Design and Travel

What a Jewel…

Actually, it’s a plastic brooch – but it’s reportedly about 40 years old, and therefore it has become my jewel.

I bought the brooch at a local antique store for about $30. It was the only piece of jewelry for sale that really caught my eye without being too gaudy or plain. I’m not too big on brooches, so I converted it into a necklace.

Of course any rope or fabric can be used to do the job, but I chose two twill pieces that I got from the inside of one of Craig’s very many ties (which I also use as belts and hairties, and he still hasn’t caught on because he has about 350!) to keep the aged look.

The necklace can be tied many ways. The Victorian way is the choker look. Apparently it is also the "goth" look.

Not really my thing.

And then there’s the standard necklace, which hangs just off the neck and on the chest.

You can lower it to hang below the breasts, a look that is popular these days.

Since the “jewel” is also a brooch, you can turn your strapless dress into a strappy one! Just tie the necklace around your neck and then hook the fabric from your dress into the back pin. You can adjust the height of your dress, do an asymmetric look by pinning it up on one side, or bring it up in the middle for a more diamond shape.

It’s amazing what one little brooch can do! And you don’t have to pay $30, there are plenty available for much cheaper!

And you can add it to your extensive collection of bracelets and necklaces.

Rainy Days…

The sun came out for a few hours yesterday, long enough for Craig and I to take a walk around the neighborhood and enjoy the beautiful cool air and breeze the cold front brought. We sat on the porch for about a half an hour and enjoyed the beauty of midtown- the church bells rang, followed shortly after by the whistle of the evening train, and then the songs of the ice cream man making his way down the street! It was so lovely we even let Milo and Otis sit in our laps on the front porch steps and enjoy it.
Today, the rain continues. I actually got caught in it during my jog, but it felt so wonderful I didn’t complain.


Tomorrow I get my Alabama food-handlers card so I can officially start working. Eric, the general manager at the store, was so sweet and accommodating as to give me the weekend off to spend in New Orleans! So today I have been searching for hotels or a B&B to stay for a few days.

Updates

The 13th annual Beerfest (and my personal first) was a success! We started at a bar called Heroes where we purchased our mugs – mugs are required to get the free beer – and then made our way through the bars down Dauphin Street until we found ourselves at our favorite – the OK Bicycle Shop (pictured above). Buzzed and a tad hungry, we ate on the outdoor patio with hanging lanterns and a ton of people, saw some friends, and then came back home.

Just in time for Forrest Gump.

I still gush over Tom Hanks in this brilliant movie. A simple man with a big heart, and an everlasting love for his girl, Jenny.

I thought I learned everything I could in the 91 times I’ve seen this favorite movie of mine, but what I learned tonight was that the Bubba Gump Shrimp, Co. was founded in Bayou La Batre – right down the road from my own front door in Mobile, Alabama!

So, I’ve planned a trip there in three weeks. The busy shrimping town has slowed down since the oil spill, and most of the shrimp boats remain docked (which, fortunately for me, makes for good pictures!).

Out of respect for Mister Gump and the incredible movie (and soundtrack), here are a list of my favorite Forrest Gump quotes:

“I’m not a smart man, but I know what love is.”

“Sometimes I guess there just aren’t enough rocks.”

“You know it's funny what a young man recollects? 'Cause I don't remember bein' born. I don't recall what I got for my first Christmas and I don't know when I went on my first outdoor picnic. But I do remember the first time I heard the sweetest voice in the wide world.” –a quote I used in a literature class, it relates to my obsession with memory
“And that’s all I have to say about that.”

“You died on a Saturday morning...”

“Jenny taught me how to climb; and I taught her how to dangle.”

And that’s all for my tribute to Forrest.


This old house...

We’re finally getting around to moving boxes into inconspicuous places around the house. Craig has collected over ONE MILLION baseball cards as a long-time hobby. They were easy to store in the 3600 sq. ft Tallahassee house, but here in our little house with its almost non-existent closet space, we didn’t know where to put them – besides the trash, as I suggested. But alas, we moved some furniture around and found some hiding places. It was a creative challenge, which I always enjoy. And now we have room in our formal dining room for some furniture! I’m excited about this because for one, we’ve promised a few people dinner already, and also because I can decorate it in the Moroccan theme I want.

Decorating = love.


I’ve been having more fun with Picnik, as you can see below.

I just realized I have not posted a picture of my beloved kittens on my blog. I think it is time I debuted them!

