Archive
February 28, 2010 - 11:52 am
Taken @ 2:27 pm EST on Saturday, February 27th, 2010
Simple, cozy, and ready for a night of dancing. Well, this banana does look a bit dapper, no?
Taken @ 11:16 am EST on Sunday, February 28th, 2010
A knitting project mocks me, having been put on hold for over 6 months. One day, I’ll finish this scarf, which was meant to be worn this winter or sold in my Etsy shop. Maybe during my week-long vacation in Florida (March 11th-17th); talk about ironic! For the curious, it’s Manos Del Uruguay Cotton Stria in Saffron (no wool – makes me itchy & rashy).
[Images taken by Victoria Klein]
February 26, 2010 - 10:42 am
Taken @ 10:21 am EST
You might have noticed that I didn’t post a photo yesterday. No no, you weren’t hallucinating. After 55 days, I finally dropped the ball & didn’t take a single photo on Thursday.
I’ve got a few good excuses: 1) my husband & I were running around, buying all the last-minute things we needed for our Florida trip (visiting his family from March 11th-17th), 2) my mum was also having surgery (she’s doing great!) – so I was physically and mentally exhausted. By the time I was even close to my camera at 5:30 pm, I just didn’t have it in me.
What do you do when you make a mistake? Admit it, learn from it, & move on. So, here is today’s photo! A bit on the boring side, but while sitting next to my husband, I noticed this mini-lifestyle-esque collection of items on our coffee table.
Simple, clean, comfortable – all is well … and I think I need a nap.
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
February 25, 2010 - 9:39 am
Have you heard? sfgirlbybay’s Blog It Forward event has reached VictoriaKlein.net! It’s a connected stream of blogger posts – like a chain letter, only not obnoxious. For the first round (will there be another?), 300 bloggers have been asked one simple question:
“What inspires you personally?”
I could easily write a series of blog posts on this subject, but for now, one entry will have to do. I’ll try to keep it short and sweet (but no guarantees):
My Mum, Bev: (lots of love for today, your surgery day!)
[Image taken by Minyan Zhu on my wedding day]
My Dad, Harold (R.I.P.):
My Husband, Logan:
[Image taken by Minyan Zhu on our wedding day]
My Cat, Monster:
Yoga: What’s there to say? I’ve written my first non-fiction book about yoga. I’ve practiced for over 5 years, helping to overcome my clinical depression and social anxiety. I am a different person because of my yoga experience. I’m happier, I’m healthier, I’m sane.
Food: A big plate of pasta. A warm chocolate cupcake. A succulent apple. Food is life. It can inspire us all. (I also have a thing for carbs … but who doesn’t!?)
Moving Water: The sound is enough to pacify me. The feel is enough to soothe me. Like food, water is life & while simple, it has a powerful effect on our species, our planet, and me personally. Even as snow, water can enchant me for hours.
San Francisco, Chicago, Sweden, Austria: I have a “thing” for visiting and/or living in new places. These four particular places have always brought out happiness in me (though I haven’t even visited Sweden yet).
The Ability to Express Myself: It’s a freedom not everyone has. It’s a feeling not everyone can share. Whether I’m a model, photographer, writer, editor, blogger, knitter, cook – I’m infinitely thankful to be able to share the emotions and experiences of my life with others, in an effort to improve their lives.
There are more – oh yes! Just a few: magazines, non-fiction books, tea, sunlight, long walks, smiles, paper goods, countless blogs, Apolo Ohno, psychology, living spaces, Europe in general, nature in general … I should stop now … but the overall point is that inspiration can come from anywhere or anyone. Embrace every experience and opportunity.
Hearty thanks go to Vexhext for introducing me yesterday & good vibes to Vintage Girlfriend, tomorrow’s “forward blogger” in group #10. Visit the full Blog it Forward mashup schedule for all the folks who’ve posted thus far & those yet to come.
Last but certainly not least, thanks again to (a fellow) Victoria for developing the Blog it Forward idea & taking on the challenge of organizing it. Can’t wait for the next one!
