5 Movies I can never watch again. And they are all about dogs.

Okay, so maybe this is a little much? And maybe I seem like an emotional mess?

I guess I just can't stand to watch the life of a dog come full circle... Because it reminds me that my own dog will not live forever. And that makes me a wreck to think about.

At any rate, I hope this was a good laugh and that I didn't spoil things too much for you ;)

Which movies can you not handle?

Driftwood + Dried Plants

Yesterday while I was out by the bay, I found these nice little wild plants. I don't know if they are flowers or actually weeds, but even if they are just weeds, I still think they are lovely.

I also found a couple of pieces of driftwood and decided to make this one into a decoration for the top of my toilet.

There were many cool pieces of wood, but I really like this one because it has holes and gaps in it.

So, when I got home I just grabbed a mason jar from my collection, found some tea candles, put the dried plants in the jar, and arranged it all on the piece of wood.

And there you go. The easiest craft and decoration. Free and rustic. I just love it.

What cool finds have you made part of your home?

One of those good days.

Today was a good day. I absolutely love having Tuesdays and Thursdays to myself. It is a breath of fresh air.

I decided to venture out to this little spot near the bay. I used to live right down the street from it and didn't really go exploring there much. But now, it is my new favorite place. Wonderful views of the bay and San Francisco, the open sky, and plenty of little things to look at. I think I just might have to come back on Thursday for a picnic and reading time with Marly.

I found a nice little log to keep my stuff on and spent over an hour and a half taking these outfit photos, taking some film photos, and collecting little things from nature. I even made a little craft from the things I found and I shall share that here tomorrow. I love it!

shirt - Lucky Brand // leggings - Target // jacket - Gap // boots - Steve Madden

I think I forget to stop and appreciate the little things. I like to think that I try to notice them more than others, but I can always do better. I want to look back on my life one day and remember all of the things that I decided to take the time to notice or enjoy simple things. I don't want to get so swept up in the hardships of everyday life that I don't appreciate the things that I am blessed to be able to be appreciative for. Like today for example. I could have been doing a million other things, but I took the time to do something just for me. I decided to be still and enjoy this quiet day. How lucky am I to live in a place where I can drive a few minutes from my house and be at a place so quiet and isolated as this? And have big blue skies and a gentle breeze, one that envelopes my body and makes my soul sing? In January? Goodness, this is a lucky life I lead and I intend to enjoy it, even when my youth has faded and I am a grey, loving old woman with many memories to share.

The Perks of Being a (Bathroom) Wallflower

Happy Sunday night, all. Today was a busy day spent at the Oakland A's Fan Fest, although I am not really a fan, and at a birthday extravaganza for a one-year-old that I had not previously met.

So, here are a few thoughts on that:

- Fan Fest: overrated and essentially like a Disneyland with no rides, also known as painfully long lines  that trick you into thinking that they could be short, only to take you through twisting turns near the front. But I was not fooled. I knew that it was going to take FOREVER to get a picture with a baseball player of which whom I have not the slightest idea their name.

- Why I was at Fan Fest: I am a supportive girlfriend who understands that we cannot always do things that I want to do. So, being supportive includes waiting in line for an hour and a half, and being the line keeper while said boyfriend collects free swag and takes photos of anything with an A's logo on it, as if he were a kid in a candy shop. That look makes it all worth it. (Also, praise the Lord for Kindles)

- On to the party: Now, this party was no ordinary one-year-old's party. It was held in a rented hall, with a DJ, a photo booth, long tables of food, many round tables with decorations for sitting, and a giant cake station. And there were princess costumes, which I suppose are pretty normal for a one-year-old little girl.
- Filipino people are hilarious. That is all.

After this busy day and as I am starting to feel a little sick, this is all I want to do tonight:

Sounds like a good plan to me.

I finished The Perks of Being a Wallflower today and I absolutely loved it. I enjoy books about somewhat neurotic male teenagers apparently, as I also loved The Catcher in the Rye, It's Kind of a Funny Story, and Looking For Alaska. While I was in the shower, this got me thinking and I started to wonder if I was at all strange like those characters, and then next thing I knew I was inspired to pull out my film Nikon and finish off my roll of film with photos of my feet in the shower and different parts of my bathroom. Including throwing pennies in my toilet like a wishing well. Followed by tossing a couple plastic dinosaurs in there too. I have no explanation. Except that in the midst of this, Dai showed up at my house, saw what I was doing, and asked if there was something I'd like to talk about. So maybe that answers my question about whether or not I am like Charlie or Holden.

