Creativity Tuesday: Why does being creative equate miles of paper work?

I feel like a one man band today.  I have been filling out paper work and creating deadlines and waiting on decisions to be made for my webisode.  My Pre-Production list is so very long-it really cracks me up.  I'm feeling the squeeze today.  I'm still waiting for a director to come aboard. No big deal.  {Yikes!}  But, I'm confident that somehow, some way, a fantastic director will materialize.  I do have auditions set up for April 21, 2011 for my male lead.  I'm so nervous and excited at the same time.  Being a producer/writer/actor/gopher is really stressful.  Maybe my first project is waaaaaaay too ambitious.  But, go big, or go home is my motto.  So, too late now!

Creativity Tuesday: Making the best use of the dollar store.

When I moved to California three years ago, I was beyond broke. Bryan and I were living apart and paying for rent in two cities. I was lucky enough to find an amazing room mate, Catherine. I learned many things from Catherine {which I'll have to delve into further at another point} but one thing Catherine taught me, was to embrace the dollar store. I've always been cool with buying cards there, or rubbing alcohol. But everything else?  I assumed that the products were expired and or nasty. Particularly the food. Nope. Catherine showed me the ropes, and explained the deal. Companies sell overstock or agree to cut prices because they are assured a return at lower tags. That's why they are at the local 99 cent store. What do I love to get?

1. Mexican food:  Tampatio, tortillas, salsa, fresh limes, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese, canned minced garlic, and occasionally fresh California avocado.  


2. Fruits and Veggies:  the fruit in season; but usually apples, tiny bananas, strawberries, and blackberries.  Bags of fresh spinach, corn on the cob, mushrooms, carrot sticks, and yellow squash.  {I love sauteing their yellow squash with butter, olive oil and shallots!}


3. Personal hygiene:  Colgate tooth paste, rubbing alcohol, bandages, q-tips, tissues, cotton balls, razors, and shaving cream.


4. Guiltless pleasures:  sometimes they have Yoplait yogurt, Tollhouse cookie dough, and yesterday I bought a box of Land-O-Lakes butter, that I usually pay twice as much for at the regular store.


5. Fun Frills:  Fresh flowers, plants, herbs, doilies, party favors, and toys, tons of toys!  I love getting silly stocking stuffers or Easter basket items there.

The best part about shopping the dollar store A.) You NEVER know what you are going to find.  B.) You will be shocked by the savings.  Two huge, reusable bags usually run me $18-$25.00. Why pay more when you can get the basics for a fraction of the price? And no one but you will know the difference. So don't be a critic like I was. Give your local dollar store another chance!

Creativity Tuesday: a lady organizes her stationery.

A lady should have distinguished stationery on hand for any potential occasion.  I have cards, thank you notes, blank gift cards, and any given holiday nod.  However, up until recently I couldn't remember where I put anything.  More over, I had uneccesary clutter maintainging the stationery in the cumbsome boxes they came in.  For simplicity and my sanity, I filed all of my paper goods in clear sleeves and herded them into a large 3-ring binder.  I'm card ready for ANY occasion.  So obvious, and yet, so helpful.

Creativity Tuesday: Seasonal Frames.

February is right around the corner.  And February always alludes to love.  To celebrate, I filled my seasonal frames with love letters written during the courtship of Mr. and Mrs. Bunnie.  It was difficult to choose from all of our stacks of sweet letters.  We were so very young and in love.

Creativity Tuesday: The Apartment that Inspires.

I keep coming back to {this} Apartment Therapy home tour. Aside:  It's one of my personal goals to get my space featured onto A.T.. The space is located in a lovely loft, in down town L.A. What is it that piques my interest? The colors, the mixing of old and new, the feminine with masculine, and the odd with conservative. Basically it reminds me of my personal aesthetic motto. I really, REALLY want to move. Bryan and I have oodles of ideas for our next flat. Including some gorgeous vintage wall paper we've collected. I've been hunting for the perfect space for a while. I'm positive that I'll find, "the one." It just requires patience, which clearly I'm lacking. 

Creativity Tuesday: Present Revealed.

I realized that I never revealed my anniversary present.  Well, Bryan switched my presents actually.  He gave me my traditional 7 year anniversary material present of wool on Christmas, then my Christmas present on my anniversary.  But, either way....I have a Fuji Instant camera!  {It's like a tiny Polaroid.}  I'm freaking out.  The pictures are the size of a business cards.  Pictures are to come.  And yes, my hands really are that big.  Bryan and I have the same size mitts.  

