I've been in the arts and crafts mood lately. Though I have yet to finish a project (or really start one), I sure love buying the materials.
My next aspiration is to make stockings replicating this one I saw on Etsy. Christmas will be too tight of deadline for my wandering attention to complete four of them (yes, my kitties will each have one), because first I need to learn to sew better (this includes threading the bobbin correctly). I'm sensing my mom will be getting more than one "PLEASE HELP" phone calls before they are hanging (should I even venture to guess... in two years?).
For a multitude of moods and "just because" occasions, Sofia Mini is a single—serving of our effervescent Blanc de Blancs. Zesty, refreshing, cool and fun, each dazzling pink can comes with its own straw for sipping, so you can take it anywhere—anytime you feel like sparkling.
Sofia Mini tastes a little like fresh juicy pears, a little like summer melon, a little like refreshing citrus and honeysuckle. It has a little zest, a little spritz, perhaps a little glitz. It tastes a little bit... bigger. Available in a metallic hexagon 4-pack box ($10-12) or sold individually.
Maybe I can finally kick my diet soda addiction by substituting bubbles?!
Look no further than {re} design by Zoe Samczyk. Zoe offers personalized organizational and restyling services for your home and self. Her blog is full of great inspiration and ideas for all your organizing and decorating wants and needs. I even heard an etsy shop is in the works!
Bringing a fresh and innovative eye to every project, (RE)DESIGN is committed to creating attractive and functional spaces utilizing existing furnishings. Home is the most important place on earth, and we are hoping to help make yours everything you want it to be.
After a year of begging for a kitty, Chris and I finally drove out to the local Animal Shelter to scout out the prospects. We were ushered into the cat room where 15 kittens and a handful of older cats were kept. After holding all the kittens while discussing their pros and cons like a college thesis, Chris gave me an ultimatum and we eventually choose a female tabby cat. We named her Ramona.
Ramona is a firecracker that loves to pounce on my fingers while I type, chase her tale for hours, and climb up Chris' pant legs.
But, she also loves to cuddle, which makes me melt.
After two days of working, I felt horrible leaving Ramona home alone, so I caved and went back to adopt one of her siblings. We named her Tula. Pictures don't do Tula justice, because you can't tell how much of a fur-ball she is.
Her back side is so adorable.
Two cats is really better than one. They play together so well, groom each other and leave me alone for just long enough to blog.
I've always had an affinity for converted industrial spaces. This brewery turned residence in Berlin's Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood is no exception. Though styled a bit modern for my preference, the building's integrity stays completely in tack and I love the warmth and character of the exposed brick. Take a look inside this vast one-bedroom apartment that was once the ice machine room.
Designer Essicka Kimberly turned into a livable home. “I was inspired by the challenge of preserving the place’s un-domestic scale,” she said.
Drapes section off the entire upstairs to avoid a boxy feel.
Searching for rental houses in Southern Oregon has not been an easy feat. Down here I've found there are code names for rental house listings on Craigslist or property management company's sites that I thought I would share for entertainment and educational purposes:
Cottage- Tiny, shack that may or may not be attached to a home, but is for sure a dump
Updated- The shag was replaced within the last five years with dark brown carpet, but there is still floor-to-ceiling wood panelling
Quaint- No style or architectural design what-so-ever and usual has been preserved in the 70s era
Cute- All the glass is still intact in the windows, but we cannot promise there is paint on the exterior
Inexpensive- Still shockingly spendier than Portland
Duplex- Yes, the people next door are crazy, loud, and wave Confederate flags
Freshly Painted- We had to in order to cover up the water spots on the ceiling
Great Neighborhood- Anywhere that is not West Medford
Quiet Neighborhood- Anywhere that is not West Medford
Close to Shopping-Close to Wal-Mart or the Dollar Tree
Country Living- There is no way you are getting internet out here, not even Hughes Net
As long as your listing does not contain one of more of these, you may be in luck and have found a suitable shelter. I think we might have :)
There are few things I love more than cute accessories and I am so delighted of this new discovery in Southern Oregon.
I recently attended an Open House for Wreckless Photography and during the event I scouted out some adorable hair pieces made by Diana of Lady Like Designs.
Right now she has 21 variations on her Etsy site and I must admit I want to splurge on all of them. But, here is the one I settled on first. A romantic dusty rose colored design with antiqued leather and an elegantly knitted flower.
Many of Diana's designs incorporate fun unexpected color combinations and feathers. All fasten to your hair snugly with a metal clip or pin.
