Tune Time: So This Is the New Year

As preparations are under way to have our first New Year's Eve barbecue party (hear this, the grill's not just for summer!), I've been doing some thinking about the fact that we sing "Auld Lang Syne" every year without knowing the words, much less the meaning.

So I thought I'd share a few songs that sum up my feelings on 2008 (boo! hiss!) and have just the right amount of optimism for 2009. Lift your glasses for a virtual toast:

May neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.

Pix-elated!

Grandpa patiently lets me work through 1,000 different camera settings

I'm still waiting for my first sale in my Etsy store, but I'm a hit offline thanks to Grandpa, who bought some prints and put them in our Dirty Santa mix at Christmas. Each sale gets me one step closer to my ultimate goal of putting a Little Gray Pixel print in every home worldwide. I kid, I kid. But it's nice to have lofty goals, eh?

Thanks again, Grandpa!

Media Minded: Yes Man

We caught "Yes Man" late Christmas night, and I'm pretty sure I can thank the movie for helping me laugh off at least one piece of fudge from the holiday feast earlier that day. Yeah, yeah, Jim Carrey was funny, but let's talk Zooey. As in Deschanel.



As I predicted, Husband cracked a joke about how she's a one-dimensional actress. I guess he just can't appreciate her awesome deadpan delivery, gorgeous singing voice and fabulous bangs. And of course he poohs the fact that she also is She of She & Him (aka one of the year's best indie music acts). But what can I say? I'm a fan. In fact, you might as well call it like it is: I have a little bit of a girl crush on her.

It started when I saw her sing in "Elf." How can you not dig these jazzy vocals?



I'm working on Husband. I finally got him to admit that Zooey is "likable." Maybe next time he sees her in a film, he's think she's downright "lovable" just like I do.

Fashion Forward: Gray nail polish

If there was anything I accomplished this holiday, it was becoming an expert at hanging out in airports. An easy way to pass the time was to observe my fellow travelers and scientifically break down fashion trends, one of which is gray nail polish. As you can tell by the name of this blog, I'm somewhat a fan of gray. I know, I'm not exactly breaking ground on this trend. It's been blogged about since February, but I never expected it to catch on in the manner it has. The sheer number of nails donning dove gray, gunmetal gray, sparkly gray, you-name-it gray was overwhelming.

I love O.P.I.'s Sheer Your Toys (right). It seems appropriate now, in the post-Christmas period. I hear bright brights are in for 2009, but I'll probably let someone else be the guinea pig for yellow nail polish. Wearing that hue just sounds a little ... bananas.

Photoshoot: Q Holds Still

Q, our rambunctious cat, usually ends up being a blur in most of my photos. It's rare that I can get him to stay still long enough to take a shot without flash. With flash, his eyes are giant red lasers that pierce into the soul. Scary.

During this impromptu photoshoot, Q was perched on a dining room chair. I pointed the lens toward him and click, click, click. He moved his head around for a few seconds, resulting in the usual blur. Then, miraculously, he stopped and stared at me as if to say, "Alright. Take the damn picture already so I can get back to ignoring you."

Flickr Fridays: #6

1. 365:Day 177- (Tales of a Shoe Miracle), 2. Snake, 3. Red, 4. hand, 5. from the outside looking in, 6. 'Piercing blue eye', 7. It's Not A Black & White World, 8. Simplicity, 9. 344/365

I'm really loving these excellent examples of spot color. I'm inspired to try a few of my own in an upcoming photoshoot.

Happy Friday!

Written Word: The Airline That Almost Ruined Christmas (a short but long story)

Oh, LAX. How I got to know you so well these past few days. How you need a renovation. How you need new paint, new carpet and, for the love of god, some TVs. You also need to kick out Continental Airlines, the source of all my holiday woes.

Hmm. How can I make this long story short? It's so absurd it was liking being lost inside the movie "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." Only we didn't make it past the plane stage and we never met John Candy.

After being bumped off our flight at 6:45 a.m. because it was overbooked, we stood in the longest short line ever, all so we could see the all-knowing "missed flights" person. Note I said person, not people. The airline, in all its infinite wisdom, decided to bump people from flights knowing that a single person was behind the re-booking desk. More than an hour later, we have standby tickets.

The next nine hours goes as follows: Stand by gate, wait till flight has boarded, pathetically wait for announcement that the plane is full, go to the next flight at Gate X, flag down a rep and ask the same question over and over (Can you get us confirmed seats on any flight this week? No.) We did this seven times. Us and at least three pages' worth of standbys.

After the seventh time, the answer to our question suddenly changed to yes. "Yes, I can get you confirmed seats on a flight tomorrow, putting you in your destination city at 11 p.m.," kind airline rep said. Rejoice!

