Popcorn and A Movie

Grab some popcorn and the family cause I've got a great movie that EVERYONE will love!

I've been watching some weird movies lately, so to find a gem like this was very much needed! "Big Miracle" with Drew Berrymore, Kristin Bell, John Krasinski, Ted Danson and Dermot Mulroney is  heart warming story about the reconnect of community and of nature. A story about the  1989 miracle of the world coming together to save a family of whales in Alaska, stuck under the thick winter ice, these whales are unable to get free on their own and face the possibility of death. Reporters and help come from all over the world to report on the story and to come together to make a real miracle.

This movie was defiantly an eye opener for me as an activist! It showed people of every belief coming together for the same cause, to help these whales. Greenpeace activist, oil industry men, and military all joining in for the same cause, even though all their formal beliefs and reasons for helping these animals were different. This movie shows that we can coexist and love those around us even if we don't share the same beliefs. A really amazing movie that people of all ages will appreciate. 

I will admit that I cry in most movies, but I did get teary eyed at the end of this movie, when you really saw a new community form! I would call this a 4 star movie! ****

Night Sky Dreams

Why hello there! How is everyone's week going???

I've been working on some art recently and this is my newest work. I have to say it's my favorite piece ever! I'm so in love with it and it's very near and dear to my heart, to say the least!

There's this book called "One Thousand Gifts" and it's a woman's story about learning to be grateful to God for all things. In one part of the book she describes herself running out into the fields of her farm and sitting and staring at the large full moon, over taking the night sky. This is my rendition of that.

I've been doing a lot of work and reading this week. School has me by my heals as per usual and work will be slower this week so I'm hoping to get to do another painting and get some fundraising started for my trip to Africa. I'll be selling some of the SUUBI jewelry from Light Gives Heat to help fund my travels as well as writing letters.

As for now, that's all I've got for you, but don't worry there will be more to share later this week!

XOXO

Letting Go of the Bad Energy

Sorry I haven't posted in over a week. School and work and life has just been going crazy I haven't had any time to just sit and write. A couple weeks ago I had a doctors appointment to see why I'm having a hard time with my digestive system still (10 years this has been going on) and then in the last few years I've been having problems with blacking out and then in January I finally passed out. So after a bunch of tests and doctors appointments I found out . . . NOTHING! I hate that! I just wanted some answers so that I could solve the problem. In wanting to go to Africa, I've been really trying to get healthy and put myself together. So, my mom's friend who I like to call our "Spiritual Wellness Guru" told me to see this special Chiropractor. She focuses on people with anxiety problems and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). By realigning my skeletal structure and asking my body about the bad energy it's been holding in for years I've slowly been getting a lot better!

Something really interesting I learned was that when something happens in your life your brain reacts to it in 3 ways. You have a visual memory, emotional memory and a physical memory. Therapists work on the first 2 issues but rarely is the 3rd matter taken care of. To deal with this you have to release that built up energy by shaking. When people talk about being so angry they were shaking, they had actually reached the climax of their anger and the shaking was bringing them down to a normal energy level. This is also why you shake after a major adrenaline rush. By doing some basic yoga moves and allowing your body to shake when it starts to (you know that feeling when you work out) just let it shake. 

I've been doing this about 3 times a week and my life is changing. I'm having less nightmares at night and I sleep better. When I'm awake I feel energized and ready to move. My next step to getting healthy is letting go of my sugar addiction and paying more attention to God by being present and being thankful. I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

AND, this is super belated but, my girlfriend, Anna, just got me the photos from our Oscars party night! I had promised everyone that when I dressed up for the night I would dress up as Peppy Miller from The Artist, which ended up being a great idea because they won almost every award!

You can see that we don't take the Oscars lightly around here! We all dress up to the max and drink champaign while we watch! 

