I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do with/on this blog, but I had a not-so-great to great day today and just wanted to share these picture I took. These little lovelies were taken at my favorite pizza place near my old campus. It took me two years to finally try it and since then I’m always suggesting to go there whenever I can, and since I’m no longer in school I opt for it every time I’m in town.

I got to spend the day with my good friend T, and while our morning consisted of a long wait and a bust, the afternoon was full of amazing pizza and even better conversation. And T got two requests for interview this week so I’m sending as much luck and confidence her way as I can.

For anyone actually following this blog, I’m still searching for part or full-time work these days. I’m currently fixing up my website a little and still applying for jobs, so I’m filling the rest of my days with housekeeping [joy] and making dinners [actually a joy. And good practice]. I’m hoping to really figure out what to do here once I get the necessary things in order, so just look on over on my tumblr if you want to fill your time waiting with some awesome things.

i really need to get serious about my job searching and finally finish up a few more things i’ve been putting off.

so see you in a week, blog world….

1. so excited to have found film on paper, as it combines my love of movies with my love of design. [via]
2. pasta is one of my favorite foods, only surpassed by cheese. combine the two together and i’m game, so i can’t wait to try out this recipe.
3. such an adorable and beautiful alphabet by ludvig bruneau. [via]
4. i also can’t wait to try my hand at these beautiful painted votives.
5. so lucky to have found the ridiculous voice of allen stone. [via]
6. i am so in love with these DIY calling cards! so simple and beautiful, i’m definitely hunting down a  stamp kit to make some of my own. [via]
7. i’ve been seeing maps as wrapping paper more and more these days, it’s got me itching for a vintage hunting adventure. i also love the use of maps in bookmaking, and this one on tourist vs. residents.
8. i can’t stop looking at the elements of happiness by laura javier. see the online copy here. [via]
9. how awesome is this alphabet by anne ulku? her studio space is quite lovely as well.
10. the work of andy gilmore is so stunning, i love his use of color and shape to great amazing geometric art. [via]
11. i can only dream of having a bookcase wall like this some day.
12. and ending on a personal note, i had a wonderful hang out day with my friend Tiff last week. we went for a picnic, a short hike, and a walk around a local university with lots of talking, laughing and picture taking in between. it was definitely a day well spent.

Well this week the artist contacted me via my tumblr thanking me for my thoughts on it and was kind enough to share more about the photo:

“[This photo] was taken a couple of months ago in a grotty, greasy-spoon/diner called Antonio’s in Manchester on an early Saturday morning. I was waiting for a train to see a friend in hospital out of town. I don’t remember why I took the shot, or even the film I used…but the remainder of the set seemed to be washed out and only reds and greens seemed to stand out…everything else seemed sickly yellow and grey. I guess it captured the vibe of the place really well unintentionally, and the tone of the day for that matter. I like the shot because the gradients, contours…continue in the mirror centre shot. Again this was unintentional. I rarely think shots out…I just wing it, mostly with mixed results…but I’m proud of that shot – thanks for noticing.”

It was a new experience for me talking to an artist about their work and an encouragement to do it again. I still don’t know what it is that I liked so much about this photo, I just feel like I could look at it for hours trying to take everything in. I think the artist’s explanation and the reason I like it also go hand-in-hand, which is another reason I was so excited to receive his commentary.

And it’s weird to have this chance experience – just happening to see it on a friends blog – as opposed to with a photographer I greatly enjoy and whose work I see frequently…I can only hope to have the same experience again and again.

See more of his work here.

i know it’s weird to be seeing a baseball picture here, but there is a point i promise.

i just found out last night that a boy i was in high school with is premiering in major league baseball for the seattle mariners today! i just can’t believe it. not that i actually knew him or even talked to him [he was only there my senior year and not in any of my classes] but it’s exciting to know that someone from where i’m from has realized their dream.

this is not to say i want to be famous [he has a wikapedia for goodness sake], or that i want to play baseball, but it’s inspiring to know that it is possible. i hope to one day achieve a dream this completely….whatever it may be.

maybe i’ll have an excuse to actually watch baseball now.

[photo from google images]

