Daily Affirmation #25.

Today, I am happy because...

These lovely quotes inspired me. What quotes speak to you, friends? Do share if you'd like! xoxo

[Quotes via We Heart It]

Retro bridal portraits

I never thought I'd consider doing solo shots before my wedding, but leave it to Elsie of A Beautiful Mess to make it look downright awesome! I love the vintage, 60's vibe too, with the red scarf and those red shoes. You can see her wedding shoot here. Congrats, Elsie!

What about you, friends? Have you done a bridal shoot? Would you? Would you have a theme for the shoot, like the '60s, or would it be more simple? Let's chat! :)

[Photos by Arrow & Apple, via Green Wedding Shoes]

Love story across the Atlantic

I'm so in love with this split-screen short by JW Griffiths. Have you seen it, friends? The winner of the 2011 Shorts Competition, the film follows one love story as it forms in two different places. On one-half of the screen, you follow a boy in Paris, and on the other, a girl in New York as they go about their lives, which are, surprisingly, similar. I won't give away the ending, but let's just say London will probably always be a very special city to them! :)

P.S. I'm officially declaring today wedding day on the blog, so look for another wedding-related post later!

[Thanks, Refinery29]

Daily Affirmation #24.

Today, I am happy because...

This poster made me smile. What's better than smiling and cupcakes?

[Poster designed by Allen Hemberger, via Black*Eiffel]

The Only One.

Friends, I'm quite proud of myself today. I wrote some new lyrics for the first time in 6 months. I started this one and then couldn't finish it, but decided to try finishing it today. After I wrote it, I realized that it was actually about my depression, of how it pulled me down and made me feel so helpless for so many months. What do you think? When have you felt this way in your own life, friends? xoxo

You're like an anchor to my heart
I'm tied to you somehow
You know exactly what to say
To keep pulling me down
I can't see the ground I used to walk on, can't feel the sky above me
How did things ever turn out this way?

Falling for you is like playing with fire
The ashes are all burned out
And I'm the only one left standing around
Trying desperately to say goodbye to you, but I can't breathe
The air in the room is just too heavy
If I tried to see through all the smoke of your lies
The day would come when I'd realize that, baby, I'm the only one who can save me

You're like the closing credits in a movie
You just sweep me up in your melody
It's such a beautiful song
And then the minor notes play
And the skies all turn into shades of grey

Falling for you is like playing with fire
The ashes are all burned out
And I'm the only one left standing around
Trying desperately to say goodbye to you, but I can't breathe
The air in the room is just too heavy
If I tried to see through all the smoke of your lies
The day would come when I'd realize that, baby, I'm the only one who can save me

And someday I'll look back on these days, knowing I made it through
Because I was stronger than you...

Falling for you is like playing with fire
The ashes are all burned out
And I'm the only one left standing around
Trying desperately to say goodbye to you, but I can't breathe
The air in the room is just too heavy
If I tried to see through all the smoke of your lies
The day would come when I'd realize that, baby, I'm the only one who can save me

Falling for you is like playing with fire
The ashes are all burned out
And I'm the only one left standing around
Trying desperately to say goodbye to you, but I can't breathe
The air in the room is just too heavy
If I tried to see through all the smoke of your lies
The day would come when I'd realize that, baby, I'm the only one who can save me

[Photo via Audrey Hepburn Complex]

Food Art.

It's not even lunch and already my stomach is doing that little rumbling thing that, if I were at work right now, would leave red-faced and embarrassed. Maybe that's why I'm in awe of artist Judith Klausner's food art series. The embroidered toast just blows my mind. Doesn't it look real?Anyone know who these faces in the oreo cameos are? Genius!

P.S, And check out this cereal art too!

P.P.S. A new song coming up soon! :)

[Via Colossal]

How I Feel (In 5 Photos) Wednesday.

"Oh, it's a crazy ride, and baby you and I are keeping our sweet love alive...tonight while we're young and beautiful." --Carrie Underwood

[Photos via dreaming]

Daily Affirmation #23.

Today, I am happy because...

I finally discovered the joys of Pandora radio! Where have you been all my life, Pandora? What's your favorite Pandora station, friends? As you can see, I'm pretty addicted to the Taylor Swift station.... :)

City In A Bag.

