joie butter

if you need to smile...

2012-01-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

Stand By Me | Playing For Change | Song Around The World from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

... then watch this.

a miracle

2012-01-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

“You must not wish for death, my child. That’s not what’s important. Death will come no matter what. You must fight to live, for life is a miracle.”

i want to feel like life is a miracle.

beautiful photo is from coquinete

all over again

2012-01-04T05:19:00.000-08:00

anyone can slay a dragon... but waking up every morning and loving the world all over again. that's what takes a real hero.

brian andreas

photo by ansel olson

salt water

2012-01-03T14:19:00.000-08:00

The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea.
Isak Dinesen

life lately

2011-12-18T22:43:00.000-08:00

this is not a christmas post. sorry. there has been a lot going on over the last few months that has not be pleasant or happy or sunshine-y. i don't want to weigh my blog down with sad posts but pretending everything is perfect doesn't seem right either. so read if you want, or pass and hopefully i'll have a sunshine post soon. i really hope i do.

a few months ago i had to deal with something that was very scary and painful and life threatening. i'm still dealing with it. maybe i'm not handling it as well as i should be. i don't know. well probably. i should be braver, stronger, more grateful, etc.

i went to talk to someone about what was going on and they referred me to someone else. i talked to the second person. they referred me to talk to someone else. i talked to the third person... which was a disaster. opening up to three complete strangers (and then being "sent away") was humiliating and difficult to say the least. the thought of trying again with a fourth person, well, feels too overwhelming. but unfortunately, probably necessary. but for now i'm left feeling incredibly frustrated.

during this time my family sort of well, imploded. there's a lot of hurt and anger between my siblings and my parents. i'm not going to air my family's dirty laundry on the internet but somehow in the midst of problems that i'm not involved in, i became a target for their combined anger. one thing i've learned is that people usually lash out at people that they know will be most likely to forgive them when everything blows over. so i'm counting on it all blowing over and am trying not to give into my own hurt feelings.

i was living alone, which led to a serious lack of sleep and increased anxiety. i've always loved sleep and sleep like a log. i had no idea what is was like to just not be able to fall asleep or to fall asleep and wake up multiple times throughout the night. i've thought about taking melatonin or looking into other sleep aids but i think deep down i don't want to sleep. i mean i want to sleep but i feel like i need to be alert and wake. so harlow and i moved in with a friend and her family. it was hard to accept their generous offer but i was so grateful when they showed up at my house, packed me up and moved me in. and i feel so grateful for their kindness and patience. and honestly it's been a good distraction. (3 kids, two bunnies, 2 geckos, 2 dogs = good distraction).

and christmas. i usually love, love, love christmas. i was singing christmas songs (in my car) back in september. maybe i used up all my christmas cheer prematurely. it will be weird not to spend christmas with my family this year especially since they all live nearby. i love my saviour and love to celebrate his birth and this life. but i'd sort of like to skip the rest.

and to top it all off i'm so frustrated with myself. i want to be happy and shiny and get excited about holiday things and laugh at stupid things. i go between telling myself i'm a whiney, selfish, grinch, baby who just needs to get it together and realizing that i probably should cut myself a little slack and give myself time to grieve and heal.

little letters

2011-12-14T08:40:00.000-08:00

dear life,
you've been hard lately.

dear friends,
you've been amazing lately.

dear c,
thank you for offering me your night light. you may be the sweetest 5 yr old ever.

dear sweaters,
thanks for keeping me warm and toasty.

dear christmas tree,
thank you for smelling so good.

dear little rain shower yesterday,
you were perfect.

dear primary class,
thanks for being so awesome and making me laugh every sunday.

dear blog,
i haven't forgotten you.

a favorite photo

2011-11-30T20:14:00.000-08:00

i love so many things about this photograph by henri cartier bresson.

thankful

2011-11-28T20:26:00.000-08:00

awhile ago amanda posted this quote from six feet under…

(david is talking to his dead father, Nathaniel)

nathaniel Sr: You aren’t even grateful, are you?

david: Grateful? For the worst f****** experience of my life?

nathaniel sr..: You hang onto your pain like it means something, like it’s worth something. Well, let me tell ‘ya, it’s not worth s***. Let it go. Infinite possibilities, and all he can do is whine.

david: Well, what am I supposed to do?

nathaniel sr.: What do you think? You can do anything, you lucky bastard, you’re alive! What’s a little pain compared to that?

david: It can’t be that simple.

nathaniel sr.: [putting his arm around David and pulling him closer] What if it is?

i've been feeling sort of david-ish. thanksgiving came around and i wasn't feeling so grateful. but i do know i have things to be thankful for. little things and big things.

i hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving and ate lots of turkey. xo

so jealous

2011-11-07T10:58:00.000-08:00

i haven't been sleeping much lately.

i really love sleep. i need sleep. i really miss sleep.

this little pup of mine has no such problem. the other day i was sorting my cds on the floor when she got in my lap and went immediately to sleep. she rarely does this but when she does... well it's the cutest thing ever.

and the other morning it was really chilly and i woke up to find harlow had snuck under the covers. she usually sleeps in her bed on the floor or at the foot of the bed on a little fuzzy blanket. but i didn't mind.

cutest pumpkin in the patch

2011-11-05T22:53:00.000-07:00

i had to take her home with me.

ten things

2011-11-04T15:15:00.000-07:00

1. lying under a pile of heavy blankets
2. cool breezes and crunchy autumn leaves
3. the puppy sighing in the next room
4. priesthood blessings
5. quiet mornings
6. warm cups of lavender mint tea
7. hot showers
8. twinkle lights
9. handwritten notes
10. precious, precious sleep

i was going to call this a happiness list but really it's a list of ten things that have brought a few moments peace. i'm trying to find more of them.

beautiful words

2011-11-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

I've been reading a lot lately and the other day I rediscovered these beautiful words by rainer maria rilke.

