Merry Merry from the Land of Misfit Toys

I don't know why I keep these little guys around [notice the reindeer is missing an arm]...they're still pretty cute. Merry Merry to you and your family.

Proenza Schouler at Target

I love long jackets and this one appearing soon at Target is calling my name!!! It's just a great way of adding a little style to jeans/jean skirt and a tee... my normal staple outfit. I guess it will be available with stripes of some sort too, I couldn't see it on the Target info page. Yum Proenza!

There is also a acid yellow little jacket in the line up that's pretty cute if it would fit me [again complaint that the GO! line is built for Junior sizing]

Prediction: Acid Yellow and Acid Green big for spring [see the shoes!]...just my thing right now I could be dead wrong...but all I'll say is "I'm not sayin' I'm just sayin' " as my favorite personal quote.

Mark & Diane

My friends Diand & Mark got married this past weekend in the beautiful but cold Palos Verdes. I was stunned to see Diane looking like a super glamour girl [she's generally a little to no makeup gal] she was the most beautiful bride - Mark was looking dapper as ever. I only got a couple of images between being wedged behind the parents of the bride, and still not having the appropiate flash to shoot at night... I gave up shortly after I took this one.

I was happy to go to this wedding [and generally I dislike them]. M&D have such a great, fun story [Mark has had a crush on her for years but they've never been single at the same time] and I love that Diane is 40[ish] and this is her first marriage. It takes a strong and brave woman [or man] not to cave to society's pressure. They make a great couple and are up for any great adventure... they'll be climbing some ice mountain together soon I'm sure.

fighting myself

I read this over at Self Taught Girland thought how true that is.
I feel like I need to fight myself on a constant basis about what I should be doing and what feels right. Currently, it's about every 30 minutes or so reminding myself of what it felt like when I was back there [won't explain that one sorry]...and why I stepped out. I hate the inner battle. Attempting to live what's right instead of what I should do.

"Everyone speaks of living the unconscious, of the Self, of God, of inner wisdom, of following yourself and all that stuff. But when it comes down to it, we just don't trust ourselves or our perceptions enough, and we do not really follow our own processes. We do not value what we see, hear, feel, how we move, relate or experience the world. No wonder so many people always feel criticized and unloved! They hate their own perceptions, and thus do not follow themselves. They cannot follow their own individual processes, but instead program themselves until they can't stand it anymore."

--"Riding the Horse Backwards: Process Work in Theory and Practice" by Arnold and Amy Mindell

Fa La La....la....la.................la

Attempting to get into the holiday spirit

Darwinism at it's finest

If you didn't believe in the survival of the fabulous, you should now.

I don't know how a child can be any prettier. Angelina and Brad's little Shilo new Hello! magazine photos

Stop This Train

I'm not sure if other people get like this but sometimes I don't like being a grown up. I wanna call it all in and go away from it all. John Mayer does a great job explaining it in this song. A little cloudy from UTube.

I love JMayer I know he's cheesy pop music but he has a way of writing that tells my tale [sad he's in his 20's and I'm nearly 40] that I can identify with him. Either he's an old soul or I'm lost -- I'm not sure which it is.

Pretty December Day

The leaves will be letting go soon I wanted to capture them before the beauty was all gone. Such a pretty day and perfect blue sky how can you argue with So Cal on a day like this?

Goin' a little Oprah on your arse

I just read about this and I'm jazzed. Well as much as a cold/stuffy head person can be jazzed about anything. Oprah has a deal in her magazine "what I know to be true" This I know is true...when you focus intent on anything it can be achieved. What if we all believed just for one day....


What is the International Day of Possibility?
A day where one million people around the world commit to believing that the things they want for themselves, others, their communities, and their world are actually possible.

How can I participate?
On June 21, 2007 commit to ignoring any "thoughts of impossibility,"
go here for more information

What are "thoughts of impossibility?"
The emotional muck that runs through our heads most of the time: "I can't", "Who would care, anyway?", "Why bother?", "I'm too fat/old/broke/inexperienced", "I'm not _____ enough", and on and on. "Thoughts of impossibility" are the negative messages that keep us locked in fear and convinced that we cannot create better lives for ourselves or a better world for each other.

Why would I do this?
Because we create our own reality. If we believe it can happen, it will. If we do not believe it can happen, it won't.

Figuring out what it is that you want is the hardest part. What do you want for your life? Start thinking about it will activate the intention.

be careful what you ask for.

Something Fine

I read a post by a fashion blogger last week asking the question if the so-called "right hand ring" was an advertising gimmick to get women to buy diamonds. Is it advertising-of course but is it wrong? I don't think so. I've been buying my own 'right hand rings' since I turned 30 and was divorcing my ex-husband.

