Sunday, February 22, 2009

Broke In The Big Apple #2

Are you broke in the big apple?

(Or anywhere else for that matter)

Remember the three R's !

Reduce!

Reuse!

Recycle!

Some clever folks have figured out streamlined ways to do all three.

Reducing is easy- especially when broke- (no money= no shopping)

recycling only makes too much sense, especially in urban parts where it's collected for you.

Reuse is my favorite form of budget-crunching-environmentally-responsible do-goodery.

I love when I can find a clever use for something that would otherwise be thrown out (or recycled if possible).

I knew there had to be a practical use for the oh-so-pretty packaging Ferraro-Roche packs their nutty treats in, and when I was rummaging around in my supply bag grumbling over the tangley state of my many spools of thread it hit me- the little candy nooks are the perfect size to host a small spool. Now my thread never gets tangled, and I can clearly see the color and thickness of each spool without having to dump them all out on the table. Also, I can keep this sweet little box on it's side on the bookshelf, which conserves space in my apartment! Bonus!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Welcome to the brain dump!

Please keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle- this could get messy.

I worked 67 hours this week! (That's a mega good thing!)

I saw the naked cowboy in time square!

He had to be sooooo cold!

I delivered a piece to Food Network Studio in Chelsea and saw all kinds of coolness!

I sold a painting & lots of braille valentines.

I sold lots of my aprons, and was told a hundred times "You should sell these in a boutique!" (Can you say heartwarming?)

I got a brand spankin' new job whilst on my lunch break! (As a sales rep for a swanky new Kitchen and Bath Center.)

Unfortunately, my intuition says it's not going to work out- but that may be less my intuition and more remaining feelings from recent bad experiences.

Valentine's day couldn't have been sweeter- Peter made me dinner (and narrowly avoided a grease fire)

and got me flowers!

He's a charmer, that one!

I got some new shoes to start my new job in (the bottoms were falling off my old dress shoes anyway- they were really begging to be put out of their misery!)

Sunday I was on nursery duty at Grace Baptist. (Super fun when you have some of the cutest kids in the world around.) Seriously- they are some extremely cute cuties!

We went out for McFlurries last night, and pondered the effectiveness of 30 Rock's advertising.

Their in show placement ads are so obvious and hokey they couldn't be effective could they? (Excuse me, I need to go turn off my GE television).

I discovered why Radar has been so incredibly stinky lately- Beauregard has been marking the dog bed as his own.

Darn cat!

Poor dog!

I just ate some waffles!

Whew!

That's it... the excess contents of my brain- all dumped out into one easy to access container.

Friday, February 06, 2009

IF...

IF... you were to

take the E or F train to the Union Turnpike stop,

then get on the Q46 bus (which stops just outside the subway station by the way)

and ride until you get to the Parsons BLVD stop

which is just in front of St Nicholas of Tolentine Catholic School

and you were to walk into the school's cafeteria

THIS SUNDAY FEB 8

between the hours of 10-4

Then you would find lots of artsy goodness at the Queens Market!!!

(which currently means a trillion paintings, some fantastically cute aprons, and many of the valentines I made this year.)

Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Remember when I lived in the Caribbean?

Watching it snow sideways outside the window of my tiny NYC apartment made me hungry for videos from warmer times.
Peter: Hey Sha, you know one thing you have to look out for on this part of the island?
Shakins: What?
Peter: Look- over there.
Shakins: huh? (I look, see nothing & turn back)
Watch the video to find out what flew by!

Oh Bright Eyes... you narrate my American melancholy so well;

"The road finally gave me back, but I don't think I'll unpack... 'cause I'm not sure if I live here anymore."

Thursday, January 29, 2009

What the world needs

LESS pet restrictions

MORE happy doggies...Dar's camouflage only works in winter.

and contented kitties

Beauregard is never happier than when he's sleeping on the heater... Unless maybe someone put a can of tuna up there for him. THEN he might be even happier.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

folky + vintage = what's new

If you haven't been by my shop in a while you might be surprised by some of the new things living there.

