a collection of works

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2010-12-11T19:18:00.000-08:00

"Before we get started Aunt Elise, can I get you something to drink? Maybe a diet coke? They keep all the hard stuff up high, out of my reach."

Well, as I progress on my journey as an amateur photographer, I would like to share some more photo's! Today, I had the privilege of taking some cute candid photo's of my adorable niece Lily with sort of a "Christmas" twist! She was wearing a festive shirt and was loving all the fun Christmas decorations adorning her home! Now, please keep in mind this is only the second time I've taken and edited photo's with my new camera. Here are just a few I find just absolutely adorable!

"Now you said pose... is this right?"

Can you say Build-A-Bear Ad?!

"Whatchu lookin' at?"

Lil's First Photo Shoot

2010-11-14T16:21:00.000-08:00

I was lucky enough to have a visit from Miss Lily this afternoon! We had fun playing dress up and riding the rocking giraffe. I used this visit as a test run photo shoot of the little angel! Here are the awesome pictures I was able to catch while Lil was playing!! There are quite a few... enjoy!

Two beds are better than one!

2010-11-09T20:24:00.000-08:00

So as many of you know Beignet likes to chew. Yes she is a retriever and well thats just what a lot of dogs from that breed do; BUT in efforts to keep the little pup warm during the winter, I have come up with an idea. Beignet likes to chew her bed and pull out all the fluffy green fuzz. She also likes to curl up in a ball and take a warm nap on the bed. These two activities don't go well together... but what if there were two beds? Yes, In an attempt to keep the fuzz to a minimum as well as keep Beignet warm, I bought another bed. I put the new bed in her kennel (Beignets new favorite place to curl up and snooze) and the old chewed up bed out on the floor in the kitchen.

Now, for the good part! I was in the kitchen going about my business when I noticed my crazy pup dragging her "old" bed around. Beignet loves to do this as a play time activity, but she also will bring her bed in or out of her kennel when she feels like it. So, I heard the bed moving and looked over JUST as she got to the kennel. Instead of pulling the bed in she just stopped: Dead in her tracks. What in the world was she supposed to do now... there was a bed ALREADY IN HER KENNEL?! I just burst out laughing because I don't think i've ever seen a dog with such a "hmph" moment!

After the "what the..." moment, Beignet pulled her "old" bed back over to one of her favorite spots in the kitchen and then trotted back to the kennel to lay down. Oh the personality of a dog... well a dog like Beignet!!

Model Behavior

2010-11-07T18:06:00.000-08:00

So, I have taken my first photo's with my new camera! Beignet was the best little model for me to begin my photography hobby! Here are some really cute pictures of Beignet and thanks to the camera (and the pet setting), I am now able to get good pictures of my crazy puppy!!

"Why are you waking me up for this?"

"As long as there is no light flashing in my face, I will lay like this for you all day!"

Hello Blog World... I'M BAAAACCCKKKK!!!

2010-10-31T21:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, its been um well maybe lets just brush over the amount of time I have not been blogging. All that matters is that I'm back, and ready to reveal to the world all the new adventures of my life! I have bought some big ticket items recently, but the most recent will be the topic of this blog. I bought a really fancy shmancy camera, the (at least to me it is) Nikon D5000!!! So, I will keep this short because I do not have any fun pictures yet... just words for now. I am going to track my status of learning how to use this new machine, on my blog. So, for day one: I opened the box and took a deep breath. For a girl who likes to think of herself as tech savvy, this camera was a bit... okay A LOT overwhelming. You have to kind of know something or other about putting a lens on, and well to be honest I was scared to brake it! I did get all the important pieces on the camera, and managed to get one of my lenses on. I did take a few snap shots but then turned it off and packed it back up until tomorrow. Sheesh, who knew trying to put together a camera could be so exhausting! Tomorrow I will break out the user manual... maybe even one of the teaching dvd's that came with it! Keep checking for new pictures... they will be coming soon!!!

Ways to beat the heat

2010-07-27T11:03:00.000-07:00

With all these record breaking temperatures going on, Beignet has found multiple ways to beat the heat! Now, she can't divulge all of her secrets, she was only willing to share one in hopes of finding a cyber buddy! Calling all relative pups... wanna ichat or maybe even skype? Stay cool! xoxo Beignet

Richmond Renovation

2010-06-26T17:59:00.000-07:00

Well, this weekend I've joined my parents along with my brother Scott, on a trip to Richmond to help Daniel and Laura with their new home renovations! We are right smack dab in the middle of it all, and it has been a lot of fun thus far! I will add more to this post after we are finally complete for the weekend, so get excited! The running list of completion is as follows:
-Guest Room Painted
-Ceiling Fan in guest room installed
-Foyer ceiling painted
-Dining Room ceiling painted
-Outdoor lights up
-Dining Room Fixture installed
-Upstairs hall light installed
-Foyer Floor being pulled up as I type...

To Be Continued Tomorrow....

My Water Bug

2010-06-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

This morning we took Beignet to swim at Falls Lake, and it was hard to keep her out of the water! She is just IN LOVE with the water! As soon as we got out of the car she was pulling at the leash to get closer to the water... when I let her off she just ran full speed into the Lake! I hope to bring her to the beach one of these days, because when a boat went by and made waves she was enthralled with the waves. She just ran up and down the "beach" of the lake chasing the waves. Here are the pictures we took while out at the lake this morning... enjoy!

We left with one HAPPY and TIRED Pup!

Finding and Following New Blogs!

2010-06-03T23:40:00.000-07:00

(I couldn't find the owner of this cartoon to give credit, but its from google images)

So fitting for today's generation :)

I love reading other peoples blogs, probably more than I like to blog myself. So I was blog hopping, and welp I tell ya, some people are just plain cool! This woman's blog was so fun to read and browse that I just kept going and then happened upon her daughter-in-laws blog as well! While I feel a bit weird about doing so, I am now followers of both women's blogs... no I don't know them but their blogs were just so fun! They also seem to have a large family and considering I am the youngest of five that is something I find pleasing!

Okay, so browsing along in many ways, makes me want to spruce up my blog or something... considering this is just my fun outlet for whatever I may be in the mood to talk about. This originally started as my "work" posting spot in college... and well I've transformed it into a journal of random topics!

There is a point to this posting I promise!

So scrolling along I was and I came across this awesome recipe for peaches that just sounds absolutely amazing! I am going to fix it over the weekend and I'm sure it will taste as good as it looks! So, I think you should check out these blogs for yourself and see what you think! I will also link to the recipe, for peach bombs... I mean really the name just sounds cool! So if you get a minute, take a look at their blogs they are pretty neat! Oh and by the way... TGIF!!!

(again google images)

This cartoon seems fitting for my Mom... :)

The word/woof on the street

2010-06-01T11:58:00.000-07:00

I know I talk about my pups an awful lot, but they are so special to me. Over the weekend, Pop and I took the pups to the vet... both of them at the same time in a 10x10 room... yeah! Well my one year old "puppy" is anything but a puppy these days. The massive dog we call Beignet, poor thing is allergic to just about everything.... no really who knew dogs could be so allergy prone. There is something in dog food that her body doesn't process correctly, causing her to gain weight. The vet has suggested a new dog food because they don't want us to cut down on the amount of food, but cut down on calorie intake. Now if thats not bad enough to have your food changed monthly, there is more. She is a wonderful dog for their new weight loss medicine to help her control this allergy. Okay, I know i'm going on and on, but after all of this I read many dog lover blogs, only to find Beignet is not the only dog with such allergies. So, we have set up with the vet to e-mail back and forth about her diet etc. and since Beignet has her own e-mail account, "she" will be talking with her Doctor directly. (Okay, I am a tad bit ridiculous with her, I know.)

