"Idea enemies"

Love this:
Idea Enemies

Mine would be an image of a table full of papers, and a computer with the Facebook logo.

For serious.

(via not martha)

Long Live Science!

Baby blue:
Welcome to the world.

holy shit

"Real love amounts to withholding the truth, even when you're offered the perfect opportunity to hurt someone's feelings."
-David Sedaris

(via 24 Free Dinners)

Away

Sorry folks, but posting's gonna be light for awhile. I'm on an extended holiday on the east coast.

I'm having lots of fun though, if that makes up for anything.

Make sure to check back in a few weeks.

Gaga Homage

And my personal favorite:

FNS: Songs That Are Perfect For Halloween, Even Though They're Not About Halloween

But I'm The Babe.

Not-So-Weekly Recipe

There's no escaping pineapples when you're in Hawaii.  So really, I don't know why it's taken over a year for me to make a pineapple upside down cake.

Seriously.  Why didn't I do this before?

...And why don't I make this every week?

Pineapple Upside-down Cake
(adapted from Allrecipes and Smitten Kitchen)


ingredients

3/4 cup light brown sugar
3/4 stick of butter
Fresh Pineapple - peeled, cored, sliced (or make it easy and get a can, because you'll need the juice too)
Maraschino Cherries
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 - 1 teaspoon cinnamon (I threw in some nutmeg and allspice as well, because that's just how I roll)
1/2 cup softened butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened pineapple juice


directions

1.  Melt butter in a small saucepan on stove top.  Mix in sugar.  This makes the most amazing caramel EVER.  If you're anything like me, you'll want to stop right here and forget the cake.  Fight the urge to hide in a dark corner while gorging yourself on warm, buttery caramel.  Fight it!  But totally lick the spoon.
2.  Pour caramel into a greased cake pan.  Arrange pineapple slices and cherries into caramel.
3.  In a large bowl, mix 1/2 cup butter until creamy.  Stir in sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Slowly stir in flour, spices, baking powder.  Pour in pineapple juice until combined.
4.  Spoon cake batter into pan, on top of caramel and fruit.  Level.
5.  Bake in preheated oven at 350* for 45 minutes.
6.  The top should become golden brown, and raise slightly above rim of pan.
7.  Remove from oven and let cool.  The cake will sink back down.  That was kind of a bummer.
8.  But serve this cake warm.

Enjoy!

Getting Dressed

I love fashion blogs.  I love seeing fun outfits put together by fun ladies.

The only thing is, they also make me insanely jealous.

In a good way.

They make me aspire to wear more than cutoff shorts and t-shirts.  ...I usually don't.  But still.

Very inspirational - just take a look:

Frocks & Frou Frou

Jen Loves Kev

Young, Fat, & Fabulous

Definatalie

Cupcakes and Cashmere

I Am Style-ish

Karla's Closet

Etsy: Turned into Reality

Artwork Inspiration

Ocean by LittleRobot

Wearable Pieces

Coral Reef Headband by Aprilsr

Birds Wing Hair Comb by Charmschooldesign

Topaz Butterfly Hair Accessory by Mikiye

9 to 5 Navy Polka Dot Dress from JetWhitePonytail

I Can Admit When I'm Wrong, and I Can Admit When I'm Totally Right

Ohmygoodness you guys.  Are you even watching The Daily Show lately?  Jon Stewart and company are totally taking cable news networks to task.

Love it.


Also, I recently watched "Sicko" and "Fahrenheit 9/11" by Michael Moore.  I've always thought Moore was extremely offensive, radically liberal, and a big mouth from Hollywood who had nothing productive to say.  All these opinions were formed from random snippets I've seen of him on television shows and half watched clips of his movies.  I didn't care to watch any of his documentaries, and wouldn't have...ever.  However, Joe came home the other day and told me flat out that we had to watch "Sicko."

It.  Was.  Stunning.

Slightly heavy handed, but seriously, the most eye opening, informative film I've seen in, umm, forever.  Everyone in America should watch this movie.  And it's unbelievably relevant to the current political debates on health care.

The next day I went straight out and rented "Fahrenheit 9/11."  It was heartbreaking.  And as equally eye opening.

