Lately I've had difficulty falling asleep. My mind has been filled with tattoo ideas… I just can't seem to settle on something I feel is perfect. I definitely felt like I was ready for the help of a professional! And by professional, I mean in addition to hiring a tattoo artist, I will be collaborating with a calligraphy artist for my text one. It will be making its debut sometime around next November.

Tattoo location: front and inner part of lower left bicep. Concept: Don't Lose Heart, Ohio.

I'm just not sure how literal I want to get with this- Ohio state outline, or not? I would like the style to be a bit fancy (like the calligraphy below) with a little funk (like the album art above). Pretty much right along the lines of May Belle's calligraphy (first image). I'm just not sure a state outline will jive or not.

So, what do you all think? (Mom, I know what you think. But don't worry, it will be tasteful, not large, and easily covered up with mid-length shirt).

images: May Belle, Ray Lamontagne, Design Sponge

I have listened to and enjoyed the Avett Brothers many a time. But never until Jenny posted this video did I realize how much I've been missing by just listening. All this time I never knew how nice they were to watch.

Yes. I think their style is absolutely perfect, and I particularly enjoyed their donning of not one, but three different pairs of suspenders during the filming of this video. Way to go, boys. Apparently I'm all about the suspenders these days. And listening to folksy music played by very nice looking people. Especially of the male kind.

Ah, goals. It seems as though I have so many of them already, but I've just added a new one to the list. Take more photos! My goodness. You wouldn't think it would be so difficult for someone who loves taking photos and has a decent camera. But for some reason, I always leave my camera at home. And when I bring it with me, it so often remains in its case. Ahhh! Anybody else feel the same way? How do I overcome this? It's such a major frustration in my life.

I really do adore looking at photos of other people's lives, even if they might be strangers to me. Their photos encourage me to better document my own life. Sandra is a particular favorite of mine. It seems as though she is always up to something fun with her friends- and there are always lovely photos documenting their adventures!

Kim is another dear, one who I can happily call a friend (although we have never met in person! Yet.). She documents her life so well. The happy stuff, the every day things, and the sort of artsy goodness that makes you feel tingly all over. I'm always so inspired by what I see when I visit her little online home.

I just love peeking into the lovely lives of other like-minded souls across blogland. But for some reason, in my own life, I just seem to always forget to take out my camera and capture these moments. It's an area I fall short, and something I'm definitely going to work on changing.

First photo by Tess on flickr.