jo bozarth

in honor of valentine's day.

2012-02-09T14:30:00.000-08:00

in honor of valentine's day,

may i humbly suggest:

"The Further Adventures of Cupid and Eros"

-the entire first season, plus all sorts of other fun bonus content,

including audio commentary by my co-star, Josh Heine, and myself...

and my character's wacky web cast.

the show and bonus content are pg13.

the dvd can be bought HERE.

if you want to ride...

2012-02-06T16:09:00.000-08:00

living a sort of "freelance" lifestyle is wonderful,

but in order to get anywhere,

a schedule is a must.

and use caution, when necessary.

there are times when no one can look out for you quite as well as

you can look out for you.

i've been playing quite a bit the first four weeks of 2012.

i feel it's time to dig my heels in a little...or a lot.

and to think,

all i needed to know, i learned from travel town.

who know it was that simple?

valentine's day gifts!

2012-02-01T13:21:00.000-08:00

personalize your valentine's day gift!

i have several vintage typewriter prints to choose from

in 5x7 and 8 1/2 x 11.

order by February 7th to get them by valentine's day!

see my shop for details.

wicked at the pantages

2012-01-30T19:07:00.000-08:00

last night avi took me to closing night of wicked at the pantages as one of my christmas gifts. i live in hollywood, and this was my first time there...for shame! pretty good night out, no? what an amazing show! and the boyfriend is pretty amazing, as well. ;)

Name Change!

2012-01-27T15:56:00.000-08:00

I'm under construction here today. If things look a little weird throughout the day, I apologize. I'm trying to streamline a bit, and in doing so....

I'm changing "thank u and good nite"...to just my name, by tonight or tomorrow this page will exist as jobozarth.com. That's about as straight forward as can be, yes?

Happy Friday!!

In A Word (Round 2) from The Dew Drop Inn

2012-01-14T15:36:00.000-08:00

Diane, from The Dew Drop Inn, is giving "the gift of words" a whole new meaning!
To find out how, click HERE.

This is my word from Diane's magical stardusty (love that word!) bag:

Of course I know what the word liberation means. But I had to stop

and think..."What does liberation mean to me? Right now?"

And yes, I went to trusty dictionary.com to look it up so that I could

more accurately and deeply ponder.

I'm telling you, this word is perfect for me right now on so many levels and

in so many forms!

I may get into the reasons why in future posts, but for now I wanted to share

how you can get in on this super cool experience!

To request your special word from the most awesome Inn Keeper around,

go HERE.

Have You Read....

2012-01-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Nine Stories

by J.D. Salinger

Recently I read J.D. Salinger's The Catcher In the Rye. I wasn't completely sold on it, but because I felt that Salinger's writing style could best be served in a different kind of story, or perhaps with different characters. I have no formal training in writing, so I have to tell you that this is just the opinion of someone who likes what she likes. Your opinion may differ, and that's what reading, writing, and art of any kind is really all about.

That being said, I've found the book (a compilation, really) by Salinger where his writing style, in my opinion, was put to wonderful use. And, I've found two blog friends to read the book with and to with whom to compare notes! The book is Nine Stories, and my blog reading buddies are Micaela of Dolce Vita and Courtney of Kitten Roar. I had such a great time reading this book in my little corner of the world, all the while envisioning these two lovely ladies curled up with their books and caffeine. It was such fun to wonder if we were having the same thoughts and reactions to these stories. And now, I'll find out! We've compiled a list of questions. Here they are, along with my answers. Please click on the links to their blogs to read their answers! That's what I'm off to do! I can't wait!! :)

Did the actions of the characters seem plausible? Why or why not?

I'm going to answer this one based on my thoughts on the book as a whole, rather than the individual stories. And, I'd have to say yes. Even the actions that are surprising are still plausible, which makes the characters even more relatable.

How would the book have been different if it had taken place in a different time or place?

I think that the language, or way of speaking, of the time really lends itself to the characters. As far as the situations, we have men who have fought in wars, we have precocious children, and other characters who would be as they are in today's times. I do think, however, their interactions may be different. For example, children would not be allowed to interact with adults in the same way some of the children in these stories interact. This is simply by virtue of the fact that in today's society I think we are more on our guard against ne'er do wells.

How realistic was the characterization? Would you want to meet any of the characters? Like them? Hate them?

By and large, I feel that the characters in these stories were likable. I feel that the characterization was realistic and extreme at the same time. This may sound odd, but they were a heightened version of what is realistic. And isn't that what we want to read? The extreme is more interesting.

I'd love to meet the sweet and precocious Esme from "For Esme - With Love and Squalor". I'm not alone in my love of this little girl...a friend of mine who is in his fifties told me that at the time this book came out, Esme became a very popular name for baby girls.

I'd also love to meet Seymour from "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" and Sergeant X from "For Esme - With Love and Squalor". I think they're basically cut from the same cloth, and I'd love to see the similarities and look for the differences. (Yes, I know I'm speaking as if they are real.)

Finally, I'd love to meet the ten year old Teddy, from "Teddy". Through this character you can really see the influence of J.D. Salinger's study of vedanta philosophy. I would love to sit and discuss religion, philosophy, and the search for our higher selves with him. A large part of this story is such a conversation, which takes place between Teddy and a graduate student by the name of Nicholson. I think our conversation would have gone much better. ;)

arrrggghhhh....i LOVE these characters!!!!!!!

Which story touched you the most? What about it made it stick?

"A Perfect Day for Bananafish" and "For Esme - With Love and Squalor" both touched me because of the sweetness of the relationships between these beautiful damaged souls to the children in these tales. And of course, the way each of these stories end....well, you just have to read them and see!!

Wait, can I add another? "Teddy"...because of the spiritual insights and beliefs of the main character, and because of the ending. If you've read this, what do you think really happened? The end of Teddy was quite controversial in its time!

Would this book inspire you to pick up any of Salinger's other works? Why or why not?

Yes!! I picked this up, hoping that it would do for me what The Catcher In the Rye did not as far as the writing style really lending itself to the general feel of the story and the pacing...and it did! I'm hoping that Salinger's voice keeps on keeping on in Franny and Zooey!

Did you fall in love with any of the characters? Why or why not?

I did fall in love with several of the characters. Too many to list, maybe. I think Salinger did such a wonderful job creating characters that most people, at the base of who we are, at our best and very worst, are be able to identify with.

Were there key sentences that stuck out to you? Maybe it wasn't your favorite story, or even character, but Salinger's way of saying/describing things - it struck a chord with you.

"Life is a gift horse, in my opinion." - Teddy, from his journal

"The fact is always obvious much too late, but the most singular difference between happiness and joy is that happiness is a solid and joy a liquid." - Jean De Daumier-Smith from "De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period"

"I am giving Sister Irma the freedom to follow her own destiny. Everybody is a nun. (Tout le monde est un nonne.)" - Jean De Daumier-Smith

"I never saw such a bunch of apple - eaters." -Teddy

"...It's time for him to take eveything out of his head instead of putting more stuff IN. He could get rid of a lot of the apple in just this one life if he wanted to. He's very good at meditating." -Teddy

These last two quotes really struck me because I've been reading about the beliefs and practices of the shamans and healers of Peru, and it's interesting to note that they also believe we are apple eaters. This is in reference to "original sin".

As a male author, do you think gender makes a difference in the tone/events of the story?

I'd love to say "no". But I feel that, in every day life, men tell it like it is and get to the point. Not a lot of unnecessary chit chat. This is how Salinger writes, and I find it very appealing. Also, he doesn't dumb it down for his readers. He let's us figure some things out for ourselves at the perfect time to do so. And I must add that I'm finding something so attractive about reading nine very complete stories in 302 pages!

