Michael Sullivan Photography

How about a few lovely film photographs from Michael Sullivan to start your week with something beautiful? His work is seriously inspiring...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gorgeous, right? Even his wintery images look warm and inviting. I love his use of natural light, and the photos with multiple-exposures are so magical. You could easily spend an hour absorbed in all the beauty on his Flickr (I know I did.)

Hope you have a very lovely Monday, friends.

Ruche Enchantment

Be still my heart! Ruche just launched their newest lookbook for spring and I am completely smitten. Every page of the book (aptly titled Enchantment) is an absolute dream... kites, braids, soft colors and gorgeous spring clothing.

Those shoes. They will be mine.

The pinks and creams, feminine details and vintage accents make my heart ache for warmer weather. I told myself I would enjoy winter this year, but February is so tough. I can only scrape ice off my windshield so many times. It probably doesn't help that my winter wardrobe has been reflecting my mood lately: a dull, depressing mix of blacks and grays. Perhaps I can ease the transition with this and one of these.

I cannot wait for budding leaves, dresses, freckles and bike rides.

All photos by Elizabeth Messina for Ruche.

Spring is Coming...

On my way to work this morning, I drove by a vast open field. It was a golden-pink from the early morning sun and dotted with little dark clumps. After a quick double take I realized the clumps were Canadian geese, probably close to a hundred or so, roosting in the field as they waited for the sun to warm their wings. It was absolutely beautiful.

For some reason this week has been particularly long and stressful, and I seem to have developed a case of the winter blues. However, after seeing the geese this morning, I was reminded that spring is on her way. The northern birds are migrating back home.

Spring is coming.

Photo by Michael Sullivan.

Happy Valentine's Day!

For a girl with "heart" in the name of her blog, my love for Valentine's Day waxes and wanes. The cheesy, over-commercialized "romantic" aspects of the holiday gross me out big time. I much prefer wildflowers and a bag of M&Ms to roses and fine chocolates any day. I do love all the handmade, kitschy, and nostalgic bits of the holiday, though, and I'm so glad they've made a resurgence lately.

Chris and I usually play it low key for Valentine's. We have a longstanding tradition of watching a Disney movie (this year it's Lady and the Tramp) and eating heart-shaped Zebra Cakes. It's probably one of the best traditions ever. In the history of mankind.

Anyway... Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

Original illustration by Courtney Jentzen

Sandra Dieckmann

I stumbled upon the work of British illustrator Sandra Dieckmann the other day and had to share a few of my favorites... which were pretty difficult to decide on. Her work is is full of woodland creatures, intricate details, beautifully subtle colors, a hint of whimsy and the occasional feather. All of my favorite things.

Deer Lady

Robin Trees - I love the pattern detail on the tree trunks!

Squirrel Spoon - how sweet is this pair?

Kes

Detail from Magic Breeze

Aren't her illustrations lovely? Dieckmann's work is available for purchase on Etsy and Society6, or visit her website for more information on her wonderful illustrations.

Recipes on Film

I've seen a lot of creative food videos popping up on blogs lately and I am so in love with them. It's such a wonderful way to share recipes...

Classic Pesto from Tiger in a Jar for Kinfolk, via Etsy

Mojitos, Chips, and Salsa by Rachel Chew for Elephantine

A French Press Method by Hugh Forte for Sprouted Kitchen, via Pitch Design Union

Beautiful, right? There are a great many things I'd love to master, videography being one of them. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll ever have the time to become as skilled as these filmmakers. Which is fine by me... I'm content to watch these lovely shorts unfold.

Wish List: Work it Out

Now that we're a month into the new year, how are you holding up with your resolutions? I'm not much of a resolution-maker myself, but I did come up with a list of goals to help make 2012 awesome. These goals pretty much focus around being happy, eating well, and keeping healthy. Keeping healthy (unfortunately) means exercising... not exactly my favorite way to spend 80ish minutes a day, but important nonetheless.

After the laziness of the holidays, Christopher and I have been pretty good about hitting the gym 5-6 days a week, but this week feels as if I've hit a one month slump. Here are a few items that I'm thinking may just motivate me to kick it up a notch...

 

1. Ladies, meet the Ta-Ta Tamer II. Not kidding. I have yet to find a supportive sports bra... but with the full support, moisture-wicking fabric and convertible straps of this baby, perhaps my ta-tas have found their match.  2. This beautiful typographic water bottle is made of BPA free glass - healthy for you and the environment.  3. I bought my first pair of yoga pants a few weeks ago and they are so comfy... I would live in them if it was socially acceptable. Obviously, I need 5 more pairs, and these Aerie Slim Gyms are next on my list.  4. Clean and Clear's Deep Action Exfoliating Scrub is great for cleaning a post-workout sweaty face and smells amazing. 5. If you're particular about your gym footwear, NikeiD has a full line of shoes you can customize, right down to the sole color and swoosh detail. Neat.  6. Sometimes I trick myself into exercising by playing Just Dance... a half hour of play burns roughly 200 calories!  7. I know there are a ton of fitness apps out there, but the Nike Training Club app looks amazing. It's designed specifically for women and has step-by-step videos, targeted workouts, and other great features to help you get the most out of your workout.  8. My current gym bag is a plastic grocery sack. It's probably time to upgrade to something like this cute tote from ModCloth, prefect for hauling my workout gear and shoes.  

Anyone else trying to keep up with a new year exercise regime? I'd love to hear some of your methods and tips! My routine is pretty standard... stretching, running and light weights. It's tried and true but can get pretty boring (although sometimes I get crazy and switch things up with the elliptical machine or a little yoga...  .) Maybe next week I'll try a few new workouts from the Nike Training Club app and go from there.

February Instagram Challenge

 My view today: working on a little layout design at work...

When I read about Fat Mum Slim's photo a day challenge on Diapers and Skinny Jeans a few weeks ago, I knew I had to participate. Take a picture every day (following a prompt) for the month of February... simple enough, right? I think it's a great creative exercise and I hope I can keep up with it every day.

I'll be occasionally sharing my Instagrams here, but if you want to follow along, my Instagram username is "katherinejoy" (or visit me on Instagrid.)

Anyone else participating? Let me know so I can follow you!