Now adding to the stressful visit of hearing your beloved pup is being given a "chubby chart" which will help with the rapid weight loss plan. We also were given the upsetting news that she "most likely" has a blown ACL. I mean seriously pup whats the deal?! So... time to save up for a very expensive surgery for my one year old doggy... thank God I am head over heels for this big mutt. So, we are limited to walking and taking it easy (no book bag for her yet) until she is healthy again... or maybe for the first time in her life. She has had it rough since she was a pup, some of her fault and some just in her genes I believe. The vet said walking is fine (even though it probably is somewhat painful) because if her ACL is blown, well its blown. So the diet has taken off with a good start, and we should be starting doggy "ali" for her soon.

Oh and Holden (the 13. 5 old doggy) the one you would most suspect to have the major health news, well she is just doing wonderful. She is having a bit more trouble with stairs as of lately and a couple times she's not made it all the way up... ouch! The vet did give us a tip for slowing down her cancer though! In dogs, to slow down cancer you feed them puppy food because it is high in carbohydrates. The pain meds are helping her tremendously with the pain in her hips, and now we should be able to slow the cancer! Also, she did wonderful at the vet (other than one accident in the waiting room) with Beignet there to calm her nerves. So, happy to report she is doing well and truckin' along like an old gal should!

Happy Birthday Momma Bear

2010-05-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

Today, May 19th, is the day God planned for me to have the most wonderful role model, friend, and Mother. Happy Birthday Momma, words can not express the love and happiness you have brought not only to my life, but all those you have touched. When any of us 'kids' need advice or just an ear to hear our thoughts, we call on you. You know exactly what to say, or not to say, to help us find our way. Thank you for always being there, for always loving even when its hard to show it, and for just being the wonderful, powerful woman you are. Happy Birthday, I love you!

Okay I can FINALLY say it.... I'M FINISHED!

2010-05-13T00:18:00.000-07:00

So, as many of you know, I am graduating from UNC-G... today! I have left my blog alone for several days... okay maybe more like a week. I did not want to jinx myself during finals and blog about something so surreal as graduating. So now that grades are in and it is the day of reckoning, I will finally blog about it! I AM A COLLEGE GRADUATE!!!! I now have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Architectural Design. WAIT.... I HAVE A COLLEGE DEGREE??!!! WOW, the four years at times were slow, while at other times it just flew by. I have enjoyed it all even the most horrendous all nighters that lasted over a few weeks... my fellow iArc majors know what I'm saying.

(this is not my drawing, but one of the 'studio' building I spent all four years in)

So I'll blog more about it after the weekend festivities, and of course add pictures for all to see, but just wanted to post it loud and proud! I DID IT! Now its time to figure out what this thing they call the "real world" is... hmm this could be weird... :)

Treading My Mill

2010-04-28T22:11:00.000-07:00

Well, we did it! Finally purchased a treadmill for the Hoffman household (including Beignet)!!! I had NO IDEA that this sucker was going to be such a beast to get into the house, let alone my room which is on the third floor. The salesman at Dicks was not allowed to tie the box into our car, so I was climbing all over pulling twine here and there and knotting it as best I could. Next, it was the journey of carrying the monster machine from the car up two flights of stairs... can you say sore? Now, I may be an almost graduate of a well known design/architecture school in NC, but these directions were brutal! It took me two whole nights, and one trip to Lowe's before I got the machine up and running. I mean really, what would people do if they couldn't lift and tighten all these parts? Well, after two nights, I did get it up and running and so was I! I've put in four miles to the treadmill thus far and boy this baby runs like a dream (no pun intended)! So now if you can't find me ... or Beignet... and we're not out riding Roxie... try the mill cause we're probably treadin!

Mustard-Glazed Pork Chops

2010-04-17T08:30:00.000-07:00

This week, I got a new cookbook! I am so excited about cooking more recipes from it, but last night was the first one out the blocks, and BOY was it yummy! Also, I tried a new cake baking method "diet soda cake," you may have heard of this before. I don't have pictures of the cake unfortunately, but I do have a picture of dinner! This recipe was really simple and we all enjoyed it so much there were no leftovers.

Cook Book: Taste of Home - Guilt Free Cooking
Mustard-Glazed Pork Chops (pg 153)
Nutritional Information:
258 calories per pork chop
9 grams of fat
21 grams of protein

Here is my adapted version of the recipe

1/2 cup packed splenda blend brown sugar
1/3 cup dijon mustard
5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons cane syrup
1 tablespoon ground mustard
(recipe is for six pork chops, we did four or five)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350º

First in a small saucepan, whisk all the ingredients (except the pork chops)
Over medium heat, bring to boil, make sure you stir mixture often
Lower the heat, and let simmer for 2-3 minutes

Spray cooking dish (9x13) generously with non stick spray
Place pork chops in dish (try not to overlap the pork chops for best cooking results)
Pour half the sauce over the pork chops, then flip pork chops and pour on the remaining sauce
Cook uncovered for 18-22 minutes or until juices are clear (be sure to flip chops a few times to ensure maximum flavor)

I served the dish with saffron rice, fresh pineapple, green beans, and pillsbury crescent rolls.

For the cake, buckle your seat belt these directions get tricky!
Just kidding, all you do is open a box of your favorite cake mix (I used double fudge chocolate cake) and then pop open a diet soda or a regular soda if you rather! (recommended cola's for chocolate cakes and citrus for white cakes i.e. sprite zero etc.) Now, do not add any ingredients listed on the box, simply pour in the diet soda, mix, and bake as directed on the box. Along with my chocolate cake, I poured in a diet cherry pepsi and boy it was tasty! I am going to make another one of these cakes for the family over the weekend, and will be sure to take pictures!

Hey Cupcake

2010-04-09T22:28:00.000-07:00

I am a chocoholic if ya ever met one, thats for sure! So, while I'm watching what I eat these days, staying away from sweet treats can be very difficult some days. I found a recipe for made from scratch, low calorie, chocolate and peanut butter cupcakes and it turned out great! This recipe was very detailed and even gave the exact nutritional information per recipe. I highly recommend this recipe one, if you like peanut butter and chocolate together, and two, if you need to satisfy your sweet tooth but don't want to pay for it later. I did however add one or two ingredients, so here is the recipe adapted from its original form.

INGREDIENTS:
(makes 10 cupcakes)
Filling
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Cupcake
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons applesauce1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup low fat sour cream
1 tablespoon milk
1 egg
3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon espresso powder (I used instant espresso coffee)

Directions:

1. Mix together ingredients for filling. Set aside.
2. For cupcakes, first blend butter, applesauce, vanilla, and sugar. Add egg and sour cream. Mix.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, cocoa, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and espresso powder.
4. Mix dry ingredients into wet.
5. Line muffin tin with papers or spray well. (papers recommended)
6. Fill bottom with batter, being carful not to over fill, because you will use the remaining batter later and you don't want to run short (I did run short). Spoon in a drop of peanut butter, then cover with remaining batter.
7. Bake in 350 degree oven for 25-28 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
135 calories
8 grams fat
17 grams carbohydrates
2 grams fiber
3 grams protein

CAD Drawings 2009

2010-04-04T22:54:00.000-07:00

Foxy Roxie

2010-04-03T18:39:00.000-07:00

Today, I became a little girl all over again when I bought a PINK Schwinn roxie (the name as read on the bike) beach cruiser! Thats right, I walked the aisles of target pushing a shiny pink bike around, and with the help from my Mom, squeezed it in her car to bring roxie home! I was so excited, everyone who passed us smiled and we even overheard a few "wow! she got a pretty pink bike!" comments from fellow shoppers.