At any rate, I hope my photos turn out well.

1. Take a train somewhere.

2. Learn to screen print.

3. Gain 100 followers of my blog.

4. Go to Seattle.

5. Shoot 20 rolls of film.

6. Learn to knit & crochet better.

7. Get a new car.

8. Go to Portland.

9. Start making fine art by hand again.

10. Lose at least 20lbs.

11. Start having sponsors for my blog.

12. Make at least 20 crafts from my Pinterest list.

13. Travel outside of the U.S.

14. Have an internship or job in the creative world.

15. Go to Yosemite.

16. Possibly start an Etsy shop of some sort.

17. Read 20 non-school books.

18. Learn more about blog design.

19. Practice taking portraits.

20. Keep up with birthday cards and presents for my family.

So, as I just turned 19, I've realized that it is my last year of being a "teenager" and that my next birthday will be a milestone. Two decades old? Gosh, time flies.

At any rate, I decided that this will be the year of getting things done. There are things I want to do and I can do them all! Plus, what feels better than crossing things off a list?

You can call me Katniss.

So this guy, Dai, is just full of surprises. I was told be ready at a certain time on Tuesday evening and that was that. I had no idea where we were going, but alas, we ended up at an archery place for a lesson and shooting time. Romantic, right?

But, I guess I'm not that bad at it! You see that bullseye right there? :)

Anyway, I apologize for not being around these parts the past few days. The new semester has begun and teachers are jumping right in to things. And I've been procrastinating. Wrote my first essay of the semester in one night after this archery fun. 2am and I really need to stop being such good friends. Here's to getting things done!

Kids say the darndest things.

So, here's the deal: I'm a nanny.

I don't ever remember really being that fond of kids (I mean, I'm pretty much one myself), or at least kids that aren't in my family (because those kids are just plain awesome). But one day I looked around and realized that I had somehow surrounded myself with many of them and then said to myself, 

"Hey self, these tiny humans actually aren't that bad. Maybe we should hang out with them every day and get paid for it. Yeah, that's a pretty good idea." 

And then BAM, I found two kiddies to frolic with every day. 

Or, more like to negotiate over homework with, to shuffle to baseball practice, and to play referee in fights for.

Okay, so maybe it isn't as peaceful and whatnot as I had thought it might be. But it's alright. Some days the younger one (7) and I have it out over homework and end up telling each other that the other is being mean. Or maybe the older one is starting to call himself a "pre-teen"(he's only 10!) and has a feisty little attitude and a vocabulary of under-the-breath phrases. But like I said, it's alright because

what they lack in homework motivation and keeping hormones in check, they make up for in quotes like these:

10-year-old: "Don't talk about that. That's what girls talk about."

7-year-old: "Jessica, is that true?"

10-year-old: "Don't ask her. She's not a girl; She's a woman."

7-year-old: "You're such a smart Alex!" (you know, instead of smart aleck)

7-year-old: "Who sings this song?"

10-year-old: "I think it's Justin Beiber."

(It was The Jackson 5...)

At any rate, the good always outweighs the frustrating for those little moments like when they remember my birthday or are super into the crafts I sometimes do with them and ask for my help with other projects.

Plus, they keep me entertained by saying silly things like this.

Though they are all around pretty great, I must say that I am happy to have an extra two days added to my weekend break from them! Thank you Dr. King. And Happy Birthday.

Liebster Blog Award

Hey all! So guess what? Sweet Lauren from Miller Mémoires nominated me for a Liebster Award! Funnily, this is actually my second Liebster, but the first one was back in the days when this blog had a different name, and it's just fun to answer questions, don't you think? Thank you to all of you who read and enjoy my blog. You guys really make my day :)

So, here we go...

Some Rules:

List 11 random facts about yourself

Answer the 11 questions

Nominate 11 bloggers with less than 200 followers

Comment on their page to let them know

Tag the person who nominated you in your post


Eleven Random Facts:

I really love to drink water. Sometimes I freak out if I don't have any with me.

My family was on that game show 'Family Feud' in 2006, but I wasn't old enough to participate.

My best friend and I like to practice our British/Australian accents in hopes of visiting one day.

I love Swedish Fish. And I also got my nephews to love them by tossing them into their mouths while they pretended to be seals. What a great aunt I am.

One day I want to start my own business.

My blog name was inspired by a song.

I once gave a ride to a girl from Australia who was lost in front of my house and she treated me to coffee as thanks. We never saw each other again, but I now wish I knew her name.

I collect mason jars.

