Yeah, I've been away for a quite awhile. I'm enjoying my winter break... very much. I'm just checking in before the new year. I hope you're all enjoying the holidays! I wish you all a happy and healthy new year!
Starting in 2011 I'll be starting the 365 project. I'm pretty excited and hope I can keep up with it. Wish me luck.
I am officially on winter break. Which means more time to blog! Anways, I am so proud of myself, I did really well this quarter.
I'm usually really quiet about this, but I have been getting a lot of questions about my studies lately. Quite a lot of emails. A little advice, if you're planning on studying interior design, please, please make sure the school you have in mind has a CIDA-accredited program. Most schools do not have one! Bellevue College, the college I attend, is one out of three schools in the state of Washington that have a accredited program. I only say this to make sure you are getting the best education you possibly can, that's what is most important.
As far as where my focus lies, I am very passionate about green-sustainable design. I plan on taking my LEED AP ID+C exam after finishing my current degree(along with the NCIDQ exam). 50% of the world's energy and materials are utilized in the creation, operation and disposal of the built environment. Yep, that's my industry. See why it's so important?! Most people don't understand that it's not only for the environment, but also for your health! Are you aware of the toxic chemicals and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) you are constantly being exposed to? We think of organic things as being good for us, as organic food is. So why are VOCs bad? To a chemist, “organic” simply means a compound containing carbon. This includes everything that is or was once living–even petroleum. Besides containing carbon, VOCs also are volatile, which means they evaporate readily at room temperature. When refineries process crude oil, they heat it, capture the gasses, and distill them to produce a wide variety of chemicals that become building blocks for paints, plastics, fuels and many other products. The most volatile distillates evaporate at such low temperatures that they quickly get into the air when used in paints or adhesives. Distillates that are dangerous as well as volatile have high potential for harming air quality and causing health problems. Health effects such as headaches, nausea and respiratory irritation are greatest indoors, where concentrations of VOCs are 2 to 5 times higher than outdoors. VOCs include formaldehyde, many pesticides, solvents and cleaning chemicals, as well as some ingredients that are not considered particularly hazardous, such as propylene glycol and natural aromatherapy oils. Alright, I'll get off my soapbox for now, but if you are interested in more or anything else just email me.
I'm living in a winter wonderland. I had my first snow day in almost five years! That's right they cancelled classes today. I have to admit this little dusting of snow causing such havoc on Seattle makes me chuckle. Growing up on the east coast, this is nothing. It's below freezing?! It's the end of the world! Arctic Storm! Seattleites, do not know what to make of this snow. But I will also admit, I am beyond thrilled that it's snowing.
I'm sitting here blogging by my fireplace, I should do this more often. I have Kanye West's new album keeping me company. Freaking brilliant. Love it. Cabin fever. The reason everything shuts down with the slightest snow storm is because Seattle just doesn't have experience with snow. The roads are never properly cleared. And people just do not know how to drive in it. And the ice makes things worse. I'm praying for a bottle of wine to be delivered to my front door, pretty please - make it red. Thanks.
One of my prints by the absolutely lovely, Éadaoin from City of Blackbirds. I am still searching for frames for my two other prints. I love this one, matches my home perfectly. Her photographs are just magical and divine! Make sure to check out her etsy shop too!
I've had a few, well, a lot of people requesting to see photos of my new apartment. You lovely people out there, your emails make me smile more than you'll ever know. I just wanted to post a photo, just a little peek. One day, I'll photograph the whole thing and post it for all you darlings. So, there's just a peek: my living room. I'm still working on how I want things to look. I can't wait to start decorating for Christmas!
It's a wonderful, wintry Sunday afternoon here in Seattle. I was so excited to see snow for the first time in two years. I wasn't here for the big storm two years ago, I missed it. Earlier, I was on the phone with John and I turned around and looked out my window saw these white, fluffy flakes gracefully falling and squealed with excitement. I probably hurt his ears but he was too nice to say anything he just laughed at me. I'm all curled up on my sofa with a pot of tea on the coffee table. I'm wearing knee socks over my tights, my toes are freezing. I'll be in love with winter until after Christmas and then I'll be complaining. I think I'll make a fire in the fireplace this evening and listen to Christmas songs on my record player. Feeling in the holiday spirit. Cheerio!