Genius: These City In A Bag kits from Paper Pastries would make perfect little gifts for wedding or house guests, wouldn't they? I love how they capture the essense of the city. What about you, friends? If you only had a small bag, how would you represent your city? What would you include? I'd love to know! xoxo

Would You Like To Advertise?

Would you like to advertise on So about what I said...? I have several ad spots now available, and am offering special summer rates and giveaway options.

I'm so excited to offer advertising opportunities to online shop owners, Etsy sellers, photographers, bloggers and designers. Ads are displayed and rotated weekly on the left sidebar and giveaway options are available with the purchase of an ad at no extra cost.

My rates are ideal venues for small businesses.

Please email mellow1422 (at) aol (dot) com for rates and specials. Thank you so much, and I look forward to working with you! xoxo

[Image designed by the wonderful Ez]

Daily Affirmation #22.

Today, I am happy because...

I have my freedom! Seeing as how a certain Mr. Rod Blagojevich will be spending a considerable amount of time indoors for the foreseeable future, I'm not going to take my freedom for granted this summer! xoxo

[Photo via We Heart It]

Love Lounge: I Love You, I Hate You.

I used to think I wanted the kind of love that makes you see everything through rose-colored glasses. From the time I was a teenager, I was certain that I knew what I wanted. I wanted the sort of relationship that was, by all accounts, perfect. My chosen beau and I got along perfectly. We finished each other's sentences. He was sweet and sensible and got along perfectly with my parents.

In a word, it was safe.

And now? While part of me still wants that, my mind has been going back to a Taylor Swift lyric I've been mulling over all weekend...

But I miss screaming and fighting and kissing in the rain
It's 2 a.m. and I'm cursing your name
You're so in love that you act insane
And that's the way I loved you
Breaking down and coming undone
It's a rollercoaster kind of rush
And I never knew I could feel this much
You know me, friends, this got me thinking. Could a relationship that feels too perfect be, well, just that? If I'm with the person who says everything I want to hear and does everything I want, I can't help but wonder if things would turn bland and boring. Too safe, you know? Too comfortable, you know?

Maybe I want the sort of passion and spark that comes from constantly being so in love that you can't help but fight. The kind you put your whole soul into, and for the first time, you feel different. You feel different because you're finally feeling something, maybe for the first time. And you think to yourself, "Hmmmm, so this is what love feels like..." Does that make sensse?

Which would you rather have, friends: Safe and comfortable, or complicated and passionate? xoxo

[Photos via Le Love]

Man Candy Monday.

Happy last Monday of June, friends! Can you believe it? I was introduced to today's guy by my sister, actually. She'd tell me little factoids about this guy and his band, and eventually made me watch a documentary about them. I'll admit that I was intrigued. There was an air of mystery about him. He marched to the beat of his own drum. Oh, and he hung out with this guy last week...

JACK WHITE!!!!!!!!!!

Have A Wonderful Weekend.

Happy Friday, friends! Hope you had a good week...any interesting things happen? What are your plans for the weekend? My cousin graduated high school this year, and her graduation party is this weekend. I'm happy for her, of course, but when did she get so old. And more importantly, when did I get so old? While I ponder my age, here are a few links from the wonderful Web...

Moscow, anyone?

I love these encouraging words...

Hello, color!

A romantic Up-inspired wedding!

Don't you love these polka-dot outfits?

I want to go to a festival now!

Food love: Yummy orange trees!

A sweet + snowy engagement

Happy first day of summer from Google!

Wouldn't you love to walk across the famous Abbey Road?

This homemade oreo ice cream looks yummy!

Could shopping malls make a comeback?

Do you know how your grandparents met?

Plane trails

Awesome vintage-inspired bicycles

How would you define cool?

Don't you love this outfit?

DIY creative board

The powers of mamas!

Interesting dog photo shoot...

[Photo by Elizabeth Brooks, via Magical Thinking]

Daily Affirmation #21.

Today, I am happy because...

I finally went to the new Noodles & Company that opened in my city months ago! The Wisconsin mac & cheese? Heavenly!! xoxo

Dream Home: Indoor Pool.

Oh, if only I had $10.9 million laying around... :)

[Via Honestly WTF]

Daily Affirmation #20.

Today, I am happy because...

