My Own (Not So) Extreme Home Makeover

Front view, before

Front view, after

I recently got to flex my architectural muscles a little bit when my mom bought a new home. I say "new" even though it's actually 30 years old, but to her it's a new beginning :)
The house needed a good amount of updating, and I was more than happy to lend my design sense for the project! Even though it's still not a complete project throughout, we've made some pretty major changes already. You can see more before-and-after pics here. I'll be posting a few more views of the "after" rooms soon, so check back to see more in the coming weeks!
:-)

~n

My photographic hero

Tonight I watched the movie Visual Acoustics, which documents the career of Julius Shulman. Shulman was an architectural photographer, most recognized for his iconic images of modern LA architecture.
I'd been wanting to see this movie for some time. Actually, I'd had my eye on it ever since I heard about Shulman's death in 2009. I never leave such an impression on me though!
Not only that, but I know exactly what it was that showed me he was my new photographic hero. Shulman studied architecture, but then spent some time finding his niche in the photographic world. I can definitely relate! Also, Shulman is shown saying that "the camera is the least important part of taking a picture." This is something I've told my friends repeatedly, and I loved having it confirmed by someone so well-respected and established. We had bonded! :-)

I don't make it a point to search out many movies for purchase, but I will definitely be adding this one to my collection.
The architect in me was revived, and the photographer in me was inspired. Thanks, Julius.
:-)

~n

Where the beats are born

A few weeks ago I had the awesome task of taking pictures of a friend's recording studio (www.dfabstudios.com). I hadn't seen his studio in a while, so when I saw what I had to work with that day I was impressed! Check out the photos here. 
I loved not only seeing how his business is ready to boom, but knowing that I was helping a local artist with that growth. How great is that?! Hopefully there will be more chances to do these type of shoots. In the meantime, I'm on the lookout for my next project! 
:-)

~n

Culture Check #001

Got culture? Well now you can.

Welcome to the first Culture Check. I'll periodically check in and let you all know about upcoming culture events in San Diego. So are you ready to get the creative juices flowing again? Ok, here we go!

First up is one of my favorite places to get cultured: MoPA! This Thursday (the 13th) is the first in a film series called "The Coming of Age Festival". They'll be kicking off the series with the movie "The World's Fastest Indian".  The event starts at 6pm and there will be an introduction by the Festival Coordinator! More info here.

I'll be at this next event: San Diego Architectural Foundation's Pecha Kucha night. What's Pecha Kucha? It's a night out at a bar while you listen to quick presentations by different artists/designers of all kinds. The ground rules? Each presenter is allowed 20 slides, at 20 seconds for each one. The evening always begins at 20:20. Finally (and most importantly) mingle, have fun, and drink up!
The next one is happening on January 20th @ Quality Social. More info here.

Pecha Kucha not your thing? Need something a little more... sober? Not to worry, you can spend January 20th at MCASD for their "Free Third Thursday Evening". Every third Thursday of the month, they open the doors for free between 5-7pm and even give free guided tours at 5 and 6pm! More info here.

Finally, there's a BARchitecture coming up to kick off the new year! Organized by the AIASD, it's a chance to share a happy hour drink with architects, interior designers, construction professionals, and random drunks off the street. The best part? If you RSVP ahead of time, the first round is on the hosts! More info here.

Well, that should have you all set for the remainder of January. Now get out there and get cultured!
:-)

~n

New year, new blog format!

Hello online world!
Happy belated New Year :)

First off, I just want to say that I'M DONE WITH MY 365 PROJECT!!! I missed some days, but still always posted something to make up for it. I can't believe I did a full year, and it actually went by pretty quickly! Maybe I'll try doing another year, but it won't be 2011. hehehe

Secondly, I'm super excited about keeping this blog going but changing up the format. So, in the coming week I'll be redoing the look of the blog and I'll start posting links to interesting events in the area, or great artists that I enjoy, or any updates on what I've been up to professionally.
So, in the spirit of the new format I want to share an Etsy treasury that I'm participating in. It's a BNR treasury being hosted by the team EtsyExpats, which means it's a "Buy 'N Replace" so all the items are featured for sale and if you're an Etsy seller then once you purchase that item will immediately be replaced with one of yours! So check it out and buy something!

