Friday, February 27, 2009

Retail Art










I have been playing around with Photoshop lately and one day, was practicing some technique on a shopping photo I had and Voila! artwork! Of course, my skills are amateur, but it's fun to play around. My creation is a mini collection of art inspired by my retail clothing experience.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Lent 2009



Here is my chance to become a better Catholic...Lent, a time to repent one's sins and to prepare for the Resurrection of Jesus. It's the opportunity to fast, give alms, be sorry for your sins, and be in intense prayer for 40 days. I will try very hard to do what I can to better myself spiritually, and I will not let this time go in vain. I plan to pray more, go to Church, and have given up chips and pizza (which is VERY hard for me to do). It's been a day and so far so good.

Mmmmmm Teaaaaa


I can't get enough tea in my life! Tea is not only good for you, but it tastes great also. There are soooo many flavors that you could probably go a year or more and never have the same tea. It's also a great alternative to getting a drink after work with friends.

Don't those tiny teacups bring you back to the simple days of tea parties with your stuffed animals?

(Image via awesome design inspiration blog twinsgarden.)

Songs I Love: No Other Love

John Legend is one of my favorite singers. I don't think I've heard one bad song from him. Maybe it's his soulful yet sexy voice or his amazing collaborations, but this particular song,
No Other Love
, is sung with Estelle who is also amazing. This just one of those songs that I would ride around in my car, windows down, sunglasses on, and and song blaring.



(Image via theexactly.net)

Gnomes at Home




I find some hobbies hilarious....such as a house in Sydney, Australia whose lawn in filled with hundreds of gnomes. It all started with one little gnome...

To think of it, my sorority sisters and I had a gnome of our own....Naiboo Santa. He lived with us for a few years and we took care of him and he watched out for us.

Guilt-Free Graffiti


Walls Notebook by Moleskine is 80 photos of guilt-free graffiti that you yourself can create on New York City walls. These are blank photos of walls that you can jot down your thoughts, messages, artwork, or any creativity that runs through your fingers. So go ahead and "deface" public property! What a sweet idea for that little criminal inside!

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

"The Great Debate"


Are you an under (A) or an over (B)? Team B for me!

Tosco Prints


The Behance Network is a site for "creative portfolios, projects, and collaborations"; a network for creative geniuses I suppose :)

Tosco's Toy Portfolio has some awesome prints featuring dogs, which I interpret as a modernized rendition of the "poker dogs". I am personally fond of the above print that features two Shar-Peis (like my Hercules).

Monday, February 23, 2009

Minimí


I'm not what sure came first, the "Minimí" (mini-me) or the guy?


Believe in Yourself



There is nothing I dislike more than people who do not believe in themselves or think that something is "wrong" with them. Don't get me wrong here, I believe that we grow as humans when we do things wrong and learn from our mistakes. However, I also think that some people are too harsh on themselves and whatever they think is wrong is minuscule compared to the problems of the world. So what do I say? "Embrace your inner AND outer self, because you will only learn to truly love others once you love yourself."

Stairway to Where?


I don't know where this stairway is, or where it leads to, but it must be some place marvelous!

Ok....so it's actually a loft in London, but I like to pretend that it leads to somewhere mystical.

(Image via Apartment Therapy)

Passport!

If I told people in Indiana that I didn't have a passport they wouldn't say a thing, but when I said it to people in NY, everyone freaked out. "How could you not have a passport?!" they would say. They were right. I couldn't even flee to Canada had I committed a horrendous crime (haha I wouldn't do that...). Nonetheless, I finally brought myself to the post office, dropped off my application and $100, then received it in the mail a few weeks later. Now I feel free of boundaries and I look forward to using it for the first time. (preferably somewhere out of North America).

Social Memories


I was once Social Chair of my sorority in college where I was in charge of planning and executing social events for all my "sisters". These social events were both sober and non-sober events and you best believe themed parties were part of the plan; themes like "80's", Jersey Nights (and by jersey I mean the athletic top, not the guido boys from South Jersey), Hawaiian, or "WTF are you Wearing (of which you wear whatever the heazy you like)". My friend emailed this list she found, and her and my friends all laughed because they thought it was funny. I laughed because it looked like a list that was taken out of my trash can 2 years ago. Like the adult Halloween costumes, most theme parties revolved around the girls' sexy outfits (sexy 80's, sexy white trash, sexy cowboy), My favorite theme party on the list above is "Conquistadors and Latin Ho's - SWORDS"....man does this list make me LOL!

It's kind of embarrassing that I have attended and/or planned some of the parties listed above, but it brings back fond memories too.

Dumb-Dumb of the Week: Chimp Owner


I always seem to write these a week after they occur, but my dumb-dumb of the week has to be the owner of Travis, the chimpanzee who mauled the face of a woman. The owner (Sandra Herald) has raised Travis since he was a wee-lil chimp, but let's be real here, he is a wild animal. He should be with his own kind and not be living like a human. However, it is hard to argue her love for Travis as I love my puppies like they are my babies. Unfortunately for Travis, he did not make it through this horrific event.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Picturas Bonitas




There's something about a a pretty photo that inspires you, and Palookaville has a ton of them.

Lazy Weekend


This past weekend was very relaxing and filled with food, good conversation, sleep, and laughter. I always look forward to weekends with the bf, but I do miss my girls!

Mo Money Mo Problems


I somehow got through college on VERY little money (making $20 a week at A&F), but now that I have a career and a salary, I find myself spending sooo much money! Of course I am paying for rent, food, and bills, but I now find myself buying pricey clothing and going out to eat often. I have kept a log of everything I have spent since I moved to NY, but it's more for keeping track rather than keeping a budget. No matter how much I try to save, I find myself spending money in other areas. With this economy, I really need to watch what I spend.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Shhleepy

I need to go to bed earlier than 1AM on "school nights".

