{random acts of beauty: pothole gardens}

I love these little pothole gardens.

The first thing that popped in my head was “How cute!”

The second was “Why would anyone plant a garden in a pothole? It’ll just get run over.”

But, then I thought about how often we don’t do things because we’re afraid of what will happen. We’re afraid all our effort will have been lost. We think it’s a waste of our time, so we don’t create. We deny the world of something beautiful, of our efforts, because we’re afraid! When you sum it up, nothing lasts forever. We might as well say we won’t live our lives because it will end someday.

Which we won’t, because that would be silly. Now, doesn’t it seem sillier NOT to plant a garden in a pothole?

images {via} apartment therapy

{friday finds: nook covers}

I’ve just recently acquired a Nook through the generosity of my family members {barnes & nobles gift cards are the way to my heart}, so I’m exploring options to cover my new infatuation. The Kate Spade ones are lovely, yes. However, I’d like to keep it cute and frugal. If you know of any cute Nook covers, please let me know!


from b&n

A warm thank you to {Bits of Beauty} sponsor:

{pisces giveaway}

Blushing after this lovely mention in Mrs. Lilien’s Pisces inspired post. And, to continue with the Pisces inspired goodness, I’ve got a giveaway for all my fellow fishies.

One lucky Piscean will win a zodiac crystal necklace from Urban Outfitters. FYI – The backside has the constellation with stars marked in crystals.

To enter:

Leave a comment below with your birthdate and why you love being Piscean.
Tweet this post for an extra entry {tag @bitsofbeauty}

Giveaway ends at midnight EST on March 20, 2010

Thank you to {Bits of Beauty} sponsor:

{everyday beautiful life: 9 to 5 alternative}

Sorry I’m late today folks! I couldn’t leave you without a bit of inspiration. Today, it’s provided by Alan of the blog 9 to 5 alternative. I feel that his post is focused and beautiful in its simplicity. Alan is a lifestyle design blogger. Most of you are familiar with the fashion and design blogs, but I want to broaden your blog horizons. As a reference point, bloggers like Leo of Zen Habits fall into the lifestyle design genre. There are some fantastic, inspiring, thrilling blogs out there. So I encourage you to visit Alan’s blog and explore the genre. You’ll find that they know how to live extraordinary, beautiful lives.

Mark Twain once wrote that “nothing so liberalizes a man and expands the kindly instincts that nature put in him as travel and contact with many kinds of people.”

I couldn’t agree more. Travel makes my life everyday beautiful. It always will. Here are seven examples why.

{landscape} From atop Gokyo Ri, a 5357m (17,575 ft) peak in Nepal’s Khumbu Himalaya.

{people} Arts and crafts at an Ethiopian school in Israel.

{perception} Driving through the Syrian desert.

{animals} Baboon-ing on a Rwandan safari in Akagera National Park.

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{food} Ethiopian spice hunting in the Merkato district, Africa’s largest open air market.

{nature} Climbing Half Dome in California’s Yosemite National Park.

{history} A camel guards the Treasury in Petra, Jordan.

photos by Alan Perlman

{bit of beauty: neck}

I’m a fan of perfectly messy, upswept hair. And, I happen to think the nape of the neck is one of the most gorgeous spots on the body. Naturally, I find these photos positively perfect. I may just need to put a few seastars in my hair this summer…

photography: 1. unknown {via} weheartit, 2. tete a tete, 3. unknown, 4. {via} weheartit & a whithered past and a blurry future, & 5. unknown {via} weheartit

{color inspiration: chartreuse}

Also known as green-yellow and pearl, chartreuse is one of the only greens I like. I’ve always wanted a couch in this color, but I’d settle for a beautiful pillow with a satin ribbon or the most frivolous, eye-catching, delicious heels. I love its richness and its playfulness.

photos: 1. paolo roversi, 2. matthew williamson {via} marvelous kiddo, 3. polly wreford