Till next time...
Natalia

365/365

mid-afternoon on December 31, 2010 in San Diego, CA

we ended up going to Old Town today to enjoy the beautiful weather and the holiday weekend. in all the years i've lived in San Diego, i'd never walked into the main church in Old Town. so today we walked inside. it's small, basic, and totally adorable! they had these prayer candles on either side of the entrance, and they immediately caught my eye.
:-)

~n

364/365

late night on December 30, 2010 in Oceanside, CA

our plans for New Year's eve kept changing, and i ended up staying the night at my mom's house with everyone else. we decided to bust out the cards, and ended up playing until about 1am!! if you know our family, though, that shouldn't be a surprise.
:-)

~n

363/365

December 29, 2010 in San Diego, CA

this is another preview shot because of all the holiday madness! this shot is taken on New Year's eve, but i couldn't help but share these wonderful palm trees.
:-)

~n

362/365

December 28, 2010 in San Diego, CA

still in the holiday spirit
:-)

~n

361/365

December 27, 2010 in Oceanside, CA

a few days ago, i helped my niece and nephew build this gingerbread train. let me tell you, those things are not easy, clean, or quick! after two hours of trying to keep the table somewhat clean and trying to make sense of the poorly written instructions and trying to keep my 3-yr-old nephew focused, the train was complete.
i present to you our masterpiece
:-)

~n

360/365

December 26, 2010 in Oceanside, CA

no matter our ages, or whether there are two or ten of us celebrating Christmas, there will always be stocking hanging for treats from Santa
:-)

~n

359/365

early evening on December 25, 2010 in San Diego, CA

i came home to footsteps leading up to my front door...
Santa??
:-)

~n

358/365

~8:00pm on December 24, 2010 in Oceanside, CA

it's CHRISTMAS!!!! i hope that it's very merry.
:-)

~n

357/365

December 23, 2010 in Oceanside, CA

my sister started collecting these miniature Christmas village ceramic pieces many years ago, but then she moved abroad and wasn't able to take them with her. So this year was the first time that they've ever been completely set up, and my mom had it set up as a surprise for when my sister arrived for her visit and walked through the door. she loved it!! i still can't understand how my mom managed to set it all up in one night AND do loads of unpacking AND get some sleep, but the Christmas village looked wonderful.
:-)

~n

356/365

late evening on December 22, 2010 in Oceanside, CA

so. much. food.
this is what a good time looks like! my mom's get-together was a success, and there was so much awesome food!!
my potato salad was a big hit, by the way ;-)

~n

355/365

7:00pm on December 21, 2010 in San Diego, CA


my mom is having a get-together at her house tomorrow, and i promised to take potato salad. i've never made potato salad, so it was definitely an experiment! hint: it had green onion in it.
:-)

~n

354/365

early evening on December 20, 2010 somewhere between Oceanside and San Diego, CA

most people complain about a lot of rain, and i used to hate it because i used to live in an area that was constantly gloomy and rainy. since i've been in California, though, i've come to love the rain because it's a break from all the monotony (yes, it IS possible to get tired of sunny and 70!).
:-)

~n

353/365

late evening on December 19, 2010 in San Diego, CA

i finally decorated for Christmas!!!
this year i got pre-lit garland and decided to put it on my hutch along with any holiday cards that my lovely friends may send. i was quite happy with the results. definitely festive
:-)

~n

352/365

2:00pm on December 18, 2010 in San Diego, CA

contrary to what it may look like, my nephew is extremely active and chatty. haha. this is a rare down moment while he waits for some food to come to our table. the "hat" on his head is actually a huge long stocking that he repurposed
:-)

~n

351/365

evening on December 17, 2010 in San Diego, CA

with family in town, my car has been getting some extra miles going back and forth to my mom's house. we've also been getting lots of rain lately, so i'm kind of loving the lights reflecting on everything.
:-)

~n

350/365

~10:00pm on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, CA

i found a good deal on a fun plastic holga lens to add onto my camera. call it an early Christmas present :)
this is one of my test shots that i couldn't resist taking before going to bed!
:-)

~n

349/365

dinner time on December 15, 2010 in San Diego, CA

i made pizza tonight. yummmmmmmmmmm
:-)

