tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11781044612400487982024-03-12T22:10:28.007-04:00Prettier WorldMandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.comBlogger263125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-19761158521682648032011-09-22T23:15:00.003-04:002011-10-02T13:03:55.489-04:00Well. Hello.<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/6173588009/" title="IMG_1972 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6173588009_7b18c05285_z.jpg" width="700" height="530" alt="IMG_1972"></a></center><br />
Dearest friends, family and readers,<br />
<br />
I'm not dead, nor have I fallen onto a subway track or been wandering through Brooklyn for three weeks trying to find my way back to the Upper West Side. I'm simply busy juggling a full-time job and settling into my new apartment, seeing long-lost friends and making new ones. Life in New York is wonderful, and I'm getting to know my neighborhood, and finding myself a part of the 9-6 grind I observed and worked for my whole life. It's a dream to start my days running through Central Park and coming home at night to my very own apartment in my favorite city in the world. (Okay, Bordeaux: you're tied.) I'm only just beginning to develop a schedule, so you can expect more posts from me again soon. Until then, I'll leave you with a couple of things.<br />
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1. My new blog <a href="http://lowfibrow.wordpress.com">Lo-Fi Brow</a>, an arts and pop culture commentary site where I'll be writing a lot more. I've been thinking about this for a long time and I'm excited to share it with you all.<br />
2. A playlist of songs that have been a big part of my life these past few weeks.<br />
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<center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,28,0" width="300" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://8tracks.com/mixes/398318/player_v3"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://8tracks.com/mixes/398318/player_v3" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="700" height="530" allowscriptaccess="always" ></embed></object></center><br />
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1. "Mind Your Manners" by Chiddy Bang feat. Icona Pop<br />
2. "Blood Bank" by Bon Iver<br />
3. "Oh No!" by Marina & The Diamonds<br />
4. "Let It Ride" by Ryan Adams<br />
5. "Girlfriend" by Phoenix<br />
6. "Born to Fight" by Tracy Chapman<br />
7. "Too Much" by Sufjan Stevens<br />
8. "Holocene" by Bon Iver<br />
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September is my favorite month. Do you love it as much as I do?Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-70098702867054979912011-09-01T11:51:00.001-04:002011-09-01T11:52:31.782-04:00apartment inspirationMoving day is tomorrow, and I'm procrastinating via design blogs. Below are some of the ideas I'm excited to utilize in the new space.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XYLNgQk9A_I/Tl-PzplOTOI/AAAAAAAAC50/2szW_pTCXc4/s800/TemporaryItems16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="440" width="700" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XYLNgQk9A_I/Tl-PzplOTOI/AAAAAAAAC50/2szW_pTCXc4/s800/TemporaryItems16.jpg" /></a></div>An open closet [<a href="http://cocokelley.blogspot.com/2011/08/setting-mood.html">1</a>, <a href="http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/office-maintenance/">2</a>, <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/organizing/the-anticloset-041469">3]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-j11Tm7FTeS8/Tl-Ul4GfbYI/AAAAAAAAC54/fotG1k1rIqA/s800/TemporaryItems17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="440" width="700" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-j11Tm7FTeS8/Tl-Ul4GfbYI/AAAAAAAAC54/fotG1k1rIqA/s800/TemporaryItems17.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OkeHDtkMIwU/Tl-VPpUVodI/AAAAAAAAC58/wYapiY6Au2w/s800/TemporaryItems18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="440" width="700" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OkeHDtkMIwU/Tl-VPpUVodI/AAAAAAAAC58/wYapiY6Au2w/s800/TemporaryItems18.jpg" /></a></div>A wall of juxtaposed frames [<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/77660534/">1</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/117659622/">2</a>, <a href="http://decorpics.tumblr.com/">3&4</a>]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FGC1oV4rVCc/Tl-Y7udrvWI/AAAAAAAAC6A/QOf3yJ89yT0/s800/TemporaryItems19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="440" width="700" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-FGC1oV4rVCc/Tl-Y7udrvWI/AAAAAAAAC6A/QOf3yJ89yT0/s800/TemporaryItems19.jpg" /></a></div>Vintage-y floral pillows [<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelleblondel/4717794249/in/faves-littlepaperdog/">1</a>, <a href="http://ohjoy.blogs.com/my_weblog/2011/04/modern-vintage-style.html">2&3</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/74256082/cushion-cover-pillow-floral-18x18?ref=sr_gallery_39&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=floral+pillows&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_page=5&ga_search_type=vintage&ga_facet=vintage">4</a>]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CNhBB-A3my0/TMklb6ZmtOI/AAAAAAAACdA/owrEuyY0skA/s640/katrina_workspace_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="480" width="700" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CNhBB-A3my0/TMklb6ZmtOI/AAAAAAAACdA/owrEuyY0skA/s640/katrina_workspace_1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CNhBB-A3my0/TMkldCxQunI/AAAAAAAACdE/8Vj04AlVHDw/s640/katrina_workspace_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="480" width="700" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CNhBB-A3my0/TMkldCxQunI/AAAAAAAACdE/8Vj04AlVHDw/s640/katrina_workspace_2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VQrKOk4EAAk/Tl-duj6oaBI/AAAAAAAAC6E/uYpWik421IM/s800/TemporaryItems20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="440" width="700" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VQrKOk4EAAk/Tl-duj6oaBI/AAAAAAAAC6E/uYpWik421IM/s800/TemporaryItems20.jpg" /></a></div>A clothespin line for odds and ends [<a href="http://iartu.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-10-28T23%3A54%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=5">1&2</a>, <a href="http://www.moredesignplease.com/moredesignplease/2010/2/13/diy-twine-it-up.html">3</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/5106456/">4</a>, <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/273158/clothespin-organizer">5</a>]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DM8mEOrp7mk/Tl-hbSiGmYI/AAAAAAAAC6I/9UbgAG0pJto/s800/TemporaryItems21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="440" width="700" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DM8mEOrp7mk/Tl-hbSiGmYI/AAAAAAAAC6I/9UbgAG0pJto/s800/TemporaryItems21.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HKiVcjuft3U/Tl-lZVPQ3YI/AAAAAAAAC6U/xHONrzsJitI/s800/TemporaryItems23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="440" width="700" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-HKiVcjuft3U/Tl-lZVPQ3YI/AAAAAAAAC6U/xHONrzsJitI/s800/TemporaryItems23.jpg" /></a></div>Fresh florals in vintage vases [<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/143181039/">1</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/98945171/#">2</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/95791191/">3</a>, unknown, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/37963013/">5</a>]<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VUm5vC0irlo/Tl-pHfmuW8I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/h5KFdjjIxYc/s800/TemporaryItems24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="440" width="700" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VUm5vC0irlo/Tl-pHfmuW8I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/h5KFdjjIxYc/s800/TemporaryItems24.jpg" /></a></div>Books organized by color [<a href="http://www.carlkleiner.com/Diary">1</a>, <a href="http://brabournefarm.blogspot.com/">2</a>, <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/3715043/">3</a>]<br />
