fall back

This first week in October really swept in the fall season. For the first time in my life - im living somewhere with changing leaves - cold brisk fall weather - and scarves and mittens that are more than mere fashion accessories. And as much as I bitched and moaned about the lack of a summer in England - I have found myself excited about the possibilities of layers and coats! Obviously tho - I've been scanning my wardrobe and think it lacks most of what I'll need to survive. But im going back to California for the winter - where its not too chilly - and the clothes are cheaper to buy!! So seeing as how it never gets that hot over here - Im planning on stocking up on things ill need - somewhere I can afford them!

Bring it on Fall.

infatuated with another Heather...

and I usually hate other women with my name. I guess its a territorial thing - just stay on your own name property ok and stop creeping into mine. This goes along with Heidi's and Helen's - just too close for comfort.

I think my insane girl crush on Heather B. Armstrong comes from my genuine desire to read everything she has ever written. She is witty - and unique - and REAL. Honest to a fault im sure a  lot of her readers tell her daily. She's everything I want my blog to be and more.
Check her out at DOOCE

in the freezer then in your cocktail

How cool are these lil stones? Honestly when I first saw them and read their name - I thought they were disolvable whiskey cubes. Kinda a really rad idea (PATENTING that idea right now to all you creepers.) Instant ideas of really drunken plane rides back to LA. No, no no. Seriously tho, they are just really cool ice cubes that need just a bit of time in your freezer and then a bit of time with your favorite drink - no watered down mess invited. Great great gift idea (or I might buy them for myself and be the coolest 'up with the trends' hostess ever)

Rack em' up boys...

For those of you who dont live in 3rd world countries such as Backwoods, Britain - please remind yourself daily how fortunate you are to have a dryer either at your house/apt or at a local laundrymat (a place I use to loath but would nowadays travel to as if it were mecca). McQueen and I usually rack up (no pun intended) 3 to 4 loads of laundry a week. I blame most of this on him seeing as how I mainly work from home and live in either pajamas or gym clothes and tend to wear my other outfits a few times each before washing them. None-the-less, he brings in the bread and bacon and I cook it. Which leads me to the vain of my life - the UK drying rack.
Never good for more than 1.3 loads of laundry - I have cleverly devised a plan where ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that can be hung up - finds its way onto a hanger and up in a door way - while all the other wet bits get put on the rack. Therefore on laundry day my house tends to look like my washer exploded (for a second time).

some work i just finished

(in reverse order cause im still figuring out blogger)
- Pink Elizabeth 12'' x 16'' £70
- Commissioned Wedding Bouquet Painting of white peonies. Very hard to paint and not make them look like calliflower.
- Plaid Elizabeth 12'' x 16'' £70
- Yellow Elizabeth 9'' x 12'' £50

I prob shouldnt call painting "work." Well the bouquet painting was work because it was commissioned - but the Queen paintings were all pleasure... hehe.

is inspired to get a hammer and nails...

Since ive been stalking wedding blogs and blogs of all sorts lately - my new favorite being the broke ass bride Ive come across all sorts of do dads and tidbits of wedding tradition I had no idea about. This is my new favorite that I definitely plan on incorporating into my love story with Mcqueen (fyi - thats how the man friend will be mentioned)

Thanks my fellow broke ass sista for letting us all know about this testement of love..

The tradition goes something like this: The couple writes love letters to each other. In their letters, they detail why they fell in love with each other and what they really, truly admire about the other person. The letters get sealed up before they are read by the person they are intended for.

(source)

The sealed letters are brought out at the end of the ceremony. They are put into a wooden box that the couple supplies. Along with their letters, they put a nice bottle of wine into the box with two glasses. Once all is in the box, the wedding party hammers nails into the box to close it.

(source)

The point of all this? If, at any point, the marriage is in serious jeopardy, the couple is to open the box, read the letters about why they fell in love with each other in the first place, and drink the wine together before making any irrational decisions.

While, some could see this as a somewhat solemn ritual and not a celebratory or joyous tradition, I see it as being realistic and somewhat romantic. It’s a metaphor for keeping the marriage based in truth and what is real. The hope is that you won’t have to open the box but, who knows, maybe on your 40th anniversary, it’s a treat.

*when I brought this up to McQueen - he liked it - but he didnt like doing this infront of a lot of people - and since we arent exactly sure how big or even existent a ceremony will be in our wedding - I think this is something special i will surprise him with on our anniversary this year!

is in a state of envious green ...

OBSESSED with these bridesmaid dresses. Cute - Original - and Quirky. Check them out @ http://www.tonychestnut.ca

Photography by Red Photo Co.

Just had my first interview with a professional journalist.

One of the things I hate most about trying to pass yourself off as a professional artist - is having to talk about yourself. You would think that having spent this past year in the museum field - I would be all prepped and ready to spew out ridiculous sound bites about taking inspiration from feminist rallies in washington or violence against stray dogs in cambodia ... or that one time the neighborhood saw you in your mighty mouse pajamas and now you have a fixation with drawing mouse traps...

And not that I havnt picked up anything from the countless artist talks ive been to this past year - but its still this underlying feeling that im about to get a horrible grade on a vocabulary test. There is a very particular artist jargon that goes along with working in this trade - and when it comes to talking about art - sometimes I feel like an ESL student.

All this being said and done - I think I did ok. He had really looked over the jpeg's I had sent him and had prepared a few "thought provoking" questions that spurred a rant or two on my behalf.

We'll see how it all goes on APRIL 3rd! Pick up a Press Telegram - flip to the arts section and check it out!

x
Heather