I will say riding a bike wasn't as easy as I remembered! Of course I never forgot HOW to ride a bike its just my body went limp after a few peddles around the block. Can anyone say "JELLO?" Oh, but what fun I had riding this precious pink cruiser around with my very fashionable helmet...sike! I think pink bikes just make people happy, because every person I rode by smiled and waved with extra enthusiasm!

So, if you can't find me... I'll be riding Roxie!

Not So Great Time For A Great Dane

2010-03-28T23:06:00.000-07:00

I have been tracking "Ella" the great dane I so very much wanted to adopt, but tonight found out some bad news. She was adopted, meaning off the market for me. My brother jokingly said to me just last week, that I better snatch her up while she was available. Well Daniel, you are getting the last laugh here. I will not for the sake of the dog and my parents, adopt a Great Dane until I have graduated college (May 14), gotten a full time job, and moved out of my parents house. These minor set backs are what is keeping my pack from growing. To curb my envies for a Great Dane, I will in fact start to volunteer for the local Great Dane rescue. This will most likely begin sometime after Easter or maybe even after graduation seeing that I am fairly busy right now. Wish me luck, and patients. Also, to the lucky person/family who adopted Ella, congratulations she is one BEAUTIFUL dog!

Tennis Anyone?

2010-03-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

With the weather warming up (even if today was a little chilly) its officially tennis season. AHH CRUD! This means our neighborhood tennis courts are occupied from about 3pm to 9pm EVERYDAY. This is a problem only because tennis helps my wild pup unwind and release the pent up energy from the day. Our long walks are much more pleasant after she's run around off the leash chasing tennis balls I've thrown all around the FENCED in courts. As many of you know, puppies or adolescent dogs are in their wild and rebellious stage so coming back to owners isn't ALWAYS top on the list. We work on this with fetch in the tennis courts at least two times a week.

Today however we got all ready to go on our long walk with the tennis courts first on the list. I pack a small bag with tennis balls, her foldable water bowl, a bottle of water, training treats, and of course poop bags (there is no nice way to put that). We took off and what to our surprise did we find but, FULL TO THE MAX TENNIS COURTS, WHAT?! HOW DARE THEY BE PLAYING TENNIS?! This was fine (I guess) we just went around the park and continued our walk. I had to fight the wild pup only part of the way, but it sure was enough for me to declare my dislike for tennis right now!

Happy Spring! For those tennis players out there, I hope you break your racket!

Sweet Doggie's Deserve Sweet Treats

2010-03-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

One of our family pups has a food allergy, so this makes buying treats difficult or rather expensive! Recently, we did find sweet potato treats that both pups just LOVE and we went through the bag in two weeks. We have tried many treats that would be good for allergies, but the salmon treats just smelled so bad, we vowed never to buy another bag. The sweet potato treats are great for Beignet, who has an allergy to the meat protein found in just about EVERY dog treat. Since both dogs love the sweet potato treats, my mom had the idea of making our own!

So I washed five sweet potatoes, you can do as many as you'd like. I say the more potatoes, the less frequently you'll be making batches.

Next, you cut the raw potatoes into strips, or for training treats you can dice a few strips.

Bake on a cookie sheet for three to four hours in a 250 degree oven.

Finally, store them in an air tight container! The pups have absolutely loved having the treats in their Kong's! I'm not sure how dogs can tell if they are home made or not, but they've especially loved the home made treats more so than the store bought treats.

Healthy pups are happy pups!

You say Tomato, I say Sun Dried Tomato!

2010-03-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

For many of you who know me, know that I have disliked tomato's probably from birth. So to ya'll this may come as a surprise, but I believe my taste buds are changing. I now like/love sun dried tomatoes and most forms that they come in. I have recently become a HUGE fan of the Bruegger's sun dried tomato spread. My ideal bagel sandwich from Bruegger's, is an everything bagel with turkey, lettuce, and their sun dried tomato spread.

I thought it would be a fun Sunday task to make my own sun dried tomato spread. Which of course meant a trip to one of my favorite grocery stores, Trader Joe's. I read online that they sold a sun dried tomato pesto spread of some sorts and figured it would be worth a try. I also thought it would be the best place to buy ingredients to my own spread if I could not find the pre-made stuff. Well, I just couldn't find the pre-made stuff so it was time to break out the recipe and buy my ingredients.Below, is an adapted recipe from my google search.

Sun Dried Tomato Spread

1 6oz. can of organic tomato paste

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 jar sun dried tomato's (drained)

a couple fresh basil leaves (chiffonade)

a dash of salt

1 clove garlic sliced or chopped

Combine in food processor, and Viola!

I enjoyed my FABULOUS spread on a Thomas' 110 calorie everything bagel with turkey and lettuce... this beats the 310 calorie Bruegger's bagel with the 69 calorie spread. I figured the amount of calories for the entire portion of spread I made to be around 220 calories. Such a healthy alternative and of course cost friendly! Next thing you know I'll be eating Tomato sandwiches... just kidding I'm not there yet. :)

Salvation Army [SELECT]

2010-02-22T18:19:00.000-08:00

So over the weekend, I was scanning photos of past projects I have worked on in design school. I came across a friends blog who documented some of my work in our retail design studio. As a class we worked with the Salvation Army to coordinate, design, market, and merchandise an upscale thrift boutique. The week of the store opening, I was assigned the task of finding outfits for both female and male manikins. Once the outfits were selected I worked closely with professor Patrick Lucas to arrange the end cap display's, female and male section table display's, and the store front window display. This was a wonderful opportunity to bond with a professor and have him applaud my design ideas. The Salvation Army [SELECT] prototype is now open in Greensboro, in the Lake Jeanette shopping center on North Elm Street. Here are a few photo's of the display's Patrick and I worked on, enjoy!

Men's end cap display

Women's end cap display

Men's section display

Women's section display

Frontal view women manikin's

Front window display at night

Front window display in daylight

Lily [love] Bug

2010-02-16T22:56:00.000-08:00

This weekend I got the privilege of babysitting my ADORABLE niece Lily. Oh the irony of getting to spend Valentines day with such a heart warming love bug. We played and took lots of pictures and even took a nap together [well at the same time since she fell asleep in the crib]. I swear my nephews and niece are the most lovable and good natured babies I know. Happy babies make spending time with them so endearing and make me miss them even more when I'm not in town. My favorite thing Lily did while we spent the day together is ... oh darn I thought it was one but really they all came back to me once I typed this line. Well, one of my favorites would be how she puts her tiny little hands on your face to feel your face. It is so loving and soft but definitely a curious activity.

I jumped at the chance to give her a cute shirt that she can sport year round [until she grows out of it] that reads "I LOVE AUNTIE" hehe. This goes hand in hand with what her parents call me, "Aunt E" since Lily is not yet talking they have adapted my name accordingly. Here are a few pictures of the precious blue eyed baby doll, Lily.

I love you Lily! XOXO Aunt E

p.s. Tell your parents how much fun we have when I babysit, so we can do it again soon! ;)

Oh baby love!

Snow Day!

2010-01-31T10:08:00.000-08:00

Well we finally got some snow! This was Beignet's first snow, and she LOVED it! So much so, she made a get away when we were kicking the ball around the front yard... the snow was just THAT more exciting than playing with me and the ball. Holden on the other hand has seen this white stuff many times in her old age, and was not impressed. Here are a few pictures of me with my Black and Gold snowy pups! Geaux Saints!

