LET IT BE

Hair

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

all images: my Pinterest, Beautification

Put a Bird On It

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:42:00 +0000

We try very hard to limit the amount of television we watch, but there are a few exceptions. Portlandia is number one on that list. WE. LOVE. PORTLANDIA.

After taking a trip to Portland a couple of years ago, we have fell in love with the city, head over-heels in love! We spend hours and days imagining what it would be like to live there. We buy photography books about the city, we drink Oregon beer and Pinots.....if it is from Oregon, we assume it is better. We are a little out of control!

Obviously, when Portlandia started last season we were beyond thrilled! It's a great way to laugh at ourselves and our obsession.

So, when Cuyler found out that the Portlandia Live Tour had added Atlanta on to the schedule, there was no question we had to go. The show was held in Little Five Points, without question the hippest part of Atlanta, at the Variety Playhouse (love!). We grabbed a single beer (cheating our cleanse, whoops) at The Porter (love!) and then walked down to catch the show.

It was a combination of clips, new and old, Q&A, and music with Fred Armisen and Carrie Browntstein. Margaret Cho and Jack Mcbrayer came out at one point, hilarious! It was super fun to be surrounded by a bunch of other people that enjoy the same thing and believe in the magic of Portland!

Check out Portlandia tonight on IFC and let me know what you think. The intro alone is worth watching! Also, because like I said we obsessed with all things Oregon......check out the line up for the Sasquatch Festival this year- INSANE!

Emotional Intervals

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:12:00 +0000

No matter my determination, getting strong again after a long time of weakness can feel impossible! Whether its my legs shaking in a yoga pose or my heart beating in my throat during a run, my body is screaming SLOW DOWN!

Twenty minutes into yoga yesterday I was beaming with pride. I could tell that I had made progress and felt pleased my new found strength and flexibility. Twenty minutes later I felt defeated following a less then stellar balancing series. Why can't I focus and relax? Twenty minutes after that I was smiling from ear to ear when the teacher said "beautiful pose stephanie". What a roller coaster!

On my runs it is much the same. I begin energized and full of hope. The breeze whips around the side of the park and I enjoy the fresh air. At the turn I climb the first big hill and my legs quickly slow as I struggle. Headed up the other side I am reinvigorated, encouraged that I have settled into the run. Then comes the longer bigger hill and once again I'm hating myself. How in the hell did I run a marathon and what has happened to my body?

Every day that I work out I am thankful. I ALWAYS feel better after. It is those in between ups and downs that kind of suck right now, those Emotional Intervals. I question my body, my strength, my ability. But then.....I overcome that doubt and fear of failure and celebrate the accomplishment. It feels good and right, so I will keep going.

Burberry Prorsum

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 04:07:00 +0000

Here are tons of detailed shots from Christopher Bailey's latest Burberry Show, Town and Field. While I am totally aware of the fact that this collection is ALL over the interweb, I couldn't help myself......it's too good not to post again!

In my opinion, EVER SINGLE PIECE is exciting! Things I love about this collection include: the gorgeous color combinations, the oversized stripes, the industrial zippers, the gold hardware and studs, the animal head closures, the ladylike pencil skirts and nipped jackets, the flattering peplums, the luxe fabrications (tweed, corduroy, velvet, skin, fur and leather), the ribbed tights, the simple makeup and hair, the casual boot with a twist, the oversized jackets cinched at the waist with skinny little bow belts, the insanely beautiful gloves, the giant pockets and everything about the bags!

If I had a fancy life, these would be my fancy clothes. Super chic, slightly sweet, but still with an edge!

Do you have a favorite Fall 2012 collection?

images: Vogue.com

photography: Olivier Claisse/firstVIEW

Joe Webb

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

The first of these images has been making me happy for over a week, thought I should share.

all images: Joe Webb

available: here

Hair

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:13:00 +0000

all images: my Pinterest, Beautification

John Baldessari

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:06:00 +0000

I love collage that uses found photography! John Baldessari is a truly fascinating American conceptual artist!

By obscuring a face Baldessari was able to erase individuality and transform a specific person into an obscure object. (1)

In 1970 he burnt all of the paintings he had created between 1953 and 1966 as part of a new piece, titled "The Cremation Project". The ashes from these paintings were baked into cookies and placed into an urn, and the resulting art installation consists of a bronze plaque with the destroyed paintings' birth and death dates, as well as the recipe for making the cookies. Through the ritual of cremation Baldessari draws a connection between artistic practice and the human life cycle. (2)

How crazy/amazing?!

