inspiration monday

while i was spending the day with my little bird friends in new york last saturday,
 my family went out into the city for some exploration, and ended up walking across the brooklyn bridge.  out of all the photos my little dutch sweetie took that day, this is one of my favorites.....and i couldn't wait to hear what these padlocks are all about!

as the story goes,  true-loves personalize a padlock with their names and date, and then lock it onto the railing of the bridge.

then, the key to the lock is thrown over the railing into the river,
symbolizing that the bond and commitment between the true-loves is everlasting.

i'm a hopeless romantic, and this story tugs at my heartstrings big time....

  but while i was at the workshop, my mr. romantic was creating a story of his own,
because when he picked me up later that day, he very sweetly presented me with a gift wrapped copy of the new somerset studio magazine, and said "page 22!"

and there, on the pages of a publication that's brought me so much inspiration for so many years, is the story of my "ocean of truth" paste paper booklet.....and i must admit that every time i think about it, i have to pinch myself to make sure it's real!  thank you SO much to the staff at somerset for an absolutely beautiful article!

but most of all......thank you to my little dutch sweetie, a.k.a. mr. romantic, for all the wonderful things you do that tug at my heartstrings.  YOU are my inspiration monday-and-every-other-day-of-the-week, and you will always hold the key to my heart!
love is forever.....xox


{journal page supplies: moleskine journal, koi watercolor, derwent inktense pencils, pitt pens, white uniball signo gel pen, 2B and 6B graphite pencil}

{there are thousands of love locks attached to the brooklyn bridge.....
to see more images, click here!}

perfect witchy parfait

happy halloween!
i have lots of fond memories as a kid creating the perfect halloween costume using items around our house, bobbing for apples at parties, going on hayrides, and running all over the neighborhood trick-or-treating with my brothers.   i'm not so much into the tricks, but i'm absolutely giddy over the treats.....especially when the need for that afternoon-sugar-rush kicks in, because let's face it, without something sweet-to-eat i tend to get a little, well, witchy.  so i've decided to create my own little witch-parfait using all of my favorite childhood halloween candies:  layer one is candy corn!

the next layer is a blast-from-the-past......cow tales, bit-o-honey, and smarties
(but please don't tell my dentist.....)

then on top is the chocolate.  lots and lots of chocolate, in the form of mini snickers, kit-kat bars, and junior mints.  this is a critical step, and it really can't be overdone.  smooshing the chocolate in the glass is necessary as it creates more room for more chocolate, and any overflow/spillage of chocolate during this step should be eaten immediately.

lastly, i've added a personalized sweet message with a subtle witchy warning:
have broom, will travel.....to hunt anyone down who even thinks about devouring my parfait, especially during that critical afternoon-sugar-rush time slot.  heeheehee


happy halloween, boo-tiful bloggy sweeties!!  xox


{parfait supplies:  tall glass, assorted favorite candies, lots and lots of chocolate.
broom tag:  scrapbook paper, "broom riders" stamp set, black ink pad, foam dots, popsicle stick, orange stamp pad}