List the People You Admire

My Mom - Such a talented artist. An amazing mother. A woman who has been through a lot, but has chosen to start her life over with dignity and grace.

My little brother - I don't understand how he has suddenly become one of the wisest, most loving people I know. He's in the middle of a battle, and he's winning.

Moorea - My dear friend has built an amazing brand/business from the ground, up! Insanely talented. I'm so happy for her in all her accomplishments. 

Julia Child - Just. Absolutely. Inspiring. She found her life-calling in her 40s. It's never too late to find success! She was a pioneer in the culinary arts. 

Malala Yousafzai - A young girl who stood up to the Taliban for the right to get an education.

Kathrine Switzer - First woman to register and run in the Boston Marathon, in 1967. Got assaulted by the Marathon's director. She kept running.

Amy Poehler - Writer, comedienne, actress, activist for empowering young girls (Smart Girls at the Party!)

Beyonce - Beautiful, fierce, empowering, talented. Why WOULDN'T I admire her?

Lena Dunham - I love her voice and the way she represents young women of today. And her bodacious bod!

Grace Coddington - I love her vision and her creativity. So inspiring. 

I can't think of 'em all... Lynn Yaeger, Peggy Guggenheim, Harvey Milk, Conan O'Brien, Ruth Reichl,  Sally Field, Kristen Gillebrand, Tavi Gevensson, ALL of the amazing teachers I've ever had, Louise Bourgeois, Michelle Obama, Joni Mitchell, Shirley Temple Black, Tina Fey, Iris Apfel, Cher, Doris Day, Hillary Clinton, Coco Chanel, Carmen Miranda, Diane Keaton, Isabella Rosselini, Jenna Lyons, Katharine Hepburn...

Part of the 52 Lists Prompt by Moorea Seal

Healthy Inspiration

My prediction was right: I caught a cold this weekend, and am currently in bed, resting. It helps a bit looking at the images above: colorful flowers, underwater kisses, far-off places, warm sun...

{all images from my Tumblr and Pinterest}

You Know I'm No Good

Rosamosario corset / Christian Louboutin pumps /Lucky Brand long drop earrings / Karen Walker cat eye sunglasses / Illamasqua false eye lashes /Formal black satin bow tie / Trish McEvoy blush brush / Chanel automatic liquid eyeliner / Midnight shot NV-1 night vision camera

Getaway

Ever have the yearning to make a glamorous escape from what you're doing? Jump on a Vespa and speed off into the great wide world, map and camera in tow?

Something that greatly inspired me last week...

{photo by Marissa Maharaj}

{From the Dear Sugar column on The Rumpus...}

Dear Sugar,

I read your column religiously. I’m 22. From what I can tell by your writing, you’re in your early 40s. My question is short and sweet: what would you tell your 20-something self if you could talk to her now?

Love,
Seeking Wisdom

Dear Seeking Wisdom,

Stop worrying about whether you’re fat. You’re not fat. Or rather, you’re sometimes a little bit fat, but who gives a shit? There is nothing more boring and fruitless than a woman lamenting the fact that her stomach is round. Feed yourself. Literally. The sort of people worthy of your love will love you more for this, sweet pea....


Read the full response here.

Feeling Uninspired

My wardrobe/style has been feeling so drab and dreary lately. I find myself asking, "what styles do I like again??" It's not a fun a place to be in if your name is Allie. So here are a few inspirational images that will hopefully kick my outfits into gear again...

Photo credits: Miss Moss, They All Hate Us, Cherry Blossom Girl, Madewell, J. Crew, Tomboy Style, Jak & Jil

Truth

Say it's only a paper moon

Wouldn't it be cute to have an old fashioned paper moon photo opportunity at a wedding reception?

Just a thought. I invite you to use this idea if you're getting married soon, as I am definitely not :)

A Note From the Universe on a New Year

Soon the new year starts, so now's a great time to:

1. Wipe the slate clean.
2. Focus upon what you really want.
3. Chart your course.

Right?

Well... only if you want to risk having to repeat these steps for the same wishes next year! Maybe this is splitting hairs, but here's an adventurous alternative:

1. Give thanks that life is... just as it is (and that it's been... just as it's been). Because of it, you're now "READY."

2. Define what you want in terms of the end result. Don't worry about the hows, or even the course. KNOW that what you want is ALREADY yours in spirit, by divine LAW, just focus on the certainty of this ownership, understand it, claim it, and "it will be on earth, as it is in heaven (spirit)."

3. LET THE UNIVERSE show you the way via your impulses and instincts that appear as you take inspired action. Don't worry that your first steps seem silly or futile. And if you don't know what to do, do anything! Go! Get busy! Do not insist on intermediary successes, only upon the end result.

2011 is going to be your year (it already is),

The Universe

"First I'm going to buy a wedding dress, then I'm going to die, and then I'll meet a cute guy in heaven"

Lately I've become a bit wedding-obsessed. No idea why. Probably crazy lady hormones. Above are photos from a GORGEOUS wedding featured on the wedding blog Ruffled. This is the kind of wedding I want someday... Homey, fun, vintage, floral... I love the bride's lacy veil, the assorted macarons and tarts, the homemade jelly wedding favor, the simple white balloons floating in a green field, the lavender table flowers, Parisian note cards, mismatched jars of dahlias, and doily banners. So inspiring. Check out more!

Autumn Colours Week: Yellow

YELLOW.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Autumn Colours Week, a fun little project going on at poppytalk.