let's hang out here.

How much do you just want to crawl into this lovely little nook and spend the day being cozy and lazy?

Happy Wednesday, friends!


*via Everything Fabulous

cool girl

I love how cool and collected this woman looks...and what a suit! (and the giant watch - swoon!)

Don't you think you would just have to kick butt in every meeting if you were dressed like this?

Hope your Monday is lovely, my friends.


*via the Sartorialist

absence

I am taking a little break from blogging this week, because I have a limited amount of time to prepare to teach at my church, and am trying to maximize my productivity in the time I've got.

(And since it would be embarrassing to admit just how much time I spend blogging and reading other blogs, I am just going to tell you that this hopefully will save me a lot of time...)

Be ready for some really luscious food pictures upon my return, however. They are drool worthy and will totally make you wish you got to hang out with my amazingly talented friends! We had a girls cooking and photography day last weekend, and I'm pretty sure I'm still full.

Unless Ms. V calls and invites me to dinner, in which case I'm always ready to eat...

holy cuteness.

I think this picture is ridiculously cute. (Like makes-my-heart-melt-cute.) How much do you want to love an otter right now?

In other cute news, my boss sent me this video. Cute over-kill, people. Just go watch it, you won't be sorry. (But be warned...you might start wanting to hang out with an orangutan.)

Ok, I'll stop with the cute animals. For today, anyway. I can't make any long-term promises.

Hope your Saturday is full of things that make you smile!


*image via tumblr

random.

I think this is such a pretty braid...so simple and lovely!

Happy Friday, my friends!

(if you're around these parts, I hope you get to enjoy some sunshine and warmer temps!)


*image via Cup of Jo

happy cows!

Anyone remember me saying how much I love these cows? (ages ago)

(And on another a similar note, if anyone knows why I am obsessed with pictures of cows, feel free to chime in on that too...)



Well, Twin didn't forget.

And not only did she not forget, she actually went and ordered them for me. (Not only is she pretty, she's crazy nice too!)

I had so much fun yesterday picking out framing (total perk of working at a gallery with a frameshop) and now I can't wait for them to be finished and hanging on our wall at home!

Happy Thursday, my friends!

let's be irish.

Last night we went to see these guys in Boston.

It was a gorgeous day to walk around outside, the concert was all kinds of crazy and really fun (I've never seen so many drunk, Irish people in one place in my life), and it was great to go do something out of the norm...on a random Tuesday, no less. (It totally felt like cheating the system to run away and play for the afternoon!)

I'm not sure how well I actually hear this morning, but I do know that I probably won't be get this out of my head anytime soon...

le sigh

Last night Twin and I watched Coco Before Chanel - which was simply gorgeous.





I thought Audrey Tautou was perfect in the role of Coco, but it was the costumes and the cinematography that really blew me away. The contrast of her simple, elegant clothes against the highly feminine and overly decorated clothes of the day was really striking, plus there were moments in the film where the colors and textures were just breathtakingly beautiful.





Plus, it's just good to watch a movie in subtitles every once in a while...it keeps you on your toes! (And makes you want to learn more languages so you can sound chic like the French!)

making a difference

Even if you haven't followed any of the Compassion Bloggers on their Kenya trip, take five seconds and go read this post. It's worth your time, and perhaps even your tears.

If you're not familiar with Compassion International, I'm a firm believer in the work they are doing, and think that any organization pouring out love to the hurting children of the world deserves our attention. (And maybe your support too, if you can?)


*via This is Reverb

hope.

"To whom will you compare me?
Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One.

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
and calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
not one of them is missing.

Why do you say, O Jacob,
and complain, O Israel,
"My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God"?

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.

(Isaiah 40:25-31)

I love these verses and the incredible promises within them...


*image via tumblr

kitten butt.

I don't know why, but I love this picture.

It makes me happy on this cold, rainy afternoon...

Hope you're somewhere cozy and warm!



*image via tumblr

we choose.

I agree!

(And isn't that green shirt a lovely color?!)

Happy Weekend, friends.


*image via tumblr

welcome, friday.

This picture makes my heart happy - especially on a grey morning like this one. The colors are so luscious, and I think the perspective, atmosphere, and lovely bokeh action make for a really wonderful image. (Am I weird for loving a random picture so much, or are there others out there like me?)

It's been a busy couple of weeks around these parts, and I'm very much looking forward to a mellow Saturday...once I conquer Friday. (Lots to do at work, plus an opening tonight which makes for a pretty long day.)

