Coffee Buckets and Haircuts

Two things. Yesterday I was getting ready for work at my new job at a certain bookstore where coffee is served. I had just worked the night before for the last time at my old job and had a bit of a late night so I was tired tired tired. I needed plenty of iced coffee. So I made myself a bucket of iced coffee. It came in handy while I ran around the apartment getting ready. My boyfriend thought I was ridiculous. And I admit it was. But it was also a pretty brilliant time saver. Have a bucket? Have little time? There you go....

Also since I'm currently pretty broke I'm trying to cut back on luxury items like nice haircuts. I'm still a little too nervous to go to a Hair Cuttery so I thought I would give myself a haircut. I always like to take photos of hairstyles to my hair stylist so I thought I would have a photo for myself. I went for the Ramona Quimby look, Age 8. I actually really like the haircut and it makes me feel spunky like Ramona. She's a good role model (but probably best for girls who are actually 8?) I may post pictures of the actual cut. Meanwhile, enjoy this photo of the one who inspired it.
Off to work soon! No buckets of coffee for me this morning. Have a great Tuesday!

Things I Like to Look At.

I found this old album on my facebook page called "Things I Like To Look At" and I still like looking at these things so I thought I would share them with you. Because it's an old album I don't have sources for most pics so if you know there sources let me know!

I love this photo. And that dress.

I want a million of these flowers in every color.
Candy bins are the best!
I would like to one day have a room filled with balloons.
These dogs are the silliest and the cutest!
I love this, but I don't want to touch this.
I've always been attracted to compasses.
I don't want to eat them, I want to lick them.
I don't want to touch these, either.
Amy Morken's work is so beautiful.
And I love Marnie Weber's work. Just look at that creepy ghost!
More Marnie Weber. Check out her website, it's so cool and creepy and beautiful.
I want to be as cool as Kime Buzzelli.
And last but never least, this awesome photo of my friend Rochelle's kitten in a basket...!
Have a yummy Monday!

P.S. There's a good chance I've posted these photos before? If I have, this can just serve as a reminder to you all that I love looking at these things...

80s Dream

When I was young I wanted nothing more than to grow up and become a 1980s teen queen. I wanted my name to be Stacey and I wanted fluffy blond curly hair. I also wanted to wear huge bouncy skirts made of tulle under short denim skirts. I couldn't wait. I thought all of this would happen for me around the time I turned 16. I obsessed over the popular "cool" girls in movies including Can't Buy Me Love...

"that is some severe suede!"
And the girls in Heathers. I loved this outfit worn by Shannon Dougherty Heather.
And Valley Girl, ohmygod!
I even lived vicariously through my barbies, dressing them up in the outfits I coveted.
picture source

And then I turned 16 and it was the nineties and everyone was grungy and there was no need for huge amounts of blue eye shadow and I wore silly tee shirts with Mr. Bubble on it and never wore that tutu skirt and my hair was stringy and red and I was super angsty about everything.

I never got to be the 1980s teen queen dream but luckily 80s parties are a dime a dozen these days so I can live out my dreams that way.

Who did you want to be when you were little?

Closing Soon

Hey guys! So I'm going to be wrapping up the art fundraiser very soon. There are still some beautiful works for sale at very affordable prices. Don't forget all the money is going toward a very good cause. Sarah is still in the hospital and baby Caroline is, too, but she's growing quickly! With chemo Sarah has been doing better but still has little set-backs here and there. You can continue to follow her story here. Check out the fundraiser here.

I'm so happy I did this fundraiser not just because I wanted to help but because it's been amazing seeing how kind and generous people are. It certainly gives me a new way to look at the world just as I was becoming a bit jaded. I will not let that happen again, I guarantee it.

See something you would like to purchase? Email me at abeautifulparty@gmail.com

Win a Day with Lil Wayne

The other day someone asked me if I could spend the day with one celebrity who would it be. That's a tough one to answer because it's not like I sit around and think about this question a lot (surprised?) and there are sooo many different kinds of people to choose from. I didn't want to over think it so I picked one of the first people who came to mind based on how great of a day I thought it would be so I chose Lil Wayne.

