birfday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL MOM!!!

You are truly an incredible woman. My appreciation for you grows more and more every day. There is nothing  like your home-cooked meals, your hugs, your smile, your passion for life, your heart of gold. You, are WONDER-FULL!

craft night with kitty and Kristen!

Starting craft night off right!

silly kitty

I spy Kristen

So serious 

it's finally almost completed! 

no need for mugs when you have the bottle, mmmhm!

it started to SNOOOOW!!!!

surprisingly enough, there were left over cookies. 

"Craft night 4 ever"

food for thought.

I was cooking bean soup tonight and I thought to myself "ohhh, pretty colors!". Then I realized that there were so many interesting things to take pictures of in my kitchen. Food is pretty! I was bored at the moment. But the more I took pictures, the more I was intrigued with the shape and texture of the different foods. Then I wasn't so bored after all!

"One person can make beauty happen anywhere, or anytime."

.:.This book is simply wonderful. I will be quoting from this book on facebook over the next few days- it shakes up the modern perception of beauty.:.

Check it out here:

http://anzuri.com/

Mollie.

One of my dearest friends came to visit meeeee!!!! Mollie Booth was my special guest for the weekend- look at what we did!..

She showed me this simple, yet delish recipe for a dip.

1. Cut tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese in a cooking dish.

2. Set oven at 350 and cook for 15 minutes.

3. enjoy with bagel crisp! (and wine!)

This was after we climbed at the rock wall climbing center, so of course we were ready for some munchies. We were all cozy once we settled in and that's when she pulled out her style magazines. For those of you who do not know Mollie, she is a stylist and LOVES what she does. For hours we talked girly talk about fashion, art, humor, movies, love, and the beauty of life. 

She bought this brilliant eye shadow and nude lipstick at Sephora-  I HAD to try it on!

We decided to dress up the next day and go to the coffee house and study...

mmmmakeup!

We found ourselves at The House in Hillcrest where we enjoyed hours chatting, and a bit of tasty food.

I caught her being all precious and melancholy.

That afternoon several of my Caracalla friends had a very inspirational business meeting at Ella's house. Inspirational business meeting? Is there such a thing? YES! ...but anyways, I had to take a picture of Mollie sitting on Ella's lovely little couch. 

Marvelous weekend with marvelous people. 

Oh, and I just ended the weekend with two lovely friends, Heather and Lakota! We're working on a photo shoot for my hair portfolio. I cannot wait to post more about that! Pictures coming soon:)

DELIGHT! 

sew-not-hard!

I made this handy dandy curtain today and it took only (roughly) 5 minutes!

All you need is fabric, scissors, and the ability to knot.

Step 1. Find a lovely piece o'fabric and lay it out.

Step 2. Cut off 1inch from bottom of fabric. You will use this for your ties. 

Step 3. Cut as many ties as you desire, as long as you desire. 

Step 4. Cut as many holes as there are ties on the top of the fabric. Fold individual ties and slip the folded end through the hole, loop around the remainder fabric, and create a knot. 

Step 5. Knot the ends of the ties around the curtain rod. 

*tada!*

yay! It'll do juuuust fine. (grin)

foreigner.

I remember coming back into the States with the feeling of being a foreigner. Yes, a foreigner. I think I left my heart in Canada.

Even now, being back in Arkansas (for the time being) I still have this wondering, unsettled feeling. I try to talk myself through this turmoil within, telling myself that I'm back where my roots grow deep, and all should be well again. But for some reason, I cannot find rest even still.

It has been such a delight to spend time with my wonderful family and beautiful friends these past two weeks. Now that I've caught up with my dear peoples, I still have a hunger for more of the open road. Is something wrong with me? I often wonder why cannot stay still, work a 9-5, have my own place, and simply be happy. I suppose I'll have to work for a bit at least, then hit the road again. Yes, Still searching.

so far

It's so lovely to be home again. The train ride was long, yet entertaining with a  few nomads around. Fourteen hours on the train made for a lot of crazy fun stories, and a hurting back the next day! I was welcomed at the train station by my beautiful Mom, and my all-so-grown-up little sister (who's my height now!). They greeted me flowers and Horizon chocolate milk (my fave). 

So far I've enjoyed girls night with  sisters, 50 cent tattoos, and a wild day out with the kiddos at the Eco festival where they got their face painted. Also another thing I've enjoyed since being home is catching up with friends, family dinners, and the familiarity of Conway. After a year of being out and about, it sure is good to be back. (sigh of contentment) 

G'times

1. Vancouver beach with friends (several times!)

2. My mom  meeting my Canadian mom 

3. mom and I vacation in Victoria

4. I move to chicago with the help of Sarah and Tina

5. meeting up with Nik Parks in chicago

6. Sarah and Tina staying with me for a few weeks

7. Matt and Abby's beautiful wedding

8. fourth of July with Tina (who's from Gibraltar)

9. Jo and Suzy visit 

10. random fun in chicago

11. having too much time on my hands and playing dress up.

12. Josh and Michael drive in from Canada for the day

13. hanging out with Bill and his friends

14. lake Michigan with michael and lena!

15. Wisconsin road trip

16.hiking with michael, lena, Amaryah and Harmony on my birthday!

These are just a few of the wonderful times I've had this Summer. I love it. Summer 2011 has been excellent!!!