Must Have...

Ok... This is a definite MUST have!!!!

Listened to This 2010

Some of these songs may be a bit embarrassing to admit to have listened to over and over but these are a few of the songs that have been on repeat and meant the most to me in 2010...

Blood Bank - Bon Iver

Eet - Regina Spektor

Lost Cause - Beck

Dance Yrself Clean - LCD Soundsystem

Home - Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

Lost in the World - Kanye West & Bon Iver

Go Do - Jonsi

Knotty Pine - Dirty Projectors and David Byrne

Go Easy - Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

Wolves - Josh Ritter

Make Her Say - Kid Cudi

World Sick - Broken Social Scene

Just Another Girl - Pete Yorn

In These Arms - The Swell Season

Toot It and Boot It - YG

Who Says - John Mayer

Crash Years - The New Pornographers

Got Your Back - TI & Keri Hilson

Airplane - Local Natives

Moth's Wings - Passion Pit

Killing the Blues - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

I Don't Know What to Do - Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johanson

In the Sun - She & Him

VCR - The XX

Where the Road Meets the Sun - Katie Herzig & Matthew Perryman Jones

You and I - Wilco

Harvest Moon - Neil Young

Whatever You Like - Anya Marina

Bloodbuzz Ohio - The National

Wasted - Brandi Carlile

Savannah Smiles - Okkervil River

Ambling Alp - Yeasayer

In the Middle - Joshua James

I Like What You Say - Nada Surf

What's Wrong With Them - Lil Wayne & Nicki Minaj

Nantes - Beirut

French Navy - Camera Obscura

[photo from The Selby]

It's been awhile...

I have been in a blogging rut lately, unsure of how to say the things that I want to and even what the topics that I want to write about.

I want to be a good writer.

I want to spread beautiful and meaningful words across the page thatinspire.

I want my words to become artwork that decorates pages and leaves one thinking.

But how? And what?

10 Things I Love About Summer

It's sad to think that summer is half over but also exciting that there is still time left.

There's something magical about summer... it's a time for

fun and freedom.

It's such a lovely time for so many reasons but there are so many little things that go unnoticed.

1. Walking barefoot on sun-warmed tar that heals the streets.

2. The refreshing smell and cooler temperature after a summer rain.

3. Driving with the windows down and the sunroof open on warm summer nights, hair blowing in the breeze.

4. Lying poolside with Radiohead playing on the ipod.

5. The farmers market with delicious produce, fresh flowers and some great people watching.

6. Baseball games and fireworks.

7. Bonfires and marshmallows.

8. Shorts, sandals and tan feet.

9. Lunch and long talks with good friends on the patio of a favorite restaurant.

10. Getting into the car and the heat that burns your skin just until the air conditioning starts to work its magic.

The Avett Brothers

I'm not one that likes self-help books or articles of advice in magazines. But when one of my most favorite bloggers and one of the most talented writers posted this article that she had found I couldn't help but falling in love with it. There is just something that is so so true in every piece of advice that is given that every girl in their 20's should consider...

20 THINGS I WISH I’D KNOWN AT 20

A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, IN MY LETTER TO 20-YEAR-OLD ME, I WAS CONGRATULATING MYSELF ON NOT HAVING BEEN PHOTOGRAPHED TOPLESS. A FEW DAYS LATER, I REALIZED THAT WASN’T STRICTLY TRUE.

MY ROOMMATE JEN RECTOR WAS A PHOTOGRAPHER, AND SHE TOOK A WHOLE BOOK OF VERY RESERVED PINUPS. I’M AMAZED THAT I LIVED IN AN APARTMENT WITH A PHOTOGRAPHER AND A FULL BAR AND WE STILL ONLY MANAGED TO DO 1940S-STYLE DAMAGE.

IT’S A TESTIMONY TO HOW CAUTIOUS I WAS, WHICH IS A SHAME BECAUSE YOUR EARLY TWENTIES IS A GREAT TIME TO REVEL IN STUPIDITY. PLAY BEER PONG WITH BOURBON. PIERCE YOUR TONGUE. CLIMB ON THE BACK OF A MOTORCYCLE IN INDONESIA. WHAT THE HELL.

WHEN YOU’RE YOUNG; YOU DON’T HAVE TO MAKE SMART DECISIONS TO MAKE SOUND DECISIONS. YOU’RE STILL MAPPING THE TERRITORY, SO FAILURE IS THE QUICKEST ROUTE BETWEEN IDIOCY AND ENLIGHTENMENT.