Downtime vs. Partytime


I used to go out as often as I could, which in college meant every day but Sundays and Tuesdays. However, nowadays, I find myself looking forward to downtime; time to think about my day, my life, my future. My weekdays usually consist of work, coming home around 7, making dinner, watching a few shows, hittin' the internet, then going to bed.

Going out with friends means even more to me now, and I look forward to even the smallest of gatherings. I don't consider myself dull or boring now, just easier to please. I don't need a bar full of frat boys, cheap booze, and fatty food to have a good time; just being in the company of good friends is all that matters.

Mix Tape

Remember the days of the mix tape? I remember staying up late on certain nights to wait for a certain radio show that played my fav tunes. I would lay in bed, then pop-up to hit the record button. Not only did I love to listen to my musical creations, but I loved to decorate the cases by cutting out little pictures and words. Ohhhh the memories. I probably have them in my room at home still, but too bad I don't have a cassette player.

(Image via VortexTradingCompany)

How Comfy



My room is very small, but I actually don't mind it. I find it comfy n cozy...like a crib :)
The little nook above has the same comfy feel to it, and I just love the antique/outdoors motif they have going on. Me likey.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Dumb-Dumb of the Week: Man-Under-Car?

So last week, a man drove from Queens to Brooklyn (20 miles) with a man underneath his vehicle. The victim had been hit by an SUV then run-over again by this man. The driver got out of his car because he thought something was "off", but failed to see the man beneath his van. Horrified bystanders and fellow drivers kept trying to wave the man down, but he did not notice and kept driving. Sadly the victim had died and was completely unrecognizable. How could this man drive for so long and not know something was wrong???!!

This was truly a tragic accident. I cannot imagine what his friends and family are going through, and I will keep him in my prayers.

JR's Photography





A French photographer named "JR" photographs impoverished and victimized women in South America, Africa, and Asia then posts huge poster-size versions of the pictures (illegally) on buildings, stairs, bridges, buses, and just about anywhere you may or may not expect. The photographer cannot reveal his name in case he is prosecuted, but his message is not going unnoticed. His work is beautiful, and you can see the feeling and emotion in these women's eyes and faces. This work is truly inspiring.

Barbie Fashion Show


It's NY Fashion Week time! In celebration of Barbie's 50th birthday, a runway show was dedicated to the iconic doll where designers (such as Calvin Klein and Alexander Wang) were given the opportunity to put out their best Barbie looks. I'm sure it was a fab show!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Vintage Valentine


My friend Steph and I went to the Pop-Up Winter Flea Market in Dumbo the other weekend, and although it was crowded, there were tons of goodies. I noticed that many of the stands had old Valentine's cards (yes, they were signed in the back). There is something so sweet (and oh-so intelligent) about a vintage card. My favorite card said, "I'm re-lion on you to be my Valentine".

A Delicious Valentine's Day





This Valentine's Day was the best I have ever had! My bf and I just celebrated our third VDay together, but this past weekend was amazing. We stayed the weekend at the infamous Waldorf Astoria hotel in Manhattan. It was our getaway without getting away, and I really enjoyed every moment. The hotel is huge, designed in an art-deco style, and was filled with families, couples, and visitors from all over the world.

We had VDay dinner at Quality Meats, which was AWESOME! Don't let the name fool you folks, this restaurant had a lot more than meat and has a very chic decor. It has definitely become one of my fav restaurants in the city. Rob said "This was the best meal I have ever had".

The Evenings Menu

AMUSE BOUCHE:
- Sliced cherry tomato with sweet blue cheese, basil, and sea salt

APPS:

- Challah bread with rosemary and sea salt
- Seafood bouquet - chilled oysters, shrimp, and lobster tail with ginger sesame, creamy cilantro, and cocktail sauces (we ordered the large and it was huggggeee)

ENTREE:
- 4lb lobster for 2
- Corn creme brulee (Amazzzinnnggg)
- Creamed spinach

DESSERT:
- Homemade double fudge cookie with homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream
- Jasmine tea
DRINKS:
- A really strong vodka/soda (she gave me the glass 3/4 filled and said, "Oops, that's all vodka")
- Bottle of reisling

Twas an amazing meal, and I will always remember this Valentine's Day.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

E.T. Phone Home


I love the blog "Faces in Places" where people all over the world send in every day items that resemble a face or some type of facial expression. I keep an eye out for these daily occurrences, which make it a sort of game for me. So I finally found something I feel is submit worthy and not a fig of my imagination...... E.T.! It's actually a Starbucks cardboard cup holder!

What do you think? Does it look like him or am I crazy?

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Misses Yo Kisses


Can't wait for Valentine's Day Weekend!!

Sun is Shining


Sun is shining, the weather is sweet
Make you want to move your dancing feet -- Bob Marley's "Sun is Shining"


Today is a beautiful day! It's 60 degrees and sunny. Not too shabby for a mid-February day.
Too bad I'm locked in the Empire State Building till after sunset

No Dentist!



I'm so frazzled because I need a lot of dental work and I do not have dental insurance. I went for a cleaning over Christmas while I was at home, and I am thinking about going home to get my important work done (the crown). You may wonder why I just don't find a dentist in the city to do this? The issue with that is that I will have to go for an initial exam, then a consultation on the crown, and then go in for it. With my dentist at home, I just need to go in there. They know me and they know my history. So why don't I get my own insurance you ask? Well, I have been looking for some, and I will prob sign up for one, but in order to get the big stuff done you have to be with them for a year or so. So unfortunately, it does not look like any cheap or fast way to do this.

Looks like I will have to take a one week vaca to get this stuff done, but at least I get to be with my family and my mama can take care of me.