lost + found!!!

this blog may be coming to its end.  i am moving onto bigger and better things as i join forces with my dear and talented friend, shannon, as we embark on an entreprenurial adventure.  our new blog, lost + found, is the beginning of a several-step biz plan.  and let me tell you, we have some pretty BIG plans that we are AWFULLY excited about!!  new and improved logo and page coming in the near future as well as more details about our business model and plans.  :)

take a peak! please follow us and join the fun!  id love to hear any advice/input along the way!  xoxo!

found.

i feel like after 27 years ive finally found my calling....or maybe ive know what it is and im finally going for it!!  im an entreprenuer at heart...have been coming up with ideas (both good and bad) for as long as i can remember.  my most recent idea has turned out to be pretty flawed so ive moved on.  what ive moved onto is BIGGER + BETTER!  i have a rockin biz partner and we have been having a ball every step of the way...and plan to continue to do so.  domain name has been purchased, blog debuting soon (on april fool's day, to be precise), TONS of networking plans, brainstorming every moment of EVERY day, and meeting with the bank to discuss options TOMORROW.  yep, we are movin and groovin!  i am in LOVE with the way my life looks through this new plan!  and i am proud to say that even after all these years of hearing 'good things come to those who wait' and NEVER believing it...i am NOT waiting any longer.  i have ALWAYS believed that good things come to those who create them.  im making my own opportunity (with the best help ever!).  im going to be 50% responsible for creating something really cool from nothing!  i LOVE that!

can barely contain my excitement...and looking forward to letting you guys in on the plan!

lots of love.
-N

see ya february!

thanks february, you were great! so much quality time with sisters, friends, and family; 10 vacay days including a beachin' bday!; & the start of a plan that i LOVE.

left: ranunculus from ma. such a gorgeous delicate flower...and maybe a new fav (actually, i could NEVER chose a fav) right: matryoshkas...3 of them. perfect! letterpress calendar from paper source.

march will no doubt bring greatness in better weather, unlimited bikram yoga, my LAST dept payment check being sent off!!, enrolling myself in some business education courses, research, more research, trips to the flea market, and some live tunes!

curveball.

life has a funny way of reminding us that our plans are futile.  you think you devise a plan that makes sense...that assists you on your path to where ever it is you are attempting to get.  then...out of no where...syke/sike/psyche (spelling??)!!  a curveball is thrown...that you miss.  so...i pick up the ball...stand up slowly with it firmly between both palms, and i am at a loss.  a complete loss.  what to do.  what direction to throw the ball.  who, if anyone, will catch it?  what's next?  life's path seems daunting...like that never-ending trail, that infinite darkness, and scary vast uncertainty.  however, it also is exciting and enticing.  within the unknown, is the mystery of what could be, should be, and will be.

with that said, today is almost over.  it was interesting.  i learned from it.  there will most definitely be some changes being made in the near future.  i look forward to new, better, MORE.

do all things happen for a reason? or do you just have to adapt to things as they happen with reason? ...either way, cheers and GREATnight!

anti-depressant.

i spend the past weekend clearing my mind and working my body by getting lost in the woods of big sur. big sur is GORGEOUS! a couple of friends and myself ventured out 12 miles into the ventana wilderness to find peace, some butt-kicking steep climbs, trees galore, and some pretty awesome natural hot springs. we met some great people (as some fun mountain crazies) and re-centenered and humbled ourselves amongst the spectacular scenary.

after about 24 miles of steep hiking in little over 24 hours (and not much other than your standard blah trail food...oh and a bottle of wine! pack ONLY the essentials when backpacking ;) ) we quenched our heard-earned appetite with a stop at Nepenthe. Nepenthe is a casual bohemian eatery with a simple menu, killer winelist, and views that just don't quit! i highly recommend this spot...food for the belly and views for the soul.

souvenir. book about food and the people that eat it.

benedict recipe im dying to make...and attempt to follow (im terrible at following recipes) breakfast anyone?