Today I got a new flash for my camera and signed up for a one hour one-on-one class with an instructor. I'm hoping that I am on my way to actually learning how to really use my camera! It would be such a dream to be able to take really amazing photographs and maybe even make some collages of my own one day! For now I'll focus on step one: read the manual for the new flash.

text: (1) & (2)

Stillness

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 13:44:00 +0000

Imagine a spinning top. Stillness is like a perfectly centered top, spinning so fast it appears motionless. It appears this way not because it isn't moving but because it's spinning at full speed.

Stillness is not the absence or negation of energy, life, or movement. Stillness is dynamic. It is unconflicted movement, life in harmony with itself, skill in action. It can be experienced whenever there is total, uninhibited, unconflicted participation in the moment you are in- when you are wholeheartedly present with whatever you are doing.

For most of us, however most of the time, our lives do not resemble a perfectly centered top spinning so fast it appears motionlesss. Our lives are more like a top in a somewhat wild, erratic, and chaotic spin. We know we're alive because at least we're still spinning, but we are not quite perfectly centered, and we are not spinning anywhere near full speed. We don't have as much energy as we'd like, we are not experiencing as much aliveness as we might, nor are we experiencing the peace of stillness or the joy of being.

Yoga is a way of moving into stillness in order to experience the truth of who you are.

I have been taking yoga classes now since the beginning of the year. For me, it brings such satisfaction to be in an environment where I am forced to listen to my body instead of my brain. The studio feels like a comforting place, 90 minutes that are all my own.

I have a deep desire for stillness and clarity in my life! I am determined to feel healthy and strong again! In addition to the yoga and running, I decided to detox. (Thank you Gwyneth Paltrow for the inspiration......her Bazaar shoot is INSANE!)

I am four days into a two week cleanse. I take two vegetable capsules twice a day and avoid alcohol, caffeine, dairy and sugar. So far, the thing that I have noticed the most is that I understand exactly what I am hungry for. I have been drinking greens and wheatgrass, whey protein shakes with blueberries and flax, coconut water, and dandelion root tea. I have been eating mostly vegetables with some fruit and lean protein. It's an adjustment, but it feels good and right!

Any advice for a first timer?

image: Yoga Journal of a Not-Very-Calm-Character

text: The Spirit and Practice of Moving Into Stillness, by Erich Schiffmann

Wanderer

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 02:35:00 +0000

Happy Birthday little blog of mine! I knew that my one year anniversary was coming up, but was sort of surprised last night when I checked the archive to discover it was a year ago Valentines. Kind of snuck up on me!

I just wanted to say THANK YOU friends, for reading this past year! I have had a lot of fun trying to find my way in this big blogging world!

I have yet to decide exactly what this blog is about and still have not totally settled into a schedule, BUT- I am surprisingly proud of the content that I have posted in the last year and am excited to see how LET IT BE evolves in the the year ahead.

I have lots of ideas and changes planned, so as soon as I find some extra time.........

Thank you, thank you, thank you readers! Writing and sharing things that I love has been INCREDIBLY therapeutic!

image: Wesley Bird

Longing To Belong

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:27:00 +0000

This morning my AMAZING husband woke me playing his ukulele and singing this song:

I'm falling harder than I've

ever fell before

I'm falling fast while hoping

I'll land in your arms

'cause all my time is spent here

longing to belong

to you

I dream of circles perfect

eyes within your face

my heart's an open wound that

only you'd replace

and though the moon is rising

can't put your picture down

love can be frightening when you fall

And when the time is right, I

hope that you'll respond

like when the wind gets tired

the ocean becomes calm

I may be dreaming but I'm

longing to belong

to you

Eddie Vedder, Ukulele Songs

It was moment I don't think I will ever forget! Happy 10th Valentines, JC. I LOVE YOU SO!

image: Pinterest

Hair

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:55:00 +0000

all images: my Tumblr, HER MAJESTY'S

Jenni Kayne

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:56:00 +0000

Fashion Week has officially started and I am excited to spend the weekend following along!

Above are shots from the Jenni Kayne Fall 2012 RTW Collection. I think that the clothes are gorgeous! It looks like such an amazing selection of separates, perfect for mixing and matching and something for every occasion.

The color combinations are fresh and new, and I'm SO happy that the neon and neutral combination is going forward into another season, I'm a huge fan!

Inspired by an English gentleman's hunting wardrobe, the collection feels effortless. Looking cool without trying is something I really appreciate, don't you?!

Hope you have a great weekend and please feel free to share any collections or upcoming trends you see that you like. I would love to know what you think!

all images (and my favorite place to check out all the shows): style.com

Aurelie Bidermann

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:25:00 +0000

These beautiful gold jewels will go perfectly the gorgeous tan and toned body I plan to have this summer!