Have any of you read Nine Stories? I'd love to know what you think!!

And to find out what the lovely Micaela of Dolce Vita thinks, click HERE.

To find out what the sassy Courtney of Kitten Roar thinks, click HERE.

percolating.

2012-01-04T15:15:00.000-08:00

verb (used with object)

to cause (a liquid) to pass through a porous body; filter.

(of a liquid) to filter through; permeate.

to brew (coffee) in a percolator.

verb (used without object)

to pass through a porous substance; filter; ooze; seep;trickle.

to become percolated: The coffee is starting to percolate.

to become active, lively, or spirited.

to show activity, movement, or life; grow or spread gradually; germinate:

Interest in the idea has begun to percolate.

See numbers 6 and 7. That's what's been going on around here lately, so the blogging has been a bit slow.
I just wanted to pop in on my little, as of late, neglected blog.

Also, hooray for 2012!! I feel like this is a year of growth, and growing up...finally.

Merry Christmas!!

2011-12-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

i hope yours is classic!

a handmade christmas

2011-12-21T11:04:00.000-08:00

i've said it before, even if i had all the money in the world, i'd still take the time to make gifts.

here's what i've been working on this week, with the help of pebo porcelain 150 paint markers:

1. decorate. i wrote the meanings of the recipients' names, along with little illustrations representing the meanings.
2. pop into the oven at 300 degrees for 30 minutes.
3. fill with marshmallows, cookies, or tiny bottles of kahlua. instant fun!

a google wallet spot...starring me!

2011-12-20T08:49:00.000-08:00

If you have 80 seconds, please click on this and watch it. I'm going to be honest, getting views is the only way we'll ever get paid! Do a blog buddy a favor! ;)

Thank You Notes.

2011-12-16T15:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Crap Accountant,
Thank you for royally screwing up my corporation taxes and giving me an abundance of misinformation for the past two tax years. The shock from the fines really gave my heart a much needed (yeah, right) jolt. From this I learned to have grace under pressure.

Dear IRS Representative,
Thank you for looking out for the little guy (me), and for taking into account that I tried in earnest to do everything by the books. Thank you for waiving the huge fee that would surely have sunk me this year. From this I learned that the people working for the IRS are just that, people. They are human, they have hearts, just like you and me.

Dear Franchise Tax Board Representative,
Thank you for taking the time to explain everything my (former) crap accountant did not. Thank you for walking me through it all while we were both online and on the phone. Thank you for taking the time to review my account and call me, even after we'd initially hung up, to make sure I didn't miss an important deadline and incur any additional fees. From this I learned that the people at the Franchise Tax Board are human, too. And they actually care, and don't want your small business to fail or owe more money than necessary.

Dear Erin and Jefferson,
Thank you for bringing over your home brewed holiday beer. It was the perfect way to cap off a stressful, but ultimately faith restoring, day. From this I learned that split vanilla beans, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg make a really tasty brew!

Happy weekend!!

crafternoon - bracelet

2011-12-14T17:49:00.000-08:00

My dear friend, Kari, came over for coffee today. Within half an hour we were at her favorite bead shop, and in about another fifteen minutes I had made my first bracelet.
I've been on a gift making frenzy as of late (more on that in a future post), so I thought I'd give bracelet making a test drive. I think I'm hooked!

I definitely recommend adding a clasp...so much better than just tying

the silk string.

I'm keeping this one! Sometimes you've got to treat yourself.

I love to receive hand made gifts, and I especially love making and giving them.

I truly believe that if I had money coming out my ears, I'd still take the time to make gifts...

I just might use more expensive ingredients. ;)

Signs.

2011-12-12T12:30:00.000-08:00

Do you believe in signs? I do.

I've had my little etsy illustration shop for around a year now. My mom says I was drawing before I could walk, and it's been fun to earn a bit of income from doing something that I love. Now, I have not been formally trained as an illustrator...it's just something I do. Something that comes very naturally to me.

In recent months I started to feel that I was beginning to cater my art to my idea of what would sell. It worked. My sales went up, but my level of joy and even my creativity, went down. I was spending more time being less creative, and less fulfilled.

Another part of this little tale is that my etsy shop started as a bit of an artistic outlet and grew into a main focus in my life. This was not at all what I intended. So, I was contemplating using the holiday season as an "excuse" to put my shop on winter hiatus and take this time to focus on my acting career, the creative outlet that I actually have spent years studying, but not giving 100%. I was so torn about this, and whether or not it was a good decision, when last week, all of a sudden, our printer just quit taking my fine art paper. Just. Quit. the very second after I printed my most recent pending order.

I took it as a sign. Decision made. I put my shop on hiatus right then and there.
I'm not saying the hiatus will last forever. But I do see changes ahead when I eventually reopen. Maybe all originals. Maybe a bit darker. Maybe lighter. Time will tell.

In the meantime, I feel a weight has been lifted.

So, was that a sign? Or since I had put my question out there, maybe the universe just provided me with an incident that would illicit that gut response that was my answer. When it comes down to it, maybe that's what signs really are. Either way, I'm grateful.

Have You Read....

2011-12-06T11:58:00.000-08:00

I took a tip from the wonderful Micaela of Dolce Vita, and picked up a copy of the Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger. I'm not sure how it had happened that I'd never read this classic, but....I had not. And now, I have.

I read it last week. Truthfully, the more distance I have from it, the more I think I appreciate about it.

The reader listens as the main character, Holden Caufield retells the story of a few days of his life surrounding his third school suspension.

I did immediately enjoy how, as I read, I got the feeling I was was listening to an adolescent from decades past telling me his story. Salinger really gave his main character, Holden Caufield, a voice. And that voice, the speech pattern and content, really put the reader in the mental/emotional state of Holden...his mania, his depression, his anxiety, his disgust, his amusement, etc. I actually felt gritty while reading it. Gritty and grimy. And I think that was by design.

Did I love it?

No. But, I did like it increasingly as Holden's story went on.

Would I recommend it?

Yes, if you have time to power through the first third of it, you'll get to some good stuff, and then some really good stuff in the last twenty five pages or so.

p.s. If you've read it, I'd love to know what you think!!

Another Hair Cut

2011-12-02T14:00:00.000-08:00

So, a few weeks ago I bobbed my hair. I liked it, but something about it just wasn't working for me. So, over Thanksgiving weekend, I asked my mom (who, when I was a kid, owned a hair salon) to give me a Debbie Harry haircut, circa late 70s.

Debbie Harry image via haironthebrain.com

My hair's pretty dark, and I had just gotten out of the shower so it's still a bit damp in this photo, but my mom got the messy, choppy layers just right.
Thanks, Mom!!

Now, if only I could be as effortlessly cool as Debbie Harry...

Happy weekend!!

You know it's December in L.A. when...

2011-12-01T10:49:00.000-08:00

1. The Santa Anas unleash their fury:

Mother Nature does not follow man's rules.

I wonder how many people from this building had to call their bosses and

try to explain why they couldn't get out of their garage.

2. The Christmas Tree lot appears on your corner:

The Santa Anas definitely brought a shift in energy. You can feel it. I can't wait to see what December holds!

Relaxstation.

2011-11-29T16:20:00.000-08:00

This awesome winter white click clack (it's called that because that's the sound it makes as you adjust the back to whichever angle you please) was a Craig's List find. It was bought to go on the set of a pilot I worked on. I fell in love with it at first sight, and had these images of relaxing on it with a good book. So, we kept it!
I call this little corner my "Relaxstation".

