I'm more in love with this grumpy cat than I thought I could ever be! xoxo!

As some of you know, I've been working on doing Ballet Beautiful 3-5 times a week, and after only a few weeks, I can definitely tell a difference. I no longer feel pain in my back when sitting at work all day, I have wayyyy more flexibility and I have definition in my legs and abs (muscles? who knew I had those)! But its funny, Ballet has also been showing up in my life here and there and everywhere lately... WHATS THAT ALL ABOUT? Well, they say things come in threes I suppose.

First I saw this documentary trailer on a blog a few days ago, called First Position, and it looks FASCINATING. I always find myself interested in young athletes, their inexplicable drive and determination, maybe because I was once an athlete like them. I will forever identify with these kids' desire to be their absolute best and ultimately, win!



Then I saw this amazing short from the New York City Ballet about pointe shoes. Specifically, the pointe shoes that NYC Ballet dancers use, and about the importance of them. This is a beautiful video and so interesting!



Also, this video is pretty much completely unrelated, but it makes me smile and makes me want to get up and dance myself! The animation is so fresh and lovely, with that watercolor treatment on light paper. Animation by Shishi Yamazaki, more here.

Well, I've officially made it through another Art Sale! I am still exhausted the morning after, and my feet may still be throbbing (three full days on concrete floor isnt the most forgiving), but I am so happy to be waking up this lovely Sunday morning to snow on the ground, my husband making coffee and waffles (!) in the kitchen, and this most ADORABLE video on the interwebs. I think I just died of cuteness. It's going to be an awesome day!!

I dont have much to share tonight, except that I just got home from the first of what will be many late nights at work, and am eating my favorite pizza, from Uptown Pizza, with artichokes! Good thing I got my Halloween party-time self all worn out on Saturday night! Alex and I hosted it at our place again this year, and let's just say that I got all Star Wars-ed out. Here's the playlist for proof of good-times.

I'll leave you all with this hauntingly beautiful claymation video with an equally haunting and beautiful score, found via Teenangster. It's called "Mound" by Allison Schulnik. I've seriously watched it several times now just to watch different characters faces and things going on in the background. ITS SO AMAZING AND I CANT LOOK AWAY.


Mound by Allison Schulnik from garaco taco on Vimeo.

this project called ground rules, started by a few bloggers. new years resolutions. making things. it is all very inspiring, especially since anja's resolution is basically the resolution I would choose for myself, if I had to choose just one. Not to draw persay, but to make things. make more things! (beautiful video for your very first one, anja.)


ground rules - introduction from anja verdugo on Vimeo.

I have also been inspired by some great analog photography sources recently, I have been wanting to try some new things! for instance, the hipstamatic app for phones (which I dont have, but wish I did), some great flickr groups, my new fuji instax camera that I got for xmas, and my favorite new photo blog, photojojo! now I want to turn my digital b&w images into old fashioned color images, like these antique versions and these tri-color photos! hopefully i'll be trying this out soon, playing with the channel mixer, and maybe with film images too! fun.


And speaking of resolutions (which I never ever make for myself, probably because I feel like they're just another goal that I potentially wont make), I have another in mind. And that is, to just have as much fun as possible this year. Alex and I went out with a random mix of our friends on Friday night, and while we did get too drunk and spent Saturday paying for it, it reminded me that we are so lucky to have the life that we do. We live in a great area that allows us to go out whenever we want, hop on a bus and catch a show, see a movie, or meet up with friends spontaneously. And it is so much fun! I love life, and I love Alex.

We have also been invited to Las Vegas for a weekend soon, and HECK, why should we pass it up? Once in a lifetime right? We will see, but I feel like I have a resolution to uphold, dont you?

(image above courtesy of seattletim)

Just a few thoughts on the new year, sorry if I've bored you, but it feels really good to get these written down and in the real (interwebs iz real?) world. Maybe now I will keep my resolution promises. Wish me luck!

These girls with all of their navy and black from Stockholm Streetstyle (all shot in Paris?? whats up with that you guys?):





John Slattery via the new Lincoln MMX commercials (Article in the NYT here). The white hair, the dark-rimmed glasses... I am in love with him, you guys!




This random guy, whom I spotted on Jak&Jil. Very fashionable indeed.



And Joan Baez, circa 1962 (Alex and I watched Martin Scorsese's documentary about Bob Dylan recently). She kind of reminds me of my mom, when she was very young.





Is it weird that my style inspirations are coming from men?