inspire me.

Chocolate Pie

2011-07-28T18:32:00.001-07:00

Filling ingredients:
4 tablespoons of cocoa or 1 1/2 squares of baking chocolate
3/4 cups of sugar
5 tablespoons of flour
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 1/2 cups of milk
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
2 egg yolks, beaten slightly
1 tablespoon of butter

Meringue ingredients:
2 egg whites
1/8 teaspoon of salt
4 tablespoons of sugar

Your favorite pie crust

Method:
Mix your sugar, flour, salt, cocoa, eggs and milk (all except vanilla and butter) with a whisk.
Cook while stirring on medium until it bubbles and thickens, about five to 10 minutes. If it becomes lumpy, just beat out the lumps. (It will not get any thicker in the oven so cook until it's as thick as you want it.)

Remove from heat and stir in your vanilla and butter. Meanwhile, poke holes in your pie crust with a fork and bake it at 350 until it’s brown, about 20 minutes.

Beat your egg whites with salt and when they start to get fluffy add the sugar. Pour the chocolate custard into the baked pie shell and top with the beaten egg whites. Bake it until it the peaks on the meringue are lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

Grandma says: “It’s real good hot, wonderful cold and you can even eat it frozen—then it’s like a popsicle!”

Note: All that's happening in the oven is the browning of the meringue. So be sure and keep cooking the custard in the pan until it's your desired consistency.

Summer Squash and Ham Frittata

2011-06-29T15:08:00.000-07:00

1 large yellow summer squash, sliced and salted
4-5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, or more as needed
5 small potatoes, thinly sliced
1 large onion, thinly sliced
3 slices of ham cubed up
6 eggs
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup grated Cheddar
1 tbs basil
1 tbs rosemary

Preheat to 350. Slice squash and let sit in salt for 30 minutes. Put oil in pan and add the potatoes and onions plus pepper. Let cook until browned and remove from heat onto paper towel. Add squash and ham to pan and cook until tender and slightly browned on edges. Remove from heat with the potatoes and onions.

Mix eggs and spices in bowl. Add cheese, squash, and potato mixes. Pour everything into a well greased round cake pan ON TOP of stove on medium and cook like that for about 10 minutes. Once the edges are cooked put the pan INSIDE the oven for about 10 minutes or until totally cooked.

Summer Squash Quiche

2011-06-26T18:06:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
1 (8-ounce) can refrigerated crescent rolls
2 teaspoons mustard
1/4 cup butter
3 yellow squash (about 4 cups)
1-2 shiitake mushrooms (about 1-2 cups)
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/4 teaspoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt + pepper
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 cups shredded mozzarella

Preheat oven to 375°

Unroll crescent rolls; press dough on bottom and up sides of a 10-inch tart pan.
Bake at 375° for 6 minutes or until lightly browned. Gently press crust down with a wooden spoon. Spread crust with mustard, and set aside.
Melt butter and garlic in a large pan on medium. Add squash and mushrooms; sauté until tender. Remove from heat; stir in spices.
Whisk together eggs and milk in a large bowl; stir in cheese and vegetable mixture. Pour over crust.
Bake at 375° for 20 to 25 minutes or until a knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Almond Cake With Strawberry Buttercream Icing

2011-06-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 cups milk
1 teaspoon Almond Emulsion

Soften butter and preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease pans. Mix the ingredients together in the order they're listed - creaming the softened butter and sugar first, then adding the eggs, flour, salt, baking powder, and finally the liquids. Using an electric beater, beat everything together on low for 30 seconds, then high for 3 minutes. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the tops spring back slightly when pressed. Let cool for at least 15 minutes, then flip each pan over onto the rack and tap gently. Once cool frost cake and enjoy!

Rebranding the 49ers

2011-03-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

This is my final logo for the rebranding of the San Francisco 49ers. The background is two gold bricks representing their gold rush heritage. The font used is an updated version of their vintage text logo.

Kahlua Cake

2011-03-22T11:06:00.000-07:00

1 box of chocolate cake mix

½ cup vegetable oil

1 pk, 6oz, instant chocolate pudding mix

4 eggs

¾ cup Kahlua liqueur

½ cup water

topping

6 tbsp Kahlua liqueur

1 cup confectioners sugar, sifted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine first six ingredients in mixing bowl and blend well. Pour into greased and lightly floured 9 ½ -inch bundt pan.

Bake 45 to 50 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.

Combine 6 tablespoons kahlua and confectioners sugar. While cake is still warm in pan, poke holes in cake; pour liqueur mixture over.

