Christmas...

I'm pretty positive that I love all things Christmas...


The twinkling lights, the smiles, the family gatherings, pretty ornaments, tall trees, pretty presents, and everything........

Eventually...I would like to start a collection of vintage  Christmas ornaments.

I found this set on Etsy....click here!

I'm guessing you're already catching on to the colors I like ;)

find these here!

I dream of a white tree.....very colorful....with tons of ornaments...

hmmmm so pretty :)

Love this!!! Actually I love anything under the glass thingys like this!

found here! There are tons of other pictures of this lady's house on her blog! I love it! and she makes a lot of the stuff :D

I can't tell you how much I love having my own little apartment to decorate! It's blissful for me because it's something I've always wanted. I tweak things all the time! and even now 12 days until Christmas, I am still wanting more decorations! ;)

Smile :)

Weekend Smiles :)

This weekend was nice and beautiful......... :)


Saturday was complete with a trip to Dirt Cheap (yes that happens!)
I'm super duper sorry if you're like "ick....Dirt Cheap....really???" Yes really! and let's just say Dirt Cheap is a place for this imagination of mine to run wild!!!! If ever you are in need of a shopping spree for the heck of it on a tight budget....don't rule this place out or any junk store for that matter! I love shopping for my little apartment just as much as (or maybe more than) I love shopping for myself! So you ask......what exactly did you find that was so great???? ah well let me just show you! ;) thrifting+photography=ahhhhhh.......oh! and a *happy dance!

First! I found these awesome draperies! I haven't decided how their story will go yet....will they live their lives as they are or will they become nice throw pillows??? who knows?? ;D

Then! I spied this amazing pillow that just so happened to match my sofa pretty amazingly! The catch???

one tiny hole about this big ____________ (literally) but never fear! I know how to use a needle!

Ahhh and now the story turns to these guys.....they are adorable!! (made for oil and vinegar) I'm thinking there are ten tons of possibilities! I love oil and vinegar, however my dish washing liquid would look a little more appealing in one of these!

Ohhhhhh by the way!!!! that awesome bowl/platter in the background???? was an early Christmas present from my sweet roomie! She wouldn't let me wait until closer to Christmas.....It's made out of paper mache....and hand painted :) absolutely beautiful!   

Saturday night, was fancy dinner/girl's/Christmas night out! yay for getting all dolled up and going out to eat! I'll share pictures as soon as I get some! :)

I wrapped the weekend up with supper at my church Sunday night and a Christmas light adventure afterwards (with my family).

I adore twinkling Christmas lights! It knocks me from 21 to 2..... hehe

Have an amazing day and smile :)

Adventure in Treasure Hunting....

Last Friday after work I decided that I needed to do a little antiquing/thrifting/junking...... ;)

So I did......

there are two really interesting parts to this story.....I'll start with the "oh no!!!" part first....

Here we go..... as I was standing at the register (with my awesomely amazing I have to have this it's going home with me finds.....I'll get back to this part) getting ready to bargain with a little lady on prices while making small talk and smiling...... I laid my keys down on the counter and the "oh no!!!!" moment happened.... my student ID wasn't in my little key chain holder thingy ma do... for a split second I was like what in the world......my mind shot back to lunch a few hours earlier.......I was wearing tights (bet you're like what in the heck is she talking about) well this means noooo pockets.....nooo pockets meant that when I picked my lunch up (I was on campus so I swiped my ID for it) I just dropped my ID in the bag with my lunch (because I had nooo pockets to put it in)...........ok are you with me so far???

whew....ok so I sat at the conference table and ate my lunch.....when I got done I balled the bag up and...........chunked it......yes I chunked it.....threw it away, trashed it, put it in the trash can....I threwest thou                 

trash and they dearest ID away....

Whoops.....so rewind back to the antique store and counter....forget bargaining.....she put my treasures in bags and I headed back to campus.....praying that the trash hadn't been taken out......

God takes care of crazy people.......I found my precious ID right where I'd left it.....thankfully it was on top ;)

hehehe hope you enjoyed that :D

Ok so you're like hey you what are those old cameras up top for!  :) :) :) :) :) 

.....those are two of my treasures I found on that eventful day!

ahhhh I am addicted to photography! I thought they turned out beautifully in black and white! :)

I also got this awesome little dish...... (3 dollars!!)

I'm planning on it becoming home to my perfume bottles... :)

Lastly I got nine clear Christmas ornaments! yay!!! 

I loveeeee treasure hunting!!!! :D

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Friday :) :) :) I have so much free time now! :) *happy dance!

