New York, New York!

In my twenty-four years of life, I have hardly traveled. It's a bit embarrassing how few places I have been, in fact. I have never left the country (crossing the border from Maine into Canada for an hour doesn't count), and I have visited only a handful of states (mostly in the Northeast). What a sad story!

Perhaps this is why I am so unbelievably excited about heading to New York City on Thursday! My mother and I are flying to The Big Apple for a long weekend of theatre, site seeing, shopping and food. We are staying right in Manhattan, within walking distance of the bright lights on Broadway where we will see THREE shows!

We will probably squeeze in a few touristy things, since I have never been to the city and I am a bit of a nerd like that. However, I am really excited to do some shopping (and people watching) at some of the local boutiques.

I hope to capture some images of my adventures to share when I return on Monday. New York, here I come!

Feeling Out of Sorts

Do you ever have one of those days where you just don't feel like yourself; when something isn't quite as it usually is?

Right now I am going through some really big transitions that are raising some even bigger questions. Is my new job the right fit, and will I be fulfilled? Should I take some of the bigger risks I have been contemplating in recent months? Am I happy where I am right now, or do I need to make some changes?

Sometimes it's just hard to feel normal when you are experiencing so many transitions all at once. Some days it can be difficult to find yourself in the chaos; you look in the mirror and can't help but think it's an impostor staring back at you!

However, tomorrow is always a new day. Hopefully I will wake up with renewed focus and optimism..

Do you ever feel like a disguised version of yourself? How do you push through these confusing times? I would love to hear!

{image from we heart it}

Cute Etsy Find: Pretty Random Objects

How endlessly adorable are these planters from pretty random objects? I would love to get one of these for my new office at work. These little lovelies would surely add a light-hearted tone to the space.

On an unrelated note, I just purchased a scanner! I am looking forward to having much better quality uploads of my art projects to share with you! It has been a bit of a nightmare shooting my projects with a digital camera..

Summer Scene

Nothing says summer to me like this photograph from bomobob. It's impossible not to smile when you see an image like this. I immediately think of cotton candy, craft tables and freshly squeezed lemonade!

Little Lovelies

Don't you find it interesting how you can become so immediately attached to an object? Every once in a while I will stumble upon something that I absolutely must have; I feel an irrational need to acquire it as soon as humanly possible.

I found these gorgeous vintage earrings on Etsy, and I just knew I HAD to have them. I rarely wear earrings, but I was convinced that these would change my ways. I snatched up the mint version about a month ago. The seller, michvanetta, was impossibly sweet and the earrings were everything I had hoped for. I wore them daily for several weeks. I bought the canary pair about a week ago and just received them in the mail! I have been rotating between these little lovelies and the yellow pom earrings I made a few months ago.

Sometimes you just know when it's meant to be...

Introductions and Happy Birthdays

Today was my first day as a new professional! Introductions were made, pleasantries were exchanged, and I was provided with enough information to sufficiently overwhelm me. Everyone I met was lovely; I couldn't have asked for a better first day. I am exhausted, though. Adjusting to the demands of a 9-to-5 is going to be difficult for me, I think. Life as a student is pretty ideal; you make your own study schedule and you are required to focus for only a couple of hours at a time while in lecture. I will miss that.

Tonight I finished this little piece I am calling "Megan". The illustration is a birthday gift for my good friend with the same name. She is the sunniest person I have ever met, and I think this piece captures her bubbly personality well. 

New Doodle: Phoebe

My beau and I have a tradition of sorts. Every weekday at five-o-clock, one of the local television stations plays two episodes of FRIENDS. Quite often I try to time dinner so that it's ready by the opening credits. We sit down to dinner and watch while we eat. Even though the series has been over for several years, and we have seen every episode more than once, we still enjoy watching and laughing while we dine and discuss the events of the day.

If you are familiar with the show, then you are aware of Phoebe's talent for writing folksy songs with awkward lyrics (e.g. Sticky Shoes). So, I decided to call this little piece Phoebe in honor of the wonderfully quirky FRIENDS character!

Happy Weekend!

What are your plans for the weekend? A. and I really look forward to this weekend every year because the Maine Special Olympics are in town! We attend to support A's sister Tabitha, and to experience the wonderful atmosphere that is so unique to this event.

If you have never been, I strongly encourage you to attend. The Special Olympics are unlike any other event. Although the weekend is devoted to competition, there is a spirit of support, friendship and sportsmanship that cannot be found anywhere else. We can all learn so much from these great Olympians.

The event is truly amazing, and we are looking forward to enjoying the wonderful weather while we show our support.