Mister Milo, as taken from outside the door looking in. He was welcoming me home:

And Mister Otis, whom Craig jokes is a "mama's boy". Okay, maybe he is, but Craig is only jealous.

They make me laugh on a daily basis.

The Chef (as Craig's friends call him) is cooking up something for my birthday and I have no idea what, but I'm sure I'll love it.

Alright, that's all for today!

Picnik!

Not like the one you bring fried chicken and pies to.

This is a website, picnik.com, where you can have a whole lot of fun without the pricey costs of software like Photoshop. Of course, you can't do quite as much with this program as you can with Adobe, but you are able to get creative and have some fun with even the most ordinary of pictures.

I upgraded to Premium this week since it has some photoshop features like airbrushing and touch-ups. If you dont want to get creative and you just want to make yourself look better in pictures, I suggest you upgrade - it is certainly worth the $5 a month.

Here are some examples of what this program can do:

If you're just looking to touch-up, like I did below, it's a very easy process. Here is a "before" picture:

and the "after":

Looks much the same, right?

All I did was smudge the blemishes, lighten the eyes and add some highlights to the hair.

I did much the same with the below picture:

Boosted the color, gave myself some sun and highlights, and added mascara.

But, you can also have fun with the program.

Horseback riding at Bryce (check out the details in trees in the background)

Walking across a lake in Monticello

And a snapshot of my most missed times: College!

So try it for yourself!

I’ve got a little story about something that happened this morning.

I went for a jog around 10am, before the heat was overbearing, and weaved in and out of the streets contained in the Dauphin historic district, staying on some of the nicer roads. I turned down Fearnway Street , one of prettiest roads I’ve seen yet in midtown. In the midst of my jog, a large golden retriever decided it wanted to join me. A beautiful dog, it didn’t look before crossing the streets, and when I told it to “stay” it listened just long enough for me to jog a few strides when it was back by my side. I checked the I.D. on his collar and it had his address –indeed, he belonged on this lovely street. I decided to take him to his home.

About this time, a nice lady in a large home across the street called out to me. She asked where the dog belonged and if he/she had a name. I told her he, Harley, belonged to a Mr. George. She called the dog and he ran to her, while she mumbled to him something about not being taken care of. Moments later, he was back by my side. I told her I’d go with her, since the handsome boy didn’t want to leave my side.
We chatted and she welcomed me to the community, explained that Mr. George was old and when he lets Harley out he often forgets about him. We arrived at Mr. George’s beautiful white house and Harley ran up to the door. We knocked and just a few moments later a little old man in overalls and a short-sleeved checkered shirt opened the main door, and then pushed open the screen. The woman (I never caught her name) explained that I found Harley and decided to bring him home after he wouldn’t stop following me. The man paused, took his time to blatantly look me up and down and then said, “Well my eyes ain’t so good anymore, but I can sure see why.”
I did all I could not to laugh, but it came out anyway. We said our goodbyes but Mr. George wasn’t finished. “Oh, now, wait a sec,” he said. “Let me see here…” he patted his pockets as if to hear jingling. I couldn’t accept money, and told him so. “Okay,” he said.”Well then, goodbye now.” And he closed the door behind him.
Most of the residents in this town are as sweet as their iced tea. Mr. George made my day.


Well, this Saturday will busy with Beerfest – one of the more favorable annual celebrations in Mobile. I think the name explains itself. For Labor day weekend Craig and I are trying to get down to New Orleans, if my job permits.

Oh, that’s right, I forgot to talk about my newest job (that’s because I just got it today).
Assistant Manager- Foosackly’s. Family owned and operated, and also the most popular restaurant in Mobile, it looked like a fun job and I randomly applied, and got it! Turns out the “Foosackly” owners are easy on the eyes, too. Always a plus ;) So, let’s hope they are generous enough to give us Labor Day off, and I can spend some time in one of my favorite cities.

I know it is early, but I cannot wait for Halloween! A test of creativity and decorating skills, I must decide whether I want the autumn-charm factor or the Spook factor. You can’t have both, it’s either make them “awe” or make them scream.

Let’s be real, I can’t scare little children. But Craig can! Here are some ideas I’ve looked at:

The charm factor:

Isn't it adorable!

Add a few hanging lanterns (which I'm obsessed with anyway) - and this will be perfect. I find it ironic that this porch looks a lot like mine, too.

Well, considering the fact that all the “scary Halloween ideas” I searched for came out like this:

Terrifying!

And this:

Seriously?

I’ve decided to go with the charming affect. Let’s be real again, if I put up a scary decoration on my front porch, I will never walk through the front door, and I will end up terrifying myself.

