kinfolk

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}

destiny

“I believe that what we get out of life is what we’ve set ourselves up to get, so there’s no such thing as an inconsequential decision. Our destinies are the culmination of all the choices we’ve made along the way, which is why it’s imperative to listen hard to your inner voice when it speaks up. Don’t let anyone else’s noise drown it out.”
― Megan McCafferty, Second Helpings

instagram @groovininthesun {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

We are taking apart yesterday, to make way for tomorrow. ― Megan McCafferty, Perfect Fifths

This book series has a place in my heart — funny, relatable and hopeful. Check it.

{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}

you. yes. you.

Ok, I’m not embarrassed to admit that I loved Sloppy Firsts, a YA book about the HS coming-of-age of Jessica Darling. And I’m a bit obsessed by the fictional love story of Jess and Marcus to the point that I HAVE to read: Second Helpings, Charmed Thirds and Fourth Comings – all before I can move on to heavier, more thought-provoking fiction. Seriously, they just need to make movies out of these books already.

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}
BTW, I loved this playlist that author, Megan McCafferty, posted on her blog for the first book. How can I not?

Jessica Darling playlist:

1. Here You Come Again – Dolly Parton

2. If You Were Here – Thompson Twins

3. Sick of Myself – Matthew Sweet

4. What Goes Around Comes Around - Justin Timberlake

5. Pop Song ’89 – REM

6. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da – The Police

7. Left of Center - Suzanne Vega

8. Hello, Goodbye – The Beatles

9. There is A Light That Never Goes Out – The Smiths

10. Quit Playing Games With My Heart – Backstreet Boys

11. Here is Where the Story Ends - The Sundays

12. Only You - Yaz

summer reading

Two more days, then we are ‘Bama bound! I’ve started my packing list – actual laundry and packing will keep me up these next two evenings, but my books have been bagged. Summer reading will finally commence! I have started most of these and I am looking forward to the week-long-beach-downtime, when I can leisurely read and finish most of them {to list a few}:
On the Road (Original Scroll) by Jack Kerouac
Money by Martin Amis
Looking for Alaska by John Green
* Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty
* Black Hole by Charles Burns 

* I have not bought these yet; holding off until I finish my bedside stack first! These are my summer good reads. What are yours?

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}  instagram @groovininthesun

good reads

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

“… the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.” — jack kerouac

Every day you play with the light of the universe.
Subtle visitor, you arrive in the flower and the water.
You are more than this white head that I hold tightly
as a cluster of fruit, every day, between my hands.

You are like nobody since I love you.
Let me spread you out among yellow garlands.
Who writes your name in letters of smoke among the stars of the south?
Oh let me remember you as you were before you existed.

Suddenly the wind howls and bangs at my shut window.
The sky is a net crammed with shadowy fish.
Here all the winds let go sooner or later, all of them.
The rain takes off her clothes.

The birds go by, fleeing.
The wind. The wind.
I can contend only against the power of men.
The storm whirls dark leaves
and turns loose all the boats that were moored last night to the sky.

You are here. Oh, you do not run away.
You will answer me to the last cry.
Cling to me as though you were frightened.
Even so, at one time a strange shadow ran through your eyes.

Now, now too, little one, you bring me honeysuckle,
and even your breasts smell of it.
While the sad wind goes slaughtering butterflies
I love you, and my happiness bites the plum of your mouth.

How you must have suffered getting accustomed to me,
my savage, solitary soul, my name that sends them all running.
So many times we have seen the morning star burn, kissing our eyes,
and over our heads the gray light unwind in turning fans.

My words rained over you, stroking you.
A long time I have loved the sunned mother-of-pearl of your body.
I go so far as to think that you own the universe.
I will bring you happy flowers from the mountains, bluebells,
dark hazels, and rustic baskets of kisses.
I want to do with you what spring does with the cherry trees.
— Pablo Neruda

what i’m reading

“Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry.” ― Jack Kerouac

I’m curious, just how rougher, wilder, and racier the Original Scroll edition will be. We’re going on the road in a couple weeks … hoping for a little adventure and relaxation. I can not wait. 

“There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars.”
― Jack Kerouac, On the Road: The Original Scroll

Majestic

Tonight, this is what I saw … majestic sky and golden arches. A perfect night for driving and ice cream. Just a little. It’s a holiday, after all.

