April Photo-A-Day Challenge

Yeah, I know it’s already April 5th, but I only heard about this one today! Via the lovely Anna at Guiltless Life, further via Chantelle at fat mum slim.

I like the themes/ideas and will be photoblogging away this month to match them as best ~ or as creatively ~ as I can.

Aren’t those awesome themes? I can just imagine how creative some of you could get

I’ll be posting my photos here on the blog, but also sharing some on:

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Pinterest

If you want to join in, use the hashtag #photoadayapril to share your pics ~ on your blog or wherever you want!

It’s super-fun and inspiring to search using #photoadayapril to see other people’s creative take on the themes. Let’s get creative this April!

Now… catching up… here are my photos, so far.

1: your reflection

#photoadayapril 1: your reflection

2. color

#photoadayapril 2: color (fire-engine red)

3. mail

#photoadayapril 3: mail (birthday thank-you notes)

4. someone who makes you happy

#photoadayapril 4: someone who makes you happy

5. tiny

#photoadayapril 5: tiny

Will you be joining us in #photoadayapril? I hope so!

If so, will you share your Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Flickr, and/or Facebook info in the comments? I hope so! Have fun!

Things I Love Thursday

Hello, friends!

First, a short announcement that I’ll be transitioning everyone’s favorite Things I Love Thursday to a twice-a-month posting instead of weekly, starting the week after next. Just so it’s not all kinds of overwhelming for you OR for me and frees up some space for me to write other stuff.

And next… er, I didn’t really have any “next.” Except this week’s weblicious delights! Enjoy!

1. A cute’n'breezy font you can download for free! From Font Squirrel via How About Orange:

2. Ziggy Stardust 40th Anniversary reissue, via Rolling Stone:

David Bowie plays Mick Ronson's guitar, Oxford Town Hall, June 17, 1972 by Oliver Craske

The album that changed my life and defined the foundation for my personal space oddity. Do I NEED a reissue? No. Will I happily accept the full DVD reissue if someone were to give it to me as a gift? Oh, well, you don’t have to. But if you must.

3. Seven adorable Mad Men-worthy spring dresses, via 7×7:

This pink one’s my fave. Cute for work! I work from home, but if someone (moi?) were to have a spring party, I’d wear one of these dresses to that.

4. When catastrophe strikes, emulate the octopus. Via Wired.

They’re extremely adaptable and deal with survival in a variety of ways: everything from changing color to shooting their black ink to changing shape.

Wired says:

This ability to both observe problems and then respond to them with multiple solutions is a hallmark of the most adaptable organisms on earth. The trick is not in knowing the single solution. It’s having lots of different options and solutions to turn to.

Sounds like a critter I can look up to. An excellent article about an animal to emulate.

5. Foam Magazine shared LACMA’s California Design exhibit, “Living in a Modern Way”:

I would take a trip down to LA just to see this. What incredible design!

6. Balanced Bites shared some lemon-rosemary broiled salmon:

A super-easy recipe that’s full of super-nutrition. I love the addition of rosemary! Great idea.

7. Mocha chocolate cake with mocha buttercream frosting, from The Fit Cookie:

Oh, dear. This looks soooooo good. And it’s free of refined ingredients, vegan, gluten-free, common-allergen-free… So, it’s totally share-able in any environment. Maybe I’ll make it this weekend. Will post pics if I do!

8. Million-dollar misprints, via The Grindstone:

These are crazy but understandable mistakes!

If you ever needed a reason to hire a proofreader (ahem), here it is. Seriously, these are million-dollar lawsuits! Granted, that guy should have questioned his offer letter, but still… Proofreaders: We Catch Costly Mistakes. That should be my new tagline.

9. This gorgeous, colorful room:

I found this on Pinterest and have NO idea where it came from. If you know where this photo originated and/or if you are the photographer, please let me know! Thanks!

10. Finally, are these the cutest spring treats ever, or what? Via Sweet Sugarbelle:

They’re made with Jordan Almonds! SO CUTE and springy. I’d almost feel bad eating them.

That’s all for now! Have a wonderful weekend!

What are some great things you’ve seen this week?

Got any fun plans for the weekend?

Things I Love Thursday

Happy Thursday! Phew, short weeks always seem longer than regular weeks, yes? Or am I being too dramatic?

Nevertheless, it’s Thursday, which means link-time goodies for your eyeballs and brain. Enjoy!

1. Check out this pink-orange color palette from Matchbook Mag!

Fabulous!!

2. From Gaiam: Ten ways to green your pet.

NO, not by spray painting them! Haha.

