How is your week shaping up? Hope today is a day you can hop on your bike and go for a ride. Whether you crave climbing the steeps or gliding down the hills, life is always a bit sweeter on two wheels.
Images: Photo above by Eric Olson with design and photo editing by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to pin images on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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How do you find the best places to shop and dine when you visit a new city? I talk to the locals and get the skinny on the neighborhoods they love. Linden Hills, a historic Minneapolis neighborhood nestled between the shores of Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun, is one of those beloved neighborhoods with tree-lined streets, family-friendly shops, and even a bookstore with chickens... More about that later.
Before I moved west to Colorado, I used to live a few blocks away. Almost daily in the summer I'd hop on my bike and ride the path around Lake Harriet to Linden Hills to do some shopping and grab a snack. It's become such a special place in my heart that each time I visit Minneapolis I return with my kids tagging along to shop. AND because no one in my family can resist a great snack, we always end up having some yummy homemade ice cream at Sebastian Joe's too.
Where to shop and dine in Linden Hills:
If you want a sweet treat or just a cup of coffee, Sebastian Joe's is the place to visit. The cafe has a couple of locations in the city, but the Linden Hills spot is my fave because it has an lovely sunny cafe space to sit with friends or just your laptop and enjoy their homemade ice cream (and other yummy snacks).
The Linden Hills neighborhood is very family friendly. The toy shop Creative Kidstuff has almost anything a kid wants—from craft supplies, games, dolls, stuffed animals, books, and more. And the store is very stroller friendly. Kids can test out new toys that usually hide inside packages at other stores.
Images: Photos and Illustrations featured above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to pin images on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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I'm feeling some serious spring fever. Are you? Check out these lovely sun-drenched beach themed photos by Meg at her Etsy shop SeptemberWren.
Here are the links:
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One thing I especially enjoy this time of year is seeing families gather together. At my house the Christmas celebrations can finally begin. My daughter fininshed her fall semester in school here—well, technically she and her classmates still have one more day to finish up in January due to a snowstorm that cancelled school on the last day before winter break. And now my son is home from college in NYC. Here are some of his photos from the streets of New York during the holidays.
From my house to yours, I wish you all a Merry Christmas.
xo, Chris
IMAGE: Graphic by me and featuring the photos of my son Kai Olson.
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A small oasis in a busy city, Paley Park in Midtown Manhattan measures 4,200 square feet. Only a few feet away from a bustling 53rd Street, the air feels fresher here and the sounds of the city nearly evaporate. I took this photo a few weeks ago when the leaves on the honey locust tree were turning golden. When I look at the photo now, I almost feel the cool mist from the wall of falling water.
Images: PALEY PARK graphic by me, Chris Olson, and features one of my photos of NYC. Feel free to pin image on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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It is Wednesday. The day after the big election. I'm not even going to write about current events today because I am writing this a day early, before the results are in.
Instead of adding to all the political hype in social media, I've got some lovely refreshing + relaxing links just for you.
I'm a beach and sandals gal so I absolutely adore the new Etsy collection Hello Fun Gifts! - Christmas Beach Vibes by Lelaine. The One-of-a-Kind nautical license plate in this curated collection can be found here.
If you love keeping up with the latest style trends, check out the gorgeous new blog Meg Biram—The Edit. Meg started blogging in 2007 when she launched the awesome blog MIMI+MEG—a fashion, interiors, and art blog. Her brand new blog is lovely too. The perfect read while drinking your morning latte.
Are you looking for some blogging inspiration? I have taken so many wonderful online classes at Alt Summit Channel that I've lost count. You gotta check them out. And many of them are free thanks to Bing! Here are just a few of the many classes scheduled.this month.
Images: Top FALL COLORS image is by me, Chris Olson. You can find the sources for the other images featured here in the posts descriptive copy next to the images.
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I heart dogs—especially Yorkies. Mr. Famous was Audrey Hepburn's first beloved Yorkshire Terrier, For movie buffs, you might remember he appeared with her in a scene in Funny Face.
You see Yorkies all the time with celebrities, but did you know that Audrey Hepburn introduced Yorkshire Terriers to the world of celebrities and the Hollywood trend to have a lap-dog.
{ IMAGE: Top: Vintage Audrey Hepburn photo with her beloved Yorkie named Mr. Famous. Bottom: My beloved Yorkie Gizmo.}
And one more thing... A celebrity sighting.
Gotta love this spoof tape with Jennifer Aniston.
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This time of year the warm sunshine during the day feels good on my shoulders and it's one of my favorite times to be outside. Perhaps it's because the sun is setting earlier and earlier each day and I feel like I have to savor every sunny moment outdoors.
Do you like to hike with your family? We do and a favorite game we play outside while hiking is called the NAME FIVE THINGS game. I've included the rules of the game at the end of this post.
Fall is approaching. The days are getting shorter. At night when I walk my dogs I bring along my giant flashlight. In my neighborhood nestled at the base of a mountain, this is the time when the black bears begin stuffing themselves with berries before the snow falls. Walking around my neighborhood after the sun goes down is not recommended unless you bring along a flashlight so you can avoid running into a mama bear and her cubs foraging for food.
The directions for playing the NAME FIVE THINGS game below.
