A festivus for the rest of us

Happy Festivus for all of my Seinfeld buddies! As you all know, Festivus begins at sundown with the airing of grievances so get your lists ready. 

In other news, the concert I went to Saturday was great. I didn't get any pictures since cameras and phones use was strictly prohibited. Mark Kozelek was fantastic and the opener, bela tar, was really good too. We got back home around 4am and only encountered a little bit of ice on the roads. Overall it was a good trip. 

On Sunday, I had pre-Christmas with my dad's family. It was nice getting to see everyone while they're in town. Unfortunately, my schedule has not left me with a lot of free time for pictures. I'm planning on doing a few things tonight after wrapping my last minute gifts. 

Xoxo

Sasha

winter wasting

wow! that's all i can say at this point. i feel like i blinked and the year is already over. i've been so busy with work and planning for the holidays that i haven't had time to shoot any of the new stuff that i wanted to. i still can't believe that christmas is next week and i still haven't finished shopping for everyone or wrapping gifts. however, today is about catching up on all of that lost time. after work i just have to swing by the craft store for wrapping supplies and pick up one final gift at blue 7 then i can get to work (i better pick up a bottle of wine while i'm out for my all night wrapping party). after i get everything wrapped let the photo taking commence! i have some commission work to work on (got a pretty good jump on it last night) and then i have some stuff i want to shoot before i leave town again on saturday. my friend jeff and i are heading to dallas on saturday to see mark kozelek perform. i'm super excited to get to spend time with my friend before all of the family stuff sets in. i'm hoping to do a little post about the show (and impending bad weather for driving) tomorrow evening.

i'm also super excited because next semester is my last semester of school. yay! i'm not sure what will change after i graduate, probably nothing, but it's exciting none the less.

and now i need your help. i am looking for dried insects (like the ones that people pin in shadow boxes) for some photos i want to do. i was going to buy some shadow boxes and deconstruct them, but i didn't want to risk damaging the insect in the process. if anyone knows of a supplier for such items please let me know.

i hope everyone has a great weekend!

xoxo

sasha

Lavender soap

I spent most of my long weekend making soap. In my dad's family we give homemade gifts (usually food) instead of buying things for each other. Since cooking isn't really my thing and baking is definitely not my thing I went with something non-edible. I used a goat's milk base for my soap and added lavender essential oil. I also picked some lavender flowers from my garden and dried them and added them to the soap as well. It was a fairly easy process once I got the hang of getting the base the right consistency. If you want to try making your own soap you can buy everything you need at the craft store:

- soap base (I used organic goat's milk, but you can also get a plain glycerin base as well)

- essential oils (if you can't find the scent you want check out the health food store for a better selection)

- soap molds ( I also found that the super flexible ice trays work too and come in pretty shapes)

- color (this is optional, but would add a nice touch to the soap)

- dried flowers (I picked my own, but you could also use silk flowers or other little objects)

Your soap base should come with instructions, but I found that putting chunks on the base into a glass bowl and microwaving it worked best. You want to be sure to microwave in short increments (10-15 seconds) and stir in between. When the soap is melty then add your scented oil and color. I mixed my flowers in at this point, but you can place them in the bottom of the mold and pour the soap around them if there's a specific way you want them arranged. It takes about 20 minutes for the soap to set up completely, but if your in a rush you can put the mold in the refrigerator. After everything is set gently flex the molds then turn over and apply light pressure on them and the soap should pop out (if need be you can run a pairing knife around the soap to loosen it on the sides). 

Happy soap making! If anyone actually tries this let me know how it works out for you. 

Xoxo

Sasha

*in other news, I had intended to post some real pictures this weekend, but didn't feel like leaving my house to go somewhere with wifi. Now that I'm back at work I should be able to get some stuff posted this week. 

Hair growth

It's been months since I've cut or dyed my hair. My natural color looks quite different from the platinum blonde I used to be. 

It's still really cold here and the icy roads have kept me inside (so no Internet for except through my phone). I'm working on lots of pictures and crafty type things to keep me from getting stir crazy. Hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to venture outside and find somewhere with wifi. 

Xoxo

Sasha

Enjoy the silence

Just a few small things that have been inspiring me lately. 

The weather is getting bad again which is making me want to take pictures again. 

Xoxo

Sasha

*sorry for the delay with posting. I've been wrapped up in video games for the past few weeks, as well as taking a small winter holiday. 

no one believes

in this land of make believe....

no one believes in me.

xoxo

sasha

*the left overs from my stuff yesterday. happy wine and cheese wednesday! i can't wait to be off work and sitting in front of the fire sipping a glass of wine. it's such a perfect way to end the day.

