Dieppa Restrepo

Are you tired of me posting about these?  Gary gave them to me for Christmas.  They are even more beautiful in person. I've just been admiring them, too nervous to wear and potentially ruin them!

Merry Christmas

 

 Happy holidays to everyone that celebrates this time of the year.  I've been off the computer for a while because working retail gets pretty draining around now.   I'm going to take a little break from the internet and try to put myself back on track.  

I also wanted to mention that Marthe from The Freedom Experiment did a lovely post on me last week.  It's part of her Dream Experiment, in which she helps people work on their dreams.  See the whole post here.  Thanks, Marthe!

Gifts by Color - Blue

Clockwise from top left: mini rosebud pins, silk scarf, the storm - deep sea scarf, mini goals clockboard, leather pouch.

Gifts by Color - White

Oh man, I totally want all of these.  I blogged about the wool and the gang shoulder-cover-thing at least a year ago and it's still on my mind.  The fieldguided tote is currently unavailable but will be back soon.  And as unfitting as the Clarisonic looks (and how unnecessary it is to have a gadget to clean my face), I wouldn't have to get a facial as often as usual (hah, you know, about once a year if I'm lucky).

Clockwise from top left: Wool and the Gang kit, Fieldguided tote, Clarisonic Mia, Pigeon Toe Ceramics hanging tray.

Gifts by Color - Beige/tan

I was debating whether or not I'd like to do a gift guide because I'd rather not add to the consumerism of the holiday season.  But at the same time I'd like to gather a list of things I enjoy.  Also, due to my procrastination, it's probably too late to get these for Christmas anyway! So here is the first installment of my pretty things that would be great gifts. Most, if not all, things will be from independent artists and designers.  I've also decided to break them up by color (but I'm not sure why). Here's a small compilation of things in the beige/tan/camel color scheme. 

Clockwise from top left: Dieppa Restrepo Cali oxfords, Fjällräven Kanken backpack, Great Lakes Prism, Immortal Desert bag.

Gratitude - Dec 7

How was everyone's weekend?  I'm a little late posting this up because I was completely exhausted yesterday.  Gary and I, along with two other friends, went to Disneyland and California Adventure for the whole day!  Open to close, practically.  I was running on less than 5 hours of sleep but had an amazing time.  I haven't been in a few years but it's always fun.  But then Monday I pretty much had to rest the whole day.

Some other highlights:
+ watching someone karate chop a ROCK in half.  I didn't even know it was possible!
+ my aunt visiting us for the holidays
+ the gorgeous Marni bag she gave me (more on that later)
+ drawing Dopey and Donald Duck at Animation Academy
+ polishing up my ring! Can't wait to show you all my work from jewelry class

Another thing I guess I should mention is that I quietly opened up my shop on Etsy.  I've been so overwhelmed with work that it's hard to fit in time to work on the shop.  But it was my goal to open it up this year so I will have to make time.  I'll be adding more items once I get better in the photography department.  It is so hard when they crop your photos into the tiniest square!

Another sneak peek

Another sneak peek at my cards. Unfortunately I have to wait until the sun is up again to take some photos for the shop.

Coming Soon

script & serif stationery and paper goods.  coming really, really soon!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you in/from the US.  We had a nice small family dinner.  I made the bread and dessert, pumpkin cream pie.  I wish I could write something more coherent but all the turkey is making me sleepy.

Dieppa Restrepo Cali

Christmas present to myself, me thinks.  (I don't know why I just typed that.)

Sure, they might not really look like much on their own, but just check out how they're styled on Totokaelo.  I'm in love.  (photos: Totokaelo)

Peas

Things have been busy over here at script & serif studio, finalizing designs, screen printing, sourcing supplies for upcoming products.  I am determined to have a soft launch by the end of November, which means a week from now!  My full product line will be available by the beginning of 2011. 

To take a break, Gary and I had a Toy Story marathon.  I'm not a big movie watcher, so seeing three in a row is a big deal for me.  I can sit and watch a whole season of Friends, but for some reason a movie is too much of a commitment for me.  Anyway, one of the cutest characters in Toy Story 3 were the peas in a pod.  We went to the Disney store about a month ago and spotted this in line.  Total impulse buy, but it makes me smile every time I see it.  Reminds me of the adorable Mameshiba videos, too. 

Alright, back to work!

Astrology Wall Calendar

One of my favorite calendars I've seen so far.  Only $8 from Prismatic Print Shop.

Lost wax

Here's the ring I've been slowly carving away at.  It started out as a big chunk of wax and now it's a little ring with a bird perched on top.  I plan on thinning out the band as well as the bird, but I'm quite happy with where it is now. 