I cleaned some yesterday, made yo-yo's, took pictures, made a bow for a wreath (complete with jingle bells for the low price of four dollars!!!!), made tissue paper poms (in Christmas colors!), had supper with my super amazing loving family, found out I made an A in studio II.....you know just the usual.... :) hehehe 

Have an amazing weekend! Do something fun and enjoy this beautiful time of year!!! :)

Smile...

Done.

I don't even know what to consider my mood right now......I'm not even sure I am completely relieved yet....

After months of nothing but what felt like torture at times, I am finally done. 

Studio II is behind me. Model built. Construction plans drawn. Two presentation boards designed and printed. Photos of model taken. Furniture and finish selections made.

Ten page paper written. (pulling teeth would've been easier)

Economics. (hopefully passed)

Final photography project being mounted as I type.

For the next couple of weeks I don't even want to think about school.......

I just want to relax. Go to the gym. Read a book. Make something awesome. Clean my bedroom. Clean my apartment. Waste time without feeling guilty about it.........ahhhhhhh the things college will do to you ;) 

oh and of course..........I'll be blogging more regularly now :) 

I promise they'll be better after today! I'm just kind of in a daze right now...... "is this really over".........

Just in Case you Forgot Me.....hehe Sorry I've Been Away...

Tuesday Night.....I got in bed at 5 and woke up 7ish.....that was the last time I slept.............


I have really amazing news though.......that semester long project?  Done! ;)


I don't think it's hit me yet.......better yet anything could hit me right now and I don't think I'd really now or have the energy to care......that's really horrible I know......but.....it's done!


**HAPPY DANCE** times a million and 1......


I saw the sun rise from studio this morning, left at seven to go home and make myself business professional....

but before that (let me rewind, and I'm sorry if none of this even makes sense, it's because my brain is mush from lack of sleep, ok anyways back to the story) my sweet, awesome, amazing mommy surprised me by dropping by studio to see me and to drop off cookies.....talk about exited daughter! that was me for sure!


:D
She's really great.....I'm not even kidding :) :) :)




I don't know how I do this sometimes.....it's really crazy to think of everything that went into this project.... starting with Day 1 of those crazy collages.....


As soon as I can I will get pictures on here of my final presentation boards :)

I did this rendering of my space in Google SketchUp..... :) 

yay! I did that :)

......getting closer to that dream of mine everyday :)

yall will be hearing from me on the regular again! :) After next week I am out for Christmas break! 
my oh my how time flies.....


smile :)

A few from this weekend......... 

:)

I hope everyone had a beautiful weekend! I've got a super busy week ahead but next week is Thanksgiving Break....... :) :) :) *happy dance!*

This Morning....

Well at....I don't know......2:30 maybe, I was still up.....


and I was sitting in my bed getting sleepy.....(trying to work while sitting in bed....is just dumb....I know this but I continue to fall prey to this all the time)......so where was I...
yes....I was getting cozy and sleepy and I thought....I could sleep for a couple of hours (no big deal) and wake back up....I set my alarm for 4:30 and I was out like a light.....


This never works......for whatever reason...it never does, it may for you...but not for me....ever....I knew better....


My eyes popped open after what felt like just a little while...I rolled over and saw the clock  7:11!!!! 
(class starts at 8:00)
.....and for a second I panicked and then I was like no! I didn't turn that clock back! It's 6:11! I immediately got up threw clothes on and dashed to Studio....yes I dashed! hehe (after applying mascara of course....and grabbing a bagel).....
Despite the fact that I wasn't going to be late for class I was still a little concerned that I hadn't finished everything that I needed to finish....(I thought about skipping...but I didn't) (I am not a skipper at all, seriously)....


I survived.....before he made it to my desk to talk to me I got a good amount accomplished.....He marked my stuff up gave me some helpful advice and.......finally.....for the first time since August, I think I saw a small glimmer at the end of the tunnel.....


Since it's November......I'll just let in be known that today....... I am thankful for that small light at the end of the tunnel and for God tapping me on the shoulder promptly at 6:11..... 

 I don't think I shared this picture before...but i have a very good/awesome/amazing reason to share it with you now.......

Friday from 1:00 to 6:00 the Interior Design program will be hosting a silent art auction.

All the art for this auction will be donated....

and the proceeds will be given to Smithville, Mississippi....

The town of Smithville was ripped to pieces by a tornado earlier in the year.

This is a topic that pulls on my heart strings.

By no means can I comprehend the hurt that these people (and those in Joplin, Tuscaloosa, and everywhere else on the map) must be dealing with......but our program made the decision to reach out and make use of our talents and creative minds.....

The image above is one that I made a few weeks ago.....This is my piece that I am submitting to the auction...

I've always been told if you don't use it, you lose it.....talent that is......

I plan on using mine...

I couldn't think of a more perfect way to do so.

