Small Towners

Dan Boardman Untitled 5 (wallpaper)

I saw this photograph posted on 20x200's facebook page along with the artist's statement below.  I immediately connected to the artist's feelings about growing up in a small town.  I find I'm always happy to encounter other "small towners".  Particularly ones who keep roots in their hometowns, but have moved on (like myself).  Learning what people from small towns do with their lives (staying or going, accomplishments, regrets, memories, roots) is something I am fascinated by, probably because it's the story of my life as well.  Dan Boardman hits then nail on the head when he says, "To grow up in a small town is to always be looking for something bigger, to be looking out to the next chapter, waiting, daydreaming. To move away from a small town is to long for its innocence and its comfort."  Exactly, Dan, exactly.  See full artist's statement below, and check out more here at 20x200. Here's to small towners, and happy Friday. xx - m.m.

ARTIST STATEMENT

This body of work was generated in the winter of 2006 during trips to my hometown.
These trips revealed something static about home. In a front yard, or a parking lot, I would find my feet stepping into my old footprints, but I was seeing what I had missed then. I sought to photograph my past in the present. To grow up in a small town is to always be looking for something bigger, to be looking out to the next chapter, waiting, daydreaming. To move away from a small town is to long for its innocence and its comfort.

This work was an investigation into memory, how it changes and what traces trigger a relationship between then and now.

I'm in Hell. No Wait, We're Just Moving.

I haven't missed a week of blogging since almost the beginning of Smmidge 2 yrs ago. I've pushed through sickness, work nightmares (like lay offs and offsite meetings), work trips, vacations, potty training, kids starting school, and family drama, and nothing has sent me for a loop more than the process of selling our first home, packing, moving all our worldly possessions and (fingers crossed) buying our next home in our new neighborhood. So many wonderful and exciting things to share in the future....and possible changes to smmidge....but in the meantime I'm in hell.... No..... Not really. Just knee deep in boxes, and that is where I'll remain for the next little bit. I'll check back with y'all as much as I can. Wish us luck! Xx- m.m.

A Serious Case of Fabulous

I have a major case of love for the fabulousness of these iphone cases from iomoi.  Wowza.  They are so fun and over-the-top.  I think I may start being "Madame Fox of Palm Beach" in my everyday life (and on my iPhone case).  I don't know her but I may be her.  I love bright colors, pattern and icons, too. Who are you?  xx - m.m. 

Paper Airplane Love

It's the little things. Like an awesome notepad from the Thunderbird Hotel in Marfa, and paper airplanes.  Hours of fun.  Happy summer. Xx- m.m.

Blogger Profile: Blondie - Sarah

Hello guys.  So freaking happy to bring you the latest profile on a blogger I love.  When I say I hit some blogs daily, well, there might be some days I miss every now and then.  But not Blondie.  I never miss it.  It is unlike any others I have profiled and honestly unlike any others I've found.  She (Sarah, aka Blondie). Is. Hilarious. Irreverent. Honest. Confident and self-depricating (my fave combo). And gor-or-orgeous (see her party pics?! I love a cropped party pic). And she treats her blogspot more like a micro-blog, stream of consciousness dialogue, straight talking, of the moment updates on her life, from TV-watching (see Bachelor/Bachelorette updates unlike any others), to dating, and any other weird, hilarious, hijinks that make up her life. You just want to be her. . . or atleast her friend when you read it. Her profile reads: Dallas, TX, United States Blonde (natural). Single (not natural). What more do you need to know. - Nope, you covered it.  That is all I needed to be hooked. That, and her writing, totally unique and funny topics and the fact that she is also just a girl in my town putting it out there on a really cool blog - authentically - without some big media blitz or "strategic strategy" (that's office-speak).  I just love the passion behind this type of blog. And no, I don't know her in-real-life but we are making it happen soon. With one dear mutual friend, we actually have a legit reason to meet and are bound to be soon-to-be-friends. (keep you posted - and imagine me in one of these party pics coming soon.) In the meantime, I'll stay in the know on the life of this Dallas blond-bombshell on the blog (just look at these pics - this chick is loving life).  See more about Blondie below and of course at Blondie and enjoy!  xx - m.m. 

Meet Blondie-Sarah

[smmidge] Describe your blogging style.
[Blondie] Is "random" a style? I write about my life, but also about pop culture - i.e. weekly Bachelor/Bachelorette updates.
(see here for today's)

[smmidge] Describe your personal style. And a favorite piece (or two) that reflects your style.
[Blondie] I think my personal style is girly/funky (gunky, if you will). I am a label whore (but only when I can buy those labels on sale at TJ Maxx), but am a sucker for jeans and a white tank top as well. I love my aqua cowboy boots so much it hurts. Ooh - and this reversible coral and aqua necklace that I adore. At home, I have a set of colorful bowls from Anthropologie that are almost too cute to use. So they just sit there, looking pretty.

The Boots

THE necklace

some pretty Anthro bowls!

[smmidge] What keeps you inspired both on the blog and in life?

[Blondie] Chris Harrison.

[smmidge] Fave blogging songs.

[Blondie] I usually blog first thing in the morning at work, so there aren't any tunes. But my 3 favorite songs in general are Summer of 69 (Bryan Adams), Take on Me (A-Ha) and, sadly, Call Me Maybe (Carly Rae Jepsen).

[smmidge] Last book you read.  

[Blondie] Only sort of embarrassed to say Fifty Shades of Grey

[smmidge] Your three favorite daily reads. 

[Blondie] WiDiDallas, Smmidge (yep, sucking up), and iHateGreenBeans

I couldn't end this profile without another party pic of Blondie - I just love her!  Thanks Sarah!