Today it was abnormally warm. It was AMAZING weather and I don't mean to complain, but.....I was still hoping to hide under cozy sweaters and dark tights for at least another few weeks. Sunshiny days just aren't as welcome when you feel pale!

"Aurelie Bidermann has built a unique world where symbolism still holds a major roll, where the past and present are combined with originality, where nature, travel, history but also photography, architecture and music, are endless sources of inspiration."

She has collaborated with Proenza Schouler and Jason Wu and has a loyal following that includes Sophia Coppola and Gwyneth Paltrow. IMPRESSIVE!

all images: Aurelie Bidermann

Keep Going

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Today our Home Study packet came in the mail, hooray! (This is the first major step in the adoption process). The envelope seemed to weigh an awful lot, hmmmm? It seems to be a hundred pages long and there are exactly 42 various tasks to be completed, ahhhhhh!

Not gonna lie, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed!

My plan: avoid freaking out, take the night off to relax and begin first thing in the morning.

image: Pinterest via Clara

Hair, via Tumblr

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:52:00 +0000

all images: my Tumblr

Lonny Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 00:24:00 +0000

I LOVE LONNY! I really do! There is just something about their selection of interiors that fills me with joy. It is the perfect mash up of styles! The bold patterns, textured fabrics, pops of color with neutrals, oversized art............I could go on and on! The combinations of sleek and modern pieces with weathered antiques, such happiness!

Here is my latest selection of pictures. I am anxiously awaiting the March Issue and am super excited to hear that from then on, they will be publishing monthly!

all images: Lonny Magazine

Design Sponge Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:33:00 +0000

I spotted the first bloom in the tops of the trees at the end of the driveway today. It's hard to believe that it's almost Spring! This is the time of year that I get the itch to change things around a bit in the house......take on a few projects, add a few things.

While I would love to add a few new textiles, rugs and blankets, or frame some oversized photographs, most of my current projects will be more thrifty. For multiple reasons my decorating almost always involves DIY. Some of my favorite pieces in the house are ultra affordable homemade creations. (here and here)

Browsing through Sneak Peeks on Design Sponge always inspires! I thought I would share some of my favorite shots from my last look through. I can say with certainty I need to add some more plants inside! Well placed plants change everything! I'm also planning to recover some pillows with bright pops of color and maybe some interesting prints.

What I am most excited about, inspired from one of the shots above is a painted trophy collection! I'm not sure why they are making me so happy, but they are. When I was young I proudly displayed all my trophies in my room, dorky I know. My mom still has them all stashed away somewhere......I think it would be so fun to spray them all glossy white and display them in a collection, on a shelf or tray of some sort. Kind of hilarious and amazing!

Any house projects of your own? Am I crazy to love the trophies? I would love to hear what you think and let me know if you have a great site for inspiration!

all images: Design Sponge

An Unofficial List of Goals

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:29:00 +0000

Old habits are hard to break! Comparing myself to others has been something I have struggled with for as long as I can remember. In the last few years I have become more aware of it, and how truly destructive it can be. While I recognize fully that it is a waste of time to envy others IF it means that feelings of jealousy or resentment surface, I enjoy being surrounded by people that inspire me and motivate me to do more and be more. It is such a fine line!

Lately, I have been working really hard on Me. It's pretty common this time of year to take a long hard look in the mirror and try to be realistic about what is working and what is not. People make all sorts of sweeping declarations and grand plans for the year ahead, they write list after list of goals. I am usually one of those people.

For me it can be hard when my favorite time of the year, Christmas, ends and the New Year begins and four days later my birthday arrives. It seems doubly as intense to make resolutions for the year ahead and, at the same time, reflect on the fact that I am a year older (and hopefully wiser). It often has me wondering.....Am I a better person then I was a year ago? Am I happier then I was a year ago? Am I making the absolute most of every day, every moment?

Right now, I am doing all that I can to focus on today, without putting real pressure or expectations on tomorrow. Small steps seem more manageable!

I have procrastinated on making an official list for the new year. Setting detailed goals seems to be more then I can handle! So, a month and a day late.....I give you my 'unofficial' list of goals for 2012, in very broad and non specific terms and in no particular order:

MY LIST:

1. Regain physical and mental strength, through yoga and running.

2. Grow intellectually, by reading more and watching less.

3. Focus my love and affection, on my family and close friends.

4. Demonstrate courage, by expressing my creative point of view.

5. Find peace and quiet my mind, by learning and embracing true patience.

Overall, the most important thing is to let go of the fear that I may fail at one or all of these goals, or that the person reading these might have accomplished them all already. Just writing these down and sharing them means that I am overcoming a fear of judgement, a step in the right direction........already making progress!

image: Ryan Flynn via Kathleen Murray

FOODILY

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 01:35:00 +0000

Last night I was catching up on one of my favorite blogs, LA in BLOOM, when I made a game changing discovery. Heather, who constantly makes seriously beautiful food, posted about a new(ish) site Foodily- Food I Love You. Her description was basically Pinterest, but for food........SOLD!

