i don't own a leopard coat,

so for my Inspiration Monday look,

I didn't wear one.

Plus it's been too hot in Texas, to wear a jacket.

Here's my version.

Nora and Megan of Two Birds Boutique chose this leopard 

coat outfit by supermodel  Kate Moss.

I realize I look nothing like her.

To see how others used the inspiration go to
inspiration monday: secret shopper.

I don't have a yellow purse.
I opted for the green purse to tie into the green words on my t-shirt.
I held my purse in my hands like Kate's.
I also wore dark nail polish.

I didn't want to shoe the exact same black boots
I wore in last week's post.
Therefore, I chose, my tweed boots on the left.
They are still pointy toed, ankle height, and feature black like Kate's on right.

I don't have black skinny jeans,
(like Kate wore),
so I wore my black thrifted wide leg cords.

My purse was thrifted.

I want to explain about this guitar pick necklace.

Years ago, one of the kids found the guitar pick on the playground at recess, and gave it to me.
We made sure it didn't belong to anyone before I wore it.

Which leads me to the answer to question 1 from, Maikeni blogi-part of me when she nominated me for this sunshine award.

My nephew Speed Racer

I. Are you pleased with your current job and/or studies? If not, what would you change?

I question nearly everything. So it's normal for me to wonder about what I went to college for, and what I got my degree in. My bachelor of science is in Early Childhood. I've gone through periods where I really loved, and disliked elements of my chosen career path. 

Top: My twin nieces with their cousin
Bottom: my niece with my nephew Baby JJ

I am grateful for the things I learned in school. 
I really have used them in my work, and in my life.
 
For example, with my friends' children, and in my own family,
with my nieces and nephews.

My friend's son Little T

Over 8 years ago I started taking guitar lessons.

 I still continue those. 

 About 4 or 5 years ago I started actively taking art classes, but in a non traditional way. 

I also still actively take art classes.

These sketches were done while waiting for a band to set up at a live show, last summer.

What I would change, if I could back in time, is,  I wish I would have started taking guitar, and art classes when I was younger.

This art journal page from July 2012
were inspired by
 In the Sun Class by Natalie Malik.

If only...I had taken more photos, 
and I had wrote down more stories.
If only I could remember better.
If only I had treasured those moments,
before they slipped away.
If only I  had known. 
If only...
would it have mattered?
Would it have changed?
What would have changed?
If only I had known.

of patterns and question 8

In this post, I'll answer question 8 from when
 Maikeni blogi-part of me nominated me for this sunshine award.

Left brown boot and top right: Yarn Inset Boots
Right bottom black boot: Slouchy Southwest Boot

VIII. What group(s)  and/or singer(s) do you like?
1. The Beatles
2. Goo Goo Dolls August 2010 Goo Dolls concert post
3. Jimmy Eat World

Right: Refashioned Sweater Wrap
Left: Huggable Stretchy Fingerless Gloves

Just Cavalli Fall 2012 RTW

4. Chevelle August 2009 Chevelle concert post
5. Band of Horses April 2011 BOH concert blog post

Amsterdam tights

6. The Replacements
7. Led Zeppelin

8. Crowded House

My nephew Speed Racer with my mom

My nieces Lil bug, EJ, and Baby JJ

9. Nada Surf November 2008 Nada Surf concert 10. Augustana this list was made on June 25, 2012


As of today, November 22, 2012 my 10 fave

band is Grace Potter and Nocturnals February 2011 GPN concert 
That means Augustana has moved to 11.

my art journal page from June 25, 2012
inspired by In The Sun 2012 class by Natalie Malik

Little me wearing a patterned winter outfit.
(Yes, I know the photo is  a tad damaged).   ;)

All the images featured patterns.
Was it obvious?

sunshine answers 3, 5, and 7

It's Inspiration Monday!

Nora and Megan of Two Birds Boutique chose an outfit to inspire a personal look.

Here's my version of the outfit.
To see how others used the inspiration go to 
holiday card, take two.

Today's outfit inspiration is:

Mary-Kate Olsen

The blue oversized shirt belongs to my husband,
 (it was his idea, to use one of his shirts).
I like that I can see him reflected in the windows.

Details of my necklaces:

* brown rock necklace (the rock was a gift my great grandma, from childhood)

* teddy bear necklace (I have no idea where it's from)

* round necklace with Johnny Rzeznik's hologram image,
 (given to me from my best friend,  several years ago)

My mom made the purple bracelet.
My cousin made the silver triangle bracelet.
The rest of the bracelets I've collected over the years.

Weeks ago, my blog friend Maiken 
from Maikeni blogi-part of me nominated me for this sunshine award.  I will answer questions 3,5, and 7.

III. How many blogs do you read regularly?

Honestly I don't know.
I do read quite a lot. I follow over 50 maybe 100 blogs? I'm too lazy to count them.

Eye shadow was a birthday present,
from my friend Em.
Eyeliner was a birthday present I bought myself.

 V. Name the last piece of clothing/accessory you bought.

These pointy toed black thrifted ankle boots
were the last accessory I purchased.

This brown sequined purse was thrifted too,
but I bought it  months ago.

VII.  What is your favourite holiday?

Halloween

When I was little they had a Halloween carnival,
at the school. I won a cake in the cake walk.
My favorite Halloween book in childhood was The Candy Witch.
I got it from my first grade teacher.
 I had a book called The Teeny Tiny Woman, it used to scare me. When I grew up I would tell the children I worked with,
this version of the story. 

This past week I've been playing
 Stars and Big White Gate
 by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals,
on my guitar.

The last photo wasn't answer to any question.
I just felt like including it in this post, because I'm weird like that.

when i first started blogging

My first photo self portrait,
for my blog.
 

In Dallas, Texas
July 2008
post found here.

A quick look at my closet
 in July of 2008,

 post found here.

My first trip to the shopping mall,
in Texas, 

what I bought,
 July 2008 post found here.

Awhile ago, my blog friend Maiken  gave me this 

Blogger Appreciation Award.

Part of the award was to answer some questions.

How long have you been blogging?
My very first blog post,
in July of 2008.

It was about Texas weather
post found here.

Why did you start blogging?
We had just moved to Texas. We were three states away from our friends & family.  I wanted to stay connected by sharing my life with them.

Our first concert in Texas was Death Cab for Cutie.

 July of 2008
post found here.

Our first trip to Austin, Texas in July of 2008.

Music store post
found here.

Lionel Richie sign,
in Cheapo Music Store.

in Austin, July 2008
music store post here.

Another funny sign in Cheapo Music Store 

in Austin, July 2008
music store post here.

What is one thing you'd like to improve on as a blogger?
Instead of answering this question now,
 I want to talk how my blogging has changed. 

 
In 2008, my photos were too small,
so was my text.

Our first trip to the
Dallas Museum of Art

in July 2008
post found here.

In 2008 I wrote a lot of words. 
I was more raw with my emotions.

My guy's photo, showing the
butterflies in Texas.

It was in November of 2008
post found here.

 

The first time I showed my art,
on my blog.

July 2008,
a drawing I made for a friend
post found here.

Back then, I didn't include myself that much in the photos.

On a bike ride in November 2008,
 

Post about the Texas Rose Garden
found here.

My 1st large painting, in December of 2008.

How we decorated our house,
 for Christmas,
post found here.

What types of blogs do you like to follow/read?

I like different types of blogs for different reasons.
I like blogs that show a person's experience, & point of view. I like to see their interests whether: music, art, fashion, photography, funny stuff, or random information.