New Years, New Year

So, eventually I should post my favorite things from the past year but I have no idea where to even start with that concept. It barely feels like New Years to me, but it could be because the past few years I have found myself working through the holidays and that makes it feel entirely different from the childhood memories of having two weeks off to just be with the familyMichelle sent me a link on the fb the other day that has quickly become an obsession (see above).

Also, I am getting a light box soon and will be stealing my dad's camera back so more photos of things I love will turn up soon. I am really excited about my photo light box. Probably a little too excited - on a nerd level unseen before.

2010 is going to be the year of learning new things. I am sure posts of lists will be coming soon.

Nothing to Worry About

You guys, I know this video is kind of old news but I love it so much.



xo,
michelle

Christmas mayhem...

I work retail so this time of year is insane for me. Plus, I took the handmade pledge for the holidays this year and making sure everything is handmade and ready for Christmas has been taking almost all of my time...well, that and baking a TON of cookies.

So, in order to celebrate the holidays I bring you my all time favorite holiday video....



and the original version of "White Christmas" in one of my all time favorite movies Holiday Inn...



Marjorie Reynolds is so beautiful.

Happy Holidays,
Kat

Don't Mean Maybe

This week I'm teaching a camp for preschoolers called "Magic Trunk". Working with preschoolers is gross and hilarious. Mostly hilarious. For example, today at snack they were sharing jokes with each other and this tiny three year old girl in a pretty pink dress with tights embroidered with hearts said, "Why did the chicken kill her kids? Cause she wanted to EAT THEM!!!! HAHAHAHA!" Ridiculous. Anyway, tomorrow we're pulling Where The Wild Things Are out of the Magic Trunk and making Wild Thing masks which will undoubtedly be fantastic and terrifying.


Have I ever talked about how much I love with a capital L-O-V-E Lynda Barry, especially her Marlys comics? I haven't? What's wrong with me. Here's her website. Anyway, I recently found out that she dated Matt Groening AND Ira Glass. Also, though now she refers to him as her worst boyfriend ever, Ira MOVED TO CHICAGO FOR LYNDA BARRY! Without Lynda Barry there would be no This American Life and we wouldn't even know what we were missing. Probably. Look at how awesome she is:


For Real,
Michelle

All I Ever Wanted Baby

Janis never ceases to amaze me. Check out those dance moves! Incidentally, Kristen just gave me a totally bitchin sequined blazer similar to the shiny thing she's wearing in this video.

xo,
M

My Top Three Favorite Dylans

In a very specific order.

#1 Bob Dylan in London circa 1966 (thus my obsession with Don't Look Back)



#2 Blood On the Tracks-era Dylan



#3 Crazy hat + makeup wearing Rolling Thunder Revue Dylan (which is technically pretty much the same as #2 but for the sake of this video blog, let's pretend it's not)



I'm going to Spain. Soon.

Joni Mitchell said, "I like to just kind of free-agent it. I always was a loner. I like walking around cities by myself. I can see things better. I mean, I've had some companions that I'm comfortable enough or compatible enough that I enjoy that, but often I just see better... I observe better when I'm on my own."

I agree.

Luv U,
Michelle

all i want for Christmas....

almost anything from the red velvet art site....






these cute things from urban outfitters....




and one of these adorable instant cameras...

xoxo,
kat (aka the snail)

Sorry I was gone last week...

...but I have never ironed so much in my life. That's right, I said iron. My godmother had a show and since she is a batik artist she needed a full time iron girl for the week and it was me. Plus, it is holiday time at the bookstore - which is really intense and kind of scary.


BUT - I got to go to Phillipe's in LA and eat this amazing french dip.
There was a HUGE rain storm this past week and it was BEAUTIFUL...

And we have home grown winter oranges. I love California.



