The Weatherman's a Liar.

He said it'd be raining all weekend.

But it didn't.

In fact it was lovely last weekend. The rain clouds kindly postponed their visit to allow us one splendid day together, so Peter and I put it to good use getting to know our borough better.

We hopped on the Q60 and rode it until we got somewhere more interesting. I found a great thrift shop in the interesting little suburb of Sunnyside.

(But I won't allow myself to go back until I've altered and worn all my current clothes.)

It's been such a busy week.

So much is going on!

Including something secret(ish) involving this wierd looking pic: I promise I'll tell you what's up with this soon... but I won't say when- you'll just have to check back frequently!

Things I love about New York #5

Last week after a fun night of famous bakery seeking (and finding) I was walking to the subway with some friends when we encountered several trailers parked on the side of the street bearing familiar names such as Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker, among others.

Apparently we'd stumbled onto the set of "Did You Hear About The Morgans?" A movie that isn't coming out till December!

Which reminded me of Reason I Love this New York #5

It is dynamic... ever-changing... spontaneous even.

We watched as they turned the cloudless evening into a rainy one and stunt doubles scampered along balconies and rooftops. The tweens in our group were excited beyond reason, but honestly everything is more fun when accompanied by those of the super enthusiastic persuasion.

Flash photography was strictly forbidden so I don't have a great picture to share with you. You'll just have to take my word that it was fantastic!

Tales of Tails

Once upon a time we got to puppysit the adorable Bayla (John and Gerri's Golden Retriever).

All week long they played together like best friends.

The funniest game they played was when Bayla would lay on the dog bed and hold one end of the tug toy and get pulled around by Radar.

He pulled her all around the apartment.

I unearthed this video gem while cleaning up my laptop.

Enjoy!

Yes! That is Belle and Sebastion playing backup to the pups' shenanigans.

What's more fun than selling on Etsy?

Buying on Etsy, that's what!

I just got a fresh shipment of inspiration, ala regina's studio. Yippee!

Just what I needed on this rainy Friday!

something to ponder.

I can't be the only one to waste hours on facebook.

The profiles of friends from high school play out like "This is your life if..."

This is your life if you had made better grades.

This is your life if you had done drugs.

This is your life if you had of been passionate about something.

This is your life if you'd have ignored what people told you.

This is your life if you'd have been more responsible.

This is your life if you'd chosen differently.

Thoughts on the subject of "if" are wasted on the imperviousness of the unknowable.

It's better to think of what is.

But contemplating "what is" always leads me back to the relentless question of "how did I get here?"

Strange road, mine.

A million extraordinary simple little things, so cumulatively intricate, that "predestined" doesn't seem quite strong enough a word.

If any one of a million little things had or hadn't occurred I wouldn't be here, in my New York City apartment typing up a blog post from my Ikea couture bed.

(That was kind of a joke, Ikea couture, but only those experienced in the crappiness of Ikea could get it).

Like, what if Peter had never heard of AUC?

What if I hadn't moved out on my 18th birthday?

What if I hadn't gone to Wal-mart to buy film in the 11th grade?

What if I hadn't been given that note?

What if I hadn't joined the band in 6th grade?

What if my mom hadn't put me in school a year early?

I would be a completely different person, with a completely different experience.

Oh, butterfly effect... you exhaust me.

wedded bliss on the brain

I'm not typically a single minded person, but for some reason lately I can think of nothing but weddings.

Perhaps it's just the season, but everywhere I look I see things that make me think of white acoutremented celebrations. From the magazines at the grocery store to the flowers that suddenly seem to be everywhere. Everything looks made for marriage.

Twice this week, there have even been weddings in my dreams. Not my own, mind you. That afternoon was far far from a dream. If I could do it again, I would change pretty much everything. I wouldn't DARE to plan it outdoors- it would be in a church instead instead of a dark restaurant. I would invite waaay more people.

I'd wear a simple sleek dress instead of a poufy monstrosity. I'd hire a photographer, and of course, I'd actually HAVE flowers decorating the place.

The other thing's I'd change are just too numerous to mention.

I guess I'm just being my usual malcontent self.

I can't decide if I should title this post "older and wiser" or "coulda woulda shoulda".

100 POSTS!!!! High time for a giveaway!

comments have been closed.

Can you believe it? 100 posts!

I know it might not seem like much of an accomplishment, but for equilibrium's sake I think we ought to celebrate the small stuff (since we sweat it, anyway).

If I weren't so opposed to superfluous cleaning I might throw confetti in the air or something.

Maybe a little happy dance would be more appropriate.

Can anyone see me? No? Good- let the jig commence!

I want you to be happy too, so in order to encourage the sentiment I'm giving away this little bound book I just made.

Peter mentioned needing a blank book, so I made one for him.

This is kind of a mini version.

It measures 4.5X5 inches and contains 30 pages. And, yes, that IS part of a New York City map.

