{everyday beautiful life: la dolce vita}

Posted on November 5, 2009 by Jenn

Yikes, this week has flown by. I’m running out the door, but had to give you this weeks EBL. We have Paloma of La Dolce Vita. With a blog name like that, you know she’s got something to say about living an Everyday Beautiful Life. Thanks, Paloma!

My husband is not only the love of my life, but he is also my best friend. He knows more about me than anyone else in the world. He knows how to get under my skin, but he also knows how to make me laugh and feel like the most special woman in the world.

Travel feeds my soul. I have a major case of wanderlust and am constantly dreaming of our next trip. I find so much inspiration when I travel, whether it is to a brand new place or one that I am already familiar with. There is something so special and exhilarating about being removed from your usual surroundings. I love nothing more than walking through the streets of a beautiful city and taking in the sights and sounds.

I absolutely adore beautiful flowers, but then again, what woman doesn’t? My absolute favorite are pink peonies, whether in a bright magenta like the ones pictured above, or a soft blush tone.

I cannot imagine my life without blogging. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that my blog, La Dolce Vita would allow me to meet so many amazing people. I have grown so much as a result of my blog and have explored new interests because of it. It is ingrained in me and is most definitely a part of my everyday life.

Good food and wine are always better in the company of good friends!

Inspiring Interiors are a huge part of my life and my blog. I love looking at a room in a new light or being inspired by a lamp or a rug. I absolutely love interior design, so when I see a new space that inspires me, it makes for a bright spot in my day.

My puppy, Tate has become a huge part of our lives. My husband and I always joke that he is like our first-born child. We adore him with all of our hearts and have spoiled him rotten. He always manages to put a smile on my face, even if I am in a rotten mood.

Image Credits: Rodney Smith for New York Magazine, Unknown, Domino, ELLE DECOR, Richard Foulser, Miles Redd for Domino

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{playing along}

Posted on November 4, 2009 by Jenn

I saw this little game and decided to play along. How about you try it, too!

Reading… Some old favorites. Also, The Lost Symbol, Her Fearful Symmetry, and Twenties Girl. Actually, I’m done with those, but it happened in October, so… ya.

Keeping… Tons of notes. I should get a little notepad. A pretty one.

Baking… Pumpkin Spice Muffins and other quick breads.

Watching… The same old suspects plus one: Mad Men, Glee {newbie}, Lie to Me, Gossip Girl, Grey’s & Private Practice.

Trying… To keep my sanity. {Maybe this one should be labeled “Failing.”)

Making… The best of things.

Congratulating… Myself. I’ll share soon. My Aby {Abuela} for turning 100. My munchkin for just about anything good he does.

Photo by Julia Davis

{bit of beauty: seeing from the window}

Posted on November 4, 2009 by Jenn

Image: unknown

{the birth of characters}

Posted on November 4, 2009 by Jenn

Project create is going well. I love that I can plop down with my laptop anywhere I please and begin to write. As some of you may know, I’ve joined NaNoWriMo to write 50,000 words by November 30th. I’m a tad behind because I did not outline before November 1st. However, I am pretty deep into developing characters, and am finding myself writing deep into the night.

I tweeted something the other day that struck a chord with some participants. I said that, “Creating characters is like being pregnant & writing a book is like giving birth.” The writing is the often painful, arduous labor, but you endure it because you develop such a relationship with your characters. You create and give birth to your characters in the actual writing. They grow, develop quirks, history, and all the other things a person has. The only difference is that you are the only one to see the character in the writing process. You alone have this relationship. I find it fascinating, particularly because I’ve never written a lick of fiction.

Really, the major difference between pregnancy and birth as compared to character development and writing is that a writer can drink large quantities of coffee. Not just can, but must…
Photos: maggienkole {via} Lolita, 2. Jill Will & 3. Chocokat

{bit of beauty: blowin’ up}

Posted on November 3, 2009 by Jenn

I’ve had these pictures for months and can’t figure out where I got them from. If you have a clue, drop me one!

{a month to be thankful}

Posted on November 3, 2009 by Jenn

I saw this on Pottery Barn Kids the other day. Wouldn’t this make such a great craft project? I wonder if the intention was to put a note about something you are thankful for in every pocket. I think it’s a fabulous idea to do with kids, and easy to make.

{bit of beauty: bow peep}

Posted on November 2, 2009 by Jenn

Photos: 1. Mary Ruffle, 2. Cinnamon, 3. Solve Sundsbo, 4. Thomas Schenk, & 5. Audrey Hepburn Complex

{a month of creativity}

Posted on November 2, 2009 by Jenn

My personal theme for this month will be creation. I didn’t decide this; it just seems to have happened. I might as well run with it. So, if I have the urge to create something this month, I will not deny myself. I will take time every single day to focus on creativity. If I am feeling lazy or uninspired, I will force myself to relax through playful creation. I do not expect anything radical. In fact, I consider this a micro-habit I will develop.

I have increasingly had the labels creative, entrepreneurial, author, artist, visionary, and writer tacked on to my name. I have resisted and been reluctant to accept any of them, be it because of humility or fear. I don’t feel worthy of those titles. I’m going to put them to the test. I’ve never really given myself to any sort of creativity. So, for this month, I will.