the proposal...

So the boy's proposal basically happened in 2 parts.  It was during a summertime visit.  He was working in London, I was working and living here in LA.  He had come out for a 10 day visit and it was lovely.  We went out, we stayed in, we spent every possible moment together.  I know most couples do that anyway, but trust me, when you have been in a long distance relationship for nearly 3 years, you definitely don't take "together time" for granted. 

It was a Sunday in July.  We had plans to go out in Beverly Hills, visit Greystone Mansion and finish the day off at our old stomping ground - the UCLA campus.  As we were getting ready for the day I remember saying to him "just tell me that you're not going to propose this trip, so I can stop expecting it."  What a snot, huh?

Anyway, little did I know he had gone down to the Los Angeles Diamond District and already bought the ring!  But we went about our day and had a lovely time, ending up on the grassy hill where we used to meet each other between classes and read poetry and Shakespeare at UCLA.  The bell in the clock tower of Powell Library struck 2pm and the boy told me how very much he loved me.  We watched the sunset and he told me very seriously that he wanted to marry me...I told him he had to ask my Dad about that.  I didn't think he was serious.

A few days later, I was back at work and not expecting anything.  A dozen red roses arrived for me, with a note from the boy saying he wanted to take me out after work.  I was on cloud nine!  I had never gotten flowers at work and it made me feel incredibly special.  After I finished work, we drove up Mullholland drive to the Hollywood Bowl overlook.  You can see the whole city from up there and as the sun is going down it's incredibly beautiful.  

There, above all of Hollywood, the boy got down on one knee and proposed.  He had gotten my Dad's permission and he presented me with the most beautiful ring in the world.  And obviously, I said yes!  

Ever since that evening, I have felt complete, and special and blessed!  The boy made me feel like a princess in a fairy tale!  I am so lucky to have the boy in my life and everything that happened since that day has been special because we've been together. 

*All Photos by Erin Hearts Court

A Special Anniversary Message...

Let's hear it for the boy:


Babykins from Heather Toner on Vimeo.

Three is a Magic Number

Ok, so the August break is done for me because this week is Wedding Anniversary Week!  And thus all posts this week will be about me and the boy...This is the week of us!

The boy and I will be celebrating our 3 year wedding anniversary tomorrow and as part of my anniversary gift to him I made him this little video....This is one of the only times I can show the boy on this blog, so take a nice long gander people.  These photos and videos were all taken over the past year. 


Anniversary from Heather Toner on Vimeo.


Hope you liked that...I can only keep this up for this week, after that the boy's secrecy comes back into effect!   

Don't know how I did it, but I done it...

I broke my thumb...

It hurts and it's on my right hand so that makes typing, writing and just about everything hard.  But there's nothing I can do about it but wait for it to heal.  Cest la vie! 

design block

You know how it is when you want to change the look of your blog but you don't know what to do?  I hate this feeling.  But when the layout isn't working for me, it's really hard for me to enjoy working on the blog as well...isn't that interesting?  Anyway, I feel like I need a new look, but there are elements from this current look, that I like and maybe want to keep.  

Maybe I should hand this over to some pros...But then I miss out on the process of designing something, which I usually do enjoy.  I'm just kinda out of ideas.  So if you see some strange changes and halfway alterations, you'll know that's it's just because I am indecisive.  

But if you have any suggestions, please throw them out there!  I'm all ears!   

LALA Land...

Really?  Sometimes I can hardly believe it...

End of Summer

Can you feel it in the air?  Summer is ending and Autumn is just around the corner...I'm looking forward to what a new season will bring!

New Yorker Covers

Love this recent New Yorker cover.  The Boy has a subscription.  I just love how classic, current and vintage this is all at the same time.  Classic in the time period it's clearly set.  Current as in the metaphor it invokes of America's current class and economic divide.  And vintage in the 1960's style of illustration.  Brilliant! 

Scarves

I was never really one for wearing scarves until I started to collect vintage ones and now I'm hooked!  My collection is growing and it's very pretty, if I do say so myself.

Some place Exotic

Not really...This photo was just taken here in Beverly Hills.  Rich people spare no expense on top notch gardening! 

