I took my camera to the beach after work on Saturday. I was feeling a little “blech” and a short walk on the beach did a world of good. The sound, the smell, the air… Even for a few moments, it was perfect.

The more I use my SX-70 the more I like him. Or her.

More of my photos

Thank you all for the kind, positive comments lately. I like my little blog home and it makes me happy that you like it too.

But I’ve made a terrible mistake. Last night when I was reading everyone’s Blog it Forward posts I realized I’d made a mistake in my own post. A big, huge, slap-my-forehead-in-the-middle-of-the-night mistake.

Of all of the things that inspire me, with perhaps the exception of my faith, nothing is more meaningful to me than the people I love. I am blessed with an incredible group of people in my life- family and friends from whom I’ve learned so much.

My father is generous and loves his family unconditionally. My mother is fearless and steadfast and selfless. My siblings are brave and loving. My cousins and uncle and aunts and grandmothers and nieces and nephews… I couldn’t love them more. And my friends…

“You do not know how much they mean to me, my friends, and how, how rare and strange it is, to find in a life composed so much of odds and ends… to find a friend who has these qualities, who has, and gives those qualities upon which friendship lives. How much it means that I say this to you -without these friendships – life, what cauchemar!”
T.S. Elliot

My life would truly be a “cauchemar” (nightmare) if not for my friends. They are so incredible and important in my life, each in their own way. I watch them live their lives with grace and courage and humor and integrity and I am in awe. This list would also include those people who have come and gone but who’s influence and inspiration is undeniable. I wish I could tell you about each of them and the impression they’ve left on my heart. Maybe I will, but not today.

Who inspires you?

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I’m very excited to be a part of Blog it Forward. The idea came from the Victoria as a way of sharing love and inspiration with fellow bloggers. Nancy has passed the torch on to me and so it is my turn to share with you what inspires me.

::polaroids::

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I love my magical little camera(s). Taking pictures of the world around me is eye-opening. My camera is teaching me to see beauty everywhere.

::music::
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I find so much inspiration in music. It calms me down, lifts me up, motivates me when I’m feeling lazy and smoothes my soul when weary. Right now I’m loving:
Devotchka
The National
Coeur de Pirate

::evening::

My favorite time of day is probably about an hour before the sun sets when everything is winding down for the day. When the whole world mellows and gets a little quieter and everything is tinged with gold. That’s when I can think, walk, sit outside and find some stillness.

::travel::
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I love to be going somewhere. Honestly I think I get inspired just by packing my bags. Whether I’m going to Utah or London or Minnesota or Mexico it’s always an adventure and a change of pace. I love the anticipation of leaving my daily life behind, even if it’s only for a weekend. I hope to travel a lot this year – as much as possible.

::words::
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I am a collector of words. I have notebooks full of quotes, stories, and poems that have at one time or another been an meaningful to me.

::faith::

I can’t tell you what my faith does for me. I don’t know enough words to tell you how it restores my soul and strengthens my heart. It makes me a better person, a better friend, a better daughter. I love my Heavenly Father so. The knowledge that I am his daughter and that is love for me is unconditional a blessing I don’t think I could live without.

Tomorrow please be sure to check out Polka Dot Robot.

Also blogging today:

The Baker’s Daughter
Her Sunday Dress
S.HOPtalk
Design Fixation
Cafe Cartolina
Angie Go Boom
Lilac & Ivy
Victoria Klein
Nectar & Light

Thank you Victoria for putting this together and having me as a participant.

I hope you are all finding inspiration in your own lives.

xo

I really love these dresses from Built by Wendy. Really, really.

via Simple Song

Lissy Elle’s photostream is so dreamy and childlike.

photo credit

I’m obsessed with these giant birds (made out of rolled up newspapers)that have been on display at the Anthropologie store in Santa Barbara. I was invited to be a part of their one year anniversary celebration on Thursday evening. They’re are celebrating one year at their new location. These beauties are being auctioned off at the party. I’m not going to lie… my first thought was “Where could I put one?” But alas, there will be no giant birds (paper or otherwise) moving in with me.

The more pressing matter is that I have no idea what to wear.

photos from my Flickr

The Valley is lush and green after all the rain we’ve had. I was driving home after work and pulled over to take these Polaroids. I was pleasantly surprised at the results.

This were taken with this camera. She does a great job, no?

(maybe next time i’ll make sure my shadow isn’t in the shot… whoops)

photos by me

Even though the days are getting longer I feel like I have less time than ever… How is this possible?

photo credit

I don’t know about you but this sort of makes me want to never wash my car again. Maybe then Alison Carmichael will come do some pretty calligraphy on it. It’s worth a shot!

found via Oh Joy!

“Si exagerásemos nuestras alegrías, como hacemos con nuestras penas, nuestros problemas perderían importancia.”
Anatole France

This is one of my favorite quotes. Maybe I’ve posted it before, I can’t remember. If you don’t speak Spanish, it basically says that if we would exaggerate our joys the way we do our sorrows, our problems wouldn’t matter.

I’ve been struggling with something at work. Someone, to be more precise. If I let myself complain about this person I have to admit it feels pretty good. But afterwards I find myself all worked up, dwelling on things that make me unhappy. I would much rather dwell on things that make me happy! I also find myself exaggerating. Not on purpose. I thinking I’m a pretty honest, straight forward person, but it’s easy to get worked up about something upsetting.

So what is my point? Whenever I start to complain about something I am stopping to ask myself “Is it really that bad? Really?” Also “is it going to matter one year from now?” It’s tough though, especially when I feel justified in my frustration. But I guess that’s sort of the point.

I printed out this quote and keep it in my wallet. It helps and I’m trying.

“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.”
Marvin J. Ashton

Maybe you’re better at handling unpleasant situations/people than I am. How do you do it??

In happier news my Mission President added me as a friend on Facebook. I LOVE IT!

image found via Just Be Splendid