a favorite

This is one of my favorite photographs of all time. Thought you'd like to know. :)

"Saint George and the Dragon" by Lewis Carroll (June 26, 1875)

{via The Getty}

"My hope is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here." - Jim Henson

The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service worked with The Jim Henson Legacy to create Jim Henson's Fantastic World, an exploration of the incredible art of the man who created Muppets. The exhibit traces the timeline of Jim Henson's career, but more importantly, it gives audiences a taste of Henson's creative process and the imagination that brought whole worlds to life.

I grew up loving The Muppet Show and Sesame Street, the idea that there is an entire exhibition celebrating the man responsible for Ernie and Fozzie (in addition to countless others) makes me so happy. The tour schedule for Jim Henson's Fantastic World still has some dates left, so if you want a multimedia taste of the art of this impressive visionary....mark your calendar!

{All images courtesy of Jim Henson's Fantastic World}

Sandra Eterovic

You've gotta check out Sandra Eterovic's art (found in her etsy shop, on her flickr photostream, and her really great blog - and, yes, I am stalking her). I'm in love with her mix of Magritte surrealism and Scandinavian folk art. Her work is just so unique and fun...

Moments

If you have never heard the Radiolab podcast, you are very, very lucky. Lucky because you are a Radiolab virgin and have hours and hours of old episodes to look forward to, all fresh and funny and interesting and inspiring. I have gone through all of the archived episodes and now have to wait like the rest of the world for new ones, which don't come out nearly as quickly as I and the rest of the world would like.

One of my favorite Radiolab episodes, "Afterlife," was originally posted last September, and after the episode aired, the hosts continued with a series of short follow up podcasts, all about death and dying and what happens after. The final follow up short was the video, "Moments," by Will Hoffman. But it isn't about death at all. It's about life and the small moments that make it beautiful. You will love it.

Thursday, July 4th Cook Out, and Esty

Fireworks For the Fourth of July Print of Original Oil Painting via ArtByMarilyn

I am not a giant fan of the 4th of July holiday hoopla- the parades are always too crowded, hot, and sticky and the fireworks, though festive, have awakened one too many babies in my care for me to truly enjoy them. I do, however, LOVE cookouts....the food, drink, and feeling of a backyard party are just the best, so for this Thursday and Etsy entry I am throwing a July 4th barbecue!

Some invitations to the folks who will come in the afternoon and stay until the sky lights up:

Stripes party invitation via lukecommasara

Having chairs with comfortable pillows not only on the deck, but in the yard too, is so welcoming:

Adirondack Chair courtesy of gardenfurnituremill

Indoor/Outdoor Pillow Covers courtesy of thislittlehome

Some mason jar lanterns in the trees will keep the backyard from getting too dark, with a votive lending the perfect amount of night light:

Blue Pint-Sized Ball Mason Jar Lantern courtesy of seasonables

Perfect picnic tablecloth, made from a vintage feedsack courtesy of oodles

The tables will be covered in colorful stripes and later illuminated with candles in tiny glass holders:

glass votive containers courtesy of oldgoatsmitten

In addition to all the hot dogs, hamburgers, potato salad, and watermelon the crowd can handle...some cupcakes dressed for the occasion:

cupcake wrappers- red marching band courtesy of thecupcakewrapperco

And because it will undoubtedly be quite hot - a whole slew of these vintage pitchers filled with lemonade - classic and the pink variety:

lemonade pitcher/carafe courtesy of LePinkChandelier

A few of these tubs will be scattered about as well, filled with ice and drinks for the guests:

Red and White Quarter Dot Large Round Galvanized Party Tub courtesy of brodyandma

As I have said before, I can get caught up in dressing the little ones for celebrations- charming cook out ensembles:

A Day At The Zoo pillowcase dress courtesy of ohsewsweetboutique

lets go fly a kite courtesy of bchildrenswear

To keep the kids occupied while they wait anxiously for the fireworks, a backyard scavenger hunt and some sparklers!

Decks of Playground Scavenger Hunt Cards courtesy of blynkenandnod

Printable Sparkler Holder Set courtesy of printyourparty

Maybe this is the year I become a bona fide fan of the 4th- who knows, next year it could be sticky parades and crowded fireworks displays all the way!