Turns out kind airline rep was a liar. When we went online to check in, the connecting flight was a mess. We were scheduled to land in Houston at 7:45 p.m. and simultaneously to leave Houston at 6 p.m. I shit you not. An hour of arguing with the airline on the phone later, we have confirmed seats on the red-eye to Houston, which leaves at 1:20 a.m. Or does it?

The airline "lost" the flight crew. I do not know how this happens, but it resulted in a three-hour delay, during which I saw at least a hundred people lose their cool and freak out about missing their connections. After finally boarding the plane, the flight attendant calls out our names and asks us to push the call button.

"Oh hell no," I thought. "If they try to bump us from this flight, they will have to pry me out of this seat because I will hold on with my kung fu grip till the end of time." I prepared to fight for my rights for the umpteenth time. Turns out our luck finally changed: We were upgraded to first class. (I have heard about this happening to people before, but I always thought it was as mythical as Santa Claus.)

And, 36 hours after our journey began, it ended on Christmas Eve back home with Dad, where we drank beer, laughed and exchanged gifts by a warmly lit tree.

Moral of the story (isn't there always one?): If your holiday doesn't go as planned, it could always be worse. You could be sleeping on the cold, scary floor at LAX or flying Continental Airlines. And if you are one of those unlucky souls still scrambling for a flight, my heart goes out to you. I hope Santa brings you a private jet.

Tune Time: Silent Night

As far back as I can remember, each Christmas Eve my mom would call for silence so we could listen to Stevie Nicks sing "Silent Night." Mom would close her eyes and sing along with the sultry songstress, feeling a spiritual connection to her favorite musician on her favorite holiday.

This is the first Christmas without Mom, and while there's a hole in my heart that can't be filled, I know she would hate to see me sad today. So I'll do my best to smile even though I miss her more than words can say.

Sleep in heavenly peace, Mom. I dedicate this to your memory.

Media Minded: Gremlins, a Holiday Classic

If I watch "It's A Wonderful Life" or "A Christmas Story" one more time, I fear I will be forced to shoot my eye out while running down Main Street yelling "Merry Christmas" to inanimate objects. I know, I know. They're holiday classics, yada yada yada. They're also on the depressing side. Which is why I like "Gremlins" instead. Its creepy undertones are comical, and I still have warm fuzzies toward Gizmo. I'd go as far to say I wish someone would buy me an I <3 Gizmo T-shirt.

If you haven't watched this movie in awhile, let me refresh your memory.



In other words, William Peltzer gets a mogwai for Christmas with the vague instructions of (a) no bright light (b) no water and (c) no eating after midnight. He is blasé about said instructions, and the mogwai begets more mogwai(s) which in turn beget gremlins. The gremlins then wreak havoc on Kingston Falls. Some of their more memorable mischief includes:

• Mysteriously turning on "Do You Hear What I Hear?" in the Peltzer house and subsequently getting blended, stabbed and microwaved by Mrs. Peltzer.
• Attacking a Santa in front of a police car while the police inside roll up their window (very slowly) and refuse to help Santa.
• Taking over a movie theater to watch "Snow White."
• Killing Mrs. Deagle ("oh my heart") with her way-cool wheelchair elevator.

Well, what are you waiting for? You should be watching the movie already.

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Other holiday movies that haven't lost their luster:

1. "Elf"
2. "Santa Claus"
3. "Babes in Toyland"
4. "Bad Santa"
5. "The Shop Around the Corner"
6. "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"
7. "Home Alone"

What's your favorite?

Pix-elated!

I was so honored to find out that one of my photos made it on the front page of Etsy yesterday. The entire Treasury, curated by the awesome Winklepots, is gorgeous. The views on the featured photo went from 30 to nearly 200, and *fingers crossed* it won't be long till I make my first sale on the site.

Fashion Forward: Flannel

In the five minutes I stood in the lobby of the movie theater last weekend, I witnessed at least five flannel shirts. I got flannel-slapped, so to speak. In the week that followed, I noticed flannel cropping up all over the city. Channeling Cher from "Clueless," is this a renewed nod to the crisp Seattle weather circa mid-1990s? If so, I have a few reservations. The first time around, I wore my flannel much like Tai in the photo above. Not figure-flattering, not cute. I know this because there is photographic evidence from high school. I believe there's even a group photo where several flannels were involved; maybe I'll dig it up one day for shits and giggles.

So if flannel is truly making a comeback, let's try to make it awesome. Check out these modern and oh-so-stylish takes on the old grunge standby (images courtesy the respective artists):


BABOOSHKA Flannel Plaid Paperbag HiWaist Party Dress by Babooshka
Neck Cozy, Plaid No. 1 by Unspeakable Visions


Plaid Flannel Lumberjack Tunic w/ Hood by RiotSiren
Plaid shirtdress by Junkhouse Dollyard


SUMOMOSUKI Wool Flannel Shirt Coat by Sumomosuki
Recycled Necktie Wallet - Blue Flannel by prix-prix

Pix-elated!

