Gatlinburg

My dear friend Hollie is now performing in Dollywood so Alan and I went up to see her on her birthday weekend!

It was fun to be back in our honeymoon city:)

 You know Alan was happy 

 This train actually spewed soot... isn't that crazy?!

 Hollie in her green dress!

 Besties!

Hollie did beautifully! She is very talented and I am so proud!!!

all grown up

My sweet cousin Sage's senior year is ending fast. 

She will soon be entering the real world and I know she will excel at anything she puts her mind to.

I had the honor of getting to take her before prom pictures which will hopefully prepare me for next year when I will see my sister off to her senior prom as well... I will be emotional

Beautiful isn't she?

a little paint

I love taking something average and sprucing it up a little.

Alan and I were given this 70's  painting that was a little pretty but it was so covered in dust we couldn't really see where we could put it in the home.

I went to Home Depot and got a little tester of Martha Stewart's Vintage Gold Paint and started practicing on some 50 cent frames.

I liked it so much I then tackled the big one.

It brightened the whole painting.

It's resting place for now...

injury

A lot has happened since I last posted including an unfortunate trip to the ER.

One Saturday I was unpacking some coffee cups...alas they arrived broken.

I decided to pick up the box and they proceeded to fall out the bottom.

I tried to catch it with my arm and this is what occured...

Nastiness I know...

Wrapped up until we could get to the ER

Staples

Staples removed, but it slightly resembles the Phantom of the Opera's face

process

It is said that every artist whether on paper or on a stage has a process...

Mine happens to consist of a million little doodles and crumpling up of paper.

Here is the journey of coming up with an idea, snatching it and trying to make it look like what is pictured so perfectly in your head.

I had the idea of taking a china pattern and incorporating a few flowers a saw onto a bridal tea invite.

 Sketch #1

Sketch #2

  1st Attempt at Watercolors

 2nd Attempt at Watercolors

First try at both... text could stand to be straighter and positioned a little better.

Overall I am happy with it and added it to my portfolio

local love: taj india

It has been a while since I have done anything on here, but now I am back with full force.

Taj India is a sweet little Indian restaurant in walking distance from our apartment.

Alan and I went here for the lunch buffet after estate sales.

 Wonderful little water glasses

 Naan!

The buffet is a great option because you get to try all these yummy dishes.

smells like springtime

I hate to admit it but often times our apartment does not smell that awesome, whether the root cause be the compost bucket or dead flowers that I don't want to admit are goners.

To fix this on going problem there is a sweet and natural solution.

1. Boil some water in a saucepan, and then reduce heat so it simmers.

 2. Cut a lemon into slices and roughly chop up some rosemary.

 3. In goes the rosemary.

4. And then the lemon slices and a little kick of vanilla.

It was wonderful. Do any of you have some stove top air freshners?