Every summer, my mom and I choose a new TV series to watch on DVD. Last summer, it was The Golden Girls, and the summer before that it was House. This summer? The Big C, the series about a woman who is diagnosed with cancer and how it changes the way she lives every aspect of her life. I wasn't sure I'd like it, but we finished the first disc of season one yesterday, and I'm loving it.

What shows are you watching this summer, friends? :)

Strawberry Nails.

It seems nail polish love is spreading like wildfire this summer. Last weekend, I attended a baby shower for a family friend. The couple is having a girl, so as a party favor, each guest received a bottle of pretty pink polish (Isn't that a neat idea?).

And then a few days ago, my friend Lexi shared her awesome strawberry nails. And of course, they're so beautiful that I couldn't resist posting. Aren't they perfect for summer? You can read her full tutorial here, and try variations of your own if you should feel so bold!

So, tell me, friends...are you into nail polish this summer? Do you have a go-to shade, or are you trying something new? :)

Daily Affirmation #19.

Today, I am happy because...

I found some old CDs. Oh, '90s teen pop, how I miss you so! What was your favorite song from the late '90s, friends? Were you a fan of *Nsync or BSB? xoxo

Letters To My Future Husband: Letter #128.

Dear Mr. Melissa Blake:
Well, hello there. I do apologize for the lack of letters in the last few months, Sweetpea. I'm sure we will have talked all about these last few months eventually (who knows, we could actually be talking about them right now...), but needless to say, they were some of the most confusing months of my life. And now, in June 2011, while I'm not fully back to my feisty self, I have a little of my spunk back. What's that? You didn't know there was a time when I wasn't spunky? Well that makes me smile.

It's weird to think that years from now, this time in my life will only be a distant memory. I feel as though my mind is trying to process so many different emotions and feelings right now. They all demand front-row-seat attention, and honestly, it can be tiring trying to deal with all of them. I went to a party over the weekend, and even though I had a great time, I just couldn't shake the feeling of being different from everyone else there. Remember the days when I used to love being different, Sweetpea? The days when I wanted to stand out from the crowd more than anything in the world? I feel like now I'm scrambling to rebuild that sense of self-confidence that I've lost. Everyone talked about their lives and jobs, and I just felt as if I didn't measure up somehow. Am I a 50-year-old in a 29-year-old's body and having some sort of midlife crisis? I once had such a strong sense of self and my purpose in this world. Life throws you some funny curves sometimes, doesn't it?
I know, I know. Nobody really ever feels like they truly fit in. And nobody really ever feels like they have everything in their life all figured out. How did you deal with these feeligs, Sweetpea? I think, when it comes down to it, that I'm finally experiencing all those growing pains I didn't experience in my teens when my peers did. All the wondering who you are. All the questioning about the future (Oh, did I ever mention that I have a tendency to worry about the future? Well, I do...). But maybe I need to just stop trying to figure everything out. I'm trying to put myself on some sort of arbitrary time-table that is just that - arbitrary. Have I stopped doing that by the time we meet? Gosh, I hope so! Until we meet...

[Photos via Le Love]

Rainbow Wedding.

My jaw literally dropped when I spotted Jenn and Matt's wedding. How fun is it that they incorporated bright rainbow colors into everything from the brides maids' dresses to Jenn's accessories. And I love the grooms' adorably colorful suspenders!

Fun fact: The rainbow is a symbol of promise. The couple watered a tree together during their ceremony and planned to plant it behind their house. How romantic is that?

[Via Green Wedding Shoes]

How I Feel (In 5 Photos) Wednesday.

"And then a hero comes along with the strength to carry on..." --Mariah Carey

[Photos via dreaming]

Daily Affirmation #18.

Today, I am happy because...

Food art by Joel Penkman just blows my mind!

[Via Design*Sponge and Black*Eiffel]

Glitter Flats.

I'm loving these glitter flats this morning. They'd be perfect for frolicking in a field in a summer sun dress on this, the first day of summer, don't you think? What are you doing on the longest day of the year? :)

P.S. These shoes also make me want to watch the Wizard of Oz again!

[Via exPress-o]

Daily Affirmation #17.

Today, I was happy because...

I enjoyed a delicious lunch from McDonald's while on the campus of my alma mater. It sort of felt like a trip back in time! xoxo

Back Talk.

The amazing blogger and photographer Katie says that "sometimes you can tell how much people love each other without even seeing their faces," so she photographed people from behind. Aren't these photos genius? xoxo