2013 Goals: February Update

The end of another month!! Let's see how my yearly goals are coming along...

• blog 4 times a week  I don't need to tell you that this one has slipped recently.  It's all been in order to put that time and effort toward other goals, however.
• complete my 365 Days of iPhone Photos project Check my updates HERE
• complete one photo-an-hour post for each month February's post coming next week!
• save my pennies and purchase a new laptop to replace the 8 year old glorified paperweight 
• take a trip  I think I'd like to take a long weekend trip in Chicago, perhaps over the Canada Day long weekend.  That way, it won't be crazy busy in the states, I can drive, and Ephraim will hopefully be able to join me as there won't be auditions those days anyhow because of the holiday! Fingers crossed.  I have family in Chicago, and love to go and visit every couple years.
• create more, and consume less Netflix (or knit while I watch!) It's February.  Lay off me.
• read 6 books (this makes me sad.  how did it come to this?!) err, no... *shame*
• create an online portfolio I had to scan a bunch of stuff and organize it for a CD portfolio I had to create, so let's call that progress on this front.  I'm working on it.
• look into continuing education I think I should rename this "consider life after Shaw".  I applied for an internship this week, so we'll see how that pans out.  Anyway, I am thinking about it, and that's really the point.
• take my camera with me more (and invest in a serious camera bag) This has been more difficult with the volumes of snow we've had.  it's very cloudy, and tends not to be great photo taking weather!
• invest more time and effort into friendships, old and new I have had a lot of friend time this month.  And it has been rad.  I miss living close to people!!
• send 6 pieces of snail mail 1/6, with a little mail exchange with Erin of Charlie Foxtrot :)
• build a small business I've been working hard on this one! Nearly ready to rock and roll.
• exercise twice a week  This one hit the backburner the last couple weeks.  I have got a new roommate, and getting the house/my life in order took the rest of my evenings. 
• take life drawing classes I'm getting a drawing board and a new pad of newsprint this weekend so that I can take Tuesday's class.
• get a car got it!!  I am now the proud owner of a decade old Volkswagen Golf, which I have named Gertrude, or Gerty for short.  I am still learning the nuances of driving standard, and need to build some confidence and skill before I'm ready to drive to Toronto or anything.

OOTD: Braids and Elbowpatches like a Badass

I took these outfit photos half an age ago (I'm SO behind!), and though this was my first time using this bridge as a background, I just absolutely adore it!! I like having something to interact with while taking photos, and I think that the shots turned out really pretty.  I really need to venture beyond my front yard a bit more often, as comforting as the shelter of my hedges may be!!

This chambray shirt has been an absolute favourite of mine since I picked it up last summer.  I had been on the hunt for a light denim shirt for a couple years, and finally found this perfect one at J Crew.  At the time I was a little sore about the price, but as it has become a staple in my wardrobe, I got over it pretty quickly.  It's perfectly light for the summertime, but paired with a cardigan shapes up nicely for the winter.  Plus, it looks totally awesome with a bow tie.  Yeah, I'm in love.  I'll quit gushing about it now. Just know that while you've seen this shirt a few times already, you'd better believe you're going to see it again.  I'm obsessed.

I scored this skirt as part of that big donation that the theatre couldn't use, which I talked about a bit here.  I can't wait for warmer weather, so that I can bust out some of the more ridiculous pieces!! The skirt is 150% polyester, like most of the items in the donation, and I'll be honest: I kind of love it.  It's just so bloody easy to wear!! And the wee little polka dots are so charming.  I own so many polka dotted things, and it's just never going to feel like I have enough.  

The warm colours in this outfit made it seem a perfect opportunity to debut this necklace!! Let's just say, that this here necklace may have something to do with my upcoming very special announcement.  I was so excited to pick up a set of letter stamps to do a bit of embossing, and naturally, I had to put something a bit cheeky on my personalized little banner.  So, I proclaimed myself a BADASS.  I like it.  A lot. I've got a pile of these bad boys just waiting to be custom stamped and sent off to their forever homes (a phrase which makes me think of the humane society), and I simply can't WAIT to open shop.  Soon, soon.

