Counting down the days

Christmas is less than a week away! Can you believe it? This past week and last has been busy. I helped my mom out with getting her tree and decorating it. My mom’s style is very classic when it comes to the holidays. She loves the golds, reds and greens. Some of her ornaments are older than me. Lots of glass and ceramic ornaments and felt red bows. It’s relaxing to sit by her tree and have a fire going while we wrap presents. I took a quick photo while I was sipping on homemade hot chocolate.

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One thing I love about the holidays is shopping. Even when I am not the one shopping, I love helping my family shop. I am one of those weirdos that actually like window shopping. Don’t judge me! While mom was trying on dresses, I practiced my skills in iphone photography. hahaha

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Between shopping, running errands, time with the kiddos, I did some shopping on my own. I received a gift card early and decided to pick up a few things. I stopped by Jerry’s Art-O-Rama to pick up some paint and canvases. Then I looked at Ross to see if there were anything good. I have been searching for a pair of black boots that I could wear everyday or at least as much as I wear my brown ones at a decent price. I finally found a pair of black studded boots I love! I also found some fleece lined leggings and a winter sweater I can wear at Christmas Eve at my moms.

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I wanted to make a video of what I got, but now that I am sharing a house with 2 other roommates, I just don’t have the privacy I used to when I want to film something. hahahah oh oneday, I will have my studio to have the space to do the artistic things I need to do.

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Oh, and I almost forgot to share. My artwork is being used in a book! That will be in the next post! Im super excited to share it with you all! Stay tuned!

Xoxox, Cecilia

Les Chiq Amandes Artisanal Confections and Gifts


Who doesn’t love chocolate and candy? I know I do! I received some yummy samples from Les Cinq Amandes, an Artisanal Confections and Gifts Company based in Stamford, CT! You can click on the pictures or the link to go to their website http://the5almonds.com/
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Their Website is named the5almonds after the long standing tradition of good luck that the number 5 was how many confections was given to a guest. The 5 also stands for the number of wishes: Happiness, Health, Peace, Love and Longevity. These gifts are traditional for special events such as weddings, anniversaries, and parties.
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These luxurious candies are perfect for any occasion like birthdays, baby showers, reunions, or anyone with a sweet tooth like me!
I was sent some candy coated chocolates, like the picture below and I have to say they are rich in flavor, addicting and left me wanting more! They were a perfect addition to my coffee break!
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What make Les Chiq Amandes so different is that they use the finest ingredients to create special hand made chocolate and candy. They offer many collections and their designer chocolates are hand painted for that extra touch of class.
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Not only do they have chocolate and candy, but they carry a variety of collections that have fruit, nuts, caramel, and even tiramisu!
Here is the best part, Les Chiq Amandes gave all my readers a 10% discount code to use at check out!

Here is the code!  HOLIDAY10
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If you don’t like any of their collections or gift sets, you do have the chance to create your very own gift set, customized to your liking! I will definitely be ordering some chocolate gifts for Valentines Day coming up! Make sure to check them out!
Thanks for stopping by!
xoxoxox, Cecilia
 
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Cold and Dreary

The weather here has been gloomy, cold, wet and dreary for days, but it seems like weeks! How can I get any work done? Cold weather makes me want to just stay in bed all day and just watch movies. Surprisingly, I have used this weather as a time to get work done. I redesigned my blog (what do you think?) and even managed to edit a video and post to youtube.

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Christmas is not too far away with 14 shopping days left! There’s not much I really want this year, if I could ask for anything, it would be to get new tires and brakes on my car! hahaha I went shopping with my mom a couple days ago, which I always enjoy even if I am not buying anything. But I am one of those weirdos that love to go window shopping.

Just for fun, though, I did make a Santa List for myself. hahaha

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The break down:

1. Columbia Fleece Lined Coat in Turquiose (I don’t have a winter coat)

2. Flannel Fleece Electric Blanket (to keep me warm because I am always cold!)

3. Swatch Touch Screen Watch ( I have never had a nice watch)

4. Lighting Camera Set Up (for blogging and vlogging)

5. Black Flannel Boots (notice a trend in flannel??)

6. Flannel House Slippers (to keep my feet warm)

7. Beats by Dre Headphones (to listen to music while doing my art)

8. Acrylic Ink Set (I want to try these out!)

9. Wood Burning Kit (I want to learn how to do this)

10. Drawing/Drafting Desk(my desk now is not good for drawing)

11. Stained Glass Starter Kit (I miss doing this!)

12. Water Computer Speakers (just something cool to look at hahahah)

 

What is your Christmas wish list this year???? I would love to hear!

