Haircuts equal Love

I love my new haircut.  Lesson learned- don't be scared of change.

Glee

I can't help it.  I am becoming a cliche, youtube-posting blogger.  But, I just saw the trailer for this new show and it was so cute.  It's called Glee, which is one of my favorite words.  I have a fear of watching too much TV.  I don't own one on purpose and I have to addicted to a show in order to watch it on a regular basis.  This might be one of those shows.  

JT is funny.

His Bottle Return Could Pay My Rent

I have a class with a boy that is addicted to caffeine.  Now, that might seem like a pretty common addiction, but his is to the point of a disease I like to call Caffeinism.  During class on a given day he will walk in with a mocha and two bottles of soda- Mountain Dew and Dr. Pepper.  He will fully consume all three drinks in a 1 hour and 50 minute class session.  I once congratulated him on the feat of never having to leave class to use the bathroom.  He convulsively shook his head.  Last class we took our Midterm exam.  He walked in the classroom and proceeded to pull out 8, thats right, 8 caffeinated beverages!  Not to mention the sugar intake!  I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT!  The kid did comment that "moderate consumption of caffeine is good for your heart like red wine is."  Hmmm... I don't see his logic, because that is not moderation!  The instructor couldn't contain his amusement and obviously either could I.  I laughed for a good five minutes until my stomach ached.  I had to take pictures.  Camera phones must have been invented for the purpose of capturing this moment:

The test took 45 minutes.  He shook and twitched like a mad man.  I don't even know how he could fill in the scantron bubbles with the state he was in.  He drank 4.5 of those drinks.  Yes, I had to sit there and watch.  I hardly even focused to the test.  This was a much more pertinent matter!  He then systematically put the remainders in his bag and fluttered out.  Wow, Impressive.  Great cheap comedy!

Bangs.

After 11 years... I'm taking the plunge and getting bangs!  I think I want them to look like these lovely examples:

My haircut isn't until Thursday and I am a little nervous.  But, hair grows.  Anyone have advice on bangs?!

Bikini Boot Camp

I started my "Bikini Boot Camp" class this morning.  Ha, I just love the title.  It is a 5 week intensive workout at 6 a.m. every weekday.  Then I go back and do my normal body sculpting class at 9 a.m.  Loved it.  The instructor is awesome and I surprisingly didn't mind waking up that early to go move around.  I am fearing Friday's class though because we are running the college's parking structure for an hour.  Doesn't that sound crazy?!  Stairs, sprints, incline!! But, it will get me in great shape for all those hikes I want to go on this summer.  No huffing and puffing- ever!

My FAV UO's

My favorite clothing and decor picks for spring from Urban Outfitters:

Devastatingly Beautiful

I am in a daze looking at this Christian Schoeler painting. I have never seen his work before, but after further googling I found he is known for his contemporary fashion paintings.

I just read a whole interview of his here. He is a very intriguing artist (but, aren't they all?!). I love how he describes his artistic style:
Ecstasy and loss. Adolescence and Vulnerability. Beauty and decadence. Devastatingly beautiful, intimate watercolor or oil paintings that share as much with contemporary fashion photography as they do with pre-photography portraiture. A “style” and approach that is perhaps unfashionable relative to the contemporary art ’scene’, but arguably timelessly fashionable.

Model as Muse. If I was a celebrity...

If I was a celebrity and my job of the day was to walk the red carpet at the Costume Institute Gala I would wear this:

Diane Kruger wearing Chanel.  

And I would never be caught dead wearing this:

Madonna needs to be stopped.  

And Louis Vuitton is partially to blame.  

LV also allowed this to happen:

I actually still don't believe this is Leighton Meester.  Maybe Michael Jackson possessed her body temporarily?

I also wanted to publicly defend Mary-Kate Olsen.  I have no idea why she is catching flak for this dress.  I love it- the color, the colliding fabrics, the layers!

Another tidbit- Isn't the point of wearing vintage to bring the amazing design into the present?  If so, WHY would you ever choose this?  Vintage Bob Mackie.  It looks like my Kirkland Signature garbage bags.

Musical Tears

You know those days where every song you hear effects you so emotionally that you end up crying?  Thats me today.  

And I actually found myself crying for someone else, because the song fit their past so well.  

My iTunes must have known I was in a deep mood today.

Goodwill and other such finds

Call me Martha Stewart after the weekend I had!  It all started on Friday when my boyfriend and I hit up the local Goodwill.  Our mission was to seek out a lead we had in finding him a great pair of vintage cowboy boots.  No deal, the boots were too small.  But, I found something awesome:


This picture! It is a drawing of a charming house in Salem. There were actually a series of five, but I don't currently have the wall space or budget to buy them all.  I love the green mating.  But, the old and damaged frame had to go.  I went to the craft store and picked  up some paint.  After sitting in the aisle  for about thirty minutes with colors spread all around me I decided on a coral undertone and a top layer of a fleshy color.  My plan was to paint the coral underneath and then top it off with a creamy beige and then sand it down to expose the coral.  Instead I left it the coral color.  Here it is now:

I might still go through with my original idea.  Thoughts?

In addition to this picture and frame, I went bargain hunting at TJ Max and found this lovely little number:

I adore the distressed frame! And what do you know, it has the coral color emerging. Perfect fit to display with my house print.