*my blazer is from the gap
*my wig is from abhair
* my panties, bra, and stockings are from modcloth
*my shoes are steve madden

*also, listen to what i'm listening to here

terribly real

to alice he said, "you are a terribly real thing in a terribly false world, and that, i believe is why you are in so much pain."




so alice created a terribly false world in her dreams to reside in....



...her own wonderland.

xoxo

sasha

*i'm finally back to shooting (and actually liking most of what i shoot)! i figured some alice in wonderland would be a fun way to get back into the swing of things.

*both girls are me. i plan on doing a little photo tutorial on how i put them together later.

Removed from reality

It's been a time of changes for me over the past few months. People I once thought were important aspects of my life have faded into the background while others have made their presence known. I feel a change in my photography coming. I've been shooting a lot lately, but everything has seemed too personal to share. I'm working through lots of conflicting emotions and hope to have new work up very soon. 

Xoxo

Sasha

I am hopelessly in love with you. 

Xoxo

Sasha

Halloween

Saturday was a perfect (at least in my mind) fall day. It was drizzly and overcast with just enough chill in the air to need a sweater. My sister and my nephew met me for lunch and some playing in the park time. 

Jeff came over later in the afternoon. We went to the record store, then went and bought a pumpkin. I got to experience my first ever pumpkin carving (Jeff did most of the work since I lack the upper body strength). 

There was also lots of soup eating, record listening and movie watching done this weekend.

 I'm really excited about Halloween this week. It's my favorite holiday to celebrate. I'm hoping to get tickets to the showing of night of the living dead (free admission if you dress like a zombie). 

Xoxo

Sasha

the pain that's yet to come

xoxo

sasha

*it's been so cold lately. i feel like i may have started something that i'll never finish with my recent editing projects. i meant to have stuff posted, but i was having one of those "i hate everything" moments and decided that everything needed to be reworked or scrapped completely.

*over the weekend i sorted through all of the stuff on my camera. after increasing frustration, i deleted everything that i had shot over the past two weeks. my goal is to get it reshot in a way that i deem acceptable.

*also, on saturday i went to the record store and bought some lovely new albums. i also spent the day with one of my friends.

room 237

last night i saw someone that i hadn't seen in almost a year. after catching up for a bit our conversation turned to movies, which it always eventually did. he told me about the documentary, room 237. i had read about this movie last year when it came out, but hadn't gotten around to actually watching it. since i was having a slow day at the office i decided to watch it. if you're a fan of the shining i definitely would recommend it. i feel like i will probably need to watch it again before rewatching the shining.




xoxo

sasha

Been a long time

It's been a really long time since I've felt like taking pictures. I meant to several nights now, but I just can't seem to find the energy. However, the weather is shifting into the colder months I've been feeling more creative. I'm just hoping that I can maintain this feeling and actually get something produced. 

Xoxo

Sasha

it'll end in tears

ok, so i'm back from my hiatus. i've got some stuff planned for tonight and budget allowing, i'll have it posted tomorrow mid-morning. i'm actually really relieved to start shooting again. i felt like i was missing something in my daily routine.

in other news, the annual regatta is this week and i'm hoping to make it out this evening to see some of the boats. we're expecting lots of rain so this may hinder my plans.

in other, other news, i found a series of letters that i wrote to people for a photo project a long time ago. i'm thinking i'll revisit this idea and will be posting pictures of the letters (names blacked out of course).

i hope everyone has a great weekend and i can't wait to share my new stuff with you.

also, here's an excited kitty:

xoxo

sasha

listen to what i'm listening to here

Fall

It's finally starting to feel like fall. I'm loving wearing cozy sweaters and drinking hot tea. 

I unfortunately have found myself with a lack of time for taking new pictures. I'm hoping to start some new projects this week as well as finish editing some past photos. Also, I'm super excited that all of the pop-up Halloween stores are opening. I love looking at all of the fun costumes and makeup. 

Xoxo

Sasha

Weekend get away

My friend and I went to Austin, Texas over the weekend. We went to see Death in June play, but stayed all weekend since neither of us had ever visited the city before. The concert was amazing. 

Before the concert we went for a walk on congress avenue at the recommendation of my cousin. We ate some really great pizza, had a smoothie, and shopped around. We went in uncommon objects, which is one of my new favorite stores. There was so much creepy stuff, I wish I had more room in my car so I could have bought some stuff. 

My cousin was nice enough to give us her apartment for the weekend so we didn't have to worry about hotel expenses, which was amazing. I can't wait to go back for another visit. 

