art. life.

Thursdays I like to post something about art.

I feel like I have survived on a “wing and a prayer”

This week it feels like surviving my life has been art. Honestly, my life is not that hard, I actually have it quite easy… BUT for my life it was a crazy week.

Events so far…and it is only Thursday:

-found a new roommate on Craigslist.com (I will post about that later, but we found a good one!)

-First full week of work at my new job.

-On the side: working on a project that was SO MUCH more effort than I had ever thought. Every night 6-8 hours!

-I’m still trying to unpack my room, but I don’t have any furniture… Thus, I have to use “organized piles”. I hate it!

-I got a new phone. Fun, the learning process on top of everything was just another stressor!

See! I told you it isn’t that bad, I even feel a little silly… oh well.

want. keyring.

The quote featured in the sub-title of this blog is “"Love the Life you Live, Live the Life you Love" and I got it from a keyring that I saw in the Sundance Catalog… which I love.

The main reason I don’t own this keyring is the cost $180. It is justifiable, The piece is made of silver and it is handmade. I like it and would have gladly paid if my situation was different. I may still buy it later.

Flipside Keyring from Sundance Catalog

However, I recently found a copy of the keyring. It is made of pewter, but its only $11! It’s mine... well… after I get a few paychecks from my job or someone gives it to me… either way I have found a suitable substitute! 

live, life, love key ring from Catching Fireflies

My little happy moment!

architecture. stairs.

My new home was built in the 1950’s and has some interesting stairs. They aren’t horrible, but they lack something… a defined style.  This “defined style”, I fear, will need to be relatively inexpensive (it’s a rental) and have to comply with local construction code… Apparently I MUST have handrails :/  

These are my stairs. They have a hand rail on the wall, but apparently they need the other bars to prevent any children from falling off.  I'm annoyed. First, there will not be any children in this house. Second, if there are children present, their parents should be more watchful.  I don't like having to limit my design options for hypothetical children :p

I’d like to remove the bars and keep it open… I want to SO BAD, but the landlord has already told me “NO!”

So, while I ponder the realistic options that I have, I will daydream of options like these from Home-Designing's articles 10 Innovative Stair Design Concepts and Beautiful Stairs:

dreaming.

love. your work.

"Do What You Love, Love What You Do" from 55 Hi's

“Do what you love to do,

and do it so well

that those who come to see you do it

will bring others to watch you do it again

and again and again.”

–Mark Victor Hansen

Not there yet, but I will be.

inspiration. entrepreneur.

Now go... go and change the world.

food. fish topping

I am generally hesitant with fish... I very rarely order fish in a restaurant and it always fried. I do enjoy fish when my Dad cooks salmon, but he knows my entire family is skiddish with fish and he prepares it perfectly! I was recently invited to a dinner where fish was the main course... it was a light and flaky white fish with a seasoned white sauce on it. I ate it and loved it! So, I got the recipe from the hostess.

The recipe isn't complicated and I'm sure that many people already know about this sauce, but it is new to me and I like it. I think it was designed for a white fish (ie: tilapia), but it might be good on salmon too.


White Sauce (fish topping)

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup soft butter
3 table spoons of mayonnaise
2 table spoons of lemon juice
1/4 tea spoon of dried basil
1/4 tea spoon of pepper
1/8 tea spoon of onion powder
1/8 tea spoon of celery salt

enjoy.

art. stars.

Have you ever wanted art that was personal? Well, this one is quite personal - you will only share it with the other 252 people born that same minute on planet Earth.

I love the look of these pieces. Basically they are a depiction of where the stars and planets were located when you were born. To begin, provide StarArc with the exact month, day and year of birth. Also, to get the most accurate picture, you should provide the exact time and location of birth.

At this moment I am obsessed with navy and white, so these charts would work best in my house.

StarArt - Aspect Modern Two - Deep Blue

StarArt - Aspect Modern One - Eclipse Blue

want. ring.

