Random, But Not Really

I LOVE the colors used in this house... so inspiring.

Who's excited for the newest Pirates movie, On Stranger Tides?  I know a lot of people were disappointed with the past sequels.  (I have mixed feelings about them, but still find them highly entertaining. ♥)  Hopefully this one turns things around.  It comes out May 20th!

Now that the semester is over, I'm able to focus on reading for fun.  Reading was one of my favorite childhood activities; I want to get back to that "place."  Lately I've been reading The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  This #1 New York Times bestseller is basically an autobiography/self-improvement hybrid.  One reason it's been so successful: Rubin's writing doesn't give off the kind of holier-than-thou tone found in other self-help books.  Her goals feel attainable.  The personal accounts she gives are relatable, in an emotional, if not situational, sense.  Plus, I enjoyed all the psychology facts she scattered throughout the chapters.  Reading this was like having a review session of my previous psych classes, especially my class on motivation.
I'm almost finished with the book, and I'm motivated to start my own happiness project.  Thankfully she has a website just for that, with plenty of tools to assist me in the process.  I also recommend stopping by her general website/blog.

Greetings!

Hello there!  My name is Jess.  Welcome to Bird's Eye View, my very first blog.  It's exciting to finally start doing this.

I'm kind of a free spirit, so I'll be posting according to my whims and whenever I've collected enough to share.  Random fact about me: pudding makes me sleepy -- especially Swiss Miss chocolate vanilla swirl.  This makes sense because of the high milk content, but... I don't get so tired from ice cream, yogurt, or milk by itself.  Eh, who knows?

To start off, I thought I'd take some inspiration from pop psychology.  The validity of a Rorschach inkblot test may be disputed, but its bold images make quite a statement in home decor, on clothing, and the like.  

Might as well start with my favorite.  =)

Joker inkblot T-shirt, www.swishlife.co.uk

If you know me... you know this brings me such happiness I can't even explain.  To put it rather simply, it's a wonderful idea.  I only wish I'd thought of it first!

Rorschach umbrella by Maisner, www.tray6.com

How cute is this??  Inkblots can work alone, in a larger format, or in a small-scale pattern.  Here, I think they resemble spaceships and aliens.  Maybe they'll scare the thunder away.  :)

inkBLOT table runner by Uniform Natural, www.supermarkethq.com

Here's a slight deviation from the traditional black-and-white.  Dark blue proves to be just as bold, yet more flexible in certain contexts.  I love the idea of adding some abstract art to the dinner table.  Pops of red and yellow would complement this nicely, in the forms of artsy glasses and plates.

Ink Blot pillows by Uniform Natural, www.blog.2modern.com/2010/02

I love how this company uses recycled plastic bottles for the pillow inserts.  (Another fact: recently I've become a big recycler.  You might even say it's a passion.  Wall-E inspired me in many ways, namely that.)  Plus, each pillow's print is unique.  These are like the human fingers of the cushion world.

www.starandstyle.com

Now for more fashion.  Emma Watson may be channeling some of Hermoine's academic interests in this dress.  (I'm sure Hermoine would take psychology if Hogwarts offered it, though she may be put off by the lack of scientific certainty within the subject.)  Dress by Dion Lee, Spring '11 collection.

After all this, I'm tempted to get a black-and-white cat and name it Inkblot... or Rorschach.  (Roarshock, perhaps, if it acts like a lion.  Wait... IF?  What am I saying...)