A + O

GREEN DALLAS.

2012-03-09T23:02:00.000-06:00

more photos from this roll of film. all taken in east dallas, my home for the last 3 1/2 years. we're still getting to know one another, and i'm slowly but surely documenting it.

i swear guys, every time i get back into blogging, work kicks me in the ass. i'm looking at not having a day off for the next month or so. 10-11 hour days too. i'm so exhausted already and i just started. so if you find me absent yet again, that's why. i'm trying to keep up w/ you all as best i can. but really, all i want to do when i get home from work is take a bath, read, pet olive and go to bed. exciting stuff, huh? i can't wait to have time off to go out and take some photos. i really want to do a few shoots w/ my sister before she leaves for korea. and of course, play w/ my toy cameras more. creating new work always makes me so energized and excited for even more new work. it's an incredible cycle.

A MINOR BIRD.

2012-03-05T16:10:00.006-06:00

sucré has finally announced their new album name, after a lovely robert frost poem. and they have also debuted their video for when we were young today. talk about a great monday!

i don't know if there's a more beautiful woman on the planet than stacy dupree. she takes my breathe away. are you guys as excited for the release of this album as i am?!

// image //

BOKEH PANORAMA TEST.

2012-03-05T13:06:00.005-06:00

my lovely coworker, ally. after seeing k. miller's post on bokeh panoramas, i knew i had to try it out. this was my first attempt, taken this morning in our office at work. i rather like how it turned out. and isn't she a beauty?! she might have to be my new model once sissy leaves. i know i know, it's kind of a boring environment, but this is just a test. and i like it, so i thought i would share.

what do y'all think? have you tried shooting bokeh panoramas before? i think w/ more practice, this could be a really fun way to work.

p.s. i forgot to mention, i used k. miller's eclipse action in the above photo. i bought her chunfen set a while ago and really love it.

SKIFCHA.

2012-03-02T14:01:00.000-06:00

skifcha is the coolest damn cat i've ever seen. there's even an hr long loop of the 1st video! amazeballz right? RIGHT?!

what a cutie pie. if i ever go to russia, his owner better watch out.

25.

2012-03-01T10:14:00.003-06:00

happy birthday to my beautiful sister. she is my favorite person, my muse and my heart. she's leaving the country in less than 6 months and it's already breaking my heart. i know for the 1st wk or 2 i'm going to be a complete wreck, crying myself to sleep at nite. but i couldn't be more excited for her. she's going to have the adventure of a lifetime.

MAP OF GHOSTS - NOLA.

2012-02-29T11:59:00.004-06:00

my friend lindsey just got back from what seems to be a fabulous trip to nola w/ holly. i LOVE these photos. so much so, i had to steal them and share w/ you. (but don't worry, i made sure the ask first.) lindsey is an incredible photographer and i love how she edits her photos. i REALLY enjoy her japan photos, and i'll have to share some of those w/ you too. i love having talented friends, they keep me inspired and always pushing myself to create more and better things. y'all be sure to check out the rest of her nola photos!

also, lindsey makes me want to travel. i'm thinking of heading back up to portland this summer. i miss oregon so much, it's hurting my heart. have you guys got any vacations planned for this year yet?

// images //

DANCIN' IN THE STREET.

2012-02-28T21:34:00.000-06:00

bad sports - teenage girl.

sometimes i love nothing more than going back and re-working photos. you may remember the originals here. last november i was robbed. someone broke into my apt and stole my imac and my sister's macbook. since then i haven't really shot anything new. i didn't have a lot on that computer, it wasn't very old. but what i did, i miss. a lot. and lately i've become angry over the loss of it. i remember now what it's like to not have a computer and photoshop at home and it's pissing me off. the last thing i want to do is sit and edit my own photos up at work. but i guess i'll have to for the time being. i just can't afford to buy another imac right now. ok, i guess i'm done whining. i just wanted to give a lame ass excuse for not having a lot of new work to show lately.

i tried to emulate a photo i'd seen on pinterest. (i know, stupid huh? go away, pinterest. you are the devil.) i really like design and i'm always trying to play around w/ it. even though i'm prbly terrible at it. i usually always hate whatever i create the next day. i'm just a photographer, nothing more. so that's how i see. but i want to try new things. if only to give myself a challenge and better learn the tools at hand. it's ridiculous how many hours i spend photoshopping. and i'm always learning new things. that's the best part! recently i got a promotion at work: lead photoshopper. (kinda silly huh?) and part of my job is to pass along tutorials to my team. and i am loving it. i know this makes me a big nerd, but i don't care. i love learning new things and sharing them w/ ppl. :D

TWISTED ROOT.

2012-02-26T21:02:00.004-06:00

1) i was mrs. swan today. i'm not familiar w/ this mad tv character, but i like the name. 2) they make their own sauces! like chipotle mustard.

3) looking out the window. just another beautiful day in deep ellum. 4) my gorgeous dinner date. (she's an asian wannabe.)

5) this place is packed during lunch. it's best to not show up when you're starving. 6) the verde w/ turkey and fried onion strings that sister and i split. and a few bread & butter pickles that lauren just about gagged on. she does NOT like them.

7) chocolate covered strawberry shake. holy YUM! i think i'll be splitting my dinner from now on just so i can have a shake and not feel terrible. 8) have i mentioned i love this neighborhood's buildings?

i pretty much had to drag lauren to dinner w/ me tonite. she couldn't tell if she was hungry, but i knew an hour later she would be whining. she always picks asian, but i couldn't do it this eve. i was too hungry. and when i'm that hungry, i usually go for burgers. i'm not for sure if i've mentioned this before, but i don't eat beef. not for the past 5 or 6 years now. and i don't miss it one bit. (other than a reuben.) i am so thankful more and more restaurants are offering turkey burgers. i haven't had one anywhere that i didn't like. twisted root makes a great one. they also have a ton of other options like buffalo! how neat! not that i'm gonna eat it, but hey, someone else might. i hear it's much better for you than beef.

so if you ever find yourself in dallas, and you want a burger, i highly suggest this place. and the deep ellum location, it's such a fun part of town.

how was everyone's sunday? i worked a bit, hung w/ my sis and have been blogging for an hr or so now. i wasn't in to watching the oscars this year. prbly b/c i have only seen the help. good movie, but not nearly as great as the book. if you are watching, i hope your faves win! i'll be sure to look up the winners tomorrow. and the dresses. ;]

currently listening to:
sucré - hiding out.

EISLEY - THE VIDEOS.

2012-02-21T15:32:00.005-06:00

i love seeing how much stacy and sherri have changed over the years. they've grown in to such admirable young women. anyone planning to see eisley on their tour that starts next wk? i hear it's their last of the year. i guess this is ok, seeing as how they are starting to work on lp4. AND stacy will hopefully be touring w/ sucré soon.

hope you guys enjoy these videos and are having a great sunday!

BLUE DALLAS.

2012-02-21T12:57:00.000-06:00

at first glance these photos were rejects from this set. but after taking a second look, and editing them in photoshop, i realized i kinda like 'em. ok, i more than kinda like 'em, or else i wouldn't be sharing them. while many of you are posting beautiful photos of the sea and/or mountains, i'm stuck w/ grit. i don't mind it sometimes. grit can make for some wonderful photos.

these were taken w/ my pink dress slim. this first image might look familiar to you if you've been following this blog for a while. what a difference a camera makes.

i have another 5 i'll be sharing w/ you later next wk. to me, these photos are all about the blue, blue sky. do y'all like to shoot w/ toy cameras? i like to carry mine in my purse at all times. you never know when you'll be inspired! and thankfully the pink dress slim weighs about 6 oz. or that's my guess at least.

currently reading:
george r. r. martin - a game of thrones.

YOUNG THE GIANT: IN THE OPEN SESSION.

2012-02-20T12:07:00.000-06:00

i adore this photo. so handsome.

i think i've said this once or twice, but i LOOOOOVE live music. it's one of the greatest things in life, to be able to see your favorite bands play just feet from you. and if you're lucky, meeting them after their set. they are the only 'celebrities' i give a shit about. so you can imagine my delight when i stumbled upon these videos from young the giant. they are absolutely wonderful. they could not be in more beautiful places. i even love the wind blowing, making the music not as clear.

pretty great, huh? get to know them now, b/c i hear tomorrow blaine from glee is covering cough syrup. (that is one show i have given up on this season. not what it used to be.) they are playing a tiny, tiny venue here in dallas very soon, but it is of course sold out. oh well. they're sure to be huge. and you can think me a snob, but i refuse to go to venues that are larger than hob. b/c really, when you're used to being front row center for most of the shows you've been to, how can you happily sit so far away you can barely see the band? or in my experience at the palladium, the back of some tall mother fucker's head. (i hate that place.)

y'all have any new music you'd like to share? i'm always on the hunt. i've really been loving paste's suggestions lately.

// image //

ALLGOOD CAFE.

2012-02-19T14:53:00.003-06:00

every once in a while my coworkers and i venture down to deep ellum for lunch. this will always be one of my favorite neighborhoods in all of dallas. it's taken a hit these past few years, but i'm hoping it will make a comeback. there's a ton of great places to eat down there, and a few of the music venues that closed years back are starting to re-open. it's not back to it's former glory yet, but there's still hope.

one of my favorite places to eat is allgood cafe. it's a total hipster spot, but i love it. the food is good, the atmosphere is fun and the location is great. i can follow the street i live off of for about 8 min and i'm there. (the only shitty part is parking. dallas has THE worst parking.) oh and don't go for sunday brunch, unless you don't mind waiting. but i usually don't leave the apt until i'm starving. hangry kristin = MEAN kristin. :/

i've been in a breakfast mood for oh, my whole life? so i tend to get the above. ah and don't you love the origami? there's tons of cranes and other things hanging from the ceiling. it. is. the. cutest.

do you guys love breakfast foods as much as i do? what's some of your favorite local spots?

currently listening to:
bon iver & st. vincent - rosyln.

SPENCER STUDIO.

2012-02-16T10:08:00.002-06:00

i am so in love w/ this series by the spencer studio. if their etsy had anything left for sale i'd be pretty damn tempted to buy up anything i possibly could. i am incredibly respectful of people who have the ability to draw or paint. i can do neither well. (although, i never practice.) my brain just doesn't think in those terms. so when i see something like this, i am always in awe.

web // blog // etsy

♥♥♥♥♥

2012-02-14T19:44:00.000-06:00

after seeing this post, i have been dying to try and make cake pops. i usually find something neat and say oh yeah, i'll do that. and never do. but this time i did. and valentines was the perfect excuse to bake. i made cupcakes as a back-up in case the pops didn't turn out. but they did! and they were great. i'll definitely be making these again, prbly chocolate next time.

i invited my other female co-workers to bring in sweets and treats and we had a full spread today, including the tastiest heart cake i've ever had. my friend made a delicious buttercream frosting w/ real strawberries mixed in. i ate one piece. and then another. AND THEN ANOTHER! it was awful. i don't feel so good right now. and that was after eating a ton of salami, pepperoni and cheese. oh well, i'm making an effort to eat better lately, so one day won't kill me. oh and i'm def channeling my inner elsie w/ those signs. now i see why she goes crazy w/ 'em, they are so fun to make and have around.

meet harrison, the sass room's official mascot. we like to dress him up for holidays and include him in everything.

i hope you all had a very lovely valentine's day. and if you don't care for this holiday (i normally don't. like i said, this was just an excuse to bake.) i hope you had a grand day nonetheless! :D

TSUNEAKI HIRAMATSU.