New print* in the store, and it's a beauty! This image really sets a mood, and the color is stunning. I took this in Big Sur when Husband and I went there a few years ago for our anniversary. If you've never been, you should really put it on your list of things. Words can't describe the natural beauty in the cliffs and scenery. The ocean lies at the end of the tunnel in this photo.

*Reminder, it's buy one get one free for my first Etsy customer.

Photoshoot: From the 30th Floor

Each day last week, I lugged my camera, my bag and my lunch up from the parking garage to my workplace on the 30th floor -- all so I could conduct this little experiment in photography. I was loaded up with so much luggage I felt like I was moving in each day, but overall it was worth it because L.A. had an unusually schizophrenic weather week to chronicle.

Each photo was taken with the same setting (landscape), the same zoom, the same view of downtown Los Angeles from the window next to my desk. Below, the dramatically different results and the corresponding weather for that day:


Monday. Rainy, foggy.


Tuesday. Partly cloudy. (Note the sun glare in the window that I couldn't avoid.)


Wednesday. Steady, heavy-ish rain (for SoCal).


Thursday. Partly sunny. Note the clarity! Rain washes the city clean!


Friday. Clear, if not for the return of the smoggy haze.

Just in Time for Puppy Chow

My friend Andi introduced me to Puppy Chow (aka Muddy Buddies aka White Trash) when we used to live a block from each other in Wichita. I have fond memories of standing in her kitchen at Christmastime during a bakefest and feasting on these little morsels, which feature my fave combo: chocolate + peanut butter.

You can Google the recipe in a heartbeat, but I will walk you through my version of the process, breaking it down detail by messy detail.

1 box Chex cereal (any kind you like)
2 or 3 heaping spoonfuls of peanut butter (creamy not crunchy)
1.5 bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips
A dab of butter
A lot of powdered sugar, most of which will end up all over the kitchen
2 large paper bags (one for mixing, one for the inevitable panic attack)

1. Get humongous pot, add chocolate chips, butter and peanut butter on medium heat. Stir constantly until melted. Taste test. Add more chocolate or peanut butter as desired.
2. Slowly stir in cereal until well-coated. You can make most of the box with this recipe.
3. Systematically transfer coated cereal into paper bag filled with powdered sugar. Shake it, yeah, shake it, yeah, shake it like a Polaroid picture. Dump sugar-coated cereal onto wax paper. Repeat until finished.
4. Enjoy your huge mound of Tony Montana-style Puppy Chow and resist the urge to snort leftover powdered sugar for a "Scarface" photo opportunity because accidentally inhaling it might lead to burning nostrils. Not that I would know anything about that.

There you have it. Wrap in a colorful cello bag for a great stocking stuffer. Or just take the majority of it to the office on Monday and let your colleagues get their feast on, which is what I intend to do.

Design Dialogue: Little Gray Pixel Business Cards

My first business cards for Little Gray Pixel are in!

I ordered them through Zazzle, which was having a great sale. I designed the cards from scratch on the site. The setup was a little clunky for my taste, but I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised by the result. The quality of the paper is great, the printing job is superb.

I'm already planning my next batch of cards. I have ideas for three or four different designs, and I can't wait to test them all out. I'm such a design nerd. Maybe I'll try a vertical card this time.

Which do you prefer: Vertical or horizontal business cards?

Pix-elated!

New 4x6 prints have been trickling into the Etsy store in the past few days, including the one above, which I took in San Diego a few years ago. It's always reminded me of the scene in "The Goonies" where the kids find the wishing well and start scavenging the coins. Remember?

Flickr Fridays: #5

1. Vintage Christmas Cards, 2. feeling festive, 3. christmas cookies 109, 4. You Can't Catch Me......, 5. Christmas Snowflake Cookies, 6. Day 6: Spiking the Nog, 7. you'd better watch out, 8. Mistletoe, 9. Xmas pattern, 10. Baubles, 11. xmas tree forest, 12. birds & baubles, 13. Pompom Parcels, 14. Day 332: 'Twas the FUTAB before Christmas..., 15. Tree In Progress, 16. 219.365, 17. The Spirit of Christmas, 18. Snowflake Curtain, 19. peppermints, 20. Happy Holidays 07

Are you in the spirit yet?

Chic for Cheap: Holidays on a Budget

Holidays on a Budget by littlegraypixel

I always love seeing the outfits Creature Comfort comes up with in her recurring feature "Chic for Cheap." This week, the challenge was to put together two outfits: one for Christmas dinner and the other for New Year's Eve, both using the same base elements.

