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Thursday, February 28, 2013

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

Sooo...I've been telling myself constantly that I'm going to show you guys our house in the near future. Since FEBRUARY. No no...as in February of 2012. Ha! Well technically, I did show you our master in the beginning.

Since then, I've decorated and re-decorated, changed my style to mostly whites and simplicity, and still haven't decided that the house is quite finished yet. I realized that whatever home we're in will always be a work in progress...makes things interesting on a constant basis, I guess.

Wanna be sneaky and take a peeky?
Abstract Giraffe from West Elm

These are shots from our living room...when we were looking at the house, it was in a totally different state (baby blue walls in almost every room, a lime green kitchen, etc.). Sometimes it's harder for me to picture how I want a space to be, especially when I don't have swatches of paint and material in front of my face. Plus, this was before the Pinterest boom, which I desperately wish were in existence when I was in school for interior design.

There is so much inspiration out there! Don't you agree?

Anyway, I was being a fart because I hated how small the closets and bathrooms were, I didn't think our table would fit in the dining room..whine, whine, whine. My husband pretty much pushed me to sign the lease, and I'm SO glad he did!

Guess I must admit that he's right like 99% of the time. At least I'm right the other 1%!! *adamantly waves index finger in the air*
Faux fur blanket sewed by my mom
Serene print by Pasadya
Elephant table from Palazzo Reale in Abilene, tX
Chair (part of modular sofa) from Mattresses and Furniture for Less in San Antonio

When we moved in almost two summers ago, our close friends from Midland came to San Antonio to help us unload and explore. We were so ridiculously disoriented with our surroundings, and we slept on the floors the first night.

The next morning, we went to the first breakfast place we could find (IHOP), and across the highway, I could see a shady looking building out the window that read "Mattresses for Less." I squealed and told my husband and our friends that I wanted to go into the store in hopes of finding furniture.

"It's not even a furniture store...it says MATTRESSES!" they told me. (Since then, the company got smart and changed their sign to include mattresses AND furniture).

But, after exclamations from me, blank stares and sighs, and a little bit of forcing, they obliged. We came out of the store with a white leather modular sofa for a crazy good deal, and so did they!!

My husband and I laugh every time we think about it, because now our friends have almost all the same pieces we do...from that mattress store and Ikea. Great minds must think alike!

Oh, and that elephant table averages 1.2 thousand pounds. Just kidding. But seriously...it's like 100+ pounds! My boy carried it out of the store thinking it was much lighter, and he refused any help. Ha! Oooh, what sweet men do for us girls.

Anyway! This is my reminder to have the house ready to show you guys by next week! Finally, I know.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

NOTE TO SELF

Mascara: Clinique High Impact
Lip Color: Combination of Loreal Le Gloss (151 Baby Blossom), Revlon 006 Pink Blush Lipstick, & Lancome Color Design Lipstick in Wannabe Cream
Under-eye Concealer: Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in 05 Medium Beige

Sometimes when I'm searching for inspiration for a next piece, I try to capture certain angles or movements...some that I can't find on Pinterest or magazines...so what I do is try to take shots of my own body in the angle or movement so that I can get a better idea of what's in my head.

Yesterday I was looking to do something different, and I ended up creating a self portrait that actually looks like me for once. 

"Creepy," as my husband called it. At first my feelings were bruised when I misunderstood what he meant. "No, no, no...I mean it looks just like you! It's kinda creepy because that's exactly you," he had to explain to me. Oh. (Feelings were immediately unhurt). 

Besides this drawing loosely based on myself, I haven't made a drawing of myself since...high school, I guess? And of course it looked like someone else. Well, actually, I did a quick line drawing of myself one summer during college in this style, but that didn't look like me either.
I think this one is going to end up more semi-realistic, as opposed to my line illustration style. 

