Short Hair

Happy Monday everyone!  I came across this post the other day in the blogosphere and just had to carry on the momentum.

On Short Hair was written by Joan Juliet Buck for Vogue in 1988 and the sentiment still rings true.  I couldn't pick out just a few favorite quotes so here it is in it's entirety (from The Poetical Quotidian):

Hair is time.

Women with short hair always look as if they have somewhere else to go. Women with long hair tend to look as if they belong where they are, especially in California. Short hair takes a short time. Long hair takes a long time. Long hair moves faster than short hair. Long hair tells men that you are all woman, or a real woman, or at the very least a girl. Short hair always makes them wonder. Short hair makes children ask each other --usually at the school-yard gate, when parents are late-- "Are you a boy or girl?" Men married to women with short hair should not have affairs with women who have long hair kept up with many little pins and combs. Once you have cut your hair you have to remember to wear lipstick, but you can put away the brush, elastics, and the black barrettes in the form of shiny leaves with rhinestone hearts. When you cut your hair you lose a nose and gain a neck. A neck is generally better than a nose. It does not need to be powdered, except on extreme occasions. It does, however, need to be washed more often.

With short hair you suddenly dislike the month of March, when the wind blows down the back of your neck. With short hair you begin to crave pearl necklaces, long earrings, and a variety of sunglasses. And you brush your teeth more often. Short hair removes obvious femininity and replaces it with style. When it starts growing out a little and losing its style, you have to wear sunglasses until you can get it to the hairdresser. That's why you need a variety. Short hair makes you aware of subtraction as style. You can no longer wear puffed sleeves or ruffles; the neat is suddenly preferable to the fussy. You eye the tweezers instead of the blusher. What else can you take away? You can't hide behind short hair. Your nape is exposed. Men put their hands around your neck instead of stroking your long locks. You can only pray they have friendly intentions. The backs of your ears show, your jaw line is clear to anyone watching, and you realize --perhaps for the first time-- how wide the expanse of skin is between cheekbone and ear.

You may look a little androgynous, a little unfinished, a little bare. You will look elegant, as short hair requires you to keep your weight slightly below acceptable levels. However, the first time you wear a bathing suit with short hair, you will feel exceptionally naked. People who used to look straight at you will love you in profile. Short hair makes others think you have good bones, determination, and an agenda. The shape of your skull is commented on, so are its contents. They can pick you out in a crowd, and you can be recognized from behind, which can be good or bad. But your face is no longer a flat screen surrounded by a curtain: the world sees you in three dimensions.

Chase to the cut.

Me (with the short hair) and Cassie

XOXO

--MEL

Happy Weekend

Hello internet cosmos!  I'm so happy to be back in sunny FL with the Mr. and our dog-child.

I had a wonderful week in Texas celebrating my little brother and the end of his college years.  I got to perform with him at TCU for his senior recital and I had a blast.  Needless to say, the stage I played on is used as a venue for the Van Cliburn so it was super fun for me.

Byrne Construction

I was so busy traveling this week so I wasn't able to get on this thing at all.  But I have to say, it sure is good to be back.  There's something really satisfying about compiling inspiration in one place, to have at your fingertips--and the fingertips of the entire internet cosmos for that matter--at all times, day or night, anywhere in the world.  Only where there is internet, of course.

Speaking of no internet, after watching the coverage of Egypt all day yesterday while traveling through airports, I was especially inspired to get on here when I got back home so I could use my privilege for all its worth.  To blog, for all to see.  Or for no one to see.  Regardless, I have that freedom and I am thankful.

Here are some wonderful things from around our free web to inspire your weekend.  Enjoy!

"The Prayer Picture"

This is such an inspiring account of the perseverance of the human spirit.  In the midst of adversity, people stop to pray.  It's peaceful and beautiful and personal. 

In more useless and lighthearted news, I think this makeup case is awesome and it's been on my wish list for a while now.  How's that for a change of subject?

Abba Dabba Bags

Last but not least, on my brief hiatus from the internet, I was really trying to think of ways to beautify the blog.  So I decided I needed to put a bird on it.

Pest Control Rx (how's that for a website?)

XOXO

--MEL

Happy Monday

Good morning internet cosmos!  Hope you all had a fabulous weekend and are looking forward to an exciting week ahead.  I am off to Texas tomorrow to perform with my little brother for his college senior recital (god, I am old) so I will probably be missing from around here for a few days.

Here's some beauty from Jeana Sohn to start your week off right.  Her blog is absolutely delightful as well.  Enjoy!

XOXO
--MEL

(Images from here.)

Quilts

I had never really had an appreciation for quilts until I met my husband.  His sister and brother-in-law make wonderful quilts--a husband and wife team that make really intricate beautiful pieces.  It wasn't until I watched them in the process that I noticed just how meticulous a quilter needs to be, not only technically, but creatively, in order to edit their ideas in a way to make the quilt truly make sense.