I also heard a rumor hand warmers in the the making... perfect for the upcoming seasons.
Photography by Kristy Behrs of Wreckless Photography who has new big accomplishments of her own like opening a beautiful natural light studio in a historic building in downtown Grants Pass (pictured). This airy space is going to be an amazing setting to her talented eye.
"The blueprint for our future, cancer, is a bio-code gone wrong, and it's delighted by what we do to feed it." - The Beautiful Truth
Last night I watched an eye-opening documentary called The Beautiful Truth (thanks to Netflix), which centers around the Gerson Therapy of healing your body through natural foods. The film discusses many food-related topics such as MSG, aspartame, mercury used in dental practices, genetically-modified foods, and fluoride additions to water supplies that are all legal and all carcinogens.
MSG is marketed as a flavor enhancer and added to more processed foods than you'd like to hear. It has been studied numerously with results indicating it causes brain damage, endocrine disorders, retinal degeneration, behavior disorders, learning disabilities, reproductive disorders, obesity and more. Notice MSG isn't labeled on our foods? There is an organization combatting that problem, Truth in Labeling.
The dangers of aspartame poisoning have been a well guarded secret since the 1980s. Aspartame is a true toxin. No other food can be provided as a comparison to the toxic nature of NutraSweet. Upon closer examination, the available research revealed that the manufacturer (Monsanto) and the FDA are manipulating the public into thinking that aspartame is safe. It is not. There are over 92 different health side effects association with aspartame consumption. Watching this segment almost made me throw-up considering I am a huge Diet Coke addict- I'm switching to home-brewed iced tea, which will also lower my carbon-footprint of plastic bottles. It will not be easy, but it will be worth it.
There are over 1,000 tons of mercury in American's mouths thanks to the American Dental Association. Mercury is the most poisonous non-radioactive metal and it was used as fillings. Although it is not currently in use, it is not being removed either. It has been proven that dental hygienists suffer from very high rates of infertility. It is scary to think that the air quality at the dentist office could be toxic with mercury and not regulated.
Isn't it crazy that large pesticide/herbicide companies now control a majority of food supply? Well, to clarify, processed food supply. Monsanto and ConAgra are just two of the companies that are monopolizing seeds through patents (which should be illegal) and genetically altering non-toxic foods into becoming toxic. Corn, soy and cotton are among the most genetically-modified crops.
A doctor researched dental hygiene among native cultures and found no cases of tooth-decay until the cultures were exposed to processed foods like refined sugar and white flour. We now add fluoride to our water supplies, yet ingested fluoride has never proven to prevent cavities, only topical fluoride. Cities like Juneau, Alaska are now repealing the practice.
It was an eerie feeling watching and learning that our food is contaminated to the point it is killing us. I have seen it before in documentaries like Food, Inc., but I have never seen it compared to disease this significantly. I understand it is a documentary making a point, but the point is evident everywhere. The cure for many of our most-threatening illnesses is to mindfully eat sustainably/organic/non-toxic foods. There is simply to much money to be made by the food and drug corporations and to too much money used to steer politicians into not taking action. It is horrifying to think about.
At times I get anxiety going to the grocery store because it seems like there is nothing to eat. It's not true, it just takes more preparation, awareness, and sadly, money, to find. It helps to shop at a farmers' markets or stores that focus on natural and organic options. Our mindsets have to change from quick and ready to slow and thoughtful food decisions. There are many useful sites to find a farmers' market near you, like Local Harvest.
The Beautiful Truth left with a message of hope. There are solutions and cures already available, we just have to use them.
I'll leave you with the trailer to the movie. It would be a wise-spent hour and a half:
I am in an impressionable transition period this summer.
I graduated.
I moved to Portland.
On more than one occasion I have looked into getting a cat, an Old English Sheep Dog, an ancient RV, a plane ticket to anywhere for under $200, a plot at a community garden, a pool membership (even though I can't swim), and an historic farm house in the middle of nowhere Oregon.
I've learn to not despise the 7 a.m. hour.
I've gone on vacation, but I still feel that itch for a vacation.
I thought I knew what I wanted a career in, but now I don't.
I studied, but not enough, for a sommelier exam that I take soon, but now I find I despise memorizing things. Isn't that what Google is for?
My ENTP really seems to be shining- Innovative, neglectful to prepare, and moves quickly to the next challenge when things get boring.