The rain needs to let up, because my mom needs to get a tree and we haven’t been able to get one with all the rain!

I think next year, I want to make my tree all one color. I was really inspired by a Peacock tree I saw at the Navy Exchange. Here are some other cool trees I found!

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Have you decorated your tree yet? I am gone to go to Michaels to check out a few crafty things!

See you in the next post!

xoxoxox, Cecilia

Super Mind Powers

Hey guys! I’m sitting here at my computer and I have so many ideas on things I want to work on, such as my new blog design, future tshirt designs, my new logo design, tattoo designs and blogging, my youtube channel. I feel like I need to slow my mind down that is going a million miles per second. I guess it can be a good thing and a bad thing. A good thing because I am motivated to be productive, but a bad thing because it can easily overwhelm me.

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I have had 2 cups of coffee in a row, because I am freezing and can’t seem to wake up. The weather went from 75 degrees yesterday to 45! Whattttt???

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Things have slowed down a bit now that I have moved and settled in my new place. I feel like stress has been lifted off of my shoulders now that I have moved. It feels good to get my life back on track!

The kids and I (mainly me) decorated the tree this afternoon! They helped for the first 10 minutes and then…..Bella Boo was fixated on watching Teen Beach Movie while Matti cuddled up in blankets and watched cartoons, while I decorated. Either way, the tree turned out great! What do you think?

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I have logged back onto createmytattoo.com and here is my latest win design! I didn’t win all the ones I entered, but that’s ok, all of these will go into my portfolio!

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I am waiting to see if I won this design:

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Here is another design I worked on that is intended for a thing piece and the chains are meant to be like a charm bracelet to which charm tattoos can be added to signify an important memory. I am actually giving this design to my sis, Dominique!

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The pup is getting so big! He is almost 4 months and I have started taking him on two walks a day just because he has so much energy! I am glad there is lots of woods around where I live for the pup to run around.

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I still need to get internet set up at the new place. I have been going to the library or my mom’s to bum the internet off of them and that just doesn’t work. hahaha It’s sad that some of us cant go very long without internet. Sad but true.

I am off to try and work on some projects. Have a great night!

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JuicyCanvas

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Hello my artsy fartsy friends! Today I wanted to share with you another fun up and coming company called “JuicyCanvas”, where many underground and talented artists are able to use their artwork and allow anyone to “remix” it and customize it any way they want and have it printed pretty much on anything.
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This company may be new to you, but not new to the fashion scene, as it was founded by Artur Maklyarevsky and Deb Brugiati, who are not only business partners, but they’re married! They launched their creative business in Latin America, then moved to good ol’ New York to expand on their dreams!
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When logging onto JuicyCanvas, you have hundreds of options with over 200 artists to choose from. You can take a design, change the colors, the size, the shape and have it printed onto a canvas, a onesie, a tote, a tshirt and even phone cases! If you are an artist, you also have the option to be apart of this company and start remixing your own art!
 
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In order to bring more options and expand the have recently launched a campaign to help raise funds for improvements!
You can find all their information at Indiegogo, under JuicyCanvas! If you have never heard of Indiegogo, it’s a lot like Kick Starter, where a goal is set and people can participate in different level options. With Indiegogo, even if the goal is not met, the money is still donated, unlike Kickstarter where if the goal is not meant, no money is invested.
 
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JuicyCanvas is perfect for those involved in fashion or style that is outside the norm. If you’re like me, I like finding things that not everyone is wearing. This is perfect for those who feel the same way. Now you have the chance to design your own t-shirt and at a decent price! They do offer worldwide shipping, so no matter where you are, you can create a masterpiece and rock it where ever you go.
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I think the concept of this is so creative and fun and can appeal to anyone of any age, from your average joe, to dancers, street performers, artists, anyone who can appreciate art in any form such as this geek right here! Go check them out and see what fun things you can create!
Go follow them!

LINKS:

Our site: www.JuicyCanvas.com
Indiegogo campaign: www.juicycanvas.com/go

Unique Conversion Houses

Lately, I have been hooked on watching the DIY network, or HGTV. I love all the shows on there because not only do I get design inspiration but I also learn a lot from these networks. When I was younger, I would always rearrange my room or diagram out how I would decorate. I was always drawing my house. My mom always said when I was younger, she could picture me as an interior designer or a fashion designer. I remember having a drafting table when I was like 8. Maybe she was preparing me for the future. haha Who has a drafting table that young?

