INSPIRED BY FRIDAY V.11

How was your week, everyone? Mine was good - a busy one, full of writing, writing, writing. Honestly I know that doesn't sound thrilling in any way, but it's been such a great feeling for me that sitting down each night to write has been the highlight of my week. That, and Dragon Age: Inquisition (I'm late to the boat, yes, but I also got the game for 20 bucks. So...40 bucks richer?)

Anyway, on with the links!!

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This is a really great piece on rape culture, putting in to words things I've struggled to.

As someone who hates winter, and lived her childhood smack-dab in midwestern Canada, I can agree with everything Sarah says. And I must put them all in to practice ASAP.

This post made me cry. Here's to all the single moms out there.

Morticia Addams in the bomb. Here's a great post about her.

A really fun read : inside the leagues of lady wrestlers.

The women of WWII were stone-cold badasses. Lest we forget.

Oh, be still my heart. This is a dream of a store.

What's that? You want more funny art history? Here, some sick German horses.

Stop comparing websites and start creating shit.

Small acts of kindness = wonderful things.

Oh, I love this article. Cheers to ladies reinventing themselves.

The tender art of 'midwestern nice'. Something that extends up in to Canada too.

A great article on the importance of Serena Williams.

Whoo, an interview that flips the script: 15 famous men asked if they're 'feminists'.

On portraying blackness in video games, and why we STILL need diversity in games.  

Money's been tight on my end of the world, so I needed to read this. Especially this time of year.

Well that's it for links this week! What have you been reading on the internet this week? Anything to share, please do!

INSPIRED BY FRIDAY v.10

Happy Friday, folks! How has your week been so far?

My week has been a big one - I finally bit the bullet and got my first tattoo - I'll be writing about the experience later on this week. Long story short, I'm in love. Whoops. Other than that, Christmas has officially begun in the retail world, which means I get to work a heck of a lot harder at work. Other than that, I'm just steadily updating my Nanowrimo wordcount, and have recently picked up Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Anyway, on with the links!

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Getting a head start on holiday gifts - in a proper turn-around, I'm giving a few of my loved ones some really freakin' rad undies for Christmas.

I've been listening to a lot of podcasts lately. Limetown is a standout, and this podcast really gave me a boost.

I've started paring down my to-do lists using this app, and I'm really enjoying it.

Collagers and crafters, rejoice - the British library just released a BUNCH of free-to-use vintage images.

These journalling prompts are amazing - so inspired.

I love quirky historical articles like this one.

I'm not like most girls - I laughed. A lot.

'I’m not like most girls. I don’t like drama. Unless we are talking about gritty crime dramas directed by Martin Scorsese.'

With tattoos on my mind, here's some stunning pictures of everyday people with full-body tats.

A great post on overcoming creative obstacles. 

Some yummy treats to cook in November. And some gluten free ones to try, too!

These sculptures are so stunning.

And finally, some fresh lessons on money. We could all use some.

I hope you all have a great week! Feel free to share your weekly favourites in the comments!

INSPIRED BY FRIDAY v.9

Hello friends! What have you been up to this week?

I’ve been busy cleaning up the house quite a bit, and reading! This past week I’ve read 3 books, all of them good, all of them reviewed on my Goodreads account. Give it a peek if you want to know what I’ve been up to, or tune in next week for a post!

Other than that, I’ve been busy making those lattes everyone seems to love, and starting my prep for Nanowrimo. I’ve also been playing the South Park: Stick of Truth game, and watching a ton of ghost adventures. This week has basically been me living the life of a teenage boy. Beautiful, and with a lot less facial hair in strange places. Hooray

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I always find cooking mistakes hilarious. This article is no exception.

 This is currently my inspiration for decorating my cozy little apartment.

I love this piece on zombies. A neat take on a tired topic...

I love Austin Kleon, and his advice is always fantasic.

A treat for you - 100 studio ghibli wallpapers and backgrounds. 

And another treat - fun prompts for when you're feeling creatively drained. 

I'm going to try making these sometime this week, and speaking of food - send this to anyone who says dinner parties can't be cheap.

Cat costumes - IMPORTANT

I love the idea of patching old clothes in beautiful ways. 

This interview with Eric Carle - the author of the Very Hungry Caterpillar is so great. 

I don’t recognize childhood obesity. No one should. I see children doing what they like, which is eating, and doing it without the shame or remorse later drilled into them by Judeo-Christian ethics.

Your weekly art history funnies. And a bit more, because.

Also important - the ultimate weapon.

I'm going to be trying this in the next few weeks...

And finally, something everyone should read this week.

INSPIRED BY FRIDAY v.8

(Melting POP from Alexandre DUBOSC on Vimeo.)

