Just Beachy

Fairy Tale Designs

2012-01-27T20:26:00.000-08:00

Recently I expanded my easy shop, which I've also renamed Fairy Tale Designs, to include jewelry in addition to my art. (I also really would like to have some of my art made into pendants for necklaces, but I'll tell you more about that once I've decided to get that rolling.) I've only made a few pieces so far, mainly earrings (click above for links to individual items in my shop) and I'm having a sale through Valentine's Day, everything 20% off.

Feel free to check out my new shop and let me know what you think! I would especially love to know what anyone thinks about having a shop offer both art and jewelry. Do you think it's too confusing?

Endings and Beginnings

2012-01-07T16:57:00.000-08:00

Today I'm posting from my iPad, which was the most awesome Christmas present I've ever recieved, but I'm finding myself hindered in many ways, especially when it comes to blogging, that weren't a problem when I had a computer. Said computer died on me on the 18th of December. It was a sad day indeed. We'd been through a lot together. For a PC it lived a rather long time (7 years). Luckily I had nearly everything on that computer backed up. It would've been a catastrophe had that not been the case. But, like I said, I'm feeling hindered without it.

Don't get me wrong, I love this iPad! I watch my instant Netflix, which I couldn't do on my computer because it was so slow, and I can still work on my writing with Pages, which is infinitely better than Word, and my brother got me this awesome case that includes a bluetooth keyboard and props my iPad up so it really feels like I'm using a laptop. But I can't even show you a picture of what it looks like because on blogger I can't post pictures from my iPad. This is a serious issue for me because I'm so unfamiliar with how to post pictures via a URL. I suppose I should get a Flickr account. I think that would work, anyway. Any ideas?

Anyway, this is the reason why this post is void of any photos, which I think is what gives my blog it's life. My words offer substance, but I've never fealt I really have a thing for this posting in the moment thing that so many bloggers seem to have a gift for (although, I'm sure there are times many of you plan out your posts ahead of time, I'm still hopeless at this). I seem to have more of a gift for writing fiction. Obviously. I suppose I feel my own life is rather boring and adding photos is my way of making it more exciting...in a way.

So I'm sitting here getting ready to watch the Saints play the Lions in the wild card playoffs, wishing I could add photos of the many books I've read recently that I'd like to tell you about. The first are the Hunger Games trilogy, but I'm sure you all know what the covers to these books look like, but if not I'm going to utilize my ability to use links. These books are amazing. I've read each in about 2 or 3 days. I just finished Catching Fire two days ago and I'm about to finish Mockingjay today. I'm crazy excited to read the ending, but I'm really nervous at the same time because the story covering all three books has proven to be so tragic. I've laughed, I've cried, I've gotten angry, frustrated, creeped out, and nervous as hell! It's been quite a ride and it makes me even more excited for the movie coming out in March!

I also read the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo last month and I can't wait to see the movie, it was that awesome! I really had a hard time putting it down. I was completely shocked to find out what happened to Harriet and I couldn't help but be fascinated with Lisbeth. I'm not crazy about the ending, but it was an amazingly written story overall.

I'm also still working on my dragon novel and I hope to be done with that soon. I can't believe how long I've been working on it, but it is pretty complex. I can't wait for the day when I'll be able to tell you it's getting published! I'm optomistic that will happen this year. Put out some good energy for me!

Celebrity crush - the sexiest man alive

2011-11-30T16:19:00.000-08:00

If you have not yet had the opportunity to read about this year's sexiest man alive, Bradley Cooper, then I strongly urge you to run - not walk - down to the nearest store and pick up a copy of People magazine. You can't miss it; it's the one with the guy with the killer smile on the cover :)

After reading about more about him and finding out more of who he really is (and not all the crap that gets printed in the tabloids about him being a player or whatever) I decided I wanted to write him a letter. Have you ever written or wanted to write a letter to your celebrity crush? It was a slightly nerve-racking and liberating experience. They always say you should ask for what you want; a girl can dream, can't she?

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

2011-11-27T19:14:00.000-08:00

Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 10p on CBS

Can't wait for this! Need I say more?

That time of the year

2011-11-27T16:38:00.000-08:00

Architectural Digest Dec. 2011

It's Fall and Christmas is just around the corner. Wouldn't it be lovely to get away to a place like this? Absolutely gorgeous.

I've been busy with the usual holiday madness: buying Christmas presents, driving all over the place in hideous traffic, and planning ahead for visiting friends. Thanksgiving was nice. I hope yours were all lovely! We went to a family friend's house and the food was great, but I didn't overdo it, which is an accomplishment! And Black Friday was pretty hectic; I went to the mall between the morning and afternoon crowds, but got stuck in the Camarillo Outlet's ridiculously inadequate parking lot. That wasn't fun, but other than that it was a good day. Did any of you brave the Black Friday madness?

I also saw Hugo yesterday and it is an absolute must see! It was so great in 3D! Martin Scorcese is a genius! I laughed, I cried and was blown away by the amazing story of this boy named Hugo.

I thought I'd be doing more writing this month for nanowrimo, but it hasn't been panning out well. But I'm okay with that. It's been so nice having a little break from worrying about my story and whether or not it will ever get published.

Other than that I joined a book club. We meet every month at our Barnes & Noble and my first book that I read was Little Bee, which I read in two days. It's one of those books you can't put down and the story will catch you off guard. I highly recommend it.

Well, I hope you've all been enjoying a very relaxing holiday weekend and I'll get back to you soon!

Temeraire and a Magical Halloween

2011-11-03T16:05:00.000-07:00

I started typing up this post last month and never finished because things got a little hectic. I had all four wisdom teeth pulled (so glad I don't ever have to do that again) and three cavities filled. I had the top two pulled in two sessions with my cavities and, let me just say I do not suggest anyone do it this way because I think I would have rather had all four done at the same time. I haven't eaten much solid food in a month.

Then, some time in October, I decided, after all the rejections I was getting, that perhaps my dragon story really wasn't as ready as I'd thought and I needed to do more work on it. This stressed me out to the max because my unemployment will be ending in a matter of months and I had planned on already having an agent (yes, I know, I'm ambitious). Needless to say, I had to start rethinking my plan, but things rarely ever go as planned. It's part of life to learn this lesson, and it's also never good to put all your eggs in one basket. Just my words of advice for today.

Anyway, my story was stressing me out and everyone kept telling me to just take a break, so that's just what I've been doing. Halloween came up and this year was one of the most fun and entertaining Halloween's I've ever had. I dressed up as Lady Luck and also spent the two weeks leading up to Halloween helping my brother make a Max from Where The Wild Things Are costume:

We went to a friend's house party on Friday night and then went to the Magic Castle in Hollywood on Saturday night, which I had never been to. It was an absolutely awesome night and I wish to go there every Halloween because everyone that's there is totally into it just like me! We couldn't take pictures inside, so I can't show you any of it, but if you ever get the chance to go, you must! It's an amazing place!

And, before I update you on some of my recent reading, November is time for NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), which I also participated in last year. I'll be focusing on writing a story about a scientist named Jake who is the son of a killed CIA agent. After his mother's mysterious death he has to put the pieces together to figure out who killed her and his father years before. And then, in December, I'll get back to my dragon story...

I'd heard of this series quite some time ago and have never gotten around to reading them due to my YA obsession (this is an adult sci/fi series), but I finally bought the first three for my birthday. These are the first three in a, so far, seven book series, but I'm not sure I'll keep reading after book three. The books are very well written, but I'm just not sure they're my thing. Mainly, when I think of dragons I think of magic and there isn't any of that in these stories. The author studied the Napoleonic wars, in which time these stories are set, and are very much centered in reality. So the dragons are much like any other animal, with the obvious exception that they can speak and are just as intelligent (if not more) as humans. I would recommend them if you're really into historical fiction.

P.S. I most likely won't be posting much this month because of NaNoWriMo so have a lovely November!

Fall Shows

2011-09-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

It's the beginning of Fall (well, yesterday was) and to get into the spirit I thought I'd share the new shows I want to watch on TV this season:

Terra Nova:

This show looks pretty awesome and premieres Monday the 26th at 8p (two hour premiere so it's usually going to be on at 9p) on FOX.

The Playboy Club:

I totally missed the premiere, but I'm going to see if I can find it online. On Mondays at 10p on NBC.

Ringer:

Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar (Sarah is back! Yay!...I'm a big Buffy fan.) I watched the premiere on the 13th and it's going to be an entertaining show. It's on Tuesdays at 9p on the CW.

Whitney:

This show is hilarious! I just watched it on Thursday at 9:30p on NBC.

Pan Am:

This one premieres tomorrow at 10p on ABC!

Dexter:

Of course, you need Showtime for this one, but it's the show I'm the most excited about! Premieres October 2 at 9p/e

What shows will you be watching this Fall?

Two Years!

2011-09-16T15:41:00.000-07:00

(Central Park by Matteart on etsy. It really doesn't relate to my post but I just love this guy's art! More on that later!)

Today is the 2nd anniversary of my blog. It seems odd that it was such a short time ago that I created it. And I feel it rather a shame that it never got very far in the world of blogs. Not to say that I haven't met some very wonderful people who still so loyally follow my simple little blog. And it's definitely not to say that I won't continue with it in the years to come.

