Copyright Free Photographs

More lovelies for you.

Parisian Lobby & A Valentine's Gift Awaiting You

New Project: Welcome to my 'Black & White' series of photo-posts! A fresh look for the next week or two. Please feel 'free' to grab any or all of the B&W photos to print, share, use...Why? Because I Love You! - collage with, tack on your vanity...tuck inside your dream books.....create art....make a bookmark...print onto watercolour paper and hand-tint, phototransfer...fashion a luggage tag...design a postcard....enlarge & frame for your walls...surprise me! Many more to come! Enjoy my little gift to you! Liberty xo

Decor8

More fresh finds for hip spaces from Decor8. I think this image is a hoot. (gee, I haven't used that word in a long time...not very hip of me)

Wary Meyers Decorative Arts

I was going through some old photos that I took at the Bellagio last year and this one (falling flowers strung with fishing line) jumped out at me because lately I've been fascinated - studying - display/windows/styling - It reminds me of the marshmallow and rain windows that Wary Meyers did for Anthro. I can certainly visualize this used in a residential space that has vaulted ceilings. Have you designed anything like this before? I dig this couple and their thrifty, creative sensibility. Have you seen their work before?

Winner "Bloggie" Awards

I just noticed that these are the nominations for the 2008 Weblog Awards. I wasn't listed. Imagine. Bummed out I turned to my two inspirations here and here (#26) and created my own damn award. Guess what? I won! Best Canadian Blog. Please share the good news with everyone you know! (Next year I plan to win Weblog of the Year as voted by me.) For the record, in case I've got under anyone's skin, I'm not mocking these prestigious awards, I'm just super jealous and having some fun with it!

Wordplay

Here's a detail of my desk. A rhinestone mini-frame sitting on a kitschy Barbados souvenir serving tray; both cuddled next to my trusty Collins Dictionary and my beloved Pocket Thesaurus. I love this tiny photo frame. I bought it and the tray at the Goodwill for pennies about four months ago. The tray has a raised lip so this gives me great confidence when I'm sipping my morning coffee and I'm still half asleep. A coffee spill on the laptop would be devastating so the tray is my life jacket for such accidents. My dictionary is well-worn. This photo is very deceiving because I use a Thesaurus a lot more. (This is my 10th or so new one) Not because I'm lacking writing skills, but because I get off reading it. Yes. It excites me. I'm known to grab it and randomly call out synonyms. I call it 'To Saurus'. I believe everyone should have one in their purse. You never know when you need a new word. Ever had one of those moments when you walk away from a conversation and you say to yourself 'Damn. I should have said that when she said this'? See what I mean. If you had of had one in your handbag, these moments of regret would never occur. I adore the Collins Thesaurus tagline: "Essential Wordfinders for Every Occasion". Isn't that lovely? I also know that there are many different views about using a Thesaurus. How sad that millions of wordsmith's must hide their well-used book for fear they get caught. Hide no more! (cache, conceal, take cover, bury, cloak, camouflage)

The friendly face in the frame. I have no idea who that is, but I'm not changing it. Everyone keeps asking me. 'Who is that?' And I say 'Dunno'. I've given her a name though. She's my muse. She keeps me company. Don't you think it looks like she is saying 'What the hell are you posting now? Why that photo? Why that topic? Will they get it? Do they know you're jesting? You're killin' me, but I love you anyway...carry on.' Her name is 'Libby'. Short for Liberal. Also means: humanistic, indulgent, open-minded, lavish, bountiful, broad-minded etc. etc.. So that's a little corner of my workplace in a big, big internet world. Now back to my wordplay. (A favorite thing to do in pyjamas on a lazy Sunday morning). Wordplay: punning, puns, repartee, wit, witticisms.