Dreamy Designs: N.E.E.T Magazine

How whimsical and lovely are these photographs from the latest edition of N.E.E.T magazine? I just discovered this FREE quarterly, web-based periodical and I adore it. What's not to love about a magazine that celebrates grassroots creativity, featuring the work of home crafters and newly minted designers alike?

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Today I was offered my first post-grad professional position! I just finished writing my formal acceptance letter, and it feels great! Although the position isn't in my field, the work should be interesting enough, and I am excited about making the transition from student to professional. I have really enjoyed some time off, but the fact of the matter is that life happens, and there are bills to pay.

What my short period of unemployment has shown me is that my creative interests and other hobbies are really important to me. I plan to keep drawing, crafting and otherwise creating. I am starting to learn a new language. I have always wanted to try yoga or Pilates, and now I feel as though I have the time to do so.

I see this period of my life as time of transition. The next year or so is going to bring with it a lot of changes for A. and I (more on this later), and this summer really marks the beginning of a new adventure for us. Right now is an exciting, scary and uncertain time for us. We don't know where we will be a year from now, and that is OK.

{image via}

Summer Table

This is my first try using oil pastels (not including art class creations from childhood). This is what I wish was on my table right now. It's a goal of mine to start picking up fresh flowers for my apartment each week. They can really enliven an indoor space, and the summer is the perfect time to bring the outside in!

La Langue Française

My beau A. and I have been together for about six and a half years. We began dating when we were only seventeen, so in a lot of ways we have grown up together. We have deeply influenced each other, and the adults we have become.

Because we have been together for so long, it feels like we know everything about one another. As a fun little experiment, each week I have been sharing one thing about myself that A. does not know. In return, A. has told me something new about himself. It has been a bit difficult, but the results have led to some wonderful discussions and an even deeper feeling of closeness between the two of us. The process has really helped me to be honest with myself and what I want out of life, which has been another surprising, positive effect.

The other night, I had a thought that really surprised me. My "plan" for the past few years was to receive my Masters and work for a year while I applied to PhD programs. Since receiving my MA, I haven't as yet had the urge to continue my formal education.

I have, interestingly, become very interested in learning another language. I have always wanted to learn French, but recently I have become much more serious about pursuing this goal. In fact, in this moment, if I had to choose between mastering French or receiving my PhD, I would choose the former. I never would have expected this of myself.

I shared this new-found perspective with A., and he smiled a little. He knew I wanted to learn French, because he does also. The fact that I was now considering this goal even more seriously than a PhD was new information. He left the room and returned with a little box. He told me that what he had was a CD drive to install Rosetta Stone on his computer so we could begin learning French. He was going to surprise me with it, but thought that moment was the best time to share the news!

I am so excited to begin the process. I love a new challenge, and this is a great goal for my beau and I to work toward together.

Have you learned a language as an adult? I would love to hear any suggestions you have!

{image via}

Save Jake, Buy An Apron

As a pet owner, this cause really touched me. The Apron Campaign is an effort by a talented seamstress named Anna to raise enough money to finance the necessary medical treatments for her companion Jake (pictured), who was recently diagnosed with mast cell cancer.  

Jake was rescued from the San Diego Humane Society as a puppy, and has remained Anna's loyal companion for the past four years. 

It only costs $20, and you will receive a lovely apron (also pictured), sewn by Anna in the pattern of your choice. Donating to save this pup's life, and receiving a handcrafted gift in return? What more can you ask for? I just placed my order!

Anna has almost reached her goal for Jake's surgery. Show your support, and let's make it happen!

{found via sfgirlbybay}

Read It: The Sound of Waves

This summer I am trying to get back into the habit of reading ... actual books. I forgot how enjoyable it can be getting comfortable on the couch with a nice beverage and a book!

I really wanted to find a book that had a great story, but wasn't too overwhelmingly long or inaccessible. I wanted a book that would welcome me back to the world of reading nicely, not knock me over the head with difficult language and complex metaphors.

I consulted A., my incredibly well-read beau, for advice. He immediately pulled this book by Yukio Mishima from his vast collection and encouraged me to read it.

This story is a wonderful story about young love. If you are looking for a light summer read, I urge you to give this book a try. It's short and simple, but absolutely fantastic. If you are like me and want to get back into the habit of reading, this is a great place to start!

Poppies and Summer Weekends

Happy Friday! The weekend is finally here, which for me means spending some time with A., a bit of shopping in preparation for an upcoming long weekend in NYC (!), and getting a few home projects done that I have been meaning to get to. 

I thought I would share a little doodle I did recently of some poppies, because it's summer, and poppies are pretty!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Bold Choices

How fantastic is this bathroom? I love to see decor that makes a big statement, without taking itself too seriously. As a renter, I have to live vicariously through the design choices adventurous homeowners. I am stuck with boring white walls. One day, one day...

{via modern antique}