"My favorite pastime is letting time pass, having the time, taking my time, wasting my time, living out of time- against the current. " -Francoise Sagan

Friday, July 3, 2009

The 4th- My Favorite

Honestly, the 4th is my favorite holiday! I know I haven't updated in awhile, but in honor of my most favorite day, I thought I would.
Lots of things have been happening!
WE'RE HAVING A BABY! A BOY!

He is due November 9th, but we'll see if he'll feel like he should be coming on that day or not. We are stoked!
We're spending the long weekend in San Diego and so far it's been fantastic!
This month has a lot in store for us and we are so excited! Next week we'll be in Florida for our 'Babymoon' and then my birthday, the week after that is my baby shower, which I'm sure will be fantastic because my sister Emma is planning it in a big way!
AND- we are moving into a new place right by the American River this Monday!

There's the update, and it won't be the last!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Marchin' into March

I can't believe we're already 3 months into 2009! This year holds a lot of changes for Nathanael and I. We hope to be doing a lot of traveling as we've been doing, but we also want to buy a house.... WHICH IS SO EXCITING! We're being really super conscious with our money, and we hope that the right house will come our way when we're ready! It's a big step but we feel 2009 is the right year, especially the 1st time home buyers $8,000 back, if the home is purchased in 2009. So if you are reading this blog, remember to keep us in your prayers- That we will let God lead us in this new venture.

I'm also stoked because I'll be going down to San Diego the last week in March and I just can't wait to see my sister and spend some time by the ocean... Since our first visit to La Jolla after our last cross country trip, when we had just moved from Atlanta to California, I've been noticing that if too much time passes by I really miss the ocean. Since Nov. we've been down the coast every month- I need that ocean fix. There's a freedom and a different and deeper way of breathing there.

Santa Cruz 2009

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Light Sculpture

Multiverse, light sculpture created by artist Leo Villareal, may be seen and experienced by visitors as they pass through the Concourse walkway between the East and West Buildings of the National Gallery of Art. Commissioned by the Gallery and on view until November 2009, the work features approximately 41,000 computer-programmed LED (light-emitting diode) nodes that run through channels along the entire 200-foot-long space.


Villareal "Multiverse" National Gallery of Art, Washington DC from Walter Patrick Smith on Vimeo.

Big Love in Sacramento!

Nathanael and I got into Big Love when it first came on and have been following it (illegally) on the Internet the week after it airs on Sunday, ever since. So we watched it and this weeks episode the Big Love family were doing a road trip through Illinois to New York... and it was all shot in Sacramento and the Woodlands!

They shot a lot in Old Sacramento by the ferry boats (Bill Paxton has a shot on the show while he is on the ferry boat with the pyramid building in the back) and on the new and old bridge and on the railroads! It was so odd seeing 'my home' on TV like that!



Bill Paxton


The Crew

Friday, February 13, 2009

The Three

I tend to 'theme' things up. Recently, I've been thinking more and more of three places I want (and can't wait) to visit.
The theme: Flowers


The Lavender Fields of France
Photo: The Famous Lone Tree



The Tulip Fields of Holland
Photo: Aerial shot of the fields- abstract


Poppy Fields of California
Photo: Poppy Preserve- Antelope Valley, California


Guess which one we will be going to visit this spring? It's a hard guess...

Answer: The Poppy Fields of California

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Blue Hue

I have really been getting into interior design and having been doing so, I've come across the most darling things!



These are both photos taken of Ivanka Trump's apartment! I love the blue theme throughout the whole house and the clean-ness of it! And I adore those lighted lamps! If this was my place I would def. change that bed cover to a textured white covering and remove that hairy pillow. i'd probably replace that headboard with a cushioned robin-eggs blue one and add some glassware and mirror wear to the side tables- and those nightstands wouldn't be cherry, they'd be espresso!