I watched all five seasons of Weeds (in about 5 days) and fell in love with Nancy Botwin's character. I think we'd be best friends. And we drink similar quantities of Diet Coke when stressed.
I have realized I hate confrontation, phone calls, grocery shopping and checking bank statements.
I have become a firm believer in astrology- really. Aquarius with Libra rising confirms my ways.
I had a psychic do a reading and she said I would go to culinary school and someday own a restaurant. I can see the ownership thing, but cooking? More than eggs and microwavable burritos? Cool.
Look at all these questions, confusions and realizations. I think I need a road trip.
Waking up at 3:45 a.m. to get to the launch site on time was beyond worth it...
Thats Chris helping inflate the balloon with 225,000 lbs. of air. Isn't that blow torch insane?
Then all 10 of us climbed into the ballon and off we went. That morning three balloons launched, so these pictures are of our neighboring balloons. We got up to about 1,000-1,2000 feet high. I learned that hot air balloon pilots actually have to have a full pilots license.
We flew over beautiful wine country and the Willamette River. We even got to do a "splash and dash," where our balloon touched the river.
What an incredible way to start the day and our vacation! We flew with Vista Balloon Adventures of Newberg and I would highly recommend them. The company is run by the very passionate Roger and Catherine (waking up that early four months out of the year takes a lot of passion). Plus when you land they have a fantastic brunch waiting for you. They typically fly May-October, weather permitting.
This is going to become more than a once in a lifetime thing!
I just finishing watching No Impact Man and I am ready to give up electricity and toilet paper. Well... maybe not, but I did get some great ideas to apply to my life like further reduction of my plastic use and homemade cleaning products.
I started reading Colin's blog and I'll probably get around to reading his book soon too. But, I thought this post he wrote on March 10, 2010 was beautiful, inspiring, optimistic, and true. It seems fitting to post it on Independence Day- lets break-free.
6. Jobs are paramount but we should work to make our planetary home better not worse.
7. The concept of zero sum game is for people with zero sum brains.
8. There is a better, happier system out there.
9. If thine eyes (or thine economic system) offends thee, pluck them (or it) out.
10. It’s not about having less. It’s about having more. The question is: more of what?
11. There is dis-ease in our culture. People yearn for something better.
12. People are trustworthy and altruistic and good and will do the right thing if you let them.
13. This does not deny the fact that normal people act abnormally in abnormal situations.
14. Love and good company, the chance to be of service and to matter, connection to something bigger, the use of our most prized talents—these things make most people happier than stuff.
15. Being responsible for the world is not a burden. It is freedom from victimhood!
16. My happiness cannot be complete unless you are happy, too.
The other day I was getting an oil change and disgust came over me when the guy started reading the "recommended" services. Yeah, yeah, yeah- I know my transmission fluid is black instead of pink, my air filter is full, my radiator needs coolant- but I'd rather buy a new dress than spend money on car maintenance.
Then I got empowered! How hard can these things REALLY be? Sure, I have never opened the hood of my car. But, isn't that what YouTube videos are for? I searched for a video on how to change my transmission fluid and found a step-by-step tutorial (I love social media), then I recruited two boys, and simple enough... we did it... and it only took 10 minutes! Not only did I save $120, but I yelped "girl power" during the process.
I'm officially done with college today! After 5 years and 3 schools, I finally did it. It is bittersweet, because no matter how much I complained or how many classes I skipped, I enjoyed being a student.
I will be graduating with a Bachelor's of Science in Business Entrepreneurship from Oregon State University.
My boyfriend Chris is also graduating from winemaking school this weekend. So, I have double reason to celebrate:
Yesterday Chris and I went to the Portland Waterfront go see Kooza by Cirque du Soleil. It was a mind-blowing performance of acrobatics. The standout set for me was of three girls that bent and tangled in ways I didn't know the human body could move- I think they had vertebrates removed.
This morning when I checked out the website to find a picture of the gumby-girls I saw a tab for job opportunities. Now the idea is planted in my head to join the traveling cirque... Maybe the hula hoop lady could take me as an apprentice?
We caught the afternoon showing just-in-time to make happy hour at Oba! in The Pearl. What is better than fish tacos and blood orange margaritas on a warm Spring day? ... I can't think of much.
You're probably not shocked at this point that I have a new project! But, I am excited to bring it on... and I do enjoy a full plate!
I have a new site http://christinecollier.com focusing on my life of wine. Right now since all my free time is consumed in studying for my upcoming Sommelier exam, most of the posts will be sharing my newly gained wine knowledge with you.