The Bucket List

"The Bucket List" tells the funny, sad and heartfelt sentimental story of two late-middle-age men who meet as patients in a cancer ward and decide to draw up a list of things they'd like to do before they die, then set out to do them. Their trip is possible through the wealth that one of the friend's has earned in his lifetime. I saw it last night. It made a profound impact on me. Go see this movie. (Take Kleenex) Take your best friends and loved ones with you. After the movie, go for coffee and write up your own 'bucket list'. Share your list. Decide how much this list will cost and then set out to earn that money.

The one thing that cranks me up about this post is the fact that I am referring you to go see this Warner Bros. film and Warner Bros. WILL NOT be sending me any money for doing it.


Every 'Bucket List' written should also include: Know My Worth. We are all worthy of credit where credit is due. Giving is one thing. Sharing is another. Promoting each other is another. But, getting compensated for all of our talents is something all together different. As bloggers we give freely. Perhaps some of the companies we promote should begin to pay us all for it. No one gets a free ride. Case in point. I gave a mention to 'Kleenex' in this post. Do you think they will send me a cheque? Or place an ad in my sidebar? Think about how much corporations pay out for product placement!

Am I stirring the blog pot? Are bloggers being raped? (This is a new frontier after all)What do you think?

"We could do this. We should do this." - The Bucket List

All Without a Writer. Go figure.

"I just found out about 10 days ago that I must live 300 or 400 yards from Britney Spears. And I found out cause I came home at 10 at night and there's all these helicopters over my house with these lights. I'd gone upstairs, and I came out and I'm in a robe. All of the sudden I see all this shit going on.I have a guest house where my assistant sometimes is, and I think, someone has broken out of prison and like escaped, because it's a chase scene. It's something out of "Die Hard." I get my baseball bat, which is what you always get in every film--I actually think Clive Owen said, "Get a baseball bat"--and I called up my assistant, who I thought was in the guest house, and I said, "Are you OK?" And she's like, "Yes." And I said, "Look, if there's someone in the place, say the word 'Stonehenge'." And she's like, "What the fuck are you talking about? I'm in my apartment." I go, "You're not in the guesthouse?" "No." So I'm, like, "Well, then, what the fuck is going on?" And I go out and I'm running around with a baseball bat in my robe. And it turns out it's Britney Spears' house is like, 300 yards from mine. So now I have to move." - George Clooney

Happy Weekend! Dream of G.I.Joe.

Mr. Big

If you had to sit down and write a script for your Mr. Big, what would it say? If you were to blog about it, what would you post?

"I feel sorry for Big, I really do. Because if you think about it, I was the best thing that ever happened to him. Actually, no. I pity him because I get to walk away and be me, and he has to walk away and stay him, you know? And who wants to be him when you could be me? I mean, I'm smart, I'm funny... I was this, this thing, you know I was it. I was this magic moment. I was the abracadabra. I was totally the "poof" in the relationship. I mean, I've got more "poof" in one finger than he could ever have. I mean, geez, sometimes I "poof" just hailing a cab. So I guess it's better to know now. So I can go "poof" someone else. Someone who deserves me, and not some screwed-up, insecure guy who can't deal with a woman who's got her act together. Now, I'm gonna end up deliriously happy and Big is gonna die old and alone, and I pity him. Really, I pity him." -Carrie Bradshaw

What's Black & White and Read All Over?

That's me. Liberty Post Editor. I'm a Canadian girl. Born in the Nation's Capitol, Ottawa & raised in Toronto & Montreal. I live on the turquoise shores of Wasaga Beach, Ontario. It's the longest fresh water beach in the world. You'd love it here. I'm a big girl now with 4 children and one spunky Granddaughter. Some of you may wonder why my header is 'American' looking. I am more interested in the symbol of Liberty than the country she lives in. (Although the U.S.A. is my neighbour and friend.) Freedom of expression. Creativity. Writing. Photography. I share very random images and ideas on Liberty Post. I coined this my 'Gallery of Goods'. (Please feel free to dig around a bit in my catagories and archives. It's like a buffet. A little something for everyone.) I am astounded by the amount of people from all over the world who read my blog every day. I am so very grateful that you find it interesting. I appreciate all your comments and I get my bucket filled each morning by taking my blog tour over strong coffee. (You'll find all those links to incredible blogs in my right side bar.) I thank you for inspiring me. Now, let's see what you look like!

