Bows

I have recently been saving many pictures I come across that feature perfectly tied, large romantic bows. They add such a simple yet elegant touch to any room, indoor or outdoor.
Can't you see this being used to balance out a masculine room?

Stay Passionate!

The Romance of an Iron Bedframe

Simple, Elaborate, Masculine, Feminine, Full of possibilities, Occasionally squeaky and 1/2 price if your anywhere over six feet tall.
Regardless of the last two I have to say I have recently been enamored with old iron bed frames.
They just breath romantic energy into a room.
I'm planning on putting one in my bedroom as soon as I find the perfect set.
Throw me an old quilt and an iron bed frame I'm set.

Stay Passionate!

12 quotes to get you moving

1. "Life isn't about finding yourself, Life is about creating yourself." -Unknown
2. "Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple." -Dr. Seuss
3. "We are responsible for our own life- No other person is or even can be." -Oprah Winfrey
4. "The vitality of thought is in adventure. Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them." -Alfred North Whitehead
5. "Whatever you are by nature, keep to it; never desert your line of talent. Be what nature intended and you will succeed." -Sydney Smith
6. "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." -Mark Twain
7. "Oppression can only survive through silence." -Carmen de Monteflores
8. "I dwell in possibility..." -Emily Dickinson
   
9. "Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music-the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself." -Henry Miller
10. "It seems to me that people have vast potential. Most people can do extraordinary things if they have the confidence or take the risks. Yet most people don't. They sit in front of the telly and treat life as if it goes on forever." -Phillip Adams
11. "Everything you can imagine is real." -Pablo Picasso
12. "My passions were all gathered together like fingers that made a fist. Drive is considered aggression today; I knew it then as purpose." -Bette Davis

Secret passages

I have a story for you.

When I was around the age of 6 I went to a friends birthday party, his house was a 70's casa with beautiful carved wood double front doors. After all the gift giving and pizza eating we all headed up stairs to play football in one of the rooms(bad plan parents, bad plan.) Someone threw the football too hard and it hit the bookcase and what do you know, THE BOOKCASE OPENED! I swear its true! Behind it was a little storage room filled with many, many artificial Christmas tree's.

I can only say having an experience like this at six sparks your imagination! From then on I have loved the idea of a secret room, I went around tapping all the walls when we moved to a new house at seven, Clue was my favorite movie for years.

Here are a couple photos to spark your imagination!

The best part about secret passages is they do not have to be elaborate, ingenious or expensive. Hollow out a floorboard or hide your money behind a picture, the point is to have fun with it and get creative(And smart too!)

Stay passionate! 

Mornings with Mickey and my favorite cookbooks ever

Today marks the first day of summer for me! Finals are finally over and I can't wait to get some stuff done! Right before work today I decided to break out my favorite cookbooks, there is something about cooking that not only nourishes the stomach but also the soul. After finals and working all week I needed some of that nourishment!

My all time favorite cookbooks are "The Moosewood Cookbook" and "The Enchanted Broccoli Forest" both by Molly Katzen. Although I'm not vegetarian I LOVE these books(If you want bacon, add bacon!)

The books focus on good, wholesome organic cooking and are completely handwritten and hand illustrated by the author herself with heart-achingly beautiful drawings and mouthwatering recipes. Nothing compares to a Zucchini and cheese encrusted pizza or a crunchy peach pie. Nothing. I credit these books for teaching me how to cook! Seriously I can't give them enough praise!

I have also recently been starting every morning by taking the dog out into the garden(he can be trusted without a leash) It's a wonderful feeling to wake up, walk around barefoot on a warm patio and enjoy the space you have created.

Life is good, things are simple. I'm thankful for what I have and work everyday towards creating more beauty in my life and the lives of others.

Tacky never looked so good: Aquariums

During Junior High and part of High School I was vigilant about keeping an aquarium in my room, I absolutely had to have one and I got quite good at the hobby. Then hit Sophomore year and my interests changed. I started to view cheap little aquariums as a tacky addition to a room, and I'll be totally honest, I still think they are a little cheesy.

Today as I was cleaning out the garage I ran into the aquarium that we gave my grandparents for Christmas(I was so into it I thought everyone had to have one, imagine two 85 year old's expression...yeah)

Needless to say, a few hours of my day were spent cleaning out this 10 gallon Walmart aquarium, you know the type, the "BUT ITS ONLY 50 DOLLARS, MOM!" kinda tank.

So what came over me? What in gods name made me resort to this level of tackiness?

I remembered how much fun they are, how peaceful it was to lay in bed and watch the fish, I remembered the watery blue light that was emitted over my room and I remembered that if you love something, it doesn't matter if its considered tasteful or not. It makes you happy.

Whats something that's considered less than "Designer" that makes you happy?