Love Where You Are

I love Rob Ryan's work and this print of two little birds holding up their nest. The eggs read "Other Planets Cannot Be As Beautiful As This One". It made me think how wonderful it is to appreciate exactly where you are and also reminds me to keep going in my efforts to be more green. Here are some more great Rob Ryan goodies. And here's a few things I loved about where I was this week:

• The painting of the kitchen is finally finished. It's a beautiful cream with white trim and reminds me of the exterior of London houses. I used Benjamin Moore Aura Paint in Natural Choice so my kitchen is officially green!
• I got a free "0% Plastic" tote from Gap for being a card member. I really like the design and the free part. Smart of Gap, I ended up buying some things for my daughter while I was in the store to redeem my coupon for the bag. Good of the cashier to suggest she could pack my purchases up in my new tote. Proud and green me as I walked out of the store without a plastic bag.
• I replenished the bird feeder and attracted a beautiful red cardinal and some less colorful but also beautiful birds as well.
• The grey winter skies and snow. Really. I'm making a point of not falling into "I wish it were spring" mode and wishing away time.

The Language of Love

One of my goals is to be able to say I am fluent in French one day. Sadly, I don't have the time to take a class now or in the foreseeable future. I'm trying to be less all or nothing these days and move toward my goals one doable step at a time. So I was delighted to discover the lovely blog French Word-A-Day. The site offers a vocabulary lesson and a slice of French life thrice weekly. I like how Kristin Espinasse has crossed out the word daily and substituted thrice, apparently I'm not the only one who has to manage their self expectations. Daily or thrice weekly, the site is charmant and the photography reminds me why one would ever struggle with French conjugation.

Love at First Sight

Diamonds may be a girls best friend but I would be very pleased to rock one of these Tango Rings from Baccarat. The ruby and onyx pairing looks like the essence of passion. The violet and clear ring is oddly mysterious and reminds me of infinity while the onyx and gold version is understated and just plain elegant. Once again an indecisive nature saves me from emptying my wallet!

In the Mood for Love

Yes, I know it isn't even February yet, but I'm in need of a holiday and coming across lot's of great ways to get in the mood for Valentine's Day. I'm setting aside my disdain for the manufactured aspect of the holiday and embracing the spirit of celebrating love and friendship.

I think the messaging of this Love Candy print from Bodie and Fou is pretty clear. Who wouldn't be flattered to receive this sentiment?

Happy Freitag!

I was watching the movie Helvetica by Gary Hustwit (not exactly a Hollywood block buster) and was reminded of how great Freitag messenger bags are. The film is a feature-length documentary examining Helvetica's dominance in our visual culture. Since Freitag bags are made from recycled truck tarps it's not surprising that many feature at least snippets of Helvetica type and that they had a small role in the film.

Besides their film career Freitag bags are cool because they are made from recycled materials, handmade (watch the film), produced in a small town in Switzerland (think quality) and well designed (think Swiss). I really like their Miami Vice bag for green shopping.

Freitag's website is equally well designed. Be sure to check out the fantastic F-CUT application that allows you to design your own bag by placing stencils on your choice of tarps.

Images above are stills from Helvetica.

A Tee Fit for Inauguration Week

It's official we under new management. Yeah!

T-shirt by Print Liberation.

A Dream Realized

Martin Luther King, Jr.
Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.


"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!"

- excerpt from the "I Have a Dream" speech delivered August 28th, 1963

Imagine having a dream that would not be realized in your lifetime, a dream you would give your life for, finally come to fruition. I hope that tomorrow's inauguration of Barack Obama is the realization of, at least part of, the dream Martin Luther King, Jr. envisioned for our nation forty six years ago. Let us hope we are on the march again toward that vision.

Wise Words for a Cold Friday

Be happy. It's one way of being wise.
Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

I'm taking that thought with me into the weekend. Here's a list of a few of the things that made me happy/wise this week:

• My friend Alice gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Congratulations Alice and Scott and a big welcome to Rowan!
• My friend Carmen found me on Facebook. Hurray for reunions! And friends too.
• I found the energy to finish painting the kitchen and I even love the color.
• The amaryllis bloomed.
• Next week the country can finally move on.
  
• I found time to blog, read a little and even paint my toenails pink.
• My daughter Brigid, who amazes me every day and reminds me life is truly sweet.

Happy Friday everyone!

Happy Snow Day

Just in case you're wondering what a geisha's take on a snowman might look like. Okinawa Soba's amazing flickr stream of geisha photographs is worth a look. There are some really fantastic photographs, geisha and kimonos.

Voom, voom!

These amazing helmets by Les Ateliers Ruby could make a girl to forget her fear of motorcycles. Jerome Coste the creator of the Ruby brand counts Steve McQueen, science fiction and French luxury among his inspirations. No wonder these are so cool. And yes they come in solid colors for those with a minimalist bent.

I can't decide which I'd chose the Shibuya (stripes) or the Grenelle (dots). Ruby also offers the option to create a custom helmet to further complicate decision making.

Romantic Smocking from Tinctory

I'm intrigued by and loving these smocked fabric necklaces by tinctory.
I think they are so romantic and mysterious at the same time. I even love their names "unglazed" and "bonfire". I'd be quite happy to receive one as a Valentine's gift, rather than say chocolates.

Hmm, once again I'm jumping ahead to Valentine's Day. Perhaps January needs a holiday that includes gift giving.

Window Shopping #1: For the Love of Polka Dots

I really love this Dot Print Blouse from 45rpm's fall and winter 2008 collection. It makes me think of Valentine's Day and red roses. Their 2008 collection look-book is full of great pieces, beautiful photography and clever styling. Sadly the price of the blouse puts it in my window shopping category and not my closet. In the meantime I'm going to keep my eyes out for an affordable look-a-like.

Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School

I love the photo styling of this shot from Bona Drag's online boutique. The Capezio lace up slippers could, in the wrong hands, be overly sweet but the black tights, cut away t-shirt and black bracelet give them a perfect bad girl edge. The photo made me want to slip into a pair and blast Warren Zevon's Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School!

Any Warren Zevon fans out there should visit warrenzevon.com and sign the petition to have him inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Affordable Luxuries # 3: Tulips

Thank you Holland for tulips! They always suddenly appear in stores just when I think I can't take another short grey winter day. For less than $10 you can create your own beautiful still life. I love buying a different color bunch each time. Yesterday I resisted the purples and yellows and was drawn to a simple white bunch which now look very serene on the kitchen table.

The painting is Still Life with Flowers in a Wan-Li Vase by Ambrosius Bosschaert from the Rijksmuseum collection.

To Make Resolutions or Not to Make Resolutions

I know I should have already made them already it’s January 2nd! I guess I hesitated to start the New Year with what is basically just another to do list but tougher. It all seemed pretty heavy considering I barely get through what I have to do each day without being super fit, super healthy and super productive! So I think I’m just going to have to try and accomplish a bunch small things that don’t involve crunches.

Happy New Year!

I’m looking forward to the possibilities of 2009. Recession or not I’m optimistic 2009 will prove a positive year. Well wishes to all!