views. views! VIEWS!

nepenthe: medicine for sorrow, literally an anti-depressant (according to wiki). DON'T FORGET TO TAKE YOUR MEDS! ;)

easy does it...

today is my final day of my gloriously enjoyable 4 day weekend. feeling inspired from the sights of the last several days: brightly colored fall vines, rocky northern California coastline, the crisp sf syline, rainy forests, fog-laden hillsides, sunset over a low-tide bay, puppies with adorably smooshed faces. this extended weekend has been a much-needed escape from reality.

today, back at it, but starting slowly. easing into it. oj out of the carton to accompany my new issue of Dwell magazine and then....

good morning.

life feels good today. after a good night's sleep, i am able to appreciate the gorgeous fall sunshine this morning.

that's it.

gonna say "see ya" next year...

ready to turn my dream of traveling into a reality in 2011. i made the promise to myself years ago to take a trip out of the country at least once a year. sad to say, i failed this year. ALL of 2010 was spent in the US...which frankly, is NOT ok with me. life is too short to not be exploring this world.

plans for an adventure-filled backpacking trip to Argentina are in the works! buenos aires, fitz roy, bariloche...all part of the plan.

yes, i'm crying for you, argentina. (yes, im nerdy)

i also have a very strong desire to actually learn to surf decently. this was spurred by a quick glance in a mavericks book at the book store today. the waves/ocean is so humbling, terrifying, and peaceful all at the same time. my 1.5" waves just aren't cutting it... this might mean a trip to thailand, australia, south africa, spain...

im always down for travel buddies, fyi...

food-focused creativity

restaurant design...my calling?? maybe. im a foodie design junkie. mmmmm...why not? i LOVE cooking and eating. i have an appreciation for food and (i think) a pretty fine-tuned pallette. i can't think of a space id rather design than restaurants and their kitchens where the magic happens. while dining out, ambiance is key. while cooking, efficiency and good equipment are a must. this might be back to school, AGAIN.

looking into it...salvating at the thought...

:)

cloud 13...hello!  man, im a happy chick these days.  after getting pretty close to rock bottom, i somehow picked my spirit back up and feel like im flying.  work is great...it's been feeling like play these days.  blurring the line between work and play is a MAJOR goal in life and maybe im finally learning how to achieve that.  ive been to many beautiful places recently (OUTSIDE places) with fantastic company and have been feeling inspired and motivated to continue the adventures. rain or shine, outside is where its at!  rain is in the forecast and im STOKED!  music rocks my world extra hard recently.  some awesome design events are looming in the near future and hobbies that i was forced to put down for a while are being picked back up.  i have been spending more time in the kitchen (my fav part of the house...well tied with my bed)...experimentally cooking...loving the process and (usually) the outcome. who's hungry?  cooking for others is especially fun and rewarding.

trying to supress my night-owl nature in hopes of feeling refreshed tomorrow.  sweet dreams :)

ending + beginning.

my beautiful, peaceful, tranquil, inspiring, fun-filled, relaxing, time spent with great company and solo at this white-walled/art-filled SOMA pad comes to end. i kind of have a sick feeling in my stomach knowing that i wont wake up to the beauty of this city and my favorite neighborhood. feels like home here. and the house that i have to return to is far from homey.

HOWEVER, tomorrow is the first day at my new job. this job means a home in the near future. feeling like an adult and really comfortable with that feeling. i will have 1 full time job working for a family that i love in the interiors field. this is a huge step in the forward direction for me. moving (partially and temporarily) into a city-view filled tiburon condo to spend my days off with friends in a quiet space. not expecting to make tiburon feel like home (will most likely pack a bag each time i stay) but am looking forward to a marin "vacation" every week. REALLY looking forward to moving into my own place in sf soon(ish). my absolute deadline is dec 31...my goal is before the holidays. gonna start the new year off right. with everything in its place including my head and heart.

bye bye SOMA.