Autumn

There is nothing like the Autumn in New England.

Simplify, Simplify.

 My best friend and I went on a leisurely adventure in Walden Pond yesterday. Walden Pond is the site of Henry David Thoreau's wooded cabin, where, for two years, he lived off the land and wrote in isolation.  His work, 'Walden' or 'Life in the Woods', is a result of the two introspective years he spent in the woods, ridding himself of material needs and the fast pace of society (or as fast as the year 1845 yielded).

 I had three chairs in my house; one for solitude, two for friendship, three for society. 

He was one of the leading American transcendentalist thinkers, and paved the way for alternative philosophy regarding living and nature in following years.

“I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one

 advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and 

endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will

 meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” 

― Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods

Turn it up!

Here are thirteen songs that I've had playing on MAX volume this month. My thirteen songs of October.

1. Animal- Miike Snow
2. Stare Into the Sun- Graffiti6
3. Heads Will Rolle (A Trak remix) - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
4. Total Fascination- Pretty Lights
5. Congo- Bear Mountain
6. What Gods Are These- My Federation
7. Damn Your Eyes (Etta James Cover)- Alex Clare
8. They Don't Want- Electric Wire Hustle
9. Tucan-Kids of 88
10. Kota- Bonobo
11. All Inside- Bondax
12. This Head I Hold- Electric Guest
13. Nunca- Trails and Ways

Click below to listen to my playlist on 8Tracks:

Garden Joy

Took a walk through one of my favorite whimsical gardens today.

Lust List

I blame the drab weather for excessive online window shopping. <--Is there a better word for this that I should know about?

Here are the items that currently have me drooling.

Pure Grace Perfume: I think I've settled on my winter scent. Philosophy's 'pure grace' has a delightfully clean musk.

Super Sunglasses: Lucia Peacock: I love the bold frames on these sunnies. They also have incredible design detail. I could wear these every day.

Kinfolk Magazine: Volume 5, the Autumn Issue is out and on its way to my house right now! I can hardly contain my patience or my excitement!

Sipp Plum Vacuum Thermos: This insulated thermos is catching my eye lately. I like the sleek design and plum color choice. I would use this to bring my hot Winter beverages on the go.

I talk to Strangers

This is Eddy. He owns a road-side stand off of Rt. 108 in Stafford, NH. He sells seasonal produce and the handmade soaps and jams that his wife makes.

I stopped spontaneously because he had a wicked display of pumpkins, and I wanted one...naturally. As I approached his counter, a bee landed on the apple cider you see in the foreground. Without so much as a greeting or a smile, he held up one finger to signal my silence, eyeing the bee with an incredible intensity.

"Watch this. I'm gonna pluck the wings off this fella with my bare hands"

Attempt #1: Fail.

He then attempted to de-wing the bee another three times before regarding my interest in his pumpkins.

His wife just released her newest handmade soap, made with beer. He was so proud as he gloated. It was adorable. But he did warn me to stay far away from her spaghetti sauce.

"TOO MUCH GARLIC WILL GO RIGHT THROUGH YA!"

I'm glad that chance had it to arrange Eddy and I meeting today. He is a good man. A little senile, but good nonetheless.

Listen

Listen as the world suggests

its age old knowledge

through hills and the trees

For others have walked its paths before

as the world sat back and observed

taking notes for future treaders

Achievement

Ecstasy

Heartbreak

Simple history for these old trails

Listen as the world persuades

with the wisdom of a million breaths

Clearing the way it sees best

A breath exhaled

Is a breath absorbed

by these fields of green

It marvels

as history

repeats itself

Listen as the world whispers

the secrets of growth and truth

with a kiss of the wind

it sings its silent song

as we move through,

polluted by the noise

Never defeated

it proceeds

with its story

Listen...

The Makeshift Society

I just had to pass this along. I love seeing things like this. In San Francisco, there is a sort of collective forming for creatives who work well when fueled by the energy of other creatives. The Makeshift Society "is an organization for those who crave camaraderie to fuel their creativity. Our members are curious and creative. They make with their heads and think with their hands"-Makeshiftsociety.com

They throw events, run classes and have even announced that they will be starting a residency program within the "clubhouse" starting in January 2013. Oh if only I lived in the Bay State Area! This whole concept makes me bubble over with excitement! So inspiring to see creatives coming together to encourage further fabulousness within one another. 

What's in a purse...

My purse is a bottomless wasteland of remnants from my day to day happenings. I decided recently that a weekly clean-out was necessary for my sanity, but my nostalgia for the accumulated collection of odd things prevents me from disposing of everything permanently.

So, I decided that I'd arrange everything and photograph my semi-weekly collection of doo-dads and memories in order to document and remember the moments that may otherwise get lost in the midst of meetings, deadlines...life....chaos really.

I think a reflection upon the objects in any girl's purse at any given time allows for an unfiltered honest snapshot of their life at that moment. This would be a great way to journal in the future.

1. The other day in Boston, I was given the opportunity to win a BRAND NEW IPAD *eye roll*. Long story short, surprise surprise, I didn't win the iPad. I was handed this shiny orange slap bracelet by a smiling boy in a matching orange tee. "Aw, don't worry, you're not going home empty handed today!"...and he slapped this bracelet onto my wrist...in that moment, I felt like SUCH a winner.

2. This is the receipt that was slipped under my door at the hotel I stayed in recently. I woke up at 7:30 AM to find this sitting neatly next to my shoes.

