Neil Archives

While still on the subject of Neil, how excited am I about the soon to be new release from the archives project?Check this set list out and then tell me there's nothing to live for, I dare ya!

Tonight's the Night

Been spending a considerable amount of time listening to old Neil Young recordings on youtube. There's really nothing better. I'll be heartbroken if I never get to see him play live.

snow in october

I woke up very excited this morning to find this:Just a light dusting. But I'm holding out for something like this from 3 years ago:I still had to call Eveline on her cell phone though, so I could have someone to yell "It's Snowwwwwwing!" to.

cool type

I saw this cool power line type on this post from The Scoop. Find your initial here.

a forest cake

This forest-inspired cake from Martha Stewart's website would be fun to make.

what i loved

What I'm reading now:
Very happy that the fog of non-fiction has been lifted and I'm totally digging novels again. Whew. Thanks, Eveline ; )

pumpkin excitement

Seeing this picture on Martha Stewart's website makes me excited about pumpkin carving on Friday. Yippee!

new book lust

If I had a Barnes & Noble nearby I would plop myself into a comfy chair and spend the day flipping through a few books that have recently caught my eye:

a quote to remember

Taken from here. Can you believe these are all tulips??

This is a particularly good quote to file away, especially for someone like me who has real difficulty living in the "now". Lifted from this blog.


“The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. … I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less.”

- Anna Quindlen

a nice tradition

My birthday's officially over, Halloween's yet to come....its Christmas time!!I saw this post on Stephmodo's blog and thought it was a really good idea. The basis is to pick four really thoughtful gifts for those you tend to buy for in excess (kids, spouse, etc.) instead of mindlessly grabbing up tons of chintzy things that fall apart and/or are forgotten by Valentine's Day.

One should receive one gift from each category; something that they:
*want
*need
*can wear
*can read

I just think that's such a great way to enjoy giving gifts by being creative and challenged to really choose something suited to that person. Its also a good way to curb excessive/impulse buying and simplify.

As much as the holiday season is shunned for being commercialized, I think there's a way to enjoy it and live it up while not bowing down to it all in a way that makes you feel like an ass at the beginning of the year. For me, part of the fun of the season involves things that are part of the commercialization, but I decide when & how much I partake in it.

I love a big fat dancing lawn Santa in a giant inflatable globe just as much as the next guy.

Ok, now that's actually where I draw the line.

spider lights

These creepy little tealight holders would be fitting for Halloween. From Gemma Comas' blog via The Black Eiffel.

birthday fun

So I had the best birthday yesterday. Really. It was perfect. I woke up, Philipp brought me coffee in bed (with a teeny slice of my pumpkin pie per request). He put on a favorite song of ours. Then we went down to join die familie for breakfast:
Eveline set the table so nicely with little sea glass looking stones and candles, etc.
Some fresh dahlias were on the table too (one of my favorites).She made little zopfs and some chocolate cupcakes. Mine had a little candle on it.I got some really nice gifts...really, really nice:
*a shiny new silver ipod & bose headphones from the husband
*a gift certificate for new clothes at Zara & lots of chocolate from Eveline
*a little packet of candies from Irene
*a note for future surprises from Johannes
***********
Philipp took me out into town all day & into the night.

We went for giant beers at the Fischerstube, walked around window shopping and eating roasted chestnuts, he bought me a new Moleskine address book from the bookshop, we ate sausages with bread and mustard at the Autumn Market, we went up in the ferris wheel, we bought some gourmet ginger grape vinegar, we went for pizza at our favorite spot & then went to see "Burn After Reading" by the Coen Brothers which was absurdly hilarious. Immediately after it finished we wanted to watch it again.

Our feet were about to fall off when we got home, but the day was perfect.

on being twenty five

Hell yeah. I am The Birthday Girl. I'm going up on this ferris wheel today. Pretty cool that the Autumn Fair would start on my day (that's right, I alone own it). Check out our city here.

25 is the first age in a long time where I feel it correlates with how old I really feel.

It has some weight to it. I ain't no little speck of dust no more. Yeehaw. I am the Quarter Century Wo(man), as Henry Rollins would put it.

