Paint It What I Tell You

After weeks – nay, months – of seeing spammy, dicey, dare I say a little bit porn-y robo-comments appear on my blog, I’ve decided to lock down the comments section. Somehow, the internet knows that I’ve stopped writing on it, so I suppose that means it’s time I officially acknowledge this with some security features. All this really means is that I have to approve comments now, so they will still work but it will just take a bit longer for valid comments to appear.

In related news, I haven’t posted since April, which seems like a very long time! In between keeping up with clients and teaching and mom-ing, I have a hard time finding moments to curate a blog. So I don’t. Which is fine, I knew that would happen. But I do miss it sometimes.

I know that some people still read this though, and I do enjoy writing quick updates from time to time, so here’s a brief, condensed recap of the past six months or so.

I finished up teaching a great Spring semester of design courses, had a Summer semester filed with teaching Adobe Creative Suite, and am now back in the full swing of my Fall design courses with The George Washington University. I also taught a few Continuing Education courses and workshops around town. As always, I love it and it feeds my creative spirit more than any other work that I do.

(The photos above are taken by me, but each is work product made by my students.)

As you probably know, the Corcoran Gallery of Art/College of Art + Design is no more. At least as an independent institution. I had the emotional honor of sitting on stage with other (much more esteemed than I am) faculty at our last graduation, and as per our silly art-school tradition, I made these paper flowers to wear in my hair. I could, and probably will, post a lot more about this whole experience, but now isn’t the time.

I celebrated my birthday, which was capped off by an impromptu rock scramble, which is the best way to break a flip flop. And I broke two flip flops.

I went up in the Washington Monument for the first time since about 1992. That first time I was about 10. It was cold and I was with my dad, wearing a jean jacket embroidered with flowers. This time I was with my five year old son.

This will come as no surprise, but I made cupcakes. A lot of them.

I grew another balcony garden, stronger than ever. This time with EGGPLANTS!

I got this photograph at an art fair in Tennessee. (Thanks, Mom!)

I spent a lot of time doing soccer things. Probably hundreds of hours of soccer things. My son plays TWICE a week, and my husband plays on Sundays (and coaches our son). We went to many DC United games. Oh, and this thing called the World Cup happened, and every single game was on in our house at some point. Every single game. Sometimes twice. Sometimes three times.

I made a vow to draw more, because I think it’s important. But I didn’t really do it. I did, however, make a lot of pictures with my son, which I thinks counts for half-credit.

I worked. And worked some more. Mostly on smaller consulting projects, which I am finding fit my life and sensibilities quite well.

We took a few short trips. Most recently to the beach last weekend. It was actually quite warm!

And that’s all I’ve got for now. Have a great week, and please tell those spammers to stop visiting my blog!

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

One of my favorite things about the holidays is all of the baking and candy making. And believe me, we have been doing a lot of baking and candy making around here lately. Also, because I’m approximately 20% hipster, I have been instagramming all of it. Take a look:

Mint Chocolates: A first this year, and I definitely don’t regret it. I used this recipe.

Oreo Truffles: These are messy. But worth it. I use a process similar to this one, and use Wilton candy melts (from Michael’s).

Toffee: This is the easiest toffee I’ve ever made. It’s literally 2 sticks of melted butter, 1 cup of packed brown sugar (light or dark), stirred constantly until it reaches 300 degrees (or 305 if you suspect your candy thermometer isn’t calibrated correctly, like I do, but you’re too stubborn to test it by boiling water). Then you pour it over nuts and sprinkle it with chocolate chips. That’s it.

Rum Cakes: The classic Bacardi recipe, except in little loaf pans (which bake in about half the time).

I even made a gingerbread house! Truly, just me, because at this particular annual gingerbread house making party, no kids are allowed. (Is that bad?)

Hope you’re having as much festive fun as I am! …I suspect there will be a lot more of it, because my son is now home from school for more than two weeks. Wish me luck!

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

Has it really been a month since I’ve blogged?

It’s been so long the leaves have started to change color! …As evidenced in this photo I took last week when my husband and I snuck away for a quick hike on the Billy Goat Trail.

When the weather gets cooler, I have a few essentials that I bring out: blankets, tea, a few throw rugs for cold floors (or the backs of chairs!), and pie plates for the inevitable baking that always comes with these food-filed months. Here are a few of my favorites: hope you can find some new ones that you call favorites, too!

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Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

This image keeps popping up on my Pinterest page….

…would have been perfect for the Color Friday from earlier today!

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

I’ll be taking off of blogging for the rest of this week and the beginning of next week…see you sometime soon!

So far, my “break” is starting off well. I just baked this Peach Blueberry Pie:

Have a great rest of the week!

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

You can see my boards or follow me here. Fun!

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.