My Side of the Moon

Oh Taylor

2012-01-23T07:02:00.000-05:00

{image via}

Seriously. Gorgeous.

~Holli

Feelin' this...

2012-01-22T20:40:00.000-05:00

Totally feeling this print right now. Click here to see some more amazingly cool work by Matthew Kavan Brooks.

Happy Sunday evening!
~Holli

Today will be a...

2012-01-15T10:40:00.000-05:00

{image via The Sibling Shop}

Oh yes it will indeed...Hope you are having one hellava weekend!

Make sure to check out my new yoga schedule over to your right. I've made a schedule change that I am pretty darm excited about! Vinyasa level 1/2 at Evolve North Raleigh starting THIS WEEK! Come get your flow on...you know you want to!

Peace and love and all the other good stuff,

~Holli

2012

2012-01-01T19:39:00.000-05:00

{image via Confetti System...thank you to The Jealous Curator}

Here's to embracing with 2012 with open arms and a full heart...

Happy, happy new year!

Merrymaking

2011-12-24T07:49:00.000-05:00

Hope everyone has as much fun on Christmas as this little fur ball...because let me tell ya, she's having a ball.

Merry merry,
~H

'Tis the season...

2011-12-06T20:01:00.001-05:00

via Keep Calm Shop

Aww, who am I kidding? This motto is not seasonal.

Happy Tuesday!

~Holli

Grounded and peaceful: a playlist

2011-11-23T10:05:00.001-05:00

Image via Philip Simmons Etsy Shop

It's during this time of year that I am beyond grateful for my yoga practice. It the only thing that keeps me grounded, peaceful and content during the frenzied days of November and December. In fact it was this time last year that I sort of re-committed myself to my practice, made it a priority and decided that it was one thing that I absolutely was not going to sacrifice, especially during this season. That decision has been nothing less than transformative. It has given me a new zest for life, a deep confidence and contentedness that I didn't know I was capable of having and a feeling of peace even in the most chaotic moments.

As this holiday season is about to begin (who am I kidding, it already has!) I am reminded once again how incredibly therapeutic a regular yoga practice can be. In that light, I've created a little playlist that I am absolutely in love with. Last night, after a very tough day, both personally and professionally, with thoughts of preparations and travel looming, I made time to practice on my mat for over an hour. I sweated, I inverted, I danced, I breathed deeply and fully. I used this playlist and it left me feeling grounded at a time when I'd usually feel anything but...

1. Samba da Bencao, Bebel Gilberto
2. Universal Traveler, Air
3. Revealing Visions, Desert Dwellers*(Can't find a link for this one)
4. Son of Shiva (Omstrumental), MC Yogi
5. Stir it Up, Bob Marley
6. Go it Alone, Beck
7. Only If For A Night, Florence + The Machine
8. Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall, Coldplay
9. Remembrance, Delerium
10. Lebanese Blonde, Thievery Corporation
11. Never Let Me Go, Florence + The Machine
12. Chandini Chowk, MDlval PunditZ
13. The Sound of Sunshine Going Down, Michael Franti
14. What a Wonderful World, Eva Cassidy
15. Durga Pahimam, Jai Uttal
16. Shanti (Peace Out) Omstrumental, MC Yogi

So, this season, take time for your own practice, whatever it may be...do whatever it is that helps you feel grounded and at peace.

Enjoy your holiday!
Namaste,
~Holli

Ooozing beauty

2011-11-08T12:59:00.000-05:00

A couple of things from two of my favorite leading ladies that I find to be oozing beautiful inspiration today...

image via Vogue, November 2011

Yet again it seems, Emma Stone can do no wrong. This is just perfect.

and...

Florence and the Machine's new album Ceremonials is insanely gorgeous. If you haven't already, do yourself a favor and give it a listen.

Enjoy!
~H

Orange, red and lots of blue

2011-11-05T13:37:00.000-04:00

Well hello there. Yes, it's been ages. Actual life, let's say living, gets in the way of posting about life and living. J and I took a little road-trip to the North Carolina mountains a couple of weekends ago and I thought I'd share some photos. I grew up in the foothills of North Carolina, an hour away from the Blue Ridge Mountains and the beauty that envelopes you there seems to become greater as I get older. Maybe it's the magnitude of the space coupled with the degree of undeniable natural wonder, the fact that it is miles and miles of breathtakingly pure beauty, but something about this place gives me a sense of peaceful happiness and reminds me that beauty surrounds us always.

oh and the wine's not too bad either!

~Holli

This, that and a playlist

2011-10-02T15:01:00.000-04:00

Well hello there...long time, I know. I continue to struggle with what, exactly, I want to be posting here in this space and that leads to me posting nothing. Not the ideal scenario, no, but it is how it's working out lately and I know that will shift so I'm embracing it rather than pummeling you all with words that don't mean much of anything.

I did stumble upon a bit of artwork and a few tunes I wanted to share so here ya go:

Yago Hortal via The Daylight

I'm completely entranced by Yago Hortal's work...makes me want to pick up a paintbrush thick with bright colored paint and see what happens...more than likely not this, but man, it would be fun to try. I came across Laura Burkhart's blog The Daylight a few weeks and it's been a constant source of bohemian love inspiration ever since.

And here's a little playlist that echoes musically what these paintings evoke visually, a colorful fluidity made all the more interesting by natural waves and splatterings inherent in the brushstrokes themselves...

1. Dakini, Prem Joshua
2. 1234, Feist
3. Son of Shiva (Omstrumental), MC Yogi
4. Paradise, Coldplay
5. Om Namah Shiva, from Asana
6. Called Out In The Dark, Snow Patrol
7. Lebanese Blond, Thievery Corporation
8. Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo, Fabian Asultany
9. Porcelain, Moby
10. Fade Into You, Mazzy Star
11. One, U2
12. Somptin Hapnin, from Tandava
13. Shanti (Peace Out) (Omstrumental), MC Yogi

...you know, kinda like life itself.

Peace out!

Proud

2011-09-14T08:06:00.000-04:00

This photo made my day yesterday. Oh to have been a part if that conversation...The definition of beauty.

Quiet the chatter (with a playlist)

2011-09-06T20:44:00.000-04:00

A little playlist I've conjured up to help me cope with the weird mood I've been in the last week or so...a little airy and dreamy, to lighten the spirit, but with a fair share of funk to help the body get moving which seems to always help me get out of my head and it's constant chatter and into the quiet flow that lives within each us...always.

via Virgina Kraljevic

1. Electric Sheep, on Tandava

2. Minnesota, WI, Bon Iver

3. Dakini, Prem Joshua

4. Light Flares, Thievery Corporation

5. Sour Times, Portishead

6. Deadweight, Beck

7. Pumped Up Kicks, Foster The People

8. Rolling In The Deep (Villa remix via Miss Moss), Adele

9. On Your Way Down, Trombone Shorty

10. Mangalam, on Tandava
11. Meera, Manish Vyas
12. Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley
13. People Get Ready, Eva Cassidy live version
14. Dark Red, Garth Stevenson
15. Alone, Garth Stevenson

Enjoy!

Namaste, seriously.

2011-08-30T18:15:00.000-04:00

I've been meaning to show you these beautiful little works of art that are also my yoga biz-nass cards.

I searched for weeks and weeks, essentially giving up on finding any sort of yoga-ish business cards that I really loved from a design standpoint, before Ashley of Fine Day Press introduced her line of EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR. As I've stated here before, there seems to be somewhat of a disconnect when it comes to the "yoga" world and the "design" world...when I find them colliding, it's pure pleasure for me. This is a perfect example. Check out all of Ashley's work at Fine Day Press here and her blog, Lovely Pieces, here.

Melt Away

2011-08-17T11:41:00.000-04:00

image via artasana

Tonight's playlist:

1. Playground Love, AIR

2. More Than Anything, Desert Dwellers

3. Take My Soul, Thievery Corporation

4. Into The Mystic, Van Morrison

5. Trap Doors, Broken Bells

6. Om Nashi Me, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros

7. Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo, Fabian Alsultany

8. October, Broken Bells

9. Fragments, Thievery Corporation

10. Parentheses, The Antlers

11. 20 Years, The Civil Wars

12. These Days, The Black Keys

13. Buddha's Lullaby, Manoose

14. Gopala, Ben Leinbach & Jai Uttal

Let it all melt away...tonight at 6:30 here.

Namaste,

Inconsequential

2011-08-16T19:48:00.000-04:00

This is what my dog days of summer evenings are looking like lately...

I can't decide whether these pants are a successful attempt at breaking out of the black yoga pants rut or simply ugly as sin. I mean, are these some of those "did you see her...what is she thinking" pants? I guess that's never really stopped me in the past so why worry with it now?

But seriously, who cares what pants anyone is wearing (as long as everyone is wearing some) when the sky looks like this...

and there's a little of this to keep you occupied...

Yep, when this is what my evening looks like, trying the figure all the rest if it out just seems inconsequential. I love that feeling.

longing

2011-08-08T07:52:00.000-04:00

Another 100 degree day with humidity that envelopes you as you walk out the door at 8 a.m. has me longing for the chance to wear a coat...

well, maybe just this coat.

Visual Mantras

2011-08-02T20:22:00.000-04:00

When I stumbled upon this little gem (via Art Hound), I knew I needed to share it here. Visual Mantras is a limited edition artist book by london-based, Spanish artist Ana Montiel. It's focus is that of repetitive (and superbly designed) patterns and cycles, things that both inspire and convey the "eternal rythm of our existence". Ana lists yoga as one of her many influences (no surprise there) and I think this book and much of her other work pretty much sums up what I'd like to use this space for a little more...a place where yoga, design and style meet. But more than that, I love this book because it conveys the art of yogic thinking and meditation in a visual way and, to me, it just doesn't get any better than that...

Here's an exquisite (and short) video peek into Visual Mantras:

Visual Mantras. An artist book by Ana Montiel. from Ana Montiel on Vimeo.

And a sampling of Ana's other work...

Ahhh, I love the beauty of yoga and yoga of beauty. Breathe deeply, smile and enjoy!

