Archive
October 29, 2009 - 10:38 am
Autumn has truly arrived – the leaves are changing color, falling fast, and the rain just keeps on coming. A bit of irony, if you ask me. The next two days are forecast to be rather sunny, which I’m happily embracing!
The scarcity of the sun reminds me just how inspirational it is & the impact it has on our body’s natural rhythms. I am so much more rested & productive on sunnier days. In contrast, on rainy or overcast days, it takes me longer to complete tasks & I often need a nap in the middle of the day.
With the sun shining brightly through the skylight in my living/dining room, I’m in a creative, colorful, animated mood. As part of my enlightened outlook, I’m delighted to share the illustrative works of Annick Poirier. Based in Quebec, Annick has been working in the graphic design industry for over a decade.
Annick’s work has been featured in countless advertisements and magazines, including Yoga Journal (how I found her), Natural Solutions, and Reader’s Digest. Her love of nature can be easily seen in almost all of her works. “Her style of illustration is the sum of her past experiences and that of its values,” says her website’s biography.
I hope you enjoyed Annick’s work. No matter the weather where you are, try & smile today – it will brighten everyone & everything around you. 
[Images courtesy of Annick Poirier]
October 26, 2009 - 10:00 am
Since Friday, my husband has been in Florida, attending his mother’s 3rd wedding. Due to time & money constraints, I wasn’t able to go with him. Instead, I spent a quiet weekend with Monster (my cat) & doing lots of college homework.
Saturday was spent indoors all day, due to consistent rain. With a partly cloudy Sunday, I had to get out of the apartment. What better time to try the new bakery in town?
I’ll be posting a detailed review of West Hartford, Connecticut’s A Little Something Bakery later on. Until then, enjoy some pictures I took of the treats I chose for myself (& a few extra snapshots). Note to self: finally invest in a tripod since you use only natural light.
There’s something about bakery boxes: simply chic & functional.
The terrible twosome.
10am, treat #1: “Dirty Bomb” muffin/donut – in essence, a large version of the French breakfast puffs my mum & I have made since my childhood.
1:30pm, treat #2: chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing
My cuddle-worthy companion, Monster. (Yes, he’s been sleeping with me every night.)
The tree next to our garage is finally starting to change color for autumn.
[Images taken by Victoria Klein]
October 21, 2009 - 12:30 pm
I can’t help but be flattered when someone asks me to write a post for their blog. Guest blogging is a lot of fun & is just another way I can share what I know … which is why I became a writer in the first place!
Paul over at GreenSmith Consulting offered me the chance to write for his blog. Having been a long-time reader, I was happy to oblige.
Click on over to read Do You Know Your Community? Does the Community Know You? – my emphasis on the importance of local networking (something I, admittedly, don’t do enough of either, but it would help if I stopped moving around, haha).
October 20, 2009 - 2:11 pm
Work, school, errands, chores … I hate having to do so much when my hubby has his one day off a week, but there’s no avoiding it. No matter the schedule, we always find some time to goof off and mellow out. These are also perfect times for me to practice my photography.
My Halloween cat, Monster. He’s terrified to go outside, but he’s jealous when I stand out on the balcony – what a goober.
Monster, looking regal & totally squeezable.
1/3rd of the ingredients needed to make my best friend, Matt’s jambalaya crock-pot recipe.
Whole Foods hot bar macaroni & cheese never lasts long around me.
A well-loved glass of water.
WHERE ARE THE KITTEN PICTURES!? :: Good question. Little Dude (still no official name) is back living at my mum’s house with Peanut. He’s learning to eat solid food (which he is doing wonderfully) & how to use the litter box.
There is a good chance that my mum & her fiance will be keeping Little Dude. My hubby & I are 100% OK with that – having 3 cats in 1 apartment made us appreciate our Monster all the more. <3 Little Dude is growing quickly! I’ll have some new pictures of him within the next few weeks.
[Images taken by Victoria Klein]
- 10:44 am
Just when I started to think my collection didn’t pass muster, I’m surprised yet again. My very first gallery of personally-picked handmade goodies went live yesterday on the brand new website, Scoutie Girl Gifts.
Click on over to Scoutie Girl Gifts to take a peak at my favorite daily motivational art & prints.
If you have any extra minute, please rate the gallery, leave a comment, or mention the gallery elsewhere (easy links for Twitter, Facebook, Stumbleupon … etc are on the site). Enjoy!
October 16, 2009 - 10:21 am
Life is full of surprises & I wouldn’t have it any other way. Yesterday, I was greeted with a message from one of my favorite Etsy sellers, farouche.
The first surprise was the fact that I’d never actually spoken to Christy (from farouche), though I did have her shop bookmarked in my Etsy account. She just messaged me out of the blue.
The second surprise was that she featured one of my photographs on her blog, Dandy Bread and Candy!
My Butter Blooms print is a part of her latest “eye candy” post, all of which I could spent hours browsing through – so many great things to drool over. Ironically, her “Partly sunny with a chance of showers” post is a collection of items in one of my favorite color combos: yellow and gray. *swoon*
A big thank you to Christy for mentioning my photography! I discovered farouche thanks to Holly Becker from decor8 (what a gem she is!) & regularly dream of having their darling papers in my midst.
