Play report.

Ikea did this sweet little study on Playing... they call it their "Play Report." I think the video speaks for itself, really. All I am going to say is, I love their message. Ry & I were fortunate enough to have parents that embraced and invested time in playing with us and taught us how to play, well, very well. :)

On that note, I apologize for my absence from the blogging world... but, I have to say the only excuse I have is, I've been playing!

Enjoy & happy weekend!

tootles.

Off to the beach to see a bestie get married to her man & bask in the sun for days with very dear friends... pina coladas & good conversation await. ta ta. tootaloo. adios.

PS - How presh is this pic? via swiss miss.

PPS - I am obsessed with stripes as well. :)

shine on.

It's pretty obvious / apparent that I have a mad, deep obsession for anything donning sequins... {preferably larger piets in a matte finish, if you really want to know.} :) My most recent purchases seem to ALL have sequins, either to cover or embellish... (The last piece I came home with, a sequin sweatshirt, I think Ry thought it was literally a practical joke. ) I love them paired with textured, organic or raw fabrics in a neutral color... I think, even spicing them up with some stripes is sassy. I believe I need to refrain from anymore sparkley apparel at the moment... but all I can picture is a future daughter LOVING her "vintage sequin pieces" later on in life - and yes, I am fully aware this notion is absolutely ridiculous. Shine on... Happy Tuesday!

Land Giants.

I wouldn't mind these power lines one bit if they were in our alley... what a innovative way to transform a bland, utilitarian object that most people wouldn't even fathom redesigning or re-engineering, & simply rethinking it into an installation of sculptures that is awe-inspiring. American firm choi + shine architects recently received the 2010 Boston Society of Architects Award for Unbuilt Architecture for their project 'The Land of Giants'. "They originally designed for the Icelandic high voltage electrical pylon competition back in 2008."
I think my favorite part is how the figures take on the weight or burden they are carrying in the power lines... for instance, when they are straining going up a hill or "curling" the power line.

Read more at designboom.

ice cream cones.

What a happy way to pep up some everyday, ho-hum helium balloons. Simply perfection, I tell ya. For the umpteenth time in my life, I exclaim, "Oh, Martha. You did it again."

From the CraftsDept.

straight to the point.

Anything tiny & miniature makes me happy... but this level of talent & attention to detail leave me in awe. These are pencils! I can't even begin to image the time that went into these little works of art. "Dalton Ghetti uses a razor blade, sewing needle, a sculpting knife, a steady hand and lots of patience to meticulously carve the graphite which can take anywhere between a few months to a few years." These make me want to work a little harder, as well as more carefully, on this Manic Monday sort of day.

twitteriffic.

Found this article very intriguing, I Tweet, Therefore I Am, from the NY Times. Its about social media & how it affects our view of self in society today. Check it out if you have a chance.

Life lately from the iPhone.

Life lately from the iPhone's point of view... what would we do without our camera phones? ShakeitPhoto & QuadCam are my best buds as of late...

Summer Sundays in the back yard. my favorite.

Senga allowed on the sofa, a rare occasion.

A Fiesta at the Fraziers... with of course, extreme amounts of guac.

In our backyard one afternoon... it looks like a verse should be inscribed across this image.

Ry's birthday dinner at Tillman's Roadhouse - Blood Orange Margs, Fried Pickles, and truffle oil popcorn for appetizers. divine.

Tillman's table side s'mores with flavored marshmallows... I mean, my obsession for mallows & s'mores dates back all the way to 3rd grade. I used to have one for afternoon everyday after school. that and popcorn.

Senga's new life savor... her "Cool Pooch" waterbottle from Ry's brother. It's pretty phenomenal. :)

Shopping for work at some Army / Navy stores...

Dinner, Drinks, & Darts with some besties...

Without fail, pretty typical if we are watching TV.

My candy drawer at work... don't worry its all gone now. Sugar is my no. 1 downfall in life.

Playing at the park with Naughers and the pups...

Banana pancakes in Anaheim, CA... they hit the spot perfectly.

Stuck in LA traffic with my wonderful sister-in-law.

More park time... clearly Senga needs her "Cool Pooch" waterbottle from the looks of this pic.

Beach time in Santa Barbara, CA...

I drove around 'till I struck gold...

Trader Joe's - the thumpbeat of my heart.

First tomatoes of the summer from our porch pot...

At the wholesaler for work...

Yummy fajitas on the back porch one night...

New backyard growth...

My office is right above Blockbuster headquarters... & Darth. It gets comical.

Working on a mock-up at work... in a wonderland of white.

Breakfast at Breadwinners. Cinnamon Raisin french toast... be still my heart.

Up in the cafe at the Wylie.

On the stage at the Winspear... I tried to sing, you can imagine how that went.

Happy Wednesday... halfway there. :)