Melodies

2011-07-27T15:19:00.000-04:00

image via ShaktiGalore

Wanted to share a bit of groovy artwork to go with these groovy tunes.

tonight's playlist...

1. Dance of the Midnight Moon, Stevin McNamara

2. Towers, Bon Iver

3. Tangerine, Led Zeppelin

4. Afterburn, Alex Theory

5. Prana Groove, Stevin McNamara

6. Mysterious Ways, U2

7. Everlasting Light, The Black Keys

8. Three Little Birds, Bob Marley

9. High and Dry, Radiohead

10. The Sound of Sunshine Going Down, Michael Franti & Spearhead

11. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters, Elton John

12. Nightswimming, R.E.M.

13. Backbends for Opening the Heart, Ben Leimbach & Jai Uttal

A little rock n' roll, a pinch of reggae, and some chill electro-grooves to hold it all together. Enjoy!

Sweating in style

2011-07-26T19:30:00.000-04:00

These balmy days of summer (and my yoga practice) have me eyeing some new "gear"...

space-dyed crops, bracelet, ombre sweatshirt, lotus tank, red crops, stripes, Satya posts

p.s. barefoot yoga is in the middle of their big summer sale if you're interested in the ombre Omgirl sweatshirt (or lots of other great Omgirl goodies), and the Aum Clothing lotus tank & Aziam red capris are 35% off with code luckybreaks12

All you need is love...or something like that

2011-07-20T16:11:00.000-04:00

Words are still evading me but my desire to share is not! Where does that leave me? Here, I guess, rambling on about finding that oh so delicate balance of life that every single one of us struggles with. I know I'm missing something, I can feel that, but at the same time, I feel closer to the answer(s?) than I have in the past. And I also know that I will never really find them that really, there is no answer, at least I don't think there is. I think we are always searching, balancing...you know, living.

I need to find some space to search. to be. to explore. and that space is escaping me. My days are filled to the brim, and I feel grateful beyond words for that. I feel happy, I feel peaceful, I feel hopeful. But I also feel frustrated and unsure. Where do my priorities belong? What is the the right thing to do?

The thing I am sure of, is that my yoga practice has given me the ability me to feel serene in the midst of all of these questions, of all the conflict. The physical practice of yoga gives the mind and the heart space to expand beyond what is expected, to expand and then close around all of the fear, the hurt the disappointment that comes to us all in life. Your yoga practice is like your own self-made love bumper that eases you down even the rockiest of rides, smoothing the jagged edges, making them softer, kinder and more beautiful. Giving you a panoramic view of what makes this thing we call life so darn crazy, inspiring and smile-inducing. Kick-ass stuff, right?!

All you need is love...or something like that.

photo, shirt, decal

Hot Summer Nights

2011-07-12T19:00:00.001-04:00

...pair perfectly with crisp white wines. especially when their labels are as nicely designed as this one is.

Enjoy!

Word(s)

2011-07-10T15:58:00.000-04:00

I've been at a loss for words, or words that seem worth typing here at least. I think I'm trying to figure out in what direction to take things and it's causing me to be somewhat stagnant in this public arena. So I think today, I'll leave with you these words on art and beauty and yoga that are not my own...

Imperceptibly, at first, my mind and body began to reveal some of the qualities which our Indian classical texts describe as being the effects of yoga. For Instance, Patanjali says that 'through excellent practice of yoga the practitioner develops beauty, elegance and grace, power and strength, compactness and adamantine hardness, symmetry and balance.' Svatmarama likewise states that success in hatha yoga brings health and grace in the body, delight in the face, sweetness and depth in the voice, clarity in the eyes, cleanliness in the nerves and abundance of vigor and vitality. I too, felt my body was losing its awkwardness, dullness and non-awareness. It began to glow with health and strength and my mind was happy and contented. Yoga brought a new meaning to my life. All these changes inspired me and led me to search for the hidden truth and artistic essence in each asana. By regular practice I developed familiarity with each asana and soon I began to revel in the beauty of each asana while performing it.
-B.K.S. Iyengar, The Art Of Yoga

I read these words yesterday here and they helped me to connect some thoughts I've been having on how these things, art and beauty (and style and aesthetics) and yoga, are intertwined in so many ways...to me at least. They helped me gather some thoughts that have been elusive to my efforts at grouping them neatly into pretty little bundles.

Skirt: Om Girl (yep, yoga clothes!), Vest: H&M

An All American (playlist)

2011-07-02T10:20:00.000-04:00

I'm teaching a couple of yoga classes this 4th of July weekend so I put together this all-american artists themed playlist to help us celebrate the holiday yoga style.

1. America, Simon & Garfunkel
2. The Lucky One, Allison Krauss & Union Station
3. Ten Thousand Words, The Avett Brothers
4. Blue Sky, The Allman Brothers
5. Me & Bobby McGee, Janis Joplin
6. Corinna, Taj Mahal
7. Tighten Up, The Black Keys
8. Fortunate Son, Creedence Clearwater Revival
9. Everybody Needs Love, Drive-by Truckers
10. Slip Away, Clarence Carter
11. Like a Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan
12. The Sound of Sunshine Going Down, Michael Franti & Spearhead
13. For What it's Worth, Buffalo Springfield
14. Everybody Knows, Ryan Adams
15. Carolina in my Mind, James Taylor
16. Oh! Sweet Nuthin', Velvet Underground
17. The Supine, Andrew Bird

All American artists just doing their thing...

Enjoy your weekend!

Little things

2011-06-27T14:37:00.000-04:00

Beautiful (and true) quote. Beautiful print to match.

via Little Things Studio

Yogi Fashion Friday

2011-06-17T16:15:00.000-04:00

Yoga clothes, while first and foremost functional and comfortable, can be (at least slightly) stylish as well. Case in point: Lululemon top and crops as your base...sprinkle in some Birkenstock Gizeh's and a pair of Satya hoops and let's just say you can manage as many downward dogs, vrksasanas* (tree pose as pictured) or trips to the Whole Foods parking lot(ha!) as your day will allow. In my opnion (and you may disagree), you might even be able to hit the bar for a post-practice cocktail in this get-up, but that would be totally up to you...Happy Friday folks!

*For those of you in the Raleigh area, join me tomorrow at Raleigh NC Yoga (9:30) or O2 Fitness(12 at Falls/540 location) for an actual tree pose or two...

Simplicity

2011-06-15T18:28:00.000-04:00

When faced with choices in life, with finding the delicate balance that translates into true and deep happiness, do we allow practicality to play a larger role than passion or do we let our dreams simply take over, making all decisions we are faced with for us? The romantic in me believes fervently that we should all follow our dreams, do what we love, be who we are...but the oldest child, wife, best friend and sister in me, the responsible adult in me, knows that this life, in this world requires more from us than simply that...and also, it requires money. That's about as unromantic and un-bohemian as you can get, but it's the simple truth. I mean, yes, let's hop on a plane to Florence so we can see the Duomo, dive off a cliff in the Greek Isles, drink wine while looking over a winery in Napa, surf in Bali, study yoga in Costa Rica or hop on a sailboat for a day for a lesson and maybe a cocktail or two (we just did the last one...if you can, you should too). But to do all of these things...that takes cold, hard cash.

I'm at a point where I am considering how to proceed in my life's path. Weighing my options, settling in with reality, all of that stuff. I am absolutely grateful for all of these choices I am trying to make. Deeply and completely grateful, really. But that doesn't make the choices, the decisions easy ones. I mean, I am 31 years old, in a career that is less than satisfying yet completely exhausting (and that's being kind), doing something on the side (teaching yoga) that I've been dreaming of doing for the better part of a decade, thinking of having a child and I have not seen my own mother in 6 months. She lives 4 hours away. Something needs to change. Soon...

Ahhh, ok, I'm wearing myself out here, let's rewind.

Jonathan and I spent last week on Sullivan's Island, living a much simpler life...one filled with beaches, sailboats, good books, catching up with loved ones and maybe a beer or two sprinkled in. Here's a brief recounting as captured via iphone:

Upon arrival...

already settling in nicely...

Yep, this is where I belong...

It appears, we did a lot of contemplating. In

reality, we did a lot of just being...

in very relaxing settings...

Trombone Shorty at the Cistern...

Charleston...

Getting cozy with the family of napkins at

Closed for Business...

A cold, crisp IPA on a hot summer day...

Makes us both very happy...

And next door at Monza, awaiting the arrival of

my dearest cousin Sarah...

Sushi with Pops and family...

And early morning on the porch...

Cheers to summertime, simplicity and happiness in whatever decisions we make...

Trombone Shorty...Listen up Raleigh folks!

2011-06-10T08:42:00.000-04:00

We saw Trombone Shorty(click the link for a short bio and to listen) at the Cistern Yard last night as part of the Spoleto Festival here in Charleston...The venue, with sprawling, knobby trees that dripped with dollops of moss framing a stage situated in front of this beautiful building, was picturesque to say the least, but that's not why I'm writing to you all this morning. It's to tell you folks in Raleigh to get to the NCMA on Saturday night (if you're not already going to The Decemberists show which is where we'll be) to catch this show. You have a chance to see a truly talented, kick ass artist. You will have an absolute ball and be listening to some mighty fine jazz/rock/funk. Go. Now...get tickets. Now! Go!!

Open House Tonight!

2011-06-03T14:33:00.000-04:00

Join me tonight at RNCY's First Friday Open House and boutique opening. We'll all be there, and you should be there too...

Where: Raleigh NC Yoga

234 Fayeteville St.

Raleigh, NC 27601

When: 7ish to 9ish

Summing it up

2011-05-30T06:59:00.000-04:00

This short snippet is a perfect summation of the awesomeness that is Vinyasa yoga. If you interested in these types of things, give it a watch...Actually, even if you're not that interested, check it out. You might just change your mind.

Art for your Tuesday

2011-05-24T12:16:00.002-04:00

Work by Kirra Jamison via BOOOOOOOM! I love this girl...

I've been a fan since I first saw her work last year. Beautiful, feminine, dreamy and organic...Enjoy!