When I am on a plane and it takes off, I always listen for the ding to know that everything is alright, because if anything were to go wrong it would happen in the first five minutes. Or at least that's what John Cusack taught me in 'Say Anything'... Anyone?

I have a hard time finishing things.

The Bachelor is one of my guilty pleasures.


Lauren's Questions:
1. What is a Special Talent you have or Stupid Human Trick you can do?
I actually don't have any! Boring, I know.

2. What motivates you to keep blogging?
Sometimes it is tough, but I'm motivated by the new, lovely people that discover my blog each day and the comments that they leave. It assures me that I'm not just talking to space! Plus, I just love sharing my thoughts and ideas.

3. What are you most passionate about?
I'm most passionate about all things creative.

4. If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
I've already met this person, but I would see my great grandma again. I never got to say goodbye.

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Hopefully in 5 years I will have graduated from college, the readership of this blog will have grown, and I will be starting my career in graphic design/photography! All with Marly by my side.

6. Dream travel destination?
I just really want to go to Slovenia to meet my family.

7. Favorite foreign food?
I don't really count Mexican as foreign (I mean, I'm from CA...), so I would have to say Thai.

8. What are you inspired by?
I'm inspired by nature, architecture, other artists, the everyday, and the people around me.

9. What's your favorite hobby?
I think my favorite hobby is this blog and everything that goes into it.

10. Favorite beverage?
Besides water, I would say sweet tea.

11. If money was no object, what would you do everyday?
I would have a big studio space with a hangout spot in front where I shared my work and the work of other artists. There would be couches where people could come and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and read a book. And I would just work on whatever I wanted and had every tool I could ever want at my fingertips.

-------------------------------

My Questions:
1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What's the story behind your blog name?
3. What's your guilty pleasure?
4. Who is your favorite musical artist?
5. If you had some sort of super power, what would it be?
6. What's your favorite place to shop at?
7. What was your first job?
8. Beaty product must-have?
9. Where have you traveled to?
10. Do you prefer an evening in or out?
11. What's your favorite holiday and why?

My Nominees:
Lou of Stars In Jars
Carlee of Almost Endearing
Kellene of This Lovely Little Day
Nydia of A Girl Named Nydia
Amanda of Amanda K. By The Bay
Dorien of Bodacious Thought
Jenny of French Press Mornings
E.M. of lark and lace
Stephanie of Life, Actually
Elana of Room 334
Emily of Oh hello, love!

Thanks for reading through all of that! And please feel free to answer any of my questions in the comments if you would like. I'd love to hear your answers as well :)

My Grandpa and the Nikon F

The other day, Kellene over at This Lovely Little Day blogged about a scarf she made from a project that her grandma had left on her knitting needles when she passed away. Now, she gets to carry around a little piece of her grandma, and this sweet story inspired me to write about my own connection to my grandpa: my film camera.

I grew up never having met my grandpa and not knowing much about him, until one day in 5th grade when I got his address and sent him a letter with my picture enclosed.

"Um, hi. You've never met me, but I'm your granddaughter. Here's my picture. I hope you think I'm cute."

Of course, those weren't my exact words, but looking back I realize how bold it was for me to send such a thing to a complete stranger. And how awkward it could sound.

Despite my doubts, he wrote back and we continued our relationship through hand written letters to each other. He had such beautiful handwriting and was always so thoughtful, telling me to give Marly a kiss (I got Marly in 2006, so he was kept abreast of my excitement about that) and to say hello to my dad. He was an avid bike rider and always sent me magazine clippings of women bikers to inspire me, pretty bikes, and action shots from races. They were always so tenderly cut, the corners clipped off like many photos from the 50's and notes on the back. He also usually sent me $5 or $10 and told me to go see specific movies or to bake a cake that he really loved because he just wanted me to try it. 

After we had started sending letters to each other, it was discovered that his younger sister (my great aunt) only lived a block away from us, and a whole new part of the family I had never known before opened up, one that I am still close with today. I had heard stories from my mother that my grandpa fought in the Vietnam war, but this newfound family filled me in even more, and I found out that my grandfather was an artist and photographer that used to create drafts of boats and ships, and took many photos during his days in the war in Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia.

A few years after he passed away in 2007, I found a box of my mother's old stuff, which had many of his beautiful photographs in it and a letter he had written someone. On the back of the letter, he had glued an ad clipping for the Nikon F, which was all the rage at the time, and expressed to his friend that he wanted it.

