Kiss me tender...

I recently discovered this photographer on Flickr who produces some of the most beautiful "love" photography. Usually, these sorts of pictures don't interest me since they're highly predictable and all leave you with the same impression. Osvaldo_Zoom on the other hand uses great compositional aspects and detail in his pictures that give the viewer an idea of the exact moment the shot was taken. I like this over the usual effect that blurs out the majority of the rest of the photograph and just highlights the lovers. I feel that there needs to be no other emphasis placed on the lovers - I get it. They love eachother. Fantastic.

I've been looking at this frequently the last few days. It just makes me melt.



He has many other shots like this on this feed on Flickr if you're just as melted as I was.

* Sigh *

I figured that it was only appropriate to share some sunny, flowery pictures in light of the two days of rain that we have ahead of us. I actually rather like the rain - its renewing and life-giving. Plus, everything smells amazing after its rained - especially these flowers.

Let's welcome the rain people! I'm not asking you to throw a party or anything. Just smile when you notice that "raindrops keep falling on your head"...

(p.s - please note that I climbed a tree to take that first picture - aren't I dedicated?)

Purple Perspectives

Maybe I was just a bit traumatized at the prospect of having a prince "purple-rain"-esque house but I was pleasantly surprised at how classic the addition of purple to these rooms was. Perhaps it has something to do with that particular hue but, these rooms look at touch exotic.

(photos from Canadian House & Home.)

Making the most of the little time we have

No, don't worry, it's not going to be one of THOSE posts; the ones that agonize over life and complain that its "too short".

Every time I work at a full time job, I always realize the same thing - how quickly time flies. We also end up being overwhelmed by all that we want to accomplish after work. After all, it seems to be the only time of day that we have to ourselves; a very precious few hours commandeered by bus schedules and interrupted by laundry duties, dinner preparation and that nagging feeling that you should be doing something for yourself. It seems like time just doesn't want to cooperate, and as it gets increasingly so, you end up feeling increasingly pressured until...well...you collapse in bed, exhausted.

Delving further into this issue, I found that there is a way to beat the system.

Seriously. I'm not joking, so stop pinching yourself.

You have to brainwash yourself into enjoying everything you do after work. Find something wonderful about washing those clothes - perhaps how lovely everything smells or now nicely the sun is shining through your windows as you fold them.

Okay, I know that sounded corny but it works for me. I try to constantly keep myself in a very "inspired" state - finding beauty in everything that I see. I really think that you have to make this effort or else, everything has the potential to look grim and ugly.

The take home lesson here would be to remind yourself that trying to live life enraptured is therapeutic enough and can be considered as something "for yourself". Make life your muse. You might find yourself wandering around aimlessly and grinning like an idiot when you flower petals fall to the ground but I think that the humiliation is well worth it.

(Photo Credit)

It's about time I got a business card

Low key, subtle. So smart.

This has got to be one of the best ideas ever.

My Inner Scrapbooker LOVES this one

I started my business card design development by researching to see what other people are doing. Turns out...I got a bit distracted - people are way too witty.

The thing is, a business card needs to convey a lot; ingenuity, creativity, practicality and uniqueness. I would say that all of these fit the bill. Wouldn't you say?

I doubt that my budget would accommodate extravagant cards such as these. It looks like its going to be a good ol' Word document with flashy paper. That's fine for now but I'm looking forward to being able to do something wonderful when I settle in a field. It needs to be something creative...something that makes people say "holy christmas, thats a wicked/cool/fantastic/memorable/highly intoxicatingly wonderful business card design".

I can hear them already...

(Check out more pictures)

I dream of Paris...

* Sigh *

I fooled you didn't I?? This isn't Paris at all!! It's VEGAS! Yes, that's right. If you've never been before - I think it was hilarious and very innovative that they managed to get the Eiffel tower sticking through the middle of the hotel! I hope to post a few more pictures about my trip tomorrow.

Not to mention, get back into my blogging routine.

Another year, some more time...

Happy Birthday to me!

So, it's my Birthday today and although I didn't want to make it a big deal, I'm kinda happy that it was acknowledged. I went into work praying that no one knew it was my birthday. Thankfully, that was the case all through the morning until I was in the student centre with my boss towards mid-day and my friends popped out of nowhere (seriously, nowhere!) with a homemade hat and big smiles. Although I was absolutely embarassed at the thought of everyone making a fuss of my birthday AND horrified when my boss told everyone in the office as well, I couldn't help but be thankful.

I look at all my friends and the people that I've met throughout my life and I really consider myself blessed to have met them and to have had the opportunity to form relationships with them regardless of the type. Their big smiles, careful criticisms and kind eyes often helped me make the best of my day and without them, I'd be miserable, surely.



So today, on my birthday, I just wish for the continuous support from those that I love and the chance to always make them a part of my life. Thank you for all that you do. You don't understand how much you mean to me.

(Picture credits - abbietabbie)

And I just use paper to write on.

Mandy Smith made this out of paper:

" Inspired by the distorted canal houses in Amsterdam and my love for paper"

Now that is unbelievable.

In the mail today...

Take a peek at what I found in the mail this morning!

Circle of Life Necklace

A Fly By Necklace

Garden of Joy Creamy Jade Bracelet

My purchases from Elle Custom Jewelry on Etsy are just amazing! I can't get over how unique all these pieces are and how timelessly they go with everything. What a cheerful way to start a very rainy day...

Why I love it: Books

Cyril Connolly sums it up.

"While thought exists, words are alive & literature becomes an escape, not from but into living"

Literature has always been one of my most passionate loves. Nothing makes me feel better than a beautiful word printed on an old dusty page laden with dried tears and moist with anxious sweat of my reading.

What do you love?

(I can't remember where I got the image from, sorry!)

A Tisket, A Tasket

I haven't posted in about a week and I feel out of my element already! Who knew that I'd find this so enjoyable and necessary in managing my daily grind woes.

The apartment is coming along very nicely. We've had a lot of help which I'm thankful for because I very rudely ditched Sir Plant-alot to go to Vegas for few days while he basically finished the moving of the apartments up. I'll make it up by finishing the apartment setup with him this week - so far, we've managed to finish the kitchen, organize and move things into storage. I've also just started my new job at Career Services. Needless to say, I haven't had much time to blog!

Too many tasks, so little time! I'm looking forward to being able to have some time tonight to fill everyone in on my trip as well as my fab. life at the moment.