Appreciative Value...

I appreciate a man who gives a good, creative line.

If you've read my other project, Cayenne Kisses, you'll understand why; there's nothing worse than a one-sided flirt, right?

My favorites range from something like "There's only one thing I want to change about you...your last name." to "If you hadn't found me, I would have found you." to "My love for you is a journey, starting at forever and ending at never."

Yes. Those would work.

But, as they say, less is more. Tiny gestures are often the most grand, and sometimes it happens that it's the littlest effort that sweeps you off your feet. Someday, I hope to hear this one...

What's your all-time favorite pick-up line? I'd love to know! Photo from here. Sentiment from me.

Appreciative Value...

People who don't really know me are usually shocked to hear that I love camping.

But I do.

Ask me to describe my excursions, and I'll rave endlessly about Yosemite and Catalina and Jalama. Seriously; if you ever need someone to chat all night with an elderly relative, just ask me about camping.

But if you ask me to describe my most favorite parts of camping, I'll tell you a different story.

I'll tell you about how the stars look different after you've climbed the Half Dome, as if they were arranged one by one for your sky only as a sweet reward. I'll tell you how your hair will never look more stunning until you've spent a day in the Catalina breeze.

I'll tell you about cute boys with cigars and sweet girls with hot cocoa laced with a dash of Bailey's. I'll tell you how guitars sound better in Yosemite. Sexy winks across the glow of a good campfire look even sexier on Jalama. They just do.

And how spotting a whale or a dolphin or anything else that you don't see on the streets every day never fails to change your life a little.

Ask me to go camping, and I'll forever say yes. Unless you tell me there are no showers available. There's a vast difference between camping in style and down-and-dirty roughing it, don't you agree?

How about you? Do you love glamping (I read that term on another blog last week, and I thought it was brilliant!) or plain old camping? I'd love to hear your preference!

All photos are linked, and from one of the most beautiful editorials ever.

Appreciative Value...

Tattoos tend to make me a little hot and bothered.

If you're inked and we've met, I've probably grabbed you and pulled you closer for a good and lengthy stare. There were probably some extremely loud compliments, as well.

My sweetest apologies if I frightened you.

But every time I see a genius tattoo, my mind flies to one of my favorite Jonathan Safran Foer sentences: Let love write on you awhile.

Yes, I do believe that's a wonderful idea.

For all my ardor, it's surprising that I don't have even one tiny tatt. I think this should change. But where to start? I'd love your suggestions...I truly would!

Appreciative Value...

There are heaps of wedding blogs, aren't there? I so love visiting them because they're always beautiful, always full of love, and always hopeful.

Those are brilliant qualities for anything.

While I'm nowhere near walking down any aisle - with the grand exception of  my Whole Foods' cheese section! - I'm  appreciating these wedding links this week....

I'll never grow tired of balloons appearing as happy accessories in photo shoots, especially when they look like little balls of sunshine.

Thoughtful place settings are so under-rated. Loving the love that went into these.

Color and joy everywhere you look is a very good theme.

This wedding looks like a play I'd never want to end. Amazing doesn't seem a big enough word to describe it.

Finally, there's nothing sweeter than a meaningful kiss, is there? This one made me gasp, and then I read their story and smiled for the rest of the afternoon.

Whether you're married, single, or somewhere in between, hope your weekend is overflowing with beauty, love, and hope! Blessings...

Appreciative Value...

You can't possibly know how I love visiting your creative spaces during my free time, but I will try to tell you as often as I can! Here are some of my favorites found during my very first week of blogging. They all sold me.

I was moved by her entire list, but especially number ten.

This photo melts me, as does the quote. I thought they belonged together. I think they're even better all paired up, don't you?

I never thought a backsplash could make my heart beat faster. Not true.

Evidently, a staircase can have the same effect.

I'm so sweet on this little girl...

And just as sweet on this flickrstream. Almost every photo reminds me of my all-time favorite quote...

 Every home would be a bit more more wonderful with a love wall.

Any other kind of love wall would also be pretty wonderful.

Thank you so much for all the beauty you share or support. It makes me feel like dancing, and I appreciate it all!

Have a fantastic weekend, everyone! Blessings...