And a shout out to my Father-in-law for the birthday card. I have not decided what I am going to do with all that hair yet, though. Maybe I'm gonna weave a necklace out of it. (Everyone else: don't ask).

leaf cutters

I would love to have these leaf shaped pie cutters from Williams-Sonoma. These would have been the perfect touch to my pumpkin pie! See, just scroll down. Doesn't my pumpkin pie look so left out now?

walnut-praline pumpkin pie

I just spent the morning making my first ever pumpkin pie (or pie for that matter!) from scratch. Everything, right down to the pumpkin puree was made by moi. I hope its going to be yummy. Homemade puree is so much darker than the one from the can. Who would've thought? Oh. And the title is a bit misleading, I used walnuts & chestnuts for mine.

an old fashioned man

All my life I've been prone to bouts of heavy daydreaming/fantasizing. In my 3rd grade in school I became completely obsessed with everything 1950's. The music, dances, actors, actresses, old relics, etc. etc. I had my great grandmother make me a poodle skirt out of bubblegum pink felt, complete with a poodle on a ric-rac chain. I had a sweater with the initial 'K' on it. I collected dusty glass Coke bottles. I wore saddle Oxfords. I wanted the flooring in my bedroom to be re-made with black and white checked tiling. "Grease" was the word.

In my world it was 1956.

This is probably one reason why I've loved old photos all my life. I never cared so much if I knew the people or were related to them or not. Every face had a story, even when that story was long gone. I would love to open boxes and just look at the photos, notice all the tiny details, guess as to the personality of this person, that person; whether they were good or not, how they spent their lives, what they had loved and hated.

The lives of those who came before me always fascinated me and I always somehow craved for what I believed those bygone eras to be. I always gathered a sense (perhaps now that I am older, a very fanciful & overly optimistic sense) that the people from these eras were good. Men wore hats and ladies wore gloves and both were nice to each other and that was that.

I always longed to one day grow up and create this perceived environment for myself. I readily bought into the packaged sitcom dream that one day some bright young chap would sweep me off my feet and off into the sunset we'd go. After that there would be nights at the cinema, big homemade Valentine's cards, stupifying Easter egg hunts, giant turkeys with made from scratch stuffing and an enormous Christmas tree with dazzling lights and beautifully wrapped gifts under it.

In this way, I guess you could say I was and remain a frivolous, traditional girl.

But these things, all these traditional frivolities, are what makes my life meaningful. The beautiful things, being surrounded by people you can just breathe with, creating memories that carry you through life, associations and feelings. Its what I love to be a part of. Its where I feel home.

And all this is to say, that really, the one thing that I am constantly grateful for is that this has happened that way for me in life. I have found that bright young chap who doesn't mind me going off the deep end with all my memory making schemes. And so many times I feel as though I have married the person of my bygone era dreams. Because there's never a truer gentleman than the one I married. He'd take me to the dance, even in a bubblegum pink felt poodle skirt that won't close and barely reaches my knees now. I just know it.

gossip in the grain

Philipp surprised me with the newest album from Ray Lamontagne in the mail today. Such a sweetie, that boy is. Hope its good.

Tarte aux Poires en Cage

Question: How delicious and classy does this look?

From Cucina Testa Rossa blog

Answer: A lot more than me walking in town today chomping on the juiciest pear of the season; stickiness dripping all over my hands and down the front of my scarf for all the world to see.

country kitchen cool

This is a kitchen I could keep myself busy in for sure. And be a little lazy in too. A little cobweb in the corner? Bread crumbs swept under a rug? Coffee ring stains on the old table? No problem. Spotted on Domestic Reflections blog.

an apple cozy

This is a little ridiculous but a lot of fun. And no one likes a bruised apple in a pocket book....Get one here.

free stationary

Here are some cute free templates for stationary over on Creature Comforts blog. Thats so sweet of her!

cool flat

Check out this amazing flat here.

wood floors

Gorgeous wooden floors here on this blog.

tree house

Check out these cool photos of tree houses.

more fascinators

Some more beauties from Etsy.I love this bridal veil.
I love this pretty little hair thing.
And this awesome bandeau style veil.
And I just really like this photo more than the hair clip! If I had my choice, I'd be this pale (I guess I nearly am, on a good day).

mango dresses

While on the subject of dresses from Mango, I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for these dresses I noticed on their website:
This one, although I'm not really grooving on that particular belt they paired it with.This simple black sheath dress (terrible shoes).

