That Cup of Joe

But first, coffee. Because the day can get away before we ever even notice it began. To coffee, and to taking time in the morning. To cream, and sugar, and straws. To mugs and coffee cozies. To Wednesday, to June gloom (but not for long!), and to friends to enjoy that morning cup with. 

xo, 

Lauren

Short Stories & Children's Lit.

Children's stories capture the heart and desires of the most pure. While reading and writing today, I came across the words from a short story called "Awake" by Florence Bass. It is part of a collection called Nature Stories for Young Readers. I love one part so much I have to share. As simple as it is, my sentiments are the same as those of the South Wind. I want what he wants. 

The gentle South Wind has come again. He says : "Go back, cold North Wind, to your home. You have played your rough pranks long enough. You have had your time playing with the ice and snow. The Spring Sun and April Rain and I must have our time now. All the little people in the big brown house have been asleep all winter. We mean to call them up. The Sun makes the big room warm. The Rain taps gently on their doors. I call softly: 'Wake up, little people; your long winter sleep is over. Come, little ants, you may begin your work now. Wake up, Mr. Frog, and creep out of your mud house. Come, little bees; the flowers are getting your breakfast ready. They will soon be calling you to come and help them at seed-making. Come, butterflies and moths; creep out of your cradles on the tree-tops and in the ground. Make the country more beautiful, you flying flowers.' "

In my quest to read more (more on that here), I have decided to revisit a few of the most cherished stories from my childhood. Although this short story was new to me today, it instilled a sense of imagination and purity that, sometimes, you can only find in literature for young readers. A few on my list are A Wrinkle in Time, The Chronicles of Narnia, Alice in Wonderland, Little Women and James and the Giant Peach. What are your most loved children's stories?

A Weekend & A Week Off.

Getting out of town for the day is one of the best ways for me to feel refreshed and restored. Matt and I ventured out to Estes Park with our dear neighbors this past Saturday. I cannot thank God enough for creation and the way its beauty just abounds here in Colorado. Do I really live here? The day started with lattes at Kind Coffee, followed by a breathe taking hike to some falls, time spent gaping and climbing around on boulders with amazing views, Elk spotting (its mating season!), exploring The Stanley Hotel (Stephen King's Shining inspiration), and ending the day at a local brewery with Honey Wheat IPA. 

The time spent at Kind Coffee, and the heart to heart conversation with Matt, got me really excited about some things that may be happening here on the blog. November is going to be a big month. And at the same time, my day spent outdoors, inspired by silence and the little things in nature, and just being has made me want to take a week off from blogging for some solitude, reflection, and goal setting. 

I know you can probably relate to searching for that balance in life--balancing the things of this world with your desire to be in creation and away from it all. Thanks for sticking with me as I take a little time for this. I will see you in a week, lovelies, when I come back to announce the giveaway winner!

You have until Thursday night to enter the Pinkies Up Giveaway with Shabby Apple! Meander over here to enter for a $50 gift-card to this darling boutique and share about it with other women in your life!

Photography in Blogging

photo source

Photography in blogging can either draw the reader in or push the reader away. I have found myself countless times getting hooked on a blog first because my jaw drops at the visual interest, and then second because I fall in love with the content. Love at first {photograph} sight? Maybe. Something I have always admired about my favorite blogs are the vibrant photographs, the way they edit and keep just the right amount of visual points to tell a story, and the styling behind it all. The photographs seem intentional and just as thought-worthy as the articles themselves. Whether it be a blog like Thoughts By Natalie, with one key photograph that seamlessly compliments the heart of the article and the thought provoking words; or a fashion blog like Happily Grey telling a styling a story with a  collection of shots portraying movement, stature, and fashionable grace; or a blog like Crafternoon Delight with images that are vibrant yet soft, making it feel as if you could just sit right there in the photograph and sip a cup of tea or warm your soul with a a friend nearby crafting away with you. All of these photography styles draw the reader, me in this case, in. And quite often, it's the simple photographs, of the little things, that inspire me the most. A few of my other visual favorites are A Beautiful Mess, Darling Magazine, & Oh Happy Day. What is it that really makes you stop, think, and feel visually inspired by a blog post? {All of the above photographs are from the ladies over at Crafternoon Delight. One of those ladies being one of my soul mate best friends. You can see what else these girls have been up to, and feel inspired as well, over here.}

Thoughts for Thursday: Bookstore Inspiration.

The Tattered Cover, Denver's Gem of a Bookstore.

If you take a book worm to Denver, she's going to want to find a bookstore. If you take her to a bookstore, she'll walk the aisles for hours until her feet are tired. And if her feet are tired, she's going to want to plop down into a comfy chair. Once she plops in her comfy chair, she'll notice the fabric, the worn in feel, the beauty. She'll be reminded of her love for old and vintage. And when reminded of this, she'll want to find a book filled with pages of things past. And when looking at book with antiques and pickers' treasures, she'll want to bring these into her home. And when she thinks of her home and design, she'll want to read Flea Market Chic. And as she reads this book, in her comfy chair, she'll feel inspired. And when she feels inspired, she feels the sky's the limit. And when the sky's the limit, anything is possible for this book worm girl in Denver.

What inspires you today?