Since being a part of my husband's family, I have watched them use a sewing machine in ways I didn't know possible, and my appreciation grew.  To the point where now every time I see anything that has to do with quilts, I am mesmerized.

So it's no surprise that when I saw this post I was floored.  Aren't these the most beautiful works of art?

And of course, they're made specifically for Anthropologie.  No shock there.  You can find all the quilts here.

Enjoy!

--MEL

Shopping bug.

Look at the goodies Anthropologie has on sale right now!  Images from Anthropologie. 

And yeah yeah I get it, there's no reason for the baby things yet but seriously, is there anything cuter than these little booties?  Found via Unruly Little Things.

Bear Feet Shoes

And yes, of course I need this clutch!

Emersonmade

XOXO

--MEL

Last Supper.

Good

I read this article this morning (found via Food News Journal) and was immediately immersed in self-analysis.  This is a wonderful exhibit of photography that brings up some very important questions about the death penalty and looking at your own mortality.

Especially poignant was this story about the olive.  The photographer, James Reynolds, explains:

"I tried to research why each prisoner chose what they did, but only discovered why the single olive was chosen. This olive was un-pitted, and the thinking behind it was that the inmate thought that after being executed and buried, an olive tree—a symbol of peace—would grow from him. It was indeed a very profound thought or idea, but an olive tree has not yet been found on his grave."

Good

This really struck me.  I think even though there has not been an actual olive tree growing from the inmate's grave, the photographer, by organizing this project, has given him one--a voice for the whole world to hear his peaceful intentions.  That is very powerful.

What would your last supper be?

--MEL

Good

A New MLK Week

Hello internet cosmos.  I cannot believe I went for so long without posting a new thought for you all.  It seems the long weekend really took it's toll on me and my "I will do nothing but fun things outside of the house and away from my computer" mentality.  Anyway, today is an especially wonderful day for inspiration, so here are a few things to help get you going this week.

First and foremost, I'm thinking of Memphis today and how it might have been on that day when Martin Luther King, Jr. checked into the Lorraine Motel.  I'm thinking of how thankful I am that we are able to be creative and active and honest.  Without people like Dr. King, we wouldn't have these freedoms.

Life

I'm also thinking of how grateful I am that I can have little luxuries like camping with my family and friends under the brightest moon, waking up in a tent to the sound of rain nurturing the earth all around me, coming home to a warm home where I'm free to indulge in more luxuries like the internet.  We have a lot of ancestors to thank for these wonderful blessings.

I'm thankful for yarn, soft wool entwined with silky soy fibers, that I'm using to create this beautiful scarf that I found via Poppytalk.  It is turning out to be incredible and I'm having so much fun watching it take shape.  It's really amazing that a piece of yarn can turn into a cozy herringbone creation like this one.

The Purl Bee

Speaking of herringbone, I'm thankful for patterns that can translate themselves onto so many different canvases in our lives.  For example, who knew that a pattern typically found in fabric could be found on a floor?  Plus, there's something so wonderful about a beautiful wood floor.  It makes me feel a little more connected to the ground.  Found via You Are My Fave.

Freunde von Freunden

I'm also thankful for the opportunity we have everyday to tell the people we love just how much they mean to us.  I recently bought this charming tie clip for my husband and on the back, I had a little secret message inscribed just for him to know.  I love knowing that he has my secret close to his heart every day.

Purely Paige

I hope you find the power to be creative and the strength to go out and inspire change this week.  Let's work to honor the dreams of Dr. King everyday, not just on a holiday.

XOXO
--MEL

Hip Babies

I've got babies on the brain today.  My sister-in-law is pregnant, our cousin in London just had a baby, my best friend woke me up this morning with a photo of her baby on my phone, and some friends of ours just had their baby--at home and without a midwife!  Whew!  That's another incredible story altogether...

But all this baby action has got me, well, online shopping.  Enjoy!

Grace Hester Designs

There is nothing about me that is French, but that nursery rhyme print is just too adorable.

And I have already thought of about 37 people who I want to buy this onesie for.

egg-a-go-go

And I am overwhelmed with joy when I look at this nursery.  That Talib Kweli concert poster that has me out of control.

Apartment Therapy

And here's the photo my friend sent me of her precious baby girl, Scout.  I swear she's usually not so vulgar, but I guess she was in a rare mood this morning.

And if that doesn't make you giggle, I don't know what will!
XOXO
--MEL

Cake.

It's Wednesday and that means cake.

I guess it doesn't really mean cake, I just woke up and felt like cake so here goes.

Smitten Kitchen

Are you drooling yet?