Creativity Tuesday: Curating My Personal Gallery.

I believe in surrounding oneself with beautiful things.  I believe in the healing power of art.  I believe in the energy of color, the majesty of composition, and the inspiration that even the tiniest of pieces can evoke.  The print above is my latest acquisition.  I have been vying for it for five weeks.  And as of last night, it's mine.  This gorgeous reprint was signed by the artist Mati Rose.  Her Etsy shop is linked {here.}  

I originally found the piece on a design blog boasting an adorable home office tour.  I saw the piece and fell in love. I then found the the artist's Etsy store, and determined I would buy the diamond after Christmas.  However, by chance I found the print at one of my favorite local stores, Reform School {here.}  This week my quest is to find a frame worthy of it's opponent.  I believe in jealously curating a personal gallery.

Creativity Tuesday on a Wednesday: What I'm reading.

Remember when I did the rave film review of THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY {here?}  Well, husband bought me the book that inspired the screenplay.  I started it three months ago, then promptly misplaced it in a suitcase for two months.  I recently unearthed it, and now I'm back to cherishing it.  It's a gentle read, with most chapters being two page vignettes.  I'm in awe that every painstaking word was constructed via his only means of communication; the blinking of his left eye.  If he can wright a book through such utterly desperate means, what can you and I achieve with our full faculties?  This book humbles me, and inspires. 




The following excerpt relates to the vivid, imaginary feasts Bauby creates in his mind, as he can no longer eat for himself.




"Now I cultivate the art of simmering memories.  You can sit down to a meal at any hour, with no fuss or ceremony.  If it's a restaurant, no need to call ahead.  If I do the cooking, it is always a success.  The boeuf bourguignon is tender, the boeuf en gelee translucent, the apricot pie possesses just the requisite tartness.  Depending on my  mood, I treat myself to a dozen snails, a plate of Alsatian sausage with sauerkraut, and a bottle of Gewurztraminer; or else I savor a simple soft boiled egg with fingers of toast and lightly salted butter.  What a banquet!  The yolk flows warmly over my palate and down my throat.  And indigestion is never a problem."

Creativity Tuesday: Gothic Gift Tags.

This year my Holiday wrapping aesthetic was inspired by my favorite director Tim Burton.  A black and white theme has taken precedence over that of red and green motifs. I made personalized luggage tags tied with a snippet of black ribbon.  Another cool tag alternative would be my U.O. price tag book marks {here.}  And lastly, I also found another great free, printable tag option via My Paper Crane {here.}

Creativity Tuesday: DIY Seasonal Art.

Today I changed out my seasonal art frames.  See my fall display {here.}  For December I went for a graphing paper background.  I hot glued the Hades out of the backs of two pinecones.  With my fridge finally updated, my Christmas decor has been made complete.  I'm utterly giddy.  

Creativity Tuesday: My talented friend Ramsey Robinson.

My friend Ramsey is pretty dang radical.  He's a bartender extraordinaire at the Big Orange, actor, and painter.  He was also the hero who edited my demo reel {here.}  I received an e-mail from Mr. Robinson yesterday regarding his latest artistic offering, as seen above. Many kudos to you Ramsey! If you are in Los Angeles and want to see Ramsey's pieces, head over to Jairo's {here.}  It's odd to think about, but I feel like my circle of friends are creating material for future history books.  And that is quite thrilling.

Creativity Tuesday: Alternative Centerpieces.

I'm a firm believer in creating alternative solutions for centerpieces.  Flowers are magnificent, don't get me wrong.  But I think it's fun to let the creative juices flow and try options nouveau.  Last night I reworked my table-scape, and the pumpkin pyramid makes my heart happy every time I see it.  Tres, tres Thanksgiving. 

Creativity Tuesday: Gratitude.

He is my soul mate.  Sometimes I look at him and think, "I am so very lucky he picked me."  He's wickedly handsome, talented, thoughtful, kind, and extremely loving.  He always expects me to give my best, even when I don't want to.  He holds my hand.  He helps others in need.  He's handy, and can build or weld just about anything.  He takes good care of our puppy.  He's a great kisser.  He lives for music, both listening and creating.  He's my shopping partner extraordinaire.  I love him and admire him with a higher frequency as the years pass.  I am indeed grateful for my husband.

Creativity Tuesday: Black Ribbon Take Three.

