i dream of dish towels

No. I'm not kidding, I really do. I'm always creeped out by the yellow sponge at our sink. I throw them away soon after I open 'em - it's just kindof an expensive and wasteful system. But I never really knew an alternative, until I spent some time with my Seattle relatives. They use these, crocheted dish cloths...they have a drawer full, so they can use a different one everyday and wash the rest when they need to be (and, what's really cool, is my Aunt made them like 20 years ago). I'm dying to know how to made these...it would be such a perfect wedding/birthday/bridal/baby gift, wouldn't it? Ummm...maybe not to some...but I think it's cool. Until the day I learn to crochete, Etsy is there. These are a bargan at $10 for 3 from scullerymade.

paris memories

Kari Herer captured so many lovely lovely images while on a journey to Paris. I think back to my pictures of Paris, a trip I took with 12 high school friends back in 2000. We collectively took pictures with our shotty little disposable cameras of eachother posing infront of every monument and every sculpture (and Jim Morrison's grave...). I was also traveling with my high school sweetheart so there are dozens of pictures of the two of us holding hands in the rain strolling down the Champs de Elysees, kissing atop the Eiffel Tower, and posing with linked arms infront of the gardens of Notre Dame. Oooo to be 17 and in love....

However, we took no pictures of the flower stands, despite the fact my heart would skip a beat every time we would walk by one. No pictures of the lovely window boxes overflowing with blooms, or the decorative window signs of the quaint shops and cafes. We took no pictures of Parisians in the corner cafes, or the croissants we ate for breakfast every morning, or even the artists painting at the park below the Eiffel Tower. Bummer.


Souvenirs purchased at 17 are amusing. I purchased things like a red sweatshirt with "PARIS" printed in large black and white block letters across the front (classy), three original watercolor prints from Montemarte (I was the only one on our trip to buy art...interesting, no?), and a print of Psyche and Eros from the Lourve (which left me speechless when I first saw it). Oh, and a few tiny Eiffel Tour charms for my sisters. My friends bought things like baseball caps, shot glasses, and Hard Rock "Paris" shirts (doy to all three) but we were kids. What do you expect.


Anyway. I see these photos. It takes me back to that magical place. And I'm enchanted all over again...

500 Days of Summer

It's sooo good to be back in the arms of My Guy. I swear I could smooch him all day. Now I'm all lovey dovey. And holy smokes. I can't wait to see this lovey dovey flick. It's been a loooooooooooong time since I've been excited about a movie. My sentimental heart really enjoys a good love story. But - I guess it's not a love story.

*sigh*

Until then, I will be cramming for my exam. Dang it.

california dreamin'

Today we will be cruising through Cali. No plans for stops, but I'm sure we will run into some adventure. Road tripping with my mom is the bomb - she finds the most random good time places to explore. Plus she always offers to buy me Diet Coke's. Yea - she rules.

I love how drastically the landscape changes through California. And these wind energy catchers? They make me smile when I see them dancing in the wind.

oregon coast

This morning, at the ass crack of dawn, my mom (my road trippin' companion for this leg of the journey) and I will set out. I convinced her that I desperately needed to drive down the coast of Oregon - and she nodded - she felt the same way. So that's where we are headed today. To see what spectacular looks like.

These fantastic Oregon Polaroids are from Dyrofferies.

last day

(the road I walk on to the market...who would pave over pretty cobblestone?)

It was inevitable. I had come for only a short time...but life goes by so quickly now. I wish I could slow it down somehow...

Today is my last day in Seattle. I think we will spend the morning watching live glass blowing at the Glass Museum in Tacoma (and of course walk under Chihuly's glass freeway ceiling), buzz line it to Bellevue to check out the Art Museum (which I hear I would adore), then make it back to downtown Seattle where we will spend the rest of the day roaming around Pike's Place...watching the throwing of the fish, inhaling the scent of the flowers in buckets, grab some yummies to make dinner with and relax for the evening with family up in Queen Anne. I know it's a lot to fit into one day. But I have to. I want to. There is more to soak in.

I am so sad to say goodbye.

(my kitchen window)

(the loud sofa in my living room...the living room with the brown shag carpet)

sketchbook

A good college friend of mine, Carrie, sent me a small handmade sketchbook a few years ago. It was complete with small paintings, sketches, prose, taped/glued/pasted newsprint, and any number of wonderful tidbits. She said that I was one of her inspirations (what? really? me!?). It is, quite possibly, the most lovely thing someone has ever made for me (she even hand made the envelope she used to send it in). It made me teary, it was that beautiful.

There is an element about sketchbooks that draws me in. They are so all over the place and random...yet sentimental and whimsical. Love that! These Amy Klingman scanned sketchbook images remind me so much of my little treasure. Aren't they just so imaginative?

Thanks DesignMom.

something warm

see it here

Damn. It is freezing here tonight. It's raining outside my second story circa 1950s apartment window. I don't dare venture out there...my Arizona blood would turn to ice I'm sure. Even though it's toasty comfortable in here, I sense the cold out there...which creates this fantastic cozy feeling. Except, I'm alone. Which makes it all a little less fantastic.