Great tips here for the eco-conscious human companion.

3. The web’s all up in arms about Pinterest and copyright. Here are two good articles about what you can do.

From Mashable: Websites can now block Pinterest. Great idea if you don’t want readers to pin your pages!

From GeekMom: excellent advice about fair use, copyright, and Pinterest etiquette.

4. Time-lapse photos of fireflies: gone viral! Via Wired.

Gorgeous! And the accompanying article about how the photos went viral is very interesting.

Also, the exhibit on bioluminescence (which the article mentions) at the Museum of Natural History (in D.C.) is SO COOL. Check it out if you’re in the D.C. area. It’s fascinating!

5. Jeff Goins reminds us why writers need to read.

It always seems like duh to me, but whatever it is you do, you must know your craft. That means reading with a critical eye.

6. Make your own perfume locket! Via How Did You Make This.

Petroleum jelly skeeves me out, so I’d probably use a substitute, myself: coconut oil, maybe?

Would be great in any kind of little tin, too!

7. Eat, Spin, Run, Repeat reminded us why artificial sweeteners are so nasty.

They’re addictive and toxic, for one thing (er, two things). Stick with whole foods, friends!

8. The House Home showed off this serene living room (via Rue Mag):

I loooooooove that ocean photo against the stripey couch.

9. Vegan S’mores Cupcakes, via Pickles & Honey

All I can say is YUM!!

10. Or how about a low-sugar chocolate chip cookie cake? Via Pure2Raw.

Can hardly wait to make this one. Look at that awesome frosting ~ can you believe it’s made with avocado??

Aaaaaand, I’m out! Have a fantastic weekend, you!

What are some great things you’ve seen this week?

Got any fun plans for the weekend??

Things I Love Thursday

If you’re in the US, you might be gearing up for a long weekend ~ if so, I hope you’ll be doing something fun. Around here, we’re just hoping the weather stays beautiful so we can get outside for some biking or hiking. Nothing too crazy, just some peaceful good times.

Happy Thursday! Enjoy this week’s picks from around the web!

1. From GalleyCat, 10 Pinterest boards for book lovers

A personal fave pinner to follow is the ever-creative (and San Fran local) Chronicle Books.

2. More.com brought us outfit tips for those who work from home.

The article is geared toward home-based entrepreneurs, who might see clients during the day or have last-minute lunches. However, some of the advice applies to those like me (and some of you!) who currently write, edit, design, program, etc. for a living and could feasibly not even leave bed all day. Ahem.

I definitely believe in a look good, feel good philosophy and make sure to dress for work every day, even if I don’t even need to leave the house. Being dressed, blow-dried, and with (very) simple makeup, I feel professional and sharp ~ which I believe translates in my ultimate ability to work well throughout the day.

3. Modern Mexican home design, via Houzz.

eclectic kitchen design by dallas interior designer Astleford Interiors, Inc.

I have a deep and abiding love of Mexican designs, colors, and homes like this. I love all of it, but particularly this colorful, rustic kitchen!

4. From the Wall St. Journal: Anatomy of a Tearjerker

By analyzing Adele’s “Someone Like You,” this article presents a fascinating analysis of what makes a song give you the chills and make you cry. Media clips and song samples included. So interesting!

5. A crash course, via Wordplay: A Writer’s Guide to Punctuation

Including the oft-quoted reminder from F. Scott Fitzgerald:

An exclamation mark is like laughing at your own jokes.

But my own jokes are funny! Seriously!!!

6. Crazy Sexy Life reminds us that financial freedom is sexy.

Guest blogger Karie Hill, a financial coach for women, says that getting rid of “money noise” can improve ALL areas of your life. She also says:

When you heal your relationship with money, you live in a place of financial peace. Your relationships will improve, you’ll have more sex, dress better, eat healthier and look sexier.

Click through for the rest. Good info!

7. The Write Practice told us about the three movements in every love story.

Is Pride and Prejudice (with or without zombies) the best love story ever? Perhaps. Yes, indeed, it just might be.

Excellent tips here for anyone who writes ~ or who wants to write ~ love stories.

8. Did you read my post about juicing? FitSugar had some great tips on what to do with leftover juice pulp.

I love the idea of making fruit leather! I wonder what kale/chard/celery/cucumber/apple leather would taste like?

9. Make your own fairies in a jar, via Peace of Cake (via BoingBoing):

I can’t wait for summertime and barbeques and fairy jars.