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<font size=4>Attn. New Yorkers!</font> Do you have a favorite thrift store or antique shop? I'd love to hear about it!Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-57605071063511203822011-08-30T17:52:00.000-04:002011-08-30T17:52:08.832-04:00tuesday tune<iframe width="700" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/A0vzHSPmTfE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Givers were my favorite band discovery this summer (thank you, <a href="http://foralifeinspired.blogspot.com/">Mary</a>!). This song and video make me want to be to outside for every last second of it. Now if you'll excuse me - my guitar and I have some deck-sitting to do.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-15503818028965067112011-08-28T23:26:00.003-04:002011-08-28T23:28:23.200-04:00The calm before the storm<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/6091150083/" title="IMG_1947 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6091150083_a176b9df21_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="IMG_1947"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bw3Qm3tUVGE/TlsAbhE3LII/AAAAAAAAC5s/YtFIuOJIO0M/s800/Aug%25252026%25252C%2525202011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="380" width="700" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bw3Qm3tUVGE/TlsAbhE3LII/AAAAAAAAC5s/YtFIuOJIO0M/s800/Aug%25252026%25252C%2525202011.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/6091150629/" title="IMG_1954 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6091150629_93a2ce962d_z.jpg" width="700" height="500" alt="IMG_1954"></a></center><br />
This Friday night was "the calm before the storm" in many ways for my family: the last night before Sam went back to college; my last weekend before moving to New York and starting a new job; and, quite literally, the night before Hurricane Irene hit. So how did we celebrate it? With lobsters and champagne, of course! (Make that just champagne for me...) I also used the sunny, pre-apocolyptic skies to take pictures of my mom's pretty garden and all the greenery I'll be saying good-bye to.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/6091711584/" title="IMG_1946 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6181/6091711584_dd456b2b3a_z.jpg" width="700" height="500" alt="IMG_1946"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/6091169055/" title="IMG_1943 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6091169055_a1ae418588_z.jpg" width="700" height="580" alt="IMG_1943"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/6091151059/" title="IMG_1956 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6091151757_7651f6682b_z.jpg" width="700" height="500" alt="IMG_1964"></a></center>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-576509614450563652011-08-28T09:30:00.000-04:002011-08-28T09:30:34.060-04:00Real girls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hm7xXdOZQzM/TlpBCkF4N7I/AAAAAAAAC5o/9YmSYPJZetY/s640/TemporaryItems15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="540" width="700" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hm7xXdOZQzM/TlpBCkF4N7I/AAAAAAAAC5o/9YmSYPJZetY/s640/TemporaryItems15.jpg" /></a></div>It really bugs me when street style blogs focus on model-skinny, couture-wearing girls. While those ladies look great, I read those blogs to get style inspiration from people who look like me. These two gals from <a href="http://blog.stylesight.com">Stylesightings</a> caught my eye: not overly perfect or polished, but rocking it nonetheless.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-24703779320217026932011-08-26T17:16:00.000-04:002011-08-26T17:16:08.253-04:00Svpplying for FallI've become seriously addicted to <a href="http://svpply.com">Svpply</a>, an online database that allows you to keep all the products you're coveting in one place (think of it as the <a href="http://pinterest.com">Pinterest</a> of shopping). Stores post their products, you add the ones you like to <a href="http://svpply.com/manderzb">your svpply</a>, and you can be redirected to the store's website if you're serious enough about buying something. You can follow stores and people, so every time you sign on, there is yet another round of stuff that you're guaranteed to love. To me, the best thing about Svpply is that it allows you see your favorite looks in one place - it gives me a sense of what sorts of trends and styles I'm into at the moment, like:<br />
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<center><font size="4">Menswear-inspired booties</font></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oEAFuYMGIgI/TlZa6j0X6gI/AAAAAAAAC5c/FlIBnFoI2Eo/s640/TemporaryItems8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="580" width="700" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oEAFuYMGIgI/TlZa6j0X6gI/AAAAAAAAC5c/FlIBnFoI2Eo/s640/TemporaryItems8.jpg" /></a></div>1. ASOS <a href="http://us.asos.com/ASOS-ASOS-ALIBI-Leather-Chelsea-Ankle-Boot/wlu7z/?iid=1702209&SearchQuery=chelsea%20boots&Rf=&MID=35719&affid=2135&siteID=je6NUbpObpQ-JDs91_SUAb5AYDow55rNlQ&r=1&mk=VOID&mporgp=L2NvdW50cnlpZC8yL0FTT1MvQVNPUy1BTElCSS1MZWF0aGVyLUNoZWxzZWEtQW5rbGUtQm9vdC9Qcm9kLw..">Leather Chelsea Ankle Boot</a>; 2. Koshka <a href="http://www.shopkoshka.com/products/Monotone-Cream-Boots.html">Monotone Cream Boots</a>; 3. Aubin & Wills <a href="http://svpply.com/item/333057/Mosedale_Boot">Mosedale Boot</a>; 4. Topshop <a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag;=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=2617837&langId;=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208544&parent_categoryId=208492&pageSize=20">ALEK Lace-Up Ankle Boot</a><br />
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<font size=4><center>Cross Body Bags</font></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QRM1u4bCJbE/Tlf6WII3azI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/x1nikaWgRY4/s800/TemporaryItems10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="430" width="700" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QRM1u4bCJbE/Tlf6WII3azI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/x1nikaWgRY4/s800/TemporaryItems10.jpg" /></a></div>1. J. Crew <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/handbags/leatherbags/PRDOVR~44804/44804.jsp">Edie Purse</a>; 2. Vivienne Westwood <a href="http://us.asos.com/Vivienne-Westwood-Vivienne-Westwood-Canvas-Summer-Squiggle-Cross-Body-Bag/vqvyy/?iid=1367952&cid=6930&mporgp=L1Zpdmllbm5lLVdlc3R3b29kL1Zpdmllbm5lLVdlc3R3b29kLUNhbnZhcy1TdW1tZXItU3F1aWdnbGUtQ3Jvc3MtQm9keS1CYWcvUHJvZC8.">Canvas Summer Squiggle Cross Body Bag</a>; 3. Topshop <a href="http://us.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag;=&catalogId=33060&storeId=13052&productId=2545197&langId;=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=277013&parent_categoryId=208579&pageSize=20">Teal Contrast Key Lock Cross Body Bag</a>; 4. ASOS PREMIUM <a href="http://us.asos.com/ASOS-ASOS-PREMIUM-Lunar-Cross-Body-Bag/w63ak/?iid=1525743&cid=6992&sh=0&pge=3&pgesize=20&sort;=-1&clr=Tan&mporgp=L0Fzb3MvQXNvcy1QcmVtaXVtLUx1bmFyLUNyb3NzLUJvZHktQmFnL1Byb2Qv">Lunar Cross Body Bag</a>; 5. Madewell <a href="http://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/ACCESSORIES/bags/PRDOVR~53226/53226.jsp">Petite Briefcase Bag</a><br />
