Long Time No See

I've been away for awhile working like crazy with my full time job with the mouse so it's been kind of hard to get back into this. You know, standing for 8 hours a day in the hot burning sun of Southern California really drains your body. What I've learned from this job for the past two years, I seriously can't believe I've been living in SoCal for two years already...simply cray, is to apply sunscreen(highest SPF possibly), and drink water like it's going out of style. Seriously, stay hydrated it's important.

Over the past two weeks however I was on vacation back home in Maryland and during that time I had a possible cancer scare with a sun spot that had been getting weird over the past year(WEAR SUNSCREEN PEOPLE, IT'S NOT WORTH IT) that the dermatologist wanted gone, gone, gone! Due to the placement of the scar I'm not allowed to lift heavy objects, be out in the sun for long periods of time, or move the upper part of my body in drastic ways. Oops. That's kind of what my job entails and my doctor now hates my job. Thanks Doc, I know. Due to this, I have now been out of work for two.five weeks. Real fun. I'm literally going stir crazy in my apartment. What I've done so far this past week? I will tell you...

1. watched the entire first season of Girl Meets World on Netflix

2. got to season 3 of Friends on Netflix

3. cleaned my apartment from top to bottom...twice

4. got organized in my planner

and finally....

5. started my new little business that I've been wanting to start since forever! 

During college I took a couple painting classes, one was required and the second one was for an elective. I went to an art school full of creative people all around which interested me even more in all these different forms of art. I didn't want to stop. It was during the first painting class where I fell deeply and madly in  love with the art; the strokes, the mixing of the colored oil based mud, and the way it felt to touch the brush to the canvas to make something your own and create something beautiful. 

I majored in Photography in college and sometimes deep inside of me I wish I had also majored, or even minored in, painting. Both are my passions and both are what I plan to create to sell in my new Esty shop, tides.  Growing up in Maryland I had a passion for all things Nautical. I guess growing up on the Chesapeake Bay will do the to a gal like me. Any moment I could, I would be out on the water doing something. Fishing, boating, going out to Dobbins Island with a group of my friends were what the summers were all about. The days were spent on the water and the nights were sitting around the picnic table eating crabs and drinking Natty Bohs. 

My inspiration for my paintings come from the days in Maryland that I will forever cherish for the rest of my life.  

Here are a little bit closer looks into my paintings! Take a look see and maybe you too will remember the moments you spent a long the coast!

Starfish

Even though I didn't see many of these little stars growing in the waters in the Chesapeake, I did see them at the Baltimore Aquarium. When it was way way way too hot or a rainy day, some of the time we got to go to the Aquarium in Baltimore! One of my favorite things to see there, besides the dolphins, was go to the touch tank(I think it's still called that)and go play and hold the starfish. Such a strange feeling to get the first touch is kind of amazing. 

Mermaid Scales 

As the saying goes, "I'm kind of pissed I'm not a mermaid", is something a lot a girls can kind of relate to. I mean, how awesome would it be to be a mermaid for even the day?? To swim about with the fish and to always have such amazing hair. I wish my hair looked gorgeous after a swim in the river. Every time you look at these scales, just imagine yourself swimming with a beautiful and shimmering tail!

Pineapple

The pineapple in some cases is a symbol of "Welcoming" welcoming someone to a new place or home. I remember going into the city of Baltimore when I was younger and always remembering this pineapple sculpture on top of a building for a graphics company I believe. Correct me if I'm wrong. I've never really been a big fan of eating the fruit but recently I have been seeing a lot more pineapples in home decorating which drew me to paint my little pineapple. Maybe the craze is because pineapples are a symbol of welcome so decorating with them is welcoming people into their home. 

Baltimore Crabs

(comes in both 4x6 and 8x10)

Blue Crabs. Oh Blue Crabs. Ever since I can remember, I have been eating blue crabs with my family out on the picnic table during the summer time. We never had to buy the crabs because we had traps on the end of out pier. Thank goodness though cause, crabs came at a wealthy price and I can see why! They were delicious. You learn how to pick a crab at a very young age, before you can remember, and you never really stop knowing how to pick one because it's kind of like riding a bike. You know which parts of the crab are the best(the back fin will always my favorite dipped in a little bit of apple cider vinegar, to the parts where it's a big no no to eat because it's the "devils fingers" aka lungs.  These paintings are of the amazing crabs devoured sitting by gorgeous sunsets a long the Magothy River. 