Xoxo

Sasha

miss you

i planned to say all these terrible things to you, but in the end, i just want to tell you i miss you.


xoxo

sasha

the dreamer

what happens to the dream

when the dreamer dies?


xoxo

sasha


*i'm off to austin this weekend for the death in june concert. yay vacation!

*i'm not super pleased with how this turned out, but i'm planning on continuing to explore this concept a little more in future photos.

*my dress is second hand

Busy busy

I had intended to post some new things before I left town, but I wasn't happy with the shots so I'm reworking some of them. 

In other news, I got some lovely new shoes in the mail. 

Xoxo

Sasha

Saturday

I spent my Saturday hanging out with my sister and her family. There was lots of sushi and sake and chasing the baby around. My sister and I also got new piercings. It was a pretty fun day. 

I have some new stuff to work on this week. I'm also going to an art show with my grandmother. And Friday I'm driving to Austin for a concert. I'm super excited for a mini vacation. 

Xoxo

Sasha

study of insomnia part 2

When you have insomnia, you're never really asleep... and you're never really awake.


xoxo

sasha


*does anyone recognize the quote?

*i'm way more productive at night for some reason. it's something about the night that makes me feel more creative.

*the mask is from amazon and the slip/dress is from anthropologie

a study of insomnia

the sky is so tragically beautiful. A graveyard of stars.


xoxo

sasha

*insomnia has been plaguing me lately. although it's given me lots of time to catch up on season 3 of walking dead, it's not conducive to working every day. i have lots of new ideas that i can't wait to start working on.

*in other news, i'm getting a new piercing (well, technically 2). it's my first dermal piercing, which makes me a little nervous, but my sister is going with me so it shouldn't be too bad.

*listen to what i'm listening to here

little games

happy wine and cheese wednesday.

xoxo

sasha

*i'm working out some new ideas tonight. they might just stay in concept form unless i get some quality shots, but either way i should have them posted tomorrow or friday (i'm traveling for work tomorrow, so internet access might be limited). also, i am counting the days until my mini vacation :D i'm super excited to visit somewhere new and hopefully will get some great photos.

*yes, this is the song from the nokia commercial.

haunting

perhaps this is what it means to go mad: to be emptied and to be aware of the emptiness.

xoxo

sasha

*my mom helped me take these yesterday. it was over cast which gave them a grainy, haunting look. i'm hoping to get one more round of underwater photos before the summer ends.

*i'm using a kodak easy share underwater camera. i bought it on amazon for 70$ and so far it's been a great underwater camera to start out with. it also takes video and can be used as a regular point and shoot as well.

the moon's love

the sun loved the moon
so much, he died every night
to let her breathe

xoxo

sasha

*happy labor day weekend everyone! i'm enjoying my long weekend. it finally warmed up a little bit so i'm shooting some new underwater photos, which i will hopefully get posted tomorrow.

Weekend wasting

I spent my weekend doing nothing productive. On Saturday I hung out with my mom. We went to a couple thrift stores, but didn't find anything worth while. She and I spent most of the day redecorating 3 of the bedrooms at her house. 

Sunday, my sister, brother-in-law, and nephew met me for brunch. After brunch we braved the Sunday mall crowd since the baby needed new shoes. We also ended up going to the park for a bit, but it was too hot to stay out long. 

After they left my friend picked me up for dinner and a movie. We saw the world's end. It was a lot funnier than I thought it would be. 

I'm hoping to take some new pictures tonight since I didn't get anything done over the weekend, but we'll see. 

Xoxo

Sasha 

alter

we will find ourselves praying before the alter the way they taught us to.

xoxo

sasha

*more flowers. i'm planning on doing a post about skin care...maybe tomorrow. also, i have some new photos that i will be posting soon. i'm hoping that the weather warms up just a little bit so i can have one more go at underwater photography, but who knows if it will.

*in other news, i'm planning a trip to austin in september. i've never visited austin before so if anyone has any suggestions on stuff to do or places to check out please let me know. i'm planning on taking my camera on the trip, but i don't know how many pictures i'll actually get.

this place

i think you should stay away from here....

...there are ghosts in the walls
and they crawl in your head through your ear.


xoxo

sasha

*the grocery store by my house always has the most beautiful flowers. yesterday when i saw these roses i knew i had to take them home, so i bought 2 dozen in 2 different shades of pink. not only did i get some exciting photo props, but my house now smells softly of roses. plus, this fits into my plan of enjoying the little things since one of the little things on my list is having fresh flowers in the house.

