SMOKEY FOG

Last month I spent a weekend with Tim and some of his old coworker friends in the Great Smokey Mountains. We stayed in the most luxurious cabin I've ever seen with a stunning view of the mountains. I just wanted to share some of these photos I took while we were up there. The fog was incredible!

LITTLE PARTIES

Over the weekend I hosted a little Friendsgiving party. I love hosting little parties, but I don't get a lot of chances to do so. I tried my best to make this party really special with decorations and even a special little cocktail! I wish I had gotten a picture of it! It was a whiskey sour made with honey simple syrup and lemon soda.

I also made the turkey and stuffing and my friends brought everything else you can think of. We we really had a great time.


P.S. I'm going to try and come back here more often. Being back in school really has been taking a toll on me. Also expect some long time coming posts. I have old things to share!

BIRTHDAY WISHES

Well my birthday is this week so I thought I'd put together a birthday wishlist of sorts, though I have no expectations of anyone getting me these things. haha. These are just some things I've been eyeing for a little while that I'll probably save for. I don't ever ask for gifts and if people even ask what I'd like, I have no idea what to say. I can't imagine people spending money on my birthday. I'm more into sharing experiences, like going to my favorite restaurant with my friends. That's good enough for me! But for all you libras out there, you might want to keep this for your list too!

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 (but in oatmeal!)

DON'T STOP FIGHTING

A few days ago on Twitter I mentioned a personal anthem that keeps me going in hard times: Never stop until you've reached your goal. It is certainly easier to say it than it is to actually believe it and execute it.

This past week was a hard one for me. A huge next step in my journey as a graphic design student crumbled and I was left wondering what I could possibly do next. What can you do when things out of your control come and take something you are looking forward to? Do you wait for it to get better?

I am a pretty self-motivated person, but I always need something to hope towards - something I can reach to. Sometimes it's just a warm cozy home, and other times it is achieving a degree and a career. But in any sense, I think that hope and goals are essential. How can you enjoy life if you have nothing to hope for?

A while back I posted about my school situation. I ended up choosing plan #2 first, which was to go to a 2 year design school and try to finish up quickly. I got accepted to the school I chose (woot!) and was set to start classes in two weeks. And for reasons I can't really control, I'm unable to go. What a blow to the gut. I'm back to the drawing board, but I'm certainly not giving up.

During a phone call with my grandmother she said, "Maybe this didn't work out because that wasn't the right path for you and something better is coming." It was hard for me to hear that because I really was set on that path, but you know, sometimes it's true. So as a fighter, I'm picking myself back up, dusting myself off and putting on the hiking boots. If one route doesn't work, there is always another. Never give up, don't stop fighting.


image by me

SNIPPETS NO.4

1. Filly Designs has a beautiful Spring 2012 line, including a delectable lookbook.

2. You can always count on Obama's design team to have stunning work for his campaign. They never disappoint. The Life of Julia is not only an example of fine design craftsmanship, but it explains the differences a woman's life will experience with Obama in office vs. Mitt Romney.

3. En Pointe is a short film documenting ballerinas and their process to break in their pointe shoes. I never knew how much actually went into breaking in their shoes. I also learned later that their shoes can only be worn once after all the tear and breaking of the shoe just so they can wear it. Can you imagine wearing a new pair of shoes everyday?

4. There has been a new wind sweeping the blogger prairies called "Things I'm Afraid To Tell You". It was originally started by Jess Constable as a way to be more honest with her readers. Then Ez turned it into a viral campaign, challenging herself and others to address the transparency, fear, and anxiety that sometimes comes with being the blogger behind the curtain. Several bloggers have participated and it is really wonderful to see the honestly floating around. I have to agree, it is easy to be concealed behind beautiful images. It's so much easier to put up something attractive than talk about a bad day. I don't always want to talk about it - this space is my happy place, and also, I don't like being overly personal here. But I will say this: I don't live as glamorously as some of the photos I post. But I do live an exciting life in a beautiful, charming city. I am not always cheerful, but I am happy and I am grateful for what I do have.

I hope all of you have a great weekend!

INSTAWEEKEND

Sorry for the late weekend update. I know today is Tuesday, but it's more of a Monday to me. I took yesterday off from work to handle some school stuff and so I had a long weekend. Saturday Tim was sick after some bad food poisoning, and Sunday was also low key, but yesterday was way more active! After my school appointment I met up with my friend Jessie for some drives through town and thrifting. I came home with two vintage tennis rackets. Woo!

If you're wondering about that cute little foxy fellow, that's a knit doll from Blabla Kids. It was my first time to the store yesterday and I completely fell in love. If you have a kid, get them one now. Trust me.

photos by me on instagram. follow me!

WEEKEND PIE

And by Misfits, I mean the most amazing British TV show. I'm all caught up now, as I clearly did hardly anything else all weekend.

