Why am I so smitten with giraffes? No idea, but I just love them. Maybe it’s their big, soft eyes or their pretty coloring. The pic below is of sweet Gemina that passed away a few years ago. Her neck is crooked but I’ve always loved her.
Here is some more giraffe-y goodness.
I NEED this… bad
(where can I find this??)
Do you have a favorite animal?
Dear person who stole my debit card info and drained my bank account,
I don’t like you even a little bit. You made me cry on what was supposed to be a very happy weekend.
Dear bank,
You were closed when I really needed you.
Dear Harlow,
Thanks for being my puppy.
Dear Chelsea, Billie and Elyse,
Congratulations! I can’t wait to see your babies.
Dear fridge,
Thanks for being big enough to hold all of my film and even a few groceries.
Dear bed with fresh clean sheets,
You are like heaven.
Dear London,
I miss you today.
Dear Trader Joe’s,
Thanks for the pomegranates.
“little letters” idea borrowed from Rockstar Diaries
photo via paper tissue
Enjoying my one of favorite fruits before they are all gone.
What’s your favorite fruit?
photos by me
There’s a lot of sad stuff going on in the world, so here is some very happy stuff:
Pretty cases to dress up your iPhone
My friend Sarah’s baby has the sweetest giggle!
This dance sequence from 500 Days of Summer makes me smile.
I’m not waiting for summer to make these homemade icecream drumsticks
A very silly kitten.
You can make customized chocolate bars customized chocolate bars- I wonder if they have mint and lavender? Candied rose petals and toffee sounds good too.
Still in love with this print.
Mini grilled cheeses w/ a shot of warm tomato soup is pretty much the best party idea ever.
I sort of really want this jacket… It’s cute, right?
Don’t you love these ads for Chloe Spring/Summer? I do.
Okay, I’m out. Have a BEAUTIFUL weekend!
And this Balaclava
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another.”
Charles Dickens
My heart is breaking for the people of Haiti. Even if you can only give a little, it all makes a difference. There are so many ways you can help:
For the next 2 weeks Naomi, of Love, Taza is donating proceeds to Haitian relief efforts through Doctors Without Borders
“The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.”
– G.K. Chesterton
I thought I was going to get away with making absolutely no New Year’s resolutions but I think not having goals is probably never a good idea. So even though I’m probably the last one to post New Year’s resolutions, here you go:
Have a “grown up” wardrobe – sadly I think this means no more stocking up on hoodies at the G.A.P. (as Billie would say)
Stop hitting snooze and just get up on the first beep.
De-clutter my home (and life)
Learn French
Buy a bike w/ a basket, of course.
Take vitamins everyday and drink a LOT more water.
Spend at least a half an hour each day reading my scriptures. Man, I’ve gotten lazy.
Take pictures every single day.
And I love this quote by Judy Garland:
“Well, we have a whole new year ahead of us. And wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all be a little more gentle with each other, and a little more loving, have a little more empathy, and maybe – next year at this time – we’d like each other a little more.”
Did you make resolutions? I’d love to hear yours too. xo
I want to share something special with you today,
Twelve years ago my friend, Jesse Rohde traveled to rural Africa with the desire to make a difference in the world. He has since founded The Rohde Founation which is dedicated to providing “social justice, health care and hope in rural Africa,”
What prompts someone to embark on such a journey?
After traveling to Ghana with Operation Crossroads, Jesse says he was left with questions: ” What can I do to make peoples lives better? How can I make the struggling [people] more optimistic about their health care futures? The Rohde Foundation grew from these questions.”
Jesse said that he started the Foundation in response to the question, “What can I do to affect peoples lives? How can I increase life security in a survival society? The answer was simple – travel door to door letting people know that you are working with, and for, them…that health care access is on the way. This is what was promised 12 years ago, and what has been realized this year.”
This is a picture of a cocoa shed which as become a health clinic in Ghana. Isn’t that a miracle? I’ve learned in my own life that miracles are most often wrought through hard work, dedication and a love for the work that you’re doing. That is certainly the case here. Jesse travels to Ghana every June and says he will do so throughout his own residency and plans to eventually spend half of his time in Africa.
“Although it is truly a lifetime of work, I envision a life where access to health care is provided to rural villages throughout Africa – a model for the future of rural health care that can be duplicated and expanded continent wide. I have come to know rural Ghana, and other parts of Africa as second homes for me. I believe in the concept of the global village – that the lives of Ghana’s villagers are equal to my own; that the health of the village grandmother in Oheema, Ghana is equal and as valuable as the health of my own loved ones.”
I am always looking for inspiration – not only in photography and art but in life. And when you find inspiration in something that improves the quality of someone’s life, well that is something really special. I love Jesse’s passion for this work and I hope to be able to become more involved in the Foundation this year.
The website for the Jesse Rohde Foundation is currently undergoing updates but you can visit facebook page for more info. I’ll be posting more info soon as well.
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit”
– Nelson Henderson
What do you do to make a difference? What inspires you?
What is more fun than a giveaway? Since I am not exactly the crafty type (I wish I were!) I thought I’d put together a little collection of my favorite things. It’s going to take me a little bit to figure out what to include so I thought I’d post the giveaway when I have 100 blog followers. Does that sound terribly like a bribe?
Well bribe implications aside, I thought it would be a fun little way to say thank you to those who read this blog. I love to read your comments and check out your blogs and see what everyone is up to.
And speaking of giveaways… here are a few more from other bloggers:
This beauty is over at {frolic!}
Nicole is giving away a copy of her book
Simple Lovely has a fab giveaway going on.
And sweet Camilla is having a very generous giveaway right now.
I haven’t had a chance to do a Friday post in awhile… so here you go.
Who knew elephant poo could be so cute?! Seriously.
I want a little boy to bake this cake for.
I really love these wedding dresses … if only they had sleeves.
A perfectly perfect English cottage.
Loving Cori’s Polaroid makeover.
Naomi and Josh got a puppy!
I love this print from Abby so much I ordered it.
I took the first two Polaroids in a little French restaurant in Los Angeles on New Year’s day. I admit I sometimes feel awkward pulling out my Polaroid and having people stop and look. But when they brought out the bread with a roll of butter and a little dish of pink salt there was no saying no.
The second one is the floor of the restaurant. I don’t know, I just thought it was so pretty. As I was focusing the waiter came by and asked “Is that a Polaroid?” – why yes, it is. He thought it was pretty cool.
So do I.
Do you take pictures of silly things too? I want to see!
a flash of delight 