Not only did I put together two whole outfits (accessories and all!) for less than $200, I also managed to find items from just three places for the time-strapped shopper. You'll notice the majority of the money was spent on shoes. Ah, footwear. I have such a soft spot in my heart for you.

Dress: Delia's
Shoes: Modcloth
Accessories: Forever 21

Think you can spend less than me on two outfits? If you have the time and inclination, stop by Polyvore, put together your own outfits and share them with me in the comments. I dare ya.

Written Word: Holiday Card Etiquette

After ruining more envelopes than I care to count and searching through past emails to find hints at names I've forgotten, I am ready to admit defeat. I'm no Martha Stewart. Addressing holiday cards is getting the best of me. I had dreams of perfectly scrawled cards going to family and friends who haven't heard from me in eons. I pictured them finding the card in their mailbox and instantaneously going, "ooh!" and "ahhh!"

Yeah, that's not going to happen.

I knew it was going to be tricky when the same problems kept popping up. For instance, how should I address a card to someone who:

• got married and I'm not sure whether they changed last names
• has a significant other but I can't remember his/her name
• has children but I can't for the life of me remember the tots' names

I turned to Google for guidance and found an article by Lydia Ramsey, whose instructions for addressing cards are as complex as learning to fly a space shuttle.

"When you address a couple, use titles, rather than professional initials. It's "Dr. and Mrs. John Smith," not "John Smith, M.D. and Mrs. Smith." If both the husband and the wife are doctors, you write, "The Doctors Smith." However, if they use different last names, you address the envelope to "Dr. John Smith and Dr. Mary Brown." The husband's name is placed first. If the wife is a doctor and the husband is not, you send your invitation to "Mr. John Smith and Dr. Mary Smith."

Thank god I don't know any doctors. It gets even worse:

When the husband has an unusually long name, the wife's title and name are indented and written on the second line. When a couple is not married and share a mutual address, their names are written on separate lines alphabetically and not connected by the word "and." When the woman outranks her husband, her name is written first. It's "Major Mary Smith and Lieutenant John Smith."

Personally, I don't care for all the formalities. It feels stiff and dated. That's why you'll get a card from me with just the bare essentials: first + last name. Or first name only, in case I'm unsure how your last name goes nowadays. Or nicknames, in the rare event I'm feeling jovial and trivial. I would love it if you reciprocated the sentiment, although I'd prefer not to find mail in my box addressed to Messy Nessie. You know who you are.

Tune Time: Best of 2008, Economy Sized

I usually go overboard for my best of the year CD (by in fact making three CDs instead of one). This year I've decided to take a queue from the economy and pare the eff down, picking only my absolute favorite songs from the year ... and even though there were some musicians (ahem Kings of Leon, The Kooks, Little Joy, The Little Ones) whose entire albums could've ended up on the list, I managed to choose just one for each.

Disclaimer: I'll admit that, technically, a few songs on the list were released in 2007. But I made an executive decision to include them in the 2008 list because they figured prominently into 2008 for me, plus I didn't listen to them until 2008. Yes, sometimes even I, self-proclaimed music goddess, find it difficult to keep up with the latest tunes. Shameful, yes, but in my defense the two were released digitally in 2007 and in disc format in 2008. So there! I stick my tongue out at any naysayers!



The two in question are 4) Electric Feel by MGMT and 12) 15 Step by Radiohead. Give 'em a listen; I'm sure you'll understand why they made the cut.

Without further ado, my list, in order of audio preference but not greatness:
1) Closer by Kings of Leon
2) Oxford Comma by Vampire Weekend
3) Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second by Starfucker
4) Electric Feel by MGMT
5) Love and Doubt by Slow Runner
6) No One's Better Sake by Little Joy
7) Why Do you Let Me Stay Here? by She & Him
8) Old Enough by The Raconteurs
9) G Up by Albert Hammond Jr.
10) Stormy Weather by The Kooks
11) Bag It Up by Oasis
12) 15 Step by Radiohead
13) Bad Man's World by Jenny Lewis
14) Relief by Cold War Kids
15) Morning Tide by The Little Ones
16) Boo Boo Goo Goo by Caesars
17) Think I Wanna Die by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
18) Say Aha by Santogold
19) I Will Possess Your Heart by Death Cab for Cutie
20) Cheap and Cheerful by The Kills
21) Brandy of the Damned by Nickel Eye
22) You Don't Know Me by Ben Folds & Regina Spektor

Media Minded: Slumdog Millionaire

You know a movie is good when you're thinking about it several days later. "Slumdog Millionaire" is one of those movies. Without giving away too much of the plot, let's just say I loved the soundtrack and the Bollywood homage at the end. But I think the main reason it spoke to me was because of its overwhelming message about fate. Watch the trailer so you're not in the dark:



I've often struggled with the concept that things are just "meant to be." In fact, for a long time I was a huge proponent of the Billy Zane mentality from "Titanic," aka "A real man makes his own luck." Not that I would ever go around flashing a wad of cash at people and stealing a child so I could get on one of the few lifeboats aboard a sinking ship, but you get the idea. However, in recent years, I've become more open to the possibility of destiny.

