I heart NYC

Today a very dear friend of mine is moving back to NYC after many years on the West coast. It wasn't very long ago that I considered a move to the Big Apple myself, but alas, that is not to be (for the time being). For now I see the city through the amazing, whimsical artwork of Caitlin McGauley. I follow her blog where she writes about her day to day life in NYC--the big difference between her blog and the many others I read about life in the city? She depicts her happenings in beautiful watercolors! For example, when she bought a chair, she posted this picture of it.



When she saw Grace Coddington, she posted this picture. (Go see The September Issue right now!)



If only I could depict my life happenings through cupcakes. Or paper dolls.

pictures used with permission, thank you Caitlin!

PS--I found Caitlin's blog on my friend Cannon's blog! Cannon-loving the Forever 21 posts!

hi there

I just watched this trailer. I'm not gonna lie, I got a little emotional. The music, the conclusion of an epic journey, the fact that I want to BE Emma Watson...


Not to mention that I'm sipping my homemade iced coffee which I now bring to work with me each day (take that Starbucks, can't believe how much money that saves) and glancing dreamily at my new iPhone 4.0 wallpaper. Sigh...

summer

Summer means:

Lots of daylight post work, yay!

Work outs on the beach

Peet's iced coffee...better and cheaper than Starbucks and Coffee Bean

Pinkberry and Yogurtland know my name again

Visits from a few of my favorite people and some very special little ones!!!



Camping

She and Him at the Hollywood Bowl



Eating at lemonade on Abbott Kinney...serioulsy, it's changing my life. Cucumber Mint lemonade, huge amazing French macaroons, and delicious cold veges/salads.

Crushes



Hollywood Farmers Market after church

Dresses and wedge sandals

Coveting nautical home decorations and wishing I could cover some chairs in this fabric

Dreaming of this ring that my gorgeous and talented friend Cannon Lewis designed

Bike rides on the beach

So you Think You Can Dance and the Bachelorette

Dreaming of Africa



elseachelsea.typepad.com
weheartit.com
fatalistichues.tumblr.com
shittingrainbowcolors.tumblr.com
boston.com/bigpicture/2009/11/national_geographics_internati.html

Magic!

Last night I read The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selzneick. It's a magical, delightful tale, that is interspersed with lots of drawings--it's kind of cross between a graphic novel, and a typical children's story. I highly recommend it (So do the people over at The Caldecott, incidentally). The story revolves around an automaton, which I had never heard of before. It's basically a machine, sort of like an old clock with sprigs, gears, etc but it ends up looking like a little doll, and when you wind it up it draws actual pictures and writes words. You'll have to watch the video to see how amazing it is--seriously, I know there are iPads, and Roombas, but this is AMAZING to me, not to mention it was happening hundreds of years ago! Check out the demonstration, and never stop believing in magic!
PS-the above pic is not the automaton in the demonstration

The Heights

Last night I was overwhelmed. By prospects of change. By decisions on hold. By deadlines approaching. By the heights I see looming ahead. I decided what I needed was a nice bath, with candles and everything a la Chandler Bing somewhere in Season 8. I asked my sweet roommate if she had a book I could read and she handed me peace. Well she actually handed me "Hind's Feet on High Places", but she might as well have handed me peace, hope, and a huge arrow pointing to Jesus (how annoying would it be if when people asked us for help we just handed them a huge arrow with the word JESUS on it? Yet it wouldn't surprise me to find one at a cheesy bookstore somewhere in TX). I cannot tell you how much this books spoke to me. The title comes from a verse in Psalm 18 that had jumped out at me early in January, and sort of became my verse motto for 2010, so it was so fitting that this little book (I already finished it) fit so well into my heart at this moment. It's a simple, but beautifully crafted allegory about a girl named Much Afraid and her journey to the High Places with the Shepard. I am begging you each to read this book. Of course the book itself is not a magical solution, but it's all about the real solution to any and every problem: Jesus! I pray that it will speak to you of the Lord's compassion, His wisdom and provision, His deep, unending, limitless and epic love for his children the way it spoke to me. I came home last night a broken, trembling, fearful wretch and by the grace of God I woke up this morning calmly peaceful, brimming with hope, sure of His love and His sovereignty in my life. Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus!

Psalm 18:31-33
"For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?--the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights."

Freedom

Today was free breakfast sandwhich day at Subway in LA. I stopped by right before the deadline, got my egg white on light wheat english muffin with green peppers and tomoato, along with a free cup of coffee, and went to work. I saved the sandwich for lunch, re-heated just a smidge and it was delightful! AND FREE! And, best of all, it was only 2 points (Weight Watchers). So basically their marketing idea totally worked. I am definitely stopping by for that sandwhich in the future.

To make things even MORE exiciting (Dare I even say that is possible?) I filled out a survey for Starbucks and get a free tall drink. I never get the tall size, I mean it's the size of a sippy cup, but since it's freedom day, I'll embrace it enthusiastically.

On a more serious note, I am also embracing the freedom that comes from knowing Jesus as my savior. Oh, how sweet it is to trust in Jesus. He is mighty to save! He knows exactly what is going on in my life, and I can trust that He will lead me and guide me for His name's sake (Psalm 31:3).

Galatians 2:20
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." Amen!

Oh my cuteness

Little Z having a ball. Counting the days until I see him and Big Z! (11!)