As involved with politics as I like to believe I am, I'm ashamed I waited so long to see Moore's films.  The facts he presents, the stories he tells, the way our government has controlled and manipulated us...  I don't know what to say.  That's not who we're supposed to be.  Our leaders are supposed to be more noble.  More...HONEST.

There have to be serious changes made in our government.  Hopefully we're on the right track.  But baby steps aren't going to cut it - we need huge reforms and sweeping overhauls.

I urge you to get involved.  No matter what issue, no matter what side you are on, nothing can work, nothing can change unless people speak up and get involved.  We all need to start working together for the common good.

For good.



The White House
Find Your Representative
Find Your Senator

Hormonal

Ok, so now I totally get why Orlando Bloom and Leonardo DiCaprio were so popular.

Are You a Lady?  On the Pill?...


(via Decorno)

FNS: I Met Joe When I Was 17

At a Friend's Request

A good friend of mine is getting married next month.

Yay 'Stina!

And Phil!

Congratulations!  Again!

I love weddings, and every so often I ask Joe if we can get married again.  Just so I could have another wedding.  We've been married over five years now, and I still pick up bridal magazines whenever I'm at a bookstore.

So, needless to say, I was very happy to help out Christina with a special gift she wanted to give to both sets of parents:  custom silhouette portrait plates.

Adorable.  And even more so with the border of their names and a heart.

It was my first time painting on porcelain - here's the result:

'Stina, I hope you love them in person, and your family enjoys them too.  And I hope you and Phil have many many happy years together.

Love!

Etsy: Turned into Reality

Artwork Inspiration

Striped Blanket by 2blackbirds

Wearable Pieces

Mineral Makeup Chubby Eyeliner Pencil from ErzulieCosmetics

Colors of the Rainbow Striped Scarf from anickascottage

'Basics' Collection Swing Strapless Dress by VenniCaprice

FNS: Covers I've Always Liked Better Than The Originals

Secretary of State-ment Pieces

Madeleine Albright was my very first political female role model.

And I'm happy to say, she still holds the top spot.

Albright has a book coming out that inventories her vast collection of pins.  She gives accounts for each one, telling the important meaning behind her picks.

It's so great to see a woman using style and fashion to help underscore her opinions and work.

Jewelry-Box Diplomacy : NPR article with photos (my favorite pin is the simple gold dove)

Interview with NEWSWEEK

Peeks of recent commissions

More detailed shots can be found in the sold section of my shop.

Snip

Ok, Hair. You won this round.  Thanks only to Herbal Essence's Tousle Me Softly mousse.  


But that can is bound to run out at some point.  And I've been wanting to cut my hair for a reeeeally long time now.


And, just so you know, I'm still obsessing over Ginnifer Goodwin's Emmy look.  OBSESSING.

(image via FabSugar)

I think it's because I miss having cats

Because you can never get enough Cute or Lolz:

Linus in Hats

A Thousand Apologies

Sorry I've been missing lately.

I got caught up in life.

You know how it goes.

FNS: Dreamy Set

Etsy: Turned into Reality

Artwork Inspiration

The Shopkeeper's Friend by prettylittlethieves

Wearable Pieces

Chunky Bonbon Necklace by glitterysah

Vintage Red Beaded Necklace from Echoesofstars

Stormy - Blue Vintage Necklace by PlumeAdore

Hand-knotted Olive Jade Necklace by TanyaAL

Patricia Top by Ureshii

Friday Night Sounds

I'm addicted to checking out iTunes' giveaways. It's like gambling; it's mostly hit or miss. But, baby, when I find one I like, it's HUGE.

Gossip's Heavy Cross was a freebie a couple months ago. I was wary, mostly because over the summer Beth Ditto was EVERYWHERE in the fashion world, and there was this big push for fat acceptance and lots of noise about plus size clothing becoming more commonplace. And of course all that lasted for about 5 minutes. Except Beth does have a clothing line out, which I've heard good things about.

However, I had never heard of Gossip, so I didn't know how they sounded.

But, hey, free song. Why not?

I can't even tell you how many times I play this song. It'd be almost ridiculous.

If it wasn't so awesome.

Here's the link to the Heavy Cross video.

RAWR

You have no idea how happy this makes my heart.

