Canon SD1000 Powershot, I will master thee

by julielion

I've always wanted to learn how to take better pictures, but lots of things come in the way - mostly my problem with being a perfectionist. My biggest hang up has always been the fact that I have just a regular point and click camera, but that looks to no longer be a decent excuse as all of these images were taken by the same basic camera and are really fantastic (they were found and collected in this flickr pool).

The answer to all of my other photographing anxiety (I don't have a good eye, I don't know what all the options on my camera mean) is, of course -- practice, practice, practice. So one of my summer goals is to just get out there and take some darn pictures and stop stressing about how bad they might be. All I have to do now is just get off my lazy butt and find my camera...

by Lucee.

by erin MC hammer

by eastlincolnstreet

by Lucee.

by Christer Ådahl

by julielion

Bubbles

We took out the bubbles this weekend for the first time since September....boy, were they missed. Two hours into bubblefest 2010, I was reminded of a line from (of all things) the movie Knocked Up- " I wish I liked anything as much as my kids like bubbles.".....I guess there is a universal fondness for those soapy, floating orbs.

by aha42

by amboowho?

by monroe's dragonfly

by floridapfe

by Baqir Ali

by FragmentaryBlue

by ronicotton

{All images courtesy of flickr}

Thursday, the #1 new year's resolution, and Etsy

"Skinny Love" (8x10 print) by Subject2Change

In case you're wondering what the most popular New Year's resolutions are - usa.gov keeps a list of the top promises we make to ourselves. They are all there: money management, exercising, getting a better job, and giving up those pesky vices of alcohol and cigarettes. The biggest is, of course, losing weight and that's where this Thursday post means to step in.

Here are just a few Etsy finds meant to let you embrace the word "skinny" without actually having to extract your sweet tooth or deny yourself the pleasure of french fries. With these items you'll be considered "thin" while maintaining your already lovely form. So go ahead - get yourself a muffin and then visit with these Etsy items...

Oh, what thin fingers you have!

"6 Mixed Metals Basic Stackers" by brightsmith

"Mushroom Stacking Rings" by crownsnestmountain

"Skinny Sterling Silver Forget Me Knot Bow-Tie Ring" by PaupersBounty

Skinny belts = skinny waists.

"Skinny Elastic Rainbow Belt with Twist Buckle" via thedapperapple

"red leather dress belt thin brass buckle" via dahiliafound

"Vintage 1970s Skinny Studded Belt" via OldBaltimoreVintage

And who needs all that material when your neck is like that of a swan's?

silk "Vera" scarflette via happydayvintage

"Vintage Silk Skinny Tie" via CometSalvage

"Fine Jersey Scarf in Mauve" by JamesAnthony

I just wish all resolutions were this easy... Happy mid-January!

if I MUST make a resolution...

Forget resolutions for the lot of the year - I'd rather just focus and enjoy each and every one of those 365 days when I'm actually in 'em (hey! I think I just tricked myself into a resolution... oh, the power of the New Year! You've caught me in your evil web once again!!)

image via dreamcatcher