The Antlers

2011-05-21T20:43:00.000-04:00

Wow. wow. wow...haven't been this excited about a new (to me) band in an achingly long time. Please, do yourself a favor and take a listen to this:

or this:

or maybe even this:

Thank you, yoganonymous.org for recommending this...perfect for a yoga class, yes. But more importantly, this is hauntingly beautiful and enchanting music for anytime. Anytime I tell you!

Find these and others that are unimaginably incredible on The Antlers new album, Burst Apart.

Few and Far Between

2011-05-18T19:20:00.002-04:00

Hello dudes and dudettes! How is it in the blogoshpere lately? I wouldn't know since I have neglected the ever living hell out of this little blog of mine. And how have I missed this shared space...so, so much! There is so much to share and I have no idea where to begin or if you'll even care....so, I'll just start with this small snippet of weekend life.

Jonathan and I went to a wedding a couple of weekends ago (Congratulations Katie and Kyle!) and while I didn't take too many pictures...is it taboo to take photos at weddings while in the presence of a pro who's doing their thing? I don't know. Well anyway, the reception was held at the North Carolina Museum of Art and we took a little walk through the Rodin Sculpture Garden before heading inside...

It was an overcast, cool, eery evening which these hisptomatic photos captured surprisingly well. If you live in the area, get over to the new NCMA... Absolutely awesome in every way.

The good life

2011-05-04T16:23:00.000-04:00

Had to repost this clip from yogadork...a winemaker who loves both yoga and wine (obviously as he's a maker of it) as much as I do...

A life full of yoga and wine is a good life indeed.

Preview

2011-05-01T20:51:00.000-04:00

A little preview of things to come in the boutique I'm working on. It's very much a work in progress, but there will be more to come very, very soon.

Flying high

2011-04-30T13:05:00.000-04:00

Wow I'm flying high right now...just taught my first yoga class! While there are already things I know I'd do differently, or maybe just better, I did it! Here's to dreams coming true. Guess what folks? They do just that sometimes. I have a long way to go to becoming the teacher I want to be, but I am on the road and doesn't that make all the difference? Knowing you are on the right path, that you took the right turn wherever it may have been and that wherever the road you're on is taking you is good. That it's all ok because your on the right journey for you. I haven't felt that in a while, until now. It feels good. Really, really good. Search for your own path, make it yourself if you have to, just be sure that it's your path, yours alone. Love that path and all that comes with it. And if you veer off of it, just come back to it. You'll be able to find it if you simply listen.

This is as close to an outfit post as I've managed lately...not that I haven't been getting dressed. It's just that dressing has involved leggings and tank tops for the most part...not exactly blog material. But in light of today's post, I'll share these with you....

Taken in downtown Raleigh at various locations, by the lovely Katherine Hedrick, a fellow yoga student and kick-ass photographer.

Have a beautiful weekend!

p.s. Thank you to anyone who actually came to my class...Thank you, thank you, thank you.

IOU

2011-04-18T07:08:00.000-04:00

Wanted to share this intro video from the The IOU Project. As someone who loves clothes, but is becoming more and more aware and concerned about the processes involved in creating the clothes that we all wear, I thought this idea to be amazingly simple...and perfect. Take a look...

Thank you, Julia.

Spring Fever

2011-04-15T21:42:00.000-04:00

Oh man, have I been missing you all! Posting here on The Moon has come to a screeching halt lately. I can't seem to find the time between work, Yoga Teacher Training...well, yeah I guess that's it, that and life in general. But that's hellavu lot of time my friends. There's no spring cleaning getting done over here, much less any outfit pics or anything else really. But it's all as it should be and I will be back with regular posting very, very soon. For now, a few things that are giving me a little Spring fever. Some of which may be available at a new little space I'm working on very, very soon. Stay tuned...

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

A regular thing...

2011-04-03T19:49:00.000-04:00

Think I'm going to make this a regular Sunday night kinda thing...posting a music inspired video of some sort. What do ya think?

Can't get enough of this Death Cab song lately...Here's to a relaxing Sunday eve. This Dogfish 90 minute is going down very smoothly...enjoy. The video. not the beer. It's mine.

For your Sunday eve...

2011-03-27T21:09:00.000-04:00

In one word...Dreamy.

Iceland from Ken Grunberg on Vimeo.

via Let's get lost...

Sweet dreams.

Pennyweight via Designlovefest

2011-03-24T20:55:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I sort of love everysinglething in this post...

image via Designlovefest featuring Pennyweight

Because we live on this Earth

2011-03-18T12:29:00.001-04:00

Come join us for a Yoga Mala this Sunday March 20th at Y Respira yoga studio. The Yoga Mala is traditionally done to celebrate the change of seasons and consists of 108 sun salutations. It's a time to reconnect with our beloved Earth that supports all of our lives and is also a time to reflect and recharge ourselves for the new season that is beginning. You will feel wonderful by the end, both physically and mentally.

This Yoga Mala is especially powerful, in my opinion, because of all that is happening in the world around us. It is heart-wrenching, mind-blowing and devastating to think of all of our friends in Japan and what they are dealing with...all donations raised by this Mala will go to the Red Cross to help aid the efforts for relief there. We are alive. Right now. On this Earth. We are lucky.

Jenny from Aubrey Road put the idea so eloquently and perfectly with her words today...

After September 11th, maybe it was days or a couple weeks, I can’t quite remember, I went out one night to a Black Eyed Peas show in the city at S.O.B.'s. This was pre-Fergie, when the group was still considered hip-hop. I wasn’t too familiar with their music, but I went because it was my first month of college and I didn’t really have any friends and a girl on my floor who also liked hip-hop looked liked maybe she could be my friend down the road (never happened). I think the weather was pretty cool that night and I remember it being very dark.

The city was a strange, strange place at that time. It was so quiet. Strangely quiet, and obviously sad, and very unsure of itself. I don’t remember much of the show. It was the kind of show where you don’t know most of the songs by heart, so you can’t get that into it. The one or two songs I did know, I was happy about. Towards the end, Will.i.am stopped the show. He acknowledged September 11th and wanted to have a moment of non-silence. I can’t remember his exact phrase, but basically a minute or so to create the opposite of silence. On his mark, he encouraged us to make as much noise and energy as possible. Clap, scream, shout, whatever. I had never heard or thought of anything like it and I wasn’t sure if I was really going to participate.

Once it started, it was a beautiful commotion. Music blaring, drums pounding, everything and everyone in the room at full volume making maximum noise together. I rarely think of that night but was reminded of it today on this day of bloggers' silence for Japan.

I respect the movement wholeheartedly and believe we should all think of, remember and mourn for all the people lost and those that continue to suffer.

But standing in that crowd that night. That noise. After so much pain and sadness and loss, it was like nothing else. The screaming. It was a release. It was all the chaos and confusion, fear and feelings that felt impossible to articulate, flowing out, vibrating in the air. We were shouting, crying out, we’re still here. We’re still alive and you live on because we will never forget you.

The Yin and the Yang

2011-03-16T12:43:00.001-04:00

...as illustrated by artist Peter Taylor.

Images via BOOOOOOOM! and Peter Taylor's Blog, hand made feat

As I get deeper into my study of yoga, the idea of balance, both physically and mentally, continues to be of intrigue to me. Physically, while we're in a pose we strive for an equal presence of both strength and relaxation, of power and gentleness. This translates into the mental balance that is of utmost importance in the ideal practice of yoga. To be at once truthful, whole and one within our deepest internal selves, and also be truthful, whole and sensitive to the world at large, to the the unity that is innate in everything, that is what it's all about.

Peter Taylor has done an amazing job conveying the the love that comes when this delicate balance is achieved, or maybe just when it's simply the goal...I'm not sure if he practices yoga but I'd be willing to bet that he does!

maryink

2011-03-09T10:54:00.000-05:00

I'm in a yoga state of mind(the best kind!) and I can't help put picture these beautiful pieces, with their organic lines and patterns, from maryink's Etsy shop over some leggings for a very stylish on the mat to off the mat option...

It's time to do this thing

2011-03-05T07:14:00.001-05:00

I've been absent here lately I know. Sometimes what's happening in real life doesn't translate into interesting, or beautiful, blog posts...and sometimes that's exactly what it does and we just don't know exactly how to convey what we'd like to.

Today I am beginning Yoga Teacher Training, something I've been dreaming about doing for years. To say I'm excited would be minimizing what I'm feeling...I'm not sure exactly where I'm headed with it, right now I'm just enjoying the road that's leading me. That's what life's about, right? The journey.

Some fellow yogi's...and yoga teacher...

And I'll leave you with yet another posting of Thom Yorke's yoga dance, because it's just that awesome.

Namaste my friends...Namaste.

Eye of the beholder

2011-02-21T21:02:00.002-05:00

Some incredible vintage photo projects are making the rounds on the internet lately, I can't help but be incredibly inspired and entertained...

First, some photos from the December 1969 Vogue issue likening scenes from Woodstock to some very famous paintings:

images via Miss Moss and youthquakers

Next, a photo collection created from what would otherwise be lost forever trash. UK photographer James Dodd's Dead Photographers Project, photographs pillaged from the homes of the deceased as they are being professionally cleaned out after a death.

images via Miss Moss and The Dead Photographers Project

And finally, this one's had me seeing things in a totally different perspective since I saw it last week. I love this times 10 or maybe 100, Back to the Future, by Irina Werning, a photographer from Buenos Aires...Honestly, it's been linked to by quite a few sites and I can't remember where I first saw it. Maybe here or here.

images via Irina Werning

Check out the links provided for larger (better) photos of all of these images and many more. Happy browsing!

The Feminine Mystique

2011-02-15T14:13:00.000-05:00

Thought I'd sneak this shot of my 2011 winter coat purchase in before it's not winter anymore. I bought it back in December at Benetton (Sicily by Benetton to be exact) and I've worn the hell out of it...I gotta say, I love this piece of clothing. Love it. Despite the fact that with it's fleshy tone and single, dramatic and right down the front ruffle, according to the freakin' hilarious Leandra of The Man Repeller, I am right on (a very feminine) trend. Is that a vagina (or half of one) on the front of my coat? Hmmm...ah well, sometimes we have to sacrifice a bit of dignity for fashion....

for the locals

2011-02-11T14:11:00.000-05:00

if you live in the Raleigh area, this looks like a Saturday afternoon well spent...