If you want to win it, simply leave me a comment (here on this blog post) before midnight on Sunday April 5. Say anything, anything at all, like perhaps which post is your favorite. (Not mandatory, but encouraged).

The winner will be chosen at random.

Summary: Speak up, leave me a comment, get picked at random, I'll e-mail ya to let you know you won (I'll probably post about the winner too on the blog Sunday). Reply with your address, and a handmade book will be zipping to you at the speed of the United States Postal Service!

an ambiguous ocean

"I sell furniture imported from France, Italy, and Spain. Could you design a scenic mural that could be any of those places? I want to be able to change the furniture around a lot without it clashing so it needs to be pretty neutral."

Want to see what I came up with?

BAM!

If there's one thing I like more than a client is an extremely happy client!

Sorry, this spot is taken.

What, were you wanting to sleep here or something? Whatever. I don't care. I'm a cat.

the OTHER green people

There's a parade for almost everything in NYC.

I'd never been to a St Patrick's day parade, so I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself on a train full of revelers. Since I wasn't really going anywhere important anyway, I decided to follow the already-drunk-at-noon-painted-green crowd to the parade route.

The parade itself was actually fairly bland- It was almost nothing but hours of various military and civil servant factions (who most definitely DO deserve a parade, but I don't know what The Marines have to do with Ireland). The most entertaining part of the parade was the bagpipe playing kilt wearing celtic bands. Not actually being Irish myself I have no idea what these big banner flag things were that some groups were carrying. I bet its a noun though. Yep, its got to be a person, place... or thing.

After the parade I thought it would be fitting to take a stroll over to St Patrick's Cathedral, which is plain on the outside, but insanely gorgeous on the inside. I've never put much stock in church decor. (The J man didn't need a fancy pulpit to get his point across. His style was pretty barebones when you think about it- mountain tops, a fisherman's boat, etc... sometimes using a stick to draw in the dirt). So it just seems excessive. Beautiful... but unneccesary.

whichever one applies

Dear Strange Men of New York,

Thank you for pointing out to me that I have paint on my (pants/shoes/face/hair). That's normal for me. No, I don't (go to art school with you/ teach art to kids/ work for a contractor). I paint murals. What kind? The kind made of paint... on walls. No thanks, I do not want to see your (mostly empty sketchbook/ pictures of your car/ tattoo). What's that? You are not interested in having a mural in your home or business. That's ok, but in that case you may not have (my card/ phone number/ e-mail). Yes, you probably will see me around because I go to this (quickie-mart/bus stop/ dunkin donuts) all the time, but I will probably avoid you in the future because you (smell/ shake like a druggie/ scare me).

Sincerily, La Sha

This is how they made bread in the 80's

Because it's not done until you rip your shirt off.

Who ordered the randomness?

Oh hai!

I been gone lately cause of massive work stuffs, but I thought a post nap Saturday night blog update would be good.

Ya?

OK.

I went to the St Patrick's Day parade in Manhattan.

I had more fun watching the funny drunks than the parade.

Erin go bragh!

I'm painting a window display this week.

LOVING me some income!

Three cheers for being able to pay bills!

Did a little shopping... mostly window shopping

as the amount of clothes that I own that AREN'T paint stained is rapidly dwindling.

The best painter I personally know is Roland Richardson... and though he is an extraordinarily successful man by any and all standards (not to mention internationally famous) he always has the look of a hobo who's been eating messy food with a toddler.

presumably because he gave up the fight that all professional artists wage.

In this corner a carefully pieced together wardrobe, and in the other corner an overwhelming desire to create.

Only one can win...

I try to make both sides reconcile but its a struggle that leaves many a good pair of blue jeans ruined.

Made a fantastic new friend who took me to a fantastic new lounge/ restaurant... It reminds me a lot of Bliss.

AUCers, you know what I'm talking about.

Peter and I like to read books together... looking for the next one- any suggestions? Can't be too girly OR too manly.

Our current read is Ken Follet's World Without End, the semi sequel to Pillars of the Earth (Which is a GREAT read by the way) I recommend pretty much anything by Ken Follet.

I saw a girl wearing flip-flops today... AND A PARKA.

Seems to me that if she thought it would be cold enough to wear a down parka, that she would also wear... you know, shoes.

I've had the same Russian electronica song stuck in my head for two weeks.

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh!

More fun making something out of nothing!

The problem:

Napkins, when kept between the salt and pepper shaker, are prone to fall down become messy whenever the salt or pepper is used.

The solution:

Make a pretty napkin holder out of stuff around the house.

I used an empty cashew can to make a napkin holder that perfectly matches my decor.

First, clean out the can.

Next, cut some paper the same width as your container. I just used some scraps of tissue paper. Glue the paper onto the container. I just used a glue stick (because it's what I had... and it works!). I glued several layers on to make it less see-through. To finish it off, I wrapped lace around it, and glued it in place. Now all my mismatched napkins have a graceful place to live on my table.