Busy Bee

2010-01-28T20:01:00.000-08:00

As I drove back to Greensboro this evening, I heard the black eyed peas song "Imma Bee." Of course I was just singing along at first, but then realized this song is my title. Now as corny as this may be I feel like a bee, because I've been so busy lately. I drive either to Raleigh or Greensboro Monday through Friday while simultaneously taking five classes and working as an intern. I have really enjoyed being a part of "the real world" through my internship, and learning the client interaction I've missed out on in school. While I feel I'm burning the candle at both ends, this semester is off to a great (at times bumpy) start. So, please forgive the lengthy absence of blog postings, I am doing the best I can. Oh and before I end this posting I have two things to ask my readers to do. One, cross your fingers Raleigh/Greensboro gets enough snow so I have one day (Monday) to play in some snow and relax. Finally, number two is that everyone CHEER FOR THE SAINTS IN THE SUPER BOWL!!!!! GAEUX SAINTS!!!

It can't be 2010 already?!

2010-01-11T22:50:00.000-08:00

So, I just applied to graduate. Where did those four years go?! While i'm happy to be starting my final semester as a college student, its a bitter sweet feeling. I just spent the past oh I don't know maybe thirty minutes if not more going through college pictures. I love my friends, they have been the glue thats held me together through the four years of college. Not that my family hasn't been a huge part, family is just a different part. My friends have seen me at my best ... and well those worst moments lets just skip over that. I start my final semester Tuesday, and while this semester is going to be my craziest semester juggling possibly a job, internship, class, and that minute detail homework, I plan on making this semester my best. I have learned a lot in the past four years as a college student, but the most important thing I will take away is that you can't be too serious. We never know how much time we have together, so this semester I will laugh more, love more, and live each day like its my last.

A few memories I wanted to share...

Daddy's Little Girl

2010-01-06T20:52:00.000-08:00

So, from the title of this post you probably understand that yes, I am my Daddy's one and ONLY little girl. Growing up in a house full of brothers was not always easy, but never the less fun. I mean they are "my boys" and they have mostly treated me like a princess my whole life; but there is one person who no matter what treats me like a princess, my Daddy. Today is a very special day for my Daddy, he turns Sixty! My Dad is the best father a girl could ask for, he is loving, caring, dependable, strong, and always the bug killer! I love my Daddy with all my heart, and hope today is his best birthday yet. Happy Birthday Daddy, I love you! Look out double nickels, we've got six dimes on the loose!

There is nothing like a good breakfast casserole...

2009-12-31T12:10:00.000-08:00

The Holiday's are winding down, and the New Year is fast approaching! Now, I am extremely excited about the New Year, but I do not have any great story to post today. I figure something will spark my interest in the coming days of the New Year and I'll have an exciting post for all to read! Today however I am going to post the recipe from the breakfast casserole I made for my family Christmas morning and upon request a second time the day after Christmas. This recipe was a hit and very easy to do, so enjoy!

Potatoes and Sausage Breakfast Casserole
recipe from: southernfood.com serves: 6
cooking time: 45-55 minutes preheat oven to: 350 degrees

1/2 pound spicy or mild pork sausage
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cups frozen diced hash brown potatoes, thawed
1 1/2 cup shredded monterey jack or cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon pepper

In a large skillet cook sausage and onion, breaking up sausage with a spatula. When sausage is cooked through, drain off excess fat.
In an 8x8x2 inch square baking dish layer the hash browns, half of the shredded cheese, browned sausage onion mixture, and remaining cheese.
In bowl, comine eggs, milk, and pepper; pour egg mixture over cheese.
Bake covered in 350 oven for 45-55 minutes or until a knife inserted center come out clean.

I changed it up a bit, using 5 eggs and 1 1/2 - 2 cups of milk ... also adding hot sauce to the milk egg mixture. With the potatoes I also used the whole bag of shredded hash brown and sprinkled them with salt and pepper before layering the sausage and onion mixture over it. I have a large family so everything fit nicely in a 13x9 inch baking pan. Also, I used two bags of the combination cheese and just layered one bag in the casserole and the other bag on the top. Cooking the dish covered for 50 min. and then uncovering and letting it cook another 5 minutes uncovered. This is a wonderful dish to make the night before and keep in the fridge overnight, making breakfast the next day a breeze! I also coupled this dish with fruit salad. Hope everyone enjoys this yummy dish as much as my family did!

Oh Dawlin' Hawt

2009-12-21T18:46:00.000-08:00

So after "makin' groceries" a New Orleans term for Grocery shopping, I decided to try a new recipe for dinner. Now this was not just any old recipe I might add, it was a true tribute to my love for New Orleans food. If you've ever been to New Orleans you may know of this sandwich and maybe even tried it a time or two. If not, then take a minute and store this tid bit of info in your memory bank. The Muffuletta, is a New Orleans sandwich that is to die for. The contents of a muffuletta are, salami, ham, provolone cheese, olive salad, and sometimes red onions. There is one particular place when visiting New Orleans that my family always gets our Muffuletta's, and that is Central Grocery down in the French Quarter. So back to the recipe I tried tonight, it was a rendition of the Muffuletta, called Muffuletta Pasta. The recipe called for everything that goes on the sandwich but instead of making a sandwich, you added the ingredients to pasta. Yummmmy! It was fantabulous if I do say so myself, and VERY easy! So next time you're in the mood for pasta salad, I vote you try the Muffuletta Pasta recipe found on NOLA.com!

It's a marshmallow world in the winter...

2009-12-18T22:49:00.000-08:00

Oh to be in a Marshmallow world... thats what I really want. You know that white stuff that falls from the sky and covers everything with the most serene blanket of white? Yeah, Snow! I want snow so bad, and everyone else seems to be getting LOADS of it. Today we got a smidgen of the white stuff, but nothing stuck and it was over within an hour. My brothers and sisters I wrote about in my previous post both seem to be getting tons of it. Even my brother who lives just thirty minutes away had more snow stick around before it changed to rain. I won't go on whining about not getting any snow, but just wanted to express my envies for that super soft, beautiful to look at, icy cold, white stuff! So, if you were one of the lucky ones to get it, please, please, PALEASEEEE... ENJOY IT!

image found on blossomtimecreations.blogspot.com

Oh the places I've been...

2009-12-15T12:59:00.000-08:00

So as many of you know, last week I put on my drivin' gloves and took off! After a lovely night spent with my adorable niece Lily and wonderful sister-in-law Lisa I traveled to my first destination Richmond, Virginia. The home of my brother Daniel, and sister-in-law Laura, is a beautiful city. This is one of my favorite cities to drive to, and through, because of the water. I am a water bug... I love cities that contain water. So, as I drove in to Richmond to see my brother and sister, this was the view that backs up my love for driving to and through Richmond.

I spent the night and next day with Daniel and Laura, and to my great surprise my brother Tim who was in town on business. We shared laughs over drinks and simply enjoyed being together. Truly the best way to spend an evening to me is with my family. Daniel and Laura surprised me with a delicious steak and potato meal... man can they cook! This was a short but wonderful trip to a lovely city home to some of my favorites!

So on to my next stop... Burke, Va. This city is the new home to my brother Scott and sister-in-law Erin. The newlyweds have moved into a new home and asked for some design q/a time during my visit. This was so fun for me, to help them make their home, THEIR home. Pictures were hung in the house with care, with hopes personalization would fill the air. We ate many great meals and snuggled by their christmas tree to watch some HGTV since it was freezing outside. It seems every time I go to visit my family the time flies, and sooner than wanted it's time to head home. Not to worry though, there will be more visits to come to Burke, because like Richmond it holds the people who have a special place in my heart.

Next on the list would be HOME to Raleigh. This is where I've grown-up and come to love this city more than anything, because it is HOME. I was greeted with open paws from my two adorable puppy dogs, and of course open arms from my wonderful parents. To celebrate being home and the special time of year, we decorated the christmas tree with christmas music and hot chocolate, a big tradition in the Hoffman household. So now i'm home for the holiday's and it feels wonderful... just missing one thing, the WHOLE family. To my out of town family, START PACKING!

