If music be the food of love, play on

I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music. — Billy Joel

I suspect I will drive everyone crazy when I break out all the vinyls from the 80s, but I’m loving this Crosley record player Santa and his elves brought me. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday full of good company, love and music!

nostalgia

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

perks

This week brought some unexpected and delightful perks. I believe if you simply look for the good things, you will be surprised, daily.

Ironically, this is a half-full, half-empty story. After a photo shoot, I rewarded myself with this lovely latte from Kaldi’s. It was probably one of the most delicious white chocolate lattes I’ve had — that is, a third of the cup since the rest was spilled in my car! My car now smells like latte heaven. See, half-full.

Friday night called for red wine, spicy sausage, and an assortment of cheeses. Nomm.

I’ve worked two decades on a Mac. Yes, I love Apple. I took a new job in a PC environment and adapted to the right-click world. On Thursday, this happened. Feels like home.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is one of my favorite books which I’m reading for the second time. I recently saw the movie, which was equally emotional and very good — go see! Such great quotes and in the book, the protagonist reads several books (most of which I’ve read and would also recommend):

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (one of my all-time favs)
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
On The Road by Jack Kerouac
100 Selected Poems by e e cummings
L'Etranger/La Peste byAlbert Camus
Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs
This Side of Paradise by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Walden by Henry David Thoreau

I can’t wait to read the last five books.

{images Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

{the plaza}

I’ve been coveting this magazine since its first publication. It’s so very lovely… I was treated with this and a pretty cup from Anthropologie.

A stop at The Cheesecake Factory is a must. Shrimp with angel hair pasta and raspberry lemonade. Ridiculously good!

Three Dog Bakery — treats for Heiney {leash and collar; Ren’s cup from Anthropologie}

End of summer find at The Loft. White cotton and pretty pink corals.

I’m feeling quite blessed and lucky this morning … a surprise from M. Loves. instagram @groovininthesun {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

interiors

instagram @groovininthesun {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}
A trip to St. Louis for shopping, eating and checking out interiors…

amazing lights at Urban Outfitters…

pasta carbonara with chicken and raspberry lemonade at Cheesecake Factory {yumm}… 

Restoration Hardware, how I love thee…

the waiting game 
{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

Reds

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}  instagram @groovininthesun

homemade chocolate chip ice cream sandwich

How does one get in this car?

It wouldn’t be a vacation without shopping! My finds: Coach purse + Nikes = happy girl.

Brown-eyed girl

… now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good. — John Steinbeck

 {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} mayphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun

She waits. Patiently. Our brown-eyed girl. {Beau Reiske © 2012}

the journey

I don’t know where this journey will take me, but man, I can’t wait to get there. {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} mayphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun

Infinity

I received a lovely surprise today. An early mother’s day gift — the together forever {infinity} necklace from stella & dot. So sweet. I love it so. thank you M, I and J!

 {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

Day 26. black & white

Oh, how I love and miss black and white film photography. Before I could dig out my old Canon film camera and Tri-X film {sigh, the good ol’ days}, I found myself rushing out the door to attend a friend’s Stella & Dot party. So I promised myself that I WILL take a day, when I find a free moment, to do just that. For now, here are some from my iPhone, manipulated with filters to appear as black and white … not the same, I know, but I hope you like.

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} aprilphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun

old school film. my first pup, Speedo.

Good morning, pup. She has my heart.

RENagade bracelet from Stella & Dot

Day 7. Shadow

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} aprilphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun

The sun barely came out today and unlike last week, it was quite chilly and grey. We headed out to the mall and during our excursion, I discovered a new store, francesca's collection, which reminded me of smaller version of anthropologie — with its fun gifts, accessories, and one-of-a-kind vintage clothing. I already have a pair of summer sandals on my wish list. And aren’t these flasks charming?

{francesca’s collection}

Day 22. Mini

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} marchphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun
I made up my own photooftheday theme whilst at Kansas City. Because I saw this British Mini Coop and was completely smitten. I mean, how cute is this?

Day 17. Luck

I feel blessed. When you have great friends and family, you are blessed. So I feel very lucky every day. And today, I received this lovely necklace by one of my favorite bloggers, Rachel Ball of elephantine {check her out and try not to fall in love with her creativity}. I hope you all feel charmed and lucky … happy St. Patty’s!

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

Day 7. Something I wore

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} marchphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun

hipster for work. my favorite white shirt from LOFT and simple, monogrammed sterling silver necklace from Tiffany & Co.

Day 25. Green

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} febphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun

The other day, I could not find my army green jacket. It is one of my favorite, prized items. I found this jacket at Chicago’s Urban Outfitters, and the minute I put it on, it was like a new friend. My security blanket. I also love that it has a dozen pockets, some hidden, which make it perfect for days/nights when I don’t want to carry a bag. When I lost it, I became obsessed with finding it. I tried to channel my Sudoku memory skills only to recall what I had worn for the last week. By the end of the day, I acquiesced the fact that it was gone. Then out of the blue, I remembered. Has that ever happened to you? I had left my jacket at the hair salon last Monday and fortunately, it was still there. Reunited, and it feels so good...