I love it okay?

"But can you feel this magic in the air,

It must have been the way you kissed me."

I know you've probably heard it before and it's not a "great find" ... but I love it. You might too.

Love,

Anna

Moving on up

I have been ridiculously nervous recently because in a few days I'm moving to a new place! But then I thought Why Be Nervous? ... Why not be super excited? So I poured all of my nervous energy into getting excited and preparing and....drum roll please... it's working for me!

Have you seen those signs that say "Keep Calm and Carry On"? At first I thought, okay that's good advice I guess. But then I saw this sign (below) and thought WOW! That seems like WAY MORE FUN! I choose this one!

Just wanted to share some inspiring and self-affirming words with you lovely readers. I also want a giant version of the first one to put in my new place!

Love,

Anna

Kris Allen

"If every second counts on a clock that's ticking,

Got to live like we're dying."

I realized that I posted three girls in a row for Music Monday. I thought I should throw some testosterone in the mix. Kris Allen is an American Idol winner and a total cutie pie. Dont'cha think?

Love,

Anna

Guess What?

Dear Lovely Readers,

This was originally going to be about beauty. But as I was looking for words about beauty, I kept picking ones about more than beauty; They were about self-acceptance and confidence. I realized that I think truly beautiful people are ones that accept themselves and know they have great value. When you carry around thoughts like that, the world can't help but to notice that you're glowing with acceptance and kindness towards yourself. And this really all boils down to love. Love yourself: That is what's really beautiful.

Love Always Beautiful Readers,

Anna

P.S. And guess what?

Lights.

"Second Go" An adorable music video by Lights. Click on the watch it on Youtube link if it doesn't work for you. :)

" Conquer a ladder then slip on a snake,

Cried till my river turned into a lake. "

If you like the song Fireflies by Owl City then you will love the artist Lights. If you haven't heard Fireflies then please go listen to it quick like a bunny and come back! Cutest song ever, right? But back to Lights, she has an amazing voice and her songs are so catchy and unique. Don't believe me about the gorgeous voice? Check out this acoustic version of Lions (Let's be honest: She has mad guitar skills!) Want to hear the original? It's a lot more techno-ish (I'm making up words, I hope that's okay) than the acoustic version but I love it just as much.

Have a fun Music Monday!

Love,

Anna

P.S. I really do love to hear from you! What do you think of Lights? Or do you have an amazing song you want to share? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Women and Life and Petals

"Where flowers bloom so does hope."

I love to look up the meaning of flowers, of dreams, of names. But then I thought, well, everyone has their own unique meaning of all these things. Why limit ourselves?

Flowers have always been a big thing in my life. Mostly because the women in my life have loved them and have instilled this love in me. So flowers and family have become intertwined in my life, so much that when I see certain types of flowers, they elicit specific memories of my life or people.

My first memory of flowers were white roses. Traditionally representing youth and innocence, I find this a perfect little moment. Right after my first ballet recital when I was still dressed in my big red tutu, my parents gave me a big bouquet of white roses. I felt so special and important and loved. So my youngster days are delicate white roses.

My second greatest memory of flowers were sunflowers. My best friend's house had sunflower wall paper all over her house. So friendship and childhood are definitely big, bright sunflowers.

Daisy, gerbera daisies to be exact, would probably best represent my life now. To be honest I can't really explain why. I just look at them and think of happiness, beauty, and simplicity. I guess that's what I want out of myself and of my life.

My grandmother is an iris. It's her favourite flower and she always had them in vases around her house. Tall and elegant, the perfect flower for her.

My mother is a coral rose. She has an understated beauty that catches you off guard and her warmth is unmatched by anyone I've met. But the rose is perfect for her most of all because of her strength and ability to protect those she loves.

Do you have a flower that has a special meaning to you? I'd love to hear your story.

Love,

Anna

Take a Risk Sweetheart

Taking risks.

I feel like I need to start taking more risks everyday and often. Nothing dangerous or illegal, just trying things you wouldn't do because they were out of your comfort zone. Why impose lots of restrictions on yourself? Life does a pretty good job of that already. So join me by stepping out of your comfort zone. Scratch that. Let's take a running leap.

(source)

I hope this edition of Word Lust Wednesday inspired you. Or made you think about what is possible if we do leave the world we're comfortable with and discover new and wonderful opportunities.

Love,

Anna

Eliza Doolittle

"But I will forgive you, the yolk is in the middle
And I'm chewing through the white"

Eliza Doolittle is a quirky little brit whose music I discovered and fell head over heels in love with immediately. In fact maybe even head over rollerblades. ;)

Love,

Anna

P.S. Do you like the idea of a regular edition of Music Monday?

P.P.S. Do any singers make you smile every time? Let me know!

The World is Yours

Finding really awesome word art on the internet is one of my favourite pastimes and also my dirty little secret because usually I should be doing other things.

so shhh...

Lets just call it Word Lust.

There will be definitely more of Word Lust to come!

Leave a comment and tell me what you think. Or visit me again by following. The support so far has been wonderful!

Love,

Anna

Most word art from here or here.

Umbrella...ella...ella

It was raining today as I biked home from work. I love the rain. I wasn't too fond of the thunderstorm I had to bike through earlier but otherwise I love the smell and the feeling of right before it rains like the clouds are holding their breath in anticipation.