The World is Your Oyster

(comes in a 4x6 and 8x10)

I was never really into eating oysters until about five or so years ago. They always kind of grossed me out because they were slimy and weirdly textured. Then I believe one day I just kind of got up the nerve to try them again and I fell in love. I'm not sure what it was about them that made me fall in love with them but I did. Maybe it was the fact that I was trying something new and they tasted like seafood, which they are, and that's something that I need in my diet at least once a month. I have tried numerous amounts of oysters over the years from up the east and west coast and ones from New Zealand, some of the prettiest oyster shells I've ever seen! The World is Your Oyster saying is one of my favorites. I have it on my phone case to always remind me that anything can happen and you can make it happen if you want it bad enough. It's a crazy world and it's even crazier in LA. Whenever you are feeling something isn't right in the work place or in your personal life, make that change to make it better for your well being. 

Sorry for this super long written post but I haven't written in a while and sometimes the best thing to do for yourself is just getting it out of your system and writing it all down. I hope you enjoy looking in my new shop and possibly picking out a few pieces you love and add to your home(or gallery wall). 

From Screen to Paper

Since the birth of the camera phone, I feel like it's rare that a photograph is actually printed. How sad is that? There is nothing you can hold up close and actually hold in your hands, something that you possibly shot or that an artist that you admire captured.
During the month of June, I decided to stop this trend of leaving photos on the computer or phone and my photographs printed and share them with the world. I take my camera everywhere where I can; let me tell you, it's been wonderful. I had forgotten what it's like to take photographs in the form of "art" because I take thousands of photos each day for work. I take all portraits at work, so I took on  photographing nature around the LA/Orange County area.

Here are some of the shots I took that I will be getting printed and selling in a new shop on Etsy!

These are the prints that I selected to print out and sell!! I hope you like them and may possibly add some of them to a gallery wall or a small statement piece. They will measure 5x5 so they are small/big enough for any wall of the house! 

Give it to Him

There have been quite a few moments in the past few months where I have been praying before I go to sleep each night. It has cleared my mind and has helped me think clearer the next day. If I was looking at this a year ago, I wouldn't believe I would be typing this. I like where I stand with God now and I can't wait to continue this path that I am now taking. I have to thank a friend for guiding back to God after some time away from Him. Thank you, friend. You know who you are:)

Isn't that S'well!?

Last year my friend got this water bottle and at first I was like, it's just like any other water bottle right? I was 110% wrong. I purchased my first S'well Bottle a few weeks ago and I haven't had this much water to drink in a day in my entire life. The "Wonder Glitter" 17oz. is the first bottle I purchased(yes, I ordered another one yesterday) and I'm in love. It kind of reminds me of Cinderella's dress and pixie dust. Perfection for my job at the Most Magical Place on Earth. Right? Well, when I got it in the mail I was a tad bit disappointed in the color because I thought it was going to be more blue. Don't get me wrong, I love it none the less but it definitely gives more of a silvery vibe to it.

The bottle is so well insulated that it's contents stay cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. I haven't tried any hot liquids in the bottle yet BUT I can tell you that cold liquids most definitely stay ice cold for 24...or at least I guess it does. I've been finishing about 7, 17oz bottles of water each day on average. 

The s'well bottle was created so less plastic bottles were to be used that clog up our landfills each year. One of the best ideas ever. Another reason to love such a wonderful company you may ask? Some of the proceeds of each bottle go into help different charities. Makes you want to go on the website now and purchase one.

Among the colorful selection of bottles to choose from you can also shop in their accessories section for a more customized bottle buy adding a different color lid. 

For the month of February, I know...almost ending...you can purchase the Amethyst Stone s'well bottle at 15% off!! On all sizes!! Are you a wine-o? the 24oz can hold a whole bottle of wine! I purchased another 17oz because I just couldn't pass this opportunity up! 

Get yours today!! 

BeautyKind

Ever since I was five years old I always was for giving to a cause that I felt strongly about. First it was the Chesapeake Bay Foundation , a cause that helps keep the water ways of the Chesapeake Bay clean for years to come, to teach kids and adults how important it is to take care of it, and restoring to what has already been damaged. It's a cause I feel very strongly about because I grew up on those waters and I would like to enjoy them when ever I come home.
Another cause I'm very much passionate about is, the Michael J Fox Foundation. Knowing some friends in my life that are very close to me with Parkinson's disease makes me even more passionate about finding a way to help stop it by lots of research. Anyway that I can help, I do.