When I created this blog I had high hopes for it. Indeed, it was a place of creativity and refuge that I so deeply enjoyed. Just when it seemed things were progressing with my blogging, my whole world crumbled around me and everything came to a screeching halt. No doubt my blog has suffered somewhat because of the drastic changes in my life in the past year and a half (well, almost two years now). What with how very little activity there is in my life since I lost my job and the fact that I spend most of my time with my head deeply immersed in a world I have been creating for the past few years (that would be my fantasy novel), I've found I have little to share.

I know that my situation is only temporary, however, and I do hope you will all bear with me. I know I have been slacking in the area of blog commenting, which I will do my best to rectify as often as possible. But I will say ever since I got an iPhone, I've been finding more excuses not to log onto the internet on my computer (the only way I can really post on my blog), because my computer is so slow in comparison it's almost torturous. All this aside, I do hope you will all know I have not disappeared, and I'm sure by my 3rd anniversary, I will have had much more to share with you!

Have a lovely weekend!

We Remember

2011-09-10T19:36:00.000-07:00

Broken Pieces

It is one experience

I feel no one will be able to forget

one that changed so many lives

within one hour

I have never seen

such an act of terrorism

and I hope to never see one again

No matter how many times

I see those huge magnificently

built towers

crashing to the ground

or see the pictures and hear the

stories

of the people missing

all innocent

or hear the horrendous numbers

of those people that died

it all seems like some sort of

dream

more like a nightmare

that we all wish never happened

and that we all want to go away

so that things would all be normal

again

It is so hard to believe

and impossible to understand

that something so awful

could ever happen in a country like

ours

Now sadness and tears

are the only things common around

It is so sad to think

that the most awful tragedies

are the most unforgettable

like the bad things in life

are the only things that we

remember

But I for one will never

forget

because now whenever I hear

our Star Spangled Banner

I feel that a piece of me

even if it is only very small

was connected somehow

to those that died

and it has crumbled away with

them

and our song is the only thing

that can help

put all of the broken pieces back together

It is the only thing that can

put New York back together

and all of the broken hearts back

together

The one thing

that will remind us never to forget

we are in this together

In honor and memory of all the innocent lost on September 11, 2001. I hope one day I can visit the Memorial built on Ground Zero.

This is a poem I wrote a few days after 9/11 as an English assignment during my Junior year of high school.

A very fond farewell

2011-09-02T18:25:00.000-07:00

I've recently learned that the Hallmark store closest to where I live in Oxnard will be closing after over 20 years; in other words, this store has been there since I've lived in Oxnard, which is practically my whole life. I'd be lying if I said this wasn't a blow. This particular Hallmark store is also special to me because my first job ever was working there. It'll be utterly bizarre when it's closed on Labor Day. The owners told me that Hallmark is closing it's independent stores across the country and partnering with Wallmart and Walgreens to sell their cards. You can also find Gold Crown items on the Hallmark website.

Everything is changing so drastically so fast, I'm not sure how to feel about any of it. Change is always going to happen whether you like it or not; it really comes down to how you deal with it. I suppose I'm taking this particular change hard because I feel like mine and my family's lives are so up in the air at the moment. I'm sure in the next few years we'll all look back and know everything that's happening now, happened for the best, but it's always difficult to see the final picture when change is right in your face.

Regardless of this sad news, I wish you all a very fun and relaxing Labor Day weekend!

Emma therapy

2011-08-30T16:00:00.000-07:00

You know when you're having a bad or weird day and people say to post about shoes or fashion to help you feel better? Well, this is my version: Emma Watson from this month's edition of the UK's Harper's Bazaar. I love Emma Watson no matter what; she's an angel, but I thought these photos were particularly striking. The last one is my favorite :)

Weekend getaway

2011-08-11T13:02:00.000-07:00

Isn't this piece gorgeous?! It's by Brooknoel and it's called Summer Dances II. Check out her shop. She has some other amazing pieces that she's incorporated into covers for journals!

I'm off tomorrow to visit my friend, Angela, in Long Beach for the weekend, right after I get my hair done Friday morning, of course! Angela and I are both Lord of the Rings fanatics and we'll be watching the extended edition trilogy on Blu Ray :) Can't wait! It'll be nice to get away, and I haven't seen Ang in months! I wish you all a lovely weekend! Do you have any plans?

Happy Friday

2011-08-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

(photo via i suwannee)

I just saw this photo on i suwannee's blog and I just had to share it because it's so precious! Anyway, it's a good Friday because I'm going to be sending off my story (well, really it's a query letter and a synopsis) to a list of agents and I'm super excited! Wish me luck and have a great weekend!

Oh, and my last post was my 300th! I almost totally missed that one!

Inside Job

2011-07-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

There have been so many things going on lately that I completely forgot to post about this film, Inside Job, that I saw two weekends ago during the Ventura Film Festival. It's a documentary film narrated by Matt Damon that won the Best Documentary Film award at this year's Academy Awards. It documents the history of the rise and fall of America's economy over the last century. Mainly it tells the story of the bubble in the 90's and how it led us to where we are now -- in trillions of dollars of debt with many Americans suffering from unemployment and property loss. It was a lot of information to take in, but I was so blown away, I knew that everyone in America needs to see this. The DVD can be purchased on Amazon and can also be found on Netflix.

This past weekend I went to visit my great-aunt in Temecula with my mom and we went to Glen Ivy Spa. It was so much warmer over there than I'm used to, that it was actually really relaxing. I'm now almost finished with my novel! I'm just doing a read through and making minor corrections, but it should be ready to be sent out to agents in a week or so! In fact, I'm keeping this short so I can get back to that. My birthday is tomorrow and I'll be having another busy weekend, so I won't have too much time to work on it. I hope you're all enjoying your summer!

I still have both of these stories on the brain...

2011-07-18T14:54:00.000-07:00

Last Friday morning, before going to see Harry Potter, I finished Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I read it in three days. It is amazing. Card is incredible at creating a rich plot with well developed characters, as well as weaving in heavy subjects like religion, politics, love, friendship, and, above all, what it really means to be human. It's a total page turner; I couldn't put it down. And Ender is now in my top ten of favorite fiction characters. I'll now read anything by Orson Scott Card.

I also saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2 on Friday and it was also incredible. I saw it in 3D, which just adds to the magic :) It followed the book fairly closely, which I liked, until the very end; Hollywood just can't help but be overly dramatic. But I liked it anyway. In my mind, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint will always be Harry, Hermione, and Ron. They were perfect. I'm really going to miss having a Harry Potter movie to look forward to. I suppose I'm just going to have to buy the rest of them as I only own the first four...Anyway, great movie. If you haven't seen it yet, do!

P.S. We still have Pottermore to look forward to!

The End

2011-07-12T15:18:00.000-07:00

I am so excited for this! I already have my ticket for Friday! It's going to be epic!

Happy Independence Day

2011-07-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

Wishing you all a cool and safe July 4th!

Colors of the Peacock

2011-06-23T16:42:00.000-07:00

For the last few days I've been seeing a lot of peacocks, whether they be stuffed, painted...or in the lyrics of a song (I'm referring to Katy Perry's song Peacock, of course, the song isn't about a peacock at all):

Amy D. Morris design in Traditional Home

iPhone 4 cover

Peacock Invitations on etsy

Peacock on red bicycle by Cocodeparis on etsy

I've always loved the idea of peacock colors for my wedding (aren't those invitations lovely?), as well as my house, whenever I finally have one to decorate!

Pottermore

2011-06-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

www.pottermore.com

I posted last week about JK Rowling launching a new site and posting a countdown on youtube to her announcement that was today. This new site is called Pottermore and will officially be launching in October. You'll be able to read the books interactively as though you are a part of the story, with a magical name and the opportunity to be sorted into one of the four Hogwarts houses! Once you've been sorted you get access to all kinds of additional information and background on the world of Harry Potter that wasn't included in the books! This is such a genius idea and I can't wait to experience it! Watch JK Rowling's video on the site for more information.

Summer Solstice

2011-06-21T16:30:00.000-07:00

Ever and a Day by HarperSmith via etsy

Here's to the first day of Summer! I hope you're all enjoying the warmer weather!

More Harry?!

2011-06-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

(image via mugglenet.com)

Yesterday my brother led me to a website that JK Rowling recently set up, www.pottermore.com, where you click on either owl and it leads you here:

http://www.youtube.com/JKRowlingAnnounces

I thought this was a rather genius way to tell the world you'll be making an announcement, although I have no idea where or how the announcement will be made. So I suppose I'll just be waiting with baited breath along with the rest of the world. Whatever it is, I can't wait!

In addition to this and my novel I've been working on, there hasn't been much going on in my world, hence the lame blogging (also, I must add, my computer is a constant hindrance to my getting anything accomplished in a timely manner on the internet, so I try to just stay off of it).

I did get to see one of my best friends from high school (and didn't take any pictures because I am retarded), whom I had not seen since her wedding nearly 4 years ago, on Tuesday. Along with her husband, we went antiquing on Main St. in Ventura and then went to eat at BJ's, which they were both excited for as their town of Aroura, IL does not have a BJ's. It was a very good day and I haven't had so much fun reminiscing in quite a long time.

