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;)

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). 

Chesapeake Tides needs your help!!!

I need your help to decide on which little crabby will be going on a baseball cap!!! I have ordered navy blue, black, light pink, and red caps which I will be putting one of these designs on! 

The navy & black caps will be having a red crab & the pink and red will have a blue crab on it!! 

Now I need your help! A or B?!

Life: Summer Uniform

When I'm not in my work uniform, which is only about 2-3 days a week or less, I mostly wearing an outfit like this one. It's easy to throw on and go on adventures that might be taking place or a trip to the store where nike shorts aren't always socially acceptable. 

Purse | Shirt | Shorts | Shoes

What's your go to outfit for your days off?!

Wish List: J. Crew

J Crew has some serious must haves at the moment and these are the four items that are on my list! 

1. Crab Top: Oh goodness. With the 25% off sale that's happening right now, this is definitely making me want it even more. This top would definitely remind me of home(Maryland)while I'm living in California. 

2. Jeweled Painter Tee: I'm all for jewels, stripes, and navy blue. This top covers all my favorites all in one so, why not? 

3. Strapless Jumpsuit: The price kind of hurts my heart but I've never seen anything so perfect. It's definitely an item that I have never really worn before so I'm willing to step up my game and dare to be different with this item.

4. Short Sleeve Sleep Set: I've been looking for the perfect sleep set because lets face it, it's time to get rid of the high school event and vacation spot shirts and boxer shorts that I've been sleeping in since high school. You know, have a more "grown up" look. Plus, you can get them monogramed. 

What are you loving in the new spring collection?!

Wish List: Lilly Pulitzer, Jellies be Jammin'

I grew up on the waters of the Magothy River for 23 years of my life, those were some of the best years....especially the summers. When I was younger my friends and I would get our fishing nets and go hunting for jelly fish(we were strange children). Once we would get the jellies in our nets, we would drop them on the burning hot pier for them to bake and stick, sorry PETA. We even made a little made up restaurant where we would serve "jelly sandwiches".

When this Lilly Pulitzer pattern arrived in their summer collection it brought back so many amazing memories. Memories that I love to cherish and remember. Here is my little wish list of different clothing and accessory items that I'm dying to have!

1. Gabby Shift Dress: You can never go wrong with a Lilly Shift Dress. They are a classic Lilly item that never goes out of style and that you can wear to years to come. & just look at the embellishments at the neck, too too perfect. 

2. Murfee Scarf: oh boy. I have a few of these already and they are the perfect pop of color to have neutral color outfit. This is a MUST HAVE.

3. Buttercup Scallop Hem Short: I have this style of short from a few years back in pink seersucker and I'm completely in love with the scallop hem. Scallops are the perfect addition to any outfit and they are super popular right now. 

4. Dusk Racer Back Tank: perfect with a pair of white jeans and silver jack rogers, I would wear this outfit to death! 

What are you favorite items to the Lilly Pulitzer Summer Line?! 

Wish List: Target, home decor

My dream one day is to have my own apartment and decorate it the way I want & I have a feeling Target is going to help me with this dream. I go into my local Target about 3-4 times a week, it's a bad habit to get into but it also takes the place of a grocery store as well so...a girls gotta eat right? Of course I'm not going there just for the food; that would defeat the purpose of going to Target in the first place. I feel like everyone I have ever talked to that has walked into one all have the same issue. You go in just needed some shampoo or a tooth brush but end up spending WAY more then you intended, it's the best problem to have.

Anyway, I'm obsessed with their furniture line because it is all kinds of preppy and nautical. My style all the way and it's definitely the way I would LOVE to decorate my california apartment.

Here is a little wish list of items that I would love to own someday. 

1.  Custom Upholstered Armless Settee: I love the clean linen look and this color is definitely I could use a variety of colors with if I ever decided to change my color scheme. Throw some pillows on there and wa-la! (side note: my mother and I have a problem with throw pillows. We're always finding ones that we want to buy or ones that we want to make!)

2. Threshold Kilim Square Pouf: Back with the Navy Blue and White. I can't get enough of it. This would be the perfect little ottoman or floor pillow for extra seating if I were to have people over.  It's a classic cotton material and it would look and go perfectly with the sofa. 

3. X-Base Ottoman: The color. The white pipping on the edges. I don't know what's better! The perfect pop of color to add to any navy and white decor. If you are living in a small space, this would be the perfect little table/ottoman to put a couple coffee table books on or a tray with a nice smelling candle. 

What does your dream apartment look like? Or if you have your own place, does your apartment reflect your style in anyway?                                                                            

Goals: Apartment

My ultimate goal in life is to find a job that I could see myself for a very long time. I would be happy doing what I'm doing and that's all that really matters, right? Second on the goal list is, finding an apartment and being able to have it all on my own. Not saying that I'm not liking living with others because I do, it's nice coming home at night and having people to talk to or having a game night. I think I would miss that.

I'm not looking for a house or even a one bedroom apartment, even though that would be nice. I'm just dreaming of a cozy little studio that's decorated the way I wan & I can watch movies that make me ball my eyes out, without anyone watching(I really don't like crying in front of people. tis embarrassing) Just having a small space where I know I will keep it clean because it is small and if I don't clean it well, good luck moving around in it.

Pinterest is my go to, to find inspiration; I have a "home" board that I resort to often that makes me giddy inside knowing that someday I will have a place like these.

