SPRING SUBWAY ART PRINTABLE--freebie!

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eighteen25 came out with their Easter version of my favorite subway printable!

It's already helping to make my living room look a little spring-y-er. =)

You can get it HERE.

WEBSITE WEDNESDAY-- Vivian Maier, street photographer

This story about Vivian Maier has fascinated me to no end! 

Watch the video clip below for the juicy details, but let me fill you in on the basics:

• Thousands of old negatives and rolls of undeveloped film discovered in storage a few years ago
• Man buys them all at an auction and begins sorting through the boxes
• Stunned by the beautiful street photography he finds
• Begins scanning and archiving images never seen by anyone
• Discovers a name: Vivian Maier
• Googles her and comes up with an obituary...from a few days before!
• Through research, finds her to be a private, family-less, old maid nanny 
• She spent spare time on the streets of Chicago with an old film camera during the 60's
• Word gets out about this discovery
• Art exhibitions, documentaries, book offers, and movie offers follow
• Only a fraction of the images have been scanned--there are so many!
• Scanning process continues daily
• Every so often, a new, amazing image will be posted on THIS BLOG.

Her photography captures such a unique life from such a distinct time period. And I am in love with her style: pictures of real people, living real life. No posing, or lights, or editing. Just naturally beautiful.

Here are a few favorites that have been developed thus far: 

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(Check out vivianmaier.blogspot.com for the rest.) 

{lovely}

{Make anyone else think of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory?}

{fantastic!}

{poor thing...}

{fantastic perspective...love the shadow framing the women}

{dramatic}

{hard day? too much to drink?}

{what a coat!}

{classic look}

{lovely silhouette}

{neighborhood fun}

{Now days, these girls would be chatting through Facebook}

{love the light hitting that adorable expression}

{hello there}

{ha!}

{ya gotta go when ya gotta go}

{He looks slightly baffled over what to do with it}

{Isn't the cigar awesome?}

{such sweet, innocent faces!}

{pick a little, talk a little...}

{lovely lighting on the walls}

{Wowza, what a shawl}

{another classic woman}

{wise, wrinkled face}

{oh. my. goodness. absolutely stunning.}

{i wanna hear the music!}

{one of my very favorites}

Each one tells an amazing story. What are your favorites?

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE DITCH

Since we are on the tail end of winter, I thought I should post these snowy pictures I took a few months ago before they become completely out of date.

They are all taken from the rugged, natural beauty of the nearby irrigation ditch. Just goes to show that beauty can be found almost anywhere!

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE

So, Andrew and I were making a grocery store run when we walked past the Toll House Cookie Dough display. The cart I was pushing made a sudden, involuntary halt.

"Do you dare me to buy these?" I asked.

I had to find a way to justify what I was about to do...a way to prove to myself later that it wasn't my fault the cookies were placed in the cart and paid for at the register. He dared me, after all.

Unfortunately, it didn't work as I'd hoped. I'm still trying to understand why he just laughed and walked away...leaving me to wrestle with my cravings all alone. Very unfeeling of him! But, I did what any girl would do in this situation. Or should do at least.

I dared myself. A triple doggy dare with a cherry on top!

How could I back down from a challenge like that? That's serious business!

{You're with me on this one, right?}

Well, the rest is history.
{you saw the picture}
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But hopefully, I've taught all you strong-willed gals who never give into temptation an important lesson: Any sugar-calorie-butter packed disc of chocolaty goodness can be justified with a dare. It's that easy. It'll be worth every delicious bite.

I'm prayin' your husbands are more supportive than mine was on this one. Good luck.

WEEKEND

We had house guests this weekend that included these crazy cats.

On Saturday, we took Andrew's brothers snowboarding to Grand Targhee. 

Hi, Ryan!

Sunny when we arrived, but blizzarding by the time we hit the slopes. Perfect, powdery snow all afternoon!

 I love that the guys are having no problem going slow.

But I shouldn't make fun too badly. This picture was taken from inside the tree well I crashed into and couldn't get out of. I was trying to improve my toe-side skills at the time. 

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I'm getting better...really! I'm just not there yet. 

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Let me just add: it isn't polite to applaud and jeer sarcastically from the ski lift when someone below you tumbles head over feet down the mountain. 

{Luckily, the snow was soft.} 

Favorite snowboarding experience yet! Better than Kelly Canyon by a million miles...and even beat fancy  Sun Valley. If you're in Idaho itchin' for the slopes...definitely go for Targhee.