Snow weekend in DC area, Feb 6-7. 2010

Well, this has been one interesting weekend. Friday I was allowed to leave at noon as the DC area was awaiting a snow storm of ginormous proportions! I went to the grocery store, and was happy to see that all the things I needed to buy were there, although I did have to stand in line for 30 minutes.

I was mad at the snow because it canceled pretty much everything that I have planned to do this weekend, and was really looking forward to. Oh well.

Well, when I woke up on Saturday morning, my "mad" state went through the roof. Why? Well, because there was no power in my apartment building. So I cleaned the kitchen, cooked a few things, read, took a nap, snapped this photo of a couple walking outside (I took it from my apartment on the 7th floor).



And then when there was still no power at 3 pm, and then at 5 pm, and then at 9 pm, I was beginning to go insane. I honestly cried. It was miserable. I had dinner by the candle light (I know, insanely romantic), and went to the gym, because the gym actually had electricity. At 9:40 pm I was done with my workout, but did not want to go back to the darkness. So I sat on one of the bikes and watched a movie (the gym at my apartment has TVs on bikes and ellipticals). And then, just as the movie was finishing at 11:30 pm, I saw the lights back on in my building. I was so happy, I almost cried (yes, I cry often I guess). It was amazing to have light and power and tv and Internet and hot water again!



Today I did a bunch of cooking (you'll be able to check it out on Mango & Tomato later this week), and then took a walk outside to capture some of the snow still remaining.















If you know me, you know I'm so not an animal person, but I could not help but take a photo of this squirrel.





And a great end to this weekend: no work tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An orchid update

We are supposed to get up to two feet of snow in DC area this weekend. I'm sure you will see a zillion snow photos, and I might even take a few with my new camera too on Sunday.

But for now, I wanted to give you a few photos on the progress of my "Laura" orchid.

A tiger orchid

Yet another orchid is re-blooming in my apartment. Doesn't it look like a tiger? LOVE.

I found free yarn

Yesterday after my photography class, Stephanie and I went out for lunch, and on the way back to the Metro I spotted a basket of yarn sitting by a garbage next to a house.

I LOVE free things. And the yarn was so pretty. But Stephanie said it might not be free because there was no sign. Sigh. I decided to be brave and knock on the door of the house. A nice woman answered and said that the yarn was free!

So now I have 4 "rolls" of soft and fluffy and beautiful purple Italian yarn! I think I'll have to find some free time in my busy schedule to knit a scarf.

Photos from Photo Class Field Trip

Today we went on a field trip for my photo class. Here are my favorite photos (unedited). Click on each for more detail.

I used a polarizing filter on my lens (sort of like sunglasses), and it made the sky super deep blue: I'm a happy girl.

Let me know which ones you like the most :) The photos are taken around Union Station, The Capital Building and the US Supreme Court Building.

More principles of photography

Here are a few more photographs I took for my photography class that demonstrate Principles of Composition:

Change of Perspective/Point of View

Framed Subjects (aren't these shoes gorgeous?)

Full Frame

Principles of Photography

I'm taking an intro to digital photography class to learn the ins and outs of my new Canon Rebel SLR. I learned quite a few things after the first lesson. Here are some of my photos.


I can control which part of the photo I want to be in focus, and which one I want to be blurry (depth of field)


This is one of the concepts: repetition of elements


The next two photos show the leading line concept. Where you use a line of elements to draw a viewer's eye where you want it to go.

"Laura" orchid is blooming

My "Laura" orchid, the orchid I bought 3 years ago when visiting Laura in Miami, is blooming again! (The photos are taken with my new Canon Rebel SLR camera!) The last two photos are of an orchid bloom from a drink I had last Thursday.

My new black pearl necklace

Yesterday I got together with a few of my friends for lunch and then some chatting and crafting. Below is a necklace I made using black pearls, wire and silver crimping beads. I'm in love with it!

The pearls and the crimping beads are not completely stationery, so they'll move from time to time, but I think it makes the necklace more organic. I wish I could say I invented this design myself, but I did not: I saw it at Beadazzled and decided to replicate it. I think I succeeded.

My new love

Let me introduce to you all my new love: a miniature orchid Jenn gave me for our holiday gift exchange. How precious is it??? LOVE. My orchid count is now up to 6. Yep, I'm an orchid girl.

