The best thing I've heard all week: Ghandi edition

Found this gem via Blazing Indigo Lights. The meaning of life? Maybe.

Life Advice from Machines

Have you seen the new Tumblr Life Advice from Machines? It's better than reading an Eckhart Tolle book. Here's a few nuggets of wisdom I really enjoyed.

Bon weekend!

Another week—check. Here’s some delightful stuff I found on the interwebs this week. I’m heading to the library this afternoon with hopes to pick up this, this, and this. Saturday night, we’re going to check out a new (to us) wine bar. What about you?

The cast of Empire Records then and now.

Here’s a pretty brilliant use for a ladder.

Sprouted Kitchen’s Chocolate Almond Butter Cups look amazing.

I don’t know why this video doesn’t have a million hits. It’s definitely better than a cat sticking it’s head under a running faucet.

Excellent productivity advice—must try.

J.Crew’s Very Personal Stylist app looks so cool. I wish it was in more stores!

A food and wine pairing chart that’s helpful and gorgeous. (via rusticpeach)

Image: picturescollections.com  

The best thing I've heard all week

You never know what's going to happen until it actually does, right? 

Cheery and bright

It's been cold and gloomy here for three days, which in Austin feels like a lifetime. We still have it better than most of the rest of the country who's dealing with Real Winter, but I think everyone could use a boost from the general February dreariness. Staring at this citrus illustration by Debbie Powell is doing it for me right now.

Bon Weekend!

I meant to post this yesterday afternoon, but it was so nice out I decided to get away from the computer early. Here’s some little bits I collected over the week:

Dear Jennifer’s Teenage Wasteland photo series is so great, especially because it takes place in Austin. I can’t wait for the book.

Sweet things and sweet looks. Amazing!

Gorgeous photos of North Dakota before the recent oil boom.

Speaking of transformation, an interesting article about the changing face of Austin. I’ve not even been here four years, but I already notice some differences.

A new book about the inner minds of dogs. Must read.

I’d eat these any time of day.

I’m glad I’m not dead, too. (via thank you, ok)

And finally, this is a shirt for preschool boys. But I need it.

Image: Diana Ross at Studio 54 via liveauctioneers.com.

The best thing I've heard all week: Motivation edition

Especially relevant for me right now as I try to establish myself in a new career. Sometimes I feel like much of what I've accomplished in my life so far can be chalked up to being lucky, good timing, what have you. Karma probably always factors into it, but mostly, we go the places we go because of the work we do. Right? Onward!

Image: kushandwizdom.tumblr.com/

Are mornings worth talking about?

Back in college, when I first started reading Jennifer Causey’s Simply Breakfast blog, I thought I was the only one in the world who was interested in other people’s morning routines.

Not so, at least nowadays. The Bon Apetit blog does a regular My Morning Routine series where celebrities describe what they eat for breakfast. And there are other blogs devoted solely to mornings and breakfast, too. xo breakfast, Desserts for Breakfast, and on and on.

It sounds so mundane, right? So why is it actually really interesting? Yesterday I even found myself absorbed in a New York Times article about Ina Garten’s Sunday morning routine. The Barefoot Contessa eats plain old oatmeal for breakfast? What a disappointment.

My morning routine doesn’t seem that interesting, but then again, it doesn’t seem that different from what most of these people do. So maybe it IS interesting after all? Here’s how it shakes out: I wake up at 7, put on NPR, and drink a huge mug of black coffee while sitting in the dark (on the couch, under a blanket). I check email, go on Facebook, scroll through my Google reader, and on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, read the latest Dear Prudence column on Slate. Then I take Charlie for an hour walk so we can both get some exercise and I can clear my head. When we get back, I make breakfast: Usually two hard-boiled eggs, but sometimes yogurt with walnuts and honey or, occasionally, homemade tea bread or a scone. I eat breakfast at my desk while I start work.

I know some people just get up and go to work immediately, but I need a lot of time to ease into my day. What about you?

Images: Flickr user Mathias*, stylesaint.com 

Bon weekend!

It's been a LONG week. We're going to our friends' place to make sushi tonight, and I'm really looking forward to being lazy on Saturday and Sunday. Hoping to get my hands on Things the Grandchildren Should Know by Mark Oliver Everett, too.

Proof that everyone starts somewhere: The Beatles as an opening band in 1963.

I’ve been playing this word game all week and can’t stop.

The perfect day dress!

So simple and super inspiring: Homemade sketchbooks.

Embroidering can be REALLY amazing. Here’s some jaw-dropping works of art I found on Pinterest.

Would you host an IVF fundraising party?

Not going to lie, I’m pretty excited for this.

Hot yogurt soup sounds like the weirdest, most delicious thing ever.

Image: Etsy.com.

The best thing I've heard all week

“Anpanman spends most of his time running around, saving starving children by letting them take bites out of his oh-so-delicious head.”

The lack of context might make it even better. But now you have to keep reading, right?

Image: sugoiidolkiss.blogspot.com

Are you a dog or cat person?

Have you ever seen a happier creature?

Usually when people ask about being a cat or dog person,
they’re asking about which animal you like better. And my answer’s always the
same: Dog! Dogs are loyal, loving, and ridiculously silly (plus, they’re always
crazy excited to see EVERYONE). Whenever I see a dog—which is often, because I
seem to have a dog radar that makes me notice them automatically—I always feel
happy because it makes me think of my own dog, Charlie (a dog like no other).

Typical cat. Watch out!

But then—and maybe this is weird—I started looking at the
dog or cat person another way. Which animal am I more like? Obviously, cat. I keep to myself, I’m a little bit
lazy, and it takes a lot to get me even mildly excited. When I realized this, I
was sort of struck by the fact that I love dogs so much when I’m so different from
them. Usually, dog owners tend to be more active, friendly, and outgoing, like
their pups. And the stereotypical cat owner is, you know, kind of weird.

I’m wondering if I’m the only sort of opposite animal
person. Are you more drawn to dogs or cats? Does your preference match your own
personality?

Image credits: http://dowhattowhosedog.tumblr.com/, http://vi.sualize.us/serious_cat_photography_animals_picture_68tz.html