>>> Merry Christmas Everyone! <<<

Folks....sorry for the delay in posts..this last week has been kinda a downer for me. My imac G5 officially turned off last Monday and does not seem to want to turn on again... through my online research and reading a bunch of forums, I think it has something to do with the logic board or power supply...and an issue that may cost me around $1,000 to repair. The most disappointing thing about this though is the fact that this seems to be a consistent issue with macs after 3 1/2 years of use. And like all the other mac users online who have had the same issue as mine....I think I may be going to a windows computer. I know that in the computer world, anything older thatn 3 to 4 years is considered a grandpa and that we are encouraged to get a new one. However, I really don't have $2,500 to dish out again, plus if my computer does the job just fine then why do I need to go out and by a whole new computer just because the new models happen to be 3/4" thinner or in a new color etc. and on top of that encourage our over consumption society even more? I am reminded of a conversation I had with one of my good friends Jenny awhile back about the subject of being "content" with things and how we live in a society where there is always going to be something better and how so many of us [myself included] have gotten sucked into this idea. I really admire those who are naturally good at being content, that is a quality I would love to master. :)

Happy St. Lucia! This is one tradition I really look forward to doing once I have a family all of my own. The picture below is an 8.5X11 print out, so if you wish, you can print it out and do what you like with it: Christmas cards or just to hang on your fridge, whichever. :)

"Saint Lucia is the day that initiates the Christmas season and it is joyously celebrated. Already in the early morning the traditional Lucia coffee is served. In most Swedish homes where there is a daughter or young relative, the members of the household are treated to coffee in bed with the customary Lucia buns, called lussekatter. She is dressed in a long white robe with a red sash around her waist and berries on her head. The seven lighted candles spread a luminous glow around her." - "Of Swedish Ways" - Lilly Lorenzen



In my book "Of Swedish Ways" It gives the recipe to make Lucia buns:

1 cup milk, scalded
1/3 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
1 yeast cake
1 egg, beaten
3 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 cardamom seed, crushed [Cardamom now & forever reminds me of the Shout out Louds!]
Raisins
A pinch of salt
A pinch of saffron, if so desired
Add butter, sugar and salt to the hot milk and stir until dissolved. Cool to lukewarm and add the crumbled yeast cake. Stir well and add the beaten egg. Stir in flour gradually and the cardamom and beat thoroughly. Place dough in greased bowl, cover and let rise in warm place until double in bulk. Knead on a floured board for two minutes. Roll out in small portions and cut into strips in te shape of the letter X and curl in the ends. Place 4 raisins at the center of the bun or one at each curled in end. Place on a greased baking sheet, cover and let rise for 1 hour. Brush with beaten egg and bake in moderately hot oven [400 F.] for 12 minutes, or until evenly brown. Makes 2 to 21/2 dozen buns.

I cannot stop listening to Norah Jone's new song Chasing Pirats there is this vibration throughout the entire song that has seemed to hypnotize me....

I feel funny about posting this picture since it does not seem to fit in with the season...however...this is a PERFECT LOOK! Via The Sartorialist

>>> FREE GIFT TAGS <<< ClICK on the image below and print it out on 8.5x11" sticky paper or card-stock... + enjoy +

Two new pillows up in my SHOP Today is an awesome day my friends... IT IS SNOOOOOWING OUTSIDE!!!! Leaving for work right now and I am walking! WALKING IN THE SNOW! And while walking there... I will be listening to one of my FAVORITE band's new song "Walls" Click HERE for the free download!!!!! Have a GREAT weekend!! xo



Commissioned painting I just finished. It is of a made up bird called a Rabakey! :)

My letterpress print was just released in Sycamore Street Press's Shop! It looks SOOOOOOOOOO AWESOME!!! :[) I am sorry, I hope I don't come across as someone who thinks she is high and mighty when it comes to my artwork...it's just that I really do love my illustrations/drawings...to the point where I have a hard time giving them up. :( But anyways, there is a limited edition of 100 and they are ONLY $25! Plus it would make such an awesome gift, most likely one that you know for sure won't get returned, thrown away etc. but hopefully will accrue with value over time...just saying. :)

Just finished painting this portrait of Bjorn the Woodsman and a coupon for tonight's service auction that I am going to held at my church. Donating the painting and a custom self portrait. :) I like the painting a lot and think I may use it for my Christmas cards this year.

Just finished my cottage series for my portfolio... Each painting is up for sale in my SHOP >>> Heading to Alpine now for Thanksgiving! :) Everyone have an awesome and safe holiday! xo >>> roxy <<<

These redesigned shoes by Zana Bayne are sooooo fabulous!!! I am truly inspired!!!!

>>> All for the Mountain <<<
love their jewelry, love their advertisments.
found via sailorette

>>> Devendra Banhart <<<
<>
>>> this guys got some good taste <<<

+ This is the Armstrong Mansion Bed & Breakfast, my place of occupation as of right now. Yesterday I had to work at the B&B [which was the total pits! I DO NOT LIKE WORKING ON SUNDAYS!!!] and miss going to my ward at church... however, to make up for my sadness...It snowed a heavy snow + it was soo pretty! My bitter feelings towards the mansion quickly dissolved once I stepped outside and admired its night time beauty. Doesn't this place look so cozy? It is. :)

+ Next morning >>> 7:00 am of pure white goodness! I looooooove Utah in the winter!

