What I Wore Wednesday

For the first time in months, I am linking up with The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday!

I started a new semester of school last week, and with Mark and I having the worst cold (or was the flu?  I never threw up) of our lives, I have been overwhelmed.  But,  I did manage to get myself out of pajamas and into my new jeans, which are a size smaller than the last ones I bought, thank you very much.  I have lost ten pounds this month, and over the last four years, I have slowly (very slowly) lost twenty-five pounds.  I'm hoping to speed up the process a bit!

So, I was happy about my smaller jeans that I wore them like three times this week, and took pictures of two of my outfits. Honestly, I'm really not happy with these outfits, my lack of accessories, my boring hair, and...I don't know everything.  Can you tell I'm having a tough week?  And you can totally see the outside of our fixer-upper which will be painted as soon the weather heats up a little.  It's looking pretty shabby, too!

All my clothes (and shoes!) are from Target.  Real original, huh?

More stripes and another cardi from Target.  I so need to spice up my current wardrobe!

Okay, this has kind of depressed me.

What happened to this?

Or this?

                              

Or, most importantly, this?

            

I need to get back to my fashion-loving self. I miss having fun with clothing.

And I miss those goats.

Sketchbook Drawing #1

I figured I'd start sharing some of my little sketches with you guys.  I sketched for hours last night, and these ladies were some of my favorites. I am so happy that I am taking two drawing classes this semester, I have never, EVER had a class in drawing.  I've picked a few meager skills along the way, but I know I am going to get so much better.

A New Favorite Place

During winter break from school, I spent a lot of time working as a docent at the Art Center here in town.  It is a non-profit organization that facilitates art classes, runs a professional gallery and gift shop and basically helps to support the arts and artists locally.

I worked about 20 hours a week, working in the gallery and gift shop, answering phones, greeting guests...I was often the only one there and I learned it all.  It was an eye opening experience and I learned so much about the local art community.  I met so many amazing artists and saw just how difficult it can be to make any money as an artist, even if your skills are outstanding.

The art center is in a refurbished train depot that is right next to the still active railroad tracks.  A few times a day, a train would come roaring through town and the whole building would rattle and shake.  It was so cool. A few years ago, the art center raised enough money to add a coffee shop, in the form of a refurbished rail car.  I had known that this place existed, but for some reason, I didn't go in until I was working at the art center.

Liam is obsessed with trains right now (choo-choo!) and we brought the kids here to show them the rail car.  We have been back three times as a family, and we just love it.  The atmosphere is so relaxing, very hipster-ish but still family friendly.  And it is just so local.  And the coffee is easily the best I have ever had.  Truly.  And the guy who makes our coffee has the best hipster 'stache I have seen in a while. Bonus!

I love how cozy and fun it is in here!

They converted some of the train seats to awesome, large booths that are perfect for our family.

Such a great way to start our day.  These are the moments I treasure.

Figure Drawing

is awesome.

And awkward.

But, mostly awesome.  

I did freak out a bit when the model disrobed.  I was like, "Penis in the room!  PENIS in the room!"  

But, then I got to work. That was not supposed to sound dirty...but I think it did.

It was a totally strange experience to have a pretty attractive naked man standing on a table in front of a room of people. Just strange.

But, cool.

There's a front view, too.  But, I don't think I'll sacrifice my family friendly status on this blog in order to post some badly drawn genitals that don't even do the poor guy justice.

I probably seem so immature for fixating on the nudity in this class. Sorry, I just can't help it.  I'll get comfortable with the whole thing, it just might take a while.  Overall, I think it's such a great experience and there is something so beautiful about someone just being so real, open and raw.

How would this kind of situation make you feel?  Would it be no big deal or would you be uncomfortable?

Spring Semester

Well, this week has been fun.

Could you sense my sarcasm?

We had plans to go to the Bay area, and visit with both my sister and her family and Mark's brother and sister in law this weekend.  We were going to leave on Friday and come back today.  On Thursday night, I started feeling really weird and I couldn't figure out what was going on. Then I realized I was getting sick.  

I have had a fever ranging from 101 degrees to 102.5 all weekend.  My body has been so sore that it hurts to move or  even stay in the same position for too long. I have no appetite, but I have not thrown up.  I have been sweating, with chills.  It is literally the sickest I have ever been.  I will definitely be going to the doctor tomorrow if I don't feel better

So, of course we cancelled our trip.  I really thought I would get better in a day or two, but I am still really uncomfortable and...just sick.

The spring semester starts tomorrow.  My classes don't start until Tuesday, but Mark has school tomorrow.  It will be his first day of school at the state university here.  In three years, he will have his Bachelor's and Masters in Computer Science.  He's taking all these crazy sounding classes, like "Discreet Math", "Human Genetics" and "Algorithms and Data Structures" and one other one.  My schedule consists of Drawing, Figure Drawing, Painting and Intermediate Algebra.  Pretty different, right?  

Our strengths and interests vary in some ways, but we actually have so much in common.  Even though we are opposites academically, we both desire to be people that create something new and unique.  We both appreciate and seek out beauty in life.  We love the quirky, the emotional, the corny, the larger-than-life, moments that make your feel like you are part of such a bigger picture.  We're silly, we're loud and I would definitely say that we love to have fun.  We love to dance, we love to play games and we rarely ever worry about how we look.  But enough about us.  