The Answer to my title Question: A blog of course. (times they are a changin'. used to be a newspaper.)

My (French) Robin's Eggs

You may or may not have heard my phrase 'My little robin's egg'. This is something I've been saying for a while now for things I adore. Don't know where it came from. One day I just started using it. I do recall swooning over a robin's egg silver ring on etsy. Perhaps that was the beginning of this addition to Liberty Speak.

Today I am sharing my robin's egg (favorite) French and/or (Parisian inspired) Blogs.
Cote de Texas
Black Eiffel
Hidden in France
Le Petit Cabinet de Curiosities
The Paris Apartment
The Blissful

Stimulant!

A Pink Cloud.

"I fell off my pink cloud with a thud." - Elizabeth Taylor

I've been playing with some photos and voila!, A Pink Cloud was born. That's what it reminded me of anyway. And then I started to search 'pink cloud' and discovered ET's quote. Then I thought 'What the heck did she mean?' and then I found out.

Being “on a pink cloud” meant that you were living in a dream world, as opposed to living in the real, everyday world. Is there something wrong with a 'dream world'? (It's easier to live there.)

In all seriousness though, here is AA's definition of Pink Cloud: The temporary sensation of euphoria and well-being that is characteristic to those who are new to AA and sobriety. For most, the pink cloud eventually dissipates. This heralds the time to get down to business and start seriously working the Steps. We all learn something new everyday.

Also: Pink Cloud. Good name for a nightclub. Or a cupcake. Or a line of bedsheets. Or a cotton candy booth.

(Happy Birthday CWH. You had me on a Blue Cloud 24 years ago. I Love You. xo)

ONE

Heath Ledger 1979-2008

People Magazine

What My Eyes Saw Today in Five Minutes

Loveliness on one lovely street corner, in one lovely building, in a troubled world. Thank goodness we have them. (the lovely, the loveliness and the soldiers)

Lululemon Athletica

Until one month ago, I did not know what this was. I had no idea it was a store; a 'very' (internationally) famous Canadian store. I did not know what they sold. I didn't know it was my eldest daughter's favorite store. I suppose I've been living under a yoga mat. She is studying at Queens. We live 5 hours apart. My parents got her a substantial gift card from Lululemon as a special surprise. I just found out that she purchased the items of her dreams at the store in Kingston. The funny part of this story for me is my visit to their website. If you scroll down to the bottom it says (and I quote) "Speak to a Real Canadian". I laughed and laughed at this. Do they realize how hard it is to define what an actual Canadian is? I know they are referring to customer service reps, probably in South Asia, who service everyone all the time - it just made me belly laugh. Downward Dog Boys. What a company...obviously outspoken. I like their style. Read their goal setting sheet here. Read their text version of their Manifesto. (shown above in graphics - photos courtesy of Lululemon Athletica) The Media section is the best! You must go there now. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200. (That's what you'll need to buy a few items there.) Open your eyes! (You'll see what I mean when you get there.)

A Tale of Two Cities

This is where we live. In the Tale of Two Cities. One is a beach town, the other is a mountain town. One economy prays for summer; the other for snowflakes. All the people in these two towns, that sit beside each other on the turquoise shores of Georgian Bay, pray differently, depending on what season it is. The people, they say, have the best of both worlds. It certainly is an unusual circumstance. It may not happen in too many places around the globe. Come Spring, we will enjoy the thaw while we read the 'hot' versions of our local magazines. We are lucky. We live in one of the world's greatest playgrounds. (Which town do you think will survive if global warming gets any worse?)

Country Home's Pacific Overtures

The mossy woodlands and dramatic peaks around Portland, Oregon, inspire the design of the 2007 Country Home show home, where earth-friendly attitude mixes with fresh country style. I love the souvenir pillow and the antique Chinese calligraphy brushes. This inviting place could be plunked down in Canada and feel right at home. Inside February 2008 Issue.