real simple cover

I like the cover art from the November Real Simple magazine. I will have to wait quite a while to pick it up at the newsstand in Basel, though, since imports take longer. Just the presentation of the book is so lovely. I like making gifts look special.

peacock fascinators

How hard would I rock these peacock fascinators? Very hard. Where would I wear these? To the grocery store. All found on etsy.Yesterday I tried on this dress from Mango. It fit like a glove. Its over 90 francs. But its black lace and I love it. The picture does not do it justice. And I could probably get by with wearing a peacock feather in that little number.

a clutch purse, a pencil

Yesterday at an indoor flea market I bought this old antique clutch purse for 5 francs.And over the weekend I received my absentee ballot in the mail. I still am kind of not knowing what to think about it all. Its perplexing. I sort of feel like I am voting for prom queen, not President of the United States. This is why:
The packet contained a miniature golf scorecard-esque pencil along with an S.A.T-like fill-in the bubble sheet. I was instructed to ONLY use the pencil, not a pen.
Are you with me that I'm right to be a little more than suspicious?

Let me remind you that I hail from the great land of North Carolina. Gun toting Republican land. Confederate flag waving land. And I'm filling out my vote on a bubble sheet in pencil?! This is all highly suspicious to me.

hat love

Looky Looky what I found. Eveline let me play with her wedding hat...isn't it awesome? For sure more pics to follow complete with red lipstick.

ecco boots

I really like the look of these boots from Ecco. I may go into town to try and see them in person. I'm on a hunt for knee high flat boots for Winter. I want to wear them with tights & skirts and tuck slim fit jeans into them. And they must have a completely flat sole, I want to be comfortable too! Also in brown. I am undecided.

thinking about felt

Friday night at the show, one of the band member's girlfriend had on this really cool felt (I think) necklace. It was like a bunch of thick black loops all layered together. I've been trying to find something similar. This is what I've come up with so far:

All necklaces from the etsy shop Little Purls, except for the green one which is from Pink Smurf.

These aren't exactly what I am looking for so I am even considering making my own, as it should not be that difficult. Maybe I could buy some of these Rainbow Brite dreadlocks to get the job done:

From Blooming Felt's shop.

Autumn portrait

What a beautiful Autumn picture from the blog Unruly Things.

an orchard party

Two beautiful pictures from this lovely orchard wedding. I love the place settings. More pictures at the link.

air guitarist supreme

And seriously. What would I do without my husband's impromptu Saturday morning air guitar jam sessions to Judas Priest?Wither and die, probably.

Monochrome 10.17.08

So we went to the show last night. Philipp's first time driving a car in his own country. Was funny to see him with this soft clutch & manual transmission; we all (car included) survived intact.

The show was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. as expected. After months of relentlessly spinning their entire discography, I had major anticipation coupled with some high expectations.

And they did not disappoint. This band puts on one hell of a live show. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
This is a group of some seamless, tight and tightly wound excellent musicians. Every note was dead on. The energy of the music was palpable. The vocalists were like watching two rag dolls on an acid trip---so kinetic and spastic--both doing their own thing yet not upstaging one another; a total trip and pleasure to see.

It was really great to watch everyone's reactions as Philipp walked in. He had not seen them in years, not since touring with them in '03; no one even knew he was back in Europe. It was a total surprise for them & a good reunion.

And my impressions were that they're all really super people. No attitude, no bullshit. We had a few hours to kill before their set, most of which was spent backstage shooting the shit, eating gummy bears and drinking Switzerland's answer to Pabst Blue Ribbon.

In other headlines, the Mister & I are total old farts. We did not get home til 3 AM and it nearly killed us. We should have been at home knitting sweaters and going to bed at nine. We are not the party goers... love the music more than most, only wish it started at 7:00 instead of 11:00.

another rustic table

I found another rustic dining room table. This one looks like it was ripped right off the railroads. From Apartment Therapy. I also love the old bones of this house, wherever it is.

1940's love

Pictures from Creature Comforts blog.

Look. I really really want one of these hats. I don't care that its 2008, not 1948. I would seriously wear this and be thrilled about it. And the hairstyle too. Somebody please time warp me back to the Forties.

project runway

I love watching Project Runway. Its the only reality television program I can stomach because it does not hype up feuds but instead focuses on the talent within each challenge. I was absolutely thrilled that Leanne won. Her designs are so impeccable and architecturally inspired yet very fluid. This was my favorite dress from the runway:
It was so nice to see such a pleasant person with such honorable character and integrity win.

volatile flats

I really like these chic flats from Volatile. Hmm. I have a birthday coming up.

american apparel

Although I am 98% sure this would make me look like a sack of potatoes, this little dress/skirt combo is really cool.

