Modern Surrealism

Fashion Photography with Graphic Design

Summer Magic

I may be a few days late in wishing you all a Happy Summer Season but it's better late then never. Nothing says summer like the onset of hot weather (which has yet to hit the Central Coast), popsickles, visits to the beach, sitting outside in the pleasant warm heat of the early evenings, vacationing and taking advantage of any excuse to swim or be near the water. I just wanted to pass along a happy welcome to one of the years most anticipated seasons.

Happy Summer 2011!

Joël Penkman "Food Paintings": paintings never looked so tasty!

Fun Flyer Designs

Valentine's Day Serenade

So Valentine's Day may not be everyone's favorite holiday (thanks Hallmark). But I have to admit, having someone to share it with does convert you to warming up to it. This year Matt decided to use his "sources" as he said, to send four lovely ladies to serenade me with a rose, card and the song "It Had to Be You." So cute! My face turned all shades or red as you can see :)

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Owl Love

Never lose sight of your dreams...

Perhaps I just have a case of the Mondays, but I've come to realize how much I truly miss being immersed by creativity, design trends, inspirational art, mood boards and color swatches. I miss the challenge of coming up with new, unique and fresh concepts in the face of an impending critique or client consultation.

I live in a small town that doesn't offer the opportunities I need to do what I love, but I am going to try and make an effort to market myself for my trade. I'm even considering getting into freelance design for the upcoming wedding season and have emailed any/all wedding planners in the area to see if they or anyone they know can refer me as a freelance wedding invitation designer. The bonus part of working for a printing company is that I've been filing through samples of past wedding invitation projects which has been inspiring me to think creatively with a wider range of designer breadth.

If any you readers know of any design projects that could be thrown my way, whether they are here in Central California or further away... I am also really good at working with client's remotely through email and phone. Any and all help is appreciated so that I can get my fill of designing, for now at least.

I totally need to make these Pantone cookies!

Say yes to the "Nestrest"

Spring Weather and it's only January

With the beautiful weather this weekend I was not only inspired to get outside and bask in it, but I thought that this would be a great time to start a garden with flowers and herbs! I spent my Saturday afternoon out on my balcony deck planting basil, Italian parsely, mint, tulips, pansies, etc. with Scout who enjoyed just being outside and watching the birds. On Sunday I also bought a polka dot watering bucket and a hummingbird feeder. Hope to snap some pictures of the little guys when they discover their new feeder!

Quinoa-Pumpkin Pancakes with Maple Syrup and Toasted Pecan

My boyfriend who's a chef recently mentioned that he had been cooking with it at work. It's been a while since I had it and now I would really like to try this recipe.

So fun!

Fly baby, fly!

I Love You Phillip Morris

I went and saw "I Love You Phillip Morris" with my boyfriend last night and was wonderfully refreshed! It was a fun, quirky, moving and funny story about a man who has been hiding the fact that he is gay his whole life in an effort to be the "best person possible." By doing so, he is married to a woman and working as a police officer thus denying himself his true identity and sexual preferences. I'd highly suggest seeing this movie as it's one of Jim Carrey's best roles... Ewan McGregor is pretty darn good as well.

Love how the snowflakes look against her flaming red hair.

Bad Girl Chic

Fun and dangerously flirty!

trinkets

Absolutely love this retro Evoke Mio radio designed by Orla Kiely. It exudes quirky fun :)

Calling all Dexter lovers...

Customer Dexter prints by Ty Mattson. Yes, I'd love to have a collage of all four!

Maria Kallin Photography

I love paper...

Never be too afraid to share things with those you love...

Date Night

Tonight Matt and I get to go out to celebrate our anniversary which was yesterday. After having a minor breakdown last night when I disciplined myself from going out too late because of work the next morning and sadly, making him feel bad because he could, he came over late last night and said he'd been planning to take me out to dinner anyways and the restaurant was my choice. I think I've settled on Rosie's Italian restaurant in Pismo Beach. And afterward I'll be treating the both of us to an hour in a reserved mineral spring hot tub at Sycamore Mineral Springs in Avila Beach. I'm looking forward to a night of pampering, great food and above all... wonderful company with my sweetheart who loves and supports me for who I am and how I feel. I could've never asked for more.

January 6th - 1 Year Anniversary

It’s my wonderful boyfriend, who also happens to be the love of my life, and my 1 year anniversary today. And although he has to work I get to spend the night hanging out with my good friend Natasha cooking dinner while sipping on our shared case of 2 Buck Chuck (yes, we are classy)! We are also going to go down to Farmer’s Market to buy produce and make homemade applesauce out of my parent’s home grown green apples (leftovers? Oh yes). We are going to make the most of recycling my Christmas tree in her miniature fire pit and then pack our camping chairs and go downtown once again to cheer on the monthly Bike Night participants and I’m sure, after scrambling home from work, Matt will be among them.

He and I have had a wonderful year of love, friendship, trust, laughs, jokes, and a mutual struggle in accommodating our now ex-friend couple. I know we have many more of these years together and I believe that our relationship will only continue to blossom and grow. Matt Wilder I love you sweetheart… Happy Anniversary!

Surprise Share

The CEO of my job let me borrow his box set of 6 Feet Under, which I've never seen. A lot of people may think he is intimidating and such, but his willingness to share something with me that he thinks I will enjoy is reason enough to count this as my daily treat for January 5th :)

erika, пианист - photographer

Click through these beautiful and refreshing photographs. Makes me feel like I'm in a dreamworld...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eericchin/with/3917814187/

A Shoulder to Lean On

My best friend allowed me to vent to her. Which helped me realize that the bigger person is not the person who throws the punch, it's the person who goes into the situation knowing that they'll get hurt, but pushes on despite the fact.

Twig Terrariums

I'd love one of these!

http://twigterrariums.com/photos

Tahiti Pehrson- installation arthttp://www.tahitipehrson.com

Northern Californian artist Tahiti Pehrson has been hand cutting intricate paper works for over a decade. The works are often done in monochromatic white layers with finely cut edges that cast light and shadow through dramatic scenes which creates a breakdown of hard edges and echoing images and patterns.