion in your chest should be gone. I kid you not. It's wild, and I highly recommend that you try it out.

Do you have any favorite all natural remedies for what ails?

Ski Season Day 1 [Catamount]

2013-01-03T01:41:00.001-05:00

Today I took myself skiing for the first time this season. Catamount was empty and glorious. I'd dressed for a sunny 27°, and it ended up an overcast 20° -- which wasn't terrible at all, just a little cooler than anticipated. The ease with which I found my ski legs made up for the chilliness, and I took recharge the ipod/warm my toes breaks whenever I felt like it (the #1 reason solo activities are super). My 2013 is off to a empowered start. I like it.

The View From My Kitchen Window

2012-12-29T15:16:00.000-05:00

Just threw together these snowy little .gifs from a few snaps out the window. The snow's really coming down, and I'm praying for as much as mother nature's willing to dump! I've got to get skiing soon. It's been over a year, and last season was abysmally snowless. I only got out to ride once, hmph. Fingers crossed for inches in the mountains!

"...it is a special gift of the relationship between earth and sky. It only comes in sufficient amounts in particular places, at certain times on this earth; it lasts only a limited amount of time before sun and wind changes it. People devote their whole lives to it for the pleasure of being so purely played by gravity and snow." - Dolores LaChapelle

_______________________________________________

In other news -- I've finally managed to make some progress with my blog layout -- after holding off forever because blogger was being a little shit. I reset the template and essentially started all over again. But with the new tablet E gave me for Christmas, it's been more fun than ever to mess around. I plan to be back on the ball with everything very very soon!

via

I've crossed my line in the sand. A year's up.
2013's going to be special. It has to be.

Rethink Your Life

2012-12-18T09:55:00.002-05:00

This is so important. So logical, so true -- food for thought. Joe Rogan's a smart dude. Some language NSFW.

Custom Vintage Inspired Party Invitations

2012-12-15T15:25:00.000-05:00

Aren't these birthday invitations the cutest? Yes, I'm completely biased 'cause I designed them -- anddd the little boy is my uncle, many moons ago. But I really love how they turned out. Can you believe the pictures were taken in the late 40's!? I had the best time pulling them together for my aunt.

I used MOO postcards for the printing. I loved the quality, full bleed, heavy stock, glossiness (but worth noting: only one side of the postcards have a shiny coating). They also sell brown paper envelopes, which went with the invitations perfectly. They're good. Recommended.

__________________________________________________

I'm not exactly sure where this past week went -- The surprise party was last Saturday, which is where I started what would equal 17 hours of standing. On my feet. Seriously, like, worse than a waitressing double shift, because after the party was a night of bartending. But no real complaints :) The party and the bar crowd were wonderful -- and I managed to get a few hours sleep before my best friend came over with her fiance for their save the date/holiday card photos early the next morning. After that was a baby shower -- I showed up to nearly empty handed (save one Lithuanian baltic amber teething necklace). I was absolutely mortified. Long story short -- never ever forget you can't shop in New Jersey on Sundays. I'm a silly New Yorker and I forget such things.

So I used the rest of the week to recover from all that, celebrate Mom's birthday, Christmas shop, and a whole buncha other stuff. The holidays are upon us, and my buddy Sean's here for his birthday weekend. It's time for me to get back to the boys -- I hope you're having a great weekend so far and stockpiling energy for the next 10 days of holiday crazy.

XO: Peace, love, and prayers to Newtown.

Camping + DMB

2012-11-30T16:46:00.003-05:00

I'm the luckiest girl! Earlier this week I was given a ticket for tonight's Dave Matthews Band show, which I'll be attending with my two of my "cousins" (via-our-dads-were-friends-in-college. Am I the only one with these? 'Cause I have about 20!) This will be something like the eighth time I've seen DMB, but it'll be Courtney's 77th show. That's seventyseven, guys. Mindblowing.

Anyways, going to the show tonight got me thinking about how I never shared any pictures from when a huge group of us (mostly) Iona kids camped up near Albany for Dave Matthews at SPAC in June. It was a fabulous time with some of the funnest people -- and here's the proof:

I know there aren't any pictures from the show, but I didn't want to bring the DSLR inside! I hope you're all gearing up to have a wonderful weekend - Can you believe tomorrow's December?! Time keeps flying by.

Anyone else have anything cool going on tonight? I'd love to hear about it!

Tunesday Adrift

2012-11-27T14:53:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone's doing well after Thanksgiving and the thrill of all the Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday madness! In case you're interested in gifting some art this season - I'm running a HUGE SALE in my photography shop through the holiday season - 50% off some prints. You should check it out.

The snowy pine pictured above was the view from my living room window about an hour ago. Mother Nature was kind enough to brighten up an otherwise dreary morning with a big fat snow for a few hours. If you saw my last post, you know I've been dying for woodland views lately. So yea, I'll take all I can get.