I created my special space as an "escape" within my apartment. I used vintage windows, a large overstuffed owl that is so incredibly soft and perfect for snuggling, my favorite cozy knit blanket, and a cloud and rain mobile that I made myself. I love curling up with a good book on a rainy day...alas, I live in Los Angeles, so those rainy days are few and far between. If you zoom in on the mobile you'll see that the rain drops and clouds are made from French magazine print. I actually used an art magazine...French and art...in my opinion, it doesn't get more chic, or more romantic. :)
I am in love with my luxurious little corner, my Relaxstation.

p.s. If you have a "relaxstation" of your own, I'd love to see it!

Cleanse.

2011-11-28T14:22:00.000-08:00

On November 13th Avi and I decided to do a two week cleanse that we bought at Trader Joe's. When we realized that we'd only be on day nine when Thanksgiving Day arrived, we decided to do it anyway. I mean, is there ever really a "good" time? Parties and gatherings always pop up, so.....

This Complete Body Cleanse consisted of taking quite a few pills. There was a digestive formula, a liver formula, and a fiber formula. The instructions said to avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugar, potatoes, saturated fats, trans fats, and artificial sweeteners. We were to cut down on processed foods, simple carbs, beef, pork, dairy, wheat, and soy.

I'm already a vegetarian who does not eat or drink milk products, so that was easy. I had been feeling that I was getting too much soy, so I was happy to try to cut it out, which I did completely. The same goes for potatoes. I figured that if I was cutting wheat out, I'd cut out gluten of any kind as well. I was eating too much pasta anyway. I guess I'm an all or nothing kind of girl.

The results:
-I figured out several creamy soup recipes that are veggie only. You'd swear there was cream and potatoes in them! I'll have to share my findings here soon!
-A half cup of caffeinated coffee and I am suddenly ready to jump out of my own skin. From now on, it may be decaf for me...most of the time.
-Some things I plan to reincorporate into my diet only occasionally: potatoes, bread, pasta. I feel better without them.
-I've decided not to keep soy products in my fridge. If I'm at a restaurant, and a soy based meal is my only vegetarian option, I'll eat it, but other than that, it's out.
-Oh, and I weighed myself at the beginning and end of this little adventure, and then again this morning. I'm down four pounds.

I'm proud to say that my only "cheat" on Thanksgiving day was a piece of dark chocolate See's candy. That's it! It was so interesting to not be focusing on food on a holiday where that is one of the major focuses. You'll notice there were no food photos in my Thanksgiving recap. It was actually nice to celebrate without feeling overstuffed and bloated after.

Cleanses aren't for everyone. Personally, I refuse to participate in any cleanse that involves cutting food out all together. For me, that's a recipe for disaster. But, if you're new to cleansing, or just want to try something mild, I'd highly recommend Trader Joe's Complete Body Cleanse. And, the whole kit costs under $15, so if you don't like it, you're not out a lot of money!

If you do, or have done, this cleanse or any other, I'd love to hear about your experience!

Also Thankful For....

2011-11-25T07:30:00.000-08:00

This guy...

....and the guy behind the camera, too.

This Thanksgiving...

2011-11-24T20:10:00.000-08:00

I am thankful for:

family

silly moments

good food

stimulating conversation

people I love

people I miss

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

I hope my friends and family, near and far, had a very happy Thanksgiving!

Free Shipping and a Gift.

2011-11-23T16:31:00.000-08:00

There will be free shipping over at Jo Bozarth Illustration from Black Friday through Cyber Monday.

If you have a 20% off coupon, you can apply both offers to your purchase.

Happy Holiday Shopping!!

p.s. As a thank you, this little 6 x 4 postcard will arrive with your purchase. I'm a fan of the "p.s.". You'll see I put one on the postcard. It's a writing prompt that says, "P.S. you are _________." Because shouldn't we let people know what they mean to us during the holidays and all year 'round?

Have You Read...

2011-11-21T16:24:00.000-08:00

Hot Guys - Baby Animals. How is this thing not a best seller?

I just love the expression on my friend's face in this pic, so I had to post it.

And no, I have not actually "read" it. Just a little humor before hitting the road for Thanksgiving. :)

Weekend Jumpstart and a Message.

2011-11-18T13:08:00.000-08:00

-Labyrinth at Runyon Canyon with the ever changing message (written in stone). These messages always give me something to think about. "One"...what does that word mean to me? What did it mean to the person who put it there?
-Fernando was just itching to get hiking!
-The Los Angeles sky, as seen from my 2nd floor apartment. Is winter finally upon us? Wait...what happened to fall? Hmmm....

Happy Friday!!

Puppy Love.

2011-11-16T20:01:00.000-08:00

Fernando Loves Boo from Avi Glijansky on Vimeo.

For the past three days, Avi and I have been dog sitting (one of) Fernando's girlfriend(s), Boo.
She's going home tonight, and we're sad to see her go. While Avi and I will miss little Boo so much, I think Fernando will miss her most of all.

Have You Read....

2011-11-14T20:55:00.000-08:00

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain.

I started this book over the summer while on the plane bound for Wyoming. Here it is, four months later, and I finally picked it up again.
Why do we put books down and not finish them until we've read several books in between? It isn't necessarily that we didn't like them, I don't think. Maybe certain books just aren't right at certain times. I was heading to Wyoming to watch two dear friends get married. The Paris Wife is not the book to read just before a wedding.
In this fictional account, told from the voice of Hadley, Hemingway's first wife, we see a dull, but sweet and loyal woman who gives new definition to "stand by your man"....geesh! Hemingway is painted as a louse and a cheat, and someone who is just plain mean, which I have no doubt is true.
The usual suspects (Stein, Pound, the Fitzgeralds, etc) all make appearances.
The first third of the book moves somewhat slowly, but as we see that the marriage is in trouble, and as the alcoholism and infidelity pick up pace, so too does the story. Sad, but true.
I did enjoy The Paris Wife, but then again, I am fascinated with Jazz Age Paris, and all the characters who came out of that time. (For an interesting account of the era, read Hemingway's A Moveable Feast. He was a jerk, but a very fine writer.)
I have to chuckle, though. I started a two week liver cleanse today. 12 supplements per day, very clean eating, no caffeine and no alcohol. I wonder if my strong desire to have a clean body and clear mind has anything to do with spending the last two days with the Hemingways. Hmmm......

Thank You Notes.

2011-11-08T20:33:00.000-08:00

Dear Avi,
Thank you for spending time, money, and weeks of sleepless nights to turn my funny little idea into a project to be proud of.

Dear Crew and Cast,

Thank you for your time, knowledge, skill, and kindness.

Dear Fernando,
Thanks for displaying your dissatisfaction about our extra long work days on our bedroom carpet, and not in my shoes.

Messages...

2011-11-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

Isn't this the truth?
Do you love what you do for work?
Do you love what you do after (or before) work?
I wonder why it is that when I read this, my mind went right to taking "what you do" to mean work/career.
Hmmmm.....

Happy Weekend!!

Dia De Los Muertos.

2011-11-01T11:20:00.000-07:00

I think Dia De Los Muertos is a lovely holiday. Having experienced the death of my father, my grandparents, and my aunt, I find this tradition to be a very sweet way to remember loved ones. Click HERE to read what it's all about.

Here are a couple of photos from the Dia De Los Muertos celebration at the Hollywood Forever cemetery:

A Muddy Halloween.

2011-10-31T14:49:00.000-07:00

What better way to celebrate the season than getting down and dirty with your girlfriends?

This was my first mud run. With the obstacle courses, the adrenaline rush, and the laughter, you can bet I'll be participating in many more! And, best of all, the entry fees for most mud runs do go to good causes. This particular run benefited a local youth organization.

Here's to a fun filled Halloween for all!

Bob.

