Breakfast (+ A Few Links)

This is my current favorite breakfast, usually savored on the weekend when I have more than three minutes to prepare it. However, thanks to Passover and Easter, I have two random days off this week and was able to enjoy it yesterday morning alongside a cup of coffee and the howling rain-wind outside. Scrambled eggs, multigrain toast, avocado and sautéed leeks: so simple, so satisfying. I didn't butter my bread because I like having the flexibility to pile everything else on top.

Also, I truly don't understand how food bloggers operate. I was so eager to eat this that I literally took a single photo and hoped for the best before devouring the entirety of my meal. Doesn't the food get cold while they set up and style the perfect shot(s)? Do they throw it out afterwards? Do they actually plan on eating whatever recipe they prepare, or do they prepare the recipe solely for the purpose of turning it into a blog post? Eggs taste the most delicious when consumed as close to exiting the pan as possible (everybody knows this, right?), so these thoughts remain baffling to me.

And now, here's some unrelated mind fuel to accompany the palatable pleasure:

30 Things in 30 Years; "I would rather be in a room full of kings than be king of the room."

A Short Guide to a Happy Life; a particularly lovely excerpt:

"You cannot be really first-rate at your work if your work is all you are. So I suppose the best piece of advice I could give anyone is pretty simple: get a life. A real life, not a manic pursuit of the next promotion, the bigger paycheck, the larger house....Get a life in which you notice the smell of salt water pushing itself on a breeze over the dunes, a life in which you stop and watch how red-tailed hawk circles over a pond and a stand of pines. Get a life in which you pay attention to the baby as she scowls with concentration when she tries to pick up a Cheerio with her thumb and first finger....Get a life in which you are not alone. Find people you love, and who love you. And remember that love is not leisure, it is work."

The importance of Building a Good Name.

This made me cry (especially that last one, with the horse): The Five Days I Fell Hardest For My Wife.
"She is here. She is with me always. I will be alright."

Story time: I Am a Pizza (very wise words from a five-year-old).

//

Happy Wednesday, my friends. Hope you have a terrific day!

It Is All Comfort

"Every day I walk out into the world to be dazzled, then to be reflective. It suffices, it is all comfort."
 -Mary Oliver

Plus, a few links to recently enjoyed things:

Eloping in Paris. (I got emotional after watching this and ran upstairs to jump into Tiho's arms).
Would love to take this online flower arranging class later this spring.
Writing About What Haunts Us. Powerful and visceral.
And more on writing (and living): The Art of Being Still.
Simplify the Internet. A bit extreme, but I like it.
A recipe for Whole-wheat orange blossom bread. Yes please.
Baby shoes! (No, not an announcement).
Current favorite blogs: Ashore, One Claire Day, Ché & Fidel, & long-time fave Sprouted Kitchen.

*Photo of wind-blown me taken by T, who is slowly turning into the resident expert photographer over here.

Joyeux Noel (Plus A Few Blinks!)

This image makes me absurdly happy. (photo by Leela Cyd Ross)

These Books of Art by Isaac Salazar are pretty incredible. (via Swiss Miss)

This Morning Frost Meadow print by Anna Emilia reminds me of the months ahead and how beautiful they can be.

Feeling all kinds of love for this cute-as-a-button Swedish children's shop, Little Studio.

Next year, I'm going to make this beautiful doily light garland.

I agree. (via Brain Pickings)

Mesmerized by these botanical studies from Frances Pelzman Liscio's portfolio.

I saw these in person at West Elm yesterday and had a difficult time resisting the impulse purchase.

 How to make gingerbread cameras.

60 tiny love stories--reading these made me cry. (via Brandi)

Happy, happy, merry merry! It's somewhat mind-boggling to me that Christmas is actually here, and with it, the end of another year. It's been a good while since I compiled a quality list of blinks: hope you enjoy the random stuff that's piqued my interest recently. Peace and love to all.

I leave you with a quote from Hugo. It gave me chills in the theater earlier this week and I find it apropos to the spirit of the holiday: "I address you as you truly are: wizards, mermaids, travelers, adventurers, and magicians. You are the true dreamers."

What's This? Blinks are Back?

A few awesome things I discovered on the internet recently...

I wish I could splurge on this gorgeous original painting by Israeli artist, Tali ($90)

Swirly, curly typography makes me smile. (see more on typography served).

I can't adequately describe how much these nebula-scapes are blowing my mind. You can download the images for free (and in high-resolution!) from Hubblesite. (via Armas Design)

Oh hey, let's all go and have breakfast! Amazing.

I really enjoyed this decorating article in the Wall Street Journal; 10 Odd, Yet Essential Elements of Style. It's an except from a forthcoming book by Deborah Needleman (a la Domino fame) entitled The Perfectly Imperfect Home.

The weekend forecast looks beautiful. Low 60's and sunny with only a minimal smattering of odds and ends on the agenda. After a week straight of 12-hour workdays, I'm looking forward to popping the cork on a bottle of red and putting my feet up. What are your plans? Whatever they may be, enjoy 'em!

Hurricane + Weekend Blinks

Recently discovered Malika Favre's bold graphics and am utterly charmed by the Parisian chicness of them all (prints available!)

One of the many reasons reading is good for the soul (by gloxinia via kathryn's pinterest)

This heart walkway alone is enough to make me want to visit Petit Hotel Hafa in Mexico. The under $100/night price tag = major temptation. (found via Mustard & Sage)

New cuteness from Oeuf. You guys can't begin to guess how many times a day I announce to Tiho, "let's have a baby now"

I dislike math and still think this pi bowl is rad. ($25 right here)

Looks like Hurricane Irene is descending upon us this weekend. We have brunch plans in the city and an end-of-summer barbecue to attend: yikes. Next week kicks off the official beginning of back-to-school with meetings and classroom set-up: double yikes.