Allow cake to cool in pan at least 2 hours before removing.

After cake is completely cooled sprinkle confectioners sugar lightly over cake for decoration.

Videos

2011-03-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

Here are a few videos I've made- they're not as finished as I'd like them to be but here they are.

NYC Trip

2011-01-19T11:31:00.000-08:00

Stephen Martin at Amelie's

2010-12-31T11:31:00.000-08:00

White Christmas

2010-12-27T08:07:00.000-08:00

The first white Christmas in Charlotte since 1947. Lucky.

Myrtle Beach Poster

2010-10-22T12:06:00.001-07:00

Just some of my recent homework assignments.

Almost Forgot About The Marin County Fair!

2010-10-03T22:27:00.000-07:00

I saw some amazing things and had a great time...this was a while ago though!

Here's a photo of 6 cupcakes. Blue ribbon winner.

AMAZING peach dumplings.

2010-07-21T22:49:00.001-07:00

1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. water
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 c. (1/2 stick) butter
1/2 - 2/3 c. milk
4 med. size fresh peaches, pared and halved
1/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
Milk or half and half

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Whisk to dissolve sugar; set aside.

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in small deep mixing bowl; whisk to blend. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Gradually add milk, mixing with a fork until flour is moistened.

Gather up dough with fingers and press into a ball. Roll dough on lightly floured surface. Place a peach half on each.

Combine 1/4 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon; sprinkle 1 heaping teaspoon on each peach. Bring opposite corners of pastry to center; pinch edges to seal. Place in a buttered 2 quart shallow baking dish; pour sugar and water mixture around dumplings. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm with milk or half and half. 8 servings.

Substitute pared apple halves for peaches.

Ceramics 1 Thus Far

2010-04-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

Just a few things I've been working on. The mask and 'welcome' stage are in progress.

I Want It: Decal Headboard

2010-04-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

Check it OUT! This is the coolest thing I've seen decoration wise in a while. I want it! $55 is a bit expensive for something I'll be leaving in a year but still very cool.

http://www.whatisblik.com/shop/mid-century-gothic

Perfect Banana Pudding

2010-03-27T18:21:00.001-07:00

2 packs of instant vanilla pudding

1 can of sweetened condensed milk

1 tub of cool whip

1 block of cream cheese

2 cups milk

1 box vanilla wafers

4 bananas

(Use hand mixer for all mixing!)

Mix milk and pudding mix together. In different bowl mix sweetened condensed milk and cream cheese until smooth. Mix into pudding mix. Fold in cool whip. In 13x9in container line with wafers and bananas. Pour in pudding mix. Top with extra bananas and wafers. Let sit in fridge for at least an hour. Serve cold.

The Art Wall

2010-03-12T13:10:00.001-08:00

This is the beginnings of our art wall. We've got some paintings, photos, vinyl decal, wooden letters, posters, drawings, and digital renderings. OH and a 24k gold hat!

Inspirational Ceramics

2010-02-04T23:07:00.000-08:00

I'm taking Ceramics this semester and some of our homework was to find some inspiration. I've definitely found a few really cool artists. check it out: Ayumi Horie, Erin Furimsky, and Eric Rempe are just a few.

Umbrella

2010-01-02T14:13:00.000-08:00

This is old but I might hang it in my room.

Figure Studies

2010-01-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

This is a long overdue post. These are some old figure studies of mine.

Art Wall

2010-01-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

So I have a few ideas for the apartment. One of them is an "art wall" where we're going to take up a whole wall with a collage of art and inspiration. We're going to hang everything from plates, paintings, silver platters, jewelry, to notes, and magazine cut outs. I'm hoping that my artistic friends will volunteer artwork for the wall so if you have anything inspiring let me know =].

Some ways I plan to create order out of the chaos:

X Using only black, white, and silver frames.

X Same spacing between each piece.

X Evenly dispersing sizes.

Old Artwork: Fashion Illustration

2010-01-02T10:03:00.000-08:00

I was looking though my stuff and realized I hadn't posted this. It's a piece that inspired many other pieces (color and design) and was a favorite of mine just because of the personality it has. It's all cut up now so good think I have a photo!

Regina Spektor Live!

2009-11-02T21:54:00.000-08:00

I finally got to see Regina Spektor live!

She was AMAZING. I loved every song!

She played Bobbing for Apples and Poor Little Rich Boy which I really hoped she would play. SHe played almost every song from her new CD Far and most of the songs from Begin to Hope.

