minor obsessions : full steam ahead

What. a. week. Apologies for the infrequent posting lately, but it's likely to continue as moving arrangements charge ahead. The good news is that we signed a lease on an apartment (no living in our car!), so at least the stress of apartment hunting--from across the country, no less--is over. It's also been a challenge to fit in all of the people time before the move. It seems like everyone wants to visit and hang out, & while I get so excited for visitors and enjoy having a full social calendar, it gets a bit daunting to try to schedule time to see all the people I love. It's a lot to cram in to five (!!!) weeks!

So that's why I'll only be posting a couple times a week. Deal with it. And that's why there are only four items in obsessions this week instead of the graphically pleasant quintet.

I've wanted a watch for about a year now, but have yet to find one that I really love (read: isn't lined with rhinestones). This one makes me think I should shop in the men's watch section?

A lovely winter cape...why yes, it has frequently been over 100 degrees this month.

image from here

Yes, I am one of those people who love the Olympics. This handy guide will help with your viewing. Yes, I'll probably cry while watching the inspirational pieces & medal ceremonies (their dreams are coming true!!!).

Elise from enJOY it. has been doing a blog series about the artwork in her home, and I especially love this piece.

I'm off to job hunt and tackle more on my to-do list. The good news is that I can sort & pack linens while watching the Olympics. Which means I don't have to miss Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh go for another gold medal. Win-win!

Have a wonderful weekend!

minor obsessions : namesake

We've come to another languid summer weekend again. Most likely, the weekend feeling will stretch well into the upcoming week since the 4th of July falls on a Wednesday. Anyone have any fun plans? I just found out my brother will be visiting me in Chicago on the 4th and am beyond excited. I'm very fortunate to have two kick-ass siblings.

Now let's talk about lions.

I love them. Their name is in my blog name. They might be my favorite animal (I am an animal lover and have many favorites, but lions are up at the top). I'm a big cat admirer in general and once took an entire disposable camera full of pictures of the same big cat at a zoo from 100 different angles. I follow a non-profit organization called Panthera that works towards wild cat conservation and runs an amazing project called Lion Guardians. Lions are brave and majestic and the males have great hair. What's not to love?

Now that's what I'm talkin' about.

I don't think I have to explain why I'd want this slouchy lion tunic.

Dane gave me this lion Spirithood for my birthday one year and I love it...way too hot to wear right now, but in the winter it definitely gets a few rotations.

This sign in the window of a pet groomer's nearby is just too funny. That kitty looks shocked and angry about his new 'do.

 

Maybe I've been in the city too long and am itching to see a night sky full of stars, but I've been loving all things galactic lately. This Leo constellation necklace is just lovely (although I'd have to get one for Scorpio).

Grrr!

minor obsessions: water sign

Happy Friday dear readers! Has this week felt long to anyone else? I found myself frequently forgetting what day it was and needing the weekend as far back as Wednesday. I haven't had much time recently to browse the internet, but I have been noticing a water motif in the pictures and items I'm clicking and pinning. My astrological sign, Scorpio, is a water sign, so maybe my stars are just acting up.

I would love to jump off a small cliff into a lagoon at some point in my life...I also think a photo of me *gracefully* leaping into some clear blue water would be a great header image for this blog!

This is a sneak peak of some of the stunning artwork you will see if you head over to Cheri Lee Charlton's exhibition at Swim Cafe this month! Browse her gor-ge-ous work here!

 I would probably end up drinking this Prosecco Sangria like it was water.

 This Holding Hands print by artist Laura Berger currently sits upon our mantle, and I can't wait to give it a more permanent frame and place once we move.

 Saltwater Sandals are the more fashionable alternative to "land & sea" shoes. They're rumored to be very high quality and oh so comfortable--they also have sizes for ages 0-100 (sorry, 101 yr olds). Me want.

I have a pretty big day ahead of me tomorrow that involves brunch and a matinee movie, and a whole weekend of performances. I also have a few upcoming DIYs for you that I'm pretty excited about! TGIF people!

minor obsessions : summer is coming

With gorgeous weather & the NATO summit in town, it seems like a holiday weekend! The sun is shining and it isn't too humid. People are enjoying themselves on patios and in the park. Also, this whole city smells like a grill, in a good way. I don't know how that's possible--is it National Grilling Day? A City-wide BBQ? Are city officials pumping the national scent of the American summer into the air just for this occasion? It may forever be a mystery.

This sunhat from ModCloth is perfect--not too big & floppy (I want to be able to see!), but with a large enough brim to keep sun damage at bay.

I am eating this vegan ice cream as I write this post (only sans chocolate chips...I didn't have any handy). It is so, so, SO, so good. And the velvety texture is to die for! Next time I'm including the chocolate though :)

Dressing like a hippie is much easier in the summer, because you can't be mistaken for a bag lady. This maxi dress is incredibly light & gorgeous (also, was that girl on ANTM??).

In preparation for the Avengers, we watched Thor a few weeks ago, and I was drooling over the spacescapes. Now I really want this cosmic print skirt (and Charlotte from So In Carmel makes it look so cool!).

The wooden sunglasses they make over at Tumbleweeds will always be on my wishlist until I am responsible enough not to break or lose every pair of sunglasses I own.

I hope you can get out and enjoy this lovely weather! I am thinking of having a happy hour for one (Dane is out of town for the weekend) and mixing myself a little cocktail to sip on the back porch...