I think Lil Wayne would be funny and know how to have a fun day.

Later I thought maybe I should have chosen Lady Gaga but I think her outfit could be more distracting than fabulous. Plus I'm still not entirely sure I believe she is genuine in her "look" so I sort of don't want that bad feeling to be confirmed. It would put a real damper on the day and make me wish I stuck with my original choice of Lil Wayne.

But, if I was going for the potential new best friend choice I think I would pick Parker Posey. She seems quirky and smart and funny. All things I look for in a best friend. I would probably be a bit nervous and intimidated around her at first but I think after a few drinks and a round of singing Lil Wayne at karaoke we would become lifelong friends.

Who would you spend the day with??

Birthday!

This past weekend has been very busy. We celebrated my boyfriends birthday with family and friends all weekend long.

I even made my first cake! It's three layers of yellow cake with a chocolate frosting. I have to say it was very delicious!

Proof that there are three layers hidden inside...

I have some major changes going on in my life right now. By the end of the week I will no longer be a waitress but I will be slinging coffee at a certain bookstore/coffee shop. I'm very excited! This is the first year I will not be returning to a school schedule in the fall. I'm really feeling sad about it as I see stores get their back-to-school sections and students start moving back to town. I'm hoping this new job will fill my days and give me plenty of hours to work in the studio. It's really been on the back burning these past couple of weeks but now I'm ready to get back in there and make some art!

How do you cope with balancing art and work?

All That I Want

Now that my student loans have dried up and I'm now getting prepared to start paying them back I find myself with just enough money to pay the bills and maybe buy the occasional article of clothing that is on a super sale. This is bumming me out because there are a few things that I really really really want! I'm sure I will live without them, maybe. Since I can't have them currently in my real life I thought I would make a list of things here to admire in my blog life.

This book. I have it's sister book Tactile. Now I'm dying to see what kind of fabulous art is in this one.

Oh how I love this purse. It reminds me of nights out on the town wearing high heels and pink lipstick. Any time a color is described as cherry red I'm sold.
I finally realized Caroline Hwang has an etsy shop. I sort of wish I didn't know. Her work is so easy to get your hands on. It's so close but so far away!

I love all the Poketo stuff for Target but what I really mega love are these wallets with Matt Furie's artwork. It was actually the Poketo stuff that inspired this post. I was admiring all their stuff at Target the other day and sadly realizing I couldn't justify buying anything. Maybe I could get a keychain...

Holy smokes how bad do I want this camera??? I almost bought it. I had it all together in an amazon cart with film and I almost hit the purchase button but then I stopped myself. That is called discipline. It was very hard. I probably ate a bunch of ice cream after. This camera looks amazing. Anyone have one? What do you think about it.
I died and then came back to life and then died again when I saw the whole Daria series on DVD. Seriously! I gotta have it!
That is the list of many things I lust for.

What are you currently wanting but not buying?

Big day today. Wish me luck!

Photos for my Mom

Okay, my mom has been demanding some photos of my new place. Maybe you are curious, too? It's still not 100% in order yet so I've taken some detail shots. I've also learned that I have to worst photography skills ever. I'm going to sit down with a bottle of wine and the instruction book for my camera and finally tackle this problem. Or just get tipsy. Either way. I'll make some sort of effort.

Without further ado... Here is my new NEW place.

Anyone want to show me how a sewing machine works? Otherwise this is just decoration...

Finally! Little pots for coloring pencils. That was my dream.
I love this kitchen table but there is still junk on it so I'll just show you the good parts.
I got a little obsessive with color-coordination... Bookshelf is next.
This bird watches over me when I'm doing dishes. She whispers encouragement to keep on going. I tell her I hate washing dishes.


I was sold on this apartment as soon as I saw this amazing art deco-ish vanity in the bathroom. Such detail!
If you haven't noticed yet, this bookshelf is my favorite thing ever!
Those flowers were for my one year anniversary with my boyfriend. That's the longest I've ever made it with a fella. Smiley face, indeed.
Blurry! Ugh!
We have paper lanterns! I always wanted these! Teen girl!!

Thanks for looking!

New art up on the fundraiser blog. Go here to see!

Have a fabulous Monday!