I was voted best outfit of the night since I went full fledged Peppy Miller with the fur coat, 40's hat, vintage purse and pin-up curls. In the bottom left photo you can see Will with the bow tie, he was the host for the night, what a stunning guy he is! -And ladies he's single ;)

Since we're on the topic of the Oscars I might as well share some thoughts on the red carpet looks since that is the best part!

I separated the night into the colors that were the hits and the best of the dresses for each color!

White/ Pastels were a big hit for the evening and boy did these women look Good! Jessica may have won for best dressed for me. I loved her dress and the details in the gold embroidery! and George and his  date Stacy. . . Hot stuff! Enough said.

I loved Gwyenth's coat that sat over her shoulders, Octavia looked like a goddess with this perfect fitted sequin gown, Louise was a reporter for the night but I just couldn't get over her dress. The draping done in this dress is spectacular and I thought the soft pink was perfect on her skin. And "The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo" looked fierce in her white mermaid gown, low cut in the front but well structured around the bust! You go girls!

I'm a huge fan of Emma Stone and I just thought she was to die for in this stunning red gown. With pulled back neat hair and a bow neck line, she was very classic. And a lot of times red heads going red don't look good but I think with her hair pulled back she really rocked this look!

Angelina I love you girl, but the wide angles of this dress and your skinny figure made you look WAY too skinny. And there is just too much slit for anyone to handle. The dress is beautiful but girl, it just wasn't for you.

Hope you all are staying healthy and loving life and get the chance to wear your red carpet looks even when it's not the Oscars, we can all use a dress up girls night every now and then!

Much Love

XOXO

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games. I read the first book months ago and fell in love right away! What makes this book amazing? Besides suspense, cute boys, great character connections, twisted government leaders and insane archery skills, is the strong and fierce female characters. 

Katniss Everdeen, the heroine of the trilogy, speaks her mind, protects her family and knows how to hunt squirrels by shooting an arrowing straight through their eye. She is beautiful and confident and doesn't need a man by her side. Basically she is the woman hiding inside of all of us waiting to jump out, which is why we are all in love with her!

Jennifer Lawrence does an amazing job portraying Katniss and embodying all that she is. Jennifer has made it on to the cover of almost every major magazine since the trailers have come out. Who wouldn't want to interview the star of the best film of the year? Each magazine shows her beauty, and her skill as an actress all while revealing the strength that she herself holds as well. Katniss Everdeen and Jennifer Lawrence both go down as female role models in my book!

The story line is about 12 districts where 1 boy and 1 girl from each district, between the ages of 12 to 18 are given as tributes to fight in the hunger games to the death. 1 person of the 24 will survive and bring their district honor. The Hunger Games were created after the people tried to go up against that capital 74 years ago causing a horrible war and the slaughter of many. The Capital came up with the Hunger Games in order to remind the districts of their past, but really it's the governments way of keeping control over the districts. 

Katniss' sister Prim was picked for her districts tribute at the age of 12. Katniss, in order to save her sister, offers herself as tribute to fight in the hunger gamers, along with Peeta, the boy tribute from district 12. The rest of the story is the process of showing off the tributes before the games begin and then the rough and torturous games themselves.

Finally, the hunger games are not only entertaining in their character relationships and intense action but the costumes are to die for! Katniss is from a poor district and therefore the fashion in her district looks like a concentration camp (enhancing the depressing nature of the "reeping" –choosing the tributes– and the overall suffering in the district). However Katniss continues to look like a badass when she's dressed in cargo pants and a leather jacket with her bow and arrows. 

The Capital has a fashion standard all of their own. In a couture/futuristic vibe Effy Trinkette portrays their fashion style perfectly. Different colored hair that matches the outfits along with perfectly matching eye shadow colors. Crazy patterns and bright colors and face paint to add to the look. The Capital is a whole new type of fashion to say the least. –I'm interested to see what trends will catch on and I'll be sure to document them for you!

