This is what I look like right now (and Happy Holidays!)

I had my wisdom teeth out yesterday. And this is what I've looked like since. The doctor told me to use a hoodie to hold baggies filled with frozen peas to the sides of my face, so that is what I've been doing. Although the swelling has gone down and I can feel my face again, so that's good. But I'm still a little chipmunk looking.

I've been watching LOTS of bad TV. And eating Jell-O, broth, soft noodles, and pudding. Sleeping. Real exciting guys. But the teeth are out, and after the recovery pain is over, I won't have a sore jaw (for the last 4 months those stupid teeth have been hurting). And I'm really glad about that. I'm also really thankful for my dad, who is taking really good care of me; getting me fresh ice packs, cooking for me, letting me stay at his house and watch his TV. He's a good one.

Also this one:

Since I've been at my dad's, she will not leave me alone. Cuddling all the time. Although, I can't say I'm unhappy. I love cuddling with mah baby!

Anyway, that's all that's going on around here. I'm going to brave some last minute holiday shopping tomorrow, so hopefully my face will be a little better. Other than that, keeping things low key for Christmas.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Gaultier

A few months ago, when my mom was here for Mother's Day (yes, I know that was a long ass time ago), we went to the De Young Museum to check out the Jean-Paul Gaultier exhibit. I think it was one of the absolute best exhibits I have ever seen, probably tied with the Musee D'Orsday exhibit they did back in 2010. His clothes are just breathtaking, especially up close. Very edgy and provocative (the entire S&M room people!); he is just so original, literally unlike anything I have ever seen. I would DIE to wear something designed by him. DIE. I ended up getting a museum membership and going back to see the exhibit about 3 more times. And each time it was just as good.

The De Young has been killing it with the exhibits of the last few years, especially the fashion ones (Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga), and just about everything else. I hope they have another fashion exhibit soon. Maybe Doir? Or Chanel? (A girl can dream)

They currently have a Rudolf Nureyev exhibit right now, and it is so, so well done. No pictures were allowed, but it is highly worth the visit. Such beautiful ballet costumes and amazing footage of him dancing. 

And now, crappy pictures! (sorry)

They actually had these cool projectors that played faces across some of the mannequins, and they spoke, which was both cool and creepy. I don't know if you can see that in my photos, but it was so awesome!

That's all the pics I've deemed uploadable! I need to figure out a new way to format, as Photobucket changed and I don't like it as much anymore...so bear with me.

OH HEY THERE

Well. Someone has not updated her blog in almost 6 months. And lots of things have happened!

I started beauty school. I quit my Marin nanny job. I moved to San Francisco. I started a new nanny job. I'm exhausted all the time but I'm so, so much happier.

As dorky as it sounds, I kinda feel like I found my calling? I'm not saying beauty school is easy or that I'm fantastic at everything. But. I'm way better than I thought I would be. And I'm having fun. Yes, the 10 hour days are incredibly draining; both mentally and physically, but I'm always happy to be there. And even when I'm challenged (like with perms), I actually WANT to overcome that challenge and be better. Because playing with hair is fun.

I'm not an artist, at all. Really, I'm terrible and I know, I had to take plenty of art classes as an art history major.

But damn, I can cut a long layer, bang out a round brush hard set, and color hair pretty freakin' good. And that makes me feel good. I'm so happy to finally found something that I'm passionate about and excited about. I want to start blogging again, because I miss it, so I'm going to try, really, really try this time. Because I'm ready for some adventures and I hope you are too.

Father's Day

Dad making a silly(grumpy) face at my graduation party

Happy Father's Day, Padre. I sure do love you! (Even if you are kinda stinky)

News

image via

I have some news that I am pretty excited about...the picture is a hint...

I've been working at my current job, a book publicist and designer, for about almost a year now. I made a one year minimum commitment, so I've been waiting to start looking for a new job. But as August gets closer (also, how is it June already? Yeesh), I've been looking on Craigslist and polishing up my resume, applying to a few jobs that seemed interesting.

Here was the problem. I do not want to work in an office. The thing is, I don't hate my job. It's not terrible and it's paying the bills. But I am not happy. And oddly, I don't even hate office work. But the idea of doing this for years makes me want to throw up. And since most of the jobs out there that I am qualified for are office assistant/admin/receptionist stuff, I knew that it wasn't going to work.

Grad school is pretty much out of the question for me. A part of me wants a PhD. in art history, but I don't have 3-5 years to do it, don't want to rack up (at least) $50k in debt, and job prospects in the field are slim. I am always going to love art, history, and literature, but it will be something I will do/pursue/whatever in my spare time and for fun. I think if I actually went to grad school I would start to hate it and I really don't want that.

