Yes, I look deliriously happy, but I have a good reason. The amazing Jane tagged me for the Happy 101 Award. The feeling is mutual, Jane! :) I wracked my brain for the last few days thinking about things that make me happy, and here's my list.
1 - My great loves: If you know a little bit about me, it's true that I'm quite unlucky (tragically so, it might seem) when it comes to my dating life... but I certainly have no shortage of love. My family and close friends are my support system and bring lots of joy and laughter. In life, I think we're always unrealistically searching for people who will love us unconditionally, not in spite of our flaws, but because of them. And somehow, I already have that in my parents, my brother + sister-in-law, the rest of my extended family, and my dearest friends.
2 - Art: I am an absolute art nerd. I stalk books on art history and criticism on Amazon. I visit museums often, gleefully. I used to work in galleries in Baltimore and still frequent openings for free wine (and a little inspiration, too). As an undergrad, I found a niche with the art historians, but took every hands-on class I could - design, sculpture, textile, painting, ceramics. My favorite art leans towards modern and contemporary. I love the modern German styles, from the Bauhaus and De Stijl and Weiner Werkstatte and I could go on and on. My wall calendar showcases famous typography, I kid you not. I could look at Jan Van Eyck's Annunciation for days and still be in awe of his ability to convey color and transparency. I find stained glass in medieval cathedrals to be overwhelming. I have a thing for Kandinsky, Richard Serra, furniture design, and performance art by the likes of Marina Abramovic and Miranda July. For me, art is all about experience and interaction, and I devour it.
3 - Bookstores: As a librarian, obviously I should be telling you to frequent your libraries (and honestly, the public library is where I have some of my fondest childhood memories), but oh the joy of an old, musty, used bookshop. I have spent many a Saturday afternoon on the floor between stacks of old paperbacks, poring through art theory, trashy memoirs, historical biographies, short story anthologies, and whatever else strikes my fancy.
4 - Crafting: This thing seems to have taken over my life. I dream about fabric swatches; I google embroidery stitches, and my bed is literally covered in yarn. I never thought something could become so encompassing, but I spend the entirety of my days making things, reading about making things, or thinking about when I'll get to have free time so I can keep making things.
5 - My bed: Speaking of my bed, I'm pretty sure this thing is the best purchase I've made in the past year. No one should sleep on a futon, and better yet, no one should sleep on a futon mattress on the floor. Last summer, I upgraded to a pillow-top queen-sized bed with high thread count sheets and pillow shams. And hey, I deserve it.
6 - Baltimore: It's pretty clear that I have a serious love affair with the city of Baltimore, the town for which this blog is named. The place is so different from neighborhood to neighborhood, so delightfully weird, and I never run out of things to do there. Sure, it has its problems (Hello, The Wire!), but who doesn't? No matter where I live, nothing will beat tapas outdoors on Charles Street in July, Sunday brunch in Hampden with hipsters, martinis on the 13th Floor of the Belvedere, Fluid Movement's water ballet at Patterson Park, midday coffee and knitting at the Evergreen, or shows at the Zodiac.
7 - Trying new things: Even the smallest adventure can really excite me. Downloading a podcast I've never heard. Eating steak tartare for the first time. Riding on an overnight train. My love for trying new things led me to knitting, to sewing, to my favorite restaurants, to cities I'd never explored. And this spirit reminds me to be open and to keep learning.
8 - Listening to my record player: When I pull out the vinyl, I flashback to childhood: My parents' old turntable. Dancing to "Cecelia" by Simon and Garfunkel in the living room. I still do the same thing now, but it's usually Van Morrison.
9 - Wearing skirts and dresses: In my opinion, this is one of the joys of being a lady (and I realize that many of you will probably disagree!). But oh, the freedom of wearing a skirt. The five-year-old child in me finds pants so restrictive, and I'd much rather layer up my crazy clothes in the depths of winter (skirt, leggings, knee socks, boots, top, cardigan, etc, etc, etc,) than wear a pair of jeans.
10 - Blogging: I've at times been made to feel that my blogging is self-involved and a little too self-congratulatory. And yes, it is! At the end of the day, I blog for myself. I hope people read and enjoy and maybe take away a little something from my blogging, but I fully admit that if anything, this blog is a record for myself. It is only after getting to know so many of you that I've realized blogging is much more to me - it's community. Know that I find you all to be so creative and inspiring, and that I aspire to be as talented as each of you!
And with that, I extend the Happy 101 Award to ten of you who make me ever so happy as well!
Image via Laylock
Brambles beret in Angel's Kiss Alpaca/Merino worsted yarn
Nutkin Socks in Crazy Zauberball - psst, I am loving this colorway.
Commissioned Toque in Lamb's Pride Bulky
Aaaand... I may have bought a few buttons today, too. Just keep that one between us.
above by Sister Corita Kent, a constant source of artistic inspiration.
From Lace in Translation, an exhibit at the Design Center, Philadelphia.