*this photo is made up of 3 different images. the photo and the texture are mine, but the skull is a stock image i found online.

in the land of dreams

last night i dreamed that we met again.

we were waiting for the train and you walked up to me. I didn't recognize you at first, but your memory came flooding back when you started speaking.

i told you i was waiting for someone, but i wasn't sure who.

when we parted, both of us wanted to ask the other to go with them, but neither of us said anything.

i found my seat, still unsure of my traveling companion as they had yet to make themselves known. soon you took the seat next to me.

you were the one i was waiting for all along, and i was the one you were traveling to see.

this is what fate is.....but this is just a dream

and i have to wake up.


xoxo

sasha

*my dream from last night was still so vivid when i woke up that i had to write it down before i forgot. i hadn't dreamed about you in a very long time and i'm still confused as to why i did.

remind me

sometimes we all need something simple to remind us of who we are and where we're going.


xoxo

sasha

*just something small for sunday. i'm currently looking for some lovely outdoor areas for some photos i want to shoot since the weather has been cool.

keep watch

who will be there to keep vigil over your body when your soul departs?

to keep watch and make sure you don't return

as something other worldly.

don't worry love, i'll keep watch for you.

xoxo

sasha


*so i finally felt up to doing a little shoot.....which is based on cemetery man. i love the scene where he keeps watch over her body to make sure she doesn't come back as a zombie. if you haven't seen this movie, it's one of my favorite zombie movies and definitely worth the watch.

*i'm hoping to be back to my normal posting schedule. this sickness has really drained my energy and i feel like all i've been doing lately is sleeping.

Day 5

This week I decided to try going a week without makeup. Typically I cringe at the thought of leaving the house without makeup, but I had read about how giving your skin a little break every now and then can help with blemishes and such. We'll call it a skin detox. It's meant to help restore the natural balance of oils in the skin as well as letting your pores breathe. 

The first couple of days I felt very, very, very self conscious, but I stuck with it and relied heavily on the fact that my glasses cover a good portion of my face. Now that it's day 5, I've come to enjoy the extra fifteen minutes I have in the morning due to skipping my makeup routine. My face also feels much fresher and doesn't get super oily around mid day. Also, since it's been super humid lately I don't have to worry about having raccoon eyes from stray mascara particles. 

Since I'm still a little under the weather I'll probably be doing a few posts about the type of makeup I've been using along with a few of my other favorite skin care products. 

*super flattering cellphone picture, right? 

Xoxo

Sasha

Not dead

I know I've been really quiet lately, but I'm hoping my time amongst the dead is almost over. I've done nothing but sleep the past 2 weeks in an attempt to get over being sick. I had finally managed to get over the fatigue and achy feeling last Friday only to be met with a stomach flu...which is still kicking my ass. In the meantime, I plan on posting some new music I've been listening to as well as some movies that I've watched (since that's all I've felt like doing for awhile). 

I've also been sketching away on some new photo ideas that I can't wait to try out. 

Xoxo

Sasha

*my t-shirt is from warpaint clothing 

Dead space

It's been awhile since I've posted anything here. Recently I've been having a lot of pain in my joints so it makes it hard to do anything other than sleep. I'm trying to do some work that isn't too involved, but with my regular work schedule it's been hard. I hope to be feeling better this week. 

Xoxo

Sasha

a wishlist on wednesday

since i've been sick lately i haven't felt like shooting any new pictures, but what i have felt like doing is shopping. as of late i've been shopping at free people.....a lot. here's a few things that i love (but can't really afford at the moment).

1. i'm not sure what it is about this bag (maybe the fringe), but i love it. you can find it here

2. i know we're still in the middle of summer, but i'm longing for a cozy sweater. you can find this one here

3. i love, love, love these boots....so much that i bought the last pair of them in black. you can find them here

 

4. this kimono/poncho has the prettiest pattern. you can find it here

this is just a little bit of the stuff that's on my wishlist (we don't have time to go into all of it). also, check out the free people blog . it's full of lovely outfit inspiration, decorating ideas, diy crafts, and recipes.

i'm hoping to be feeling better tonight, so i should hopefully get some new pictures taken for tomorrow. sorry it's been so quiet.

xoxo

sasha

don't look

closing your eyes won't work this time.

xoxo

sasha

*i would have had this posted yesterday, but i wasn't pleased with the editing. i'm working on another multiple person photo at the moment and i should have it finished up by tomorrow. i hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

*both people in the photo are me (still haven't found someone else to work with)

*my black dress is from olive

*my white dress is from blue7