"You mustn’t be frightened…if a sadness rises in front of you, larger than any you have ever seen; if an anxiety, like light and cloud-shadows, moves over your hands and over everything you do. You must realize that something is happening to you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand and will not let you fall...
bear in mind that sickness is the means by which an organism frees itself from what is alien; so one must simply help it to be sick, to have its whole sickness and to break out with it, since that is the way it gets better. In you so much is happening now; you must be patient like someone who is sick, and confident like someone who is recovering; for perhaps you are both. And more: you are also the doctor, who has to watch over himself. But in every sickness there are many days when the doctor can do nothing but wait. And that is what you, insofar as you are your own doctor, must now do, more than anything else."

and this morning i found these words in my horoscope:

"...all of creation loves you very much. Even now, people you know and people you don't know are collaborating to make sure you have all you need to make your next smart move."

true or not it's nice.

five things

2011-10-21T08:14:00.000-07:00

not long ago i read on meg's blog that everyday you should do five things you don't want to do and you should do them before noon.

today that included: getting out of bed, washing my hair, and making an appointment to talk to a therapist. yikes. i know that's only three things but i promise it felt like five.

here are five songs for your weekend:

please, please, please
ophelia
always love
here comes the sun
here comes a regular

gratitude

2011-10-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

. for general conference
. for these words especially
. for friends who have been so kind and patient and supportive

it's not a long list but it means a lot.

taking a break

2011-08-25T07:19:00.000-07:00

maybe it will just be for a few days, maybe a few months. i really don't know. for the last week i've had to deal with something too personal and too painful to post on here.

::edited:: because nothing seems like the right thing to say.

i hate the way i'm feeling right now. i don't want to see the world as ugly and hateful but right now it doesn't seem like such a nice place.

on a more positive note i'm so grateful for the power of prayer and for loving friends.

like salt

2011-08-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.

Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing
inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.

Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and
purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
It is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you everywhere
like a shadow or a friend.

Naomi Shihab Nye

dig yourself a hole

2011-08-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

bekka sent this to me from seth godin's blog and it was exactly what i needed.

Make big promises.

Burn your boats.

Set yourself up in a place where you have few options and the stakes are high.

Focused energy and serious intent will push you to do your best work. You have nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. (Better than the alternative).

when i was 19 i moved to london on my own. i'd never lived away from home, i'd never been out of the country, i only knew the family i was staying with through a handful of emails but off i went... without a second though.

and here i am years later, wanting desperately to move, to go somewhere new and now there are a thousand little voices in my head saying "but what if it doesn't work out?", "what if you don't find a job?", "what if you find a job and it's worse than the one you have?", "shouldn't you save more money first?", "maybe just wait another month..."

who am i? i've gotten so good at looking before i leap that i leap less and less. i'm afraid i've gotten comfortable in my rut. but that's not even true. i'm very uncomfortable in my rut. i told my home teacher on sunday i was going to stay here for the rest of the year and move in the new year. i didn't sleep a wink that night and had that kittens-drowning-in-my-stomach feeling for the rest of the day.

i think i'm ready. i'm ready to work hard and pray hard and challenge myself. harlow's ready too.

photo by red_one

kate's summer wedding

2011-08-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

i'm sure you've seen these by now but i'm just smitten with these wedding photos.

photos by mario testino for vogue

a little paris

2011-08-05T07:36:00.000-07:00

i've been waiting for friday all week long. for some reason i haven't been sleeping well and 5 am comes awfully early. a mellow weekend is on the agenda for sure. since i've got france on the brain (nothing new) here's a french inspired wrap up for you.

i love polaroids and paris and polaroids of paris. like the one above. it's by jen. i love everything jen does.

elizabeth put together another playlist. she makes the best playlists. this one is inspired by her time in the south of france.

(that husband of hers makes some pretty awesome mixes too.)

yummy s'mores with a french twist

lindsey's favorite secret spots of paris

i am loving anne's tour de france series.

i thought this post paris fashion: staying chic in the rain might come in handy for october.

and it reminded me of my friend emily's post about the beautiful umbrella she got in paris for her birthday.

i want to have a picnic with jordan - she's an expert at them.

after reading this post i'm dreaming of finding a charming "french" bicycle to bring home with me. i know... i'm probably getting carried away.

and ps - yesterday i spoke to my dear friend natalia, who was my best friend while we were both nannies in london six years ago. she lives in berlin and i'm trying to figure out if i can maybe stay in europe a few days longer and pop over to germany... or maybe meet in paris?? i'd love to see her so keep your fingers crossed.

polaroid by jen gotch

to paris

2011-08-01T17:51:00.001-07:00

paris in october... sounds perfect to me. i'm so excited to go back! i'm also excited to experience paris without the 100 + F weather. i love, love, loved staying at mama shelter last year i'd love to stay in a cute, french apartment this time. haven in paris has this charming apartment in Marais... it looks lovely.

top photo by me

bottom two photos are property of haven in paris

instagram photos from the weekend

2011-07-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

polaroids of erin and me off to see dolly parton on friday at the hollywood bowl. then some yummy watermelon pinkberry on saturday.

oh dolly. she's amazing! if you don't love dolly i'm not sure we can be friends. she's such a talented, funny, amazing woman. it was such a great concert.

i picked up some cupcakes from enjoy cupcakes. sprinkles doesn't hold a candle to amber's amazing creations. my favorite was the strawberry cucumber mint chardonnay. heaven.

but of course we stopped at sprinkles anyway and erin bought harlow her very first cupcake. and poor harlow waited patiently for me to snap a photo before she got to dive in. such a good girl!

now i need a serious detox to come down from the sugar high. except my fridge is full of cupcakes. thanks erin for a fun weekend! xo

little letters

2011-07-20T21:36:00.001-07:00

dear sunny day,
welcome back.

dear harlow honey child,
sorry you're so itchy. you're my favorite.

dear paul mitchell lavender mint shampoo,
you are my second favorite.

dear watermelon and peaches and blueberries,
you make breakfast so delicious.

dear twitter,
i don't know what i did all day at work before you.

dear new apartment,
i know you're out there somewhere.

dear paris,
see you in october... maybeeeee!

dear bloggers friends,
you're the best.

words to live by

2011-07-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

i love rob brezsny's astrology. whether or not you pay attention to astrology it's some pretty great advice.