THE DEETS

Elbow Patch Cardigan: H&M (Remixed)

Chambray Shirt: J Crew (Remixed)

Skirt: Vintage

Belt: Vintage (Remixed)

Tights: TopShop

Boots: Vintage, Kingpin's Hideaway (Remixed  Remixed)

Custom Embossed Banner Necklace: Premonitory Dreams (Coming Soon!!!)

Now as a bit of a bonus, here are some pictures illustrating how unbelieveably cold it was while we took these photos, and what my REAL face looks like when I let down the human facade.  I do not like the cold.  Well, scratch that, I do not like being inadequately dressed in the cold.  Not cool, man, not cool.  In fact, very cold.  That wasn't funny.  But my face below, is.  So, enjoy!

I hope you're having an excellent Monday! I'm spending the day running around town trying to source some model building supplies for a project I'm working on.  All I can say is, so many tiny trees!!! They're way adorable, heehee!!

--Erin

44 MORE Questions (And Answers)

Over the past two months or so, I have been nominated for a couple Liebster awards! To cut down on spammy goodness, I've combined all of the questionaires into one MEGA POST (think Megazord, with text!) so that I can share a bit more about me here! You know, the random little tidbits that make a person who they are.  Also, may I just say, that the Liebster award and quizzes like this in general remind me so much of the LiveJournal days.  I was a serious LiveJournaler.  It's embarrassing.  Stream of consciousness like you wouldn't believe!! Eh hem, anyway, let's get to it...


I won't be nominating anybody, nor will I be asking my own set of questions (largely due to being...er, overwhelmed!) but I encourage you all to pipe in on any questions that stand out to you! "Getting to knooooow yoooou, getting to know all abooouuut yoouuuu...."


First up, Enid from Edit Twiglet (and now I totally have The Barenaked Ladies stuck in my head!!) asked these questions:

1. If you could only wear one colour for the rest of your life what would it be?

Black.  Maybe it's the goth-teen within me, but I feel I could (go back to) wearing nothing but black, day in and day out, and still feel very much like myself.  Plus it looks rad with my pale skin and red hair, so there's that!

2.If you could go back in time and offer advice to the 15 year old you what would you say?

Take art classes.  You have a part time job, you can afford it.  You need to be doing art in a setting other than a high school classroom. 

3. Who inspires you the most?

I'm not really a role-model having kinda person.  The person who has inspired me most recently, however, is Rochelle of Lucky Lucille.  She's motivated me to get up off my ass, get my sewing machines in order, and take a crack at my gigantic to-sew pile. Love it.

4. If you could have a theme song to your life what would it be?
Oh gosh, this one is hard!!! I guess maybe it would be Sukie in the Graveyard by Belle and Sebastian.  Sukie just sounds a bit like me... though I DID enroll in arts school (as well as wiping the floor with all the assholes.  I was a really scrappy kid, haha)

5. Did you have an imaginary friend/pet when you were little and if so what was their   name?

Nope, real friends for me.  Or quiet reading time (and epic fort building). 

6. What is the one talent you don’t have but really wish you did?

I wish I was really good at baking.  I'm really excellent at eating baked goods, so perhaps this is the cosmos ensuring that I don't overdo it.  Or I just haven't baked enough to really make an art of it

7. What did you want to be when you grew up and are you doing it/still want to do it?

I wanted to be a costume designer, and I am! I also do set design now, which I fell in love with in theatre school. Hooray!

8. If you could experience being any kind of animal for one day what would you be?

For reals, I think I would be a golden retriever.  I would get all the pets, and play in the snow, and cuddle with my human while they read. Dog food seems pretty gross though.

9. If you could conquer one of your fears what would it be?

Heights.  My lift training test was one of the scariest times ever.  I had to get in a cherry picker, drive it around, and take it to full height so I could touch the ceiling.  I stopped two inches short, shut my eyes and waved a hand over the top of my head feeling the lift sway, until my instructor let me come down.  Not fun. I am pretty awesome at driving lifts, but not a big fan of being at height!

10. If you could turn your life story so far into a book what genre would it be?

I would like to say magical realism, but that's only the result of a vivid imagination.  These days, it would read more like a Sylvia Plath novel, haha! Yeah, I think I'd go with some kind of embellished memoir, an allegorical autobiography if you will.

