Operation Nice

I stumbled across this Operation Nice blog where the goal is to encourage people to be proactively nice.  Apparently being nice is making a comeback according to the New York Times article that mentions Melissa's blog.  I was a little skeptical about all the optimism at first, but was surprised that reading some of the accounts made me want to go out of my way to be....well nice.  

Just the other day when I was on the metro to work, a man stood up to get off and told everybody to have a blessed and happy day.  Of course my first initial thought when he started talking was that he was probably a little off.  But no, he was just being nice.  Isn't that sad that I've been so hardened by the city!  Melissa's goal is to remind people that kindness goes a long way and that life could be a little better if we all went out of our way to do a few small acts of kindness for strangers.

So on that happy note I leave you to the weekend, and hopefully you can seize a few opportunities to be nice.    

{via HOW}

Economically Friendly Weekend Fun!

CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSS

randomduck

randomduck

blahmni

I'm extremely excited that Artomatic is opening tonight.  The month long art festival is in their 10th year and as always is free to the public!  "The event features nine floors of visual and installation art, theater performances, dance and comedy, three music stages, street performances such as fire dancing and drum troupes, and a film screening theater." Basically there is inspiration here for everybody....all month long....free of charge!  So make sure to get down to the Navy Yard sometime this month.  Its also a great excuse to enjoy a little bit of art and sports for the day with the Nats stadium right nearby.

If you are looking to do something outside this weekend instead, Walking Town DC is going on Saturday and Sunday.  Over 120 free walking tours covering 18 neighborhoods in DC.  Even if you have lived here for years, there is always something new to learn about the diverse communities of the district.  And if you just want to sit back and relax the 29th Annual Washington Folk Festival is going down at Glen Echo Park.

All of the above comes with an economic friendly price tag of free!  So no excuses!

Good Morning: Doing Cartwheels For Friday

kharied

Yet another reason to have an iPhone

So I still haven't made the plunge into iPhone life. But I feel like I get a little bit closer every time I hear about all the new apps that can do almost everything except have your first born child for you.  Fast and Company compiled a list of 25 apps that are a must-have.  So if you have an iPhone you should probably skim through this list and make sure you are fully equipped!

Also another cool app that is not on the list is a text and walk app.  The phone shows the camera view as you text so that you can make sure you know where you  are going.  I can't decide if this would help those annoying walking texters or make the whole situation worse!  

Good Morning: Washington Ducks

ehpien

Mallard Tea Room Designs

I'm in love with  Sarah Walsh's designs for Mallard Tea Room.  I love how all the patterns are different colors and designs, yet go together in a collage sort of way.  Makes me want to fly to the UK and get some tea!  Or at the very least experiment with different patterns in my own designs.  Hmm another fun idea would be to buy a travel coffee mug that you can personalize yourself.  Then print off different patterns similar to these and switch them out depending on your mood.  I think that would help make me happy in the morning to carry a fun pattern to work.  Since I obviously can't fly to the UK every morning to get one of these beautiful cups.

{via share some candy}

Good Morning: Turned Upside Down

sandcastlematt

My Weekend in Pictures

My Memorial Day weekend was so great going home to North Carolina to see my whole family.  This week's picture roundup is a little family centric as we didn't do much besides spend time together hanging out.  Which was exactly what I needed.

Had lunch at an amazing German Bakery.  The architecture was beautiful and reminded me of something straight out of California.

Met my two month old nephew, Luke for the first time.

Celebrated my birthday a few weeks early.  My mom made me this amazing Reese's cake that I mentioned last week.  I'm telling you it tastes even better than it looks.

My nephew, Ethan helped me blow out my candles.

Ethan helped my sister pick out clothes online.

Spent tons of time relaxing on my back porch, one of my favorite things to do when I come home.

And took tons of family pictures of my sisters and nephews.  My parents gave me a new camera lens for my digital rebel, so I had a lot of fun trying it out.

365 Drawings

Flickr user AlmostPhony has a similar project to my 365 photographs, but she did 365 drawings for a whole year.  Such great inspiring drawings that I recommend you check out.

Good Morning: Wishing I were here right now

muha...

Use your leftover buns

Ngoc Minh Ngo

Happy Memorial Day!  I'll be on the road all day driving back from North Carolina.  Hopefully in time to fit in one more cookout before the end of the holiday weekend.  So because they never sell the same amount of hamburgers and buns.  And there always seem to be extra buns after a cookout.  Here are seven ways to use leftover buns.  Enjoy the rest of your holiday!

Good Morning: Happy Memorial Day

jcolman

More amazing totes

So I know earlier this week I featured the tote "I Refuse to Participate In A Recession" from Alphabet bags.  In my perusing I guess I missed the other adorable totes they have to offer.  And I just couldn't resist sharing a few more!  Especially since I went to the beach last week and could not find the appropriate tote!  It needs to be a good size that it can hold a towel and beach supplies, but not too big you feel like you are dragging luggage.  And of course it is a fun way to make a cute statement that you can't make with the rest of your bags and purses.

