November 27, 2012

Gift Guide: The Animal Lover

I'm sure everyone is smack-dab in the middle of their Holiday shopping!  I know I am.  I'm currently in the middle of reading this amazing non-fiction book about the history of the Ostrich, and it is fascinating!  This book gave me the idea of pulling together a few great gift ideas for the animal lover in your life.

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First, I'll start with the book I'm reading - Dreambirds by Rob Nixon.  This book was really popular back in the late nineties/early 2000s.  You can tell by how many cheap used copies you can find on Amazon : ). Dreambirds chronicles the effect ostriches have had on fashion and culture throughout the centuries, along with stories of the "Plume Boom" and "Feather Mansions" in South Africa. Nixon also uses the history of ostriches to share some of his autobiography about growing up with an immigrant family in South Africa. This really is one of the best books I've read in quite a while!


Also, I am loving these photographs from The Animal Print Shop!  I'm usually adoring the baby animal prints for the nursery of the kid we will probably have some day, but this buffalo print just blows me away.  I think it would look so stunning above a bed or couch.  Also, they have a nice little Holiday Sale going on!

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And next on the reading list, which I also think would make a great gift, is a book called The Elephant Whisperer: My Life with the Herd in the African Wild by Lawrence Anthony.  Lawrence Anthony rescued and rehabilitated elephants on his wildlife preserve in South Africa.  He and the animals were so in tune.  When he passed away this year, multiple herds of elephants could sense the loss and they traveled miles across the preserve to Anthony's home where they remained for days to mourn. Aren't animals amazing?

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Another great gift would be a donation to Heifer International.  Buying a goat or heifer for a family in need helps a family be more self-reliant by providing food and milk for years. I wholeheartedly agree this company's view on sustainability and charity.  I'm sure any animal lover would appreciate this gift of giving!


November 21, 2012

Thankful for Love.

In honor of Thanksgiving (and everyday, really), I'd like to say how all thanks and joy boils down to love.  Simply, LOVE. This interview of a Brooklyn couple, which was later turned into an adorable video by Story Corps, is incredibly touching. 

It reminds me that all anyone ever wants is to love and be loved.  So, I hope this inspires you to spread the love this holiday season, and always.  But get ready... it's a tearjerker.


Danny & Annie
from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

November 19, 2012

Music Mondays | Sufjan Stevens + Christmas!



Ok, y'all... I know it isn't even Thanksgiving yet.  But Sufjan Stevens recently came out with a new Christmas album called Silver & Gold, and it's full of classics!  But with a Sufjan twist, of course.

Here's a little sample:


November 15, 2012

Disney + Barney's New York

Disney and Barney's New York collaborated to create this ADORABLE video called Electric Holiday!  The intersection between fashion and cartoons makes me so very happy.  Hope you enjoy the cuteness as much as I did :).


November 09, 2012

November 08, 2012

Instagram on the Interwebs!



Ever want to peruse Instagram on your work computer?  Or download a photo from your Instagram account without having to email it to yourself?

Well, today is your lucky day!  Instagram profiles are live on the web right now.  Mine is basically a bunch of photos of food and my dog....naturally ; ).