Tick Tock from the ol'clock

2009-12-14T20:33:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm home... after my long and fun adventures of travel. I will post more on my trip soon, but as I'm exhausted I found something to hold everyone over! This song spoke to me as I was driving... and driving... and driving... It seemed to fit how I felt about getting out and doing something on my second week of Christmas break. So read on audience, read on!

Time

by: Pink Floyd

"Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day

You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way

Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town

Waiting for someone or something to show you the way

Tired of lying in the sunshine

Staying home to watch the rain

And you are young and life is long

And there is time to kill today

And then one day you find

Ten years have got behind you

No one told you when to run

You missed the starting gun

And you run, and you run to catch up with the sun, but it's sinking

Racing around to come up behind you again

The sun is the same in a relative way, but you're older

Shorter of breath and one day closer to death

Every year is getting shorter

Never seem to find the time

Plans that either come to nought

Or half a page of scribbled lines

Hanging on in quiet desparation is the English way

The time is gone

The song is over

Thought I'd something more to say

Home, home again

I like to be here when I can

When I come home cold and tired

It's good to warm my bones beside the fire

Far away across the field

The tolling of the iron bell

Calls the faithful to their knees

To hear the softly spoken magic spells "

In the words of the late Marion Plump aka Ya Ya: "GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN!"

2009-12-05T10:30:00.000-08:00

Tonight's dinner will mark the first recipe of my "winter break recipe run through." I figured i'd start with new to me yet known to be simple method of "slow cooking" in the crock-pot. As it is a cold and rainy day in Raleigh, what better than a warm soup for dinner. I will begin my next recipe post with an update on how the previous recipe turned out. For now enjoy the image and culinary vocabulary of today's recipe. The recipe found on http://allrecipes.com goes as follows ...

Buffalo Chicken Wing Soup

Prep Time:
5 Min

Cook Time:
4 Hrs

Ready In:
4 Hrs 5 Min

Original Recipe Yield 8 servings
Ingredients

6 cups milk
3 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
3 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup hot pepper sauce

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours.

Happy Days are Here!

2009-12-04T00:36:00.000-08:00

I have many things to celebrate today, not only have I finished my last fall semester as an undergraduate student at UNC-G, I have also accepted a wonderful internship opportunity in Raleigh. Now that I am on my winter break it seems my mind cannot stop with ideas of fun "projects" to do. I have big plans of trying many new recipes as I've come to truly enjoy cooking and baking. Also, now that I have more time during normal hours I would like to become better about going to the gym. Spending time with my family, my doggies, and my friends are also top on this list! Next weekend I am heading north from NC to DC to spend time with my brother Scott and sister-in-law Erin, helping them with some home improvements in their new digs! I love going to DC to see them, we always have fun and I love that they enjoy my visits and value my design opinions. Now there is one thing on my list that I have put off for far too long and unwillingly am getting off the computer to go do... clean my apartment. Oh, before I go, one parting note to acknowledge my photo choice. The weather forecast for this weekend calls for COLD COLD COLD "winter" weather! Maybe we will be able to build our own frosty the snowman!

The Final Product of my Final Studio Project

2009-12-02T00:20:00.000-08:00

This project has taken me down a long and winding road, but fear not, I have completed it! I was inspired by many things, images, words, etc. but my final concept is "REVEAL." I decided to name the store this as well, to highlight the importance it had throughout the journey. I think of this space as a "reveal" for the UNC-G Students to show the community what we truly excel in. I carried the concept throughout my space, with my favorite detail of using fabric to highlight the voids where art work can be displayed on the walls. Below are the pages of a booklet style project I turned into my professor, the folder I turned the pages in was personally hand crafted. I sewed fabric pockets, with a translucent material, that "reveals" my logo which is centered on the first page. Now with my last undergraduate studio final completed, one word comes to mind, Cheers!

Off and Running...

2009-11-22T23:02:00.000-08:00

Well people, here are my final project perspectives! The retail space/gallery is called "Reveal" as it is a place for UNC-G students to reveal their talents to the community. I still need to do some touch up's and well there is still tons more to do for my final project, but this was the most time consuming and hardest part. I have come a long way! Enjoy!

Color Scheme

Exterior of store/gallery...

View when you enter...

Office Space, Storage, and Restroom Area under loft...

Collaborative Space in loft...

View of gallery and retail space as you descend from the loft...

My display fixture design, made of chain link material!

Tired of the Turkey

2009-11-21T13:29:00.000-08:00

Well folks, I wish I had more time because being busy has kept these turkey lurkey's on my blog for too long. I am a person who likes change, I love to re-decorate, re-do, and just make it pretty! My blog is a place for me to show my personality, vent, and just doodle. I am not wishing away my life but PALEASE Christmas break hurry up so I can [re-doodle] my blog. These turkey's are boring me to death... my patience is hanging by a turkey leg! For now, its back to work on this FINAL studio final!! Wish me luck, because at this rate I need it... ;)

Coffee Break

2009-11-18T21:32:00.000-08:00

No surprise here, but life is getting a bit crazy right now with my fall semester wrapping up, internship interviews, and the holidays. So, with that being said the image I found on Photobucket speaks greatly to my mind set. While this started off to be a "venting" post, I would like to credit my new found favorite kitchen gadget. I am a proud owner and the biggest fan of a Keurig! You do not have to be in love with coffee [although I happen to be] you can make hot tea, hot chocolate, and coffee. There is something for everyone when it comes to this fabulous kitchen appliance. I own the mini which is perfect for just me, and yes I travel with it thats how obsessed I am. So, sip on this post for minute, while I get back to work. Cheers!

Revealing [The Hatchery] what I have thus far...

2009-11-06T09:54:00.000-08:00

Gobble Gobble

2009-11-03T23:50:00.000-08:00

Hello All... I feel like a lost soul amongst the bloggers. I have been so busy that my blog has not gotten the attention it deserves, or should I say that I want it to have. With Halloween now behind us, I have jumped head first into "holiday season" mode. My itunes playlist of choice is "CHRISTMAS!!!" and, I am loving it. Many people think it’s too early for the cheerful songs and holiday spirit, but it is merely something to look forward to. I will not overlook thanksgiving though, I am counting down the days until I am allowed to feast on yummy food and drinks and relax with my wonderful family. The Hoffman's are a lively bunch, and every time we get together it’s sure to be loads of fun. We have been e-mailing each other in preparation for the big day, and boy these e-mails give you a belly laugh. My contribution to the e-mail chain was a quote I found on thanksgiving.

"May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!"

- unknown

So in honor of Thanksgiving and all the things to be thankful for, let the turkey trot begin!

Mind Freeing Narrative [The Hatchery]

2009-10-28T11:25:00.001-07:00

Have you ever played the game taboo? That game sums up how I began my process. I found images that I thought related to the hatchery, and caught my attention. The images ranged from modern store interiors, to eggs of all kinds. I then created a word list with words related to the inspiration images. I narrowed down my choices, and chose my concept: reveal. I wanted the research images and words, to illustrate the main idea of the hatchery, just as you would want to illustrate your game card to your teammates in a game of taboo.
The hatchery is a place where the departments of UNCG can display our best works, and reveal them to the public. Reveal can be illustrated through material, flow of traffic, and display placement throughout the store. We as a whole will reveal the hatchery to the public as a collaboration of student work.
I envision my design to capture the attention of pedestrians walking past the hatchery. The windows will give just a hint of what is within the store, so they feel welcomed in, but keeping it just enough hidden to spark interest. When you tell a person they cannot see something, it motivates them to find a way to view it. I would like to use materials, wall partitions, and wall cut outs to make reveals for displaying the student work. I intend to research materials and displays, to find the most innovative ways to reveal the student work of the hatchery, to the public.

