“Fridays are absolutely without a doubt the best day of the week, five grueling days of the same routine seem to melt at three o’clock on Friday afternoon. There’s a sense of magic there, everything smells better, tastes better, and the colors are brighter. As opposed to Sunday evenings when everything begins to get dim all over again.”
― Stefanie Ellis, Ashes

This week has been rough, ducklings.  I got off the plane at 10am Monday morning and was at work by 1pm.  I’ve got the obligatory air travel induced cold and sore throat, and I’d much rather be in London.  Who wouldn’t?  Luckily it’s Friday and we’re back to our regularly scheduled blogging routine.  I’ve got plenty more London posts for you, but we must, by all means, observe tradition!

We saw dogs everywhere in London and our puppy lust is raging strong.  When we finally get one, I’m totally going to slap one of these on it’s collar.

There’s something about public transportation that makes people read, here’s a blog dedicated to it.  Everyone on the London tube was reading – yes there were iPhones and iPods aplenty, but honestly I saw far more books than electronics.  Traditional publishing lives!

The oddest thing about fashion is how far in advance it plans.  Here we are in the blazing heat of July and the major houses recently trotted out their wares for the Autumn/Winter lines.  I stocked up on my well-beloved British mags and they are stuffed to the gills with gorgeous stuff for cold weather to set my cravings alight.  Here’s the ever fabulous Tom and Lorenzo‘s post on one of my personal favorite haute couture designers, Elie Saab.

Wow.

I have a feeling that the gentleman called the young lady, “Shorty,” immediately prior to this now gif-ed clip.

Which came first, the cat video or the egg?  Apparently, this.

This…was a thing?  Seriously?

I saw a girl whip one of these out on the tube and couldn’t rest until I knew where she got it.

Fascinating article from the NYT to make your wheels turn a bit.  I realized a while back that I haven’t made any new friends in a long time.  Growing up moving every few years I got to be pretty good at it, but I found that it was impossible/unnecessary to keep up with all of them.  The true soulmates of friends are rare, but neither time nor distance weakens the bond, and the ones who are more transient pass out of your life easily.  I’m always open to meeting new people, but honestly if all I had for the rest of my life was my four best friends, I think I’d be happy.  Friendship, kittens: a strange animal.

Well, at least MTV isn’t hiding it anymore.

“There is no such cozy combination as man and wife.”
~ Menander

A bit tardy minions, but you’ll forgive me as it was for a good cause.  I had our annual secretaries retreat today and then had to hightail it to Margot’s wedding.  The girl gone and done it – she’s hitched!  It’s been a lovely but long day, so here are your links and let Aunty C.  just take a quick nap, k?

Shake hands and make up, war can only last so long (I’m looking at you, Rome).

Speaking of wars, here’s a professor explaining how he lectures on the Trojan War – watch the whole thing if you want.  I myself could barely make it past the first couple of minutes wherein he declares that every year fewer and fewer students even know what the Trojan War is.  I’m wringing my hands, and Mum is probably gnashing her teeth in frustration!

The end point of the Big Bang has an equally negative sounding name and some unpleasant effects.  Luckily we’re a few billion years out from it.

The fun history of photoshop.  Some people in the 19th century were pretty darn good at it.

A great article (written by a friend!) about herself, Mitt Romney, the Mormon Moment, and how they intersect in personal and unexpected ways.  It’s a fantastic piece, and not just because I adore this woman.  Check it out.

Here’s yet another place I’ve found for you to spend your money, I’m having a kitsch craving moment with these, and even the more toned down versions are pretty cute.

This story is amazing.  A (sort of) God’s creation doesn’t quite act the way he intended.  There may be a philosophical lesson here, but even if not, have a listen.

This blog‘s been making the rounds, but still quite fun.  A British school girl documents her lunches every day, and the phenomenon has spread so people can send in snap shots of their lunches from all over the world.

A while back I went through and weeded everyone from my social networks that I didn’t actually know personally and hadn’t spoken with in the past six months, but I never really thought of the role that exclusivity plays in social networking.

Grocery shopping habits across the decades, and the role of food industries.

If I could do one thing for incoming freshman to our humble university, it would be to sit them down and make them watch this.  Freshman, and most seniors to be honest, you haven’t earned the right to be treated specially yet.  You’ve got a long road ahead, get to work.

The weekly sheep, just try to be in a bad mood now!

“Friday: The day after Thursday and before Saturday according to Rebecca Black. Also the most annoying day of the week now.”
― Aaron Peckham

Hello.  Nope, not dead.  But honestly, nothing happened this week at.  Nothing at all.  And today, I’m sorry to say, is no different.

Regardless, you’re my minions and I adore you.  I’ll try to get into some scrapes next week, just for you.  Here are your links in the meantime:

SPF is your friend, kittens, wear it.

Is Pintrest really as innovative as some people think?  Or is it just the latest manifestation of human beings’ desire to “consume without purchasing?”  Here’s an interesting post with equally interesting links from the National Trust Collections’ blog.

Too cool!  I had a g’duh moment talking to J. the other day.  There’s a noted Shakespeare festival halfway between us and Flyboy’s wedding so I mentioned maybe stopping off to see a show on the way back.  J. looked at me funny and returned, “Or we could just go to The Globe when we’re back in London next year.”  Sometimes I’m dismayed at myself, kittens.

Yet another product endorsement from C. Small Dog.  This is my new go-to cat eye creating liner for the summer (it stayed on through an hour of kickboxing and zumba each) and my lashes are growing longer.  While I can never hope to achieve Chip’s indecent-for-a-baby-boy flutterers, I’m closer.