THESE ARE A FEW OF THE LESSONS I WISH I’D STARTED LEARNING A LITTLE EARLIER. I HAVEN’T MASTERED THEM YET, BUT NOW YOU GET A HEAD START.

1. CONSIDER THE SOURCE. IF YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT SOMEONE WHO DISLIKES YOU, FIRST ASK YOURSELF WHETHER THEY’RE AN ASSHOLE. IF YOU DON’T LIKE THEM, AND THEY DON’T LIKE YOU, THAT’S NOT A PROBLEM. THAT’S A MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING.

2. GET OFF THE COUCH. IF YOU FIND YOURSELF PLAYING HARD TO GET, DON’T PRETEND TO BE BUSY. JUST BE BUSY.

3. DON’T WASTE YOUR TIME. IF YOU HAVE TO PLAY HARD TO GET, MOVE ON. YOU’LL KNOW WHEN YOU’VE FOUND A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE IT WON’T CONFUSE YOU.

4. WHEN IN DOUBT, SHUT UP. SILENCE IS A SMART NEGOTIATION TACTIC, THE BEST OPTION WHEN YOU’RE PROCESSING HOW TO RESPOND, AND ALWAYS MORE PRODUCTIVE THAN LYING ABOUT WHAT YOU’RE THINKING.

5. DON’T COMPLAIN. MAYBE VENTING MAKES YOU FEEL BETTER, BUT LETTING OFF STEAM CAN ALSO LULL YOU INTO MAINTAINING THE STATUS QUO. UNFORTUNATELY, THE STATUS QUO IS PISSING YOU OFF, WHICH IS WHY YOU’RE WHINING IN THE FIRST PLACE. IF YOU’RE FRUSTRATED, TURN THAT ENERGY TOWARD FIXING YOUR PROBLEMS, NOT BITCHING ABOUT THEM.

6. DON’T OBSESS. WORRYING IS COMPLAINT’S UGLY COUSIN. EITHER USE THAT ENERGY TO CHANGE YOUR SITUATION, OR RELAX.

7. FIND AN AGE-APPROPRIATE STYLE. NO ONE WANTS TO SEE A 20 YEAR OLD IN BEIGE SLACKS AND A WOOL BLAZER. BUY TRENDY CLOTHES, WEAR THE SLUTTY DRESS, DO SOMETHING UGLY WITH YOUR HAIR. BE PART OF YOUR GENERATION, SO YOU CAN LAUGH AT THE PHOTOS LATER.

8. BE POLITE. IT KEEPS DOORS OPEN, LESSENS THE POTENTIAL FOR MISUNDERSTANDINGS, AND INCREASES THE ODDS OF GETTING INVITED BACK TO THE BEACH HOUSE.

9. BUT DEFEND YOUR BOUNDARIES. WHEN SOMEONE ISN’T TAKING NO FOR AN ANSWER, CLARIFY WHAT YOU WANT, AND THEN RESPOND FORCEFULLY. BEING POLITE TO SOMEONE WHO ISN’T HEARING YOU IS NAIVE.

10. YOU LOOK GOOD. THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS THE HOTTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM. EVERYONE IS ATTRACTED TO SOMETHING DIFFERENT, SO JUST TAKE THOSE ODDS AND RUN WITH THEM.

11. BEING NICE IS OVERRATED. IN FACT, “NICE” IS THE LEAST INTERESTING THING SOMEONE CAN SAY ABOUT YOU.

12. KEEP IT TO YOURSELF. “SHE SEEMS NICE” IS AN EXCELLENT THING TO SAY ABOUT SOMEONE YOU DON’T LIKE. PARTICULARLY IN THE COMPANY OF PEOPLE YOU DON’T KNOW.

13. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE. WHEN YOU’RE TELLING A STORY AND SOMEONE INTERRUPTS YOU, LET THEM.

14. LET YOUR PASSION SHAPE YOUR PROFESSION. YOU KNOW THAT THING YOUR DAD SAYS? “IF WORK WASN’T HARD, THEY WOULDN’T PAY YOU TO DO IT.” PLEASE. THERE ARE PROFESSIONAL ROCK STARS, ASTRONAUTS, PUPPY TRAINERS, AND BLOGGERS.