I have been baking a lot of cupcakes lately, wishing I could send them to all my friends spread out all over this state and many others as they are reeking havoc on my weight (but they're just so yummy!). Have a lovely weekend everyone!

And Happy Father's Day to all the amazing fathers out there!

Baking for a good cause

2011-06-06T14:58:00.000-07:00

l to r: me, Kim, Brandi, and Erin

This last Saturday I drove out to Silver Lake with my mom (who took this photo) to participate in a bake sale to support the Pablove Foundation, which funds pediatric cancer research as well as works to improve the life of children living with cancer through hospital arts and music programs. There were some amazingly yummy looking treats (I brought gluten free chocolate mint cupcakes) made by quite a few blog friends of the lovely ladies, Kim and Brandi, who sacrificed their time and energy to put on this event and raised an amazing $480 to donate to this incredible foundation! Awesome right?! Definitely one of the coolest things I've been able to participate in!

(photo via not your average ordinary)

Bake Sale!

2011-06-03T12:27:00.000-07:00

Brandi and Kim have organized this awesome bake sale going on tomorrow in Silver Lake. I'll be baking gluten free chocolate cupcakes with mint frosting today for the occasion! So if you're in the area come check it out! You'll be supporting childrens cancer research and you can check out the sweet music collection at Vacation Vinyl!

Book Expo America

2011-05-24T13:02:00.000-07:00

It's NYC Book Week this week and I'm completely jealous of anyone lucky enough to go. Tomorrow Christopher Paolini will be reading an excerpt from Inheritance, the fourth and final book of his Inheritance Cycle, at the Apple Store in SoHo at 5p. That would be an event worth seeing! Besides Book Week there are tons of event going on all week for the Expo and most of them are free.

For more info go to bookexpoamerica.com.

Color Inspiration

2011-05-24T12:24:00.000-07:00

June's issue of House Beautiful had this gorgeous scarab beetle (I know, isn't it crazy to hear the words "gorgeous" and "beetle" in one sentence?!) for their monthly Paint Palette section. I still can't stop looking at it! And then I found that the artist, Christopher Marley, is absolutely amazing! (I particularly love the shells!)

If you had to choose one photo or item to base a color palette for a room on, what would you choose?

Life, in a nutshell

2011-05-16T14:30:00.000-07:00

Regardless of my joblessness my life has been pretty busy lately. I know I haven't been a faithful blogger as of late so I thought I'd give you a little update on what's been going on with me. First off, I've been writing like a madwoman. My dragon story is coming along and I'm getting close to finishing a very good rough draft that I'll be sending to my grandma to critique (she was a school teacher for years). Then, once I've revised it a few more times, I'm hoping to send it out agents by my birthday in July. Wish me luck!

Mitch posing with an Indiana Jones hat :)

This whole month has brought many birthdays, most importantly my brother's and my mom's, which is at the end of the month. My brother turned 25 last friday (Friday the 13th. How cool is that?) and we celebrated by going to Disneyland and California Adventure. He got a birthday button (coolest invention ever!) so everyone knew it was his birthday and must have been wished a happy birthday by 50 strangers throughout the day. It even put me in a spectacular mood and it wasn't even my birthday! We also ate at the Blue Bayou restaurant (aka the Pirates of the Caribbean restaurant), which none of us had ever been to so that was great. Definitely one of the best days I've had in a long time!

It was also Mother's Day and I made my mom a really cool necklace, which I'm planning to incorporate into a selection of designs that I'll be adding to my Etsy shop sometime this year. I'm not sure when seeing as funds are low as is time, but we'll see.

Along with my writing, jewelry, my art, and birthdays I'm also looking for a job (most likely two part-time jobs, as I can't handle sitting in an office all day 5 days a week ever again) as my unemployment has just come to its end, which I'm super stressed about; and, to top everything off, we've had construction workers doing work on my mom's balcony over my bedroom for over a week now and I'm growing tired of the pounding.

Oh, and I've also had a myriad of issues going on with my body like severe pain in my neck and shoulders (which plagued me at Disneyland but, thankfully, my massage therapist mother has been helping me with) as well as various forms of anxiety attacks. I feel like everything is going to converge at some point in a kind of explosion of sorts, but I'm hoping it won't be all bad. Sometimes things get worst before they get better, right? Well, that's my philosophy anyway.

Artists on Etsy

2011-04-26T12:37:00.000-07:00

There are some truly gifted and inspiring artists out there nowadays and I'm willing to bet a large majority of them can be found on Etsy. Here are some of my favorites from the art showcase for today:

Modphoric

Sara Larson Art

Swalla Studio

Happy Earth Day!

2011-04-22T13:20:00.000-07:00

Today is the 41st annual Earth Day! Celebrate with one of these 5 tips from the go green blog. I think I might go take a walk on the beach with a plastic bag and pick up any trash I see.

P.S. I really like Google's art in honor for today! Check it out!

P.P.S. It's also Easter weekend! Have a lovely one whether with friends or family. I'll be treating myself to a Cadberry Egg. They're my favorite :)

Sale on Etsy!

2011-04-19T12:04:00.000-07:00

I'm having a 10% off Spring Sale on my Etsy shop until April 30th!

New Foos

2011-04-11T13:57:00.000-07:00

The new Foo Fighters album, Wasting Light, comes out tomorrow! I got to listen to a preview of the whole album last week (join your favorite bands' mailing lists. you get to feel special in all kinds of ways :) and I'm not completely sure about how I feel about it yet. Listening to an album the whole way through for the first time is never the same experience as listening for the second or third time. Their first single, Rope, is still my favorite song on the album.

Inheritance

2011-04-03T16:10:00.000-07:00

About a week and a half ago I was thinking that I should start reading Christopher Paolini's Inheritance series again because I'd never finished reading Brisingr (book 3) and I had a feeling book four would be coming out any day now. So I started reading Eragon again. I happen to be writing a novel about dragons so Eragon is inspirational for me to read and helps me think of new ideas for my own story. (Normally, I wouldn't read something so closely related to what I'm writing, especially when it comes to writing fantasy because it can distract from what I'm writing and make me second guess my own story, but I just had a good feeling about it.)

Anyway, the next day after I'd started reading Eragon I got online and checked my email and, low and behold, there was an email announcing the release of the fourth novel (pictured above) titled 'Inheritance'. It will be released November 8, 2011! I'm excited to read it already! It should be an awesome conclusion!

Beaded jewelry

2011-03-30T13:59:00.000-07:00

I was on Etsy for about two hours yesterday just completely swept up in all these new shops I was finding. Since I recently started making jewelry again and I'm rather obsessed with getting creative with seed beads, I naturally fell in love with Lynn Davy's jewelry. I can't stop staring at it. The one above, the Pearl Garden Collar, is my favorite. All of her pieces are so cropped full of color and detail it's incredible. I'm very tempted to buy one of her kits to make one myself. It would like wearing a piece of art!

Must have

2011-03-30T13:50:00.000-07:00

I found this artist, Tina Tarnoff, on Etsy recently (I blogged about her shop a while back) and included this piece in the fairy tale treasury list I made yesterday. I want it so badly it's ridiculous! Needless to say, I'm a big fan of Peter Pan! This art is just incredible!

Lustful Kitchens

2011-03-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

A while back Brandi, one of my favorite bloggers, posted on her blog, Not Your Average Ordinary, about her favorite kitchen and it got me thinking. I'm not a big cook - although, I do love to bake - so the kitchen isn't really a room I give that much thought to, at least when it comes to thinking of my dream kitchen. I did find a Jenn-air ad for their Savannah kitchen in Architectural Digest recently that I couldn't stop looking at. This is rare, I must say. (Check out the link because I couldn't get a good picture of it.)

But ultimately, I think my all time favorite kitchen will always be the one from 'Something's Gotta Give'. It has such a harmonious mix of wood and stainless steel, old and new. It's open and airy and not over done (I don't like anything that looks over done) and, not to mention, it has ample storage (kitchens never seem to have enough storage):

It's a lovely kitchen, don't you think so? The whole house is lovely, by the way. I posted numerous pictures of it (along with a floor plan) that you can see here. If you haven't seen the movie I highly recommend it!

Day for the Irish

2011-03-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

My mom and I and a friend went out to the Watermark and Dargan's last night to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and had a great time. There were people everywhere, but I wouldn't say it was busy like last year was. A girl gave us the hat my mom has on and I made the tiara type thing I'm wearing. How did you celebrate? Hope you're having a lovely weekend so far!

Green Rooms

2011-03-17T17:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Irish Day! In honor of St. Patrick's Day House Beautiful has put together a collection of 10 great green rooms, including the kitchen above. Check them out! And have a very festive day!

Thrifty shopping

2011-03-15T17:46:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday my mom, brother and I did some thrift store shopping along Main St. in Ventura after the St. Patty's Day Parade and I found this gorgeous teal and gold vase for $6 at one of the stores. I love finding stuff like that. What kinds of things have you found at thrift stores? What was your favorite find?