Monday

Did you have a nice weekend?  Yeah, mine was ok.  I went to see The Jerk at Cinespia's Cemetary Screening with the boy, Matt & Emily.  I ate a delicious burger.  I spend a day being lazy...so all in all, not sure one could ask for much more in a weekend. 

Hey also, I meant to tell you all that I did a delicious recipe guest post over on Jello's Kitchen last friday.  Head on over and check it out! 

Owls in the Architecture...

I enjoy playing with my FusionCam photo application around the house, obviously.

Politicoooo Plies

I am not political.  I am not a democrat or a republican, I am an independent because I refuse to be defined by partisan politics.  But try as I might to avoid blogging about political issues this comment really just flat out pissed me off...And given this blog is rather ballet focused, I felt compelled to put in my 2 cents. (I included some pics of Balanchine's Stars and Stripes just to make this rant a bit more pleasant. )

In an interview on Sean Hannity's Fox News Talk show, Sarah Palin is quoted as saying:

"NPR, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, all those kind of frivolous things that government shouldn't be in the business of funding with tax dollars -- those should all be on the chopping block as we talk about the $14 trillion debt that we're going to hand to our kids and our grandkids. Yes, those are the type of things that for more than one reason need to be cut."

So I have to ask, why are the Arts "frivolous?"  Why is that a profession that people are always willing to cut first?  Let me tell ya, if we had more artists working in business and politics you'd be surprised at the results.  Artists are creative thinkers and know how to think creatively to solve problems.  Artists are aware of the world around them, they take it in and they let it affect them as often this is what inspires them to create.  They naturally see problems and want to address them.  Artists can be dramatic and sensitive, yes, but that passion usually comes hand in hand with perfectionism and ideals...Ideals that they will do anything to uphold.  That's right, artists know what it's like to "suffer" for their art.  They commit themselves to the job they have chosen to undertake and they put everything they've got into it, no matter what it will cost them.  They want to do it right, they want to be perfect. 

They want to create something lasting, something meaningful and something good.  In my opinion, we need more artistic people in power.  And how the hell will that happen when arts education and endowment programs are completely slashed from the budget?  

No matter what people may say, the arts are a huge part of our economy and our quality of life.  Would you want to live in a world with no music, movies, television, dance or theater?  Cause all those mediums, including television, rely on artists and were built by artists.  

But I don't need to wax on about it.  The numbers speak for themselves.  According to this recent article in the LA Times:

"Debt reduction would barely be affected by penciling out the small federal arts agency, which currently operates on a $161-million annual budget.  "Reality is we have 15 million Americans who are out of work," said Palin. Nationally, the nonprofit arts and culture industry supports 5.7 million jobs and generates $166.2 billion in annual economic activity, according to Americans for the Arts. The NEA is one linchpin in that sizable economy."

So with Palin's plan we raise that number of out-of-work Americans to over 20 million.  Yeah, great idea. Look, I know that there is an argument to everything and spending cuts are inevitable, but I'm angry that for whatever reason, the arts are always the first to be attacked, and in reality how much damage are they really doing?  I can only think that people attack the value of the arts because they themselves have no artistic talent and I suppose they just don't get it.  They are uncultured, unoriginal, mindless drones who have no imagination or intelligence.  And I suspect that most people know that...particularly when it comes to Palin.  I just wish people would stop putting her on the air. 

Ok, I'm off the apple box.  (Until the next rant!)  

Pretty Pyrex

Happy Saturday all! 

Color your Hair with Crayola!

This little diy is a nod to my Jr. High School Days.  My friends and I would use this technique to color our hair crazy colors without the cost of a trip to the salon and, more importantly, without driving our mother's crazy.  You see this technique provides one with punk-rock streaks of color with absolutely no permanence.  Perfect!  

I used to do this while I was bored in science class...Note that this will only work on lighter shades if hair. 

First pick your favorite color of washable crayola marker.

Take a strand of hair and simply start coloring.  It helps to put your head down on a piece of paper and then that provides a place to "draw" on under your hair. 

