The Little Things

There's something to be said about attention to detail. I love getting letters, there is something classic and lovely about receiving mail, and out of respect for this dying art, I refuse to call it "snail mail." In my book, that expression is right up there with "24/7" and "LOL."

The mailbox in my apartment is teeny-tiny, but somehow the mail carrier manages to sandwich in envelopes of all sizes, giving me a bicep workout every afternoon as I attempt to wrench free the few envelopes I've received. Typically the drill is bill, bill, ad, junk, bill...but every now and then is a different shaped envelope, complete with return address label and pretty stamp. MAIL!

I love the small details of this stationary, the delicate pink pattern of birds inside the envelope. I'm sure many people open envelopes without a second thought, tossing the thing before you even have a chance to peek inside. I on the other hand am a fool for correspondence (can you tell?). I relish in these little details. Seriously, it's all about the little things.

image/blackpearlpress

Dress Up The Pooch

The holidays may be over, but these photos were too cute to pass up! Personally, I know if I tried to pin a ribbon or Rudolph nose on my dog, she probably would have rubbed her head against the fireplace until she shredded the bow off her neck...but I give mad props to Sharon Montrose, for her candid pet photography. I love her work! I definitely want to indulge in pet portraits once I get a pooch of my own.

image/sharonmontrose

Queen Anne

Miss Anne Hathaway is the latest Vogue covergirl. She always seems to look effortlessly fresh and exuberant. Seriously, every photo shoot I've seen her in is graceful and elegant, and never appears overdone. Hmm...maybe I just like her because she's somehow made being pale "cool" again, gotta admit, it's nice to see a celebrity that doesn't fake-n-bake. I am pretty much repellant to tanning. When the sun decides to show its lovely face in Seattle, a sprinkle of freckles is usually all I get, while my friends all turn golden and bronze without trying. Ah, the joys of Irish skin! images/vogue

Useful Furnishings

After a tough day, this would be a lovely reminder to come home to. When in doubt, take a deep breath, keep calm, and carry on. Good advice.

image/pedlars
via nadiashea

Happy Weekend

Hope your weekend is sweet and spectacular!

image/orangebeautiful

Sugar and Spice

Something about the new year makes me want to clean house. My "winter cleaning" over my holiday break from school has included cleaning my fridge, vigorous scrubbing my stove top, reorganizing bookshelves, deep-cleaning the bathroom, dusting a plenty, and attempting to organize my desk. I love the look of this clean kitchen workspace, unified with the silver magnetic theme, very clean and simple.
One of my best friends recently moved into her own condo and her sleek metallic fridge boasted a nifty magnetic spice rack, similar to this one below. I loved the concept, and found the design to be oh-so-chic, and convenient, in addition to having a certain aesthetic appeal. Something to keep in mind for my future dream house...image1/stephmodo
image2/thepeachtreebrooklyn

Happy Birthday Blog!

My blog is one year old today! Amazing how time flies...this time last year I was in a very different place in my life. I was finishing my last semester of my teaching program, without a paying job and therefore broke...my long-term relationship was rapidly unraveling, and quite honestly my life just felt like it was crashing down around me. My blog kind of began as a writing outlet, a way to order my then seemingly orderless life. Along with my family and friends, this blog ended up being a saving grace, giving me an outlet to voice some of my thoughts, creative energy, frustration, and a welcome distraction from everything else that was going on. It's amazing to me looking back how much your life can change in a year. This year I feel like I am in a much better, healthier place. I am the proud teacher of a classroom full of 21 darling little 2nd graders, I am in a new and exciting relationship, and I just feel better...overall. I guess you really do have to wade through the tough times to make the good times shine that much more. Thanks to everyone who has read, commented, and become my imaginary blog friends along the way. image/photobucket