:)

Smile

Mabsoot Monday.....

it means happy ;) I promise....you can check my honesty here >>>> Definition of Mabsoot


I hope everyone had a beautiful weekend! :) This is going to be an awesome week! I am completely determined. :) Tonight will most likely be an all nighter.....but other than that (which I don't even really mind, except for being sleepy the next day) this week is going to be amazingly productive and stuff! hehe.....I'm optimistic at the moment despite the fact that I left some of my work at my house... that I could have worked on while I was at work this morning......it's all good :)

I love this time of year and all the pretty colors!

I saw this card and just had to share it!

It's adorable!...from Rifle Paper Co.

I think it would be cute to have one framed to set out this time of year!

Someday when I have the time and money I want to decorate for every holiday.... :)

These just make me feel Fallish too.... :)

Minnetonka Booties! 

I now have a pair like this but they are a lighter tan color...

I love Minnetonka Moccasins.......I like to think they love me back........

Smile and have a wonderful day! :)

Catching up :)

It's Friday and I finally found a few extra moments.........

I must say that I have truly missed blogging and I promise that as soon as I can get a grip on my multiple final projects I will be back... :)

I've been busy busy and there's always something more to be done......

Two weeks until Thanksgiving break (which probably won't be too much of a break).... I'll be swamped with finishing up projects because the week after Thanksgiving, finals start and final presentations are scheduled......

but thennnnnnnnnnnnnnn................a whole month of NOOOOO school! yay! 

I absolutely love Christmas time and spending time with my lovely family! :) I just hate that the times you enjoy so very much have to pass by so quickly......

So here are some pictures of what's been going on and stuff....... :)

So very happy that it's chilly now and I can wear my awesome yellow coat!

That button up I'm wearing underneath is the J Crew button up I thrifted a few weeks ago! I love it and it's super soft and comfy.....

This is....

 how interesting shopping trips with my mom and sister can be......

(notice that her jeans and boots look like the wall landed on a person???)

......wouldn't trade shopping days with them for anything!

Sketches of the floor plan for the space I am designing..... 

 look familiar??

It's the same model that I hand built and the actual building that I posted pictures of a while back...

I drew this model in Google SketchUp.....  :D

....and these are materials that I am thinking about using in the space! yay! fun! :)

This past Sunday I was inducted into an honor society (Phi Kappa Phi)...

I was super excited and honored.....even more so that my parents and sister got to share my special day with me (oh, and of course, my sister's sweet boyfriend....he took this picture)

There he is :)

......this is me after the ceremony.....and those are the cords I received from the honor society to wear when I graduate.....eventually.... :) :) :)

and yes I know I look crazy in this picture ;)

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend :) 

Spring Schedule!

I apologize for my shadiness.... :D I promise I haven't forgotten about you guys!! :) :)


Life in general is rather crazy right now....the semester is winding down....and I just met with my advisor to figure out my schedule for the Spring semester....


Spring 2012 
AutoCAD 3D----- This is how we create what we want a room to look like! very time consuming but looks amazing!
Studio Lighting-----This is another photography class!!! yay! I'm so excited :) I think I have two more to go      after it and I'll have my minor!
***I have to wait until I pass portfolio review before I can take the rest of my interior design classes....So these  two below are just for the heck of it :) :)
Fashion Merchandising------I'll keep you updated on this :D when I was little I started out wanting to be a fashion designer! somewhere along the way it changed to interior design....I imagine my adorable little store with some clothing anyways...so this added to the rest of my random knowledge should be great! :)
Interior Design Fundamentals----not a required course for interior design...this is a class for people who think they might be interested in interior design....i guess they can get their toes wet or whatever you wanna call it :) ....hmmm interior design sounds interesting I think I might be interested! hehehe ;) 


I think I'll have plenty to keep everyone updated with next semester! :) 


At the moment.......I am running on fumes.....my professor told me I needed 8 hours (of sleep)...I most definitely agree......


I will soon be making that happen :)

A Sense of Place

Hi :)

So I have another photography project due Wednesday and.......I'm done today! :) yay :) *happy dance!

Things are kind of hectic right now....this semester is quickly winding down and I have noooo idea where all the time has gone. I still have tons to get done which is scary....but I can do this for sure :)

Like last time, I'll explain the assignment and the pictures will be below...

A Sense of Place

For this assignment you will use photography to describe place. The type of place you would like to depict is up to you. Are you interested in interiors, exteriors, the domestic, the industrial, landscape, etc... How does photography function as a visual text to describe through images the essence of place?

