Hobbit House.

Check out this adorable little hobbit house! I want to live here! Simon Dale and his family built this eco-friendly home in the Wales countryside with natural, recycled and repurposed materials. This family is just adorable...I want to squeeze them! Learn how to build your own and check out their inspirational story here.

Bilbo Baggins' House in Bag End from the film trilogy Lord of the Rings.

Music of the Soul-Michael Jackson

Music of the Soul is back and of course I am starting with Michael Jackson.

There is too much to even say. I have always been a fan. My earliest memories of his music were learning his moves and listening to tapes with my cousins Rozlin and Johanna. They were older and my sister and I were their human barbie dolls. The two of them would dress us up, style our hair and do our makeup. Then they would teach us the lyrics and dance moves to "Beat It" and we would be sent upstairs to perform our "show" for the adults. I remember exactly where I was when I first heard of and saw a photo of Michael Jackson....in my Aunt Laurie's bedroom using her curling iron. Roz and Johanna were having a debate over who liked him more. I must have been 7 and my cousins were my idols. For them to be obsessed with a boy meant he must be the coolest person ever. I was hooked.

Now I will never forget the day that I heard he had passed away. I guess he was so much a part of American culture as I have come to know it that I never thought of him not being in the world anymore. I don't remember a party that I've been to that one of his songs hasn't been played and I don't think I will ever stop trying to do the moonwalk.

No matter what opinion you have of his eccentricities and the controversy surrounding him, there is no denying he is a legend. He contributed to over 39 different charities throughout his career by raising and donating millions of dollars and using his larger than life persona to draw attention to some of the most important issues of the 80's and 90's. His dancing completely mesmerizes me and even though every radio and television station has been playing his videos and songs non stop for almost 3 days, I still can't get enough.

What I love about the music is that each of my favorite songs triggers very distinct memories for me. I absolutely love the earlier material from the Jackson 5 days. "I Want You Back" will always remind me of my very first summer job: blueberry picking with my sister and my friend Caitlin. We learned every word and tried to choreograph our own dance to it that summer. I cry every time I hear "Man in the Mirror". And "Thriller" and "Beat It" are on every playlist for every party I have ever thrown. I was in total awe by the video for "Bad". I don't know that I can actually pick a favorite but "Heal the World", "Ben" and "Bad" and "Dirty Diana" would be in my top 10. And though I love Thriller, the album that launched him into super stardom, I think my personal favorite album is Bad. His performances have, and always will be, incomparable and the passion he brought to not just music but to everything he did is overwhelming. I have never been too much into live music (mainly because the crowds get to me) but he will be the one entertainer I will regret never seeing live.

His life was an absolute mystery, full of passion and secrecy. Media scrutiny, adoration, obsession, accusations and criticism. Creepiness and hopefulness. Curiosity and love. By the end it seemed as if he was creating a fairy tale world for himself to escape into with a dark, tragic ending. I can't wait for Tim Burton to make a film about his life. I know that biopics are not Burton's forte but what a great project that would be!

What an amazing entertainer, what an amazing talent, what an amazing life, what an amazing legacy. The King of Pop will be missed!


My sister and I performing at my Aunt's house 1994

Turn on Billie.

Here is the new video from the talented Pierces. As you know from my previous post, I'm in love with them and I love this video. This is my absolute favorite song of theirs. It reminds me of an old Betty Grable film. Enjoy and share your love for them in the comments section, I want these girls to be around for awhile!

The Pierces - New Music - More Music Videos

Dream Bedroom.

My good friend Jen of Jenloveskev was recently featured on one of my favorite blogs Design*Sponge. She did an amazing bedroom makeover starting with a few sketches and pics of some of her favorite items. She got such wonderful feedback and inspired so many readers to undertake projects of their own (including me). Thanks Jen! So over the next couple of months here is my plan for our bedroom. Let me know what you think!

Bedroom by Ajoi on Polyvore.com

Tattoo.

Well hello there. Good to see you again. Sorry it's been so long. I have no excuses really...I guess I got a little discouraged with this blog. I feel like there are only a handful of people who actually follow this blog and I know I was started out doing this for myself like a journal...but it certainly encourages me to keep up with it more when I know that others enjoy it too. Well anyway...I realized the other day that the me and that handful of people are important enough to continue with it :)

Anyway, now that apologies are out of the way....Tattoos have been on my mind recently. I want more and I've finally made up my mind what I want (I'm not telling-it's a secret until I get it done).

I know that tattoos, piercings and body modification have a negative connotation to some people. Mainly that they "look trashy" or the cliched "You might like it now but you'll regret it when you're older". Yes, I can understand that if you get the tazmanian devil tattooed on your neck because your friends dared you to when you were drunk. However, I firmly believe that if you are getting a meaningful, self-representing tattoo, there is no reason that you'll regret it.

The history of tattoos and body modification goes so far back and is steeped in such meaning and sacred origin that I think that if you go about it the right way, the process of getting a tattoo can be a very deep or even spiritual experience. People always ask if my tattoo hurt. Of course it hurt but it was the type of pain that is self inflicted and because it is a repetitive pain it becomes almost like meditation. I actually really enjoyed it. I can see how people become addicted to them.

So, I will be saving for my next one and researching tattoo artists. If you have any suggestions let me know! I leave you with some of my favorite tattoo pics.