Friday Favorites, vol. 34

1. polka dots
It seems like I MUST have already listed polkadots as one of my favorite things in the past, but if I did, I can't find it. So polkadots, reprise.






2. Justin's nut butters
Simple. I'm a peanutbutter girl. And since we've gone off sugar, I've developed an intense love affair with all-natural peanutbutter. But, the biggest problem with all-natural peanutbutter is that you have to refrigerate it! Luckily, you can buy these delicious, amazing little, single-serving packets of peanutbutter and almondbutter from Justin's. Perfect for yummy, room-temperature peanutbutter on apple slices. Celery. You name it.



3. Degas ballet paintings





4. my new favorite necklace



Thanks to Sydney for first introducing it to me!

This is one gorgeous, hard-to-find necklace. I found mine after scouring Ebay for weeks.
And what's this! Another one-- from the same seller. You're welcome.

5. all things Oz






A couple weeks ago, I started Wicked for the fourth time (a book I bought over ten years ago in college), and determinedly finished it, despite it being maybe one of the worst books I've ever read (flat tone, over-sexed, and the worst offense of all, Booooring with a capital B). All this from a book with such fantastic potential. I mean, the concept of a story written from the misunderstood antagonist isn't a new concept by any means. But the entire mythology of Oz is all right there, ready to go! The groundwork and backstory and language and setting and so much is perfect and already done. It's like this was waaaay too easy. And then the book just didn't deliver.

So I've decided to go back and read the original Oz books-- which I've never read. Have you?

P.S. Nathan and I watched Return to Oz over Halloween weekend. Looove.




BONUS:
Ruby Slippers AND polkadots!

Have you seen this?!

This article about Nano will make you want to stand up and cheer.



It was written in response to this other article that will make you want to punch this woman in the ... well, you pick a place.

Jess and B are having a baby!

Our wonderful friends Jess and B are having their first little one this December. We couldn't be happier for them! See these photos bigger and prettier on Nathan's blog.





When we talked about the look for the shoot, Jess and I went directly to one of the most talented photographers who brings an artistic and timeless look to the whole genre of maternity photography, Sophie Phillips. We decided on a lovely location, out in nature and long, flowy dresses for her wardrobe. For props, we went went with less-is-more. Jess brought a little leather-bound book of poems that B had given her as a gift. I also made a flowery garland that I thought would add to the look. She saw it and said, "I get it. Fertility goddess." I said, "Totally! Anthro just put out a maternity line. And today we're shooting their catalog." Which I think we basically did.





My favorite shot from the day:


Nathan also took his camera-- a film camera! All the black and whites are film, as well as some of these color shots. I couldn't be happier with these shots. And I couldn't be happier for Jess and B! We can't wait to meet your new little one. Something tells me Baby Archer will be one adorable and talented kiddo.

Nanowrimo: Day 1

I signed up with Nanowrimo again this year. If you haven't heard about it, go here. If you're participating, and you'd like to add me a friend (I heart friends!), go here.



The beautiful thing about Nano is the freedom it gives writers to silence their inner editors. I tend to draft slowly and revise continually, so my inner editor is never silent. For me, this is the very best thing about Nano.

BONUS: The support and community! I ran into my neighbor, Marta, at a Nano write-in a few years ago, and I might never have known that she was such a talented, inspired and inspiring writer if not for Nano! I've also joined up with a bloggy friend, Andrea, who's organized a Nano group here.

I've met a number of writers who pull a face when I mention Nano. Why? I think maybe because lots of folks who participate in Nano may only write during November as opposed to all year long. And the nature of Nano is to focus on quantity, not quality. It may be counterintuitive for many writers, including myself. But it's also quite liberating.

In the spirit of literary liberation, I'd like to post one of my favorite poems by Shel Silverstein.