Fill in the blanks, Taurus. Don't let the blanks remain vacant and barren any longer. Don't allow them to keep screaming at you with their accusatory silence. Just fill in the freaking blanks with whatever you've got to fill them with -- with your best guesses, with borrowed mojo, with any miscellaneous material you have at hand. I realize you may be tempted to wait around for a supposedly more ideal moment. But I'm here to tell you that this is as ideal as it gets. So please express the hell out of yourself in the empty spaces, my dear; create yourself anew in the void -- however improvisational or inexact it might feel.

have a wonderful weekend

2011-07-15T08:36:00.001-07:00

i took this photo with my iphone last spring while riding the coast starlight express up the california coast. it was my first train ride since moving back from the uk.

whatever you're doing this weekend i hope it's fun. and i hope you're staying away from the crazy la traffic. if i never hear the word "carmageddon" again it will be too soon.

see you monday!

use your whole heart, it's good for you

2011-07-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

elizabeth wrote this post awhile ago and this phrase has been running through my head since i read it.

this year i've really be trying to do things that are good for me: eating healthier, exercising more, being tidier, reading my scriptures more. you get the idea. i feel like i've been pretty successful at those things and that makes me happy.

but i don't feel like i've been using my whole heart. i hold back a huge chunk. it's not something i'm proud of and i'm not sure how to change it. when i was in high school my favorite teacher and mentor would often remind me that i had a tendency to hold back. his motto was "you never lose by trying, you only lose by holding back." i knew he was right but i didn't know what to do about it.

in her post elizabeth mentions this ted talk. i've listened to it twice now and i'm sure i'll listen to it again. she talks about the necessity of being vulnerable and the willingness to do things where there are no guarantees and the importance of letting go of who you think you should be in order to be who you are. that really resonated with me. she talks about the power that comes from living whole-heartedly. it's a great talk.

holding back has a lot to do with fear. if i allow myself to be vulnerable then people might not like me or might judge me or the things i've been through. but if i don't let them see my whole self/heart and they don't like me well, it's okay, because they don't really know me. you see, it's not a pretty cycle.

i'm not even really sure what i'm trying to say. i think i've just reached a point in my life where i'm realizing that if i want my life to progress the way i want it to i need to use my whole heart and stop being afraid or ashamed or whatever it is that's standing in my way. that said there are some things i need to do. i've referred to them as "scary things" before but now they are just necessary things so that i can live my life with my whole heart. it's not something i'm looking forward to. that sounds really weird and cryptic but basically i just need to deal with some things and let them go. it terrifies me but i know it will be good for me and for the people around me. i want to be the best version of me. that version is a whole-hearted person.

sorry if this post is a little weird. it's been on my mind a lot lately so i thought i'd share it with you. maybe i'm not alone in my fear of being vulnerable or maybe i am and i can learn from all of you wonderful souls.

also i cannot express how much i enjoy elizabeth's blog. i love the way she embraces and loves her life and her family and finds beauty in the world. if you haven't visited her blog then you're missing out on something beautiful.

and how great is that photo by eva? i love it.

polaroid week

2011-07-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

i've really missed taking photos with something besides my iphone. since "roid week" started today last night i grabbed these two and headed out for a long walk. it felt so good. the next time i get stressed will someone please remind me to take a little time to do what makes me happy? kneeling on the grass by the river with harlow by my side i was happy just to be still and quiet for a minute and hold this one precious film in my hand and watch its magic.

you should check out all of the entries here. there's lots of magic going on this week.

instant love

2011-07-07T08:49:00.000-07:00

this is what i'll be doing in februray! eek!
i have no words to tell you how excited i am!

photo by jen altman

where at least i know i'm free

2011-07-03T20:53:00.000-07:00

happy 4th of july friends!

less is more... right?

2011-07-01T19:50:00.000-07:00

i've been talking about moving for way too long and for one reason or another i'm still here. but that is a whole different post.

anyway, as i've started going through my stuff i've become overwhelmed about the amount of "stuff" i have. i desperately want to downsize.

i want my possesions to be few and meaningful.

i know i should toss the old hoodie that used to belong to a certain boy. i know i probably don't need to keep all of my old birthday cards or all of my train tickets from when i moved to wales. i know there are certain items of clothing or shoes that haven't been worn in months that can go. but i need help. that sounds crazy but when i get into "downsizing" mode i sort of get that deer-in-the-headlights look and panic. i also fear getting rid of too much and then replacing it all. not good.

so how do you decide what to keep and what to toss? do you have a system?

please help.

love,

the deer in the headlights

photo by elaine h

how to talk to little girls (and big ones too)

2011-06-30T19:15:00.000-07:00

i loved this article in the huffington post.

when i read it i thought of my friends mom. i remember writing in my journal once that she gave the "weird compliments" because they were different than "your hair looks so cute" or "i love your shoes" (don't get me wrong, those are nice to hear too) but she'd always say things like, "i love the way you're always so willing to help" or "i love that you always smile and make eye contact when you talk to people" but they did make me feel good. and i remember them.

once in high school drew told said, "you're so nice vanessa. one day people will write songs about you."

best compliment ever.

what's the best compliment you've received that wasn't about something physical/superficial?

note:. i didn't mean to sound all braggy... no one's writing songs about me ;)

gorgeous photo by matt aka futureancient

is it friday yet?

2011-06-29T20:51:00.000-07:00

no?
rats.

anthropologie playlist, vol. 4

2011-06-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

Engery by the apples in stereo
get up by r.e.m.
been no good by nini kinert
thinking of you by tracy chapman
safe at home by starsailor
living so well by the crayon fields
in my arms by plumb
never go too far by oh darling
mexico by the holidays
secret by the pierces

to celebrate me only having to work two days this week here is another anthropologie playlist. enjoy!

Just FYI, I purchased all of things songs/albums on iTunes and am happy to share them with you. if you like them please consider doing the same. And please don't picture me wandering around Anthro with my phone schazam-ing songs. k, thanks.

most wanted

2011-06-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

i just got back from a quick trip to utah to visit friends. the driving part wasn't quick.. it was very, very long. just ask harlow. she's currently passed out in the middle of the kitchen.

but on sunday after church i was hanging out with billie and brian and we were killing a little time before dinner with billie's family and having some snacks and brian said something like he could just eat right now to which billie replied, "don't give up what you want most for what you want now."

i kept thinking about that all the way home. how often do i sacrifice what i want most for what i want right now?
but more importantly what do i want most?

i'll have to take this list up with my journal but i'll share a few that i thought about on the (long) drive home:

a husband
a family of my own
eternal life
good health
to be surrounded by good people
for my family to be well and happy

i don't want to sacrifice anything on this list for anything in the world. not sacrificing takes courage, faith, and a lot of heart. thanks billie for always being a good friend and helping me to be a better person.

photo by nick burns

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uh oh

2011-06-15T22:17:00.000-07:00

this happened a few weeks ago... did i tell you already? it was a good, good day.

and the winner is...