1. i’m really glad to have found the beauty department [designed by the amazing bri], and i really love their tutorials – especially this lovely. i can’t wait to try it!
2. i love behind-the-scenes looks, but specifically movies so i was so excited to have found these amazing shots. [via]
3. i’m really loving the use of fabric in invitations and announcements, and i love this whole “we’ve moved” package.
4. i don’t know about beet cake, but this is a gorgeous recipe video. [via]
5. the smithy is the gorgeous home of jesse james. a former blacksmith’s shop, it now serves as jesse’s second home in upstate New York. and it’s for sale.  if only.  [via]
6.  i have been finding so many great etsy shops lately, and new tones is one of my favorites. i love the bow tie necklaces, earrings and lace pieces. [via]
7. another shop and set of awesome jewelry was also found, this time by kristina klarin. i love her simple wooden bead necklaces, and this butterfly necklace. [via]
8. the work of gregory euclide is absolutely stunning, and it can now be seen in the new bon iver album. [via]
9.  this Australian cottage on the coast embodies many things from my dream house – just enough space, wood floors, lots of windows, a nice backyard/patio/porch area. too bad it’s ridiculously expensive [and i don't live in australia]. [via]
10. and speaking of the coast, sweet fine day’s trip to the outer banks has me longing for the beach even more.
11. i was so excited to finally find out that warby parker is coming out with a sunglasses collection! i have a pair of zagg’s right now, and would love a great [affordable] pair of prescription sunglasses as well.
12.  and lastly, i made churros this weekend and they were unbelievably delicious. and even more so with chocolate sauce. i’ll definitely be making them again.

jamie at the hudson river line. // jen goes to LA. but don’t worry, she still loves NY // jennifer at the Salk Institute // awesome people hanging out together [via] // i’ve featured dan mountford’s work before, but it bears re-showing. such gorgeous photography. [via] // Lakes and Reservoirs series by Matthew Brandt [via] // ashley spelunking in Cala Gonone, Sardinia.

she doesn’t read my blog [that i know of] but i wanted to pop in and wish her the happiest of birthdays. i am seriously so thankful for everything she does and would not be the person i am today without her.

my mom, dad and me [less than 1 year old] at my grandparents house.

it’s not quite perfect, or rather it’s too perfect. i have a real problem with randomly placing things, but i’m working on it. however, this new layout does allow for adding in sub-things i want to share without splitting up the square, which i really like….

1. miss moss does some lovely color comparisons, and her latests are just as beautiful – seasons+street style. specifically in autumn. i do love riding with the windows down lately in this spring/summer weather, but i have to admit fall is my favorite season.
2. i love this super simple wedding. two teachers on a small budget tied the knot in a park, rode their bikes to a Brooklyn bar [where they had their first date! so cute]. they and their guests enjoyed a reception of beers, a pinata, and whoopie pies instead of wedding cake. it seems to have been a love filled, relaxed wedding and all the more wonderful for it.
-also how cute are these paper ship place holders? another wonderful, yet simple DIY option for a wedding.
3. in case i haven’t said it enough, i LOVE maps. all kinds really, and i really love seeing all the different ways they can be made. like this contemporary map of the dolly comp campground. [via]
4. one of my favorite cooking bloggers – joy the baker – recently turned 30, and along with many more yummy things she had these cupcakes for her birthday. they look and sound delicious, but i think i’ll take her advice and wait until i have a lot of people to make them for.
- on the other hand i did make this pie this week – one of my favorites i’ve ever made. so delicious.
5. this beauty is the work of anna fewster of lampyridae press, whose love of letterpress lead to researching contemporary book design. she’s definitely saved as a personal inspiration. [via]
6. another book artists i discovered this week is sonya sheets. she specializes in handcrafted book bindings that are absolutely amazing. see more of her work here.
- i found this lovely lady through design*sponge which just yesterday finally launched their new site after a year of work. you can check out all the new loveliness at their new url too!
7. a  great surprise find was the work of joel penkman, with something i can’t say i’ve seen before – at least not at this level. penkman recreates tasty treats with paint in such a way they almost seem like photographs. seriously beautiful work. [via]
8. since joining tumblr i’ve been happy to find two new interior and architecture blogs – the aestate and peace-that was the other name for home. both great sites [with sources - so wonderful!] with so many new and exciting homes and places to visit. [photos via]
9. more wonderful work, in the for of a design package by SEA for GF Smith - full of gorgeous color and simple design.
10. it took me many years to get used to and love my red hair [i longed to be a brunette for most of my childhood], so now i love finding new red headed women to love. like bryce dallas howard and her gorgeous updo, which i can’t wait to try for myself.
11. i posted about this on my tumblr last week, but apparently not on here. a few weeks ago ReadyMade magazine got together with Moorea Seal for the “Show Off That Rock Sweepstakes.” with the prize being one of her beautiful amethyst rings. AND I WON!! i couldn’t believe it when they sent the email, i thought it might be a spam slip-through or a mistake. but i did and it arrived last thursday! i’ve loved Moorea’s work since i discovered it some time ago and getting one of her rings has been on my wish list ever since, so i’m so excited to be the owner of one now!
12. and ending on another personal note, i had a wonderful memorial day weekend complete with a much needed long drive. we all have our ways of relaxing and places to think and driving is mine [that and going to the movies of course - which i did on friday ]. but my ride on sunday was especially great with a trip to East Bend where i passed a lovely forested area i’d never seen before. other shots from the trip here, here, here, here and here. it was also a really good hair weekend.