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Yay! It's Friday, and the 'Nice to Meet You' linky party officially begins. Today's question is:
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AT HOME?
OK, now it's your turn. Come and join the blog fun. Not sure what a linky party is? I think blogger Lindsay at Shrimp Salad Circus sums it up best:
"Well, it's party one of my very busy Friday, and it's a collaboration with a super-creative group of ladies I 'met' at one of the Alt Summit classes I told you about. We decided to try to introduce our readers to the whole group and get everybody together for some blog hopping. First, I'm going to show you six pictures of how I love to spend my time at home. When you get to the end, I'll tell you how to share your own blog!"
Do you like Alt Design Summit and their classes? I L-O-V-E them. Each class truly inspires me and I am meeting so many creative bloggers and designers. If you would like to meet some awesome bloggers in the ALT community, come join the fun. Browse the links below and join the fun. Directions for joining the party at the end of this post.
So go link-up! Visit some new blogs--see the list below. Meet some new friends! If you like someone's post, be sure to leave a comment saying, "It was nice to meet you!" If you link up, be sure to let your readers know by sharing the button below in your blog post or on your sidebar! And say HI and connect on my Facebook page and on Twitter.
One of the amazing things about blogging is the opportunity to meet interesting people in the blogging community. This summer I finally met my nephew's lovely bride Suzannah—she writes the splendid blog Adventures in Dressmaking—and I was so excited to find out she likes ALT too. This week Suzannah and some of her clever blogging friends are hosting the first link-up for the 'Nice To Meet You" group.
ARE YOU LOOKING FOR INSPIRATION?
In addition to Suzannah and Lindsay, Erika over at Foxtrot Press, Jeanette at Artchoo! and Lauren at Elleby Design have posts with lovely images to inspire you too! You can find a complete list of bloggers that are hosting the link-up party listed at the end of my post.
You can find out more about this linky party below.
Continue reading "Nice to Meet You {A Linky Party for Bloggers}" »
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Source: weddingchicks.com via Chris on Pinterest
A few years ago on this date—well, 21 years ago to be exact—I tied the knot to my DH on a very warm afternoon in Minneapolis. I wish we had Pinterest back then for all that lovely wedding planning inspiration. Here are a few pretty wedding inspiration pins from my Tie the Knot board on Pinterest.
I did manage to find a current photo on Pinterest of the Gale Mansion––the same place where we had our reception. You can see an adorable image of a wedding party jumping at the Gale Mansion by the talented folks at DnK Photography.
Source: DnK Photography: Wedding and Portrait Photographers and the Gale Mansion
Source: adventuresindressmaking.com via Chris on Pinterest
Source: diybride.com via Chris on Pinterest
Source: bridalguide.com via Chris on Pinterest
Source: adventuresindressmaking.com via Chris on Pinterest
Here's another lovely photo by DnK Photography inside the Gale Mansion. Don't you love her shoes and her dress. The photographer captured the moment perfectly.
Source: dnkphotography.com via Chris on Pinterest
A QUICK WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE...
My wedding dress was Laura Ashley and my colors were lilac and a light green. I'm sure today's wedding planners would frown at that color combination, but it seemed to work. My two sister-in-laws were my bridesmades. They each picked out a dress from the same designer and each one was unique to fit her own style and figure—one of my bridesmaids was 7 months pregnant. Fortunately my parents are pros at planning festive events and they found the perfect place for the reception--the Gale Mansion which is a lovely home built back in 1912. The house is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places for its classic Italian Renaissance architecture. See image #2 for a recent photo of this historic place. One of my favorite parts of my reception was the Kransekake, a Norwegian Ring Cake (see image #4 of a yummy Kransekake).
The lovely wedding images #3 and #6 feature the talented Suzannah who writes the always inspiring blog Adventures in Dressmaking. The images are from her wedding last year. And she married my nephew!. (I know what you are thinking... Yes, I am that old!) Here's a bit of fun trivia, Jason was the ring bearer at my wedding 21 years ago! Is it even possible that he has grown up so fast? I need to add some images from my wedding in a future post ;)
Want to see more WEDDING PINSPIRATION ? Check out my Pinterest board Tie the Knot.
Images: All photos from my Pinterest boards with links to original sources.
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Earlier this summer my family and I went on a hike to view the restoration of the Elwah River in the Olympic Peninsula. The entire valley was transformed last year after the removal of the Elwha dam. The enormous trees towering over the path filter the light in ways that remind me of The Forbidden Forest that borders the Hogwarts School in Harry Potter books.
Did you know that the old growth forests of the Pacific Northwest produce three times the biomass (living or once living material) of tropical rain forests?
Image: IN THE WOODS graphic above is by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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It's obvious I heart dogs. The illustration above by me will be available in my shop LunaBlueStudio on Etsy this weekend. It's almost the weekend and here's a few lovely links for Friday:
Looking for home decor inspiration, check out Reese Witherspoon’s sweet retreat in Ojai via Hooked on Houses and Elle Decor.
This refreshing chocolat-y dessert sounds delicious. See how to make it via Amy at She Wears Many Hats.
How to get that fab look that cost $515 for only a fraction of the price via the stylish Say Yes to Hoboken.