The Wintercheck Factory 1907 Ring

I love this because it looks like a simple ring, but then splits to reveal an area to inscribe a small, personal love note... I'm imagining. Waxing all romantic!

It even has a fun back story, the site describes the ring:

"The simplest designs are often the most challenging for us to elegantly produce. The idea for this ring came from a wedding band that has been in Kristen’s family since 1907. The 18K gold band was commissioned by William Pole in Louisiana for Ms. Annie Patout, her great Aunt, over 100 years ago.

The band is unassuming at first glance but has a delicate seam across the center which allows the ring to split in half, revealing a secret engraving. We were able to recreate this twist and nesting structure through Rapid 3D prototyping and a multitude of castings and molds. We chose to produce the 1907 Ring in traditional Sterling Silver and Brass but are also offering made to order rings in 18K Gold."

 
I love this for a man or woman.

a lovely gift for a special person.

I want one.... the ring and the special person. ;)

design. sofa.

I have been sofa shopping, not sofa buying. There are too many options and I have realized I need to find some inspiration to keep me "on track" while looking so that everything works with my chosen theme. As I have been contemplating the many design inspirations that I could use for my new home, I have found that I am really drawn to a “California Casual Beach” style.  I guess because the home is in California and in a beachside community, the choice makes sense.

I began to research for an inspiration and, as always, Ralph Lauren came to the rescue.  His Driftwood collection is the perfect inspiration… Unless I win the lottery or invent some amazing widget, I will be using these photos for inspiration as I hunt for similar pieces.

The Driftwood collection from Ralph Lauren:

The Driftwood Sofa

I love you Ralph... Forever and Always!

love: breathless.



Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Ocean Expo Park



"In the end, it's not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away!"

- shing xiong

What takes away your breath? an amazing view? incredible architecture? an impressive math formula? an orchid? a piece of art? a diamond? I'd love more opportunities to be amazed by the wonderful world we live in....

Please share with me your favorites!

china.

"China from above."

I have had these photos saved for years and continue to love them.

enjoy.

taxes.

If you live in the United States, your taxes are due to the Federal and State Governments in 27 days! Have you filed your taxes yet? April 15th is coming soon.

This is the first year that I have filed without the aid of an accountant. I did them all by myself... with the help of TurboTax.

My taxes are done.

"Taxes are what we pay for civilized society.''

~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., U.S. Supreme Court Justice

"I am thankful for the taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed."

~Nancie J. Carmody

"You must pay taxes.  But there's no law that says you gotta leave a tip."

~Morgan Stanley advertisement

irish.



Yes... Yes you should.



Like most Americans, my family line is a mix of many nations: German, English, French, Spanish, Native American, and Irish.

Since my family is such a mix. Some of my ancestors have been on the North American continent for 1,000's of years (Native American) and I have European ancestors that came to this continent on a boat called the Mayflower. So, for better or worse, I do consider myself just plain "American" on most days.

BUT on March 17... I'm Irish!

My mother tells us stories of our family history, the castles, the Druids, and the Irish "fey".

Today, I will wear green and give a nod to the Irish ancestors.

free download.

Download this free e-book... its fun, its inspirational, and its free! I really do love it!

Do it now!

link: Resumes Are Dead And What To Do About It

architecture. beautiful.

I find beauty in many environments.

I have lived in the desert southwest and I have lived in the lush green Northwest. I can honestly say that I love and appreciate both environments.

I am familiar with this part of the country because my family spends a large amount of time at Lake Powell (15 minutes from the resort). I am accustomed to spending my time floating on, playing in, or otherwise preoccupied with the water. This is a more of a land based experience, but the resort does have access to houseboats.  Guests have access to both experiences while visiting.

I recently had the opportunity to visit this resort in Southern Utah called the Amangiri.  The architecture seems a bit harsh and simple, but I am in love. If you ever have the opportunity to visit, you will realize that it fits perfectly with the surrounding environment and it feels very natural.