2011-06-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

... lindsey of lost in cheeseland! yippee for lindsey! send me your address (joiebutter at gmail dot com) and i'll get your loot in the mail.

i used random.org to pick the winner... see?

i wish, wish, wish i had lots of moneys to send you all goodies... because i totally would. thanks so much for entering for all the nice comments.

photo by alison conklin, styled by styled creative for kate spade.

summer social

2011-06-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

urbanic hosted a summer social this week and it was a blast. sweet lucies served up petit dishes of the most delicious ice creams (the strawberry mint was my fave), smock was responsible for the awesome pinwheels being made, mrs. lilien whipped up some lemonade cocktails (non alcoholic ones too), and audrey was a wonderful hostess.

for someone who can be quite shy i almost chickened out... but then i decided that was so 2010. there were a few people there i knew like bri, and angela and paige and a few faces i recognized from twitter (that's such a funny thing to say) so i plucked up my courage and introduced myself and met new friends and had a wonderful night.

if you want to make a pinwheel just let me know. i'm pretty much an expert now.

road trip!

2011-06-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

i'm excited to have some time off to head back to salt lake city and visit friends. just me, harlow, and 15+ hours of driving. i'm looking forward to it actually - the visiting and the driving. i hope harlow does okay. i'm excited to get to stop in vegas to see erin too. finally! it's too bad that chelsea will be out of town... this is what i get for being spontaneous. oh well, i can't wait. please keep your fingers crossed that all the snow still on the mountains stays on those mountains.

there's really not that many days to count down but i think i'll make a paper chain anyway.

beautiful polaroid by phanieisfunny

master your thoughts, change your destiny

2011-06-07T06:27:00.000-07:00

i love these coin necklaces from Emmerson. i think the balloon one is especially sweet. it reads "animum debes mutare non caelum" or "change your state of mind, not the sky".

random

2011-06-07T06:23:00.000-07:00

i have running water again
and plumbing
i never want to not have running water and/or plumbing agin.
harlow has doggie body spray... why wouldn't you want a dog that smells like vanilla cupcakes??
i'm looking forward to driving to utah to see friends
i think a 15 + hour drive will be good for me
i'm currently wearing hot pink tights under my pj pants for no other reason than pure laziness
and watching "untamed heart" on netflix instant view
i love harlow so much
i am secretly loving this fall-ish weather we've been having
but don't tell anyone because this is cali and we're supposed to like sunshine all the time
did i mention i'm going to vancouver this fall
i'm so excited to finally meet pia
i've been listening to songs for may over and over again
i've lost my camera battery and charger. they've run off together and i miss them something awful
i realize it's been a long time since i've used my polaroid camera
this must be remedied
i got to substitute for my old primary class last week and they cheered. i felt like a rockstar
i painted my nails mint green and liked it
i'm not ready for this week
i really hope i win jordan's giveaway
did i mention i've started a raw diet? it's been about two weeks
i was going to post about it today but i cheated big time...
i'll tell you about it tomorrow

photo by elise.blaha

it's no trip to paris... but it's a giveaway!

2011-06-06T17:03:00.000-07:00

i've got a little giveaway for all you pretty things. it includes some fun ban.do goodies, my favorite colored pens, a pretty travel journal, the pretty i "heart" macarons book, my favorite sparkly nail polish from sephora, and an awesome mix cd made by me. i'll probably through in a few extra goodies for fun.*

this is my first giveaway and one thing that always drives me crazy about giveaways is when you have to do a million things to be entered. i mean, i guess i get it but still. so to enter this giveaway you need to play your favorite tunes, twirl around in a circle and leave me a comment. a winner will be picked at random on tuesday, june 14th. good luck!

*please note that this is not a sponsored giveaway.

oh happy day - paris!

2011-06-06T09:34:00.001-07:00

are you ready for the best. giveaway. ever? well boys and girls the lovely jordan is giving away a trip for two to paris. whaaaat? yeah amazing i know. the giveaway includes round trip air fare for two, and seven nights at mama shelter. i stayed there last summer and loved it. scoot on over here and get yourself entered.

if one of you wins please promise to bring me back a macaron. i promise to do the same.

fruits of summer

2011-05-28T20:33:00.000-07:00

in a perfect world i'd live somewhere with fall weather and summer fruit. not that i'm complaining. california's not so bad.

earlier this week i bought an enormous watermelon and it made me ridiculously happy. it must have been a really long time since i've had a watermelon because i don't remember them being so perfectly sweet and wonderful. and surprisingly (to me at least) there are lots of ways to enjoy it:

bonnie mentioned eating it with a little basil sprinkled on top (as pictured above), i've also had it with a few fresh mint leaves, jasmine makes a mean watermelon salad, i remember when i was little my dad and i would eat it with a little sea salt sprinkled on top and of course plain and sweet is always a favorite.

watermelon, you can do no wrong.

are there any fruits you look forward to in the summer?

photo credit: shoko and bonnie tsang

a few photos

2011-05-25T21:13:00.000-07:00

they're from the blogshop weekend but i had to most them. have i mentioned what a great weekend it was?

san francisco

2011-05-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

i had so much fun in san francisco last weekend with krista and alice. there was lots of food, lots of walking, a little rain and a fair amount of shopping. i really loved san francisco and will be back asap!

what nobody tells you

2011-05-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

the avalon, beverly hills

2011-05-11T20:38:00.000-07:00

so i've been talking non stop about what a wonderful weekend i had in la. it was truly wonderful. part of it was the amazing blogshop with bri and angela. i can't say enough how great it was and how many fun, talented people i met.

but this post is for the avalon. it was such a treat to stay there. the hotel itself is gorgeous. designed by kelly weastler, the avalon is slightly retro and super chic. not only is it beautiful but everyone at the hotel from the consierge to the valet was welcoming and friendly and the atmosophere is relaxed. and the restaurant, oliverio, was of course delicious.

i also found out that marilyn monroe lived at the avalon for two years. i wouldn't mind that one bit.

sigh... i can't wait to go back.

photos: the avalon, copyright Viceroy Hotel group

birthday playlist

2011-05-10T21:58:00.001-07:00

i put together a little (belated) birthday playlist. these are some of my favorite summer-ish, mellow-ish songs. download away if you like.

