On Failure

Trent and I had a really interesting discussion about failure today. It can be hard to know what to do after putting yourself into something for so long and then abandoning it.

We put pressure on ourselves to have everything figured out in our early twenties.

You just gotta remember that your twenties are for making mistakes and figuring out who you are. We don't need careers and families to make us happy.

The last day of August

When I get down about living in Utah, I look at the clouds and let my amazement take over.

The weather is amazing right now. Today the wind was blowing so hard it threatened to push us over. Sitting down, it felt a bit like floating in warm water.

Yesterday was fish taco day, or as Trent and I like to call it- Taco Tuesday. $1.50 fish tacos at Rubios. We buy four at a time to ensure leftovers. We took them to the park where we watched the sun go down.

Last Saturday, as a sendoff of my friend Grace, who is moving back to San Francisco for school, we had a jewelry-making day. It took me a few days to get the design right, but I'm absolutely in love. The thin blue ones are my favorite.

Still waiting for that CF card for my brand new camera. According to UPS.com, I should have it by 10 AM tomorrow morning. It couldn't get here soon enough. With every photo I take on my old camera, I criticize the quality. My DLSR is going to blow them away.

The Spending Thirst

I just made a very big, serious purchase. I bought the fancy camera and lens of my dreams last week and it's finally here. Unfortunately, I have to wait until Wednesday for my CF card to be delivered, which is very much essential to my being able to use the camera.

In the meantime, I've compiled the rest of the material things that have been keeping me up late at night.

The Scando, which I mentioned before, is still very high on my list, and it's hogging 99.9% of my savings right now.

Porch lanterns. I live in a duplex, and not only does our neighbor have the dishwasher, gas range, fireplace, and old-fashioned bathtub, she also has custody of the switch that controls our porch light-- and she never turns it on. Some mood lighting would be nice when I'm out there sipping sangria on those new porch chairs, not going to lie.

And VERY low on the list- The perfect casual tie-at-the-belly-button tank top from Top Shop (which now offers free shipping ANYWHERE, and claims to have hassle free returns now. I wonder if they read my blog?) and lastly, the Scotch and Soda tassel necklace, no longer torturing me because it has officially sold out.

I find that my deepest desires become very attainable when I write them down and then set aside money each month to buy them. It was crazy hard to be patient, but it felt fucking awesome to be able to pay cash for something that means so much to me. I can't wait to debut this camera officially. For reals.

Weekend Reflection

Pictures from Portland, which already seems like so long ago. This was a special send-off for Sue, who made a big move to Detroit right after I went home.

I met my sweet neighbor to the North who gave me a tour of her 100+ year old home and the incredible garden which is growing mutant giant vegetables. She gifted me one, and then another, after I left her a hand-written thank you note on her front door which described the meal I made with it and my hope for future garden gifts.

Porch chairs found at the thrift store for five dollars. Under the grime of outdoor abuse and neglect was the cheeriest yellow color. They instantly brightened the porch. I've watched two lightening storms in this spot in the two weeks we've had them.

A more sophisticated lighting method is in order.

The new haircut. I like it a lot.

Asian Bob

I like to get some good inspiration going before I go in to get a haircut. I've never found such a good source either. It was like hitting the hair of my dreams jackpot. I honestly didn't think it existed. I can't tell you how many times I googled "Asian bob" to no avail.

They have some pretty great long styles too.

From Rasysa

Life Design

Muji

Life Design -- From nigiyaka

Scouted on Make It Easy

Valerie Chiang

Image series by Valerie Chiang titled Mpoplinsholiday.

Ridiculously perfect.

Patio Spaces

Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy

Design Sponge

Re-Nest

Trent and I used our local classifieds to go buy and pick up a small smoker/charcoal grill tonight, and now I'm obsessed with this idea of turning our fenced-in outdoor patio into a barbecue/eating space. I immediately scoured pinterest to find patios to keep the dream alive.

I don't think he'd looked at our deck since we moved in here over two years ago, and he groaned out loud at the very mention of us cleaning up the jungle that has taken over that space.

I think that's the biggest difference between the two of us-- I tend to see only the glorified potential, he sees the long, sweaty day of work. Together we make a pretty awesome team though. I need someone to keep me rational.

Home Inspiration

Re-nest

Avotakka

Bo-Laget

Exact link unknown, sorry! (Somewhere in Desire to Inspire)

Apartment Therapy

Bo-Laget

Bo-Laget

House to Home

Style Milk Shop

I love

Women's collection at Style Milk Shop.

Originally found here on Nadinoo.

Public School

By School Supplies.

My school is a public school. There's no tuition, no deadlines-- just living, observing, learning, and the occasional midday nap.

August Gallery Stroll

Gallery Stroll last night-- at Ken Sanders Rare Books where I found this coral colored Real Simple card notebook. Perfect for my lists. Before, I was writing them on loose cards which would get lost and thrown away constantly.

Stumbled into the most amazing open artist studio where a man named Jean-paul was painting portraits. Learned that certain oil paints are highly toxic and can cause dementia. Don't put them on your hand-- no matter how beautiful the color looks against your skin.

Sea foam green leather cord and gold noodle beads came in the mail. Leather is too large for the beads. I'll need to order a different size.

Worked on a painting last night after Gallery Stroll. My improvised palette and dollar paint brushes.

That pink girl post card is from a gallery I visited last night. The artist's name is Jenny Morgan.

My painting in progress. The lack of an undo button in real life is really terrifying, but it forces me to be really creative and expand on my mistakes.

Vintage stitched postcard from Ken Sander's Rare Books. It was made in Spain. Enough Said.

Postcard from the band St. Boheme, which played outside during the stroll. Won me over with their covers of Yann Tiersen's Amelie-- one of my favorite movies of all time.

Overall a completely magical night.