Gone to the Birds!

There is a new addition to my Etsy shop today.  A while back John and I took a mini road trip around the bay area and we came across this cute little white church.  Come to find out later, it is the church that was in Alfred Hitchcock's movie The Birds!

"Purity"

It just looks to perfect to be real.  I remember thinking to my self that the whole scene looked just like a movie.  Little did I know that it actually was in a movie!

Slightly Askew in a Treasury

I think this is a great treasury, and I am happy to be a part of it.

Etsy Front Page!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the computer screen in front of me!  My photo was on the front page of Etsy!  I was so excited!!

"Sunday in the Park"

I'm so glad that I saw it on the front page, otherwise I would have never known.  It made my day!

Slightly Askew

I have a new print available in my Etsy shop.  This is one of the images that I took on my New Year's road trip.

"Slightly Askew"

Everything in this image looks so normal.  Its a scene that you pass every day on the street without a second glance.  However, something is just slightly off.

vintage style at its best

One of the things that I love most about the art from the 60s is the psychedelic concert poster.  It was an art unto itself.  A couple of years ago I saw an exhibit of vintage psychedelic concert posters in Boston and they were incredible.  There is so much detail in the layout of these designs.  Its really impressive.

Trying to read the information on half of these posters is near impossible.  I don't know how anyone would even know when and where these shows were happening!  I would love to have a few of these hanging in my house.

Flying Trapeze

This is something that I have been wanting to try for quite some time.  I found a place where you can learn how to perform all sorts of aerialist activities.  You can take a one-on-one lesson and its actually really affordable.  Of course there is a harness and a net so I won't seriously injure myself.  Which, I will probably manage to do somehow despite all safety precautions.  But I'm so excited to finally get to do this!

Now I'll have to run off and join the circus!

Scissor Skills!

Imagine my surprise when I was walking down the street, minding my own business, and I saw this amazing paper creation staring back at me through a shop window. 

 My photos don't do this justice at all.  It looks like a tangled mess, but it was actually quite interesting.  There are so many little intricate shapes that make up this enormous web of paper.

I was truly impressed.

I GOT GRATEFUL DEAD TICKETS!!!

I almost forgot to update everyone on my quest for Grateful Dead tickets.  Believe me, this was no easy task.  I thought I was going to have a heart attack during this entire process.  I wouldn't be surprised if the stress of this experience caused permanent damage to my young heart.

There was a countdown clock on the Grateful Dead website for the ticket pre-sale.  On Tuesday I was sitting with my finger on the button as the final seconds on that clock ticked down. 3...2...1!  I clicked and nothing happened.  It said that it was loading, but of course there are a million people trying to get tickets at that exact moment.  I kept waiting and waiting and waiting.  I started to panic a little.  The screen said not to refresh, but how would I know if it was really working or if it had frozen.  My eyes were bugging out of my head in anticipation.

Then, the server crashed!!  My heart sank.  I had to start all over.  At this point, in a desperate attempt, I had my co-worker in on my scheme and he was trying to get the tickets also.  Both of our computers were loading SO slowly due to the traffic on their server.  My palms were sweating.

Finally, his screen loads.  So, I put in the ticket quantity, I enter my credit card information and press the checkout button.  It starts processing...and it keeps processing.  By this time I'm sure I have the tickets so I'm starting to breathe again.  Then, I hear, "Oh no!" from my co-worker.  The server stalled and he got an error message! NO!

I had to start the process all over again!  I was so bummed.  I thought I had lost my tickets for sure.  So, I took a breath and started over.  To my surprise...IT WORKED!  I was jumping up and down and silently screaming to myself.  Had I not been at work I would have definitely woken up my neighbors with shrieks of joy.

It was then that I realized that I had forgotten my cell phone at home!  I couldn't share my good news with anyone.  Really, I thought that I might explode.  So i did more jumping up and down.

Now, I have to wait until May to actually go to the concert.  I checked back later in the day to see if there were any tickets left and they were entirely sold out!  I'm so glad that I was able to get my hands on two of those babies.  It was really a miracle.  Plus, its the last show on the tour, so I think its going to be extra special.

Thank you to my co-worker for putting aside what he was doing to help me in my quest to see the Grateful Dead.  Without your help, I would have no tickets and I might have cried a little.

Treasured

I was in a treasury today!  I always love when that happens.  It brings a smile to my face to know that someone appreciates my work.

Thank you beadsire!

Terrariums

I have been thinking about making my very own little terrarium for quite some time now.  Word on the street is that they are really easy to care for.  I love having plants in my house, but it is no secret that I do not have a green thumb.  I decided that a terrarium is the way to go.

The last week was spent gathering the materials I needed.  I bought a little glass container, dug up some moss (from an undisclosed location), and I got a really adorable little succulent.  I waited all week and FINALLY this weekend I had the time to put it all together.  