WEEKEND SMILES

Had a lovely weekend. The weather was so nice here - warm enough to have all the windows and doors open. Yesterday I had a lovely brunch with friends celebrating my friend, Stephanie's birthday. It was wonderful. Hope you had a nice weekend too!

A LAZY WEEKEND

I had a lovely weekend taking it easy. My job had a huge project I've been working on for months and we finally got the bulk of it done. So as a nice little reward, they gave me a paid half day for Friday and a trip to an Aveda Spa for a massage. Talk about starting the weekend off right!

I also went with Tim and our friend, Kim to see their favorite band, The Mountain Goats. I was probably the only one in the audience who didn't know all the words to the songs, but it was fun. I had a great time surrounded by such excited, passionate people.

On Saturday, we went to the park and read for a while. I buried myself in Kinfolk Magazine, which is more amazing that I ever thought it could be. If you don't know, Kinfolk Magazine is a guide to small gatherings - a tribute to intimate coming togethers of friends and loved ones over food and drink. The photos and excerpts are wonderful and romantic. It is certainly going to help me take more time to make small events more special.

Other highlights include blueberry pancakes, trying a new nail polish (OPI Warm & Fozzie), and skyping with my mom.

How was your weekend? ♥

TAKE A BREAK

As this year is coming to an end and this holiday season is approaching quickly, I am slowing down. This has been a long, wonderful, busy year and I am ready for my well deserved break. Everyone does.

For bloggers and non bloggers alike (those of you who have other hobbies) we fill so much of our time to the fullest capacity. I wake myself up in the morning by checking emails and twitter and go to sleep making sure I don't have any more notifications. We are on a constant drive to document life and now this is the time for rest and reflection.

This year at some points both dragged on and slipped by. I did so many more things this year than I did in the last three years combined. I'm sure that Tim took me to at least 40 shows and I enjoyed them all. I spent a lot of time with new friends, new restaurants, and new tunes. This was a wild success. Don't forget that I met Tim earlier this year, which has completely changed everything for me - in a good way. I am so grateful for him.

Now when it comes to next year, I am looking forward to planning out more specifically the direction I want to go. There are a bunch of things I want to accomplish and set out to do. More design, original concepts, develop more of my personal style, and start collaborating with other designers. Also, I want to write down some new traditions or goals for me and my loved ones in the new year.

I will still be posting here through the end of the year, but maybe not on the every day basis as before. There is now family in town and I want to indulge in the memory making that is about to go on. And you should too! So here's a toast to everyone taking a sweet rest, getting in the spirit of Christmas, and living life to its fullest.

(and this is where I give you a hug... if I could)

Oh yeah! While you are settling down, why don't you check out Kate Miss' Best Of playlist. It's a good one!



photo here

K I T T I E S

Meet Fran and Zooey. The new members of the family! Remember that little P.S. I told you to make sure and see? It was about these two cuties. Fran is the white one, and Zooey is the one in the back. I know it's not a good picture of her, but I promise I'll have plenty more of them. Fran looks crazy crosseyed, but I promise, he was just sleepy. haha They are both ragdoll cats, which is a very sweet, calm breed. These two just hang out, want to be pet, and are so loving. They are both a year and a half and came from a friend. Tim and I are in love with them already. ♥

CARGO TIME

Let's talk about Cargo Collective. "Cargo is a creative publishing platform where everything, from the ever-changing visual appearance of people’s personal websites to the user interface, is built around the work shared by its members. Cargo’s goal is to dramatically increase the accessibility and exposure of creative individuals on the Internet, while aspiring to build a networked context that will contribute to the culture as a whole."

Every Cargo site I've come across belongs to a creative genius. Yesterday on twitter I expressed my desire for a site, but more like shared my goal, you know? And then Mike Germon, one of the artists who runs MINT Gallery sent me an invite. Totally awesome! So in the spirit of Thanksgiving, Thanks, Mike!

(But don't think I'm going to share that link with you just yet! My portfolio/site is kinda bare right now!)

p.s. art by m. c. escher

birthday happies!

Things that make me happy on my birthday:


1. That video above.
2. My mom texting me multiple times saying "Happy Birthday to you!".
3. Tim's wall post on Facebook, "Happy Birthday to my lovely Ciara Sames! It's sad she's sharing her birthday with Google because obviously Ciara is much cooler."
4. Wearing a beautiful dress that my friend Alana gave me on Saturday.
5. Free tickets to tomorrow night's Wilco show from my friend, Fray, who is a DJ at WRAS 88.5.
6. Dinner plans at The Vortex tonight!
7. The Reese's peanut butter cup I'm about to eat.

birthday girl.

Yay! My birthday is today! whoo hoo!


I'm so thankful to have come to another year. This past year has had its ups and downs, but it's been a good year, for sure. I've been so blessed to have so many caring, wonderful friends, a great job, a family that loves me, and a real winner of a boyfriend. These are great times! Cheers to many more!

warm plans.

