sadness.

The killings persist. If you have seen The Cove, I will warn you, this video is far more graphic. Let the truth of the what the Japanese hunters are doing be known. My heart aches.



For more information on this cause and to get the latest information, visit www.savejapandolphins.org

hearts on a string.

I haven't had a lot of ambition to read through a lot of blogs lately because we all know it can absolutely consume your soul for hours on end. Don't get me wrong, it is an incredibly satisfying, inspiring thing to get consumed by but I really do get lost in reading sometimes! It is very similar to me and Etsy. Don't even get me started on that one.

So today I stumbled upon a cute little idea for a creative, inexpensive Valentine's Day decoration. I couldn't keep this one a secret. I am thinking these would look cute in our apartment but also in my office! I am already thinking of the various ways I can change it up and make it more "me" so I am toying with the idea of adding a splash of color and maybe even some photos.

If you are interested in giving this a try, there is a full tutorial over on the blog Dottie Angel. Now I just need to find myself a book I can cut up...!

p.s.

Someday I am going to create a wall like this. I think I'm in love with its adorable cuteness.

energy. or lack thereof.

I have to blame Old Man Winter. The cold is finally starting to wear me down. That was made blatantly clear as I endured a horrendous mood change today as I watched and listened to a webinar which was facilitated by a woman, working at home, in Miami, Florida. What made my mood change so violently; so quickly you ask? This kind, soulless woman, turned her camera so that we could see out her front window...the sunshine, the palm trees blowing gently in the breeze and the paradise we can only dream of here in our currently frozen solid tundra stared me right in the face and didn't even feel bad about it. I'm a Minnesota girl through and through, but man. I'm not bitter. That's just the wind. Did I mention this woman's name is Margarita? No folks, that's not a joke. I am dead serious. Sigh.

So I haven't posted for nearly two weeks. And as much as I'd like to stop pointing fingers [yes, Old Man Winter, I am still giving you the stink eye] I have been busy with the semester transition at work but finally feel as though I am catching up. So as I fight my icy cold mood swing today, I felt the need to post something positive and wise. I was looking for inspiration recently, and as I was perusing through some inspirational photos, I found this blog.

...the notebook doodles...

Simple, beautiful, truth. Those are the things that I love most about what this talented individual can do. I invite you to check out this blog and get lost in the images, the quotes and the path your mind will take you as you surround yourself with it all. Grab a cup of coffee [and a blanket if you live around here] and enjoy a bitter sunrise or sunset; I am trying to find the beauty in the cold.

rock candy.

I'm not sure when it happened, but growing up I somehow developed an absolute love for rock candy. Although I remember all the geysers and buffalo from our summer vacation to Yellowstone National Park, I somehow maintain a special place in my heart for eating rock candy during that time frame. I'm not sure if it's the texture or the adorable old-fashioned stick, but today I stumbled across an actual RECIPE for this childhood favorite. Why haven't I searched for a recipe prior to now? I cannot answer that. All that matters is I found one now!

Check out the post over at Creative Juices for Decor blog for the full directions and recipe if you are interested. I may try to do this while D is gone this weekend on his first conference road-trip of the new year so I'll be sure to post pictures if I do!

spaces.

Some days, I really dislike living in an apartment. I dislike the boring colors on ALL the walls and not being able to change them. I dislike knowing that it really isn't ours, and it's only a temporary space. And I also really dislike paying rent to a landlord who is less than noble.

Of course there are plenty of other things I really love about living in an apartment. Like not having to worry about shoveling or blowing snow after a blizzard. Or paying to fix something when it stops working. And I guess the lower-than-if-we-lived-in-a-house utility bills we currently pay, although that could be debated.

Regardless of my love or dislike, there is one thing I know for sure: I cannot wait to make a cute office/work space just like these pictures show below. If I had anything that looked like these spaces, I would definitely find a job I could do from home. Perhaps I should add that to my goal list for 2011? :)