October 15, 2009 - 10:16 am
How do you write about a concept as massive and complex as climate change? It’s the little things that matter the most, so let’s break down what exactly we’re talking about here:
Climate = the composite or generally prevailing weather conditions of a region, as temperature, air pressure, humidity, precipitation, sunshine, cloudiness, and winds, throughout the year, averaged over a series of years.
Change = to become different, altered, or modified.
Climate is a very basic concept. Climate is rain, wind, sun, rain … you know, what meteorologists talk about. Change is also very basic, but people have a much harder time understanding or adapting to it.
The climate naturally changes and our planet naturally goes through times of warming and cooling. Our current problem is that our planet’s climate is changing faster than is normally does. The science is there in black & white – we’re experiencing one of the most rapid changes in climate in the 4.5-billion-year history of our planet.
So why do we deny climate change is happening? Why do we deny the fact that humans are the only species capable of creating such change? The answer is within the problem itself: change. Our culture fears change, both rapidly & over long periods of time. Being flexible and adaptable is not something many of us are taught.
While our music, fashion, and technology grows at hurried rates, we depend on certain elements of our life to remain steady. Those things that we’ve come to trust and depend on are now changing – thanks to climate change – and it is rocking our world: food, water, the seasons.
It’s time to stop fighting, stop lying, stop denying. Our climate is changing, we are the cause, and only we can change it for the better. Every small step leads to big differences in our government, culture, society, and overall well-being. Don’t over-analyze, don’t seek perfection, don’t compete – just start. Each journey beings with one step and now is the time to take it.
Accept climate change
Be NICE
Help the planet
———–
This post is proud part of Blog Action Day 2009.
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
October 9, 2009 - 9:52 am
I splurged on myself recently and bought Chopra’s Organic Vata-Balancing Herbal Tea (it’s uber-yummy!) and the Stephanie Kao mug I blogged about yesterday. This has inspired me to share a bit more of what’s got my wallet finger twitching.
J. Crew’s Sherpa Long Hoodie ($70; in pewter) :: saw this darling in my local J. Crew store & almost physically drooled over how soft ‘n cozy it is
Anthropologie’s Crocheted Cowlneck Sweater ($118; in dark yellow) :: though not very thick, it’s a beautiful color & has a nice feminine shape, thanks to its crochet pattern
Anthropologie’s Sweater Sleeve Coat ($228) :: I don’t need a new coat this winter, but I sure want this one. I wish it came in a jewel-toned purple plaid pattern (I like bright-colored winter coats, though not red).
J. Crew’s Pixie Pant ($88; in black, blue) :: Can’t help but envision Audrey Hepburn when I see these. They are delightfully cozy & have great stretch to them. I could see them becoming a favorite for day-to-day wear (which is usually jeans).
Aldo’s Balduf Boot ($130; in gray) :: Haven’t tried these on yet, but I’m on the hunt for a new pair of low/no-heal boots. I like the versatile color, buckles, & mid-calf length.
J. Crew’s Kelcey Crackle-Metallic Ballet Flats ($125; in metallic guava) :: These will do diddly-squat for me in the snow, but having a bright yet comfortable pair of flats has been on my “list” for a long time. These fit the bill marvelously.
TOMS Barletta Cordones ($69; in grey) :: I’ve wanted a pair of TOMS since the company first premiered in 2006. They just recently released their first design with laces & I’m swooning all over again. Simple, stylish, and functional!
What’s on your Current Yearnings list?
October 8, 2009 - 10:07 am
“Good things come to those who wait.” Ain’t that the truth!?
After my dismal photo results from this past weekend, I know a good opportunity when I see it. Peanut has been partially behaving, so we open the door to the bedroom she & Little Dude are staying in for a few hours at a time, giving them a chance to explore the rest of the apartment & mingle with Monster.
Yesterday afternoon, all the kitties decided to pow-wow on the couch with me. It was quite adorable, I must say (& made it difficult to focus on working). This also gave me a priceless chance to snap some photos of them all together.
From left: Monster (our 5-year-old male cat & father of Peanut’s 1st litter); Little Dude; Peanut
Blurred amusement (note to self: never work as a pet photographer)
Almost 5 weeks old & Little Dude still has those painfully cute blue eyes.
Note: Even though Little Dude looks A LOT like Monster, Monster is NOT his father (he was “fixed” almost 3 years ago). Crazy resemblance, no? Monster is very “fatherly” with Little Dude, which is also very adorable.
[Images taken by Victoria Klein]
October 6, 2009 - 6:39 pm
I just found stephaniekao‘s superb ceramics via a tweet from Country Living Magazine. The ceramics themselves are made & fired by Robert Siegel, but Stephanie hand-decorates each one. Her website also features some freaking sweet illustrations!
My eyes are set on her Little Sunrise and Dandelions Coffee Mug. Great price, gorgeous yellow color, and such a swank design. This baby could keep my happy all winter, filled with warm tea & accompanied by my all-time favorite homemade French breakfast puffs. (Sorry, I’ve gone off into lala-land now.)
BONUS: Stephanie’s writes a blog of her very own. As you’d expect, she’s got great taste.
[Image courtesy of stephaniekao]
