"I'm a Vinton County girl, myself..."

Says the woman behind the counter of the shop where we stopped to grab some water and a few provisions.  Her husband sat at the table in the back eating a sandwich and drinking what looked like a late afternoon cup of coffee. He raised his glass to me with a wink as I studied the cooler for my options. I smiled and felt like I had walked into their living room and probably could've stayed for awhile if we weren't so excited to explore outside.

We bought a map, she gave us a few suggestions and we went on our merry way.  Although, I couldn't help but take in a little more of their world before we left.

Changing the "Somebody should" to "I am"

This is an amazing inspirational talk given by a fellow former Anthropologie employee who now owns a beautiful boutique in Cleveland. I found this last night, and it couldn't have been better timing. Thank you, Danielle! Hoping this will inspire others, too!

Boho Mag

I came across this magazine a few months ago while enjoying the delicious breakfast burrito at Northstar.  It (Northstar and the burrito) used to be more than just a treat (for a few reasons I won't mention) but now has become only a specialty with a carefully selected girlfriend to catch up with on a "post-Saturday-morning-activity-of-our-choice" (usually yoga, sometimes volunteering in Goodale Park).  

Anyway... I usually have too much to discuss with my girls for reading, but sometimes I can't resist the rack of glossies that sit in waiting by the sofa.  My eyes scan for the most appropriate light reading, pre-eating material, but my belly does back flips when I see a glossy that isn't actually "glossy".  And that, my friends, is what lands this mag in my hands.  Just the feeling of the paper on my fingers leaves me wanting for more.  I instantly thought that Free People had made a lifestyle magazine and thought...  Brilliant!  Why didn't I think of that? (I'm starting to get bored with that question, really... no really.)

I'm pretty sure it's independent from Urban, but I loved the mission statement, however you may think of it, but they have certainly narrowed in on their market.

Online magazines are great and very green, I know, but I'm still a sucker for holding a book and paper in my hands.


This makes it a little easier:  "boho is an eco-friendly publication. We are printed on 100% recycled, post-consumer waste paper and use soy-based inks. boho is completely UV-coating free"


Yay! Now I can swap ONE visit to Northstar for an entire year subscription to this magazine... guilt free!

Nelsonville Music Festival

Billy and I (and a few friends) headed southeast on 33 to a little town called Nelsonville to surround ourselves with a weekend full of hills with delicious green, grassy knolls, local goodies and great music.  Loretta Lynn and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings were the big headliners ( as well as the Detroit Cobras and a few others that were equally awesome). But, I was most excited for a lazy Sunday on the lawn with the impending intimacy of The Swell Season.  It was just as I suspected.  There were only a few who stayed for Sunday afternoon.  It was quiet, not too sunny.  We stayed on the blanket for awhile, but then I had to mosey my way forward, closer to the stage.  I only had a film camera left to use, all batteries had died, no juice left to record the show.  So I quietly made my way through the small group of people who were as close as possible, all with their digital handhelds recording every morsel as if it would be as amazing later as it sounded in the air.


As I watched Marketa watching Glen from the side of the stage with such endearing passion, it made my eyes tearful most of the time.  It was almost too close and personal. I actually felt as if I had been transplanted to their backyard instead of the opposite.  I have a feeling, though, that they felt just the same.

 copyright skbg 2010

 this is the only version I could find that is from the actual recording...

copyright skbg 2010

same with this one...

Mikes on Bikes

This is Mike O.  A local celebrity film maker/editor.  I wish I would have started  chronicling his outfits since the day I met him in college. We would have one amazing book on our hands. 
His daily collages are masterpieces in and of themselves. He rode by only minutes after Mayor Mike Coleman rode by in his svelte O.S.U. biking outfit and waived to the Tip Top friends and family 
sitting on the patio.  
So, we called it the day of Mikes on Bikes.

Derby Day at Beulah Park

pretty sure it was the hat that brought me good luck.