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<font size=4><center>Big Gold Watches</font></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_ELmCq8-xLs/Tlf-3Ecx2RI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/PeERuX6a_ro/s720/TemporaryItems11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="430" width="700" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-_ELmCq8-xLs/Tlf-3Ecx2RI/AAAAAAAAC5Q/PeERuX6a_ro/s720/TemporaryItems11.jpg" /></a></div>1. Fossil <a href="http://www.polyvore.com/fossil_boyfriend_watch/thing?id=25516247">Boyfriend Watch</a>; 2. Coach <a href="http://www.coach.com/online/handbags/-accessories_watches-10551-10051-5000000000000013516-en?t1Id=68&t2Id=5000000000000013516&tier=2&LOC=LN&&viewpid=79766">Boyfriend Bracelet Watch</a>; 3. Nixon <a href="http://www.shopbop.com/mens-oversized-all-gold-watch/vp/v=1/845524441880349.htm?folderID=2534374302178258&extid=affprg-4441350-NIXON2000211739&u1=b2rybgm">Oversized Watch</a><br />
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<font size=4><center>Long Pleated Skirts</font></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wKt4-4wmRSw/TlgELC0bU9I/AAAAAAAAC5M/Tpo6vasOhpg/s512/Collages2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="570" width="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wKt4-4wmRSw/TlgELC0bU9I/AAAAAAAAC5M/Tpo6vasOhpg/s512/Collages2.jpg" /></a></div>1. Club Monaco <a href="http://www.shopbop.com/julia-skirt-club-monaco/vp/v=1/845524441903298.htm?folderID=2534374302193341&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall&colorId=20356">Julia Skirt</a>; 2. ASOS <a href="http://us.asos.com/ASOS-ASOS-Belted-Wool-Mix-Midi-Skirt/wls56/?iid=1704567&cid=2623&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=&MID=35719&affid=2135&siteID=je6NUbpObpQ-ltr1jrF40PX11HXAnDq5WQ&r=1&mk=VOID&mporgp=L2NvdW50cnlpZC8yL0FTT1MvQVNPUy1NaWRpLVNraXJ0LVdpdGgtQmVsdC9Qcm9kLw..">Midi Skirt</a>; 3. Pins & Needles <a href="http://svpply.com/item/457523/Pins__Needles_Long_Pleated_Skirt">Long Pleated Skirt</a>; 4. Tibi <a href=http://www.shopbop.com/actions/quickShopProductDetailPageAction.action?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441903594&width=610&height=465&TB_iframe=true">Long Pleated Skirt</a><br />
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<center><font size=4>Colorful Trousers</font></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2mwd_YV0rhk/TlgJYCxQTpI/AAAAAAAAC5g/p99alitbRw8/s720/TemporaryItems13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="460" width="700" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2mwd_YV0rhk/TlgJYCxQTpI/AAAAAAAAC5g/p99alitbRw8/s720/TemporaryItems13.jpg" /></a></div>1. ASOS <a href="http://us.asos.com/countryid/2/ASOS-ASOS-Tailored-Ponti-High-Waisted-Slim-Flare-Pants/vhtig/?iid=1368583&cid=9690&sh=0&pge=8&pgesize=20&sort&MID=35719&affid=2135&siteID=je6NUbpObpQ-FxY9SApSUtw1pvCrFwudBA">Tailored Ponti High Waisted Slim Flare Pants</a>; 2. ASOS <a href="http://us.asos.com/countryid/2/ASOS-ASOS-Cropped-Flare-Pant/wg392/?iid=1645369&cid=13499&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort&MID=35719&affid=2135&siteID=je6NUbpObpQ-17aKUOO9HMljtLjZaLdwxg">Cropped Flare Pant</a>; 3. Ksubi <a href="http://www.shopbop.com/super-spray-jean-ksubi/vp/v=1/845524441903152.htm?folderID=2534374302182380&fm=other-shopbysize-viewall&colorId=35761">Super Spray On Jean</a><br />
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<font size=4><center>Neutral Knits</font></center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eizgGCYXb44/TlgLTHtAIxI/AAAAAAAAC5k/8DLxQGJwVME/s512/TemporaryItems14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="600" width="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eizgGCYXb44/TlgLTHtAIxI/AAAAAAAAC5k/8DLxQGJwVME/s512/TemporaryItems14.jpg" /></a></div>1. Aubin & Wills <a href="http://aubinandwills.com/en-gb/product/muscatel-cardigan-011886078">Muscatel Cardigan</a> 2. Pringle of Scotland <a href="http://www.lagarconne.com/store/item.htm?itemid=11827&sid=7&pid;=">Rope Cable Sweater</a>; 3. United Bamboo <a href="http://www.lagarconne.com/store/item.htm?itemid=11910&sid=7&pid;=">Pile Knit Pullover</a>; 4. Cacharel <a href="http://lagarconne.com/store/item.htm?itemid=11058&sid=430&pid;=">Textured Knit Dress</a>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-7264391911752608712011-08-25T17:27:00.002-04:002011-08-25T17:32:47.978-04:00Happy dance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lprpm9jwz11qfs2wv.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="700" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lprpm9jwz11qfs2wv.gif" /></a></div><br />
I must look like this walking down the street today because... I got a job! This morning I officially acception a position as a production assistant at a travel website. I start after Labor Day, and I'm moving to the city in a week. Things are moving like a whirlwind and I'm in a little bit of a disbelieving daze. I'm so excited to start this next stage of my life!<br />
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Serendipitously, I'm <a href="http://shewritesandrights.blogspot.com/2011/08/guest-post-search-for-job-soul-mate.html">guest-posting</a> today over at <a href="http://shewritesandwrites.blogspot.com">She Writes and Rights</a> about my job hunt, and about coming to the realization that I want to work in travel. I sent Bethany the post mere minutes before getting the job offer. Life is funny.<br />
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<a href="http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/happy+dance+gif">gif</a>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-80506670581740065332011-08-24T09:15:00.000-04:002011-08-24T09:15:35.001-04:00on the radar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.scotch-soda.com/images/uploads/collections-campaign/campaign-maison-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="490" width="700" src="http://www.scotch-soda.com/images/uploads/collections-campaign/campaign-maison-5.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.scotch-soda.com/images/uploads/collections-campaign/campaign-maison-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="490" width="700" src="http://www.scotch-soda.com/images/uploads/collections-campaign/campaign-maison-1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.scotch-soda.com/images/uploads/collections-campaign/campaign-maison-8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="490" width="700" src="http://www.scotch-soda.com/images/uploads/collections-campaign/campaign-maison-8.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.scotch-soda.com/images/uploads/collections-campaign/campaign-maison-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="490" width="700" src="http://www.scotch-soda.com/images/uploads/collections-campaign/campaign-maison-12.jpg" /></a></div>already taking the blogosphere by storm, <a href="http://www.scotch-soda.com/en/">scotch & soda</a>'s fall collection is, in a word, perfect. (um, can we talk about those red jeans?)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tnS3s9q49qQ/TlGS9NyRWuI/AAAAAAAAC38/sYe1naNuIgg/s800/TemporaryItems2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="450" width="700" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tnS3s9q49qQ/TlGS9NyRWuI/AAAAAAAAC38/sYe1naNuIgg/s800/TemporaryItems2.