+ to commemorate this morning's snowfall, I made some "Gourmet" Stuffed French Toast! This was my first attempt and it turned out sooo good! Having Stuffed French Toast with just cream cheese is just as good, but I decided to go all out today.



+ mix 2 eggs and 3 tablespoons of heavy cream in a dish large enough to fit toast for dipping. Sprinkle in some pumpkin spice and/or cinnamon >>> dip the toast : all sides too!

Portfolio hiatus : so far so good. I feel like I have accomplished a lot in this past week. Here stands my "Traveling Salesman by Day / Gold-miner by Night" character that I finished painting yesterday... I still have not found a name for this guy...any ideas? Keep in mind, he is from Eastern Europe, has an accent and talks with a lisp!

Last night I was painting a mini mural of some mountains to go above me and my sisters bed [below is a picture out of my recent book purchases from the thrift store " Scenic Wonders of America" which gave me most of my inspiration]...this was getting me so excited for the real snow to come... Last Saturday, Salt Lake City had its first snowfall >>> and I got a little footage of it...

One of the artists on my 50 song play-list is Willie Nelson. :) Love him love the song "The City of New Orleans"

Today I officially started my month long hiatus from the "Social" world... I have a lot of work to complete for my portfolios for grad schools and want to spend as much time on them as possible! All through school I had 1-3 month music obsessions where I just listened to a handful of songs over and over again.....and so now when I listen to certain songs I am instantly taken back to the season, smell, & feelings I was going through at that time...it is amazing how music can do that! So I want to do the same for my hiatus...I want to look back a couple years from now and be completely reminded of the apt. I was living in, the clothes I was wearing, the bodysoap & perfume I was using and especially what was going through my mind while working on my art right now. I have made a substantial play-list for myself and will only listen to these 50 songs over and over again till Dec 19th, and I have included it for anyone else who wants to join in as well... :) +enjoy+

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

Last night when riding my bike home from work I stopped at Smith's grocery store to get some toilet paper. But let me rewind a couple hours back first. Picture me in the Bed & Breakfast kitchen making cinnamon rolls & getting irritated because of the INSANE draft that is in the kitchen...so my "bummness" kinda starts a trail of "feeling sorry for myself thoughts" which then makes me think of my best friends back East and how I miss everyone and wondering when will I see them again.... okay, now back in Smiths, got my toilet paper and as I am going to pay for it, I pass the magazine isle... I decide to stop and look through some magazines but hesitate because it is 11:30 pm and I NEED TO GET HOME! But I stop, and pick up Dwell... I quickly flip through it and come across an advertisement that caught me eye. This advertisement is for Parsons School of Design... Parsons is not what caught my eye because I just graduated from Parsons in May, it was the picture in the background! The picture is of a black organic pod formation that my best friend Ken came up with for this project that his architecture firm he works for called Matter, was doing for the ICP [International Center of Photography, in Manhattan] There were other pods throughout the ICP, and set up in a way to seem like they were seeping out of the walls. What is cool about this project though is that that is how Ken and I met, over 3 years ago. I helped make those pods. :) I am assuming that Parsons has permission to use that ad because Alfred who is co/owner of Matter Practice teaches in the Architecture dept.

So Best friend sighting #1 happens...and then after deciding to purchase Dwell [I don't think Ken knows about his design in the magazine] my eyes behold the last copy of Surface magazine! Robert, my other best friend told me a week or so ago that a couple of his pieces would be in this month's issue! Best friend sighting #2!!! Life is so funny, and random! How is it that I am standing there in the kitchen at work, sulking, missing my friends and then 3 hours later "run" into them in the magazine isle...even if it is in paper form. However, I still am wondering when will I see them. :)

also: Bessie Afnaim who is also featured here, was in me and Robert's class of 2009 graduates as well. Her work is really beautiful and since graduation she has been working with Donna Karan, which is perfect for her because that is always who comes to mind when I think of Bessie.


Ken's organic pod formation, this also got some great recognition in the New York Times!

These last couple o' days have been a little stressful. I will be going on a month long or more hiatus starting this coming Monday. I have 2 months to get everything done for my portfolio for grad schools...and I have decided that the best way for me to do that is not go out [except for work, church, grocery, post, Alpine] for awhile... sooo I have been trying to get super organized this week in preparation for next. While going through everything I found one of my mole skin sketchbooks that I started back in the spring....this drawing that I did back in May made me laugh. :)

Lovely Swedish band

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

I have a new blog folks: for kids only though....sorry guys :/

Poco Rojo...which means Little Red in spanish...someone already has ownership to littlered.blogspot.com :( anyways "Little Red" is dedicated to all my children's books that I have collected over the years...and then there occasionally be my children's illustrations as well. :)

Just found out about Imogene + Willie now via Secret Forts <> listen to the song below <> Loving that more and more shops like these are popping up everywhere!

I want this lil kid's sweatshirt! I love plus signs and love drawing them. :)

Imogene & Willie from johnmoessner on Vimeo.