If you haven't read the books do so before seeing the movie. The books are always better and there is so much character relationships and details that you'll miss out on that really enhance the story line and make it even better. The movie will be more enjoyable if you already know some of the details since the movie can't show them all!

Happy Hunger Games and my the odds be ever in your favor!

XOXO

Photography 101

Over the past year I've been learning all that I can about photography. I love taking pictures and making images the best that they can be! I will admit that learning all about cameras and the technical side of them is not easy nor simple. Whenever my friends are with me while I'm taking pictures I use all the photographer's terminology forgetting that they have no idea what I'm talking about. So for you wanting to know more about photography or simply hang out with photographers and don't want to be out of the loop anymore, I have made you your own personal cheat sheet! 

Enjoy!!

A key thing to know about professional photography is that almost every photo has additional computer editing to it. Most people think that the life of a photographer is glamorous and easy. Although the actual shooting of photographs and interacting with people can be a lot of fun, and you get to experience some amazing things, 90% of what we do is photo editing and making the photos look perfect for printing and displaying. So if you are really interested in getting into photography I suggest also learning about photo editing. (iPhoto is a great starter program but if you can get photoshop I recommend it!)

Feel free to comment with any other questions about photography or anything of the arts for that matter.

Happy learning

XOXO

Katie Bugs

One of the things I'm NOT known for is my cooking. Sadly I'm not the best cook. It's not that I don't know how to cook (as long as there's a recipe in front of me) it's mostly that I'm lazy. Cereal, toast, bagels really any breakfast food I'm pretty good at. When you get any fancier than that, I usually would prefer not to have to make it. There is one recipe however, I am known for, and that is my very special Katie bugs. I started making these in middle school after a friend of mine sent me the recipe. Growing up my mom and dad always called me Katie Bug and I associated that with Ladybugs. And so a collection of Ladybug stuffed animals, frames, cards and even appetizers started.

For Finals last semester my metal-smithing class all brought in food for us to share on our last critique. I had the bright idea to make what I brought in – I, however, was the only one to make their snack– and so I shared with the class my Katie Bugs!

All you need is Crackers, Veggie spread, grape tomatoes, olives and black gel food coloring. (You can also fold a chive in half and stick it in the olive for the antennas but they fall out a lot so I don't always use them.) Cut the grade tomatoes into fourths and use 2/4's on each cracker. Since I'm a poor college student I used a cookie tray with scrap-book paper to decorate it and make it look cute. (It just so happens to be a floral/leaf pattern) What's amazing about these little critters is they actually taste amazing!!!! I love these guys. So next time you need an appetizer just remember these Katie Bug's cause they are quite the hit!

XOXO

Photography and Fabulous Friday

Classes started this week and I will admit that I've never been this excited for a semester of college! I'm taking all creative classes – figure painting, intermediate drawing, digital photography and writing– and every class has an amazing professor (and a cute boy in one as well) ;) I have a feeling this is going to be one good semester! 

Although the week was off to a good start for the semester today, not so much. I woke up with a sore throat and an unhappy tummy so I've been in house lockdown until I get better. Which means, lots of reading and catching up on all the shows I've missed this week because of my busy schedule.

 I've been reading this amazing magazine by Jasmine Star about her journey to becoming a professional wedding photographer. And although I'm not sure if that's what I want to do when I "grow up" it defiantly is on the list (along with artist, designer, work for Jedidiah clothing, work with women in developing countries and of course be a superhero with all the powers included!) I love being behind my camera and learning about manipulating light and people to enhance a photo or to create a story. It's just another form of art and my heart has fallen in love with it as well.  Jasmine's magazine is really helping me see that life isn't worth it if you're not pursuing your dreams. And with life being so short and so few living life to the fullest, I'm really dedicating myself to living my dreams no matter what that looks like!

If you're interested in making this scarf it's just the bottom half of a t-shirt. Then I cut strips along the bottom and braided some and knotted the end of the others and WA-LA you have a simple fun scarf! Got to love the simplicity in that!

