Rickshaw

This summer is going by way too fast and we’re getting pretty frustrated that there is way too little hours in the day after we get back from work, make dinner, clean, etc. This +  all of the other things going on has gotten us in a little funk.

With the school year approaching, I’ve been filling a lot of professional development hours with workshops. Some are not so exciting but helpful like the two day sessions on classroom discipline, and others like the ones at the MFAH and Glassell are much more enjoyable and relevant. The sessions were only a few hours each, but I got to dabble in collagraph printing, pinhole cameras, enameling, ceramics, and well- just have some fun. It was just the boost/kick in the but I needed, and BJ and I are considering taking an evening class during the school year.

Instant pick me up. I use to by these by the strip, but I spied a bulk pack at Candylicious in the Rice Village.

Our plates and cups seem to be chipping at record rates. Time to repurpose until I can do something like this.

I tried enameling for the first time and decided to do something simple and not so “art teacher”. You know what I mean?

Yes! Got to go back into the darkroom and learned how to use a paint can as a pinhole camera. The weather and lighting was unpredictable, but I still had fun shooting in the sculpture garden.

Working on a few projects and still figuring out my footing.

hah. excuse all the hand shots. not feeling so creative. again.

During our stay in NYC, the first two days was spent buying essentials that we didn’t have time to pack. Honestly, we were happy just to make it to the airport on time. So we ventured down to Rockefeller Center to pick up things like socks, underwear, t-shirts, shoes, etc. We didn’t buy to much after that, but here are some of my favorite things we snagged besides the books BJ got.

29.99! oxfords on final sale at Madewell. They kind of slip off my feet when I walk, but I’m determined to fix it!

Yoshitomo Nara towel (already doubling as my movie blanket) & a Warrior’s of Radness sweater from Opening Ceremony.

1968 (BJ’s favorite year) calendar towel from 10 ft. Single *

J.Crew tie & steven Alan Tie from Bird **

Melissa joy Manning triangular earrings from Bird

* Kuddos to Lena C. for the tip
** Spotted George O’Malley + was probably very obviously about it

photos by Todd Cole

We also enjoyed  reading about Rodarte’s Top 10 picks for Criterion. Beautiful just like their work.

50% off Criterion Collection at Barnes & Noble until August 1st.

We’re back! Our feet are worn out, our bellies are full, and our brains are about to explode from all the noise, art, people, sights of New York City. We ended up taking more photos with our new Diana Instant back (Thanks you Catherine!), and once those get scanned, I’ll post them here and write more about our trip later…

10.75 lunch specials at Azusa, Grand Central market lobby, Pearl River Market, Despana tapas, water towers, MOMA, the Met with Annie, Brooklyn Museum to see Kiki Smith + the fashion exhibit, Vanessa, and looking at the skyline from a dock in Brooklyn.

We are overwhelmed with all the love, friends, laughter, family, dancing, food, and joy surrounding these last few days and feel so fortunate to have so many people celebrate and support us. THANK YOU. More pictures to come- we’re off to spend more time with everyone who is still here especially these kiddos. Cute overload.

Hi there,

Just coming up for some air. Whew. My house is covered in paper scraps, my head is spinning, and 24 hours seems like too short of a day! I finally settled my car situation, and we decided to take out a loan to buy a new car. At least I’ll have more peace of mind during my long commutes to work. And we’ll both be sharing it, so I think it’s a good idea in the long run. Still, timing? Not so great.

I thought I would share this piece BJ did a few nights ago. I swear he busted it out so quickly. Don’t you think he should do more?

I’m so excited to see all my friends and family next week.

I feel like this summer is going to be gone in the blink of an eye! Let’s see: over the past few days I’ve gone to a couple of meetings, got into my first car accident (not my fault though!), went on a retreat with BJ for marriage prep (more on that later), quietly celebrated my 25th birthday, sewed lots of flowers and birds, and drove all around Houston running errands. I really wish I were super-organized and had a few extra pair of hands.

* The accident couldn’t have come at a worse time—right on the day of our retreat + with all these wedding plans going on. Plus, B and I are sharing a car. But on the bright side, this rental drives over pot holes so much better than mine. My car is basically too costly to fix, and I need to find a replacement quickly before I turn over the rental. Oi.

Thankfully, B was close by and called the cops for me. If anyone ever offered a Getting Through the Small Things in Life course, I would be the first to sign up. On the syllabus: How to change a tire, How to get info in an accident, How to fix a leaky pipe, How to sign a lease.

Anyways, before I ramble on any more, here are a few pictures I remembered to take:

1. Packing for the weekend
2. Finished Juju’s flower-girl belt + a few brass bells
3. Huge wire basket from Grace Hart & Co
4. Gaudy belt from Sand Dollar thrift store around the corner, 45 cents
5. Another belt from Sand Dollar. Made in Texas. (Clothing1/2 off on Wed.

No more pencils
No more books
No more teacher’s student’s dirty looks*

I’ve been trying to tackle a load of things so it’s been pretty busy here. Since I’m normally surrounded by a lot of people and noise at my job, the silence after everyone leaves in the morning, and being alone, is a little strange. It freaked me out enough that I hid in our closet for a good half hour because I swore I heard people breaking in. I’m a little embarrassed, but happy to be alive :0 ! Blame it on the loud air conditioning, construction, and ice machine … or ghost?

Today was much better. I stopped by Grace Hart and Co. a few blocks away and it’s totally overstimulating but amazing! They have a good selection of costume jewelry and antiques + cookies and coffee in the back. And the saleswomen leave you alone but will gladly listen to you ramble on and on. Every booth had great finds, and I only got a few things this time, but will definitely be back for presents.

mouse brooches with movable tails

Japanese beaded evening bag

teak + crystal cheese boards

*I’ll miss my kids. really.

This is what I plan to do after July but maybe with two arms behind my head instead. B thinks my sleeping position is pretty strange. I noticed my dad and younger sister sleep the same way.

hatip: design*sponge

Yelena Byksenkova’s Private Lives Series.
Lots more beautiful work to see in her blog and shop. Check her out!

Beautiful. Reminds me of summer.

I never saw this film, but  I always remembered the poster. Designed by Michael Gillette.