2012-02-13T11:17:00.000-06:00

these are some insanely gorgeous photographs. long exposures taken of fireflies in japan. i think the reason i love them so much is b/c i used to chase and catch fireflies when i was a kid. i'd put them in jars if i could find an empty one, or i'd just catch them in my hands and hold on tight to them for a bit, then reluctantly (due to my mother's nagging) let them go back into the nite. they were so magical and it felt like summer when they were around. i haven't seen one in years, whether it's b/c they have died out around these parts, or b/c i don't take walks like i used to after dark. (east dallas isn't the safest area.) that's one thing i will always be fond of from childhood, taking walks w/ my mom and sister after dark, just around the neighborhood, for some much needed fresh air.

did y'all ever catch fireflies? or any other bugs? i also used to run around the playground catching bees in my bare hands when i was in 1st grade. after i'd catch them i'd always get pissed when they'd sting me. for the life of me i can't figure out why i would do this. and of course, i stubbornly never gave up on the chase. oh to be a kid again.

// images //

LAZY SUNDAY.

2012-02-12T14:18:00.003-06:00

eisley - laugh it off.

lately sundays have become another word for lazy. i don't know if it's b/c it's cloudy and cold, or i'm just worn out mentally, but i refuse to leave the couch most sundays. (or even shower for that matter. yikes!) today is a day for internetting, cleaning, cooking, baking and watching movies w/ my kitties. and i'm ok w/ that. for now. pretty soon i'm gonna go stir crazy. i think too, staying home keeps my bank account out of trouble. i have temptation issues when out and about.

what are you guys up to today?

p.s. have you guys gotten the new eisley ep? i hear a bunch went out early last wk. i'll be going to my local record shop to purchase mine tuesday like a good little girl. i am currently obsessed w/ laugh it off. reminds me a lot of like the actors. i love how eisley has certain categories of songs. some might hate this, but i think it's so neat. i'll talk more about this when i post about the ep next wk.

// image //

GREEN THUMB.

2012-02-11T10:09:00.001-06:00

(via)

i've pretty much lived in an apt my whole life. not the same one of  course, but i can count on my fingers the number of years this almost 27 y/o has lived in a house. (i was raised by a single mother, and grew up kinda poor. but more on that later.) so you can imagine how intimidated i am about anything house-related. when friends are starting to buy their first homes, i freak out on the inside at the thought and can never imagine what buying a house would feel like. b/c honestly, i like not having to fix things. the sink is clogged, i text my landlord and a couple of days later it's fixed. my key broke off in the lock, i text my landlord and boom, fixed. it's great. but of course i know i'm missing out on things. i'd love to paint my walls and not worry about having to paint them back when i move. i'd love to fix up the cabinets. (although, they're from the '50s and pretty darn cute.) and what i'd really love is to have a garden. my friend used to have one before she and her family moved to their new house. her husband was great about tending to it. he even built a fenced in area in their backyard for it. it was totes adorbz.

i guess until the day comes that i can have a garden of my own, i'll try (and more times than not, fail) to keep some indoor plants alive. until recently, i've killed off everything i've tried to keep. but i gave it one last go. i bought some ivy when i moved in to my new apt and it's been alive ever since. we had a rough go of it in the beginning. turns out ivy likes lots of water. who knew? not this girl. and since that has been successful, i bought a cute succulent. both are hanging b/c i have devil kitties that like to munch on anything living. (including me. hmph.)

i have some pretty pots from anthro that i bought years ago. but like i said, i somehow manage to kill all my plants and the pots are sitting empty on my bookshelves until i can figure out what the hell i am doing wrong. i'll prbly continue on w/ my pretty pot collection. i mean, who can resist anything from anthro? this is just a great excuse to spend my hard earned money on something i don't need. and aren't those seed bombs the greatest thing ever? another reason i can't wait to have a garden, i can grow catnip for my monsters.

do you guys have any words of wisdom for this non-green thumb girl?

p.s on a completely unrelated note, please check out this post by sherri dupree-bemis. like i've mentioned a million times, she's my hero. and for good reason.

THE SEA.

2012-02-08T18:21:00.003-06:00

sloom - of monsters and men.

oh the sea, how i miss thee. people who live near you are so blessed, i wonder if they know how much? how jealous those of us who can't partake in your beauty on a regular basis are. how we long to be next to you, even just to sit and take you in. 

i used to not give a crap about nature when i was younger. i was (and still am) a city girl, through and through. but i guess w/ age comes wisdom (so they say) and i am slowly, but surely beginning to appreciate all this planet has to offer. i want to see anything and everything. a building is a building is a building. and although i can certainly appreciate architecture, it's cold and still. nature is forever moving and changing. there's a warmth to that that no building can replicate. 

i think a lot in terms of photography. my brain is wired that way after all these years. it's funny how i catch myself thinking in terms of channels, colorspaces, layers, and paths. sometimes i laugh to myself when i am aware of myself doing this. i wonder if people look at me and think, what the heck girl? why are you laughing to yourself? and if anyone ever asked me, i wonder how i would respond.

i guess my point is, i want to travel and see things, not only to experience them, but to document their beauty. i want to see all 4 seasons. (sadly here in tx, we have summer and mild winter, w/ 2 wks of spring/fall. someone get me outta this state!) i want to see mountains and forests and perhaps most importanly, the sea.

footnote: photo taken in seaside, or. summer 2009.

OF MONSTERS AND MEN.

2012-02-06T22:28:00.005-06:00

(via)

i have a very hard time listening to people's music suggestions. i like finding bands on my own and am EXTREMELY picky in what i like. but man oh man, am i glad i listened to a couple of bloggers, both who posted about of monsters and men w/ in a day of each other. kelly ann and danielle both have wonderful taste in music and i have come to trust their judgement. and now i pass on this little morsel of a band to you. i hope you will take a listen and see for yourself just how great they are. and even better, they're from iceland! nanna has the cutest accent, don't you agree?

seriously, don't you just want to hop on a plane and see them play in their homeland?!

p.s. and don't you just looooove kexp. they provide some of the best live performances.

NEW SHIRT.

2012-02-06T15:30:00.001-06:00

i have a new shirt that i'm obsessed w/. i got it at my friend's show a few wks back and we have been inseparable ever since. wearing it makes me feel like an 18 yr old again, when i used to live in band shirts, hoodies, and chucks. i have so many that i've held on to all these years. (although most don't fit now. i need to work on that fa real.) hmmm maybe i should post some of those photos. i used to photograph shows endlessly, i spent so much money on film and processing. i loved capturing the band and then taking photos w/ them outside the venue, after the show. sometimes it feels like another life. i've changed so much since then, but my love of music has not. it will always be my 2nd passion in life, behind photography. and even though my tastes have changed a bit, as far as genres i love, i'm still the girl who loves seeking out new, good music.

so tell me, what makes you feel like a kid again?

ZUZANA MITOŠINKOVÁ.

2012-02-02T16:14:00.001-06:00

(all images from winter 1.)

zuzana mitošinková has quickly become one of my favorite photographers. i've been following her blog for quite some time now and always enjoy her posts and photos so much. they are really inspiring and beautiful. she's got such a great eye. and it doesn't hurt she lives in a gorgeous part of the world, slovakia. i encourage you all to take a moment and look through her albums, i promise you won't be disappointed.

web // blog // facebook // flickr //  shop

VINES.

2012-01-31T11:01:00.000-06:00

of monsters and men - dirty paws.

we're making new photography boards at work, and while searching through my hard drive of scans, i came across this polaroid. shot on 669 film w/ a land camera, it was taken in oak cliff, tx - my old stompin' grounds. it's one of my fave places to take a camera out. so many interesting places and things to document. i have one box of 669 that i've been holding onto for about a year. i want to use it but have yet to decide what to shoot. i'm thinking something fun w/ my sis, she's the best model.

SWEET TOOTH.

2012-01-30T16:02:00.001-06:00

sucré - when we were young.

have i mentioned i have the biggest sweet tooth? (i say this as i sit here, having just finished my black salt caramel bar.) i am obsessed w/ desserts, specifically tiramisu and creme brulee right now. just the sound of those 2 make me feel fancy. i'd like to start baking more, but all i've ever attempted is a box of cupcakes.

do you guys bake? if so, what's your favorite dessert?

p.s. be sure to check out sucré above, the side project of stacy dupree, darren king and jeremy larson. such a beautiful song. can't wait to hear more!

BURNING HOTELS. (again.)

2012-01-24T10:26:00.004-06:00

photo by mindy byrd.

i know i just posted about these guys, but come on, i'm super proud of them! and w/ FINALLY getting in to their new album, i can't help but share. look, i think i've proven i have excellent taste in music, so trust me when i say these guys are incredible. they are getting so much exposure around town lately, it would almost be unbelievable if they didn't deserve it so much. not only are they great guys, but GREAT musicians. so seriously, take a listen and watch for yourselves. i'll leave you w/ an interview & footage from their headlining debut of the granada theather and 2 videos from their new album. enjoy!

TERRE ET MER.

2012-01-22T15:45:00.005-06:00

kalnai by jokūbas mulerskas

lately, and for a while now, i've been completely inspired by mountains and sea. prbly b/c i have neither close to me. i could spend hours looking at photos of both, and favoriting them on various sites. my plan was to show you many more, but a lot of the photogs on flickr have disabled sharing. (honestly, it's free publicity guys. i get that ppl are worried about others stealing their work, but all i have to do is take a screen shot. if you are that worried, don't put your shit online. *end rant.) i am quite transfixed by the photo above. it contains all my loves: mountains, snow and graphics. and the graphics are used to enhance the photo, not take away from it.

see more of my favorites:
flickr // pinterest

FRENCH KICKS.

2012-01-21T19:55:00.008-06:00

wrong side.

close to modern.

one more time.

oh fine.

so far we are.

also ran.

every once in a while, and absolutely unintentionally, i briefly forget about bands that i've loved for what seems like ever. french kicks is one of these bands. i have my sister to thank for introducing me to a lot of my favorite bands over the years, this being one of them. (she has even better taste in music than i do. and almost went into sound recording.)

i have this thing where i can't concentrate, or even understand, the lyrics or what the song is trying to say w/o looking at them written down in front of me. i'm pretty sure it has to do w/ me being an extreme visual learner. what always draws me into a song/band is their music, and the singer's inflection. i think that's why i adore the french kicks so much.

NAME CHANGE: A + O

2012-01-18T13:51:00.009-06:00

you may or may not remember my name change last year. i was no longer happy w/ it and decided i wanted to gear my blog more towards my photography. well, i got bored w/ that too. and became really lazy, only shooting w/ my stupid phone. so really, it was all for nothing. but it did give me time to think about a new name to use. A + O is a reference to my loves, alice and olive. my baby kitties. they are the apple of my eye. my firstborns. i can't imagine life w/o them. (even though they drive me batshit crazy sometimes.)

if you would, take a moment to update your readers, or however it is you follow this blog. over the past several months i've forgotten about this thing, and what i want to do w/ it. i'm still trying to figure it out, but for now, and always, i'll want to concentrate on my personal work. and music, i could never forget about music. so hang in there! i'll be back full force, i promise.

burning hotels.

2012-01-15T13:41:00.006-06:00

burning hotels by kristin bazan on Grooveshark

i was asked to work the merch table for my buds, the burning hotels, for last nite's show. it was a huge nite for these guys, as they were headlining the granada, one of dallas's best venues. i hadn't seen them in prbly a year or 2 due to me working allllll the time, and being lazy. :P but man, was it a fun show! they opened w/ always and it killed. the drums were amazing the whole nite, really everything was. i can't say this was the best or funnest i've seen them, b/c i've been to A LOT of their shows, but it was great seeing them up there, playing for hundreds of people. it was bizarre seeing them up there w/ their amazing light show, playing for a douchey dallas crowd. but i am so so SO happy for them. and incredibly proud. seeing where they started, playing for maybe 30-40 people (friends mostly) and where they are now is inspiring. they've worked so hard over the years. they really deserve all the success they've been getting over the past months and years. so please, take a listen! above are some of my fave songs of theirs, from various albums. their sound changed somewhat on their last album, but i am really loving it. after listening to the whole thing about 20 times, i can hear they still have kept their sound, but are just doing something different, something they love.

facebook // twitter // tumblr // web // vimeo // itunes

roasted root vegetables.

