simple

I have loved Simple shoes for a long, long time. My "hippie shoes" as my friend calls them. They're made of organic cotton and hemp as well as recycled car tires and plastic bottles. Awesome, right? But they are also super comfortable and I think they're cute.

And looked what showed up in my email this morning:




Are these not the cutest sneakers ever??? I'm in love with the polka dot ribbon laces.

I want.

little letters

Dear lung infection,
I will not miss you even a little bit.

Dear Harlow,
Sorry I missed your birthday. Don't be sad. I'll make it up to you.

Dear sweet niece and nephew,
Thanks for moving close by. Being Aunt Vanessa is way better than being regular Vanessa.

Dear Kyle and Mark,
Thanks for coming to visit. I love you SO much.

Dear sunshine-y weather,
Love you!

Dear people who think it's annoying when I talk to my dog,
It's WAY more annoying when you answer for her.

Dear frizzy hair (mine),
Calm the heck down.

Dear self,
Calm the heck down too.

Dear Corey,
I'll always miss you

Dear Facebook,
It's the random notes from my mission President that keep us together.

Dear Impossible Project,
Can't wait for the new film to arrive.

image found via You Are My Fave

Alice in Wonderland

I haven't seen the movie yet. But... I have seen these window displays at Selfridges. So dreamy and pretty.





Sefridges is my favorite store to wander around when I'm in London because I swear it's bigger than the town I grew up in. It's insane. I love it!



images via Selfridges

oh the places i'll go

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose.”

- Dr. Seuss

I mentioned several months ago that 2010 would be a year of making decisions and the time has come.

It's funny - I sort of crave change with every fiber of my being and yet when the time comes I want to retreat, change my mind and keep things the same. Even if the same isn't so great. Dumb, huh?

Lately (well, for the last long while) I've found myself sacrificing what I want and what I need and at times even my own happiness because I feel that, in some way, I'll be able to help the people I care about by keeping things the same. I'm not saying this in an "I'm so wonderful, sacrificing for my family" kind of way. I'm saying in a "Stop making excuses for not doing what you want to do" kind of way.

So what's my point? I'm not sure I actually have one. Sorry! I just feel like I'm ready to get on with things already. No more excuses, no more fear.

This means the upcoming months will be spent searching (for apartments and jobs and opportunities) and organizing (my life and my house and my head... oh and my blog!) and praying, of course, that everything comes together. I'm sure it will.

In other news my nephew Triston (who is the sweetest boy ever) asked me the other night, "Aunt Vanessa will you make one of your very, very good special cakes for my birthday?" Talk about putting the pressure on! Although I made him some toast with honey the other day and he told me it tasted like heaven so I think I might be okay.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend! xo




photo credit

no more old nonsense

“Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is my new philosophy. No more "old nonsense".

What are some of your favorite quotes?

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rent me!

My friend Stacey and her husband are looking for renters ASAP, so if you know anyone looking please send them her way. They've recently moved to CA and need to find renters quickly because paying two mortgages, well, has to stink.

If I were moving back to Utah I would rent this place in a second! I mean, come on... it is probably the cutest 3 bedroom townhouse I've ever seen. You can see the full listing here but all kitchen appliances are included (even a washer/dryer). It's $1350/ month and that includes the HOA. Seriously, it's a steal.

crazy, magic, impossible

On March 22nd, The Impossible Project presented the world with it's first, brand new instant film made for the original Polaroid cameras. Huzzah!

You can check out the project here

and the movie here.

And you should definitely read this article written by Sarah Gilbert.



It feels like a miracle that this crazy project that started with what seemed like a very high likelihood of failure has succeeded in saving the future of instant film.

A victory for everyone who believes in impossible things!


Two of our analog heros: Florian Kaps & Andre Bosman

"Don't undertake a project unless it's manifestly important and nearly impossible."
Edwin Land
(inventor of Polaroid film)

image 1
image 2 & 3

Goodbye Corey

I was shocked to find out Sunday morning that a good friend had passed away. I still don't fully believe it. I just talked with Corey a few days ago - laughing at life, me telling him he still owes me a Phish bootleg that he promised me in high school. He was so very loved in life and death will not change that.

I feel your silent laughter
at sentiments so bold
that dare to step across the line
to tell what must be told,
so I'll just say I love you,
which I never said before
and let it go at that old friend
the rest you may ignore.
-Robert Hunter
(originally written for Jerry Garcia)



image by Joshua Mcgowan

not dead yet

I'm not very good at being sick. It makes me sad. Sick and sad. But after months of being sick and convincing myself it was "just a cold" I finally cracked and went to the Dr. last week when it got so bad that I was barely able to breathe. That was actually pretty scary. But after a long lecture, many prescriptions, and a very un-sexy inhaler I am feeling a little bit better. Thank goodness!

So the other night I was lying awake (it's surprisingly difficult to sleep when you can't breathe) I was thinking about how miserable I was: sick, wheezy, sleep deprived, and I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. I mean, I couldn't even have a coke with ice which, sadly, is probably one of my favorite treats ever.

But mid pity-party a little voice told me I should count my blessings. So I did.

Even though I feel like hell, I have a warm and comfortable bed to rest in.

And even though all I felt like eating was OJ, toast and chicken soup I live in a place where those things are easily available and I have the money to buy them.

I may not LOVE my day job right now but I have one and it has health benefits.

I can buy medicines and cough drops and vitamins and whatever else I need to make my sickness more bearable.

I have an adorable little pup dog who loves me and will warm my lap and will forgive me even if I can't take her out for long walks right now.

Things like TV and internet and books and magazines and movies to distract my fevered brain.

And other things like hot showers and clean air to breathe (even if I can't breathe all that well) and clean clothes.

So you see, it really could be worse and I am 100% grateful it's not.

I hope you have a great weekend. I fully intend to get back to blogging next week. I haven't even told you about my macaroon class!

xo

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Sorry I've been M.I.A. but I've been really, really sick for the last week or so. I promise I'll be back soon. Think healthy thoughts for me, k?

pretty pages

The catalogs from Anthropologie keep getting better and better. The only problem is they are too pretty to throw away! I'm on the verge of being a catalog hoarder...

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heading out

I am heading down to LA this weekend for a four day weekend. Four days off IN A ROW. You guys! This NEVER happens. Sorry, I'll stop talking in caps. I'm just excited. Clearly I spend way too much time at work.

I'm going to take this class with Helen. Macarons, anyone?

And hopefully I'll meet up with Alyssa and get to hang out for awhile. (ps You should totally check her out.)

And of course I'll go to the LA Temple - my most favorite place in Los Angeles. My most favorite place anywhere.

Other than that I will probably just putz around with friends, shop, eat, and take lots of pictures. I won't be in LA for all four days I don't think. Sometimes a day at home is what a girl need.

And who are we kidding - I can't stay away from Harlow for that long.

Have a lovely weekend!


photo credit

if you want to see your child's head explode...

maybe put a Gummi Bears Chandelier in their room.

via Swiss Miss

water

I took my camera to the beach after work on Saturday. I was feeling a little "blech" and a short walk on the beach did a world of good. The sound, the smell, the air... Even for a few moments, it was perfect.

The more I use my SX-70 the more I like him. Or her.

More of my photos

lost things

Mondays, do you love them? I usually do since I don't have to work on Mondays. But alas, today, I did. I woke up late. No time for puppy playing, no time for breakfast and if I'm 100% honest, no time for a shower. Eww, right? Sorry. But to make up for it I'll share this with you:



A lovely little stop motion video by Angela and her boyfriend Ithyle made for Allison of A Fine Frenzy. I hope it makes your Monday a little cheerier.