Moving Pictures

My man has done it again! He's impressed me enough with a find to get himself on the very exclusive "Hiving Out." Seriously - aren't these "Moving Pictures" just captivating?!? Love this one and this one too, but lots more found on Square America.

no, no, no to swimsuit season

via The Sartorialist

Seems that the fiancé is not a big fan of the hand-me-down one piece bathing suit I got from LL and have been wearing for something like half a decade (I know - I can't believe it either!). In addition to really pushing that I not only get a new one this summer, he wants me to get a gosh darn TWO PIECE.

Shopping for a suit that will satisfy both of our demands and self-esteems has become quite the stress in my life since I haven't worn a two piece since the days of pre-adolescence. If only I could find one as lovely and sweet as the vintage one above. Or just about anything that Esther Williams ever wore as highlighted in this gorgeous montage... le sigh.

hints of brass

Image via thehaystackneedle

This image of two brass swans on a simple and elegant wedding table had me thinking about how the perfect little touch can really make something unique. It also had me thinking -I am crazy about those miniature brass swans.

After some hunting around, I realized that there are some beautiful, tiny brass treasures out there for next to nothing. They could be the ideal addition to a bookshelf, desk , or on display in a nursery (what a fantastic topper for a baby shower gift!).

Vintage Brass Bunny Figurine via uncommonvintage

Vintage Solid Brass Cat and Mouse via jwhite2

Vintage Brass Giraffes via PuzzleBoBuzzles

Little Brass Duckie via eastbaycalifornia

Vintage Brass Owl via OliveVintage

I also found THEM....the swan pair...and I'm still crazy about the duo.

Vintage Brass Swan Couple via OliveVintage

Observation

Image via TimSpfd on flickr

There is something so melancholy about an empty carousel.....

rubber stamp return

via Note Trunk

For someone who is supposedly trying to save money on her wedding, I do seem to be splurging a lot on pretty touches. For example, I've spent way too much time picking out this little extra - a rubber address stamp for my invitations.

I blame Lorelei for this new fixation since she has a lovely one that she got for her birthday from paperwink. Here are some of my favorites from that cute online boutique:

I am also crediting Lorelei with the justification of this purchase since it looks to be something I will be using on all of my correspondence long after the wedding. I just hope the phone company can appreciate the prettiness of the one I picked out from Note Trunk:

I also got this one from Note Trunk for a friend's birthday. Cute, right?:

lemons into lemonade

Glass spigot jar courtesy of kitchendinner.com

Image courtesy of google

Beehive Beverage Jar from Sur la table

This summer I am going to get one of those fancy schmancy beverage jars with a spigot. They just add an extra something to your run of the mill cook out, don't you think? I particularly love the look of them with those chalkboard signs....

I plan to fill it with delicious lemonade every chance I get!

Mint Lemonade from MarthaStewart.com

• 1/4 cup sugar for simple syrup
• Ice cubes
• 1 2/3 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons julienned mint, plus leaves for garnish
• 1 lemon, sliced 1/4-inch thick, plus more for garnish

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1/4 cup water. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat. Let stand until completely cool.
2. In a large pitcher half-filled with ice, add 2 cups water, lemon juice, simple syrup, mint, and lemon slices. Stir to combine. Serve over ice. Garnish with mint leaves and lemon slices.

Canon SD1000 Powershot, I will master thee

by julielion

I've always wanted to learn how to take better pictures, but lots of things come in the way - mostly my problem with being a perfectionist. My biggest hang up has always been the fact that I have just a regular point and click camera, but that looks to no longer be a decent excuse as all of these images were taken by the same basic camera and are really fantastic (they were found and collected in this flickr pool).

The answer to all of my other photographing anxiety (I don't have a good eye, I don't know what all the options on my camera mean) is, of course -- practice, practice, practice. So one of my summer goals is to just get out there and take some darn pictures and stop stressing about how bad they might be. All I have to do now is just get off my lazy butt and find my camera...

by Lucee.

by erin MC hammer

by eastlincolnstreet

by Lucee.

by Christer Ådahl

by julielion