Baby belly + fruit

The first one of my really close childhood friends is pregnant and I'm super excited for her.  The other day we were talking about the baby's growth week by week and how its size corresponds to a piece of fruit.  That made me hungry so we headed out for lunch.

I love how this woman documents her pregnancy by photographing her belly and a piece of fruit.  Too cute.  I believe I'll be following her lead with my own project when the time comes.

Be A Follower

Psssst.  Hello Lovely Readers!  I know there are lots of you out there that follow along with me on this blog (the stats tell me so) and I'd love to get to know you.  Just hit the "follow" button on the right over here and enter your email address.  It takes about 30 seconds, but our lovely blog friendship will last for years.  :)

Newsprint Nails

Love this idea for fashionable nails!  I'm not big on finger nail polish, but I may be giving this a try this week.

Capital 'L'

Isn't this beautiful?!  Next weekend is the Boneyard Arts Festival and I'm excited to have a piece of my artwork on display for the first time.  I will be designing the capital letter 'L' as part of a fundraiser for CUDO.  As a typeface junkie, I'm very excited to be a part of this!

I've been searching for inspiration on the web and these two make me smile.

Grover makes everything cuter. :)

Check out the display at Cakes on Walnut in Downtown Champaign!

The Fabulous Lily is 4!

Yesterday we celebrated our niece Lily's birthday.  I don't know about you, but to me this photo pretty much sums up what a 4th birthday should be.  This sweet little love muffin is such a bundle of joy.  She brings so much joy and laughter to everyone she meets.  Thanks for letting us celebrate your day with you, Lil' Miss Lilybug!

Magic

The doodle on Google today for Harry Houdini's 137th Birthday reminded me of the time I got to do a magic trick with David Copperfield when I was 13.  After random audience members called out items for me to spray paint on a fake brick wall on stage, Mr. Copperfield pulled a large sheet of paper out of a manila envelope - that had been in plain sight the entire time - that had (what appeared to be) exactly what I'd painted on the wall.  My dad, Craig, says he knows how he did it, but to this day I can't figure it out. 

Move Over Rachel Ray

Husband and I are owners at our local food co-op and found this great recipe for veggie rotini with a forest mushroom and swiss chard sauce.  Let me tell you, with just a few spices and some extra garlic (I can't help myself!), this tasty treat took us just under 30 minutes to make.  The best part is that some of the items we used for the dish are from right here in Illinois.  I love that!

Spring Poem

Yesterday my yoga instructor read this poem to our class in celebration of the vernal equinox (first day of spring).  I'm already a Rumi devotee and this piece is simply beautiful.

Spring

Again, the violet bows to the lily.
Again, the rose is tearing off her gown!

The green ones have come from the other world,
tipsy like the breeze up to some new foolishness.

Again, near the top of the mountain
the anemone's sweet features appear.

The hyacinth speaks formally to the jasmine,
"Peace be with you." "And peace to you, lad!
Come walk with me in this meadow."

Again, there are sufis everywhere!

The bud is shy, but the wind removes
her veil, suddenly, "My friend!"

The Friend is here like water in the stream,
like a lotus on the water.

The narcissus winks at the wisteria,
"Whenever you say."

And the clove to the willow, "You are the one
I hope for." The willow replies, "Consider
these chambers of mine yours. Welcome!"

The apple, "Orange, why the frown?"
"So that those who mean harm
will not see my beauty."

The ringdove comes asking, "Where,
where is the Friend?"

With one note the nightingale
indicates the rose.

Again, the season of Spring has come
and a spring-source rises under everything,
a moon sliding from the shadows.

Many things must be left unsaid, because it's late,
but whatever conversation we haven't had
tonight, we'll have tomorrow.

-Rumi

photo

Tourism Awards

I have to brag on my job for a minute... Today the Champaign County Convention and Visitors Bureau took home two Illinois Excellence in Tourism awards from the 2011 Illinois Governor's Conference on Tourism.  One for best Marketing Campaign for Illinois Countyside Journey's and the other for best Event/Festival for the 27th Mile Celebrate Victory Bash.  I'm so proud to be a part of a very talented group.  These awards show how hard we really do work to make Champaign County a premier Midwest destination.  Way to go guys!

All Stars

How cute is this video?  I love the part when she dances on her tip toes in the pile of mud.
If you're like me (a Chuck Taylor devotee since the 6th grade) you can totally appreciate this. :)

Daydreaming of Bathing Suits

 

I adore this bathing suit.  What a great look for a European summer getaway.  Or any kind of getaway for that matter! 

My husband has this idea that I have expensive taste.  I suppose the price tag of $318 doesn't help my cause.  Or the fact that I heart this suit, too.  What's a day dreaming girl to do?

Mardi Gras Pretty

 

Are you celebrating Mardi Gras tonight?  How fun would it be to go all out with fancy attire and an awesome mask?  I love this pearl one.  Doesn't it make you want to go to a masquerade party?

This is a good idea for making your own masquerade mask.  

photo

Vintage Map Pillows

I'm obsessed with vintage maps.  There's something so cool about the colors, the details and the nostalgia.  I love this awesome pillow with a vintage map of Chicago.  And this one, and this one and this one.  :)

Awhile back I bought map almost just like this one and cut it into four pieces.  I framed each piece and created a great piece of wall art in our living room.  These pillows would be so great on our living room couch!

via etsy

Michele Rae, Happy Birthday!

Happy 29th Birthday, Michele!  Wishing you a simply wonderful (like you) day filled with fun, laughter, good food and good friends.  In your honor I've written you an acrostic poem:

Michele, you are

Impossibly

Charming and your humor and wit are

Hilarious. You're  

Extra special and I consider myself 

Lucky, for you are the

Essence of a true friend

photo from here

Thinking Spring

I've got springtime on the brain today.  So many pretty things to look forward to!

1. yellow flower ring 2. owl watering can 3. pretty springy dress

4. bicycle note cards 5. herb spoons

Welcome to the World, Avery Elizabeth

Yesterday my family welcomed Avery Elizabeth Spoeth to the world.  What a beauty she is!  I'm so excited to meet her.  I can't wait to be her Aunt Libby.  Love. Love. Love.

Beautiful Sun Salutation

 

My yoga studio clued me into this gem.  This variation on Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutation) is simply beautiful.  Strength and grace and peace.  Love it!