I am drinking ginger tea and making Christmas presents. I am also taking it easy with my Etsy.com store for the next two weeks - I am tired and had a great craft show this weekend so it's time for a little break to make things for the family.

xoxo,
kat (aka the snail)

Church House Gin House

Let's learn this dance and then go to Talayna's. We can all take turns being Tina!



Love,
Michelle

Frank O'Hara says...

"I'm glad that the rock is heavy

and that it feels all right in my heart

like an eye in a pot of humus.

Let's write long letters on grand themes,

fish sandwiches, egg sandwiches, and cheese;

or traveling in Mexico, Italy and Australia.

I eat a lot so I won't get drunk and then

I drink a lot so I'll feel excited

and then I've gone away and I don't know where

or with whom and can't remember whom from

except that I'm back with my paper bag

and next time my face won't come with me."

Love, Michelle

PS- That picture is of Patti Smith and Lenny Kaye and I found it here.

Later May Be Too Late

Sunday Night Video!



xxo,
Michelle

Tonight I'm Excited About:

-Ravioli making Saturday

-Ravioli eating Sunday

-Seeing Emily

-Wearing hats and scarves and my big winter coat

-drinking hot, hot tea to defend myself from the biting cold

-The first snow storm (I know it's coming soon...)

-Checking out "Nuggets" and more Frank O'Hara from the library

-Depositing my pay check

-Polaroid transfers

-Dilapidated buildings
-Clara Bow, Ziegfeld Follies costumes, and flapper hair

Yours Truly,

Michelle

making a list, checking it twice...

Have I mentioned that Michelle and I are both obsessed with list making. I used to make lists daily. In fact, instead of journaling I normally just end up making lists. Silly lists, serious lists, dream lists, goal lists. I just can't stop.

Today was one of those fantastic happy days where I just want to sit down and make a list of goals. I was sick for about a week and it was awful and then today I woke up, ate pancakes, and suddenly I felt like I could take on everything (even though I ended up having a much needed lazy day.)

Here is my new list of things to do daily:

1) Always wake up before 8. There is no reason to sleep the day away and then when I need a treat or reward sleeping in can become that. But honestly, there is no reason for the way I sleep! It's a disaster!

2) Play guitar - I've been really bad about this lately because I started to associate guitar playing with singing and when I got sick I stopped singing (and thus stopped playing guitar). I even asked for guitar lessons for Christmas (there's a great place within walking distance.)

3) Take pictures. Every. Single. Day. I am never going to get better at taking pictures unless I really work at it and try it every day.

4) Blog. (this is easy - I have this blog and rambling kat so, this should not be a problem. At all.

5) CREATE ART (I think this is the most important one.) I am infamous for speaking about art and crafts and the beauty of handmade and wanting to become brilliant at it and blah blah blah but there are plenty of days where I just don't get focused and find any excuse I can to NOT start a project.

6) Read. I used to read two or three books a week. And when I was a Poli Sci major I was reading a thousand pages a week on average. I love books and I love libraries and I work in a book store...why am I not reading all the time!?!

7) Journal.

8) Go outside. I currently spend my life indoors - I used to walk everywhere (to school, to work, to the library...) but now that I've moved home I stay inside all the time and I am starting to worry I have become a nature hating hermit.

9) Write a letter a day. - This one is going to be hard but also easy. I have friends all around the world that I have fallen out of touch with - I used to constantly write letters and I loved it. I loved the joy of getting something in the mail. Michelle and Nick are soooo good at this - I get so happy and feel so loved when I find something in the mail from them. Also, I have kick ass Nancy Drew stationary that I need to use up.

10) Draw/Doodle. - I think it's just good for the soul.

I know picture blogs are more fun, sorry this is soooo wordy. I promise lots of pictures soon.
xoxo,
kat

Learning to Love You More

If you haven't already, look at Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher's incredible website. I've been wanting to work through their assignments for a long time and have finally started. Here's my first one. (I'm obviously not going in order.)

Assignment #63 Make an encouraging banner.

Love, Michelle