Pretty Tough: What I wore on Halloween

I made yet another trip to Buffalo Exchange in NYC about a week ago and found this lovely romper for $16! To make it weather appropriate I paired it with leggings my Doc Marten Triumph 1914 boots and a long sleeve shirt underneath  Pretty yet tough. It sure doesn't have the typical Fall feel or color pallet but it's me and I love it.

The last minute costume: I paired my floral romper with a wand, combat boots and hat which turned out to be a lovely witchy look. I wouldn't mind the hat in an every day look.

Spring Rainbow in New York City

 ::: Before Holi Colors Were tossed:::

As I get older I realize how rich in culture and life New York is filled with and how much I've yet to take in.

  :::After Holi Colors :::

Last week me and my best friend went to Holi Hai in NYC. If you don't know; Holi is a Hindu observation and festival welcoming in the Spring! People celebrate the melting away of winter by throwing colored powder and water at each other and generally come together in good cheer.

Though I may not fully grasp the religious or even cultural elements fully; I did get and understand and experience the coming together of people of all races, genders and backgrounds. We're all different skin colors and we may lead different lives yet we're all the same. We're even more the same covered in rainbow powder. It was beautiful and fun.

Smiling and laughing with strangers can be a rare thing in the city but when we do come together it's beautiful and soooo necessary with all that goes on in the world.

Do you have any Spring traditions? What are your favorite events in your city?



To Learn More about Holi NYC and to check out past events click the link: www.nycholi.com

Thrifting in NJ

Two weeks ago I spent a beautiful day hanging out in NJ. My friend took me to one of his favorite thrift shops. There were so many goodies and designer names basically for a steal. I ended up leaving with two things. The first was this cute lace bomber jacket from voxx new york which I figured I could dress up and down as I please  although it does lean more toward the casual side.

  

The funniest thing I found was an awesome 3 dollar find. The Darth Vader ring pictured below. Haha I thought it was too funny to leave behind. Anyone seen it before? Do you know where it's from? 

 

Below are some random things I found interesting on our journey.

In total I believe I spent less than 20 dollars :) I'm a happy girl. I have more thrift finds that I'd love to share on the blog. Let me know what you think 

Crazy Love & Faith

It's been a pretty busy week and, a bit emotionally hectic for the past two weeks. I'm grateful that it's finally starting to feel like Spring after what feels like the longest winter ever here in New York. I'm finding it more and more necessary to hold onto my faith. It can be hard when I feel like I'm not getting what I want or where I need to be in life. It feels like all these road blocks keep popping up that stop me in my tracks to freedom... I know I can't accept resignation, but sometimes it really seems easier to accept where I am, being as far as I'll go...I've been feeling a little emotional the past two days and I've been in need of spiritual guidance. It's difficult when I feel like I'm going through life alone.

I finished reading Francis Chan's book; "Crazy Love". It felt like a motivational speech on being a "doer" for God as opposed to someone with just ideas or instead of being another Christian who just sits in the church pews agreeing with a message I don't walk. Since reading Crazy Love and reading my Bible more I've been filled with so many ideas but I'm also met with hesitation in follow through.  I'm being inspired creatively even at work. I highly recommend this to anyone who has ever been at church and wondered if being a Christian is supposed to mean more than church on Sunday.

The Humans

Good afternoon Lovelies!

Today I bring you my "review" or gushing about a book called "The Humans by Matt Haig". What would you do if you were an alien sent to Earth from another planet? A planet of perfection and logic. No emotion. Your mission on Earth is to rid the planet of crucial mathematical advancement. Would you have the ability to kill? To cheat and to lie? If you were sent here to stop the humans from hurting themselves and others could you do it ?


 This book is a light but necessary read. The alien character in this story captures so beautifully what it means to be human in a dark and seemingly messed up world. He finds beauty in the things we take for granted (peanut butter sandwiches). For him it's all new. The alien comes from a planet where he's been taught to live by logic only and math. The planet which he comes from there is no hurt, or greed, or selfishness only perfection. He was taught that here on Earth is the exact opposite to them we're brutal barbarians with no conscience.

