life in polaroids...

Snow, snow, snow!!!

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 10:50:00 +0000

I tend to blog in the middle of the night..I can't get motivated
or interested enough to blog on the day time..I do have a lot
to say sometimes, but if I don't talk about it right away,
the thought is gone..poof! My head is empty again.

But let me blog about the weather a little.
The places where it's supposed to be warm are cold,
and the places where it's supposed to be cold are warm..
All this strange weather is kind of exciting.. especially here in SoCal.
We had snow..and lots of it! Amazing..and it's only a short 20 min.
drive from us. I know, people from the states where the snow
is pretty common think we're crazy..all the people were running
around in the snow like kids, screaming and rolling in the snow...
you have no idea!
But we have an excuse to act insane, we had an extreme hit
for 10 months non-stop..snow was a nice surprise and
basically super freaky.
So, needles to say, as soon as they opened the freeways,
(YES, all the freeways were closed, I couldn't get ANYWHERE for 3 days),
we headed to the mountains to play in the snow and take pictures!

Here are some pictures, I have more that I post tomorrow,
I'm getting sleepy..and I have to deal with the Post Office tomorrow!

On the way to the mountains! (click to see it bigger)

Small pond in the park.

Fun, fun , fun!

I couldn't possibly go there without my polaroid camera!

Wes in his Russian hat.

More pictures tomorrow, good night!

Rain, rain, rain....

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 01:46:00 +0000

The storm did come, with the vengeance. It has been raining
and snowing in the high altitude for 3 days now. It's so wet and cold,
nothing to do outside, I'm going to try to catch up with my projects.
I'm trying to finish some earlier started work, and hopefully start
something new in the new year.
I'm watching news at the same time as I'm blogging, uploading
pictures, finishing a website..multitasking. Let's see how much
I'll get done. The news are nothing but gloom, I have to find
some time to sort my music out on my iTunes for my new iPod Touch,
so I can listen to some music while I work and trying to create
something, good music helps the process.

In a mean time I'm running a Promotion in my shop.
I had it last year and I think the response was good.

These are just some of the pictures are offered.

Sunday vintage fashion fix

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 02:15:00 +0000

I was vintage hunting this weekend again, I didn't plan on it,
it sort of happened...and I found so much cool mod vintage stuff,
it's killing me that i can't buy all of it!
I think I should just start wearing vintage only clothing
again, or at least 80% of my closet should be vintage.

So, we were out and about in Westwood last night,
having dinner and shopping in this cool thrift shop,
where everything is $3.99! It was great, I got a crazy
red haired wig, that surprisingly look cool on me
(I might use it in a photo shoot or something) and
a vintage cowboy shirt. Very cool, now I needed a dress..
So today, while working on my shop I started looking
for 60's mod dresses. And let me tell you, I found
at least 15 gorgeous dresses I would buy without thinking
if I had more disposable cash.
Slowly but surely I would love to replace my closet with
60' and 70's vintage clothing
I did buy one dress, that I think is fab, and it was only $12!
.......................................................................................................
My mini orange mod dress from DirtyBirdyVintage shop

......................................................................................................

Here is the Shop of the Week! - TractorDog

it's finally cold..

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 09:34:00 +0000

It is soooo cold in the mountains! And it came fast, the cold weather.
It's hard to adjust to it after 10 month of extreme heat.
My body cat not get warm..and we need a new heater, fast!
AND it's supposed to rain for 5 days straight, which sucks big time.
I was just getting back in my exercises routine, I was jogging a couple
of time a week, started playing tennis a little more consistent..
(I don't have a gym membership, I have a virus phobia)
and sure enough, the bad weather comes in and ruins everything.

Oh well, I will catch up on some projects, that I wanted to
start/continue, try to make some art, get creative...let's hope.
I do have some older material that I want to do something with..
but I NEED MORE NEW MATERIAL AND FRESH PERSPECTIVE!

May be I should take a mini road trip or something,
escape somewhere...the rain is going to drive me insane.

I have been fortunate to sell some prints in my BlueCitrusArt Shop,
I'm very happy about that, especially the holidays are here..
makes me feel warm and happy.
I am going to have a Promotion in my shop again,
like I did last year, it was awesome.
A Holiday Promotion!

Free 5x5 or 5x7 print with a purchase of any size
of a photograph.
People get to choose from the much bigger artwork collection
on my website or flick .There are a lot of different pictures available.

These are my polaroids of fruit.

I always wanted to be a dancer too...

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 07:55:00 +0000

I always wanted to be a ballerina or just a dancer
...dance is beautiful, dancers are beautiful...

long weekend is over..

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:31:00 +0000

I haven't been in the mood to blog lately...I like blogging,
but it is difficult for me to right..I just don't posses that talent.
I wish I did. I knew some people who right for a living and
the vocabulary and wit that they have is just mind blowing.