The new site is definitely in its infancy, so bare with me on design and learning wordpress.org.
My work is hosting this contest and I wanted to make sure everyone knew about it!
Back by popular demand, Willamette Valley Vineyards is giving you the opportunity to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Oregon! We’re asking Pinot Noir lovers from around the country to tell us, in about 100 words, what they love about Oregon Pinot Noir. Our staff at the winery, from all departments, will choose their favorite entry and the winner will enjoy 4 days and 3 nights in the heart of Oregon wine country. Your trip will include great meals, great adventures, and of course, great wine.
Our Saturday project was to "de-ghettofy" our wine collection. Our original idea was to buy a standard metal rack, but they all seemed so sterile (our bottles deserved more). We came across these simple pine wine racks at Cost Plus World Market and figured a little "do-it-yourself" wouldn't hurt us.
Pencils and paper are packed! Wish me luck as I am traveling up to Seattle this weekend for my first Court of Master Sommelier exam. I will be spending two full days (8 a.m.- 5 p.m.) learning about wine and wine service and then take a 70-question exam on Monday.
About the Court of Master Sommeliers: Established in 1977 to promote excellence in hotel and restaurant beverage service. Though its members worldwide come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, they share a proven mastery of the art, science, and history that informs a sommelier's work.
- Caved into cravings and ate margarita pizza at 10:30 a.m.
- Organized my room while listening to a new iTunes playlist then reverted to some Fiona Apple
- Went on a Target shopping spree buying every hygiene/cosmetic item I swear I can't live without (and a few cute tanks)
- Indulged in more salty carbs
- Watched two indie romance movies (Peter and Vandy is good... other one was...meh)
- Drank more Diet Coke than water
- Took a cat nap in the afternoon sun
- Didn't answer my phone
- Promised myself I'd workout, but didn't feel guilty that I never got around to it
- Fought off temptations to go rescue a cat
- Browsed Etsy
And I did it all with unwashed hair and no makeup.... today was all I could have ever asked for :)
This weekend was the epitome of spontaneity and that means many blog posts are coming out of it.
On Friday we pulled up the schedule for the Ashland Independent Film Festival, saw a 12 o'clock showing, got in the car making it just in time to be let into the Varsity Theater to see Obselidia.
Synopsis: Believing he's the last door-to-door encyclopedia salesman in the world, George decides to write The Obselidia, a compendium of obsolete things. George believes that love, among other things, is obsolete. In his quest to document nearly extinct occupations, he befriends Sophie, a beautiful cinema projectionist who works at a silent movie theater. Sophie believe that nothing is obsolete as long as someone loves it. When they interview a reclusive scientist who predicts 80 percent of the world's population will be obliterated by irreversible climate change by the year 2100, the two must fact the question, if the world is going to disappear tomorrow, how are we going to live today?
I couldn't have written anything I agree with more than this review from Variety, "From the striking title cards to the beautifully composed visuals and unusual collected items that litter the protagonist's home, Obselidia has the look of a hand-crafted piece, something meticulously sculpted or painted in an artist's studio."
After the showing, Diane Bell, writer and first time director, got up in front of the audience for Q&A. Previously a yoga instructor in Barcelona, Diane moved to Los Angeles to pursue writing. After feeling dissatisfied writing Hollywood horror movies, Diane started working on Obselidia with inspiration from encyclopedias and climate change. Filmed in 17 days, on an extremely low budget of $500,000, and casting literally off the LA street, Obselidia was a Sundance Film Festival selection. This showing in Ashland is only the second festival the movie has been involved in, but plans to participate in film festivals in Texas, Florida, and in Diane's home of Edinburgh, Scotland are next up for the indie film. Hopefully the film gets picked up so more can enjoy its message, but if not, Diane and her husband, Chris Bryne, talked about taking the film a more viral route.
While leaving the theater, a woman asked me what movie I saw and I responded with my favorable recommendation of Obselidia and how impressed I was with my first visit to the film festival. She too saw the film and said it was movies like that which bring her back year after year to the Ashland Independent Film Festival. Next year, attending the film festival will not be a spontaneous event in my Friday, but rather a planned out trip to catch as many wonderful films as I can.
Obselidiawill have one last showing at the festival tonight at 6 p.m. I cannot urge you enough to go see it. For more information go to http://www.ashlandfilm.org/.
If you miss its last showing tonight, or want to follow Obselidia success, join the facebook fan page.
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