Hello friends! How was your week? Mine has been pretty great. I had the most delicious macaroni and cheese, walked in the rain for days, watched a thunderstorm (the last of the year? I hope not) and saw a bunch of robins. I've been painting like it's nobody's business, as well as starting (and becoming horribly addicted to) my bullet journal. Eep! 

Anyway, on with the links! 

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I just saw her speak, and still can't get enough Kate Beaton

Here are some writing projects I'm definitely going to do this week (and finish)

These images are beautiful and haunting (and inspiring my nanowrimo planning)

I'm really excited to read this book - its definitely a stand-out.

Try one of these ideas out today with me. Instant mood-boost!

The twelve-year old internet hermit in me LOVELOVELOVES this crazy theory

 Speaking of Harry Potter...

NASA never ceases to amaze me with social media

A little bit of neat/spooky reading for fall...

I need to keep reminding myself of this fact.

Textile designs and jewels? What can be better?!

I'm in love with this idea.

I want to cook all of these. I'm going to cook at least five!

INSPIRED BY FRIDAY v.7

Pictures of South East Asia from Janis Brod on Vimeo.

Hello again friends! It’s been a while, hasn’t it? I spent the week forcing myself to stay in a bit more - I get restless when fall comes around and end up flying uselessly all over the place. On the plus side, I’ve got a lot of things planned and a lot of things on the go. I also went to see Kate Beaton launch her new book this week - such a positive and endearing girl! I’m forever a fan. I also signed up for Skillshare, and am taking a few little classes to pick up some new skills. Are you on skillshare? We should be friends! Here’s my account! 

Anyways, on with the links!! 

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Let's start the week off good by all doing more of this

I love this writing piece

This 104 year old lady helped yarn bomb a bunch of towns - my new hero! 

My next vacation is going to happen here.

This makes me so happy and angry all at once. You go, girl!

“I'm black, I'm plus-size, and I'm a woman — that's a triple negative in fitness: I'm the antichrist," she said, jokingly.

These images take my breath away. 

Living in french Canada, I've been wondering the difference between 'bread' and 'brioche'. Now you can learn AND eat some!

Let's all learn about and celebrate these genius women (and men!)

As if we needed another reason to love the man behind Lemony Snicket

I love these posts - making art history hilarious.

A really thoughtful piece on happiness.

Everyone should listen to this with me. 

INSPIRED BY FRIDAY V.6

Happy Friday, fellow readers! How was your week? Mine was pretty great - I spent the first half preparing for a presentation that got cancelled, twice, due to a snowstorm that never happened. Gotta love winter, right? Anyway, on to this week's links!

More about the double-standards surrounding female characters - female protagonists especially.

The Olympics are over (I think?) but here's a really cool article in to the inner lives of figure skaters.

As someone who's read the first four books of Game of Thrones, this article sums up my feelings on the books and their 'strong female characters' pretty well. (now, let's be real here - I think it's great that females are being written about, and that a lot of people are enjoying this. But - BUT Martin does it in a REALLY creepy way).

In other news - here's a great book to read about medieval females that doesn't suck and isn't creepy as heck.  And here's an article with more great books like it. And links to more in the comments! (I plan on reading a lot of these)

Speaking of feminism, here's an article everyone should read on the history of silence and women in public speaking. 

This is pure gold.

After you've read the history of silencing women in public speaking, give this article a read, and shake your head.

I loved this article on the two-lane highway in rural america far too much.

After experiencing a terrifying encounter in an airport a few years ago, I wonder if I appear on any of these 'watch lists'...
"Enemies who are not found are created."

Oh look! 100 ways to stay creative. I just can't NOT read any of these lists that pass my way...

INSPIRED BY FRIDAY V.5

This video spurred me to being work on another article about it. Stay tuned for it!

Oh look! It's you all again! Happy Friday everyone - how has your week been? Mine's been pretty low-key. I think we're finally breaking out of the deep-freeze. I ate some delicious Indian food. And it snowed. Again. (Fun weather fact: where I live, it's been too cold for it to even snow. So despite the fact that I'm sick of the snow, it's a sign of hope.) Then again, I'm this close to turning in to this guy.

Anyway, links! Here you go:

Have you guys tuned in to Twitch Plays Pokemon yet? If not - join the madness. It's hilarious. 

So despite Tamora Pierce being my favourite author - I haven't read her Alanna series yet. This article spurred me to get the eBooks and start reading and - it's love.

In other news - this woman's struggle to reuse her cake mould made me laugh until I cried.

These 'story archetects' pitch a really interesting concept. A concept that I'm considering adding to my 'things to work toward' board. What do you think?

Do all our characters really need to be likeable? I'm not sure where I stand on this, but this article really got me thinking.

Drawing idea alert: Magical Girl Vikings. Yes, please - more of these this. instant. 

