Date Day

I had the most wonderful day Saturday. Andy picked me up from the bachelorette party. I was clutching my pillow and clothes, while sipping on a smoothie, in the mall food court. He then surprised me by taking me out to dinner with my parents! I am so lucky that I get to marry such a wonderful man. It was a delight to see my parents, and the dinner ended with Andy and I deciding on a wedding venue. We ended our day in Champaign by going to see 'The Grand Budapest Hotel' at the art theater. 

Wes Anderson is always a favorite~

Bachelorette Party

I am proud to be the maid of honor in one of my closest friend's wedding coming up next month. This Friday, the gals cut loose at the bachelorette party and there was shenanigans to be had. 

The crowning of the bachelorette.~

Real ladies drink gold~

Man it feels good to be a gangsta~

Busy work

I archived books that were older then my parents yesterday. It's a wonderful feeling to hold history in your hand.~

Fixed on Function

Part of my love for the 3D arts comes from the utilitarian use they most often posses. Function has always been as valuable to me as the form, and if something has aesthetic appeal that also has a use beyond aesthetic, it has a special place in my heart.

I've been trying to apply this aesthetic approach to everyday items that have multifunctions. One example is the many wooden pallet diys I'm sure you have seen floating around pinterest. It's this multi-use combined with recycling and rustic appeal that has charmed me into submission. I've been bringing wooden crates into my house and found that they made the most practical, and darling, bookshelves I could buy for under $6!

During my current adventures in wedding planning, I've become fascinated with incorporating this utilitarianism with decor and centerpieces. Any ideas for useful and cheap centerpieces? In what ways have you guys incorporated unique aesthetics with function?~

Filling in the blanks

A lot has happened since I last posted. Most of it involved color swatches, wine parties, and visiting friends~

Under a pile of veils

I've been engaged for a week now, and I am already feeling the wedding biting at my heels. By no means am I complaining, but the stress is sinking in. People asking dates, guest numbers, and budgets. I can hardly wrap my mind around the student loans I need to handle.

Intimate weddings have always appealed to me. It may be counterintuitive for a blogger, but I really don't like having people gawk at me. Especially on such a personal day. I'm flattered that so many people want to share in our celebration. I just hope they understand if they don't quite make the guest list.

My only plan this spring break was to do some spring cleaning. I ended up getting a lot more on me plate and cleaning got put on the backburner. I'm overjoyed to take on the challenge. I have a wonderful resource of creative friends, and I cannot express how lucky I am to take advantage of picking their minds.

Right now I have the dust bunnies from freshly dusted shelves to keep me company with the stacks of bridal magazines.~

St. Louie

The trip to St. Louis provided much more then just Dr.Dog for our listening pleasure. Catching up with an old friend and sampling some of the local cuisine provided just as much fun and pleasure.

 I found myself thumbing through bridal magazine nearly the whole way there. The obsession begins.

Dr. Dog was so fantastic!

 The Mission taco joint was the perfect stop before and after the show. The cactus taco was so fresh and so spicy!

 Andy and I decided to venture out to remedy our after concert headaches with a delicious brunch. Benton Park Cafe was the perfect cure. I highly recommend them if you are ever in the area.~

A thousand times yes

Tuesday not only ended up being one of the most beautiful days in a long while, but it also ended up being one of the most memorable. After a gorgeous, and muddy, day of hiking, Andy and I settled in and soaked up the beauty by the river. Before I knew it, our casual conversation turned into tears of joy as he got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of our lives together. I cannot express how overjoyed I am to continue to make beautiful memories with my best friend forever.

 The day was a perfect representation of the transition into spring.

 This is a sliver of the view we had when he popped the question.

 This ring is so perfect. So lovely~

Walkin' weather

It was the perfect weather for a walk today. I enjoyed every minute. Prepping for Turkey Run tomorrow. Can't wait .~

A little taste of home

My mother came to visit the other day. We celebrated it with Thai food and Royal Donut from home. Mom finally got to meet Dova. They really hit it off. I wish my mom would let me take her picture. 

Donuts and comics, I should end the night this way more often.~

A sad musical

On my walk to get lunch this morning, I heard a hollow and oddly beautiful sound accompanying my footsteps. When I discovered that the tune came from an empty cup dancing down the road in the wind,  my heart sank a little bit. How odd it is when you find something so tragically beautiful.

I recently noticed how many clocks we have around the shop. I find that many of the older clocks and watches hold more character, and exude their own personality.

Time shows on a clock's face, just as time will eventually show on everyone's face. I think there is something tragically beautiful in that as well.~

Time for a break….sort of

I am officially on spring break! Celebrate with me my friends. I don't think it will be the warm and relaxing vacation I had hoped for. It's still quite nippy. My plans include ensuing some spring cleaning, travels to Turkey Run, A Dr. Dog concert, and shin digs with friends of course. This marks my first day of my last spring break.

Midterms

Again I find myself piled bellow a mountain of work. I find myself with an increasing amount of inspiration. My sketchbook is already filling up quickly, I'm so glad I've decided to go back to the regimen of keeping one. I believe I am finally feeling the pinch, realizing that my last semester in college is nearly half over. There is still so much I want to create, new mediums I want to explore, and even more ways I want to push and challenge myself.

I find myself being pulled in many directions right now. My psychology classes are demanding advanced papers, and my three jobs are making it very draining to drag myself into the studio when all is said and done. I've also been both anxious and hesitant to finally launch my etsy shop. This has been in the works for some time as well.

Here is a few pictures of my midterm week so far~

With all the has happened in just half a semester, I find myself both overwhelmed and excited, anxious and hesitant, scared and thrilled. If this year maintains the theme of polarity like it has, then I certainly hope that the second half comes with more production and more motivation then the first.

One thing I've learned about myself is that I have a hard time jumping into things. I psych myself out with the idea that I need to plan every little detail out before actually following through with it. Though it is wise to have some sort of plan before diving in, those who never dive, never enjoy the water.

I have been trying to gain enough courage to take the dive. Dive into all of the things that I've mustered the ambition for. We may never be fully prepared for the challenges that lie ahead for us in our lives, but we will certainly be more prepared learning from our mistakes along the way, rather then never taking them in the first place~