It's been a while since my first post and I don't plan on that being the standard for this blog. My first post was followed by my craziest (and best!) week of work yet and then a fabulous full week's vacation. I want to post about my absolutely incredible trips soon, but first, art!
I have so many hobbies I want to get into... most of them are right-brained, artistic outlets, and I'm about to get into one of them: painting!
My roommate has several paintings of her own all around the house and I've been begging for her to help me getting started on creating some of my own. I have so many ideas so I find a blank canvas quite daunting. I try to remember, even the most amazing masterpieces started with one stroke of the brush, so I should just get started!
I love how children have such a way of getting ideas on paper and not over-thinking it. One of these amazing child-artists is Marla Olmstead. She started painting at two years old and one of her paintings hangs next to a Renoir. My favorite of hers is called Rose Garden.
Check her amazing website out at www.marlaolmstead.com. You may find it interesting that there is some controversy surrounding Marla. Some say they think her paintings are too advanced for her four years and that her father finishes her paintings. I can't speak to any of that, except that I have no problem believing this little girls created such beautiful work. I love to believe in the existence of raw talent and while I am certainly a truth-seeker at times, the cynicism met by this story disappoints me. If the parents are indeed exploiting their little girl (which I don't believe) they'll end up paying for it in one way or another eventually. In the meantime, call me naive, but I prefer to believe in this miracle.
These two are called Glitter and Ocean, respectively.
It's becoming increasingly more obvious that I am drawn to color! I love bright colors and bold colors. I love rich tones and lots of them. My own bedroom has gray walls, and I did that so the colorful accessories and art I stumble upon will pop against them. (Maybe I'll post pics of my space soon...)
So the roommates and I are going to have an art and wine night this week! Yayy! We're going to buy canvases and one of the girls already has paints. I am so excited! I just hope I don't stall when I see all that white.
Wish me luck and stay tuned!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Hey there, stranger.
As will become obvious soon enough, I'm quite a fan of The List. I use lists because my memory is bad and because I think it is good to remember things. I also love the rush of endorphins that are released when you cross an item off your to-do-list and that feeling at the end of the day of having accomplished what you set out to do. (All the better when those things are little, because you can usually jam more of them into your day!)
In the spirit of this newborn blog, starting off with a list of 'things I am grateful for' just seems right.
1. Being able to laugh at myself despite burning my first ever homemade batch of granola. I mean BURNING it. Totally charred. Flinging open the windows and flapping a dish towel like a crazy must have been quite the sight.
2. Getting out there in my sneaks and sports bra to sweat a little bit this evening. I exercise sporadically and need to make it part of my everyday lifestyle. I'm hoping putting it here in black and white will hold me more accountable...
3. Having two big presentations this week for work. I'm trying to keep a handle on the stress by keeping everything in perspective. I'm trying to remember: I am fortunate to have this opportunity!
4. Seeing my sweetie in 6 more wake-ups! Not only will I see him, I get to be with him for 13 days! This is huuuge since we are doing distance right now. Also, yay for my first 'real' vacation of my career! Seattle and Lake Chelan, here I come!
5. Tomato and mozzarella, drizzled with olive oil, balsamic and s&p! It's the little things...
6. My family. They are hysterical and loving and being away from them is hard. My nieces and nephew (and two more babies on the way) are growing up and I'm missing it!! I am grateful for their health and happiness and that I can fly to see them as often as I do.
7. Finding great deals! Okay, it's lame but I love a bargain. Well, I don't care about cheapo things. I hate free stuff that fills junk drawers and can crowd out a person. When I say bargain, I mean I love finding exactly what I wanted at a price they could have doubled and I still would've paid. THAT, my friends, is amazing.
8. Being in love. Crazy, head over heels, love. Ya know that feeling when you talk to him and it feels like your insides are smiling? *happy sigh*
This evening I'm pampering myself in preparation for this week, with lavender scented body scrub and lavender linen spray for my bed and pillows. The glass of wine and good book sure won't hurt either. Mission: Relaxation. Let's see how far into that book I get after all of that aromatherapy... I'm so very affected by smells. (Fun fact #1, I hate the smell of vanilla except on food. In that case, yum.)
Here are a couple of my favorites pearls of wisdom, from Regina Brett, sent on from my mom.
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
Happy Saturday!
In the spirit of this newborn blog, starting off with a list of 'things I am grateful for' just seems right.
1. Being able to laugh at myself despite burning my first ever homemade batch of granola. I mean BURNING it. Totally charred. Flinging open the windows and flapping a dish towel like a crazy must have been quite the sight.
2. Getting out there in my sneaks and sports bra to sweat a little bit this evening. I exercise sporadically and need to make it part of my everyday lifestyle. I'm hoping putting it here in black and white will hold me more accountable...
3. Having two big presentations this week for work. I'm trying to keep a handle on the stress by keeping everything in perspective. I'm trying to remember: I am fortunate to have this opportunity!
4. Seeing my sweetie in 6 more wake-ups! Not only will I see him, I get to be with him for 13 days! This is huuuge since we are doing distance right now. Also, yay for my first 'real' vacation of my career! Seattle and Lake Chelan, here I come!
5. Tomato and mozzarella, drizzled with olive oil, balsamic and s&p! It's the little things...
6. My family. They are hysterical and loving and being away from them is hard. My nieces and nephew (and two more babies on the way) are growing up and I'm missing it!! I am grateful for their health and happiness and that I can fly to see them as often as I do.
7. Finding great deals! Okay, it's lame but I love a bargain. Well, I don't care about cheapo things. I hate free stuff that fills junk drawers and can crowd out a person. When I say bargain, I mean I love finding exactly what I wanted at a price they could have doubled and I still would've paid. THAT, my friends, is amazing.
8. Being in love. Crazy, head over heels, love. Ya know that feeling when you talk to him and it feels like your insides are smiling? *happy sigh*
This evening I'm pampering myself in preparation for this week, with lavender scented body scrub and lavender linen spray for my bed and pillows. The glass of wine and good book sure won't hurt either. Mission: Relaxation. Let's see how far into that book I get after all of that aromatherapy... I'm so very affected by smells. (Fun fact #1, I hate the smell of vanilla except on food. In that case, yum.)
Here are a couple of my favorites pearls of wisdom, from Regina Brett, sent on from my mom.
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
Happy Saturday!
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