A Ritual

All day long Radar and Beauregard have free run of our place. However, Beau is quite the nocturnal beastie, and must be banished from the bedroom before anyone can head to bed. So here's the routine:

Step one: Beau hides himself somewhere he won't be noticed

Step two: Peter comes in the room all tired like and asks, "where's the cat?"

Step three: I reply, "I don't know. I don't think he's in here. I haven't seen him in a while."

Step four: go to bed

Step five: Cat waits twenty minutes then starts making trouble.

Step six: measures are taken to de-cat-ify the room

Step seven: Cat RESISTS RESISTS RESISTS

Step eight: humans reply, "Resistance is futile!"

The ritual ends when one of the humans shakes the cat food container, because no matter how full the cat's food bowl might be, the sound of cat food shaking around in plastic is like a furball magnet... it never fails to draw the cat out of the restricted zone.

Jerusalem bound

Door #1 is finished!

Hurray!

Gosh this shirt makes me look top heavier than I really am.

Anyone who halfway knows me knows I'm a girl plagued by self-doubt

nowhere near the bar I raise for myself

and full up to the brim with regret.

This past week has been amazing though... like in a life-altering kind of way.

I can think of few times things have gone better. I went from the darkest January to the brightest February, and now I'm going into March with a whole new outlook, new prospects, and strong faith.

Not renewed; it was never lost... it was never old... and needs no renewing.

Simply faith reinforced (not that faith requires reinforcement) but I trusted in God's grace, and allowed Him to put things in place.

How can I serve such an amazing God while still bringing all that shallow but weighty baggage along with me?

Self-doubt serves no purpose when your trust is in God.

The standard is high that it can never be met. It's meant to be continually reached for.

And regret? Regrets are the bricks tied to my ankle that continually pulls me into the malcontentedness that I find myself in so often that it almost feels like home.

It's really just time to let all those things go, and just fully totally completely TRUST.

Russian + English = Rusglish

I painted while some men stood behind me, speaking Russian so fast I couldn't even catch a single word. They watched me for twenty minutes, while I became more and more self conscious. My vicious imagination translated the convo in the meanest of ways:

Tall Russian Man: "Can you believe they paid for this garbage to be painted on the wall?"

Short Russian Man: "I can't believe they allow this in public- painting this bad is vulgar and offensive!"

Tall Russian Man: "Would you like me to call the police? Surely this must be against the law. America does not allow torture, and surely having to look at this qualifies."

... and so forth.

The men eventually moved on. I saw them making small talk with the building owner. I heard my name.

I decided it was a good time to take a break, so I cleaned up a bit and was about to leave for lunch, when the tall man approached. His English was bad, more like Rusglish, but after some communicative efforts I got the jist. Here's (basically) what he said.

You are doing a very good job!

I own a chain much like this one.

I would like your services, please.

Could you make some sample boards?

Here is my information, please get back to me as soon as you can.

Certainly!

The door to Jerusalem.

Working as a florist suits me fine, but post-Valentine's Day business is bad, so I found myself a new gig working for a group that designs swanky kitchens and bathrooms.

At the showroom are several door displays that open to nowhere-
they just open up to a blank wall...

which isn't blank anymore.

Behind each door is a scene from a different country.

The first of which the owner's hometown of Jerusalem.

All week long, I've been painting the beautiful sand colored holy city.

All week long, people have been asking me for my card, wanting murals of their own.

In the past week I've been commissioned to do three BIG projects.

And I'm not even done with the first door.

I can't wait to see what the next door will open up to!

This note has been bouncing around facebook for a while. I normally refuse to even acknowledge these forwards, but this one somehow sucked me in. I posted this on facebook earlier today, but thought I'd just go ahead and pull out all the narcissistic stops, and repost it here. Feel free to repost it yourself!

USING ONLY ONE WORD! It's not as easy as you might think! Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It's really hard to only use one word answers. Be sure to tag the person you received it from!

1. Where is your cell phone? uselessville

2. Your significant other? significant

3. Your hair? long

4. Your mother? generous

5. Your father? stepfather

6. Your favorite thing? love

7. Your dream last night? robbed

8. Your favorite drink? liquid

9. Your dream/goal? contentment

10. What room you are in? bed

11. Your hobby? art

12. Your fear? failure

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? happy

14. Where were you last night? asleep

15. Something that you aren't? Wild

16. Muffins? orange

17. Wish list item? sofa

18. Where you grew up? Georgia

19. Last thing you did? clean

20. What are you wearing? jeans

21. Your TV? off

22. Your pets? sweet

23. Friends? imaginary

24. Your life? unusual

25. Your mood? varied

26. Missing someone? always

27. Car? subway

28. Something you're not wearing? shoes

29. Your favorite store? Anthropologie

30. Your favorite color? aqua

33. When is the last time you laughed? earlier

34. Last time you cried? january

35. Who will resend this? unknowable

36. One place that I go to over and over? manhattan

37. One person who emails me regularly? facebook

38. My favorite place to eat? Crepeteria

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!

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.

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.)

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."

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.

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)

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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.)