Foodily is (ta-da) a food site. More accurately, we are the world’s largest recipe network, bringing together a continuous feed of recipes from across the web that your friends have discovered.

I am finally at the point that I can go to the grocery without writing a full meal plan beforehand. It is so much more enjoyable to browse the food and pick up what looks fresh and delicious, without worrying about forgetting a key ingredient for a recipe. The problem with this is that once home, with all of my delicious food, I sometimes/often am at a loss of what to make with it. I wish I could just throw it all together to invent some magical new creation......but it is just not that easy for me. Not yet anyway.

Foodily might just be the answer I was looking for. The site has a search engine for ingredients you may have on hand and want to include, and another area to write ingredients you may be missing or would prefer to avoid. The best part is that you can easily browse the site for great inspiration, mark your favorites, follow certain people and share recipes with friends.

In addition to the site they have a Facebook app here to follow friends, food bloggers and famous chefs. Plus, a blog of their own here loaded with great giveaways and tons of articles on all things food.

It is nothing short of amazing really, you must check if you haven't already!

Ulyana Sergeenko Spring-Summer 2012

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:57:00 +0000

More Ulyana Sergeenko because, lets be honest, I am OBSESSED with her and her collection! Her clothes are incredibly gorgeous, her style is brilliant!

These backstage photos from the Spring-Summer 2012 collection are SOOOOOOO glamorous, I had to share!

all images: Nick Sushkevich

Hair, Via Pinterest

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:22:00 +0000

all images: my Pinterest, beautification

Fear

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:16:00 +0000

image: thisisloveforever

My Little Artist

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:01:00 +0000

Yesterday Carson and I spent the day at the High Museum of Art. I have been dying to see the exhibit Picasso to Warhol! I have been taking to Carson to art museums since she was itty bitty in Dallas, but I was especially to see her reaction to this collection!

About six months ago Carson selected an art book at the library that was similar to a text book. I didn't expect her to be interested in a book that had so much text in it. Needless to say we renewed it several times, at her request, and finally returned it just before Christmas. I replaced it with a great Children's Book of Art of her own and she has been excited to look through it together and talk about the different types of art and sculpture, specifically the Modern and Pop Art. I knew it was time to finally venture down to the exhibit.

The second we stepped off the elevator she was in front of an beautiful Picasso.........she stood perfectly still and took it in. It was amazing! She actually sat down in front a Jackson Pollok, and stared.

I am so thankful that Carson has such an interest in art! On the way out she insisted on buying a Modern Art Masterpieces color book and an Andy Warhol sticker book. I am so proud of my little artist!

Have a great weekend!

image: blury phone pic since I wasn't allowed to take any real photos in the gallery, sorry!

KORA

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:53:00 +0000

Beautiful, ethical and sustainable.......doesn't get much better then that! I absolutely love the combination of the natural materials with the metals and glass! These feel like forever pieces to me.....things that I would wear for years to come and then scold Carson for stealing out of the jewelry box.

KORA merges the worlds of the luxury consumer market and sustainable business development so that both may benefit from the unique offerings of the other. Our handmade pieces feature recyled materials found and used by local artisans in African developing communities.

Materials include:

Ankole Cow Horn. Rescued horn from local butcheries that would otherwise be discarded.

Aluminum. 100% recycled and cast from old car parts and cooking pots.

Brass. Created using repurposed industrial brass wire.

Glass. 100% recycled.

Bone: Carved from discarded cow bone.

images and text: KORA

Check out their blog here and shop here

Rainbow Connection

noreply@blogger.com (stephanie) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:33:00 +0000

Rainbow Connection:

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

by: Paul Williams & Kenneth Ascher

We picked up The Green Album this weekend, with hopes of putting the Mickey CD out of sight for a while. Carson loves to sing in the car! I was sold when I saw that Rainbow Connection was on the album. It has always been a meaningful song to me.

A few years ago, on our trip to Portland, we were in the Children's Museum and there was this guy playing the guitar under a huge paper tree. It was raining out and there were these huge windows all along the back of the museum looking out into the park. We were sitting on the floor listening, holding Carson.......and it was just this magical moment.

I have always loved this song! I think that it is amazing how music can really transport you sometimes. Rainbow Connection makes me so happy! Then and now, it gives me hope and reminds me to keep dreaming.