What is perfection really? What is logic? Does something being "logical" always make it right? There are many questions in this book that the alien goes through and learns for himself the point of being human. I  don't want to spoil the story I rate the book 4 out of 5 stars on goodreads. This book is a beautiful reflection of what a gift out lives are. A reminder of everything Good that we are as humans.

 (Had to add this cover as well. So beautiful.)

PS-I've found myself pausing and reflecting at certain point in story. Spoiler alert: The alien delves into poetry at one point and he loves Emily Dickson! I love it!

PSS- If you're a fan of qoutables this book has many.

"Do not fall for categories. Everyone is everything. Every ingredient inside a star is in you" 

That Which I am Seeking & The New Year

 Hey All,

2014 has ended on the highest possible note for me but before I go into that I want to share a little about a poster I designed for my friend Karen Pagantihon and her one woman show titled "That Which I am Seeking". If you’re in New York City definitely check it out. You’ll have a great time, meet wonderful people and take in some of NYC's diversity. The ticket’s are price perfect!  To Purchase Tickets (Eventbrite): http://goo.gl/C2U5pX


Before designing her poster. Karen and I met to talk about her show and her inspiration for it. We focused a lot at the 1960s era. From Barbarella to Foxy Brown and James Bond. The message of the show will resonate with many aspiring to be in the entertainment industry, especially with anyone of color. The experience so far has been an amazing and I can't wait to see this girl shine the day of the show.

 

Happy New Year!

I don't make resolutions, but, I am a woman who makes lists. Every day, every night, at home or on my spare time. I have the tendency to write lists of things I either aspire too or need to do. I make list's of goals and I put them in front of me. I think the most productive times for me are when I set my goals CLEARLY to paper and I tackle them. (Lucky for me I also now have a space to grow promote productivity) This year I have been blessed with the stability of ending the year with ONE (Not 3 p/t jobs) job. This leaves me time for passion projects and focusing on honing my designer and advertising skills. Slowly but surely things are falling into place. The only goal that I want to set out as a resolution this year is to live more creatively. Every day I nurture and put to use my FOCUSED creativity. It's so easy to get caught in so many hobbies and likes that a skill never reaches it's fullest potential. I made my 2015 to-do list. They're not options or resolutions and I like it that way.

Diana & Richard's Baby Shower

Howdy Everyone,

Last month I had the pleasure of finally seeing work I created for my younger sister's baby shower come to life. I created a small set: Digital Invites, Favor tags and a surprise poster board that was incorporated the couples baby pictures. The theme was "Sugar & Spice and Everything Nice." Below is a small look into that.

PS- My lovely niece finally came into this world on Christmas Day!

Life Happens or You Happen

Hello!

So I didn't follow through with my post plan but I'm here now :) I've had an emotional couple of weeks and I could really use community right now. One week ago we took my 15 year old dog, Baby, to the vet. She was really old and not in great shape when we took her. Unfortunately my family and I had to make the decision to  put her down that day. My heart is broken. Not a lot of people can understand the connection between a girl and her dog but I grew up with mine. She accepted me quirks and all. I loved and cared for her in return. I've been on this roller coaster from deep sadness to happy highs.

Through this negative experience a creativity has been sparked. I've been writing songs and creating art but I still have the issue of....I'm creating but I'm not sharing. Part of me feels like I'm fighting against my own success.There's this voice telling me that what I'm creating is no good. It wants to crush any sort of productivity I have and it's confusing. I don't know if 25 feels like this big confusing mess to everyone or if it's just me. I feel like I should be in a different place but I'm not and I feel like what if I'm waiting my entire life for that light bulb moment that will never happen....

I'm not sure where to go from here or what to do. I don't have my own space so it's not exactly the best space I have here for creating...But than maybe that's an excuse. I don't know.

In Pursuit of Greatness: Music Edition: Part 3

I spent most of today listening to Taylor Swift's new album "1989". Listening to her music got me thinking about her image and the media's attitude toward successful and famous people. One minute the media and your fans love you the next they're criticizing you on your life choices. I wont be a hypocrite and pretend I haven't bought into or come about some of my own opinions on celebrities (including Taylor) but at the end of the day I don't know her nor do most of her fans or the media.  You guys must be wondering where I'm going with this. Criticism is what I'm getting too.

