this is probably really easy

Brian Dettmer is Xacto's favorite customer.

For fine motor skills, he gets the crown.

Packergallery.com
Toomey-Tourell.com
HaydeeRovirosa.com

A Tale of Two Cities

As I picked up my required reading for Mrs. Quick's 12th grade English, the usual apprehension that follows these selections was kept at bay. With the opening lines so famous in English literature, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times," I fell in love with Charles Dickens. More specifically, the protagonist Sydney Carton. For those of you who have yet to read this masterwork, consider your life half-lived. Set against the backdrop of the French Revolution, Dickens has illustrated Redemption, social injustice, selfless love, revenge, and sacrifice in such a way that, even though this is a re-read for me, I am moved beyond words.

I have since made it my mission to read all of Dicken's 15 novels by the end of this year. I may have to take a break every once in awhile; knowing myself I will accidentally drop vocab bombs on unsuspecting friends. Plus, Dickens tends to be a bit bleak at times.

Next up, David Copperfield. Not to be confused with this guy.

An Illustrated Life

I just purchased a large, full-color book compiling Charlie Haper's various illustrations.
Each page is thoughtfully composed, and each time I flip through its magic pages I fall more in love with his work.

Mystery Meat

Well, it's clear that this manifestation of an instant dinner took longer than a 5 minute warm up.

Tabletop

Within Anthropologie there are numerous "classes" or divisions within Apparel and Home merchandise. I am the Tabletop specialist. Dinnerware, serveware, and the glassware classes fall into this specialty.Every week I get time to review the numbers, and evaluate how these classes are selling. This is the part I love: essentially I get to "run" the business of these classes. I take into account the product's placement on the floor, visibility, the way things are placed next to one another...i.e. color palettes, themes, etc. I also get to know the product. Some of my favorite items recently went on sale, and with our employee appreciation in effect for the holidays, I was able to get 40% off sale prices. My new favorite aquirements:

Pen & Ink Love

I stumbled across this artist's page through the dearada blog. Her drawings alone are gorgeous. The lines cross and dance their way into small networks that comprise an animal/map/image.

Myers Brigg simplified

I took this brief quiz and the first round gave me ENFJ. Sydney has told me emphatically that this is who I am, she being the expert. I took it a second time, changing the answers to a few questions that I was on the fence about. The second assessment is only slightly true.

You Are An ENFJ

The Giver You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed. Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections. Sometimes you idealize relationships too much - and end up being let down. You find the most energy and comfort in social situations ... where you shine. In love, you are very protective and supporting. However, you do need to "feel special" - and it's quite easy for you to get jealous. At work, you are a natural leader. You can help people discover their greatest potential. You would make a good writer, human resources director, or psychologist. How you see yourself: Trusting, idealistic, and expressive When other people don't get you, they see you as: Bossy, inappropriate, and loud

What's Your Personality Type?

You Are An ENFP

The Inspirer You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends. You are also unconventional, irreverent, and unimpressed by authority and rules. Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives. You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're quite the storyteller! In love, you are quite the charmer. And you are definitely willing to risk your heart. You often don't follow through with your flirting or professed feelings. And you do break a lot of hearts. At work, you are driven but not a workaholic. You just always seem to enjoy what you do. You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist. How you see yourself: compassionate, unselfish, and understanding When other people don't get you, they see you as: gushy, emotional, and unfocused

What's Your Personality Type?

Let's Celebrate Color

Ian Hundley's work gives me a new appreciation for the quilt. I'm not sure whether I would want to hang this up on the wall or actually use it on these cold Seattle nights. The interlocking lines and shapes seem to reference city maps taken from an aerial view. Though I am somewhat biased, considering I have been working with line, abstraction, geometric shapes, and maps myself this past year.

Three Cheers for quilts!

Yes, the rumors are true

Wes Anderson strikes again, and it looks like another winner!

