Quotation Wednesday {39th Ed.}

I posted a print from this shop in my Happy Monday post this week. Apparently though I just can't get enough! I love this quote, I love the whimsical print, it all just makes me happy. What an empowering statement.

"Look within, you are the world." -J. Krishnamurti

Happy Monday {55th Ed.}

I miss my Happy Mondays! Sorry about the absence, but they are back :) Here is what is making me happy lately...

This Print
Isn't it gorgeous?! I wish I had more wall space, I would buy everything in this woman's Etsy shop.

Purple Layered, Sprinkle Covered, Cake of Awesomeness!!!
Perfection! My birthday is coming up....just saying

Cute Cat Tattoo

Story time ~ So, there was this booth at Pike's Place Market that sold pewter pins. There was a silly cat pin that for whatever reason, reminded me of my Squishy. I would walk by it and smile every day on my way to school from the bus. One day, I thought to myself "I really need a Squishy tattoo" and an outline of that kooky cat pin came to mind instantly. Ever since then, the cat pin booth has been gone! Then I see this tattoo and I love it. I want exactly that, but with my kooky Squishy pin as the outline! ...sigh

Bedroom on the Ocean

I would never ever get out of bed!

Reading Nook

The wall color, the curtain, the cozy chair, and most of all, the books precariously balanced everywhere. I love it all!

Ok, that is all for me this week. What has been making you smile?!

Speaking on the Ferrari Bumper Sticker debate...

Ok, for the whole story you need to read this original article, this beautifully eloquent rebuttal, and this apology.

If you don't want to read all of that, here are the cliff notes;

Lisa, a journalist for the independent student publication based out of the University of Buffalo, wrote an anti-tattoo column. This, in and of itself, was not the problem. The problem was that she was trying make her argument with her own skewed view of Feminism. She stated that women who are not happy with their body should go to the gym, get their nails done, wear some heels....you know, typical girly stuff.  She promised that investing your energy, money, and time into things like this would be a much more rewarding experience than "getting ink." That is an awfully bold promise based on a widespread assumption that she knows what ALL women want! She also stated that, "an elegant woman does not vandalize the temple she has been blessed with as her body." In regards to the experience of getting a tattoo, she asked, "at the end of the day, are you really a happier person?"And made another widespread assumption that "nothing comes out of getting a tattoo."  

Seriously, she is gorgeous!

I have so many things to say about this presumptuous, judgmental, piece of "journalism," so very much!  The rebuttal I mentioned at the beginning (link again here, "Why yes, I will put a bumper sticker on this Ferrari!" ) basically summed up all of my thoughts in a much more eloquent way (seriously, go read it, Danielle is awesome!). 

Here though are some of my thoughts. First off, tattoos have nothing to do with not being happy with your body, in fact they are a way to adorn it! They are art, wonderfully meaningful and unique art that you get to display on your body! Secondly, in response to tattoos being completely unrewarding and doing nothing for a woman, that is ludicrous!! Ask tattooed person about one of their pieces and you will be met with a story. Whether it is the meaning behind it, the event that surrounded it, what they think of when they look at it, or whatever else they connect to it; it will almost always be met with a story that will tell you more about that person. What a beautiful way to share a piece of yourself, and to share in that with others! Lastly (but absolutely not least!), her attempt at a Feminist argument just went sadly astray. Its 2012, women can look, be, act, and think in any way that they damn well please! Please don't judge those of us who do not base our outer beauty on what men want!

Ganesh, you just know that one has meaning!

Ok, all of that said, the response she got from the internet was painfully insulting and immature!! People called her fat, ugly, stupid, and various swear words that I don't care to repeat. She actually got hate mail and threats! Really people, really? She wrote a response to all of this, but was obviously focused on the hurtful responses of others, and rightfully so in my mind. People don't seem to realize that going into nasty attack mode only causes the other side to retreat further into their beliefs. I mean really, who would think "oh, maybe tattooed women really are beautiful, eloquent people" when being bombarded with insults and hate mail?! Way to represent our wonderfully unique and expressive tattooed culture guys, thanks a lot for that!

