no visual inspiration board, september 2014

it's september.

I write this at six or so in the morning, wet braided hair from my shower last night, cold toes from pulling my socks off towards the time of sleep.

I took some time last week to search for inspirational pictures and print them out. all to realize -whoops - I haven't got a printer in norway.

and so I'll describe them, to you now, best that I can.

beginning with,
shades of white.
off-white. side-of-a-cabin-covered-in-dirt white. soft white sheets and kind-of-soft white towels. white pillows that my head sinks into.
but especially that fuzzy, off-white wall that appears in photos, as a backdrop to a story.

and onto a black and white photo.
defining contrasts in one frame. simple.

to, a wildflower tattoo on my shoulder.
perhaps a sprig of lavender to begin with, on my upper arm.
then to add, mountains I've climbed,
trees I've stood under,
natural moments that have made me pause.
back in january, I'll start.

and forward to night-time skies.
beginning with a photo of a constellation tattoo on a back
and finishing with descriptions of the northern lights.

finally, to finish up with a quote,
"suffering occurs when we want people to love us in the way we imagine we want to be loved, and not in the way that love should manifest itself- free and untrammeled, guiding us with its force and driving us on."

I read that in the graveyard, and willed myself to cry softly.
this is what I felt, a small suffering for all the people I missed at home, imagining all the ways that they would love me, instead of having love be felt naturally.

and with that small exercise
I move into september
we move into september
overcoming the weak
becoming
strong.

july 2014

"july, julyyy. it never seemed so strange." the decemberists 

I found these to be sources of inspiration this month: 

growing my hair out to be at least this long (let's see how long I can go without cutting it) / blue, blue doors / lots of wood, and lots of drawing or painting white on wood / "remember that at any given moment, there are a thousand things you can love."

june 2014

june is here and that is lovely because it means less stress and more sun. right now, I'm indulging in photos of:

blue, mediterannian patterns / white dresses / big, pink, blooming flowers / yūgen: an awareness of the universe that triggers emotional responses too deep and mysterious for words. 

may 2014

loose dresses and floppy hats and sandals - I want to soak up plenty of sun this year / red fences and gardens, I'd like to spend my time in gardens, among flowers / on that note, lilacs, always / "ask her what she craved, and she'd get a little frantic about things like books, the woods, and music. plants and the seasons." charles frazier, nightwoods.

I used to love celebrating may day with my mom. we would gather all the newly blossomed flowers in our garden and fasten them into bouquets. we'd place them on our neighbors' doors, so they'd have a happy spring surprise waiting for them when they arrived home from work. that's may, for me.

happy may, to you.

april 2014

white, skinny, ankle jeans with simple tshirts (and adding a blazer because why not)- a minimalist spring / easter eggs dyed with natural plants / thinking about graduation and moving, even if it's still a full year away / too much gossip girl and books of people that live in new york have me dreaming/ "send that love into the world and let it fill you up" -megfee

march 2014

more photos of norway / "there is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for" / figuring out how to apply to the peace corps for next year / goals : no more nail biting, no more lazing on the bus / wreaths, white walls, and brown wooden chairs via amanda jane jones / love, always. 

february 2014

happy february! the grey of january is (hopefully) gone. I don't mind the cold, cold is fine. but recently it's been raining here a bit, and rain is good and lovely, but I am ready for some sun and flowers.

this month, my mind is full of travel / simple, classic outfits / pink and red and bright flowers / floral arm tattoos. 

I found out this week that I can afford a study-abroad trip to Norway (!!!). and I saw some photos of someone who had already been on the trip, and they went backpacking with preschoolers in the mountains, and I am so ready to go there.

so february, let's be great.

january 2014

2014. My year of finding more inspiration.

Cierra made me this framed bulletin board for my birthday, and I've been pinning things to it for the past week or so. And so my inspiration board has begun. Here is January's collection of photos, found throughout the internet.

From left + down to right + down + basically all over:

reminding myself it's a new year / gallery walls with antique frames / applying to a study abroad trip to Trondheim / thick sweaters and curly wavy hair and bangs / ornate necklaces with collars / a floppy felt hat from free people. 

And a little quote to remind myself to be more passionate about life.

& on into the new year.