I want to inhabit this space...

2011-02-10T19:32:00.000-05:00

sfgirlbybay

...don't you? After seeing this post a couple of weeks ago, I've found myself with a strong desire to create one of these in or around my home, complete with large floor pillows, sumptuous quilts, and lots of hanging adornments and lights. I actually keep up strings of white lights all year in certain areas of the house. They just make me happy. But I digress...maybe an indoor version would be a more likely met goal?

design*sponge

bleubirdvintage via rockstar diaries

Regardless, these things would be necessary components...

anthropologie

cb2


redbrickglass etsy shop

Or here's an even dreamier idea...

suburban tipi

A suburban tipi, a suburban tipi for yoga and relaxation, filled with colors and lights and cozy fabrics. Yes, that is where I want to be.

Irony Pinot Noir 2009

2011-01-24T19:56:00.000-05:00

I am by no means a wine expert and this is in no way to be taken as if I were. I simply enjoy wine, the complexity of the wine-making process as well as what it means to be a "good" wine (to someone, somewhere and at some moment at least). So after that little disclaimer, I'd like to start what I hope to be a series of posts on the wine I enjoy...

I picked up a bottle of California's Monterey County Irony Pinot Noir 2009 at my local grocery store mainly because it was advertised as being on sale in a major way, half-price to be exact. I love a good Pinot Noir, as do many of you I'm sure, but to find one less than say $16-$18 is a rarity and while I do love my good wine, I'm on a budget, and resisting a Pinot that's been reduced to $11.99 from $21.99 (given a little internet research, I'll say that the full priced bottle was grossly overpriced) was just an impossibility. But, I was not disappointed at all.

Initially, there is a bright, strawberry flavor, fruity but not too sweet. Almost immediately following, a delicate vanilla taste presents itself and the two combine for a creamy and smooth mouthful. After a cherry hinted nose, this is a welcome surprise. Light tannins follow but again, they are not overwhelming at all. For this price (you can find it for as low as $9.99), Irony Pinot Noir is not to be passed up.

From the wine makers:

Irony 2008 Monterey County Pinot Noir opens with aromas of ripe, red cherry, vanilla and undertones of earthy clove and mushroom. Rhubarb flavors are layered with accents of toasted vanilla and soft tannins, delivering a balanced, medium-bodied wine with a smooth finish.

Off to enjoy this with my havarti/sharp white cheddar grilled cheese...what a perfect dinner!

it's in the cards

2011-01-19T11:10:00.001-05:00

Much of the time I find myself struggling to feed the two hobbies that fill my personal life up without completely contradicting myself on a regular basis. I've written about this in the past but it's a presence in my life that won't be (and shouldn't be) going anywhere anytime soon. You see, my yoga practice fills me up, helps me to remain sane, keeps me grounded, happy and both mentally and physically content. It is a huge part of who I am and it's guiding principals are all about minimalism, anti-consumerism, and not needing anything except yourself for true happiness.

And on the other hand, some of things that give me daily satisfaction and creative inspiration are beautifully designed rooms, products, websites etc., works art and of course, fashion, both past and present. I would hate to live in a world without both natural and man-made beauty, which is what good design, a perfectly styled outfit and of course a work of art are. Do we really need these things? I'd most certainly argue yes, that they all serve to feed the human spirit, to make the world a better place. So where and how does one combine these seemingly conflicted philosophies? My answer to that is with intention. When we buy things to put in our homes, to put on our bodies, to give to our loved ones, we do it all with intention. We think about what we are buying, the beauty of it and what it will add to our lives (and to our closets of course!). I am getting better and better at this with practice. I don't buy things that I might take for granted. Every purchase has an intention, one that I've considered carefully.

There are a few (exciting!) things going on in my life that have had me thinking about all of this quite a bit lately...just wanted to share some of these thoughts with you. I found these the other day that prompted this post:

cards via Fine Day Press

These might just need to be one of those intentional purchases I was just talking about...

messy hair. embrace it.

2011-01-14T19:23:00.000-05:00

This print has been all of the blogosphere lately. I don't care. I love it. It's true. And I'm buying one for my bathroom. Get it here.

earthly sparkles

2011-01-12T15:56:00.000-05:00

Loving these...

so clutch

2011-01-11T09:43:00.000-05:00

Remember that adorable package under the Christmas tree with the birdie tag seen here? Yeah probably not, but regardless, here's what was inside...

and my unhealthy fascination with bird paraphernalia continues. You can find similar bags with similar birds here at Holly Aiken.

Some karma for the weekend

2011-01-07T18:36:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post while I wait for J to get home from work. I woke up yesterday morning, opened the fridge for creamer and found this little treat:

Turns out J brought home some loot from one of his "beer club" meetings. Lucky for me. It's one of my faves. The richness of a brown ale, the hops of an IPA. Perfection. And regardless of how you feel about beer, you gotta love the label...

wearing: Jaloux dress, UO sweater, Corso Como Boots

In fact, I'm enjoying one right now...I suggest you do the same.

A little inspiration

2011-01-06T11:23:00.000-05:00

Etsy shop first seen by me via designlovefest

Wandering and wondering

2011-01-03T21:36:00.000-05:00

I'm sure many of you have seen this already, after today's Anthropologie email blast. But it really does have me wanting to take a wandering roadtrip somewhere. In all honesty, I've been yearning for that for the past few months...The holiday season, more specifically, this holiday season was jam packed with extras, really great extras that made it truly special, one that I will never forget, one that despite an insane schedule and pace that could scare marathoners, still managed to instill a sense of peace and deep-seated content that I haven't felt in years. Yet, today as I type this, as I am finally, finally able to rest, refocus and renew (today was officially the end of the season work-wise for me), I do it in a way I haven't done in a very long time...ready for adventure, ready for whatever will come this year, yet overwhelmingly grateful for what is...right now. This is a balance I haven't experienced before...can't wait to see where it takes me.

This beautiful little video also has me wondering what I might be able to do with a some video footage and a perfect soundtrack...armed with a new camera, I might just have to experiment...

Here's to the ones we love...

2011-01-01T15:48:00.000-05:00

that help make our lives full and happy...

Just a few moments from a wonderful New Year's Eve with close friends.

wearing a vintage top via Revolver, black wool mini

I managed to take a few quick photos after we headed to our destination (The Wild Turkey Lounge). I think they convey the evening perfectly...

2011 is going to be a stellar year.

Happy New Year!

waiting for some bubbly

2010-12-31T15:02:00.000-05:00

I'm at work (and busy!) anxiously awaiting the bubbly that's chilling as we speak, or as I type. Whatever. I think you know what I mean. Any reason to enjoy some wine with sparkles in it (believe me, I can come up with reasons of my own if necessary), and I am a happy girl. New Year's Day is one of the best...In the meantime, I've been enjoying this illustration by Julia Rothman all week:

As I was perusing her other work, I cam across this and realize that I have an unhealthy fascination with bird motifs. Guess there are worse problems to have...

juliarothman.com

Here's to a kick-ass 2011!

A Little Birdie

2010-12-22T22:29:00.000-05:00

This season has kicked my ass (as usual). Between working a retail-ish job during the holidays, being (very) involved with the prep for a debutante ball (yes, that's right) and also doing all the things normally associated with this season (seeing old friends. Awesome!!!, gift buying, party going, family visiting, etc. etc.), I am done. Still enjoying the warmth of the festivities, the lights, the decor, the music? Yes. Ready for simplicity and quiet and slowness? Absolutely.

This little bit of adorableness comes directly from local designer Holly Aiken. Jonathan was smart enough to purchase both Christmas and birthday gifts (my birthday is the 17th) from this kick-ass handbag and accessories boutique (found online here). I'm so in love with the wrap that I am hesitant to undo it...don't worry, it'll pass.

Organization

2010-12-08T15:29:00.000-05:00

Free Style Gifts Etsy shop

While I was searching (read: endlessly playing around on) for a new address book on Etsy this morning, I came across this business card/address file made from vintage record album covers. Love.

Its all a little blurry

2010-12-04T18:17:00.000-05:00

We went out last night and enjoyed a few local brews at Raleigh's Big Boss Brewery. Earlier this week, we watched the documentary Beer Wars about the American beer industry and the growth of the craft beer segment within the industry. If your into beer at all, I highly recommend it, but I'll give you fair warning, you're gonna be dying for some tasty craft beer by the end...no, actually, that will happen within the first ten minutes. By the end, you'll want a beer so bad you can literally taste it, and not just any beer will do. Hence, our trip to Big Boss...but really, who am I kidding, the bartenders now recognize us, well, they recognize J at least. It wasn't our first visit.

We did a little playing around with some photo apps on the iphone. I think these pictures are creepy, but I dig 'em...we were sitting at a table with the worst lighting you can imagine. We had this light above us that reminded me something that would be used in an interrogation room. It wasn't exactly pleasant, or flattering. Thank goodness we had some tasty beer to keep us satisfied, very satisfied.

Bar people

2010-11-14T19:38:00.000-05:00

J and I had ourselves a little date night a couple of nights ago. Most if the time when we go out together, just the two of us, we saddle up to a bar somewhere and see where the night takes us. We both prefer it this way because, well, we are bar people. You're either bar people or you're not, don't you think? And by bar people, I mean that you're either the people who, no matter how nice the restaurant, you're more comfortable finding a spot at the bar rather than sitting at a table. We've always been this way, even before they banned smoking indoors (thank god). I'm not completely sure why this is...I mean, yes, we both enjoy our cocktails and now that I'm writing this I realize that I'd be completely misrepresenting myself, ourselves, if I didn't admit that when we walk into a restaurant or bar, our eyes dot around quickly in an attempt to find the quickest route to alcohol. But honestly, I think it's more a result of a desire to relax fully, to embody what it is to be "laid-back" and doesn't that automatically conjure up images of bar-sitting? What? It doesn't? It's just me? Really? Ah well...In any case, on our date night the other night, we actually sat in a booth... completely out of character.