What I’m reading. Again. {On a side note, I found this candle at Bath & Body and spent quite some time smelling all the beach-themed candles. They have really beautiful packaging and delicious scents. This one smells like caramel and cupcakes. Perfect for restful reading.} Good night!
 {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} 

Money

The stack of books by my bed that I’ve started and almost-but-not-quite-finished is crazy tall. So what do I do today on my lunch break? Yep. I made a trip to Barnes and Noble and bought another book that I’ve been hearing and thinking about for some time. Money by Martin Amis. Check out this cover art by tattoo artist, Bert Krak.  {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} mayphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun

 

It’s going with me everywhere and I’m going to read until I’m done. Fifty Shades {trilogy} will have to wait until night time, when I get most of my reading done. ;)

Day 11. where you ate breakfast

… in bed with my {growing} pile of books. Currently, I’m into oatmeal {yum} and classics. A few books I’ve read before and some new, just for fun: On the Road, The Seduction, Nine Stories, Persepolis, looking for alaska, and East of Eden. What are you reading?
{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved} aprilphotoaday instagram @groovininthesun

Day 14. Something I’m reading

The question is, what am I not reading? I’m a reader. I don’t have a nook or kindle because I have my iPhone and iPad, and truth be told, I like paperback. Tangible, good old fashion paper. I usually have a stack by my bed and I tote a book or magazine with me. And there’s always FF on my iPhone or Mac — guilty pleasure, without the guilt {if you want to know my *favorites* message me ;) I love to share}
Current reads: W, Steve Jobs, East of Eden {I’ve read it before and I keep coming back to this classic}, Looking for Alaska {have you seen Green’s videos? hilarious nerd}, To Bed a Beauty {it’s not a Harlequin romance! do not judge}, and Extremely Loud {thoughtful and visual}. What are you reading? I’m always looking a good read. :)

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

How To Be An Artist #16

{pinterest, The Help}
cry during movies. I don’t cry at movies — something about being out in public and keeping my emotions in check. When I first read The Help, I cried during different chapters of the book, in the privacy of my room. It's a great novel with wonderful characters, and it doesn't take much to be moved by the injustice of it all. Injustice is an unfortunate reality … it’s difficult to explain and believe {when you’re experiencing it} that down the road how much stronger you will be. I know this to be true.
I saw The Help at the theater and even though {for me} it fell under the loved-the-book-better category, I was moved to tears — especially when Viola Davis, who plays the maid, Aibileen, is on the screen.
I adore Emma Stone and The Help has an immeasurably talented cast. But Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer steal all the scenes they are in. If you can’t find time to read this enlightening book, see the film. And bring tissues.

How To Be An Artist #14

And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer. — F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

Read everyday. Most days, the best part of my day is when I have down time — to relax, kick back, and read. I currently picked up a classic, East of Eden by Steinbeck, which I know I read long, long ago but I’m sure I didn’t fully commit to reading, understanding or appreciating it when I was young. I can’t wait. {Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

If you’re looking for a good book, I would recommend any one of these {fast} page-turners:

• The Help {read it before watching the movie. You will not be sorry} by Kathryn Stockett
• The Hunger Games trilogy {trust me when I say, you will not be able to stop at book one} by Suzanne Collins
• Girls in Trucks { like a glass of cold lemonade, refreshing and light} by Katie Crouch

A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight. — Robertson Davies

Edge of desire

A few things that inspire and make me desirous and happy. I wish for earnestly …
Beach house BEDS
King’s SPEECH … keep calm
Frenchie and everything you need to TRAVEL
HUNGER Games, the movie. Can not wait! 

I ♥BOOKS

{VINTAGE} The Boxcar Children
Happy ELEPHANTS
PARIS tote
I had a BELT like this once. Loved it. Want it.
Coolest DRYLINE … in my study … in my office.
♥ this sign.
I have a ridiculous obsession with BAGS.

Pretty Simple. Simply Pretty.

I’ve been perusing websites for work and stumbled upon several goodies, coveted items. They all make me smile so I thought I would share.

Pink and oh-so-pretty. {source}

Messenger/Saddle bags: I covet both of these messenger bags. Big enough to carry all my goodies. Simplicity and functionality combined {source; moop}.

Dream bed: I didn’t realize this was Mexico. But how can one resist this bed, this view? Absolutely dreamy {source}.

{Ren Reiske © All Rights Reserved}

Hunger Games trilogy: How am I so late in the game? Forget that they are labeled teen-reading … Devoured these three books in less than four days.

Guitar ring and picks: Pretty Simple. Simply Pretty. Reminds me to pick up my beautiful guitar and start playing again. {ring, pick}