2012-01-05T15:06:00.004-06:00

you may remember from a previous post (ok, several previous posts) that i am trying to eat healthier. and not just now, but always. i want to cook more at home and incorporate more fruits and veggies. i've always really liked both, and most kinds too. but like a lot ppl, i get lazy and rely on things that are already made. oh and sugar, i love sugar. so when i found this recipe on pinterest, i had to try it. (yeah, yeah. i know her photography is a lot better. but whoc. i've got a day job.)


for my meal i used:
1 lb creamer potatoes
3 carrots
2 parsnips
1 red onion
1 garlic
rosemary
thyme
olive oil
deli mustard

i peeled all of the vegetables but the potatoes and chopped them up. put them in a large bowl and added the remainder of the ingredients. i had to roast them at 375 degrees for about 45 min. (longer than what the orig recipe said.) i like my veggies softer (but not squishy), and the carrots seem to take the longest to roast. i'll prbly make these again next wk and add more mustard and herbs. i like a lot of flavor and i didn't add quite enough last nite. oh well! it was a much better attempt at roasting root vegetables than my previous. those came out horrid and i haven't attempted them in about 2 years prbly.

do you like roasted veggies? if so, what's your fave? i've been OBSESSED w/ roasted brussel sprouts since i tried them a year or 2 ago. so nomz. and roasted asparagus is also very yummy.

it's a BRAND NEW year.

2012-01-04T17:23:00.005-06:00

BRAND NEW by kristin bazan on Grooveshark

are there any brand new fans out there? if so, lemme holla atcha. ha jk. but for real, this band changed my life in the best way possible. every couple of months or so my obsession is renewed and i find myself head-banging at my desk and wanting to scream along to jesse lacey. (i'm even wearing my ole black chucks w/ brandnew laces today!) if you don't know them, here is a little playlist for you to check out. i realize this band is not for everyone. it's always been hard to put these guys in a genre. they started out pop-punk/emo and leaped from there to... well, you be the judge. let me know if you like 'em! if don't know, ehhhh i don't really care. :P

sucré.

2012-01-02T16:56:00.005-06:00

(via)

it's no secret that i am COMPLETELY OBSESSED w/ eisley, and thus sherri & stacy dupree. stacy had been hinting of solo album news all last wk and finally announced her side project's name and release date. sucré is the title of the project and will be released april 10th. a late birthday present to me! :D for real guys, i had butterflies in my stomach and was holding my breath the entire time i was reading up on this. my excitement can't be tamed! to read more and follow along w/ stacy, darren and jeremy, follow sucré. i'm pretty confidant that this album will be my new fave of the year. (along w/ eisley's new ep, out feb 14th! whoopwhoop!)

new year, schmew year.

2012-01-01T22:08:00.003-06:00

well shit, i think i may just be the only one in this blogosphere who couldn't give less of rats ass that the year has changed. i've never been one to get excited over this 'holiday'. maybe b/c by the time xmas is over, i'm exhausted. maybe b/c i LOVE xmas so much, that the new year is just a let down. or maybe b/c i sometimes make resolutions but rarely ever keep them. i do, however, have some goals for myself. but they are all the time goals, not just new year goals. (and i've prbly mentioned them all here before.)

1) discover new music - i'm off to a good start here. thanks to seablanket i have found a new band to love. (seriously, she has the best taste in music.) i have prbly listened to the song above 20 times today. it's so incredible. to go along w/ this goal, i'd still like to see more live music. if you haven't noticed, music is my 2nd passion in life, behind photography. i constantly have a song in my head and can dance around even if nothing is playing out loud.

2) photo more - a coworker gave me about 20 rolls of 120 transparency last year and i have yet to shoot anything w/ them. i'd like to change that this year. i always keep my pink dress slim in my purse, loaded at all times. but i haven't shot anything w/ it since last summer. i've been so uninspired lately. i think it's b/c i have nothing to work towards. i'm not good at working on my own. i need a deadline, a show to work towards. i've always done better under pressure as far as my personal work is concerned.

3) be healthier - this includes diet and exercise. and by diet, i do not mean i am going to be dieting per say. i just want to eat healthy. for me that means, stop eating out so goddamn much and get my ass in the kitchen and cook. i've gotten in this horrible habit of going food shopping sundays, getting excited to make my lunch and eat dinner at home, only to wake up late mon morn and not have time to prepare my lunch and then i'm pissed at myself and unmotivated come mon nite, so i eat out all wk and waste a ton of food. i've got to stop beating myself up all the time and getting irritated when things don't go perfectly. i also would like to get to the gym more. even if it's just a couple of days a wk, it's better than nothin'. i bought several yoga dvds last year that have never been opened. i really think i need to do some yoga. (see next goal.)

4) RELAX - and i don't just mean sit on the couch all wkend. (like this wkend.) i mean step away from the comp. have quiet time to actually think about things, rather than pushing thoughts away, only to be stressed out by them when it's time for bed. stop worrying about every. little. thing. that doesn't go my way. i stress myself out way too much. (it's the perfectionist in me.) like the other day, i was so irritated about being somewhere on time, and not having time to enjoy my lunch w/ my friends, and then being late to work from lunch, that i let it control all my thoughts. WHY?! why can't i just relax and enjoy time w/ friends? it was so stupid.

5) blog - as i write this post, i realize how much i've missed blogging. like, for real. i miss talking to my fave bloggers and reading about their lives. i miss taking time out of my day to look at all your pretty photos and see what you've been up to. and letting y'all inspire me to be a better person. i almost wrote that life just gets in the way sometimes. which is a good thing! blogging should always be secondary to life. i just wish i made more time for this thing. for those that have stuck around through my unintentional hiatus, i thank you! and i hope to be back to regular blogging soon.

do you guys have any goals you'd like to share? let's keep each other inspired, and not just right now, when everyone is excited about the new year, but always.

xmas at work.

2011-12-05T21:06:00.002-06:00

christie & collin dupree - o come, o come emmanuel.

yes, this is happening in my office. how are you guys getting into the xmas spirit? i know this is a lot of people's fave time of year, and it really is mine too. oh yeah! yawl got any good xmas music to share? i'm so glad christie and collin covered  o come, o come emmanuel last year. it's one of my fall time fave xmas songs.

flower morning.

2011-11-30T16:48:00.001-06:00

flower morning, a photo by En恩 on Flickr.

sometimes you just need to look at something pretty. happy wednesday, y'all.

i love you, shoes.

2011-11-26T01:15:00.001-06:00

while killing time in austin today i wandered into anthro. and by wander, i mean i excitedly rushed into the store to see what was on sale. thank goodness for my sis' discount. otherwise i never would have taken these babies home. aren't they gorgeous? my inner grandma is dying. i just hope i can figure out an outfit to go w/ them. if not, i'll just wear 'em w/ my pajamas, it's cool.

currently listening to:

blind pilot - always.

life in an instagram.

2011-11-07T12:26:00.000-06:00

1) cranky dallas part 2. 2) dtd. 3) mason jars make water taste better. 4) i'll take this for an engagement ring. kthnx! 5) cray cray sky sky. 6) being a creeper.

7) at my first pumpkin patch. 8) workin' on mah fitness. 9) loving my new neighborhood. 10) being a creeper part 2. 11) honk honk. 12) white rock.

cranky dallas.

2011-11-06T18:16:00.000-06:00

the middle east - blood. 

satx.

2011-11-02T14:22:00.001-05:00

san antonio 20. march 2007. © kristin e bazan

i'll be heading down to satx this thanksgiving to visit my dad and celebrate his birthday that wk. we have big plans to go to chorpus to visit the aquarium there. (they have dolphins!) i am also dying to go to the beach, just to walk and take photos. i'm letting him take me to the gun range and teach me how to shoot too. i've always been very against guns, but idk why i woke up one day, wanting to go. and it's something my dad has been wanting to do w/ me for years now. he was so excited when i told him we could go. it's going to be a fun vacation and i can't wait to relax and spend some time w/ my dad. 

do you guys have thanksgiving plans yet?

ouch.

2011-10-22T23:54:00.001-05:00

(taken before my face decided to explode. stupid texas w/ it's stupid pollens and shit.)

sooooo starting monday i promise promise to start keeping up w/ you all. i promise to leave you lots of thoughtful comments, and if time allows, going back and reading your old posts. heck, maybe i'll even start tomorrow. if my face keeps being a whiny baby i'm sure i'll be on the couch all day. i hope you all are having a lovely wkend and feeling better than i am! allergies are the worst. i don't know how people deal w/ them on a daily basis. luckily mine seem to be seasonal, but i've noticed the past few years they've been creepin' up more often. dumb!

currently listening to:

drake - up all nite (ft. nicki minaj)

blind pilot @ the granada theater.

2011-10-17T20:04:00.000-05:00

&lt;br&gt;d

blind pilot - always.

a few of my favorite shots from last wk's show.

photo swap.

2011-10-16T23:45:00.000-05:00

martin solveig et dragonette - hello.

new kitchen.

2011-10-09T16:00:00.000-05:00

1) silly, pretty babies. 2) looking into my new kitchen. 3) gas stove/oven that i'm assuming is from the '50s. 4) new jars and shelf. 5) oven mitts and owl near the window. 6) owl and cocoa. saw the cocoa at target last nite and had to have it. 7) darling little cabinets above the stove. 8) fridge w/ kitty, wolves and twilight magnets. postcard from germany, drawing from a friend's daughter. 

wow, i haven't blogged in almost a month! it feels weird to have been away so long, and yet it feels weird to be back. i promise there's a good reason for this ridiculous absence. 1) sis and i moved a couple of wkends ago. we'd had it w/ the old place and shitty new managers. i found our new apt one day and it was the only place we looked at. i pretty much fell in love immediately. it was built in the '50s and has super cute details, wood floors and a gas stove and heater. i'm excited for the coming winter. :D and 2) i have been working 60+ hrs a wk lately. this makes me incredibly cranky, as i'm sure you can imagine. but that's the life of a retoucher and someone who works w/ print/media. but enough about that. i hate talking about work whenever i'm not there.

what's everyone been up to? i try to keep up w/ you all as best as i can, but i used to read blogs a lot at work when i had a moment or 2 to catch my breathe. not so these days. but this ridiculousness should be over in about a month and i promise promise to do some major catching up and commenting!

oh yeah, i'm working on another blind pilot post. :P i saw them a few nites ago and it was wonderful. i almost didn't go b/c i'm so exhausted these days, but i did. and i am sooooo glad. more on that later. :] i'll leave you w/ one of my fave songs off their recent album. oh who am i kidding, every song is my fave song.

blind pilot - get it out.

2 new prints.

2011-09-19T17:27:00.001-05:00

aeriennes 2010 © kristin elena bazan

suns up 2010 © kristin elena bazan

i'm excited to share 2 new prints now available in my etsy shop. each are printed on high quality epson paper at 8 x 8 in w/ a .25 in border for framing. both were taken en route to portland, or during nov. and to sweeten the deal just a bit, i am having a sale until this friday sept, 23rd. 20% off your entire purchase! just enter ENDOFSUMMER2011 at checkout. :D

overgrowth obsessed.