Some prints have moved in as well as some hand stitched cards

and there's even some new originals!

Actually, maybe I shouldn't call them new... since they're on vintage wood pieces (i.e. antique chopping boards)

Saturday, January 24, 2009

The semi-annual

Twice a year I cut my hair whether I need to or not.

My hair really does grow slowly.

In honor of this auspicious occasion I've decided to pay homage to hairstyles gone by.

crank whirrrr chugga boom (and other time machine sounds)

Welcome to 2001.

long layered bob... curled under. Rockin bright orange Abercombie and Fitch corduroys no less.

Now for 2002

... slightly longer Looking lady-like for a dance at North GA College.

2003 was layered...

...and auburn.

2004 was less auburn and more sepia.... ...cause I was clearly stuck in the 1800s with my sister.

In 2006 I moved to the Caribbean... and the sun/surf nearly turned me blonde.

So I dyed my hair jet black. Which I really loved. I loved it even more so in 2007 when I got fantastic swooping bangs. Now it's 2009 and I'm back to my natural brunette self

which my husband loves. It's just kind of long and straight, which Paris (the place, not the person) says will be in next Summer so it stays... for now. Hmmm... I did really like the black. It might be time to dye it back.

Friday, January 23, 2009

engrish is funny

I love going to Chinatown.

(Who doesn't?)

One of my favorite things is finding signs that are funny... unintentionally. Wah me?! MMMM... Wing Fat

Thursday, January 22, 2009

A Tale of Two Churches

In the beginning... there were two. Two churches I attended.

One, a contemporary nondenominational sort Services were held at night Inside a small theatre.

The other being more traditional, and clearly defined as Baptist held services in the morning inside a library.

Both being brand spankin' new, neither had actual churches in which to reside.

But that's ok, because, you know- "where two or more gather".

I would end up leaving the Baptist Church at 2:00 in the afternoon, then I'd go home and change into something less "churchey", then I'd hop on a train headed for The Village, By the time I'd get home it would be 10:30. My entire Sunday was completely consumed in the going to and coming from church. Church had completely taken away the element of Rest from the Sabbath.

Clearly, I had to choose.

At first I was leaning toward the contemporary one

which I won't name

Because I loved it's purpose- to minister to those who might be interested in coming to know Christ, but felt like they didn't belong in a church.

A church for artists... and you know, other unique individuals.

I wanted to be a part of that- a group that reached out to the surrounding mission-field

and I definitely know how it feels to believe you don't fit in.

The traditional church had it's advantages as well

Grace Baptist Church meets not very far from my house. I don't even have to take a train, and the services aren't so early that it makes it difficult to go.

Externally they both had benefits. I had to choose based on content. While the worship is anything but modern at Grace Baptist, The service is timeless because it is crammed full of God's word. (Which, incidentally, is mostly why I go to church in the first place.)

Sure, there might be a few familial anecdotes thrown into the sermon, as you'll find in all churches- because they make the lesson relatable, but I never felt like I was watching a show about the pastor with a few bible verses thrown in.

I've gone through the Bible cover to cover more than a few times, but I left each sermon at Grace Baptist with something new to think about.

A deeper understanding I hadn't reached on my own.

Meanwhile, at ******** I couldn't help but notice more and more scriptural snafus.

I'm no Biblical snob- I'm aware that many verses have multiple interpretations. It is the living word of God, after all.

But the Pastor was getting the basics wrong, even within what little scripture the sermon would cover.

I asked my parents what I should do- maybe I should ask how he had reached his interpretations?

Their advice was the typical parent stuff- "do what you think is right" But I knew the general consensus was that no amount of amazing music and worship could make up for a weak scriptural foundation.

It was during the sermon at ***********, that the story of Jonah and the Whale was horribly mis-told (Seriously- it made me question whether the sermon had even been written with a Bible present) that I mentally filled out a membership card for Grace Baptist Church.