I am alive. Where have I been? I've been beyond busy, that's where. This was my very first weekend with nothing planned. It's been relaxing. I've done all my chores and errands and now I'm just home studying. I find myself a little bored, but I'll manage.
Last weekend, I was in LA for the Megamind premiere. I had a lot of fun, saw some famous people, found a photo of me behind Justin Bieber. It was pretty ridiculous. People were going nuts, photographers snapping photos like crazy, little girls were crying, I was shocked. I don't even understand the hype! If anything it just made me feel really old, he looks like a baby. I saw Will Ferrell, David Cross, Donald Faison, Jane Lynch, Shaun White... umm and a lot of other people. The highlight of the whole thing for me was standing on the same stair on the escalator as Matt Bomer and silently geeking out as he's playing with a little kid(who I don't know if was his or not?) who was dressed up like a superhero. We were in the fleet of people walking from the before party to Grauman's Chinese Theatre. Needless to say, I walked all the way down Hollywood Boulevard with Matt Bomer .... with about fifty other people. Haha. He is so incredibly handsome in person too, just fyi. I spent Halloween in Universal Studios. I really enjoyed my trip, got my fill of sunshine but I am so happy to be home.
More Tomorrow.
Summer is definitely coming to a close. I am actually really looking forward to Fall and the start of the school year. This Summer was so much fun. I made the best of it, that is for sure. The cool Autumn air is here and I am just barely able to get away with going out with bare legs. Soon enough I'll be wearing my tights again. My sweater is Disney for H&M, skirt: Nordstroms, Shoes: Zara, Belt: Vintage.
Funny story about those shoes. I bought them while I was in Chicago last month. OK, so when I saw Phoenix, I was standing straight in front of Laurent Brancowitz(total babe) and he was wearing these awesome patent leather oxfords and I was lusting after them the whole show. The very next day I was in Zara on Michigan Ave and I walked up stairs and these little beauties were staring at me, 'buy me!'. I am constantly inspired by mens fashion.
Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!
I am tired. Worn out. As my mum would have said, "I feel like the energizer bunny.". I feel like I have been living out a suitcase. That's all fine and dandy but a girl needs a break. This past week was my 'relaxing week'. I made little plans and stayed in a lot. I really needed it. Tomorrow, I am off to Lake Chelan for a couple of days. I love the drive over there. Over on the other side of The Cascade Mountains it is like another world, sort of desert-like and absolutely beautiful. The weather is always wonderful there, hot and dry. This trip will be a perfect end to Summer. As soon as I get back though, I'm hopping on a plane and heading back to Pennsylvania for a bridal shower(my oldest brother is getting married). It will be nice to see my wonderful family. I miss them all so very much. Especially my brothers.
Well, I ought to start packing my stuff together for the next couple of days. Enjoy your weekend, loves. PS: Have you heard the new Sufjan Stevens EP? Pretty amazing stuff. Oh, I have really missed him. Listen to or buy it here.
I'm back from my trip to Chicago. I had a fantastic time. The weather was crazy. It was very hot and very humid. I would pick the hottest time of the year to visit. Aside from the awful weather I had a great time. I spent time with my two friends who both happen to live there. I enjoyed seeing them both. I'd have to say that the highlight of my trip was seeing/meeting The Morning Benders. They were incredibly sweet and signed my copy of Big Echo on vinyl. I have to say, I was a tad bit nervous meeting them! I mean Chris Chu is a (talented)dreamboat and so is every other member of their band. I held myself together and found out they will be coming to Seattle in the fall. Those boys need a break. When I came downstairs to the merch table, Chris was practically sleeping on the table. By far the nicest band I've ever met. Meeting them made my trip. Probably my Summer.
So yeah sorry for my absence. I didn't bring my computer. I have a weeks worth of emails, tweets and whatnot to catch up with. So pardon my delay! It's so nice hearing from you guys. You make my day. Perhaps I should put a little more effort into this. It's nice knowing someone out there is reading this. Ha! Anyways, more later!