Image: I HEART DOGS graphic above is by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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Back in June I had to evacuate my house for a week due to a devastating forest fire. This little lovely on my deck survived a week of 100 degree temps without water. Now, that's real flower drama.
I am so grateful that the AWESOME firefighters saved my house. Every day when I look at the torched mountainside above my home, I thank God that so many homes were saved.
Image: I HEART SOME FLOWER DRAMA photo graphic above is by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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More FLOWER DRAMA images here:
I Heart Some Flower Drama: Roses
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This little lovely is a favorite on my deck. Can you believe the blossom variety on one rose bush? I heart some flower drama :)
Image: I HEART SOME FLOWER DRAMA photo graphic above are by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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A sheer chiffon sleeveless blouse (pair it with a lacy cami), lots of gold bangles, and a short ruffled tango skirt—perfect for date night.
Details:
Image by me, Chris Olson, featuring LuLu's, Kate Spade, Garnet Hill. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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My artsy side meets my inner geek when I play around with my photos to give them a vintage look. The hand-tinted photo of a flower on my deck was created by me, Chris Olson, and combined with a favorite message. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
Momathon is on Facebook.
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A narrow dirt road with long stretches of washboard bumps wraps around the lake. At the southwest corner is a sign. Which way would you turn? Left to the cabin? Or right to the lake?
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Image: I love vintage signs. Here's my take on a popular sign I often see "up north." Sign graphic created by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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Hello, Friends. One of the best parts of blogging is being able to share the big things and the little things that happen in my life. If you read my post yesterday then you know I am eternally grateful to the AMAZING firefighters who saved my house and continue to put their lives on the line battling the Waldo Canyon Fire in the mountains surrounding Colorado Springs. I was evacuated from my house for a week. When I came home, the phrase "there's no place like home" had a special meaning that I can't even put into words. At many points during the past week I had a sick feeling in my gut that my house was on the verge of being gobbled up by the fire. Today, I feel calmer because I am one of the fortunate ones, my house has only minor damage. At the same time, my heart aches for the 346 families that lost their homes and the two people who perished in the terrible fire.
No one can ever be prepared for a natural disaster. I thought I could be. I even wrote a post about getting your pets ready for an evac. In theory I could be prepared, but when the reverse 911 call comes telling you to LEAVE NOW you don't think in a logical checklist manner. How can you ever decide what to to put in your car because only so much can be carried to safety with you. As you hear the clock ticking in your head reminding you to leave ASAP, all you really can do is focus on keeping the essentials—the living things—safe. I still think it was a miracle—with lots of help from neighbors helping each other—that thousands of people in the fire zone were able to leave safely.
When I sat down at my computer to write today's post I didn't know how to begin because I was so emotional about everything. Even noticing that I had let the dog water bowl go empty brought me to tears. I was feeling extremely sad and grateful and even guilty for feeling fortunate—all at the same time. My favorite place in the world now has emotional and physical burn scars from a fire that today is still sending flames into the sky from hot spots in the foothills above my home.
Then I remembered something Holly Becker said in her Blogging Your Way 2.0 class: "See the good in your self." See the good? Is that possible? All I can see is trouble. Images of fire rolling down the mountain still make me shake. I can even smell trouble. I open and shut the front door quickly so I don't let too much of the campfire stench into my home.
After a very long week watching the wildfire spread, I feel guilty when something good makes me smile again. It's human nature to feel defeated when we focus on the scars from our struggles or the what we percieve to be flaws in our lives. Or sometimes, we try to sweep those sad feelings under the rug so we don't have to deal with them. Here is what I know: Feeling paralyzed by the problems that develop in life is one part of the healing process. But don't drop everything and give up. I probably will always feel fear build inside me when I look at the blackened earth and skeleton trees in my neighborhood or at the homes reduced to rubble by a ferocious fire. At the same time, I need to remind myself that the good in my self will not evaporate when a disaster strikes. I can still see the good in my community because together we will rebuild and even make the area safer.
I will probably write about that rebuilding experience because that's the kind of sharing bloggers do. I'm sending (((HUGS))) to all my friends at BYW2 for their kind words of support—bloggers are really the sweetest people on the planet!
Before I sign off for the day, I have a favor to ask. If you can do one thing for me, the next time you see a firefighter thank him or her for all they do. And please keep these brave people in your prayers.
xo Chris
Note about the class: For the past four weeks I have been absolutely loving a very special class called Blogging Your Way 2.0 with the awesome design/decor guru and inspirational teacher Holly Becker (decor8) and her talented friends Jeanette Lunde (3 BY FRYD e-magazine), Nicole Balch (Making it Lovely), Katrina Tan (Pugly Pixel) and Thorsten Becker (Alternate:Words) — plus all my new blogging friends taking the e-class with me. (If you want to hear more about Holly's classes, check out her newsletter here.)
Image: Photo and graphics above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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Two things I know for sure:
1) The majestic mountain in my backyard will never be the same again.
2) My deep gratitude for the heroic firefighters on that mountain can not be put into words...
This week has been one of the most traumatic in my life. A week ago on Saturday a large ember that had traveled for miles and miles floated down the mountain and landed on my head while I ate lunch on my deck. That was my first clue that a wildfire was burning in the nearby foothills of Pikes Peak. At first I was sure this wildfire would be like all the rest and the firefighters would be able to quickly contain it.