2011-10-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

When you put your hair in a pony tail and ask your boyfriend to cut off said pony tail, it doesn't come out very evenly. How can it, really? So, in order to even it out, you may end up with a shorter cut than you had planned. C'est la vie. If your hair is thick, it sure feels good to have some of that weight taken off!

Thank You Notes.

2011-10-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

Dear Silas,
Thank you for inviting me to your 3rd birthday party. And, thank you for looking happy to see me when I arrived. And, thank you for being my nephew.

Dear Fernando,
Thank you for giving me kisses and licking any spots on my face I may have missed in the shower.

Dear Avi,
Thank you for complying when I put my hair in a pony tail and asked, "Will you please cut this off?" (photos to come)

Dear Life,
As much as I do love blog land, thank you for being a little too full of good stuff for me to be able to visit as frequently as I'd like.

Dear Little Blog,
Thank you for being here every time I come back. :)

Fall Is Finally Here...Kind Of.

2011-10-10T17:28:00.000-07:00

I spent the weekend with three of my dear friends from my college days.

We visited Ventura, CA...just a short one hour drive north of LA.

Here's what fall looks like along the California coast:

This surf board is actually a mail box!

Yes, Halloween is around the corner! Can't you tell?

Our walk to brunch.
Not pictured: The four of us sporting shorts, tanks,
and sun dresses.

But wait...we did get rain last week!! :)

Pondering: Beatles or Stones? Nirvana or Pearl Jam?

2011-10-03T20:16:00.000-07:00

I had a friend who worked in A and R for Sony BMG a while back. One day we were talking about music we grew up with. He said that, in his experience, people were either Nirvana people or Pearl Jam people. I mentioned this to Avi the other night, and he added that he had heard that before, except he had heard that you were either a Beatles person, or a Stones person.

I knew instantly which camps I was in. I was so curious to hear what Avi had to say on the matter:

Are you Beatles or Stones? Are you Pearl Jam or Nirvana?

And why?

Avi: Stones and Pearl Jam. He said that if push comes to shove he relates more to bands that do a lot of character driven story telling in their lyrics. Of course the Beatles and Nirvana do that as well, but he sees it much more clearly in the lyrics of the Stones and Pearl Jam.

That answer makes total sense to me, coming from Avi. He's a director.

Me: Stones and Nirvana. My reason? They're ugly. So ugly and so raw that they are truly beautiful.

I'm an actor. Makes sense.

A part of me thinks that these answers are subject to change according to where we are in our lives.

But, a part of me thinks...not.

I'm curious to know, which camps are you in, and why?

Pansy Maiden

2011-09-28T15:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy couple of weeks, mixed into which, I celebrated my birthday. :)
I actually worked all day the day of my birthday, and was lounging on the couch, when in a very un-Virgo like fashion, I decided to have spur of the moment drinks at the little French bistro around the corner from my apartment. I texted a handful of friends, almost all of whom came out to meet me at 10:30 pm! It was such a carefree and fun thing...maybe this Virgo is learning to relax a bit. We'll see.....

The point of this post isn't to talk about my new found un-Virgo ways. I wanted to write a little something about the most awesome bag in the world. Really! It's what Avi refers to as a "purse pack". It's the ultimate in hands free, and this particular one by Pansy Maiden is my favorite. And yes, it was a birthday gift. Now you see the tie in. ;)

This bag can be worn as a purse or backpack. It is so versatile and so good looking, and the best part is that it's sustainable and cruelty-free!

To see what Pansy Maiden is all about, click HERE.
And to see more beautiful vegan bags, including diaper bags, messengers, shoulder bags, and more, go HERE.
And, the lovely Laura Collins (A.KA. Pansy Maiden) has a blog!
As she says, she is one girl sewing connections one bag at a time. Pretty amazing!

(This isn't a paid endorsement. I didn't trade the post for a freebie or anything like that. Laura Collins/Pansy Maiden has no idea who I am, or that I even wrote this. My blog is not a fashion blog. I just thought this was so cool that I had to share!)

Messages...

2011-09-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

So true!!
And on that note....happy weekend!

2011-09-02T09:29:00.000-07:00

It's Krysten's birthday month celebration over at Why Girls Are Weird!

She's celebrating by giving, rather than receiving! ;)
Hop on over to her blog for a chance to win a print from my shop, along with lots of other fun goodies!!

Happy birthday month, Krysten!!
(from a fellow Virgo)

Messages...

2011-09-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

Kind of makes you want to put on a Billie Holiday record, doesn't it?

Thank You Notes.

2011-08-30T18:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Kim,
Thank you for walking super fast in sweltering heat. I'm both excited and afraid to find out how fast you walk in favorable conditions. ;)

Dear Avi,

Thank you for encouraging me to finally put together my art portfolio and to get out there and pound the pavement. Now if you can help me get over my crippling fear of "cold calling" and just talking to strangers in general, that would be awesome.

Dear Franchise Tax Board,
Thanks for nothing.

Messages...

2011-08-26T16:30:00.000-07:00

I wonder whether the author of this message got in more trouble for partying, or for writing out his apology in the wet cement. Hmmm....

Happy weekend! And if you have any apologizing to do after a weekend of partying, be mindful of how you do it! :)

Have You Read....

2011-08-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

Jesus: A Story of Enlightenment by Deepak Chopra

I don't have the words to describe how beautiful this book is. And, at the risk of sounding silly, I will say that it is action packed. I just could not put it down! This book has spoken to me in such a way that is helping me to see and feel what is truly important...and to let go of old ways of thinking that were, quite simply, not good for my soul. To say that I highly recommend it is really not saying enough.
I think Kevin Costner puts it beautifully: "Sometimes it takes a person outside the protective circle of religion to articulate the very point that keeps those of faith inside it. Deepak takes on the story of Jesus in a way that is both respectful and common. If as a Christian you re afraid of what is inside these pages, don't be. It's both a creative and thoughtful look at over half the world's chosen savior. It quietly succeeded in restoring my faith in my own faith."

Messages...

2011-08-21T20:34:00.000-07:00

Since Avi and I adopted Fernando, I've been doing a lot more walking around my neighborhood. You certainly notice things when you walk that you may not get the chance to see when you're driving. There are messages everywhere. I've been photographing them, and I think I will
chronicle them here.
Since things have been a bit crazy around here lately, I think I'll start with this one. I'll preface it by saying that I have been working on not dwelling on the negative. I've just been going through one of those "when it rains, it pours" times, as far as things breaking (computer, car, work, Avi's appendix). But, all of that doesn't matter. Everything works out for the best, and as it is meant to. Obstacles are mere distractions, and I'm learning not to give in to them.
All of that said, I thought this "message" was really funny. It reminds me of those people who tell other people, even complete and total strangers, to smile. The nerve! They have no idea what the person they tell to smile is going through at that particular moment in time. Anyway...here it is:

On Line!!

2011-08-21T20:07:00.000-07:00

Back on line...in a whole new way.
Avi had an old computer...
add that to a drafting table from Craig's List,
and a new monitor on sale from New Egg,
and you get:

My new work station!!

It's so good to be back!
I've got lots of catching up to do!

Off Line :(

2011-08-09T21:21:00.000-07:00

So, I'm typing this little post on Avi's computer. Mine has a nasty virus...and I mean nasty. I'm actually not even sure if it's fixable! Avi's tinkering with it now, and it's not looking good. We were even going to wipe it out and do a complete reinstall of everything. It's that bad. But, this virus is so intense that even that isn't working.

Luckily Avi has two computers, so I'll be keeping up with my Etsy shop on his desk top. He does most of his writing on his lap top during the day. Still, I don't want to be too much of a bother to him, so it may be a little quiet around these parts until I can get my computer up and running again. A semi-hiatus? Booooo!

