Deconstructing my pinning trend and some design advice

like many other designers i am a pintrester. i've noticed that i along with many other designer savvy people that there has been a trend in pinning interiors that are dominated by white. my acknowledgment of this trend got me to think and ask myself why.

as a designer i am instantly drawn to aesthetically pleasing interiors. this may seem superficial at first but i know that instincts mean something. i believe that our instincts or intuition are related to our inner desires. our desires are related to what we want. when i think about having white walls and white furniture to our future home with our future family, i know that it is not practical or something i would actually implement.

i love how white walls and white furniture open up spaces and allude the feeling of relaxation, sophistication, chicness and openness but white furniture and white walls are not user-friendly. i feel that the maintenance would drive me to be a little uptight in my own home because i would be concerned with keeping those white elements white. however, one great thing about being a designer is that i understand what i love about these white interior space re-pins and i can work on finding another way to create that feeling through alternate elements in my future home. here is an example of what i instinctively love and what is practical love...

instinct love

practical love

instinct love

practical love

the moral of the story is when you instinctively love something (i.e. interiors, furniture, art, color, fashion, etc.) but learn that it may not work out practically, ask yourself why and then dig a little deeper and think about how it makes you feel. the answers to these questions will make you more informed about your needs and design selections.

Choices, choices, choices....

Been working on our save-the-dates for our portfolio exhibit this morning and I am stuck. Of course I could keep editing, but I should really get some other work done. So with that said, which one do you like more?

Version 1:

Version 2:

Version 3:

It's official, I'm graduating

Yesterday I received an email from Chaminade that informed me that it's official. I'm graduating. Yup, I said it. After 10 years (graduated high school in 2002), 5 different study concentration changes (Film > Theatre > Fashion > Fine Arts > Interior Design), 2 junior colleges (Pasadena City College, Leeward Community College, Kapiolani Community College)and 1 University later, I'm a gettin' my Cum Laude Bachelors Degree in Fine Arts. HOLLA! HooRay! Yippi!!!!!!

A beautiful poem

It doesn’t interest me
what you do for a living.
I want to know
what you ache for
and if you dare to dream
of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me
how old you are.
I want to know
if you will risk
looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me
what planets are
squaring your moon…
I want to know
if you have touched
the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened
by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know
if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.

I want to know
if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations
of being human.

It doesn’t interest me
if the story you are telling me
is true.
I want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
If you can bear
the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
If you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see Beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
And if you can source your own life
from its presence.

I want to know
if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me
to know where you live
or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me
who you know
or how you came to be here.
I want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me
where or what or with whom
you have studied.
I want to know
what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.

I want to know
if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like
the company you keep
in the empty moments.

- The Invitation by Oriah

thanks Miss. Blake

Movie time #4: Immortals

Ro and I saw this movie last night and I am glad that we were able to watch it on the big screen. This film had a contemporary representation of greek mythology that was fresh and understood, the actors were great eye candy, there was love, loss, great fight scenes, an evocative score and good acting and dialogue. I thought Mickey Rourke made an incredible villain.

However, there was one thing that kept taking me out of the film that I found distracting yet funny. But before I reveal it to you, can you guess what it is? It's shown in the trailer above.............. It was the use of crustaceans. King Hyperian's (Mickey Rourke) helmet resembled a crab claw and other masks of King Hyperian's army were also reminiscent of crustaceans. I wonder why the director or costume designer chose crustaceans. I laughed every time King Hyperian was on screen with that helmet.


see... funny, isn't it?!
Here is some information I learned after watching the film:

-Zeus is played by Luke Evans who also played Apollo in Clash of the Titans.

-The Titans, also known as the elder gods, ruled the earth before the Olympians overthew them. The ruler of the Titans was Cronus who was de-throned by his son Zeus. Most of the Titans fought with Cronus against Zeus and were punished by being banished to Tartarus. During their rule the Titans were associated with the various planets.

-The Olympians are a group of 12 gods who ruled after the overthow of the Titans. All the Olympians are related in some way. They are named after their dwelling place Mount Olympus.

-These are the 12 Olympian Gods:
Zeus
Poseidon
Hades
Hestia
Hera
Aris
Athena
Apollo
Aphrodite
Hermes
Artemis
Hephaestus

Before I go I'll leave you with these...

