Fresh Interests

There have been a few things on my crafty little mind. Here's the breakdown of what has been preoccupying me while I ignore my classroom lectures...

Friendship bracelets made of embroidery floss. Or even hemp. Gotta start making loads so in the summer I can line my wrists with them and give them as gifts.

Macrame of all kinds. 1970s, kind of embarrassing, but seriously beautiful...

The idea of decoupage-ing my boring white bathroom clock. I was thinking, random magazine pictures to form a rainbow-y pattern (it would match my bathroom).

ALL the recipes on Bake it in a Cake. Pictured above is a Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake with Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting. I can barely afford food but I am really considering dropping some money on the ingredients for some of these delicious treats.

What projects or interests have been on your mind lately?

hi, blog

Oh, Saturday. Your possibilities are endless. Let's hope that you turn out to be:
a. productive.
b. social.

goals: blog, paint, shower, clean, sand and spackle.

I'll check back with you later.

5:30

Hey blog, how's it going? I have so far blogged, painted, been social, and cooked a healthy breakfast. Next up: painting, pizza-ing, drinking.

9:00

bye, I'm going out!

Twenty eleven

I know everyone thinks that New Year's Resolutions are unrealistic, and, "whack," but I really do like the opportunity to turn over a new leaf, refresh my life, and get on the right path. (Even if it only lasts for a couple months).

Last year, my resolution was to send each of my close friends and family a birthday or anniversary card on time, along with a small gift or token. I love recieving cards and letters on my birthday, or special occasion, but whenever my friends' special occasions come along, my cloudy mind seems to forget to even text message. I was doing very well with this new habit when I went through the incident that caused the rebellion, and my life was turned upside down. Now that I'm a little more stable/sane, I want to consider trying to adopt good habits again.

Here are some of my resolution ideas:

-Start cooking and eating (and buying) real food. Real food consists of actual planned meals, with protein and vegetables present, large enough to facilitate leftovers. No more top ramen, bean burrito, lame excuses for meals! If I make a pan of brownies, that does not mean I can eat them in one sitting! Ice cream and popcorn does not constitute a balanced dinner. (This is why I need your simple-ish, balanced meal recipes dear readers. Help me grow up.)

-Take vitamins and perscription medicines on time, every day! I have some perscriptions that I often forget to take for weeks on end, and I don't really notice until I begin feeling the effects of my neglect. No more! In addition to these I would like to consistently take a multi-vitamin, vitamin D, hair/skin/nails formula, and maybe a B-complex.

-Running. I live across the street from a track, why don't I use it? I know I'd have a slammin body/be generally healthier/more glow-y if I exercised even once a week.

-Same resolution as last year: be consistent with my card-sending!

I think I can do these things. They would not only benefit me personally, but others around me, and my schooling. What are your resolutions? Or your dream resolutions that you can't possibly keep, but would genuinely like to?

(My dream resolution: draw every day. I know this would benefit me immensely. But it also seems daunting and impossible to me. But I should attempt it. Time to claim a sketchbook.)

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger

10:53 pm
Tonight I will be live-blogging as I accomplish many important tasks that I either have had no time/energy to finish, or have just neglected. I need to get on top of these things! And like I previously mentioned, I somehow have more incentive to complete these tasks if I blog along with them.

11:06 pm
DANG IT HEAVEN GET OFF FACEBOOK.

12:28 am
Okay. Tasks completed so far: dinner was made and eaten, laundry was started (and should be ready for the dryer by now). And...THE FALCON WAS MOCKED.

The Falcon is the school newspaper which I love to hate. The amount of typos, misinformation, and irrelevant articles gives me reason to cringe every time that I read it. I enjoy criticizing it in front of my friend (and Falcon assistant editor) Zachariah because he doesn't take my scathing remarks personally.

I know that live-blogging usually gives me motivation to accomplish tasks and such, but dude, it did not work this time. I'll try again tomorrow. I'm going to bed.

Wish List: Fred Flare

The other day, Shelly made a fun fall wish list. After browsing the new arrivals at fredflare.com, I've become inspired to post one of my own. Maybe this is a Christmas wish list, or maybe these are some things that I wish I could have in general...no matter what, it's fun to dream!

Also, I apologise in advance if this is long.

100 Years of Fashon Illustration by Cally Blackman, $40 at FredFlare
This all-you-can-eat buffet of fashion illustration surveys the last hundred years of style in sketch form. Featuring everything from the bold Erté prints of the early 1900's to the superhappy advertisements of the 50's to Warhol of the 60's to 80's power babes to today's Toledo.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for glossy, graphic, coffee table books. Books in general just make me...lust. Leaving a bookstore is difficult for me because I always find books that I simply cannot live without. (Side Note: Maybe I should do a post about my many coffee table books, because my mom is nice enough to buy me a few for Christmas most years.) Anyway, this book would be inspirational to my future carreer as an illustrator/artsy girl! And it would feed my constant need for exposure to the fashion world.
                                         
Fashion Designers' Sketchbooks by ?, $40 at FredFlare
This luxe hardcover features a veritable Who's Who of fashion supertalents as they share their creative process with you. Watch how a simple sketch and scraps of inspiration becomes jaw-dropping awe-inspiring beauty.
This actually would be very useful to me. Seeing into another artist's creative process is so helpful! Follow the link to see more pictures of the sketches...