Until then, I know I'm going to miss my daily reads like crazy! I'll just look forward to taking a night to myself to catch up with all of my favorite blogs soon!

Keep your fingers crossed for my little lap top....and me! ;)

Five Prints for Fifty Dollars!

2011-08-08T08:12:00.000-07:00

While browsing etsy last week I saw this sale in a couple of shops and thought it was a great idea...
Five prints for $50! Sounds like fun. This sale is going on in my shop today (8/8) and tomorrow (8/9). This includes personalized prints, so if you're going to any summer weddings, or want to get an extra early jump on holiday shopping (my sister in law is really good about that!), swing on by!
Here is the link to the listing: Five For Fifty

EDIT: The idea perhaps wasn't as good as I thought. I put up a listing, and it's still there. I'll leave it up until someone buys it...I did pay the 20 cent listing fee, after all. ;)

What Are You Doing This Friday at 4:00?

2011-08-03T21:20:00.000-07:00

If you're in Los Angeles this Friday, August 5th...say around 4pm...and you find yourself looking for some fun, come on down to the Laemmle Sunset 5 where our web series is an official selection of the ITVFest!

Here's a sneak peek....the season 1 trailer:

THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF CUPID AND EROS: Season 1 Trailer from Avi Glijansky on Vimeo.

If you're able to make it, come say hello! :)

Thank You Notes.

2011-08-01T22:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Girlfriends,
Thank you for being the fun and laid back gals that you are!

Dear Self Help Books,
Thank you for giving me the tools to cope with people that are not fun and laid back, but rather bossy, self centered, and inconsiderate.

Dear Me,
Thank you for having a strong arm and good aim, two things which come in handy when beaning a shuttle cock at the head of the a fore described bossy, self centered, and inconsiderate person during a rousing game of badminton.

Dear Self Help Books,
p.s. Apparently, I need to reread you.

No Pictures, Please.

2011-07-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

We took a little morning stroll around the Greek Theatre today. Of course, as doggie parents, we are totally camera happy. Today, Fernando was not having it. His back side and profile were just too cute not to share! :)

Happy Thursday!

Have You Read....

2011-07-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

Under the Banner of Heaven

by Jon Krakauer

Let me preface this post by saying that when I first read this book, I was of the opinion that the author was using facts to present a predominantly negative view of a religion I admittedly know little about.

I read this one a while back, and I was more than a bit hesitant in posting about it. At first I was hesitant because of a fear of what others would think about my opinion, and then I realized that my hesitation wasn't about my opinion, rather it was more about what exactly my opinion was. I realized I didn't really know. My thoughts on what I had read were partially formed and completely jumbled. This book lit a fire inside me that I still can't describe.

After much thought, and by "much" I mean a couple of month's worth, I realize that what this book has left me with, more than opinions, are questions and observations:

-It is important to note that this book examines the ideologies of both The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the fundamentalist Mormons polygamous groups, such as the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints ("FLDS"). Just like we cannot say a Christian is a Christian is a Christian, or a Jew by any other name...there are so many differences in denominations or branches within religions, and the same holds true for Mormonism. Maybe even more so.

-Most religions have had violent beginnings. The reason why I believe the history of Mormonism, as presented in Under the Banner of Heaven, was so unnerving to me was not because of the history itself. As I've said, most organized religions are no strangers to violence. For me, the violence stands out because the history, as compared to so many other religions, is so recent. And, it was here on our soil. Remember, it is a religion based on events said to have taken place here in the Americas.

-As a Christian, I was taught to be wary of the occult and of oracles and necromancers in that they may be false prophets. (see the book of Deuteronomy) From what I've read, these things played quite a part in early days of Mormonism, during the time of Joseph Smith. But again, remember that these practices were "en vogue" in early America. The days of early Americans (Christians included) frequently using Ouija boards and participating in seances was just around the corner.

-There is the question of having a direct line to God. I had a lot of misgivings about this until I stopped and asked myself, "Don't we all have some form of communication with something greater than ourselves? If not daily, then at the very least, in times of tribulation?" This "direct line" may be called different things by different people, and certainly manifest in different ways, but really, isn't it all about seeking comfort or answers or guidance from a greater source?

- And along these lines, haven't many people throughout the history of all religions used this "direct line" as an excuse to further their own goals, be these goals ones of lifestyle, business, government, or what have you? When it comes down to it, this practice has nothing to do with the religion at all, but rather the individual.

After thinking about these things, I had to ask myself one more question, "Aren't we more alike than we claim to be?" My personal answer is "yes, I believe we are". So, what started out as discomfort while reading this book, has lead me to a place of understanding (or at least a desire to understand), acceptance, and sense of a shared history. We really aren't all that different from one another, and I find that comforting.

If you're still reading this, I give this book a thumbs up. I no longer believe Krakauer's main intent was to present a negative view. If anything I think much of his aim was to make the reader think for him/her self, not just about Mormonism, but about organized religion in general, and more specifically fundamentalism. If that was his goal, months later, I must say that I feel he has succeeded.

Wyoming, I Love You!

2011-07-18T22:10:00.000-07:00

I'm back in Los Angeles, incredibly tired, and incredibly happy.
All I can say is, "wow!" Wyoming is a beautiful state populated with incredibly nice people.
Avi and I were there attending a wedding, and yet I have absolutely no photos from the wedding!
Go figure.

Q: When you're in a state that is completely new to you, and your boyfriend is out having fun with the other groomsmen, what is a girl to do?
A: Drive and drive, and stop at every hiking trail you can find!

Can you spot me in this picture? This photo was taken at Lander Bar. Delicious food, good drinks, and amazing atmosphere. Live music. Amazingly eclectic crowd. Such a good time!!

I love Lander, Wyoming!

Off to Wyoming!

2011-07-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

photo from PDphoto.org

I'm off to Wyoming to attend Avi's friend's (and now my friend, too!) wedding. We will not be flying into Jackson Hole. As I type this, I actually cannot remember where exactly in the great state of Wyoming we are touching down. I'm sure it will be beautiful. Avi is a groomsman, so we will be attending many activities surrounding the main event. I hope there will be time to take in some of the great outdoors! Either way, there will be pictures!! :)

Good bye Los Angeles, and my little blog. See you next week!

Rejection

2011-07-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

I woke up to a rejection this morning. I mean, first thing. What a fine way to greet the day, or to have the day greet me!

noun

1. the act or process of rejecting.

2. the state of being rejected.

3. something that is rejected.

verb (used with object)

1. to refuse to have, take, recognize, etc.: to reject the offer of a better job.

2. to refuse to grant (a request, demand, etc.).

3. to refuse to accept (someone or something); rebuff: The other children rejected him. The publisher rejected the author's latest novel.

Hmmmmm....to refuse to accept. Well, there you have it. It's nothing personal. It's just a refusal of acceptance. I don't expect to be accepted to the cast of every film or commercial I audition for, so why should I expect my illustrations to be accepted everywhere I submit them?

Whew! This was a mini therapy session. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading.

If you guys have any theories about what "rejection" means, or have any tips for dealing with it, I'd love to hear them!

Red Head or Brunette?

2011-07-11T21:52:00.000-07:00

I had wanted to go red for some time. When I finally did a couple of months ago, I loved it. The color itself was a bit of a process to get, but was such a great shade of red. But as the weeks went on, I started missing my brown hair. I started to notice that I didn't quite look like "me" in photos. I just didn't feel like myself. It's hard to explain, but even though the shades of brown I've been were not my natural hair color either, I just felt they were a better fit.

