scavenging for shells, watching clams bury themselves into the sand, holding a starfish and saving it by giving it water (yes, really!), climbing rocks, random glass from the 1900's washing ashore, laughing, playing with shadows, taking a bow after making sand angels, and biting into a perfectly ripe peach.heavenly.

Apparently this octopus looking hula-hoop is good for this...

Some new paintings (and an old one finally finished)... 

For those that didn't know, I am a huge Vanessa Carlton fan and I am thrilled that her new album is out! Her music is so dreamy and just whisks me away. I plan on listening to it while I work on my next painting.this song is so haunting and beautiful...marching lineBoots on concreteDon't slip on the leavesSmile at the strangersWon't know what you meanClouds like cathedralsNight hits the seaAnd I walk to the high lightShips gonna take me at midnightStorms sounding out like an overtureIt's time to join the marching lineTake back your listYou don't know what love is like; a bullet in the chestAnd I never say yesNever known a day without a quiet regretSo I walk to the high lightShips gonna take me at midnightStorms sounding out like an overtureIt's time to join the marching line; leave it all behind, and join theMarching lineAnd there's no captain who calls "what's your name?"An army of oneIt's just me and a drumDo you know a love like a bullet in the chest?Ships on grey seasWaves keep the time like my heartbeatIt's an overtureIt's time to join the marching line, leave it all behind and join theMarching lineFortune tellers, fortune still hurts 

let your creative spirit rush * flow * tumble * leak * spring * bubble * steam * dribble * out of you...a little reminder from the lovely words of sark and something i've been trying to live by lately.

Last week a thunderstorm rolled in and rolled out as quickly as it came. Luckily, I made it home in time to watch it. My landlord's name is Frank. His son, Frankie Jr. lived below us for awhile, and now his son's friend, Frank lives there.Maybe I should have named my cat Frank.

*source*Saturday I participated in Improv Everywhere's Mp3 Experiment. Past experiments looked so awesome, that I when I found out about this one, there was no way I was missing it!I didn't get too many photos of the actual event, but took some blurry pics after. Hooray for light up dance parties!

Something happened after June's chaos. I don't know how to explain it, but suddenly the entire world felt lighter. Work seemed a bit easier, even though I was working harder. My paintings have been dreamier and rich (I will share soon), despite challenging myself with compositions. And my heart has been bubbly, effervescent, and has me smiling a lot. So much that my cheeks hurt and I worry that people on the train may think I have a disorder.Weekends of fun, new friends, and so much more have me filled to the brim. I am overflowing with love. It's as if all of these dreams under my pillow have found their way into reality.Here are some magical things from the weekend...

• another day at the beach with francesca
• exploring prospect heights
• making boats out of leaves
• daydreaming in prospect park

  **I feel this glorious feeling of excitement and like this cute pup, I'm ready to leap into new territories. 

After going to the beach last week with long strip of fabric, I decided to sew it together to make an actual beach sheet ~ or at least something that was square!Hayden decided it would be fun to have a photo shoot with the scraps.Perhaps I will wear this to the beach this weekend!We even got the kitty involved. :)Have a great weekend!

Cloudless skies and ocean air = simply divine.And going with new gal pals is even better, this one's especially hilarious.Thanks to Meg's book club, I now have three awesome gal pals. Amal, Joy, and Meg. But don't worry dear yammies...you are certainly not replaced! (Yams = you. are. (and always will be) my. sisters!)**

After a day at the farmer's market and visiting queen Lavi cat, I came home to work on a painting and relax with the fluffs. And now I must sleep for my early beach day with Joy!Xo

Cherish your solitude. Take trains by yourself to places you have never been. Sleep out alone under the stars. Learn how to drive a stick shift. Go so far away that you stop being afraid of not coming back. Say no when you don’t want to do something. Say yes if your instincts are strong, even if everyone around you disagrees. Decide whether you want to be liked or admired. Decide if fitting in is more important than finding out what you’re doing here. Believe in kissing.- eve ensler

We went to Coney Island for the Hot Dog Eating Contest which was perhaps one of the most disgusting and entertaining things I have ever seen. There even a contestant from Iowa (he did not win)! The mc for the event was extremely animated and funny. One of my favorite moments was when he said something about the event having the "quality of a high school production." The rest of the day consisted of wandering the boardwalk, lots of umbrellas, kites, ride observing, people watching and dining at a Russian restaurant. I also did some "volunteering" this weekend, which is quite different from what I normally do. We went to a sideshow where I participated in an act. I sat in an electric chair and had a light bulb and torch lit off my tongue! While I have no photos, I can tell you that I DID feel a spark when she lit the torch!Coney Island is a blast.  

It was a wonderful weekend and quite adventurous! From Long Beach with Meg, to the Spa Castle in Queens (sadly, no pics - but this place is a total zoo), to Coney Island for the hot dog eating contest (photos to come!) and to Manhattan for the fireworks (with the prettiest sunset), it was fun and slightly exhausting. But considering that I managed to get my laundry done and work on a painting, I think it was one of those perfect weekends with just the right balance of relaxing, fun, and accomplishments.Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!xoxo **p.s. aren't these kitties the cutest? although, i'd love an explanation for why Caesar loves to sleep on hard shoes? what a weirdo!

While we may not be able to see all of the tiniest stars, once a year these skies definitely light up.Last night we watched the fireworks off a friend's rooftop in Chelsea. We had the perfect view and company! **Hope you all had a fantastic weekend! Happy Birthday America!

Hello July,Here's a little mix to welcome the fun you will bring.Enjoy.

I live off Metropolitan Ave in Brooklyn. It's the loudest street I've ever lived on, with its lullaby of rambling trucks full of crates serenading me every night, forcing me to wear ear plugs (yes, truly) and pop a melatonin before entering a REM cycle. While it's hardly the quiet streets of the Upper East Side, it is my favorite place I've lived in New York. I live with my best friend, two cats, and a house full of creativity. Walking along this loud street, it's hard to imagine finding serenity. But the other night, I found it.It hung in the air as I walked towards the sunset to Bedford. It glowed on the buildings with birds enjoying the last bit of sun before the nightfall. It was on the lights of the scaffolding near a construction site. It was with the single red balloon floating through the sky.It was...there.And it was peaceful. And I realized, so was I.**I always wonder how shoes get to these wires. I imagine great stories are behind them. **Goodbye June. I welcome July with it's heat and lazy beach days.

amongst many other lovely things...**what a perfect day. taking a trip to a 20s (how i love the clothes from then!) jazz age lawn party with an awesome new friend. great music, great drinks and food (except the line was excruciatingly long - note to self: that daily candy deal was not that great and i think i'll pass in the future!), people watching, dancing, doggies, sunglasses, and vintage galore. plus, it was a great chance to wear that feather piece from brittanie's wedding!hope you all had a lovely weekend!xo

running through open skies with butterfliesand flowers...lonely swamp birds...and mountains and forests of color... **these are some new paintings for a small gallery in my hometown Dysart, Iowa! **My new painting class is wonderful. I can't wait to share some of the things I've been working on!

Things from the weekend. As seen through the iPhone...