music for a monday: the head and the heart's rivers and roads

3 voices plus 1 guitar are all we need from the Head in the Heart in this version of their tune, "Rivers and Roads".  Enjoy!

words to live by: maya angelou on creativity

flowerful friday - daffodils

What says spring better than daffodils? Along with chirping robins, daffodils are quintessentially springtime. 

I love these cheerful flowers. They're blooming in my neighborhood now, lending bright bursts of color to gardens. 

Happy Friday!

yoga teaches us

The yoga class I attended yesterday left me feeling wonderfully light and invigorated. Having had more physical pain and discomfort over the past months than I am accustomed to, any relief I can find is very welcome. I'm lucky to have a yoga studio close to home and an instructor who can paint images in my mind's eye of how my body should be aligned. I'm very grateful! 

Yoga teaches us to cure what need not be endured

and endure what cannot be cured.

-- B.K.S. Iyengar

own of my all time favorite asanas -
downward facing dog 

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pretty in pastels

Maybe it's because springtime is here, but I've been drawn to pastels lately. These softer hues fit the season of new growth and new blooms perfectly. 

a grove with springtime blooms...lovely!

I love this dress from Anthropologie -
perfectly suited for warmer days

aren't these beautiful?

cool powder blue -
reminds me of all things Jane Austen!

delicate maidenhair fern - spring green & one of my favorites

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just a few of my favorite things

Basking in the sun with a good book, adorable little chamomile flowers, and the food of Italy - these are just a few of my favorite things. What are some of your favorites?

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music for a monday - npr's tiny desk series with rodrigo y gabriela

I felt like bringing back a little more Rodrigo y Gabriela today, this time in the intimate and casual setting that is NPR's Tiny Desk Series. This incredible Mexican duo doesn't disappoint. Enjoy!

blue hues

I snapped this photo when I was in Miami. I love the many blue hues - from the sky to the ocean - how many shades of blue do you see?

inspiration: today

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flowerful friday: crocuses from the garden

Well, spring is here and while it's been rainy and cool, the crocuses in my garden are blooming. What a welcome burst of color they bring to the early spring garden! I snipped a few to enjoy indoors. Isn't their purple hue so bright and brilliant?

miami: sunshine + warm weather

My Miami get-away didn't disappoint with lots of sunshine and warm weather. I wish I could have bottled it all up and brought it back with me! What a wonderful trip.

meet me in miami

I'm headed to Miami tomorrow to enjoy the ocean, sun, and great food. With as long as winter has been this year, this trip will provide a much needed dose of warmer temperatures. And since Miami's food scene reflects the city's incredibly diverse population, there's always something that keeps my interest piqued. 

1st day in the garden

On Sunday it was the first day this spring I've worked in the garden - cleaning up dead branches, pulling out old growth, and tiding up for the long awaited new season. The sun was out, the birds were singing, and it was so nice to be back in my garden. We've gotten lots of rain today and more is in the forecast. I can't wait to see what these April showers have in store. Meanwhile, here are a few photos of incredible garden spaces.

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music for a monday: phoenix

For Phoenix fans, the 4/22 release of their long awaited new album, Bankrupt! will be a happy day. The French quartet's album, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, released in 2009 was filled with catchy rhythmic tunes. Here's "Entertainment" - a track off of the new album...enjoy!

classic color combination: blue & white

Blue and white are such the classic combination for all things textile, ceramic, and tile. I love this color duo, and here are a few selections I came across which I particularly enjoy.

from Elle Decor

Delft tile

Ottoman, ornate, beautiful - at the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul

Japanese Shibori

flowerful friday: english roses

Rose season is still a ways off here where I live, but as I was cleaning up and organizing my photos recently, I came across these shots of two English roses I have growing in our garden. Their fragrances are so perfectly scented. 

inspiration: become quieter

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just a few of my favorite things...

Fragrant spices, soft and lofty yarn, flavorful heirloom tomatoes, and cool fresh mint are just a few of my favorite things. What are a few of your favorite things, things that always bring a smile to your face?

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travel + photography

Lately, I've been working on organizing travel photos. It's been a pleasure to cull through the many, many photos that my husband and I have taken on our trips together. Here are a few snapshots from a handful of my favorite spots. What happy memories!

In order these are from Boulder, Ildiri, Granada, Vieques, and Chiusi. 

music for a monday: buena vista social club

I love music that evokes and transports. Buena Vista Social Club's pieces never disappoint. Here's their classic, Chan Chan. Enjoy!