The thing that lead me there was that, sadly, the only thing I missed about my marriage were the comfort of my rings, the security they brought me out in the world. So I bought myself a little gold band with tiny diamonds. It was the prize for surviving all of it. Later after I thought about the demise of my marriage [there really wasn't one to begin with] it started with wanting those rings. I decided then that I would buy my own diamonds. I didn't want a piece of jewelry to be what prompted my decisions.

Since then I've built 2 more rings/and purchased another for myself. Surprisingly, they were both at times that I felt like I wanted to be married and I wanted to take the jewelry out of the equation to see if it was really what I wanted. The men I was with I don't think knew why I was building them but I knew that if I took it out of the equation that it would settle the want I was having without going down a path I knew wasn't right. I've often said I've married myself with those rings and I have, because each time it lead me back to the truth rather than where I thought I should be.

My very favorite jeweler just launched their first website recently and featured a version of the first ring I designed and built with them [they later altered and used the design in their collection]. I'm very proud of it and I have people stop me all the time to ask me about the ring. I have to admit I borrowed a few designs from another designer I admire to build it. I was resetting some gems my mom had given me at the time I graduated from high school--it's much more me now.

I'm all in favor of buying your own diamonds especially if you’re single. Each time you look at the pieces you purchased you remember who you were then and where you've grown to be. If I continue on this path, I joked with my jeweler, that I'd be one of those crazy old ladies at the grocery- ring on each finger, wearing her fur in the frozen food isle with her house slippers. I'm not so sure it won't happen that way.

Another reason to buy... if I had held my breath until a man bought me diamonds of any sort, I would be dead by now [even the wedding ring was a family hand-me-down/not an heirloom either]. The first time I received jewelry from a man wasn't until last year at 36. Far too long if you ask me, to wait for a diamond.

You know you're PMSing when:

Although you might have thought these things many times they actually come out of your mouth:

"The fact that you're breathing- annoys me"

"Seriously, don't go there tonight you will lose, or I will cry -- which makes you lose twice"

The next one requires a bit of explanation so that i'm not arrested...
I tend to get a little crabby at the end of the semester as "the dude" is back in school switching careers and I don't see him a whole lot, and when I do he's generally exhausted. So by the time December/May/End of semester rolls around I've had it with sharing him with books and the hospital.

I actually said "I've been plotting your death in my head since monday"....joking of course but I'm tired of NOT having him around which makes me think EVIL, HATEFUL things about him. He has finals next week which I'm so glad for.

Lucky for me he realizes the devil has taken over my mouth and my body and I will return next week as his sweet girlfriend he loves and adores.

stay clear...dangerous girl week.

Googling yourself

Have you ever googled yourself? Since I have an unusual name or at least it's spelling I entered it in [just my first name] to see what would come up. Apparently there are a couple others of us out there as well. Spelled with one I and two L's thank you very much.

Along with a couple other comrads...the Urban Dictionary also came up with something called

" A Richele"
descibed as this:

1)Being in a confusing situation
2)Having a confusing problem
3)Dealing with somthing that should work but for some reason refuses to work

which surprisingly describes myself and electronics to a "T" was someone watching me hook up my DVD player and named it that? I think big brother is watching me.

For the Art Damaged Designers in your life

This is a perfect gift for your graphic design buddies or yourself. I always get a little twitch when I see zip up sweatshirts with words across the chest.. the zipper mis-kern's the type. Some smarty pants decided to make it official with the kern sweatshirt. A little pricey at $69 but funny non-the-less.

Kern Sweatshirt $69

Being a Hysterical Girl--Not the Funny Hysterical Either

Last week lying in bed watching TV, I heard a sound. A sound similar to someone tripping over a cord. Now, I'm on the 3rd floor. There is 99.9% chance in hell that anyone can be up on my roof, next to my bedroom window. So I lay there and tell myself to calm down it's just a rat [those ARE on my roof]. I lay there for a few more minutes focusing on listening, not looking backwards of course. And then I hear it...a moan. Like someone is standing behind my window doing who-knows-what.

The fear starts to race through my brain and body at 500 mph. So once again I lay there shaking thinking I'm totally crazy it's probably part of a conversation from down below that I can hear. I lay still again listening for said conversation- no conversation. Total complete fear and panic sets in.

These are the thoughts that begin racing through my head:

1. I remember my land line doesn't work since the lovely Direct TV people came out to install.
2. My cell phone is downstairs.
3. I'm going to die
4. My roomie isn't home to hear me NOT scream...I'm in the state of being so scared no words will happen.
5. I'm not dressed.
6. Did I mention I'm going to die?


So I grab my clothes and run downstairs, grab my cell phone and stare at it. Do I call 911? I'm totally nuts-- there is no way someone is on my roof right? but what if there is? I can't go back up there to check. I stare at my phone some more. They are going to think I'm a total chick if I call and there's nothing there. Just then my girlfriend calls. I tell her the situation and she is yelling at me to call 911 and she's picking her husband up to come over. I hang up with her and dial 911.