T-Shirt Tote Bags [Salvation Army Select]

2009-10-23T10:11:00.000-07:00

Fashionable re-use for a t-shirt; t-shirt tote bags are a great way to be eco-friendly!

BUTTONING UP MY PORTFOLIO

2009-10-20T19:23:00.000-07:00

With internship opportunities in progress, I handcrafted my first go at a portfolio ... viola!

The Hatchery: Bubble Diagram

2009-10-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

inventory investigation

2009-10-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

The Hatchery would be lucky to have works from every department on the UNC-G campus, however this may be impossible, so we'll settle on the willing and able.

iArc, Art, Dance, CARS, English, Music, English, Communication, Business...
This is the small list I have come up with, but hope to expand as we dive deeper into the project.

Precedent Research

2009-10-13T22:17:00.000-07:00

Ten Thousand Villages

This a shop featuring works from artists all over the world. Volunteers that show passion and interest in all aspects of the shop run the shop. This store is located in Cameron village, in Raleigh, NC. Items within the shop resemble what would be sold at the hatchery, from jewelry, and art, to furniture. This shop made me think of the hatchery, because the bones of the store stay the same, but the people working and the items being sold are continually changing.

Mignon Faget

A New Orleans native jeweler sparked an interest in my president study, because she focuses on the sale of a collection of her personally made products. She is a famous jeweler in New Orleans, and has become known for her elegant display of work. The Mignon Faget shops are all over New Orleans, in many different parts of the city. This made me think of how The Hatchery will be in an unusual spot for the sales of UNCG student works. Most would expect the hatchery to be closer to campus, but the display will make it stand out in the crowd of downtown, sparking interest in the community. We should dream big, you never know, what we do could have an impact on the city of Greensboro and The Hatchery will be very well known.

French Market

New Orleans is great places to site see, and one of my personal favorite places to visit in the French Quarter of New Orleans, is the French Market. This is an area dedicated specifically to vendors selling merchandise that they have either crafted or created, or that they have purchased to re-sell. The common way to describe this place would be one big flea market. We are creating a small version of a flea market with the hatchery, by having an eclectic variety of products and services being sold. Thinking of the French Market made me think of how we should make the layout very user friendly so that you can walk through all the areas and either pay as you go, or pay at the exit, limiting traffic in the shopping area.

Café Du Monde

Mmm Coffee and Beignets, the thought of this wonderful place and the wonderful food puts a smile on my face. While this is a different place to research for the hatchery, it does coincide with what we are doing and how we want to do it. We want to create a place that will remain classic, yet display the product well. Café Du Monde has had the same look for years on end, yet the product is what has people coming back. The signature sign and colors (green and white) stand out to New Orleans natives, as well as visiting tourists. While this shop sells food, they allow street vendors to sit outside the café playing music and selling artwork. If we can design a classic look in the hatchery, the work will stand out and keep people coming back, also minimizing maintenance of the designed space.

Eclectic Furniture Garden

Oh finding little places that catch your eye and contain wonderful things is just so much fun! This little shop in Raleigh, NC has always sparked my attention when passing, and this past weekend I decided to check it out. The colorful building and sign are just the start of the fun that this place inspires. The store sells refurbished furniture, and other odds and ends, but mostly the furniture. I was inspired to find old pieces and re-do them to a pristine state as they were sold in this store. I think this place was a great place to see that space is a necessity with selling a variety of shapes and sizes in all different works, not only furniture. The tiny shop was jam packed with all the fun colorful things, from floor to ceiling there were items to be seen. I believe we need to limit the overcrowding in the hatchery, because like this place we are limited on space.

NoFo @ The Pig

Fun name, fun place! In five points, a small area near downtown Raleigh, there is a wonderful shop with just everything from food to clothing, and everything in between. I just loved the artistic flare of this old building that was re organized and re designed to be a wonderful café and shop. The building was originally a piggly wiggly grocery store, but you would never know now, except for the large sign kept inside to honor its history. We can put an artistic spin on anything and the hatchery will be a great place to do that! We can take an old building and make it look polished and new just like NoFo.

Hunt & Gather

This antique shop, located in Raleigh NC, blends the old and new very nicely. They have 11,000 square feet of dealer merchandise, and it is all so fascinating. This store takes works from many dealers, and sells them under their name just as we would be doing at the hatchery. They have a collection of creative pieces, and it is a fun place to shop, which made me hope to take the aspect of turning old into new or classic to modern into our design of the hatchery.

J. McLaughlin

This clothing store is known for bright colors and bold prints. Having something to signature your self with helps create a brand. The hatchery is a place that will need a definite brand, because the items being sold will be forever changing. This shop is a place that shoppers can easily stroll in and out, which is what I hope to create with the hatchery.

La Diff

This design, and furniture store in Richmond, VA is one of my favorites. This is on the opposite spectrum of what we are going for with the hatchery, because of its size and high end finishes. This store just made me think of how we could think big, but we need to remember we are working with a small space. This store takes up a full city block, and has the variety of merchandise we will not have. So this is a good place to look for layout and how they section off parts of the store, but we need to keep in mind we will not be working with the size of this store.

Scout and Molly’s

This clothing shop at North Hills, in Raleigh, NC, is a fun an artistic place to stroll on Saturday afternoons. I love the layout of this store, with the old furniture made new, arranged sporadically and used to display the merchandise. This made me think of a fun way to showcase the works we will be selling at the hatchery on top of furniture we will be selling. This store has a great center with eye catching pieces of merchandise on the walls surrounding, it uses every inch of the space in the store without making it look or feel jammed in there.

Site Visit: The Hatchery

2009-10-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

While working with classmates to collect all needed measurements, one of my group members snapped a few photographs of the space. The photo's show the designated space in its raw and present form. Oh the possibilities are endless, let the fun begin!

I'm just an Urban Girl, Living in an Urban World [for a summer]

2009-09-28T01:23:00.000-07:00

My 2009 Summer Studio; Urban Studio [My Sisters House]. We collectively built a 4500 square foot home for pregnant teenage mothers. Below is the journal I kept while taking the studio, thus performing manual labor each day on site. This was a very different studio for me to take on as a design student, but the information learned and experience gained was well worth the hard days. Enjoy!

How would we function without products?

2009-09-28T00:50:00.000-07:00

“Design is a plan for arranging elements in such a way as best to accomplish a particular purpose” —Charles Eames

Fall semester 2008, product design studio final. This was a futuristic customer who had very little to store, and wanted a modern/angular storage unit. This model I built to scale, and photographed for final critiques.

This was the mid-term project in my Fall 2008 product design studio. We designed and executed the creation of LED light fixtures. The light fixture had to poses qualities of an animal, and I chose the sea creature; jellyfish. Above is my final board for critiques' with photographs of the final product along with sketch models showing process work. The final product was a fully functioning LED light fixture.

Group Work...

2009-09-24T17:50:00.000-07:00

Getting our foot in the door with display design in our retail design class. This was a quick sketch in my sketchbook of an idea I had with re-using old paint cans.

paint dripping down would be re-used material...

The Re-use group collaborated on window displays using found objects such as old chain link fencing and solo cups, to create eye catching displays. These are two images of the found materials we began brainstorming with.

Getting back to basics

2009-09-21T00:35:00.000-07:00

Beignet always goes for the face when showing love!

ZOOM, ZOOM!

[while the characters from Cars may go fast, making the two blankets for my nephews did not!]

This little piggy went to... Aunt Elise's!

I think I noticed every colorful plant on my walk...

nature at its best...