XOXO

The Weather Outside If Frightful!

Here in Colorado, it has been FREEZING these past few days. I literally froze walking to class today and yesterday. I think Frosty the Snowman is even getting cold these days! However there are a few plus sides when it comes to the cold weather. . . Hot tea, cozy up on the couch and watch a movie, fun oversized warm sweaters and icicles. The other day after a snowstorm I noticed some icicles on my back deck and fell in love with them. The best part was, the sun was setting behind them so I got some amazing shots of these frozen treats. I wanted to share with you one of those God moments. The kind of moment that you know that God puts together just for you in that very moment. I'm so glad I took the time to stop and notice, I would have really missed out otherwise.

This one made me super happy because I shot it right when that ball of water was dripping down from the icicles. You can also see in the background, the sunset just starting to form.

The last one is my favorite. I love how you can see the trees and sunset in the background but the deep contrast in the icicle is so interesting and eye catching that I'm just in love with it.

I'm so glad that this freezing weather could be good for something. With finals and Christmas coming up there is a lot to do, but I'll be sure to post some fun DIY to get you ready for the holiday season!

Hope you are warmer wherever you are!

XOXO

It's Christmas Time

I don't know if you realized this but It's CHRISTMAS TIME! Finally!!!

Although this can be a stressful time of year, finding the perfect gift and bracing ourselves for our crazy relatives, it's still a wonderful time.

Classes are almost over, everything is in the final stretch and then it's time for a much needed break. My roommates and I had a crazy night decorating our house and getting ready for the Christmas season. Things seem to keep being added everyday to all the decorations but there is a definite Christmas cheer going on in our house!

Elle and Jaime are dancing to some christmas music while decorating the pink tree!

The first light-up of the season. It works!!!!

This week has a lot going on with finals coming and the semester ending, but I'm so ready for all the new things that next year has to bring. 

I hope that you are all doing well and getting excited for the Christmas season

XOXO

Home Made Salsa

This Thanksgiving break I wanted to make my family something special before the holiday since we were all home together all week. Everyone in my family is in love with salsa, and a good friend of mine taught me how to make the most simple salsa ever, so I did!


All you need is
1/2 Green Pepper
1 Can of Whole Skinned Tomatoes
1 Bundle of Green Onions
1 Jalapeño
1 T Vinegar
3/4 tsp of Salt


Put all in a blender and serve!

All the ingredient that you will need. (I didn't have a  Jalapeño so I just used some from a jar, which worked out fine)

Poor all ingredients into blender

Using the Tomato juice in the salsa is optional, it's already pretty liquidy so I would suggest not doing so.

Cut off part of Green Onions that you want

(Also notice the color scheme of red and green, I know I'm such an artist)

Pile them all in

Enjoy with friends and family!

Thanks Chelsea for this delicious Salsa Recipe!

XOXO

College Eating

So I will admit, I'm not a cook. I try so hard but I think my biggest problem is that I never make time to be a cook so I end up trying to find easy recipes or cereal to eat for my meals. I love when I go places and people make me food cause I rarely ever eat very well. However I did make a great meal the other day that made my stomach very happy!

Looking at these images now, next time I'll remember that taking a picture on a lime green plate is probably not the best idea to make things look appetizing.

So as basic as this is, it's where i'm starting. A quesadilla with black beans, refried beans, rice and corn all with some cheddar cheese on whole-wheat tortillas. And then some salsa on the side. My friend actually has a great recipe for salsa that i've been meaning to try, So I will try and post that one as soon as I can! It's just a bunch of veggies thrown in a blender and then you're done. Super simple.

Finally, if you know anything about me you know that I'm OBSESSED with Dr. Pepper. (2 a day everyday!) If you haven't tried these, you have to! The throw back Dr. pepper is made with real sugar so it's way better for you than anything with High Fructose Corn-Syrup. So good!

