* Welcome 2012 *

New Year's Eve is a time where you inevitably reflect on the year that passed. From the start of 2011, last year was full of stress, hard decisions, saying goodbye to people closest to me, and starting over in many ways. In a lot of ways 2011 was my hardest yet, and has left me with a lot of open-ended questions facing 2012.

That being said, I do not regret what happened this past year, for it has only brought me closer to realizing many of the dreams I thought would never be tangible. I feel strong enough to move forward into this new year, knowing without a doubt it will be a difficult yet defining year. I have no resolutions except living the best way I can, and being grateful for all that I have.

The Mayans predicted this as the year of transition. Destruction of the "world" as we knew it. I can feel it, and am doing my part to join in and letting the change happen.

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* More DIY Christmas Gifts *

Here are some gifts I made for my friend's preteen daughters (one is obsessed with hedgehogs). They are the coolest girls.

I made these little stuffed plush animals for each one as well as handmade books. One is a writing journal, and the other is a fashion illustration workbook, with croquis templates for her to draw over. I put them together in these bags to make it fun. Hopefully they like them!

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* BOOKS! *

Holy shit! So, my love of holding/smelling a new book stems from childhood, as does most people who didn't grow up with video games and kindles. I was in Barnes and Noble looking for some gifts when I found these newly re-designed classics.

EDIT: not sure why some of these do not exist online anymore...I swear they are in store though!

I was immediately racking my brain for who I could buy one of these for (besides myself) who would appreciate the design, and not be scared of the weight of the book. I ended up not buying one, but if you know me, and want to get one for ME, I would be ok with that. ;]

(images from google and B&N)

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* DIY Christmas Gift *

My brother had taken a trip several years ago to Thailand for 6 months. He brought back a bunch of souvenirs, including a cool t-shirt for me that was too small for him. After a few years of wear, this ill-fitting tee became more ill-fitting, and soon never left the back of my drawer.

Because I'm making a good portion of my gifts this year (hi, I have very little money, how are you?), I decided to salvage the design and the memory for my brother. I scanned the T-shirt and played with it in photoshop until I got the look I was going for. And, now he will have a great, custom-framed reminder of his adventures, and I still have money for groceries! Everyone wins.

Before:

After:

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* Girl Style Crushes *

1. Zooey Deschanel: adorable, nerdy, and perfectly hipster enough without making me gag.

2. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen: say what you will about the olsen twins, but i still crush on them for dressing without giving a shit.

3. Tegan and Sara: adorable hipster style with a rocker-ish edge. plus they always have amazing hair styles.

4. Mila Kunis: hot. style-wise she always looks good, but i rarely see her taking big fashion risks. nonetheless, she is mega hot.

image sources (1, 2, 3, 4)

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* teeeeeeth *

Also, this is a goat I met yesterday.

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* Logo Contest *

I recently submitted a logo for an online logo contest I saw on craigslist.

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* Your Graphic Design Portfolio *

As a designer, your portfolio is your face. You still have a face face, which should be clean and presentable at an interview, but you know what I mean.

I came across this article that explains 10 mistakes designers make with their portfolio when interviewing. It's actually very insightful, and I am now re-thinking the way mine is put together.

I also have this book I bought last year that has some great tips about adjusting your portfolio depending on the kind of job you are trying to get. At a time when good jobs are hard to come by, I will take any advice I can!

Enjoy!

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* Sunday Sketches *

I have been way behind on getting posts from my travels on here.

Also, I have a bit of a perfectionist complex, so I tend to not share my sketchbook work with people unless I have a finished product somewhere. But, I'm trying to get out of that, because I understand that the artistic process will inevitably include things you aren't proud of. So, here are some scans from one of my sketchbooks from my trip.

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* Macaron Sweeterie *

I stopped by this new macaron shop in Lexington the other day and chatted with the owner for a bit. The shop is adorable, and the macarons were delicious. mmmm....

(image from their website)

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* Wedding Invites *

Here is a wedding invitation kit design I did for some friends a few months ago.

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* Retro Camera App *

I was bored and added a retro camera app to my phone.

Some of them are kind of cool, but I'm more intrigued by the idea of creating this effect manually using photoshop than using an app with limited control. I recently saw this post on Smashing Magazine online that gives tips on how to achieve certain toy camera looks via photoshop.

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* French Macarons *

Making these is still on my to-do list for post trip projects.

(image from here)

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* Tattoo Inspiration *

Instead of being productive today like a good girl, I wasted my day listening to music and searching for cool bird tattoos. Here is what I found, and what I hope to add to my shoulder soon!

