Friday, February 25, 2011

Art Show

3 Comments
Last night Brando and I attended an art show that he was a photographer for. The setting was a gorgeous warehouse with reclaimed materials making it appear almost finished out. I loved the textures and the details almost more than the art itself. Unfortunately, since Brando knows the guy I don't want to mention either the location or the name of the art show and have him come across my still-private-to-people-I've-met-outside-of-my-blog blog, but the pictures speak for themselves.
On our way - Brando was having a conversation with my dad.
The gorgeous setup
Love watching people observe the photography.
Some of Brando's friend's gorgeous pet photography.
Of course, there was wine.
Too bad it wasn't Pinot Noir as I'm allergic to anything else.
The artist and photographer who is Brando's friend on the right.
Again with the observing art.
Apparently I liked the way this couple observed art : ) .

The photographer's sweet and super mellow dog is off to the right.
Love the sophisticated art show atmosphere.

Part of the warehouse the show was in. The beams in this photo are made from
reclaimed cedar from Galveston, Texas.
The texture and depth of color was absolutely stunning.

What a gorgeous place to take photos in an indoor setting.

The art show benefited a local animal rescue group.
Again with the sophisticated art show atmosphere. Love it.
One of my favorite photos of the photographer's - with one of the more gorgeous textures on a door in the background.
A better view of the gorgeous door.
The delicious appetizers included fresh grapes, strawberries, and blackberries,
brie and Swiss cheese among other cheeses,
an assortment of delicious crackers,
chocolate and strawberry as well as vanilla and pecan cupcakes,
and a candy bar.
Located in the front of the warehouse was a lighting and hardware store with their fixtures on display. This was one of their hardware displays.
This was the other photographer's work at the event. Her work was based on 17th century still lifes, and while pretty, didn't come close to the gorgeous quality of Brando's friend's work.
A gorgeous lighting detail. This one and the next few photos were taken near the front of the warehouse as I rested my worn out feetsies by sitting down.
More texture.

Lighting provided by the lighting company housed in the warehouse.
If you look closely you can see my reflection in the smallest square of the window.
Stunning and unique lighting options available by the lighting company
located in the warehouse.
A detail on the lamp next to me. Reminds me of a photo Brando took
when we toured the USS Bowfin in Hawaii.
Detail of an art piece on the coffee table.
More of the gorgeous lighting.
The best part of the night was at the end when Brando told me I was the star of the show and got more comments than the artwork. That, and all the while during the show, he kept walking up to me and saying I'm the hot, sexy girl in the corner. So cute. I didn't know anyone and while I was there with him, since he was photographing the event, I wanted to hang back and let him do his thing. Which he did very well, while I had a blast taking these photos I posted with my new to me but his old camera.

And while I didn't agree I was the star of the show I did get a lot of comments with people making a point of telling me just how much they loved fill-in-the-blank - tons of comments on my dress, one on my shoes, and one girl saying I looked just like her best friend in Michigan, so much so that when I walked in she turned to her boyfriend in shock and said that can't be her. I told her to tell her best friend she has a twin in Austin if she ever wants to move down here.

While these aren't the best photos, at least they'll give you an idea of my outfit and jewelry.
If you notice in the background - even the bathrooms were covered
with incredible and gorgeous textures.
While I felt amazing, these pictures didn't quite do how I looked and felt justice. I threw my hair in a french braid with the ends tucked under which was just gorgeous, and I wish I'd taken a photo of it. This dress was a gift from Kels and the perfect mix of winter colors, but summer style as the day was gorgeous, warm, and sunny. My shoes were adorable brown peep toe wedges, which I didn't manage to get a photo of.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Fireworks

4 Comments
I did it! I bought Katy Perry tickets to her California Dreams tour coming to Austin as {one of} Brando's birthday presents to me. So FLIPPIN' excited!

Speaking of Brando, he is coming with me - I gave him a choice and warned him he may be the only guy there. Although, I have to admit, I did throw in that I went to his much desired go-to event last year, and this would be my turn for him to go to my much desired go-to event. He assured me he'd love to go with me, and was sure there will be other guys who have been dragged along. SO darn exciting. While it would be fun to take a girlfriend and he wouldn't mind if I did, I am giddy excited to get to share an experience I'm so looking forward to with him.

I can't wait for the COLOR!
Her over-the-top colorful props and scenes she's famous for in her music videos.
And her gorgeous voice, of course.
Most of all, I'm looking forward to my absolute favorite songs:

California Girls - "Nothing comes close to the Golden Coast" is one of the lyrics and is the title to my facebook album of our vow renewal pictures.

Teenage Dream - This makes me think of Goldilock's super sappy love story via a past post of hers, which, in turn, makes me think of my own love story- the way she loves that man makes me appreciate mine all the more and be determined to show him just how much I love him as she does her man.
This is my favorite pose and hold with Brando. On top of that, it reminds me of our vow renewal photos.

Firework - The song that lately makes me feel like I can conquer the world and peps me up when I'm feeling down, as it does for a lot of my girlfriends. Including Teagan, who I have to thank for encouraging me to actually buy these tickets - without her encouragement I definitely can't say I would have made sure it happened. So happy she did!
Not Like the Movies - I love the versatility of her voice. Her voice sounds like it belongs in a 1920s jazz club in this song, and I can't wait to see how she interprets it live.