In addition to the blinks above, check out a few great articles I've explored online recently:

Five principles of a profound workday;

The debt crisis at American colleges;

A beautiful creative nonfiction piece on Mr. Rogers;
The basic tools needed to unleash creativity

And last, a friendly invitation to pop over for a visit to my kidspiration blog, Exquisite Banana Junior.

Until Monday,

Hugs.

Headed to the Cape + Weekend Blinks

The perfect bouquet? (spotted on Heart of Light)

 So true. Cannot believe another school year is just a few weeks away

Kate Moss's romantic English wedding = jawdropping. (photos by Mario Testino for Vogue)

I'm currently stalking a pair of pompom curtains that look exactly like this. That loose wildflower arrangement is also pretty bangin' (photo by Amy Merrick)

 This house is so stylish and fresh. (See more on Trendland, discovered via Automatism)

 Salted mudslide cookies. Why are you still sitting here reading this?

 Thank goodness I won't be searching too laboriously for a 2012 calendar.  Anna Bond of Rifle Paper Co. made the perfect one and it will be hanging on my wall

 

 Can everyone take forty seconds to watch, consider and share? (via WWF foundation)

 

The online world seemed quiet this week. I'm guessing people are off their computers and outside enjoying these last few weeks of the season. At least I hope so. We're headed to my family's cottage in Cape Cod for the weekend. I can't believe it's the only visit we were able to swing this summer, but I'll take what I can get. And what I can get better include a lobster roll (the buttery kind, because mayo and I do not get along).

Hope it's beautiful where you are.

P.S. A few lovely surprises this week: Erin shared the incredibly thoughtful parcel she sent me a while back and Alli posted about a care package + painting I recently sent her. Man, do I love blogging and the friendships it has afforded me.

Bringing Back the Blinks

Blinks take a decent amount of time to compile and can sometimes feel like a lot of pressure to maintain on a weekly basis. However, there are many lovely and inspiring things out there and I believe they should be shared. I do my best to highlight products, photos, ideas and articles that haven't already been blogged to death because then it just feels trite and monotonous.

Enjoy the latest and greatest of what's recently caught my eye:

Have you seen the beauty that is Amy Merrick's new website?  Floral styling and event design has never looked prettier

Paris green and gold might just be my favorite color combination. (photo by Little Brown Pen)

 Great typography + message. (via One Off)

How beautiful is this photo print from the Handle With Care shop? (run by the same duo behind Mr. & Mrs. Globetrot)

Not in the market for a new coffee table, but if I was, I'd choose this little guy from West Elm

Admiring the patchwork of color in this upcycled wallet from Holstee (via Mint)

 Love love love the deep plum and yellow pigments on this pillow from the fall collection at H&M Home. (via Bright Bazaar)

I really want to try this tutorial for making teacup candles. (Visit Hey Gorgeous for the full instructions)

Oh weekend, precious weekend. It's going to be a special one because Tiho and I are celebrating two years together. My, how time flies. It feels like just yesterday I wrote this post.

Hope yours is filled with sweetness and plenty of light.

Frantic Packing + Blinks

Something about this space makes me feel like floating. I adore everything about it. (spotted on A Merry Mishap)

"Light makes people happy" by Noel Skrzypczak. Yes indeed. (spotted on The Design Files)

 Whoa whoa whoa. Crazy beautiful. (image by Chris Peddecord via Dancing Branflakes)

 Consider this my wistful tribute to peonies, as their season slowly tapers off...(photo by Heather Smith Jones)

Drowning doesn't look like drowning. As a former lifeguard and swim instructor, I beg of you to read this article as we welcome swimming season. Knowledge is power.

Australian illustrator James Gulliver Hancock is attempting to draw all of the buildings in NYC. You can buy an assortment of his original prints right here. (via Short Story Design)

Have you heard about Hello Giggles, the brand new humor website co-founded by the fabulous Zooey Deschanel? A must-visit for all you lovely gal pals of mine.

The prettiest chocolate bars I've ever seen. (via Honey Kennedy)

It's going to be a jam-packed weekend full of cleaning, packing, outings in Brooklyn and an extra long, must-get-done-by-Monday to do list. I'm dumb-founded that the end of June already descended upon us. Anyhow, have a fantastic weekend and I'll see you back here in a couple of days. Much love.

I Survived (+ a Few Weekend Blinks)

Happy Weekend. But first, a few blinks (blog links) that made me smile:

Completely bewitched by the photos of Katarina of Grain & Silk, discovered on Elephantine

I enjoyed this Smithsonian article detailing how celebrated author E.B. White came to write Charlotte's Web through his love for nature and animals.

 This light-filled apartment is so dreamy &  magnificent. (spotted on Bloesem)

A favorite quotation and a beautiful photo. (By Ez Pudewa)

Whew. What a week. Thank you so much for all of your kind comments over the past few days. I wasn't on the computer much, but I read them all and felt the outpouring of love from you.  I think I cried more this week than I have in an entire year. I wish you could have witnessed the scene at the end of the day yesterday: big, unstoppable tears from the teachers, students and parents. It would have been comical if it wasn't so difficult. 

Letting them go is always the hardest part. I can't describe it exactly, but for me, my students become so much a part of my life that the abrupt ending after a year together feels like I've been hit by a ton of bricks. Or maybe a bus. I will be fine, of course. But I'll never forget them, especially not this group.

Tomorrow, we are attending the wedding of one of Tiho's co-workers. Aside from that, I'm going to sleep and catalog a ton of photos from the school year. So, I'll probably cry again and then sleep some more. Good thing wine will be accompanying it all.

See you Monday.