Aren't these photos gorgeous? They're by Andrew from New Zealand. The last one with the flipped up umbrella is my favourite, not because this happens to me all the time...ahem. ;)

The Little Boy and the Old Man

Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon."
Said the old man, "I do that too."

The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants."

"I do that too," laughed the little old man.

Said the little boy, "I often cry."

The old man nodded, "So do I."

"But worst of all," said the boy, "it seems
Grown-ups don't pay attention to me."
And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand.
"I know what you mean," said the little old man.

by Shel Silverstein

Original Photos

spoon

boy

man

holding hands

Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert wrote the bestseller "Eat Pray Love". This book makes you laugh and think and reflect on your own life. These are the makings of a great read. She is a really intelligent and funny woman and author and she was asked by TED.com to talk about creativity. Really interesting presentation and really great book.

A movie with Julia Roberts playing Elizabeth Gilbert is coming out on August 13th in Canada and the United States. I can't wait!

Albert Einstein

"Everything should be made as simple as possible but not simpler."

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

"Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves."

Anyone who coined these phrases must have been a little bit brilliant and a little bit nuts.

I love Einstein for this; He was a man who had brilliant and revolutionary thoughts that changed our world but he also had a sense of humour and valued creativity and imagination above knowledge. He wasn't perfect; I've read many articles about his faults but I've also studied his theories in depth as a student of science and mathematics.

I love Einstein because he was a very dynamic person who we rarely encounter in history. Another like this is Leonardo da Vinci; an inventor and an artist. Einstein had opinions about love, happiness, religion, truth and people even make whole websites dedicated to things he said. Basically he was someone who threw himself into any aspect of his life with imagination and a sense of humour. I like that.

The World

I love photographs of the Planet Earth from Space. They tend to give me an immediate perspective no matter what is going on in my life. This photo is actually a composite of many photos over many days that NASA scientists put together. I also love how that reminds me that the World is like a patchwork of all different people and places throughout time.

On a much less philosophical note, I believe the Discovery Channel "The World is Just Awesome" song says it exactly right. This song never gets old for me.

What can I say? Boom de ah da.

Pomplamoose

Pomplamoose is something I came across while wandering aimlessly on youtube. It is a couple (boyfriend & girlfriend) who are both musicians and make things called "Videosongs" that have two rules:

1)What you see is what you hear (no lip-syncing)

2) If you hear it, you see it (no hidden sounds)

This one is a cover of Lady Gaga's Telephone. I chose to share this song in particular because it really shows how talented and creative these two are and it lets you compare it to the original.

But, I'll let you in on a little secret; If You Think You Need Some Lovin is my favourite song by Pomplamoose because it's an original by them and they're just so darn adorable together in this video.

Listen to all their wonderful songs here. Happy Listening :)

P.S. Don't get the title? Although you may think it's an invented band name like "Hoobastank", it's actually a play on the french word for grapefruit pamplemousse but it has moose on the end like the animal. Now the grapefruit with antlers logo makes sense? Good.

Dancing

The best therapy is to find a room, close the door, put in your earbuds, turn your ipod on really loud, and dance around like you are a five year old who ate far too much sugar. Use all those awesome moves you wouldn't be caught dead performing in public and maybe just a little bit of air guitar. Or a lot of air guitar, your call.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass,

it's about learning to dance in the rain.

photo credit

Desiderata

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

V-Neck Tees

Plain V-Neck Tee Shirts are my absolute favourite article of clothing in my closet. Hands down. These babies make my mornings that much easier and for this I am so grateful as I have never really been a morning person. As in never ever. As in I will take any small improvement that I can get my hands on.

Enter V-Neck Tee. I throw on one of my millions and go straight out the door with a pair of jeans on. What is your go-to piece of clothing that makes your mornings just a little bit brighter?

P.S. My favourite piece of Tee-Shirt Trivia:

The first promotional tee shirt for a movie was made in 1939 for the Wizard of Oz. The image showed the gang walking down the brick road while Toto is lifting his hind leg. It read "How the Yellow Brick Road got its name."

Tee Shirt on Right from the Gap

Acoustic Guitars

I brought home my first guitar today. Having no experience playing before, I needed a little bravery when I decided to buy it. But I mustered up enough faith that I would learn it and practice.

I made the right choice. I love everything about it. The sound of the strings and the smell of wood. I will schedule my first lesson tomorrow. I am nervous but am looking forward to the day when I can strum on my guitar around a bonfire with family and friends. So it most definitely is worth it.

Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley is my absolute favourite song because it is simply a song, a man, and his guitar creating something so emotional and beautiful.

Any problem you can’t solve with a good guitar, is either, unsolvable or isn’t a problem.

-Unknown

Sleeping In

There are few things as heavenly as when you wake up before your alarm goes off and realize that you have fifteen more minutes of sleep left, pull your covers tightly around you and doze off.

If people were meant to pop out of bed,

we'd all sleep in toasters.

Pennies From Heaven

If every time it rains, it rains, pennies from heaven
Don’t you know each cloud contains pennies from heaven
You’ll find your fortune falling all over town
Each red and yella umbrella is upside down and...

I don't care how old you are. Or whether you even believe in luck. But when you see a penny lying on the ground, do you pick it up?

Penny for your thoughts. :)