we have beautiful friends who sometime let us take their pictures.

Every once in a blue moon, you make a friend that changes you. Maybe not in a big obvious in-your-face ways, but in substantial, simple ways, over time, so you barely noticed it happening it at all.

And then they move. And you realize that they've changed you. They've changed the way you look at things.

Like bunnies, peonies, or pagan holidays.

And you feel just a little bit robbed. Robbed that they moved away, and that you didn't notice the changes while they were here.

But they have been here. They've done their work, and now you'll never be able to listen to a George Michael song the same way again.

Brad and Julie, we love you. We miss you. The people of Mississippi are lucky have you. Watching & being a part of your journey has been the pleasure of a lifetime.

I just HAD to...

Share this amazing illustration my best friend Simini did of me. I can't even begin to tell you how giddy and flattered this made me feel. I really do have the best bestie in the world. She is so talented. And I get to just bask in the glory of her talent.

And she knows me so well. She picked one of my favorite outfits of all time. Remember this? But I love that she made me look 1000 times better and more magical! That is my favorite type of art, something that goes beyond reality, and tells a story that a picture never could!

Thanks Sim! You are my favorite!

ps. you can visit Simini's blog here or email her at siminib@gmail.com if you want her to do something custom for you!

good friends and dragons.

I’ve talked about my friend Simini a couple of times on this blog. She really is amazing, not only as an artist, but as a friend. She and I have been besties since I moved to Texas, 16 years ago. I was a nervous middle schooler, in a brand new scary place without any friends. 

Enter Simini. 

Add her kind and easy going nature, and our mutual love for all things Star Wars, and the rest as they say, is history. 

She staid with us for a couple of weeks this summer while she was finding a new place in Salt Lake, and painted me this. 

It just melts my heart. Simini knows I harbor a secret (or not so secret but none the less desperate) wish for flight. Just like this dragon. She knows me so well. 

Simini, I’m glad you found a place of your own, but I miss you and wish we could live in a house of cheese together. 

Happy birthday my wonderful friend.

thoughts for sunday - more on serving

My friend Simini just got back from an amazing trip to Israel where she was working on a service project to paint a mural on a wall in a children's hospital. She is an amazing illustrator, you can check her stuff out here. Anyways, as we were talking about their work there, it got me thinking...

Sometimes I get these crazy notions in my head that service has to be something like going to a foreign country and building a house, or starting a foundation for starving children to really count. I'm not saying that those things aren't wonderful ways to serve others, but until Justin and I make our millions in gas station vending machines, those aren't realistic options for us. 

But people don't always need a house, and most people I know aren't starving. More than not, what people really need is a smile, a meal when they are sick, help cleaning their house, or with a project, all of which these two little hands can do with little effort. 

I don't have to wait to help others. there are things I can do now, and the small things I do now are what are going to make me into the person who I want to be someday. 

-Heather 

um. I love you guys.

I'm smiling a big smile of love at you right now, can't you tell?

Well friends,  my blog has officially been going a little over two months, and last week, I reached 100 followers. I feel so humbled and happy at all the new friends blogging has brought me. I'm excited to see where this little blog o-mine will go, but also a little nostalgic. You guys will always be special to me. My first 100ish followers, my secret little friends! Its brave to follow a new blog...will it be good, informative, is she crazy (you should know the answer to that one by now)? I'm always kind of amazed that anyone takes time to read my crazy thoughts, but I'm so flattered, and your sweet little comments really make my day!

I was actually super intimidated, and really really nervous when I realized that people who I hadn't ever met were actually reading my blog (I know, what was I thinking? People read blogs? WHAT?!?) partly because I had heard horror stories about people leaving mean or nasty comments, or spam, but I seriously could not be more grateful for my wonderful, sensitive and inspiring followers, who are never anything but kind and supportive! I know I still have a lot to work on, in replying to everyone and getting out more of the content that you all would like to see, but I hope you will keep being amazing, and patient with me as we figure this all out together!

I love you guys. Seriously.

-Heather

Cardigan purchased so long ago, I can't remember where or for how much
Vintage floral dress via eBay $8
Heart buckle belt via Savers $2.50
Clarks Indigo shoes via eBay $22

like my childish, heart belt? Cause I sure do!

animal friends.

H&M leopard print skirt: 10$ via eBay – Vintage brown leather belt: 3$ via eBay – Coral cotton JCrew t-shirt: 11$ via JCrew online sale – Brown oxford pumps: I’ve had them so long I no longer remember J - Black JCrew ruffled cardigan: 16$ via JCrew online sale.

More outfit pics can be found at the end of the post for those of you who are interested. :)

So I came across this picture yesterday of my best friend dressed as a little white bunny in kindergarten, and it was like the best thing in the entire world! She said that she just woke up one morning and told her mom that she “felt like being a bunny” and so wore the outfit to school. It wasn’t even Halloween. You see, this is why we are friends! I wish we still had that kind of confidence! Or that it was just cool to dress like your animal of choice whenever you darn well felt like it.

Seriously though, I think childhood photos are the best. I love seeing what people were like when they were kids, “so young and free”. I think that before every presidential campaign each candidate should put together a scrapbook of childhood photos to be used to help determine who gets the nominations. I’m just saying, it would probably be highly influential in who got my vote. J

Sadly, it is not exactly kosher to wear bunny, or any animal costumes as a 23 year old soon to be college graduate; so, I will settle myself with finding thrills where I can, such as leopard print skirts, or outrageously loud pants.

My amazing bunny friend has now grown up to be an amazing artist friend, and the best kind of friend a girl could wish for. She no longer wears bunny outfits to school, but she still has an unique, inspiring creativity all of her own that really comes through in her work.

Her stuff is seriously, absolutely fantastic. If you’re looking for some art with a lot of personality, check out her blog here. You might be able to convince her to sell you some prints or something, though don’t quote me on that, because I’m not sure how all of that artsy stuff works, but couldn't we all use a little more color and creativity in our lives?

-Heather