Also completely out of character, J drinking wine. That's usually my department (I'm working on him).

This Toscolo Chianti (drinking Chianti, also out of character) was perfect with our meal. Easy drinking and smooth, with enough flavor to stand by itself but not so much as to overwhelm our no meat meal.

For those of you who live in Raleigh, this out of character, and delicious evening was spent at Gravy. Highly recommend it. Whether you prefer booths or bars.

Therapy

2010-11-11T07:11:00.000-05:00

Wearing: JCrew Coat, H&M Top, Gap Jeans, Frye Boots, RM Bag

The constant battle between desiring a minimalistic lifestyle and loving to dress/shop/create has been raging in my head lately. I think the desire for minimalism is winning out, if only slightly. I find myself seeking out the simple lines, the classic staples and adding one or two unexpected accessories (or sometimes not). I have found, over the years, that when life gets more complicated than usual, filled to the brim with more than just the usual activities and commitments, I tend to do two things. The first is purge my belongings, clearing out the closet, organizing the cabinets and ridding myself, my home, my life of excess baggage. And the second, is shop, or more accurately, tame my voracious appetite to shop by scouring the internet daily in an attempt to locate the one perfect thing that will unify my wardrobe, perfect my home or make that upcoming event the perfect night. Luckily, I've realized that I don't really need to even buy anything, just look for it. But in full disclosure, I do end up buying sometimes too, when I find the right thing. They call it retail therapy for a reason I suppose. Or bingeing and purging...which doesn't sound nearly as healthy. Shopping has always been my drug of choice. Well, that or a good bottle of Pinot...

Black Cat Crossing Your Path

2010-10-30T11:08:00.000-04:00

Miss Kitty staring off into the distance, making sure that you are acutely aware that she couldn't care less...about anything. Especially Halloween. To bad she's the perfect prop.

American Trilogy

2010-10-27T11:16:00.000-04:00

American Eagle button up (maybe a decade old!), Siwy jeans, JCrew belt, Frye boots, CK shades

Sometimes, actually many times, good ole classics are what I prefer, especially when it comes to a laid-back Saturday. I am totally diggin' the return of bell-bottom jeans that seems to be going on. I never stopped wearing them (I will forever lean towards the bohemian, both on the inside and the outside), but it's nice to see something other than skinny jeans making the rounds in the fashion world.This outfit needs no explanation...the only interesting thing to note is that I've lived in this shirt for the last 5 to 7 years. It almost feels as soft as a cloth diaper, and I am always searching for more of these...to no avail.

Jonathan and I made a quick trip to my hometown for the weekend, hit a wine tasting, watched some football, but the trip was made mainly to see some family, to mend some ties that needed mending, to give support and love to a little girl who needs all she can get, especially right now. I don't talk about it much here, but I've got a gigantic and deeply complicated family that is full of sorrow and regret, interdependence and fierce independence, love and laughter, and ego and hope. I've got a broken family that sometimes I try to fix. I know I can't actually fix it or them...I don't even really know what I mean when I say the word fix. But it's a part of who I am, even though I don't even exactly know what I mean when I say that either. I love my family fiercely, probably to my detriment at times, but I do. It's there. And it's me...right along with the clothes, and the yoga, and the wine and the sarcasm. I needed to share that today. We're all complex individuals, are we not? Far more so than we normally present publicly, at least.

*Thank you all for reading my extremely sporadic posting. You have no idea how much it means to me. I love this little space to share, for the outlet it gives, the creativity it sparks, for the connections that are made...thank you for being a part of that.

This makes me a very happy girl...

2010-10-22T16:38:00.000-04:00

Starting at 6 p.m. tonight, Pearl Jam is getting their very own Sirius/XM station...I'm grabbing my Doc Martens and the baggiest clothes I can find to celebrate in true 90's fashion (I wish I actually still had my Doc Martens).

Seriously though, this band is one of the reasons I survived adolesence. I will forever be at least a little in love with Eddie V. One of the best memories of my teenage years was October 4th, 1997. Pearl Jam played a show in Charlotte...The tickets were terribly difficult to get; the seating was all general admission; I left with a van full of some of the best friends I've ever had in my life before dawn not to return until the morning hours of the following day; Gloria Steinem was one of the opening acts (speaking); I'm pretty sure Eddie sprayed wine into the audience and some hit me; There was body surfing and mosh pitting; I was 16, going on 17 and it was magical to 16 year old me.

Happy 20th birthday Pearl Jam.

Sometimes, this is just how you feel...

2010-10-22T10:32:00.000-04:00

Image via subversive crossstitch

You know, in a cross-stitched, antique gilded frame sorta way... It gives the sentiment a slightly more polished feel yet manages to convey the thought perfectly, don't you think?

For more twisted cross-stitch fun, click here. Or check out this post from last year.

Spool No. 72

2010-10-13T21:38:00.000-04:00

Have y'all heard of Spool No. 72? Oh no? Well then, you're welcome. This "vintage and bohemian" inspired online clothing boutique has captured my heart. Sorry, that vintage ikat travel bag at the top is sold. Sad. So sad.

Reminiscing the weekend

2010-10-11T23:01:00.000-04:00

Been a rough Monday so I'm reliving the past weekend via youtube, the weekend that began with an Avett Brothers concert...

Yoga for wine lovers

2010-10-01T18:23:00.000-04:00

I'm convinced this was created just for me...

Thank you Yogadork and Jenn at jennpesce.com....Seriously, this just made my weekend. And it's only Friday.

95 degrees

2010-09-24T19:25:00.000-04:00

Alright folks, it's Friday...thank the lord. Not sure I would've made it had there been any more weekdays to contend with. J has been gone since Wednesday evening for the annual Ilderton (my maiden name) Roundup fishing weekend. Lot's of men, a (phenomenally beautiful) undeveloped island off the coast of South Carolina, lot's of booze and god only knows what else. I know they're all having a ball.

Since he's gone, I had no choice but to take my own photos, sans tripod and with a simple point and click camera. It's been HOT here all week. Here's me trying to contend with the heat ridiculousness:

Wearing: Gap Shirt, Heidi Merrick for Target skirt (yep, you've seen this one before), One of 2 sandals, Rebecca Minkoff Bag and various jewelry.

I made it a point not to schedule anything while Jonathan is away...I've been feeling quite introverted lately so I went with that feeling, nurtured it, took extra special care of it...and I'm so glad I did. I feel my spirit beginning to creep back in and it's quite nice. It's been absent for a little while and I've missed it. Of course it could be that wine tasting (if you're reading this and you live in North Raleigh, head to Uncorked. Pronto. Aimee is pouring some fabu wine, especially the Samantha Starr 2008 Pinot Noir) that I just finished. Wine seems to help the internal spirit, don't you think? It's like medicine for the soul. Right? Well, anyway...Happy weekend!

Marc... Moleskine style

2010-09-24T13:50:00.000-04:00

I've got to be honest, I feel obnoxious for liking this, a little bit obnoxious at least. But I can't help it, I do. According to Moleskine, they will be available October 1st at Barneys.

Martin Scorsese and Chris Robinson too...

2010-09-19T22:32:00.000-04:00

Wowza! After a day, well maybe two days, of doing very little that would qualify as productive, I finally feel like I am catching my breath and easing back into a (mostly) peaceful state of normalcy. J and I capped off a frenzied several weeks of road trips, family visits and work-related stress with a week filled with outdoor concerts, maybe our most beloved warm weather activity. Is there some sort of law of physics that I'm unfamiliar with that says when one portion of your everyday existence becomes more than you'd like to handle, that all the other areas become equally as excessive? The harder you work, the more you consume...the busier you are, the more activities present themselves to you, the more work related obligation, the more family related stuff that needs attending to, and you continue accepting it and maybe even welcoming it somehow? Until it reaches some sort of ridiculous level...and then you rest. Because you have to. Don't get me wrong, most of it has been a blast and the rest of it has been well worth the extra effort, but it feels damn good to simply have a day in front of you to leisurely meander through, with small bubbles of productivity (relatively speaking) and long swells of simply being.

We started off Monday seeing The Black Keys and Kings of Leon...I'll save you my concert reviews as I am not exactly a musical expert (or whatever) and just say that that The Black Keys sounded pretty darn awesome...

Wearing: Gap denim jacket, The Limited jumper, Birkenstock Gizehs, Wayuu Taya bag and assorted jewelry

I would have loved to pair some boots with this dress, but here in NC, it's topped 90 all week.

We went on to see The Black Crowes, and finished the week with Tom Petty on Saturday night. Let's just say that it's the voice of Chris Robinson that's been gracing the speakers in my car ever since. Phenomenal show. Phenomenal venue at the Downtown Raleigh Ampitheater, We will be back. Very, very soon.

Alright, off to finish this weekend off with the premiere of Boardwalk Empire. What is is about these gangster dramas that keeps a girl fromt the south so enticed? I don't get it. I just get sucked right in. I watched the last three quarters of Casino this afternoon too...Maybe it's simply that Sharon Stone does beautiful hot mess just that good. Who says you can't have Chris Robinson, Tom Petty, Robert Deniro and Steve Buscemi (and maybe even a little Don Draper too) in one gloriously relaxing and just slightly excessive weekend?

A little football, a little art, and the glue that holds it all together...

2010-09-09T21:52:00.000-04:00

After the 1st beer...

J and I roadtripped it to Atlanta this weekend for the UNC vs. LSU season opener. We tried our best to have a good well-rounded weekend, and by that I mean we attempted to combine plenty of football (for J) and art (for me) with some good old fashioned, always reliable (sort-of), American style social lubricant, the cocktail...Needless to say, despite our (very tiny) football loss, we were successful in our mission.

and ready for the bloody mary...

post bloody mary, eggs and biscuits...

and post bloody-mary, art-museum, late afternoon nap,

on the way to cocktails,

wearing UO top, Gap jeans, Frye boots

and Wayuu Taya bag

post chianti and the freshest margherita pizza there ever was

Good Night...