That is the camera right up there. He had wanted that camera, but never got it. And miraculously, a donor gave that camera to my high school, and then my teacher gave it to me during my sophomore year. At the time, I thought it was pretty cool and my dad got it fixed for me to use in a film class I had decided to take at the local community college. I had no idea that it was the camera my grandpa had dreamed of until a year or so later when I found his things.

Now that I know about this connection, I appreciate my camera much more and am grateful for the talents that I know I inherited from him. I am a big believer of things happening for a reason, and I believe that he made sure that if he couldn't have that camera, that I would somehow end up with it, and that I would discover the connection it held. 

As something a little extra, I thought I'd share with you this piece I made that was inspired by him.

It is a photo transfer on canvas with mixed media collage and details.

Do you have any cool connections to your family?

Blue Skies and Bad Dogs

I usually don't know what to wear. I like creating outfits, but I always end up changing at least 2 times. I am just so indecisive. As I was going through this monotonous dance the other day, I stumbled upon this dress I had forgotten all about. I got it last year at Cotton On for only $5. Total score. I have only worn it once before, but now I have fallen in love with it. It is so comfy and light!

I had been looking at this necklace from my work for a while and finally broke down and bought it simply because it reminds me of a golden snitch. So naturally, I had to have it once I came to that conclusion. I also got this lovely watch from my dad for Christmas. The last watch I remember wearing was a purple lady bug one with a stretchy band that my sister gave me when I was in first or second grade. I wasn't sure if I would like wearing a watch, but I actually really like wearing it.

Jacket - American Eagle // Dress - Cotton On // Boots - Steve Madden // 

Ring - Lucky Brand // Necklace - Lucky Brand // Watch - Guess

This little pup was quite the terror during this shoot, let me tell you. He kept running away when I would let him off his leash and he took a bag of treats from my purse when I wasn't looking.

And he had the nerve to not pose as his nice little self for my photos. This was the best I could get. Apparently someone was over it.

In other news, I started taking a math class online, but I am not so sure how it will go, considering I am a huge procrastinator and often get distracted easily. Plus I hate math. I guess I will have to shape up and get serious now... Sigh, responsibility...

P.S. I just realized... What is going on with my arm in this last one? Could I be more awkward?

I don't wanna be a chicken, I don't wanna be a duck...

A map and my feet.

In December, my friends and I went to the holiday Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco. I had gone the year before as well and was smitten. If this little tour of crafters and the handmade comes to a city near you (Brooklyn, Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, & London), you should definitely stop by. It's free to get in and full of amazingly creative and talented people. Plus, there's a photo booth. Who doesn't want a free photo?

When I went for my first time in 2011, there were so many things that I wished that I could buy, but nothing really stayed with me after that, except for the the work of Diane Vadino of Lekker Haas Paper. So when we saw her booth again this past December, I knew that I needed to just break down and buy one of her pieces. 

So I did. Isn't it beautiful? It is a map of San Francisco, with all the streets intact! She told me that she prints a map and cuts out the streets so that she has one giant stencil (which takes 3 months!), then she takes a photo and is able to make a screen print from it. I decided to buy (well, actually it turned out to be a Christmas gift from Dai :) ) a screen print (only $40), though she sells the actual cut-outs as well, which are stunning, but are $500. Maybe one day!

Now that I have this beautiful piece of art, I don't know how I want to display it! It is too awkward of a size for a ready-made frame (23in x 17.25in??), so I need to either have my dad build me a frame for it (which could take months because he is a busy man) or figure out some other creative way of displaying it. Please help me! Have any ideas?

Hope Tuesday is treating you well! I scheduled my classes so that I do not have any on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so I am feeling pretty good about my freedom :)

Lazy Sunday

Yesterday we spent the morning at a little coffee shop near by. They have pretty good breakfast (look at that waffle. Yum.), but better yet, they have games. I love playing games. I think this is because my siblings are all much older than me, so they were never really around to play with me and my dad could only play 'Sorry' so many times before he lost it. So, now I take every chance I can get to play some of my favorite games. 

You're probably wondering why there are two burritos on the table. Though they both look yummy, one of them is not edible! For my birthday, my sister got me the Photorito. It's a protective wrap for carrying around a camera lens! And it looks like a tortilla, which is awesome, obviously.

Needless to say, I eventually lost at both 'Connect 4' and 'Battleship', but oh well. Those aren't my games anyway. I demand a rematch at some real games. 

After we had our fill of game playing, I was able to catch on my favorite blogs and work in my sketchbook.

The rest of the day was filled with a trip to the batting cages and to Michael's, and mentally preparing myself to go back to school today. Winter break was just not long enough!

Hope everyone is having a great Monday so far :)