The Woman in Art

Be patient and wait for it to load fully. It's a little long, but worth it (in my opinion)

Today I have spent many hours attempting to organize my many worldly possessions that I have accumulated over the last 4 years. Everything was fine until I started finding old art projects. How can I convey to you the feelings I experienced? Embarrassment, regret, disbelief, and questions of "why?" ran through my head. SO many of the projects were lame. I wish I could rewind time and do them all over again. There were moments of triumph here and there, but they were not enough to eliminate the pesky evidence of amateurish artistry. I guess everyone develops their talents in different ways and in their own time. My growth has really shown itself within the last two years of college. Particularly the last year and a half. I know that its only upward from here, but how i wish that the money spent on art supplies, hours spent conceiving and executing projects, could have produced more sightly pieces.

I won't even bother posting pictures. I'll save you the eyesore.

Pandora's Box

You may just get lost in this amusing website as you click,click your way into cyberspace. This blog is dedicated to the crafty, artsy, and superfluous to fulfill your 'need' of all things handmade. Holly Becker, the creator of this domain updates the site frequently. To the left of the page you will find links of interviews, links of interest, and what may be called easy time wasters. If some of the content may be too craftsy or not to you particular tastes, the blog is worth rummaging through, because Becker has found an array of artists, stores, and DIY to showcase. I could go on, but you can just take a look yourself!

http://decor8.blogspot.com/

I would like my own peacock blue, synthetic material, suit please. oh, and throw in some back-up dancers too. thanks.

It's called a Mortarboard

A Chic Songstress

I want this album! Leslie Feist could be singing about anything and I think I would still enjoy it. Her effortless voice is a must-have in any music collection.

I'm Graduating!

In two weeks! May 26th is the commencement ceremony. Four years, one BFA, sleepless nights, substantial relationships, and a semester abroad later....and I am done!

This is the new addition to my life. My poor little G4 just bit the dust. My hardrive experienced a "fatal error" that no techie could fix. FORTUNATELY I did have the foresight to back up my portfolio and some essential folders right before I left for New York. UNFORTUNATELY I have lost all of my pictures, even the ones dating back to High School...all of those pictures now gone almost brings the tears. I have also lost my music. Gone. I lost my lessons for a correspondence class as well, and now have the unhappy task of recreating all of those lessons and face the danger of not completing in time now.

I have had my time of mourning, but the Lord has blessed me monetarily and I have been able to replace my loss.
Its not that my MacBook could ever really replace PowerBook. I love them both, just in different ways. I will miss the PowerBook for the sentimental aspects. While it was a flawed machine, its LCD screen blaring a magenta color after sleep mode then slowly color correcting itself, or its scratches and pathetic battery life, it brought me through 3.8 years of college; sleepless nights slaving over Illustrator of Photoshop. However, I cannot deny the appeal of the sleek, chic silver design of MacBook Pro. The quiet purr of the computer, the informative and enjoyable widgets, the added vanity of a built in camera, and a new processor equals an attractive toy.

and just for fun, I will now post pictures that any self-respecting artist would not show, purely because it requires the admittance of the pleasure of "cheap" effects.

Four months ago I was headed toward a senior show and what I thought would be my defining moment as an artist. Four months ago I could never have imagined myself on the other side of the stress and pressure I was enduring. Now, after this milestone has been completed, like a check mark on "Lauren's Life Goals," I find myself staring ahead to a future that remains a thick fog...it is only speculation and conjecture from here on out. But I'm ok with speculation. I will admit, there are days when I begin to doubt my abilities to function in post-college-adult-world. A perpetual voice whispers, "you don't have enough experience" or "you don't know enough about computer and print terminology." But when can you ever be fully prepared? Who will give me a chance to prove myself. I am a fast learner, and will do my job well.

The plan as of now: Finish school. I am able to walk this May, but will graduate deficient. I have to take summer school courses in order to finish. Not too shabby considering I did take time off for New York. Once done with summer school, I will be moving home temporarily. In the fall I hope to take a trip to NY, and then come back down to California. But who knows, plans are not written in stone.