1. pennies from heaven
2. sugar town
3. folding chair
4. underneath the mango tree
5. the mermaid parade
6. never know
7. the ancient commonsense of things
8. the river
9. songs in my pocket
10. norway
11. vintage books
12. shake sugaree

i hope you love these songs. i can't get enough.

and you know, as always, i'm happy to share the music i purchase but if you like it you should go purchase the songs too and support the artists. it's fun and gives you good karma and will make your hair shinier.

the gorgeous polaroid is by hilary aka curioush

what i did this weekend

2011-05-10T19:50:00.000-07:00

B L O G S H O P from Bri Emery on Vimeo.

BLOGSHOP PHOTOBOOTH! from Bri Emery on Vimeo.

an ah-mazing weekend. i fell in love with la big time. and with blogging. and with photoshop. these are the funnest girls ever. photo taken by ithyle

blog shoppin'

2011-05-07T20:44:00.001-07:00

look what i made. bri and angela are the best teachers. photoshop has never felt so useable. (though you must exuse my wonky handwriting) i can't wait for our second day of class tomorrow.

weekend!

2011-04-29T15:35:00.000-07:00

hey look... i found my blog.

this weekend i'll be celebrating my birthday, rewatching the royal wedding, and doing some spring cleaning and maybe some spring shopping.

i hope you're all doing something fun too.

photo by roman lysenko

own side

2011-04-14T19:58:00.000-07:00

little rowan, age 5, sining own side. it's pretty heart melting.

blooming

2011-04-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

i treated myself to some bunches of beautiful ranunculus this weekend.

i've been really good about not spending money. (well, okay i did buy some fun knitted goodies from miss emmadime. but it's nice to have a little treat once in awhile, no? other than peonies and anemones they are my favorite. and i get to use the vase that's been sitting empty for far too long.

what are your favorite little treats?

the littlest shop

2011-04-12T19:17:00.000-07:00

i love elizabeth's vintage shop for little ones. seriously baby fever inducing.

images from the littlest shop

happy birthday harlow

2011-04-11T18:57:00.000-07:00

i'm a little bit behind by my little pup turned three. if you can even imagine i love her three times as much as i did when we first met. did you know her full name is harlow honey child? my inner hippie was thriving when i named her.

the rainbows are in the butt

2011-04-05T13:39:00.000-07:00

when i start to panic over the fact that i have to still haven't filed my taxes and that my driver's license expires this month (ugh)... looking at is a good distraction.

what are your distractions?

image from think geek

lately

2011-03-29T21:15:00.001-07:00

after the blogger's day of silence i realized i kind of enjoyed being offline. i read books, listened to music, went on longer walks, spent more (if you can imagine) time with harlow, cooked, cleaned and caught up on some sleep. it was nice. i love the internet - tweeting, pinning, instagraming, flickring, blogging, etc... but it's nice to take a break. here's some photographic proof:

i learned to poach an egg
i got a flat
harlow got stung by a bee on her face and was very sad
i rode a train up the coast
the ocean shimmered and sparkled
i saw some horses
and some cows
i spent some time with journaling
i slept in
and went to the mountains
then to the ocean

sometimes love is silent

2011-03-17T22:46:00.000-07:00

i'm filled with shock and saddness as i watch what is happening in japan. but i'm touched by these random acts of kindess that have been going on since the earthquake. please consider taking part in the bloggers day of silence.

edited & reposted: tonight starting at 10:46PM (PST)/ 2:46PM japan time, in remembrance of Japan, i'll be silent on blog/twitter/facebook. for japan with love has earned $16,000 at last count. please join in if you can. for japan with love

food is one part. love is another.

2011-03-16T20:57:00.000-07:00

it really is about taking care of one another.

blossom bloom and grow

2011-03-14T21:06:00.000-07:00

daylight savings time breaks my sleepy heart every year. but it reminds me of the fact that it's almost spring, so it's always forgiven.

photo: shona heath, via the littlest blog

manifesto of happiness

2011-03-03T20:23:00.000-08:00

on tuesday elizabeth posted marvelous kiddo's manifesto of encouragement and i wanted to share it over here too. people all over the world are doing what they can do encourage, uplift and help. there is so much intentional good in the world. that's nice to know.

Right now:
There are Tibetan Buddhist monks in a temple in the Himalayas endlessly reciting mantras for the cessation of your suffering and for the flourishing of your happiness.
Someone you haven't met yet is already dreaming of adoring you.
Someone is writing a book that you will read in the next two years that will change how you look at life.
Nuns in the Alps are in endless vigil, praying for the Holy Spirit to alight the hearts of all of God's children.
A farmer is looking at his organic crops and whispering, "nourish them."
Someone wants to kiss you, to hold you, to make tea for you. Someone is willing to lend you money, wants to know what your favourite food is, and treat you to a movie. Someone in your orbit has something immensely valuable to give you -- for free.
Something is being invented this year that will change how your generation lives, communicates, heals and passes on.
The next great song is being rehearsed.
Thousands of people are in yoga classes right now intentionally sending light out from their heart chakras and wrapping it around the earth.
Millions of children are assuming that everything is amazing and will always be that way.
Someone is in profound pain, and a few months from now, they'll be thriving like never before. They just can't see it from where they're at.
Someone who is craving to be partnered, to be acknowledged, to ARRIVE, will get precisely what they want -- and even more. And because that gift will be so fantastical in it's reach and sweetness, it will quite magically alter their memory of angsty longing and render it all "So worth the wait."
Someone has recently cracked open their joyous, genuine nature because they did the hard work of hauling years of oppression off of their psyche -- this luminous juju is floating in the ether, and is accessible to you.
Someone just this second wished for world peace, in earnest.
Someone is fighting the fight so that you don't have to.
Some civil servant is making sure that you get your mail, and your garbage is picked up, that the trains are running on time, and that you are generally safe. Someone is dedicating their days to protecting your civil liberties and clean drinking water.
Someone is regaining their sanity. Someone is coming back from the dead. Someone is genuinely forgiving the seemingly unforgivable. Someone is curing the incurable.