Godzilla vs. Kincade by Ron Lemen

(via Damn, Gina)

Digital Art Warm Up

This sketch was done over a couple sessions here and there, created in Corel Painter Essentials 4, and blatantly ripped off/inspired by Janey by TUSH TUSH. Because I want to be Tali when I grow up. She's ah-maze-zing.

Work In Progress

A little detail shot of something that's been slipping through my fingers for months. I'll get it soon enough.

Friday Night Sounds

I've been wanting to share some of my favorite songs and videos for a while now. I've made a couple musically inclined posts here and there, but I've decided to make it into a regular feature, Friday Night Sounds.

Kenna - Freetime

(sorry...video embedding is disabled. link will take you to the youtube page)

I fell in love with this song when I picked up his album New Sacred Cow forever ago. Then soon after, I saw the video on MTV. And fell more in love.

Polar Bear Surprise

You're killin me, Life.

Digital Art Warm Up

So I have this Wacom tablet. For, like, ever.

And I've hardly used it. ...I'm pretty sure I can hear every graphic designer and artist gnashing their teeth in disgust.

But!

To remedy the situation, I've decided to share my practice sketches.

I figure it's a win-win situation all around. I promise weekly sketches. Which means I have to do weekly sketches. They'll probably be 30 minute drawing sessions. Sometimes longer. Never shorter. Well, ok, maybe never shorter. Which means I practice more, which means I get used to working on the tablet. Which means I'll do more art with it. Which means the art I do won't look like a four year old made it. Which it kinda does now.

So. Here's to baby steps into this brave new digital world:

Etsy: Turned into Reality

Artwork Inspiration

Ice Cream Parlour by Pepperminte

Wearable Pieces

Light Pink Silk Chiffon Scarf by MissMeganMac

Vintage Black Bangle from Luckyhearts

Vintage Lee Riders Jeans from Backinthedayvintage

Pretty Black Party Shoes from Vintagerevolver

Me Likey

I'm a sponsor over at one of my favorite blogs, DaddyLikey, for the next few months. Winona gave me such a sweet write up, I had to share.

I'm totally shameless. I know.

But check out the rest of her blog while you're there. It's the bee's knees.

50th, Officially

Today marks the 50th anniversary of statehood for Hawaii.

For good or bad.

But no matter how you look at it, there's so much history in Hawaii; it's amazing. Just do a little research into the newest state, and you'll totally be blown away. By beauty, by strength, by culture, by change.

I know I feel very humbled learning about Hawaii's past, and very appreciative of my life on the islands today.

Mahalo, Hawai'i!

(image from Life)

Extremely Pathetic Personal Confession #2

I just read a book chosen merely by the fact that a movie was made from it starring Eric Bana.

This is not the first time.

Check It

ShareSomeCandy

Yum.

Theft : You get what you pay for

I don't normally not finish a book. If I pick one up, I'm usually good to go. Even if it's poorly written (ahemTwilightcoughcough). Even if it's a gazillion pages long (Sacajawea). Even if it's beyond cheeseball (you know the ones...the novel equivalent to Cosmo magazine).

There have been only three books in my entire life I've never been able to finish: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - kept falling asleep on it for some reason. Sorry Mr. Twain.

The Awakening by Kate Chopin - it's not even a long book; I don't know why I couldn't ever get into it.

And some coming of age self help get to know your body type book my dad gave me years and years ago. That one might be self explanatory.

And then I picked up The Art Thief by Noah Charney.

Oh. My. God.

It's awful.

As I was checking out at Borders the other day, the cashier said they were giving away free books if you make a purchase. So I browsed the selection...and lemme say, there is a reason they're having to give away those books. But I was like, FREE BOOK! Free! Who turns down free? Plus it's a book. I've rescued books from trash cans. I was determined to get a free book any which way. I picked up The Art Thief, read the inside cover and thought it'd be ok. I mean, it's a mystery story about art. Score.

Well.

I came home and gave it a shot. It was a little rocky at first, but I kept telling myself that was just the introduction. It'll get better soon.

Then this little gem on the top of page 10: A female character, on the phone arguing over the validity of a work of art on which she's an expert, says "No, it's not my time of the month, I ... but, I ... yeah, well I hope you get royally fucked in the ..."

