August 30, 2010

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

August 25, 2010

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


August 23, 2010

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

August 18, 2010

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?


August 16, 2010

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!

August 12, 2010

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




August 10, 2010

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.












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



August 9, 2010

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!


August 8, 2010

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.

August 4, 2010

Umbrella...ella...ella

Urban / Lightroom preset rose vogue / city / umbrella / reflection / walking / rain


Cinematic / rain / landscape / umbrella / beautiful / lightroom preset / rose vogue / romantic / water / love


nature / water droplet / background texture / organic / natural / leaf / bokeh / macro


Blue / rain / reflection / urban / graffiti / umbrella / walking / woman / street photography


Landscape with blue umbrella


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. ;)


August 3, 2010

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


August 2, 2010

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!



August 1, 2010

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.