You. Me. Some. One. Now.

photo taken by me

happiness is...

2011-03-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

.setting a goal
.chit chatting with friends about nothing in particular
.when harlow is feels like cuddling
.sleeping under lots of big, heavy blankets
.painting your nails red
.the smell of carnations

photo

schooled

2011-03-01T19:20:00.000-08:00

i signed up for bri's blog shop class in may. i'm so excited... and soon you won't have to look at my sad looking blog because i'll know how to make it look fancy!

photos: bri

weekend in la

2011-02-28T20:20:00.000-08:00

harlow and i made a quick trip to LA this weekend. the rain stopped and it was sunny and blue. thank goodness.

i went to the temple on saturday.

and harlow almost got us kicked out of our room... but i snuck her back in! she was as good as gold but i was nervous that we'd get kicked out so i didn't get much sleep.
(and fyi the front desk said it was okay to bring her but the security guard said she wasn't allowed...ugh!)

i took my new (to me) pentax camera i got from jen out for a little bit. we'll see how it turns out when i finish the roll of film.

and then we hit up the oh.ban.fest yard sale. hot dang i scored some great things and got to meet bri, jen, joy, paige, em, jasmine and i'm probably forgetting some other blog/twitter friends. SO fun! it was also pretty funny introducing myself as "joiebutter"... make sure you pick a blog/twitter name you like!

harlow loves her new bed from bri... she loves it! and i took home a few of these ladies from jen.

then we headed home to watch the oscar's and visit with my cousin who was in town. i'm ready to head back to la now!

a little recipe

2011-02-27T07:56:00.000-08:00

in my search for healthy foods i came across a recipe i love. it's for chicken baked with lentils and it's really, really good. really. it may not look pretty but it's warm and stewy and delicious. i first found it on the wednesday chef when i was looking for a dish to bring to my friend and her family.

i used smaller chicken thighs (not drumsticks) and added extra celery for good measure. the chicken comes out incredibly tender and the lentils are perfect and flavorful. it's meant to be served with mashed potatoes but this is a potato free zone now and really it was filling and satisfying on it's own.

i managed not to lick the dish. but just barely.

granny goose

2011-02-25T18:48:00.001-08:00

my great grandmother, my granny is 97 years old and she's incredible. she lives alone, drives all over the country (not at night), is sweet, funny and just feisty enough to keep her young.

she had minor surgery earlier this week and did great but we had to take her to the hospital last night because she wasn't feeling well. the doctors are keeping her till monday but she's okay. they just want to keep an eye on her. even though she's been "old" my whole life i've never thought of her as old. she's just granny. i know i'm lucky to have her in my life and i feel so blessed that we have such a close relationship.

i asked her tonight if she needed me to bring her anything while she was in the hospital. her request? her lipstick.

aren't grandparents wonderful?

finally... a picture

2011-02-24T21:47:00.000-08:00

a little birdie told me that my blog was lacking pictures of me. pictures of me are not my favorite. most of my childhood pictures have me holding a packet of certs (which was my favorite candy when i was little) because that was the only way they could get me in a photo with me looking at the camera. i was a shy little violet. but i do like this picture that krista took when we went to hearst castle. so there you go, that's me.

the "d" word and loving you

2011-02-23T14:38:00.000-08:00

call it a diet, call it detox... whatever it is i'm doing it. i'm jumping back into doing what i did last year and we'll see how it goes. i'm been sugar/carb free for two whole days and haven't lost it so that's good. of course that may just be because since i'm drinking a gallon + of water everyday i'm distracted by my bladder. but so far so good.

this isn't my first attempt at changing my eating habits and maybe it won't be my last. some of it's worked, some hasn't. some of it has made me feel good and some of it has sent me head first into a bowl of ice cream. but this time feels different. maybe i'm more "ready" for change but also, i think i've learned a thing or two.

if you're changing any habit (eating, smoking, spending, whatever) i think a lot of your success it determined by your own way of thinking. i'm not an expert (clearly) but this is what i think.

changing yourself shouldn't be a form of punishment. purging your closets simply because you feel guilty about shopping won't make you feel better. changing your eating habits because you've been calling yourself "lazy", or "greedy", or "a slacker" is a set up. you'll end up rebelling against yourself.

i know me. i know my hair is frizzy more often than not. i know i almost always have circles under my eyes. i know i'm not skinny. but i also know i have worth. i know i am a child of god. i know my body (wobbly bits and all) is a gift.

so while i am embracing this change, i'm doing it because i like me. i want to take care of me.

i hope you take care of you too.

and if you have any heathy recipes you'd care to share i'd love to hear them. xo

photo by jen gotch

i used to be a unicorn

2011-02-21T18:46:00.000-08:00

i have loved chloe aftel's photography for a long time. her polaroids are especially wonderful.

photo by chloe

all this sunshine

2011-02-21T09:19:00.000-08:00

all this sunshine pouring in through my bedroom window this morning is making me happy. you can't really tell from this iphone photo but it's bright. and warm. so i got up, brushed my teeth, cooked breakfast, fed harlow, washed up, brushed my teeth again, opened all the windows wide, put the beatles on, and feel ready to face a new day/week/month. i'm excited to spend next weekend in la and meet some new friends.

even if it's not sunny where you are i hope you have a wonderful week. xo

can you resist the power of the mallow?

2011-02-20T13:36:00.000-08:00

An experiment where these kids are given a marshmallow and told that if they wait until the person comes back to eat it then they can have two. I laughed out loud watching these kids try to resist. There's a story about it in the New Yorker.

Spotted at Cup of Jo.

about time

2011-02-17T20:10:00.000-08:00

it's mid february and i am ready to make some resolutions. i like to take my time with these things.