Where I've been going ever since

and have yet to walk away from a single sermon without having learned something new

and a feeling of closeness to both my Creator and fellow man.

The End.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Broke In The Big Apple

Has anyone ever told you that medical school is EXTREMELY expensive?

No?

Well... it is!

I should know- I just mailed a check for over $10,000 solely for this semester's tuition.

Oh medical school.

My husband will only be with you a few more months, but oh my these months are long.

Actually 49 weeks...

still less than a year.

I digress.

The point is we are officially completely totally broke.

Like skipping-lunch-so -I-can-afford-dinner broke.

Using-the stove-for-heat broke

ANYHOO

I figure I can't be the only one in this predicament, you know, of not having money but still needing things, so about once a week I'll be sharing my hard-won knowledge about how to survive when you're

Broke In The Big Apple

Today's tip is for the ladies:

You've probably already heard about this,

but it was big news to me, so I have to make sure

Until Jan 26, or while supplies last Macy's, Bloomingdale's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Carson Pirie Scott and Nordstrom will be giving away free makeup as part of a lawsuit settlement.

So stop adding hot water to your dried up mascara tube and get yourself to a department store!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I Love When People Love My Art!

Look! I've been featured in a treasury.

Out of all the paintings I've ever done, this is my mom's favorite. I'm glad to see someone else loves it too.Click here to see part of the treasury.

Saturday, January 17, 2009

oops I did it again...

Oops I did it again. I played with the layout. I lost all my links. Oh baby baby.

Also, I realize the lines and breaks are a little wonky in my last post. I'll probably fix it soon, or maybe I'll have some hot chocolate.)

Friday, January 16, 2009

Shakin's Friday Feature

I'm inspired by Nienie in so many ways. The least of which is to be a better blogger. So... in as much of a Nie-esque way as possible, I bring you...

Sha-kin's Friday Feature (as promised in the post New In Oh-Nine.)

Did you know that I am a member of a very large and very active team of Etsy artists and crafters called The {newnew} York Team? Well, I am... and so is the lady that is my first Friday Feature:

Simone Tan Simone has an Etsy shop chock full of handmade goodness, including some verrry cute bags.

Shakins: Hi Simone! How long have you been crafting?
Simone: I would say all my life. Everyone in my family is always making stuff. My Dad is a physician, but learned how to repair watches when he was a kid. so he was always working on something in his show. When I was eight, my grandmother from Indonesia came to visit and taught me how to crochet. My mother taught me how to sew, and we both learned how to knit together sometime in the seventies. Interesting because she's left-handed and I'm right-handed. You can't really help one another out when everything is reversed.

Shakins: You're so well traveled! Would you name all the places you've lived:

Simone: Hamburg Germany, Oberlin OH, Nanjing China, Taipei Taiwan, Hong Kong, San Francisco CA, Brooklyn

Shakins: Education?

Simone: Another person who couldn't figure out what she wanted to do with her life and went to law school.

Shakins: You have Kids, right?

Simone: One amazing daughter.

Shakins: How does she inspire you?

Simone: My daughter has a wonderful perspective on life (well, all kids do, but I'm proud) and this incredible ability to get it down on paper without any hesitation. These are some sketches she made when we were at the Natural History Museum

Shakins: Soooo... the world wants to know; what's your favorite ice-cream flavor?

Simone: Haagen Dazs Vanilla Bean

Shakins: What's your greatest accomplishment?

Simone: Having a happy family, (sounds so totally corny, but in the end I think that's what life's about)

Shakins: Absolutely! What's on your mind lately? Simone: Why isn't anybody buying the pac-man bag? Do I really want my phone to tweet me all the time? What's up with Plurk? And why is the CPSIA such a mess? Can you believe that pilot?

Shakins: Wow. That's a lot to think about. Phone tweeting has it's advantages I guess. Anyhoo- I was wondering: What's your favorite item in your shop?

Simone: My pac-man bowling bag .

Shakins: You have so many great bags- why is that particular one your favorite?