15. SEX IS PERSONAL. DON’T BOTHER WITH ONE-NIGHT STANDS IF THEY’RE NOT YOUR THING, AND DON’T JUDGE PEOPLE FOR ENJOYING THEM (OR NOT). WAITING TO SLEEP WITH SOMEONE DOESN’T MAKE YOU AN UPTIGHT PRUDE, AND JUMPING INTO BED DOESN’T MAKE YOU A SPONTANEOUS ADVENTURE SEEKER.

16. FOCUS. THE SAYING, “WHAT YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT IS WHAT YOU’RE BECOMING” ISN’T JUST CHILLING, IT’S A UNIVERSAL LAW. BE AWARE OF HOW YOU’RE INVESTING YOUR ATTENTION – INCLUDING YOUR WORDS, AND YOUR ACTIONS.

17. CUT YOURSELF A BREAK. DON’T OFFER A RUNNING COMMENTARY ON YOUR OWN FAULTS. WHEN YOU DO, THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU LISTEN. GIVE YOURSELF SPACE TO CHANGE YOUR CHARACTER.

18. DON’T BE INTIMIDATED. WORLD TRAVELERS ARE JUST PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT PLANE TICKETS. PULITZER PRIZE WINNERS ARE PEOPLE WHO SIT ALONE AND WRITE. YOU CAN BREAK THE MOST PROFOUND ACCOMPLISHMENT DOWN TO A SERIES OF MUNDANE TASKS.

19. CHOOSE GOOD COMPANY. ASK YOURSELF IF A PERSON MAKES YOU BETTER OR DRAINS YOUR LIFE FORCE. IF THE ANSWER IS B, YOU’RE BUSY NEXT TIME THEY CALL. AND THE TIME AFTER THAT.

20. ENJOY YOUR BODY. ODDS ARE YOU’RE MORE BEAUTIFUL NOW THAN YOU WILL BE AGAIN. ASK YOUR ROOMMATE

Miss you...

3 years ago, around this time of year I visited here. It was magical.

The open-aired cafes, pastry shops on every corner, cobblestone streets,

and this magnificent monument.

It was different than expected but lived up to every expectation that I had ever had. There is something that was magnetic about it. No matter how many times I passed it the initial feeling of complete awe always came back.

After seeing this photo from here, it took me back... Someday I will go back... Maybe someday I will even live here...

Listen to This 07.10

1. Riot Rhythm - Sleigh Bells

2. The Curse - Josh Ritter

3. Everlasting Light - The Black Keys

4. If I Am a Stranger - Ryan Adams

5. Chase Scene - Broken Social Scene

6. Head Full of Doubt/ Road Full of Promise - The Avett Brothers

7. Dead Hearts - Stars

8. Truth for a Truth - Jakob Dylan

9. Little Fire - Patty Griffin with Emmylou Harris

10. All Summer - Kid Cudi, Best Coast & Rostam of Vampire Weekend

11. Up From Below - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes

There's just something about him...

Love this new music video and who doesn't love M. Ward....

all day, every day...

[photo from here]

Loved this book and loved this quote posted here:

so many people enter and leave your life.

hundreds of thousands of people.

you have to keep the door open,

so they can come in.

but it also means

you have to let them go.

extremely loud & incredibly close

jonathan safran foer

can't get enough...

TRUST

I love this post on the ANTHROPOLOGIST.

Collections

A good friend of mine has inspired me to start collecting old books.

I love the smell of old paper.

Stories from the books, stories from the previous readers...

Tomorrow I am going to visit Sam Weller's.

Wish me luck. I hope I come across some good finds.

Listen to This 06.10

1. These Days - The Black Keys

2. Swim Until You Can't See Land - Frightened Rabbit

3. Sorrow - The National

4. Home - Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

5. Crash Years - The New Pornographers

6. Lost Cause - Beck

7. World Sick - Broken Social Scene

8. Ambling Alp - Yeasayer

9. Heaven Can Wait - Charlotte Gainsbourg

10. Airplanes - Local Natives

11. We Don't Live Here Anymore - Jakob Dylan

If wishes were fishes...

Do you ever wish that you could go back in time?

To that one moment...

where everything seemed perfect?

That time that you felt that nothing could ever go wrong?

xo,
H

Ok... Can we talk about this...

Salt Lake City's infamous Twilight Summer Concert Series...

And just a few of the guests...

The New Pornographers...

Beirut...

She & Him...

Can't wait!!!

xo,
H

Films to see

I love lists. Shopping lists, lists of films to see, books to read, music to listen to...

There is never enough time to partake all at once so lists are a must!

Here are a few films on my list...