.take more pictures, especially polaroids. at least weekly.
.cook and bake more and blog it.
.england, france, and or australia.
.move
.sew something
.unravel
.make more time for spiritual things
.10 days of truth
.dream a little bigger

and next week i'll have my first, just-for-fun giveaway for you. i'm excited!

polaroid by me

the daily bunny

2011-02-17T14:07:00.000-08:00

a daily dose of bunny goodness. that's all i've got. a bunny. but look how cute!

i found it while browsing emma's blog

good to be king

2011-02-16T06:34:00.000-08:00

the styling of the images in french look book (from 2009) is amazing. and the kids.. so cute! 2011 is pretty great also.

images from talc via oh joy

i love love!

2011-02-15T10:36:00.000-08:00

i know i'm a day late but i've been sick. i hope you had a beautiful day filled with love - whether it's romantic, friend, family, nature, music, puppy, kitty, artistic. whatever it is i hope you love you!

and here's a little more belated valentine's day love:

i wish i'd thought of this

a new hoodie with a wee heart from max wanger

in the running for the world's greatest love story (thanks for tweeting annabela)

a little baby/belly love song from rachel and grant to their little one.

red + pink + white on hi + low (thanks for the link bri

and ps,

thanks for the heartfelt comments to my very frustrated, not so attractive post. a good friend reminded me of a favorite quote: "Comparison is the thief of joy." hands off my joy universe!

photo by jen gotch

emmadime

2011-02-10T06:12:00.000-08:00

i am so in love with Emma's knitted goodies. i have the big red bow and i LOVE it. i wore it three days in a row - work, church, and everwhere else. if that's not love i don't know what is. now i need one in every color and the bow tie and the bow scarf and basically anythign else she makes. and she has a blog. and she has prettier handwriting than me. and she's basically awesome.

progress or a lack thereof

2011-02-08T20:41:00.000-08:00

"Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Only assholes do that.” - Haruki Murakami

i'm going to risk looking like an a*hole and write this anyway. sorry.

lately i've had a difficult time blogging because i've been wanting to avoid what has actually been on my mind. but after a few weeks of "sitting on it" i'm just putting it out there in the hopes of getting it off my chest and having done with it. feel free to vacate the premises. and if you do read i fear you will realize what a selfish, ungrateful, miserable person i am capable of being. really unattractive, i know - so i'll just apologize now with the hope that you'll forgive me.

i like my life. a lot, actually. but i also feel like in one particular area of life i'm stuck. i don't like being stuck. i need progress and change to feel like things and life is moving forward, developing, growing. lately it's a constant inner battle - fighting to stay positive, not to give into wallowing (is that what i'm doing right now? sorry), to not act like a jealous 5 year old. i have so much to be grateful for that it's silly to focus on what i don't have and to let it drive me crazy. i feel like this week especially it's taken extra energy not to compare my life with other's or to become resentful or basically be such a big baby.

long walks and fresh air help. harlow helps. and when all else fails a little drive and a little cry in my car where no one can see helps. i'm working on it.

or maybe i just need a little fairy dust.

even if i could

2011-02-07T19:54:00.001-08:00

a found a couple old books of poetry in a box that i haven't seen since high school i'd forgotten how much they'd meant to me during that part of my life. here is one i read during "raw talent" at a little cafe in town many moons ago. you have no idea what a "hippie" i used to be. i'd like to think i still am a little. maybe one day i'll show you my first car that my friend named "the grateful bean"... you have no idea. anyway, here is the poem that i loved enough to read in front of the world.

Even If I Could by C.K. Williams

Except for the little girl making faces behind me, and the rainbow behind her,
and the school and the truck, the only thing between you and infinity is me.
Which is why you cover your ears when I speak and why you're always oozing around the edges,
clinging, trying to go by me. And except for my eyes and the back of my skull,
and then my hair, the wall, the concrete and the fire-cloud, except for them you would see God.
And that's why rage howls in your arms like a baby and why I can't move-
because of the thunder and the shadows merging like oil
and the smile gleaming through the petals.
Let me tell you how sick with loneliness I am. What can I do while the distance throbs
on my back like a hump, or say, with stars stinging me through the wheel?
You are before me, behind me things rattle their deaths out like paper.
The angels ride in their soft saddles:
except for them, I would come closer and go.

how to feel miserable

2011-02-07T18:58:00.000-08:00

i found a list awhile ago called "how to feel miserable as an artist"... but i think it can apply to to any aspect of life. so here is an edited version of that list that i'm going to tape to my wall/mirror/forehead until it sinks in.

1. constantly compare yourself to others
2. talk to your family about what you do/want to do and expect them to cheer you on.
3. base the success of your life on one single aspect of life
4. stick with what you know
5. undervalue yourself
6. let money dictate what you do
7. give in to society's pressures
8. only do things that you know other people will love
9. always do what other people expect of you
10. set unachievable goals that must be accomplished immediately.

photo by me

adopt rinah

2011-02-05T07:17:00.000-08:00

I don't know Carissa or Andrew or Rinah but I've read their tweets and posts about their journey to bring little Rinah into their family and it warms my heart. Hooray for a little more love in the world.

dear future children

2011-01-26T19:58:00.000-08:00

when you get here, and you're old enough, we're totally having a french party.

photos from miko design blog

little letters

2011-01-26T18:09:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,
Thanks for the solidarity after yesterday's mean commenter.

Dear anonymous,
I'm sorry if you feel you are in some way obligated to read my blog. Feel free to mosey along.

Dear Trader Joe's,
I love you!

Dear coca-cola,
I'm not at all sorry I gave into you this week. I needed you.

Dear sleep,
I need more of you.

Dear taxes,
Do yourself.

Dear cobb salads,
You are my new favorite thing.

Dear American Idol,
I just can't get into you. You just aren't as much fun without Billie & Brian.

Dear self,
Get your rear in gear and start making decisions.

Dear Australia,
See you in November!

Dear Harlow,
Thanks for being my dog.

photo credit

make me shine

2011-01-25T10:17:00.000-08:00

I’ve really been learning that I have to choose to believe that it is not my clothes or my hair or my makeup that is going to make me shine.
-Bethany Galeotti

sophie richards photography

2011-01-25T06:52:00.000-08:00

photos: sophie richards

do not let your spark go out...