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.gq.com/style/wear-it-now/201106/darren-criss-summer-wedding-style-men#slide=5">darren criss for <i>gq</i></a>. i mean, <i>come on</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kmillerphotographs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/roguefarm07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="560" width="700" src="http://www.kmillerphotographs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/roguefarm07.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.kmillerphotographs.com/blog/friends-family/independence-day/">this photo</a>, because it reminds me of the fleeting days of summer<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x8EeewaX8GI/TlGau4MwYFI/AAAAAAAAC4I/kqnSWrJMIMs/s640/Collages1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="520" width="700" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x8EeewaX8GI/TlGau4MwYFI/AAAAAAAAC4I/kqnSWrJMIMs/s640/Collages1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G6MAnzfvD9g/TlGbREM_ITI/AAAAAAAAC4U/MbO2ro52kKY/s640/TemporaryItems5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="520" width="700" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-G6MAnzfvD9g/TlGbREM_ITI/AAAAAAAAC4U/MbO2ro52kKY/s640/TemporaryItems5.jpg" /></a></div>dear <a href="http://www.lagarconne.com/store/designer.htm?sid=1117&pid=1116&pg=1">pringle of scotland</a>: one day, when i'm a rich lady, all your clothes shall be mine.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TkQBpVMtfhI/TTItM91gOnI/AAAAAAAAADM/4LYfpJ4Ncgs/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="450" width="700" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_TkQBpVMtfhI/TTItM91gOnI/AAAAAAAAADM/4LYfpJ4Ncgs/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" /></a></div>a cool <a href="http://chowethel.blogspot.com/2010/11/room-by-emma-donoghue.html">illustration</a> based on <a href="http://www.roomthebook.com/"><i>room</i> by emma donoghue</a>, which i'm tearing through (clicking the link leads you to a crazy interactive website. books these days...)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lescomposantes.com/1603-3493-thickbox/nola-springtime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="700" width="700" src="http://lescomposantes.com/1603-3493-thickbox/nola-springtime.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://lescomposantes.com/creations/1603-nola-springtime.html">this</a> look by <a href="http://lescomposantes.com">les composantes</a><br />
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<iframe width="700" height="450" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XdnjfxXpr7g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
an adorable rendition of "cecilia" (thanks <a href="http://www.sundayevening.net/">caroline</a>!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6070933580_a893099880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="450" width="700" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6070933580_a893099880.jpg" /></a></div>a <a href="http://www.bijulesnyc.com/default/serpensive-2.html">fingernail ring</a> = completely genius (<a href="http://cocokelley.blogspot.com/2011/08/nailed-it.html">via</a>)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6059794026_558ca54fda_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="1060" width="700" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6192/6059794026_558ca54fda_b.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6060111624_9f0d171dbc_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="1045" width="700" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6182/6060111624_9f0d171dbc_o.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://nicolefranzen.blogspot.com/">nicole</a>'s gorgeous pictures from new mexico, which remind me of my own trip there a couple years ago (only my photos weren't quite so pretty!)Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-75544962873581876652011-08-23T18:06:00.000-04:002011-08-23T18:06:31.382-04:00Tuesday Tune<iframe width="700" height="520" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7HHgedNNQco" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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I find this song so beautiful... maybe because it sounds exactly like Simon and Garfunkel.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-74544829720741600282011-08-21T16:44:00.000-04:002011-08-21T16:44:36.596-04:00Black and pink and gold, oh my!I've been gaga for interior design recently - probably because I'm moving to a new apartment! I'll have a New York, NY, address in less than two weeks, which I couldn't be more excited about. I love the look of basic black played up with feminine details - like antique gold frames, hot pink and yellow accents, groupings of plants, and old-fashioned photos. My head is spinning with possibilities!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.skonahem.com/_internal/cimg!0/odrh89md2msm0bbux1l7md1qj9p937t/Malene%20inpå%20livet" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="480" width="700" src="http://www.skonahem.com/_internal/cimg!0/odrh89md2msm0bbux1l7md1qj9p937t/Malene%20inpå%20livet" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lonnymag.com/images/decorate/dining_spaces/DI-LG1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="880" width="700" src="http://www.lonnymag.com/images/decorate/dining_spaces/DI-LG1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lonnymag.com/images/decorate/dining_spaces/195065-9-04Mellett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="540" width="700" src="http://www.lonnymag.com/images/decorate/dining_spaces/195065-9-04Mellett.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lonnymag.com/images/decorate/dining_spaces/195571-9-03%20copyAH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="820" width="700" src="http://www.lonnymag.com/images/decorate/dining_spaces/195571-9-03%20copyAH.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lonnymag.com/images/decorate/dining_spaces/195065-9-10Mellett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="840" width="700" src="http://www.lonnymag.com/images/decorate/dining_spaces/195065-9-10Mellett.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://emmas.blogg.se/images/2011/styleby_lovisa-burfitt_162561441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="470" width="700" src="http://emmas.blogg.se/images/2011/styleby_lovisa-burfitt_162561441.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2iNjHrWMCk/S0InHAJN21I/AAAAAAAAAS4/cEnh2yF3wBE/s1600/_Z3P8841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="980" width="700" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_O2iNjHrWMCk/S0InHAJN21I/AAAAAAAAAS4/cEnh2yF3wBE/s1600/_Z3P8841.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<font size=1><a href="http://www.skonahem.com/inspirerande-hem/hemreportage/malene-inpa-livet/index.xml">1</a>, <a href="http://www.lonnymag.com/decorate/dining_spaces">2-5</a>, <a href="http://emmas.blogg.se/">6</a>, <a href="http://inspirationalspaces.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-04-07T10%3A40%3A00%2B01%3A00&max-results=20">7</a> [pretty much all found through <a href="http://www.sfgirlbybay.com">SF Girl by Bay</a>, my kindred interior design spirit!]</font><br />
Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-52270049219140220832011-08-16T09:59:00.000-04:002011-08-16T09:59:25.891-04:00Tuesday Tune<iframe width="700" height="500" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wAsxK7JOs74" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-69179517043446558262011-08-16T00:36:00.000-04:002011-08-16T00:36:57.198-04:00You Don't Have to Be Pretty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.193904211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="500" width="700" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.193904211.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I read <a href="http://www.dressaday.com/2006/10/you-dont-have-to-be-pretty.html">this post</a> today and it really got me thinking about the idea behind "prettiness." The article is titled, "You Don't Have to Be Pretty," and it focuses on the idea that women often feel a pressure "to maintain a certain standard of decorativeness" in order to appease other people. It reminded me of another article I read about a month ago on <a href="http://jezebel.com">Jezebel</a>: <a href="http://jezebel.com/5816713/should-we-tell-little-girls-theyre-pretty">"Should We Tell Little Girls They're Pretty?"</a><br />
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It's an extremely complex question, because while we shouldn't be teaching girls that looks are their most important asset, we should <i>really</i> be asking what exactly we mean by "pretty." What does the word mean, anyway?<br />
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I'm probing this because I'm thinking about the name of this very blog and if it really corresponds with how I actually want to represent it. My Dictionary.com widget defines "pretty" as: <i>attractive in a delicate way without being truly beautiful or handsome</i>. Curious! If I had known that, I certainly would not have named my blog Prettier World (plus, Delicately Attractive but Not Quite Beautiful World was already taken).<br />
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What I was focusing on in naming my blog was the <i>er</i> in <i>prettier</i>: not accepting just a what-you-see-is-what-you-get aesthetic in life, but gaining a deeper appreciation for places, people and things that are holistically, intrinsically beautiful, quirks and all, and beyond a simple first impression. We all know that feeling of falling in love with someone or something the more time we spend with him or her or it. The more we get to know the object, we grow to appreciate its imperfections that, in the end, become the things we love most. They become prettier, and they become real. In a way, maybe it's better that pretty things aren't, according to the dictionary, "truly beautiful"? I'm not sure "true beauty" is all it's cracked up to be.<br />
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But I digress. Why not call little girls pretty? Because they'll grow vain and all they'll care about is how they look? Maybe. What if we say, "that dress you picked out is pretty" or "you did your hair pretty today"? What differences do semantics make so long as we're getting the same idea across - that it's what a girl (and any person) does and earns for herself that should be commended?<br />
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At the same time, I will acknowledge that we are visually-driven. We're humans. I refuse to not smile and flirt with a cute baby, because when I see an adorable baby, that's pleasing to me somewhere deep down in a core I can't control. It's true when some people see certain animals. It's true, obviously, with sexual attraction for both sexes and all orientations. Looks play a huge role in first impressions, and even though attractiveness varies widely from person to person, that initial attraction is based on a first physical impression. We can't be so naive to think that, even if we <i>never</i> call a little girl pretty, she won't someday experience a man telling her she looks good. And that she will not gain some sort of self-esteem boost or at least mild pleasure from it.<br />
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We can't change human nature, and we can't expect ourselves or anyone else to give no regard to the way people look. It's the emphasis that matters, and it's up to each individual (and, in the case of these little girls, every parent) to shift that emphasis and to appreciate the un-truly beautiful in the pretty.<br />
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<font size=1>Finding it too difficult to find a picture that corresponded well with this post, I just picked the last photo I admired, by the ever-talented <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62126288/sparkle-5x7-inch-print">Abby</a></font>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-85455022062521991722011-08-15T09:00:00.000-04:002011-08-15T09:00:11.447-04:00picture + poem<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neon_tambourine/6022883170/" title=". by neon.tambourine, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6089/6022883170_ae3db25fcd_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="."></a><br />
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<font size=3>corydon & alex, redux</font><br />
by D.A. Powell<br />
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and yet we think that song outlasts us all: wrecked devotion<br />
the wept face of desire, a kind of savage caring that reseeds itself and grows in clusters<br />
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oh, you who are young, consider how quickly the body deranges itself<br />
how time, the cruel banker, forecloses us to snowdrifts white as god's own ribs<br />
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what else but to linger in the slight shade of those sapling branches<br />
yearning for that vernal beau. for don't birds covet the seeds of the honey locust<br />
and doesn't the ewe have a nose for wet filaree and slender oats foraged in the meadow<br />
kit foxes crave the blacktailed hare: how this longing grabs me by the nape<br />
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guess I figured to be done with desire, if I could write it out<br />
dispense with any evidence, the way one burns a pile of twigs and brush<br />
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what was his name? I'd ask myself, that guy with the sideburns and charming smile<br />
the one I hoped that, as from a sip of hemlock, I'd expire with him on my tongue<br />
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silly poet, silly man: thought I could master nature like a misguided preacher<br />
as if banishing love is a fix. as if the stars go out when we shut our sleepy eyes<br />
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<font size=1>photo by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neon_tambourine/6022883170/in/photostream">Lukasz Wierzbowski</a></font>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-78950800280350905652011-08-14T10:00:00.000-04:002011-08-14T10:00:04.645-04:00on the radarHey, <a href="http://www.prettier-world.com/search/label/on%20the%20radar">it's back</a>! A weekly round-up of the things that caught my eye this week (normally reserved for Fridays, but with all the blog catching-up I've been doing as of late, it looks like it's gonna be a double radar week):<br />
