Aren’t these business cards for the restaurant Fig great?  They’re foil printed and the design is clean, simple, and perfect.  Via Stitch Design Co.

{images shown via Stitch Design Co.}

Soap is one thing I like to spend a little bit more money on; rather than purchasing something mass-produced and cheap at the store, I really love purchasing soap that’s been handmade in small batches with no parabens, SLS, or preservatives.  Your skin is your largest organ and keep in mind whatever you spread over it, it will absorb – so don’t give it harmful additives.  And if you’re going to shower everyday, wouldn’t it be nice to have a really lovely soap to use while you’re doing it?  These are from the masters of floral design, otherwise known as Saipua, but also check out your farmers market, craft fairs, and Etsy for a wonderful selection of handmade soap makers.

{images shown belong to Saipua}

I’ve been on a “gee, wouldn’t it be lovely to live on a small farm” kick lately (getting wrapped up in reading about one farm in Vermont, and another in New York), so this identity for Trill Farm by Bryson Loxley caught my eye.  Let me tell you…. you can never go wrong with photos of sheep.

Found via simple + pretty.

{images shown belong to Bryson Loxley}

I absolutely love these photographs of deer displays at the Chicago Field Museum by artist Debbie Carlos.  I must purchase one from her Etsy shop!  Check out more of her work here.

{images shown belong to Debbie Carlos}

Couples go through “ebbs and flows” throughout their relationship, which after almost 4 years of marriage and 10 years of being together, I’ve realized is completely natural.  My husband and I have our “good flows” where we can’t get enough of each other, laugh with each other for hours, can’t stop kissing and holding hands, and seem to fall deeper and deeper in love.  And then there’s the opposite flow: much like ying and yang, you just can’t seem to block from happening.  It’s almost as if you have to just let it run it’s course to get back to the “good flow”.  In this opposite flow, we get cranky and short-tempered with each other, the other person always seems to do something to irratate you, and even if you try really hard you just keep having silly tifts.  We’re in one of those “bad flows” unfortunately right now, but thankfully they never seem to last more than a handful of days (and we never leave an argument unsettled for more than 5 minutes – we always make up quickly!).  Coming across Nole’s guest post on Unruly Things (for Alyson since she was getting hitched!  Congrats!) really touched me, and made me think of the cards snuck away in my sock drawer waiting for me to give my husband.  Life is too short, and love is too important.  You have to keep going to get through the tough times, because when you have a partner for life you’ll always make it through to the positive again.  Looks like I’ll be sneaking a card away in his lunch tomorrow…

PS: This guest post from east side bride and her husband is also very sweet and I laughed out loud at several of them!  I can completely identify.

{image shown belongs to Nole via Unruly Things}

Check out Suann‘s new blog, Hip Hip Hooray! It covers all things kids parties: invitations, decorations, themes and such.  I will definitely be checking this site out when I help my sister plan my nephew’s first birthday party this August!

{images shown belong to Hip Hip Hooray}

HOORAY!  I’m finally going to the beach today!  Didn’t make it to the beach at all last summer and with it already being July, I realized it’s now or never.  And with this heatwave it will be the perfect day to head to the coast.  The beach is probably one of my top 5 things about summer.  I plan on sunning, swimming, relaxing, reading, and gabbing with a great friend.  Hoping this will be the first of many visits to the beach this summer…

{image shown belongs to Wei Zhang@Hudson from Flickr}

Currently drooling over the entire portfolio of Jessica Hische… what a talented type designer!  Definitely check out her whole portfolio.

{images shown belong to Jessica Hische}

It’s… So… HOT!  The temperature hit 100 today, and all I can think about is ice cream.  This might be yogurt instead, but it still looks decadently delicious!

Coconut Pinkcherry Yogurt (from Smitten Kitchen)

{image shown belongs to Smitten Kitchen}

I admit it.  I’ve been a very bad gardener this year.  I have not been outside weeding, pruning, and taking the time to help my garden grow.  I never even put mulch down this year, and the weeds are growing like haywire.  Everytime I look outside my window or pull in the driveway, I see it – the grass needs to be mown, the weeds need to be pulled, the flowers need more organic fertilizer.

Seeing these lovely outdoor shots from Heather Smith Jones makes me want to be a better gardener though.  I feel inspired to get back at it when I see these photographs, they have such a lovely feeling to them.  I love when a few simple shots can really strike a chord within you, and these certainly do for me.

{images shown belong to Heather Smith Jones}