2011-01-24T11:47:00.000-08:00

“Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that’s what makes you strong.”
- Sarah Dessen

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.”
- Ayn Rand

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
- Shel Silverstein

Each of us are our own greatest inhibitor. And, at the end of the day, if you just get out of your own way and let things come to you, it's amazing what will come to you.
-Laird Hamilton

Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark, in the hopeless swamps of the approximate, the not-quite, the not-yet, the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish, in lonely frustration for the life you deserved, but have never been able to reach. Check your road and the nature of your battle.

The world you desired can be won. It exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours.
-Ayn Rand

“Bunkum and tummyrot! You’ll never get anywhere if you go about what-iffing like that. Would Columbus have discovered America if he’d said ‘What if I sink on the way over? What if I meet pirates? What if I never come back?’ He wouldn’t even have started.”
- Willy Wonka (Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator)

“Life’s too short… to fight, to be miserable, to let the bitter ones change how awesome you are.”

photo credit: 1, and 2.

harlow says hi

2011-01-24T11:19:00.000-08:00

and she brought you some marshmallows

happy friday

2011-01-22T06:38:00.000-08:00

Did the rest of you freak out about your new astrological sign?

LOVING this striped mini cooper.

And if I were shopping I'd be very tempted by this luggage.

Pretty stationary.

Pretty fabric accesories.

The story about the Southwest Airlines pilot still makes me tear up.

I want everything in this post

I plan on ordering lots of Suann's Valentine goodies.

And one of these days I'm going to make kimchi. YUM.

In the meantime I'm going to make Camilla's hummus recipe.

Okay, have a great weekend. I'm going to try to enjoy some sunshine and finish my taxes. But the sunshine may win.

What are you doing this weekend? xo

photo: emily mcgregor

need to run

2011-01-20T06:31:00.000-08:00

photo by Esti

strawberry fields

2011-01-19T20:00:00.000-08:00

It's been 75*+ for the last little while in California so you can't really help me for dreaming of spring. Lately what I've been craving are bright, sweet, fresh strawberries... but I guess I've still got awhile to go. So until then these will suffice:

This is basically just a grown up version of my obsession with Strawberry Shortcake from when I was wee. Everything is from Anthropologie because, well, they make it too easy.

don't be scared, you are free

2011-01-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

Your secret from Jean-Sebastien Monzani on Vimeo.

thanks uncle beefy for sharing this.

pretty little tea party

2011-01-17T14:20:00.000-08:00

LOVE this ad campaign for Lipton by Yoann Lemoine. I see a lot more tea parties in my future.

photo credit

dear future husband

2011-01-13T19:43:00.000-08:00

If you ever do this I will laugh a good long while... and love you even more.

2011-01-13T19:32:00.000-08:00

leap more

2011-01-11T13:18:00.000-08:00

“When you're young, your whole life is about the pursuit of fun. Then, you grow up and learn to be cautious. You could break a bone... or a heart. You look before you leap and sometimes you don't leap at all because there's not always someone there to catch you. And in life, there's no safety net. When did it stop being fun and start being scary?”

- Carrie Bradshaw

In 2011 I plan to leap more. What about you?

photo by slumbering heart

dear creatures

2011-01-06T19:36:00.000-08:00

I just discovered this shop today and I'm smitten.

New Year's resolutions don't start till you write them down right? So the no shopping thing doesn't have to start yet... does it?

non-resolutions

2011-01-02T18:43:00.000-08:00

It's 2011! I have a good feeling about this year. It's already making me very happy!

“I hope you will have a wonderful year, that you’ll dream dangerously and outrageously, that you’ll make something that didn’t exist before you made it, that you will be loved and that you will be liked, and that you will have people to love and to like in return. And, most importantly (because I think there should be more kindness and more wisdom in the world right now), that you will, when you need to be, be wise, and that you will always be kind.” Neil Gaiman

While I do like sitting down and making resolutions it can sometimes make me feel like I'm beating myself over the head with "you didn't do this", "you should have done this", "you should have done this", "you should have done more of..." You get the picture. So when Erin, Anne, Crystal and Bri made their lists of "non-goals" I decided to do the same and make a list of things I do well and don't really want to change.

I jumped at new opportunities like assisting Rachel at a wedding and spent 10 days in France to name a few.

I blogged (a lot). That may sound silly but I feel like I've connected and met some of the most amazing people through blogging. I hope for more of the same this year.

I drank a lot more water and cut out a lot of sugar.

I took a lot of pictures.

I wore dresses.

I kept trying with my family.

I read my scriptures every single day.

I wore red lipstick.

I made my bed every single day. (This is a big one guys!)

I started taking salsa classes.

I gave in to the fact that I'm completely obsessed with this sweet thing.

Happy New Year friends! May 2011 bring you sweetness, inspiration and joy. xo

Is it bad this was a tough list to write? Why do I find it so easy to kick my own butt? Maybe I'll make cutting myself some slack a new resolution.

peonies and peach pie

2010-12-26T18:40:00.000-08:00

I bought two bunches of big, fat peonies at Trader Joe's and made this peaches & cream pie. You can't go wrong with sweet smelling and sweet tasting.

photo by me

merry christmas 2010

2010-12-24T18:39:00.000-08:00

O holy night! The stars are brightly shining,

It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,

'Til He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.

A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! O hear the angels' voices!

O night divine, O night when Christ was born;

O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Merry Christmas!

Love, Vanessa + Harlow

New Year's card exchange

2010-12-15T17:40:00.000-08:00

So... I blew it on the Christmas cards this year. I usually LOVE sending them out. I love sending mail (and getting it is fun too) but I just didn't get my act together in time.

Instead I'm going to send New Year's cards! Hooray!

If you'd like a card you can email me your address (joiebutter at gmail dot com) - I'd love to send you one!

Now I can get back to freaking out about the fact that there is only 9 days left until Christmas!

ps - how gorgeous is this photo by i.anton? i love it.

manifold clocks... kind of awesome

2010-12-15T13:31:00.000-08:00

kind of awesome

photos: Sudio Ve

harlow goes to utah

2010-12-13T12:50:00.000-08:00