a personal post: two-four

birthday time! 2 - 4.  twenty four!  as of yesterday, actually.  2 + 4 = 8.  8 = birthday month & date.  result = 24 will be a great (rhymes with 8) year.  --that's my type of math.  weird, yes, but makes sense in my mind!

despite the poor grammar, i love love love this e-card sent to me by my lovely ex-assistant, stephanie

feeling pretty good about this year - have a lot of goals and aspirations and big changes coming my way so it should at least be quite the ride.

one of those goals/aspirations/changes is a SECOND BLOG!  i've mentioned it here a few times, and debated if i should start a new bloggy blog or just include "more serious" posts right here.  welp, i decided to go with new blog because i really like organization and would like to organize my thoughts into two different places: pretty things that catch my eye and inspire me; and random thoughts and musings that are slightly more personal or potentially serious.  i used to write all the time but put it on the back burner as my life got more hectic and "adult."  journaling used to be my favorite hobby - the best therapy, the best use of pent up creativity, the best outlet for expression.  so why the heck did i stop?!  because life got in the way.  isn't that how it always is? : when there is actually something to write about, we are too busy with that something to write at all.  pathetic irony. so moral of the story is i'm stopping that cycle of a writing-free life and starting up again.  who knows how often i will post and who knows what i will be writing about - really whatever is on my mind grapes.  but i have a feeling it will be just fabulous! 

*look forward to the "big launch" tomorrow & hopefully will see you over on blog #2!

ADDITION:
just found on this on one of my fave sites, so obviously had to add it to my birthday post!!

pretty pictures: mia wasikowska in harper's bazaar australia

note: OK before i get to the super pretty pictures, i'd like to sincerely apologize for the weeks of being completely M.I.A. [side note: i was M.I.A.  now i'm doing a post on the beautiful MIA wasikowska.  because not only is she beautiful but also because i am a sucker for a punny pun!]  but back to the missing blogger.  my life has been in a completely state of flux.  and although this is a prime time for documenting pretty things, there has been one major conflict in doing so : i've been sick.  yes, that is my über glamorous excuse.  i have been bed-ridden and without internet for over a week.  before this i was traveling.  so basically, no computer/internet time.  no blogging time.  except i had all the time in the world while stuck in bed - miserable, miserable irony.

but i'm back.... i hope.  i'm posting now because i can and because i am just so apologetic for the absence and just so lonely without the blogosphere [oh dear, did i just admit that?!].  but i can't really commit to being "back" fully.  with all going on, and with this ridonculous health junk, "commitment" is not really a word in my current vocabulary.  but i promise, promise, promise to try my bestest to keep the pretty things coming!  so please keep the sweet comments coming.  i can't stress how much i love them :)

as for the gorgeous photo shoot i can't wait to post...

here is pixie-perfect actress mia wasikowska, photographed by will davidson for this month's harper's bazaar australia.

and one last perfect picture, the lovely mia up close & personal - within minimal makeup no less

i hope to be writing a lot more in the coming days and weeks - most posts on beautiful things in the world, and perhaps a new second blog filled with my eclectic thoughts and musings.  just something to satisfy that need to write and overcome that fear of sharing my writings.  we'll see...

scanned by dustjacket attic

a personal post: blogging pledges/campaigns

the past couple days i've stumped across a couple simple but totally awesome campaigns sponsored by some sweet bloggers.  i'd be remiss if i didn't share these great opportunities to spread kindness with my own sweet followers and visitors.  i'd like to continue finding similar opportunities and will keep you all updated as i join, but for now, here are the two i'd like to highlight: the kind hearted blogger pledge & operation nice.  i've been feeling worthless being unable to change the world in times of such global and national destruction, but i know that i can do little things like these.  and who knows - maybe it will impact someone.  even just one person and i'd be ecstatic. 

~ the kind hearted blogger pledge ~

found this lovely campaign on my newest blog read, dot...in the city (which, btw, has one of the cutest blog headers/tabs i've seen in a while).  but anyways, back to this campaign . . .

i.love.this.  simple as that.

the theory behind this campaign is that as bloggers, we can simultaneously express our opinions (on design, fashion, even controversial subjects), while still remaining respectful of others, kind to all, and positive in the face of diversity.  read: exactly my beliefs.

*just read the pledge*

AS A KIND-HEARTED BLOGGER I PLEDGE TO:

• create, inspire, and admire rather than compete with fellow bloggers
• be understanding of each other-- in the blogging community, as well as in the world
• stay away from internet/blogging bullying
• speak my opinion freely, while still being mindful of other's feelings-- be tactful.
• make an effort--no matter how big or small the gesture, to spread kindness or joy to others
• acknowledge that I will make mistakes, (I am only human) but remember to learn from them
• know that at times I will post about the negative stuff in life, and maybe even some complaining (I am only human) but I will always follow up with something happy/positive too.
• believe that this world is a good place, filled with good people.

needless to say, i joined instantly - see the button on my sidebar!

& you can join too!

head on over to the blog em jay and me to agree to the (easy to follow!) kindness terms, grab a button to spread the word, and add your blog to the list of like-minded bloggers.

i've made the pledge.  will you?

~ operation nice ~

 more kindness efforts!

another simple campaign: be nice.  not just in blogging, but always.

okay, i'm game!

read this from the "about" link on the site... & fall in love:

Operation NICE encourages individuals to be proactively nice.

Stop by to read some positive, upbeat news stories (yes, they exist) about nice people and stories from real people about how kindness affected them. Learn about some wonderful campaigns out there that are promoting kindness. Download some tools to help you in your quest to communicate the concept of niceness. Share a story or two about how someone made your day.

It is not true that nice guys finish last. Nice guys are winners before the game ever starts.  

- Addison Walker

once again....

i've joined operation nice.  will you?

so that's it... for now!

etc: a new look for pretty things!

i finally caved & spent some money to make my blog prettier.  i mean, i need to live up to the blog's title!!  my dumb budget restricted me from doing a whole makeover, but lucky for me there are some incredibly talented women (and i'm sure men) out there who offer great deals for smaller projects.

after researching my options - can't do anything without researching! - i decided to go with the fabulous debby from inspired design.  she has a great blog boutique of pre-made headers for only $15! woah!  after what seemed like hours of debate, i settled on the beautiful header that you see on the top of my page now.  debby was the greatest - fast, efficient, and sweet as can be.  she even added my tagline to the header when it didn't originally have one!

i'm in love! ~

i also made a few small changes, mostly with the font of my blog.  i'm unsure how i feel about my new font - i like it because it looks more like my handwriting, making the blog seem like my online journal (my goal), but part of me doesn't like it because it looks a little juvenile and doesn't fit with my professional lifestyle.

your thoughts?  on the font, the header, etc.?  let's hear it -- i love feedback!