2011-09-18T17:04:00.000-05:00

blind pilot - half moon. 

continuing my obsession w/ overgrowth. i've photographed this spot before. i don't know why i love it so much. maybe b/c every time i visit it's just a little bit different?

once again i must apologize for my absence as of late. when i have the opportunity to work over-time i have to take advantage. trying to pay off some things before my sis moves out and leaves the country. speaking of moving, we are next wkend! wahoooo!!! even though it's going to be a lot of work, i couldn't be more excited. i hate our apt now. so it will be nice to be in a new space. i can't wait to get it all set up and show you guys some pics. :D hope you all are doing well! any plans for tonite? i think i'll work a little and watch the emmy's. i always love watching those silly awards shows. 

key lime pie.

2011-09-11T21:17:00.000-05:00

i took a much needed wkend off and went to my friend emily's to make a pie. we decided on key lime, my absolute favorite! well, for the summer at least. ;] we used the following recipe:

ingredients 

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick butter) melted
2 (14-ounce) cans condensed milk
1 cup key lime or regular lime juice
2 whole eggs
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lime zest

directions

preheat the oven to 375 degrees f.

in a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter with your hands. press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie pan, and bake until brown, about 20 minutes. remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature before filling.

lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees f.

in a separate bowl, combine the condensed milk, lime juice, and eggs. whisk until well blended and place the filling in the cooled pie shell.bake in the oven for 15 minutes and allow to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

once chilled, combine the sour cream and powdered sugar and spread over the top of the pie using a spatula. sprinkle the lime zest as a garnish on top of the sour cream and serve chilled. 

we were a bit worried about the last step, you know, the sour cream and powdered sugar topping. we tasted it after combining per the directions and decided to add more sugar. 2 more tablespoons. it was just too sour cream-y still. :/ the pie ended up being really tasty! i was relieved. b/c those little baby key limes were a BITCH to juice. and it was really fun to make something w/ our bare hands. obviously going to whole foods and buying a pie would have been easier, but there's just something about making it yourself that leaves you feeling accomplished. esp when it comes out so good. :D after my sis and i move, get settled in and work slows down, emily and i are planning to make pumpkin. maybe i can convince her to make pecan as well? 

so, what do you guys love to bake? share your fave recipe w/ me! :D

p.s. miss ella was our helper for the day. she was purrrrrfect! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICE!

2011-09-10T21:27:00.000-05:00

i almost forgot today was alice's big day. almost. so to make up for being a bad mommy, i bought her some cat-nip. obviously she loved it.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALICE!

graffitied nook.

2011-09-06T17:30:00.001-05:00

foals - big big love (fig. 2)

i have had foals on repeat, non-stop for the past wk and i see no end in site. seriously, if you don't have antidotes, get you a copy now! ok, now that my plea is over, i wanted to share the above photo w/ you. taken at this little nook i used to pass by on my way to work everyday. i drove past it for about a year or so, and every once in a while some mean person would graffiti it. and usually w/ in a wk or so someone else would paint over it. a cycle i would see numerous times. bless the person's heart who keeps painting over it. i don't know why i love it so much, but when the light hits it just right, it can be really spectacular. a perfect place to shoot. one day i'll go back, hopefully when it's clean, and take more photos. perhaps drag my sister along to have someone to photo in front of it.

sunday funday.

2011-09-04T15:05:00.001-05:00

1. moi w/ no make-up and no shower. sundays are meant for lazing around. don't worry! i'm freshly clean now. :]

2. iced soy chai made esp by sister. she has the best jobs. bux and hopefully uo again. looking forward to having my anthro discount back!

3. maru ain't got nothin' on my alice. she goes cuckoo for this box.

4. my 'desk' in the living room. it's been so nice being out here! i've decided my lil desk in my room just isn't working. at least not for retouching. it's far too small. :/

what are you doing this sunday?

just to say hello.

2011-09-03T20:57:00.000-05:00

photo by cute tea bunny. we were photo swap partners. :]

 
foals - olympic airways.

i don't know if anyone has noticed, but i've been a bit absent lately. working a lot of overtime in order to pay off some bills. i've missed this place. what has everyone been up to? have you all been by thimbles & things lately? i love her blog and i LOVE her recent photo posts. esp her self-portrait. what a beauty! i've been thinking of participating in the 30 day photo challenge too. i haven't been photo-ing at all lately and it's got me down a little i think. i actually have a day off monday, so maybe i'll go around town, see what i can find. and lucky for us here in tx the heat is FINALLY going to take a break. only supposed to be in the upper 80's that day! whoopwhoop! 

well i just wanted to stop by and say hello. and that i've missed you all dearly. but now i'm off to work more. brought some files home b/c i couldn't take it being one more min in that office. but don't worry, i've got kitties, a sister, and sleepy hollow to keep me company here. :D much better than that 18 story building.

blood red moon.

2011-08-29T22:13:00.001-05:00

i am so in love w/ this song. i can't stop listening to it. blind pilot's new album, we are the tide, is streaming on npr now until sept 13th, it's release date. be sure to have a listen or 2, or 20. :P and then go pick up your copy in a few wks. man oh man, i can't wait to have my own and to see them later on in oct. prbly will end up going by myself, but whoc. i'll be dancin' my butt off the whole time.

a couple more of my fave songs from their first album, 3 rounds and a sound. i can never resist posting more from them. :D

ENJOY!

the ultimate dandies.

2011-08-27T20:47:00.003-05:00

(via)

foster the people - don't stop (color on the walls).

thanks to the LOVELY lindsey and tumblr, i am sharing this wonderful spread of images by the phenomenal karl lagerfeld. there's something so magical about a man in a suit. and these photos are so much more than that. love love love them. sometimes i wish people still dressed like they did in the 19th century.

oh and i know people are shittin' their pants over 'pumped up kicks' but i prefer the song above. ;]

whale watching.

2011-08-24T12:33:00.000-05:00

orcas.

the lighthouse and the whaler - under mountain, under ground.

whale watching is one of those things i HAVE to do before i die. it's one of the things i can't get out of my head no matter how hard i try to think about other things sometimes. i have built and built the experience up in my head so much for so long, i'm sure to burst into tears the moment i see them. going to sea world is just not the same thing, and never could be. as i've gotten older i see the problems associated w/ such parks, but i could never not be grateful in some way to them for introducing me to these exquisitely beautiful animals at such a young age. i remember loving to go every summer i could, spending all day and evening there. i remember making my dad sit far back enough to take some photos, but i got to sit up front in the splash zone. i remember being awed by the way the dolphins and beluga whales felt, their skin like wet rubber. i remember thinking how cute baby shamu was and that some way, some how i was GOING to keep a dolphin in my bathtub as a pet.

yet another reason to move far, far away from tx and to the pnw. the closer the move becomes even possible, the sadder i get to leave friends and family behind. i know i'll make new friends up there, but it's never easy to leave some of the best people i've ever known behind. (and one of them hates cold weather, sooooo i don't know how i'm gonna get her to visit. bribery i suppose.)

have any of you ever been whale watching? i know, it must be spectacular, nothing else like it in the world. if you have been, don't rub it in too much, ok?

devil kitty.

2011-08-21T15:01:00.002-05:00

yesterday she knocked over a venti cup of water on our dining room table.

today she smashed a glass to the floor in the kitchen.

tomorrow she'll scratch on the chair while staring right at me.

i love my devil kitty to death, but she sure does make it hard sometimes.

WPD: richard avedon's in the american west.

2011-08-19T23:00:00.001-05:00

richard avedon is my other huge influence. this post was also blogged previously, but this series changed my life. so why not share again? :D

you all know richard avedon. his fashion work is some of the most iconic of the 20th century. if i were to post it you would say, oh yeah! i've seen this before. and while i adore that work and know that it is incredibly beautiful, breath-taking and original, it is not the work that drew me to him. it is not the work that helped shape me as an artist. it is his "in the american west" series that did so.

commissioned by the amon carter in good ole fw, tx. (just a hop, a skip and a jump away from dallas! how lucky am i. :]) in 1979, avedon photographed his way through the west for 6 years, producing 125 portraits. he was assisted by laura wilson, who eventually went on to have her own book published about this time. i actually got to see this exhibit in person when it was re-shown at the amon carter in 2005. (i luckily won free tickets to this for winning people's choice in a photo exhibit.) the exhibit was exquisite and i've never seen anything like it before. the portraits were larger than life and as tall as the walls. there was photo after photo, person after person. they were magnificentally printed, technically beautiful. he shot w/ an 8x10 view camera w/ a seamless white background and the details are immense. i remember being awe stricken by this work in front of me and knowing i would never see anything like it again.

there was also a side exhibit of laura wilson's photographs of richard avedon working. this was a very nice addition to the original exhibit and really elaborated on his work. i remember reading that richard would pick out people he wanted to photograph, but laura was the one who actually went up to the person and initiated a conversation, eventually asking if they would allow richard to photograph them. i also read about one man in particular who was too shy to be photographed at first, but after seeing his friends do so, he loosened up a bit and participated in the shoot.

like most artists, avedon's work has been criticized, and this series is no different. critics felt this work took advantage of the people who were in the photos and shown a light on the lower class of amurica. whatever, i call bullshit. i hate this argument and think it's lazy and brings down work that is otherwise perfect. who cares if he was interested in people that worked w/ their hands for a living and got dirty. (miners, oil field workers.) people who didn't work, but drifted and in turn gathered wrinkles from their worries. young people just starting out in the world, not knowing where it would lead them. these people are interesting, whether it be b/c of who they are or what they do, it doesn't matter. avedon saw something special in them and chose to make their faces famous.

so, w/o further adieu, richard avedon's "in the american west":

pretty sure this is the shy guy i was referring to above, if i remember correctly.

(all via)

"and if a day goes by without my doing something related to photography, it's as though i've neglected something essential to my existence, as though i had forgotten to wake up. i know that the accident of my being a photographer has made my life possible."

"there’s always been a separation between fashion and what i call my “deeper” work. fashion is where i make my living. i’m not knocking it. it’s a pleasure to make a living that way. it’s pleasure, and then there’s the deeper pleasure of doing my portraits. it’s not important what i consider myself to be, but i consider myself to be a portrait photographer."

"when the sitting is over, i feel kind of embarrassed about what we’ve shared. it’s so intense. snapshots that have been taken of me working show something i was not aware of at all, that over and over again i’m holding my own body or my own hands exactly like the person i’m photographing. i never knew i did that, and obviously what i’m doing is trying to feel, actually physically feel, the way he or she feels at the moment i’m photographing them in order to deepen the sense of connection."

- richard avedon.

when i think of influences for my own work, and who/what really pushed and inpsired me as an artist, it is this series and diane arbus. i haven't taken a real portrait in years, but it's something i'm itching to get back at. i've had an idea in my head for a series i'd like to start for 3 years. 3 years! that's an awful long time to be sitting on something. i really hope you guys take a moment to take this work in and appreciate it's place in the history of photography.

p.s. i'm reposting this for those who missed it the first time around. and b/c i'm still out of state and won't be able to put in the time and effort needed for a new hist of photo post. you guys don't mind right? i mean, if anything this work is incredible and should be seen more than once.

WPD: my fave photo.