I hope you are all having a relaxing weekend and are getting ready for Thanksgiving! I'll have some more posts, and fun things coming your way soon!

XOXO

Sunflower Boutique

So I'm not sure if you know this, but we call our house the Sunflower house (ironically because all the girls that live here have the same favorite flower). Last weekend I had this fun idea of having a clothing swap at our house. We had a bunch of girls bring over their clothes that they didn't want anymore and we traded. It was like a free shopping spree haha. So a bunch of girls came with desserts in hand and we went to work! Let me just say I will be doing this in the spring as well and probably twice a year until I become a nudist or die. (most likely the second. . . I hope!)

So here is a peak into our new favorite way to shop!

One of my best friends Kate showing off the awesome top that her Mother-in-law gave her with a matching skirt. I mean who wouldn't want a sequin top with built in bra and see through stomach??

Fabulous girls rummaging through tons and tons of clothes, we all walked away with bags of new clothes! My new favorite way to recycle :)

So we discussed brownies at the party and found out this amazing recipe that is so easy you wouldn't believe it. Mix a box of brownie mix with a can of drained puréed black beans and then bake. THAT'S IT! Fiber filled, healthier brownies that you don't have to feel guilty eating!!!

So I found this awesome idea online. Put a flower (or in this case leaves) in a wine glass and then flip it over and put some mini candle on them for a candle holder with a twist and some glam! They were fabulous for our party!!!

I am Free

This week I've been getting down with my artist cravings so to speak. I've been sewing, painting and drawing up a storm and loving every minute of it. I started this painting with the idea of hair like ice cream and as I was painting, it started to look like my good friend Teal. So she became my inspiration for this painting. If you knew Teal you would know that she's a free spirit. The kind of girl that doesn't write in the lines, brushes her hair with a fork, is always smiling and who's favorite animal is a fairy! She's wonderful, she understands the meaning of an inner child that sits on the surface.

So Teal, here she is. . . I Am Free 

I loved the idea of whimsical hair with a flower in it. Teal works at a flower shop and always has a flower in her hair, so once again it was fitting!

I decided that the brown background blended to much with her skin so I did a purple was over it. I'm a girl who loves tattoos so I always like to add some to my girls in my paintings!

And here she is, I am Free the final product!

(All my art is available in 8X10 prints for $60)

Altered Ego

My newest adventure is starting an alterations business called Altered Ego! After about 6 months of not having a company apparently I need to have one in my life. It is a great creative outlet and really gives me something to focus. Plus I'm in the need of a job so this is a great start! Heres what I've been working on . . .

What's really exciting about all this is that there are no rules! I get to alter clothes, design clothes, work on graphic design and so much more. My summer is defiantly going to be busy with all this! So if you need something altered give me a shout out.

Light Gives Heat ~ And Hope

I have a dream. Like many others I have great ambitions for my life. One of which was to be an elephant when I was 4. However, things have changed a bit since then -although, I do love those elephants!- Recently I've been looking (okay more like drooling) over the website Light Gives Heat. Talk about an amazing company. They are all about looking good, keeping it artsy and most importantly they're changing the world. More specifically they are about changing Uganda. After the husband and wife founders, adopted their daughter from Uganda the Super Duo are now out to change the lives of all the children in Uganda. 

This amazing company is based out of Colorado (yep! thats right my home) which means my dream is closer than I thought. One of my biggest dreams is to work for a company that has a mission to change lives and make the world better while still being an artsy business and allows me to creative. Light Gives Heat not only has it's only clothing line, but also has a bag line and jewelry line (both of which are made by women in Uganda!) I also love that they work with some of my favorite artists from Jedidiah Clothing. I can't wait till I get a little more cash in my wallet to buy one of their bags! So great, so colorful and SO perfect for summer!

This is one of the most fashionable companies I've seen in a LONG time! Check it out and put your own look together. . . 

Have you fallen in love yet like I have???

~XOXO~