Also very cool and probably less potato sacky-y:

remaking a dump

From Apartment Therapy

Something about taking a really rundown house and making it a home really appeals to me. A few years ago I came across this article in a Cottage Living magazine and was just really taken by the idea. To make something from nothing.
Wherever I go my eye is always drawn the the little shack with potential. Like this shack down the road (the equivelant to an old Scout Hut):So much could be done with this.

simple entryway

I like this simple entryway posted over on Design*Sponge.

red lipstick again

I'm working on my pledge to wear this color a lot. I'm in my room alone, being vain with my camera.And this is a really addictive tool I found through Simple Lovely which turns any photo into an antique.

monochrome in luzern

Really really really wanting to go to Luzern to see Monochrome on Friday. Spinning their stuff after a few months hiatus has me itching to see them...these are the songs of California and our Oregon road trip. The venue looks pretty cool too.Not looking forward to the lung cancer I'll be receiving, though, since all venues in Europe are like sitting in a smokestack.

climbing

There's plenty more to see.

up there, way up in NorCal

This one's keeping me smiling today. From somewhere up in Northern California.

cool wall calendar

This is a really cool wall calendar from Orange Beautiful. Check them out here or just buy one here.

white pumpkins

This is a really sophisticated way to make an Autumn arrangement. From Sunset magazine.

principles top

Anything black with lace is bought by me if seen. Too bad everything in this category I've owned has been lost (or torn up by a sister). I really like this top from the UK shop Principles:

stacking rings

In the past I never would have considered wearing gold. I never liked the color. Yet this set of stacked gold rings from the Sundance Catalog website really appeals to me. I like how each ring is hammered and unique, with one being a bit wider than the others. I think I would like it even more if it were in a rose gold like this ring:
The website says this type of gold was popular in the Forties. That definitely makes me happy, as I love most anything from that time period.

Evil Bastards cards

These cards appeal to me in a few ways.These would be Philipp's idea of the perfect 'pick me up' love note to read while sitting behind his desk at work.

castle ruins

Yesterday when we walked up to see the ruins several boys ran past with wooden stick swords. They reminded me of my little brothers and how much they would love to explore around this old watch tower if given the chance. I miss them. Each year they feel less and less like little boys. In my eyes, they are fixed at certain ages; baby/toddler/preschool--it really is amazing to me that they're almost 10 & 12 years old...The view of the valleys and farms below was well worth the climb.I was pretty fascinated to see this up there, carved in the wood with our initials and wedding year.
That's us way in the back. I love fallen leaves.You could see all the many villages below as well as all the way into Basel.

russian red

Just wanted to say I got my Russian Red over the weekend. My sweet husband bought it for me in town.

white oddities, a package

Yesterday we went on a three hour hike (better known to the Swiss as a "stroll") up to these three castle ruins. Yeah, castles. In the backyard pretty much. Its still so bizarre for my Taco Bellhaus school of design American self.

Anyhow. Thats why I did not get a chance to post the picture of my thrift store find yesterday.

Its funny, but immediately when I found this my mind went straight to Joslyn Taylor from the blog Simple Lovely. She also has a well documented love for random white kitchen objects. I'm not completely sure what this is, but right now its being used as a chocolate holder ; )

Speaking of strangers I like but have never met, I've been busy this morning making this little chocolate package to send to the talented Amy Seeley. Somehow she'd seen this post and contacted me. She's graciously sending me her newest cd and I thought for that, she definitely deserved some chocolate.I pretty much stand by the fact that a good piece of mail can sustain happiness for at least a week, so this was as fun to make as anticipating receiving my own little goodie in the mail sometime in days to come.

its late and i need to get to the boner house.

Two completely unrelated things from Switzerland & Germany...or are they?Yes, my friends, this is the Boner House.And yes, my friends, this is really sold in Germany.