According to her California Dreams' tour setlist aka list of songs she plays, I will have to wait til' the end to hear my favorite songs, which will leave me on a FANTASTIC note. Plus, it will get "I Kissed a Girl" out of the way in the beginning - one of my least favorite songs. Actually, I don't like it at all - especially after an ill-informed DJ played it at my son's third grade carnival. DJ fail.
I'm starting my grooveshark playlist now so I can know the songs before I go. SO darn excited!!

Updated: Just came across this picture that Katy Perry's husband, Russell Brand, posted on his Twitter account of Katy in the morning in December. Big oops on his part as he deleted it a few hours later with nary a mention, but I still love that he posted it in the first place. It's so important for girls to see the Hollywood effect and not beat themselves up for who they are. Although, I wish she left it up and withstood the bad press, but it still makes me even more excited to see her now! To read the whole story go here.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

To my In-Town Girls, and, now, my Blog Girls :)

5 Comments
*random photos of the boys' Valentine's parties & my flowers from Brando for V Day to make the reading bearable*

Sent February 10, 2011


Hi girls,

Because I'm sick and tired about lamenting about my physical inabilities lately, I thought I'd send you an email rather than a phone conversation where I pretend nothing is wrong because I don't want to whine about myself again.
Monday morning I got up after a phone conversation and couldn't stand up straight due to lower back pain. I don't know why. The only things I can think of are my recent ventures into rock climbing and then shoving a dresser around by myself on Saturday, perhaps it could've been several phone conversations with stressful news where I absolutely didn't watch my posture. The only time I've ever had lower back pain is when I was pregnant with Shawnes, and I am not pregnant. No matter.
I went to the doctor on Tuesday to do what FINALLY healed my back after a month of pain when I injured it working out two years ago. So hopefully I am spearheading the pain this time and won't be out of commission for a month like last time. Regardless, I've definitely been out of commission this week and am SO PISSED because one of my very closest friends is going away in a few days for a while, and another friend is moving in a few months, so my time with them? Non-existent at this point. Not to mention even less time with other girlfriends.
Last week, I took a self-imposed need to make sure life is in order time. Since then, I feel like it's being forced upon me - first with the snow day, then Justinbustin being sick, and now my back, and I am none too happy about it.
I hope you all can forgive me for not being available this week like I so wanted to be. Promise this will be the only whine email you will hear - all from the comfiness of my bed (which, by the way, did you know comfiness can get annoying?). Feel free to send chocolate, flowers, and hugs my way :) . In the meantime, I hope you'll forgive me as I have nothing to give right now.

xo

Update sent February 16, 2011

Hi girls,

While I wrote this email to Jae last night after I neglected to get back to her when she offered to bring us dinner last Sunday and then sent another email to check up on me, and so it's written as if to her and may be a little confusing, but I thought you'd appreciate the update as well.
The weekend went well and I was on my way to recovery. Then, on Monday, the boys had Valentine's parties. I normally always go to their parties and help out if I can, and thought I was doing well enough to do so this time. Only I ended up helping out with Shawner's for two hours, bending over the whole time. Still, I convinced myself that I would be fine. Not so this morning. I realized today that Brandon took care of me over the weekend which was why I was on my way to recovering. I don't take very good care of myself I'm realizing, tending to overdo it way too soon.
I am definitely feeling cooped up. I had a few good sobs today, and am sure there will be more tomorrow. I really, really dislike feeling this way. On top of that, the meds continue to make me loopy and are starting to break me out worse than I've ever seen.
But! I am trying to keep my head up. KT brought me chocolate and flowers on Saturday - actually we ended up running into her at the massage place on total accident and she had them in her car, about to bring them over to me. Brando had set up the massage in the first place, so both of those were heartening, as well as your email, and Li had offered to bring me chocolate martinis on Friday (I skipped girls night last week, and will this week as well as we changed the day for Valentine's Day) - though I declined as I don't think alcohol and what I'm taking would do well). On Sunday, I was able to say goodbye in person to my friend who is leaving for a month, and am grateful to have seen her before she left. I've been on facebook a bit, and chatted with one other friend.
The thing about stress like this is it can make all other problems seem way bigger, and that is what is happening today. Difficulties with Justinbustin at school, Brando's work, careless things at home the kids forgot to do, even just managing dinner and groceries - which is why, I just realized, I definitely should've taken you up on your offer! Brando and I are at each other's throats again tonight, which doesn't help matters, but the matters don't help it either, so it's just more stress.
As an update to this email from last night, I am trying to be good about taking everything way easy and take care of myself as if Brando were taking care of me, even when he's not here. I took Advil a few hours ago, so I'm not really sure if I feel good or I just can't feel most of it. Any way, I will continue taking what I'm supposed to take until everything stops hurting. I haven't broke down in tears yet today, so that's a plus!

Saturday, February 05, 2011

Love, love, LOVE having fresh food in the house

8 Comments
Lately, I've been grocery shopping each week specifically for fruit and veggies. We don't seem to eat through the other food fast enough to shop every week. That could be because we usually make those food runs at Costco. Regardless, I have been loving the weekly fresh veggie and fruit fill ups. As soon as I get home I cut everything up and put it in glass containers so they stay as perfectly fresh as the day I bought them until we eat them all up. With the fruit, I wash everything and Brando makes his famous fruit salad. All week we have fresh veggies and fruit to nosh on that takes absolutely no effort to eat. Love that!

Today, I made the usual run and picked up some delicious looking wheat tortillas with garlic and herb, fresh Boar's head hickory smoked turkey, and cucumbers. I already had roasted red pepper and garlic herb goat cheese at home which I am in LOVE with, so I used those for the spread and layered the cucumbers and turkey over it,then wrapped it all up. Delicious and oh so healthy!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...