2011-08-19T21:00:00.000-05:00

originally posted at anonymous was a woman.

ever since i can remember, i have always loved taking photos. it started out as a hobby, taking silly pictures whenever i'd visit sea world w/ my dad. he gave me my first camera when i was about 8 yrs old. i'm pretty sure my life changed that day. :] the obsession continued into high school when i took photography classes, and eventually joined the yearbook staff. then came college. i decided that if i was going to spend 4 years of my life in this place, i ought to do something i enjoyed. so my choice was between graphic design and photography. i chose photography and in dec 2007 i received a bfa in photo. for me, photography is and will always be an art form. it's how i express myself when i have no other way to do so. it's how i tell a story. it's how i challenge society. (this has been a big theme in my work throughout my whole career.)

this is my absolute favorite photo. i took it in the fall of 2004, during my intro to photo class. i had planned a completely different project in my head, but it was raining that day. so i stayed on the train and took photos of people. (man, am i glad it was raining that day! my original idea was horribly cliche. ick. i get the willies just thinking about it.) obviously i didn't really know what i was doing at the time, i just threw myself into the project. it was scary and nerve-wrecking, and at the same time, one of the best times in my life. i had finally found something that spoke to me and something i was damn good at. i have a big, long artist statement for this work. but i doubt you all want to read that. ;] i guess in a nutshell, my work has always been about the interaction of the photographer and photographee. about the psychology of people and trying to capture them and their reactions/attitudes into one frame. it's no simple task, that's for sure. but it's interesting to see how people react to you, the photographer, and why they react the way they do. why do some people instantly smile at you, (i've had to ask people not to.) and why do others almost glare? why do some open up immediately to the camera and others shy away? often times people ask why i want to take their photo. i usually say, oh it's just a project for school. never wanting to say too much for fear it will influence their reactions. but when they do finally open up to you, even if it's just a little bit, gosh, what a great feeling. and right then you know you've created something special and the work will be that much more meaningful.

WPD: mindy byrd.

2011-08-19T19:00:00.003-05:00

mindy byrd is one of my old friends from uta. we were basically attached at the hip in school and i miss her terribly. (we don't get to see each other nearly as much as we'd like to thanks to work. :/) she consistently created some of the best work in our classes. she always had a well thought out idea and executed things in a way that no one else was doing. she worked heavily w/ collage, polaroid and slide film and had the neatest and cleverest themes. her work was and is a real joy to view. after she graduated she went to work at a local photo studio here in dallas as a retoucher and is now a shooter. the 2nd photo down is from her cover shoot from a recent fd luxe. other photos below are some of my faves from her new website. i could not be more proud of her and i know she's on her way to something big.

(all via)

WPD: barton springs.

2011-08-19T17:00:00.001-05:00

couldn't pick between these first two, so lucky you! you get both. :D

these photos were taken w/ my pink dress slim during my friends' and i's trip to austin, tx. this is definitely a place to go during the summer if you visit austin. it is a spring fed pool that's temp is usually 68 degrees. we went at the very end of may and it was already 100 degrees out, but the pool was so COOOOLLLDDDD! it took a while to get used to and for my teeth to stop chattering. it was so refreshing leaping into the pool for the first time. i LOVED the plants at the bottom and how clear the water was. i also loved the furry walls. they weren't creepy and slimy at all. :D

WPD: my fave cameras.

2011-08-19T15:00:00.004-05:00

my 5 fave cameras and a photo taken w/ each. sorry! no time for more words. work is crazy and i'm a gimp for the next wk. :/

WPD: beauty series.

2011-08-19T13:00:00.003-05:00

you guys are prbly tired of seeing these photos right? well too bad! b/c i love them and they are incredibly meaningful to me. i worked on this series for a year in school. i started on 4x5 polaroid and then moved on to sheet film. i won the praise of my professors and i also won a competition at uta for this work. i received $500 and an exhibit w/ 3 other winners. i've shown it outside of school w/ 2 other friends at a gallery near fair park. i was invited to participate in a group exhibit at uta for the art dept's donors. i have the photo of my sister hanging in our living room. these are printed on 16x20 fiber paper, matted and framed at 20x24. they are larger than life and in your face.

this series is all about natural beauty. my goal was and is to challenge society's views of women. why must we look a certain way to be beautiful? what makes us beautiful? our insides? outsides? confidence? all of the above? why do some people look at these photos and only see the flaws? i look at these photos and see women who are showing me their true selves. if you look closely, you'll notice how each woman is approaching the camera just a little bit differently, as if to say, this is me, this is my personality, take me or leave me, i don't care either way.

my professors and i agreed that the photos worked better and were more powerful when displayed together, whether in a grid or all in a line.

WPD: flickr faves.

2011-08-19T11:00:00.002-05:00

here are my most recent flickr faves. enjoy! :D

untitled by delaney allen.

untitled by emily burtner.

marfa 008 by colleen mcinerney. (my bossy boss!)

untitled by cara edwards.

untitled by anna ristuccia.

swordfish by n aizu.

never sink the ship by julia ventise.

untitled by sophie bramhall.

i wake up and i feel alone by emmalyn sullivan.

untitled by kristina petrosiute.

WPD: diane arbus.

2011-08-19T09:00:00.001-05:00

this post is oooooold. but i worked hard on it and diane arbus IS my favorite photographer ever. ever ever ever. so i thought, why not re-post it? for those that missed it the first time around. :]

remember back in this post how i said i wanted to feature more artists, photographers in particular, and share their influence w/ you all? well i thought i'd start w/ my all-time FAVORITE photographer, diane arbus.

there is not a single person in the art world (and maybe the regular world for that matter) that has had as huge an impact on my life as this woman. she is indeed masterful. she has a way w/ people that is other-worldy, and you see that in her photographs, no doubt. she spent most of her career photographing her "freaks", as she would call them. people that struck her in some way, held her attention, begged to be in front of the camera (or so she would have you think.) people out of the ordinary, that can tell you their whole life story in an instance.

i remember reading her biography while taking hist of photo and truly falling in love w/ this woman. she had the ability to capture anyone and everyone's heart. how else could she get these people to let her photograph them? one thing in particular i remember reading was how she felt when first talking w/ a new subject. and approaching them for the first time. her insides would knot up and she would become incredibly flustered and have ridiculous anxiety. (she was also a very depressed woman and battled it constantly.) i don't know if any of you have walked up to a stranger and asked to take their photo, but i have. on numerous occasions. its what i based my bfa on in school. there's nothing like it. the rush you get from walking up to a total stranger and asking to take something from them. they almost always ask why. they always want to know who's going to see this. how do you give someone an artist statement in a matter of 5 min? its absurd. but you do it. to get the shot. so, i get what was going through her mind. i get the butterflies in her stomach. there were times i would go the whole day and shoot nothing b/c i was too afraid to approach someone. which usually caused a lot of grief in the end, and me rushing through a project.

so here you are, the fiercely talented, diane arbus:

child with a toy hand grenade in central park, nyc.

1962.

xmas tree in a living room in levittown, li.

 1963.

triplets in their bedroom, nj.

 1963.

puerto rican woman with a beauty mark, nyc.

 1965.

a young man with curlers at home on west 20th Street, nyc.

 1966.

identical twins, roselle, nj.

1967.

mexican dwarf in his hotel room in nyc.

 1970.

a jewish giant at home with his parents in the bronx, ny.

1970.

(all via)

"i work from awkwardness. by that i mean i don't like  to arrange things. if i stand in front of something, instead of  arranging it, i arrange myself."

(this is something i FIRMLY agree w/.)

"most people go through life dreading they'll have a  traumatic experience. freaks were born with their trauma. they've  already passed their test in life. they're aristocrats."

"everybody has that thing where they need to look one way but they come  out looking another way and that's what people observe. you see someone  on the street and essentially what you notice about them is the flaw."

- diane arbus.

"nothing about her life, her photographs, or her death was accidental or ordinary."

- richard avedon (concerning diane arbus.)

i hope you guys can take a few min to really look at her work. pay  attention to the details, b/c they are there and they are wonderful. if you like her and want to see more, this site has more of her work. (and many other fantastic photographers. i will be using it often in later posts.) since her death, several books have been released of her work (most of which i am fortunate to own) that are all wonderful.

*edit: ok i wanted to address one thing. some of you may have seen or heard of "fur: an imaginary portrait of diane arbus." please don't be confused and think this film actually has any real facts in it. (i know it says imaginary portrait, but come on, people can be dumb.) i actually refuse to see it. for 2 reasons. 1: i HATE nicole kidman. worst actress ever, and i can't BELIEVE she was cast as diane. ugh, makes me mad every time i think about it. and 2: NONE OF THE MOVIE ACTUALLY HAPPENED! well, the important parts of it, the themes, the reasons she began photographing. the whole thing just makes me all uppity and puts me in a tizzy. seriously, don't mention this film to me. it's an embarrassment to the art world and a dishonor to diane.

what the what?!

2011-08-18T13:22:00.004-05:00

(map image via)

holy hell you guys, who knew tomorrow was world photography day?!?! not this girl. effffffff. how can someone who has their bfa in photo, work in the photo industry and claim photography as their life's passion not know about this? i don't think i've ever been more annoyed w/ myself. :[

in an attempt to right this wrong, i am going to be blogging throughout the day tomorrow, only photo-related things. i will be brainstorming through lunch and working a bunch of tonite to make tomorrow extra special for you guys. sound awesome or what?

if you'd like to, i hope you'll participate! it could be anything at all! share your fave photographer, your fave camera or even your fave photograph you've ever taken. tomorrow is a day for celebration. :]

w magazine: kristen stewart.

2011-08-16T16:54:00.003-05:00

(all via)

i was super skeptical about kristen being cast as bella when i first heard the news. i had seen her in the land of women w/ the delicious adam brody and was not impressed. (maybe just jealous? :P hehe.) as i got to see more and more of her, in interviews and the press, i started to change my mind about her. she is awkward and quirky and is not afraid to speak her mind. she stumbles and fidgets and calls people (the paparazzi mainly) out on their bullshit. she cusses like a sailor and isn't afraid to be exactly who she is. i adore all of these things, most of which the public chastises, and more. but i think what i love most about her is that she's not a complete waste of space like a lot of young hollywood 'actresses'. (obviously i have heavy disdain for these girls and their influence on the younger generation.)

now let's talk about how beautiful she looks up above. part of me can't even believe that's her! she looks stunning w/ the cat eye and in that last photo she looks like she's been transported straight from the '60s.

i thought this interview was kinda cute. :]

so what do you guys think of k-stew? love her or hate her, you gotta admit she's 100% her own person and i can't express how much i respect that in a person, esp a woman.

currently watching:

buffy - season 3.

overgrowth.

2011-08-15T12:49:00.000-05:00

these are more from my recent 3 rolls shot w/ my pink dress slim. i did something this time i've never done before, had my film processed only and then put onto a disc at walgreen's. these photos are fun and not what i would call high art. so i let my control freak self ease into the idea of letting a drugstore process my film. there are some weird blue streaks happening, but i'm not for sure what from. (prbly streaking from the chemicals.) i'd have to scan myself to get a better look. but for web only, it doesn't bother me so much. as far as editing, all i did was crop a tiny bit, darken down, add contrast and spot. not more than 5 min at the most was spent on each photo. incredible by my standards. i'm excited to shoot more! this process has really let me breathe and let go.

for as long as i've remembered i've been obsessed w/ the whole 'man vs. nature'. it's so interesting that when left to it's own devices, nature will always over-power man. i call this mini-series overgrowth.

do you guys like to shoot w/ toy cameras? if so, what's your fave? i am so so excited to see what iris comes up w/! she just got a new pink dress slim too. :D

END OF SUMMER SALE.

2011-08-14T13:17:00.006-05:00

from now until sept 23rd (my mommy's bday and sometimes the 1st day of fall!) my shop will be having an end of summer sale to celebrate the demise of this hellish season. take advantage of 20% off your entire purchase and maybe get in on some early christmas gifts. :D (i've been told my shop is perfect for hipster gifts. :P) all you have to do is enter: ENDOFSUMMER2011 at checkout.