There are some things that just can't be explained. Husband and I talk about how we met, and I used to chalk it up to coincidence. In retrospect it seems obvious that there were larger forces at play in our connection.

An overview: He immigrated from Morocco a year before we met. Of all the cities in the U.S., he ended up feeling drawn to Wichita, Kan., where I'm from. At the time, I was going to school at KU, which is in Lawrence, Kan. We met the night before Thanksgiving. I was home for the holiday, he was reluctantly dragged out by friends. We were at the ONE BAR in the city that had an 18+ night. To think about how all these little things had to come together for two people to meet, fall in love and enjoy 10 years of marriage (so far) ... well, how can I not believe in fate?

What about you? Have you ever had a kismet moment?

Fashion Forward: Ring-a-ling

Although my wedding ring keeps my left hand happy, my right hand is desperate for some attention. But you know me. I don't want the standard fare you can find at any jewelry store. That's why these three rings have caught my eye, and I'm sure you'll agree that they're beyond fantastic.



1) Shutterbug ring from Dillon Designs (the store is on vacay till the beginning of the year, but you can put it on your post-Christmas wish list)
2) Black wire ring from Nanouke
3) Upcycled vintage red beaded bouquet ring from Halfmagic

Pix-elated!

New 4x6 prints are starting to trickle into my Etsy shop. I must say the colors are brilliant, and most of them are printed with a white border for easy framing. Or to just tack onto a bulletin board or hang on the fridge -- hang your art how you please!

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I managed to get tagged by Ellen Ikemoto Design to share some facts about myself. Here are the rules:

(1) Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
(2) Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog; some random, some weird.
(3) Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as their links to their blogs.
(4) Let them know they have been "tagged" by leaving a comment on their blog.


When I went to the beach every day on the East Coast, I sported a tan.

1. I miss the golden glow I used to have when I lived in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I believe the look I'm now sporting is Pasty Heroin Addict White^TM, coined by my pal Philip. Don't get me wrong. Some people look great in a very pale hue. People such as heroin addicts. Yep, not attractive on me.
2. I need to wrap Christmas presents.
3. Even if I had a million gazillion dollars, I would refuse to buy things that are overpriced. Like a white swimsuit that cost more than $200. White swimsuits are a mystery of modern society. Why? If I'm wearing a swimsuit, chances are I want to swim ... and not expose my naughty spots to the rest of the world.
4. I was ranked No. 10 in my high school graduating class, but being a true narcissist I always considered myself to be No. 1.
5. My college commencement speakers were super depressing because I graduated in December 2001. So you can only imagine what a downer a post-Sept. 11 speech was, and what a brilliant start to a now seemingly doomed career in journalism!
6. I have an aversion to robots. Call me crazy, say I've seen "Terminator" one too many times, but I worry about our playthings becoming self-aware and killing us all in our sleep.
7. I get ridiculously excited to get mail. And comments. Yet I'm horrible at staying in touch. I've made several New Year's resolutions to return emails in a timely fashion. Or should I say several BROKEN resolutions.

Tagged: Designs by Vanessa, L.A. Story, Confessions of a Serial Thrifter, Simply Raevyn, Halloweenie, Smile!, Nanouke and Shelly007.

Modish's Last HUGE Giveaway

I'm sad to say that one of my favorite blogs, Modish, is doing its last huge handmade goods giveaway. Why are you tearing up when you never win these things, you might ask. Good question. The short answer is I love that huge giveaways like this even exist. I realize I'm abusing the word huge, but when I say huge, I mean huge! There are three boxes of goodies. The one pictured above is from Giveaway #2, which is the one I'm coveting. Its contents are worth $711. So, really, what do you have to lose? Go check it out and enter for your last chance to win one of these huge prizes.

Photoshoot: Adelie Fashion Event

Mr. Fancy Pants

The Wine, Women & Clothes event that my pal Sara held for her Adelie Boutique was a fabulous display and everyone was dressed to the nines (even Tom the cat). My pictures are a little on the fuzzy side. Maybe it was the wine. Well, I know it was the wine. Nonetheless, check out her boutique, which features designer and vintage clothing for a fraction of the retail cost. She's a brilliant thrifter, and she finds the most beautiful garments. Oftentimes I'm left oohing and ahhing at her talent for finding Prada among Pra-don'ts.


Freshly Cut Flowers


Vintage + Wine


Well-Suited Grapes


No Wire Hangers!

