This song. I like it. (would make a sweet wedding first dance song eh?)

I finished Season 1 of One Tree Hill the other day and I kinda got a little too into it.

Besides being dramatic with emotion-evoking songs in the background (no matter how bad they are they get you dangit) it makes me nostalgic.  And I’m addicted to nostalgia.  I’m addicted to bittersweet.  Even though my high school days looked nothing like that.

Plus Peyton Sawyer is the antithetical punk/indie-rockster cheerleader and maybe I relate to that a bit.  Wish my curls could relate to hers a little more.

(I’m a little jealous.  But she has no boobs so there.)

My less semi-shameful viewing habits include this gem.

Emily Henderson is not only a skilled designer but she wears great outfits and has a charming wit as well.

I recommend tuning in and reading her blog.  For a second opinion- and slightly more detailed review, read here (But why don’t you believe me?)

Now- There are only a couple of things that push me out of doors in this heat and those are a boat, a campground and a tennis court.  Ok, maybe that’s three.

And beer and burgers.

Ok, that’s four.

Anyways- the tennis courts…  I would like to play in these unexpected spots.

What a flippin’ fantastic use of urban space!

I admit- this makes my stomach a little queasy.  And what happens if you hit one off the side? Can it bonk someone on the head and kill them?

Plenty of perfect spots for these’ns in Indiana

I am also –like many others– LOVING this book.

And making some plans for money-saving, health-boosting and life-planning.  More to come on that.

And as for the boats and campgrounds… fit a bit of that in this past weekend.  Storms and Tornado Warnings put up a lousy fight.

Addicted to coffee?  Well you may or may not care about this project.

Addicted to everything that has to do with (good) coffee-i.e. the experience, the history, the varied cultures surrounding it- or have a great knack for torturing yourself by looking at the beautiful places you’re not at right now? You may wanna check this out

I have been reminded in about 2 minutes that Italians are so much cooler than us ( “We don’t have those”- mimicking “venti” cup size) and that if you’re cute, stylish and from West Virginia you somehow get to travel all over the world and drink and eat awesome things and write about them.  Am I missing something? Am I Bitter?  Perhaps slightly. Pun could not be more intended.

Did I mention I can’t even drink very much coffee right now due to health reasons?  Bah!!

And now is when i plug our fave local coffee spots where they know their stuff.  you may call them snobs but i call them friends.

Want more? check out my dear Jess’s photo collection of that most special and happily welcomed cup o’ ebony

I mean – if you’re gonna be the stereotypical hipster, might as well just paint it on the walls loud and proud

Sophia be all like…. hmmm

and then all like…woah!

and then all like…so lovely to tee… i mean meet you

Another site you’re going to be addicted now is the Life Magazine archives. They’ve captured the most quirky and noteworthy of cultural and historical highlights all the way back to those times in which I say “I had no idea they had photo-taking devices back then”.

And then some smart pretentious person stops crunching on their backyard-grown kohlrabe saying… “Well actually it was probably through Daguerrotype.  I have one in my basement. I pretty much think it’s the only way to take a picture” and I won’t even have to ask what that is because i remember it from this book, but then I will go see this primitive processing system and snap a picture of it with my iphone camera.

Seriously though- i have no idea if that’s how these super old ones were taken.  Were they?  And seriously- how is that not already the next hip thing? That’s the vintage to top all vintage; the organic of all organics.  Wipe that sweat off your brow and go telegraph your photographer friends to announce you have beat them at being cool.  You will totally be the deepest under ground until someone decides to just start drawing everything.

So anyways i like these photos:

above by photographer (daguerrotpyer?) Wallace Levison

These are titled “Country Doctor“.  I’m startled by how movie-like they are while knowing the fear and drama is completely real and was actually occuring at that very moment for those people.  Talk about capturing something…

A conductor on the Yugoslav childrens railroad (what??)

Mamas- you don’t have to – but i think it’s alright let your babies grow up to be cowboys

The timeless romance of makin’ out at the drive-in (mamas- you might wanna worry more about this than the whole cowboy thing)

photo

As another hot and humid memorial day weekend approaches, I’ve been thinking about what my summer holds.  I don’t have any vacation plans this year and once again the regrets of not being a schoolteacher flood in as i consider the hours my swively rolly office chair will continue spending together.  But there will be some fun-making for sure.

First of all, I will spend as much of it on my uncle’s boat as possible!

Otherwise, I look forward to: summer nights, fireflies, and grilled meat everything;  farmers markets and the delicious breakfasts they will provide me with; yard sales and antique shopping; reading on my “veranda” and picnics/croquet in our side yard; driving through the country in Bea’s truck with no destination in mind; many trips out to spend time with the grandparents; hopefully lots and lots of mini-trips exploring my great state and those surrounding.

Certainly we have an abundance of the highest pleasures at our fingertips don’t we?

