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Inspiration

One Tired Little Boy
Inspiration

Links for the Weekend

Living in a modern western society, it’s easy to take for granted things like basic immunizations that you and your family automatically have access to.  But 1.5 million children die every year from vaccine preventable disease.  As it’s World Immunization Week take a moment to learn more about the issue and how you can give a child a shot at life.

I’ll admit that I am easily distracted and I think I feel more scatter brained these days than ever before.  So I’m loving these great reminders from a fellow recovering lazyholic.

Should I check my email?  See previous comment about being easily distracted.

I’m not sure I fully understood the difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain and England before I moved here.  But I’ve been here long enough to know that if you don’t, you can easily offend.

See the Northern Lights from the international space station.  Gorgeous.

WOW.  A dad captures this amazing film of his daughter’s changing face from birth to age 12.  And I love how you can see her grow into her personality as well.

1000 Awesome Things.

This giant Stonehenge bouncy castle was on the news the other night and I have to say it looks like an amazing bit of fun.

I’m a big fan of using photography as a medium to capture all the big and little moments in my life.  And with digital cameras and phone cameras it’s easier than ever to capture and share photos.  On May 15th, no matter what kind of camera or photography experience you have, you can join a unique worldwide event to capture perspectives on daily life.  Watch the video and learn more about how you can take part and share what’s important in your life.

iPhone Processing:  Shot with Hipstamatic (Watts Lens, BlacKeys B+W film)
April 27, 2012
Inspiration

Links for the Weekend

It’s springtime in England and that means that one of my favorite things is back, the beautiful yellow rapeseed fields across the countryside.  The patchwork quilt of bright yellow that covers the ground is just an amazing sight.

It’s hard being two.

I’m not saying pressure your kids into doing this but maybe this girl will grow up with a healthy appreciation for science.

Among other reasons, why Hillary Clinton is the new cool.

I know when I look through the thousands of photos I take each year, I’m in a very small percentage.  That’s the downside of being behind the camera.  But this article has inspired me to get busy taking more photos of me, to have the proof of my life, not just everyone else’s.

The world needs more girl geeks.  Here’s why it matters.

And, how does biology explain the low numbers of women in computer science?  Well, it doesn’t.

33 Animals Who Are Extremely Disappointed in You.  How can you bear to look any of them in the eye?

This wonderful letter from a mother to her 8-year-old son.  What great lessons about learning to respect yourself and others.

Texts from the dog.  (Warning the dog has a bit of a foul mouth).

Yet another reason we should all be concerned about the growing amount of GM food and the power of companies like Monsanto to influence our food supply.  The GM Genocide.

Plus, the catchiest song EVER.  Just makes you want to dance and sing.

Happy weekend.  Hope it includes plenty of singing and dancing. xxx

iPhone Processing:  Shot with the native Camera app.  Processed with PhotoToaster.
April 20, 2012
Inspiration

Links for the Weekend

I‘m beginning to think these Links for the Weekend posts are providing interesting insight into what’s on my mind during the week. Throughout the week I collect various links in the wonderful tool Evernote. It’s not until Thursday night that I weed though what I’ve collected and post those that filter to the top. Granted I did an Easter theme last week, but this week as I was putting these together I also noticed a theme. I didn’t even realize it but I’d collected an assortment of links about society’s pressure on women to be perfect with regard to body image in particular.

I’m loving this article about actress Megan Fox and her plastic surgery, at the ripe old age of 25. When someone already this good-looking feels like they aren’t good enough, sheesh.

What happens to 3 out of 4 girls after leafing through a fashion magazine for 3 minutes. (via Jet)

I’ve got a big nose. Here’s to learning to love my big nose.

If you didn’t already know that the beautiful people aren’t as perfect as they seem, see these supermodels without makeup or Photoshop.

Brené Brown’s excellent TED Talk on Listening to Shame. “Shame, for women, is this web of unobtainable, conflicting, competing expectations about who we’re supposed to be.”

Model Lily Cole wipes off her make-up as she questions perfection.

And my hero of the week, actress Ashley Judd, who wrote an excellent op-ed in response to the media’s speculation over her ‘puffy’ appearance. You can also watch her speak out on the issue in a NBC Nightly News interview. And just today, Ashley and The Daily Beast have taken the debate even further by asking women to share their ‘puffy face’ moments.

Have a happy weekend. You’re beautiful just the way you are.

xx

April 13, 2012
Inspiration

Links for the Weekend

In honor of the Easter holiday this weekend, I thought I’d share a few things to help you celebrate.

I’m not a complete Scrooge but I do try to be conscientious about not loading my kid up with candy and junk. So he won’t be getting an Easter basket full of candy and instead will get a few other little toys and things for playing in the garden that I know he’ll appreciate even more.  Here are some other Easter Basket treats the tooth fairy would approve of.

I’m not going to kid myself into thinking I’ll actually do any of these, but these are some great ideas for Easter crafts.

No wonder some kids are scared of the Easter Bunny. How could you not be after seeing these?

Take a little tour of the Marshmallow Peeps factory.

Who knew that Easter eggs are grown on trees in Germany?

And if you’re wondering how to get your fill of Cadbury Creme Eggs before they’re gone for another year, try some of these Cadbury Creme Egg recipe creations.

Have a happy Easter weekend everyone.

x

April 6, 2012
Inspiration

Links for the Weekend

If you weren’t aware, the “Anonymous” hackers plan to shut down the Internet this Saturday.  I firmly believe that are people out there capable of doing this kind of thing so I’ll be interested to see if they’re successful.

A macro lens is on my list of camera gear I’ll get one day.  In the meantime, I’m going to try this method to turn my 50mm lens into a macro lens.

Every time I think it can’t get any worse, it does.  Just another example of how bad the debate on women’s reproductive rights is getting.  9 Lies Republicans Tell About Women’s Bodies.

Are You in Control of Your Social Media Privacy?

This video will blow your mind.  I’ve seen this technique before but this is one of the best examples ever.

This list of 25 things every kid should experience is interesting.  How many did you do as a kid?

The most interesting thing I found about these time-lapse portraits that reveal the passage of time is that even when trying to sit still, people cannot sit still.  I know I’m a fidgeter.  What about you?

Be terrible at something.

What would you do in this situation?  An interesting moral dilemma.

The US Supreme Court is in the middle of  important hearings about the future of healthcare in America.  But they have other important decisions to make as well:  The Supreme Court Issues a 5-4 Decision on Where to Eat Lunch.

And, I’ve been shortlisted in both the Snap! and Go! categories for the BritMums Brilliance in Blogging 2012 awards.  I have to say I was pretty surprised, and honored.  If you like the blog, please use the buttons on the right to vote for me.

Happy weekend!

X

March 30, 2012