Me and my Mac

So if you know me you know that I love Apple. They're ridiculous in their ways of overpricing, and coming out with a newer model 6 months after the last one was released. But all their products are just so dang good looking. And the ultimate look of cool tech savvy nerd.
I love my MacBook, and I love the amazing Disney nerdiness that I can combine with my lovely laptop.
One of my most favorite gifts I have ever been given is the computer decal my brother gave me or Christmas last year.

This summer I had to take my mac into the Apple store to get the charger fixed, and my computer drew a mini crowd of apple employees. One guy took pictures and a video of it because he thought it was so cool.

Well, today I was browsing Etsy, a fabulous handmade web site that has amazing sellers and beautiful items for sale, and found this:

You can find it here on apjam's etsy

 

 

Oh man.... I've always wanted an iphone. I still can't wait for the day when I have a steady job and enough money to afford one, what a dream come true that will be. And if I got a cool sticker like this. I could have matching Macs!!!

On another note... I an in love with my under the bed area. I never want to leave it. 

It has been named "The Bohemian Fairyland"

I can't really get a good picture of it, but I have my comfy chair, Jane, with art on the wall, flamingo lights, a billowy blue sky above, and little golden stars hanging down above my head. I can't wait for Christmas when they put out lights. I've been waiting to get a small strand of just plain white lights to put them up and have distant stars shine through my sky.
I'm also excited to gather more art for my wall, it's something that I do every year. I love the gradual collecting of inspiring images.
Well, I have a meeting with my Theology small group to go to.
Tah-Tah for now!
-Brenna Kathleen

Just like Harry's first ride on the Knight Bus...

My third year started out with a bang!

The roommies and I arranged our room so we all have a sweet set up. All lofted beds so we have our own space under them for our desks and various sitting places.
I have room under for my desk and the perfect amount of space for my thrifted chair, Jane.

Popsicle loves sitting in his little spot by the window and watches the people walk by outside.

What I've found most exciting (besides my awesome prof for Theology 2, my illustration, and Animation classes), is a project that I actually have only had a small part in.
At the end of summer, my dearest Amber came over and helped me with making a new sketchbook. I had an old book cover, extra paper, needle, and thread. Problem was, I didn't know how to make that into a new sketchbook. Amber did. So the darling took it from me, put it all together, and then presented it to me a few days ago.

Ladies and Gentlemen, My new sketchbook...

Yup, that's right. It's in an old hardcover binding of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
After Amber handed it over to me, I quickly got to work "pimping" it out.

What you see in the picture above is a pasted in Ravenclaw stationary page (I put in several of those), my own penned version of The Jabberwocky poem by Lewis Carroll, a pasted in red envelope that reminds me of a howler, and one of the original pages from the book( several of those are also put in).
There are other things I added like lined paper, and a ribbon bookmark. Amber had sewed in not just the brown pages, but also pages form my old stash of drawing paper and watercolor paper as well.

Want to know the BEST part? It's Harry's third year at Hogwarts. It's my third year at Biola. And what an adventurous year it will be.

Happy back to school everyone!
-Brenna Kathleen

I think I should copyright

Check out what I found on Modcloth today.

This past spring I did some painting to sell for my mission's trip. I made some in advance, but I also took requests and made some right there on the spot. I didn't catch photos of all of them, but here's a big picture dump of my paintings. Keep in mind that I don't consider myself a painter or a photographer.

 I had an old copy of Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban that I used to paint on. Most people would consider it an awful thing to do, to take out pages from fine literature and treat it this way. But I love doing it. I don't think it's disrespectful. In fact, I think it to be quite the opposite. I often try to find books or authors I like to make in to art. I use the pages of things that inspire me.
I also love trying to relate the two.
For instance, I painted an owl on a page from the chapter "Owl Post"

 Sometimes the poor art major in me has no other choice but to buy books that I'm not particularly interested in. This page (and others I painted on ) is from an old readers digest. And apparently has several semi-trashy romance novels in it. I found that out when I was in mid-painting and started actually paying attention to some of the words on the page.
For clarification. I bought it because I liked the cover (and kept it for a future project) and the pages had the correct yellow tint that I needed.

 more owl post

 My roommate, Jojo, bought this one from me. I think it was actually the first one I made.

  This was a request, for the chicken on Harry Potter. Love it.

 Another request. I want to recreate this one. I love the wale blue on the book page.

 I made this for my dear friend, Marnie. I call her Narnia, so I painted her the lamp post with Mr. Tumnus.

 More owl post...

 And more owl post... People really liked the owl idea.

Flower commission.

I painted a bunch of different bikes, thinking the hipsters would love it. Some did, most didn't. Next time I need to do more research on things hipsters like.









Well, that was a great reminder to post more of my work! I'm not really going to copyright, but it is giving me ideas to make my own stationary...

Home Sweet Home...

I made it! I survived my sophomore year of college. I thought the 18 units were going to pound me into the carpet of my extremely cluttered dorm room.
But after hours of packing and cleaning, traffic, and more traffic resulting in a 3 hour long drive that should have only lasted 1 1/2, I'm home. Yes, I have lots of boxes in the family room that I have to go through over the next few days. Yes, I start work on Tuesday after missing it completely due to traffic today. Yes, I have to do an extreme downsize on everything that I'll be bringing back. But I'm done and home! I've forgotten how comfy my bed here is. I can't wait to snuggle in it again, even if I'm surrounded by suitcases and boxes when I wake up.