The first few photos are from the same little studio that I'm just madly in love with! 

It's so clean and fresh!

Because it's such a small area, storage in any possible way is going to be rare, unless you have a under the bed drawer system which is a major NEED!

That teal accent wall is divine! I'm also kind of loving the room separator curtains. Definitely something to keep in mind when living in a studio. 

So remember how I said storage is kind of "not a thing" in studios? Yes well, this unit would definitely be my go to piece. I have been eye balling it ever since I saw this post....here. It's from Ikea and it's definitely the most efficient ways to store items. There are also baskets that you can purchase to store items that you may not want to be seen on display as well. As for the empty see threw spots, I have been collecting art and other coffee table books for the past three years that would look lovely displayed for everyone to see. 

Do you have any dream apartments or studios that you just love? Please share them with me! I would love to take a look-see:)

Extra! Extra!: Chesapeake Tides

Some of you know if you are personally friends with me on Facebook or have found me through the grape vine of Etsy that I create, sew, and sell items that are inspired by the Chesapeake Bay. It all started with bow ties and now it's grown to a few other items as well.

Maryland Flag Bow Tie

This is one of my most popular items and sellers. As a Marylander, I must say we are very very VERY much in love with our state flag. Anything we can get our hands on with the flag, we pretty much own in.

Maryland Flag Hair Bow

Another very popular item with a lot of the college age girls in Maryland....especially in College Park, Home of the Terps!

Maryland Flag Pocket T-Shirt

These shirts flew off the shelves. I made a few of them to see how they would do and WOW, everyone loves them and I can't wait to create some more. I believe there is only a medium and large left in stock!

Multi Color Seersucker Bow Tie

Seersucker is such a classic material that can me created into a number of different clothing and accessory items. This multi colored tie is perfect for spring and summer and did I mention it's reversible?! 

Hooray for the Red White and Blue Bow Tie

There isn't an American out there that doesn't like to sport the American Flag. We love that flag and we're so proud of it! 

Monogramed Coasters

If it isn't moving, monogram it. I received an embroidery machine for my graduation gift from college last year from my grandparents and I have used it to death! I love monograming any chance I can get with anything I can get my hands on so if you have anything that you want monogramed, hand it over to me! 

Monogram Add On

Speaking of monograms, I now have the option to add on a bow tie or hair bow. You can choose for it to be on the bow it's self or the strap that tucks under the shirt collar. 

Blue Polka Dots with Lilly Pulitzer, White Fallin in Love Cosmetic Bag

I fell in love with Lilly Pulitzer my Junior year of High School when I wore one of her dresses to my Junior Prom. Since then, I have become obsessed! There was a little shop on Etsy at the time I purchased this fabric that sold some of the Lilly Pulitzer patterns so I decided to snatch some up! This bag is currently on sale and it's the last one so get it before it's too late!

Nautical Flag Bags

These bags are my newest edition to Chesapeake Tides. They are 100% custom made by me which means that they may take a little bit longer to get to your door BUT they are totally worth it, trust me. The idea for them sparked a few months ago when I was back home in Maryland visiting some friends and family. I had gone down to the city dock of Annapolis where some people keep there boats tied up on the pier. Looking around at some of the sail boats, I noticed how they have these flags tied up on some of their sails. I have seen in before because the flags are such a nautical staple anywhere along any coastal town; that's when the idea sparked. Any preppy or nautical person loves sporting these flags on different types of accessories and clothing, so why not create a cross body bag that symbolizes a first or last letter of your name?! 

I have sold a few and might possibly take some in to a few stores in some towns in California to see if I can start selling them there as well. 

Chesapeake Tides is my pride and joy. It's not only a little business but also something that I truly love doing. Please check out my other blog that is focused just on Chesapeake Tides and see what new products are coming your way and what specials I am currently running! 

Chesapeake Tides on Etsy!

Life: Painting, oyster

It's been a while since I've picked up a paint brush, about 2 1/2 years. I took my last painting class my junior year of college and the professor was, to put this nicely, not the nicest of people. This kind of ruined painting for me for a while....until now! 

Before I took my first official painting class I had always used acrylics, but we were required to use oil. Such a BIG change. Who knew there would be so many different types of chemicals and liquids to help the oil paint move smoothly, dry faster(it's not the fastest drying paint), or to get the paint out of the brushes. The first time I heard all this, it was kind of overwhelming...until now. I know what chemicals I like to use and not use. Liquid is my very best friend. 

I got a few canvases from Michael's crafts and got right to work on sketching out an oyster. I love oysters; whether it be eating them or decorating with them, they are the perfect nautical touch.

I can't wait to start painting more and hopefully/possibly start selling them in a shop on Etsy. This is also one of the goals that I will have on my "101 things for 1001 days" list. 

If you have any pointers on painting or techniques, I would love the feedback! 

Hello, Friends!

It's been in the making for a while now that I wanted to start a blog about my adventures and my every day life of living in California as a Marylander. I've been traveling to California since 2005 when my mother and I wanted to visit Disneyland for the 50th Anniversary; it was then when I decided I wanted to live out here one day after graduation. After 8 years, my dream came true and I live in California and actually work in Disneyland. It's been extremely hard but also more fun then I've had in my entire life, well besides summers on the Magothy River.

The adventures, goals, everyday life, wish lists, and more is what I hope to accomplish with this.

I hope you enjoy reading as much as I love writing it!