Well anyways, did anyone else get caught up in this debate? What do you think on the issue?

cutest tattoo ever :)

Pariah

Oh hi, I do still exist! I hope everyone has been having a beautiful 2012, it has been oddly nice here in MN :)

I just saw a great movie! Has anyone heard of Pariah? Its a limited release, but made it to Minneapolis a few weeks ago. I've been wanting to see it ever since and finally made it out the Uptown Theater this afternoon. As expected, it was wonderful. I love movies that depict an an honest life, and this one did so in a disturbingly beautiful way. Has anyone else seen it?

Here is the preview...

And the poem shown in the movie. How perfect is that last part? I am not broken, I am free.

Heartbreak opens

onto the sunrise. 

For even breaking is

opening and I am

broken. 

I am open. 

See the love shine in

through my cracks.

See the light shine

out through me.

My spirit takes

journey.

My spirit takes flight,

and I am not running, I am choosing.

I am broken. 

I am broken open.

Breaking is freeing. 

Broken is freedom.

I am not broken.

I am free. 

2012 goals!

Resolutions are so cliche, Im going for goals and a theme!!

So, for 2012 my goals are...

Inversions

2012 will be my inversion year!

I can't say I would mind inversions on the beach...or with legs like that, but lets just stick with inversions....this year anyways!

Volunteer

I haven't gotten into any volunteer work since moving to MN and it just doesn't feel right. I will make time this year!

30 books in 2012

Im excited to try this through Goodreads.com, wanna try with me? 

Notice the widget on the sidebar --->

and the best goal yet, (drumroll please......)
I get my tam this year!!!

Take that grad school!!!

Finally, I love the idea of a theme word for the year, so my theme for 2012 ~ 

Aspire! 

There are big things ahead...

What are your 2012 goals, themes, resolutions, thoughts.....?!

Quotation Wednesday {38th Ed.}

I love how this quote adds to the idea of how much of ourselves is unconscious. You know, the whole iceberg idea.... Well, I love how this quote reframes the unconscious portion as "invisible and untouchable." It shows the individuality of people, provides a good reminder that we don't really know people and therefore shouldn't make judgements, plus it is just so empowering! It gives you a reason to own that large portion of yourself that only you can know, only you can understand, cherish, and love!!

On the injustice of fairy tales

Rachel and I had our 4 year anniversary last Friday. 4 years! We had a wonderful dinner, filled with good food, laughter, love, and memories; both good and bad. Relationships are hard. Divorce rates are sky high, infidelity rates are likely higher, and broken homes are rampant in this society. Seriously people, relationships are hard work. Why then is this something that is not readily discussed? Why do we read our children fairy tales where the princess always gets the man and lives happily ever after? We, as a society, romanticize the high school sweetheart, turns marriage, turns old married couple on the porch. That is beautiful, but do we ever show the pain that exists in between? The disappointments, heartbreaks, and struggle? Relationships are hard work!

Don't get me wrong, they are pretty amazing as well. It is fulfilling, exciting, and rewarding to share your life with someone else, to find someone who makes you laugh, smile, and genuinely love. But. There is also the hurt, the frustration, the differences that lead to questioning what the hell you ever saw in each other, and pain....relationships can really hurt. I guess the balance is in finding someone who you can have a relationship with where the happiness makes the difficulty worthwhile. Someone who will stick it out through the hard times, and who you are willing to trudge through the pain with, in hopes that your hard work will result in finding the beautiful part again.

I don't mean to sound so depressing, I just had an anniversary for cripes sake! Plus, we are in the beautiful, comfortable, happy time now. The time where it all just feels right. I cherish that, I really do. We work hard, are constantly working to keep our relationship blooming and happy. But. As I type, I know we will come upon difficult times again. They are inevitable, a part of life, and therefore obviously a part of a relationship. It is these rough spots that make us stronger, that help us learn how to better deal with the next one, that help the good times be that much stronger and truer.