A little more info: These pictures were taken at an abandon house near my parent's home. I had seen this house on many occasions but had never stopped to observe it like I did for this project. My original intent was to take pictures of the exterior of the house. When I got closer to the house...and of course me being the curious person that I am...I realized there was tons of furniture and other things that had been left behind....You can imagine my surprise. I honestly felt like I had stumbled across an open treasure chest. 

I can't help but wonder why?... Why would you leave furniture like this, that looks like it has barely been used...even after it has been somewhat exposed to the elements now? Why wouldn't you take things like this with you? What was their story or did it end abruptly? 

Of course the fact that this is an interior with lots of really awesome colors attracts me....but my brain...which always thinks too much...would love to ask someone...a million questions.....

I hope you enjoy these and I also hope your Monday is going wonderful...
Smile :)

Just a little nippy...

I do believe that the cold weather is here.....to stay?....maybe? who knows?

I do know that I was excited to wrap a scarf around my neck this morning and put one of my lovely coats on! :)brrrr! yay! (my fingers don't agree with me at the moment) but yay anyways! hehe ;) *happy dance!*

My mind wandering:

vegetable soup and grilled cheese.....ah that'd be amazing..

I want to wear something yellow....that's how this weather makes me feel....

school work......(haha just kidding my mind didn't wander there)....it should but it didn't

I should be ashamed that my mind isn't wandering to school work....

....speaking of school I have...hold on I'll count......not including this week....7 weeks left.....

oh dear....i really should think about school.....yuck.....

.....Halloween Costume! 

something like that ;) honestly that's about how my mind works.....don't judge me :D

My argument is that most really creative people are off their rockers a little bit anyways......

I saw this a few days ago and loved it :)

Have a Happy Wednesday! 

and Smile.... :)

Beauty...

I took these pictures of my sister this weekend.....She's just darling :)

(not just saying that because she's my sister)...

Short on time today.....but I have to tell you I posted the first one on Facebook and I was asked how much I charged....talk about my heart skipping a few beats.....

Happy Monday :) 

Friday is for Thrifting!!

Consignment shops make for good Treasure hunts! These were my finds today!  

J. Crew Men's Button up....it feels amazing!

$12

Crochet Top....So very pretty

$14

Awesome Stretchy Belt....I'm on a belt kick...

$4

I also found adorable purple jeans! You can't really tell they're purple in pictures though :(

Anyways they have super wide legs and they're just absolutely great!!!

:) 

Have a wonderful weekend!!! 

Photography Midterm Critique...Today! :)

I would just like to say that I got lots and lots of sleep yesterday! :) It was much needed and I feel so very much better...My skin looked much more colorful this morning! It was great :) 

 :) I have a photography project due today! This will be my first critique to go through since I have been in this class... so I am hoping for some good feedback :) Below I am going to share with you the assignment and the 5 pictures that I am submitting.

Eye of the Beholder

For this assignment you will challenge the notion of what is considered to be beautiful or attractive by pushing composition and surprising the view of the subject. Your challenge is to photograph subjects/objects/places, etc. that are typically considered banal, vulgar, gross, disgusting, or repulsive.

Fire

Originally, I had no intentions of using fire for this project. I had a few random shots of a small fire we built one night at my parents house and my professor saw them. He suggested that I play with the idea for this project...so I did.  :)

I have always dealt with the issue of not really having this one hobby that I do in my spare time....It's weird though because it's kind of like... school for me is a hobby. I dare say that it's always stress free (I think most of you know this)....or that it's always exactly what I want to be doing but I love it... (most days)... ;)

I have always been curious about photography and the fact that my major has opened that door for me is awesome...I have gained a new hobby and this will be one that stays with me for a very long time!

Happy Wednesday! 

Abstract Model

I'm sleep deprived and almost missed class this morning....but I am smiling and my God is holding my hand....


He's telling me it's all going to be ok and showing me every day that I can make it through...


I am doing what I love and that makes it all worth while....I couldn't imagine myself in any other major....


Last night around one, I was in the floor of the studio working on a floor for my scale model, I had only had 40 minutes of sleep from the night before (Sunday night) and was knocking on delusional's door....no never mind pretty sure delusional had already let me in....Anyways, I was smiling from ear to ear...my hands were covered in paint and glue....and I wouldn't have traded it for anything....

I know it looks like a bit much, but it was an abstract interior scale model....so it's a little over exaggerated.

I had in mind stained concrete...... :) I thought it looked pretty awesome in general...

This was my finished project. I have better pictures and I will try to get some of them on here soon (these were taken with my phone).

I hope everyone is having a beautiful day! 

Smile :)  .....and thank Him for everything.

Just a Saturday Morning....

Saturday morning in the studio :)

Procrastination is bad....

yes I'll agree...

but I can't help it if sometimes...

that's when I do my best work.....