Kareena

“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.”

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I am dying over these illustrations by Kareena. Aren't they lovely?

Found via See Hear Say.

i love her so

When you're sick of pictures of my sweet Harlow just let me know. Actually maybe don't because I'll probably keep posting them anyway and you'd be mad at me.

So these pics... I was working on a bunch of stuff last night and all of sudden realized I hadn't seen Harlow in awhile. I, of course, panic. She's no where to be found. But then I go into my room and find her snoozing (with a T-shirt I'd left on the floor - yeah, I'm messy sometimes) in my big papasan chair. Of course, all my "aww"-ing and picture taking woke her up.

I think she thinks I'm crazy.

ps - I love her one black eye.

my symphony

via Perfect Sentiment

fave childhood movies

When Melanie of You Are My Fave posted about the movie Space Camp it got me thinking about my favorite movies from when I was growing up.

Who didn't love Newsies? I mean, Christian Bale? Come on.


Oh I watched this movie over and over. Sonora was my hero.


But my favorite of favorites is, and always will be, Somewhere Tomorrow. Sarah Jessica Parker had crazy curly hair and what's-his-name with his beautiful blue eyes. Plus a sweet little love story and singing. My pre-teen heart was in heaven.

What were your favorite movies growing up?

this weekend...

I slept in for three days in a row and it was every bit as wonderful as I imagined it would be.

I started reading Jane Eyre. I highly recommend it but I came very close to not getting anything else done.

I ate lots of pomegranates with Greek yogurt.

I got the cutest. camera. ever.

I caught up with a good friend.

I cleaned.

I painted.

I doodled.

I got a box full of goodies from Camilla's giveaway.

I said goodbye to my Obie dog. It was beyond sad and Harlow and I miss her terribly.

I look lots of long walks with Harlow and my camera.


What did you do this weekend?

(ps - thank you everyone for your sweet comments on the good news I shared.)

a wish for the new year

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”
Neil Gaiman


photo credit

happy endings and happy beginnings

Love floods us with hope.
Jareb Teague

If you don't like cheesy posts filled with lots of love then this is not for you.

In 2002 I met 3 people that I quickly came to love with my whole heart. I was serving as a full time missionary for my church when I met Adalton and his two children Camila and Rodrigo. Just saying their names makes my heart swell up. I love them so.

Adalton, Camila and Rodrigo had come to Minnesota from Belo Horizonte, Brazil to make a life for themselves. Adalton's wife was supposed to follow shortly after. But then 9/11 happened and getting a visa seemed impossible. Rodrigo was 11 years old and Camila was 15 years old. I can't even imagine how hard it was on all of them to be separated for so long but they are so brave and strong. I love this picture of them but it should have fireworks and glitter and lights and hearts and awesome music coming from it. Then maybe you'd feel what I feel for them.

Yesterday, I got the sweetest news from Camila. After 9+ years of waiting, her mom has her visa. She'll be here in a week. Perfect timing, especially since Camila is getting married in June. Here's to answered prayers.

I cannot wait to see them again and meet their mother. My heart is so full right now it's leaking out of my eyeballs. I cannot say enough how much they mean to me. And I just have to add how special and sweet Camila is. And even though she's several years younger than me I admire her so much. Everyone loves her. It's impossible not to.

Honestly, who cares about stolen bank cards and torrential rain when you have such wonderful news?

i've got nothing

... so you get Harlow. Lucky you! I may be biased but I think she looks pretty darn cute in her new raincoat. (Don't worry, it was $4 at Old Navy) She's all set for a trip to Utah.

cute as a button

Nikole of Forty-Sixth at Grace made these cute-as-a-button shortbread cookies that I'm dying to try.





You can download the pretty recipe right here.

Why does wintery weather make you feel like baking?



photos: forty-sixth at grace

obsessed with giraffes

*

Why am I so smitten with giraffes? No idea, but I just love them. Maybe it's their big, soft eyes or their pretty coloring. The pic below is of sweet Gemina that passed away a few years ago. Her neck is crooked but I've always loved her.



Here is some more giraffe-y goodness.
I NEED this... bad

photo credit

(where can I find this??)

tiny paperweight

wall art

cute tank



Do you have a favorite animal?

little letters

Dear person who stole my debit card info and drained my bank account,
I don't like you even a little bit. You made me cry on what was supposed to be a very happy weekend.

Dear bank,
You were closed when I really needed you.

Dear Harlow,
Thanks for being my puppy.

Dear Chelsea, Billie and Elyse,
Congratulations! I can't wait to see your babies.

Dear fridge,
Thanks for being big enough to hold all of my film and even a few groceries.

Dear bed with fresh clean sheets,
You are like heaven.

Dear London,
I miss you today.

Dear Trader Joe's,
Thanks for the pomegranates.

"little letters" idea borrowed from Rockstar Diaries
photo via paper tissue

pomegranates

Enjoying my one of favorite fruits before they are all gone.

What's your favorite fruit?

photos by me

Have a lovely weekend

There's a lot of sad stuff going on in the world, so here is some very happy stuff:

Pretty cases to dress up your iPhone

My friend Sarah's baby has the sweetest giggle!

This dance sequence from 500 Days of Summer makes me smile.

I'm not waiting for summer to make these homemade icecream drumsticks

A very silly kitten.

You can make customized chocolate bars customized chocolate bars- I wonder if they have mint and lavender? Candied rose petals and toffee sounds good too.

Still in love with this print.

Mini grilled cheeses w/ a shot of warm tomato soup is pretty much the best party idea ever.

I sort of really want this jacket... It's cute, right?

Don't you love these ads for Chloe Spring/Summer? I do.

Okay, I'm out. Have a BEAUTIFUL weekend!