MUSIC I LOVE: brand new.

2011-08-13T10:21:00.000-05:00

brand new - seventy times 7.

brand new - jesus christ.

brand new - sink.

(all images via)

this is the band that literally changed my life. i started listening to them thanks to my hs bff's older bro. it was the summer of 2002 and for the life of me i could not stop listening to their debut your favorite weapon. i lived and breathed that album for a year before their next, deja entendu, came out. i would continue to see them live every time they visited dallas for the next 8 years, only missing 2 shows i believe. i love every album for very different reasons b/c the amazing thing about this band is that every. single. album. is different from the last. but they've never lost their sound or who they are as a band. i think my fave album of their 4 is deja entendu. it was such a huge and daring leap for them, one that i believed changed the whole genre at the time.

jesse lacey is a masterful lyricist and he has proven this throughout his entire career. as well as vin accardi, who penned much of daisy. the funny thing though is that you would never be able tell this had jesse not said so himself, that is how in sync these 2 very beautiful men are. i think the best example of jesse's use of words is in jesus christ from the devil and god are raging inside me. that song leaves my face dripping w/ salt water every time i hear it. it's a very powerful song. i think what i love most about brand new's lyrics is that they aren't afraid of confrontation, whether jesse is quietly question god, jesus and religion or screaming in your face about his best friend that betrayed him in the worst way possible.

above i've featured my fave (and i use that word loosely, b/c they are all my fave) song from each album in order of realease. i urge you to check this band out if you don't know them. particularly deja entendu. i know i have a real problem focusing on lyrics when i don't have them right in front of me. so do yourself a favor, preview the album, check out the lyrics and let me know how in love you are. even if you're not a fan of the pop/punk genre, (which they tend to fall into, but man are they so much more. esp the later 2 albums.) give 'em a try. i promise you won't be disappointed. and if you are, well i really don't care to hear about it. :P

p,rick.

2011-08-12T14:15:00.005-05:00

it's about that time again. time for politicians to announce their candidacy. time for you to open your eyes and ears about what is happening in this 'fine' country of ours. i think we can all agree that the leadership is lacking as of late, regardless of what party you are. i know people don't like to talk politics, but i don't see why not? if we can all agree to keep an open mind and not attack one another (politicians are fair game though), why not get things out in the open.

a friend of mine made the poster below. if you're not from texas you might have never heard of mr. p, rick. he's been our governor for the past decade and has done a real bang up job. and is one of the reasons i hate my state w/ a passion. he continues to be an embarrassment to everyone who lives here and worse, he continues to fuck up everything he does concerning the citizens of this state. so him announcing his plan to throw his name into the ring this wk, well i think a lot of us here in texas vomited.

(via)

an article came out a couple of months ago hi-lighting the most extreme ways this man has shit on the state of texas. personally, i don't know how anyone could vote for him after reading just #1. 

(1) PERRY ALLOWED THE EXECUTION OF A LIKELY INNOCENT MAN, THEN IMPEDED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER:  In 2004, Cameron Todd Willingham was executed in Huntsville, Texas  after being convicted of arson and the murder of his three children.  Even after significant evidence emerged  showing that arson had not caused the fire (thus exonerating  Willingham), Perry refused to grant a stay of execution. Five years  after Willingham was executed, a report from a Texas Forensic Science  Commission investigator found that the fire could not have been arson.  As the commission prepared to hear testimony from the investigator in  October 2009, Perry quickly fired and replaced three of its members, forcing an indefinite delay in the hearing.

(2) PERRY WANTS TO REPEAL THE 16th AND 17th AMENDMENTS, ENDING DIRECT ELECTION OF U.S. SENATORS AND THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX: In his 2010 book Fed Up!,  Perry called the 16th and 17th Amendments “mistaken” and said they  resulted from “a fit of populist rage.” The 16th Amendment allows the  federal government to collect income taxes, which is the single biggest  source of revenue, accounting for 45 percent  of all receipts. The 17th Amendment took electing U.S. senators out of  the hands of political insiders and allowed the American public to  decide their representation instead. If Perry had his way, the federal  government would be stripped of its current ability to fund highway  construction projects, food inspectors, and the military, and the  American public would not even be permitted to elect their own senators.

(3) PERRY PROPOSED LETTING STATES DROP OUT OF SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICAID:  Despite the programs’ importance and popularity, Perry has argued that  states like Texas should be allowed to opt out of Social Security and  Medicaid. Were Perry to have his way on Social Security, “the entire  system would collapse under the weight of too many Social Security  beneficiaries who had not paid into the system,” notes  Ian Millhiser. On Medicaid, in addition to stripping 3.6 million  low-income Texans of their health care, Perry’s proposal would actually hurt, not help, the state’s budget deficit. This is because, as Igor Volsky writes,  opting out of Medicaid would take “billions out of the state economy  that goes on to support hospitals and other providers,” while forcing  hospitals “to swallow the costs of caring for uninsured individuals who  will continue to use the emergency room as their primary source of  care.”

(4) TEXAS IS THE COUNTRY’S BIGGEST POLLUTER, BUT PERRY SUED  THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR DISAPPROVING OF THE STATE’S AIR QUALITY  STANDARDS: Texas is the biggest polluter in the country,  leading the nation in carbon dioxide emissions. However, when the EPA  published its “disapproval” of the state’s air quality standards for falling short of the Clean Air Act’s requirements, Perry sued the federal government to challenge the ruling. Perry’s environmental record doesn’t end there. He is a global warming denier who called the 2010 BP oil spill an “act of God” while speaking at a trade association funded by BP.

(5) PERRY DESIGNATED AS “EMERGENCY LEGISLATION” A BILL REQUIRING ALL WOMEN SEEKING ABORTIONS TO HAVE SONOGRAMS FIRST: In January, Perry proposed requiring all women seeking abortions to have a sonogram at least 24 hours before the procedure. Under the bill, doctors would be required to “tell a woman the size of her fetus’ limbs and organs, even if she does not want to know.” Before a woman is permitted to have an abortion, physicians are also forced to provide an image of the fetus and make the woman listen to the sound of its heartbeat. Perry designated his proposal as “emergency legislation,” allowing the bill to be rushed through the legislature. He signed it into law last month.

(6) PERRY GUTTED CHILDCARE SERVICES EVEN AS TEXAS CHILDHOOD POVERTY HIT 25 PERCENT: Facing a $27 billion budget deficit this year, Perry decided to gut child support services, despite a report from the Center for Public Policy Priorities that found nearly one in four Texas children lived beneath the poverty line. Instead of raising revenue like California, a state facing a similarly sized deficit, Perry scaled back more than $10 billion of child support over two years. As Think Progress’ Pat Garofalo noted, these cuts were proposed despite Texas’ possession of a $8.2 billion rainy day fund.

 (7) PERRY WAS A STRONG SUPPORTER OF TEXAS’S ANTI-SODOMY LAWS: Perry was a strong proponent of Texas’s anti-sodomy law that was struck down in 2003 by the Supreme Court in Lawrence v. Texas. Calling the law “appropriate,” Perry dismissed  the Court decision as the result of “nine oligarchs in robes.” Even  after being struck down, Perry supported the Texas legislature’s refusal to remove the law from its books.

(8) PERRY IS A STIMULUS HYPOCRITE WHO LOUDLY CRITICIZED FEDERAL RECOVERY MONEY BUT USED IT TO BALANCE HIS STATE’S BUDGET: As the nation struggled to avoid economic collapse in 2009, Perry was a vocal critic  of Congress’s recovery package, even advocating that Texas reject the  money because “we can take care of ourselves.” Months later, after Perry  was able to balance the state’s budget only with the aid of billions in  federal stimulus dollars, Perry again repeated that he would reject federal funding,  arguing that the government “spends money they don’t have.” Five months  later, Perry again took advantage of federal funding to issue $2 billion in bonds for highway improvements in Texas. Even so, the state faces a $27 billion budget deficit.

(9) PERRY SAID THAT TEXAS MIGHT HAVE TO SECEDE FROM THE UNITED STATES:  One hundred and fifty years ago, Texas and other southern states  seceded from the Union, resulting in a bloody Civil War. 148 years  later, Perry floated the idea that Texas may again have to secede  because of a federal government that “continues to thumb their nose at  the American people.” Perry was roundly criticized for his proposal, yet  he repeated his threat the next month on Fox News, telling  host Neil Cavuto, “If Washington continues to force these programs on  the states, if Washington continues to disregard the tenth amendment,  who knows what happens.”

(10) DESPITE HAVING THE WORST UNINSURED RATE IN THE COUNTRY, PERRY CLAIMS THAT TEXAS HAS “THE BEST HEALTH CARE IN THE COUNTRY” : On Bill Bennett’s radio show last year, Perry claimed that “Texas has the best health care in the country.” In reality, Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents of any state. More than one in four Texans lack coverage; the national average is just 15.4 percent. As such, there are more uninsured residents in Texas than there are people in 33 states. Despite Texas’s low coverage rates, the state has some of the most restrictive Medicaid eligibility thresholds, and Perry has even proposed dropping out of the program. Texas also has an inordinately high percentage of impoverished children, yet Perry opposed expanding the successful State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

(via)

my hopes are that if you vote republican/conservative, please do not vote for or support this man. i've had a few friends comment that at least if he was president, he wouldn't be governor. but w/ that attitude we'll just have ourselves another dubya. honestly, i don't know whats worse at this point. anywho, thanks for your time! hope i didn't scare you all off w/ politics. they are a necessary evil. :]

for those of you who actually like summer.

2011-08-11T21:28:00.014-05:00

cut copy - nobody lost, nobody found.

summer at barton springs makes me think of hipsters. which makes me think of dance parties. which makes me think of cut copy. (who i happened to have worked out to yesterday. in ghost colours is a great album to tear it up to on the elliptical, just sayin'.)

we finally un-broke 100 degrees today. not for sure what the high was, but we did not make the record of 43 days of 100+ degree temps. (we were 3 days away!!!) some are thanking baby jesus himself. i, however, am callin' bullshit. no fuckin' fair. we made it this long only to puss out. and what really sucks is that the forecast is 100+ until for the next 10 days. sooooo yeah, that's neat. or a slap in the face.

ok ok! enough talk about the lame ass weather. i wasn't gonna blog any photos from my new film until tomorrow at the earliest. or heck, not even work on them til then, but this one caught my eye. i LOOOOOVE film burn. they are so random and sporadically placed. out of 3 rolls, the photo above is the only one w/ a burn. and it's almost perfect b/c i love the shot so much. it was taken in austin, tx at barton springs, a natural spring fed, giant ass pool that gets to only about 68 degrees. it was really cold when we went at the end of may, and it was 100 out that day. i was freaked out at first by the fuzzy moss and plants but quickly got over that. they weren't slimy at all, but soft and furry. so so pretty so see the live plants below. the water just felt so cool and clean. it's a must see for anyone visiting austin.

how are you guys doin' this eve? keeping cool i hope! only a couple more months of this god awful heat (i hope.) and it will be fall! i can't wait. the holidays are my absolute fave time of year. oh! did you guys catch so you think you can dance tonite? i have not been feelin' this season at all, but i am so happy melanie won. she absolutely deserved it and she's been my fave since the first performance show.

alright i'm off! i am worn out this wk. my muscles ache and my eyes are pretty much glazed over at this point, but i'm feelin' pretty good otherwise! back to the gym next wk. maybe even this wkend, we'll see. :D goodnite all!

p.s. what do you guys think of my new header? circles, and shapes for that matter, are EVERYWHERE these days. and so are cut-outs and clipping masks. do you like them? or are they a bit too been there done that? i'm torn. the visual person in me is still loving them, but the i-hate-trends in me is not so sure. give me your thoughts!

fed up.

