Black and brown

what i wore:
black faux leather jacket from Target (buy here)
burnt orange cardigan from Target (buy similar here)
tan and black striped dress from Forever 21 (buy similar here)
brown tights from Target (buy similar here)
cognac Bandalino booties from Yonkers (buy similar here)
knuckle ring from Forever 21(buy similar here)
cat necklace gift from a friend (buy similar here)
thrifted headscarf (buy similar here)

I like to break fashion rules. Especially the one that says black and brown should not be paired together. I think that as long as you create enough variance and pick the correct shades of each color, it can be done well! Just look at my outfit, I mixed a tan dress with dark brown tights and a black leather jacket and the colors work in harmony.

So, my thesis show comes down this Sunday. It's a little sad to see it go, but I'm so happy that it happened. A lot is happening in this next couple of months. I'm very excited, and can't wait to tell you more about everything! It will happen, eventually.

What's your favorite fashion rule to break?

The Faces of Arnold Chan

I recently, completed this drawing inspired by my cat, Arnold of course. I've missed simple graphite drawing, and I'm excited to experiment with different media again.

I am thinking about putting it on a t-shirt or making prints of this drawing soon. Would anyone be interested in that?

For more detail shots view this drawing on my portfolio site here.

A delicious paste recipe

Have you ever made something on a whim without a recipe and fell in love? Well, this is one of those instances! This will be a dish that I will cook over and over again.

Ingredients:

1/2 box of whole wheat rotini pasta
1 sweet potato (chopped)
12 baby carrots (chopped)
1/2 onion (chopped)
1 package of cherry tomatoes (halved)
1/2 block of extra firm tofu
2 cloves of garlic (chopped up)
1 Tbsp of Smart Balance
1 1/2 Tbsp of olive oil
Quebec poultry seasoning
Salt
Pepper
Basil
Cayenne pepper
Freshly grated parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:

Start off by cooking your pasta in a medium saucepan. Then, in another medium saucepan, soften the chopped baby carrots and sweet potato pieces in water. While those two are cooking, in a skillet on high heat - put in 1 Tbsp of olive oil along with the garlic, cooked until the garlic is a light golden brown, then add the onions. Turn stove heat down to medium, and add the tofu and 1/2 of the package of halved tomatoes - stir constantly and begin to adding in the Quebec poultry seasoning, salt, pepper, basil and cayenne pepper.  I decided to leave the measurements for these open so that you can season yours to your own taste! Once the baby carrots and sweet potato pieces are soft, drain them and mix them into the skillet along with the rest of the cherry tomatoes. Mix and toss for a couple minutes and then it's ready!

Once the pasta is fully cooked, drain it and put it into a large bowl and stir in the Tbsp of Smart Balance as well as a 1/2 Tbsp of olive oil. Add more salt and pepper to the pasta itself if you believe it's necessary. Begin to stir in your skillet mixture with the pasta, and you are done. Sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top and enjoy!

Prep time about 30 minutes.
Produces about 4-5 servings.

What would you name this dish or would you try it?

Proximity

As many of you know, I had my first ever gallery opening this past Friday. I had the amazing opportunity to work with three other amazing artists: Aron Johnston, Cecily Pincsak and Hannah Pink. It could not have gone better, honestly. The opening was a big hit, and we heard nothing, but good things. We were all beaming the entire time, and my face hurts from smiling so much. We all worked so hard, and it feels so good that the reception was so positive.

My parents were not able to make it to the opening on Friday, but they were free this afternoon, so I took them to the gallery to see my work. I was excited to show them everything physically, because they have mostly just seen photos. They were happy with what they saw, and of course that means the world to me. They even wanted photos in front of my work, so here they are!

I have a lot more photos, a process video in the works, and another video of my finished installation.

I would love to hear your opinions!

If you are in the Des Moines, Iowa area from now until April 28th, make sure to stop by the Anderson Gallery to see our work. The address is 2505 Carpenter Avenue, and the gallery hours are Sunday - Tuesday 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM and extended hours on Thursday from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM!

Inspired: Patterns

I am a huge fan of patterns as many of you may know and I am striving to design more patterns because it an incredible feeling to come up with designs that can create such harmony and balance through repetition. These are a few patterns that were designed by Elizabeth Olwen, one of my favorite surface designers for her Farm to Table collection. I've been inspired by plant and garden related items lately because of a Community Garden project we are working on in class.

Enjoy!

Are there images you have that are inspired by gardening and plants? I'd love to see!

You can visit my garden inspiration pinboard here.

Albion Fit Review and giveaway!

I was lucky enough to get the chance to review this Albian Fit classic racerback top. Albion fit sell women's fitness and swimwear that is both trendy, comfortable, and functional. Who doesn't want cute workout clothing? For me, cute workout clothing is a bit of a motivator. The fit of this top is fantastic, it hugs in all the right places and it's breathable, so I don't feel too constricted while moving. Also, it helps that this top is black, because as well all know black is pretty slimming!

Now, one lucky reader will get the chance to win this top (in either black or white)! Enter below through the rafflecopter widget! The giveaway ends on April 15, 2013 at 11:59 PM. The winner will be announced on this rafflecopter widget in this blog post, through e-mail and on twitter (if applicable). The giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


**Although I agreed to do a

Coral cats

what i wore:
coral cat shift dress from Gap (buy here)
cognac booties from Dillards (buy similar here)
black tights from Target (buy similar here)
black faux leather jacket from Target (buy here)
Girl About Town lipstick from MAC Cosemetics (buy here)

This cat dress arrived just in time for Spring. Coral is such a wonderful color, and I have been yearning for a new shift dress; I think they may be my favorite style of dress. Paired with a black leather jacket and booties makes for a more edgy vibe. Oh, and this print? Because, cats and that is all.

My senior thesis show is next Friday, April 12th! Although, my stress levels are fairly low I still have a lot more work to do before the opening. I can't believe it's so close! I cannot wait to tell you all about it, and show pictures. I think I may create some process videos! Stay tuned.

What is your favorite color for Spring?