Showing posts with label California. Show all posts
Showing posts with label California. Show all posts

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Meet George Banks





Family 


Cousins


Leaping


Snoozing


High-Fives


George Banks is a Goldendoodle puppy of currently, 11weeks. I picked him up right outside Riverside, CA on February 6. He was the cutest little munchkin' and weighed only about 10lbs, oh how has that changed! The next day I flew him back home to Maryland and I've been in love with him ever since. 

GB has literally made me the happiest Ive been in such a long long time. He's been there during those times where Ive cried my eyes out, when I needed to be comforted, and knows just what to do to cheer me up. I love him to bits. I've been so amazed on how smart he is; he has learned so many things in such a small amount of time it blows my mind. Mastering sit, lay down, and paw, within the first two weeks. He's genesis I tell you. 

I can't wait and don't want him to grow up. The last time I had a "big" dog was when I was growing up so having a "big" dog back in the house is going to take some getting used to but I don't mind in the least bit. He's going to be one of my best friends thats for sure. 

stay hooked.




Thursday, November 19, 2015

Times are a Changin'

As in time zones, cities, and STATES! 

I am currently in the process of packing up my apartment in Southern California and I am heading back home to Maryland. I will be jobless, except for my little businesses on the side(tides. and Chesapeake Tides), and will be saving all the money I can by living back with my madre. 

When life throws you curves and balls that you miss, it's sometimes best to start anew and head back to the place where you feel most comfortable. Home. Maryland is a special place to me and it always will be the place where I feel most like myself. I have yet to find a place where I'm the happiest. 

I guess the thing that makes me the happiest about the great state of Maryland is a number of things but mostly family. All my family either lives in Maryland or somewhere else on the East Coast. It was really hard being away from any kind of family for two years, even though I would go back a couple times a year or they would come to visit me. It definitely wasn't the same. I wouldn't always see them and I never saw them all at the same time. It was really really hard. 
Another thing that I missed the most was my friends. Sure I have the best of friends and life time friends in California but there is definitely something about that childhood friend that will always hold a special place in your heart and mind. I went back for a wedding in October and I knew exactly then that I needed to move back home to be around what I had been missing for so long. 

It's going to be a change but I'm ready for the adventure. 


"When adventure has lost it's meaning, I'll be homeward bound in time."



So long California, until we meet again....









Ps: I will be posting a lot more once I'm home;)

Thursday, August 27, 2015

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!



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. 



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!



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. 


(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. 


(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). 



Friday, February 27, 2015

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!! 

Friday, August 15, 2014

Wish List: 3DS XL

Yes, you read that title right. Currently on my wish list is a 3DS XL. My reasoning behind it is because well, I'm tired of just sitting around with nothing to do. Yes, I always have sewing to do and I could paint but sometimes I don't want to be creative and I just want to lay in bed all day on my days off. A lot of people at work are very much into it and they have games that they play religiously, I don't ever want to get like that but I do want some fun games.



Go ahead and call me a nerd. 

I think the black is my favorite, it will get less dirty looking that way right?! right! Plus I would totally add a monogram to it of course. 

Do you have a 3DS XL? What are your favorite games to play? 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Goal: Decorating My New Room

I'm currently in Maryland at the moment and decorating my new room at my mothers new house!! Getting to decorate my own room is something that I love doing; being able to decorate with a clean room that hasn't been filled yet excites me the most. My idea for this new room is blue and white with touches of gold. It's super clean and simple. Here are a few things from Design Darling that I've already had shipped here that I can't wait to put out and show you how it looks!


I will be placing this on my cream colored chair that I've had since forever. It's a super comfy chair to read in for hours at a time. 


This blanket is actually huge and I can't wait to cuddle up with it on my bed or on my chair. The color of the carpet in the room is a shade of blue so this will go nicely on my all white duvet cover and white sheet set. 

I can't wait to pick up a few other items on my visit home to help make my room look complete.

Monday, August 11, 2014

Life: Going Home

I'm going home this week and I couldn't be more excited! I haven't been home since March and in my book, that is waaay way too long. My mom has recently bought a house with a yard so I'm sure the dogs are going to be super excited to run around again because of course, they couldn't do that in the apartment. My favorite part is that I will be getting my own room again...in the attic! How awesome is that? I have always dreamed of an attic room and it is finally coming true!


My roooom!!!!!!


The dogs already enjoying the new front yard. 

(sorry for the poor picture quality, phone photos aren't always the best)

I'll be back home in Maryland from August 13-20 and I can't wait to hang out with friends, family, and get caught up on life in general! 



Saturday, August 9, 2014

Reading List: Gone Girl


I had never heard of this book until my friend read it and started raving about it. I trust her when she says a book is a "must read" so of course I had to pick it up. After reading the first couple chapters, it's kind of slow getting into but she assured me that it does pick up and get more interesting. Apparently it's going to be made into a movie so I must get it read before October, which shouldn't be a problem since I do my best reading on a plane and I will be traveling back to Maryland next week via plane. 

Has anyone read this yet?!

Friday, August 8, 2014

Wish List: New Balance 574

For a while now I've been wanting the New Balance 574 tennis shoes. They have super fun color combinations and they look super retro! Here are a few that I'm kind of obsessed with and I would seriously buy each of them if I had the room and money.



I'm loving and really into the navy blue and pink color combination right now. Super classic and it will go with everything I own.


I mean, these pink and green ones kind of look like a watermelon but the pop of color is fantastic.



Zoom Zoom Zoom, you make my heart go BOOM BOOM BOOM. When I first laid eyes on these little beauties I thought of Zenon Girl of the 21st Century.  I loved the movie growing up on Disney Channel so why not channel my inner futuristic self and purchase these. 


Of course there is a pink and green option in these as well.


Which ones are your favorite?! Do you own a pair? how do they run....true to size, big or small?! Let me know because I would like to purchase one of the three.





Thursday, August 7, 2014

Goal: Photography

So I went to school for Photography and received my BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in the Spring of 2013. I work in California as a photographer but I wouldn't qualify is as photography unless I'm doing a special event. In the past I have photographed a few high school seniors, head shots, engagements, and a wedding...I will be going home next April to photograph another and I'm super thrilled! Recently though I haven't even touched my camera, sorry about that. I shoot with a Nikon at work and a Canon for my personal business which I feel work two different ways, I mean they totally do. I prefer Canon of course, but Nikon is kind of winning my heart a little bit. I suppose that's just because I work with them the majority of the time.

Getting back to where I wanted to talk about...

I want to start up my little business again here in California, which may or may not be so easy. I feel like so many people are photographers these days that it's hard to make an actually living off of it unless you have a technique that no one has picked up on yet. I'm going to change that. I want to start small and work up to bigger things. The first step is getting my name out there. The second step is experimenting and practicing more with both my camera and getting friends to model for me.

Here are a few photos that I've taken over the past couple of years that I just can't get enough of. Also, I can definitely see a huge difference over the years that my style has changed and that I've learned to fully use my camera in the proper way.

High School Seniors









Engagements











Wedding





Photoshoot/Advertising








Headshots



Family










Sorry for the photo over load but I needed to share a little of all I did. All these sessions were some of my favorites and I can't wait to capture even more memories for high school seniors, families and couples getting ready to get married!

For more information about what each session costs, check out my Facebook page....here