lessons from elephants

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Sealed & Knotted

Hey there, lovely ones. Festival season is upon us. After much debate, my bros and I made the painstaking decision of choosing 3 local festies (one, two and three) rather than 1 far and epic (and surely expensive). One of the most amusing parts of the summer concert series is people watching. Street style in Manhattan has nothing on a Further show in Bridgeport, CT.

As nutty as these folks can be, I also find them quite trendy. Most recently, I've picked back up on the 6th grade trend of friendship bracelets. That's right, everyone seems to be piling on the brightly colored chinese staircase. I love it.

Unfortunately, I was never talented in the DIY jewelry business. I darted at the call of arts & crafts in summer camp so now I seriously suck at all things string, gimp or hemp. But when in need of the beautiful and handmade, the artistically challenged always have our etsy heaven right? I found some beautifully pieces by Gold Hearted. My favorite being this:

The description says it's a classy update on the sailors knot and being a sentimental New Englander, I think they're right. Maybe I can convince my boyfriend to buy one since he's still rockin' the touristy sailor's weave I bought him from Hawaii. Yes, 5 months adds strange colors and smells to those things. For my color fix, I'm crushing Kaliste's etsy shop. Isn't this one amazing?

Refinery 29 just published a great article on these trendy pieces. Although personally, I'm not willing to spend $200 big ones on something my etsy heros can craft up for my ladies and I and all our summer adventures!

Photos found on weheartit.com

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Style Inspired: Michelle Williams

I haven't done one of these in a while and my reason for choosing this lady is not because of her killer outfits or smashing makeup. Very simply, it is her sense of self. A confident style and subtle grace that is all her own kept quietly in a place no one can touch.

I watched Blue Valentine on Saturday afternoon. I will advise that if you try to avoid existential funks, don't even think about watching it. Otherwise, it's an amazing film about the reality of love and relationships. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams equally broke my heart as I cried for the entirety of the movie and didn't leave my bed for the next 14 hours.

I hope there is a day I chop my hair pixie-like and dye it all silvery so I fit in with the stars. She looks stunning all in white.

She looks mighty good in black as well. Hiding from the paparazzi maybe.

Download Blue Valentine soundtrack- I promise it will not keep you in bed for 14 hours.
Michelle's stellar photo shoot with Interview.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Setting Sail

I read the most wonderful quote today.

For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. The great affair is to move.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Every day this week I woke up with the irresistible urge to go. Anywhere. Now. It's an itchy feeling you can hardly ignore. Suddenly, you want a new job, a new home and new faces. So what to do? You apply to the Peace Corps in South Africa. Yes. You talk to your best in Chile about how you can't wait to come see her.Yes. Then you listen to the Buena Vista Social Club for endless hours and inspiration is nearly overwhelming. So you make a list of all the beautiful places you want to see and decide, you will go.

Turns out, it's very hard to fit the world on a list.

I decided I will start in South America, because I need to pick up my travel partner in Chile. After we tour the artsy streets of Santiago and stuff our bellies with empanadas, I will make her show me Argentina and Bolivia for wine and glaciers.

Then we will go to Southeast Asia. A place I know near to nothing but love love love the place I imagine in my head. Indonesia, Cambodia, Laus and of course, Thailand. I want to sleep in a hammock, eat a cricket, get a Bali sunburn and be completely uncomfortable.

We're still mapping the rest of our never ending adventure but I hope it goes all the way to the edge. I'll end today with some wise words from genius Einstein, The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.

Globetrotter advice? Let me know!

P.S. I went with Natalie's doo. It hardly looks any different than before but I think travel plans will drive a true change soon.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Post Grad Haircut

I've been putting this off for a while now; the post grad haircut. I've known it was coming, and so has she, I've watched it happen for years. Some guy or gal graduates, settles on a job they think will boost a resume for an unforeseen future and they cut their hair off. "Who would hire someone with dreadlocks!" mothers say or "It's just easier to take care of," the girls say. Regardless, I think I'm just bored. It's been long and brown forever. So today I'm walking in with these 3 pictures. Place your vote people. My appointment is in T-3 hours.

Sienna

Natalie

Kate

My vote's on Nat. But then, isn't my vote always with Nat?

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Complexities Conveyed

Beauty,

Love,

And ever after.

The week is half way done and I am allowing the smashing words and stunning images of blog friends to carry me through. I feel very lucky to be in such company. Cheers, darlings.

Inspiration found here and here.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Peaceful Mornings

It is one of those rare and awesome mornings where I have nothing to do. I slept in, made a big mug of French Press and put my run off for tomorrow. Did I tell you I'm training for this? yes, serious.

I finally bought some new music, my favorites being this and this and you should also check this out. Browsed some new blogs, my favorites being this and this and you should always check her out. Did you know she's your go-to for all things friendship at Boston Examiner? yes, serious.

I think we need more of these mornings. If only so we can catch up.

Have a beautiful Saturday. I hope you find some time just for you.

People of peace found here and here.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Floral Arrangements

Do you know what I love most about this little blog project of mine? You. No matter how long I disappear or how frequently I procrastinate, no lie, you should see how many draft posts I have going here I somehow come back to find a heartwarming comment and maybe even a lovely new follower. I just want to say, thank you.

Recently, I have been on this expensive kick of buying flowers. Like real-live, need to be cared for and given water, blooming, flowers. I thought it would be a perfect fit with all the extra sunshine going around and also, I've always dreamt that one day I would be a flower delivery lady and my days were packed full with making people smile. Unfortunately, it turns out, I do not have a green thumb. I killed daisies within 48 hours.

This goes along with another recent realization that my oh-so-sweet boyfriend pointed out- I cannot cook. But does that stop me from trying? Never. Take note- I am persistent and mostly succeed...eventually.

As I work on my domestic skills, I have also been working on my spring closet. Let me tell you, I am gushing over yellow and teal. Most days I'll head over to visit Erin, usually around 3 p.m. when I feel like my cubicle will be my gravestone, and her posts just make me outright giddy.

Check out some of my favorite things this Spring!