I've been thinking a lot about relationships—particularly friendships—as part of my happiness project these last few months. It's also something I think about as an immigrant living in a foreign country. I have been blessed to have some of the very best friends in the world, but, unfortunately, they all live an ocean—or an ocean and a...
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Classic Scandinavian Design
Now that I've finally come around to doing some design posts every now and then, I thought it would be fun to share a handful of classic Scandinavian design pieces. These are the items that I have noticed again and again in people's homes. In fact, I dare say that if you walk into almost any home in Sweden you...
Happiness Project: Watercolor Painting with Skillshare
Awhile ago, I decided to stock up on watercolor supplies. I bought a basic watercolor palette, brushes, and paper, and prepared to start painting. I remembered loving watercolor painting as a kid, and always wanting to learn how to actually use the paints as an adult. I even got a book, Water Paper Paint, so I'd have a guide. The best intentions,...
Scenes From My Mind (and My Home)
I'm making a bit of a departure here in today's post. Generally I try to write about something in particular—at the very least so that I have a sensible title line for each post—and usually, something that fits in with themes I generally cover on this blog. But today I'm going off script (or, more aptly,...
Happiness Project: Learning with Skillshare
This month's happiness project is focused on learning. For once, I can report that it's going well so far! I wanted to work on my Swedish this month, and I've been listening to more talk radio and reading more books with the intention of comprehension (normally I skim the local newspaper with the intention of getting half...
Do You Write in Books?
I love a brand new book. I love the unbroken spine, the sharp corners, the fresh smell. I love knowing that I'm the first person to open the book and turn each page. I remember in high school, when our English teacher would hand out the next reading assignment, I'd always hope to get the best copy. I'd...
It's Time to Talk About Ikea
I've wanted to include design—interior and industrial/product—in this blog since its inception. That's actually the main reason I included the "Beauty" category you see in the top menu. It's taken me this long to get to it, but I'm glad to be here finally. So this is the first in what *should* become a weekly...
Happiness Project Month 6: Learning
(Sorry for the short disappearance, friends. I started to feel sick late last week, which evolved into a pretty nasty stomach bug that hit over the weekend. After spending all day yesterday alternating between the bed and the couch and trying to rehydrate, I'm feeling a bit better today and trying to get back into the...
Happiness Project Month 5 Wrap-Up
This month in my happiness project I wanted to give myself an attitude adjustment. I wanted to pause to enjoy the moment, and I wanted to work on my bad habit of complaining too much. I was fairly successful in my first goal but less so in my second. It helped that I set myself up...
Alternative (and Free) Souvenir Ideas
Slipping away to some exotic or culturally rich location for a vacation is wonderful; bringing home souvenirs from that vacation, which jog travel memories and help the vacation last longer in your mind, is also wonderful. But that doesn't mean you have to stop at those kitschy, overstuffed bric-a-brac shops and pony up for some mass-produced (and questionably...