happiness is never stopping to think if you are.

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was busy, but really really wonderful. Now that Monday has hit once again, I am sadly reminded of the many things I need to get done.

While I work on this, here is a photo that is inspiring me at the moment. I love how edgy this look is. From shoes to sequins, the wild faux-hawk, and outrageously bold makeup, this photo sure packs a punch.

What do you think of this photo? And what did you do this weekend?

memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.

Scents carry memories with them. One whiff, and suddenly you are transported back to a significant time and place. I love those moments - so unexpected - where suddenly you are enveloped by part of your history.

I love fragrances. Perfumes, of course, but little things too - like the way the grass smells after it rains, the unmistakable aroma of a new book, and even laundry detergent. I am fascinated by the knowledge that special little moments are often encapsulated by a scent.

Thinking about this, I was particularly struck by the following paragraph.

Nothing is more memorable than a smell. One scent can be unexpected, momentary and fleeting, yet conjure up a childhood summer beside a lake in the mountains; another, a moonlit beach; a third, a family dinner of pot roast and sweet potatoes during a myrtle-mad August in a Midwestern town. Smells detonate softly in our memory like poignant land mines hidden under the weedy mass of years. Hit a tripwire of smell and memories explode all at once. A complex vision leaps out of the undergrowth.

- Diane Ackerman

What scents remind you of special memories?

i like my money right where I can see it: hanging in my closet.

There are a lot of exciting things on the horizon at the moment. Good people in my life, concerts to look forward to, and this beautiful optimism that has been following me around since the new year began.

Speaking of the new year, I made a fair number of resolutions this year. While I have been doing pretty well with keeping them thus far, I had one minor slip recently. One of my resolutions was to shop less. For me, this is torture. I managed to make it nearly a month, which I for one, am impressed with!

Here is what I bought recently.

beauty without grace is the hook without the bait.

Yesterday was the last day the Grace Kelly: From Movie Star to Princess exhibition was showcased in Toronto. In honour of this, I wanted to post about my experience. Unfortunately, photography was not allowed inside the exhibit itself, but I managed to take a couple of pictures outside of the exhibit.

laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart.

I finally decided to try a lipstain. My reasoning? There have been a ton of positive reviews about them, and I love the idea of not having to touch up my lipstick all evening! I chose: Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain and Balm.

get ready to party, get out there, get filthy, creepy and weird.

I love Jersey Shore. People I tell that to either instantly judge me, or sing my praises. Whatever opinion you may be of, hear me out:

I am fascinated by outrageous people. By nature, I have always been shy and quiet. As a result, I tend to admire those who are unafraid to take on the world. I see these qualities in many of the housemates. Furthermore, while I detest drama in my own life, televised drama seems to do just fine. I love watching it unfold, and trying to understand the way people react to certain situations. Lastly, and perhaps, most importantly - watching Jersey Shore really makes me want to go out and have a great time.

Since I will be going out tomorrow night with a couple of friends, I thought this would be the perfect time to post some pictures to get into the party spirit!

the pursuit of perfection, then, is the pursuit of sweetness and light.

Some things don't last forever, but some things do. 

Like a good song, or a good book, or a good memory 

you can take out and unfold in your darkest times.....
― Sarah Dessen, This Lullaby

Small, perfect moments can happen at any time. They can be found in the most insignificant of experiences, or the most profound. Lately, I have given great thought to these kinds of moments.

The most difficult aspect of this, is taking note of these moments in the first place. So often, we let life pass us by without paying much attention to it. Which is why there is something truly special about grasping a moment; When you can pause and think - I am completely happy. 

The beauty, is that even when time passes, you can recollect one of those moments, and smile, for that feeling is new once more. Everything can change with one seemingly unimportant moment.

I know there is perfection headed my way - I simply have to stop, and realize it is there.