Turning Irish on Etsy

2011-03-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

In honor of starting St. Patrick's Day early this year (Ventura had their annual St. Patty's Day parade on Saturday and I got all dressed up in green for it, so it feels like it has come early to me) I thought I'd share some St. Patty's items from Etsy:

Irish Pillow from Iconic Pillows
Mini Ridge Cowl in Emerald from Whispering Violet
Glass Tile Pendant from Equinox Designs
St. Patrick's Day Greeting Card from Enekuri
Irish Blessing Plaque from Southernbogprims
Earrings from Jewelrybyjg

View my Luck of the Irish treasury list on Etsy

A Letter to my future husband:

2011-03-13T15:34:00.000-07:00

Do You know what I dream of?

I dream of far off places, real and fantastic alike. Of times when I can spend my life exploring said places at my leisure (and travel in luxury. I'm not the roughing-it type). I dream of living in New York for a year just to see the city through all four seasons; of learning French and moving there and conversing with the French as though I belong there.

I dream of writing many novels and that people will read them and love my stories and characters as much as I do, and they will know me for it.

I dream of finding pleasure in the little things because the big things are taken care of (life is stressful when they're not, and I don't do well under stress).

I dream of changing the world in a big way, of making a difference. I want to see our planet healthy for future generations. I do not want there to be a world where animals like dolphins and tigers are spoken of in the past tense. There are some things too beautiful to lose.

But mostly, I dream of you; the idea of you, the essence of you and what you really mean to me already even though I have never seen your face. I see you in my dreams anyway. I know who you are and you know who I am and we already love each other. I dream of growing old with you; of exploring the world and myself with you. I am already excited by the thought of you.

I cannot wait to meet you.

Yours always,

your dreaming wife-to-be

My Name Is Memory

2011-03-08T17:59:00.000-08:00

Imagine for a second that most souls on the planet go through reincarnation; they die and come back in another body, not just once, but possibly numerous times. Imagine that you are one in millions (possibly billions) that can remember all of your past lives and recognize the souls of those from past lives. Well, Ann Brashares created a character named Daniel who can do just that in My Name Is Memory.

I've wanted to read this story from the moment I saw it at Barnes & Noble back in June 2010 when it was released and I finally did just that last weekend. I read it in 3 days, it was that good. I loved Daniel and the other soul that he follows through time, Lucy, who he has loved for centuries, but can't ever remember him. The story is mainly about how their lives finally converge in modern times and Daniel also tells his story through the centuries. It's heartbreaking and thought provoking and it's just one of those books you're not going to want to put down. I absolutely loved it and I'm sure you will too :)

I had to get it from the library because funds are low and I'd prefer to buy the hardcover when I can because the paperback cover is more reminiscent of a young adult novel, which I don't like mainly because it just doesn't fit the whole aura of the story (I'm not sure what the publishers were thinking with that one), and because it's too much like a young adult series by Lauren Kate called Fallen, which has a very similar premise and almost exactly the same names: Daniel and Luce. I won't even get into this because I haven't read Lauren Kate's books, but I'm sure it has to be coincidence as far as the names go because they were released within months of each other. Still, I found that a bit creepy, but in a good way because it almost emphasizes that both authors are probably onto something. I know I'm digressing with this, but I'm a very spiritual person and I believe in these things. I leave that discussion for another time, if I ever get into it at all on this blog.

Anyway, I really enjoyed this book and was greatly inspired by it. I'll definitely be reading it again.

The Land of Faerie

2011-03-05T16:58:00.000-08:00

Earlier this week I finished the last of a 5 book series by Melissa Marr about Faeries. As with most fantasy YA novels this series was truly entertaining and uniquely visioned. All five books have also been a great source of inspiration for me while I've been working on my own YA fantasy novel about dragons, which I've mentioned a few times. It's come a long way from last year with all the time I've had and I'm becoming rather obsessed with the story and my characters, which is a hugely exciting thing for me! But I'll talk more about that later.

Just the covers of these books alone are works of art. I'm totally in love with the covers! And the titles of the novels as well!

I've had the first two since they've been released and read them a while ago so I reread them (and found I'd forgotten most of the second book). It was confusing back when the whole series wasn't published yet because the second book doesn't follow the same main characters. The first, third, and fifth (and final) novels follow the same main characters and the ones in between cover side stories that are still essential to the overall story of the world of Faeries. I won't go into too much explanation, but the main things to know are that faeries can't be seen by humans (unless the faery wishes it), except for the rare few, one of whom is the main character of the first book, Aislinn, and most of the story revolves around her situation. Also, these faeries are not 'Disney fairy' (ie, Tinkerbell). They are human-sized, for one, there are many different kinds of them and most are dark, eerie, ruthless and well, 'wicked lovely'. Melissa Marr switches around from the points of view of multiple characters in each book so you get multiple sides of every story and she does this very well.

I enjoyed the first, third and last the most. The last, Darkest Mercy, I could barely put down and I read them all so fast that I consumed the first four all last month (in addition to one of the Vampire Diaries, which made for 5 books in one month - a record for me). It was tough, in some ways to deviate from the main characters for the second and fourth books, but it's necessary and the story gets more and more entertaining and complex with each book. I really have to admire Melissa Marr for creating such a well-developed and complex world. I highly recommend these books and I'll be eagerly looking forward to whatever else she comes out with.

The King's Speech

2011-02-27T21:47:00.000-08:00

I really cannot wait to see this movie! I already wanted to before, but now it is a must!

That also goes for Black Swan, True Grit, and 127 Hours. I was very happy for Christian Bale, whom I could not believe had never won an Oscar (and he looked absolutely fantastic!), and Natalie Portman. She's always gorgeous! And how cool was it that Toy Story 3 was nominated for Best Picture?! An animated film has never been nominated before. So awesome!! I did think it was lame that the Social Network won for score over Hans Zimmer just because of Trent Reznor; that's my only beef with the awards this year.

Did you watch the Oscars? What did you think of the winners?

A Refined Architectural Digest

2011-02-25T14:33:00.000-08:00

I've been waiting weeks to post about March's issue of Architectural Digest because it has taken them forever to post pictures on their website. They've always been so stingy about that, but Margaret Russell has been promising to revamp their website and so I wait patiently.

Anyway, I've been excited about posting because this is one of the most beautiful Architetcural Digest issues I've seen in a long time with the loveliest collection of amazingly rich and lavishly designed homes. Especially the Manhattan apartment featured for the month designed by Michael S. Smith. I love that he's made grey look so lush and almost warm and the architecture is gorgeous. Don't even get me started! I just love it!

View additional photos of the apartment at Architectural Digest.

New Foo Fighters!

2011-02-24T13:37:00.000-08:00

The Foo Fighters just released a sneak peak of their first single "Rope" on their seventh full length album "Wasting Light" being released on April 12th! I'm so excited I think I might squeal!!

Papercut Art

2011-02-23T17:17:00.000-08:00

I found a very talented San Francisco artist today by the name of Tina Tarnoff who does these incredible papercut pieces of art on Etsy. This piece above called "Autumn Kiss" is cut from one piece of paper! Charming and exquisite! I can't even imagine the amount of time it takes to make these. Love it!

Thankful for nature

2011-02-18T13:29:00.000-08:00

I've been finding so much gorgeous photography on Etsy lately and this one just takes the cake. It's called "That For Which I'm Thankful" by Katya Horner in Texas. Stunning, no?

more Calvin & Hobbes on Etsy

2011-02-15T16:56:00.000-08:00

I just recently finished this stipple drawing of Calvin & Hobbes and put a print of it for sale on my Etsy shop today. It makes me laugh every time I look at it :) What do you think of it?

Thoughts for Friday...

2011-02-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

A friend just posted this on Facebook and I thought I'd pass it along to you. Hope you're all having a lovely Friday! See you next week!

PINK!

2011-02-10T16:19:00.000-08:00

Welcome to 2011, the year of the color pink. Well, to be more specific, honeysuckle. Pantone has named it the color for this year and March's issue of House Beautiful featured the color to the max. It's not one of my favorite colors, but I have to say, when put in an Interior Design context it can be quite lovely. The editor of House Beautiful pointed out that many consider it to be the color of optimism. It is quite the uplifting color.

view more of the Alabama featured home designed by Tracery Interiors here

I've always loved those retro refrigerators (I'd prefer one in turquoise, though)

view more of House Beautiful's featured pink rooms here

And view 50 ways to go pink here

More Vampire Diaries (I didn't know there were so many when I started reading them)

2011-02-10T15:44:00.000-08:00

There's going to be a 3rd part to The Return coming out on March 15th as well that I'm looking forward to. I really can't complain that there are so many (and there's supposed to be three more coming out in one volume, but L.J. Smith doesn't know when they'll be done as of yet.) because I've become so addicted to the characters and their world. It's good stuff. Easy to read and an exciting read, especially these two, which are much darker and even better written than the first four novels.

"Why couldn't it have been 'follow the butterflies?'"

2011-01-31T15:56:00.000-08:00

I think I'm becoming obsessed with my own butterflies, which I'm sure is a good thing. If I'm obsessed, someone else is sure to be as well. I just did this one last night. I have tons of other things I need to be working on like finally starting a drawing of a horse for a friend, finishing another stipple drawing of Calvin & Hobbes that I started weeks ago, sketching ideas for a possible new project for a friend, editing both my novels and looking for a job, but working on something simple and colorful (and something that could make me money right now, or possibly, I should say) like these butterflies is far more appealing most of the time.