Design Dialogue: Globes

Remember the movie "Mask," in which Eric Stoltz plays disfigured Rocky Dennis, an otherwise normal teen who has to deal with the weirdness of his life ... which has more to do with his druggie biker mother than his hideous face? OK, so do you remember how he had a map on his wall stuck with pins of the places he was gonna go? I want to do that someday, but hopefully my tale won't be as depressing as Stoltz's demise, although he was great a decade later in "Pulp Fiction," but I digress.

The point is, I've always had an affinity for travel, but how best to translate this into decor? Why, vintage globes of course. The three pictured above are ones I found on thrifting adventures, and I feel proud each time I find one because they're more difficult to find than you might think. The first one (far left) I found at a Goodwill, where I knew before going in that I was destined to find a globe (weird, huh?). The second one I almost tripped over before realizing my discovery. The third, and most recent, one I fell in love with at an antique mall, where I later was given a huge discount at the register.

The globes are mobile, fun to study and best of all don't leave millions of tiny holes all over my rental condo. Maybe someday I'll have a room wallpapered with maps and pins galore, but probably not till I buy a place of my own. That freewheeling pin-wielding Rocky Dennis didn't know how good he had it ... well, besides the mangled face and all.

What Do You Want, a Written Invitation?

These are the invitations I designed for the Adelie Fashion Event* last weekend. I can't describe how exciting it was to open up a graphics program and just let loose. At first I misinterpreted the butterflies in my stomach as a sign that my lunch was undercooked -- it had been that long since I built something from scratch. Don't get me wrong. My job as a designer is interesting most days, but it doesn't allow for a ton of creativity.

In the future, you will likely find more graphics-driven fare in my Etsy store on top of my fine art prints. And I hope to get more custom jobs, too. Hint hint.

*The event was a success. Check back Sunday for details and photos!

Flickr Fridays: #4

1. red, 2. Made four hands, 3. Experimental ( Windy & Snowy day), 4. Poetry - Storyteller Lake II, 5. all you need is, 6. Untitled

Happy weekend! I intend to celebrate my pal Sara's birthday with dinner and a movie. Then it's work on Saturday -- writing, marketing, maybe a photoshoot. Oh, and I'll don my Santa hat and do a little shopping, too. And I should play guitar with Walter if he's free. But first, I need to get through the workday. What are your plans?

Pix-elated!

If you're anything like me, one calendar will not suffice for the new year. I need at least five or six. (Or maybe I just get that many from various holiday gift-givers and now am reliant upon it!) Regardless, check out the calendar I created at Zazzle. For $21.95, you get twelve months' worth of photography from me. You can barely buy one 5x7 in my store for that much, so it's a true deal!

I handpicked each image to evoke an emotion for that particular month. The March image is really special to me because I took it in March atop the Hill as the fog was rolling in. Here in the South Bay it's a phenomenon called "May Gray" or "June Gloom," but really it lasts for several months before and after. OK, so there's fog year-round. The point is, it really sets a mood, and it's one of my favorite photos.

Written Word: Bird by Bird

Before I started writing my novel a few (er ... five) years ago, my pal Philip gave me a gift that helped me get started: "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott.

"Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that he'd had three months to write. It was due the next day. We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and said, 'Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'"

It was just the push I needed to get my story on paper. Now, as I'm completely gutting the same novel, I'm thinking about re-reading the book. My biggest challenges are the little things: Now that I've changed Character A to dislike X, would Character A do Z at all? It's wrecking entire scenes, and I'm having to let go of my carefully crafted words. It's so difficult to write something bird by bird, but I'll try to stay calm enough to do it without breaking any wings.

Tune Time: RIP, John Lennon

A few months ago, I sent my wish to the Imagine Peace Tower, which was illuminated from Oct. 9 (John Lennon's birthday) through Monday (the date he was killed). I would tell you what I wished for, but I do want it to come true. Fingers crossed.

Besides being my favorite musician, I'm also a fan of Lennon's tenacity, evidenced in the lyrics of the video above, "Gimme Some Truth." Husband is always wondering why Lennon got so political, and I always answer, "Why not?" He had opinions, and unlike the majority of us, he had the platform -- a captivated public -- on which to make a difference.



I'm also a fan of Lennon's artwork, especially the sketch on the left, which reads "He tried to face reality." Reality is overrated, friends. Without our imagination, reality would be downright depressing.



Which brings me to this necklace by MaruMaru. Hanging around your neck, it could serve as an everyday reminder that, with tenacity, imagination and talent, the sky is the limit. You may say I'm a dreamer. But I'm not the only one ...

Remember Walking in the Sand

Check it out! This print, plus two others, are newly listed on the Etsy store. I've also just ordered 13 new prints, which should be up by the weekend. Feel free to link, share with a friend. The first person who buys a print through the Etsy store gets a second print free!