Mother Nature had another idea. The extreme lack of humidity and high winds created the perfect storm. The fire continued to grow each day. When fierce 65 mph winds blew across the foothills on Tuesday, the Waldo Canyon Fire jumped from canyon to canyon and into the houses of the Mountain Shadows neighborhood in Colorado Springs. Simply listing the number of houses destroyed—346—does not begin to explain the epic proportions of the ferocious fire that gobbled up everything in its path. My heart goes out to the families of the two people who perished in the fire. It was a miracle that the rest of 32,000 people who were told to evacuate their homes that day are safe. A choking brown cloud of smoke suddenly enveloped the city that Tuesday, homeowners in the path of the fire received reverse 911 calls, and in minutes long lines of cars clogged the neighborhood streets as they tried to leave. It was a nightmare.
I am one of the lucky ones. Although my neighborhood is still under mandatory evacuation due to active fires in the area, I know the amazing firefighters who put their lives on the line every day will contain the fire in this area soon. My house is safe. My parents and siblings have shared their homes and love with me all week while I have been evacuated. I am also grateful for my dear friends in Colorado Springs who have opened their house for my husband and our three dogs. I am truly humbled by my supportive community that continues to open its arms—and homes— for evacuees like me.
For information on how you can help the awesome firefighters and the community transformed by the Waldo Canyon Fire, go to:
Waldo Canyon Wildfire - How to Help, via KKTV.com
How to assist Colorado wildfire victims, how to donate and help
Video: 5 Day Timelapse - Waldo Canyon Fire - June 23rd-28th - YouTube
Photo: 1) Firefighter photo via KRDO.com TV photographers. 2) Fire in neighborhood taken by my husband.
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Summer officiall kicks off today! In the Northern Hemisphere the longest day and shortest night of the year occur today—the summer solstice—and this makes it the first day of summer. Today in the Northern Hemispher the North Pole is tipped more toward the sun than on any other day in 2012.
For a few days before and after the solstice, have you ever noticed that the sun at noon appears to stay in the same spot in the sky? That's because the noontime elevation of the sun does not appear to change very much during this period. At the time of summer solstice the sun is directly overhead at noon along the Tropic of Cancer—an imaginary line that circles the planet at about the latitude of Cuba.
Here's the solstice scoop according National Geographic.com:
This year's summer solstice takes place a day earlier than it's been for the past three years, due to the fact that 2012 is a leap year—this February got an extra day, to keep our calendar year of 365 days in sync with the astronomical year, which is about 365.24 days.
I plan on enjoying the longest day outside—including a late dinner on the deck. Do you have any solstice plans?
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Image: Photo and graphics above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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If you are addicted to Pinterest, check out the best TV shows on Pinterest. I know Elizabeth is not a real person, but her character on White Collar has me convinced she can plan the best parties—see her party planning board that will make even Martha Stewart wannabes smile. And if you are heading to the beach, check out Royal Pain's board "Beach Bag Essentials." More Pinterest details and links below.
A charming criminal mastermind and an FBI agent work together—until the con artist skips town. The new WC season begins Tuesday July 10, 9/8C
White Collar (whitecollarusa) on Pinterest
Pinterest boards to check out:
I'm just telling it like it is: The Martha Stewart Show on Pinterest is porn for the crafty set. (Also see The Rachael Ray Show on Pinterest below) Although Martha's Pinterest site includes her magazine too, I had to include it in the list because it is sooo good!
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (marthastewartpr) on Pinterest
Pinterest boards to check out:
Enjoying Hamptons style and luxury without maxing out the AmEx... Season 4 began June 6th at 9/8c on USA.
Royal Pains (royalpainsusa) on Pinterest
Pinterest boards to check out:
4) Giada at Home, Food Network
Giada makes cooking look easy—and fun.
Giada De Laurentiis (gdelaurentiis) on Pinterest
Pinterest boards to check out:
I want this designer and Host of HGTV's Meg's Great Rooms to transform a room at my house.
Meg Caswell Holladay (designshoppe) on Pinterest
Pinterest boards to check out:
Every morning starts a bit brighter with Matt, Ann, and the gang.
TODAY (todayshow) on Pinterest
Pinterest boards to check out:
Simply "adorkable" Zooey Deschanel as Jess is the new girl you want as your BFF. Watch the series Tuesdays on FOX 9/8C.
New Girl (newgirlonfox) on Pinterest
Pinterest boards to check out:
Their designer suits stay crisp, but the law gets a bit messy in the show. The new season began June 14. Thurdays 10/9c.
Pinterest boards to check out:
> • > • > • Be sure to check out these shows on Pinterest too! • < • < • <
Technically this is the Pinterest site for Rachael Ray's magazine, Every Day with Rachael Ray
Every Day Rachael Ray (rachaelraymag) on Pinterest
Pinterest boards to check out:
- Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals
- Behind-the-Scenes: Life as an EditorRachael Ray 30-Minute meals
- Pasta Pasta!