Coco Before Chanel



No Impact Man - I'm hearing about this everywhere!



The Botany of Desire based on the book by Michael Pollan

Any other recommendations?

xo,
H

Spring has sprung

As the warmer weather hits, garage sales start appearing. This enables my weakness for thrift store/yard sale shopping. Have you ever seen the television show "Hoarders"? I am trying hard not to become one...


xo,
H

the small stakes

this great book will definitely be sitting atop my coffee table...

my

dream job

would be designing these posters!

Built By Wendy

I have a new favorite line of clothing. Forget Madewell... Built by Wendy will be the first shop I stop at when shopping out of town...

"Built by Wendy infuses classic, clean American style with contemporary flair; every season, Wendy Mullin draws inspiration from pop culture and music, from her personal travels, from her Midwestern upbringing, and from classic and contemporary film and literature. These influences reveal themselves subtly—in each season’s custom-designed prints and textiles, for example—and more explicitly in Built by Wendy’s well-known graphic tees. Whether it’s a To Kill a Mockingbird printed shirt, a beaded Native American belt, a cabled fisherman sweater, or a canvas tote-bag inspired dress, Built by Wendy always manages to present a fresh take on traditional attire."

My most favorite item... the Dungaree Linen Track Pant

Wendy also has sewing patterns... now if I only had the time to sew.

Happy Easter weekend! May it be filled with sunshine and fluffy bunnies.

[photo by Sharon Montrose]

xo,
H

I wish...

I wish that spring was in the air. I wish I could smell fresh cut grass.
I wish I could feel the warm rays of the sun that I am so grateful for.

Let's hope for good weather soon.
xo,
H

Amazing!

Look at this beautiful photography by Johnny Miller. He has done work for ESPN, Kate Spade, and Chase Bank. I wish I had this amazing talent!

Away We Go

and here i go....

off to austin to attend sxsw

xo,
H

Obsession

I can't stop watching these two videos...

Love love love this!

And you all know my obsession with Ms. Deschanel. LOVE her outfit and hair in this video. And isn't her dancing great!

I've Been Dreaming of You

Dear Marc,

You have the most fantastic bags. I have been dreaming of this lovely little shoulder bag for awhile now... This photo does not do this beaut justice at all!

xo,

H

Anything Old

Recently, I have become addicted to something. It is something that could become a very unhealthy habit. My lovely friends have gotten me hooked on thrift store shopping. I believe if I went longer than a week without going once I would feel like I was missing out on something great and I probably would be! I never walk away empty handed!!! Sooner than later my tiny apartment may be filled with an overload of gold frames, vases, candlesticks and many other fabulous little knicknacks.

Just look at these rooms though! They have some of the very best second hand finds!!! THESE are what inspires me to thrift store shop.




Isn't this magazine rack the lovliest piece you've seen???


I have GOT to have an old library card catalog cabinet like this one!


I love how they've turned thos old crate into a nightstand/bookcase.

xo,
H

Awoken from the slumber

So I'm back. And since I don't have the Internet who knows what this post is going to look like via my iPhone.

Recently, at my current place of employment, the stores blog has become my baby. So it's time to brush up on my creative writing skills in a place that won't suffer from my poor writing skills in the beginning. {I promise they will get better.}

So maybe now is the time to redefine my own blog. I'm just not quite sure what though. Maybe for now I'll just write about the things I love. So today, well tonight, since I can't sleep, Top Ten Things I Love Today...




1. Thrift store shopping... I have found so many treasures in the past few months all thanks to a dear friend of mine who has taught me how to be patient and how to sift through all of the junk. Her home is a true inspiration.



2. Gold photo frames... Thrift stores have the best to offer!

3. Norah Jones - The Fall - if you haven't yet. Indulge in this record.

Pete Yorn & Scarlett Johansen - Breakup

The Be Good Tanyas




4. Bright colors... To wear, to decorate with, anything! Spring is on it's way... Ok not really Here in Utah but bright colors might make it happen sooner.



5. Penny loafers - I recently purchased the perfect cognac pair and love them so much!

6. Diet Coke - Always a love of mine.




7. Dishes, bakeware, utensils. There are so many fun colors and great styles out right now I could have stacks and stacks of dishes.

8. My iPhone. No Internet at home is no bueno. This phone saves me!




9. My tiny purses. Lately I have hated carrying my huge suitcase size purses around especially while thrift store shopping in the breakables.



10. The book "Etcetera" by Sibella Court. Beautiful and inspiring.