Taking Issue With Tissue

A week after my nose started running and my head started pounding, I am back, baby!

No, you don't understand. This cold was magnificently repugnant. My cubicle mates were probably at their wits' end with my constant sneezing, coughing and nose-blowing. I went through two entire boxes of tissue at work. It was only after I rubbed my nostrils raw with un-lotioned tissue (fie that harsh fiber!) that I wised up and treated myself to the blessed Vicks-dipped stuff. I heart Vicks.

You know what I miss, though? I miss sick elementary schooldays, when I was allowed to snuggle on the couch and watch really bad daytime TV while my mom made me chicken-noodle soup and let me drink 7-Up and slurp on cherry Ludens cough drops. Oh yeah, 7-Up, it's the cure-all, dontcha know.

Yep, I thought about this while I was climbing into my freezing cold bed at 1 a.m. after rubbing the beloved Vicks vapor rub on my nose and affixing nose-stoppers fashioned with rolled-up sections of tissue (y'know, to stop the postnasal drip). Who would call in sick for me the next day? No one. Cuz I'm a grown-up, and I have to work when there are no sick days left. Phooey.

Media Minded: Benjamin Button

The first few trailers for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" made me scratch my head. I didn't understand what the big deal was; I mean, Brad Pitt is hot and all, but the majority of this movie he's a decrepit geezer-baby. It's just bizarre. The more I hear about this film (the new "Forrest Gump," eh?) the more I want to see it. The trailer above finally gives an indication of the plot, and I'm really very curious to see the effects. I hear the cinema magic successfully makes Brad look as young as he was in "Thelma and Louise." Hawt. The creepy geezer-baby? Not so hawt. I might have nightmares.

Fashion Forward: Mushrooms

While thrifting with Sara at the Salvation Army on PCH, I stumbled across this little guy hanging out in the housewares section. I picked him up and smiled. He reminded me of my childhood, of "Smurfs" episodes long-ago absorbed and probably still stewing in my brain. Did all of my favorite cartoons have subliminal drug and communism references? That's another story altogether, I suppose. Anyway, I was unsure whether the mushroom would find its way home with me until Sara saw it a few moments later and said, "This belongs in your house!" What can I say? Peer pressure's the best. Probably more of those subliminal cartoon messages. At any rate, the mushroom is at home and happily sitting by my bedroom window.



If you're interested in bringing some mushroom design to your life, check out these fabulous incarnations of the amazing fungus.
1. Beautiful Detailed Silver Mushroom Earrings by Mithril Dreams
2. Toadstool Skirt by Madewithlovebyhannah
3. Kendra Shopper - Mushroom Mania by oblinaknit
4. Super Mario Bros necklace by CreativeRampage

Photoshoot: Black Friday

It was Black Friday. Shopping was on my mind. Shopping for images, that is. Instead of focusing on the stuff inside the stores, I carried my Olympus around, looking for some photo-worthy moments. I was in luck -- the treetops were particularly stunning, so I pointed my camera upward and shot away. My telephoto lens got more of a workout on the busiest shopping day of the year than my wallet, and that's pretty awesome. Some of the images from this day will likely end up in the Etsy store in the future. Stay tuned.

Design Dialogue: Duct Tape + Frames

I've always been a fan of the photo montage. Y'know, when you take several like frames and hang them next to each other so close they look like they're attached. The only problem is that it's a royal pain in the rear to line up nails and get the spacing right. By the time you're done, there are a million holes in the wall, you're cross-eyed and you need a stiff drink.

When I read somewhere about someone duct-taping the frames from the back to make one giant frame, it was like a lightbulb moment for me. Of course I can do that! If Husband can successfully duct-tape his broken rear-view mirror together, surely my little Target-brand frames will hold up.

So I taped them together, five across and two deep, starting individually and then going back for some cross-hair action in the corners. I spaced apart three large nails and hung up my masterpiece montage. OK, so maybe it's not a masterpiece.

A week later, and I can spy subtle bending between frames where the duct tape is starting to falter. I'd be curious where I went wrong. Do I need more nails? More duct tape? Better duct-tape strategy? Oh well, at least I'm not cross-eyed.

Flickr Fridays: #3

1. Berries on white, 2. 'CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE' - Best viewed large!, 3. ......, 4. inverno, 5. Sun Sets Off The Nations Capital, 6. Beads, 7. BeachLove, 8. Untitled, 9. Red and White #4, 10. The power of love., 11. Open your green eyes, 12. Look ma, no hands, 13. night, 14. 05590038, 15. Untitled, 16. Blanket

Have a great weekend!

Pix-elated!

I'm honored that a few of the prints I have for sale in my Etsy shop have been spotlighted, first in the Etsy Treasury shown above, created by Crochetgal. The print featured is called "Winter Settles In."