Simone: It looks like a very normal purse, but you take a closer look at it and there's the monster looking right at you. The zipper color matches the tiny little bits of purple in the sweater and the inside lining is soooo soft. I covered and handstitched the inner seams with black flannel tape. In short, I just love that thing. I know, I should just keep it. Shakins: Oh that's cute! You're so creative! O.K. I have to ask- What's your favorite item of mine?

Simone:Night Owl-I love the texture, the colors and that tiny unobtrusive owl. There are plenty of ways to do it wrong-It's just fun to look at. I like the message. Ballerina's I like the expression on the faces of the Ballerinas, you can read all kinds of stories into that painting.

Shakins: Aww... I'm blushing. I wasn't expecting you to name 3 favorites! I like the Ballerina painting too. I never thought I'd still enjoy simple art like that as an adult. What surprises you the most about your adult life?

Simone: How it's not so different from high school. Similar insecurities, cliques, etc. I still feel like a kid, but then I look in the mirror and wonder who that middle-aged woman is.

Shakins: I hear that! You're stuff is so colorful and cheery. What's your favorite color?

Simone: I think pink, at least for now.

Shakins: If you could describe yourself in one word what would it be?

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

This is a test.

This is a test of the emergency blogger system.

I'm messing around with the html, and am using this as my test post.

This is only a test.

Were this a real blog emergency then real blog emergency information would follow.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Wowza

Well, that was intense!

Changing your template is quiet the process since your widgets are lost when you delete your blogger.com provided layout :(

BUT... I'm almost back to where I was, widget wise.

Wow! What a way with W's I have today.

Whew!

Warning: You're now entering a construction zone!

Please do pardon the mess... La Sha (the blog) is getting a makeover!

Monday, January 05, 2009

Things I Love About New York #4 : Etsy Labs

Imagine a place where shelves are stocked with craft supplies, sewing machines are available by the dozen, where arts and crafts experts are on hand to give advice, where lace and buttons flow freely... and for free.

Sounds mythical right?

Well hang on to your (hand knitted) socks because...

THAT PLACE EXISTS!

... and it's called Etsy Labs.

Every Monday, Etsy Labs opens its doors to crafters of all persuasions, in a weekly crafting free-for-all. Somtetimes there will be a lesson on a particular craft for those who would like to learn it, and other times it's a come-with-what-you-will-and-work-on-it in the fellowship and bounty that is Etsy Labs.

I've missed it for a few weeks because of the holidays and family being here and whatnot, but now that the holidays are over, I fully intend to find myself on a train to 325 Gold Street around 4:00.

If you're into arts and crafts...

COME!

photo credit: yourseceretadmiral

Saturday, January 03, 2009

new in oh-nine

Here's what's coming your way from the old blogaroo in the new year-

a weekly (ok, probably bi-weekly) featurette about artists I love (newnew ladies this means you!)

"Broke In The Big Apple" - I was going to start a new blog for this idea, but decided I'd rather incorporate all my cash saving creativity into my trusty rusty old blog here!

"Things I Love About..." will be brought back in oh-nine, with a VENGEANCE

'cause there are lots of things I love.

and of course you can expect continued exercises in my unabashed narcissism which automatically tells me you'd be interested to know what I did over the weekend, what I cooked for supper, what hilarious thing someone I know said, and of course, lots of pics of my paintings.

That is all.

Monday, December 29, 2008

Did I mention my in-laws were just here?

Well, they were. They came on Christmas day, and left this morning.

Peter and I haven't had much time to do any touristy things since we moved here, so it was fun to kind of play tour guide and also check out some of the tourist attractions we hadn't made it to yet.

Like visiting Ground Zero... It was foggy at dusk, and gave everything a ghostly look.

and touring Canal Street. We'd already been there once, but we had to go to M&M World again!

I think the highlight was touring NBC Studios, where we got to visit the Saturday Night Live set and also Late Night With Conan O'Brian. (Which was especially special because both my hubby and his sis are big Conan fans). Pale Force! Jamie in front of 30 Rock Jamie Et Moi

On the LAST day of Christmas...