Meanwhile, on the self-portrait train, I decided it may be time for a new "About" page photo. It's been long enough, hasn't it?
Oh, and that shirt is from Everlane. It's seriously the best. And if you want to try to cut your hair all by yourself (like I fearfully taught myself to do a couple of summers ago...and I don't think I've had it cut professionally in almost two years now), start out with this video! That's the one I always follow. And if you're interested in how to cut shorter layers framing your face (like long side bangs), I can totally show you in an illustration or something. 

Are you guys interested in that?

Monday, February 25, 2013

ABSTRACT 02

Hi guys! How's it going? Oh my, we're just about to get blown away on this end. I was thinking about fiddling around and taking fun shots with scarves and things whirling around in the wind, but the swaying (more like hurling around in the wind) flowers in the backyard were too pretty not to notice. 
Kinda makes for a nice round 2 of abstract photography. These are sort of dark also, but not as creepy as the first duo.


I remember the first time I ever tried to shoot motion. It was terribly difficult for me (especially since I couldn't figure out how to use the settings), and I was doing it for a photography class in college. I figured that because I love art, I would naturally be good at photography.

Turns out I wasn't so hot at it, and I didn't even pick up a camera again until two years later. This learning process is slooow, but somewhere along the way I figure I'll hone my skill. So many photographers are under appreciated! Those people have talent, let me tell you.

Thursday, February 21, 2013

GREEN TEA & TISSUE

Sorry for the absence the other day. I was having quiet time with my pillow and green tea with honey. I watched Life of Pi a couple nights ago with my boy, and let me tell you, after that movie, I have nothing to complain about. Nada.

Have you seen Life of Pi? I was enamored. Everything was so beautiful about it...the cinematography, the music, and the story. I could listen to it and watch it again and again.

I sadly realized I was down to my very last Kleenex in the box last night, so I switched to toilet tissue. Fancy, huh? I'm just glad I have something to blow my nose with!

But hey, wouldn't it be so pretty if tissues came in pretty little boxes like these?



I think I'd pick the gold & white box for our master room and the one with light pink and orange flowers with the lime green palm leaves for the office.

Which would you choose?

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

PINEAPPLE, ORANGE, & BANANA SMOOTHIE

As promised, let's make something delicious (and nutritious!):


Hope you're in the mood for pineapples, oranges, and bananas. :)

In the states we have these little things called Cuties that resemble oranges, but they really aren't small oranges, as I first thought. Specifically, they're clementine mandarins. If you don't have these, I'm pretty sure either clementines or mandarins will work perfectly.

If you don't know how to cut your own pineapple, look here! It's easy peasy and worth the saved money. Just blend everything up and pour into a pretty glass. You can even get fancy and stick a piece of pineapple on the cup's edge.

Here's a little recipe card for you to make life easier:

Unlike my other smoothie recipe, this one is a bit healthier...unless the amount of sugar from the fruit and honey cancels everything out. Ah, well. It TASTES healthy!

HOW TO CUT A PINEAPPLE

Hey guys! How are you all doing today so far?

Well, today I'm going to post the smoothie recipe I promised yesterday...but FIRST, we must master cutting pineapples and become pineapple ninjas, as my friend called me one night.

If you already know how to cut a pineapple, be sure to check back anyway, because the recipe for the smoothie is coming right up after this post. :)

My Filipino mom is the true pineapple warrior. She can just hold the huge fruit in her left hand above the sink and slice away with her right hand. I, on the other hand, prefer a cutting board for my weakling hands.

Here's how ya do this!

Monday, February 18, 2013

OVER THE WEEKEND

Hi, hi! Okay, so I didn't plan on missing last Friday...just have to catch up, I guess!

Did you guys have a good weekend? Here were some bits and pieces of mine:

My husband was sweet and had some flowers delivered to the house, so of course I scattered bits and pieces of it around so I could enjoy it in a bunch of rooms. This little part is sitting on my desk.


The pieces for the fundraiser went on their way Friday morning. I settled on the titles Le Fleur Tropicale (for the single fuchsia plant), Les Fleurs (the big colorful bunch of flowers on canvas), and Carry (the girl with the flowers). I already miss them...

