www.graphic-exchange.com

The Journal

My journal has largely gone unnoticed for the last three years. I found it in a small shop in Jaisalmer, my favorite city in India. It was covered in dust and a mouse ran by as I was picking it out. I love it however. It is a true token and keepsake straight from the sandstone desserts and the best dollar I ever spent.

So... it's time that I use it! Stay tuned for more from The Journal.

Seattle Walk

Vietnam Now

Change of Season

It's raining... for the fist time in months. And it's not hot summer rain, but cool rain that chills you to the point of putting on a sweater. My cute summer flip flops are no match for the puddles I walked past today.

I am not ready for this change. Although I know the fall always comes after summer, I never quit expect it. The change of weather feels abrupt and jarring no matter what I do. And the worst part is I can not control it. As much as I try, the weather does not listen when I tell it to go away and come back when I am mentally prepared.

Unfortunately most change happens this way. It is uncomfortable and sometimes painful no matter how ready you believe you are. The more you try to resist or ignore it, the more frustrating the situation becomes. I can pretend it's still summer. I can wear short skirts, open toed shoes and loose touch with reality in order to dream about warm summer bliss. But I find all this does is make me cold in real life. Only when I come to terms and embrace the rain do I start to feel normal again. But I will tell you a secret. Once you learn to deal with the rain, you will be happily shocked when the sun come out again. It always shines brighter on the other side of a down-pour.

My Walk

My little apartment makes me claustrophobic. Its drives me crazy some days. Even my kitty stood at the front door and wondered where the rest of the house was. She thought I locked her in a closet. In truth my house is just the size of a closet but it is very hard to explain that to a cat.

Some days I get so claustrophobic that I make my boyfriend "walk Me." I am so well behaved I don't even need a leash. :) Yesterday was a walking day...

With no direction, no goal, and no one but myself, I set out for the sake of exploration (And to find my sanity once again.) Two and a half hours later I arrived home with a handful of photos and a understanding of why it is important to avoid the ghetto at night. What I found after the time spent meandering could be summed up as lessons from the soul.

#1: water Heals the Soul.

I think this one is self explanatory. Whenever I feel stuck in the city, I go to water. This might just be my childhood instincts growing up by a lake, but I feel instantly relived at the sight of any form of liquid.

#2: It's Time to Bloom.

Literally. Yep it is only February 5th and yet the cherry blossoms are beginning to bloom already. If mother nature is ready for rebirth, than I am too.

#3: Never Put your Camera Away Too Soon...

Or you might miss something. For me, I almost missed this little Todo dog and this amazing fence he guarded. The owner of the pup thought I was insane when he found me on the ground snapping photos. No worries however. I asked if I could take the pics (After the fact. Better late than never.)

...To California

"I could hear you softly breathing, oh what you do to me

But baby I could climb down into your dreams

I Build a ladder down through the clouds

Where the storms Is raging now I

Don't want to sing another song without you"

"If you find your self lost out in this world

Then I'll find a way to get back to your side

no mountains to high, no stone is too small

I'll build a bridge through the fire, for you I would crawl

From New York to California"

-Song Lyrics by Mat Kearney

From New York to California

Photo Shoot - Late Summer Picnic

Finally! I received my copy of the photos below to share with all of you! This past summer I participated in a collaboration with Kimberli Ransom Photography and Appetite Design. Appetite supplied us with beautiful soft goods, Kimberli Ransom Photography snapped the shots and I lugged a truck full of props out to create this enchanting outdoor picnic. Please enjoy!!

Pillows, Purses, and Table Linens: Appetite Design www.appetitesite.com

Photography: Kimberli Ransom Photography www.kimberliransom.net

Styling and Art Direction: Katy Nida www.katynida.blogspot.com

My Imaginary Perfection - Northwest Waters

Canoeing on the liquid glass water for the Puget Sound is what I am dreaming of tonight. I took the photos below during a trip last summer, or was it the summer before? Anyway, the images of the trip turned out better than the memories. The trip proved to be stressful to say the least. Three women over the age of ninety and my crazy dog who could not be controlled equaled a very intense few days. Some of my favorite and also worst memories came from that weekend. Yet somehow the good outweighs the bad when I look back on the pictures below. How lucky was I to have stolen a few gorgeous shots from mother nature?

Yet again I fail to remember the name of this town, but it is about an hour from seattle plus a ferry ride. When I think of the name I will let you know.

My Imaginary Perfection - So Long Ago

Simply put, I love old things. Don't ask me when or how this obsession started because I would not be able to tell you. All I know is I find beauty in the objects left behind. My interest is not so much about "antiques" or overpriced collectables from thrift stores. Rather it's an infatuation with anything abandoned, decaying, weathered, grungy or distressed.

The condemned church below is a fitting example of my passion. It yelled at me to stop the car and visit, so I had no other choice but to obey. I truly would get married in this church, just the way it is... if my guests would not be at risk of falling through the floorboards. Oh well, a girl can dream can't she?

If you want to see the ancient building for yourself, well sorry but I can not help. I do not remember how I got there. You would have to plan a camping trip to Service Creek Oregon (Population 2, Really) and then get lost along the way. Stop in every little town until you find this church. It might take you awhile, but you will get to see plenty of aging buildings, quirky people and scraggily dogs along the way. I highly recommend it.