LOVE

                     

This one time I painted a living room with a girl.

This was a handful of years back. It was about eight months before the huge, flame-out of a breakup. That day, though? That day we painted the living room? It was pretty uneventful. We painted my parents living room for $50 between us and a pizza. That was it. I think we watched Anchorman or something after that.

But it still holds as on of the most indelible memories I have. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not still in love, it happened, it was good, it ended, and we’ve both moved on. But I’ll never forget that day. Because it’s never, in the long run, about the grand gestures. You can fly across the world and show up on her doorstep with a rose in your teeth and a ring in a little velvet box but I can guarantee you that - more often than not - she’s going to remember the time you built the birdhouse in the back yard, or what have you, a whole lot more.

Life wasn’t meant to be taken in large movements. The next day will inevitably arrive, you’ll sleep, and the moment will have passed. But when you have a hundred thousand small moments, you can step back and appreciate the picture a lot more than metaphorically blowing your load on some grand moment that, in all honesty, look, you’re not Bruce Fucking Springsteen, you’re not going to be able to blow everyone’s mind every single night. You’re not Romeo and/or Juliet. There’s no reason to drink the poison together in some flame-out gesture. So that leaves us with the small stuff. It’s all about the detail.

That’s what love is. Attention to detail.

And the moment will end. And then things will get boring. And it might get a little quiet. And it might all end horribly. And you might hate eachother at the end. And you might walk away from eachother one day and never speak again. But that’s just how it goes.

But she’ll remember the time you held the door open for her on your first date.
She’ll remember the time you laughed at her impression of the landlady.
She’ll remember the time you stayed up all night that first time.
She’ll remember the small things a lot longer than the big ones.

But everything ends. And I’ll tell you why you have to make the small things, the small moments count so much more:

One day, probably a while longer from now, when old age takes ahold of someone, she might just only remember your smile. Everything you ever did together, every second, every moment, every beat, every morning spent in bed, every evening spent together on the sofa, all of that - gone. Everything you ever did will be reduced to the head of a pin. She won’t remember your name. She’ll just remember your smile, and she’ll smile. She won’t know why. It’s a base, gut reaction. But she’ll smile, uncontrollably, and it will come from somewhere so deep as to know that you touched her on a primal, honest, and true level that no scientist, scholar, or savant could ever begin to explain. There is no more. There is nothing else. There is just this: She’ll remember your smile, and she’ll smile.

And you know what? That’s all that really matters in the end.

inspiration!

5 Tips for Staying Inspired!

"How do you stay inspired?" is one of the questions I get asked most. The truth is that I live for my next project. There isn't a time in my life when I'm not completely obsessed about something. My mom says I've been that way since childhood (any other obsessors out there?). That said, I've put together a list of my 5 favorite ways to get a fresh burst of inspiration when I'm feeling a little lull. Enjoy...

1. Carry A Journal. No matter where I am or what I am doing I will have a little journal with me. It's in my purse, it's beside my bed... It's everywhere. Just carrying the journal is my constant reminder to write down ideas. Now, I don't use all the ideas I write down. For me, the act of jotting down ideas helps keep me in a creative mindset. The more ideas I write down, the more I have... and the better they become!

2. Find A New Muse. Oh my... the concept of a muse is so silly to me, but it really works! My current muse(s) can be anything from a band I'm loving to a movie that stuck with me or a vintage trend I want to re-create. A muse can be absolutely anything, but it's fun to find one with enough history to keep you studying for a while. The more you learn about your muse, the more inspiration you'll receive.

3. Develop A Creative Playlist. Several years ago I started painting on a daily basis. I had a favorite album at the time that I would play when I was working. Pretty soon I could only listen to that band when working... if it came on while I was driving it felt weird. I learned the value in having some comfort music to get me into work mode. This is especially valuable for people who work from home. Sometimes you need something to mentally put you into a creative state of mind and a playlist can most definiately do that for you! I like to have a different playlist (or favorite album) for every major creative season or project that I work on. These songs will bring back wonderful memories later on... trust me.


4. Refresh Your Workspace. This next one works wonders for me! One day I'm painting, the next day designing dresses and then working on a new art journal course the next... All of these different projects can make a studio VERY messy and that can cause stress.
My favorite thing to do when I need a pick me up is to rearrange just one little part of my studio. You don't have to clean or reorganize the entire space, but clear a table and arrange your supplies so that you have a fresh spot to work. If you need some extra happiness in your space grab a pretty bouquet of flowers from the grocery store or take a few hours to create a new inspiration wall. Refreshing your workspace can work wonders!