Via The Sartorialist

2010-09-09T20:42:00.000-04:00

Image via The Sartorialist, Today

I couldn't help myself. I adore every. single. thing. about this photo and this woman's look. Click here to see this photo in it's original post as well as the quick commentary on style vs. fashion.

Style...always.

Boots and Heels...

2010-09-06T22:29:00.000-04:00

Gap Dress, Frye boots, Wayuu Taya bag, handmade necklace

Love.

2010-08-31T22:04:00.000-04:00

Elle, September 2010

Wow. I didn't mean for it to be so long of an absence. But there are many reasons why it was...some practical and some not. Can you forgive me? I sure hope so because I've got a lot to share, starting with this...

Julia, really, how do you do it? I'm in love with this photo. I want to be in this photo. No, maybe I want to be her in this photo. Regardless, I felt compelled to share...Everyone needs a little daily inspirational beauty, right?

Listening to...

Friday Night Luck

2010-06-12T10:41:00.000-04:00

What a perfect start to the weekend. Last night, was an ideal Friday night for me. Jonathan and I went to the North Carolina Museum of Art where they screen movies outdoors on one of their lawns every Friday night in the Summer. Last night was the 2010 kick-off and 500 Days of Summer was the movie. Like many of you, I absolutely adore this movie. In fact, I did one of my first blog posts about it last year, right after I saw it for the first time. Needless to say, I was really, really looking forward to this evening.

But, before we left for the NCMA, we stopped by one of our favorite wine shops for their Friday night tasting. One thing led to another and before I knew it, I had my hands on one of the very last bottles of a wine that was on last years Wine Spectator's top 100 list, Australia's Heartland Vineyard's 2007 Viogner & Pinot Gris blend. Gold, my friends, gold. I watched the vineyard rep pull out a bottle from the last remaining case of the wine. The last remaining case. As in no more left, ever. And I have a bottle. I cannot wait to drink this wine, and I'll post a full report when I do.

After this alignment of the stars, I knew it was going to be one stellar evening, and it was just that. Warm, but not hot and sticky as it will quickly become down here in the South. We packed some veggie sandwiches with fresh tomatoes, and cucumbers, bought a bottle of crisp white wine (not allowed to bring in your own alcohol there) and settled into our beach chairs for a nice evening. Some She & Him, a little Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the sweet stylings of Zooey D, a bittersweet tale of hipster love and life, and we were all set. It was lovely.

Wearing...Dress: The Limited, Cardigan: Old Navy, Shoes: Nine West, Shades: Ray Ban, various bangles, Amber ring, and Grandmother's ring, everything obtained more than a few years ago. Except for the bag: Max and Cleo via TJ Maxx. Score!

I actually wore this outfit all day yesterday despite the fact that the dress is a little short for work. It was Friday, it was hot, so I figured I could swing it. I was nice and comfortable all day so when I got home, I took the cardigan off and I was ready to go for the night.

Hope everyone has a super duper weekend! GO USA!!!

Summer flashback

2010-06-11T10:30:00.000-04:00

I'm having flashbacks of childhood summers spent at the pool via these Eric Zener paintings. Be sure to check his mixed media work too...

Thank you to Jenny, the lovely lady over at Aubrey Road for bringing this to my attention.

Raleigh

2010-06-09T16:45:00.001-04:00

A few month's ago, Etsy featured a different shirt in the Ahpeele lineup that I immediately fell in love with (check it out here) in one of their daily emails. I clicked on the photo and it took me to their Etsy shop where I discovered they were from my current home city, Raleigh, NC. I was stoked.

I'd sort of forgotten about it until today, when I watched this video via the New Raleigh Blog:

How to Make it in Raleigh from William Hardy on Vimeo.

It's a quick little video, you should watch it...even if you aren't from Raleigh, because it's mighty cool.

And I'm heading over to the Ahpeele Etsy shop.........right...........now.

Lunar Likings

2010-06-08T22:05:00.000-04:00

I think I might need one of these over here on The Moon. I'll have a better post up soon...Back to work after a week off + Major stuff going on that I can't quite talk about on this blog, not yet at least = 10 p.m. and I'm just now drinking my first glass of Sauvignon Blanc = yuck.

Nighty Night!

Whoa, Sore Legs... and Sea Legs

2010-06-03T18:30:00.000-04:00

Oh my goodness, what a week! We've been having such a relaxing time down on Sullivan's Island this week. Bike riding, yoga classes (Jivamukti and Holy Cow), beach sitting...sometimes all in one day! We rode bike into downtown Charleston today...from the island we are staying on. I know most of you don't have any way to understand how long of a ride that is, but believe me, it's a ways...a long ways, over two bridges, one of which is steeeeeeep! It was great fun despite the fact that I'm now convinced that my Dad and Step Mom are not quite human as this was their idea and they sort of kicked our asses even though we are half their age and also in very good shape. I think.

All of these activities have been a ball, but there have been very few reasons to actually dress in anything other than swim wear (not going there in this blog folks, so sorry to disappoint) and athletic gear. So, here, I'll give you a few shots from a "Blues Cruise" that we did on Monday night...note, not a "booze" cruise much to the dismay of Step Mom, but a "Blues" Cruise, part of the Spoleto Festival, an annual arts festival that's going on in Charleston right now. We cruised around Charleston Harbor while a duo played (and played really well) some fantastic blues songs.

Wearing... Dress: Matty M, Sandals: Cynthia Vincent for Target, Marc Jacobs Bag, Assorted Bangles

Now, what to do tonight? Not sure what is on the docket but we'll be doing our best to enjoy the last of our vacation week...a little shopping, good eating, cocktails, more Spoleto...

Off to an Island...

2010-05-29T10:16:00.000-04:00

It's Saturday morning and Jonathan and I are about to leave for a week at Sullivan's Island, right outside of Charleston, South Carolina. I am one lucky girl in that my family has a house on the island and I've grown up spending a lot of time there. There's a tremendous amount of personal history on this quaint and peaceful island, history in the form of childhood bike rides exploring all the corners of the island, long days spent on the beach, boat rides at sunset and many, many large family gatherings (My Dad is one of nine children). I'm planning on posting while we're down there so stay tuned...

For now, I'll do a quick post on my evening last night. I went to see SATC2 with one of my best friends in the whole wide world, Diana. She's one of the lovely four I spoke about in my last post. Me being the bad blogger, I did not get any photos of us together. Boo. Anyway, the movie, well, we both agreed that it was just pretty terrible, but that it didn't really matter. It was fun to watch, despite it's terribleness and we had a ball. We both agreed that the highlight of the evening was when I accidentally knocked over our empty bottle of wine (that's what screw top bottles and huge handbags are for) during a quiet moment in the movie and the whole place erupted with laughter. Awesome.

I have been craving soft, flowy comfort lately...I mean, comfort is always a top priority when I dress, but lately, I've been satisfied with my clothes only if they are the the epitome of tangibly soft and flowing comfort. This outfit reflect that I think. I actually had something totally different picked out for the evening, but I just needed to feel wrapped up in comfort so I changed into this and I am so glad I did. I've had this dress/tunic/shirt/moo-moo for a few years and until last night, I never really loved it. Now I do. It felt so good. I've put it on dozens of other times and it's never seemed right. Now, I'm in love with it again. I love when that happens. I think I'll continue this flowing clothes theme through our trip this next week. On that note, I better go pack so we can get on the road...

Wearing... Dress: Jaloux via Nordstrom, Shoes: Cynthia Vincent for Target, Various bangles and Necklace made by a friend.

Channeling (a very conservative) Carrie Bradshaw...

2010-05-25T21:17:00.000-04:00

I am a cliche...in this respect at least: I love Sex And The City. Love it. Love it. Love it. I know the movie coming out this week is already the subject of horrendous reviews...reviews that I won't necessarily disagree with, but the thing is, I don't care. I'll love this movie no matter how "bad" it might be, technically speaking of course.

I think a lot of it is simply the memories I have watching the show when it was actually still airing on HBO, the last couple of seasons at least. I had a truly fabulous group of friends, well, four friends to be exact, who would get together and have a girls night...Pizza, wine and SATC each week and it was a great damn time and these were, are, some of the most wonderfully complicated and beautifully complex women I have ever known. They know me and I know them. (We met while working at Birkenstock in college...how's that for some fancy footwear?) And I love them and SATC reminds me of all of them, not that we were even all that much like Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte or Miranda, but I think in some ways we were like them. That's the beauty of the show I suppose, that we can all identify at least a little...well, that, and the STYLE of course! Oh, the style. How can you not love the show simply for that?

Here's me channeling Carrie and her now famous flower in a very, very conservative way. OK, so maybe the flower is really the only part about this outfit that is Carrie-esque. At least I'm admitting that I realize that, right?...oh, and I promise to do better...much, much better.

Wearing... Dress: Gap, Pin: Emersonmade, Jacket: Proenza Schouler for Target,

Sandals: Steve Madden

D, I cannot wait for our datenight Friday!!! Here's to truly fabulous girlfriends, cocktails, personal style and anything that brings all of it together...

Basics

2010-05-22T18:49:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know. More stripes. They seem to be everywhere these days. I actually bought this shirt several years ago and I've worn it here and there but it's never been one of my favorites. For some reason, it's survived numerous closet clean-outs...maybe just so it could be here for this season of stripes we're in. I don't know. I wore this to work this week and I feel like it was a good outfit but I honestly don't have too much to say about it. Stripes+pencil skirt+wide belt+wedges, add in a little lucite (bangle) and I think I may have hit half the trends of the last three years. It worked. It's fine. That's that.

Now, back to storm watching, Sierra Nevada and LCD Soundsystem. I love Saturday.