The purple on the tips of the succulent are my favorite part.  It adds a nice little pop of color against the green bed of moss.

These are the clumps of moss that I dug up from a location that shall remain a secret...Shhhh!

It was actually really easy and I think it came out totally cute! I'm so proud of my little terrarium!

I put little glass stones in the bottom instead of actual rocks.  I think they look nice and I had some left over from another project I was working on.

If you want to make your own terrarium I found some really easy to follow instructions in Domino Magazine.

I would love to see your terrariums when you are finished! Have Fun!

Quote for the day:

"More grows in the garden than the gardner sows."

- Old Spanish Proverb

Go Van Go!

I think it really takes a special kind of dedication to art to paint your car like this.  It is so great!  John and I saw this van parked in front of a row of art galleries on our road trip.  A photo had to be taken!

I wish I had the guts to drive a car this awesome.

Quote for the day:

"Art is art. Everything else is everything else."

--This Van

What happened to the glamor?

When I see photos of women like these I feel so ashamed of myself.  It is amazing to me the amount of effort that women used to put in to their appearance.  Every day was an occasion to be beautiful and look your best.  I have trouble getting out of bed more than 10 minutes before I leave for work in the morning!  How could I possibly have time to pull off an up-do?

I ask myself: What happened to five o'clock cocktails with olives and rocks glasses? Lipstick and pantyhose? Fancy hats that went with matching dresses?  Dinner parties? Big band performances and swing dancing?  I don't know how to do The Fox Trot, The Charleston or The Jitterbug...should I know how to do that?

I'm not just disappointed in the ladies.  The fellas aren't doing their part either.  What happened to tuxedos, fedoras, smoking a pipe?  Now we're lucky if they wear pants that cover their underwear!

Sigh...so, I have resolved to put in a little extra effort.  Give myself more than 10 minutes to get it together in the morning.  I don't know that I'll be wearing any up-do's anytime soon, but, maybe I'll wear some lipstick.  My whole day goes better when I feel pretty and I think we all need a little glamor in our lives.

Quote for the day:

"Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin.  That, or a kick-ass red lipstick."

--Gwyneth Paltrow

Brothers and Sisters

There is nothing more special than the relationship between a brother and a sister.  My mom always said that she wanted to have a boy first so I would have an older brother to protect me.  Unfortunately I was the oldest and she ended up with two girls instead! But, I think I do a pretty good job of looking out for my little sister.  Although, I am currently trying to convince her to jump out of a plane with me next month...

This little girl is lucky to have an older brother who adores her.  I recently had the opportunity to photograph them both at their beautiful home.

Even though she was getting sleepy, her facial expressions came to life when her mom turned on the musical mobile above her bed.  She was completely captivated by the little animals.

There is a great rope swing in their front yard!  He was just like a little Tarzan.

Quote for the day:

"Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero."

-Marc Brown

Fotographer Friday: Traer Scott

Traer Scott is an amazing photographer who's images are absolutely beautiful.  She is based in Providence, RI and has a background in fashion and portraiture.  But my favorite part about her is that she has used her time and talent to bring awareness to many animal related causes.  

One of her projects, Shelter Dogs, is very dear to my heart.  I used to work for the MSPCA.  During my time there I  learned so much about homeless animals and what they go through.  Spending time with those animals changed my life.  It breaks my heart to look into their eyes and not be able to save all of them.  I can't even watch those Sarah McLachlan ASPCA commercials without bawling my eyes out!  

Scott started photographing these dogs while volunteering at animal shelters.  In the introduction to Shelter Dogs, she writes: "As my files grew, I realized that many of the dogs whose pictures I had in my archives never made it out alive.  I found that no matter what, I couldn't bring myself to delete their photos, which were in some cases the only record of their existence."  

That last line "...the only record of their existence."  That sticks with me.  These animals had no owners, no homes, no one to love them and no one to remember them once they were gone.  Through her images, Scott has given them a voice.  So now, we will all remember them.

You can find her book at many major book stores and online.  To see more of her fabulous photography you can go to her website: www.traerscott.com.

"Terrier" from Shelter Dogs (Merrell 2006) by Traer Scott.

"Dumbledore" from Shelter Dogs (Merrell 2006) by Traer Scott.

"Joshua" from Shelter Dogs (Merrell 2006) by Traer Scott.

"Bailey" from Shelter Dogs (Merrell 2006) by Traer Scott.

I Have a New Book

Reading is one of my favorite past times.  But since I left Boston, the time I once spent reading while zipping from place to place on the train has been replaced with endless miles of traffic.  (Ugh!)  Since I don't condone reading while driving, I haven't had the time to devote to really sitting down, relaxing and reading a good book.  So, I've taken up the habit of half-reading five or six books at a time.  I only get through the first couple of chapters of most of them.  Then they take up residence on my night stand.  I look at them longingly when I tuck myself in at night, but I'm always too exhausted to pick one up and actually finish it.