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<center><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://markmenjivar.com/wordpress/wp-content/files_flutter/1310151029galleryowner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="700" width="550" src="http://markmenjivar.com/wordpress/wp-content/files_flutter/1310151029galleryowner.jpg" /></a></div><i>Gallery Owner, New York City. Is not very good at small talk.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://markmenjivar.com/wordpress/wp-content/files_flutter/1279864450shortordercook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="700" width="550" src="http://markmenjivar.com/wordpress/wp-content/files_flutter/1279864450shortordercook.jpg" /></a></div>Short Order Cook, Marathon, TX. She can bench press over 300 pounds.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://markmenjivar.com/wordpress/wp-content/files_flutter/1275868643bartender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="700" width="550" src="http://markmenjivar.com/wordpress/wp-content/files_flutter/1275868643bartender.jpg" /></a></div>Bartender, San Antonio, TX. Goes to sleep at 8AM and wakes up at 4PM daily.</i></center><a href="http://markmenjivar.com/you-are-what-you-eat/statement/">You Are What You Eat</a>: a fascinating project by photographer Mark Menjivar that exposes the interiors of Americans' refrigerators<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/21768/961855/RUE-TheRhoads-0298_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="490" width="700" src="http://payload.cargocollective.com/1/0/21768/961855/RUE-TheRhoads-0298_2.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://emmadimes.blogspot.com/">Emma</a>'s list of <a href="http://cargocollective.com/emma#961855/25-Things-to-do-before-I-turn-25">25 Things To Do Before I Turn 25</a>, which has inspired me to create my own list (stay tuned, dear readers!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7NoLh3bU6I/Tjl-1qE6txI/AAAAAAAADh4/dZHcj8nV-Bc/s1600/tumblr_lo51blc4OS1qa2nvfo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="440" width="660" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7NoLh3bU6I/Tjl-1qE6txI/AAAAAAAADh4/dZHcj8nV-Bc/s1600/tumblr_lo51blc4OS1qa2nvfo1_500.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQsKRYX44Bg/Tjl-2LTxaCI/AAAAAAAADh8/EzvoZ3VOMTI/s640/tumblr_lnkikcOgV51qa2nvfo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="440" width="660" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EQsKRYX44Bg/Tjl-2LTxaCI/AAAAAAAADh8/EzvoZ3VOMTI/s640/tumblr_lnkikcOgV51qa2nvfo1_500.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0T_7dipjs4M/Tjl_DpBLCXI/AAAAAAAADiI/CXhQpNhImgM/s640/tumblr_lj4x7qAc5s1qa2nvfo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="440" width="660" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0T_7dipjs4M/Tjl_DpBLCXI/AAAAAAAADiI/CXhQpNhImgM/s640/tumblr_lj4x7qAc5s1qa2nvfo1_500.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://fieldguided.blogspot.com/2011/08/flowers-girls.html">Breathtaking images</a> of girls and plants by the Polish photographer, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/neon_tambourine/">Lukasz Wierzbowski</a><br />
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<center><iframe width="700" height="520" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/70d4_Uv9jb4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>Folky goodness by <a href="http://www.annesage.com/blog/2011/08/san-francisco-music-gem-nicki-bluhm.html">Nicki & Tim Bluhm</a>, a gem of a musical couple from San Francisco<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_loc0n7mgwx1qzwwxvo4_r2_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="500" width="700" src="http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_loc0n7mgwx1qzwwxvo4_r2_500.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5199/5891849513_861f8331b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="500" width="700" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5199/5891849513_861f8331b4.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnoaqw3uY51qeluflo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="500" width="700" src="http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lnoaqw3uY51qeluflo1_500.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://hipsterfood.tumblr.com/">Hipster Food</a>: a new-to-me vegan <a href="http://tumblr.com">tumblr</a> that I finally checked out, c/o <a href="http://nadiaisobel.tumblr.com/">Nadia</a><br />
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<center><iframe width="700" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kLlyrkIWZos" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://digilander.libero.it/guido_1953/pics/hairstyle/big-dolly-parton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="1015" width="700" src="http://digilander.libero.it/guido_1953/pics/hairstyle/big-dolly-parton.jpg" /></a></div></center>I'm going through a serious Dolly stage. "I look like a woman, but I think like a man," Dolly Parton said a couple of years ago on <a href="http://jezebel.com/5200343/dolly-parton-i-look-like-a-woman-but-i-think-like-a-man"><i>60 Minutes</a></i>. "People think I'm as silly as I look, but I done got the money."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/stylebook18/karlaskloset/kkloset2/kkloset3/nip9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="845" width="563" src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/stylebook18/karlaskloset/kkloset2/kkloset3/nip9.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/stylebook18/karlaskloset/kkloset2/kkloset3/reb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="845" width="563" src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/stylebook18/karlaskloset/kkloset2/kkloset3/reb3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/stylebook18/karlaskloset/kkloset2/kkloset3/lll1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="845" width="563" src="http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii72/stylebook18/karlaskloset/kkloset2/kkloset3/lll1.jpg" /></a></div></center><a href="http://karlascloset.blogspot.com">Karla</a> is so beautiful, and pretty much my style iconMandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-82194344840540595202011-08-13T19:43:00.004-04:002011-08-13T19:48:34.913-04:00The blues and greens of Block Island<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/6036508106/" title="IMG_0006 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6190/6036508106_371a7266cc_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="IMG_0006"></a><br />
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I don't blame Brittany for spending her summers on the Island. Even riddled with tourists, the 13-mile stretch maintains an untouched, primitive feel. The colors were most striking to me: blues and greens in their summer prime that, off the mainland, have preserved themselves after all these years.<br />
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P.S. Have you guys checked out my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Prettier-World/231929050155819">Facebook page</a>? You know you wanna like it ;-)Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-26305844619943146542011-08-13T12:30:00.000-04:002011-08-13T12:30:14.113-04:00The power of forgetting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Tee5ayuSzn0/TDH3zCYqR_I/AAAAAAAAAKI/n0vEseN8SoY/s1600/9affb2b67c1aa67d_dreams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="402" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Tee5ayuSzn0/TDH3zCYqR_I/AAAAAAAAAKI/n0vEseN8SoY/s1600/9affb2b67c1aa67d_dreams.jpg" /></a></div><br />
That quote has been gnawing at my neglectful little brain this week. In this Age of Distraction, we allow ourselves to forget the ambitions most worth remembering.<br />
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Amongst the aspiring basketball players and marine biologists in my fifth-grade yearbook, my ambition stood alone: Writer. In college I studied it and went to every craft talk and reading, faithfully jotting little pieces of advice on How to Write Well from the writers who knew best. I happily spent hours in the library when I picked and prodded at and reconstructed my work until I felt it was as perfect as perfect could be. In college it was easy: there were deadlines, and professors to impress, and an entire built-in community of people who loved what I loved.<br />