Alright, that's all for today! Thanks for browsing.

So. Much. Rain.

They say 'when it rains it pours'.What they don't tell you is that in Lower Alabama this happens more often than in most places.

Below is a picture from Sunday, when a cyclonic storm brought heavy rain and dumped it right on top of Midtown. This picture was taken after much of the water had drained. The line of dead leaves in the yard is where the water flooded up to. There was a car stuck on the side street and the driver had to climb out his driver side window to escape. Can you imagine what this place will look like if a hurricane comes? Just water and rooftops!



Of course that sort of rain doesn't happen every day. But it still comes almost daily, and when it does, it pours. Even right now as I'm typing sheets of water are falling across my front porch - ruining my potted flower garden :(

If anyone ever wonders why Alabama is so green, wonder no more.


On a different note, some things I am happy about:


I am THRILLED that ultra-high-waisted skirts and dresses are in. For those of us with love handles that could steer a bus, this is good news!


Also, I think this is my favorite song right now:


The Band Perry
Kimberly's voice is sultry, almost jazzy, but not quite as raspy as Amy Winehouse. But it's different than what we're hearing from most country artists these days, and this group writes their own music, which is always admirable. Plus, isn't her hair fantastic?

And lastly, I have to post about the amazing artwork of Allen and Patty Eckman. Their medium is paper, their subject most things Native American, and their craftmanship is unbelievable. I would love for their work to be displayed at the Mobile Museum of Art. See it for yourself!

Paper Sculpture by artists Allen and Patty Eckman

View more presentations from Nubia (i am a bit busy these days - sorry by advance if i cannot find material time to watch and comment your show).

That's all for today! Thanks again for browsing.

Hooray!

I am officially a Mobile Artist! At least, my name is on their directory list as an emerging local artist. This is exciting for me! See it for yourself here:

http://www.mobilearts.org/artists/artist_search.php?lt=a

What this basically means is that opportunity awaits for a gallery or showcase of my own work (which would be pretty much as exciting for me as my college graduation).

It also means that I can officially sell my art! I don't have an online gallery currently - besides my 40-something albums on facebook - but I can reproduce any of my photographs in any size and print them through a local printing company - Superior Printing of Mobile (thank you, Tina) and ship them to your house!

So for those of you who may not have a creative edge and want to support an emerging artist, ask me for samples. Also, below are a few images of the art in my own home, just for ideas. I have tons of pictures sitting on the floor waiting for a spotlight on the wall, but nailing into original 1930's plaster walls scares me a tad bit.

Anyway, enjoy.


Small 4X6, Ship, Charlestown Landing


Sea Shell decor (and two of my favorite photos - the details are outstanding)


Close-up, Shell Decor




Museum Loggia, St. Augustine, 16x20


How it looks in my modern kitchen


Moonshine Jugs, North Carolina, 4x6 ( a little overexposed but i love the photo)


Thanks for looking!

SummerTime Goes By

Summer time has always evoked in me ideas of wayward southern romances; The first kiss of a new love in a rose garden, midnight rendezvous with a handsome stranger on a sandy beach, long distance lovers meet on the train. That sort of thing. I’m not sure why the summer does this to me. I think the winter is for real love – someone to cuddle with and travel with and buy Christmas gifts for; fall is a prelude to this. And Spring, well spring is meant to rejuvenate yourself and prepare for summer – it can be spent alone or with someone else.

But Summer, summer means romance.

So, as the rain continued to fall on Lower Alabama, I listened (and maybe danced a little) to some of my favorite country summer songs – most about romance. Upon doing this, I was inspired. So, I wrote my own songs. Of course, the term ‘song’ here is a general one – it’s really more like poems since there is no music to them (though maybe you can conjure up a tune). Don’t be too critical, it’s my first time after all!

Enjoy!



Lost outside of Tucson

I was driving through the northern plains
wheat fields shining in the summer sun,
Thinking of nothing but that next photograph
And the pain I was leaving in Tucson.
The house came up just to my left
I could picture it behind the lens
the light, the color, the shadow
the weather vane turning in the wind.

Arizona was just too much for me
And the love I had before was gone,
The boy I turned to turned on me, and
I was hoping to get lost outside of Tucson.

The shutter snapped the pictures made,
I turned the lever to take one more,
was focused on the barn and skies
when he came walking out the door.
Summer sweat glistened on his skin,
I could tell he worked hard for a living.
And when he approached the car I thought,
that suddenly Tucson was more forgiving.