I hear myself tell the dispatcher. "I'm sorry to bother you but I think someone is on my roof"--it's probably an animal but if you could send a patrol car over just to check I would greatly appreciate it. He's very kind...says he will...blah blah blah

So I go downstairs to wait for my friend and the police at the front door. She and her husband arrive with a sword...not joking here. I don't know what he thought he'd do with it but it's sweet he did. In the distance we hear a helicopter. We look at each other and say do you think that it's for this? Helicopter getting closer....it's now overhead with the lights on my roof circling once, twice, three times...and off it goes...The officers walk up the drive I tell them the situation they tell me the helicopter has infrared and has not detected anything but they can check the house out if I would like. Yes, please [under the bed would be a great place to start- I think to myself and don't forget all the closets!] My neighbors are all out side. The police pull there guns to enter. I continue to apoligize because I know there's nothing there --'I'm sure it's just an animal I'm just being a hysterical girl' They look at me like "lady, just shut up we get calls like this all night." ---Sorry!

what happened you ask?

Nothin'.. Nobody there, no sign of an animal, nothin'. I do appreciate the helicopter service and the two officers showing up though. It must have been a slow night for Long Beach's finest I didn't think they would respond in 5 minutes flat. I expected to wait 45 min for a car to show up.

I took a xanex so I could sleep [a couple of nights actually] because I still can't explain the moan and there just might be a boogie man under my bed.

a hysterical girl.

footed jammies

How awesome are footed jammies and why don't grown ups get to have them? Jake my nephew by friendship was the picture of cuteness on Thanksgiving. He figured out that he could cruise to the table get a bite of food then have enough time to go back to his favorite show for a moment before needing another snack. My kinda guy.

Hope everyone's Turkey Day was great fun

Bluetooth Headsets -- Are the New Fanny Pack

A friend and I were commenting on how foolish people look walking around with these things on their head ALL THE TIME. We can totally relate to the safety in the car but the folks who wear it non-stop are just annoying. She declaired them "the new fanny pack" and I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

Folks, take em' off outside the car, we're not sure if you missed your dose of Lithium or you are on your phone.

creative days

I am a lucky girl! I get to do the neatest creative stuff sometimes. A friend of mine asked me to do a styling job for him. He was just shooting for a portfolio piece, not a client so he allowed me to be in on most all of the creative process when he was setting the job up. We thought he would handle wardrobe by himself but at the last minute he asked me to help out. We were going for a tomboyish sexy thing and I think our casting was great. I'm sure we'll all see more of Allie in years to come.

It's just such a nice day when everyone on set gets to be there because they love the creative process rather than dealing with a client's needs, which i'm happy to do, but clients are generally forced to play it safe most of the time for whatever reason their bosses/ad budget ect. It was great fun to just do what we wanted and I got to take some snaps as well.

Like a Chanel Suit

"Ahhhhhh Clooney, Just like a Chanel suit, he never goes out of style"
-SJP Sex and the City

I couldn't help but recite this quote in my head as they unveiled People's Sexiest Man Alive. I'll second that thought

ode to the cupcake

The light in my apt is really beautiful this time of year. I happened to catch a moment with one of my favorite pieces of art on Saturday afternoon... my cupcake print from my friend Ted who so graceously gave me one in art class last year. A good cupcake is the MOST perfect dessert ever. Tons-o-butter required [Magnolia Bakery -- is the most perfect in the world]

funny thoughts on dental floss

I had a conversation with my friend Gary the other day about dental visits and flossing. I am a bad flosser I admit it! in fact, I hardly ever floss unless forced to. For this reason I go to my denist every 3-4 months to make him do the hard work. The reason I don't floss is because It feels violent to me like i'm assulting my teeth & gums. After MANY years of braces they are close together like they should be. Floss does not want to go in! and I don't want to force it.

the rest of our conversation went like this:

G: well you know what I equate not flossing to?
R: what?
G: it's about the same as not wiping your butt.
R: eeeewwwww! oh great, now I have to floss!

but then I had this thought over the weekend which I sent him this morning to make him laugh:

So what if I wear "butt floss" underwear? does that solve both issues?

happy monday

Beautiful Use Project

Last Month I signed up to do a fun project swap called "Beautiful Use Project" through a blog I frequent called Hoping for Happy Accidents [which is a brilliant name since my art is based on that frequently.]

The assignment:
participants are asked to send any three objects that are at once utilitarian, simple and beautiful to their partner. think about the beauty in the everyday...a packet of perfect new pencils, a white enamel bowl, handmade beeswax candles, a natural canvas tote with red stitching... these objects can be new, thrifted, vintage, handmade...just keep in mind that its probably best to send something that you'd be pleased to receive yourself.