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And then, somewhere along the way, I forgot. I don't mean to say I altogether stopped writing, because that will never happen. My need to write is as fundamental as my needs to run outside on a beautiful day, and drink coffee when I wake up, and sing in the shower. Malawi was full of inspiration, and having lots of free time and no Internet made for an ideal writing environment, and over a year later, I have dozens of long rambling pieces about that life-altering experience begging to be touched again.<br />
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And France? France was eight months of indulgence: long dinners over confit de canard and carafes of Bordeaux wine, long conversations with strangers who spoke my favorite language, long nights playing and creating music with my new best friends. But yet have I gone through the notebooks I kept with me during long afternoons outside cafés in Bergerac. Yet have I racked my brain for the anecdotes of the musicians and bartenders who played pivotal roles in my year. I'm afraid they're already forgotten.<br />
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My point is this: Don't be afraid to admit that you've forgotten why you're Here. Reclaim your passion, whatever it is. The most successful people are those who build and build and build on what they've been given.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-87656398257387164332011-08-12T16:48:00.000-04:002011-08-12T16:48:24.398-04:00Block Island<<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/6035953367/" title="IMG_0004 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6210/6035953367_50577012f5_z.jpg" width="700" height="530" alt="IMG_0004"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/6036508544/" title="IMG_0007 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6036508544_e04c597346_z.jpg" width="700" height="530" alt="IMG_0007"></a><br />
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Hi friends, sorry it's been a while (again). Last weekend I took an unforgettable trip to Block Island with my three best friends from college. It was my second time there, and I was reminded of how beautiful and quaint the island is. Although I always miss my friends, I never realize how <i>much</i> I missed them until we're reunited again.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/6036508776/" title="IMG_0016 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6036508776_dba0383aea_z.jpg" width="700" height="530" alt="IMG_0016"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/6035955881/" title="IMG_0023 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6200/6035955881_c2a71c24a6_z.jpg" width="700" height="530" alt="IMG_0023"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/6036513578/" title="IMG_0083 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6191/6036513578_f87bd1a5bc_z.jpg" width="700" height="530" alt="IMG_0083"></a>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-46133583072160440242011-08-02T09:09:00.000-04:002011-08-02T09:09:11.113-04:00Tuesday Tune<iframe width="700" height="530" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/H-ru2glqXAg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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I saw Ellie Goulding this weekend and she was AWESOME. This song is currently playing on my iTunes on repeat.<br />
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Thank goodness for Tuesdays - they're the only day I remember update anymore. I hope when all this job-hunting business dies down I'll be able to increase posts again.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-81230463132173253542011-07-26T09:53:00.001-04:002011-07-26T09:53:58.710-04:00Tuesday Tune<iframe width="700" height="420" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/38an1V5UkOU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Patty Griffin is one of my all-time favorites, and this song in particular is so beautiful. There is something very timeless about her music, not to mention her voice. P.S. That guitarist on the right totally cracks me up.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-71379599149192526342011-07-23T12:52:00.003-04:002011-07-23T13:27:05.597-04:00A Lazy Saturday<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5967036181/" title="IMG_0020 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6121/5967036181_697ed34544_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="IMG_0020"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5967036491/" title="IMG_0023 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5967036491_ba7f3b24f3_z.jpg" width="700" height="600" alt="IMG_0023"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5967592808/" title="IMG_0028 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/5967592808_114011eafa_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="IMG_0028"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5967593078/" title="IMG_0029 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/5967593078_b90e20675f_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="IMG_0029"></a><br /><br />Life has been pretty hectic lately. Today, I'm hiding away from the oppressive heat in my air-conditioned house, hanging with the puppy, picking up old faithful (my guitar), and catching up on all your posts.<br /><br />Happy weekend.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-45676828769664232082011-07-11T23:29:00.002-04:002011-07-11T23:49:55.248-04:00It's my birthday!<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5928459371/" title="IMG_0012 by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/5928459371_d46b26d299_z.jpg" width="558" height="640" alt="IMG_0012"></a></center><br /><br />After an awesome weekend in the city, I spent my actual birthday perpetually relaxed and perpetually full. It included: the Monday crossword; brunch with my mom and brother (hummus platter, eggplant shakshuka); the perfect mid-day nap; catching up with friends; an afternoon in Starbucks; a cool glass of white wine on the deck; and dinner with my family, à la mom: gazpacho, pasta primavera with vegan pesto and parmesan, and chocolate strawberry shortcake cupcakes that made everyone a believer in vegan baking. Then I curled up in bed and have been alternating between <a href="http://www.shelfari.com/books/11589/Beloved">this book</a> and <a href="http://www.shelfari.com/books/12524332/The-Kind-Diet">this book</a> for the past two hours. Food, wine, family, naps, good books: I'm going to bed a happy camper on my birthday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cameratips.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/canon-sx30is-angled.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 428px; height: 369px;" src="http://www.cameratips.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/canon-sx30is-angled.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />P.S. My parents got me the Canon SX30IS, which I could not be more excited about.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-24557214357202776972011-07-05T22:40:00.001-04:002011-07-05T22:43:43.190-04:00Tuesday Tune<iframe width="700" height="520" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MtPyk8_onO8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />This video represents everything that was awesome about the '70s.Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-33175177100951176442011-07-05T07:26:00.003-04:002011-07-05T21:45:54.461-04:00BBQ<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5904673913/" title="49 stars by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5236/5904673913_4432d32022_b.jpg" width="700" height="970" alt="49 stars"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5904674557/" title="kindle, sangria by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6024/5904674557_102b390945_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="kindle, sangria"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5904674229/" title="vegan artichoke dip by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5192/5904674229_b071306a31_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="vegan artichoke dip"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5904674903/" title="rusty playing croquet by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5074/5904674903_7d79057f9c_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="rusty playing croquet"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5904675345/" title="kipp by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5200/5904675345_4658baba68_z.jpg" width="520" height="700" alt="kipp"></a></center><br /><br />Yesterday was a perfect day for a BBQ, and I had friends in my backyard all day. It wasn't a traditional BBQ, per se: I made an assortment of yummy veg-friendly salads that I think even the carnivores were pretty happy with. (I was able to scrounge up some hot dogs and chicken sausages in the freezer, though, so those who were feeling the Fourth wasn't the same without meat got their fixes.) We played croquet, drank sangria, and took trips out on the paddle boat - a very good day.<br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5905232890/" title="(burnt) pine nuts for quinoa salad by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5079/5905232890_b82a33b1e8_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="(burnt) pine nuts for quinoa salad"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5905234924/" title="ben, nadia by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5905234924_06990eb6a0_z.jpg" width="520" height="700" alt="ben, nadia"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5904676367/" title="little friend by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5314/5904676367_9fab7f19e1_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="little friend"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5905235264/" title="tamara by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6046/5905235264_42b177f6a1_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="tamara"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5905235966/" title="my house from the boat, and my favorite tree, ever by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/5905235966_eb0152e9d2_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="my house from the boat, and my favorite tree, ever"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5904677169/" title="the end of nadia's gorgeous flag cake by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6040/5904677169_42b8428c24_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="the end of nadia's gorgeous flag cake"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5905236672/" title="bbq yummies by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6044/5905236672_f1b0bfb8d9_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="bbq yummies"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5904677775/" title="tamara and the sunset by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5904677775_c2ebcfdcba_z.jpg" width="520" height="700" alt="tamara and the sunset"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/prettierworld/5905237414/" title="reflection by prettier world, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/5905237414_0531a7b641_z.jpg" width="700" height="520" alt="reflection"></a></center>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-82574045632812836002011-07-01T14:14:00.003-04:002011-07-01T14:25:56.937-04:00I win!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0VJekeBG9I0/Tgi82Dn2FlI/AAAAAAAAEf4/IUpea9eIxu4/s1600/give1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 700px; height: 1200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0VJekeBG9I0/Tgi82Dn2FlI/AAAAAAAAEf4/IUpea9eIxu4/s1600/give1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />I'm so excited, because today I won <a href="http://www.theanchorandthebird.com/2011/06/giveaway-deed.html">these two dresses</a> from Miss Carolyn Cecilia at <a href="http://www.theanchorandthebird.com/">The Anchor and The Bird</a>! If you guys haven't visited her blog, you absolutely should; Carolynn commits a selfless deed <I>everyday</i> and blogs about it. How inspiring is that? She's done amazing things like <a href="http://www.theanchorandthebird.com/2011/06/day-thirty-three.html">treating a friend to a concert</a>, <a href="http://www.theanchorandthebird.com/2011/06/woodstock-farm-animal-sanctuary.html">volunteering at an animal sanctuary</a>, <a href="http://www.theanchorandthebird.com/2011/06/day-twenty-four.html">sponsoring a child in India</a>, and - my favorite - <a href="http://www.theanchorandthebird.com/2011/06/day-thirty-four.html">giving away her earrings on the spot</a> to an admirer. Yay for good deeds!<br /><br />Have a happy Fourth of July, everyone! I'm having a barbeque at my house on Monday and plan on cooking yummy vegan food all weekend. What are your plans?Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1178104461240048798.post-53519143835179716622011-06-29T09:34:00.002-04:002011-06-29T09:38:41.270-04:00picture + poem<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tatja/5752531527/" title="Untitled by tatja., on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3258/5752531527_07179dcd57_z.jpg" width="700" height="480" alt=""></a><br /><br /><blockquote>Having a Coke with You<br /><br />is even more fun than going to San Sebastian, Irún, Hendaye, Biarritz, Bayonne<br />or being sick to my stomach on the Travesera de Gracia in Barcelona<br />partly because in your orange shirt you look like a better happier St. Sebastian<br />partly because of my love for you, partly because of your love for yoghurt<br />partly because of the fluorescent orange tulips around the birches<br />partly because of the secrecy our smiles take on before people and statuary<br />it is hard to believe when I’m with you that there can be anything as still<br />as solemn as unpleasantly definitive as statuary when right in front of it<br />in the warm New York 4 o’clock light we are drifting back and forth<br />between each other like a tree breathing through its spectacles<br /><br />and the portrait show seems to have no faces in it at all, just paint<br />you suddenly wonder why in the world anyone ever did them<br /><br />I look<br />at you and I would rather look at you than all the portraits in the world<br />except possibly for the Polish Rider occasionally and anyway it’s in the Frick<br />which thank heavens you haven’t gone to yet so we can go together the first time<br />and the fact that you move so beautifully more or less takes care of Futurism<br />just as at home I never think of the Nude Descending a Staircase or<br />at a rehearsal a single drawing of Leonardo or Michelangelo that used to wow me<br />and what good does all the research of the Impressionists do them<br />when they never got the right person to stand near the tree when the sun sank<br />or for that matter Marino Marini when he didn’t pick the rider as carefully<br />as the horse<br /><br />it seems they were all cheated of some marvelous experience<br />which is not going to go wasted on me which is why I am telling you about it<br /><br />-Frank O'Hara</blockquote><br /><br /><font size=1><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/tatja/5752531527/in/photostream">photo</a></font>Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13528054034612803350noreply@blogger.com2