Exploded Flowers

(c) Fong Qi Wei

This is such a unique way to take photographs of flowers. It's almost mesmerizing!

Reading List

I'm not sure what I'm more excited about -- Elizabeth Gilbert's new novel or learning how to make collages on Picasa. What are you reading these days?

Snowfall

(c) JHMR

Gotta love that first major snowfall. Rendezvous Bowl, the tippy top of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, got nearly a foot of snow last night with more on the way. Let's hope this means exciting times ahead!

New Music Tuesdays

Bec Sandridge might be Aussie, but she sure knows a thing or two about that classic waltz sound.

Office Inspiration

 via Pinterest

(c) John Robshaw

(c) Justin Chung

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

Dreaming of pretty office spaces like these. I do well when surrounded by plants, inspiring images, and knick knacks. Slowly adding things to my little corner at work to make it just so. 

Fall Mountain Weekend

This weekend was fall at its finest and, thankfully, I spent it with two of my most favorite people. Jane and Liz, friends from out west, visited me in my new town. On Saturday morning, we strolled past tents full of vegetables, local honey, and baked goods at the Charlottesville Farmers' Market. Later, we drove on the Blue Ridge Parkway and hiked (and gabbed) along the Appalachian Trail. The foliage, as you can imagine this time of year, was stunning. We finished the day off with red wine, a delicious dinner, and even more conversation. I'm certain that we will never run out of things to talk about. We strolled around UVA's campus this morning and treated ourselves to coffee and bagels at the the world's famous Bodo's.

I feel like I just wrote a column about how to spend 24 hours in Charlottesville! Though the visit was short, we were able to squeeze in so much. It goes without saying, we had a blast.

I'm going to bed feeling grateful for friends like these -- the ones who appreciate the same simple things in life. Our shared Wyoming experience really has created a bond like none other.

RIP Lou Reed

Friday Film

People > craft. The person who gets the gig is the person who knows how to hang. Nobody hires you because you're the best musician. Loved that.

Words Are Life

The Book Thief is one of my all time favorites. Can't wait to see the movie! Interesting ad for it, don't you think?

New Music Tuesdays

What a treat! Didn't even know he was releasing an EP. Look for it on Tuesday, November 19th.

Gorgeous Libraries from Around the World

Seattle

Scotland

Britain

Germany

Libraries are my jam. Always have been, always will be. I was just at mine yesterday picking up the book, Swamplandia. Charlottesville's library isn't anywhere near as awesome as these, but it'll do. Check here for more photos from around the world. 

Friday Film

This video. All day long. She takes it to the next level with those arms bands and beanie.

Guided Meditation

On Wednesday, I spent my lunch break on the University of Virginia Lawn with Arianna Huffington and Deepak Chopra. Many thanks to the Contemplative Sciences Center! Chopra, a scholar of modern science and spirituality, led a 10 minute guided meditation. It was fairly basic yet profound. My favorite take away from him, which seems simple enough, is the acronym STOP. This is something to keep me in mind when feeling stressed.

S stands for stop.
T stands for take three deep breaths.
O stands for observe your body.
P stands for proceed with love and compassion.

Helpful, yes?

Daily Dishonesty

These made me laugh. Sounds about right.

Rumi Reminder

Friday Film

I'm devouring each and every one of these videos! Pun intended. The Perennial Plate makes me want to eat my way around this entire world.

Alice Munro

I think now is as good a time as ever to sit down with this book. Congrats, Alice Munro, on the Nobel Prize win!

Scarf Season is Upon Us!

(c) All the Pretty Birds

 via here

 via here

via here

Anyone else out there as excited as I am about this?

Real Life Mowgli

(c) Sylvie Robert

I took a sociology class in college where we studied feral children. Seems like an odd blog post, but how cool are these photos? Stories like Tippi Degre's are so fascinating to me. Her parents were photographers and raised her in the wilderness of Namibia, Africa until she was 10. Here are a few more images from that time.

New Music Tuesdays

I've become somewhat fascinated by Cass McCombs. His sound is unique and poetic, reminding me of something from the 60s or 70s. After reading up on him I learned that he has led a nomadic existence for most of his adult life, crashing on couches and moving from one city to the next. He prefers staying out of the limelight, making him fairly anonymous and mysterious.

You can listen to his entire album, Big Wheels and Others, here on NPR. It's due out next Tuesday, October 15th.

A Dose of Links

via here

+ great "literary" city guide for this place I now call home

+ a sweet recap of a very special day

+ awesome doc for those who love The Band

+ fascinating Fresh Air interview about staying healthy (love me some Terry Gross!)

+ I want this print and really wish more people followed these rules

+ who's excited for soup season?

1 Year

A year has come and gone, and with it many changes and good times. Happy Anniversary to my co-pilot, my love, my main squeeze for ever and ever. You have made me the happiest!

Friday Film

These just keep getting better and better.

Photo Shoot

Yesterday I returned to Hot Springs, Virginia for an editorial wedding shoot. Fall (and love) is in the air, people!