Voila, you look so punk!  Let your strand dry and repeat with as many colors as you like.  All will wash out in the shower so enjoy it while you can! 

Just a few things

Hello!  Just wanted to pop by to share a few things with y'all.  Firstly, I hope you're still enjoying the August break.  I can hardly believe we are already to August 18th!  Crazy!  Secondly, I have to share how sometimes, my good ole' headband curls technique doesn't always turn out so great.  Exhibit A:  I have totally crazy hair today!

Also, I just had to share that the boy and I saw The Help the other night and it was so so so good!  You simply must go and see it!  It made me desperate to read the book too.  So that's got to be added to the list!  I am such a pathetic reader.  It takes me FOREVER to get through even the simplest of books.  But I am trying to rectify that now.  Back in college I was able to read 5 novels a week, so I know I can do it, I'm just out of practice.  Right now I'm reading the first Huger Games book.  Yep, I caved after getting significant pressure from every woman I know; "What? You haven't read it? You're life isn't complete!"  Etc, etc.

Besides the incredible story, wonderful characters and amazing performances in The Help, the one other aspect I adored was the beautiful costumes.  They were stunning to look at; I loved them all.  There were some amazing "Betty-Draper-Type" dresses in there, but I also liked Skeeters smart fitted skirts and blouses.  Oh and there were some awesome cat-eyed glasses too.  I want some cat-eyed glasses! 

Santa Monica Pier

The boy and I went here on our first date...Splendid!

Walking the Paseo

One of the best things about Valencia (the area outside of LA where I grew up) is the Paseo.  It's this lovely walkway that runs all over the neighborhood and provides a safe, shady walkway for kids and adults alike.  I used to walk them to go to my elementary school.  I have some very fond memories of adventures on the Paseo...

Another Oh Land Video

Have to share this as i am LOVING it more than the last one I posted.  Enjoy!

Another Journal

Lately I have been documenting my daily adventures and venting some frustration in this precious journal I bought in portland. 

It is made from the cutest vintage children's book and the company that makes them, have tons more.  Check em out if you're in the market for a new journal or sketch book.  I love my little journal, but I find it especially cute that they left the library card in the back!   

Disneyland (Recently)

These pics are from our most recent trip to the Magic Kingdom.  Call me corny, but I absolutely love going there!

The new Little Mermaid ride is so sweet!

Details at Disneyland are usually really cool

The Toy Story ride in California Adventure was so much fun and full of fun little displays like this dino paint-by-number.  Adorable! 

Black Pointe Shoes

Worked on a new project today that involves these bad boys...

Oh yeah! 

Craft Corner

The more organized, the more productive, right?  RIGHT? 

New Project, Yay! 30 Days of Lists

I needed a new journal in which to write down my 30 lists for 30 days next month.  And voila! 

Marina Del Rey

This photo was taken down in a little area of the LA coast called Marina Del Rey in the courtyard of townhouses that I could never afford...but it was all sooo pretty!!!

New Vlog...10 More Questions!

Untitled from Heather Toner on Vimeo.

Just something I made...

Tree Stars

You know, like in The Land Before Time....

I still watch that first one sometimes and I bawl like a baby when the mom dies!

The boy is an excellent cook...

Yesterday

Ok, so I know I'm supposed to be taking "the august break" but I had to share the lovely day I had with the boy yesterday.  It started with a very special lunch in which we did some research for a new project we're starting (more on that later!)  Then we went and saw Miranda July's new film The Future. 

I've been a big fan of Miranda July since Me & You & Everyone We Know, so I was excited about this new film.  Overall, I thought it was really pretty good, it started very well-- really funny and engaging--but then kind of lagged and faded away in the end.  Like it almost lost it's momentum, and changed it's focus.  But it still brings up some interesting themes and ideas about the ways we think about time, commitments and well, the future. 

When we came home, I proceeded to make my very own bed-sheet-fort, complete with fluffy pillows and twinkle lights!  The boy and I hid out in the fort for the rest of the evening, eating cookies and watching The Wonder Years, and It's a Hard Days Night.  It was the perfect evening! 

new red ribbon fox tags

Tutus!