I absolutely love the hanging candelabra! I do weekly searches for colorful lighting pieces- so I loved finding this pictured. I would change the table to something more sleek in line and would have different chairs, with either different blue shaded cushions or just have the whole chair in different colors. I really like those vases in the back and the lighting of the room. I might have tinted this room in a light aqua or even and very pale olive. I think the wall art theme through the two rooms is precious but I am no Ivanka Trump and couldn't afford that. I'd just probably make my own. Make my own art that is!

I might be posting more finds.

Monday, February 2, 2009

So sick and so HAPPY

I have been sick for over a week now. It started with a sore throat and just feeling bad and now its an awful cough (that keeps me awake at night) and I am always tired. So, because I haven't been really sleeping my mom offers me a tylenol with some codeine, yes the narcotic. However, this didn't knock me out, it made me incredibly sleepy, but I still coughed every three seconds. The last time I saw the clock was at 4:40ish and from there I drooled in my sleep and had very very vivid dreams.The main dream was the I had a baby boy and he was so precious, and he had blue eyes... lighter than my own in fact and he was new born size the whole dream. It was so realistic, that I missed him all day today. I think that is SO weird! Especially because I dreamt that it was a baby BOY and that it looked different than I did when I was little, and also because he remained a new born the whole dream. Generally, in my dreams if I have a kid or whatever, the baby looks just like I did and it's usually a girl that ranges in age through the whole dream but is never itty bitty infant.

We went to Carmel last week, Thursday and Friday and we caught amazing weather days! The weather here in San Joauqin Valley has been great since Christmas... 70's clear skies, we had three days of rain two weeks ago but before that and since then really really warm and ideal. But the coast isn't always as predicatable and not always so clear... but it really was!!! We had the clearest two days, it was so warm and pleasant! We even hiked Lobos for FOUR hours! We almost conquered the whole reserve! When we went to Monterey for our honeymoon (Monterey/Carmel was the last stop on our honeymoon) it was so cloudy, foggy and cold... the last time we went to Lobos in June I had to wear jeans and sweater and I was still cold. This time around in January I was wearing shorts and t-shirt with a sweater and had to wrap the zip-up sweater around my waist. We loved it, we were tempted to book another night, but we're not rolling in the dough just yet!

Also, Nathanael got a job (Praise GOD!), and not just any job- A GREAT job!! We feel so happy and blessed... that's why we went to Carmel, to celebrate!





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Friday, January 16, 2009

Northern Coast Trip

So we finally went to Santa Cruz yesterday and I was so happy for it!!
We didn't end up going earlier this month but waiting was worth it.
We dressed warm, not too warm since the Valley was getting sunny days and low 80 degree weather, but the coast is always a bit cooler so we dressed for the 60's and brought gloves and scarves just in case.

However, it was MUCH hotter in Santa Cruz than we anticipated... it was probably 80 or 81 degrees and everyone was out and about laying out, playing volleyball, guys were riding their bikes shirtless... everyone was in flip flops. I felt so 'east coaster' in my ankle boots, gray cords and black top. Well, there's a first time for everything!
We went up to Natural Bridges and worked our way down the Santa Cruz coast passing the Lighthouse and to the Boardwalk. We then drove around the city, and finally went to downtown. We ate at our favorite place, El Palomar and walked around, checking out shops and galleries.

We left and took PCH (Pacific Coast Hwy aka. the 1) up through San Francisco. We stopped in Davenport to watch the sunset and it was really awesome because we walked down this hill, crossed over some railroad tracks, trekked up a hill (which we actually cliff) and came to the most beautiful ocean view, ever - almost. We saw all these private beaches and what looked like the left overs from an old boardwalk or something. We layed out our blanket and just sat there. These cliffs and hills were covered with these little white flowers, I'm not sure what they're called but it smelled so beautifully and the area was rich in the aroma.

Then we drove up through San Francisco crossing over the Golden Gate and stopping at a well kept secret out look. AGAIN, we thought it was going to be so cold up there but it wasn't... it was so so very very nice!!! And it was so CLEAR! I have never seen the Gate look so clear and the city as well!
It was such a perfect day, and it was spent with the most perfect person!


Santa Cruz




Davenport


Sausalito

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Really?