I've also been reading books like they're candy. I'd be doing it whether I had a millions things to do or not, but I justify the time spent reading as research for writing; something I will one day be able to call a career. I think it's a reasonable justification.

I've also been organizing all my business paper and receipts. Tax season is looming and I've never been much of a procrastinator.

I've been living off unemployment for a while now and it's about to run out. I'm not sure if I'm getting another extension, but I could use some prayers and positive thinking and whatever else you can put out there for me because timing is everything with this...situation I'm in. Either I get an extension or I get a job. I've just applied for one and waiting to get an interview. I even got my portfolio ready. And I don't feel guilty asking for more unemployment because I honestly feel I've accomplished more with that than I ever did getting paid three times more sitting in an office all day five days a week. That job did less for my health, my creativity and my ability to multi-task and deal with stressful situations and people than anything else.

In other words, lets pray for the unemployment. I could use a little more time. I can do a lot in just a few months. Hell, I wrote a novel in one month. It needs more editing, but it's getting there. I'd love to see something of mine bound on a shelf in a bookstore. I'd say that's a good reason to keep milking unemployment for all it's worth, don't you?

Coffee Table on Etsy

2011-01-31T15:35:00.000-08:00

Propeller Coffee Table by AnthonyGrayFurniture

Isn't this the coolest coffee table?! I think it's awesome and gorgeous too!

Fire

2011-01-27T15:57:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Fire, which is a prequel to Graceling (that I posted about before here), by Kristin Cashore. It's almost a different world than Graceling and set years before Graceling does, but you don't have to read either to read the other. I love the characters just as much as I love the characters in Graceling and I don't have much else to say except I love Kristin Cashore's writing, - I can only hope to aspire to write books as good as these some day - I can't wait until she comes out with something new and, until then I'll be reading these books over and over!

A time for color

2011-01-20T18:05:00.000-08:00

Rainbow Butterfly

Peacock Butterfly

So I've started a new series of butterflies, which have the same organic flow to them that my fairy logo for my business does. They're also very colorful, which is good because I need more color in my shop :) And they're fun to do because they only take a few hours and so they're easy to reproduce and I love to use marker. Plus, since they're so much easier for to make I don't have to charge so much for originals, which I think most people would prefer to buy, if they're going to buy art at all. What do you think?

The Vampire Diaries (the real ones, not the silly TV version)

2011-01-14T21:46:00.000-08:00

I have to say I'm completely addicted to these stories, or I should say story. All four novels are really one long story. I've never watched the show, thank goodness because that probably would've ruined it for me (as in the I could never like the show and it would have made me never want to read the books lol). The concepts of the story are very simple and things seem a big mystery until you see the answer was right in front of your face the whole time. They're an exciting read, to say the least, and you can't help but love the characters, even Elena who seems selfish and arrogant, but is still very human and loving. Stefan and Damon, the two brothers, are awesome and the most addicting part of the story, but they still could have been better developed.

What I really love are the concepts surrounding the vampires. These novels were published back in 1991, 20 years ago, before Buffy, before most of any of the vampire craze, but not before Anne Rice, I believe. Smith's vampires are very human, unlike Stephenie Meyer's vampires, for instance, which are more remaniscent of superheros. I really liked Smith's take on vampires. It brought me home to when the supernatural was a bit more simple and not so overdone; back to the Buffy days. (and I could see a lot similarities between Smith's and Meyer's stories, even though I'm quite positive Stephenie Meyer has never read the Vampire Diaries. Interesting, no?)

In other words, I really liked the novels and I would recommend them if your interested in a simple fun read, and you like vampires :) I'm looking forward to reading Smith's "Return" sequels "Nightfall" and "Shadow Souls" written in 2009 obviously sparked by the debut of the TV show. I just have to get my hands on them somehow (if I don't intend on buying them at the moment), along with "Fire" by Kristin Cashore, the sequel (really more of a prequel) to "Changeling".

Design in 2011

2011-01-07T20:10:00.000-08:00

I have to say that the Interior Design industry has felt a bit worn as of late. Or perhaps I've just felt that way because everything has felt that way to me lately; especially in the last year. But things have been changing up. There are huge shifts going on in more areas of life than we could possibly imagine and some people are handling it better than others. This year is the last year of Aquarius and 2012 will mark the beginning of the age of Pisces. Pisces is the essence of life, of feeling and emotion, of intuition, and of death. It represents the end of the zodiac, but it also represents the beginning. And if you're not ready for the changes that will come with this new age, well, you'll be in for a very rude awakening.

But back to what I was saying before: things are changing up. Change is good and, like I said, some are handling it well. Two of those people seem to be the new editors of Architectural Digest (AD) and Elle Decor (ED). Margaret Russell (I've never been a big fan since a previous boss told me she's not very nice in person, but perhaps I shouldn't take someone's elses narrow-minded - and insecure, I might add - opinion into account when I've never met the lady myself) was the editor-in-chief of ED and helped found the magazine 21 years ago and is now the editor-in-chief of AD, the biggest Interior Design magazine in the world (quite the responsibility). Michael Boodro, who was formally the executive editor of ED (and was editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Living before that) has taken over ED as the editor-in-chief. I'm enjoying both of the changes. Some, or most of you, may not have even noticed the changes, but for those of us who are devoted to this world of design it was a noticeable shift. And a good one.

I just received the February issue of AD and I'm loving it. Last year I was feeling a funk about ID, which may or may not have had something to do with being fired from my job, but things were falling into a state of sameness. I never like it when that happens. You know what it's like: every magazine you pick up looks the same. You've seen it all before, but it does seem like an inevitable thing in the ID world, a world much like the fashion world where things go through trends and phases and for some time everyone wants the same thing. Opening the new AD this month feels like a new phase. Things are being mixed up and revitalized as more and more people are being awakened to the idea of what ID really means; what it means to them and their world. So I know I can't give all the credit to Ms. Russell and Mr. Boodro, but I know each of them has had a hand in it. And I thank them both.

I'm rambling now, I know, but I know I haven't blogged about ID very much lately and I suppose I've felt an explanation was necessary. Not just for anyone who might read this blog, but for me as well. Interior Design was such a big part of my life for such a long time and then, in the last two years, it became a source of pain and stress for me. I had to let it go for a while and come back on my own terms. I think this is the beginning of that. And, quite frankly, it's exciting because all the things I love to do: art, writing, and design are slowly coming together in my life and I"m finding ways to incorporate them all.

So here's to a new year; one of change and revitalization. And here are some recent goodies from the magazines mentioned above starting with AD:

Sting & Trudie Styler's gorgeous view in Tuscany (I've always thought those huge chess sets are so cool!)

(And the rest I had to scan because, I've said it before AD is stingy with the photos, and I hope that Margaret Russell is doing something to change that.)

Friederick Kemp Biggs

Ralph Lauren's new store in NY (I totally want an office that looks like that!)

Todd Ramano's one-bedroom studio in Manhattan

And from ED:

Family retreat in Ketchum, Idaho

A Brazilian designer in Manhattan

Historic London townhouse

New art on my Etsy shop!

2011-01-06T19:27:00.000-08:00

I just finished this butterfly today! It made up entirely of little dots I have to use a special pen for. It took me two weeks to finish, but I love doing stipple drawings so that's ok :) I have an 8x10 print available on my shop right now so check it out!

The imagination is a crazy thing...

2011-01-05T14:36:00.000-08:00

I've felt rather consumed with certain things lately. Mainly things I can't seem to have, like a certain friend whom I'm not supposed to have any feelings for other than a friend. I wrote a story about him and then he wrote one too that I read over the Christmas holiday and it was so good it blew me out of the water. And the way he wrote it and the things he was writing about made me feel like I was seeing a side of him he'd never let me see before and it made all these feelings for him come up again and it was beyond frustrating. Not to mention, it's better than my story. I read it in one day and he's had mine for weeks and hasn't finished it yet.

I have been consumed with my stories and my art, though, which is always a good thing. They keep me distracted, but then I read these really good books too that get me thinking about the above mentioned person like this one called Dangerous Lover by Lisa Marie Rice. Just look at the cover. Yeah, enough said. (Don't judge too harshly, though. It's an awesome story. Really. I read it in two days.)

And I finished Graceling, which is AMAZING!

It is hugely inspirational for me and writing my dragon story, which still has so much work to be done that it's almost depressing. The progress is slow, especially when I have two to three other projects I'm working on at the same time.

Anyway, Kristin Cashore created her own world for the story (along with the sequel of sorts, which I can't wait to read) and in this world there are people born with special abilities called Graces. Everyone knows the people who are Graced because their eyes are two different colors. The main character, Katsa, is Graced with the ability to kill a man with her bare hands. I won't get into explaining it any more than that. You can go out and read the story for yourself; and you should because the story is completely captivating and the characters are very well developed as is the made-up world and it'll keep you reading like mad till the very end :). I can only hope someone will say the same about my stories someday :)

Well, I hope everyone (or anyone who is reading this because I'm beginning to feel as though I'm just yapping into the void) is having a lovely New Year so far. May it be better than the last, even though I'm not entirely convinced yet.

Happy 2011!

2010-12-31T12:26:00.000-08:00

"Father Frost" from Etsy

I wish you all a fun, safe and lovely New Year! I'll see you all again in the year 2011!

