three decades

here's what the first day of my thirties looked like - with the help of my brand new digital camera (thanks mom, dad, and sissies!)

end of the evening- at crowley's in downtown st. pete.

10:00 am - first stop (after the requisite dog walking, etc) - BEACH!

I began the day with a short trip to Pass-a-grille.  I ended up not staying very long as a) I had to be at work at the hospital at 1:00, b) i do live relatively close, so I don't have to justify a short trip ;), and c) hello sporadic ominous clouds!

obsessed with the color striations

(these pics were taken before I got my awesome new camera, thus their horrific framing ;)

debby did quite a number on the sand - including kicking up some massive shells.  i became obsessed with these large elongated ones, the subtle patterning is so gorgeous.

1:00 - 3:00 pm - worked with awesome kiddos at All Children's Hospital as part of Creative Care

3:00 - home!  

Checked my mail to find a bevy of beautiful (and thoughtful!) cards - as well as my new camera.  Score!  Here are a couple of "I-just-got-a-new-camera" shots.

zoe is just about as obsessed with this blanket as I am

extreme close up!

so, maybe i don't have patience to do my nails NEATLY, but I do have the patience to pick out a coraly-florida-girl color combo!

7:00 pm - birthday dinner

Ross treated me to a fantastic dinner at the St. Petersburg Brasserie.  I had the pleasure of great wine, handsome company, a killer ratatouille, and three kinds of creme brulee for dessert.  Gastro-tastic!

this is the "bougey smug connoisseur" face (and me not knowing how to adjust the flash correctly on my camera)

much better!  ross had the crab crusted salmon (which i helped to eat)

I had the seared filet minion (don't mind my bad hair here)

 10ish? - nightcap at crowleys

where there is both beer and leprechauns a'plenty.  definitely my favorite place in st. pete.

creepiest bar tchotchke ever.

we're baacccck!

wow.  i'm absolutely sucking in the blogging department, aren't I?  Much to report over the last three (?!!) months... including (but not limited to) a trip back home to Missouri.  Despite the fact that I was in classes most of the four weeks, I enjoyed getting a chance to catch up with family and friends.  Additionally, I'm extremely pumped about the new crop of Art Ed graduate students.  I had the pleasure of being in their company in both the academic and social contexts and all I can say is that they definitely ROCK both worlds simultaneously.

Speaking of academia, I am pleased to announce that I have finished my coursework for my phd program - woo hoo!  Well, small caveat, I will be finished after I submit this final paper tomorrow (which I'm supposed to be working on right now, lol).  Now on to a late committee building, pinning down that research design, and comps.  Its sad that I still have a long way to go, but I can't discount how far I've come.

So, anyway, without further ado, a much-requested update on my new home.  After an incredible two day drive across country Zoe and I are finally getting settled into St. Pete.  Here are a few shots from our journey as well as the studio updates.

dog as my copilot - literally.  photo taken someplace in georgia (i think).

her incessant panting almost looks like a smile here.

one of z's inaugural naps in the apartment.  this is how you know she's truly accepted a place.

then again, she may just be taking a cue from mom after research overload.

sleeping around... again...

new and improved living "room" - the couch was a great craiglist find dad helped me to score before going back to missouri.  grandpa's grey metal cabinet and tiered atomic lampshade traveled all the way from missouri to be with me.

another view of the living area.  noticeably absent is a tv, which i never watch anyway.  i'm hoping this will be the go to place for art making, snuggling up with a book (and pup), and some cozy conversation.

have i mentioned how obsessed i am with this vintage afghan - bring on the granny blankets!

dappled downtown light - oooh ahhh oooh ahhh...

a paired down version of my library - more books to be coming soon.  i found that these were  one of the hardest things to part with.

the bed"room" area

i'd like to hang some of my vintage starburst clocks above the bed here, but neglected to pack any on the drive down.  perhaps i can convince mom and dad to send a few?  then again, maybe you need that blank wall for some visual "breathing room"?

my dad constructed these awesome ledges for me to hang pictures (as the concrete walls are not that forgiving in terms of decorating whims).  I still have to figure how I want to finish them.  Stain?  Paint?  Suggestions?

here's a close up - I want this set to form a rotating "gallery wall"

this is the view from the bed into the rest of the studio.   Here you can see the additional ledges/shelves dad put together along with a peek at my "office."  The wall with the clocks the entry/"foyer" into the apartment.

here's zoe showing off her very best "cribs" pose

its kind of fun being nestled amongst books when I'm lying in bed.  I also like that using the shelf as a room divider still allows bits of light to peek through this area.

another shot of the desk area.  one shelf is home to my vintage camera collection.  the other is host to a variety of vintage art supplies.

and here's the kitchen.  still totally in love with the light fixture.

its kind of ironic that the objects i seemed to have treasured the most (at least to make the move) were the most breakable.

my beatles glassware makes me happy.

bluebirds for a blue kitchen.

what's left of my orchids after a month away. 

i may have to invest in some realistic looking silk flowers to poke in amongst these greens for a few months until they bloom again.  these two may have to make a visit to auntie marilyn's orchid corner for some rehabilitation ;)

finally... a place to call my own!

arg, has it really been 5 weeks since i posted anything?  oops!  so much to tell!  first of all, i've finally managed to get my own place.  i am of course forever indebted to my friends and family who helped me to get back on track.

i've relocated to beautiful downtown st. petersburg - and thus far i am absolutely LOVING it.  i'm close to everything fun and exciting - bars, museums, restaurants, the waterfront - most within walking distance.  the exception is, unfortunately, that i am further from work (and gas prices are sky high).  ah well, good thing i won't be doing much driving when i'm home.

so... here it is!

my new address is the Beacon on 3rd (470 Third Street South).  I live in a studio on the 7th floor.  Want a tour?  Of course you do!

Here are some exterior shots of the apartment building...

and as I said, it is close to everything...

So here's a sneak peek at my new house thus far...

view of the kitchen (just to the right when you walk in)

snazzy light fixture!

main studio space - check out those windows!

studio living: bedroom to the left, what will be the living room to the right

oops, guess the bedroom is an office too :)  the door open door leads into a walkthrough closet and bathroom, odd, but it works!

view from the bed area - the whole space is triangular - wacky but cool

entrance into the closet/bathroom.  good thing i have colorful clothes to "decorate" with ;)

nice pedestal sink and mirror - my first house with out a standard contractor vanity!

added the hyllis shelving unit from ikea - $14.99!! holla!!

view back to the "office"

view across the room to the outside

downtown st. pete from my window

stay tuned - more coming soon!