The Romantics

whenever i see a movie i like, i research things that i liked or want to know more about. this movie has not only turned me on to the romantics (poetry) but i am also very intrigued to read the book now. below are some quotes by the romantics that i got from this delightful find .


"Faith is a passionate intuition. "- Wordsworth

“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.”- Wordsworth

“Life is divided into three terms – that which was, which is, and which will be. Let us learn from the past to profit by the present, and from the present to live better in the future.”- Wordsworth

“Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.”
-Wordsworth

“To begin, begin.”- Wordsworth

“I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart’s affections, and the truth of imagination.”- Keats

“Those who restrain their desires, do so because theirs is weak enough to be restrained. “- Blake

movie time #3 : The Romantics

when i first saw the preview to this movie i really wanted to watch it because i myself am a romantic and i am a sucker for a movie preview with a good song. not that long ago i talked to my dear good friend (sister from another mister), h4/5eidi, and she told me she wasn't too impressed with the movie. this of course intrigued me more, so i moved this movie to #1 on my lovely netflix que.

finally took some time today to watch it, i must say, i liked it. (even though most of the reviews bashed it) i'd give it a 4 out of 5. the characters were more then two dimensional, i enjoyed the plot, script, location, setting and music. i also will give katie holmes a cheers to her acting performance. bravo katie! bravo!

"Listening to music.
Driving with no destination.
And I guess this,
this beautiful mess
is best ended without notification.
Probably better." - laura (katie holmes)

About moi, according to Keirsey

pic circa 10|2007

Idealist Portrait of the Teacher (ENFJ)

Even more than the other Idealists,Teachers have a natural talent for leading students or trainees toward learning, or as Idealists like to think of it, they are capable of calling forth each learner's potentials. Teachers (around two percent of the population) are able - effortlessly, it seems, and almost endlessly-to dream up fascinating learning activities for their students to engage in. In some Teachers, this ability to fire the imagination can amount to a kind of genius which other types find hard to emulate. But perhaps their greatest strength lies in their belief in their students. Teachers look for the best in their students, and communicate clearly that each one has untold potential, and this confidence can inspire their students to grow and develop more than they ever thought possible.
In whatever field they choose, Teachers consider people their highest priority, and they instinctively communicate personal concern and a willingness to become involved. Warmly outgoing, and perhaps the most expressive of all the types, Teachers are remarkably good with language, especially when communicating in speech, face to face. And they do not hesitate to speak out and let their feelings be known. Bubbling with enthusiasm, Teachers will voice their passions with dramatic flourish, and can, with practice, become charismatic public speakers. This verbal ability gives Teachers a good deal of influence in groups, and they are often asked to take a leadership role.Teachers like things settled and organized, and will schedule their work hours and social engagements well ahead of time -- and they are absolutely trustworthy in honoring these commitments. Valuing as they do interpersonal cooperation and harmonious relations, Teachers are extraordinarily tolerant of others, are easy to get along with, and are usually popular wherever they are.
Teachers are highly sensitive to others, which is to say their intuition tends to be well developed. Certainly their insight into themselves and others is unparalleled. Without a doubt, they know what is going on inside themselves, and they can read other people with uncanny accuracy. Teachers also identify with others quite easily, and will actually find themselves picking up the characteristics, emotions, and beliefs of those around them. Because they slip almost unconsciously into other people's skin in this way, Teachers feel closely connected with those around them, and thus show a sincere interest in the joys and problems of their employees, colleagues, students, clients, and loved ones.

take the personality test yourself here

Remembering my mommy : 4 years without her

- when i was younger 5th to 6th grade, to be exact, my mom and i would listen to her cd's pretty loud in the morning while we got ready. the cd's we had in rotation were her mowtown, mary wells and diana ross compelations, blues travelers, mary j. bliege and TLC (crazy.sexy.cool album)

- she had her morning routine down. she'd get up, pee, make her coffee, smoke, take a shower, blow dry her hair, put rollers in her hair, watch Good Day LA with Jillian Barbarie, Steve Edwards, and Dorothy Lucy while applying her make up, paint her toe nails (according to the color she was wearing), sometimes make breakfast, take her meds and then smoke again as she was walking out the house

- before she would walk in the house (after work) after being dropped off or picked up she would sweep our walk-way