Showtime Networks (shonetworks) on Pinterest
Pinterest boards to check out:
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Image: Graphics above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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My son put together an awesome & timeless playlist for all those dads out there. Check it out. My son tells me this playlist is:
"an upbeat fusion of classics with a modern edge and 21st century hits that would have been appreciated in any decade as well as a few sentiment-evoking favorites."
Playlist—You can preview and listen to each song by clicking on the album link and then clicking on the song:
1) Hold on I'm Coming by Sam and Dave
iTunes album link: Hold On, I'm Comin' by Sam & Dave
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2) Lisztomania by Phoenix
iTunes album link: Lisztomania by Phoenix
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Image: Graphics above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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My garden is not in my yard. My backyard is home to rabbits and deer that wander through daily and munch on the native plants. To keep a garden in my neighborhood, you need a container garden elevated above the roaming wildlife. I keep my garden on my back deck. I have three dogs that are very protective of my plants and keep tabs on the buds and veggies growing here. Fortunately they all know the rules—no grazing allowed.
Hope you can enjoy a garden of your own. I think tending the plants is my personal therapy. Each morning I go out and water them and even talk to them. Whenever I can during the day, I step out on the deck and spend a few minutes just hanging out in my garden. You can follow the story of my garden here on the blog as well as on MomathonBlog on Instagram and Facebook. I also have a Pinterest board on Instagram tips and trends.
Image: My dog Giz was recently promoted to chief of garden security. Photos above by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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Place your iPhone or iPod inside this retro AM/FM speaker box when you want to play tunes on the beach or poolside. The case with speakers keeps your gadget free of sand and salt and sunblock. The water-resistant plastic cover on the Swansea Beach Radio snaps tight, keeping your tech toys safe and sound. Speakers by SunnyLIFE and available at Anthropologie.com. Perfect for Father's Day. $39.99
For more Father's Day gift ideas, check out Father's Day Gift Guide—Summer Styles, Gadgets, and Fun.
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(The graphic above was created by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!)
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Father's Day is this Sunday. Here's 10 gift ideas—something great for every dad. Details for finding these items at the end of this post.
You can find even more gift ideas for the guys in your life here:
• My Pinterest board Manly Things includes no-break martini glasses, summer paperback thrillers, eco-friendly adirondack chairs, and a pizza stone with a stainless-steel carrier to make carrying the pizza safe and easy.
DETAILS
1) A brand new Rainbow color for the Ray-Ban Outdoorsman Sunglasses at Ray-Ban Store.
2) This bag reminds me of the SUV of backpacks, the Oakley Kitchen Sink backpack at Zappos.com.
3) A man always looks sexier with patterned socks, don't you think? Love these Corgi™ lightweight pattern socks at J.Crew.
4) Grilling gear that's perfect for a fisherman, the Fishtail BBQ Basket at Terrain
5) Something about a game of croquet with the whole family makes me smile. Franklin Advanced 6-Player Croquet Set at Target
6) All-in-one fun for every interest—play games, read e-books, watch movies, surf the internet—for those rainy summer days or long car trips make the iPad at Apple a perfect choice.
7) Never a bad hair day for any guy with Pure-Formance™ Hair Cream at Aveda
8) The Elvis Cole series featuring Joe Pike are some of the best books for your guy—or you—written by the nicest New York Times bestselling author around. Now in paperback, check out The Sentry (Joe Pike Series #3) by Robert Crais.
9) All men dream of competing in the Olympics, or at least going to the games. If your guy isn't going to the London Games this summer, then get the next best thing, the Team USA Track Jacket at RalphLauren.com
10) A classic and always cool, that's J.Crew's Braided cotton belt.
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(The graphic above was created by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!)
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The temps are soaring here. I'm thinking a nice lounge chair by the pool on Lake Como would be a slice of heaven... Of course, I need to wear this retro one-piece with a twist front bandeau. The only thing missing is George Clooney.
Details:
1) Chesapeake Steamer Chaise with Cherry Red Cushions at Pottery Barn is on sale $339.00 – $399.00
2) Glamour + sexy in this Retro One-piece with twist front bandeau by Carmen Marc Valvo® at Victoria's Secret, priced at $154.
3) Take me away to the Villa d'Este a luxury hotel in Lake Como, Cernobbio, Italy. Why? It's beautiful and Clooney has a villa nearby.
Image created by Chris Olson features Pottery Barn, Victoria's Secret, and Villa d'Este.
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If you follow my blog, then you know I am a passionate supporter (and a volunteer) for animal rescue groups. I bought a huge stack of the lovely Hooray for the Underdog!® cards created by the husband and wife team of Joe Grisham and Janet Healey and published by the card company Sunrise Greetings. The series of cards supports animal rescue efforts. The card series has a message and image for almost any occasion.
The back of each card features the dog’s name, rescue details and a “special power.” I can't wait for them to create even more!
xo Chris, aka "the slave to three dogs"
Card Details:
Image: Graphic by me, featuring the adorable cards—I bought a huge stack this week—in the Hooray for the Underdog! card series by Joe Grisham and Janet Healey. Go buy some too! They are awesome and they support animal rescue groups!