This weekend I did a lot of different things, each offering different aspects of inspiration. I played with my puppy, I got a little crafty, made memories with my niece, took a walk, went shopping, and finally just daydreamed. All of these things had nothing to do with each other, but when I sat down and thought about it they all were things that made me feel comfortable. After each situation you experience, whether it may be shopping, or just simple every day occurrences, you note how you feel in that situation. This made me think of our assignment and how we as designers can get people to create a buzz about the Salvation Army Select. If we are thoughtful in our design and make shoppers feel comfortable, they will be more inclined to share this experience with their friends and neighbors. While people enjoy memorable things, they also appreciate comfort in their experience. So this inspired me to take the approach in design the same way you think of that old ratty t-shirt you just can’t bear to throw away, comfortable. So, lets reinvent the wheel of comfort; turn ordinary into extraordinary.

Marketing Exercise [t-shirt group]

2009-09-18T12:23:00.000-07:00

Salvation Army Select is a new retail branch for the Salvation Army, with a high end boutique environment. The t-shirt group worked in areas of design, to highlight the different ways to either sell higher end products made from recycled t-shirts or to simply use t-shirts as attention catchers. We dabbled in the areas of t-shirt jewelry, cedar ball dresser drawer stuffers, bleached t-shirt designs, and chair covers. The exploration of what you can do with t-shirts was a lot of fun and took being green to a whole new level. The jewelry could be made from old shirts that they can't sell due to holes or other wear and tear. These items could be sold in the store, along with re-designed t-shirts. The bleached shirt is only one way to improve an old t-shirt. We need donations of gently used items, please bring your contributions to the Salvation Army Select, in the Lake Jeanette Station Shopping Center, off North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me through e-mail for details! Please, Please, Please help, its for a good cause!

Turning Ordinary to Extraordinary

2009-09-17T22:18:00.000-07:00

This was a fun, easy, and green project. I took old t-shirts I had laying around, and turned them into jewelry. This project took easily five minutes per piece, give or take a few minutes with my creative twist's.

A Select Store: Salvation Army Select [Marketing Ideas]

2009-09-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

The Salvation Army

Doing the most good.

Helping Americans increase quality of life and rebuild after disaster.

Community fellowship

- Kroc Centers

- Youth Camps

- Recreation

Rebuilding Lives:

- Disaster Relief

- Prisoner Rehabilitation

- Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

- Fight Human Trafficking

Comfort and Support

- Christmas Charity

- Elderly Services

- Community Cares Ministries

Soap

Hanger & Hanger Tag

Chair Cover

Scent bag/ Cedar bag

- Small made out of old t-shirts

Tie-dye shirt pins, key chains, etc.

Seed pack with seeds and info designed package

"Fresh Store, Fresh Start!"

Tick Tick Tock... Time Piece Project

2009-09-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

Is it Friday yet?

2009-09-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

This short week isn't turning out to be so short after all. I feel overwhelmed with my to-do list and I haven't even written it out. Hurry up and wait, the story of my week! I have hurried to get everything done because I feel behind, but to my amazement I have been finishing on time if not early. Now off to write my to-do list and hurry to class... scatter brain day!

Aqua Vitae + Socks & Stockings [Materials Board]

2009-09-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

Levels of Comfort is the store composed from the concept aqua vitae and the products socks and stockings. The idea behind the scene of the store as well as its levels in storage and sock length came from the inspirational city Venice, Italy. I chose to use this place for inspiration in the design of my store, because aqua vitae is latin for water of life and in Venice, life revolves around water and the levels in which it rises and falls. This is related to socks and stockings, not only in the literal sense of different levels of socks; but also in the sense of warmth and dryness that comes from these socks in the different levels of use. The color choices were subdued so that the bright colors of the socks took center stage in the custom acrylic bins. The material choices were inspired by an image of Venice, in which you get a taste of the materials that make up the city. This board was difficult to construct, because we had to create the design from the materials we chose. When what we normally do is create the design and then the materials board.

Goin' to the Chapel and [they're] gonna get married... Rehearsal Style

2009-08-31T22:13:00.000-07:00

The invitation I designed for my brother and soon to be sister-in-law's rehearsal dinner.

[photoshop stamp credit to scully7491.deviantart.com]

Revisioning Retail Case Study One: material investigation

2009-08-31T08:35:00.000-07:00

Francesca’s Collections: Eclectic Collections

This store is known for its eclectic collections. The materials used help brand the store, so that when you enter any Francesca’s collections you know the layout and feel at ease shopping. Materials used throughout this store to help branding would be the gold/amber color paint on the walls that helps the dark art, dark wood shelving cases, and other elements stand out. The material surfaces are smooth, with lighting directed to the merchandise in the cases and on walls. They carry the colors throughout to the materials on the walls and floor as well as to their shopping bags. The wooden cases used to display the merchandise, are a deep dark color that is almost black. The floors are black as well, blending into the background so that all the brightly colored merchandise stands out. There is also a pattern to the collection of materials that is for sale on the walls throughout the store. This pattern is usually a collage of pieces from crosses to picture frames, and they are placed on the wall spaces where the large wooden shelving cases are not covering the wall. Francescas

Swoozie’s: Color Speak Volumes

The signature colors speak volumes for this store. The bright orange and pink show the energy of the environment in this store. The materials of products are mostly bright colors, but the tables and shelving used to display the merchandise materials are black, white, or natural wood, smooth, and shiny. The floor is food, so that it gives a neutral backdrop, and the smooth shiny tables and shelves showcase all the brightly colored merchandise so that your eye is immediately drawn to the product. The lights are bright and there is some spotlighting on shelves of products, but the light is mostly bright throughout the store to help keep the energy up. The materials and signature colors are bright and energetic which reflects the feeling you get from all of the merchandise and materials throughout the store. swoozies

Palm Avenue: Palm Tree’s Galore

Palm Avenue, the home of Lilly Pulitzer, has a definite consistency of materials, which help brand their stores. The black and white awning outside with the signature palm tree is only the start to consistent material choices. The walls inside are pink and green, which are the colors of the font on all the clothing labels, and just about everything has a palm tree on it. The floor is a polished white, which is shiny but because it is white you don’t get distracted from the products by it. All the racks and display tables are black and sometimes glass. The trim of the store is white and the doors to the dressing room are also white shutter doors, to give a beach and high-end boutique feel. The front doors are different as well, they are black on the outside and white on the inside but they are French doors with big metal handles. There are also carpets in two seating area’s which have a grey and white design on them which look expensive, like the clothes, but they do not standout because of the dull color. The clothes stand out mostly because of the bright colors and large amounts of pattern. palm avenue

DSW: You can never have too many shoes!

This store reminds me that simplicity can be a wonderful thing in design. The store is basically a warehouse with rows of shoes [who wouldn’t love this]. The flooring is carpet the racks or cases, which the shoes are on are a soft wood with a soft silver trim. The lighting is bright with huge overhead light fixtures. The shoes standout extremely well in the light, you can see every detail of every shoe in this bright light. The racks are black metal, and the wall displays are the soft wood background and glass shelving. The only bright colors in the store come from the shoes and bags. The signage and shopping bags are even in black and white. Simple materials are key to this retail store, but it works very well. The consistency of muted color in materials and no shiny materials helps the shoes stand out in a crowd. dsw

The Great Outdoor Provision Company: Did somebody say wood?