That is why I am posting. We need to talk about these difficult times. We need to share. Nobody should have to go through any pain alone. Particularly this though. Have you ever been in a relationship during a rough spot, only to have everyone around you claim the fairy tale in their own? It isn't true. Don't be fooled by the rose colored glasses. Relationships are hard people. Working through the difficult patches is nothing to be ashamed of, in fact, it is exactly how marriages are able to last decades. We need to be able to share in life's darkness as well as it's beauty.

Happy Monday {54th Ed.}

I have been absent...can you sense a new years resolution coming on?! Anyways, Happy Monday blog land!! Here is what is making me smile..

My charlie brown "tree"
I can't take credit for the idea (thank you Pinterest), but will totally take ownership of the awesome execution! Its the scrap from a tree lot, how stinkin' cute! Oh, and its perfect for my table and completely fills my need for real tree smell :)

This non-tree christmas tree

Its just so unique! Too bad my cats would have it knocked down in 10 seconds flat.

source

Sweater blanket

I love this, and if MN ever decides to have a winter, I think I will actually need it! I think (fingers crossed) I am getting a sewing machine for christmas...if so, this is the first project on my list!

source

My new owl painting

I found this guy at this awesome antique shop a few blocks from our house. It was the first time I had been in there and I am so excited about it, its just an old house with rooms and rooms filled with antique / consignment / awesomeness! Anyways, I saw this beautiful owl painting and conveniently showed to to Rachel the next day....hint hint :) Guess what I got for our anniversary (which was last Friday, 4 years!)

the picture doesn't do it justice,
but doesn't she have a beautifully stately look on her face?

Trader Joe's Mini Gingerbread Men Cookies

Warning; unless you have incredible willpower or no care for your waistline, do not get these!! Seriously, they are heavenly!

dangerous link ;)

No joking; my mouth started watering as I uploaded this picture....damn you Pavlov!

Ok, that is all for me this week. What is making you smile?

This commercial rocks!

It just makes me happy every time I see it, I hope it makes you smile as well :)

Happy Monday {53rd Ed.}

Happy happy monday everyone!!! Here is what is making me smile...

Cake batter anything
I love cake batter! Doesn't this recipe sound awesome?

recipe

This curious owl

Too cute :)

and this scruffy one!

Being the crazy pet lady every time I go to someone's house
No shame...

Dogs playing in the snow

I know, I know, you are probably sick of seeing pictures of my dogs, but they are just so cute in their ecstatic snow fury!!

That is all for me this week, what is making you smile?

Oh please tell me these 2 are actually friends!!

Did anyone else see this perfect duo on Wednesday? I saw mention of it on facebook a few hours before it aired and let me tell you, I could not wait! Two of my favorite female singers playing together....and then they sang my favorite Gaga song! Can I please please be their 3rd bff?! ;)

Oh I have such a soft spot for shameless quirk!

Quotation Wednesday {37th Ed.}

No need to explain the beauty of this quote, it's just phenomenal...

"because there's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it's sent away" -Sarah Kay

Happy Monday {52nd Ed.}

Happy Monday Everyone! Here is what has been making me happy Thankful :)

Family
I love family dynamics during the holidays, the interconnectedness of love, frustration, fun, food, laughter, and a healthy dose of family drama is all just so amazing to me :)

Random lettering
I love this idea! Now I just need to decide what to spell out...

Reading everywhere

This picture just looks like heaven to me!

Sweatpants

Or really any clothes that make you say "Ahh..." after a long day/week of wearing something real clothes ;)

That is it for me this week...all the food put my brain into hibernate mode I think!! I hope everyone had a holiday weekend filled with things that made you smile :)

Quotation Wednesday {36th Ed.}

I don't have any profound reason why I love this one, except that the pairing of the words "passionately curious" is just so appealing to me...

Happy Monday {51st Ed.}

Happy Monday Everyone!! Here is what is making me happy this week, well besides the fact that it is a 3 day week that is :) ...

These gloves
Seriously, I NEED them!!

you can by them (ahem, for me?!) here

Big bright shoes

Aren't these super fun?

via here

This swing

Its just so whimsical... 

via here

And of course...the first snow

Big fluffy gorgeous flakes, if only it stayed so pretty (and didn't last so long!)

Have a wonderful short week everyone, what is making you smile?!