Speaking of products, how neat are these destination based fragrances?  Which city sounds best to you?

Here’s an article on perfume bottles and marketing, too.  Lady minions, do you have a signature scent or do you change your fragrances like you change your nail polish?  I’m a Coco Mademoiselle girl myself, but I have one extra scent that Peregrine gave me for my birthday one year that only makes appearances during the hot days of summer.

Yep.

Fascinating documentary on obesity in the US.  I think HBO did a great job to portray the situation from socioeconomic, historical trend, ethnic, industry, and healthcare viewpoints and there’s a lot to learn and think about.

NYT have declared this the year of the fringe/bang (depending on your vernacular).  Weigh in.

Good grief, let’s just all dress in paper bags so no one’s happy!

I found a piece of knapped flint once and an arrowhead…yeah, not as cool…

Sheep of the week, in desperate need of a shearing.

“I want to start a band called “Friday Have Been Cancelled” and then hold open auditions every Friday. The sign will read, “Auditions For Friday Have Been Cancelled.” I sure hope nobody shows up because I certainly won’t be there.”
― Jarod Kintz

Today I have a wedding reception, I’ve been (surprisingly!) busy on a project all day, and had to run several errands for work.  And for some reason, I’ve been ridiculous all week and refused to go to bed a reasonable hour so I’m running on mostly sugar and hyperactivity right now.  But I’m way too tired to come up with something clever.  Here are your links, minions, “and therefore, frolic.”

Ladies of the past, being impressive.

I’m not sure what to think of this practice in Hong Kong.

The psychology and physiology behind yawning – it’s more complicated than you think.

Just in time for the Queen’s Jubilee (and who am I kidding, that party’s been going on for a while now), the Royal Archives have finished digitizing Queen Victoria’s journals and made them available.  She was a surprisingly good doodler.

Speaking of Good Queen Bess, here she is demonstrating the color wheel.  Nien sprechen sie Deutsch?  Enjoy anyway, Betty’s fabulous.

Finally answered: to conquer world!

Someday I will crank out a novel, and at that time I solemnly swear I will not be one of these writers.  Literary agents must have great stories, I should befriend one (for totally humorous and not at all selfish reasons, of course),

One of my assignments for Flyboy’s upcoming wedding was to find a quality barber shop so he could get a real gentleman’s shave.  And for some reason, I’m now mildly obsessed with the them, it’s an instant boost of class.  I think J. should check out this joint in London and report back.

This shop contains many items that might be prohibitively expensive, but still make me drool a bit.  The real gems are in the Apothecary and This N’ That sections.

J.?  I want one.  Not immediately, not today, but I want one to save and make pretty someday.  It will cost a fortune, but I want one.

The weekly sheep.

“It’s 4:58 on Friday afternoon. Do you know where your margarita is?”
― Amy Neftzger

Friday is again upon us, minions, and praise Jupiter for it because this week has dragged at work!  Most of the staff seems to have taken at least two days off (lucky jerks) and whole hours go by without so much as phone call.  But that’s alright because this weekend I’m working on finalizing wedding travel plans for Flyboy’s nuptials, going to yoga, cleaning my flat (of which it is in dire need…), and I’m also planning a couple of marathon phone calls with the girls and J.  Sunday looks like a good day to ride Harley and read some books before settling in with a bowl of kettlecorn, switching off my phone, and devouring the last episode of Sherlock.

In a similar vein, tonight (wild hedonistic thing that I am) I’m planning on working out, doing laundry, and pretending I’m at the Met with Scarlett by watching an Opera on PBS.  Heck, I might even get some takeaway!  That’s just how I roll, ducklings.  What are your weekend plans?  Tell me in the comments, and enjoy the links!

Funny tumblr of the week, for all you nerds out there.  And let’s be honest, kittens, to paraphrase Lewis Caroll, we’re all nerds here!

How common is your birthday?  Do the math backwards and apparently we discover the winter holiday season is the time babies happen.  ‘Tis the season?

I have…opinions about this commercial.  Clever?  Perhaps.  But…  What do you guys thing?

These…pants?…offend me.  Minions found wearing them will be sacked.

SoupAddict (whose blog I love and stalk) just posted some lovely pictures of her blooming garden.  Mum and Dad apparently put in a garden at home recently too and are already enjoying the fruits (pun!) thereof.  I have a black thumb, although I’ve managed to keep my bamboo alive for years now, so a full garden is out for me.  But for my Someday House, I have a vision of growing herbs outside of my kitchen.  I think I could manage that.

Alright, I’m going to come out and say it: people like this make me despair at the human race.  I’m not sure when notoriety became the only thing worth seeking, when talent was eclipsed by self-branding, and idiots became so admired, but it needs to stop.  History shows that this is not a new phenomenon, but I contend it’s never been so bad in all of recorded human experience.

On a happier note, this kid is utterly adorable.

On the other hand: yes, you can.  I have met one, and I say that without the barest hint of sarcasm or hyperbole.  Scary, uncomfortable, and very sad.

It’s rainy today (for the first time in months, blasted American West) but for the past while it’s been sunny and hot.  Summer is here, and that means product testing time!  I’ve discovered a whole host of things that have made life easier.  This amazing product from Kielhs  currently tops the list.  I tried it because apparently Certain-Dri does not work forever (hi, chemical burns on my underarms!) and normal antiperspirants/ deodorants don’t work at all.  Summer is not kind to your friendly neighborhood Small Dog, she is a creature built for cooler climes, but such things help.

Sheep, even the weekly ones, are jerks.  One charged my little sister when we were hiking Hadrian’s Wall on holiday and it caused a bit of consternation at the time, though it makes for a good story now.