I'm having a dry spell with my own photos. (ever had that happen to you?) You can count on me though! I've got some ideas and I'm busy working on new things. Stay tuned. In the meantime, check out these photos of Oregon. It's called 365 Days. Truly cool, start a new week, inspiration. Make Monday Marvelous!

Glamping & Hamping

I was enjoying the 'Glamping' post on This is Glamorous. Have you taken a moment to indulge in her 'Take Me Away' posts? They are visual treats! I can only imagine the feeling of waking up in a pristine canvas tent, snuggled into a king bed with Egyptian cotton sheets; butler frying the bacon, camp worker stoking the morning fire. Fresh, strong coffee waiting. No internet. (That could be an issue.) I must confess, I still prefer 'Hotel Camping' better. If you know what I mean. I think I'll be the first to call it 'Hamping'. Her 'Glamping' reminded me of one of my favorite posts, although, as much as Mom & Dad tried to make it glamorous, it wasn't. It was even better.

Currently Lusting Marie Antoinette

Tracy Porter's french-inspired blouse. Lusting after it. A dream to spend my weekend pondering over. "Couture styling fit for a queen. Impeccable detailing that enhances (forgives) any figure... Stunning French print in pink and brown... a deadly combination indeed! Cake anyone?" More Marie Antoinette inspiration here, here and here.
Happy Weekend My Friends! Liberty xo

Made by Girl

'You can have my broken heart'. This is my favorite card from Made by Girl. I find all of her designs very sexy, graphic, strong, cheeky, rock n' roll, sassy, flirty, girly and 'Pop-Mod'. I could go on and on about how this company stands out in the crowd. Owner and designer, Jennifer Ramos is spreading the word about Global Warming with her line of recycled cards. I have always maintained that when environmental issues got 'sex'd' up, people would finally jump on board. I think Jennifer is blazing the trail. She is now part of my elite group, 'Illustrious Inspiration'.

Photo Credit: Made by Girl

Sharon Mimran

It's always a treat to take a video tour of a home with the designer. Enjoy Sharon Mimran's ideas. You can also read the feature article about her reno in the February 2008 Canadian House & Home Magazine. Her contact info is here.

Some key details to wet your appetite:

1. Price: $4.85-million

2. Georgian in style, has 7,000 square feet of living space on three levels (including the lower level), with walkouts to the garden.

3. There's also a wine cellar with room for 1,250 bottles.

Photo Credit: Globe & Mail

(Photos courtesy of Chestnut Park Real Estate Ltd.)

Spiderman IV Film Set

Ah come on. I'm just playing ya, but I do feel this location in Montreal would be the perfect backdrop for a 'Spidey Scence' don't you? This is the eye of a Location Manager. The Location Manager is responsible for finding and securing locations to be used and coordinating the logistics involved for the production to successfully complete its necessary work. They are also the face of the production to the community and responsible for addressing the issues that may arise due to the production's impact on the community. That means that if any crap is going to fly, it's going to land right in his/her lap. Great communicators and smoozers; also named 'Scout', these people travel and love to find a great venue. If you think you would like to try this career, grab your camera, passport and read this. I'm going to call Sony Pictures today!

Pia: Can you find the heart?

Click to enlarge this photo I shot. The patina on the building looks perfect for an evil character's penthouse! By the way, there really was a fire on one of the top floors and there were even people hanging out of some windows! Yikes!

How to Get Your Name on a Handbag

1. Go to Paris, Milan or New York.

2. Fill your handbag. Overflowing.

3. Hang outside designer studios. Be sure you are dressed well.

4. When you see them come outside, fumble with your handbag and dump it on the ground.

5. When the designer comes over to help you, slip him/her your calling card.

That's it. That's all. Now you too can be a Style Icon.

Be sure to get it in writing: You want 10% of all sales. Not enough you say. I say more than enough when they cost $55,000.00 each.

Hermes Day Photo: Credit