Know You Better

How do you let someone know that they've caught your eye, my darlings?

It's a question I've thought to myself over and over all these years, especially when there's someone I've been thinking about in particular.

Personally, I almost always resort to written notes.

In the scary world of speaking out your feelings, there's something reassuring about knowing that you can piece it altogether on paper beforehand.

But, here's the thing. It might be just as easy as these few simple words.

I'd like to know you better.

Nothing blundered or miscommunicated, just a short little phrase with just the right meaning.

It feels like a saying that belongs to my parent's era, or my grandparent's generation, and for this reason, I adore it.

Maybe I'll even have the courage to speak it out in the future, should the need arise. :)

{Image from this amazing tumblr}

Ink it?

Ok, so I know tattoos aren't for everyone... 

But,

just wait...

These are ethereal, oh so feminine, 

and,

I think I'm in love.

Sheer washes of colour, vibrant and bold,

delicate lines and markings that imitate the finesse of a brush stroke,

intensity and opacity,

Oh my. 

Definitely falling hard.

This new trend in water-colour tattooing is absolutely gorgeous! 

   

I'm smitten!

And if I were the committing kind {I may or may not have a small one tucked away somewhere},

I would love love love to have something similar to the last one above. 

I'm curious,

would you ever consider one for yourself?

Happy hump day lovlies!

{Images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}

"Forgiveness is giving up all hope of having had a better past."

Anne Lamott


{Quote and image}

To my beautiful sister on her 25th birthday

I remember giggles in the kitchen, birds nests in your hair,
and the perpetual pickle grasped firmly in hand. 

I remember, practicing for Christmas morning, summertime hammock swings, and flash-light tag. 

I remember you being so far away that fall so long ago, hearing about the honey-men,

and being oh so jealous {and proud} when you took that leap over the great barrier reef. 

I remember our debaucherous Bachelor nights, and the lethal margaritas.

I remember glazed croissants, pizza pockets, and long walks with screams and shouts. 

I remember late night dance parties, and our strobe-light campground shenanigans. 

I remember all of the brilliant ideas we've had and those that came to be. 

I remember all the tears and hugs and everything in between. 

25 years of memories, and oh so many more to come.

Happy 25th Birthday Rachel!

Love always,

xoxo Tia

 

You're one in a million ;)

Butt Naked

Mhmm.  Let's talk nudity.

I'm not just talking about getting naked when you're alone about to hop into the shower, or when you're dancing around an empty home in nothing but socks.

Nope. I'm talking about naked saunas {SOW-NA}.

Being raised by a Finnish mama, saunas were a regular part of life.  Myself and each of my sisters had our first saunas just weeks after being born.  From then on, whenever we visited my Finnish grandmother's house, we more than likely ended up in the sauna.

 

The part that seems to make absolutely everbody giggle, squirm or exclaim, is the part where we tell them that we all sauna together, all us womenfolk at least. :)

Yup, ever since we were wee babes, my sisters and I have sat naked in the sauna with my grandmother, mother, aunts, and cousins.  That's a lot of nudity. 

But it's also just the way it has always been.  Part of sauna culture, Finnish culture.

Practical, direct, and shameless.

And ironically enough, despite the intensely reserved and quiet reputation Finns have, saunas have always been and continue to be social spaces.  It is here, where reservations or hestitations are put aside.  The heat is too thick and the steam too encompassing for self-consciousness.

My mama and I stumbled across this documentary, Steam of Life {Miesten Vuoro}, a while ago now.
This masterpiece explains the significance of the sauna far better than I ever could, have a look. :)
 

Would you get naked for a sauna???

I promise, it is bliss.

{Image 1 & 2, image 3, image 4, and 5}

Tuesday happiness

The sun is out, and it feels oh so good!
Inspired, I wanted to send some cheer and delight your way.
Enjoy!

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or find it not."

Ralph Waldo Emerson


Have a BEAUTIFUL day!!!

{Images 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and genius quote found here}

Through the woods

 Sunday, we set out for a hike at one of our favorite local parks. We've been coming here ever since we were tiny, with very short and pudgy little legs. Poor Dad was often left carrying one of us kids on his shoulders, one of us in a carrying backpack, and one of us in his arms. What a stud!

 

 We made it to the top, after I stopped a gazillion times to take photos and soak it all in. 

Thanks legs and lungs! And though we've seen this view nearly thousands of times, it was breathtaking all the same.

 Oh right, picnic time. :)

 After quite a bit of lingering, we wandered back down the mountain and into the warmth for some tea and treats. YUM.

“The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God.

Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.

As longs as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.”

Anne Frank

 {quote found here, all images property of With Lucy and Ruby}

Playlist Friday

The sun is out in our corner of the world & you can see the light in the air and on all the friendly faces soaking up the warmth. Happiness. And a wonderful good omen for the weekend! Fingers crossed it lasts.

Here's a playlist for your day. Hope the sun is peeking out wherever you may be. :)

P.S. How INCREDIBLE did Alicia Keyes look performing at the Grammys?  

The dress, the drums, the voice. Warrior goddess.

Happy Friday lovelies!

{Image found here}

The Ever After Kind

Happy Valentine's Day loves!

What better way to usher in the day of romance, than with these delightful images.

How cute is that couple above? Gosh darn it kind of cute.

I don't know if there is anything sweeter than witnessing a romantic gesture between an elderly couple. 

So infinitely endearing, and utterly timeless. It pays tribute to the kind of love we all want.

The kind ever-afters are based on.

A stolen kiss, the holding of hands, the caress of a cheek, a hand at the small of the back,

or simply two individuals walking in stride.

Is there anything more precious?

I wanted to leave you with this little snippet from
one of my all time favorite movies,
When Harry met Sally.

Wishing you the most wonderful day!

{Images 1, 2, and 3}

Pretty in pink

Ok, so I always thought Helen Mirren was a goddess. 

And just when I thought she couldn't get any better...

She surprises us all.

"I just thought it would be fun to dye my hair pink," Mirren told reporters, according to the U.K.'s Daily Mail. "I mean, honestly, I was watching America's Next Top Model and the season where there were the British girls. Well the British girl who won [Sophie Sumner], she had pink hair, and I thought, 'That looks really pretty.' So I'm copying her, basically."

Honestly, how absolutely fantastic is she?

Would you ever go bubble gum pink or a pretty lilac?

It could be oh so pretty. Especially with spring just around the corner.

Happy hump day lovelies!

{Article and image found here}