5. Prove Yourself Wrong! We've all been guilty of saying things like "I would love to, but I don't have time" or "I could never do that". These attitudes are so common, but they probably aren't even true. I know it sounds a little cliché, but if you believe you can do something... you can! It's a magical feeling to set a goal that feels a little bit impossible and then achieve it. I've marked quite a few things off my list that I used to believe I couldn't do. Proving yourself wrong is a great way to stay inspired because you'll be more motivated than ever when you meet your goal.
I hope these 5 Tips resonate with you. I love being inspired and want you to share the joy! Hope you have a wonderful weekend! elsie

awesome card!!!!

I Love cards!! 

Sapling Press sure knows how to light up a smile with a greeting card (remember the Dear Blank series?).

I mean who doesn’t have fond memories of pudding pops and happy little trees??

With nearly twenty ways to tell your other half We gotgether like..... Which is your favorite?

Definitely going to make some of these!! :)

when you fail....

And YOU JUST HAVE TO TRY. 

winter loves.

some one PLEASE  make me this!

OR show me HOW to make this!!

Would love to rugged up in this right now, it's freeeezing outside.

Julia Trotti

Julia Trotti you really must check out this girls work.

She is a nineteen year old fashion and pusic photographer from Sydney Australia.

She says, "when i'm not capturing my wandering mind, i'm documenting the people and places i come acrss that are lovely and strange and beautiful all in one hurricane mess.

This is my kind of girl!

All you need is Tea and warm socks.

HELLO!!

It's been a while since i've blogged. And as it's the begining of winter i often find myself inside searching the internet world at all my favourite blogs and finding amazing art, crafts, recipies, photos and quotes. So here's a few just to inspire you. :)
Loving being rugged up right now! just wish I had a fire!

 

HOMEMADE NUTELLA!! YES PLEASE! 

 

OK guys, here it is: a formula to make your very own Nutella, from scratch!!

There are a great many Nutella fans out there, myself included, but the first two ingredients on the label – sugar and modified palm oil – inspired me to make my own. 

 

Homemade Nutella

The original recipe instructs to strain the spread at the very end, but I don’t mind a little nut texture in mine. Adapted from the Encyclopédie du Chocolat, by way of David Lebovitz.

1 1/2 cup whole hazelnuts
1 1/2 cups whole milk
3/4 cup powdered milk
1 Tbsp. mild-flavored honey
pinch salt
1 heaping cup chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, or chips
1 scant cup chopped milk chocolate, or chips

On a rimmed baking sheet, toast the nuts in a 400ºF for 10 minutes, or until fragrant and their skins begin to pop. Transfer to a tea towel, gather into a bundle and rub together to remove as much of their skins as possible. While warm, transfer to the bowl of a food processor and blend until they go from finely ground to pasty and thick, like natural peanut butter.

Meanwhile, warm the milk, powdered milk, honey and salt in a small saucepan just until it starts to boil. Remove from heat. In a glass or stainless steel bowl set over a pan of simmering water (or in the microwave), melt the chocolates, stirring occasionally until smooth.

Add the melted chocolate to the ground nuts and continue to process the mixture, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the warm milk mixture and process until everything is well blended and as smooth as you can get it. Makes about 2 cups.

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH TRUFFLES.  YUM

People are really freaked out about eating raw cookie dough because they are afraid they are going to get sick from the raw eggs. I haven't exactly let that fear stop me from shoving cookie dough into my mouth. I have had other cookie dough truffles and although they were good, the texture and taste didn't match that of the real thing. Well these do...

8 tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature

¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1½ lb. semisweet or milk chocolate, coarsely chopped (Baker's chocolate)
Mini chocolate chips (for garnish)

Directions:

Combine the butter and sugar in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the flour, sweetened condensed milk and vanilla until incorporated and smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until the mixture has firmed up enough to form balls.

Shape the chilled cookie dough mixture into 1-1½ inch balls. Place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Cover loosely, transfer the pan to the freezer and chill for 1-2 hours.