3. I asked a woman at the museum book store the other day if she knew of any good places to get film developed. She regretfully admitted that she didn't know of anywhere in particular. Ten minutes later she came over with this list of places she had googled within a 20 mile radius. I thought this was a rather nice gesture. 

4. The new Mumford and Sons album--Babel. If you haven't already listened to it, drop everything you're doing right now and change that. I have spent a lot of my time this past week driving around. This album has kept the hours on the road a bit more bearable.

5. This is a spoon I stole from the hotel. I was angry because it's a pretty big spoon and it didn't fit into the yogurt container I was intending on using it for.

6. I have been using this nail polish often during the beginning of the fall season. It's called "Urban Jungle" by Anise. I really don't think it's a fitting name for this color. I think it's more of a "Lake Dusk. I also don't really like the polish in general. 

7. My plethora of pens. For some reason, I am always convinced that I don't have a pen in my purse, so I grab one for good measure, unknowingly adding to the monstrosity of a collection building at the bottom of my bag.

8. I've been eating too many tootsie rolls. I need to stop.

9. I was in a used book store recently. There was a box amongst the books that read, "Take a suggestion. Leave a recommendation". I grabbed these two suggested titles, "Blue Highways" by William Least Heat Mooh and "Jitterbug Perfume" by Tom Robbins. I have never heard of either of these novels, but if I ever see one of them, I will surely pick it up.

10. This is my favorite pencil in the whole world. A pink Pentel, Kerry Edition. My dad had a black one as I was growing up, and I always tried to steal it. A few years ago, there was one stuffed in my stocking at Christmas. What a thoughtful gift

11. My Lia Sophia turquoise necklace. I really like wearing turquoise in the summer. This necklace has been sitting in my purse for way too long.

12. Mac Lipstick. 'Girl About Town'.

13. I also stole these teas from my hotel room. I was feeling a bit klepto that morning.

Three Cheers for Independent Business!

At a recent Creative Mornings in Boston discussing entrepreneurialism, I was introduced to Mass Challenge- A Boston initiative to promote and support the development of start up companies. I am lover of small independently run businesses, so I was totally smitten with the idea!

Mass Challenge opens up applications to small start ups who are looking for support (financially and promotionally) and accepts a limited number from the pool of applicants. Boston start-ups then have the opportunity to develop their business foundation under the support of Mass Challenge in a super cool space in Boston's Innovation District.

Here is a video to give you a better idea of what Mass Challenge is all about.

At the event, I met some of the founders of Design Museum Boston (one of the start ups involved in 2012 Mass Challenge). My fingers are crossed for their success, they have a pretty rad mission! They've just launched their membership scheme, so have a look!

I am so excited to see such initiatives in support of small business, it makes me giddy to watch opportunity grow for young entrepreneurs

You have been randomly selected...

"Everybody...

Is

A

Winner"

Boston, MA 21 September 2012

Good Thoughts

S'more Summer Please

A video I made as an ode to summer nights. Oh how I will miss you.

Inspired Times: By Emily B

Kristin Burgess is the creative mastermind behind 'By Emily B', a boutique event planning business based out of New London, New Hampshire. The essence of 'By Emily B' (named endearingly after the timeless Emily Bronte)  is that of unique style with a charming attention for detail.

The shop in New London is full of hand made artisan trinkets and goodies. The selection ranges from local creatives and Etsy designers to products from small businesses growing nationally with entrepreneurial spirit.

The featured stock is thoughtful and beautifully displayed amongst the shop. Taking the time to walk through and appreciate each of the carefully curated pieces could find you lost in a whimsical afternoon of retail nirvana.

Kristin and her team bring a similarly creative touch to their events. The photos of weddings that they have helped plan and style balance a quirky sense of free spiritedness with a dose of classical nuance. Check out their website at www.byEmilyB.com for more information on this inspirational and local event planning team!

Bicycle Nostalgia

I am totally missing my bicycle lately! To remedy my nostalgia I have been collecting photos of girls on bikes who know how to rock it. 

I love her boots and gloves, you can tell she's riding through winter weather--you go girl!

City Cycling <3

Even our classic role models knew to indulge in some alternative transport! How cute is Audrey's little dog popping out of the basket?

Gang Green

Watch out now.

The People's Propaganda: Portland

A reminder today to live within one's means. It's true that amongst a world full of rules, regulations, warranties, memberships etcetera, we will continually develop a more complex dependence on a greater system rather than finding the sufficiency within ourselves.

Word to the wise

Peace and Tea x

It's what the doctor ordered....

Thatched roof to the heavens.

Rainy Days Aren't So Bad.

Wordplay: The Dream

The Dream

A practical hand surrenders to the strong grasp of the wild id

unrestrained

with a carnal thirst for pleasure 

a second thought to none

no reflection, just reaction

true instinct revealing its savage secret

And as the blind lead the blind 

through what is feared with eyes open

There is more to see than the wide awake ego will ever allow

The dream is naked truth

Raw spirit awakened

As I lay me down to sleep

-KAS

Playing With Fire

There is nothing quite like a summer campfire. They have a way of stimulating all our senses in the familiar ways that make us nostalgic for summertime during the remainder of the year. The crackling of a hot spark. The scent of burning wood and pine...

Fires have a hypnotizing way about them. I am savoring the last couple weeks of summer with the traditions I know I'll long for come January.

Yo, turn this up: Bonobo

This song has been seriously doing it for me lately. I'm going to roll gently and serenely into September with this track on repeat.