After taking a jog with my Nathanael we went grocery shopping and a sweet lady told me I had the best skin in the world (ya, the world, like whole world!).
I was surprised because I wasn't wearing make-up and also because I have not received a compliment like that since I was maybe 18! I usually get compliments on my skin when wearing make-up... but that's because I have the secret magic.

I use Bare Minerals, and I tell people all the time they should too! I've done brides' make up on their wedding day with it, and the pictures are flawless even after the event. It's good for your skin as well... so if you've had a long day and fall asleep with it on, no worries!
I, as I've said in another post, always use Benefit's Moon Beam or High Light... it also works magic.


So even though I love Bare Minerals, and I believe having the right make-up and the right techniques can completely change your face, I was so happy to receive a compliment on my bare face! Since, recently (due to stress and living in other climates) my skin has been kind of bipolar.
That's my good news today. Thank you.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Pantone Inspired!

I love Color!!

Here are some fun products that are either made by Pantone or inspired by the Pantone Matching System (PMS colors, the universal numerical system for matching color inks).


Brand new!! Pantone eyewear!


With several new collections that include optical metal, optical semi-rimless, sun metal, sun acetate, and sun sport all are customizable with ArmOne (removable pantone color temple arms).


Arm One lets you pick your own color arms for the glasses!






See all the eyewear collections here.

Pantone paints for home office and more:

Need to find the perfect shade of paint for your design project or home? Simply scroll through Pantone's virtual palette and immerse yourself in over 3,000 designer paint colors to select the one you desire. Whether searching by PANTONE® number or by color family, you can fins a sahde to match anything and everything you want.


Pantone Matched Carpeting: Now that your paint is perfect, then how about carpet?
The Mohawk Group has partnered with Pantone to provide quality carpet in pantone shades:

Dowload a pdf about Mohawk Carpets here.
Pantone Stationery products:

Pantone notebooks, card cases and more. Available here.

The Pantone Flight Stool:
The amazing British design team, Barber Osgerby, pays tribute to Pantone by producing a multi-dimensional chip!

These birch stools from Isokon Plus are available in a range of colors from the warmer end of the spectrum--Yellow, Pink, Red and Orange.


Above: The Stools at a London exhibit



Lawrence Herbert, founder and innovator of the PANTONE MATCHING SYSTEM® will sign 20 of this limited edition... 50 total!
Get them while they’re still available!


Above: From Sakai designs comes the Yoko single sofa. Initially designed for Tokyo nightclubs and cafes, it is now available in six limited edition pantone colors.
Buy it here.

Pantone Rugs!

The patagonian sheep skin rugs dyed in 3 pantone shades come in cool blues (pantone Rug I) and warm reds and yellows (pantone Rug II). Made in Argentina by the Gerscovich Brothers, produced by Sundayland and are available for purchase here.

Colorcalm™ “Skies,” the first in a series of unique, color DVD’s produced by Atmos in association with Pantone, Inc. enhances your surroundings and improves your well-being.


It is a continuous display of clouds with 28 color backgrounds and audio variations. It is designed to soothe your senses.

jetBlue Airways will have a Colorcalm channel on their fleets with DVD capaibilities. From the first of the year through the end of March, you can control your environment, even in the air! See and Buy Colorcalm here.


Pantone Flash drives:
Express your personality and store your creations in style. These durable, aluminum design thumb drives allow you to store your digital photos, music files, business documents, and more on an ultra-small Hi-speed USB flash drive.


Available in 14 PANTONE Colors, these compact and portable external drives are Mac and PC compatible and feature a lifetime warranty and downloadable security software.
For corporate orders requiring company logo engraving, please call us at 888-PANTONE (726-8663) Get them here.

Pantone Toys:
The japanese toy company, Medicom, produced a series of Pantone Kubricks in various colors and styles...if you can find them:



See what's available here at Yellow Spiral.
Or Rotofugi.
Or the Medicom store.

Pantone Russian Nesting Dolls:
Still looking for a manufacturer are designer Yar Rassadin's totally cool Pantone Matryoshka (the russian nesting dolls):



Pantone tea mugs, coffee mugs, espresso cups and dinnerware:

Choose from ten different mug colors here.