When ready to dip the truffles, melt the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Dip each chilled truffle, one at a time using a fork, coating in chocolate and shaking gently or tapping against the bowl to remove the excess. (If at any point during dipping, the cookie dough balls become too soft, return to the freezer to chill for 30 minutes.) Transfer to a wax-paper lined surface. If using mini chocolate chips for garnish, sprinkle on top quickly after dipping each truffle before the chocolate sets. Once all the truffles have been dipped, store them in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

SWIRLLY NAILS!

get a bowl of water, pour little bits of all the different shades you want, it should float on the top, swirl with a toothpick or something like it and when it looks like you want on top of the water, then dip your nails through the water...

MATERNITY BOOK!

OK NO NO NO I am NOT pregnant I just love this Idea of making a book through a pregnancy. It's not  crime for me to dream about the day I become a mum. Maybe this would be a nice present to someone who is pregnant.

winter wonders

Rip Curl 52 camera shoot

Another great clip by Timeslice films. 

Behind the Scenes: 52 Canon DSLRs Used to Shoot a Rip Curl Spot

Here is an incredible use of DSLR technology to create scenes reminescent of the film The Matrix.

It has been a while.
But i come bearing great things for you.

I came across a video with really great cinematography.

7D 1000 fps

by Oton Bačar

 

 

 

He writes: 

7D slow motion test footage of my friend doing bmx tricks.
Everything was shot in 720p 60fps.

Edited with Twixtor in After Effects.

Lens used: Canon EFS 18-135 mm
Shutter speed unknown

Music: "Fly Away"
Composed by:Niklas Aman, STIM
Published by: Freeplaymusic, BMI 

 

 Great work. I love it.

 

Flopsy

Flopsy will be the name of my bunny.
I don't yet have a bunny, nor the place or money to have one but maybe in a couple years i will. :)

Second to puppies they are the cutest things around!

For you Love me.

Carissa Gallo. I saw these gorgeous ones and just couldn't resist sharing! Such a talent, and quirkiness, a style i'm slowly adopting. She creates such a natural setting and gets that perfect smile every couple wants. Make sure you check out Carissa's wedding photography (she does engagements and families as well) site For You Love Me as well as her blog, Andrew & Carissa.
I've started collating my ideas for a wedding i'm photographing in Sydney in April. Very nervous but so excited!!

Yet another amazing Photographer. Yes i'm obsessed.

Her name is Alexandra Sophie.

Seventeen and talented, here is Alexandra Sophie. This is getting me more inspired to go set up scenes, use props, create an atmosphere and take snapshots capturing them. I think the biggest thing which I find difficult to find is good locations, models and hope that the weather is semi okay (which is very unpredictable here at the moment). I am dying to get buy my HOLGA camera or get my dads old film camera running, but they are just so darn expensive to run! Until then, I shall just admire these stunning ones :)
 Have a lovely day world!

He writes love letters to whoever wants one!!

Have you seen the movie letters to juliet!!?? Well if you have.... have you wondered if there are such people that you can write to and they will always respond!?
This man does just that. He is real!

 Balthazar, an imaginary sailor and pretend photographer , who writes love letters to whoever wants one. That’s right, love letters. Real letters, on paper, filled with flirty secrets in a romantic atmosphere. If you ever feel lonely or just in need of a smile, seek no further and request your letter here.

I found this particularly charming and and would love to ask him a question, however at the moment he is only doing the letter + Polaroid offer which costs $10. Not that much so maybe i will soon!

Kissing Tree...

The kissing tree is the sweetest corniest, quirkiest thing i've seen for a while.
Simply go to this site....

and follow the directions.  You write your name. & or + or loves then your lovers name.... so in my case it was Amanda & Matt... than you put in your email address and they send you a little tree with that text written....AMAZING!  it would be high qulaity and you can print it out! Made me very happy.
Hope it brightens up your day too!

xo

Wedding Photographer.

NO i'm not posting this or looking at these people becasue i am planning a wedding or thinking of one. Sure i dream of it sometimes but i am not researching! Maybe it is because I would love to photograph weddings, well i am in march!! :) or maybe its because wedding photos are so beautiful and lovely and i simply enjoy them.

This lady. Amanda Thorson is a great photographer from AUSTRALIA!! She has the quirkiness and style of many american photographers so it excites me she is bringing it to aus. She is very cheap only 2,500 flat. No extras. No time limit and no cost for exta photographer.

She seems like a talented, experienced girl who is yet to hit the big scenes keeping ehr work original, cheap, relational and beautiful!

Hope you enjoy her work as much as me!  xo