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While in college, I did switch my major to Interior Design only for 6 months. And I only tried it for 6 months because I loved fashion more. I did manage to take a few design classes and drafting which I did like, but not the kind of drawing I wanted to do. While I love drawing crisp, straight lines, I like making my own lines better. I love walking into a space and picturing how I would decorate and design it. I think of interior design as a hobby more than a profession. Can you call it a hobby? Well, I am.

I was watching a show called “You live in a what?” and it kicked my aspirations into high gear! I have never been a cookie cutter type of person. I never lived in a huge house or had the perfect room, but I always made whatever space I was living in my own and unique. I have had so many different types of bedrooms/ houses. It had me thinking though, when I finally do buy a house, why should I settle for some house already made to someone else’s dream or specifications. This show explored home owners who took an abandoned building, church, barn, water tower, whatever and they converted them into homes for them and their families.

I think when I finally do settle down and buy a house, I think I would love to take something old and forgotten and convert into a creative and unique space to call home. Check out some of these conversions I found!

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This one above is my favorite only because I have an obsession with old firehouses and when I envision one for myself, this is one is pretty close to what I imagine. It even has an art studio!

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How cool is this? It looks as if the plane was wrecked and landed and someone set up house! hahaha

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I love the exposed ceiling and industrial look. I love the idea of one big studio with an open concept.

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This was an old church, reconstructed into a house with a fun addition added on. I love how the contrast is so dramatic with the white and black/gray.

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Can you imagine having this beautiful glass window and the light that shines through it?

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This is a converted water tower in London! I love the big windows and the brick detail.

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This space was converted into a huge closet . I love the spiral staircase too!

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I normally don’t really like barns, but I love how this was converted. It looks very warm and inviting.

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Here is another warehouse conversion with a cute garden outdoor space.

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The cobblestone fireplace/kitchen is so beautiful and compliments this space and really makes this stand out.

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What I Like most about this conversion is that the owners kept the original painted company logo. It adds texture and personality to this factory conversion.

I hope I can find something to convert in the future. I would prolly have to venture out of Virginia Beach to find something with enough character to transform into my dream home. Until then, I will just keep dreaming.

xoxox, Cecilia

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Pen and Paper

I get sudden urges to blog when I am out enjoying life, like when I take the pup for a walk, or when I am drinking coffee at a coffee shop or in an antique store. It’s the small moments when the world gets quiet and I am lost in my own thoughts that I wish I could write out what’s on my mind. Its times like those, is when I actually DON’T have a notebook or a pen and typing it on my iphone just doesn’t share the same appeal as good ol’ pen and paper do.

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This week, I did manage to take a break from all the packing and squeezing some drawing in. I logged back into Createmytattoo.com and been working on new designs for contests, and also working on some logos for a few clients. It feels good to be back at my drawing table and letting my creativity flow.

The kids and I visited Santa last weekend, and got our picture taken!

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The kids are so excited this year, they want skateboards! How adorable Is that? I miss skateboarding, I used to all the time when I was a teenager, maybe I will get one too so all of us can skateboard together! haha

I did a fun red violet ombre on a client last week that was so fun to do!

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She gave me the best compliment:

“I wanted to let you know that i am in love with my hair & so is my husband. Thank you so much once again. As long as you dont, or i dont leave VA , i just made you my hairstylist & will recommend you”

This is the reason why I love what I do, whether its hair, makeup, body paint, artwork, I love creating something that brings happiness and joy to someone’s life. I cannot wait until I have a studio where I can fully express myself and create an environment that people will love to come to.

In other news, Kreative Thinking Apparel, the clothing line I am apart of has been making leaps and bounds and we now have our own printing shop which will help pump out more awesome designs. If you haven’t checked out KT, make sure you click the link and visit us. Even Ed Lover, on his youtube, was rocking our KT custom sweater (that I helped to design!)

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Yesterday was a nice day, after the kids and I stopped at the library to pick up a few movies and books, we got a flat tire! Instead of making a big deal about it or getting upset, we pulled over and I took this time to show them how to change a flat tire. This is one skill I am glad that I have, which I learned from the Army, when I had to change tires on Humvees.

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The kids were happy to learn and to actually do it. They helped to raise the car with the jack and loosen and tighten the car bolts. It was just too adorable. Afterwards, I treated them to burgers and fries at our favorite place Hwy 55. I love moments like these that my children and I share. I hope that I am leaving good memories for their childhood.

I went out last night with my family to dinner and a comedy show, and it was relaxing to get out and have a night not to worry about anything and just laugh the stress away.

Well, I am going to get back to drawing and relaxing with the kiddos. This is my last weekend here at this house before I move, so off to enjoy the rest of the weekend. Thanks for stopping by and see you soon!

XOXO, Cecilia