Blogging has been slow for me because the sun goes down so much earlier now and there's no light left to take photos.  I have been working on stationery related stuff and can see myself launching by the end of this month!  I finally decided on a name and bought the domain yesterday.  Alright, back to work!

Recently

mint pesto and zucchini spaghetti from donna hay

crazy outgrown mint plant and still fruiting (in November?!)/half dying tomato plant on my balcony

chocolate chip cookies for a birthday party

magazines to cozy up with

It started out with a sore throat. I foolishly thought it was the ultra spicy noodles I ate, but then it escalated to congestion, a headache, runny nose. Before I know it I'm popping cough drops one after another and leaving work early because I was just so out of it. So apologies for being away from the blog. I'm feeling much better now and hopefully I'll be good as new in a few days.

So other than fending off this head cold, I've been driving myself crazy trying to come up with a name for my stationery line. I can't come up with one decent thing! I don't know how people do it. If you have any suggestions or any ideas of how to get to a name please let me know. I feel like I can't move forward without a name.

Oh, and I am totally loving the three magazines I just got.  Can I please live in a Donna Hay magazine? 

Test Print

I got to make some test screen prints of my cards over the weekend. It was just as difficult and exciting as I thought it'd be! Still having some trouble with registering the second color over it though, so this photo isn't the final.  I'm really happy with the paper I've chosen to use, too. The silver piece in front is from my jewelry class. Like I said in an earlier post, not exactly the best looking piece but really exciting to see something I've made from scratch come together.

Gratitude - Oct 29

+ Traditional Chinese dinner for my brother's birthday.  My mom cooked everything!  She's thinking about starting a food blog, too.

+ Finishing my first silver project in jewelry class!  It doesn't look too great but I feel a bit accomplished.  

+ Blogging 5 days this week!

+ Snagging a chambray button down shirt from the J. Crew outlet for a steal.

+ Bringing my little thyme plant back to life (it wasn't doing so well outside).

+ Doing lots and lots of head hurting research for my stationery line.  I swear I'm almost there...!

This weekend I'm going to attempt to take some photos for a secret project, finish buying supplies for my stationery, and, most exciting of all, eat at Animal this Sunday.  I'm not a big fan of Halloween so instead Gary and I are going out to dinner to celebrate him becoming a certified personal trainer.  What about you?  Anyone dressing up for Halloween?

Portland

A little over a year ago Gary and I went to Portland, Oregon for the first time. It was a quick trip but we packed in lots of things to do.

We drank lots of coffee at Stumptown.

We went to the most amazing and extensive bookstore.


Ate a sampling of unique and tasty donuts.

Visited the Japanese Gardens.


And did lots and lots of walking. We didn't stay at Ace but really wanted to!

The weather was a little cold and rainy but I enjoyed every moment.  I can still remember the best hash browns I'd ever eaten from the cafe by our hotel.  The most delicious hash browns, seriously.  

Wish I was there again for Little Winter!  So sad to be missing out.

mango bar

It was 80 degrees today.  Fall, where are you?  I even painted my nails in anticipation of cooler weather.

laundry

dores necklace

 

My new favorite necklace by Dores.

Park at sunset

This past Saturday Gary (the bf) and I headed out to go outlet shopping. We've been searching for a pair of casual pants for him for months now without any luck. Thankfully the shopping gods were on our side as we found not one but two pairs! I also got a couple things for myself at super good deals.

Just before we hopped onto the freeway we stopped by the park to take some photos. It's been raining all week in LA and the sun was finally out and looking so nice right before sunset. I'm wearing my new favorite jeans and my favorite boots, oh and carrying my favorite handbag. The jeans are from Gap and are jean leggings (which I refuse to call jeggings), and are so amazingly comfortable! Not super tight and constricting like I thought it'd be. Thank you to Alyson of Unruly Things for mentioning them!

Shirt: Target (boys section)
Jeans: Gap
Boots: Madewell
Bag: Clare Viver

Thyme

 This is my thyme plant. I love how it's so tiny and delicate and grows any which way it wants to.

Grey Days

It's been a bit rainy and grey here lately.  I quite like it though. 

Wardrobe Re-do

 

 I've been thinking about giving my wardrobe a makeover for quite a while now, but wasn't exactly sure what kind of clothes I should be adding.  And then I realized that I'm tired of looking and being treated like a child.  When I'm put in a position that makes me nervous (which is quite often), I revert to acting like a child.  I sometimes use it as a crutch so I don't have to act like an adult even though I think like one.  I think it's time to have my wardrobe reflect that.  So that maybe I'll feel more confident and people will stop asking how old I am! Gee, I'm asking a lot from my clothes, but I really do think it'll make a difference.  As much as I love girly floral prints, peter pan collars, and cap sleeves, they are definitely not doing me any favors!