Ventura music & tweets

2010-12-29T17:32:00.000-08:00

My brother's best friend, Mao, is in three bands. Yes, you heard me correctly: three bands. And somehow I'd never heard him perform with any of them until Monday night. I know, it's sad. I love live music and he's practically family, but anyway, he performed with his band called Alternate 85 (they're on facebook) at a place called Billy-O's in Ventura. I'd never been there so the whole thing was new for me. The place was packed with my brother's friends and awesome followers of not just Alternate 85 (as well as Mao's other two bands: Kill the Academy and We Pilot These Machines), but the band that performed after them: The Calamity. (you can listen to their whole cd here)

These are terrible pictures, but I'm putting them up anyway:

Alternate 85. Mao is lead singer

The Calamity (I was too close to take very good pictures)

It was fun to get out and hear new music, especially live music, which I can't get enough of and meet all these guys I've heard my brother talk about for years. Both bands were very good and it was fun to see how different people become when they perform. Good stuff.

In other news I signed up on Twitter about an hour ago and I'm already having problems with it. I'm giving up for the moment, but if you'd like to check me out go ahead!

Twas the night before Christmas....

2010-12-24T13:49:00.000-08:00

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

I haven't heard or read this whole poem in so long I couldn't resist :)

Christmas Eve with Calvin

2010-12-24T13:42:00.000-08:00

I had to post this a little early today because I couldn't take the suspense either ;) I especially love the comment about Calvin claiming "extenuating circumstances" lol. Oh, and that Calvin's Christmas list to Santa is 30 pages long....Oh, Calvin.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

2010-12-23T18:14:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd send you all a digital Christmas Card! This is the card I sent out to my friends an family this year. I wish you all a lovely and safe holiday season :)

Hyperbole and a Half

2010-12-22T12:44:00.000-08:00

Due to my inability to tell a story this funny I'm passing you on to Hyperbole and a Half for some festive hilarity with the story about the year Kenny Loggins ruined Christmas :)

Winter favorites on Etsy

2010-12-21T14:08:00.000-08:00

judemcconkey

Gorgeous Photography!

poppylanestudios

Crazy gorgeous jewelry! I want everything in this shop!

orchidandreptile

Not much of a braclet person, but I love this one!

alafemme

These have to be the craziest heals I've ever seen! Amazing! A tribute to Alexander McQueen, if you didn't already guess :)

claygalnaira

Amazing clay bowls!

thesmittenkitten

(Aka Shannon from Tattoos and Cupcakes :)

I love Shannon's photography! It always looks so dreamy :)

secretsafebooks

What a cool idea, huh?! This one, a hollowed out edition of Little Women, sold out. I can see why.

saruscrafts

Wearable art! This artist puts tiny prints of her art in glass and makes them into necklaces. Love it.

cuttingedgevinyls

And last but not least, I just love all these Macbook decals. There are all kinds and they're the perfect (and affordable) little gift :)

Winter is here

2010-12-21T13:38:00.000-08:00

Happy first day of Winter! There's only four more days until Christmas! I'm excited regardless of my lack of money for gifts this year! I just love Christmas!! :)

Graceling

2010-12-19T17:15:00.000-08:00

Can I just say I'm loving this book?! I haven't even finished it yet and I'm already recommending it!

Festive Calvin & Hobbes

2010-12-19T17:10:00.000-08:00

It's going to officially be Winter in a few days so I thought I'd sneek this one in before it's too late. I'm on a Calvin binge because I got a new book for Christmas from a friend :)

And it seems that right now most people can probably relate to this one even if it isn't officially Winter yet:

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2010-12-17T17:27:00.000-08:00

It's been raining all day today on the beach, White Christmas is playing on AMC, and we decorated our christmas tree this week (above). I bought cinnamon candles from Michaels (3 for $10!) the other day so our apartment even smells like Christmas! I do wish I could see snow outside my window, but I suppose rain is better. Not sure I could handle the cold of snow lol.

What's your favorite part of Christmas?

Harry Potter!!

2010-12-15T21:05:00.000-08:00

I just couldn't help myself when I saw these posters on Google for the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 film. I finally went to see it on Monday (I'm a HUGE fan of the books and the movies so this wait was way too long for me; the wait for part 2 just might kill me) and being the fan I am, of course I liked it, but it was just so well done! These kids have just become so good at acting and it almost seems as though they've literally become Harry, Ron, and Hermione. I love them :) I'll definitely be seeing that one again before it leaves the theater.

And I have to say that Daniel (Radcliffe, that is) has always looked like my brother, but the resemblence grows more uncanny the older the two of them get.

P.S. I sold my first piece of art on my Etsy shop today!!! Woohoo!!

Etsy Art Showcase

2010-12-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

I bought a spot on the Art Showcase on Etsy for today! I'm just super excited that more people are viewing my art :) If you'd like to check it out for yourself go to etsy.com click on the showcase link at the top of the page and then select 'Art' or click here. Just look for Orlando!

P.S. if you're not sure how the showcases work on Etsy they only last one day, so if you miss this one, don't worry! I'll be sure to let you know when I'll be on the next one!

I'm having a sale on Etsy!!

2010-12-07T21:03:00.000-08:00

I'm having a 20% sale on my Etsy shop for the holidays! The piece above of Calvin & Hobbes I did recently and I'm selling an 8x10 print of it for $24. I have quite a few original pieces for sale along with prints of each.

If you're interested check out my shop here or click on the fairy on my right side bar. Please feel free to spread the word to your friends! It would be much appreciated!

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show

2010-12-02T15:53:00.000-08:00

I almost forgot to tell you about this year's Victoria's Secret Fashion Show! I almost missed it myself, but thankfully I caught the last half of it. If you've never watched one of these fashion shows set your calendars for next year's show because, trust me when I say, they are nothing short of sensational. This year they went all out with sexy Americana, wild things, and sports themes along with their pink line, which just continues to get bigger and bigger. Katy Perry and Akkon also performed.

For more highlights and behind the scenes extras visit victoriassecret.com.

Photos via marie claire.

Black Swan

2010-12-02T15:20:00.000-08:00

I'm really excited for Black Swan, which comes out tomorrow. It just looks so dark and eerie and elegantly beautiful at the same time.

It stars Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis. For more info go here.

I'm officially a NaNoWriMo Winner!!

2010-11-28T18:59:00.000-08:00

So I have officially finished my NaNoWriMo novel!!! It's about me, mainly. I just recently went through an emotional experience with one of my guy friends who was well, a friend with benefits. We'll just keep at that. I fell for him and, needless to say, I was brokenhearted over the whole thing. So what did I do? I wrote a story about it. It's been such great closure for me that I no longer have any bad feelings toward this person and all I want to do is send the story to him. Well, if I was being honest all I really want is for the two of us to be friends again. Writing this story for a month, I've come to feel like I've spent the whole month with him so I've started missing him again.

Anyway, for those of you who are still unclear with what NaNoWriMo is go to this website and check it out. The name of the event is short for National Novel Writing Month and it was started in 1999 by Chris Baty and it's become huge. Every year millions all over participate and write 50,000 words in 30 days! Very awesome!

So I promised Brandi that I'd share some of the story when I was finished, which I will do in a second, but first you should know a little about the story. First off, it's in my point of view, Shannon is the ex, and we switch bodies in the story. This is an excerpt from the part of the story when we first switch bodies. The chapter is titled "We're Not In Kansas Anymore":

When I opened my eyes I felt terrible. My head was pounding and my vision was slightly blurred. It was rare that I still felt this hungover even after a long night of drinking.

I remembered falling asleep in Shannon’s bed the night before, but had only agreed to after he promised to sleep on the sofa in his room. Apparently, he hadn’t stuck to the sleeping arrangements because there was someone next to me. I looked over at my side and did a double take.

I was lying next to me! My own body!

“What the hell?!” I attempted to jump up out of bed and failed spectacularly. My own body woke up and looked down at me on the floor. And then my eyes got huge.

“Shannon?” I guessed, having looked down to find I was somehow inhabiting his body. His naked body. Not a good sign.

“Emily?” he said, but with my voice.

I stood up with some difficulty. I wasn’t used to my legs being so long.

Shannon, in my body, followed me out of the bed. I wasn’t dressed either.

This was definitely not good.

“What did we…” I started to ask and stopped myself. I already knew. It was beside the point. We obviously had more important things to worry about.

I searched the floor for clothes and put on the first thing I found: a pair of boxers. I looked at myself expectantly.

He actually looked down again at my naked body as though he was considering not putting anything on and then shrugged. I had to help him find my clothes. They were tangled in the sheets on the bed.

I was beginning to have a panic attack.

He made a move toward the door once he was dressed, but I stood with my back against it, not allowing him to get out. Ok, not letting my own body out of the room. I wasn’t letting him out of my sight.

“How. Did. This. Happen?!” My voice was not my own. That would take some getting used to.

Ugh! What was I thinking? I didn’t want to get used to this!

“Why are you asking me?” my own voice asked me back. “I didn’t do it!”

It was too weird watching my own face stay completely calm while I was freaking out. Regardless of the fact I could never actually see my own face when I felt this way, I knew I never looked that calm. I could actually see his face through my own. How odd.

“Well, I didn’t do it either!” I said unnecessarily.