Arizona was just too much for me
And the love I had before was gone,
The boy I turned to turned on me, and
I was hoping to get lost outside of Tucson.

The summer rain came strong and sudden,
The needy earth soaked it in.
I watched it from his kitchen window
and laughed as he closed the curtain.
I turned my head as he came nearer
but his hands were as soft as his brown eyes.
Those calluses disappeared into the night
just like Tucson somewhere outside.

Arizona was just too much for me
And the love I had before was gone,
the boy I turned to turned on me, and
I got lost somewhere outside of Tucson.





Remember the Summer

I still see you
From time to time
When my dreams are clear
And you run through my mind
That county fair
On the carnival ride
When you whispered to me
And held me tight

Do you remember
That hot summer night
After the fireworks
Our first taste of wine?
We sat on mama’s porch
Swayed on the swing
You reached in to kiss me
As the lightning bugs blinked

Oh, bittersweet.

Down by the ocean
we watched the waves
tumble in the moonlight
after the love we made.
But like sand in an hourglass
Our time slipped away
You moved on to better things
And, what else can I say?

I still go back
To that same old place
Where you told me you loved me
And I look for your face.

Just in case.





Chorus to a song I haven’t written verses to:

Baby don’t you hear me?
Cant you see I’m talkin?
Why is it that you cant stay?
‘Cause darling when it’s over
And you say I was cold, I
Don’t want you to remember me this way.
It just isn’t fair
All this fighting isn’t right
Cant there be another way?
Open up your eyes and
See the big surprise
It’s you that’s throwing all this love away.

New feelings from Old news

Stuck in a recent rut, I couldn’t find a way to shake off the feelings of discouragement and negativity. Who would have thought that it would be my own words that would cheer me up?

As posted in a previous blog - about 4 years ago on Myspace - the old “me”, whom I love so dearly (and miss on some occasions) wrote this, concerning happiness:

“I said in my last blog that happiness is not a way of life, but a state of mind. It kind of creeps up on you when you least expect it, and if you're lucky it stays awhile. I was happy when I wrote that blog. Soon after, I kind of fell out of that happiness stage and was, well, just living. Right now I don't know what God has in mind for me, but He has been blessing me left and right! This semester has not been easy—not one bit, but it has been amazing. Let me share with you what God has done.

I registered for a Literature class because I had the teacher before and I liked her a lot. She's very hard, I got a B+ in her last class and really tried. I also got in an Art History class because I have a passion for Art—a passion that, until recently, I didn't know how much I could learn from. Ironically, taking these two classes at the same time really helped me, since literature is, after all, a form of art. I turned in a paper about art and literature that was quoted, "One of the best I've received here at FSU" by the hard Lit teacher I have. That was an honor, and blessing #1.

I broke up with my boyfriend, blessing #2. I know it sounds crazy, and a bit harsh, but the strength I have found in breaking up with him and dedicating my life to making more of myself has been phenomenal. I feel so much more mature and…liberated. I had been praying to God that things would get better, and when they didn't, I became upset, but had no strength to end things. Well, God has other plans, it seems, and I'm finally ready to let go.

I got an internship- blessing #3! I will be writing for the Greek Alumni Association for the FSU Booster Club. This could mean interviewing athletes, creating newsletters, all that good stuff. I'm so excited!

So, let me stop bragging (really I'm just so happy with what God is doing I want to share), and let me just say, that even when you feel like you should give up on things, that you are too weak or scared to make a difference, God will take care of it for you, if you just keep on praying. Don't even pray for yourself, pray for everyone else. Take your mind off your struggles and focus on helping others. That way, God can send you these nice little surprises like he has me. “

Wasn’t I just a doll? I just want to go back and pinch my own cheeks. Of course, it really is bittersweet. I always thought that with age did success follow – that each year was spent growing wiser and developing. And perhaps it’s true, but I can’t help but to feel a little behind. After all, in college I had a lot of potential – I was ambitious and strong and had a lot of confidence. The world was my oyster.
And now, it’s still an oyster – but it’s taking a heck of a time trying to shuck this thing open! (Isn't that the point of the saying? To find the pearl?)

But, the blog was encouraging. I know what I need to do: Pray. Find some inner peace. Something will come, I know this. I don’t think God leaves people out of the game on purpose. He’s just waiting to put us in the right position (right field, please). And eventually it will all be revealed, and I’ll feel much better, and perhaps happiness will linger for a little longer this time.