(images from google search)

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* Made of Glass *

Last weekend I went to see the Chihuly exhibit at the MFA. It was stunning. All of his glass sculptures were presented in dark black rooms with dramatic lighting and mirrored reflections, so the colors exploded. At first you are so amazed by the color, but then when you get close, you can really see the details of the textures, and the flow of the shapes. I couldn't help but think about what must have gone into creating these amazing works.

In one of the rooms was a long pathway full of intricate glass flora that immediately brought to mind an alice in wonderland sensibility. It was difficult for me to not get right inside it and start rolling around. I wanted to live in there forever. But, of course, it is glass, and rolling around in it would not be the wisest of choices, so I restrained myself. Below are some of the photos I took with my phone, but it doesn't do the feeling justice of standing right next to these sculptures.

While I was there I couldn't help but think about all the amazing museums I'm going to be visiting on my trip, and the "other worldliness" that I'll be feeling walking around these ancient cities. I still can't get over the fact that I have less than a month before I leave. I find myself sitting and staring blankly at a wall, not willing to accept that I'm actually doing this. Truth is though, I bought the tickets, I have the eurail pass, and aside from a bit more research, and maybe a wardrobe trial pack, I have nothing preventing me from going. Only my ego, where all my fears and insecurities live telling me this is a stupid idea, and I'm a loser for not just trying to live and work like everyone else in the world. Why do I need a 2 month long "vacation"?

But, I'm not looking at this trip as a vacation, although I know that is what it seems like to many people I talk to about this trip who are unaware of what I've been going through the past several years. This trip is a journey back to Maria. A necessary adventure to realize who I am, what I want, and find the strength, beauty, creativity, and compassion I know I have. Yes, I could have done this here in America, but traveling Europe is the jolt of the unknown and the unseen that will let me explore myself in ways I wouldn't be able to if I just stayed in Boston and meditated.

I need this trip like a child needs nutrition, to nourish my soul, my mind, and my body.

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* First Steps *

After my ticket purchase and hostel reservation, the first step to figuring out this trip was to find out how to get from the airport to the hostel. Success! So, now I feel much more secure that I won't be stranded with no idea what I'm doing. I at least have day 1 of 60 down, and it might not seem like much of an accomplishment to figure out, but it really is. I won't be able to plan out all 60 days, but I'm researching the places I want to hit, and a basic visual outline of each city and its metro stops.

Since I'm not working right now (this is officially my fourth day of freedom), I have the time to do this research so I'm not going to a new country blind. I want to have a basic orientation, a few phrases in the languages, and an idea of what I want to do in each place I visit. Although it's weird to not be planning for every single day/night, I'm feeling more comfortable knowing that at least I'll have a few plans set.

In the meantime, I've been hanging out with these two cool cats. Literally, they are cats. I'm cat-sitting for a week for a friend of mine.

Also, I made this awesome gnocchi tonight, and it came out great! Just some whole wheat gnocchi I bought from Trander Joe's, added marinara sauce, spinach and goat cheese. Pretty spectacular.

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* Changes *

Obviously I have been MIA from the blog world for the past 5 months. I have my reasons, but, I'm hoping to change it.

I actually have exciting news! I recently quit my job (last day was yesterday) in order to explore more of myself and the world. I bought a ticket to Barcelona in August, and another ticket from London to Boston in October. So, I have two months to travel around Europe, see all the amazing things in person that I've only seen on a slide projector in art history class. I've been wanting to do a trip like this for a while, but have never really had the guts, or a reason. Then I realized, I'm never going to have the guts or a reason, so why not give myself both?

So, here I am creating an opportunity for myself that will at least be amazing, and at most be life-changing. Sometimes, in order to move forward and become the person you want to be, you have to make some changes. Some of which can be extremely difficult, and most of which will make you feel a little unsteady. But, although change is never easy, it is inevitable. And, I've been fighting it for far too long. I'm ready for it now. Bring it on!

(image source)

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* Oh My Goodness *

Where have I been? Well, I actually have spent the past few weeks of non-blog posts interviewing for and accepting a new job! And then looking for and getting a new apartment!

Needless to say, I am so relieved that 2011 has been quite a change from 2010.

I spent a good 2 hours today at Target just looking around at apartment stuff. My brain has been going a million miles an hour thinking about my new place; where things would go, what I need to get, what my color palette is going to be. I'm a huge planning dork. It is one of my personality traits that can be very fun, but also restricting.

I've spent the last few sleepless nights drawing decorating ideas all over my sketchbook.

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