2011-08-10T12:39:00.003-05:00

w/ feeling like shit allllllll of the time. i've mentioned here before about my acid reflux. really took it out of me last summer and i ended up at the hospital. very scary (and expensive) to say the least. i still have flare ups, but nothing as bad as then. but i'm tired of not feeling the best i can. i'm also dealing w/ tendonitis in my right shoulder. (remember all the boob pain from a few months ago! still dealing w/ that a little too.) all of this leads me to the conclusion that i need to get the hell up out of this goddamn chair and get a movin'! (this is harder than it sounds, believe me. a retoucher's nightmare is sitting all damn day.) and after doing this job for 3 years w/ hardly ever working out, well i think it's finally caught up w/ me. SO! i am setting new goals for myself. everyday that i work overtime, i HAVE to at least do 30 min of cardio in the gym downstairs. more would obviously be better, but we'll see how things go. when i'm not working overtime i'd like to do 30 min of cardio + weights at least 4 times a wk. i get really anal about things and like a routine. so when i miss a day at the gym i used to get really discouraged and think, why am i even trying? :[ not anymore. i've got to change that bad attitude.

i'm also wanting and going to start bringing my lunch more. not only will it help me save money, but i'll be able to eat a lot better/healthier. i guess my point is that once in a while i may journal my eating/gym habits for the day. i know a lot of bloggers do this and i'm always very interested to see what they've been eating. i like to get new ideas from you guys. i won't do this everyday b/c that would just bore you, but maybe once a wk? it'll be a really informal post, no measurements, no weighing in. just me telling you what i've been doing and how i've been feeling. let's get started shall we!

breakfast:

gatorade (don't normally drink this stuff but it was pretty tempting this morn'.)

1 biscuit w/ butter & strawberry jelly

1 c of cantaloupe

snack:

barbara's oatmeal snackimals

lunch: 

maple glazed turkey, muenster cheese, spinach, avocado, & honey mustard on a croissant

back to nature cheddar crackers (seen above) 

snack (2-3 hours before gym so i don't get all crampy):

back to nature stoneground wheat crackers w/ whole foods peanut butter

dinner:

1/2 blueberry bagel w/ cream cheese, granny smith apple & honey

1/2 turkey burger on wheat w/ muenster cheese, spinach, honey mustard, mayo & avocado

dessert: 

2 small scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream

gym:

30 min on elliptical or treadmill, whichever is available

leg weights

100 crunches

my goal is to never deprive myself, but to eat cleaner, fresher and not as much. i'm not lookin' to get stick thin. i will NEVER be like that. not in my genes or bone structure. i just want to feel better and have more energy. to not be sluggish and out of breath walking up some stairs. like i've said, i know some of you are journaling your food/gym habits. to you i say keep it up and keep those posts a comin'! i think we can all benefit from a little support and encouragement. :D oh! and i've also had to cut out coffee. it's TERRIBLE for those w/ acid reflux and i just can't do that to myself anymore. i might try 1 cup a wk. but that is it! honestly, it hasn't been as hard as i thought it would be. i miss it terribly, but the pain just isn't worth it.

currently listening to:

foals - miami.

harper's bazaar australia: mia wasikowska.

2011-08-09T14:43:00.004-05:00

(via)

there's just something about un-american actresses. they are so much more poised and graceful than most of the dingbats in hollywood. i know a lot of people didn't like the time burton version of alice in wonderland, but i LOVED it. and i adored mia in it. i thought she was a perfect alice. there's a refined quietness about her that is just exquisite. and seeing her in jane eyre sealed the deal for me. she is one of my absolute fave actresses right now. can't wait to see more of her.

currently watching:

teen wolf.

why did i, why did i ever love you at all.

2011-08-07T20:42:00.005-05:00

the above photos pretty much sum up my life the past couple of months. many trips to the dentist (1 more to go! my teeth are feeling much better, btw.) w/ its sad, crunchy grass and an empty work parking garage. thanks to my teeth and car, i'm in debt once again. so i'm working a bit of over-time when i can. also trying to save for the move that's happening at the end of next month. i started freaking out a few wks ago b/c i get stressed when i don't know where the hell i'm going to live, but then called around to a few places i've seen that i like. they won't know if anything is available til sept 1st. so that makes me feel better. i can look now, but then really decide on a place next month. more and more, i'm liking the sound of a four-plex. they pretty much all only have window units, which i think will be ok. i mean jesus, it can't be worse than where i am now. the other nite when i got home it was 88 degrees in my apt. i wanted to punch a baby it was so hot. and my sis was home, w/ the air on. it. just. won't. cool. down. fuckin' global warming.

life is boring right now i suppose. friday at lunch a friend and i went to an estate sale during lunch. i picked up a few mugs, one for myself and one for my boss. what i really wanted was the house. it was incredibly darling. from the '50s i'd imagine. i love the layout of those old houses and esp the little nooks in the wall where they used to put the phone. that house had one upstairs and one downstairs. but the house was in a neighborhood i will never in my life be able to afford. it's in one of the richest areas of dallas. very lovely to drive through, but not somewhere i'd want to live. i can't imagine the neighbors. ick i get grossed out just thinking about them. very right wing to say the least.

the other nite while trying to fall asleep i wrote a list out on my phone of blog topics i'd like to write about. but i just don't have the urge to do so tonite. mad men once again has my attention. i'm sure you all know it's streaming on netflix right now. so i'm going to take advantage of this and taking a break from buffy. i'd also like to watch damages. i only hear good things about it from my friends emily and lauren.

oh yeah, here is a new song from one of my fave local bands. i went to college w/ one of the guys. they have changed their sound up quite a bit since i started going to their shows. but i'm lovin' it. i pretty much adore everything they do. this song will be on their new album. check it out and dance in your seat, i know you'll want to. :] (hmmm and maybe i love this new song so much b/c i am crushin' on someone lately i ought not to be crushin' on. that's always the worst isn't it? funny how you can immediately relate to a song. one of the reasons we all love music i suppose. so for now i'll just sing: why did i, why did i love you. why did i, why did i love you. why did i, why did i ever love you at all.)

beard by the burning hotels

MUSIC I LOVE: best coast.

2011-08-03T21:53:00.007-05:00

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from the moment i heard 'boyfriend' by best coast i was head over heels.  the catchy hooks, the lo-fi recordings, the sunny california vibe,  every single thing about them works perfectly together. i listened to  the whole album after hearing the above song and loved the entire thing.  when they released their new video for 'our deal' yesterday i fell in  love all over again. drew barrymore directed it and i think she did a  fine job. obviously the romeo & juliet / west side story has been  done over and over, but i like her take on it. as far as the fashion is  concerned, i love how the stylists pulled from so many different  decades, you aren't for sure what time-period you're in. i LOVE chloe  moretz here, she looks incredible. so grown up and so gorgeous. i also  love alia shawkat and even miranda cosgrove (who will always be that  little bossy girl from school of rock to me. :P) (also! please forgive  me if i misspell any of those youngsters names, i'm trying to finish  this up before bed.)

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if you haven't seen the video, which is pretty much all over the damn interwebs by now, here you go!

Get More: MTV Supervideo, Music, Best Coast

(grrrrrrrr stupid video won't center. so until youtube can host it, this post is stuck looking not so fresh and so clean. hmph.)

while researching for this post (yes, i did just say research in regards to blogging. dork x 10.) i came across best coast's itunes session. 'our deal' sounds absolutely incredible re-worked. i LOVE the intro. i can't tell you how smitten i get when bands add new intros to songs already on albums. it's like they are never giving up on their craft and their product, always trying to better everything that they do. ahhhh ok enough talking, get to listening!

our deal (itunes session)

a couple more of my fave best coast songs.

boyfriend

when the sun don't shine

bratty b

oh, silly nephew.

2011-08-02T20:34:00.004-05:00

while my family was in town a couple of wkends ago from the pnw, they made sure to hit up a few stadiums around dallas. my nephew just HAD to visit the aac, home of the mavericks. we didn't want to pay to park, so he and i hopped out of the car for some quick snaps while my sis drove around for a min. he is such a neat guy, i really hate that i missed him growing up. but i'm trying to make up for that now by visiting as often as i can. last time i was in portland the fam and i went to a bunch of his games and it was so wonderful seeing him play ball. just to brag for a min, he plays college basketball. what what! ;]

i hope you guys are stayin' cool. dallas hit, oh i don't know, 110 today? maybe more. i know the index was upwards of 118 in some parts. terrible, just terrible. this summer needs to end already. and now. what the hell has everyone been up to?! i know i haven't been around much. i think in part due to the heat. just makes me so lethargic. all i care to do is watch tv. and right now, i'm back on buffy. i know! something is wrong w/ me. i started mad men but then got a little bored. don't get me wrong, that show is superb, but the episodes are so dramatic. never really funny or upbeat and not what i'm wanting when i have to retouch 200 images a day.

currently watching:
buffy the vampire slayer - season 2.

delaney allen's between here and there.

2011-07-27T22:40:00.000-05:00

delaney allen is an artist living and working in portland, or. we graduated from the same undergrad, but i was a few years after him so we never had any classes together. i've heard his name tossed around for the past 6 yrs or so and he was highly respected at uta. since receiving his mfa from pnca he is really starting to make a name for himself. i always get excited whenever he posts new work on flickr and he has been featured on many different photo blogs.

his book, between here and there, transcribes his failing relationship w/ a girl in tx. combined w/ stunning imagry, this piece speaks volumes of the devastation another can have on someone. if you have the time, i highly suggest reading through the emails and delving into something so personal, it'll make you feel like you've lived through this experience yourself.

(all via)

to see/hear more from delaney you can find him here:
flickr.
tumblr.
twitter.

currently watching:
buffy the vampire slayer - season 2.

these people are crazy.

2011-07-23T19:56:00.006-05:00

for some god-awful reason they want to move back to texas. weirdos! all of 'em! today was a lovely 104 degrees, and even warmer inside of the aquarium thanks to the humidity. i don't think my hair ever fully dried today. ick! also, i just took my 2nd shower of the day so that i could sleep tonite. i can't sleep if i'm all sticky. it's disgusting. here are some photos from the day, for all of you who don't follow me on instagram. for those that do, sorry for double posting! for those that don't, and want to, my username is kbaz. come find me. :P

nephew and niece.

niece and sister.

cute as a button. i love photo-ing her.

these little guys are the coolest. although i felt super bad for them being outside. how do they do it?! don't they need cold weather?

had to take this for sissy. i'll have more aquarium photos in the coming days. these are just some quick snaps.

did you guys know these honk like geese?! so funny. :]

nephew and sister.

i really love the flamingos. so pretty in pink.

i made her. :P and it's ridiculously ironic that i worked late last nite helping to shoot and clean guns for our upcoming 'firearms for freedom' auction at work. barf!!! i wanted to blow my brains out so many times. i hate guns. i just do. i don't care if you like them, or have them, but i hate them. and you won't change my opinions on them, so leave it alone. anyways, it was a complete shit-show at work yesterday, and we turned the photo studio into an assembly line. it's been a while since the stress has been at that level. but anywho, isn't she a doll? hehe.

i made her again. she got a silly tattoo from some tennis folk that were giving them out. she wanted the one that says texas, naturally.

after the aquarium we headed to the mall for a bit so my nephew could hit up the dallas mavs store. then off we went for dinner at baker's ribs. some good ole texas bbq right there! it really hit the spot. when i move away that is one thing i am gonna miss dearly. i LOVE the shit outta some bbq. then we drove around trying to visit the cotton bowl but couldn't b/c roller derby was happening. then we tried to visit the aac but were bested again thanks to ridiculous parking fees. my nephew and i ended up taking a few quick pics in front of the huge screens out front and hopped back in the car. and that was it! visited a little at my apt, let my niece play w/ my kitty cats for a bit. it was a good day. long and hot, but good. we have breakfast plans for monday before they head back to austin.

hope you guys are having a good wkend! whether you are staying in from the heat or venturing out. do something fun and do something for you. :] i'll be at work tomorrow working on those damn guns. its ok though, i could REALLY use the ot right now. root canals and crowns and insurance deductibles aren't gonna pay for themselves.

currently listening to:
the lighthouse and the whaler - soon you'll be found.

family in town.