This is what I've been the last couple of months:

It was fun, but now I'm back to my old self. Aaaaaah, it feels so good to be back!

I have changed my hair color so many times in my life, yet I always find my way back to a shade of medium to dark brown. How about you guys? Any hair adventures to share? Do you associate certain hair colors with certain personality traits?

Date Night Piggy.

2011-07-07T15:49:00.000-07:00

I spotted this cute piggy bank on a recent shopping excursion, and had an idea to take him home as a

Date Night Piggy!

The idea is that Avi and I deposit our loose change into Date Night Piggy, and at the end of four week's time we have a date using just the money from the piggy...no matter how much...or how little.

We took Date Night Piggy to the Coin Star (change counting) machine at our local Albertson's market.

The machine offers cash or gift cards. Since we had saved a fairly small amount, we opted for the Albertson's gift card.

We bought ingredients that would compliment ingredients we already had for a recipe I wanted to try out from Veganomicon for a chickpea-quinoa pilaf. We enjoyed our meal over a DVR viewing of The Adjustment Bureau.

I have to admit, we cheated a bit. Avi bought a bottle of wine to accompany our meal at our corner coffee and gourmet shop, The Oaks Gourmet. Of course, we had to use the free chilling service! What a fun contraption!

Hooray for date night! And hooray for Date Night Piggy!

Can't wait to see what July's loose change yields! :)

Thank You Notes.

2011-07-06T19:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Stephany,
Thank you for being awesome. I had so much fun talking with you at Barnsdall Friday, and I know it wasn't just the wine!

Dear Avi,
Thank you for having friends who are married to really amazing ladies (see above thank you).

Dear Mom,
Thank you for singing Blondie songs to me when I was little. I've yet to meet anyone who can hit those "ooo-oooo aaah-aaaaaah"s the way you can. I doubt I ever will.

July 4th Weekend of Lounge.

2011-07-05T18:34:00.000-07:00

From lighting fireworks in front of my cousin's house, to lounging in my mom's living room watching the Twilight Zone marathon, to spending lazy summer evenings at the back yard bar, to taking longer than expected naps...this holiday weekend was just what Uncle Sam ordered...and I am so grateful to have had the down time with my family. And I am incredibly grateful that I live in a place where everything, including doing a whole lot of nothing for a few days, is possible.

Thank You Notes.

2011-06-29T19:30:00.000-07:00

Thank you notes are fast becoming one of my favorite things. 1) It just feels so good to say "thank you". 2) I love reading what my blog friends are thankful for. Sometimes reading what others are thankful for in their lives makes me notice even more things in my life that I have to be thankful for!
So, here goes!

Dear Jen,
Thank you for driving all the way from Portland to visit your old L.A. friends! I'll return the favor soon, I promise! And, thank you for our labyrinth adventures, which I will post about at a later date! ;)

(Here we are at Runyon Canyon, a great off leash dog park. Not pictured: Fernando. He was sitting in a shade spot. Smart pup!)

Dear Ex Boyfriend,
Thank you for introducing me to the amazing sport that is futbol. Who knew I would love it like I do?
(Recently watched the Copa de Oro. The U.S. put up a great fight. Mexico was just. that. good.
Amazing, really. To watch next, Copa America!)

Dear Avi,
Thank you for being the kind of man that would have no problem with the above"thank you". You're pretty darn amazing, you know that?

Dear Waffle on Sunset,
This one's for Fernando. He'd like to thank you for the woofles this morning. He thought they were deeeelish, as evidenced by the fact that they disappeared two minutes after this photo was taken!

If you'd like to add some thank yous to the list, I'd love to read them! :)

Summer? Yes.

2011-06-26T19:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's here! While the nights may still be cool, a sweater is not necessarily required.
This can only mean one thing....
Summer has finally come to L.A.!

Dinner is prepared outdoors rather than in.

The regular "hot cup of coffee" now comes over ice.

And, this amazing Bossa Nova Mix that was put together by Ana of Live and Enliven has become my summer soundtrack.

And here's the post from Live and Enliven where you can read about the mix. If you give it a listen, I think you'll agree that these songs just sound like summer! Thank you, Ana!!

Now, if we can just hold at a comfortable 80ish degrees....

Thank You Notes.

2011-06-23T14:12:00.000-07:00

Dear Griffith Park Cleaning Crew,
Thank you for keeping our trails clear of rubbish. I appreciate you. So does Fernando.

Dear Avi,
Thank you for cleaning the apartment while I was in Vegas so I could come home to a clean and orderly space. You really get me.

Dear Lady Who Cut Me Off This Morning,
Thank you for your bad driving habits. This morning was a good exercise in keeping my cool behind
the wheel...a practice I admit needs work. Can you say "road rage"?

Dear Me,
Thank you for going to bed early last night. A good long sleep was just what I needed! Let's try that again tonight, shall we?

Feeling grateful is one of the best feelings ever.

What little thank you notes would you guys write today?

Introvert.

2011-06-21T21:53:00.000-07:00

Ever find yourself in this mode?

(available in my shop tomorrow afternoon!)

So do I.

Thank goodness today wasn't one of those days!

If it had been, I would have missed out on a

spur of the moment Alcove date with

Brandi of Not Your Average Ordinary,

and Kim of Fill Your Well.

I've been blog friends with these lovely ladies for a while,

and it was such a pleasure to finally meet them in person!

They are every bit as sweet as I imagined!

Sometimes it pays to get out of the house (apartment).

P.S.

Happy Summer Solstice!

Mini Vacation...And An Ice Cream Recommendation.

2011-06-14T22:08:00.000-07:00

I'm off to spend a few days in Vegas.

Not the typical wild vacation you might expect when you think Vegas...

I'll be there with my mom, step dad, brother, sister in law, and nephews.

It'll be wild, but a different kind of wild. :)

Speaking of vacation...

If you're in Los Angeles, and craving something sweet,
I highly recommend Paradis on Vermont in Los Feliz.

It's a Danish ice cream franchise. There are only two locations in the U.S.,

and they are both here in L.A. (the other is in Montrose)

A.....mazing! And there are vegan options!!

And the owner is so incredibly nice, and genuinely excited

about her product.

Sorbet just tastes like vacation, doesn't it?

See you all next week!

Been Away and Giveaway!

2011-06-13T11:50:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I haven't posted in over a week and a half!

It's been two weeks of graduations, a birthday party,

and an anniversary!

Yes, preschoolers wear caps and gowns. And get cookies after the graduation ceremony!

The nephews kept the jackets and ties in place for as long as they could stand it! I don't think much changes when they become grown men. :)

Happy 5th Birthday, Samuel!


No shoes allowed in the ginormous bounce house maze (that we went through at least a dozen times)!

My bro, the proud daddy, is indeed a Superman to my nephews. :)

Dispatch at the Greek Theatre! Part of Avi's and my....


3 Year Anniversary date! Standing in the pit means you bask in the glow of the stage lights. Blue stage lights.

And now for some more fun news:

One of my favorite bloggers, Julie Ann, over at Julie Ann Art,

is hosting a giveaway of one of my prints:

To enter, click HERE!

Julie Ann is one talented lady.

Her blog is so much fun,

and she makes the most adorable cards.

You can check them out here in her Etsy shop.

I hope you guys will go to Julie Ann's blog and enter

to win my print! She's announcing the winner in one week!

Hip hip! I can't wait to see who it will be!

I Heart Heartsy!

2011-06-01T16:10:00.000-07:00

It's been five days since my Heartsy feature, and now that I'm all caught up on the printing, packaging, and invoicing, I thought I'd write a little review of my Heartsy experience.