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Vintage Cocktails reveals the secrets behind classic drinks including a Brandy Alexander, Sidecar, Pimms Cup and Gimlet. Eight recipes for drinks included in the graphic above. Ever wonder what's in a Hemingway Daiquiri, go here to see the recipe. I love the mouth-watering photography and layout. This guide to mixing the perfect drink by Brian Van Flande and photographer Laziz Hamani is a bit spendy, but I'm fairly sure the book will keep you busy with recipes for years.
Available at Anthropologie.com and Amazon.com
Published by Assouline, 138 pages.
Image above created by me, Chris Olson.
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Elizabeth Edwards was and will always be an inspirational figure. She overcame both public and private adversity as she struggled with some of life's toughest challenges including the death of her 16-year-old son Wade who was killed in a freak car accident, her six-year battle with cancer, and her husband's infidelity. In her book Resilience: Reflections on the Burdens and Gifts of Facing Life's Adversities, Elizabeth writes about life lessons she hopes she has taught her children:
When they are older and telling their own children about their grandmother,
they will be able to say that she stood in the storm,
and when the wind did not blow her way—
and it surely has not—she adjusted her sails.
If you want to read this wonderful book, let me recommend buying the audio book that is read by Elizabeth herself. Her voice is strong, passionate, and always inspiring.
What lessons do you want to teach your children about facing adversity?
For me, I believe living each day is a gift—make today extraordinary.
Image above by me, Chris Olson.
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A great choice for urban driving, the Toyota Scion iQ wins points for nimble parking skills and great fuel economy in the city at 36 mpg city mileage. The ultra-small size at 120.1" from bumper to bumper places the iQ between two other micro-subcompacts—the Smart ForTwo (106.1") and the Mini Cooper (146.8"). The car's small size is a plus in many ways, but it also limits other features. The car's 4-cylinder engine lacks acceleration muscle and the car only has room for 3 people to fit "comfortably." The Scion iQ stands tall as a safe small car for city driving with 11 airbags including one that covers the rear glass to protect the passengers in the back. On the highway with SUVs and trucks screaming by the Scion, I'm not convinced this small car is the smoothest ride or the safest.
Kiplinger just ranked the Scion iQ as one of the ten cheapest cars to own:
The Scion iQ MSRP starts at $15,265. More details in my iQ review in the graphic above. Although I haven't driven the car, the Scion iQ wins my vote for city driving. You can find more 2012 Scion iQ stats via Toyota.com, Cars.com, and Edmunds.com.
Graphic above by me, Chris Olson.
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It sounds simple, but making that first step is the most difficult... Believe you can and you're halfway there.
You can find more quote and sayings artwork here. Image above created by me, Chris Olson.
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If you are looking for an exotic luxury vacation with a private home in the lush Mexican jungle, check out boutique-homes.com. I haven't visited this vacation paradise, but the nearby whale-watching, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking are on my list. Staying at one of these nine vacation homes must be a perfect getaway.
Photos featured in my graphic above from boutique-homes.com.
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Instagram's 1977 filter adds a faded pink hue that turns almost any image into a retro photo with plenty of glam and a hint of Disneyesque fantasy. A few of the many photo opps for the 1977 filter include: Transform an average winter landscape with the 1977 filter to turn the image into a scene from a Snow White movie. Or play around with cityscape photos for a dreamy vintage look. The filter even works in low light situations when you want to capture that quartet of fine ales you are testing at a brew pub.
Continue reading "18 Days of Instagram Filters: Day 17 with 1977 Filter" »
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Bob Carey, a stout middle-aged man, doesn't make me think of a ballerina. Yet back in 2003, he started creating quirky self-portraits wearing a pink tutu. When his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer that same year, his humorous photography became a type of therapy for the couple and even helped bring a smile to the other patients they met at chemo treatments. As his collection of photos grew, the The Tutu Project began.
To raise awareness for breast cancer, Bob traveled the US taking photos wearing only his signature pink tutu. This autumn, Bob will self-publish a collection of his pink tutu photos in the book Ballerina and the goal is for his book to help raise awareness about breast cancer and raise funds for women with breast cancer:
The net proceeds from the sale of the book will go directly to breast cancer organizations, including Cancercare.org and the Beth Israel Department of Integrative Medicine Fund, that make significant differences in the lives of women with breast cancer and in the people who love them. Our goal is to raise $75,000. But we need your help to seed the book project so it will take root and grow—and positively affect these families.
To find out how you can sponsor this project and receive a special edition 20-by-24-inch signed tutu print plus a copy of the book Ballerina, check out The Tutu Project. You can also follow the @TheTutuProject on Twitter and on Facebook.
Tutu photo by Bob Carey at The Tutu Project.
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Sunny and warm here today, so I'm outside on my deck thinking about gardens and backyard parties. The hydrangea above is in a container on my deck—out of reach from the deer (and bears) that wander through my yard munching on everything. My neighborhood in the foothills of the Colorado Rockies has a "no fences" rule, so the only safe place for plants is container gardens on the decks.
Here are a few of my favorite links for plants, backyards, and summer fun.
• I am so ready for my first barbecue party of the summer after seeing Nicole's party plans. How about you?
• A true garden party needs a few retro aprons. I adore the dottie angel aprons, striped straws in lemonade, and cupcakes Melanie features in her post from Seattle today.