My parents and I went to some outlet malls about an hour away from San Antonio, and I found these little Sperry shoes. They look like baby shoes next to my husband's pair.

My mom (who is an AMAZING cook) and I decided the weekend couldn't end without cake, so we gave this banana cake recipe by The Roaming Kitchen our best shot. Something went a little weird with the frosting (go figure...I was the one doing the frosting), but let me tell you, it was incredible nonetheless. You can bet that I'll be trying this recipe again and take another stab at getting the frosting right.

And right before my parents left to head back home this morning, we made a pineapple, orange, and banana smoothie. Stay tuned for the recipe!!

What did you do over the weekend?

Thursday, February 14, 2013

HERE AGAIN

Happy Valentine's Day, guys! Even if you're not super crazy about it, you can just do this. :) Or, if you're more into it, make these. Or eat these!



Here are some kissing flamingos for you.

My parents are driving into town right as I'm typing this, so it'll be a family Valentine's for us. Low-key, inexpensive, and with lots of love.

What are you going to do?

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

DIY VALENTINE'S HEART BOXES

First off, thank you so much for your sweet Pasadya birthday wishes. :) I'm SO blessed to be able to pursue this, and I can't believe how much I've learned since I started.

So back to business...

After the sun going in and out, taking a ridiculous amount of photos, endless editing, and figuring out how to make downloads available (YAY!--and please let me know if doesn't work), I have a Valentine's Day tutorial ready for you guys!!

Gather! (and prepare yourself)...

GAH! Are you already dying of the smushy cuteness? I am.

Find out how to make these little babies after the jump.

A SPECIAL DAY


Well DANG it! I thought I was being diligent by posting about Pasadya's first birthday ever, and I realized I'm a day late. Ha!! Oh well...happy birthday, sweet little business of mine!







(Illustrations and their stories can be found here, here, and here).

Remember Day 1? I had no idea how to write without sounding weird and awkward, so the best I could do that day was post only a story with one of the very first black and white illustrations I made.

It's been such a joy to share my world in this space, and you guys have been nothing but kind, encouraging, and supportive. I wouldn't change this experience for anything, and I can't wait to see what the future brings for Pasadya. Thank you all so much for being here on its journey. This blog wouldn't be worth it without you sweets!!

On another note, be sure to drop back today to see a Valentine's Day tutorial!! It's RIDICULOUSLY cute. Le love.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

2ND PAINTING

Ahhh, today has been nice so far. Yesterday was so gloomy all day, and everything was just gray. It's still a little cloudy, but the sun is peeking out, and I'm hoping it'll stay that way so I can share a Valentine's DIY with you! I'm not quite sure how to add downloads for you guys for the tutorial, but I'll try my very best to figure it out!

So, if the sun does what I REALLY want it to do, expect a cute tutorial later on today. If not, guess we'll have to shift it to tomorrow. Wanna see a super quick peek over here? Can't wait to show you the real thing! I just want to horde it all!!

Speaking of things I want to horde, here's the second painting that I was supposed to be working on for the fundraiser coming up. She's all freehand and made up in my little brain, and gosh...I just love her already. Not sure how much more I'm going to add to her. Maybe just a few quick splashes of thick acrylic on the leaves with little hints of sea foam green?

I don't know what my lust is with sea foam green lately...seems like if something needs just a little added punch, I'm like, "THROW SEA FOAM GREEN ALL OVER IT! That should fix it." Ha!

This painting doesn't have a new yet...I just call it "2nd Painting" right now. Maybe I should change that...

What would you name her? I'd love to hear ideas!

P.S. While I was painting her on the floor yesterday and trying to guard her from the Xena, this song called "Laupahoehoe" by Moses Kahumoku came on Pandora. Seems fitting. It all makes me want to go back to Hawaii!

Friday, February 8, 2013

BE SASSY





Have a great weekend, guys! No illustration + art post today, but I'm excited to cook one up for you next week. :) Also, if you have tiny feet, these killer shoes pictured above are crazy on sale!