Real Simple has some great ideas and tips on enjoying your summer.  Read Here

(Look! No Hands!)

so while suddenly remembering and gazing dreamy-eyed on  Thee Exemplar cinematic of such sweetly beguiling style that is The Notebook (seriously- i can’t believe I didn’t notice this and haven’t been obsessing over it days before now)… I noticed a curious thing…

It takes a cynical, salty anti-sentimentalist not to let out at least the slightest of sighs when hottie Rachel McAdams exuberantly jumps into even-hottier Ryan Gosling’s arms.  But do the producers think we’re sappy enough to fall for it over and over again?

Apparently so (and they were probably right)

Let’s call it the Jump-on-straddle-leg-waist Hold (or JOSLWH).  Allie and Noah LOVE the JOSLWH.  They love it so much they practice it in the sun, in the rain, in a lake… They’re pretty much pros.  I mean -it’s like the Baby and Johnny flying hold accept it’s a little simpler and they seem to actually nail it every time-  without excessive practice to the tune of “Hey! Baby” and a slow keyed intro to “Time of My Life” (and in my humble opinion- to their detriment).

So…do you and your honey practice the JOSLWH like these two young lovers?  Tell us- Would you recommend?

so I told you there would be more on Downton Abbey.

I thought about “touring” the house or discussing the sometimes counter-culture relationships between the downstairs (servants) and upstairs (servees) or putting up large pictures of Thomas and O’brien allowing us to throw runny slop at their pixel-ized faces.

No, instead I’ll opt for my M.O. – obsessing over wardrobes and the girls I wish I looked like who wear them.  All of the daughters have their own lovely style but I’m unoriginal and typical and set my highest adorations on Lady Mary Crawley played by Michelle Dockery (add me to your hate list Lady Edith).  I drool over those dresses.

My absolute favorite of them all…I nearly choked and had to pause the show and snap a picture. Could someone please make this for me?

At first I did not know if I liked Lady Mary Crawley and to be sure there is much in her to sway one in a less esteeming direction.  Yet whether its by sympathy or simply admiration of a strong will, it’s easy to find yourself rooting for her as the series goes on. Do you think so?

I find her to be one of those women that just exudes gracefulness and that’s an effect that can’t just be made up and acted out.  So naturally- i’ve already stalked Michelle Dockery (the actress who plays Mary) and found her- at least in photo- to be just as charming. And gorgeous! And with a fantastic style of her own.

Have that funny feeling when watching the show that you’ve “seen that person somewhere before”?  See if you can  spot the stars of Downton Abbey

Plan to skip the books and just wait for the movie?

I admit i was one of those doubters when they cast blonde, fit & healthy Jennifer Lawrence to play Katniss Everdeen (although I’m awfully proud she’s from my town).  It just didn’t seem possible she would fit the small and slight, unassuming-yet unnervingly- beautiful role of the hesitant fighter.

But I must say this just-released cover photo of Jennifer as Katniss has given me a fair share of optimism.  What do you think?

I am obsessed with Downton Abbey- the costumes, the characters, the stories and relationships, the house…

I haven’t felt such anger or spent so many tears over a television series in months… years…

You can find it on Netflix for free.  Not sure where else for now?  My guess is that many of you are already familiar but if not, go take care of it RIGHT NOW!  There will be more excessive-more detailed- praise on this later.

The Oaks too

(a few celebrities included)

A new post with unimaginable earth-shaking brilliance (per MSB usual) coming your way but in the meantime, have you heard Stone Rollin’ yet?  So Good. Stream Here.

Happy Oaks Day! (a brief history and intro. to the Oaks for those unfamiliar)

This morning we had our annual pancake breakfast at work and couldn’t go without some Woodford… in our syrup, in our whipped cream, in a plastic solo cup   It’s been a full week of Derby preparing here in its home city but it’s not over yet so we’re giving you a few links to inspire your last-minute party preparations and keep you in the holiday spirit.

A photo guide of  this year’s lineup

Some advice for the Gentlemen

Martha’s recipe for a mint julep

Not a drinker? Put it in a cupcake

The lesser-known “official drink of the Oaks” – Lily

A Derby-themed ladies brunch

Celebrities at the Derby

And who’s attending the biggest party in town tonight?

Photos: who was there in years past

The cake this year: “The $2,500 concoction is flavored with a $200 bottle of Kentucky’s finest bourbon and wrapped in real 23-karat edible gold.”

Just look at those hats

An adorable Derby-themed birthday party

Paula Deen’s version of Derby pie

Love the julep cup. Perfect to use for flowers or pens and pencils or just more mint julep after!

Last-minute decorating for your party tomorrow? Love this sweet vignette

Entertaining dreams of visiting this horse town for next year’s race, or any other non-Derby day? Check out Design Sponge’s profile highlighting just a few of the gems.

Downs photos via my iphone after a Wednesday spent in Millionares Row