Wearing: Top: JCrew looooong time ago, Skirt: Gap, Wedges: Hive & Honey, Belt: Target, Bangle: Target, Necklace: Ann Taylor

Mirazozo

2010-05-18T21:45:00.000-04:00

Good Lord, I am the most neglectful blogger on the planet. If my blog was my child, social services would be knocking on my door, and rightfully so. I've got to work on that whole balance thing. Actually, no, I am working on it, in a whole lot of ways, because lately, I feel like I've been doing a whole lot in a half-assed sorta way and I just don't like it one bit. But, you know, I've also realized that fact every step of the way and I think that's progress. Do you forgive me for my seriously delinquent blogerness? Well, here goes another post, so I am really, really hoping so!

On Saturday, J and I went downtown to an annual Raleigh event, Artsplosure. It's a 2 day arts festival full of arts and crafts vendors, live music and lots of food and beer. It's always a phenomenal mixture of people, really great music at one of the downtown outdoor parks and just great vibes all around. This year one of the festival highlights was this gigantic inflatable light show kinda thing called Mirazozo, touted as a sort of psychedelic (but also kid-friendly) experience. Don't get me wrong, it was pretty cool. I'm sure it had to have been awesome for any kids going through it, but I wasn't hugely impressed. In any case, these are really the only outfit photos I got. It was hot. I was very sweaty and post yoga class, oh, and shoe-less in these pictures. Impressive, I know. Ah well...

I felt like I was in a gigantic bouncy house...without the bouncy. Bummer.

It was made up of many rooms and this was the center...It was supposed to be a tree. A tree of life of sorts. This was the warmest of all of the rooms.

Does the fact that I think this looks like nipples make me a weirdo? This was the ceiling in one of the rooms. They all looked sorta like this.

An outdoor view. See? Gigantic intergalactic bouncy house, right? Or the spaceship from Flight of the Navigator...Some of y'all know that movie, right?

Wearing: Dress: Anthro (Love the dress, don't love how it fits, but I really, really love the dress so I wear it anyway), Necklace: Who knows?, Handbag: Marc Jacobs, Not pictured: Shoes, Cynthia Vincent for Target

Guess what? Turns out I'm a camper after all.

2010-05-10T21:12:00.000-04:00

Dude, I just had the best weekend! I can't believe how much anxiety I had about a truly ridiculous thing. In any case, I am still riding the high of a weekend full of fabulous music, fresh air and family bonding. I truly feel like a spirit in me has been renewed. I guess I just feel like myself again...and it is so wonderful. Being outdoors (and having really beautiful weather, around like-minded folks, listening to fantastic musicians, well, does it get any better? I don't think so.

My Dad, my sister Rose and I loaded up the Jeep, and I do mean loaded...it was jammed with stuff, and headed to Black Mountain which is very near Asheville, NC. Luckily my Uncle Pat had claimed a great campsite for us and we dropped off all of our stuff and found it right away. We set up, had some beers and by 8pm, we were listening to some stellar music in an old barn. It was just beautiful... Pure and simple goodness. We ventured from spot to spot, armed with good drinks and a flashlight. We danced and danced and danced. This was only night #1. The rest of the weekend continued on the same pace...relaxed but full of outdoor activity and of course, great music. Here are a few unedited photos from the weekend and let me tell you, they don't the place justice. My description doesn't either, but then again, that may be the beauty of an outdoor experience like this...can any description or photo ever do it justice? Nope. Because it's the whole package that one can't describe accurately, at least this one can't describe it accurately. It's the energy, the vibe, the beauty and the renewal, the feeling of pure awe-inspiring goodness, thankfulness and delight, wrapped up in a perfect little package that you can't, and don't want to, ever forget.

Night one, view from our campsite

My Dad, Steve and my sister, Rose

My dad and I...same spot

Inside of barn, bad camera, with flash

And without...need better camera

Chillin' at the campsite morning of day 2

Venturing down to main area

How beautiful is this?!

Main stage, again, bad shot, bad camera. Oh well, you get the idea...

Yes, there was a zip line and no, we didn't do it. Too chilly!

Rose, don't kill me. I know you're in every shot.

Me, nice and un-showered. I didn't care one bit.

Almost time to go home...we can't wait till the fall LEAF!

OK, two points...First, if you live anywhere near NC, you should consider coming to LEAF! There were a ton of kids, so just bring 'em if you have 'em! You won't regret it! Come on! Second, I should of taken more photos to document all the fabulous people watching. Style photos galore!!!

Hope you all had a great weekend..Monday's over! Yep, that's right! Yay!

A dress, a class and a dilemma

2010-05-06T10:12:00.000-04:00

I got the new Anthropolgie Catalog in the mail yesterday and I promptly fell in love with this. Actually, I loved the entire India themed photo spread and all of the beautiful clothes too. There's something about the pattern and color found in Indian and Hindu inspired art and architcture that I am absolutely magnetically drawn to. I took an Islamic art history class in college that I count as one of my very favorite classes...I was an Art History major so I had the pleasure of taking dozens of different art history classes on all sorts of topics...and I do mean pleasure; I absolutely loved studying Art History...now, if I could only find a job in the field....

Now, onto a slightly different subject. I am supposed to be heading to the North Carolina mountains this weeked to attend the LEAF Festival with my Dad and one of my sisters. This festival will be filled with fantastic music, art vendors, yoga and dance classes and of course lots of good family bonding (in light of all the terribly traumatic stuff that's been going lately, this light-hearted weekend is much needed). However, it will also involve camping...yes, camping. And folks, I am not a camper. I mean, I love hiking, kayaking, and being outdoors, but I am not a camper. I like a warm bed after a day of outdoor fun. This whole camping thing has got me so anxiety-ridden that I'm very tempted to back out of the whole thing...even though I know the weekend will provide a much needed respite and mental break for all of us. I feel like I could really be missing out on some awesome experiences simply because I don't want to camp! How lame is that? Or is it lame? I don't know. I know it's quintissentially me not to want to camp, especially when it will be cold outside, and I'm OK with that but I'd like to be able to camp, you know? Anyway, how do y'all feel about camping? Any thoughts on my dilemma here?

Jumping on the Stripes Bandwagon

2010-05-02T15:36:00.000-04:00

I'll be honest, I've never really been a fan of stripes. I actually think that's kind of weird myself, but it's true. I own very few striped anything. Stripes seem to be all over the place this season though, and I've seen quite a few stripe-themed outfits that have inspired me, mostly on other style blogs. So, when I saw this dress at Old Navy...on sale, I tried it on, just to see...and it was so, so comfortable that I walked out with it.

I wore this out to brunch with a good friend this morning and even though I've since come home and changed into clothes I could do a little cleaning in (which I did a little of and then got distracted because St. Elmo's Fire was on TV... damn 80's movies, they get me every time), I think I'll put this back on to go up to another friend's cookout this afternoon. It's a perfect Sunday outfit...comfortable.

My hubby's been gone all weekend so I've had some time to myself, which I really love. I swear, sometimes I think I'm unique in the amount of time I like to have to myself. I really do love it so much. Probably because I don't have it as often as I'd like. I made it a point to make absolutely no plans coming into this weekend. I had some stuff I wanted to do at home and other than that, I just wanted to go with the flow...see people, or not, whatever. I had stacks of magazines I'd been waiting to get to, closets to purge, photos to organize...well, some of that was accomplished, but not as much as I would've liked. Oh well. On the other hand, I did get to join a good friends for late night karaoke at the last minute, see my best friend and her newborn for a few hours, go to yoga and brunch...not too bad at all.

Wearing: Dress: Old Navy, Jacket: Gap, Sandals: Cynthia Vincent for Target, Necklace(s): JCrew and who's knows?

Surreality

2010-05-01T11:17:00.000-04:00

Oh man! I am such a bad blogger...no posts since Monday! Eeek!!! I am sorry for my absence here. My family, well, my brother specifically, is going through some pretty terrible stuff right now, not anything I even want to get into here, but it's the stuff that books are written about, Lifetime movies are made from and whole families feel the effects of...so, it's just been a surreal week, one when my clothing choices have been mostly made from what is easy, practical and comfortable. Actually, now that I think I about it, I ought to do a post on just that maybe, "go to", easy pieces that you can throw on when you don't have the creative brain power to conjure up a great outfit.

On top of this, my blog photo upload folder seems to have disappeared from my computer somehow. Well, I think it's just hiding. I just can't quite figure out where it is. So, I've got this one lonesome photo today...sad, so sad.

Wearing: Top: Hazel, Jeans: Sevens, Wedges: Cordoba, Bag: Marc by MJ!!!

There's nothing to terribly complicated going on here, but I do love the pieces that make up this look. Sometimes it's just plain convenient to be able to throw on a pretty top and great jeans. I'd probably usually pair this with skinny jeans, but I was going to work on a Friday in these shots and the trouser jeans were more appropriate.

Now, the purse I've got here is my new baby...purchased on Ebay (from one of the coolest sellers ever...I'm pretty sure we'd be friends in real life). You know, I think I may just do a whole post on this little bag because some of it's details that you can't see here are worth looking at.

It seems that Summer has finally arrived here in NC...It's going to be close to 90 both days this weekend! Hooray!!! Too bad I've got to do some long overdue closet cleaning this weekend...I'm sure I'll find some time to soak in some sun too though.

Happy weekend everyone!

Flowers and Beer

2010-04-26T22:17:00.000-04:00

Here's how this evening went: We are both so very, very tired after brutal work weeks, far more socializing during the week than normal (read, late(r) nights and numerous weekends on the road). However, it is our anniversary so we are determined to go out. We pick one of our favorite bars and head downtown. Bar is full, full, full but we wait, wait, wait, and drink, drink, drink. And finally eat, eat, eat. Now completely exhausted, we return home to find our AC is broken. Awesome. It was just one of those evenings when things feel a little more forced than you'd like...Whatcha gonna do? It happens.

J gave me this Emersonmade Cheeky Dahlia for our anniversary and I swear, I love it to death. I wore it all weekend long. I've written about Emersonmade a few times here in The Moon so I was thrilled to get one of the hand-made creations for myself. The packaging, the little love note that came with the flower ( the one from Emersonmade that is...) were just more than darling and the flower itself is a little work of art.

Despite the fact that the evening felt a little off, it really was lovely and I'l be wearing this outfit again for sure. It was so easy, so comfortable and just so me. I felt really, really good in it.