SNOW

It's a snow weekend here in DC area. Snow, snow, and more snow.

I'm so glad I went to the grocery store last night to get the food. But the salsa event has been canceled for tonight, and I'm not sure if this weather will prevent me tomorrow from meeting up with Radha and Jenn for dinner and a gift exchange...that would be oh so sad!

Earrings for me, Anna and Jenny

A while ago Jenny came to DC for a business meeting, and I went shopping with her to help her find a few accessories for an upcoming wedding. She chose beautiful chandelier earrings that I've been meaning to replicate for a while.

Then after our trip to Puerto Rico to visit Laura, Jenny lost her earrings! Oh no!

Below are acquamarine-colored earrings I made for myself, and topaz-colored earrings I made for Jenny and Anna. I'm in LOVE with how they turned out.

Why I love orchids

How can you not love these gorgeous flowers? Orchids are my favorite flowers. Here's one that's blooming for probably a 5th time: I've had it for years.

Gorgeous! Don't you agree?

Puerto Rico

I'm back from Puerto Rico. Jenny (she's on the picture on the left) and I went to visit our good friend Laura (she's on the photo below with me) last week. We all started working within a week from one another 8 years ago.

Since then Laura has moved to Florida, and then Puerto Rico with her husband and had two adorable boys. Jenny has moved to NYC, earned MBA and is now living in NYC.

And I'm still here...

This was my second and Jenny's first trip to Puerto Rico. I was so looking forward to seeing Laura and her family again and soaking in a bit of Puerto Rican sun.

Unfortunately Jenny could only stay a few days, while I stayed the entire week! I got to see Laura's oldest son play soccer, we made several delicious dinners, went to her in-laws for Thanksgiving, baked a chocolate flourless cake (YUM), went shopping, painted our toenails and watched Nip/Tuck and Glee. On my last night in Puerto Rico, Laura and Carlos took me out for Argentinian food and I got "a bit" tipsy on white sangria: what a perfect end to a fun vacation!

We had a fabulous time together. I did not take a ton of pictures because we mostly just hung out and did everyday "stuff." But here are a few from our day trip to the Old San Juan and one of the forts.

These gorgeous orchids live on a tree right outside of Laura's house. They only bloom for a day, and I was lucky enough to witness this rare event! They even had a very mild, but sweet scent.



And these are the gorgeous views of the clear blue water. Don't you just want to jump in?



I will blog about food later this week on Mango & Tomato.

Orchids and Jewelry

Hi, All.

Here are a few photos of my once-again-blooming orchid and the new green jade necklace/bracelet set I bought in San Francisco. Toodles for now :)

Orchids & Photos

It looks like I've pretty much abandoned this blog: sorry, things have been busy with cooking, making travel plans and stuff.

Here are a few photographs of my new orchid. Whole Foods was having a sale on orchids (9.99), and I just could not refuse :) This beauty is nearly 3 feet tall and has 7 unopened buds--meaning I will hopefully enjoy it for quite some time. (click on the photos to see better detail)

And here is an orchid I've had for probably 5 years: this is at least the 4th time it will bloom (yes, I'm proud of myself for keeping it alive).

And finally, here is a display of some of the photographs that I did not manage to sell during the gallery showing: I decided to hang them above my TV: you like?

Another baby gift

One of my food blogger friends is having triplets! Three boys!!! So I decided to make her a little painting using the pattern of her nursery decor as inspiration. I think it turned out well, and she loved it! I'm so happy!!!

Fingers and toes crossed that everything goes well and the boys enjoy this picture in their nursery.

Shopping Time

I've all but abandoned this blog. Sorry...lately there just hasn't been much going on.

I have, however, been feeling like shopping a lot. Everything from a trip to Puerto Rico for Thanksgiving, to food bloggers' festival in San Francisco...below are some of my latest purchases.


1) White Franco Satro bag--I got mine at DSW and know will have a really hard time waiting for next Spring/Summer to start carrying it. I can't really pull off a white bag in Fall/Winter, right?