I then painted these old frames.  I found these at the craft store for less than $3 a piece.  I need to still put wall hangers on their backs. 

I am going to put these along with the other two pieces on my wall soon to complete my new wall of frames.  My inspiration came from photos like these of rooms I never thought I could replicate.  I am getting there.  I will post pictures as soon as I get it up.  Promise you won't judge my beyond boring cream walls (the landlord won't let me paint... sad... but, I shouldn't complain, my rent is beyond cheap).  

Pictures- The amazing Domino Magazine- R.I.P.

My case of the covets.

I am in awe of James Frey.  I have never met him, but looking at his artwork makes me already think he is an exceptional person.  He and his wife own Trisaetum Vineyard in Dundee, OR- which makes him more cool.  Here are some of his paintings I pulled from the art gallery portion of his website.  I think it is awesome how he includes the grape vines in his work.  I can't wait until I have a day off school and work to go see them in person.

I also think its unique that his Pinot Noir labels incorporate his work.

An Oregon State University Wine Institute

I am so excited!  My school is in the works to add a wine institute that could surface as early as this fall.  

From Wine Spirits Daily, "There’s no arguing that the Oregon wine industry is gaining rapid recognition and the state government has already lent a helping hand. The institute received $1 million from lawmakers as a part of the 2007-2009 biennium and wine industry leaders have already generated half of the $2 million they committed to the institute."

To read the whole article click here!

I just so happen to be a documentary film lover

Today in my Technology and Innovation class we watched the film Who Killed the Electric Car?  Although the title didn't sound like anything I would be interested in, my love of documentaries still fostered my curiosity.  This film, narrated by Martin Sheen takes a look at who is to blame for the disappearance of electric cars on American roads.  It specifically looks at the example of GM's EV1 model.  This car came out in the mid-nineties as a reaction to the now removed California mandate to reduce emissions.  The car produces no emissions and although it takes electricity to run it, is a very clean, maintenance free, and recyclable car.  Mysteriously this car vanished from production and GM did a very nice job covering any tracks that may have been left.  The film goes in depth on who to blame- consumers, batteries, oil companies, car manufacturer's, politicans and the California Air Resource Board.  It does so in a very interesting, entertaining, and ironic way, (Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 89% rating and it won two film awards) so don't worry you "not so into documentary" types, you will like it too.  Mel Gibson and Tom Hanks make funny cameo appearances as well.

I am a huge proponent of friendlier living- to the environment and to people.  Just watching this movie was eye-opening and I wanted to share it with anyone who would read this.  I found that Netflix's has copies to watch and there are downloadable versions I have found on the internet.  

The Band

I have some neighbors that are outside singing and playing away on their acoustic guitars. They actually made a loop around the block spreading their folk/country/rock music for all of us to hear. Man, I wish I could join them, but the only skills I have are on Rock Band and I probably shouldn't be calling them skills. 

I think I would fit really well with these band mates.  I got Curtis on the geetar looking mighty feisty. ...and Agnes with a little attitude on drums.  
I got the vocals covered!  Drunk singing is my only specialty. :)
Now all we need are some dedicated groupies.

Drawing

I made a few drawings today in my quest to become a better drawer. Nothing turned out good and I normally wouldn't share anything this terrible, but my boyfriend did say the one I drew of him fused with Cat Stevens reminded him of a Tim Burton creation. That made me laugh.

I am going to try again tomorrow!

A year ago today...

I was landing in Rome after a 15.5 hour flight.  Looking at these pictures has only increased my already present travel bug.  I miss adventuring around in a country where the only words I knew were troppo caro (too expensive).  

My favorite part about my Tour de Italia was visiting the five coastal towns called the Cinque Terre.  My traveling companion, Ariel, and I hiked the path that connects the five towns.  It was the most breathtaking beach scenery I have ever seen.  

Here is too traveling soon!  Ciao Bella!

Pictures by Gregory Byline Photography and Vogue

Finally- I got my hands on it.

I have been (not so patiently) waiting to check this book out from the library.  The library has had this book on order for the past few months and once it came in I was the first on the list to receive it.  I feel so special!  It is incredible.  I can hardly peel my eyes away from the beautiful photography, interesting interviews, and unbelievable fashion.  Influence is a look from the Olsen's perspective on art, photography, design, contemporary and vintage fashion, jewelry,  and culture. The twenty-two year olds conducted interviews with the top twenty people they chose as revolutionary.  A sample of these people are Diane von Furstenberg, John Galliano, Lauren Hutton and Christian Louboutin.   The interviews are very passionate and candid.  It is a fun glimpse into what the twins reality is like and in a very visually appealing way.  I was influenced.

Wouldn't it be awesome to be able to make a book like this?  *Sigh*  Maybe someday...

Charge it!

I got my first credit card tonight. I was so scared filling out the application online. People find it odd that I haven't ever owned one. But, I need to start building my credit and owning one is an inevitable part of life, I suppose. I am pretty excited that I got to personalize it with a picture for my background (the slightest things make me happy). It took me forever to decide on a picture. I didn't want to put myself on it, because I am not an ego-maniac. Nor have I taken cool enough pictures yet to put my own work on it. So, I settled for this:

Hehe... just kidding!  This is the real picture I put on it:

But, now that I think about it, I kind of want to put the Clueless one back on it!  I have 48 hours to change it, what do you think? :)