Since I'm here and resting. I can leisurely look at web sites again without feeling guilty because I should be doing something else. So I took a quick trip over to........ you guessed it! Modcolth.

I've mentioned before that one of my favorite things that they've done on their site is add a "longer lengths" section in their dresses. Although some of them still seem to be just as the knee, it's better than the usual length which is just below your pelvic bone.

But the things there make me waft off to dream land where money doesn't matter, and your outfit is always darling and cute...

Who wouldn't LOVE this amazing little envelope necklace, with a little letter inside!

I also get some ideas for future living situations, be they dorm room or a real home.

 

Who thought of this beautiful contraption?! It makes me want to wash dishes all day long and whistle happy tunes.

 The barely-dipped rose handle on this mug.... is it disgusting if I describe it as 'delicious'?

I'm actually excited to go through everything I brought back. I won't have much room next year, and I'll have to come up with some sort of container system for my art supplies. 

But think of the potential of an empty canvas of a space, I take it as a challenge.

I've already taken measurements of every piece of furniture in the room, and will be attempting to make a slip cover with built-in cushions for my ugly college-supplied desk chair. 

This will be epic.

Until next time, which won't be so long now that I have more free time!!

-Brenna Kathleen

Sometimes Inspiration Is Just A Turn Of The Head Away...

I can't wait for when I move out of a dorm and get to decorate my very own home. But for now, I know that this is where I'm meant to be, and college isn't going to last forever.

But that doesn't stop me from thinking about my future home. And sometimes I stumble upon inspiration right here in my cramped little dorm room...

 

as I was studying the other day I saw these colored pencils all together and I thought, that's it. These are the colors I want in my home. Along with buttercup yellow in my kitchen :]

I know this is a weird picture. And it shows off my super messy bed (that I'm usually sitting on as I post, like right now), but today I looked at it with three of my obscene amount of cardigans and the color of it with the bright sunshine coming through just gave me such a fresh release. Even with the little space, and no ability to change it up as much as my artistic soul longs to do, it's still  my room and my bed. And I love it. 

Besides, who wouldn't love having a beautiful roommate like this to cheer you up everyday?

Happy Valentines tomorrow! I have a new song I'll be posting in honor of the holiday.

-Brenna Kathleen

Beautifulness

Everyone. Stop what you're doing and watch THIS.



NOW

-Brenna


P.S.
If you want to watch some of the best music videos ever made also watch
this
this
and
this

My Own Home

I always find inspiring images of places online, but I also find lots of inspiration in my very own home. My mom is one of my favorite interior designers. She and I have the same tastes for vintage things.
So I thought I'd share some pictures I took of my home. Keep in mind I'm not a photographer.


These images are from the general house area...






These are taken in my older brother's room...




And these are from my room...





The gnomes shown are Sunday, Michael, and Eiffel with Arthur in the background :]
I've written about my gnomes, right? I collect them....and name them...... I have 36 now! People always look at me differently when I tell them about my collection. They think I'm going to use them as an army and kill them in their sleep.

But I only do that if they've done something to upset me.

-Brenna Kathleen

Cats, Decor, and Up-turned Noses

I LOVE the movie Penelope. It's just a movie I can watch over and over again. It's funny, quirky, and has lots of eye candy!



No! not that kind! (although, James McAvoy does happen to be one of my favorite actors to uhm.... watch on screen)
I mean real eye candy!
The Costumes!!!





And the sets!


I really, truly wish I had Penelope's room. Look at the amazing terrariums..

And her swing!

My goodness. It hits the extra cushy spot in my little heart and makes it pitter-patter more than watching Hugh Jackman in a period film.

I recently wrote on my changes in style, and I very much plan to have that carry into every part of my life, the main part being home decor.

Oh, yes. I love decorating a home. I love little bits and knick-knacks and amazing cushy couches with embroidered pillows.
You all now think of me as a grandma or a crazy cat lady, don't you?
Well, if I do grow to be a crazy cat lady, I hope to end up like this:

At least you couldn't deny that I have style.

But what I really mean is that I love the feeling of a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing living space. I love looking at the furnishings on sites such as Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters more than I like looking at the clothes (mostly because the high prices of things as simple as tee shirts makes my cry a little inside).

Right now I am in a dorm room living situation, and as much as I love my roommates sometimes I get sick of having them there simply because it means I have to compromise on decor. But all is well, soon I will have my very own apartment/home to decorate and being the woman, I think it's safe to assume that I will be the leader in that endeavor.

Although I look forward to the creativity my other will bring to the table. You see, if I'm married to him then it means he's my true love, and that means we're perfect for each other, and that means that we will probably have similar life styles, and therefore I'm sure we will agree on how we furnish our home.

Whew! That was a mouthful. If you're still hanging on. I'd like to quickly congratulate you and close this little ramble with a lovely picture that I found of a wonderful room that's full of vintage goodness and whimsical touches.
Enjoy!


-Brenna Kathleen