I am so ready for summer. Not for the heat, but for the break from school, free time, and ART. There is going to be some awesome stuff going on this summer, and I can't wait to tell you all about it. I do know for sure that I am going to be seeing Animal Collective in July and possibly Pinback next week (which I'm really excited about). Also, Tim and I are talking about taking a trip up to New York City and then taking a small road trip from there to Cape Cod. I'm so excited.

movie recap: high fidelity.

I saw High Fidelity for the first time earlier this week. The more time that has passed, the more I realize that I love it. The film is about a man, Rob (played by John Cusack), whose girlfriend has just left him. He then revisits his five worst breakups to find out the reason why women leave him. It is through these humorous glimpses of his past and scenes of his everyday life owning a record store, we find that Rob really loves Laura. What initially seemed like a typical male comedy turned into a really warm centered romantic comedy. And while most of the recent romantic comedies are forgotten within the hour of leaving the theatre, this one really sticks. There are genuine sentiments and a grasp on what comic reality and love is like. It was based on a book by Nick Hornby. I really enjoyed this one, and definitely recommend it. You get a free lesson on how to make the perfect mixtape too! What a deal!




Thank you, Tim for sharing this movie with me!


Record sleeve from the Polish record label, Tonpress, circa 1980's. See Wanken article on the sleeves here.

copy/paste.

Last night I went with Tim to see CUT/COPY! So much dancing and so much fun. Then we grabbed sandwiches at Victory Sandwiches in Inman Park, galavanted around the Georgian Terrace Hotel unsuccessfully trying to find the pool, spit off the 18th floor (haha!), drove around the city in the middle of the night, and then had a coke. A classic Atlanta story must end with a coke.


Great story of the night:

As soon as we walked into the Georgian Terrace Hotel (which is some fancy shmancy five star hotel), we went straight to the elevators to get as high as we could. Without thinking, I pressed PH and didn't notice the access card thing on the wall that was obviously to get into the penthouses. As the doors are closing, a guy jumps in with two drinks in his hands. He tells us that he's from New York and and the dialogue goes like this...

NY dude: I'm from New York! Where are you guys from?

Tim: Atlanta

Ciara: Yeah, Atlanta!

NY dude: (notices that we had pressed PH) Really? What are you doing here?

Tim: Hanging out

NY dude: (smiles) How long are you here for?

Ciara: Just tonight

NY dude: Wow! Night on the town in the pent house!

The doors open and he prances off. HILARIOUS! The guy totally thought we were living big.


All in all, best three consecutive days in a good long while. :)

le homme.

Wow, finally my first moment of real alone time for over a week. This past week was spring break for me. It was extremely early this year for us, but I was more than ready for a break. I went back home to Tampa for the week to spend with my family and my friends. The hilarious part of all my trips down there is that my parents and I have made this deal that I will spend daylight hours with them and moonlight hours with my friends. I never get enough sleep, but it works out perfectly.

All the times I have ever gone down to Florida in the past I felt like I had to go out of duty. I had some good times, but I was always more than grateful to be back in Atlanta afterwards. Before spring break, I hadn't been in Florida in over a year, and I was really starting to miss my old friends and the whole feel of the place. Not only was I in the right frame of mind, but I was very open and receptive to what the trip was going to entail, even before I got there. To say I had a blast is an understatement.

I saw a lot of friends, jumped a fence, went to a speakeasy, walked on the bayshore at night, looked at the stars in a grassy spot by the water, ate lots and lots of pineapple, went to the beach, drove all over town, went to a park downtown, walked inside of the University of Tampa several times, slow danced in the Fletcher Ballroom at UT (pictured above), watched synecdoche, new york on a comfy couch, ate a gator taco (!), spent good time with my family, etc. There are more great stories, but they are woven and locked into the fibers of my heart.

All in all, it was one of the best vacations I've ever taken, and it has been nearly miserable to be back in Atlanta where it is still cold. All I can think about is Florida sunshine, smooth, tan skin, and jazz.

snap.

Whirlwinds and tidal waves! Titan and all his fury!

Well maybe, not that bad, but life has been incredibly busy as of late.
New semester. Awesome classes. More Art History club stuff. Logo making. T-shirt ordering. Artist interviewing. Birthday parties. Bass guitar playing. Iphone buying and selling. Test taking. Book reading. Scene writing.

I know, right?! lol

But having a 3GS iphone after having a 2g seems to make all the difference. The picture quality is awesome and I've been taking a lot of time to smell the roses & coffee while taking a quick shot. Loving my daily appreciations of life. Cheers to good times!



wanna know what classes i'm taking?
french 1
dramatic writing
play analysis
western art history
<3
and pictures by moi.

clip a clip.

Day Five:
a day in photographs.
woke up, took the dog out, went to the high museum with my art history club, got a behind the scenes tour of the museum, met up with a study group, studied accounting, got dinner with jason, studied more, took jason to the train, came home, went to bed.

long day!