Inspired by: Elle Fanning

I first saw these photographs by Pierre Debusschere over at Honestly, WTF and followed their link to and interview over at Bullet Magazine. Elle Fanning is one of my favorite current actors--I am always amazed by how normal she is. It seems popular for young celebrities these days to act moody, angsty, and "over it" as an attempt to seem cool. Based on interviews I've seen and read, Elle retains a genuine enthusiasm for her job which is hard to come by in Hollywood.

renewed focus

You may have noticed that I haven't posted in quite some time, and I apologize! In December, besides rushing around trying to get it together for the holidays, I was working quite a lot while training for a half marathon. However, I finally have secured a full time job that I'm happy with and my race is on Sunday, so I feel like I have time to return to lionheart.

During my blogging hiatus, I took some time to think through how I wanted to blog in 2013. This online world can come with a lot of pressure sometimes--there are so many blogs out there that crank out one or more posts every single day, are always creating new recipes and crafts and outfits, and it can get exhausting trying to keep up. So I asked myself: what do I want to blog about? The question seems simple (and I asked myself this when I first started) but I arrived at a new answer this time. This is a not for profit blog (I don't have sponsors or ads), so I can write about anything without outside pressure. Yes, I want to share recipes and crafts with you, but only if they are something I will truly eat or use. After moving to LA, I don't exactly have the disposable income to be making daily trips to Michael's anymore! The posts I have loved writing and revisiting the most are focused on places I discover (near and far) and the adventures I find along the way. So in this new year, I plan to write more about where I'm going and I'm up to, with the occasional recipe/craft when they so arise. I'm aiming to post 2-3 times per week.

The design of the blog will be tweaked slightly to reflect my new focus. Don't worry, I don't know enough about graphic design and HTML to change it too much!

These are photos of the Love & Peace Spiral at Runyon Canyon, taken during a hike with some dear friends on New Year's Eve. I don't know who built it or maintains it, but it is a lovely and inspiring place.

It's great to see you again!

Inspired by: Laura Berger

I've mentioned Laura Berger's adorable artwork before, and her Etsy shop laurageorge is just the gift that keeps on giving. I love her whimsical, playful style--I double dog dare you to look at these illustrations and not smile. We have a couple of her prints in our home (Winter Animals & Holding Hands) and I absolutely love them. I'm itching to add to my collection even more--I'll take one of each, please.

all illustrations ©laura berger 2012

I also love that Laura is from Chicago! You should check out her blog--she just unveiled her holiday cards and prints, and seems like a genuinely lovely person.

Happy Monday! I just want to reiterate that it is going to be in the 80's this entire week, and I am very jealous of you coat-and-scarf wearing folks right now...

prints to scratch the itch

As a latecomer to Pinterest, I went through a period when I was endlessly browsing boards I followed, boards I didn't follow, DIY boards, popular boards, boards about kids (I'm not a mother or pregnant), boards about weddings (I'm not getting married), boards about home projects (I'm not a homeowner)...and on from there. Things were getting out of control. Luckily, I have tamed my initial overwhelming need to see everything ever pinned and now exercise a healthy level of pinning. I like pinning style-related, home-related, recipe-related, and pretty-related things, but try to stay away from the other 30 categories advertised. I guess I'd rather be doing than pinning.

One thing I do find myself attracted to are pretty prints and posters that I can't necessarily buy or display, but like to let others know that I like them. So, in the middle of summer, when I really want to hop in the car and just drive for hours, or get the itch to just go somewhere that is not in the city, or long for a real vacation and not just days off, I can pin these images and remind myself that The Big Trip is about 6 weeks away, and I will definitely get my fill of day-long drives and new places.

on Pinterest, but no original source link

I have lived in the Midwest my whole life...living on the ocean sounds so exotic!

from here

My motto, perhaps.

again, no original link

Sometimes when I feel like I'll end up living in my car and never land a job in LA and will crash and burn when I leave my comfort zone of Chicago, I have to remind myself of this.

from here

Trust me, Fleetwood Mac is definitely on at least one of my road trip playlists.

from here

 Something important to remember as I try to donate/sell as much as I can before moving.

I'd love for you to follow me on Pinterest! (Also follow me by clicking the button on the sidebar). And I'd love to follow you to see what itches Pinterest helps you scratch...wait, let me rephrase that...