I was assigned to Jen of the North in Portland, Maine. We were given a description of what the other person described her style to be as well as the link to their own blog...so that we would know what the other person might like. Interestingly enough, I found that something so incredibly simple 'the beauty in every day' was difficult to capture. I sort of choked really, on all the possiblities. what I really wanted to send was a grocery shopping cart! that's the ultimate in everyday beauty to me.

What I ended up sending since Jen said her taste was simple...were two lino prints I did during the summer. They were my two favorites and I thought she would like the simplicity of the drawings since she is an illustrator and artist herself. I find often with my art that I don't give it very much value, and as I was packing the prints up for her I suddenly got nervous that it wasn't "enough" that I was jipping her out of a real swap because I had made them. My insecurities with art still weigh heavy after all these years. I think alot of us discredit our gifts because they come so naturally to us--not everyone can do the things we do. It's hard to remember that sometimes. Anyway...I ended up packing up 5 items for her: a couple sets of note cards and a photograph, along with the prints I had recently taken. She said she like the prints the best...my first instinct was correct. Funny how that happens!

Jen sent me some pretty antique bottles with some illustrations she had done decoupaged on to them. Also she made me a beautiful card on yummy paper that was stitched on the sewing machine. They are all lovely, I think my favorite was the striped bottle and the card itself.

The project was a ton of fun, a great way to get to know another fellow blogger and think a little differently than I normally do in the creative process. I told my mom I had a "secret pal" which is something my grandma use to do with her garden/mother's clubs which I always thought was fun.

Hope I get to participate again with it.

Maira Kalman illustrator

Maira Kalman is a SWELL illustrator featured in the New Yorker as well as a children's book artist and a "galleried" artist. She has a number of her paintings posted on The New York Times site today. I like when people document the every day in quirky ways.

Sacramento pt.1

I love hanging out at my sister-in-law's day care. The place is generally chaotic and the noise level piercing...Still, she is amazing with them, generally on the floor with one or two in her lap, another hanging around her neck. She is an amazing giver and the children flock to her like 'the piper'.

Then of course there are my nephew[s] [the 13 yr old is boycotting photos currently] who I want to squeeze until they explode. I try and control myself most of the time but each time I leave I miss them horribly and I wonder how it is I love them the way I do...it feels odd, as they are not my own. I can't imagine being able to love someone more but I would guess it's different when they are yours [good and bad] The youngest [5] is has a very wicked since of humor with a flare for being a very elaborate story teller. It's funny how those things come out as they age. The 13 yr old...is a teenager. I wish I could tell him it will get better but it just sucks all the way around. It does get better around 23 I think? I'm a late bloomer so it was about 34 for me. sorry kiddo- I'm not much help in that department.

Sacramento pt 2

These munchkins are some of the day care kids.

still learning....

my good friend Kira called me on Sunday [actually I called her about something unrelated] and she asked me what I was doing on Monday morning...normally I go to the office like most of America but when she said she and Jonny were going to the courthouse to get hitched I had to take a 1/2 day off.

some photos...still getting the hang of this camera and realizing that even when the viewfinder looks like it's in focus...it may not be! rats!! still, some blur worked out on a few of the images like I did it on purpose.

congrats to them both

Halo' ween

more spooky beasts to come

saturday morning sunlight

nothin' to note but pretty sunlight on saturday. Fall is here!

Boogie: NYC Photographer

I saw a write up about this photographer over on Cool Hunting. I have respect for documenting street life. While looking at his images it seemed as if the respect is the knowledge that any of us could end up in this place with one wrong move. I have had numerous friends battle drug problems [prior to my knowing them--I'm not down with that]. I have heard their tales and it all started with just trying it once. One girlfriend who spent years addicted to Heroin said she was always chasing the feeling of the first high she had. She came from a very affluent family and still battled this disease.

Boogie has taken the time to spend time with these people in their daily life. They attempt to raise families, or live on the street all while chasing the next score. His imagery is powerful and worth noting. In his gang photography he documents the many facets of life in the projects, one image a wall of graffiti with R.I.P messages of the many who have died, and another photo of a nearby florist with a banner hanging in the window "we do funerals". Life and death are real in this place. We talk about war across the pond, and we have many wars waging on our soil every day that go unnoticed.

His book "It's All Good" documents Gang Life in the projects of NYC, as well as some of the drug photos I captured from his site. His work is worth going to his site to view. It will definitely give you a new perspective on living a hard life.

so cute

These are so cute. Anthropologie always has great stuff-Expensive! but cute. It seems as if everything in the store starts at $198 and goes up from there. It's about $150 more than I generally spend on an item of clothing. Maybe one day I'll pony up and buy something from a real store instead of my discount bin diving I've restorted to.