Taylor seems to be the kind of gal who's learned how to deal with the backlash she's faced with. I admire that she does it with humor and keeps true to who she is. It's so easy to get lost in other people's opinions of what you do or don't do well. She uses all the negativity to fuel and create kick ass songs! You may not be a fan of her voice or her dance moves, but if there is one thing she can do better than most people is speak her mind and turn it into a hit! Part of being great doesn't mean you have to be strong or deal with things graciously but I admire that (in my opinion) Taylor does.

Remember:

• Stay true to who you are.
• Criticism and haters come with being a musician or whoever you want to be.
• If you can deal with criticism with grace and/or humor, you'll be okay.
  
  
  
  When all else fails just "shake, shake, shake" lol

In Pursuit of Greatness: Music Edition: Part 2

Hello!!!

They key to success is CONSISTENCY. Last night I took to the internet in search of the musical journey's of some musicians that I most admire. I want to know how they did it, especially, without a record label. That brought me to delving deep into the life of singer/song-writer Kina Grannis. If you're a Youtube addict as I used to be or can be, you've probably heard, seen or have been a fan of Kina Grannis since her humble Youtube beginnings. 

      Kina started Youtube as a way to share her music with her family and friends in order to get votes for a Super bowl songwriting contest. The prize for the winner would be a recording contract. Kina made an agreement with herself that she would post a video everyday until the Super Bowl contest was over. If you don't remember at the time musicians on youtube were just figuring out that this was a perfect way to market and share their passion. Most people didn't have the intention of fame and fortune but it did find quite a few people.

       Long story short, Kina won the Superbowl contest and the recording contract. When she finally met with the label she wasn't satisfied with the direction they wanted to take her so she parted ways. Miss Grannis DID find something through her consistency in posting videos. She gained a community of fans. There was this giant group of people who started following her and the rest is history. If you don't know where she is now google her. She's been on world tours and has recorded her second Major album. If you haven't seen her live...please do it's an experience you wont regret.

To end this post and to keep myself accountable. I want to set my goals. I AM a musician and this is the road I want to follow.

1. I will post a video AT LEAST once a week.

2. I will write a blog or do a vlog post at least 3 times a week.

3. I will write at least 4 pages worth of lyrics/music a day....No exceptions....It doesn't have to be good (got this tip from John Mayer) 

This is how I will stay accountable. In the words of Yoda. "Do or Do not there is no try."

In Pursuit of Greatness: Music Edition: Part 1

Hey There,

If you've been following my blog you know that for a few years now I've been pursing music and art hand in hand. If you know ME you know my heart leans a little harder toward music and song-writing.

In order to keep me focused I'm start a new music series of blogs on what makes music great and how I can attain that in my own music, writing and instrument. The title is "In Pursuit of Greatness: Music Edition".  I don't know if I'll find the answer but I want this to document my musical progress and journey. I'll also be vlogging in the process and sharing music I think captures what I look for when I write a song or when I listen to a song. There is such a rainbow of music out there but some songs move me more than others. This week I'll share John Mayer's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room"...For years that intro has got me... :)

  

Hair,Work,Life and Stickers

 

Helloooo Everybody!

           As you know before Christmas I made the big chop on my hair: above is a pic of the "do" on Valentines Day. One of my original intentions with this blog was to share my unemployment journey. Well, I'm employed, I've been employed since 2012 possibly the end of 2011. When I was unemployed I think I spent about 6 months unemployed mostly because I was being lazy but I did make money hustling school books and art on amazon and ebay. When I finally did fid official working 2012 it was mostly contract work.

        Today I currently hold 3 jobs, 1 retail gig at a book store that I enjoy so much more than the one I quit (West Elm) and I'm an official (paid) arts and crafts instructor AND I'm a Publishing Operations Assistant :) Ironically at one job I work literally across the street from the job I escaped.

      I've been working on my illustration skills. I often post little ACEO pieces on instagram. I'm working on a series of cheap stickers I was hoping for some input or advice on what kind of stickers would you guys buy (ex. fan art, dr.who, original cuteness etc. The reason for this is I want to make some money to go to Costa Rica in the Summer to see one ofmy best friends any way I can make money I'm on it. Any who, I'm going to try to stay consistent with weekly posts.  


Later!!!