• A Birthday Ballad

    It’s Taylor’s birthday! She’s not around Estate too frequently (besides lurking on posts), but she is a huge part of my very real life, and I love her so very much. We’re four years apart and while we’ve joked about people thinking we’re twins, sometimes it feels like we are (definitely fraternal though). While looking through iPhoto for a nice smiling portrait of us, I found a whole lot of awkward moments and thought they might be a more appropriate depiction of what we’re like together.
    Here we are dressed up for a vintage workout video:

    workout

    A glimpse into our future as stubborn old ladies with a dedication to making uncomfortable faces at strangers:

    old biddies

    Last minute costume as hair metal hillbillies:

    halloween hillbillies

    Outfit photos which quickly derailed into taking photos with a self timer:

    dancing and posing

    I love you Tate! Thank you for being my sister, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!


  • Gem + Mineral Calendar

    gem and mineral watercolor calendarThis is one of those items where when I saw it my heart immediately clenched and I wished I was the one who did it. The Gem + Mineral Calendar from Rocket Ink on Etsy is everything I love: gemstones, watercolor, and whitespace. Guhh. If I didn’t create it, at least I can order one to hang on my wall.

    gem and mineral watercolor calendar

    gem and mineral watercolor calendar

    gem and mineral watercolor calendar


  • What Your Thoughts Can Do

    be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.Who would have thought something from the bible would appeal to me? Surprises, they are everywhere.


  • Happy Friday!

    beer samplerThis week was a weird one. Even though Monday was a holiday, by the time I got to Thursday it already felt like the weekend. Days are strange when you work for yourself and have to keep work and play time separate.

    Photo above is from lunch last weekend. My table-mates ordered a beer sampler, which was visually appealing so I took a photo, however no samples for me as I can’t stand the stuff. Obviously I’m not contributing to Vermont’s ranking of most breweries per capita! Give me a cider any day.


  • Throwback Thursday: LA Hotel Room

    hotel messFeeling super nostalgic for the West Coast road trip we went on almost four years ago. I can’t even believe it’s been that long. This photo is from our week in LA where we proceeded to make a huge mess in our hotel room getting ready for the video we were there shooting. If you think it’s weird that there was a bunk bed, it’s because the place turned out to be a hostel full of foreigners – they normally don’t book Americans but I guess we somehow slipped under the radar. And don’t worry we cleaned up the mess.


  • The Secret to a Better Brain

    taylor on the roof readingI seem to have books on the brain lately. Yesterday I listed my top 5 illustrated books, and last week I showed you what I display on my bookcases. Today I came across an article about what I already know… how those who read regularly, play sudoku, and stretch their grey matter have more efficient brains into their later years. If you were ever mocked in high school for preferring a book on a Friday night over a party, you can now feel pretty smug over your decisions. And if you aren’t into reading or struggle finding the time, this brain book is awesome. I ordered one for my Mom, and as soon as it arrived I decided to get one for myself too.

    Photo above is of Taylor on our roof in Chicago a few summers ago. Happy reading!


  • My Favorite Illustrated Books

    my favorite illustrated-bookswell-read women, samantha hahn
    drawing food: a journal, claudia pearson
    charley harper: an illustrated life, todd oldham
    seed keeper, maria finn
    the perfectly imperfect home, deborah needleman
    Earlier today I went to the bookstore and ended up buying Well-Read Women – I adore it so much! Anyway, the purchase inspired this list. I hope you like it!

    Here are the links if you’re interested in purchasing any:

    1. Well-Read Women, Samantha Hahn
    2. Drawing Food: A Journal, Claudia Pearson
    3. Charley Harper: An Illustrated Life, Todd Oldham
    4. Seed Keeper, Maria Finn
    5. The Perfectly Imperfect Home, Deborah Needleman

  • What To Do When The Day Isn’t Going Your Way

    it's never too late in the day to start your day overAnyone else have one of those days lately?


  • The Cutest Celebrity Meltdown

    This has been around for quite sometime, but if you haven’t seen Kristen Bell recount her first encounter with a sloth, you must. It’s adorable and very “everyday person” of her.

    Have a great weekend!


  • Wedding Weekend in Beverly

    beverly rocky water coastA few weekends ago we drove down to Massachusetts for a friend’s wedding. It was held at the Landmark School on the water, and the weather was flawless. The weekend happened to be the one right between my last day at my day job and my new life as a freelancer/entrepreneur. It was the perfect break.

    looking through the binoculars
    These binoculars were setup on the second floor deck to look out at the water during the reception.

    boat through the binoculars
    Konrad took this photo with his iPhone through the lenses! I was impressed.