~n

348/365

6:00pm on December 14, 2010 in Los Angeles, CA

my sister and her family arrive today!!!! i love my sister, and my brother-in-law is cool and all, but i have to admit that i'm really looking forward the most to seeing my niece and nephew :)
they took a bit longer than usual to come out of customs, so i was kept entertained by the changing color wall by the ramp into the int'l terminal
:-)

~n

347/365

late evening on December 13, 2010 in San Diego, CA

even my fruit is in the holiday spirit!
:-)

~n

346/365

December 12, 2010 in Oceanside, CA

did i mention there are A LOT of boxes in my mom's house? or that my sister and her family come into town in TWO DAYS?!
:-)

~n

345/365

early afternoon on December 11, 2010 in Oceanside, CA

my sister and her family are coming into town and staying at my mom's new house during the holidays. they arrive in three days. this is what the kitchen looks like currently. my mom is (understandably) freaking out.
:-)

~n

344/365

December 10, 2010 in San Diego, CA

sorry folks, another blast from the past. this photo is from mid-July in Pacific Beach. i went to World Famous, which is one of my favorite places to go for thursday happy hours. during one my recent visits, a friend asked the waitress what they're famous for as he was contemplating what to order. she said "nothing", and somehow didn't seem to find the humor in that.
:-)

~n

343/365

December 9, 2010 in San Diego, CA

this is another blast from the past... this photo is from early august.
with the holidays coming up, one of the things on my mind the most is.... FOOD! this is my mom in action while she makes alfajores
:-)

~n

342/365

7:30am on December 8, 2010 in Oceanside, CA.

somewhere a little angel is crying....

this was a totally random and odd thing to find on the street at 7:30 in the morning in a residential neighborhood. i wonder who was so pissed with jesus?!

~n

341/365

December 7, 2010 in San Diego, CA

did i mention i've been distracted lately and busy as heck?? this is another shot from the fashion shoot i did on the 27th for Creative Fashionista. The model shown is Kyra. Check this link for the full album!
:-)

~n

340/365

December 6, 2010 in San Diego, CA

i had another brain fart today in the midst of all the home repair/remodel chaos. so to make up for it, i'm posting a candid shot from the move we just had on the 4th. i had the honor of driving the old, beat up, barely functioning, full of pet hair, noisy as all heck rental truck.  this was my passenger.
:-)

~n

339/365

mid-morning on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, CA

i love my car. it never fails me. case in point: the countertops. we picked up some countertops from ikea, and the largest piece is 8' long. i assumed we would need to tie the trunk down with rope, but it fit in my car!! so this is proof that my car is awesome. period.
:-)

~n

338/365

early morning on December 4, 2010 in San Diego, CA

today is the day of the big move! i've asked a few extremely kind friends to help my mom and i move her stuff out of storage and into the new house. is the house totally ready? no, but we have a schedule to maintain!
i bought this bike at a garage sale a long time ago, probably about 10-12 years ago. i painted it red and used it a few times, but Pittsburgh is extremely hilly and not very bike friendly! so now i've finally got the bike in SD with me, and i can't wait to be able to use it. it's pretty beat up though, so it needs a major makeover before it's usable. that will just have to be a spring project!
:-)

~n

337/365

evening, December 3, 2010 in Oceanside, CA

yet another view of that awesome old ladder in my mom's new house :)
this time, we're looking at one of the rungs. i could go on about how yesterday's existentialist pause gave me inspiration to things about "rungs" in our lives.... the steps we take, both forward and back... the people that are our support as we move towards the future... the history of the people that have walked in our footsteps before, and how in one sense or another we're never alone in our isolation....
but i'll just let you guys fill in the blanks
:-)

~n

336/365

daily grind, December 2, 2010 in Vista, CA

so i was working on a design and needed to show an "exit" sign, but kept accidentally typing "exist". a sign telling me to just exist? of course i started to read into it! with the new year just around the corner, it only makes sense that we start to re-evaluate our lives and think about 'the big picture'. so... i guess sometimes i need to just "exist".
:-)

~n

335/365

evening on December 2, 2010 in Oceanside, CA

another view of a wonderful old ladder... i love the layers of paint, the scrapes, the wear and tear. love it!
:-)

~n

334/365

5:00pm on November 30, 2010 in Vista, CA

it's that time of the year again... i see beautiful sunsets when i leave work! this is yet another amazing sky that caught my eye as i stepped outside. pretty soon i'll have the sunsets during my ride home!
:-)

~n