- she would have friends that traveled buy her coffee mugs ( a tradition i now carry on)

- every now and then, late at night, she would ask me to make her an over easy egg sandwich with mayo

- one night i awoke to the sounds of my mom crying, i got out of bed and walked over to her bedroom to hear more clearly, after i confirmed what i was hearing i walked back to my room, laid in bed and cried to myself

so today makes four years since my mom passed away and i am a mess mentally. i am lost in nostalgia. i work at focusing my mind on the present and the future because when i take a mental time machine to the past i can get caught in a washer machine of sadness, longing and regret. it's fortunate for me i know that that's not healthy so like i said, i try to focus on the present and the future. what kills me is my sense of family. she was the only constant person in my life until she moved out and decided to live her life free from all past responsibilities. i feel that her past baggage, me included made her too sad. i was a reminder of her good and sadness. emotions she was not able to accept and deal with. though that seems harsh, i do believe it was reality. i miss her sooo much. i miss my family. she was my family, she was the one i spent all my holidays with, attended my performances and graduations, made me feel unconditionally loved. i long for a family and look very forward to starting my own with roland. i promise to make my children feel the way my mom always made me feel, LOVED and wanted. i would always over hear my mom talking about me with such pride and when i would meet people that she had talked about me to, they would always complement me. she was my biggest supporter. i am truly blessed to have had her in my life as long as i did. she gave me enough love, confidence and drive to accomplish my goals. i love you mommy.

Movie TIme #2: Bobby

i finally got to watch this film... 5 years later. i found it to be more like a actor showcase then a coherent film. most of the characters were just briefly brushed upon. however, those characters that did get more screen time, i.e. demi moore and sharon stone, there characters were written very well and their acting was very believable. i really enjoyed the weaving of vintage real footage with the film footage and the set design and wardrobe were done so well that the two looked seamless together.

our 3 1/2 year anni & Vday celebration

location: Chais Islands Bistro
rating: 1*2*3*4*





ro's app: Fresh Oyster On Ice with Lemongrass Garlic Mignonette Fresh Roma Tomato and Tobiko Caviar

my app: Japanese Eggplant & Zucchini Soufflé (For Vegetarian)
Fresh Tomato Basil Sauce

ro's entree: Steamed Chinese Style Fresh Onaga with Ginger & Green Onions Sautéed Chives with Crispy Bacon, served with Steamed Thai Jasmine Rice

my entree: Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Lobster Reduction Hamakua Mushroom Edamame Risotto

our dessert: Heart Shaped White Chocolate Amore Truffle With Fresh Raspberry Guava Puree

though this post is a month late, it still is something i wanted to share. i was very adamant about not liking or celebrating the vday before ro and i got together that i tried to ban us from celebrating it. but ro wouldn't have it. he had expressed that he wanted to celebrate it because he never was really able to do so in his pst relationships. so i gave in that first year (2.14.08) but rationalized that we were celebrating our anniversary, not Vday. as the last three years have passed, i have caved in and have become a participator of Vday again. i mean who was i kidding, this holiday has always had a place in my heart. when i was younger my mom would always give me Vday goodies and a card, she continued this tradition till she passed away (till I was 23). so here we are, celebrating the Vday that i so fought against in my single days.

This Vday was very nice. We had an AH-mazing dinner at Chais, enjoyed good drinks and was lucky enough to catch a ride home from our friends.

Maunawili Falls

went hiking today with mari face at maunawili falls. it was a fairly easy hike, but it was supper muddy. after the hike we went to bostons pizza.

food log:
blackened salmon
brown rice
broccoli
zucchini
spinach, mushroom, garlic pizza
edamame
two spicy tuna sushi
dragon roll
con sushi
4 red vines

Fashion Image Crush Post #1

via

fu&*en ROCKSTAR!!!!

nuff said!

via

a day for cooking

I haven't cooked much since last summer. First it was due to school, then it was our vacation and then it was the holiday season. Another 2011 to do is to cook more, i think this will be very doable due to my new 90 day veagatarian (plus seafood) diet. Today Ciana (leong) came over & we made a brunch feast. Menu consisted of banana ebelskivers, shrimp & mushroom egg foo young, brown rice & mimosas. Everything turned out amazing.