• You scream, I scream, we all scream for homemade ice cream! Gotta try the yummy recipe via Erin and Bi-Rite Creamery.
• An upside-down tomato planter is on my to do list for June.
• One of my puppies will eat nearly every thing... So I love this handy Pet Poison Help app to determine which plants I should keep out of reach.
• For more gardening ideas, check out my garden posts and photos here, on Pinterest and Facebook.
Photo illustration above by me, Chris Olson and features plants in my garden—Instagram Valencia filter— and a lovely fence photographed by D Sharon Pruitt.
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Is it summer yet? I'm feeling the call of the beach...
1) I could live in the Sherpani website. 2) Imagine. Enough said. CHANEL surf accessories. 3) I want both the pillow and the van—Big Sur Needlepoint Pillow by Jonathan Adler. 4) I heart California by Evivart on Etsy.
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The Nashville Filter
The Nashville effect on Instagram is a mix of a cozy kitchen and nostalgic playground filter. It adds a soft purple-pink hue to images. Perfect for sharing images with a retro vibe on Facebook and other social media.
I used the LUX feature with Nashville to bring out details in garden photo in the upper right. The LUX feature boosts the details and contrast in images of plants and building exteriors when photographing gardens, neighborhoods, cityscapes, etc. The sun icon in the lower portion of your camera screen is the "sun" icon also known as the LUX effect.
For more information on the LUX feature plus a handy list of how to use other features including the focus, frame, and more, check out these links
Enhance Colors and Details with Lux
Images by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 and/or 5 + Instagram with Nashville Filter (#Nashville)
You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:
Day 2: Amaro Filter
Day 3: Rise Filter
Day 4: Hudson Filter
Day 5: X-Pro II Filter
Day 6: Sierra Filter
Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter
Day 8: Earlybird Filter
Day 9: Sutro Filter
Day 10: Toaster Filter
Day 11: Brannan Filter
Day 12: Inkwell Filter
Day 13: Walden Filter
Day 14: Hefe Filter
Day 15: Valencia Filter
Day 16: Nashville Filter
Day 17: 1977 Filter
Day 18: Kelvin Filter
GET THE LOOK series: Add Some Glam in Instagram
>•< Connect on Facebook >•<
Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
Your Instagram photos can help shelter dogs
If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by your local animal shelter. Snap some cute pics with Instagram. Then post them on Facebook and Twitter.
The adorable dog featured below is a rescue dog named Benny. For more information on adopting this dog, go to this dog rescue link. xo
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If you like to take outdoor photos, chances are you will have plenty of opportunities to use the Valencia filter on Instagram which adds a subtle brown tint to images. That said, I found this filter versatile enough to use with shots of my favorite shelter dogs at an adoption fair and even bakery goods for a picnic. I don't feel I need to use the LUX feature very often with this filter because of the built-in contrast provided by the Valenica filter. I will use the LUX feature to add a nice contrast with brick and other building materials when photographing house exteriors, cityscapes, etc.
For more information on the LUX feature plus a handy list of how to use other features including the focus, frame, and more, check out my link here.
Your Instagram Photos Help Shelter Dogs
The adorable dog featured below is a rescue dog named Rosie. For more information on adopting this dog, go to this dog rescue link. #german_shepherd
Update on Rosie: Yay! Rosie was adopted. She loves her new forever home :)
Images in this post by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with Valencia Filter (#Valencia)
You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:
Day 2: Amaro Filter
Day 3: Rise Filter
Day 4: Hudson Filter
Day 5: X-Pro II Filter
Day 6: Sierra Filter
Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter
Day 8: Earlybird Filter
Day 9: Sutro Filter
Day 10: Toaster Filter
Day 11: Brannan Filter
Day 12: Inkwell Filter
Day 14: Hefe Filter
Day 15: Valencia Filter
Day 16: Nashville Filter
Day 17: 1977 Filter
Day 18: Kelvin Filter
Comparing 9 Instagram Filters {The Puppy Edition}
>•< Connect on Facebook >•<
Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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But the wild things cried, “Oh please don’t go - we’ll eat you up - we love you so!”
And Max said, “No!”
The wild things roared their terrible roars and gnashed their terrible teeth
and rolled their terrible eyes and showed their terrible claws
but Max stepped into his private boat and waved goodbye.”
~Maurice Sendak
Where the Wild Things Are
Maurice Sendak's books will live forever, but we still miss him so!
(Image by Chris Olson featuring the fern photo by the awesome photographer D Sharon Pruitt.)
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The Inkwell filter using the Instagram app will not automatically turn your images into Ansel Adams photos, but the filter glams up even bad lighting by adding a high contrast effect to images. Perfect for giving photos a classic black and white vintage vibe. Play around with the LUX feature to add more drama and boost the contrast.
Inkwell works well with photos of pets, floral close-ups, and landscapes.
