wednesday wonderfulness

A little late going up, I know. But this week is more insane than usual, you guys. (I know: you all have lives to. It's my own stinking fault.) Anyway, good stuff, I say!

• I just think this editorial feels fun, in addition to being simply executed.
• also, Rachel McAdams is just gorgeous.
• this lady turns her apartment into an art gallery. I love it.
• loving this band.
• how to find art in thrift stores. LOVE.
• a gossip girl guide to nyc. I like blair's picks best.
• OMG. how lovely is this cover of britney spear's latest. No, really. At least watch the first bit. SCOTTISH ACCENTS, k?
• I like the concluding thoughts on this essay.
• music video called "underwear." incredibly cool visuals.
• retro costumes! I may have gone on to watch everything by this troop. Troupe?
• also amazing visuals. very eighties and neon-ish. LOVE.

in which I think about where I've been

A few weeks ago a friend linked to this online magazine on facebook, and reading it brought back so many memories. I remember being raised to believe much of what is written therein, and I almost linked it in a wednesday wonderfulness post, but I thought that more discussion was warranted. I don't necessarily DISbelieve it all, I'm just...a little removed. (Ok honestly? The earnestness and "sweet spirit" with which it was written just brings back WAY TOO MANY memories.)

But anyway, whatever. The thing that I wanted to mention starts on page 30, and is talking about "what warrior poets are looking for in a wife." There are many virtues and qualities listed, and then comes this paragraph:

"spend your years of singleness lavishly upon Christ. You can do things right now as a young single woman that a married woman with children just CAN'T do. Study the Word of God voraciously. Give yourself in service to your King. Your future husband will love the virtues that result from such disciplines!"

The italics are mine. I guess it breaks my heart, because, you see, this is how I was raised. Good Christian girls grow up, marry good Christian guys, and have good Christian babies. And don't get me wrong: there's nothing wrong with that! If that's what you want, go for it. But other options were never presented. When, at 19, I wasn't married or courting (!) anyone, my dad began to worry.

Anyway. I don't think being a Christian and being a feminist are mutually exclusive. Am I crazy here? Please give me some feedback.

worth watching

Half. It's lovely, and beautiful, and simple.

things that make me smile today

iron man dancing.

roosevelt on a moose.

a step group.

that is all.

sometimes I just like to look at shoes

shoes I <3 by vintagechica featuring patent leather pumps

That is all. Carry on.

wednesday wonderfulness

No theme this week, as far as I can see.

• must try this: chocolate mousse in five minutes.
• two quotes I love this week: get over where you're from and how to set the world on fire
• things that made me laugh this week:ages when men are too old to wear... and overrated things
• how to build a champagne pyramid!
• how does grey goose relate to you as a small business owner?
• love these: rejected book covers.
• can someone please buy me this?
• the periodic table of storytelling? What?
• making baby shoes? love this!
• how perfect is this wedding decor?
• umbrella inspiration!
• foods that have been added to the list for my next NYC visit (yes, I maintain a running list): zaab elee, cauliflower pizza, chocolate mousse.
• intriguing: interview with Lagerfeld. This might be worth a post of its own...he has some intriguing viewpoints.

music to make you glad it's getting warmer

Blow/Kesha Hey Baby/No Doubt Peaches/Presidents of the United States of America Kissed It/Macy Gray You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin'/The Righteous Brothers S&M/Rihanna You Send Me/Aretha Franklin Mango Pickle Down River/MIA Lady Marmalade/Moulin Rouge Who You Are/Jessi J Bad Girls/Vicki Leekx Never Gonna Fool Your Gold/dj lobsterdust Starts With One/Shiny Toy Guns Emphatically No/Salt-n-Pepa Big Girl (you are beautiful)/Mika Work That Fat/Prince Take Off Your Cool/Outkast and Norah Jones

wednesday wonderfulness, a day late

Sorry, guys. The weeks are just getting crazier from here. But that's awesome! Cause it means summer must be here!

