Things I Love Thursday - January 26, 2012

It is Thursday again! I am thankful that this week is going by so quickly!

Nick and I have plans for the weekend to celebrate his birthday, so I've been anxious for Friday to get here!

Television

◦ I love Portlandia. Fred Armisen's technology spiral sketch so accurately depicts my relationship with my devices. So when I saw this illustration for Portlandia's Season 2 release, I couldn't help but fall in love!

Art & Culture

◦ I love photography {Nick & I were married in a photography gallery!} so I love these images of famous photographers and their most iconic images.

◦ These illustrations, titled "The 27 Club", depict the musicians who died at the age of 27. Who doesn't love a little Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin?

Internet

◦ The new blog design over at moxee. Breanna has done a very beautiful, simple thing and it works perfectly! {Not to mention I'm digging the "YOU ARE A GEM" card in her paper shop!}

◦ The fantastic Abby Kerr tweeted about productivity & planning and shared an incredibly useful link to WorkFlowy. It maps out a To-Do list and helps you keep tasks organized. Typically, I carry around a little notepad and write things down, but I might go totally digital with this.

{...More Little Things}

Celebrating birthdays ∙ Feeling productive ∙ The adorable photo shoot from 2008 with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard ∙ Another successful weigh-in for The Biggest Loser challenge at work {I'm down another 1.6lbs!} ∙ Stumbling across some more really lovely bloggers ∙ Reading so many blogs about Alt Summit and deciding that I want to be there in the future ∙ A close match between Federer & Nadal at the Australian Open  ∙  Knowing tennis season is less than 2 months away

{Photos from MaggieGyllenhaal.net}

Things I Love Thursday - January 19, 2012

• Two weeks ago I purchased a new, wide-angle camera lens. I love it! Look at one of the awesome photos I captured with it already!

• Being inspired to create art. I’ve been spending a lot of time with my pencils and watercolors. It makes me feel motivated and complete.
• Being inspired to blog! This is not something I get done a lot {obviously} and in the past week I have not only posted here, but to the North Canton Patch, and also my art education blog.
• I am on week two of the Biggest Loser competition at work. In my first two weeks I’m already down 6.44% of my body weight! I feel good, healthy, and energized!

{...More Little Things}

Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis ∙ Vegan pizza - lots of veggies & Daiya cheese ∙ Wearing this bracelet that I received for Christmas ∙ ...and also, this necklace ∙ Watching new episodes of New Girl ∙ …and Jersey Shore ∙ MyFitnessPal {like I had mentioned earlier, I'm trying to reach my goal weight, and this app has been incredibly helpful in tracking my nutrition and exercise} ∙ Generous & sincere compliments about my writing & teaching ∙ Critiquing Golden Globes fashion and nominees with my husband {he'd probably be a little mortified if I let you know about this} ∙ Claire Danes, Sofia Vergara, and Rooney Mara's Golden Globes 2012 dresses  ∙ Keeping really busy & pretty organized in 2012 ∙ Taking Noelle to be groomed & getting her back with a big, sparkley blue bow on her hot pink collar

Inspiration Board - Romeo + Juliet

This inspiration board is heavily influenced by Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet. A mix of black & white with pops of red & turquoise, religious iconography, and a mix of soft femininity & hard urban style.

{Top Row - Feather Fascinator, Flaming Sacred Heart Earrings, Cherry Almond Solid Lotion; Middle Row - Photo by Grace Dennis, Leonardo DiCaprio in Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, Vintage Virgin Mary Medal, Templar Relic Etching; Bottom Row - Heart and Dagger by Mapplethrope for Helmut Lang, Offertory Candles Fine Art Prints}

Have A Beautiful Weekend!

I hope everyone has a beautiful, relaxing weekend. After last weekend's chaos, I am excited to be able to have a romantic & restful weekend with Nick. I hope to get a little bit of "back to school" shopping done & eat some really tasty foods.

What is on your list of things for the weekend? What has inspired you?

◦ I am absolutely inspired by Natalie of iheartthisblog & her 30x30 posts. She has picked 30 pieces to mix & match for one month {30 days} and photo documents her daily outfits. While I don't expect to actually blog my outfits for 30 days, I do expect to more carefully chose my clothing for the month of August. I tend to get so lazy with my wardrobe, especially when I go back to work. Teaching art always seems to lead to big messes & I have never felt like it is worth the effort of looking stylish.

◦ The "Let's Play Pretend" photoset by Lissy Elle is enchanting & adorable. It has inspired some of the style decisions I have made this week, and will continue for the month of August--soft scarves, loose waves, ruffles, pinks & creams.

◦ Another inspiration is the photographer Antonella Arismendi. Her photographs and models have a natural beauty and soft glow. Check out the Kling Summer and White portfolios, especially.

{Photo Credit: 1 & 2 Lissy Elle, 3 Antonella Arismendi}