[All images taken by Victoria Klein, unless noted]
February 24, 2010 - 11:37 am
The blog smackdown has begun!
Just kidding – that’s far too melodramatic. I’ve blogged for Tara Gentile of Scoutie Girl many times. She is a gem in the blogging world & I always smile when I see new posts from her blog in my feed reader.
Recently, she asked if anyone would be interested in having their blog critiqued. Yes, please. 
I’m perpetually interested in having feedback from other; we all see things differently and can constantly learn from each other.
Today, Tara posted her dissection of my humble online outlet in a post titled The Blogging Game: Victoria Klein. She made some delightful praises and intelligent suggestions that I will happily follow, ironically focusing in on one of the biggest pet peeves I have about my blog. Thank you, Tara, for taking the time to share your blogging knowledge with me – you rock! 
- 10:55 am
Taken @ 10:01 am EST
How do you like your apples?
Verdant and tart, scarlet and sweet, or somewhere in between?
Nibbled to the core or sliced into sections first?
I prefer my pommes in the mid-range – mostly sweet with just a slight tang. Call me difficult, but I like to slice them into sections first, sometimes cutting out the core at the same time.
No matter your penchant for manzanas, these darlings are mighty tasty! (Can we all at least agree on that?)
Note: Make sure to buy organic! Apples have one of the highest pesticide ratings out of all fruits & vegetables. Since we often eat the apple peel (which has lots of good fiber in it), we directly consume more of said pesticides than produce we naturally need to peel, like an orange or banana.
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
February 23, 2010 - 12:58 pm
Taken @ 12:31 pm EST
When was the last time you thanked your hands?
They do your work. They cook your dinner. They touch your loved ones.
Our lives our in our hands, literally and figuratively. No matter their shape, size, color, or number of fingers, our hands help us share our joys and sorrows with others.
Make sure to let them know how much you appreciate them.
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
- 11:58 am
I like love cereal. You might too – many people do (yay carbs!). Thankfully, I’ve grown out of those uber-sugary concoctions and have moved on to whole grain, fiber-full versions.
Oops, I said the f-word: fiber. We all know what the means. “Fiber cereals taste like cardboard.” FYI: they don’t have to! I’ve finally found a cereal that a) tastes good, b) has 28% of your daily fiber in 1 serving, and c) is certified organic (major bonus!). The chosen one: Nature’s Path Optimum Strawberry & Yogurt.
This is utterly flavorful cereal! I’m still stunned at home much I enjoy it each morning, along with my cup of tea. Another bonus: you get 35% of your daily Omega-3s in 1 serving, thanks to the ground flax seeds in the cereal flakes. Sweeeeet. If you don’t happen to fancy strawberries, Optimum is also available in Cranberry Ginger, Banana Almond, and Blueberry Cinnamon.
[Image courtesy of Nature's Path]
February 22, 2010 - 9:23 am
Taken @ 8:58 am EST
A happy start to your (and my) Monday: tiny cupcakes.
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
February 21, 2010 - 10:50 am
Taken @ 10:49 am EST on Saturday, February 20th, 2010
What is it about soup that is so … so divine!?
Taken @ 10:28 am EST on Sunday, February 21st, 2010
Flowers are like people – different colors, different shapes, different personalities. This bloom quickly caught my attention & what better way to capture that than with a close, nearly-macro photo? 
[Images taken by Victoria Klein]
February 19, 2010 - 1:14 pm
Taken @ 12:39 pm EST
One of the few echoing remnants of my childhood. Do you know who she is?
It’s Sanrio’s My Melody (the same folks that invented Hello Kitty). This particular incarnation of her is a tub toy & was my favorite companion during baths. To this day, I still find her painfully cute.
I don’t know who originally got the toy for me, but it has been in a box of mum’s for over 10 years. Though the bow on her hood is long gone, she continues to bring a huge smile to my face.
The Sanrio website says she likes almond pound cake … maybe I would too?
[Image taken by Victoria Klein]