10. Finally, Apartment Therapy had some supercute ideas for DIY bird feeders.

Remember: birds eat even when it’s snowing and raining outside!

That’s all for now! Exclamation marks galore! Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

What are some great things you’ve seen this week?

Got any fun plans for the weekend??

Things I Love Thursday

I don’t know what the temps are like where you are, but I’m loving the springlike weather we have in San Francisco right now. I’m itching to go for a nice long run at the beach today ~ will see if my schedule can make that happen. In the meantime, without further ado, here are some of my faves from around the webs… for your viewing and reading pleasure. Happy Thursday!

1. Pinterest!

Oh, dear. I’m on it and I’ve caught the fever. It’s an easy way to create idea-vision-inspiration-dream boards for anything you desire. Lemme know if you’re on Pinterest already ~ I’d love to check out your boards, too!

If you’re not on it and want to be, drop me a note and I can get you hooked up.

2. Girl Walk // All Day

If you haven’t yet been introduced to this amazing film, I’m honored to be your hostess. Set aside an hour or so and watch it all the way through. It’s one of the most incredible and inspiring pieces of work I’ve seen in a long time!

It’s a danceathon love story journey of life set to mash-up artist Girl Talk’s album “All Day.” Just watch it. Get inspired. Dance!!

Oh yeah, also: move the furniture and turn up the volume!

3. Craft brought us these adorable Mini-Shell Succulent Planters by Radmegan:

Succulents are super-easy to take care of because they require little water and can thrive with indirect sunlight. Unfortunately, our cats eat any plants we bring in, so unless they’re hanging or cacti, we can’t keep ‘em indoors. Good thing shells look great on the porch!

4. Via Breakti NYC, an inspiring reminder from Thich Nhat Hanh:

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

5. Writer Jeff Goins reminded us of The Most Neglected Writing Tip:

Learn your craft! Yes, writers, that includes taking care of your grammar and punctuation. It’s CRUCIAL. And if you don’t know it or don’t get it, please, get a professional to look over your stuff.

Ahem ~ my rates are reasonable

From Jeff:

This is not optional.

Whether you like it or not, you need to learn about the less-exciting aspects of what you do, such as grammar and punctuation. (Well, those are fun and exciting for me, but not most people.)

This includes other aspects of what you do. For example, if you’re a freelancer, you need to learn about running a business and marketing. You may need to brush up on networking and connecting with people.

There’s no way around it. If you want to be good at something (anything), you have to learn your craft.

6. Jane Friedman enlightened us: 7 Ways Meditation Increases Creativity

I realized the other day I’ve been practicing meditation for 20 years ~ I simply can’t imagine my life without moments of quieting my brain! I don’t always have a formal sitting practice: meditation is often a moving practice for me, in yoga, running, or swimming. The benefits of meditation are bountiful and, thankfully, modern medicine is finally starting to take it seriously.

If you’re new to meditation, start simple and small. Check out my guide for beginners, How to Practice Mindfulness Meditation. Here’s more from Jane:

Regular meditation develops our ability to appreciate what we’re achieving and getting right, as well as what still has to be done. To enjoy what we are making in the moment of its making. To value process as much as product.

7. San Fran gal Meghan Ward offered 25 Ways to Build Your Author Platform Before Your Book is Published

Not just blogging, Twitter, and Facebook! She includes ideas about guest blogging, knowing your booksellers… and, of course, billboards.

8. Boing Boing brought us a unique reunion story: Lost Ring Found on Carrot

This woman lost her wedding ring 16 years ago, only to have it reappear on a carrot in her garden!

9. Janet Reid, Literary Agent, got an Alot!

Hyperbole and a Half's Alot

Even cuter, it’s a Thanks Alot. Click through to see the pics of her Alot. How adorable and brilliant! If you’re not familiar with the Alot, you MUST check out Hyperbole and a Half’s classic introduction to its mythology.

10. And Chuck Wendig of Terribleminds let us know 25 Things Writers Should Stop Doing:

Stop Running Away… Stop Thinking It Should Be Easier… Stop Blaming Everybody Else… and my favorite, Stop Trying to Control Shit You Can’t Control:

ALL THAT out there? All the industry shit and the reviews and the Amazonian business practices? The economy? The readers? You can’t control any of that. You can respond to it. You can try to get ahead of it. But you can’t control it. Control what you can, which is your writing and the management of your career.

On that note, I’m off to control my life. Have a beautiful day!

Do you meditate ~ in any form? Do you find it helps your creative life?

Is there something in your writing life that you know you should stop doing but … can’t? Or won’t?