2011-07-21T17:21:00.006-05:00

this wkend! hooray!!! i get to see my sweet dear niece. we have a big day planned saturday full of the aquarium, the pool and prbly starbucks. work is completely insane right now, so it's kind of nice to have a good excuse to have a day off. and obviously there's no way i'm missing time w/ my little pumpkin. i can't wait to see her y'all, i mean really! she is one of the neatest girls you'll ever meet. i hope she keeps that about her and doesn't succumb to too much peer pressure. (have you read iris's post today?! you should. it's really great.) i worry about that most. i know how hard school is. i hated most of my school years, i tried relentlessly to fit in, but never quite did. i won't get into that right now, b/c this post is meant in celebration. i just hope above all else that she stays the same sweet, nerdy, smart, beautiful girl. she's got a great family who are completely infatuated w/ her, so i think she will. :]

buffy the vampire slayer.

2011-07-16T14:14:00.004-05:00

i think it's safe to say that buffy is one of those shows you can watch over and over and over. going back and looking up photos and the credits above i seriously want to re-watch the whole series again. (and i think i might too, in the fall when i'll be living at work.) i was a HUGE fan of the movie when i was a girl. made my dad watch it allllllllll the time. and i'm sure a small part of him hates me for it. ;] so of course i watched the show when it debuted in 1997 when i was only 12. i watched every wk until i was about 16 or 17 and i got my first job and was super involved w/ school. it wasn't until this past spring that i caught up on what i'd missed: 2nd 1/2 of season 6 and all of season 7. i cannot believe i waited until now to finish the series. it was epic, to say the least. it was wonderful and dramatic and full of story.

the slayer herself. (anyone else stoked for sarah's return to television this fall?! i couldn't be more excited. :D) obviously she was the center of the show. and i can't think of a better actress to play the slayer. the show started out cheesy and kinda silly. but by the time the 7th season ended it was on a whole other level. it still contained great sarcasm that drew loyal fans in, but ended w/ more heart than most shows ever hope to achieve.

cast of season 6. this group is prbly my of the series, sans giles. he was absent most of this season, and boy was he missed. glad to see his return the 7th.

oh bad willow. she was incredible. her story arc made for some really intense and fantastic tv. she made season 6 my fave season the first go 'round.

season 7 w/ all the slayers in training. the first time i watched this season i was a complete wreck. the will they won't they crap really made my heart hurt. and the slayers in training were annoying brats. ;] but the 2nd time around was much better.

who knew nathan fillion was such a dick before castle. :P one of the most evil characters w/ in the whole series.

the 2 comic relief characters of the show. xander has been around since season 1, and while he's always kind of annoyed w/ me his 'i-gonna-butt-into-your-business-b/c-i-know-better' bullshit, he's always been great to buffy, for the most part. andrew started out evil, but regained his conscience in season 7 and quickly became one of my fave characters in the entire series.

spike. what is there to say about spike that isn't complete adoration? if you watch the show for one reason, and one reason only, let it be him. amazing character. amazing growth. amazing wit. his devilish looks don't hurt either. :P one of my most favorite tv couples are him and buffy. i read an article that said he ruined the last season, but i cannot disagree more. he made the last season. he forced buffy to look inside herself and grow into the person she should and would become. he made her stronger. and he loved her regardless of not having a soul. (in your face angel!)

(all photos via)

i could go on and on about this show. i could write about every single character. i could write about every single season. but i won't. mainly b/c i want you to watch for yourselves. if you love sci-fi/fantasy/vampires/sarcasm/drama this show is for you. if you love watching a girl w/ super strength save the world over and over THIS SHOW IS FOR YOU! for those that have seen the series, what did you think? is it still one of your all-time faves? who was your fave character? what was your fave season? let's discuss! to those that haven't seen it, this is the last time i'm gonna say it: watch this fucking show! and let me know how much you loved it. :D

so you think you can dance top 20.

2011-07-06T22:05:00.022-05:00

one of the ONLY reasons i look forward to summer is so you think you can dance. the past couple of seasons haven't been the best. so i was a little hesitant to get excited for season 8. but so far, so good. watching this dance last nite has inspired me to put together a list of my top 20 dances (that i could find and embed. youtube is not letting me embed any from season 7. assholes.) these aren't necessarily the best, but they are my faves. obviously i love contemporary and quirky movement.

season 2 top 10 - ramalama bang bang.

sabra & neil - sweet dreams.

danny & neil - are you the one.

chelsie & mark - bleeding love.

katee & twitch - mercy.

courtney & will - like you'll never see me again.

katee & joshua - hometown glory.

courtney & mark - the garden.

katee & will - imagine.

melissa & ade - 24 hours.

kayla & kupono - eyes on fire.

kayla & kupono - gravity.

janette & brandon - ruby blue.

jeanine & jason - if it kills me.

season 6 top 20 - comanche.

ellenore & jakob - tore my heart.

ellenore & legacy - machine gun.

kathryn & jakob - at this moment.

alex & twitch - outta your mind.

lauren & twitch - my chick bad.

do y'all watch sytycd too? what's your fave routine? who has been your fave dancer? ever?! lol. i get so excited about this show. i gotta say though, i think overall, season 4 has been my fave. i LOVE many of the dancers from all of the other seasons, but that one was just so special. if you make a list of your fave dances, be sure to share! i'm sure i missed some. :]

more social network crap to join. ;]

2011-07-05T14:38:00.003-05:00

i've hopped on the bandwagon of the 2 sites below. click the photos to be taken to my pages.

are any of you guys on either of these sites? if so, let's be buds! :D

room available.

2011-07-03T19:39:00.006-05:00

a wk or 2 ago i was leaving for work and found this in the alley. i was already an hour late for work but of course had to take a photo. it was too good to be true.

then today i see this! i don't know what is happening, but i find it hilarious.

i particularly love this one. all of the different woods and colors.

did i tell you guys i'm re-watching buffy? started w/ s5 this time. i meant to review it last time, but never got around to it. maybe b/c i was too emotionally drained and upset over the finale. but i think i will this time. what are you guys watching? i find that summer is the perfect time to catch up on tv. :D

currently watching:
buffy the vampire slayer - season 7.

what a nite.

2011-07-03T00:13:00.004-05:00

i came home from a lovely engagement party to see sherri had blogged this photo of us. you know, the one that was taken months ago at their cd release in dallas. seriously, what a doll of her to blog this. i can't think of a neater human being on the planet than her.

to see more from the lovely sherri, visit her tumblr. and of course, here is mine just in case any of you wonderful people are on there as well. i'm lookin' for more inspiring tumblrs! send me yours. :]

MUSIC I LOVE: the lighthouse and the whaler.

2011-07-01T20:38:00.008-05:00

i seriously could not wait another second to post about the lighthouse and the whaler. (seriously, how cool a name is that?!) i originally found them thanks to the lovely kelly ann. she posted about them months ago but it wasn't until recent that i downloaded their self-titled album for a listen. i don't know what it is w/ me, but if i am not completely enamored w/ a band from the get go, i immediately loose interest and sometimes never give them another chance. i also do this w/ bands i've loved for forever that put out new albums. i'm crazy, i know. i FINALLY gave this album a real listen today. i got through it once and said ok, what do i wanna listen to now? oh wait, i wanna listen to this album again! and i did. and then i did again and again. and now i wish i'd listened to it a lot sooner.

if you like beautiful melodies, you're gonna love this band.

i thought this behind the scenes video was too cute, so you get this as well. :D

aaannnddd i loved their behind the scenes photos too. seriously, aren't they such a lovely band? i love bands that make you feel happy. and like you would want to be their friends in real life. bands that are doing what they love and you can see it in everything they do.

new features.

2011-07-01T16:40:00.007-05:00

i've been feeling weird about blogging, like i have no purpose here. and all of my posts are random and have no continuity. so in an attempt to ease my mind, i'm going to introduce some new features here on the blog. i don't think i'll make it a wkly schedule, just something that can be easily accessed if the want is there. and maybe keep things a little more organized. last time i did this, i gave up after a few months. but i think that was b/c i was trying to do way too much and i felt like i was being forced to blog on my own damn blog! it was nuts. anywho, here's what i've got lined up. :D

i adore music. it's one of my great loves in life. but i'm also very picky when it comes down to it. i usually only like a handful of bands in a certain genre. i'm hoping i can introduce you all to some of my favorite music, old and new!

i feature a lot of my personal work here (obviously) but i thought it might be nice to have a little logo to go w/ it. i might make up another one for other photographers i feature. or use the same. who knows?

i used to share snapshots of my daily life on here all of the time. (usually shot w/ my iphone of course. lame, i know.) i kind of miss this. so i think i'll bring it back every now and then. personally, i like seeing into a blogger's life, even if its just through a few photos.

fashion is an interesting thing to me. i highly respect it as an art form and love high fashion magazines and spreads. however, my ideal / wkend day to day wear is nothing but comfy bermudas, v-neck tees and toms. oh and wavvy hair. ;] i'm tellin' ya, i was meant for the beach. not this icky 100+ degree weather texas seems to be obsessed w/ right now. so i guess what i'm trying to say is, i'll just have to live vicariously through emma watson.

so that's it! i'd love to hear your thoughts and what you think about blog schedules / features. do you maintain a wkly schedule? or like to jump around a bit?

currently listening to:
the lighthouse and the whaler - of the heavens and the earth.

pretty girl.

2011-06-30T21:26:00.003-05:00

sometimes i catch myself looking at this girl and think wow, you really are the prettiest cat i have ever seen.

blind pilot: we are the tide.

2011-06-29T11:10:00.003-05:00

blind pilot announced today that their new album, we are the tide, will be out sept 13th. i really don't think i could be anymore excited. do you guys know this band? i have been smitten w/ them ever since i heard their first album about a year and a half ago. the whole thing is incredibly wonderful. i've never seen them live and am hoping w/ all my little heart that they have a dallas show in the fall.

here are a couple more videos. enjoy!

what are you listening to today? i hope it's something grand and is making you happy. :D

currently listening to:
blind pilot - story i heard.

suns up we wait all day.

2011-06-28T14:35:00.004-05:00

this is what happens when it's slow at work, i'm terribly bored and foals happens to be the next thing on after florence + the machine in itunes. i started messing w/ this photo the same time as this one. but decided to switch things up a bit today. like i said then, i am dying over shapes and text lately. but simplicity is key. busy layers make my eyes want to dart from my head.

last nite i dreamt that my boss was taking me on a business trip to germany. (we don't even have offices in germany!) it was very bizarre, yet very real. i was so worried she wouldn't take me (really, how often am i going to get a chance to visit bavaria.) b/c i don't have a passport, and i didn't in my dream as well. so i came to work the day we were to leave and was telling my coworkers that i didn't know if i'd be able to go b/c of this. i guess this is a hint that i need to get one just in case? you know, for that impromptu trip to see the berlin bear.

currently listening to:
foals - heavy water.