Friday, December 7, 2012

Holiday Music

I have a confession, I have been listening to holiday music -- am I crazy or what-- don't answer that . I suppose it has been long enough since I worked in retail and had to listen to Christmas music starting in early November, that experience killed it for me for oh about 8 years, yes that is how bad it was. Well I am happy to share a link the Paste Magazine Holiday Music Sampler, it is a free download but you do have the option of donating money to the cause-music making. I have already begun making my festive playlist but will likely add a couple of these to it.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Holiday Gift List 1

All right being that is December and that time of year here is my December wish list/gift list.  How cute is this wooden note holder below from Anthropologie, I definitely know someone who could use that and I just may have to get all the ladies in my life argan oil from Josie Maran -- I just started using it and am shocked that my sensitive skin actually likes it.



Holiday Gift List 1


Friday, May 4, 2012

I Love 60's Rock Ballads & Dylan

Alright, no big secret I love me some good 1960's rock and roll, and of course there are some unparalleled ballads. Here is a Friday song you, for me, for us all Bob Dylan performing Just Like a Woman at the Royal Albert Concert Hall in 1966.

I also really love the Manfred Man cover of this song, and surprisingly I am not fond of the Nina Simone cover.


"I break at noon and again at nine, and heal the cracks with song and wine."

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Today is a Beautiful Day, I Will...

appreciate the 70 degree weather
ride my bike to run errands after work
photograph the flowering cherry trees
start the first draft for the new painting
be productive
be positive
be helpful
and if there is time I will...run, bake, sleep.

Bicycle Baskets

Ohh la la, one of my favorite topics (in the world) bicycles. I know that bike aficionados really run the gambit of what they are in to and at the moment I am thinking about bike baskets, I have one that works really well for me, and I purchased the cargo net from Public Bikes which is so immensely helpful. On my bike I have a front basket and a rear rack that I can attache panniers, a box, or a basket onto. Originally I bought a collapsable plastic box to use on the rear rack but I found it so useful, while not on my bike that I never installed it. Anyway what got me really excited this morning was seeing posted online the Bent Basket which is currently in production and not yet in stores-from what I could tell-too bad I really want to get one for M.'s bike. The Bent Basket is sleek, utilitarian and not too feminine for dude's commuter bike.


Here are some other bike baskets/accessories, feel free to check out my Bicycletopia Pinterest page.

My Wald bike basket, this photo is not of my bike, but pretty close...

...and my cargo net, which is a real fancy series of bungees.

Now for some other bike goodness.
Here is a girls best friend, the handbag hugger.

I love this, the Linus Sac pannier

Of course, for those traditionalists there is always the wicker basket-which might I add so fall apart after a few seasons of heavy use and do not rain very much, but to each, his own. I do like the selection from the Nantucket Bike Basket Company.







Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Monday, April 16, 2012

When Pom Poms, an Eletric Guitar and Drums Come Together

I bring you Scout Niblett.
Pom Poms
...and yes sometimes I do need someone to cheer my on, cheer me up, cheer me on, cheer me up--don't we all.

Here she is on the Black Cab Sessions, which I highly recommend checking out.

One more, she and Will Oldham of Bonnie 'Prince' Billy and Palace fame, did a couple of amazing duets, I was so lucky to get to see them perform together. Below is about the weirdest video I have ever seen, but I love the song.

Kiss (This Fool Can Die Now)

Friday, April 13, 2012

Wind Map

I just saw this gorgeous wind map of the United States, courtesy of my husband. On a side note I love information graphics and this is one of the best artistic examples I have seen. Check it out, you will be happy that you did.  I recall being told that I would like this, apparently M. likes to look at it everyday and now that I have seen the page I understand why.




Artist and Artist Inspiration

Sweedeedee

Artist: Cat Power, (Chan Marshall)


Artist Inspiration: Michael Hurley


Both Chan Marshall and Michael Hurley are greta musical artists, it was a joy to find the original version of the song, it is quite different but also quite enjoyable.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Wednesday Walking

Blue Heron, ardea cinerea
Penny, canus lupus backyardus

































Since my little Penny doggie girl was feeling better, we took a long walk along the river. It was so nice to see her romping around again. We came up on this Blue Heron, who had hunted a gopher and was, from what I could tell, trying to figure out how to eat it. 


Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Lunch Break






The End and The Beginning


The End and The Beginning, by Wislawa Szymborska


After every war
someone has to clean up.
Things won’t
straighten themselves up, after all.

Someone has to push the rubble
to the side of the road,
so the corpse-filled wagons
can pass.

Someone has to get mired
in scum and ashes,
sofa springs,
splintered glass,
and bloody rags.

Someone has to drag in a girder
to prop up a wall.
Someone has to glaze a window,
rehang a door.

Photogenic it’s not,
and takes years.
All the cameras have left
for another war.

We’ll need the bridges back,
and new railway stations.
Sleeves will go ragged
from rolling them up.

Someone, broom in hand,
still recalls the way it was.
Someone else listens
and nods with unsevered head.
But already there are those nearby
starting to mill about
who will find it dull.

From out of the bushes
sometimes someone still unearths
rusted-out arguments
and carries them to the garbage pile.

Those who knew
what was going on here
must make way for
those who know little.
And less than little.
And finally as little as nothing.

In the grass that has overgrown
causes and effects,
someone must be stretched out
blade of grass in his mouth
gazing at the clouds.

________________________________________

WISŁAWA SZYMBORSKA
The Nobel Prize winning Szymborska passed away at the age of 88 this past February, her legacy is great and her gifts of poetry to all of us are even greater.







Friday, April 6, 2012

Friendship, Love, Flowers


I have had this and worn it for years and it never, ever, ceases to make me happy just by either looking at it or simply knowing that I am wearing it... that is the best gift. Now the amazing wristlet was made for me by one of the most special people I know and is embroidered with the saying, "love is fresh flowers" which means so much to me. Sarah of Sarahmade or as I like to think Say Rah, knows my love of flowers  well since she got to live with my weekly farmers market bouquet for several years. I at some point years ago quit smoking and decided to spend that money on fresh flowers. That tradition stuck with me until my husband and I moved in together and instead of buying a bouquet, we planted a garden.


Frye Melissa Boots

Frye Melissa Boots
The top row are Frye Melissa Button Boots
The bottom row are Frye Melissa Zip Boots


I have been boot lusting over the Frye Melissa Boots. They have two styles that I am trying to decide between, a pull on with button detail that look a little like my Seychelles Mademoiselle boots, and a zip up snap boot. Both are great. I am leaning towards the Melissa Zip Boot in dark brown, or the Melissa Button Boot in Black. Honestly I would like and wear them both, and should I ever come across them for a seriously good deal I might really consider it but Frye boots are an investment, they will take a long time to break in but last for year and years--which is more than I can say about my Seychelles or my Steve Madden Frenchh boots both of which are showing major wear. 




Frye button boots
448 CAD - gravitypope.com

Frye leather shoes
$348 - zappos.com

Frye low heels
$278 - endless.com

Frye button boots
$328 - swell.com

Frye flat shoes
$328 - piperlime.gap.com

Frye Melissa Button Back Zip 76430-Gry
448 CAD - gravitypope.com

Frye Melissa Button Back Zip 76430-Gry
448 CAD - gravitypope.com

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Pretties

Pipit, by Dustin Horowitz

Photogarden Flared Dress



Gregory, by Gregory Parkinson

Solvang Blouse


Hi There, from Karen Walker

Tile Confetti Sailor Dress



Treasure by Samantha Pleet

Oracle Tieback Dress


Some lovely things from Anthropologie