Christmas Time is Here

// Festive Kitty Christmas Card //

December!? When did that happen?!? I took my car in for an oil change this weekend and to both my mechanic's and my horror, the last time I had had my oil changed was...wait for it...January 2012!!! (I hope my Dad doesn't read this) It really seemed like I had it changed 4 months ago-- ok, try 12 months ago. Time. Flies.

Every year since I can remember, I've made a Christmas card that I send out to family and friends. I just updated a few of my favorites and put them up for sale in my Etsy store, i make pretty. Take a look!

I also wanted to share a super simple no-bake recipe for Date-Nut Coconut Squares that I found in Martha Stewart Home Living. I've been making these healthy treats on the weekend and bringing them to work for breakfast. They go so well with a cup of coffee. Recipe below.

 // Rocker Girl Christmas Cards //

// Dreamy Christmas // 

// Girls in White Dresses Christmas Cards //

// Simple 'No-Bake' Date-Nut Coconut  Squares //

Makes 12 Squares

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup unsalted raw cashews or almonds

- 1 cup pitted dates

- 1/2 cup dried unsweetened shredded coconut

- pinch of cinnamon

1) Pulse 1/2 cup of nuts of your choice until coarsely chopped.

2) Add 1 cup of pitted dates (the softer the better), 1/4 cup of dried coconut, and a pinch of cinnamon and purée until smooth.

3) Place 1/4 cup more of the dried coconut on a plate. 

4) Take date mixture and form into 1-inch cubes. Dip all sides of the cube in the dried coconut to cover.  (I dip half and leave the other half plain as they are already quite sweet from the dates).

Cubes can be stored up to 1 week at room temperature in an airtight container.

Giving Thanks, Literally.

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? I'm so happy (or should I say thankful) that I was able to 5-pack of handmade 'Thank You' cards. They're made from watercolor 

paintings of mine. 

With Thanksgiving coming up, the theme of 'Thankfulness' is all around us-- which is a good thing.

"If [thankfulness] were a drug, it would be the world's best-selling product with a health maintenance indication for every major organ system," said Dr. P. Murali Doraiswamy, head of the division of biologic psychology at Duke University Medical Center.

Dr. Doraiswamy also goes on to state that "Studies have shown measurable effects on multiple body and brain systems, said Doraiswamy. Those include mood neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine), reproductive hormones (testosterone), social bonding hormones (oxytocin), cognitive and pleasure related neurotransmitters (dopamine), inflammatory and immune systems (cytokines), stress hormones (cortisol), cardiac and EEG rhythms, blood pressure, and blood sugar." Full article here.

Pretty amazing, right? Take a peak at my cards below! If you're interested, you can purchase them from my Etsy store here: i make pretty. Thank you! :)

i make pretty: Magical Halloween Card

We're a little over two weeks away from Halloween and I've finally finished making my latest Halloween card! This one is called Magical Halloween. I was inspired by the beauty of Fall and the magic that exists in the history (and idea) of Halloween. All of the artwork was done by the same hands typing this very post, yours truly. Oh, and of course, the stars are dusted in glitter.

I've included the Halloween card that I made last year, too, Three Little Witches. Take a look and tell me what you think! 

 You can purchase Magical Halloween and Three Little Witches from my Etsy Shop.

 // Magical Halloween //

 // card & envelope //

 // close up detail //

 // Three Little Witches //

 // inside detail of Three Little Witches //

A Minute in the Life: Scenes From the Week

Ok, so I cheated a little, these are scenes from the week-- and the week before that ;)

// Avian Espionage //

// Sunset Santa Monica //

  // My boyfriend found this cartoon, yup, that's me alright! 

Right down to the drunken Snow White (below) //

// The year I was a drunken Snow White.

My roomies were pretty amazing-- and still are //

// The Valley //

// A new Birthday Card I made to add to my Etsy Shop //

// From Oscar's on Rose //

// Up on the Helipad 'Where's Endeavour?' style //

// Spotted: Space Shuttle Endeavour flying over North Hollywood //

// Endeavour taking off from LAX, taken by my buddy David da' Chenster //

A Minute in the Life: Tomorrow

Our little Etsy store, Tomorrow, has been quite the adventure so far...there's so much to learn! We just added some new artwork, check it out!

Engagement/Wedding Congratulations Card

"You're My Kind" 5x5 Giclee Print

"Jellies on Parade" 11x14 Digital Photograph

All of our work is customizable, just give a shout if you have any questions or are interested in placing an order. :)

A New (ad)Venture!

Three Little Witches Halloween Card

I'm sooooo very excited to announce the opening of our (my boyfriend and my) new, online, Etsy Shop! We named our shop Tomorow. 

We felt that the name Tomorow is perfect for what we want our shop to stand for. The work is meant to make people feel happy, positive, forward thinking/looking and "tomorrow," literally, always holds hope and new surprises. We only have 4 items in our shop at the moment, but more goodies are on the way! 

From our profile: We blend photography with acrylic and watercolor paint, ink, and other surprises ;)

 We love to create art. We both are constantly driven to grow and become stronger artists by tirelessly practicing our craft and opening our eyes to the world around us. Every day we are inspired by passionate artists from around the globe that put their life and feelings into their work.

Go check it out! Tell me what you think :) 

You can view our store here: Tomorow

Closing Time 8x10 Photographic Art

Happy You 5x7 Giclee Print

Three Amigos 8x10 Photographic Art