So what am I going to do? I've been sort of afraid to tell people my plan because I feel like it's something no one has expected me to do or looks down on or thinks I can't do, but I'm doing it anyway.

I'm applying to the Aveda Institute in San Francisco. I have always loved doing hair, nails, and makeup, so why not make a career out of it? I know it's going to be hard work, but I'm willing to do it because it is something I enjoy. I had a tour of the school on Friday and met with an admissions coordinator, and it was just wonderful. I can't even put into words how happy I was.

That's the news people! I've put in notice that I will be done with work September 1st and starting Aveda (hopefully) September 25th. I'm really excited (and nervous!) for what's going to happen next!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to the best mom ever! I seriously don't know what I would do without you. I love you!

Concert!

Friday night was so awesome. Miranda and I went and saw The Black Keys perform at the Oakland Arena. It was so, so good. They are absolutely incredible live, I must say. Better than I even expected, and I expected a lot. They played all my favorite songs, we danced like maniacs, spent too much money on beer and concert tees, but it was so worth it.

Also, the encore of "Everlasting Light" was incredible! It involved the largest disco ball I have ever seen and made the coolest light effects in the arena. Just awesome.

If you ever get a chance to check them out live, I highly recommend. They are like no other.

Have a good week everyone!

WOW

Image via

Did you hear about this? I find this to be amazing! Who just has $120 million dollars lying around? I mean, it is The Scream by the amazing and tortured Edvard Munch, so I definitely get it.

I absolutely love this painting (I even wrote one of my millions of college term papers on this painting) and consider it to be one of the most iconic, at least for me, Symbolist paintings in art history. Symbolism and Expressionism are two of my absolute favorite, favorite periods in art, because they are so dark and twisty, but at the same time entirely beautiful and surreal.

I hope that whoever bought it really enjoys having this, I know I would. I just wanted to share this news with some peeps, hoping maybe you like art as much as I do?

Also, this is the quote where Munch described his inspiration, and I find it to be so, so beautiful:


"I was walking along a path with two friends – the sun was setting – suddenly the sky turned blood red – I paused, feeling exhausted, and leaned on the fence – there was blood and tongues of fire above the blue-black fjord and the city – my friends walked on, and I stood there trembling with anxiety – and I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature."

It's Monday

How was your weekend? Mine was pretty laid back...some babysitting, some farmer's market-ing with Jenny, cleaning my room, which I am embarrassed to say was so totally necessary, eep it was bad. But now it's all gorgeous with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and clean white sheets. Sigh.

 In other important news, I'm on a coffee strike. I have no idea what has prompted this strike, all I know is it felt really necessary. So this morning I had Yerba Mate tea instead of coffee. And now I have a caffeine headache. So fun. But seriously, maybe this is good? Getting off the coffee? Who knows. I might become weak and run right back to those sweet sweet beans of energy.

Other items of little or no interest to you (but definitely of interest to me):

- I recently purchased this dress (in the Mink color). I am dying to wear it to...something, somewhere. It's cute, it's springy and I love it.

- Now all I need are these shoes and I'm good to go.

- I also think I need these shoes as well, because, um look at them. They are fabulous.

- I am going to see this band play on Friday. And I. Cannot. Wait. It is going to be soooo awesome.

That's Monday folks, and all I got for ya. I know it was terrible fascinating and you were on the edge of your seat, right?

I'm going to leave you with this totally awesome song, which I will hopefully be seeing live on Friday (even if I don't, I love pretty much all their stuff). Have a good week!

Summer? Is that you?

So it was hot this weekend. HOT. I loved it. I even got my first sunburn...which isn't so great. But it's already faded and I made sure to restock on my sunblock so I avoid getting another one.

I went to Alameda, did some sunbathing, beach walking, and sangria drinking. It was definitely a good time.

So I feel like everyone has a favorite season, and I have to say mine is summer. Which is odd, even to me, because I don't like being hot... like I really hate it? One thing about Davis I really do miss is that central A/C. Oh well.

But I still really do love summer; I love lounging at the beach or the pool, going out at night without a jacket, the smell of wed grass and hot pavement, wearing shorts or sundresses and sandals everyday, just everything. I also think summer is the time for so many fun things: the county fair, baseball games, hikes, beach trips, outdoor concerts, the Fourth of July, camping...