No really. He couldn't write in "ass" after using "fucked?" And really? "It's not my time of the month?" Really?

But I kept going. I guess I should've known better. Oh well.

This is the paragraph that sealed the deal though on page 47 (47 out of 290. 47!):

This is the main character, an art expert who jets around the world helping various police agencies solve art thefts. Here he's giving a lecture about his work...

"People do not commission the theft of works of art they have never seen, or seen only once. They fall in love with specific works and wish to own them. It is a love affair. As you might pursue a beautiful woman whom you've seen on the street, art theft is the equivalent of seduction and conquest. Beautiful art, like beautiful women, provokes desire. A desire to possess and be possessed, a yearning to have created, a sense of peace and majesty, to hold this sublime proof of the existence of God, who must be great indeed to have created a thing of such beauty. In this manner, if you'll forgive the analogy, the patron is soliciting a prostitute; the beautiful whore is the work of art, and the thieves who provide her, the pimps. If you think of the art in terms of beauty bought-and-sold to the highest bidder, this analogy seems less ludicrous."

Ok. So let me get this straight. People fall in love with certain works of art, so they want to own them, and are willing to steal or pay high prices for someone else to steal them. Totally understandable. I don't think that really needs an analogy. ESPECIALLY one that totally contradicts the principle. And one that is UNBELIEVABLY SEXIST. Geez. Seriously Noah Charney? This is what you want to be known for? Horrible writing, even worse characters, and a book that I don't even want to read even though it was free?

Sigh.

I know it's just a book. I know these characters are fictitious. But still.

Abstinence Only Education is NOT Education

Holy crap, people.

As soon as I read this, I knew I had to share. It's exactly what I think, and how I try to express my opinions on sexual education. But I've never been able to put such an amazingly simple analogy to it.

we do not combat auto accidents by not driving. we prevent them through driving and safety ed.

From Sociological Images' post Sexing Up Abstinence

Help!

My hair is on the verge of blonde. It's been getting lighter and lighter for about a year now. I figured it was because I'm now living in Hawaii, which is the equivalent to living ON THE FACE OF THE SUN. So I've taken it in stride.

As in, "Oh look at all these blonde streaks! It must be because I'm out in the sunshine everyday! La la la! It's really beachy looking! And I live at the beach! Perfection!"

But, umm, no.

Turns out, my volumizing spray - Sunsilk, in the noxious yellow bottle - has citric acid as a main ingredient.

(Yes. It took me this long to realize this.)

So, it's been like spraying Sun-In on my hair for the past year. Of course I'm going to go blonde.

The Sunsilk volumizer works wonders for me...I spray it on my wet hair, comb through, and then blow dry. When my hair gets around shoulder length, it needs a little boost, and the routine I had was great. Except for the bleaching my hair part.

While I don't mind the unintentional highlights, I'd like to get back to my natural color.

Anyone have suggestions for a great volumizer? That won't dye my hair? Please?

Etsy: Turned into Reality

Artwork Inspiration

Doris by tushtush

Wearable Pieces

Extra Slouchy Beret by Softspoken

Summer Blues T-shirt from Mere

Super Glam Lip Jam from LaLaBloom

Just Putting It Out There

You can follow me on Twitter:

Cance

WARNING!  I'm not that interesting.

To make up for it, check out Historical Tweets.

For Serious

If you ever wanted to know what I looked like dancing to one of my all time favorite songs:

Just imagine two flailing arms and a couple extra gratuitous bum-shakes.

Bingo.

(via the amazing Now Voyager)

On why I hate 24 hour news channels, and everything that they have turned journalism into

THIS

Stop making up news.  Stop dumbing things down.  Stop with all the talking heads.  And for the love of all things holy, stop taking calls where you let random people blather their personal opinions all over A NATIONAL NEWS CHANNEL.  

Just stop.

Oh the LOLz

I have a weird thing about teeth. Like a major phobia about loosing them. I have nightmares where all my teeth fall out. And I've told Joe that if he ever gets dentures, I could never kiss him again.  

I know.  

Weird.

But this...

THIS IS HILARIOUS:

(via FailBlog of course)