In the meantime, wear stuff that makes you feel pretty this weekend, eh?

Monday, February 4, 2013

FINISHED FLORALS

Hey, hey! Happy Monday, guys. How was your weekend, huh?

Ours was go go go, and some sweet fiends of ours taught us how to make Indian curry (oh my gosh, delicious) we FINALLY finished and put up our floating shelves (biggest achievement for us in the world), and we watched the Superbowl at a friend's house with the most amazing backyard in this world. Lights were all over the rocks, there was a giant outdoor movie screen over the pool, fire pits were everywhere, and there was so much food. The kind you probably shouldn't eat every single day...wings, mini corn dogs, homemade cookies, white queso, guacamole...everything. It was so much fun, and I can tell you for a fact that I'm not a huge sports fan for the most part. But if we ever watch sports at a home like that, I'm all in!!

Here's the floral painting I was trying to sort out last week. I ended up keeping with major simplicity and pops of thick paint. I kinda want to horde it to myself...

Alas, it needs to go to the fundraiser...and hopefully it will find a good home. :) It's sort of hard to see, but everything is surrounded by peachy hints of color. Those subtle parts of the painting bring it all together nicely, in my opinion.

What I love most about it are the textures. Here's a little behind-the-scenes action for you (stool and all).



Of course I gobbed too much paint when I was mixing, so I made little individual pieces like this:

This is actually watered-down acrylic on paper. I love the effect it creates on the paper.

I want to submit one more painting to the fundraiser, and I was thinking about the back view of a girl (torso and up), who is just standing in a relaxed position. Maybe with her hands on her hips or just dropped to the sides along her torso? I have a few ideas sketched up, and I love the idea of chocolate skin, black hair, and a coral tank top...maybe with either a sea foam green background or a peachy background.

We'll see how this second idea pans out once it's down on paper.

Friday, February 1, 2013

THE SAME

Ahh, Friday. I've been waiting for you! You know what that means...I may be a little late posting, but the newest painting + story is all ready for ya.

Remember when I was gushing about Hilda Randulv and her amazing photography? I finally finished the painting based off of this photo she took. (The progression is here and here, if you'd like to see). Hilda, thank you again for letting me illustrate such a beautiful photo!

This one is title The Same, and it makes me think of this song by Coeur de Pirate. So sad sounding...but the perfect mood for it, I think.

Enjoy!



Everything about her had changed. Her gangly arms and legs lengthened out, her once soft chocolate hair turned into a light and weightless blonde, she grew into her larger-than-life eyes, and she fell into a graceful stride wherever she walked—down the crumbed cobblestone alleys, along the rough, uneven road, among the soft blades of grass, and the prickly grains of sand on the shore.

Those around her always commented how she had blossomed into such a beauty—any boy would be lucky to have her attention, they said, nodding their heads. No matter, though, because the one that she loved was unaware of most things: his sense of humor, intelligence far beyond his years, and a strong heart, among other characteristics that she had grown to adore after all these years.

He hid from the world in his studio with a single paned window, sometimes staring out the glass and getting lost in his thoughts, sometimes sorting those thoughts on the thin paper in his worn leather journal covered in light scratches, with hundreds of dog-eared pages. There he sat, in the creaky wooden chair, scribbling his words well into the dark early morning under the light of the tired work lamp.

When they were children, he and she would play imaginary games on the shore behind their houses sitting side by side, and he would help her form the flower crowns she would proudly wear atop her waves of chocolate hair.

She wished he had not become lost in his thoughts, drowned in his ambivalence of the world around him. As much as she tried, she could not sort in her mind how he had grown into this state of mind, afraid to present his strengths to others.

And as much as she ached for things to be as they once were, she knew that only change would help him flourish back into the man he was meant to be; one that recognized his own humor, intelligence, and heart, untainted by a world filled with rejection and disappointment.

All she could do now, she knew, was offer him the time to become the same again. 

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