My husband and I have been trying to explore our new hometown spending little to no money.  It has been an interesting challenge for sure. We weren’t big spenders in Los Angeles, but we did enjoy a meal out a few times a week. We have been Googling like it’s going out of style to get the lay of the land.  For anyone that just moved to a new city in the U.S. there’s an interesting forum called City Data that you can pose questions to about everything from finding a new yogi to the cheapest farmers market in your area, it’s how I found my wood working class. I don’t know about other areas of the country but the City Data for our area is really active. We were notified that blueberries are ready to be picked and where to pick them, I love that!  We looked up hiking trails close by (not spending includes gas to get some place).  We found a trail that was relatively close to our house, free parking and miles of walking, biking (or even horseback riding) to be had. I brought my honking camera and promptly regretted it as it was heavy and I was sweating profusely from the moment I stepped out of the vehicle.  I consider myself active, but I don’t work out so I figured we would walk a mile and turn around and eat lunch.  Have I mentioned that my husband is obsessed with working out?  After each mile he would request we do, ‘just a half mile more‘.  I haven’t worked out for about 7 years so each additional mile was torture and when we finally stopped I knew we would have to turn around and do more. I ended up walking six miles in oppressive Southern summer heat. I think I sweated the equivalent of my body weight and would like to tell you that I look like a waif now but heat also makes your body parts swell so my hands and feet look like they were incased in sausage casings, my bright red face was a sight as well.  Good thing my husband thinks I am the bee’s knees because I would have scared off a lesser man. Another good thing was that I was too pooped to flog my husband for not turning around at the one mile mark.

Since both you and my husband have been asking, ‘What exactly did you get at Ikea?’ I feel obliged to share and justify my purchases. I bought the wrong Expedit as mentioned, I was under the very wrong impression that I bought the one that you could use as a room divider, it’s fine that mine is smaller I have to go with an alternate plan for it now, but I could use the storage space. I also bought the smaller version that I plan to turn horizontally and put on casters. Oh, you don’t see casters in the above image? That’s because in my haste and stupidity I didn’t buy them so the caster idea is out of the picture for now. I do want them though because this piece is being put in my shipping corner of the studio and with the casters on it, it can double as a tabletop for packing.  Without the casters it’s just a low bookshelf.  I also had intentions to buy two large versions of the industrial lamp shown, I have the perfect high ceiling to put them in and currently the ugliest (okay, not prettiest) fixtures up there now.  When I drove the 3 hours to Ikea they only had one which just wouldn’t work.  It’s fine because I think I changed my mind (surprised?) and will be adding plain industrial ceiling fans. I got the smaller plug-in version to go in the packing area.  I have carpeting in the studio, not my fave at all.  It’s not hideous it’s a nice neutral color, although it is plush (again not my favorite).  I got the Tarnby rug (the seagrass looking one) to go under my desk it hides the carpet nicely. I thought about adding the Flokati somewhere, but I think I had low blood sugar because there’s not one spot it would work in the studio–I think it’s going into the bedroom. Where’s the desk?  Well, I had a diy go awry.  I decided to do a variation of this desk.  I didn’t need it as long so I bought an unfinished door which would make it 80″ long. The door was hollow so I figured I would glue two pieces of pine with super strength Gorilla glue to the underside of my door and then drill the legs into that. I stained it a dark walnut and kept the legs the stainless steel. I was all smug with my innovative self when after I brought the desk upstairs the legs proceeded to rip from the underside.  I can still use it and I am (for now) but it is rather wobbly and feels like it will collapse any moment. I just need to replace the top with something more substantial but I am diy weary right now. The Ikea assemblers should arrive any moment now so we can cue the angels singing. Almost there…

Before I wax poetically about the joy of witnessing magnolias the size of a persons head I need to let you know how this photo came to be.  You see I am one of those annoying people that takes their large DSLR camera with them everywhere.  I use a small 50mm lens so my camera isn’t so bulky but it’s not petite and inconspicuous either. When we were visiting our one road main street the other day we parked near a traditional antebellum home with a wide porch and a thick covering of magnolia trees everywhere. The trees were so heavy with the large florals that they drooped with the weight. I decided to take a photo of them after I dropped my husband off at the barber. I did so and then crossed the street to take my photo.  I was there for about 15 minutes trying to figure the best angle, the leaves were so thick and overgrown that the sun could barely break through and it was hard to get the exposure right. I gingerly moved my foot from the sidewalk to the lawn when my phone rang–it was my husband a.k.a. ‘perfect photo-op killer’. He was calling from inside the barbers window to remind me that I was on private property, this was the South and that the owners had the right to shoot me (with a gun not a camera) if they saw fit. Seriously?  Has there ever been a more Debbie Downer of photo-op than my husband?  I doubt it.  The funny thing is he created this photo monster that I have become because he wouldn’t shoot my Etsy listings all those years ago.  He has also indulged me and gifted me many a camera, I secretly believe it’s not just because it’s thoughtful but more because it’s easy (he’s very pragmatic). Needless to say I heeded his warning and took one more quick step in (on said private property) and snapped this one shot.  For the record the gigantic magnolia smelled like heaven.

P.S. I recently bought an e-learning course from Clickin’ Moms about how to shoot in low light that has changed my photographic world.  I have learned to embrace low light situations and stop bellyaching about not having enough light.  Don’t let the ‘mom’ moniker scare you off if you aren’t one, it’s an awesome network of talented photographers that are willing to share their secrets with you. It’s one of the best (and cheapest) investments I make into my photography each year.

I have not tried this mascara (although I am not opposed to it), but I can tell you that this packaging is sublime. I love the colors (or lack thereof) and the simple, effortless sketched illustration. It’s darling.  I think this illustration would be perfect blown up for me, after all I am constantly in the throes of mascara mania, it would be a simple ode to my obsession.

It’s supposed to be cloudy with potential storms today.  Fine by me, I have a ton of work to do in the studio and if it’s nice outside I will want to be out and about. I decided to have a professional Ikea assembler come and put together my Expedit’s. I considered doing it myself for about 3 secs. The assembly charge is really nominal so I figured my time would be better spent trying to get my shop in ship shape. Now that I have my desk in (albeit very precarious), I am ready to get down to business.  I don’t know about other designers or photographers but I can not stand designing or editing on my lap top, it just doesn’t feel right to me.  I need a large screen, perhaps it’s my age? Those young whipper snappers can work the little screens, not I.  I am taking inventory today, doesn’t that sound like a blast? I jest. Here’s to wishing your day is filled with more excitement!