Several people have asked me what Heartsy is. The best way I can describe it is to say that it's like a Groupon for Etsy shops. A Heartsy membership is free and takes a few seconds to set up. Once you become a member and log on to the Heartsy site, you'll see that several Etsy shops are featured each day, and if you see a shop you like, you buy a Heartsy voucher for that shop. Simple as that!

The deal for my shop was $8.00 for $20.00 worth of merchandise. Now, you might think that, as a seller, this doesn't sound so good. Well, actually, it was pretty great. I sell prints of my original art work. The price range for items in my shop runs from $6.00 to $40.00. I ended up selling 50 vouchers for $8.00 each. Those are sales that I otherwise would not have made. In addition, some of the buyers went over their voucher amount. Thus far, only about half of the people who bought vouchers have used them. And, I'll be candid here, the cash amount by which buyers have exceeded their voucher amount has added up to almost $150.00. The people who have purchased Heartsy vouchers have three months to redeem them. After the initial rush, it'll be nice to have these orders trickle in randomly.

Another bonus is that my regular, non-Heartsy sales have gone up since my feature day last week. I'm not sure if this is because I did so much relisting during my feature as items sold, or if the buyers who saw my shop on Heartsy told their friends about my shop. Maybe a bit of both.

And, if you ever had any questions about which items would be popular among shoppers, this is a great way to find out. It quickly becomes apparent which of your items are top sellers. It's like doing research and getting paid to do it! Win-win!

I found the folks at Heartsy to be very helpful, very efficient, and very friendly. I dealt with John and Jacqueline, and they seemed like a tag-team Heartsy duo, each of them checking in with me at different times, and clearly having good communication with each other, as well as with me, throughout the process. They really were with me every step of the way, even checking in during the day of my feature to see if I had any questions and to offer advice as far as generating sales.

As for the Heartsy shoppers, they could not have been nicer! I loved reading the notes they sent telling me where my prints were going and for what special occasions they were being bought. It was so great to learn a little bit more about my "market" and who is interested in my work. It makes what I do that much more personal.

Oh, and I learned not be afraid of VIPs! These are Heartsy members who pay to be able to buy vouchers a day before regular members, and in addition get a bit of a sweeter deal. For instance, VIPs paid $8.00 for $30.00 worth of merchandise in my shop, as opposed to the $20.00 worth of merchandise the regular members got. In all honesty, this concerned me a bit. But what I found was that the VIPs tended to fairly consistently go over their voucher amount. As a seller, it pretty much evened out. As a shopper, if you love Etsy, it would definitely be worth it to look into becoming a Heartsy VIP!

If you want to be considered for a feature, just go to the Heartsy site to get the process started. You are not guaranteed a feature, but the process of trying to get one is easy. It all starts with voting, which is another great way to get the word out about your shop! Another win-win! :)

If you do land that Heartsy feature, get your packing materials ready ahead of time. Buy lots of tape! If you are selling prints, stock up on ink! Use a spreadsheet to keep track of sales, which vouchers have been used, which invoices have been sent, which invoices have been paid, etc. (Heartsy provides a spreadsheet download, if you don't have one of your own.) I use USPS for mailing, and definitely recommend buying tracking for each item you mail, and giving the tracking number to each buyer via Etsy convo or email. That way, they can check to see where their packages are just as easily as you can. Put business cards in with your orders...some of these shoppers may want to find you again, after all! Utilize any and all social networking devices you are involved in. Personally, I found Twitter to be helpful and far reaching, as far as virtual word of mouth is concerned.

Please remember, that since I currently sell art prints that measure 8 1/2 x 11 inches and smaller, my experience may differ from those Etsy-ers who sell clothing, furniture, even larger prints, etc. I do feel confident saying, that based on my Heartsy feature, and as an artist and a lover of everything Etsy, I highly recommend Heartsy. I had, and am continuing to have, a very positive and fun experience!

My Heartsy is LIVE today!

2011-05-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

My Heartsy feature is LIVE today!

This is definitely a day for my inner Virgo to come out!

The big challenge is to keep track of orders,

which orders go over or under the voucher amount,

who has paid the difference, etc.

I hope to do a post about my experience

in a few days, in case any of you

etsy-ers out there are considering Heartsy.

So far, so good! :)

My Birthday Boy...and Other Good Stuff.

2011-05-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

I got a nice surprise today!

One of my prints was featured in a great blog

called A La Mode Stuff.

The blogger who "penned" the post is Lindy of

Crafted by Lindy.

I checked out her Etsy shop.

It's full of super cute paper goods!

I should actually be in bed right now,

but I wanted to post today because I think it may

be a few days before I'm able to post or even

visit my daily reads.

This is because tomorrow (Friday) is my Heartsy feature!!

If you've ever considered purchasing one of my prints,

tomorrow's a good day to do it!

You get a $20 voucher for only $8!!

Hooray!! :)

And now some pics.

Yesterday was Avi's birthday.

I took him to the Huntington Library,

where we began our day in the Rose Garden Tea Room.

Yummy!

(Be sure to make a reservation 2 weeks in advance if you go)

We made our way through the current exhibitions.

If you are in L.A. and can get there by June 27th,

check out Three Fragments of a Lost Tale.

So creepy awesome!

Then, we wandered through some of the gardens:

And finally, I started pickling some veggies a couple

of weeks ago so they'd be ready to eat on Avi's birthday.

A light dinner:

Do you spy cheese? Avi still does the dairy. :)

And, of course, we wrapped up the day with a little cuddle time:

Okay, I'm off to bed so I can have enough energy for my

Heartsy feature tomorrow! Yippee!!

Hope everyone is doing well!

'Night!

I'm Baaaaack!

2011-05-23T19:39:00.000-07:00

Hooray, I've been sprung...

from jury duty, that is.

And just in time, too, because...

my Heartsy feature is THIS FRIDAY!

Eek! I'm so excited!!

In other news, I've revamped my blog.

In the past I've cracked the html and have done

my own designing, which I find to be a

very satisfying process.

This time around I decided to use

Shabby Blogs.

The process is like redecorating.

Except this remodel doesn't cost a cent!

You can mix and match buttons, backgrounds,

headers, dividers, etc.

Or, you can do what I did and use a mix of their

lovely items with your own creations to make

a really unique looking blog.

They also have great tutorials!

For instance, the signature I added to my posts...

I learned how to do it with the help of a Shabby Blog tutorial.

They also have a great blog (surprise, surprise)

that is chalk full of fun blog design freebies.

p.s.

This is the "I didn't know my boyfriend was taking my photo and I'm
deep in thought about all the things I need to do before
my Heartsy feature" look. :)
Guess I'd better get a move on groove on!
Good night!

A Super Quick Hello!

2011-05-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

I'm still in the middle of juror selection.

Yes, that's right, selection.

In the midst of it all, I'm trying to see as many personal training

clients as I can in the evenings.

AND

I just found out that my etsy shop will be featured on Heartsy!!

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to vote for me! :)

It's like a Groupon for Etsy shops,

and I am so beyond excited!

The date hasn't been set, yet.

It will have to be after jury duty, for sure!!

With all of this jury duty/work juggling,

coffee is a must!

Here's a funny little pic that Avi took of me

sipping my morning caffeine.

I think he must have literally hundreds of photos

of me drinking coffee!!

Why I love this one?

The cow, of course!

Happy Wednesday!

Hope everyone is doing well!

Can't wait to come up for air so I can

take a few hours to catch up on the goings on

of all of my blog friends!!

xoJo

Jury Duty!

2011-05-16T18:19:00.000-07:00

I've been away from my blog for a week-ish...or more.

I didn't even know that blogger was down,

until it almost wasn't!

3 day glitch, right? Wow.