You tell me, have or have I not had a long week trying to keep myself amused without my husband?

saturday

Philipp and I had a great time in town today. Besides the weather being the hottest its been since we got back (and probably hotter than most days even in Summer), we decided to go for beers here and let me tell you the Hefeweizen at the Fischerstube is no joke. Oh my goodness, I have not seen the likes of such a good weizen at least since Oregon. And this one was probably better.

We sat on their rooftop terrace and had us a good ole time; yep, the husband & me getting tanked together at 4 in the afternoon like it was 11:00 PM and we were circled amongst friends.

We have so much fun together. Ain't no shame in it.

Also, I pretty much sense an obsession coming on with these little fellas:
Especially since they're now sold in mini packs. It's "mini"--that means eat as "mini" as you want, right? Aarrr haaar haaar.

We also walked thru several second hand shops. Philipp bought an old Neil tape and I scored this little pedestal bowl, which I'll give a full report on tommorow. But for now, I'm off to bed because my Sunday morning will be spent baking a breakfast gruyere & egg bomb diggity.

shakey

What I'm reading right now:
After watching Philipp obsessively devour (obsessive? Philipp--what?) this book in a matter of days, I've finally sunk my teeth in. These days I don't care about much except music and the feeling it brings. I have a feeling this book is going to do nothing for curing my wanderlust and restlessness. Leave it to Neil.

photobooth

Since my major disappointment with the fall-out of old timey photobooths, I am happy to say I can now turn all those horizontal losers into vertical strips once again. Can't nobody hold me down.

thoughts on voting

via Orangebeautiful blog

Philipp and I have been laughing off & on the past few weeks while I've been slacking about getting my absentee voting lined up (finally did it) that probably after the voting closes and I've forgotten to vote, a news flash will come across the screen, "Obama loses by one vote!" Okay, yeah its ridiculous but still, it kind of got me more motivated. That is, until I found the old stash of Fugazi records in Philipp's boxes and swiftly blanked out.

So, I am going to vote. And yes, I am voting for Obama. But in the end, am I completely fired up that things are going to change for me on a personal level in my daily life? Not really.

Want me to get excited and give more of a shit? Lets see results from a plan for universal health care or something that will affect those of us who are a little lower on the totem pole.

At least this year's election has a viable candidate. Good lord, where did they dig the ones up from in previous years? As long as I've been eligible, I've voted. But lets just say that its been less than exuberant...or productive.

I promise this is probably the last you'll hear of politics on my blog.

heather nova

Its cool to be listening to this, yet in a completely different frame of mind & place in life. Oh. And on vinyl too. Its definitely cool to have a record player again.

Embrace

Whoah, this shouldn't have happened.I just got mistaken for listening to the wrong Embrace through Facebook. On the 'what are you doing?" page I said, " Listening to Embrace on vinyl".

What other Embrace is there besides the post-hardcore band fronted by Ian Mackaye? Ahahaha. No No NO. I was NOT listening to the British Indie band of the same name. This dude, and only this dude:
Educate yourself, fools! : )

coastline

Man, this was some killer coastline.

scorpio glasses

I'd drink to these! These would be perfect for 2 beer loving Scorpios like us!

home hunting

From house hunting today with Eveline in Arlesheim (just look at all the cool Fall colors!):

family tree mat

In my grandparents' house there was always a cross stitch family tree made by my great grandmother. I think having a sense of where you come from is important and I always loved digging through old photographs in the Whitman Sampler boxes at my relatives to piece together the stories of our family.

So naturally I like the idea of this family tree mat with photos. I would have adored this at a younger age, as I was always sentimental. I carried around a photo of my granddad in a locket from age 8 on.

hair clips

Aren't these the cutest hair clips you've ever seen? I like the green peas ones. Just perfect for any little girl in your life.

weekend roundup

In the flurry of new events, I forgot to post on our weekend happenings. Saturday we went to the last flea market of the season and were invited next door for lunch. The leaves are starting to change & I got a new green coat, which I think is perfect (a picture to follow for sure) and P got a blue shirt:On Sunday we had cousin Caro and her guy, Sami, over for brunch. Our other cousin, Matthias came over later that afternoon with a friend of his too. I made an oven omelette, baked french toast and a fruit platter with jams, butter & Ovalmaltine spread (better known as Satan's candy). It was a really fun afternoon with great weather and friends/family.

