Yesterday I caught sight of the pink beauties below and just had to take a picture.  Their brightness not only stood out among the otherwise standard tones of winter footwear but the personality they convey is uplifting, inspiring and fun.

I was perusing Cup of Jo recently when I stumbled upon a post about a graphic designer, Vahram Muratyan, who compares Paris and New York through design.  Once I saw the first couple images, I wanted more! I immediately went to Muratyan’s blog (he also has a book) and spent the whole morning looking at his pictures.

I went to Paris a couple of years ago and, OF COURSE, fell in love with the city. I find it funny because I am someone who dreams of sunshine and days on the beach yet, there are frequent moments when I dream of buying a one way ticket to Paris to figure out the rest of my life later. There are many parallels between New York and Paris, though as the these images often show, Paris is just way cooler. Let’s be honest.

Aren’t these SO fun?! I want to get a couple for my apartment.

Cup of Jo also recently did a post on French parenting that I loved! You should check it out of you are interested in the cultural differences between American and French parenting methods.

I have quite an affection for quirky things.  A few years ago, I came across these laminated watches by Hally McGehean, which she makes from magazine clippings.  I think they are brilliant and so fun and playful.

I am also a huge fan, and owner of, Swatch’s Light Me Up Watch.  I was given this watch by some very hip and generous friends on my 30th birthday.  When you tap the watch’s face, it lights up to glow in the dark.

And you can’t dismiss the power of wearing a message around your wrist.  Though, I don’t love the design of this Now is the Time Watch (found here), I really like the idea of it.  In case you want to write your own message, or change it up whenever you want, Post-It and PA design offer this clever paper alternative.

Time’s a ticking, everybody. Can’t wait until later to have fun.

Farrell and I share a love for dressing up in costume and both really enjoy the transformative power of donning a wig.

It is a passion clearly inherited from our fun-loving mother.

There’s really nothing like that instantaneous feeling of metamorphosis that suddenly takes over.  A simple change in color, style, texture or length and voila, a whole new you!

I have many recollections of past Halloween and costume parties, as well as a few random just-because moments, that were heavily enhanced by sporting a wig.  But among them all, there’s one in particualar that really stands out.

When I was in college, I studied abroad in Prague for a semester.  My friends and I found an awesome wig store on one of our weekend trips away and each bought one as a souvenir.  My friend Jo selected a long, straight-haired purple number with bangs.  On the last night of our program, she wore it out to the neighborhood bar, directly across the street from our dorms.  The place was the epitome of a local watering hole and its Czech patrons could not have been more dismissive of our presence throughout our entire stay.  They were clearly unamused by, and uninterested in, the slue of American college students that regularly invaded their spot.

That was all until Jo introduced the purple wig.  We were in the ladies room when, to our amazement, one of the Czech women there not only acknowledged us but motioned to ask if she could try on the wig.  She slipped it on her head and a sudden display of joy and amusement came over her.  She and her friends fell out in uncontrollable squeals of laughter.  And then one by one, every woman in the group took her moment.  Each trying on the wig in the bathroom, making a grand entrance back into the bar and taking a lap as would a fashion model.  The best part of it all was that the same level of joy and howling laughter occurred with every woman’s turn.  Tears ran down our cheeks we were all laughing so hard!  It was awesome…

…because no matter who you are, every once in awhile, it’s important to let yourself totally wig out!

I’m a big fan of incorporating maps and globes into your space. I thought I’d share some of my favorite examples I’ve collected from around the web.

“A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it.”

-George Moore

(Photo source info here)

I recently came upon these fun Victorian Tattoo paper puppets. I love that each one comes with its own name and story and think any one would made such a playful addition to any space.  I really get a kick out of ’em.  Click below to view them individually.

Sir John/Miss Luna/Sir Craig

Miss Suzy/Sir Kyle/Miss Pam