Archive for April, 2009

Where to go: Win a Clairefontaine “Basics” notebook!

Posted April 9, 2009 by
in Where to Go? | 1 comment »

Basics_Atmosphere

As many of you know, our name, Quo Vadis, means “Where are you going?” in Latin. Well, we want to find out where you’re going these days—tell us, and you could win a free notebook.

I went to Wolfe Island in March. Karen went to Orient Beach. Biffybeans went drumming, and Kate Marshall went to Cook Forest.

So whether it’s a city or a statue, a mountain or a winery, send us a paragraph or three about your favorite spot (with pictures, if possible!) and let us know what’s so cool about it. Then, we’ll put it up on the blog, and at the end of each month, you’ll be entered in a random drawing to win a free Clairefontaine “Basics” notebook in your choice of color (red, green, tan or black) and binding (clothbound, staplebound or spiral). Eventually, we’ll put together a special section in the blog with everybody’s input—a sort of eclectic travel guide.

More details after the jump…

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Guest post: Four days in the forest

Posted April 8, 2009 by
in Where to Go? | 5 comments »

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Guest blogger Kate Marshall of K’s Notebook is back this afternoon with what we hope will be the first in a series of posts about “where to go”—offbeat urban and rural destinations that our readers think are worth checking out. More info about that tomorrow. For now, read on to learn about Kate’s recent trip to Cook Forest, PA…

As someone who’s lived in suburban and urban environments, I’d never really spent much time in real forests, what with the trees, and the furry woodland creatures, and the sweeping mountain vistas that make your ears pop at high altitudes. All that changed recently, when I visited Cook Forest in northwestern Pennsylvania. This was my second trip, having previously been there in October. The campground’s entrance sits on the Clarion River, which traverses the 6668-acre forest. In addition to canoeing and kayaking (which were closed until mid-March), there is also hiking, camping, horseback riding, and fishing.

Being up in the forest for four days was extremely peaceful. By the end of my trip, I was entertaining ideas of permanently relocating to some quaint, remote forest location where the nearest town is a 20-mile drive. Besides hiking, I also enjoyed just walking around the campgrounds and taking pictures (and writing in my journal all the while, like the big geek I am).

While I’m not quite ready to pack it all in and become the female Thoreau, I’m seriously considering another trip to Cook Forest at some point (and yes, I will be bringing my pens and journal again).

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Spring styles

Posted April 7, 2009 by
in Where to Go? | 1 comment »

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Lani Rosenstock is a New York based style consultant whose philosophy is that fashion is about being confident in your own unique look. Here, she’s back with some advice about spring trends—and how a couple new pieces can help refresh what you already own.

Everyone is watching their wallets these days, shopping more out of necessity and less for entertainment. Even if you have a closet full of clothes, most women want just a few new things each season to make them feel as if their old wardrobe is new again.

I’m here to tell you which items will refresh your Spring wardrobe without looking oh so last season, next season. Some are things everyone should already have in their wardrobe as a basic and some are fun and trendy.

1. The Trenchcoat – Go all out here. This is something you’ll have for years, so spend the most that you can. If your coat is fabulous enough, it won’t even matter that you have last season’s clothes underneath!

2. The Nude Pump – Nothing, and I mean nothing, will make your legs look as long and lean as a nude pump. Go with the highest heel you can manage or try a wedge or platform style for easier height.

3. The Slouch Bag – Aren’t we all sick of super-heavy bags with lots of hardware? Find something in the thinnest of leathers that will still fit everything but the kitchen sink, without feeling as if you are carrying around the kitchen sink.

4. The Big Necklace – This trend has been gaining momentum for a few years and has now reached critical mass. Another easy way to make last year’s outfit new again.

5. A Touch of Python – An easy seasonal update, plain or in color, a high heel, flat or a clutch, it’s your choice. One thing I know, it won’t be hard to find!

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Spring’s first flowers

Posted April 6, 2009 by
in Where to Go? | Add your comment »

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Daffodils and tulips are usually the first things to blossom in the spring, and sure enough, my tulip buds are nearly ready to unfold. But this year, they were beaten to the punch by some enterprising wild violets that came up through the cracks in my patio… a very nice surprise!

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Journaling your hobbies

Posted April 3, 2009 by
in Pens, Paper & People | Add your comment »

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I don’t keep a daily diary, but I’ve recently started a journal for one of my favorite hobbies: backyard bird-watching. Since I live in an urban environment, I don’t get many species—sparrows, mourning doves, and grackles are my dependable regular guests—but there’s also a downey woodpecker who shows up from time to time, a couple of finches, one cardinal, and two bluejays. And then, just two days ago, a beautiful red-winged blackbird! I couldn’t get a good picture of him, but I’m still thrilled that he stopped by.

At any rate, I have a lovely RLH Notor that I’ve been meaning to put to good use, and birding suddenly seemed like the perfect thing to do with it. For now, I’m just going to record the species I see each day, but I suppose I might eventually supplement that with other facts and information. Later on, I can flip back through the journal and remember all the wonderful birds that I’ve seen. I just wish I’d had the idea earlier in the year!

Do you use a journal to keep track of any of your hobbies?

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Handwriting sleuths

Posted April 1, 2009 by
in Cabinet of Curiosities | Add your comment »

postcard-back

Nifty little piece on Slate last week about forensic handwriting—apparently, handwriting experts have been asked to help determine the authenticity of a postcard that was supposedly written by Linda Sohus after her 1985 disappearance. According to the article, those experts will examine:

Twenty-one distinguishing characteristics. According to one standard textbook, that’s the number of handwriting elements that may reliably help distinguish a person’s writing. These include the dimensions and proportions of the letters, the spacing both between and within words, and the way in which words and letters are connected. (In the cursive word cat, for example, does the pen line go all the way around the circular part of the a before doubling back to complete the loop?)

Of course it’s not the only intriguing aspect of the case, but I’m still curious to see what they say…

Image via.

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