Good Morning: Sweethearts

adwriter

I'm hungry and want to go home and bake!

I REALLY want to make these doughnut muffins right now.  They look so delicious!  If it is a muffin AND a doughnut....is it appropriate for breakfast?  Or is it dessert?  Or how about both?!

I also really want to make this chocolate cake covered in Reeses cups.  I might have to request this as my birthday cake in a few weeks.

Can you tell I'm starving for desserts right now!

Street Art

I've always been fascinated by street art.  The process that goes into it and what people get out of it.  I often wonder if there are times I've walked past street art in DC without noticing.  Usually street art is used to make some sort of statement.  And sometimes it is made just to add a little beauty to the landscape or make you stop and think.  2leep has a great post of 10 street art installations along with explanations of the purpose.

Mark Jenkins is a street artist who often has installations in DC as well as internationally.   His stuff is great and I always wonder what I would think if I came across some of his work!

Also LoisInWonderland has a flickr page of DC street murals.  Some of them I recognize, but a lot of them I don't!  And it makes me want to seek some of them out.

It also got me thinking if I were to create street art in DC, where would I do it?  And what kind of message would I try to convey.  This city is already so overrun with political messages, maybe I'd just like to say something about slowing down and enjoying life outside work.  Since we all know how Washingtonians are such workaholics.  I'd love to do something that helped others tap into their own creativity, like my stranger candids project.  But maybe I'm being just a little bit too much of rainbows and sunshine right now.

Illustrator Natsko Seki

I love love love these illustrations by Natsko Seki.  The combination of a collage feel with the hand illustrations is so whimsical and fun.  I'm working with a freelance client right now who is really into the collage look and its a lot harder to achieve than you would think!  This definitely offers me some inspiration though for my next poster!

{via Grain Edit}

Good Morning: Seeing Stars

Celeste

I refuse to participate in a recession

This bag is rather timely, especially since layoffs seem to be rampant and close to home for everybody.  But with this bag you can "keep your chin up and tote this tongue-in-cheek bag with pride!"  They also have really fun alphabet letter bags if you don't want to be as bold.  All for a recession friendly price!

{via swissmiss}

Give It All Away In May

So I don't normally do plugs, but I thought this one was an important one.  Storyville Coffee, located in Seattle is giving away 100% of their profits from May to IJM (International Justice Mission).  IJM is a Washington, DC based human rights agency that "secures justice for victims of slavery, sexual exploitation and other forms of violent oppression.  IJM lawyers, investigators and aftercare professionals work with local officials to ensure immediate victim rescue and aftercare, to prosecute perpetrators and to promote functioning public justice systems."  

I have several friends who work for this agency both in DC and internationally.  It is amazing to hear the work they are doing to fight for and secure freedom for victims of slavery.  IJM is unique in that they work towards both helping the victims but also bringing the perpetrators to justice so that they will no longer be a source of harm in their community.  

So what can you do?  Well you can order fresh coffee from Storyville for $23.72 (that price includes shipping) and all of the money will be given to IJM.  I'm told it is so fresh the coffee is roasted the same day it is shipped.  It is a win-win deal for everyone.  You get great coffee and all the money goes towards securing justice for victims of slavery.

So if you want to learn more about IJM go here.

If you want to learn more about Storyville's giving it all away in May go here.

And if you want to order yourself some fresh coffee go here.

And now I'm done plugging.

Good Morning: Sweet Daisies

just Luh.

Vintage Matchbooks

I've always wanted to start collecting matchbooks and start a pretty glass jar of them.  Such an easy way to document restaurants and travels.  I absolutely love these vintage matchbooks found at the flea market.  Another great idea, to seek out only vintage ones.  Or what if you covered plain matchbooks with various custom fun patterns....just daydreaming as I'm stuck at work late.

{via Mary & Matt} 

Good Morning: The Lights Below

Thomas Hawk

My Weekend In Pictures

This weekend I headed up to Rehoboth Beach with three of my close girlfriends and it was exactly what the doctor ordered!  It was my first day off work since Christmas and it was amazing to just relax and enjoy the company of good friends.  It was also the perfect way to kick off a fun summer together! 

Margaritas are a must at the beach.  And it was amazing to pay Delaware prices instead of the usual overpriced DC drink!

Boardwalk at night.

Relaxing in the sun. 

Reading a good book.

Ice Cream is another must for a trip to the beach.  I love that it looks like Katie is eating Jasmine's ice cream here.

Best Bakery in Rehoboth.

And the final must for a girls weekend at the beach is shopping.  The outlets are out of control in Rehoboth and with no sales tax, its an even better deal!  As you can tell we splurged just a little.