I recently made this cake for a friend's birthday and it was out of control.  I had multiple people at the table say, "This is the best cake I have ever had."  Let me emphasize here that I can really take no credit for that.  I wasn't exactly the perfect pupil to the recipe.  My cakes overflowed in the oven, leaving them wonky and less-than-full, and leaving my oven, well, you get the idea.  Then as I started to frost, I realized that in fact, popular to contrary belief, the proper icing tools are necessary for effective cake building.  The butter knife just didn't cut it.  (Insert giggle from my husband here at the pun I just inadvertently made.)

Anyway, the point is that I screwed up on a lot of different levels but still, the cake prevailed.  I think this is the mark of a truly divine recipe.

So, go out in the world today and eat cake.  You deserve it.

Smitten Kitchen

(That picture is obviously not my cake. I do think, however, that this post has inspired me to try again.  Hopefully,  my next attempt will be pretty enough to photograph.)

Committed

Google Shopping

I recently read this book and loved it.  I'm not big on reviews, especially when they are about an author who ripped the roof off the self-help/memoir genre with Eat, Pray, Love and everyone and their Mom knows about it.  Yes, I am in fact one of those who loved Eat, Pray, Love and felt very connected to Gilbert's voice.  And then, as if she had heard my call, she wrote about the most confusing, overused, misunderstood, twisted, abused human creation of all time:  marriage.

I was so inspired by Gilbert's ability to deconstruct the common conceptions of marriage and redefine the commitment for herself and no one else.  This was an encouragement and an insight into the power of individuality and staying true to one's self.  

You don't have to be married or about to get married or have anything remotely related to marriage in your life at the moment to read and enjoy this book.  To me, that's the mark of a good read.

--MEL  

Pleasure

Library of Congress

Believe it or not, I don't just blog all day.  I am a musician.  That doesn't really sound much more legitimate but it's true.  My work is in music--I perform, I teach, I accompany.  And I support and encourage the arts education programs and efforts in my town every day.  Yes, it may sound a bit vague, but this is in fact my job.  Actually, this is my job by day and by night.  And by that I mean, I truly love my work.  

In short, I am an extremely lucky girl.

Music is an interesting thing in the world.  It is impossible to truly put into words the effect that it has on the globe because it is in fact so outrageously magnanimous.  See, here comes the part where you may want to think I'm exaggerating, but it's true.  

Look around you.  Think of a day when you do not experience music?  You'll probably have a tough time finding one.  It is everywhere.  And there is good purpose for that.  It makes us feel good.  And if it doesn't make you feel good, then it probably makes you feel something and therefore you evoke some sort of opinion.  Therefore, you think.  Therefore, you engage in life.  

Anyway, I could go on about that for quite a while but I have the rest of my life to do that so I'll wait.  Until then, check out this wonderful article about the power of music (found via Food News Journal).  I hope it encourages you to find pleasure this week by intentionally experiencing a great piece of music.

XOXO

--MEL     

A New Week

Here's a bit of inspiration for the beginning of a new week.  Hope your weekend was fantastic!  --MEL

Happy Friday

First I'd like to say a big thank you to my initial handful of readers.  You've made my first week of blogging surprisingly rewarding.  I hope to see you for a long time to come around here!

Please don't hesitate to give me feedback--let me know what you'd like to read about, what you like already and what you think could improve about the blog.   

Here are a few posts of inspiration from around the web.  I hope they may help you jump into an inspiring and creative weekend!  

I'm really tempted to buy this incredibly magical cookbook.  What a joyous celebration of food and the adventures that accompany it.  Via frolic!.  Images from Buy Olympia.

Aren't succulents just the most beautiful little plants?

Design*Sponge

If I needed new business cards, and if I had sufficient funds, I would definitely go for these.  I mean, it doesn't get much more custom than a little portrait of yourself on your business card.  So cute.

Rifle Paper Co.

If you're looking for an easy and show-stopping recipe to cook up this weekend, try this from the Barefoot Contessa.  Honestly, it will blow you away.

Food Network

I couldn't resist this image found via Greedy Girl.  I'd say this is a good representation of my religious beliefs.

Oven Door Owl

XOXO--MEL

Subway Tile

The Mr. and I are definite dreamers.  Especially when it comes to our home.  First of all, we love to cook.  We'd spend all of our time in the kitchen if we could and in fact, when the free time arises and we're not exhausted we're usually creating something new and fun with food.  We get really excited about Peugeot pepper grinders, miniature Le Creuset cocottes, microplanes, and drying racks for pasta.  To name a few.

So, we also get excited about big handsome gas ranges, shiny porcelain kitchen sinks, and butcher block as far as the eye can see, all set lovingly before a backdrop of glistening subway tile.

Oh, enough talking, just see what I mean.

Design*Sponge

Becoming Home

Mosaic Tile Supplies

The Kitchn

Here's to worshipping your kitchen!
--MEL

A Syrian Dream

My best friend recently took a trip to Syria and captured some really incredible images.  I woke up inspired by her this morning and wanted to share some of her beautiful memories.