I think I like summer because it, even though it starts halfway through the year, feels like it has so much more potential, like it's the beginning of something great. My last few summers have actually been really fun, so I hope the streak continues this year (despite the fact I'm now a "real" adult with a "real" job).

I may sound like a total cliche with all this stuff, but I guess that's just how I feel right now. My brain also might be slightly fried from work and not enough coffee...but you get the idea.

Are you excited about summer?

What's Happening?

image via

Nothing here. Seriously...nothing. Just working and hanging out with friends and family.

I've tried to think of something interesting to write about for this here bloggy blog, but I'm coming up blank folks.

Hmmm... what can I talk about? Oh I cooked! Two nights in a row! I made this on Monday and this last night. Both were insanely delicious. Although now I have WAY TOO MUCH mac and cheese at my house. Do you want some mac and cheese?

Last Friday I went to Friday Night at the De Young Museum, which was so cool! Apparently it was opening night, and there was an awesome band and a bar, plus we could wander around parts of the museum for free. Definitely something that I will be doing regularly this summer.

Otherwise, most of the exciting things I have planned won't be happening for a while...the closest is this Black Keys concert in May, which is pretty exciting, but not for another 3 weeks.

Ooh, I have tickets to Outsidelands, which is this big, 3-day concert in San Francisco, but that's not until August.

I'm going to Hawaii! But...not until October.

I'm aware all those things sounded like bragging...which they kinda are...but I'm still excited. Until then, nothing's really going on. Maybe there will be some poolside lounging this weekend, a pedicure (so needed), helping Miranda find a dress for a gala event. Maybe I might even take some pictures. Maybe even blog about it. Who knows? I know you're excited.

I think I have a problem...

So I really like Forever 21. REALLY like it. Maybe even love it. I don't make a lot of money, and Forever 21 allows me to try out trends and styles that are different than my usual stuff for way less $$$ than a lot of other stores. And since I discovered that their website is WAY easier to navigate than trying to shop in their physical store (although the one at my mall isn't so bad)...plus free shipping over $50, you can return via mail for actual $$ back or to the store for credit. Basically it's the best thing ever. 

Anyhoo, here are some things I bought that I love:

Textured Striped Skirt

Denim Shirt

Fitted Skinny Jean and Detailed Lace Dress

Basically, you should shop there, cause it's just way to easy to get some fun, cute clothes for basically nothing (so who cares if they don't last? I mean, $15 for some skinnies? Gotta love it)

Happy shopping!

Closet Clean Out

 I need to get rid of some stuff dudes. So I am. I posted everything here, and I just want to get rid of it. Swap or for free (except shipping). Take it! I have too much stuff!!

Please email me at clay.elaine{at}gmail{dot}com with questions or of you want something.

PS: I might have more shoes soon!

Under the Weather

I had grand plans to post some more this week, but I've been knocked down by a nasty cold, missed work, and have had to play some serious catch up now that I'm back. But! I have fun things planned for this weekend, including a cocktail party, museum visit, and even a play. So maybe I'll take some pictures or something. Yeah.

Anyway, I saw this one a favorite blog of mine and it made me giggle. Hope it makes you giggle too.

Sunday Funday

On Sunday I went into San Francisco to meetup with Miranda and her manfriend to watch some March Madness, drink beer, and eat Buffalo wings. It was an extremely good time. (Although I was sad about the game...Stupid Kansas). Anyhoos, I actually remember to snap a few photos with my phone, since I didn't want to be that obnoxious person with a full on DSLR in a bar, so please excuse the notso good quality and use of instagram (I have a problem, people).

Miranda and manfriend

And then, walking around the Haight, we saw a band playing on stoop...seeing stuff like this is one of the reasons I love San Francisco so much.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!

UPDATE: Apparently this band is Battlehooch, and randomly the son of one of my mom's friends is up in there. Ha!

Back to blogging.

After what turned out to be an extended break from blogging, I'm back. I'm going to keep up with it this time and I dunno, actually blog.

I find I do miss it and I just need to do it already. So I'm coming back! First off, tomorrow I will have some pictures of my new place (not that exciting, but hey, whatevers). Did I mention that I moved? I moved. With Sasha as my new roommate. It's a pretty cute little place, and I'm loving it right now.

So I'll see you soon, friends!

Paris Shots, Part Four

The Golden Gates at the Palace of Versailles

Château de Vincennes

Paris Shots Part 3

I forgot to post more shots of Paris! Forgive me!

The Opera

Père Lachaise Cemetery, where I spent Christmas. Creepy, I know

Oscar Wilde's grave

Which I kissed for good luck...(Jenny did too!)

The Pantheon

The Sorbonne