Gingersnap

Last post of 2011: the year of a lot of reflection, personal growth in life and creative spirit, and a new found peace that I never expected. Well, here are seven best things that have helped shape me along the way. #7 Best Album An exclusive from my Starbucks obsession (see #4), Feist's new album was highly anticipated, especially with the first track, "Bittersweet Melodies" on repeat in my head. My leading Canadian lady didn't disappoint. Beautifully composed songs and signature poignant lyrics on folk beats make Feist's fourth studio album a blissful treat for the ears and tender heart. Standout cuts include the soft, melodic poetry of "Caught A Long Wind," the swingy uptempo, "The Bad In Each Other," and the smooth, laid back, "How Come We Don't Go There." The added choir background vocals in "Undiscovered First" and "Graveyard" are also quite compelling to note. #6 Best Dayton Art Museum 2011 wa...

Went strolling through the Fairfield Commons Mall searching for the perfect gifts for Mom and brothers. Fruitless and empty handed, I ventured into two of my favorite shops, Nirvana and SHE Fashions (formerly Sleepy Hollow) looking for bargain deals. Of course, I knew that there would be more "presents" for me here and not my family. Still, nothing wrong with harmless window shopping! Belly Dancing wear on sale! Sweet! Ummm yeah. Could totally see Mom and brothers enjoying these things. Nothing in my color spectrum unfortunately- only purples or darker blues for me! Not that I planned on making purchases for myself. But can't help imagining how amazing at home belly dance training would be if I wore something similar to what the other Shimmy ladies are wearing! Bob Marley! Yay! Except Mom isn't necessarily big on reggae and my brothers probably aren't interested in a dread locked Rastafarian rapping about peace and love. Though one brother might love the "gre...

Here are 500 words to describe EJ Dimera: acute affable apt adroit agile agog abandoned abdicate abiding abrogated accomplished accountability acrimonious adamant adaptive adherent adumbrated advantageous affected afflicted alluring absorbing aggressive altruistic amaranthine amazing ambiguous ambitious ambrosial amiable amusing analytical anxious apprehensive ardent arousing artful articulate assailed assertive assiduous astonishing astounding astute attentive audacious aureate authoritative avaricious aware awe-inspiring beautiful beguiling behooved berated bewildering bewitching bold brassy brazen brilliant burdensome capable cajoling cantankerous captious captivating cautious cavalier cerebral chivalrous clandestined clever charismatic charming cheeky circumspect coaxing cocky cognizant collected commanding compelling complex complicated comprehensive conciliatory conclusive condescending confident conflicted coniving conscientious constructive consuming contemplative contemporary ...

Ever since I heard from resident artist Kevin Harris about five dollar Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Dayton Printmaking Coop, I have been super duper excited! It’s an amazing opportunity to use the facility and their materials for so low a price. It’s a great steal to take advantage of! Plus, it is an hour’s walk away. Yes! Woo hoo! Now for weeks, I kept wondering what would I make? What kinds of drawings are worth printing? Holiday cards are definitely on the way, but I wanted to make other artworks too. As most of my friends know, I’ve been secretly plotting to squeeze my way into the fashion industry. A few blog posts ago, I shared whimsical fashion dreams- rubber ducky style! Etsy, eBay, Google, JoAnn’s, thrift shops were the places I searched for rubber ducky centric fabrics. Weeks ago, I found this amazing number for only $1 at the Village! Yes, $1. And it was originally $2! Talk about dated and vintage. Tote bag? Skirt? A vest? Who knows what I’ll be making out of it? There’s ...

This was my dream last night. A clustered, metaphoric cloud of rubber duck inspiration came to me.... I suppose we all have our little maddening obsessions. These little things that make us overly happy time and time again. Mine are of course- chocolate, vintage clothes, art, writing, and rubber ducks! So combining art, rubber ducks, and fashion made for an exciting sketchbook venture! From previous posts, you could see that the owl designs being included into the wearable world got me thinking about finding a place for ducks. What if they could be emphasis for clothes and bags and not just towels, hand dispensers, and other bathroom items? Starring Prismacolor colored pencils and markers, let's see the five nifty items I've made so far. Was there ever a fancier tote? A lot of people will gawk and stare at the fashionista with envy when she walks around painting the town blue and yellow with this glam rubber duck patterned bag! I have a lot of fantasies swinging this round and ...

As much as I hang out at the Oregon District- at the art galleries, the thrift shop, the record store, Fifth Street Deli, Trolley Stop, and the Sterling Silver Studio, I should have stepped into Feathers at least once! Today I decided to do so on this beautifully sunny afternoon! That's me reflected in the store front window, by the way! Hahaha! Isn't this coat darling? I absolutely love the color. Sharp, bold, and downright sophisticated, I imagined looking like a richly spoiled gal with a veiled pillbox hat on top of my head and walking a frou frou dog in spiky, over the top heels! I have the tendency to let my thoughts run wild! This charming black beaded velvet jacket is the stuff of dreams isn't it? It looks a bit large, short in length, and shoulder padded. How could a body like mine pull off something as classic as this? I have an hourglass shape so this would definitely box me in too. Unless I found a tailor who could work miracles, this $40 jacket had to stay! Now ...