• So what are your thoughts on temporary lace tattoos and lip tattoos. Would you wear either? Honestly, I'm kind of digging both. Not sure where would be a good place to wear either, though.
• movies to cheer you up!
• so you want to shoot film? Here are some ideas to get you started!
• love this music video!
• OMG! loving this online magazine SOSO much.
• I feel like this link is going to be sent to a couple of friends of mine. (As a pointed hint. That they won't get because they're THAT AWKWARD.)
• I don't know if you remember the fort we saw in Key West last winter, but I wanted to do a trash the dress/bridal shoot there. Well, now I know what it MIGHT look like. So lovely.
• Hm. I've been messing around with this app maker, but so far I'm not loving the results. Anyone else?
• I feel like if I ever have a real office, it will need some of these hanging next to my think different posters. That I've yet to acquire.
• What??? Suddenly I no longer need to make 8tracks mixes!
• And your fix of pretty pictures for the week: modern bonnie and clyde, amazing hats, adorable children, multiple personalities.

when you need ideas

I love watching music videos. All of the visual inspiration of a movie, without the time commitment. You don't have to like the song: sometimes just the images are enough. Currently I'm loving:

• only girl in the world by rihanna. I love the wall of flowers, the yellow poppies, her bright red hair. I kind of want a bright pink room now, since i can't have a bright pink desert.

• stuck like glue by sugarland. I don't even listen to country, so I have no idea how I ended up seeing this one. But oh my word: how cute is she? And her clothes? I need a pair of leopard gloves now!

• it's amazing by jem. Makes me want to take lots of sun-soaked photos and mess about with stop motion.

What is inspiring you right now?

since you've certainly already bought a mother's day gift

Use your leftover pennies to pick up one of these cuties. Knit, comfy, hide a multitude of sins, I think. And currently an additional 25% off the sale price! It's practically fiscally responsible. Both from Rachel Roy: click on the images for more info.

bake these. You won't regret it.

Lemons. Butter. Sugar.
There's not much to a perfect lemon square. But the results? Magic.
I picked up a cookbook at the library last week called Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy Melt-In-Your-Mouth Cookies. It's BRILLIANT. So far every recipe I've tried has been fantastic, and many of them (including the one I'm about to share) can be made easily without a mixer. WIN!
Ingredients:

(for the crust)

7 tablespoons melted butter

2 tablespoons sugar

3/4 teaspoon vanilla

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup flour

(for the filling)

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons flour

3 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil.

Preheat oven to 350. Position rack in lower third of the oven.

(crust) In a medium bowl, combine melted butter with sugar, vanilla, and salt.

Add the flour and mix until incorporated.

Press dough evenly over bottom of pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the crust is fully baked.

(filling) While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. Usually about two lemons are all I require for the zest.

And four lemons produce enough juice for this recipe. (My lemons were pretty small, though.)

Stir together the flour and sugar (I use the same bowl). Whisk in the eggs.

Stir in the lemon zest and juice.

When the crust is ready, turn the oven down to 300.

Pour the filling onto the hot crust, and bake 20 to 25 minutes, or until the topping barely jiggles in the center when the pan is tapped.
Let cool in pan. When cooled, lift up the foil and transfer to a cutting board. Use a long, sharp knife to cut in either 16 or 25 squares. (I usually go for 25.)
Enjoy. They're awesomely tangy and delicious.

wednesday wonderfulness

Yeah...I shot my first wedding of the season this weekend, and I'm trying to run a 5k on Saturday. So all my spare time is spent, you know, working on stuff. I know, excuses. And I have good stuff to throw here! I just need to make the time... Anyway. (Also: currently my husband is working about 12 hours a day. Thus, the season has begun in which we see each other for about a half an hour a day.)

• This video horrifies me on so many levels.
• this project is intriguing.
• incredibly gorgeous nature videos. (Fave: spider attack. WATCH TO THE END.)
• this slideshow is riveting. And mindblowing.
• portfolios that I can't stop looking at: ben sandler, jason bell, louis lander-deacon.
• what? A chocolate and cocktail pairing based on my favorite candy bar? Yes please! (Although that drink scares me.)