Speaking of my schedule (I was talking about school before I went off on that whole "my husband and I are just so unique and super cool" tangent, wasn't I?),  I am pretty excited about taking three studio classes this semester.  I'm taking figure drawing for the first time, and that means live models.  Live NUDE models.  Would I sound too pervy if I said I am really excited?  I just think it's going to be an amazing experience, and definitely something new.  I think the opportunity to draw from life, and actually get to see all the lines of a human body is such a great opportunity to expand as an artist.  I'll let you all know what it's like- I had a friend that took figure drawing last year, and one of the male models FAINTED during the class, while he was totally naked.  I felt so bad for the poor guy! I hope my class is nice and boring.

Liam at Two

Dear Liam,

You turned two years old a month ago. This letter is late, but better late than never, right? I know it's cliche, but I can't believe how quickly your baby-hood went.    

You are funny, smart, loving, silly, loud, curious, rough and tumble and just a joy to be around.

You love trains (choo-choo!), your bee pillow pet, The Doodlebops, animals, being in the bath, playing outside and toy cars of every shape and size.

You are talking so much, and you say the sweetest, funniest things.

You're still a snuggler and a cuddler, and for that, I am so grateful.  You love new foods, and are still a great eater.  You're still wearing 18 month clothing, and you are just so slim.  More than one person has called you "Benjamin Button" because you just look and act like the cutest old man in the world.  We love your long hair because it just suits you so well!

Liam, you are so precious to me. You make me feel loved and special every day of my life.  I love you and just adore every moment of being your mommy!

Geek Chic Bedroom Part 1

I love our new bedroom!  I always feel so good in it because I feel so me in it.  This room celebrates all the nerdy things we love in our life.

 Mustard chevron duvet cover and dust covers- Urban Outfitters

Birds on a wire picture holders- Urban Outfitters

Star Wars Print-Modern Stylographer

Yoda Plush- Target

Table Cloth- I made this from a vintage pillow case

Heart cloth Scupture- I made this, too!  One of my favorite things!

Owl Clock- Target

Wind up alarm clock- Urban Outfitters

Captain Picard print- Yes, we both enjoy waking up to Patrick Stewart every morning.  Cut it Out Art

Our BASIC (a computer programming language) print was made by The Wallaroo

My vanity

I've had this vanity my whole life, and painted it white about ten years ago.  It has been the one piece of furniture that goes everywhere I do.  We had the vintage microscope and glass jar before we moved.  I made the newspaper flower garland and the fabric flowers.

My Richie Tenebaum print is from Nan Lawson

My Dr. Manhattan print (from The Watchmen) was made by Hen-N-Chicks

This Harry Potter text print is also from Modern Stylographer.

Thanks for checking this out, and stay tuned for more home decor posts!

The Lost Camera

has been replaced!

My dad is amazing and he surprised me by giving me his camera that had been sitting new in the box for almost a year.

I can't tell you how grateful and happy I am.

I can't wait for tomorrow morning, when I can take some pictures of the new house with natural light.  And I'm going to do an outfit post for WIWW, too!

I'm back in the game!!

And in more great news, Maggie was chosen out of a lottery to go to our first choice charter school!!  It is amazing news for her and our family, as it is a great school and the waiting list has hundreds on names on it.  And now Liam will automatically get in, too.  I cannot believe my baby is entering kindergarten in the fall, but going to this school softens the blow.

I cannot wait to show you all the fun things that have been going on around here!

The Lost Camera

is sadly still lost.


It has been M.I.A. since mid-November.  I remember the last day I saw it, it was the day we had all the flooring installed in the house.  I have been half-heartedly looking for it since then, just hoping to find it in a bow or tucked away.  I spent hours today looking for it, and no luck.  I guess it's really gone.  It's been pretty much impossible to blog without having a camera.  Which means...


I'm on the hunt for a new camera.  My last one was a Canon PowerShot SX30, and I loved it.  It was around $375 when I bought it last year, making it the nicest and most expensive camera I had ever owned.  I guess I need to buy a cheaper one, though.  Maybe in the $200 range?  Any suggestions?


I'm sad.  I want to share my new house and my new life.  Hopefully I will be able to get a new one soon.

Hello!

I never know how to start a post after a huge absence.

How about this?

Life is pretty fantastic.  Things are very different for myself and my family right now because...I have a job.  WELL, I have an intership during the winter break at an art gallery.  I have been working here for a little more than two weeks, and I have two more weeks until school starts.

I love our house, although there is still so much work to do.  I have been totally, completely bummed out by the loss of my camera and that kind of has make totally unmotivated to blog. We have about 10 more boxes in storage, and I need to look through there.

Liam turned two in December!  We had a little birthday party at our new house and it was so perfect. 

I miss this blog, and all of your wonderful readers...wait, is anyone left?  If you are, thanks.  And sorry for disappearing.  I can't promise I won't do it again.  I like to keep you all on your toes.

Seriously, I do plan on getting back into the swing of things. When school starts, I'll start What I Wore Wednesday again.  I really want to update my 30 before 30, finally reveal the house remodel, and talk about what I've been doing with my art.