Things I'm hoping to add: black skinny cropped trousers, oxfords, high waisted jeans, felt hat, interesting jewelry, high waist pleated trousers. (Photos from Totokaelo)

Jewelry Class

I've been taking an introductory jewelry class for six weeks now.  Our first project was to make a pin with several different layers of colored aluminum.  This was to help practice cutting out metal and visualize how all the layers work together.  I don't have my project back yet, but it's not exactly the most beautiful thing (nor would I wear it).  But our next project, which we'll be completing this week, is made of silver!  Real silver that we'll be soldering together.  I'm excited but mostly nervous using the blow torch.  The project after this is the one I'm most excited for.  We'll be carving a ring out of wax and use the lost wax method.  This is something I've been eager to learn for quite a while now. 

The photo above is my silver pieces all taped up so I don't lose them.  It looks a little er... abstract, but it's supposed to be mountains and trees.  We will be soldering it to another piece of silver and all the negative spaces will be textured. 

Gratitude - Oct 9

+ listening to Lissie, whom I discovered from a mix CD Mallory sent me.  Thanks, Mallory!
+ watching Julie and Julia, which I totally loved and want to watch again (but skip through the Julie parts).
+ making tuscan white bean soup and apple pie.
+ starting my life list.
+ working on new patterns to turn into… don't know yet!

Things have been pretty hectic over here, hence the lack of blogging.  Also, I often wonder what direction I'd like this blog to go in which results in no posts.  But as I learned from Julia Child, I need to be fearless!  I often over think just about everything and approach everything with hesitancy. But, no more!

This weekend is supposed to be warm and sunny, so hopefully I'll be able to take some photos.  I haven't touched my camera in weeks and miss it!  What are your plans for the weekend?

The Unseen Sea

The Unseen Sea from Simon Christen on Vimeo.

Five Things

(San Francisco, 2008)

Five things you might not know about me:

1. I get nervous very easily.  Sometimes I see/meet celebrities and bloggers (celebrities in my mind, haha) and I just act like a fool, turn red, stop talking completely, and my hands start to get clammy.  I wish I could fake it and act cool, but my flushed face gives it away.

2. I never had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich until I was 12.

3. My favorite color is purple (see photo).

4. I crave Australian food all the time.  Meat pie, lollies, cordial, pavlova, you name it and I'll probably start salivating.  Except for Vegemite. Yuck.

5. I studied graphic design for almost four years and realized it wasn't really for me.  And now I work at a bookstore as a gift merchandiser until I can start working for myself.  Don't tell anyone, but I kind of like it!

Any random facts you'd like to share?

Up

 

This poster has inspired me to redecorate my room into something more mature and calming.  I've got a little too much pink going on right now and I'm ready to grow up a little.  By Fine Little Day.

Bark Knuckle Ring

Really loving this bark knuckle ring by Mr. Kate.  Shown with bow crown ring.  Check out all the other jewelry by Mr. Kate here. (photo: Mr. Kate)

Killing Us Softly

 

I watched Killing Us Softly 4 last week and haven't stopped thinking about it.  Have you seen it before (or any of the previous ones)?  What did you think? 

Gratitude - Sept 24

+ a quick Vegas trip over the weekend
+ delicious brunch at bouchon.  I got moules frites and he got chicken and waffles, pictured above.
+ french macaron and chocolate eclair from bouchon bakery
+ getting a luxurious facial that has left my skin looking better than ever (seriously.)
+ my wonderful other half that planned the whole thing :)

Hope you all have a nice weekend.  I don't have much planned other than some secret projects in the works ;) 

How to feel miserable as an artist

 

by Keri Smith via Gala Darling

Mojave

(please click to view larger)

 This past weekend we went on a little trip to Las Vegas to celebrate our anniversary.  I always manage to forget my camera, but not this time.  I often hear from friends that they hate the drive over because all you see is a bunch of nothing, but I love it.  It's so calming to drive through the desert and see all the rocks, mountains, tumble weeds, joshua trees, sand... And as corny as this will sound (going to embarrass myself here) I actually started to cry a little.  Not because it was gorgeous, but because I just can't understand why anyone would want to trash a place like this.  Maybe if people knew about all the beautiful places there were in the world everyone would stop creating so much waste, stop throwing their trash and cigarette buds out their windows, stop using disposable everything, etc etc. 

These photos have really inspired me to take more (local, budget friendly) trips outdoors. I am trying to figure out a quick weekend trip to Big Sur next month; I'll let you know how it goes!