Current Obsession #7

You know when you see an image that stays with you forever?  

This is one of those for me.

Albino baby girl and her Mwila mother - Angola. 

ademiromano

I was at an dinner on Thursday evening and Joe Diaz from Afar magazine was the keynote speaker.  During his presentation, he shared this photo with us.  I've not been able to quit thinking about it since.  

I know the eye is drawn to the sweet, sleeping baby, but it's the woman's necklace that I find myself staring at again and again.

Current Obsession #6

I had been restraining myself from joining this website because I knew it would become an obsession that might get out of hand.  But on a recent rainy evening, I let myself succumb to the urge and now here I am - spending more time here than can possibly be healthy.  It is just the most visually delectable site...

Current Obsession #5

I am currently obsessed with the online design magazine Covet Garden.  

I have gone through each issue multiple times because the photos are so crisp and AWESOME, the people they showcase are entertaining and their homes are always envy-inducing.  

My favorite part is that they include playlists and current reads of the people whose homes they feature.
Obsessed! 

Current Obsession #4

I yearn for a house in the country...I do.  Don't get me wrong - I L-O-V-E living in the city...love it, but I would enjoy being able to split my time between a spacious country house and my tiny, but vibrant city studio.  

I associate the openness and slow pace of the country with creativity.  I have not been as creative as I would like to be in the city, but inspiration still hits, so while I have limited space, I take really great notes to inspire me when I do have that front porch on which I can paint.  Until then, I will be satisfied looking at these dreamy photos and appreciate not having a lawn to mow.

Grange (2) - Barn (2), a photo by francois.dion on Flickr.

Honey!!! I need 1 more gallon of paint !, a photo by francois.dion on Flickr.

Sinclair ~ All Dressed Up, a photo by Suzette ~ desertskyblue on Flickr

nest, a photo by catcad on Flickr.

Lazy Daisies, a photo by francois.dion on Flickr.

Barn series, a photo by francois.dion on Flickr.

Current Obsession #3

This summer, I have been obsessed with watermelons and peaches; 

I can't seem to get enough of them.  

Watermelons!, a photo by Mobeen_Ansari on Flickr.

Peaches, a photo by keanalee* on Flickr.

Watermelons !, a photo by elaaaine nguyen on Flickr.

peaches, a photo by rageforst on Flickr.

Current Obsession #2

8 weeks ago from tomorrow, I was given a Kindle for my birthday by a dear friend.  At first, I wasn't sure about it.  There is something delicious about turning the pages of a book, and placing it on your shelf after finishing.  But, I wanted to be grateful and give it a go, so I downloaded my first book; Bossypants, by Tina Fey.  I was surprised when I finished it in less than 24 hours (not sure if that says more about the book or the Kindle...but anyway...).  While I have not been reading books that will change the world (some might even promote brain-mush), I have to tell you that I have been reading more than ever with this nifty little friend.  I am in the process of finishing my 8th book on the kindle...and yes, for you math fanatics out there, that means I'm reading a book a week now.  

Here are the completed books on my Kindle:

The Book Thief

The Help

Bossypants

Room

Friend Request

Something Borrowed

State of Wonder
Miranda's Big Mistake

Any suggestions on what I should read next?

Current Obsession #1

So I've read about other people's obsessions with Japanese Masking Tape (Washi) for years now & I just never joined the party. The tape was too expensive for what I would use it for - fun. I find that I don't use materials that are a little pricey (for what they are). When I'm crafting, I end up seeing them as "too precious" & save them for " just the right project," which means that I have them for years until I get tired of seeing them around & lose the joy in using them. But if something is more reasonably priced, I use it more freely and creatively, which is how I think the process should be. So, when I found these on sale at West Elm last month, I bought rolls & rolls of them. And now, I see what all the rage was about - they are SO fun to use. Because I got them so inexpensively, I have been freely using them and loving it.