She was really shy on stage but very alluring with her expressions.

I hope I get to see her again!

New Apartment!

2009-10-07T10:44:00.001-07:00

Getting moved into the new apartment and getting everything set up. I've got a washer dryer in the unit and a pool membership for free as a resident!

Making Mini Cupcakes

2009-08-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

I made mini cupcakes for my mom's bridal shower which took 3-4 hours!

I'm Inspired

2009-07-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

Regina's new cd Far recently came out and is amazing. I think my favorite songs are:

The Genius

Folding Chair

Blue Lips

Dance Anthem Of The 80s

Two Birds

Eet

Laughing With

I know that's a lot but I already loved The Genius, Folding Chair, and Laughing With before the CD ever came out haha.

Vegan Clam Chowder Recipe

2009-07-31T18:43:00.001-07:00

I wanted some dumplings [like southern chicken n dumplings] but being a vegetarian I couldn't make them as they're usually made. I planned on making 'veggies n dumplings' but it turned out tasting like clam chowder...probably because I didn't have any veggies.

Broth:

2 cups water

1 cup soy milk

2-4 bay leaves

TSP of tarragon

TSP of pepper

TPS onion salt

2 big spoons of miso paste

So you just put all these in a pot to simmer on the stove. Make sure the soy paste totally dissolves. I really don't know the measurements but these are close. While that is simmering you start to make the dumplings. They are what add texture in the soup.

Dumplings:

One egg

1 cup unsifted flour

TSP of salt

1/3 cup soy milk

Ok with the soy milk don't add too much otherwise you'll need more flour. you just mix all this in a bowl really well. Add flour until you can make it into balls like pizza dough or cookie dough. Make sure the broth is kinda boiling but not to any extreme and start making little balls out of the dough and just dropping them in there. They only take 10 minutes to cook so once you start adding them you'll be done within 20 minutes.

If you make it tell me how you like it!

Tattoo

2009-07-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

Today I went to Lucky Thirteen and Kelsea tattooed me up with an anchor on the back of my neck. It hurt SO BAD and I know it's not that painful of a spot[apparently] so I think it could be my last =]

The industrial isn't as bad to me.

Industrial Piercing

2009-06-30T12:02:00.001-07:00

I got my industrial pierced. It hurt SO BAD[it STILL hurts] but I love it.

Like I Give A Frock

2009-05-08T22:57:00.001-07:00

This book is so neat! I saw it in Urban Outfitters and now I'm debating on whether I should get it or not. The illustrations are inspiring and the copy is just entertaining.

Regina Spektor

2009-05-05T14:51:00.000-07:00

Regina's music tells odd stories. I always listen to it for an escape. I couldn't pick a favorite song by her but Soviet Kitsch might be my favorite album. Her new CD is supposed to come out on July 23rd and I'm so excited for it!

The Shallows and The Depths

2009-04-09T17:14:00.001-07:00

I did this last week at some point. They're around 1ftx3ft each. It's acrylic on canvas.

Lanvin Sunglasses

2009-04-01T09:46:00.000-07:00

YOU GUYS I got these sunglasses that I have been talking about for forever. They are by Lanvin which is a French brand and they were $300. I got them at Ilori which if you have never been to one you have to go. They are the classiest sunglasses store in the world. They celebrate your purchase with you via chocolate truffles. They also do really extravagant packaging.

Inspiration

2009-04-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

This is a book cover I saw in Japan Town that just inspired me. I want to do some photography like this. I love how the buttons pop and the background is white fabric vs just a tabletop.

Pretty Dress

2009-03-04T08:43:00.000-08:00

Yesterday on my way home I decided to try on a dress at American Eagle. I want to get it for spring. It's so cute and comfortable and it has pockets which I love. In the store it comes in blue as well so I'm not sure which I like better.

Bored at Work...

2009-01-30T08:16:00.000-08:00

I was bored at work and started playing with the pens and highlighters + printer paper.

New Painting

2009-01-24T11:20:00.001-08:00

Last night I decided to work on my new canvas. I pulled this out.

The Academy of Science

2009-01-21T18:31:00.000-08:00

Today Kaela, Erika, Gerald, and Chris took a FREE trip to the Academy of Sciences. It was awesomely fun. This was my second time going. These are a few photos

Ripley's Believe It Or Not! Museum

2009-01-16T23:24:00.000-08:00

Today I went to the Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum with Gerald and it was great. Today is Gerald's 20th birthday!