1st Anniversary

This time last year I was enjoying the giant love fest of being surrounded by family & friends; most of whom had traveled hundreds of miles to be there with us and were meeting each other for the very first time. To have all those I hold dear in one place for even a brief moment in time meant the world to me. More than anything from that day, I treasure the memory of looking around a wide room of eyes and seeing the souls of every person who'd ever meant anything to me in this life enjoying themselves.
And life is truly nothing without creating such memories to share. And life is truly nothing without spending your days with the ones you love.

While only a mere snapshot of what our love is and means and by no means the definitive height of our lives together, it was a wonderful way to celebrate our marriage while bringing everyone close and holding them that way, if only for a week.And so this year, my love,

I love your more than last; something of which I thought entirely impossible.

You are my heart.

"Looking Forward" by Neil Young:

Morning has come,
With the first rays of sun,
Breakin' through our window pane.
Songs fill the air,
But there's no singer there,
Just an old wooden guitar playin'.

Writing a song,
Won't take very long,
Trying not to use the word "old".
Thinking about,
Taking chances and doubts,
That still linger in the cold.

Looking forward,
All that I can see,
Is good things happening
to you and to me.
I'm not waiting,
For times to change.
I'm going to live,
Like a free-roamin' soul,
On the highway of our love.

Looking forward,
All that I can see,
Is good things happening
to you and to me.
I'm not waiting,
For times to change.
I want to live,
Like a free-roamin' soul,
On the highway of our love.

chain gang for phippi

Philipp started at his new job this morning. Poor fella had the usual "Will my alarm clock work?" paranoia working overtime last night. I hate that feeling. Hope his day's going well. Won't know anything til after 4:30.

pink girls' room

Oh, what a sweet little collection of rooms!

more kitchen lust

I may or may not have already posted this here, but this kitchen is so cool. I love open shelving. Taken from this extremely inspiring design blog.

tobi

Today is our beloved friend Tobi's birthday. I made the mistake of errantly declaring to Philipp last year, "I love Tobi more than anyone else!" I meant amongst our friends of course, but it came out really wrong to my then fiance at the time. : ) Philipp likes to remind me of this declaration from time to time, just for a laugh.

So this year on the day of my friend's birth, I'll try to describe why I do love Tobi, just more than most everyone else:
1). Tobi has an infectious laugh. You cannot hear it and stay straight faced. His laugh comes from the depths and often overtakes all conversation. Especially when that conversation is with me.2). Tobi is optimistic by nature. You cannot come into a discussion and leave with the same negative attitude.
3). Tobi is a lifter of spirits.4) Tobi flew all the way from Hawaii to be in our NC wedding last year. He even agreed to speak during it; words which I will carry with me throughout life because of what they meant to me.
5) Tobi has the rare breed of humor that Philipp & I share. This is very important to us, as very few people do and often leave with that vague look on their faces which asks, "Who invited them?"
6) Tobi has a generous soul. He does not ask to be re-paid a favor, gives abundantly and doesn't keep score. If there is a shirt on his back, its as good as yours.
7) Tobi is an excellent listener. One particular instance was him walking through all of Ala Moana mall with a newly engaged me rambling (read: obsessing) over wedding bands and engagement rings. We'll not mention all the other conversations he endured in the height of my wedding planning blitzkrieg days.8) Tobi gives balanced advice. He listens to both sides of the story, strives to remain unbiased and looks at issues from all angles. Damn Libra.9) Tobi is always up for anything. He's the guy you call up with any random plan and he's ready to go. He's fun like that.
10) Tobi is authentic. What you see is what you get. No drama. No bullshit.
In short, Tobi is golden.Happy Birthday, Tobias. We love you.

reclaimed wood table

I'd love to have a big clunky reclaimed wooden dining table like this one. From this company.

lite brite

This is like a Lite Brite for grown ups. Instructions for DIY here.

absentee ballots

I finally managed to fill out my absentee ballot registration form today.
I rewarded myself with about 9 hours of back to back internet time.
I need to extract myself from this chair.
But looking back through our Americana road trip photos is so entrancing .

before

A sweet shot of a California beach before I became Mrs. 'KJT'.

buildings, etc.

photo by Adam Andress

picture boards

Yay! I just figured out how to do picture boards on Photoshop.

philipp shots of the day

more headpieces

Oooh. So lovely. From this etsy seller.

central coast

This right here is heaven come down to earth.