photograph by nikole from 46th at grace.

It’s Monday morning here and I’m very busy distracting myself from the work I have to do. Perhaps you need some distractions too.  Here is what I’ve found…

1. Nikole’s post on icing cakes and meeting boys is sweet, to say the least – a must read.

2. Victoria from sfgirlbybay has launched a great concept called ‘blog it forward’. I’d briefly read about it on other blogs over the past couple of weeks but to be honest, still had no idea what it was about until I made the time this weekend to read some more. It’s great! And most certainly a wonderful distraction. Read about it here but even easier, view the list of blogs participating here. And  here is victoria’s initial post. Enjoy!

3. If you’ve been following Louise’s 52 suburbs blog like I have (and even if you haven’t), then you will love this little video documentary about her. I love to see how other photographers and bloggers go about their business, so this was a real treat that I think you will love to.

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Surely that will distract you for some time now. And really, if distractions are inspiring, then it’s all for the greater good of the work to come, right? Right? hmmm.

xx

PS  zoe just sent me this video link – now this is what I call enhancing the everyday! and perfectly distracting.

PPS and another fab video that will surely make your day. thank you for the link Josephine!

so autumnal! boots, by amanda.

The weather has been sucky here, to say the least. Windy, rainy, and chilly – these are all the elements that keep me tucked up inside my cozy boat home, blanket over my lap, and cup of hot tea at the ready. But you know I have a wandering spirit, so thank goodness for the internet. While I’ve been working on the book (only one week of photo processing to go!), I’ve been taking little blog breaks, clicking on a recent comment  or a blog in my blogroll and being whisked away to another world. Here are some of the things I’ve found…

Jen has an incredible photo project in the making which involves a natural history museum. Above are some little snippets of what she is making, I simply cannot wait to see more, click here to read her full post about it.

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Today Lucy from The Design Files posted about the illustration work of monsieur qui. Now when I am in Paris I will know who makes some of the beautiful street art! Click here to see Lucy’s post.

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Anna Spiro from Absolutely Beautiful Things lead me to the illustration portfolio of Samantha Hahn – stunning work, check it out here.

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lubitel 2 photo by rachel jan

And Jen Laceda just left a comment on my previous post to let me know about an awesome giveaway she is hosting on her two blogs Les Filles Giada et Cairo, and Folie à Deux – you can win a Lubitel 166+ Universal Lomo medium-format film camera along with accessories, colour ring flash, Lomo book, a box of limited edition Agfa black and white film, and coloured films. Wow!!! I’ve already added my name to the draw, click here to learn how you can too. Thank you Jen!

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Okay I have to get some work done now, but I will be back soon. Enjoy your Wednesday!

xx

I know I haven’t been coming into the (blog)house lately on weekends but today is a rather drizzly october day and yes, I could be working but instead, I have decided to do some housekeeping while I sip my morning cuppa. Nothing too laborious of course, but just a little sweep up here, and dust there. I’m about to change my “blogs in the spotlight” in the right sidebar but before I do so, I wanted to share some of their latest posts with you because I really think they are all amazing talented. Here goes…

New York in the Fall from Marie at le voyage créatif.

Ann Marie from age old tree got her very own piano – it’s beautiful.

Cerré from 2 or 3 things I know recently went to her friend’s extravagant wedding in Italy and has been blogging about it intermittently for the past couple of weeks. Above is a picture of the house where she stayed, and below are a couple of her gorgeous dresses…

And last but not least, Tanja’s blog pretty gingham is exquisite. Her photos make me melt, everytime…

Enjoy your weekend mes chers amis. Do you have plans? I’m trying to take a day of rest and then get back into my writing tomorrow. So today, I was thinking of going to see Bright Star. I’d also like to take a trip to the botanic gardens and see the autumn changes. Let me know what you get up to!

xx

It’s Tuesday already! Time and how fast it flies never ceases to surprise me. Below you can see some sweet inspiration I plucked from the blogosphere, and from this week’s blogs in the spotlight which you can see in the side bar to the right…

From top to bottom:

• an age old tree (LOVING your polaroid pics ann marie, and your great little stories) (and those apple cider doughnuts you just posted! miam)

• simply breakfast continues to be ridiculously scrumptious, every post. This one I’ve featured above is Jen’s brunch of ranchero and pinto bean skillet with eggs, monterey jack, cilantro, and creme fraiche. Jen has cleverly created a simply breakfast book which you can purchase right here.

• and look at that incredible tapestry work by elana herzog which I found on 2 or 3 things i know. just beautiful.

Also in the (blog)house kitchen is our dearly missed guest, Ms Yvette! She has been a busy bee and tells us all about what she has been up to, all while stirring, slicing and serving us the perfect autumn dish:  classic corned beef with a little twist. Oh it smells delicious. Click here to read her full post which includes Yvette’s  gorgeous illustrations.  Thank you Yvette!

xx

PS thank you for all your ideas, suggestions, and offers for assistance below. I’d be in heaven if you all lived closer. I’m still thinking about it.

I am absolutely loving dear amy’s “made with love” diy column on design*sponge. A few weeks ago Amy launched her column with a fabulous home project of framing fern leaves…

…and today, Amy’s post is about how to make a flower press from two old planks of wood. Ingenious…

I will absolutely be archiving these fab ideas for a free rainy day. Click here to have a peek at Amy’s other “made with love” posts so far. Thanks for the inspiration Amy and Grace! Oh, and I also read on Amy’s blog that she works with Sarah as Saipua – that place is filled with talented individuals.