Hope your day is happy, lovelies!


*image via tumblr

walks.

Sir H came to stay last night, so in addition to having delightfully warm toes all night, this morning we had the most wonderful walk. The sun was bright and took the chill out of the air, plus the birds were all singing their loud morning songs. It was amazing!

Happy Thursday, friends. Hope you find something lovely along the way!


*image via Shutter Sisters

totally random.

Another list of completely unconnected happy things...because it's how my brain is working this morning. (I think the sunshine has gone to my head!)

* Re-discovering music. Thanks to Twin, this morning I'm loving this album again. (oh catalyst, you can't come soon enough...)
* Inspiring visitors. The lovely Ab has been hosting the most incredible group of people for the last few days. It's been a true pleasure to hear them speak and get to spend time with them.
* Gorgeous photos. These photos just make me feel calm and beautiful every time I look at them. (and the dresses...sigh)
* Sister love. Lots of emails and connects with sissy this past week. It makes me blissfully happy to be involved in the silly stuff. (like choosing pretty dresses!)
* Incredible bathrooms. Ever since seeing this post, I desperately want a gorgeous tub and a light, airy bathroom like one of these. (just go drool over the pictures, it's worth it)
* Gym time. After a few weeks off, I'm back to the gym with one of my favorite girls. Between the girl time first thing in the morning and all those endorphins (name that movie) it's the best start to the day I could ask for.
*Being daddy's little girl. Yesterday I had the best chat with my Daddy - and it makes me so grateful to be able to both love and enjoy my family. (only a few weeks before I get to see them again!)
* Soundtracks. In a moment of weakness last week, I ordered this - and I'm so glad I did! It makes my heart so happy every time I listen to it.

Hope you have some happy things happening in your life this week!


*image via tumblr

cozy

Doesn't this picture make you want to curl up and take a nap?

I love how comfy this fuzzy little guy looks in this hood! And the whole warm, soft tone of the picture just makes me feel all sleepy and cozy.

Plus, how much do you want to run out and buy a bunny...or is that just me?


*image via tumblr

good stuff.

Sounds familiar, sounds easy, right?

Try living it out.

Once you start working to apply these principles to all the relationships in your life, it's not nearly as simple as it might seem. It's actually way more complicated than you would think!

But it's so worth it, and thankfully we don't have to do it on our own. We've got the strength and love of Jesus...the best backup out there!

Thoughts?


*via tumblr

sunshine

It's day three of sunshine and positively spring-like weather around these parts - and I love it! It gives me hope for warmth and bare feet and naps in the sun after all these months of cold and dark...

Hope your Monday is full of some sunshine and happiness, wherever you are!


*image via tumblr

got a minute?

I've been spending a good amount of time this past week following the Compassion International Bloggers trip to Kenya.

Have you heard about it?



Here's the basic jist:

Compassion takes a group of bloggers to a part of the world where childrens' lives are being touched and transformed through the sponsorship and love of folks around the world. These bloggers get the chance to meet the beautiful people, see the reality of their situation, and then use their blogs as a way to tell us here about what we can do.



Since I follow his blog regularly, I've been following Ryan over at This is Reverb most closely. His photos will blow you away - and maybe make you cry.

There are lots of other wonderful people on the trip too, so if you have a minute today, check out the list of who's on the trip, and read some of their stories too. I promise you, it'll be worth the time.


*images via This is Reverb

snooze

Hope something about your Saturday is this relaxing!


*image via tumblr

sister love!

Yesterday I got a cute handmade card from my lovely and talented sister - and it totally made my day. I love this girl!

Happy Friday, my lovelies!

a little note.

Dear Summer,

Please come back soon. I miss you dreadfully, and anxiously await your glorious arrival.

Love,
Amanda

ps - Could you please make sure the sun comes along too? I miss him too!


*image via tumblr

some pretty

Just a little something pretty for this dreary Wednesday morning!

(I'm not much on roses, but how sweet are these darlings?!)


*image via I am Style-ish

at last.

As you might know, I've been on a hunt for a pair of red shoes. (because I talked about it here and here)

This weekend I fell hard for these little beauties, and so the search is officially over! Aren't they fun and feminine? And wait until you see how tall I am in them...it's pretty amazing!

What silly thing is making you happy today?

puppy love

(How I spent a good portion of my Sunday afternoon...)




Aaaaand then he licked me...the furry little goober!


Thanks to my family for sharing their puppies - they make my life so happy!