Silver Action Sampler Camera by Lomography, $35 at FredFlare For those who prefer silver over gold, a Lomography multiple lens camera takes your simple click & turns it into four surprising shots.
I am in love with film photography. For only $35 I could have a fun little film camera for special times with friends! In snazzy silver, I can't resist. Observe the fun photos that it takes at the above link.

Happy Birthday Nailpolish by Deborah Lippman, $18 at FredFlare None of that formaldehyde, toluene or dibutyl phthalate. No animal testing.
Yes, $18 for nailpolish is a bit extreme. But how fun is this nailpolish? It screams party.

Yum-Yum Mini Earring Pack from Crowded Teeth and Loungefly, $16 at FredFlare
Mix ‘em & match ‘em for so many different combos. Set of 6.
I'm really picky about earrings. But I would spring for these little studs.

Lightweight Dip-Dye Infinity Scarf, $14, FredFlare
Soft and silky, we can't get enough of this gradient colored infinity scarf. Measuring a full 68" round and 23" wide, it's perfect for layering or scrunching. Light & airy, never bulky.
So basically this is the perfect scarf for me. I love big, bulky scarves but frankly, they hurt my neck. This looks like it could give some extra warmth while still being airy. And it's gorgeous.

Festive Christmas Tree Hat, $28 at FredFlare If aunts w/ funny sweaters have taught us anything, it’s that Christmas is the time to get a little silly.
I really need this hat. I would sport it, often. I would wear it on Christmas morning, Christmas eve, during the Cornish Christmas festival, while playing in the snow, while drinking peppermint hot chocolate at Starbucks, while decorating the tree, when I feel nostalgic...just please make this hat happen.

Mini Elephant Earrings, $10 at FredFlare
These earrings are perhaps the tiniest we've ever sold on FF and yet they feature the famous and unforgettable GIANT of the animal kingdom.
I have a thing about elephants. They are one of my most favorite animals. They are large, gentle, strong and majestic...and I love illustrations of elephants. These tiny earrings would be a perfect glint of gold for my ears.

The Indie Rock Coloring book, $10.95 at FredFlare With musicians like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Devendra Banhart, Rilo Kiley, and Bloc Party, it also has tons of images that are a blast to fill in.
One time when I went into Restoration Hardware and delighted in their section of novelty toys, I declared that I would someday have a closet full of fun toys and games. This will be in the closet.

Listography by Lisa Nola, $17.95 at FredFlare
Create your own unique autobiography as you rank your best friends, guiltiest pleasures & more.
I've already previously mentioned how much I want this book. I still want it.

Serendipity's Frozen Hot Chocolate Mix, $32 at FredFlare Includes one 5”x4.5” dessert glass from famous NYC Serendipity restaurant, 2 packs of world famous mix, a plastic Serendipity spoon, & 2 straws for sharing. As seen on Oprah!
Why yes, I did see this episode of Oprah, and yes, I have craved this amazingly decadent chocolate mix ever since that episode.

Little Red Riding Hood Tea Pot, $44 at FredFlare Calm that Big Bad Wolf with a hot cup of tea from this darling fairy tale tea pot. Little Red Riding Hood's, tea for 1 set includes a charming woven basket (for tea bags), & a small interior metal steeper. Her head is the tea cup, & her hood becomes the lid.
I am a big tea drinker. This is the most precious way to treat yourself to a cup of tea. I would love to display this little pot in my kitchen, it is simply darling.

Sigh. That was fun. Thanks for indulging me.

+/-

These are the bane of (today's) existence:

Soggy moccasins and wet feet (due to rain).

Book stores not carrying what you need.

Not getting paid on time.

Cold, uncomfortable libraries.

The prospect of missing cupcake happy hour at Wink.

Needing to read and report on two books that you do not own and have not read.

Positive things that balance out the day to make it tolerable:

Coffee at The Grinder with Elyse, Danny, and Josh.

Delving into the Old Testament with Professor Spina.

Waking up and having naturally messy hair.

A clean bill of health at my doctor's appointment!

Yummy breakfast: toasted everything bagel and pomegranate green tea.

Beautiful mist, drizzle, and fog.

les lists

I've noticed that several of the blogs that I follow have been posting about lists. I love lists. I often make them, so I stay on track of tasks throughout the day. (I either make lists on notebook paper, in my planner, or on Google Tasks). It is very rare that I follow the list exactly however, but I at least try to start off with one, and see where my day goes.

I even wanted to get a list based planner for 2010, called Listography. (You might have seen their other books at Urban Outfitters. They are fantastic.) It describes "Your Life in Lists" and has great illustrations to go along with the personalized lists. 

Sample page from their website. This one asks you to list places that you've lived! :) I want to get one of their journals, it would be fun to fill out!

Anyway, at Meticulous Markings, Alexandra lists things that are the "bane of her existence." I can definitely relate to numbers 1, 2, 9, and 12. I kind of want to make my own "bane of my existence" list, maybe I will in a future post.

At Shellyisms, Shelly references a list of the best things in life, all of which I can agree on! (Especially the point about long hot showers, which are few and far between with my water heater).


Color Me Katie talks about 12 things that make her smile, and couples them with charming pictures! That girl is so creative.


Vanessa links to her YouTube vlog, where she lists all of the things that made her Monday a good day!

And finally, Madame Lamb sort of references a list, (this is kind of a stretch because actually it is more like a chart) of the evolution of modern art! It turns out to be very interesting and helpful.

Happy listing!