11. Do you prefer rainy days or  sunny days?

I am more productive on sunny days, so those win for me. Also I don't have a car, so I have to walk through the rain, which... sucks...

Megan's Questions:(Live Well and Breathe)

1. What's your favourite book?

My favourite book is Hardboiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami.

2. What's your favourite way to relax?

Depends on what I'm relaxing from! If I'm feeling anxious, I like to relax by going to the gym and working that energy out.  If I'm just tired from work, I like to relax with a bit of netflix and a good project to work on.

3. What's your best advice?

Edit.  Not every idea in a good idea, and not every good idea is appropriate to every situation.  Stop, reflect, be critical of yourself and edit.

4. What's one thing about yourself you like?

I'm resourceful.  It's fun to get inspired by the materials you have (be they tangible or otherwise).

5. What's the last thing you did that you think back to fondly?

I had an awesome dinner out with Ephraim on Sunday night. It ws delicious, we loved the restaurant, and we were seated next to comedians Martin Short and Andrea Martin, which was pretty neat.

6. What's one thing you're determined to learn?

French.  All I have is some rudimentary Canadian high school French, and it is seriously lacking.

7. What's the thing you're best at making?

A mess.  Sad, but true.

8. What's your favourite place to be?

Let's be real.  In bed.  Possibly watching The Walking Dead, and maybe eating a bit of ice cream.  In my pajamas.  AW YUSSS

9. What's something big you're planning to do this year?

I'm planning on opening a small business.  Now excuse me while I go freak out about actually starting a real life indie business for the first time (I sold bags and stuff like that in high school, but this isn't a livejournal account, this is REAL)

10. What's the first thing you do when you wake up?

Hit the snooze button.  I need to get my sleep schedule back on track.

11. What's the last dream you had that you remember?

Oh man, I had this dream last weekend and I only remember snippets buuuut: My Mum had married my former step father (they were common law, but they split up like 4 years ago, so this story line was... unsettling), and in a sub plot, Ephraim and I were involved in some kind of heist, in a mall, in South Korea (and we spoke Korean).  WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME, SUBCONSCIOUS?!?! I think it's that I need to travel.  That is what I'm taking away from this.

Allie's Questions (Misfit Isle)

1. Who’s your favorite author?

Right now, I think my favourite author is Kurt Vonnegut.  This changes. (I know I said my favourite book is by Murakami, but that choice is slightly more permanent) 

 

2. Are you good at math?
Actually, yes! It was kinda sweet being one of the few people who is good at math while at school for theatre.  It's important, people! 

3. Do you wear an apron?
I wear an apron at work, but my apron is covered in glue and paint as opposed to flour and egg. 

4. What do you love about your best friend?
She can read my mind, deliver a snappy one liner like it's her job, and doesn't take anybody's shit.  Also we like almost all of the same things.  We get along, okay?? 

5. What’s your favorite blog?
This changes frequently, too! Right now I can't seem to get enough of Everyday Elsie. I love the photos, personal notes, and lack of (for lack of a better phrase) braindead DIYs.  I think I'm not the target audience when it comes to A Beautiful Mess' DIYs quite often!! 

6. What’s a quote that you feel best describes you?
Oh good lord, these questions aren't getting any easier!! I really don't know with this one.  So let's just say it's "Do, or do not.  There is no try" because sometimes I have trouble with follow-through. 

7. How do you take your coffee or tea?
Tea with milk and sugar!  Rip it, Dip it, Sip it, TEA.
 

8. How do you deal with meeting new people?
It's always easier not to meet new people, but it's also less fun.  I'm an introvert, so I may not actively seek people out, but if someone speaks to me I am not going to ignore them! I'm trying to make more of an effort and not just get super awkward/blush/wish I would drop dead. 

9. What’s your favorite song, album and band? Why?
Song: America by Simon and Garfunkel, though the cover by YES is a close second. Specifically the line "And the moon rose over an open field" does it for me.  Beautiful, simple harmony. 
Album: Deloused in the Comatorium by The Mars Volta.This album reminds me so strongly of a specific time in my life, and never fails to get me pumped up. 
Band: The Shins.  The lyrics, the occasional bit of banjo, the fact that most of the songs are a key I can sing along to... I just love them.  A whole lot.  Again, each album reminds me of a specific time in my life.