Thinking about more ways to donate to such amazing causes brings me to this. I actually found out about this online company through Gal Meets Galm. It really spoke to me by, purchasing products that I already use on a daily basis can help a cause that I'm deeply in to, even further by purchasing them through this website. BeautyKind donates 5% of every purchase you make to the foundation of your choice! How great is that?!

I made a few purchases already that the proceeds will be going towards the Michael J Fox Foundation. That 5% can go such a long way to help fund the research to help cure such an awful disease.


Want to help with a cause you're passionate about?! Click here to start!!

20yrs in the making

Do you have one of those friends that you've had since the age of 4? One of those friends that you're basically related? She is your best friend? a sister? You don't see each other for the longest time but you pick up right where you left off?

I Do.

Sami Jean have been the best of friends since the age of 4, in Sister A's Pre-K class, since the first day. We've gone through a lot together; from laughing our butts off, photoshoots down Long Point, late night doughnut runs, there is even a time we stopped talking and it was probably the worst few years of my life. We came to our senses and forgave each other for the what ever stupid reason we stopped talking in the first place. 

We worked together one Summer at a Private Club.

"The Face"

Senior Year of High School Football games

To this ridiculousness

I miss meeting you half way. Those memories I'll treasure forever.

Visiting her through her first week at college. 

I can't believe we've been friends for 20years. 20 YEARS!! Damn does the time fly & I can't wait to be your friend for the rest of our lives and then some. 

Don't be a chair.

The last year of high school was a rough one, well, the second semester was probably the scariest of my life.  January of that year I had gotten into a terrible accident where I fell off the back of my friends car. I went to an girls high school and my friends boy friend went to the all guys school; she wanted to surprise him by going over there because we both had half days. Who knew what was supposed to be such a fun day would turn into a day where I was rushed off to shock trauma totally unconscious not knowing what was happening to me. I ended up having to receive emergency brain surgery because too much blood had gone to my brain and they couldn't drain it fast enough, causing them to shave off half my hair and be gifted with a horseshoe shaped scar on the right side of my head.  No one was responsible because it was, in fact, an accident; there was no one to blame for us just trying to have some fun innocent fun. 

I was out of my last semester of high school for about 2 weeks? It wasn't fun. I was actually losing my mind because I just wanted to get back to school with my friends and continue learning and getting as much in as possible in our last days of that chapter of our lives. I finally got back to school and let me tell you, it was rough. It was rougher than any other semester of college. The teachers knew about my accident so they gave me a little more time to complete work and finish tests; even though there were a few teachers that just didn't care. 

Since they did have to shave half my hair(I was pissed about this)I was rocking, the now, half head shaved look. I didn't want anyone seeing my scar because it was still pretty rough looking and I was pretty embarrassed about it but one of the teachers didn't get the memo that I would be wearing a hat; I went to an private catholic school and wearing a hat indoors was most definitely frowned upon, except for me. This said teacher told me to take it off one day while I was walking through the halls with a friend of mine. I ignored her, stupidly, and she continued to walk after me and tell me over and over again to take it off. You know thank God to my friend, she stood up for me. My friend basically yelled at her by saying that I was allowed to wear it and the teacher backed off right away. It was rather ridiculous. I also received my first ever detention this semester because I thought I had a free period instead of an actual class and of course, got in trouble. 

Graduation came and one of our amazing teachers and Sisters gave a speech that will forever be with me and I will never ever forget. The inspiration from that speech still lives inside of me and it's what gets me through the tough weeks at work and in my personal life. The speech ended with the words...

have passion. have desire. have fire. DON'T be a chair.

It's about not giving up on that rough day, week, or month at work. Somedays are going to be the worst but after the rain comes a rainbow(thank you Katy Perry). But seriously, you do have to go through the bad days and never give up; keep on keeping on. Forever have that passion by doing what you love, have that desire to chase after you didn't think was possible, and have the hottest fire that came from your body to accomplish the hardest task you ever took on. It will be worth it in the end. 

Fact. I do have those days where I want to throw in the bag and just give up on life and not even try anymore because I thought it just wasn't worth it. 

I'm going to tell you right now, everything in your life is building you up to be a stronger & passionate person. At least for me it is. 

No, I won't give up and I will never be a chair because I hate staying still for too long.