Images by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with Inkwell Filter (#Inkwell)
You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:
Day 1: No Filter
Day 2: Amaro Filter
Day 3: Rise Filter
Day 4: Hudson Filter
Day 5: X-Pro II Filter
Day 6: Sierra Filter
Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter
Day 8: Earlybird Filter
Day 9: Sutro Filter
Day 10: Toaster Filter
Day 11: Brannan Filter
Day 12: Inkwell Filter
Day 13: Walden Filter
Day 14: Hefe Filter
Day 15: Valencia Filter
Day 16: Nashville Filter
Day 17: 1977 Filter
Day 18: Kelvin Filter
Get The Look: Add Some Glam in Instagram
>•< Connect on Facebook >•<
All Instagram photos are by me, Chris Olson at Chris CoCo Media. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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Bree Madden's photography makes me want to jump on Travelocity and book a trip to the coast. She captures scenes I love—the ocean, beaches, flowers, and birds—in the softest pastels that make me smile. I think her photos would make the perfect Mother's Day gift. You can find her amazing photography on Etsy at Maddenphotography. You can find Bree on Twitter here.
The Pastel Flower print featured above is a signed 8x10 print by Bree (also available in a variety of other sizes) and sells on Etsy for $25.
Find more of my posts about lovely Etsy items here.
You can find my free Mother's Day gift box PRINTABLE here.
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The Brannan filter on Instagram has a soft "vintage meets modern" effect. It brings out the grays and greens in a photo. Don't use Brannan if you want bright colors to pop. Instead, try it with photos of your dog or a landscape/cityscape. Fun to use on your next vacation.
I stumbled on a very cool use for the low-key Brannan filter—this filter is great for bringing out the beauty in dogs or cats with dark fur. Often the adorable faces of black labs are lost in a photo. Try the Brannan filter with or without the LUX feature. See my photo of the sweet lab mix, Lebowski.
{ Your Instagram photos can help shelter dogs: If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by your local animal shelter. Snap some cute pics with Instagram. Then post them on Facebook and Twitter. }
>•< Connect on Facebook >•<
(The graphic above was created by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin it on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!)
You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:
Day 1: No Filter
Day 2: Amaro Filter
Day 3: Rise Filter
Day 4: Hudson Filter
Day 5: X-Pro II Filter
Day 6: Sierra Filter
Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter
Day 8: Earlybird Filter
Day 9: Sutro Filter
Day 10: Toaster Filter
Day 11: Brannan Filter
Day 12: Inkwell Filter
Day 13: Walden Filter
Day 14: Hefe Filter
Day 15: Valencia Filter
Day 16: Nashville Filter
Day 17: 1977 Filter
Day 18: Kelvin Filter
Your Instagram photos can help shelter dogs
If you like to take photos, grab your iPhone and stop by your local animal shelter. Snap some cute pics of the adoptable dogs with Instagram. Then post them on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest with a link to the animal shelter. If you can, please include a search-able hashtag with the breed of dog (eg., #lab or #dachshund) and then also add a hashtag with #adopt_dogs. You can even add text to the photo with apps like InstaText.
The adorable dog mix featured above is Harley. If he is still available for adoption, you can find him at this animal rescue and on Petfinder Adoptable Dog: American Staffordshire Terrier named Harley.
>• A note about the photos •<
I am delighted to have my images from this blog re-posted but please always credit MomathonBlog.com as the original source when re-posting to your blog, Pinterest, Tumblr, or any other site. Please also credit with a link back to MomathonBlog.com. Please ask permission before re-posting exact text, instructions, recipes, or diy's from MomathonBlog.com. Thank you.
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I call the Toaster filter the "Date Night" filter. Use it to add a retro "Mad Man" look. The high exposure center works well to give a 60s vibe to family gatherings, picnics, etc.
Images by me, Chris Olson, using an iPhone 4 + Instagram with Toaster Filter (#Toaster)
You can find other posts in this Guide to Instagram series here:
Day 1: No Filter
Day 2: Amaro Filter
Day 3: Rise Filter
Day 4: Hudson Filter
Day 5: X-Pro II Filter
Day 6: Sierra Filter
Day 7: Lo-Fi Filter
Day 8: Earlybird Filter
Day 9: Sutro Filter
Day 10: Toaster Filter
Day 11: Brannan Filter
Day 12: Inkwell Filter
Day 13: Walden Filter
Day 14: Hefe Filter
Day 15: Valencia Filter
Day 16: Nashville Filter
Day 17: 1977 Filter
Day 18: Kelvin Filter
>•< Connect on Facebook >•<
Instagram photos by me, Chris Olson. Feel free to Pin them on Pinterest with a link back to this post. Thanks!
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Do you use Instagram? Sharing photos via this app is easy and addictive. All week I have been using the app's 18 filters to try out the various effects on different images. I tend to gravitate to a few favorites like Lo-Fi and Hudson, but each one has a special quality.
Why is Instagram gaining popularity so quickly? Perhaps it is the simplicity of the app that catches us by surprise and hooks us in. As Clive explains according to GalleyCat:
“There’s something weirdly hypnotic about following the lives of your friends through nothing but images. Given that Instagram’s user base is very international (for now, anyway), the most-popular page of photos is like a constellation of slices-‘o-life from around the globe. About half the people I’m following are total strangers in Russia, Korea and Argentina who take strikingly cool pictures.”
Last year during a panel discussion sponsored by Blogads, New York Times Magazine contributing writer Clive Thompson explained the appeal of this simple photo sharing app. At the same time he explains why writers should use the photo-sharing app in their daily lives.
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