And then for dinner I made blackened salmon, steamed broccoli, sauteed zucchini, brown rice & a ceasar salad (which is wearing off as I stay up later). I looked up a bunch of different recipes for the blackened seasoning and wrote thier ingredients down, then i went downstairs & made my own with the spices we had and with ones i thought would fit. It was a nice surprise that the seasoning blend turned put great. I'll post the recipe tomorrow.

Now, all I need to due is add workouts to my days.

Movie Time #1 : The Fighter

Today was a good day. I went for a walk this morning while on a phone date with dee. Researched some healthy stuff from Fitness magazine, relaxed then headed out to town to meet up with Ciana Leong and Audenne to have dinner at goma tei and to watch a movie, The Fighter. I want to try and see as many movies as I can that are nominated for the 2011 Golden Globe awards. I enjoyed the movie. I couldn't believe how much weight Christian Bale lost for this role. He's such a method actor. Well it worked for him. His performance was very good. Amy Adams also did a great job. The film had heart, humor and drama. After the movie Audenne went on her date and C & I had some wine and talked story for awhile. I stayed out a lot longer & spent a lot more money then I anticipated.
food log:
two slices of wheat toast with butter
caesar salad
tapioca pudding
two kirin beers
goma tei tan tan ramen
a million dollar margarita
popcorn
arare
coke
4 glasses of wine
chips and art dip
grilled cheese sandwich


... ok maybe i didn't do that great with all the alcohol, but at least i stayed true to my veggie diet

Happy Birthday Mommy & Happy New Year | 2011

Yesterday my mom would of turned 47 years old.
To celebrate her birthday, Ro & I went to the Haleiwa Cafe for breakfast. I'm in loove with their huevos rancheros. {something my mom would of loved too} Then we picked up a lei from longs and headed to keiki beach {where i spread her ashes in June 2007}. It was a beautiful day at the beach. I wish I wore my bathing suite so I could of laid out. My darkness is fading from last summer :(.





I've noticed that when I visit my mom at Keiki, I never feel as sad as I do on other occasions. I'm sure the beautiful beach and warm sun aides those sad feelings away. After I threw the lei in the winter ocean breaks Ro & I relaxed and watched all the crazy beach goers battle to get in and out of the winter breaks. We were even able to get our feet wet from the wave breaks. The cool water felt so good on my feet.





After running plenty of errands at pearl city, longs and walmart and resting in our cave (bedroom), we then got ready to start celebrating our New Years Eve. We decided to stay at home the whole time & I'm glad we did. Their was a great feeling of love and ohana at the Medrano hale last night. It was especially nice to spend some time with Ro's cousins, Meghan & Lauren and the two little ones, James & Kyle.



[baby james]

[baby kyle]

[ro & lauren & meghan]


Happy New Year!!!! ♥ R&R


I hope you had a blessed New Years Eve as well. xoxo

p.s. I stayed true to my vegetarian diet last night

a vow of vegetarianism

Since Roland's 30th birthday extravaganza trip to vegas and los angeles, I have fallen off the work out, eat healthy band wagon AGAIN. I stopped logging my food, running and working out all together. I don't like yo-yo dieting or fad diets so when I muster up enough will power I try to go back to eating clean . For the past couple of weeks I have been taking inventory on myself to see when would be a good day to start working out and being conscious of my food again, well today happened to be the day. Roland and I ran today. He took his normal path and I took the shorter path. Though it was a little hard for me it still felt good to be outside and to breath outside air. During my run I also meditated on my diet and how I can help myself eat clean. At the end of my run I came to the conclusion to have a vegetarian diet for three months. (my vegetarian diet will include seafood but no chicken). to help me I also created a profile at the eating clean website. If your interested here it is.

To help myself with my goal I am going to plan my meals every sunday for the week. I will also go grocery shopping every sunday for the week. and I will keep a food and workout journal.

what are your goals for the new year?

*picture taken by moi in NOLA at a vegetarian restaurant

december | 22 | 2010 : short post

ro actually agreed to watch a "chick flick" with me. yay!!! color me happy.

movie in the dvd player will be Going the Distance (my second time watching it in two days).

alright well i gotta take advantage of this moment so peace out yo

i must say...

all of you bloggers who record your AMAZING outfits are exactly that, AMAZING! a nod from me to you to put in the time. please share with me your secrets??? i feel like it would take to long for me to do it.