...that sent me on an Internet frenzy.

I am perhaps a perfect specimen of Internet surfitude (yes, I made that word up). I was even crazy distracted writing this post and had to come back to it no less than seven times.

Seven.

Here are a few things that sent me surfing...

1. I read about the loneliest whale in the world on A Cup of Jo, and since I can't stand to not substantiate my information (hello, librarian), I went surfing for the original article from the New York Times. Easy enough to find since it was referenced in the articles. The Times article, which can be read here, sent me to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) site so I could listen to whale songs...

2. ...here. Pretty awesome. Listening to quicktime files I was reminded that...

3. ...I have to put some songs on my iPod for work tomorrow. We're hosting a junior high concert, and since there are only two bands, my boss is worried about filling the 3 hours. The solution? Call me, since I'm probably the only person she knows that possibly has music to suit middle schoolers on my iPod...and she was right. Justin Bieber? Check. Kelly Clarkson? Check. Lady Gaga? Uh, check and CHECK. Seriously, I have the strangest taste in music (mostly I love bluegrass and old country...oh, and classical. Liszt makes me weep). Which led me to thinking about what I'm going to wear for my first day of work at my new job on Monday. So I thought I'd go on over to see what Kendi was wearing today. She's much cuter and taller than I, and she can wear heels, which I can only ever wear in my dreams (thanks, asshat feet), but still inspiring. Browsing around her site, I found a link to the Modcloth blog, which had some design ideas in it, which lead me to...

4. ...this insane kitchen.

( I did not take this photo and this is not my beautiful home. I borrowed it from flickr user, Candy Pop. I know that I should have asked to borrow it, but I'm throwing ethics aside for the moment because I am exhausted, and explaining what i'm writing about without an even longer ramble would just be confusing for poor Candy Pop. So, I apologize.)

PINK REFRIGERATOR? WHAT? I love this. Love. Her flickr stream also featured a picture of a Boston, the original American Gentleman, my most favorite dog.

And I was pleased.

...grabbing my attention in the paper world

I have a thing for paper. Really. Stationery, nubble-y paper, watercolor paper (eek!). The accoutrements (pens, glues, lovely ephemera) are also fair game in my world. I suppose it stems from growing up in a household headed by a printer and a graphic designer.

1. I find Rifle (and its accompanying blog) particularly distracting. I'm also kind of jealous of Ms. Bond's talent, and have thoughts like "I think I could do that...naaaaah...I'll just purchase her excellence and revel in it."


2. In catching up with the world of Oh Joy! today, I noticed this little British gem, P&C (Present & Correct). Sometimes I wished I lived overseas...


3. I ordered some squirrels forest cats masking tape from Uguisu, and I can't rave about the service enough.


picture of Squirrels Forest tape from http://uguisu.ocnk.net/

The pricing was great, the shipping was crazy fast, and the packaging made me feel super special.


4. I visited the brick and mortar store for OrangeBeautiful last weekend (for those in Chicago, it's at 4658 N. Damen Ave.) and just loved the "Get your sh*t together" letterpress cards.

Happy Friday! Whoot!

...I'm keeping in mind for my cousin's wedding shower.

I've realized that while I've been away from blogging (finished up graduate school, trying to find a job, very busy), I do need a place to keep ideas online. Even if I bookmark something, chances are, it disappears into the ether. Even sites like de.lic.i.ous (is that right?) and Diigo can't keep me organized. So here are four things I'd like to remember while I help my mom plan for my cousin's wedding shower.

1. Fringed streamers via Oh Happy Day.

http://jordanferney.blogspot.com/2011/02/fringey-streamers-diy.html

2. Carrot cake whoopie pies, from Abbey Goes Design Scouting. Holy yum. I may be alone on the awesome-ness of carrot cake, so the "decorating committee" (me) will have to check with the "food committee" (my mom).

http://www.designscouting.com/2010/02/12/carrot-cake-whoopie-pies/

3. Tissue paper pompoms. Thank you, Martha!

http://www.marthastewart.com/how-to/tissue-paper-pom-poms-how-to

4. I love this arrangement, showcased on Once Wed. Lovely colors, and the ribbon on the jar? Very sweet (and something my mom can use her stockpile of saved ribbon bits on? Just a thought...)


photo from Once Wed, www.oncewed.com

http://www.oncewed.com/25355/diy-wedding/flowers/diy-wedding-centerpiece/