China Town

2009-01-16T01:52:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I had an adventure in China Town San Fran. Every once in a while I have the urge. I got bubble tea which was AMAZING and a favorite treat of mine. I also went into the jewelry stores and learned about diamonds. The people there are so pushy, I told them I didn't want to buy anything today and they kept pushing it on me haha.

Apple Pies

2009-01-13T11:14:00.000-08:00

This is what my family called them. They are pastries filled with apple stuff. I made some home made ones with my aunt/uncle in Georgia a few days ago. They're SOOOO good.

First you boil apples, then you peel them, then you mix them in with cinnamon, sugar, and whatever else you want. They should be all squishy like pie filling.

You cool that [they froze it and then dethawed it?]

So then you get canned biscuits. You take one out and split it in half hamburger ways. You lay out wax paper and put flour on it [so the biscuit doesn't stick to it] and you put the biscuit on it, putting flour on top of the biscuit too. You roll out the biscuit until it's REALLY thin [a little thicker than card stock paper] and then you put a spoon[or more] of the coldish apple stuff on it. After that you fold over the biscuit so it's a half circle and you press the open edges with a fork so they are totally closed.

After that you put a little butter on top of the whole thing, and about a spoon of sugar and some cinnamon.

I don't know what temp you put the oven at but you cook the pies from 15-30 minutes. We made around 25 of them.

Oh yeah spray the pan.

Scholastics Award Winning Pieces [2007]

2009-01-09T13:11:00.001-08:00

I got 3 sliver keys for these digital images.

Being Home

2009-01-08T20:29:00.000-08:00

It's nice being home in my room [pictures above] with my crazy colors and my chalkboard rain cloud. I have the same sketches on my wall and the same messages on my cloud from high school. It brings back good memories.

New Notebooks

2009-01-08T20:21:00.000-08:00

I'm in Charlotte for break and my mom and I decided to take a small shopping trip in the university area. I got some ginger candy [a favorite] and two new notebooks which I'm excited about. I love blank notebooks and journals and sketchbooks. These are so cool because they look recycled and sort of vintage. They have a red cloth cover and brown subject tabs. I don't know if I will use them for school or just for lists.

Some More of my Fall'08 photography projects

2009-01-07T11:59:00.000-08:00

A few photos I took from fall'08

2009-01-07T11:52:00.001-08:00

Photos I took while exploring SF with my Dad 2008

2009-01-07T11:34:00.001-08:00

Sienna Miller's Old Engagement Ring

2009-01-07T10:55:00.000-08:00

I am in LOVE with this ring. This is exactly what I want for my engagement ring. It is vintage, 9 diamonds set in platinum on a gold band. I don't care how many diamonds it is and I don't care what kind of metals it's set in [but platinum is prime] I just like the round shape and I love how it's simple and not a big honking ring.

The Great Dickens Christmas Fair

2008-11-29T20:18:00.000-08:00

This Black Friday I went to The Great Dickens Christmas Fair and had a blast! It was like a Renaissance Festival but everyone was dressed in Victorian costumes. The food was delicious and the people were fun. I watched some of a performance in the music hall, shopped around, and ate dinner there. I will definitely be back next year!

Old Artwork: Color and Design

2008-11-16T18:05:00.000-08:00

These are a few pieces done over winter intersession '08. They are all done in gouache paint on illustration board.

First Pumpkin!

2008-11-07T20:22:00.000-08:00

This was my first Halloween carving my own pumpkin! We decided on a batman symbol vs the traditional face. It was a great holiday, we had a party in our new place and celebrated with our friends.

Drawing and Photography for Adv Midterms

2008-10-22T09:23:00.000-07:00

So I had to do 2 product shots [which I chose Urban Decay Priming Potion] and then an ad that was sketched first and then photographed out [where I chose Mosley Tribes Sunglasses]

California Academy Of Sciences

2008-10-17T09:34:00.001-07:00

This Wednesday I went to the Academy of Sciences which recently opened. It was free that day but it would be worth paying the ticket price! They have an awesome aquarium, and they have this really nice African exhibit with penguins and other animals. At the end of it there are a few skill molds that represent the different "homo" species that lead to humans today. It's interesting to read about.

Probably the most impressive thing about the museum though is the roof- the living roof. The top of the building has plants on it and it looks like small rolling hills. It's actually amazing and inspiring. If the museum can do it why can't every other building in the city?

Photo Essay

2008-10-12T19:13:00.000-07:00

For my first project in the photo side of the "drawing and photography for advertising" class I had to do a photo essay. I chose kiwi as my product.