When I saw this picture, I visualized the exact feeling I'm experiencing right now...do you feel it?

sleeveface

See what kinds of righteous finds I stumble upon when click my way through blogland! Go spend some time over at Sleeveface...some are soooo clever.

earth day give-a-way!

mamamade - $7

What an AWESOME idea! When I make my lunch for work everyday I always cringe when I reach for that plastic ziploc...but no longer! This idea is so creative, so clever, and sooo stinkin' cute. Oh yea - and it's handmade (my fave).

AND she's having an Earth Day Giveaway where she will randomly be selecting someone to receive both a re-usable sandwich bag AND a re-usable snack size bag!! Go to her site and check it out...and check out her rad little etsy shop.

first fifteen

I walk by these lil lovelies everyday on my way to the OR.
Believe it or not, within the first 15 steps out my door.

happy earth day.

hello mt. rainer

It's been a few of the clearest, prettiest days here in Washington. I've been addicted to the fresh air. For those of you who perhaps haven't been to the Seattle/Tacoma area before, Mt. Rainer tends to hide behind clouds and isn't often visible. Well, she's been out all weekend too and she is magnificent. I did quite a bit of driving and exploring, to take advantage of my last weekend here *tear*. I feel so connected to nature here, similar to how I felt when I lived in Flagstaff. The beautiful trees, blooming flowers, and scenic horizons make me feel so peaceful and inspired to live. I love that.

I will miss this place. A lot.

tulip festival

Drove up to Mt. Vernon, WA for the Tulip Festival this weekend. I have family up there, including two of the cutest little boys in the world - my cousins Jira and Max. Holy smokes...makes me want to start procreating ASAP.

Anyhow, I could live there too...Mt. Vernon that is. Adorable little town. The Tulip Festival was delightful, as you can expect (despite the fact that the tulips weren't all blooming yet...still fantastic.) My aunt and uncle have lovely paintings, drawing, and pastels of tulips and daffodils decorating their home all created by local artists. It's a charming part of their town's distinction. Tulips.

My camera wasn't working...awesome...so these pics are credited to my uncle (from last year's fields).

i saw your message...

swipped from LeLove...

bedrock

Checked out a groovy local glass shop this weekend in Seattle, Bedrock Industries. It's remarkably full to the brim with colorful glass tiles, glass fragments, glass forms, glass chandeliers, glass paper weights, glasses for drinking, glass for setting drinks on, etc etc etc. Everything is made out of 100% recycled glass! I was giddy the entire time I was there...it's even possible that I may have squealed once. It was just so beautiful! I bought some handmade icicles. I couldn't resist.




Someday I want to mosaic something. Something big. I'm thinking my future bathroom. It's gonna be nuts!! My Guy already gave me the thumbs up, he's into it too. Add it to our list of future projects.

small cool contest

300 square feet - East Village, NYC

Apartment Therapy is having a contest to seek out the coolest small space home. (Clare? Are you reading this? Have you entered yet? Perhaps you should get on that...) The photos I've listed are all from the TEENY TINY division, as they are all 300 square feet or less. The one above from the East Villiage is my favorite...looks homey. These people are creative!

240 square feet - Princeton, NJ

300 square feet - Chicago, IL

260 square feet - Brooklyn, NY

300 square feet - Jamaica Plain, MA

A

bricks

Doesn't she just make you smile? Found this little lovely outside of Olympia Pizzeria on the very top of Seattle's Queen Anne (recommend that place by the way - wicked yummy pizza.)

colbie and jason

My Guy sent me this (because he misses me...what a cutie). I wish he was here to share in these adventures. He would love 'em.

amanda archer

I wear a lot of sundresses. I live in Phoenix, and when it's 120 outside, the last thing I want to do is wear pants, a bra and a top. Insert cotton sundress. So - mine tend to be spaghetti strapped or halters, lots of solid colors, very very simple. Sometimes simple to the point of boring or blah. But, I love them. I try to dress 'em up with cute shoes or fun jewelry. But the cute shoes idea always flies out the door when I spot my Chaco flips (I love you Chaco). And as for the fun jewelry - I own some rad stuff - but I wear my silver studs, my Fossil watch, and a couple silver rings daily. I really need to start putting effort behind my choices. I have some beautiful things...I just never wear them.

Anyhow, I think I would look rather smashing in one of these Amanda Archer dresses. I can tell right away that the cut of this dress would rock my body in all the right places. It would be a more classy choice for when I don't want to show too much skin with a slinkier dress. And they are soooo pretty! Check out her Etsy shop.

egg press

Ooooooo! Go to Egg Press - they are having an amazing sample sale! 10 letterpress cards for $10!! They are being sold as grab bags...different groupings of cards...so it's sorta like a lil surprise present to yourself. But hurry = sale ends April 20th!

seattle phone pole

Yet another reason that Seattle rules: they decorate everything uniquely...and yes, beautifully. My aunt spotted this across the street from the bus stop in their neighborhood. I think it's quite fantastic (possible illegal?) but I love it.