And now that I'm back,

I'm not.

I have to report for jury duty tomorrow

at 7:45 am!! Yikes!!

Does that mean we'll be out in time to get out

of downtown Los Angeles before traffic starts?

photo from evaneco.com

Well, at least I can spend the day reading a good book

without feeling like I should be doing something like

cleaning the apartment!!

Because....

2011-05-05T21:05:00.000-07:00

It's just that kind of night.

For dinner: pop corn, vegan chocolate cake, and home made carbonated water,

with a squeeze of lemon and a shot of vodka.

Healthy, yes?

Do you ever have these nights?

Please tell me you do!

xox

Handwriting and a Hairdo

2011-05-04T21:31:00.000-07:00

I saw this little handwriting thing on one of my daily blog reads,

Love, Elycia.

I love finding out more about my favorite bloggers,

and I love lists!!

Here's the list (that you're supposed to hand write):

1. your name and blog name

2. your url

3. write "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog"

4. your favourite quote

(I found this quote on another one of my daily blog reads,

anonymous was a woman.

It is exactly what I need, and have needed, for a very long time!

Thank you, Sarah!!)

5. your favorite song: right now and all time

(For me, these are the same song.)

6. your favorite artists

(My favorite artists are from the worlds of music and film.)

7. something you say a lot

(I find myself saying this to Fernando almost daily. It's a fetch thing. hahaha!)

8. who you tag

And speaking of lists,

I can check number three off of this list!

A little more red...and a lot more bang(s)!

Okay...back to watching the Laker game!

Good night!!

xox

Won't you please vote for me?

2011-04-29T08:05:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

Today the lovely Angela,

of Pickles on Pizza and Ginger's Girl,

is a featured seller on Heartsy!

To quote Angela, Heartsy is like a Groupon for Etsy shops.

I was going to wait and see how she liked her experience before diving in,

but I've never been very good at waiting.

So, a few minutes ago I dove in

and submitted my shop to be featured.

I have to get 60 votes

within 72 hours!

Eep!

If you guys are so inclined,

could you please click HERE

and vote for me!

Thanks guys!

xox

P.S. Angela's shop is awesome! If you're in the market for some

awesome vintage finds (this girl has an amazing eye for treasures!),

click here to grab her coupon!

And if you don't have a Heartsy account, click HERE to get one.

It takes ten seconds to create, and doesn't cost a thing! :)

Do you believe in magic?

2011-04-28T16:46:00.000-07:00

I think this chickie has seen a little too much to believe.

But her bunny, who is great for pulling out of hats, does!

Happy weekend!!

xoJo

Artists and Writers Wanted!!

2011-04-27T14:37:00.000-07:00

Fleeting Pages.

It's just about the coolest thing I've heard of in a while!

Rather than attempt to explain it,

I'm going to post the note (via etsy convo) that I received.
Read on to find out how you can get involved:

Hi there,

I am heading a new project in Pittsburgh: Fleeting Pages. I saw your work on etsy and am writing to see if you have any interest in being a part of the project by adding a piece of artwork to the space, through the month of May, that uses book or written word in some way, should you have one. The piece could either be marked for sale or as "on loan."

In essence, Fleeting Pages consists of taking over one of the spaces left empty by a failed big box bookstore, Borders, in Pittsburgh, PA for one month starting May 7, and filling it with independent & self-published work of all kinds, book arts, workshops, and events. All revolving around various forms of written self-expression.

The idea is a result of a few things; the toll taken on local booksellers by big box bookstores, a concern for the cultural effects of big box stores in both their existence and their failure, a general frustration with the model of the corporate publishing industry, and a great appreciation for independent and self-published works of all kinds, as well as for those who create them.
So far, we have work coming in from all over the US as well as from the UK and Australia. Support for the project has been coming in from all over as well- 3,300 unique visitors on our website in less than 3 weeks from 47 states and 39 other countries. And national media inquires.

You can find more information on the website: www.fleetingpages.com

Feel free to ask any questions you may have. And please share the information with any others you know who may have interest- presses, writers, artists, designers, furniture makers, friends...

Thanks,

-jodi.

It's a great opportunity to be part of something awesome!
Do it!!
I did! :)

Ten Dollar Tuesday!

2011-04-26T11:00:00.000-07:00

Ten Dollar Tuesday is back!

Today I felt like celebrating Happy Hour again:

Click HERE to see the listing.

Happy Tuesday!

xoJo

something new...

2011-04-21T13:43:00.000-07:00

EDIT: after reading sixpence's lovely comment, i realize that i didn't make it clear that
this sketch is from a memory. avi and i are doing just fine.
i was just remembering an old time and faraway place.
a place we've all been. sixpence, you are too sweet for words!

i'm not in a dark place.

but, this thought/memory popped into my head.

i'm guessing most of us have been there.

the break up.

the break up is what inspired this little sketch...

the words, the style, and all.

it's a bit of a departure from my usual.

it's a little grittier.

avi brought a couple of new pads of stonehenge 5x7

100% cotton paper home for me,

and i've been itching to break them in.

and now, i'm itching to do more!

do you guys have any quotes, thoughts or feelings that you think

would make a good subject for my little 5x7 project?

i think i'll make the sketches female focused.

i'd love some suggestions!

if you leave something in my comment box, i'll do my best

to bring it to life in my sketchbook

and post it here!

thanks! and happy thursday!

xoJo

Fernanniversary!!

2011-04-19T14:33:00.000-07:00

On April 18th of last year, we met him.

On April 21st of last year, we brought him home.

Our sweet Fernando.

Do you ever wonder if they know just how much joy they bring you?

It's been a year now, and I can't remember what my days were like before him.

I love you, Fernando Cuddle!

(that's right...it's a cheesy nickname, but it's oh so perfect!)

jo bozarth

in honor of valentine's day.

if you want to ride...

valentine's day gifts!

wicked at the pantages

Name Change!

In A Word (Round 2) from The Dew Drop Inn

Have You Read....

percolating.

per·co·late

Merry Christmas!!

a handmade christmas

a google wallet spot...starring me!

Thank You Notes.

crafternoon - bracelet

Signs.

Have You Read....

Another Hair Cut

You know it's December in L.A. when...

Relaxstation.

Cleanse.

Also Thankful For....

This Thanksgiving...

Free Shipping and a Gift.

Have You Read...

Weekend Jumpstart and a Message.

Puppy Love.

Have You Read....

Thank You Notes.

Messages...

Dia De Los Muertos.

A Muddy Halloween.

Bob.

Thank You Notes.

Fall Is Finally Here...Kind Of.

Pondering: Beatles or Stones? Nirvana or Pearl Jam?

Pansy Maiden

Messages...

Messages...

Thank You Notes.

Messages...

Have You Read....

Messages...

On Line!!

Off Line :(

Five Prints for Fifty Dollars!

What Are You Doing This Friday at 4:00?

Thank You Notes.

No Pictures, Please.

Have You Read....

Wyoming, I Love You!

Off to Wyoming!

Rejection

Red Head or Brunette?

Date Night Piggy.

Thank You Notes.

July 4th Weekend of Lounge.

Thank You Notes.

Summer? Yes.

Thank You Notes.

Introvert.

Mini Vacation...And An Ice Cream Recommendation.

Been Away and Giveaway!

I Heart Heartsy!

My Heartsy is LIVE today!

My Birthday Boy...and Other Good Stuff.

I'm Baaaaack!

A Super Quick Hello!

Jury Duty!

Because....

Handwriting and a Hairdo

Won't you please vote for me?

Do you believe in magic?

Artists and Writers Wanted!!

Ten Dollar Tuesday!

something new...

Fernanniversary!!