“Calm down,” my own voice told me. “It’s freaking me out. I’ve never seen myself look so freaked out before.”

I almost laughed. Almost. “I was just thinking the exact opposite.”

We looked at each other for a second and then we both burst out laughing.

“Oh, I could have some serious fun with this,” he said, still half laughing.

That sobered me up. “Oh, no. You are not having fun with this, Shannon!”

“What?!” He was still smiling. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way. You could have fun with it too,” he said as he very suggestively nudged his own penis with the back of my hand.

“Oh. My. God!” was all I could muster with the shock of the sensation that small touch had given me. “You better not be having fun with mine!” I said through my teeth (well, through his teeth, which sounded so much more threatening coming from his voice than I knew it ever would have from my own) as I gestured at my own body.

He nearly laughed again. “I wasn’t suggesting that. And besides, you know I don’t swing that way.”

“Ok. This is too weird,” I said, putting my head in my hands.

Wow. I had never realized how big Shannon’s hands were; or how tall he was, for that matter. It felt weird looking down at myself.

“No shit,” he agreed, sitting down on his bed. “You don’t think I’m freaking out hearing your voice when I speak?”

“Oh, so you got the short end of the stick on this one?” I teased sounding slightly hysterical. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m having the same issue over here.”

“I think it’s a bit weirder for me to see you in my own face.”

“Trust me. It’s just as weird from where I’m standing. Let’s just figure out how this happened so we can reverse it. I’d really like to have my body back.”

“Yeah, well, I have no idea who we’re going to figure that one out, but in the meantime, I’m just going to enjoy watching you try to be me at work.”

I don’t think I’d seen my face look that happy in months.

“Oh, no, no, no,” I said, trying my best not to panic again. “I’ll just be calling in sick today.”

“Oh, come on! It could be fun!” he said, still smiling.

“Fun! I’ve never waited on a table in my life! I’d get you fired!”

I seemed to be rather enjoying myself.

“You want me to get you fired?!” I asked, incredulously.

“It would be fun wouldn’t it?!”

“No, I don’t think it would,” I said, suddenly making up my mind. “No, actually I won’t be getting you fired. And you,” I poked one of Shannon’s long fingers into my own shoulder, “are going to make sure I don’t get you fired.” I took him by the arm and pulled my body out of Shannon’s room.

“Ow,” he said as we walked through the door. I looked over at him to see him rubbing the spot I had poked. “That kinda hurt.”

I burst out laughing, which definitely sounded bizarre. I’d never heard Shannon laugh like that before.

Apparently, Zac hadn’t either.

“Wow, was that you Shannon?” he asked, his head poking out of his door.

“Yes,” I responded, still laughing not just at Shannon, but at how absurd my laugh sounded. “Emily is just really funny,” I answered the unasked question on Zac’s face.

He just laughed and shut the door as we walked past him down the stairs.

“Now you know how it feels,” I whispered rather smugly.

“I didn’t think you’d be OK with hurting your own body,” he said, smiling now. “That one’s gonna leave a mark.”

“Ha. Funny.”

P.S.
Please keep in mind this has not been published yet, but I would appreciate it if this excerpt was treated as though it already was published and not copied elsewhere without my permission.

Happy Turkey Day

2010-11-24T23:26:00.000-08:00

(photo via marthastewart.com/thanksgiving)

Just stopping by to wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!

I've almost finished my story, so wish me luck! I'll be back next month with my regular (or more regular than i have been this month!) posting schedule

Highly Sensitive

2010-11-20T16:54:00.000-08:00

I had to take a break from my writing today to share this article with you from the new December issue of Marie Claire magazine. First off, you must read the magazine just for Emma Watson. She is absolutely fantastic and I'm completely jealous of her new short hair. If I could wear mine that short, I would.

But more importantly, at the end of the magazine there is an article about HSP a new group being classified as "Highly Sensitive People". At first, when I saw "HSP" I started laughing. People will give anything a name nowadays just so they can make a pill for it and make money giving people bandaids instead of real solutions to their problems. But then I started reading the article and I started crying (in case I needed more proof I am indeed one of these people) when I realized that I was reading about myself. I won't go on trying to explain what I'm talking about. Just go here and let the author of the article explain it for you.

And just to give you an idea of the degree to which I fit into this category, I took the quiz and answered an absolute True to all 23 questions.

P.S. And the excerpt from Portia de Rossi's new book, read that too. I'll be buying that book.

Massive Attack!

2010-11-05T14:52:00.000-07:00

If you've never heard of Massive Attack...well, you should. This awesome British duo has been around since the early 90's and put out some of the most awesome music! My mom and I are going to see them in concert tonight at the Santa Barbara Bowl! I'm not sure how many more ways I can come up with for getting behind on my writing for nanowrimo, but I know at least this will be well worth it!

If you haven't heard much of their music I strongly suggest you go to youtube and check them out. Some of my favorites are Teardrop (the theme song to the TV series House), Protection, Safe from Harm, Angel (in some of the fight scenes in the movie Snatch) and Dissolved Girl (written for the movie The Jackal and also used in The Matrix). Just some random trivia for you!

Write a novel in 30 days!

2010-11-05T00:05:00.000-07:00

(It's a little late for this, but I saw this house a few days before Halloween and thought it was the coolest thing ever!)

I know, I've been a little MIA lately. The main explanation is called NaNoWriMo (aka National Novel Writing Month) started by Chris Baty back in 2003 I believe. I knew about it years ago and completely forgot. Basically, you write a novel that is 50,000 words (at least) in 30 days. Needless to say, whether you have a full time job or not (which, technically, I do: writing) it takes a lot of time and energy. I personally have no idea how people with 9-5 jobs get it done by the end of the month, but millions of people all over the world do. Cool right?

I'm excited about my story. It's about a girl and a guy who used to date who switch bodies. And hilarity ensues. I'm having fun with it.

Anyway, besides the writing marathon I also moved over Halloween weekend. It was a hard move, I didn't get to have much of a Halloween (and next to Christmas, it's my favorite holiday) and we didn't have internet until Monday on top of everything. Hence, the long absence.

So I hope you'll all excuse my absence this month while I type like a madwoman lol! I'll be sure to stop in when I have some extra time.

Halloween party Martha style

2010-10-26T13:51:00.000-07:00

I'd totally want to go to this Halloween party! Wouldn't you?

Party in a Box

2010-10-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

I literally just heard about this 15 minutes ago on Access Hollywood: Party in a Box from Social Couture. How cool is that?! You purchase a box of party favors for $150 (to see the full list of what the package includes go here) and you have an instant party already set up for you! The site also has party ideas and favors for parties of all kinds as well as a very cool blog for amazing party ideas! Makes me want to throw my very own chic Halloween party!

It's almost that time!

2010-10-25T11:31:00.000-07:00

I went looking for Halloween themed wallpapers online the other day and this is one of my favorites. It's getting me in the mood! I'll be moving the weekend of Halloween so I'll be enjoying as much of my second favorite holiday as I can during the week with AMC's fright fest and ABC Family's 13 nights of Halloween and hopefully some pumpkin shopping! How are you celebrating Halloween this year?

Home is the NFL

2010-10-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

I love this commercial. Not only do I love football, but I also love this song.

Etsy 1010

2010-10-19T16:56:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about the Etsy 1010 photo project? It's totally awesome! I just got on Etsy and saw the link to it: on 10.10.10 ten photographers around the world took ten photos each for a total of 100 photos representing one day. Cool huh? Kate Miss from For Me, For You was one of the ten photographers. These were some of my favorites. Check out the rest here.

Grand opening at the art gallery

2010-10-19T14:52:00.000-07:00

This last Saturday was the grand opening at Studio 6 where I have a few pieces of my art for sale. My friend, Angela, came over from the valley and went with me. I've never seen so many people at the gallery before and it didn't help that the place is teeny tiny, but we had a great time, I met some of the other artists and some friends of mine bought some of my prints! :)

Gallery Grand Opening!

2010-10-13T17:13:00.000-07:00

I do wish I had more readers in my area just for this because I really don't know of any of you that will be able to come to this being in different states and all, but you never know, right? Just in case any of you are in the area of Ventura this weekend, or know of anyone who will be and wants to check out an awesome art gallery, then come on over! I have some of my art displayed there and they also have artists who make really unique jewelry and the actual gallery is unlike any I've ever seen. It's not stuck up like most galleries are.

And if you can't make it to the gallery and you are interested in viewing my art go here.

I'll let Calvin speak for me on this one...

2010-10-12T15:16:00.000-07:00

I'm extremely depressed today. We may have to give up our cat for adoption. We're moving and just can't keep her. Her name is Emma (more of Emma here and here) and she's not even 4 years old yet and since I've moved back in with my mom I've become rather attached to her. I'm not big on pets and Emma can be a handfull, but I'll be devestated if we have to give her up :(

Update: we did have to give Emma up for adoption on Tuesday. There were many reasons for this, but she's a special needs kitty and my mom and I don't have the means to take care of her when she keeps getting sick. I'm still sad about it, but we know someone will find her that will be able to take care of her the way she needs.

For the love of Calvin

2010-10-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

I've said before that I'm a Calvin & Hobbes fan, but I don't think I really went into how big of a fan I actually am. I was at Barnes & Noble the other day to pick up Behemoth when I saw these:

and proceeded to nearly yell out "Calvin!" like a gleeful 5 year old. I just can't get enough of Calvin & Hobbes! I would die and go to heaven if I had this collection.