In honor of the day - I've put together a snowday-cuddle-up-fireplace-sleepy playlist for your relaxation during this wild time of year, with some of my very favorite chilled out tunes tunes. Hope you enjoy ☺

Adrift ▲ tracklist:
Sleep - Azure Ray
Aqueous Transmission - Incubus
This Years Love - David Gray
Helplessly Hoping - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Across the Universe - Fiona Apple
Sparks - Coldplay
Eleanor - Shannon Worrell + Dave Matthews
One Night - The Corrs
Luna - Smashing Pumpkins

>>> Listen on 8tracks

Hypothetical Relocation

2012-11-24T00:26:00.000-05:00

...and two tiny house rentals under $1000/mo with such views.

42 Kiowa Creek Trail Florissant, CO ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ 224 E 9th Street Leadville, CO

Links

2012-11-19T12:10:00.001-05:00

▲ Antlers, by Lynndoodles

▲ "It seems like my whole life I´ve been asked 'what I do,' as if presenting myself with a title could truly define me, define whether I am a person worthy of respect, worth listening to, in control, etc. It´s always been something that has deeply bothered me... Now I realize that what made me feel so uncomfortable about this "what do you do" question, was not the fact that I felt less worthy because I didn´t have a masters in what-ever-the-hell-bla-bla-bla, but because according to what we are raised to consider "normal," I was supposed to to feel less worthy or incomplete because, in not choosing something with a specific title, there was no way I could be considered someone successful. I was just a random soul, wandering aimlessly through life, without ambitions or goals." - Claudia Almandoz's "Search My Sweet Soul," for The Mama Earth Project

▲ Three years ago (tomorrow) I embarked upon a solo roadtrip from NY to CO without much more than a place to crash + a seasonal ski pass. Who needs more than that?! It was phenomenal, and I wish I could have been back at ABay for opening day this season.

▲ Cabin porn much? My thoughts on a life of simplicity couldn't mirror Sondra's more closely.

▲ Success comes from The Willingness to Think Differently.

▲ I love this house tour of Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato's apartment. Lots of exposed brick, geometric textiles, and hard wood floors - yum!

▲ "We’ve been conditioned to believe that life happens in stages, that there are milestones to be reached, that you go from infant to child, from adolescent to adult. And now that we’re up at bat, now that we’re of “adult age,” we keep striking out. The truth though, is that you’re not just some adolescent, or some adult, or some merging of the two. You’re you. You’re just you. You always will be. And so the decisions that you make are the only things that define you. Not your age, not your savings account, not your thread count. You are in control of your own life." - Stephanie Georgopulos muses on the reality of growing up in, "You're Not A Child, You're Not An Adult, You're Just You."

▲ Vintageprintable.com is way too much fun to browse around. Seriously, I've lost hours of my life... The site's a little wonky, but the imagery is so sweet (and completely up for grabs!)

▲ Sandy's damage was wild, and we're not out of the woods yet here in parts of NY. If you've seen pictures from the vast fire damage in Breezy Point alone, you realize it's going to take a long time for the community to recover. If you have the means, please think about making a contribution to the relief effort.

___________________________________________________________________

I hope everyone's having a great Thanksgiving week so far! I can't believe we're into the end of November already. Time's been flying, and there's so much to do before the holidays. But this is my favorite time of year, no complaints here :)

Zombie Halloween

2012-11-02T15:04:00.000-04:00

I knew Halloween was going to come and go without much fanfare this year. Most parties took place on Saturday while I was at a fabulous wedding, so I put no thought into a costume. Hurricane Sandy came and all hell broke loose in New York. When she passed, we were left thankfullyluckilyblessedly unscathed but somewhat apartment bound for a few days. Late Wednesday night I coaxed E into some pictures with me. It's amazing what difference some concealer and dark eye shadow can make. I lit a few candles for the mood & our post-Sandy-low-key-Halloween-kitty-eating-zombie photoshoot ensued.

It's been very weird around here since the storm. I've been personally unaffected, and the same goes for my parents a few miles away. E's been home from work all week because the power's out at his office in the city. I'm not sure how we got off so lucky. So many others have been so horrifically devastated. I'm glad to have a bunch of clothes to donate (it's been a purging week or two around here). I can't stop watching the news or checking updates to see what's going on. However, if I read another facebook status from someone complaining about their lack of electricity or gas I might just scream. Be thankful for a roof, assholes.

In other news: I'm still working hard on the rebrand project.. chug chug chugging along...

Project: Rebranding

2012-10-30T15:40:00.000-04:00

I'm working on a huge personal branding overhaul and hope to have it all sorted out by the end of the week! It's time to simplify, simplify, simplify. There have been too many ventures, too many usernames, ugh. The overwhelm has led to neglecting everything all together - sort of like when you don't want to put your clothes away into a mess of a closet (or is this just me?!)

I feel like my fledgling status in our online community affords me the ability to switch it up early and hang tight in the long run. Expect broken links for a little while and I hope you'll stick with me through the changes!