Apparently I'm part of the minority who considers teenage girls human beings. Can we stop hating on them? Please?

Important! 21 things to let go of today. We all need to read this!

Some serious truth being said eloquently in images.

In other news - pivitol scenes from Game of Thrones being retold as well-researched period Japanese woodcuts. Pure gold!

Want some beautiful images for your weekend? Look no furthur than the magical ghost-city of Ani.

Here's some great advice on how to write your stoies. If you have a strong character with motives from the get-go, they practically write the book themselves.

INSPIRED BY FRIDAY V.4

From me to you: Romantic Ants for your Valentine's Day!

Well hello again, friends! I've got some great links for you this week. Enjoy!

I was going to link to just one of this woman's hilariously-real illustrations, but instead I'll just give you them all at once! 

Remember how we all thought women were too busy making babies and embroidering to be important in history? This article is here to kick you in the ass. 

Who likes lists? Who likes ladies? Who likes lists of lists? I've got you covered:  here's a ranked list of Wikipedia's lists of ladies. Yeah. Just click it.

Ready for spirng yet? This woman's diary from the 1800s proves that you don't need to live a thrilling life to be extraordinary.

Need more witty Shakespere jokes in your life? Dirtbag Hamlet is here to rescue you! Let me warn you - he's a charmer. 

I'm not in to Valentine's day hate, but I'm all for movies with your girls. I fully support this instead of Valentine's day (or with it), for anyone.

I think we all need this article on how to use google more efficiently. What have I been googling my whole life?!

A really great set of images showing (once again) that humans are not the one-size-fits all mould society would have us believe.

Everyone stop and read this article on creativity and fear. Now, go make some art.

This gifset is important. Watch it instead of the Olympics.

And, speaking of the Olympics - have you seen this hilarious ad that Canada made surrounding the issues with Sochi? Humour - getting the message across better than anyone else.

And finally - some links that every creative and blogger should read. They're great, and they're free! Go and get your read on!

INSPIRED BY FRIDAY v.3

Grace is me on a regular basis.

Are you ready for this week's links? I certainly am! Alright, here we go!

Here's a hilariously terrifying comic blurb for your weekend enjoyment.

This article on how a tech leader only retweeted women for a year (save for Prince, and we can't blame him for that) is eye-opening, uplifting and a great read. 

If you knew me in real life, you'd know I'm absolutely ADDICTED to BBC documentaries. Right now, I'm absolutely in LOVE with wartime farm. It's brilliant.

My first instinct is to laugh at these embroidered 'rants' made in the 19th century. Then I become fascinated.

Do you have a Goodreads account? I sure do. Even if you don't, read this great article about their rising success.

Everyone needs more bees in real life. Here's some in a really fun to read article. You're welcome. 

Going on a shopping trip you're pretty sure will end in disaster (read: oh, we only carry your size online, sorry!)? Print off some of these bad boys to give out.

I'm so sick of the media-constructed 'Girl Hate'. We know how to do friendships right.

Just in time for Valentine's day! How about these charming valentines day cards for your loved one? (NSFW)

Is pacifism a dead dream in today's world? An interesting read to get you thinking.
 
I love this! 
"We must live inside these terrible questions. These questions that make us ache, so we will become larger, more pliable, and more open."

INSPIRED BY FRIDAY v.1

How was your week, friends? Mine was good, as the first official week of January, it felt pretty good. I did my first pages of Project life, and I tried my hand at illustrating on the computer (a first) with a tablet (also a first!). I'm excited to see what 2014 is going to hold for us! Alright, on to links!

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this is what I want to fill mysketchbooks with – beautiful, insightful quotes and passages. 

I love abandoned things, and these monuments take the cake - abandoned Soviet monuments that look like they're from the future.

Is writing on your list of goals this year? Then this is very, very important advice. 

Female gamers? No-so-female gamers? Human beings in general? Read this article. Right now. And then read the comment below. It's important.

Ever heard of the Bechdel test? If you haven't, read up on that here. After you've done that, here's a really cool article on it and the movies of 2013.

The power of tumblr artists is unreal. Here's an adorable comic concept based off of a picture. I'd read it!

If you're ever in need of some emojiis, here's 10 billion of them ლ(╹◡╹ლ) 

I need these. Like...right now.

This little organizing system seems like a really neat way to operate and stay sane. I might give it a try!

Seth Godin's got some words we all need to keep in mind now that the new year has started and we're off being human.

 

I don't know about you, but I believe in magic. This article on making it happen really hits the spot!

Here's one amazing aritst who's had enough of street harassment, and used her art to tell the world! 

War isn't nice, war costs money, and we all know it's just not a good idea. So why has the US been in one for 10 years?

It's no secret I want to try LARPing. This video just makes me want it more.