This outdoor equipment and apparel store has materials to mimic the environment in which you would use the merchandise. The flooring is a non-painted knotty hardwood, as well as the wall paneling. The doors are painted green on the inside and brown on the outside. There are wooden display units, which are not painted as well. There is a glass case at the cash register to display sharp objects or breakable objects. There are silver metal hooks on the walls to display hanging garments. The Lighting is not extremely bright as to keep a natural feel within the store. The outdoor colors and the dull materials are consistent throughout the store and as well as on the brown shopping bag. great outdoor

blog here, blog there, everywhere a blog blog

2009-08-29T11:23:00.000-07:00

I have been working on my blog for a week now trying to give it a face lift. This may be a new obsession, because every moment of down time I've had, I seem to be tweaking my blog. I wish I knew more about blogging and how to do all these fun creative things I see on other blogs. They say, "practice makes perfect" and well I've been doin blog[io] for over a week, its getting easier! Homework may not be hard to do this semester if we keep getting assigned such intersting things. Now my next homework assignment in my studio is to go shopping and do case studies on the retail materials. Did someone say SHOPPING?!! Oh how this studio seems to be starting off on the perfect foot for me! Off to investigate/shop... wish me luck!

cher bebe

2009-08-28T07:01:00.000-07:00

[popart of my niece Lily from bighuglabs.com]

So my very first niece was born yesterday at 6:18 pm, she was 6 pounds 14 ounces 21 inches long! I know all aunts say this, but man she is the prettiest little baby girl i've ever seen. She was born with a full head of dark brown hair and has big bright blue newborn eyes; oh what a heartbreaker she'll be.

M is for Mignon... my middle name

2009-08-28T00:11:00.000-07:00

More M designs from my sketchbook.

Mmm...

2009-08-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

Sketches of M's I did in my sketchbook, while thinking of blog face lift ideas.

Coffee and Beignets

2009-08-27T23:45:00.000-07:00

I did a mosaic of my then puppy Beignet, using this photograph of her.

[CAUTION] wet paint

2009-08-27T23:32:00.000-07:00

These are paintings I did over the summer of '08. Oh how I miss lazy days of painting.

So fresh and so clean clean!

2009-08-27T23:24:00.000-07:00

Man, I have wanted to have a blog that I am really proud of, but who knew how hard this would be?! I have been playing in illustrator and photoshop, looking online at famous blogs for ideas and yet it seems less is more. I hope to show my personality, but adding things to express myself and interests is going to take a bit longer. This blog makeover is my first studio assignment for my last undergraduate studio at unc-g. This project is exciting and has made me want to succeed in the studio. I have immersed myself in the blog project and don't want to get out! I feel the urge to fool around with my blog at any free moment. I am not one hundred percent satisfied with my blog, there is always room to improve. So with that being said, here goes nothin'!

GDS FINAL

2009-08-25T21:35:00.001-07:00

GDS FINAL

2009-08-25T21:33:00.001-07:00

Screen Subplot

2009-08-25T20:30:00.000-07:00

Graphic Design Work in Photoshop/Illustrator

2009-08-25T20:08:00.001-07:00

Graphic Design Work in Photoshop/Illustrator

2009-08-25T19:59:00.000-07:00

Daylight Model Poster

2009-08-25T19:57:00.000-07:00

Color Exercise

2009-08-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

Light Model and Light Model Poster

2009-08-25T19:55:00.001-07:00

CNNC FINAL PRESENTATION BOARDS

2008-05-09T08:50:00.001-07:00

CNNC FINAL MODELS

2008-05-09T01:24:00.001-07:00

CNNC FINAL DESK MODEL

2008-05-08T22:25:00.001-07:00

Interim CNNC PRESENTATION BOARDS

2008-05-08T21:55:00.000-07:00

Sketch Up Final Scenes

2008-05-08T21:41:00.001-07:00

Interim CNNC DRAWINGS

2008-05-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

Interim CNNC DRAWINGS

2008-05-08T21:32:00.000-07:00

Viz Final Renderings

2008-05-08T01:24:00.000-07:00

Sketchup Animation

2008-05-07T13:45:00.000-07:00

IAR 212 Final Sketchup Project

2008-04-08T09:30:00.001-07:00

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.photo.gif

IAR 212 first sketch up model

2008-03-27T10:52:00.001-07:00

IAR 202 Midterm

2008-03-17T23:46:00.001-07:00

IAR 202 Midterm

2008-03-17T23:42:00.001-07:00

IAR 202

2008-03-17T11:43:00.001-07:00

IAR 202

2008-03-17T11:40:00.000-07:00

IAR 202

2008-03-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

IAR 212 Voting Poster

2008-03-04T01:02:00.001-08:00

2008-02-21T09:47:00.000-08:00

IAR 212 Subway

2008-02-19T10:14:00.000-08:00

IAR 212 Final Advertisement

2008-02-12T01:14:00.000-08:00

Advertisment Rough Draft

2008-02-12T00:57:00.001-08:00

Advertisment Rough Draft

2008-02-12T00:45:00.000-08:00

Advertisment Rough Draft

2008-02-12T00:06:00.001-08:00

Advertisment Rough Draft

2008-02-11T23:14:00.000-08:00

IAR 202 Welcome Mat

2008-01-29T19:56:00.000-08:00

IAR 212 moods

2008-01-28T20:40:00.000-08:00

a collection of works

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Lil's First Photo Shoot

Two beds are better than one!

Model Behavior

Hello Blog World... I'M BAAAACCCKKKK!!!

Ways to beat the heat

Richmond Renovation

My Water Bug

Finding and Following New Blogs!

The word/woof on the street

Happy Birthday Momma Bear

Okay I can FINALLY say it.... I'M FINISHED!

Treading My Mill

Mustard-Glazed Pork Chops

Hey Cupcake

CAD Drawings 2009

Foxy Roxie

Not So Great Time For A Great Dane

Tennis Anyone?

Sweet Doggie's Deserve Sweet Treats

You say Tomato, I say Sun Dried Tomato!

Salvation Army [SELECT]

Lily [love] Bug

Snow Day!

Busy Bee

It can't be 2010 already?!

Daddy's Little Girl

There is nothing like a good breakfast casserole...

Oh Dawlin' Hawt

It's a marshmallow world in the winter...

Oh the places I've been...

Tick Tock from the ol'clock

In the words of the late Marion Plump aka Ya Ya: "GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN!"

Prep Time:5 Min

Cook Time:4 Hrs

Ready In:4 Hrs 5 Min

Directions

Happy Days are Here!

The Final Product of my Final Studio Project

Off and Running...

Tired of the Turkey

Coffee Break

Revealing [The Hatchery] what I have thus far...

Gobble Gobble

Mind Freeing Narrative [The Hatchery]

T-Shirt Tote Bags [Salvation Army Select]

BUTTONING UP MY PORTFOLIO

The Hatchery: Bubble Diagram

inventory investigation

Precedent Research

Site Visit: The Hatchery

I'm just an Urban Girl, Living in an Urban World [for a summer]

How would we function without products?

Group Work...

Getting back to basics

Marketing Exercise [t-shirt group]

Turning Ordinary to Extraordinary

A Select Store: Salvation Army Select [Marketing Ideas]

Tick Tick Tock... Time Piece Project

Is it Friday yet?

Aqua Vitae + Socks & Stockings [Materials Board]

Goin' to the Chapel and [they're] gonna get married... Rehearsal Style

Revisioning Retail Case Study One: material investigation

blog here, blog there, everywhere a blog blog

cher bebe

M is for Mignon... my middle name

Mmm...

Coffee and Beignets

[CAUTION] wet paint

So fresh and so clean clean!

GDS FINAL

GDS FINAL

Screen Subplot

Graphic Design Work in Photoshop/Illustrator

Graphic Design Work in Photoshop/Illustrator

Daylight Model Poster

Color Exercise

Light Model and Light Model Poster

CNNC FINAL PRESENTATION BOARDS

Prep Time:
5 Min

Cook Time:
4 Hrs

Ready In:
4 Hrs 5 Min