10.  What is something new you’d love to learn to do?
Knit socks.  I keep trying and getting stuck.  Heel turns just don't make any sense to me, I just don't understand how the stitches work, and the math to get everything to fit properly. Scarves are a breeze, though :) 

11. Is there something ( like a tv show, movie, song, saying, etc) that always makes you cry? 
UP.  Because I am like every person ever.  However, I don't cry at the opening sequence, I cry at the end because Russel went on this whole big adventure as a Scout to impress his Dad, and at the end ceremony to be awarded his badge, his father ISN'T THERE.  Onions.  Every damn time.  

Rhiannon's Questions (The Sparkly Panda)

1. If you are stuck on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
An economy sized tub of sunscreen, my multi tool, and twine.  I used to love wilderness survival classes and stuff at camp, and the sunscreen is because I burn easily.  

2. Do you have a hidden talent?
I do pretty great accents and funny voices.  It isn't that people don't know that, but not being a performer anymore, most people don't expect this of me.

3. Dress/Skirt or trousers to wear for the rest of your life?
Jeans, please.  I love skirts and all, but I am too active/messy for that to really be a sensible option. 

4. What's your favourite flavour of cupcake?
Lemon curd 

5. What are you biggest blog inspirations?
The Dainty Squid, Vanagon Champion, Keiko Lynn and The Militant Baker. 

6. 10 years from now, where do you want to be?
Designing full time, hopefully segueing into film work, hitched but without children.  That one's gonna take some time.  Kids still seem generally horrible to me. 

7. What is the one food you could live on forever?
Broccoli.  Seriously. 

8. What is your favourite day of the year?
Hallowe'en! I mean, it's a night to party, eat candy, and wear a sweet costume.  Is there anything better? 

9. Morning or night person?
Late morning.  My brain is ready to go at about 10am.  Sadly this does not synch up with standard working hours quite right. 

10. How do you spend your free time?
I like to watch tv/movies, cook, do a bit of crafting, and blog.  Basically, fun stuff that doesn't use my brain too too much, because after a long day at work, my brain is mostly out to sabotage my efforts.   

11. Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging because I had moved about 2 hours away from my home town (where all my family and friends are) and my social life took a nose dive.  Blogging just seemed like a great way to keep my family and friends in the know about what's going on, in one feel swoop, as opposed to relaying the same story 11 times until it's incredibly boring.  Plus, you know, a creative outlet.  Win win. 

A big thank you again to all the wonderful women who nominated me.  It's always a fun challenge to answer these questions honestly, and a neat opportunity not only for you to learn something, but for me to examine myself and learn a thing or two, too!  

And with that, I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! I'm headed into Toronto for a special someone's birthday :)  

--Erin
 

Studio Shots: The Shaw Festival Props Shop - Details

Last week, the Shaw Festival Props shop had a potluck!! It was a nice chance to gather with a bunch of people working in various shops that I may not get to see very often, and of course, the props shop is a very cool looking space to work.  One of the things I love about the Shaw shops is the sense of humor they show in the display of retired props, posters, and in some cases, black velvet paintings all found curbside.  I also love the practical tools, of course (check out the other studio shots posts for proof: Paradigm Designs, my studio), the metal, the wood and even the dust.

I couldn't resist taking out my camera for a couple minutes like a weirdo (like I do) and snapping a couple details while the potluck winded down.

--Erin

Rust, Snow, and Coffee: A Trip To The Old Bridge

A couple weeks ago (can you tell that I'm a little behind?!) Ephraim and I ventured out to this old bridge in town to take some outfit photos.  The light was beautiful, so we figured we'd take a short turn around the area and see what was up.  Armed with some Balzac's, we were still too cold (read: I was only wearing tights and my toes froze) and didn't stick around for too long, but that gorgeous light still made for some pretty great photos.  Here are my favourites from the day!

Each of those black spots is a crazy duck who is not bothered by the icy cold water.  Insane.