I'll be moving soon, which I usually hate, but sometimes it has it's advantages. Moving leads to packing which leads to going through all your crap which leads to how the subject of this post came about. I have quite a few of the Calvin & Hobbes printed collections and it seems with every move they come out again for my own enjoyment. It occured to me that I should scan in my favorites (which is taking forever! I've only gone through one book so far. I have no idea why I always have to choose projects that are so tedious) and start posting them because, let's face it, we could all use more laughter right now!

I thought this one was great for the end of summer and it's one of my favorites. I especially like Hobbes's comment at the end.

Behemoth!

2010-10-05T11:50:00.000-07:00

So the sequel to Leviathan, which I posted about here, is out today!! It's called Behemoth, as you can see above and I'm about to venture out to target to buy my very own copy! Very excited!

If you'd like to know more about the series as well as other awesome series by the author check out his blog here.

Blog-iversary

2010-09-25T12:41:00.000-07:00

I can't believe this! I totally missed my own one year anniversary of my blog! :( Well, for those of you who are interested, it was the 16th of this month. That was a rather busy day for me; I took my car to get the oil changed in the morning and then I was running around doing things for the studio after that. It's no wonder I forgot.

So happy one year blog anniversary to me!

Art of the Week

2010-09-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

Lie

Evening

Shine

Katherine Bowling, the artist of these pieces above, was featured in the new issue of Elle Decor and the moment I saw her work I loved it. It says she paints on wood panels that she covers with layers of vinyl spackle to mimic the absorbent surface of fresco plaster, and then she paints a base coat of bright color that "makes the work appear lit from within." Definitely how I would describe her work.

To see more go to her website here.

Fall is here

2010-09-22T15:02:00.000-07:00

It's the first day of Fall and we'll be having one of the first summer-worthy weekends we've had in weeks here in Cali (well, on the beach in Oxnard, CA, that is). I'd much rather be there (the photo above), in Minnesota on a lake watching the amazing explosion of color and tranformation that's going on right now.

But I'm not and I suppose I shouldn't be complaining because in a very short time it'll be freezing in Minnesota. And I don't mean the Cali version of freezing (you know, 50 degree weather. that's basically winter for us). I'm talking 20 below freezing.

Yes, I guess I'll enjoy the warmth and watch the leaves turn from afar.

Premiere Week!

2010-09-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

I watched The Event last night (after a disasterous 49er MNF game. I'm still a little miffed about that) and I have to say I'm completely intrigued by this show. They were advertising it to be like a cross between Lost and 24 and I agree. Very entertaining.

I also caught Hawaii Five-O after that, which is corny, but I liked it. I can't help but like Scott Caan lol.

I'm also looking forward to the premieres of Grey's Anatomy, the Big Bang Theory (both on Thursday), Supernatural on Friday and Dexter on Sunday, which I'm the most excited for! Cannot wait! What shows will you be watching this week?

It's official!

2010-09-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

I now have business cards!!! I have had business cards before, but I never really liked them and I printed them from my own printer (I don't recommend this. They just always turn out looking cheap, which they are.). These I designed on photoshop and then printed with Kinkos and I'm really happy with how they turned out. I'm using my fairy as a universal symbol for my art business on Etsy and I can also use them for my writing and interior design if I need to because they're just so....well, me! Let me know what you think!

Check out my shop now on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/mandeezie

Find my art on Etsy!

2010-09-17T17:28:00.000-07:00

I've finally put my art on Etsy.com! I'm so excited about this, I can't even begin to tell you! I'm in the process of adding more of my art, but right now I just have prints of Orlando and Meg:

Both of my originals of these pieces I have showing at a local gallery here in Ventura called Studio 6. I'm extremely excited about that as well! I've never had my art in a studio before! I'll let you know more on that later, but right now I'm focusing on etsy. Head on over and check me out at www.etsy.com/shop/mandeezie.
I appreciate your feedback if you have some time to look!

Ray Lamontagne & David Gray

2010-09-16T21:39:00.000-07:00

I'm a huge fan of Ray Lamontagne and David Gray and I went to see them both on the 5th at the Santa Barbara Bowl with my mom. It was absolutely fantastic! Both of them are incredible! They both sound even better live than they do on their albums! Definitely one of the best concerts I've ever been to; not to mention, we were 3 rows from the front. Ray went first and I'm just more in love with him and his music than I was before. And David ended the night with all of us on our feet singing along to his songs :) I just love live music! My mom and I will be back to the SB Bowl in November to see Massive Attack too! Can't wait!

Trip to Minnesota

2010-09-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

Day 1 8.28.10

Day 2 8.29.10

Day 3 8.30.10

Day 4 8.31.10

My trip to Minnesota was a blast! I absolutely loved it there! It was one of those great trips that didn't fly by too fast. I really hate that when you're on vacation and it goes by so fast you're like, 'Wait! It's over already?!' I think the fact that there was no monotony with this trip and there was always so much going on every day that it made the days feel that much longer.

To summarize, I went to visit my friend Sam, whom I met while living in Santa Monica. His younger brother got married and he invited me to be his date for the wedding. I'd been wanting to visit him ever since I lost my job so it was good to see him again (he moved from LA back to Minnesota last Sep. so it had been a while!).

There was the wedding, two after-parties (or three, depending on how you look at it), the Mall of America, dinner at a Mediterranean restaurant, a nighttime tour through both twin cities, drive to Sam's family's cabin (at Clearwater Lake) and a stop at Lake Mille Lacs on the way (one of the largest lakes in Minnesota. It was so big it looked like the ocean!), a day and a half at the cabin: lots of beer, the pontoon, tour of the lake, grilling (well, Sam did all the grilling) and breakfast at a little diner in the nearby town of Crosby. We drove back to catch my flight the next day (my 5th day there).

It was weird flying back. I wanted to come home (I missed my bed lol), but at the same time I could have stayed another week. It's so gorgeous there! Green everywhere! You just don't see that in Califormia, especially by the beach. The air is so great I never had any problems breathing (and I do have that problem here). I loved the fact that I could be outside at night and not need a jacket, so to come home to fog so thick I couldn't even see the city below me was rather disheartening, to say the least. I'll definitely be going back. And it makes me want to travel that much more because it really made me evaluate what it is I actually like about where I live. It certainly isn't the air quality, I'll tell you that much.

And I certainly did learn how adaptable I actually am to my environment; I must have experienced a good two weeks worth of events in four days and it was so much fun! (not to say that I wasn't pooped out by day four, because I was!) Culture shock?! Ha! I'd have to travel to Japan for that, I think.

David Gray

2010-09-04T17:30:00.000-07:00

Wednesday I got back from five days in Minnesota with one of my greatest friends, Sam, which I will tell you all about soon. But first, I thought I'd get in the mood and share some David Gray. I'll be seeing him along with Ray Lamontagne tomorrow at the Santa Barbara Bowl!!! So excited!!!

Dream beach house

2010-08-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

This house was my favorite part of the newest House Beautiful magazine! I totally want to live there!

See more photos and read the whole article here.

Didn't see that one coming...

2010-08-19T13:26:00.000-07:00

So my mom found out about this small art gallery in Ventura called Studio 6 and convinced me to take some of my art over there yesterday. I was really hesitant to because I was afraid it wouldn't be what they were looking for and I'm not good at taking negative criticism when it comes to my art. My writing is one thing; I know when it needs work and that's something that can always be improved (not to mention, not everyone is always going to like what you write), but my art is a VERY personal and emotional thing and I don't do it very often anymore. In fact, the last two pieces I did were gifts so I don't even have them anymore.

Anyway, I've never sold any of my art (although, I had one piece at the VC Fair a few years back and got an offer from someone. That was flattering) and I've never shown anything in a gallery. Needless to say, the whole experience was rather nerve-racking, but I tried not to think much about it and just handed over my work. Turns out the two sisters that own the place (it's brand new. Just opened a few days ago) are really nice and they liked the portraits I've done: one of Orlando Bloom and one of Meg Ryan.

Orlando is actually the one I'm the most proud of. I'm not sure if I can part with that one, so one of the owners suggested I go and have prints made and even have card-sized prints for people who aren't willing to spend a lot, but like the piece. I had never even thought of that before, so I'll be checking that out at Kinko's today. Any suggestions of where else I can go to get really good prints made of original art?

I was actually really excited when I left the gallery because there's this whole new possibility for me that I'd never thought much about. I've thought about selling my art before, maybe on Etsy - which I think I'll definitely do now, just so people can see what else I do - but I was never really serious about it. I've been worried about my unemployment running out and my book not being done yet, and what am I going to do when I have to get a job again....I don't want to do Interior Design fulltime anymore, but that's another thing I can do on the side like the art.

We'll see what happens with the gallery. I'll have to wait a few months most likely until some spots open up and until then, I'll be working on more portraits. My friend has been wanting me to draw Jensen Ackles so I'll start there, and I've always wanted to draw Angelina Jolie and Dave Grohl. I actually got really excited yesterday and started looking up good photos to draw.

See more of my art here. And if you're interested in any of my art, please feel free to email me!