The following photos are from two websites: if its hip, it’s here and the Aman Resort website

The Aman Resort website describes the Amangiri:

"Amangiri, 'peaceful mountain', opened in October 2009 and is located on a 243-hectare (600-acre) expanse of wilderness in Canyon Point, Southern Utah, in the southwest region of the USA also known as the four corners, where the states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona meet. The resort is tucked into a protected valley with sweeping views over colourful, stratified rock towards the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument. Architecturally, the resort has been designed to blend into the landscape with natural hues, materials and textures a feature of the design. The structures are commanding and in proportion with the scale of the natural surroundings, yet provide an intimate setting from which to view and appreciate the landscape."

The privacy of their guests is #1… there will be no name dropping from any staff. However, I’m not staff and let’s just say that during your stay it would not be uncommon to have royalty, billionaires, and pop stars lying by the pool all at the same time.  Needless to say this property has been made “paparazzi proof”.

Finally, the 2,322-square metre (25,000-square feet) Aman Spa at Amangiri. This is a vast complex of treatment rooms, stone, water features, yoga pavilion and fitness centre. 

Enjoy.

love: life.

"I have found that if you love life,

life will love you right back"

-Arthur Rubinstein

failure?

I am looking for a way to see success in my own life and I am struggling to find traditional ways of feeling like I am doing something and being a "successful" person.

I know that I will look back and laugh, but until then I really enjoyed this video about failures.

smell.

It is SPRING in the northern hemisphere. There are areas that have yet to see spring, but in California it smells like spring! 

I just love the way that all the blooms smell. Right now my neighbor’s three jasmine plants have 1,000’s of powerfully fragrant blooms… when I walk by, I just melt.

This is what Jasmine smells like… I think somewhere Febreze may have forgotten.

paint.

Who new that a fresh coat of paint would make a room feel so much better? Well I did, but had forgotten. I have been feeling this intense need to buy artwork… This house needed something on the walls, but didn’t know what.

The paint is just light beige. It is simple, neutral, and hardly noticeable… BUT it really does make everything feel better. I am by no means finished… the room still needs artwork, a rug, lighting, storage solutions, a live plant or two, and a more unified seating area… just to name a few things. ;)

Paint really made my day.

P.S. – I am currently looking for a job, but am confident that painting is not high on my list: “The Many Things That I Do Incredibly Well.”… Apparently humility is low on that list too!

thirty-five.

This week my wonderful parents celebrated 35 years of marriage.

You are an AMAZING example of 

Love, patience, and endurance. 

(Which you mostly need for your many children)

Thanks Mom & Dad!

Love you!

-KJ

December 2010

bracelet.

Energy Muse

I discovered this company recently… apparently I’m late to the band wagon. Check-out their “Who’s Wearing Us” section.  

I really like the look and I have been in love with wearing the necklaces as bracelets… as shown here on David Beckham.

They are a bit pricey, but they are all amazing quality materials and the coins are 100-500 year old antique coins!

I went to their warehouse in LA and actually met one of the founders Heather… accidentally, of course… she is amazing! I saw and held their entire product line. It’s quite impressive.

I’m sold.

gps.

Upon arriving in California I was immediately lost. I tried using Google maps but they didn’t account for traffic… California has traffic. So not only was I lost, but late too! (One time 2 ½ hours late)

Garmin 1450lmt

My brother Nike (who lives in Santa Monica, CA) told me that I needed a GPS device. He got one when he first arrived almost 2 years ago and it was very helpful. I received the same counsel from many others who had moved to California.

I decided to invest. If I was going to get to work on time or find anything I wanted, I would need a GPS device. After much research on the internet and interviewing of Best Buy employees, I decided on the Garmin 1450lmt. One of the main reasons was the lifetime map updates. 

I like it.

I'm still trying to figure-out a name for my Garmin. Nike named his GPS “Lady Garmin”… which is a name I like and may borrow. However, I changed the voice from the female voice to a male voice with an Australian accent. So, I would like to find a male name for him.

Oh the adventure of driving in LA! At least it is made possible with GPS.