The second mention, this time for an image titled "Bare in the Breeze," is one of the three photos chosen in a tree-themed blog post at Gidu Design.

Written Word: The Hippos Were Boiled Alright

The first page of the manuscript for Jack Kerouac's On the Road.
Credit: Courtesy of Christie's, NPR.org

I first became a Jack Kerouac fan when I read "On the Road" my junior year in high school. The prose was whimsical, long-winded, perfect for a teenager who fancied herself a writer. But I've come to realize that the thing that most moved me about his writing is that he can sum up an emotion succinctly. I'd like to master this feat. My favorite passage:

“What is the feeling when you're driving away from people, and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? -it's the too huge world vaulting us, and it's good-bye. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.”

I can't say there were any such awe-inspiring passages in "And the Hippos Were Boiled In Their Tanks," which I finished reading a few days ago. It's like I told a friend when describing the book: "It's nothing like their later works yet everything like them." The early Burroughs-Kerouac collaboration was promising, for sure, and I was intrigued by their youthful writing styles, but in the end the novel just made me want to read "On the Road" again. And "Junkie." Back to back.

Tune Time: Best of 2008, Kings of Leon

When most people say "it's that time of year again," they're talking about trimming the tree and drinking the eggnog. When I say it, I mean it's time to put together my Best of the Year music compilation. This is something I started in earnest a few years back because I hated all the magazines' year-end lists. Music is something very personal, something one attaches to certain moments in one's life, so I decided once a year to chronicle the "soundtrack" of my life. I encourage everyone to do the same; it's almost as cathartic as keeping a diary and way less risky (no pesky "what if this gets into the wrong hands" worries).

Sifting through the past 12 months of music, it became clear to me that Kings of Leon's "Only By the Night" is the best album of the year. I do believe the last time I listened to an album on repeat this many times (and by iTunes' count that is 34, not to mention all the times in the car or on the stereo that it couldn't Big Brother me) was "Is This It" all the way back in 2001, which brings me to:

Small-world Factoid #1: I first saw Kings of Leon when they opened for The Strokes in November 2003 in Atlanta.

I feel I might've misled you with Small-world Factoid #1 because I do not have a #2, thereby rendering my number useless. Oh well, best not to stop now.

Random Reminiscence #1: I'll always have a soft spot for "Aha Shake Heartbreak."
Odd Request #1: Back in the day, Kings of Leon sported some rockin' facial hair. I miss it. Bring it back.

Kings of Leon: Official site

Media Minded: Ugly Betty

Betty: I feel like I'm in the middle of a fashion storm right now
Amanda: You look like a plus size princess. Dressing you up with clothing from my hefty years is like playing with a big squishy doll. It's so fun, can we do it tomorrow please?

Is it just me, or has this season of "Ugly Betty" been even more colorful than before? It always had that ethnic flair for mixing and matching bold patterns and pulling it off, but lately the fashions are making my eyes dance. This was always true of most of the characters, save Betty. But now Betty's wardrobe has been kicked up a notch. She even wore an Alice + Olivia dress a few episodes ago that made me swoon with envy, not to mention these J. Crew shoes.

Look up your fave "Ugly Betty" character and emulate their style here.

Fashion Forward: The Case of the 31" Inseam

Let's get something straight. I hate buying clothes that are dry clean only or that need hemming because I like to throw all my garments into a machine, toss some Tide in there, have them fit from the get-go and call it a day.

That being said, I've been hanging onto some wide-legged slacks I purchased last winter, both with a 34-inch inseam, which would be great if I were 6'2" or had legs up to my neck. Unfortch, I am 5'7" with a long torso. When I unearthed the slacks recently, I had two choices: let them hibernate for yet another winter or bite the bullet and hit up the cleaners. Before doing the honorable thing, I measured a pair of trusty slacks of the right length and determined my true inseam to be 31 inches.

"That not right," said the cleaner, in broken English. "That too long for you."

Whatevs, I thought, I can use a measuring tape just as well as the next guy. Plus, was I just being called short? The nerve!

"Just make the inseams 31 inches," I said.

I got my pants back last week, threw away all my receipts, etc., and put them in the closet. But lo and behold, when I tried a pair on, the legs were too long, and because they are wide-legged, they engulfed my feet, making me look like Gumby. I put on a pair of 3.5-inch heels (witness photo above), apparently the only way I can wear these pants without looking like a claymation character.

"Omigod," I thought. "I have stub legs just like the cleaner said!"

But I couldn't leave it like that. Not without knowing for sure. I broke out the measuring tape, and what do you know? The cleaner hemmed my pants to 32 inches, not 31. I stand vindicated, even though henceforth I must stand in heels at least 3.5 inches tall at all times.