bring it on, spring 2009.

Hello. It's back to the dorm for me. I've been here since Friday, and loving it. I have done lots of fun things with my roommate Casey...we went out for sushi, watched three movies (The Namesake, 2 Days in Paris, and the new Sweeny Todd), and hung out with friends. It's been a nice way to welcome in the new semester. Classes begin Thursday. I am taking Advanced Photography Studio (my third), Watercolor I, Graphic Design II, Meal Management, BFA Professional Orientation (fourth portfolio class), and Thesis. Bring it on, I am finally feeling ready.

I have many things to share, but for now I'll leave you with this...a photo of my breakfast yesterday and my newest thrifted coffee mug:

falafel love.

Today was my last day of winter break at home. Classes start next Thursday, but I am returning to the college life tomorrow. I have been very productive the past few days. I spent most of today cooking: falafel, black bean burgers, and whole grain bread. Falafel was lunch, the burgers are for freezing, and the bread is for at least a week's worth of peanut butter toast (my favorite breakfast).

I live in a dorm (a very nice upperclassmen dorm, but a dorm just the same) and have no kitchen facilities. My suite consists of four small bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, and a "kitchenette," which is really only a countertop, refrigerator, and microwave. I live with three suitemates. We typically just eat in the cafeteria, and only dream of being able to cook on a stove or in an oven. So when I visit home, using the kitchen is a treat.

Falafel in the skillet.

Delicious.

My mom found these fabulously healthy pitas.

There are few things as tasty as falafel.

Black bean burger ingredients.

Voila.

By August I am moving into a real apartment, will have a kitchen, and plan to throw lots of dinner parties. For now I suppose it's just the kitchenless "suite life" for me.

new year, new bag.

Today I sewed a new bag for myself. I don't buy purses. I sew a new one every six months or so and then I take it everywhere with me, all the time. It's a thing I've been doing for a very long time.

The new one is made from printed maroon corduroy that my grandmother gave me a few years ago, with a piece from my favorite vintage floral sheet as the inside (I collect pretty sheets from thrift stores because the fabric holds up really well). There are lots of pockets inside (I am a little obsessive about having specific pockets for my essential things).

...and inside.

kiss often, hug others.

These banners by Bird and Bear give me lots of great ideas. They look like the traditional "Happy Birthday" decor that we've all grown up on, but say clever things like, "Kiss Often," "Hug Others," "Be a Mess," and "I Have No Clue," to name just a few. I've made banners like this, but never with a very interesting caption.

hello, blog.

Hello. This is the obligatory "this is my new blog" post. I wanted to create a blog where I can talk about design, art, cooking, crafts, etc., so that is what this will be.

Well, I guess I should offer some type of introduction. My name is Kristen and I am a senior art student working towards my BFA with an emphasis in photography. I work as a co-director of a student-run art gallery at my university, as well as a few other small art-related jobs. I'm not sure what I want to do when I graduate, but food photography is what interests me the most at the moment. While taking photographs is my number one love, I enjoy making just about anything. I dabble in drawing, sewing, ceramics, cooking, and decorating...among others.