Reason number 1,267 that we need a tripod. This is the only photo we got of the two of us together.

J drinking one of his mostfavoriteinthewholeentireworld! beers. Foothills Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout (this particular one was aged in some sort of Kentucky bourbon barrels or something like that). J knows his beer and I gotta say, this stuff was pretty good...It's apparently rare and hard to find. And really, who can't love a beer with that name?!

Off to watch some mindless TV now...Monday's over. Yay! Yay! Yay!

Wearing: Top: Anthro, last year sometime, Jeans: Joe's, Sandals: Nine West, Flower: Emersonmade, Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (more on that one to come...)

30 is the new 21...uh, not quite

2010-04-23T11:58:00.000-04:00

This outfit has quickly become a "go-to" for me. I've worn it a couple of times the last few weeks. I bought the dress at Target several years ago and I'd break it out occasionally but always felt sort of self conscious in it (it hugs the curves). Pairing it with the jean jacket seems to balance this out nicely and lately I think I've just become more accepting of my body. I've been doing yoga for years and I've generally had a pretty healthy diet too but several months ago I began eating a completely vegetarian diet and I swear, it's the best decision I've made in a long time. I never really ate much meat to begin with, but cutting out all meat has had a tremendous affect on how good I feel...all of the time. It's truly been amazing. Anyway, enough about that for now...

J and I are heading out of town AGAIN this weekend...to see some friends and help my baby sister, Rose, celebrate her 21st birthday. I think we might be crazy to even think attending a 21st birthday party in a college town, at a college house, with college students is a good idea but hell, she's my sister and I love her and that's all the reason I need to be there...for at least for a little while until our old asses get tired and go to bed. It's amazing what a few years will do to your tolerance for extreme sport partying...I mean, J and I go out a lot, I think a little more than many folks our age since we have no kiddies yet, but going out at age 30 is a completely different ball game than going out at 21. Ah well, whatever...Let's play some ball!

Happy weekend everyone!

Wearing: Dress: Target, Denim Jacket: Gap, Shoes: Target, Cuff: Holly Aiken, Amber ring: ??? loooong time ago,

Four Years Ago Today...

2010-04-22T09:25:00.000-04:00

We were here...

I must say that today, four years later, we are happier in deeper, more complex ways than we could have ever imagined when we posed for this photo.

Our wedding day was a comedy of errors...and I am not exagerating in the least. At the time, I thought I was crazy even deciding to have an actual wedding and not an elopement. Now, I just shake my head and laugh as I've come to realize that our wedding day and its unique combination of chaos and beauty was exactly as it should have been. We did things rather unconventionally. This picture was actually taken right before our ceremony (yes, we saw eachother before! gasp! We even spent the night before together! Double gasp!), and right before the rain started up again and we had full on thunderstorms the rest of the evening. But we also had a fantastic band, an incredibly intimate and rustic space, flowing drinks, and our family and friends dancing the night away.

Happy wedding day, babe! Here's to the many, many more to come.

*And happy Earth Day to everyone else!

Les and G

2010-04-20T21:45:00.000-04:00

My best friend Lesley, with her new little one, Grayson Parker (not pictured is her husband and baby daddy, Paul...Sorry Paul, I just really love this picture) born Thursday, April 15th, 2010.

Lesley and I have been friends since our freshman year in college...and roommates beginning shortly thereafter. We have since celebrated 21st birthdays, graduated, married (our husbands were actually friends before I even knew mine), moved, worked, lamented on not knowing what to do with our lives, moved back, worked more, gone back to school, etc., etc.. To see her become a mother, well, it's been nothing short of magical.

Les, I hope it's OK that I just posted this in the world wide web and also, I love you. Always.

Roadtrips, babies and restaurants, oh my!

2010-04-16T16:35:00.000-04:00

I cannot wait for the weekend when J and I are actually just staying in town all weekend long. The last few weekends and the next several weekends to come contain roadtrips to see family (mostly) and some friends...to celebrate birthdays, to see babies and just to visit folks we haven't seen in a while. It's all fun stuff but when I don't have any weekend time at home, I start to feel a bit panicky. J and I both work quite a bit so our weeks seem to fly by without much, if any, R&R.

A couple of weeks ago I wore this outfit out one night before all the roadtrippin' madness set it in...we went to dinner at a FABULOUS vegetarian friendly restaurant here in Raleigh, The Irregardless Cafe. If you live here, or are coming though, especially if you're vegetarian or vegan, you must eat here. Yum, yum, yummmmm! Afterwards we went to one of our favorite bars/ restaurants, The Raleigh Times. Again, it's a joint you don't want to miss out on if you're in the area. Fantastic food, stellar beer selection and kick-ass hispter music (and staff) that you can always, always count on. Not to mention it's home is a killer historic building. Awesomeness. Period. I'm such a newbie blogger...no photos of any of this! I'm going to get better at this. I promise!

Wearing...Blazer: Target, Top: Proenza Schouler for Target (so wish I'd bought more from this line), Jeans: Joe's, Shoes: Anthro, Cuff: Holly Aiken, Watch: Michele via Nordstrom

Off to see babies! More info and photos (hopefully) to come!

Lunar Listenings: Broken Bells

2010-04-13T16:32:00.000-04:00

Can't seem to get enough of this album lately over here on The Moon. It's a collaboration between The Shins' James Mercer and Danger Mouse, and well, it's pretty fantastic all around. You can listen to snippets of all the songs as well as download the entire album, order the CD, etc. here via Amazon.com or go here to NPR.org to read a little article (the whole audio used to be up...this is where I first heard it, but it's since been taken down. Bummer.)

Now, go take a listen, you'll be happy you did...

Rest her soul Miss Dixie Carter (said with southern drawl)

2010-04-12T22:28:00.001-04:00

Y'all have got to check out this post on YogaDork. Dixie Carter was one kick-ass southern woman (There are quite a few of us believe it or not). This is the video they posted today and really, watch this. I don't think you'll be disappointed...not one bit. Here's the video and their post:

Rest her soul Miss Dixie Carter (said with southern drawl) left her earthly body over the weekend at the age of 70. Of course, her role as the smart and strong-minded sassafrass Julia Sugarbaker on Designing Women will be forever cemented in our juvenile minds. However, after viewing this here video of Miss Carter practicing Lion pose, we may never erase that image from our brains! But we sure as shooting can’t help admire the woman for having the biscuits to look ridiculous AND sublimely composed.
In fact, Dixie Carter released two “unworkout” fitness videos, both featuring yoga and both featuring a swipe at the Hollywood hot bod obsession: ‘UnWorkout’ (1992) ‘Yoga For You’ (1994)
May we cross our eyes and stick out our tongues in salute! (via YogaDork)

35mm

2010-04-12T16:58:00.000-04:00

No, there are no photographs in today's post...because I have to go get them developed. Remember that? When we all use to have to take a roll of film to get developed before we could actually see what our photos looked like, how they turned out, or, in some cases, what they even depicted? Back in college, when most people were still using 35mm film camera (it was not that long ago people!), I became very interested in photography and for one of my birthdays or Christmases (heck, it was probably a combined gift since my birthday is one week before Christmas...more on that one some other time), my parents gave me a 35mm Canon EOS Rebel SLR (like this one). Then I promptly left it on an airplane after a trip to Seattle...lost all of my photographs and my beloved camera, all the lenses I had for it, everything. I was heartbroken...never thought I'd get over it. But I did and my parents actually gave me another camera the following year to replace it. I have some really great parents.

I stopped using that camera, for the most part, several years ago. Everything is digital now, you know? It's so much more convenient to use a digital camera, upload and done. Except one thing, I love the way really good 35mm photographs look...you know, the ones taken with a super duper camera, with the right lighting. There is just something about them that I think I will always love...plus, it's so much more fun just to be able to have fun taking pictures, be in that moment, instead of critiquing right away. And then there's the acticipation of developing them....seeing just exactly what moment you caught. It probably doesn't hurt that my digital camera isn't all that great and with a new laptop to purchase in the near future, the fancy schmancy digital camera is gonna have to wait for a while.

This past weekend, I went to visit my Mom down on the South Carolina coast. I knew I'd have the opportunity to take some good shots (hopefully) so I bought some film (not so easy to find anymore), loaded the camera and drove. I've got to finish up the last roll before I get them developed but if any come out beautifully, I'll post them. Regardless, I'm inspired to use this kick-ass camera once again, while I can still find places to buy and then develop 35mm film! Do any of you ever use 35mm anymore?

Feminine Street Art is Awesome

2010-04-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

These are photos of some of Nuria Mora's street art. Ellie, over at her design blog Mint, featured her earlier this week and I haven't been able to get enough of it since. Graphically girly graffiti = Awesome. Go Check out Nuria Mora's site here...go...now...you'll be surprised!

Hippie Chic...still...2010 Version

2010-04-07T22:51:00.000-04:00

It all started here, with this spread in the March issue of Vogue:

It was really the bag...I love that bag. It got me in a tailspin....a hippie inspired tailspin. I love the whole boho chic style thing that's been going on for the past few years. Maybe it's run it's course; It's getting old by now?! I don't know, and I think I don't care. I've always felt like I should have been part of the original hippie era, like I was born too late or something. I felt like that far before it was cool to feel like that and I'm pretty sure that I'll continue to feel like that far after this latest boho-chic craze has passed (again, has it already?). I mean, I already practice yoga regularly, say "dude" and "man" far too often, lean to the left politically, and purchase things like Chakra sprays and essential oils...

Here are a few pieces that make the hippie in me come alive...that make me want to feel my toes in the grass, soak in the sunshine, listen to some rock n' roll, go to a music festival and do all of those things at one time, march for Peace in Washington and....well, you get the picture.

And if you want to inspire the hippie in the little one at a young age, there's always a tie dye onesie. It's OK to bring the kiddies along with you to the music fest if they're wearing this, right?

1. Islandia Sundress, Sundance Catalog, 2. Paige Premium Lou Lou Tulip Jeans, 3. Lucky Drifter Bag, 4. Peace Warrior T, 5. Noonsolar Onesie