This Christmas I received a book store gift card.  Immediately my mind was filled with thoughts of spending hours perusing the store, which I love to do, and buying stacks magazines instead of just flipping through them while standing next to the rack.  

So, gift card in hand, I took a trip down to the book store and picked up a copy of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's book: Influence.  The book was cleverly printed with your choice of Olsen twin on the cover.  When I checked out the clerk made sure to ask me if I chose the cover with the twin I wanted (I chose Ashley). 

I have followed both of their careers for quite some time now.  These two women never cease to amaze me.  They have accomplished so much in their short lives.  I can only dream to be half as motivated and ambitious as they are.  I mean, when do they have time to sleep?  

I haven't finished the book yet (note the first paragraph) but I am fascinated by the lives of the people they chose to interview.  There is such an eclectic group of people with amazing stories and experiences to share.  I am drawn to fashion and art and even more so to the people who create it.  I think this book is going to be a really great edition to my bedside table.  I think one day I'll finish it.  Maybe.

Fairy Tales

Alice in Wonderland just happens to be one of my all time favorite children's books.  It has fantasy, adventure, imagination, interesting characters, and, my favorite part, a rebellious young lady who's curiosity seems to get her into trouble everywhere she goes. 

When you think about it, the entire story is completely crazy!  I can't imagine what Lewis Carroll was thinking when he came up with this twisted tale.  

Tim Burton is directing a new Alice in Wonderland movie that is due out in 2010.  There is no better person to direct this wacky story than Tim Burton.  I think it is going to be amazing and I really hope that I'm not disappointed.

Daniel Pla.Estilismo created these awesome Alice in Wonderland inspired images for a Spanish magazine called Ragazza.

I love the rich jewel tones and how the story is interpreted through simple props.  Not to mention the gorgeous clothes!  The pink dress (above) by Paule Ka is especially lovely.

The Dead...reunited AND on tour!

I'm trying to contain myself...but I'm just so freaking excited!!  I just found out that The Grateful Dead (minus Jerry Garcia, of course) is planning a tour in 2009!  Ok, now for the best part....they are making the very last stop of the tour right in Mountain View, CA!

I have a list of bands that I want to see before I (or they) die.  The bands on this list are older classic rock bands that were waaaaaay before my time.  But, some of them do still perform from time to time and I have been lucky enough to see a few of them in concert. The Grateful Dead is on that list and I had given up all hope of ever seeing them in concert.  Until now!  

You can go to their website to see if they are playing in a city near you.  I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.  I know you are as excited as I am :) 

Now, if I can just get my hands on a pair of those tickets.  It would be a miracle.

*This image was taken from the Grateful Dead tour information page on their website.*

Welcome to 2009 baby!

The New Year has finally arrived in all of its balloon dropping, confetti tossing, champagne toasting, kissing at midnight glory!  I love when the new year arrives.  It brings a feeling of a new beginning, a fresh start to another year of your life.  For me its a time reflect on the last year and make the appropriate changes in my life. Its a time to make new resolutions and re-commit to the old ones.  I look at the upcoming year as a blank slate.  Anything can happen and the idea of that is very exciting to me!

This year I decided that the best way to kick off 2009 was with a road trip!  I had everything all planned out, then I found out that it was supposed to rain the WHOLE TIME!  I was bummed, but plans were adjusted and John and I set out on our journey anyway.

We finally arrived at the Sheraton in Petaluma, CA. Which, by the way, was FABULOUS! Its right on the river.  I would highly recommend staying there if you are ever in Petaluma.

After dinner we arrived at the Mystic Theater in downtown Petaluma to see the Tommy Castro Band.  They are an awesome blues band.  If you are in to the blues, you should check them out.

The Tommy Castro Band.

Tommy jammin'

We headed up Highway 101 and stopped in the most adorable historic towns. We took a break in this park next to a river along the way.  It had the most beautiful, fall-colored trees.

This was the bridge over the river.  Then we headed through the woods and to the coast.

The beginning of day 3. It was MUCH colder on the coast.

We went to Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, CA.  The beach is covered in sea glass. It really is an amazing site to see.

We made a pit stop in Elk, CA.  This was the coolest toilet.  It even had skylights.  I was impressed.

We decided about 1/4 of the way down the hill just to take a look over the edge instead.

Luckily it didn't rain nearly as much as we thought it would and we had a great time!  I really want to post all of the pictures we took along the way, so maybe I'll throw some more in another post soon.  Of course I took TONS of pictures along the way!  Keep your eyes peeled, many of the new prints will be available in my Etsy shop soon.  I have a lot of new products in the works that will be for sale throughout 2009.

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope that 2009 brings you all hope, happiness, and all of the great things that you want in your lives.

Quote for the day:

"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right."

- Oprah Winfrey