things i love: week of 1.16

* wonderful open kitchen shelves. i have been lusting over houses lately, most likely because i am living in a rental right now, with very little flexibility for interior changes. some day...


















* oiled canvas, and everything made out of it (like this bag). i love how its being re-purposed in the fashion world.

















* a great bag. i think i just love bags.

















* this fantastic dress. Pockets, interesting neckline, deep wine color. yes, please.

new years resolutions:

1.
spend more time drawing. i have really fallen off the wagon with my arts lately. so i am climbing back on, full time (ok, maybe just part time, realistically).

2.
finally get a hold of fashion. im not talking popular fashion, just my version of it. i need to understand who i am and what my clothes say about me...and be in control of it. any ideas?

thats all. im sticking to 2 resolutions (even though i kind of hate the idea of resolutions). this way, however, i can really focus on them and get out of 2012 with a smile on my face. others things i hope to get done in 2012 (lets not call them resolutions though):
- figure out the next step for my life
- more activity in everyday life!
- say yes to more opportunities and activities
- embrace the 25th year of my life

happy 2012 to everyone. how is it going already?

Where have I been???

Oh my, its been so long! My sincerest apologies to everyone (anyone?) I am going to get back on track with posting. I have just been so busy with crafting, traveling, teaching, and cats!

Christmas was great- spent 10 days in NYC and Massachusetts visiting the family (with Tom in tow). The holidays were really great- relaxing and lovely.

I have an excess of time right now because I am currently enjoying my 3rd snow day in a row. Oh, Seattle. I dont think I have ever had 3 snow days in a row before, and I am not complaining.

Here are some update-photos from the last 2 MONTHS!






















Christmas at our house in Seattle.






















Just hanging out with some llamas...





















Christmas at the Catsos house.

a great night

I often get frustrated thinking about the kinds of people who get famous in our contemporary society: those with little to no talent or skill, very little to say, and entertaining only in their lack of those things.

Tom and I went to a Tender Forever show the other night, and I was just struck by how amazing of an artist she is. She has been making music for years, and is a fantastic performer. Check her out:

A New Job!

After a semi-severe quarter life crisis, I am now a member of Literacy Americorps, and serving an 11 month term in the Seattle area. I quit my job at the bakery, and now I am teaching at an untraditional college-prep program. The program caters to 16-21 year olds who have a number of barriers but want to attend college. We help them get their GEDs, or get from wherever they are to a college level. Working together with case managers, we place them in internships, teach employment classes, help them with math, administer tests, and generally try to help them get on track to attend a 2 or 4 year college. If they complete our program, they get full tuition to Shoreline Community College (we are also located on their campus). It is just an amazing holistic program with a great philosophy. We are able to give these kids a lot of resources and opportunities to help them reach their goals.

I never thought I would be teaching math, but I love every minute of it. Everyday is different, I get to interact with people, and I am given a lot of freedom and responsibility. It is everything I have ever wanted in a job. So this is what I will be doing until July, and hopefully by then I have a better idea of where I want to go from there (maybe grad school for teaching, maybe another program).

I am just absolutely pleased.

My vacation:

Tom and I took a trip to the Olympic Peninsula and stayed in the National Park. We enjoyed lovely beach walks, hikes in the rainforest, and late breakfasts. Our little log cabin also had a wood stove. It was the perfect way to kick off his start of law school, and my start of a new job (more on that later).

Kerning for the obsessed

Here is the graphic design nerd in me. This is a fun website where you get to play with kerning (letter spacing). Who would ever think to make a game out of that??

Have a nice weekend everyone!