2) I also bought a few things at Ann Taylor Loft, definitely one of my most favorite stores:

a. a ruffle top, b. a few camisoles (in deep pink and bluish color...and now am tempted to get the other colors on line)




3) A pink Toshiba netbook for my travel! (Special help to Misha for finding the color I wanted)


4) I also bought a matte black plate in World Market and a pretty white teacup (I'll post those photos on Mango & Tomato later next week)


5) Two new dresses from Macy's, which I bought a few weeks ago during my shopping time with Jenn (note that the first one has a different pattern from what is pictured)

I think that is about it for now :)

A necklace redo

A long, long, long time ago I bought a necklace at Ann Taylor Loft. It had pretty beads and a gold-toned chain. I wore it for a bit, but then the chain began to discolor and looked horrible. No more jewelry buying for me from Ann Taylor Loft: sorry, but I do still love their clothes.

here is the photo of the original necklace

Anyway, I decided to redo the necklace using new silver wire and silver chain and the original beads. Here is what I came up with: the necklace can be worn long or doubled up. I'm quite a fan.
Click on images for better detail!

More Roses

Last Friday I took the roses that I bought on Monday home because they were still "alive," and I did not want them to be alone in my cubicle over the weekend :)

Saturday morning I decided to take a "few" shots of them. Thoughts!?

Roses

It's been ages since I've updated this blog! I apologize...I guess I haven't really bought anything new, haven't had any strange "Say What?" stories and haven't made any crafts.

I promise, this will change :) In fact, this Saturday I'm getting together with a few friends to make jewelry, and I hope to finish a necklace I started in Seattle and will post photos then.

For now, here a few photographs of white roses, which I bought for myself last week. Whenever I have a five day week at work, I like to treat myself to pretty flowers for my desk. They cheer me up and add a nice fragrance to my cubicle.

This week I have deep pink colored roses. Not sure if I'll take photos of them, so just use your imagination :)

On a slightly sad note, none of my photographs from the gallery exhibit have sold. And there are less than 2 weeks of hope left.

2nd Gallery Show

Friday at Touchstone Gallery in DC will be the second time that I'll be showcasing (and maybe even selling!) some of my photographs. Below is a picture of how my photos look on the wall of the gallery (labels will be added later)...hopefully they'll make my "name tag" a bit nicer :) [Please click on images for better details!]

Below are beautiful oil paintings by my friend Radha. Our spaces are right next to one another!

And here are all of our masterpieces.

I'll update you on our success!

August 12 - September 4, 2009

“My Space on 7th”

NON-JURIED GROUP EXHIBITION

featuring 90 local artists

Opening Reception: Friday, August 14, 6 - 8:30pm

Touchstone Gallery

406 7th Street NW

2nd Floor

Washington, DC 20004

Phone: 202.347.2787

Fax: 202.347.3339

Earrings for my mom

While in Seattle, I made these earrings for my mom from a strand of turquoise beads she bought and the yellow crystal beads I had left over from my other projects. She LOVES them, which makes me super happy!

In Seattle

Lavender in my mom's garden: this is for Paige!

How I ended up at a rock/metal concert

A few weeks ago I was at Jenn's house for her birthday party. Her friends James and Melinda were visiting from Baltimore with their super cute daughter. We were all chatting, eating, etc.

James, who is a drum player for Division, mentioned that his band will be playing at a club in Virginia. I asked Jenn if she was going to go. She said yes. That's when for some bizarre reason I told her that I would come too.

As soon as the words came out of my mouth I was horrified. Me at a rock/metal concert!? Who was I kidding? That is so not my scene! I think Jenn was shocked just as much as I was.

Then, to save my "little" behind, I said that I'll go unless I'd have a hot date. Right. That was very smart of me. A week later, with no hot date (or any date) in site, Jenn picked me up on a Friday night and we drove to Springfield, VA to see James's band in concert.

First, however, we had to pick up ear plugs. Turns out, you have to wear ear plugs the entire time you are at the concert (the only time I wear mine are when my neighbors are too loud or the person next to me breaths too loudly or snores!).

Well, I survived my first (and probably last) rock/metal concert. It was definitely quite an experience. I felt like a fish out of the water, but it was entertaining none the less (nonetheless?). Unfortunately, it's still legal to smoke in clubs/restaurants in VA, so I came home reeking of smoke.

I'm glad I tried something different. I'm sure many of you who know me are quite surprised by this...after all, I skipped a night of salsa for this :) It was amazing to see how many people were "into" this music and how dedicated the band members were! It takes a lot of energy to play for 1.5 hours, not to mention the hours it takes to practice, etc.

Hmm, what should I try next?!?!?!?