This was a project I started Tuesday, but didn't finish until last evening.  I took two frames and spray painted them three coats of Robin's Egg Blue.  Then I hot glued some pressed fall leaves onto some black card stock.  I threaded the black ribbon through the tops to hang over the fridge. I think the frames are pretty cheeky.  It truly adds some flair to the kitchen.  Further more, it will be fun to update as the seasons change.

Creativity Tuesday: October Edition.

It has come to my attention that it is fall.  I feel that my indoor experience should corroborate with that of the outdoors.  Hence the transformation of my mid-century buffet.  The theme was that of a deranged English professor.  I love the dramatic volume of the palm branches {a find on one of Soba's walks.}

One question at a time; yes those are chicken feet tied to a string, yes that is a fox tail, and yes that is one of my childhood favorite reads, OLD BLACK WITCH.  It's about a witch that coexists with new tenants, and her remarkable knack at blueberry pancakes.  

Creativity Tuesday: Where's The Fire?

I'm feeling slightly uninspired today.  I've been ruminating on the Los Angeles friendship scene.  Why is it so darn tough?  I recently had a friend relate to me a sad incident.  For her 30th Birthday dinner nine people no-showed her party.  To add insult to injury, the venue was a swanky place that required advanced reservations.  It made me feel sick.  No one showed up to celebrate with her.  Luckily her sweet boyfriend was there to console her.  But why are people consistently flaky here?

I've lived in the South West, Mid West, and West Coast.  And no where in the United States but Los Angeles have I encountered such flaki-tude.  It happens to me all the time.  You can't just, "hang out" here.  Which is what I'm looking for.  One must make painstaking appointments for weeks, sometimes months in advance.  People pull out their planners and Blackberries to find time.  After the appointment is made, I'll send a reminder e-mail, then the reminder text.  Then invariably, the day of the event I'll receive a flood of responses, "Sorry, can't come,  my cat is depressed, something came up....."  It's an epidemic in this town.  So here's my friendship want ad. 

Wanted:  One radical friend that is NOT flaky

The ideal candidate should be exciting and fun.  She should reside in central Los Angeles.  She loves adventure and wants to try every restaurant in town.  She enjoys, and frequently attends theater, film, concerts, and art shows.  She's an original.  She laughs all the time.  She enjoys going out, but also loves staying in to make dinner, watch old movies, and listening to records.  She shows up unannounced, just to say hi.  She's kind.  She's a great listener.  She inspires me to be a better person.  And last of all, best of all....she's not flaky.




Compensation:  Cupcakes, rides to the airport, and a shoulder to cry on.

Creativity Tuesday: Finding David the Gnome's Village.

I think I finally found David the Gnome's Village.  There was no sign of David's fox friend "Swift." But I have a feeling they were on an adventure.  No doubt some where in the forest together. 

Creativity Tuesday: Fall Inspiration Board.

I adore fall. I woke up inspired
to create an autumnal inspiration board.  This season I'm inspired by
feathers, butterflies, leather bound books, cozy wool sweaters, and
interior vignettes.  What's inspiring you for fall?

Creativity Tuesday: Fall Procrastination Station.

Sister was in town this weekend. We were able to spend Sunday together playing. We decided to have craft night that evening.  We pulled out some water colors, and created patterns for fall leaves.  I used a cookie cutter as my template for the leaves.  Then cut them out of the water colors.  I love fall with all my heart.  Since the leaves don't change in Los Angeles, I make them change indoors. 

Creativity Tuesday: Poetry.

Negotiating Western. 




I saw her yesterday

The sun bright and low

I trusted not myself behind the wheel

I paused

Staring

Gaping




She was bewitching

Her skin kissed in fractured light

Freckles seasoning the bridge of her nose

her hair had a life line

golden

wispy




She was perfection

What life must she lead?

Children turning their faces

Supposing they've encountered angelic presence

Women hesitating to meet her glance

Men opening her doors with a soft swoosh




A nod from the baker

A wink from a teller

A stolen sniff from a teenage boy,

standing behind her, 

awaiting the water fountain




Has she heard the word no

uttered from the lips of another?

Could she define the word disappointment?

Does she know what it feels like to be:

Embarrassed?

Silly?

Plain?

Overlooked?

Generic?

I dare say nay.




She embodies what I feel my soul

would reflect materialized.

My shell quite vanilla and quotidian

I shrug my shoulders 

Pretending

Wishing 

I hadn't seen her at all.