--Erin

P.S. If you're on holiday today, I hope you're having a good one! I've just finished digesting a very large and very delicious breakfast of French Toast and veggie sausage courtesy of Ephraim, and now we're getting ready to go bowling!! It's been a lovely weekend, and it's got me feeling motivated to get some work done.  Here's hoping I can make a big enough dent in that big project of mine that I can finally unveil it! Fingers crossed, friends!

Coming Soon...

Friends, I have been busy.  I'm still working out a few details on my business plan, but coming soon, a new adventure for our young heroine (that'd be me). 

--Erin

Photo An Hour: January 2013

One of my goals for 2013 is to complete a photo an hour post every month.  And well, while I didn't POST this during January, this was a late January Sunday in my boring life.  SO HERE YOU GO!

9 am// Getting my craft on

10 am// Also getting my tea on.  Very important!

11 am// Vacation daydreaming.  Take me away!

12 am - 1 pm// Brunching with friends.  Brunch need not be fancy.  Sometimes you just want all of the breakfast, you know?

2 pm// Car ridin'

3 pm// Zelda playin' (well, Ephraim is.  He's almost finished! I'm so excited for him.  Ocarina of Time 4 lyfe)

4 pm// Playing with a bit of lens flare on an outfit photo shoot.  It was cold....so cold.

5 pm// This was shaping up to be such a beautiful sunset, and then the sun dipped behind that cloud and none of the pretty colours were visible.

6 pm// More craftin'.  This is how I roll.

7 pm// Leftover home made roasted veggie pizza for dinner.  This is one of my favourite things to make.  Yum!!

And that, my friends, is a boring day in my life.  The rest of the evening was spent crafting and watching BBC's The Hour on Netflix (Ephraim returned to Toronto after the attempted sunset photography), nice and quiet!  Working all day certainly makes doing photo an hour posts difficult, as I have to wait for the weekends and hope I don't forget part way through the day!! Yeah, I have a rough life :P

--Erin

Studio Shots: @home

I've been spending a lot more time in my home studio, which I absolutely love.  I've been feeling more and more like creating when I get home, instead of feeling burned out after a long day at work like I tend to! Every month Ephraim and I are having a weekend to ourselves, and I tend to spend a great deal of time on those weekends in the studio, enjoying the natural light to get a bit of sewing or painting done.  It's a rare treat, and I really enjoy it when I get the chance! I took my camera out for a couple minutes the last time around, and captured a few details of my home work space.  One of these days, I'd like to get it in good enough order to do a full "tour": yeah, as if it's ever going to be totally clean in there!! Maybe some day...

--Erin

Cemetery Shots

Hi everyone, and happy Monday!

I know Mondays don't tend to be the happiest day of the week, but I once had a Theatre professor who could get our entire 150 person lecture to shout "HAPPY MONDAY" back at her, every week, and you know, I think that moment really helped making Mondays a day that really was happy.  So, HAPPY MONDAY everyone!!

I have some (older) pics to share today.  I mentioned here that I took a detour through a cemetery by my house (where I like to take outfit photos, actually!) back at the end of December, and took some photos of interesting gravestones.  Something I like about this cemetery, is that it has some extremely old stones (the one from 1836 is amazing) practically right next to modern headstones.  I didn't take photos of the more recent ones, as they tend to be much less ornate (or interesting period, if we're being honest). 

Headstones seem to have gotten really... boring.  As a monument to someone's life, I wish that the engraving could really add something to the stone, and perhaps say something about the person.  I tend to be in Jewish cemeteries most frequently, and the majority of headstones have a Star of David, or perhaps a Menorah, and that's all.  In London Ontario, I found a stone with a T-Rex on it, and I hope to visit it every time I am there, even though I don't know the person to whom it belongs.  I want my headstone some day to be really wild.  If it isn't going to be a work of art, my family really ought not to bother with it.  But if you want a place to visit "me", make it something cool to look at, you know? Morbid enough for ya? Get used to it!

You really appreciate how far medicine has come when you see a headstone like this.  I thought the inscription was lovely.

I tend not to edit my photos much, but I tried doing a bit more to these to get a bit of a "moody" feeling going.  I'm not sure how I feel about it, however.  Any thoughts? I suppose that's why I stay away from editing besides a bit of colour correction, I can't seem to look at that side objectively yet! So I'd appreciate a bit of feedback if you feel one way or another about it :)

--Erin