I'm not sure exactly if the 12 days of Christmas are supposed to start on Christmas day, or end on Christmas day, but no matter to me,

because today was officially the last day of Christmas at our house.

After packing up some treats to be sent home to my Georgia kinfolk I said adieu to my visiting in-laws and then began the de-christmasizing process. Which, of course, involves a long hard look at one's financial status.

Surprisingly, we did really well to stay under budget. (It took some blood, sweat, and a boatload of tears to stay there, but somehow we made it under!)

For example: a few days before Christmas eve I said, "lets go get a tree!" which elicited an unwelcome, "we can't afford a tree this year, and all our ornaments are in Georgia anyway." So, to be spiteful I said "fine!" and pulled some cardboard out of the pile of garbage sitting by the door about to be taken to the dumpster, and began fashioning a tree. Knowing he hates trashy, chaotic-looking, thrown together things, I thought that perhaps having to look at a pile of old cardboard shaped like a tree might inspire him to join me in a little budget bending.

But then I got into it.

Really into it.

Next thing I knew I was blowdrying paper mache and looking for some glitter to make a star with.

I trimmed it down and used cardboard rolled around an old spaghetti jar to make a trunk.

With all our gifts nestled around it, it made a cozy tableaux completed by the adorable snowman Aunt Janet gave me.

He looks very happy living under his tree of not pine, but garbage.

Who knows maybe I'll save my little garbage tree for next year.

Actually no, I won't because we have ZERO closet space already, and there'll be garbage enough next Christmas.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

It's 1:35 in the morning!

Since it's past midnight you know what that means...

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE!!!!!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Do you know what I love?

Getting commissioned to do paintings, that's what. With my hours at the flower shop dwindling I couldn't be happier to have people want my art. I haven't done many commissioned pieces in the past, so I always get very nervous because I want what the customer wants, and what I imagine (and am capable of) to match up so SO so badly.

Lucky me... I've had nothing but happy customers!

Monday, December 15, 2008

(That's me)

Well the semester is over.

Finished

Finito

and guess who got all A's? This girl!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Currently drinking from the mug of procrastination

One look at our pen/post-it collection will tell you that either a doctor or a very sick person lives here.

Along the Bics and Rollerballs are Flomax, Lovenox, and a variety of other cleverly named prescriptions on pens thanks to the drug reps that filter through Peter's hospital.

Yesterday Peter brought home my favorite freebie thus far...

THE MUG OF KNOWLEDGE

I think it's hilarious on many fronts- they know how to appeal to nerds, and also because they felt the need to print a disclaimer to explain that it does not ACTUALLY make you smarter.

Oh those drug companies know how to be cute.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Homeless in New York

I can't tell you how bothered I am by all the homeless people here in New York. Not actually the people, themselves, but by the fact that they have no home.and it is very cold.

We ran out to get some fast food the other day, and a guy came in off the street. He was elderly-late sixties, early seventies

rail thin, clearly mentally deficient

(perhaps a stroke, maybe parkinsons, posibly schizo?)

sweatshirt jacket instead of a coat, old socks as gloves.

He wasn't bothering anyone- he just came in and hunkered down in the corner near the heat vent talking to himself in a repetitive stutter-a combination of religious and political banter.

I wanted to call someone, but didn't know who.

The police would have escorted him out of the restaurant, but probably wouldn't do much more than that.

Who do you call in that situation?

I still had half my weekly lunch budget in my pocket, so I gave it to him. He called me an angel and trudged up to the counter.

I don't know what else I could have done.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

Remember that thing I used to do...

Remember that thing I used to do where I mixed up paint and put it on canvas or wood or something until it kind of looked like something?

Well... I still do that... and the result is still up for grabs at

my shop

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Miss church today?

Thats okay- Barats and Bereta have you covered...

but don't let it happen again. WHOOOOAA!