64.

I’ve always loved little secret hiding places…

Via 100 Layer Cake

Isn’t this a pretty idea? Even though the boyfriend and I agreed not to to Valentine’s Day presents, I love the idea of putting a little knick knack and a note in a book for him to find.

When I was little, I would always make little forts to stuff myself into and read books by flashlight. For a long time, my favorite spot was the little cupboard under my bathroom sink. I don’t know why…it was dusty and musty in there, and I could just barely squeeze myself and a book in. But it was quiet, and no one could find me.

And I loved creating little cubby holes under my bed and in my closet to hide my stuff (mostly trinkets, pretty rocks, and notes) from God knows who. Isn’t that silly? I guess most kids are like that… when you have something that’s a secret from everyone else, it makes it special and kind of magical.

Kind of a random tangent, I know! I was just enjoying the trip down memory lane.

63.

Happy February!

I love February for two reasons:

1. It means spring is almost here! I’ve been dreaming of sunshine…

2. My birthday!

I don’t really have high expectations for my birthdays anymore (let’s be honest….it’s just another day. The chance of something awful or unfortunate happening is just as likely as any other day), but I do like to plan out something fun to do with friends (I’m thinking Taco Tuesday at the new Tacolicious) and make a wishlist…

This year I’m hoping for:

1. Film for my  Polaroid camera

2. This laptop case

3. New running shoes (mine have officially turned from white to a permanent shade of grey).

4. This beautiful dress that I’ve been obsessing over (every birthday wishlist needs something pretty and useless…)

To be honest though…a night of fish tacos and margaritas would be the perfect present.

(Another reason I love February? I love Valentine’s Day decorations. Yes, even the cheesy plastic shiny pink chrome hearts. Tacky, yes… but they still make me smile.)

62.

I like this. So true, no?

(via FreshBump)

61.

I love the look of black and white silhouettes, don’t you?

I found about a million great ones on Etsy. I kind of want to frame a bunch and put them either in my dining room or bedroom. I feel like the black and white would contrast great with the blue and green paint.

[All images via Etsy. Clockwise from top left: stellagirl, noraaoyagi, happythought, sadieolive, lineofsight, highstreetmarket, sweetiepie, Chigal, nowvintage]

60.

I love the Food section of the New York Times. It is the créme de la créme. Always the best of the best. (Mark Bittman’s Minimalist column? Enough said.)

A new favorite food column of mine is usually in The New York Times Magazine. It’s called Recipe Redux, by Amanda Hesser.

All of her columns focus on a particular dish or recipe, and discuss its story (or history rather) from past to present. It’s really fascinating. The history of food isn’t something I really think about on a regular basis, and I love how she picks things apart and puts them back together. Everything becomes so simple and clear.

I really love the graphics for this segment too. Especially the online multimedia graphics. The photography is great, and I love how they break down recipes/food into a science. Very Alton Brown.

Don’t you love them? I feel like I learn so much every time I read one of her columns. Plus, the photos are just delicious.

59.

I have my heart set on Coachella this year. The line up is to die for!

I wandered around Flickr in search for motivation to buck up the $250 for a three day pass.

It really helped:

via Guy Eppel on Flickr

via pixelhound on Flickr

via (Rachel Weinstein) on flickr

via Rigamarole on Flickr

via Guy Eppel on Flickr

58.

I watched a lot of Mad Men this weekend. And two (excellent) specials on the 1960s on the History Channel. I’m have such an obsession with that era.

Isn’t this picture very Don Draper-esque? I love it.

So classic, but edgy too.

PS: I love that today is Tuesday! Hurrah for short weeks and long weekends!

 

57.

Looking at Wedding blogs is one of my guilty pleasures.

Kind of embarrassing…but there it is. The photos are just so gorgeous! I love all the little details that people are putting into weddings–especially now. Another note-worthy impact of the recession. Handmade, (inexpensive), and beautiful details.

I saw this one on the homepage of Once Wed today, and I almost died. How amazing is that dress? I love the cinched waist with that beautiful ribbon. And I love the sweater. And the necklace.  And I love how she carries oranges in her dress. I’m just in love…

Enjoy!

56.

I’m kind of in love with these illustrations:

I feel like the style is something you’d find in a book on Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed. There’s just something vaguely American and folk-like about them.

If I was a mother, I’d definitely put some of these in my child’s room. They’re kind of like a grown up version of something a child imagined… There’s something sophisticated about them, no?

Thank you Jonathan Bartlett, for creating these–they’re absolutely beautiful.

55.

I am in love with this magazine: Pictory

I came across it thanks to a tweet from Dwell editor Sarah Rich (who is also helping with this new publication).

Honestly, I don’t even think I need to talk about this publication. The photos are so pure and beautiful. At times heartbreaking, at others funny, and at others inspiring.

Photo by Bernie Dechant. Taken in SF.

Photo by Henry Dombey

Photo by Steph Goralnick

I definitely encourage you to wander over to their site and see for yourselves.

A job well done Pictory staff. Fabulous!