Vacation Time

I glanced through some of my old Myspace blogs today (I don’t remember the last time I logged into Myspace), from way back in 2006. This would have been my junior year in college, and also probably my favorite, as far as my success and feelings of accomplishments. I’ll share with you my thoughts on that particular blog-writing day:

“When did life become so boring? When did days of playing hide and seek all day and riding bicycles for fun turn into pages and pages of reading and writing? I'd like to know so i can go back and try to relive those moments, because there are very fews relaxing days anymore.
I don't mean to complain. I know I shouldn't, that this is just the way life goes. But where did all the Fun go? I'm not talking about drunken debauchery fun, I'm talking laughing til you can't stand, heart flutter til you want to cry, hug me and I might just melt fun.
Take me to New York in the Christmas time, Vegas in the summer. Take me to the Palm Beach Breakers and give me a spa treatment. Take me anywhere where i don't have to read 200 pages of Hawthorne in one night while trying to write a 15-page fiction story. I just want a vacation.”

If you can’t tell, I was stressed. I remember sitting at the desk in my room, mentally exhausted beyond belief and taking a break from the reading and writing to jot this blog into Myspace. What I find so ironic about this, is that right now I feel like I’m on a very long vacation, and I just want to go back to work (or college!). What I also find ironic is that I ended up doing just what I had in mind in the blog. It was only a little after a year of writing the above that I found myself galloping the streets of New York City during Christmas time (and even staying into New Years), and just this past summer I took not just one, but two trips to Las Vegas (and unplanned at that!).

The experiences were both wonderful – two of the best “vacations” I have ever had. But now that I am back into reality, I yearn to be challenged. Mercilessly. I want to be stressed and overwhelmed with reading and writing or creating sales or even steaming milk and pouring espresso. I want to go to bed tired and wake up energized just to go and do it all again. I want to feel like I have a purpose again.

And then I want to take a vacation. And really appreciate it :)

Immobile in Mobile

I’m sitting at a cute little coffee shop in downtown Mobile, sipping on a large iced vanilla latte and people-watching. It’s so interesting to be in the middle of downtown and look out the window to see a large cargo ship cruising by, flanked by a tall skyscraper. The bay is beautiful, the downtown area rather small, but clean.

A lot of women have walked into the shop wearing business suits, their hair manicured, their accents southern. I want to stop every single one of them and say, “Excuse me, Miss, but how did you come to get a job where you can strut around in those fancy clothes and heels? I’d like to be involved in that.”

Oh, those southern accents may indicate hospitality and friendliness, but a lot of people keep to themselves. It’s hard to be an outsider in a small town. Family trees around here are firmly rooted (and yes, most of them branch out) – but come on, somebody has got to be looking to hire!

To be fair, I did get a job offer. The job was to run the dining services at a local upscale golf shop in the beautiful area of Springhill (it’s actually associated with Springhill College- Jesuit college for the über rich). Come to find out, this job was not actually to “run the dining services…”, but to run drinks out to the golfers. Okay, I can’t complain about workin’ it in front of a bunch of Corporate chumps (hell, I’ll do that for free), but I was a little offended. I do have brains! And an impressive resumé thankyouverymuch.. I understand, there is a need for sales, the client wants cute girls catering to patrons, and the tips will be terrific.
However, I feel like a little belittled.

Which is why I’m downtown. Job-searching.

Doesn’t it make you mad when someone is making a ton of money doing something that you know you could do better? How do they market themselves? I’m looking at the walls of photographs in this coffee shop – these customers seem to be highly impressed by the flowery landscape or desert canyons portrayed. One of the customers even touched one to see if it was an oil painting or photograph on canvas. I feel like turning my computer to them and saying, Hello, I can do the same thing. Look, I have pics to prove it!

Or maybe I should walk around with a big flashy smile and a shirt that says FOR HIRE. Although, I’m afraid of the clientele that may attract. I’d have to invest in a teeth whitener anyway and, frankly, I’m on a budget.

Lesson learned numero uno: follow your dreams, not your boyfriend.

New House - Accessories

Housing accessories, exemplifying my love for color, art and elephants

Small piece by Pablo Seminario, Peru

Found this collection of shells and coral on the St. George Island seashores. The coral colors were brilliant against the white sand, I had to bring them home.

Spare bedroom is the Western Room. This cute Mexican themed ceramic pot is actually from Old Time Pottery

I love elephants

Colors, colors everywhere

Antique thread spools from Thomasville, GA, and a collection of wine corks

More elefantes

The sign is a gift from the store I used to manage - Einstein Bros. Bagels, the cherries are not real (though I eat those bing cherries constantly at the house)

Oh, Savannah