And this Balaclava

Relief for Haiti

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another.”
Charles Dickens

My heart is breaking for the people of Haiti. Even if you can only give a little, it all makes a difference. There are so many ways you can help:


For the next 2 weeks Naomi, of Love, Taza is donating proceeds to Haitian relief efforts through Doctors Without Borders

Direct Relief International

UNICEF

Red Cross

Mercy Corps

.resolute

“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.”
- G.K. Chesterton

I thought I was going to get away with making absolutely no New Year's resolutions but I think not having goals is probably never a good idea. So even though I'm probably the last one to post New Year's resolutions, here you go:

Have a "grown up" wardrobe - sadly I think this means no more stocking up on hoodies at the G.A.P. (as Billie would say)

Stop hitting snooze and just get up on the first beep.

De-clutter my home (and life)

Learn French

Buy a bike w/ a basket, of course.

Take vitamins everyday and drink a LOT more water.

Spend at least a half an hour each day reading my scriptures. Man, I've gotten lazy.

Take pictures every single day.

And I love this quote by Judy Garland:

“Well, we have a whole new year ahead of us. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all be a little more gentle with each other, and a little more loving, have a little more empathy, and maybe - next year at this time - we’d like each other a little more.”

Did you make resolutions? I'd love to hear yours too. xo


photo credit

Something special

I want to share something special with you today,

Twelve years ago my friend, Jesse Rohde traveled to rural Africa with the desire to make a difference in the world. He has since founded The Rohde Founation which is dedicated to providing “social justice, health care and hope in rural Africa,”



What prompts someone to embark on such a journey?

After traveling to Ghana with Operation Crossroads, Jesse says he was left with questions: " What can I do to make peoples lives better? How can I make the struggling [people] more optimistic about their health care futures? The Rohde Foundation grew from these questions."

Jesse said that he started the Foundation in response to the question, "What can I do to affect peoples lives? How can I increase life security in a survival society? The answer was simple - travel door to door letting people know that you are working with, and for, them...that health care access is on the way. This is what was promised 12 years ago, and what has been realized this year."



This is a picture of a cocoa shed which as become a health clinic in Ghana. Isn't that a miracle? I've learned in my own life that miracles are most often wrought through hard work, dedication and a love for the work that you're doing. That is certainly the case here. Jesse travels to Ghana every June and says he will do so throughout his own residency and plans to eventually spend half of his time in Africa.

"Although it is truly a lifetime of work, I envision a life where access to health care is provided to rural villages throughout Africa - a model for the future of rural health care that can be duplicated and expanded continent wide. I have come to know rural Ghana, and other parts of Africa as second homes for me. I believe in the concept of the global village - that the lives of Ghana's villagers are equal to my own; that the health of the village grandmother in Oheema, Ghana is equal and as valuable as the health of my own loved ones."

I am always looking for inspiration - not only in photography and art but in life. And when you find inspiration in something that improves the quality of someone's life, well that is something really special. I love Jesse's passion for this work and I hope to be able to become more involved in the Foundation this year.

The website for the Jesse Rohde Foundation is currently undergoing updates but you can visit facebook page for more info. I'll be posting more info soon as well.

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit”
- Nelson Henderson

What do you do to make a difference? What inspires you?

just for fun

What is more fun than a giveaway? Since I am not exactly the crafty type (I wish I were!) I thought I'd put together a little collection of my favorite things. It's going to take me a little bit to figure out what to include so I thought I'd post the giveaway when I have 100 blog followers. Does that sound terribly like a bribe?

Well bribe implications aside, I thought it would be a fun little way to say thank you to those who read this blog. I love to read your comments and check out your blogs and see what everyone is up to.

And speaking of giveaways... here are a few more from other bloggers:

This beauty is over at {frolic!}

Nicole is giving away a copy of her book

Simple Lovely has a fab giveaway going on.

And sweet Camilla is having a very generous giveaway right now.


photo credit

it's friday!

I haven't had a chance to do a Friday post in awhile... so here you go.

Who knew elephant poo could be so cute?! Seriously.

I want a little boy to bake this cake for.

I really love these wedding dresses ... if only they had sleeves.

A perfectly perfect English cottage.

Loving Cori's Polaroid makeover.

Naomi and Josh got a puppy!

I love this print from Abby so much I ordered it.

photo credit

polaroids on New Year's

I took the first two Polaroids in a little French restaurant in Los Angeles on New Year's day. I admit I sometimes feel awkward pulling out my Polaroid and having people stop and look. But when they brought out the bread with a roll of butter and a little dish of pink salt there was no saying no.

The second one is the floor of the restaurant. I don't know, I just thought it was so pretty. As I was focusing the waiter came by and asked "Is that a Polaroid?" - why yes, it is. He thought it was pretty cool.

So do I.

Do you take pictures of silly things too? I want to see!

dreaming of spring

For some reason as soon as Christmas is over I feel like it should be Spring again. Maybe it's because it's 73 and beautiful outside right now.

As soon as it is actually Spring though I think I'm going to carry a pretty basket instead of a purse like Jane Birkin did. Apparently people used to recognize Serge & Jane by her basket and his ears.

What do you think? What are you looking forward to this Spring?

image found via Lauren's twitter feed

brave

Yes, in 2010 I feel brave.

How does 2010 make you feel?

happy new year!

Dear 2010, I love you already. Let's stay best friends, ok?

sweetness guaranteed

A little girl in my former primary class brought me these flowers today. There was also a tiny green journal and a few others goodies. Her mom told me later she bought them with her own money. She's 6 years old. Of course I cried.

But I adore my new class. It's sort of impossible not to. But remember Isaac? His mom told him he'd finally get to be in my class this year... but it's not so. Lots of tears and sadness. Poor little guy.

In other news it was 76 degrees today. Thank you California, I love you.