Buy the dinnerware and mugs here.




Buy the 4 pantone espresso cups or 4 tea mugs here.


Suck UK's My Cuppa has been a popular product in the UK and is catching on here in the US. Available in tea or coffee styles, the clever cup has pantone chips representing different degrees of brews:


Buy them here.


UNIQLO's pantone Cashmere Sweaters and T-shirts:


the PANTONE Cashmere Collection, is offered in 20 official PANTONE Colors and comes in three styles, including a crewneck, Henley-neck and v-neck.

Last fall, in conjunction with the UNIQLO London store opening in November, UNIQLO has teamed up with Pantone, world-renowned authority on color, for the second time, for a special collection of PANTONE-inspired cashmere. The PANTONE Color Collection of 100% cashmere sweaters offers two styles for men including a crewneck and a cardigan, and for women there is a deep v-neck. All styles are offered in a palette of 20 official PANTONE Colors. The PANTONE Cashmere Collection sweaters will retail at the affordable price of $129.50 and will be sold exclusively at the UNIQLO New York Flagship, the UT store, and UNIQLO Japan. UNIQLO’s first collaboration with Pantone was the launch of a line of PANTONE T-shirts earlier this year.


Even better, get 20% off your sweater here!

Above: The pantone T-shirts and their fun packaging

Knit Caps:
Pantone Universe and CA4LA in Japan present some of the hottest caps in the most trend worthy colors. Available at CA4LA stores in Japan

soon available here!

Nike's Pantone Dunks:
Need some kicks to match your sweater and Tees? Nike quietly release a series of Dunks inspired by Pantone color chips. The colors released include this Paradise Aqua, Flamingo Pink, a University Blue, a Pine Green and a Red version. These are amazing with the color-blocking, cool pantone chips insole and the gum outsole:



Buy them here.

The Gopher is an innovative golf accessory designed to provide a single convenient location for your golf ball, divot repair tool, ball marker and two tees. The compact body is made of durable plastic and can be molded in any pantone color!

Order it here.

Softbank's Pantone Phones in japan:

Company most commonly known as Vodafone (but Softbank in Japan) has released a line of Technicolor mobile phones. Offered: are the SoftBank 812SH Sharp: in different shades, based on the Pantone color chart.

see them here.

Mango and Pantone, the PANTONE bag:




This fabulous bag comes in 12 tones for 7 days a week: sand, yellow, chewing gum, chocolate, emerald, pink, green, magenta, peach, azure, steel, jeans.
Buy your Mango pantone bag here!


Pantone Art:
Daniel Eatock's Pantone Pen prints:

Daniel Eatock sets his latest pen print experiment in the second ALSO* commission of The Aram Gallery.

Curator Daniel Charny describes the work:
Eatock’s predictive construct removes the artist’s hand from the pen, reverses the role of the paper, and allows its characteristics and positioning to become the most influential aspect of the work. Balanced on their nibs each of a set of 288 felt tip pens releases ink that expands into the layers of a ream of paper, making each layer of this multi-print different. This predicted variety is translated into a gambling tension for the consumer that chooses to purchase an unknown result on an unseen layer.

Dimensions: SRA1 640 x 900mm Edition Size: 73 original prints



Appleblueseagreen's Pantone Chips on Canvas:


from AppleBlueSeaGreen.

Associate Art Director Jamie Prokell for Blueprint, the shelter magazine that tried to bring the Martha Stewart lifestyle to a younger market( and ceased regular publication with its January/February 2008 issue) created this fabulous pantone wrapping paper for a baby shower:

I wish it were available for purchase!

A Pantone Manet masterpiece:
Tim Fraser Brown created a reproduction of Édouard Manet's 'Bar at the Folies Bergere' made entirely of old Pantone chips.
Over 5,000 unused chips were painstakingly colour matched and and stuck down over four long nights, and acted as centre piece for a boozey party in their design studio.





The best kept secret?