It's December 1st, and it's still 85 outside..but right this
moment as I right this, I'm sitting at the beach in Ventura,
watching sunset and inhaling the fresh ocean air.
It is so beautiful, I can't get enough..I never want to leave...
It's much cooler here then where we live, but it's still
very nice and pleasant, the fog is coming in already and
the wind is dying down, so I'm getting my bike out...
I'm getting really hungry, we're going to find some
see food restaurant around the area, enjoy a few more
hours before we head back. see you all later, hopefully
late on tonight.

This is my new toy, iPod Touch..
I love that thing!

burning and burning and burning.........

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 21:51:00 +0000

Yep, California is really not what it's all cracked up to be..
at least not anymore. I have to admit..I hate it now, I do.
I hate the Terminator idiot governor, he lost his steroids
damaged mind, but that's another story. The fires are none stop,
and they're getting bigger and badder. I don't even care about
the earthquakes, I grew up in the epicenter, I'm used to them.
It smells like smoke everywhere, it's hard to breeze, ashes falling,
it's hot, it's dry..I NEED moisture, I feel like a fish out of water all the time!!!
Can humans even survive with a 0% humidity ALL THE TIME?
Hawaii would be a place to be, I had a chance to move there years ago,
and I blew it..wrong timing, let's just say.
I'm ranting, I should stop before I get really depressed.

so far so good...

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:58:00 +0000

I've been trying to get back to my routine for the last week ,
all this stress, insecurities and watching everything around
just shutting down..just derailed me completely.
I'm sure I'm not the only one, but still...scary.
Wes is feeling better for now (knock on wood),
but he still can't do much ro shouldn't anyway.
I miss tennis, the weather is weird as usual, it's not cold,
but it's windy, I hate wind!
Tennis is almost impossible in the wind like this..
dangerous even, believe me I know.

In a mean time I've been making graphics and
Holiday banners for my graphic shop for a couple
of days now, and I'm also running a sale on my
summer banners.

These are my holiday banners.

Objects of my affection part III

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:18:00 +0000

I forgot how much I love to collect my favorite things
from the shops I find almost every day.
Things I want to buy, things I'd like to buy if I had
more money in the future, or just for the pure craftsmanship
of the artists that I admire.
And I forgot that how much I like to post those finds
on my blog, so here are some of the awesome stuff I found.

Vintage Tote by twomaisons

Yellow Tote by DrikaB

Butterskull necklace by missyindustry

Cashmere Ballet Slippers by Jessica Rose

8-Archival print by swallowfield

Califone Portable Record Player by allunique

SP 08N by jkldesign

Happy Christmas Bird tag by Bluebirdlane

A set of Bangles by girlinworld

Unfortunate chain of events

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:13:00 +0000

A lot has happened in the last 3 weeks..most of it
was not so great. We went to Vegas..that was pretty
cool, especially we didn't pay for the trip.But had to
listen to the non-stop drama of the dude that was
driving the there and back. I don't know if I'll do that again...
imagine listening to the 3 cell phone ringing NON-STOP for 4 hours,
one is from his job, one his girlfriend calling every
fucking minute, and the other one the crazy ex wife
bitching and whining..NOT worth it, even the free trip.

After we got back..that when the shit hit the fan.
Wes went down with the severe back pain,and I mean
went down literally , couldn't walk at all!
Had to drive to ER's all over Los Angeles, couldn't get
any help for days, realized insurance was canceled ...
We had to drive to Carson which is an 1 and 30 min.
away from the house...4 times! And still no help.
To make a long story short, we got the hospital
in the area and they could help him.
Wes is out of the hospital, at least we can control the pain
now, but I have to help him to rehab his back with lots of
exercises every day, so that's the story for now.

But enough of that, I was neglecting my art lately,
which does not make me happy.
I did open my new Graphic Arts shop on Etsy.
Totally forgot to mention that, I love making banners
and different graphics. I want to offer a very affordable
web design too, but have to plan it out somehow.
I hope it gets better soon...

I call this photo - Help Yourself...
Because nobody else really will.

night owl...

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 09:03:00 +0000

I'm up late, watching Nip/Tuck... I love television late at night
on weekends, they show some cool adult material. Not much
censoring or bleeping out, not at all actually, I like that. I only
have basic PAID cable, but no HBO or Showtime. There is also
this show "Roasting" on Comedy Central, basically different
comedians and actors that "roast" (talk shit about) a bunch of actors
or musicians, (in this case including Betty White and Andy Dick...in one room) .
If any of you familiar with that show, you should know,
it gets pretty raunchy and insulting...funny too i guess,
it's freaking mind blowing.
I need to go to bed, but I don't feel like going to bed..

I wish I didn't need to sleep...ever. I could get so
much more done...or I could probably blow a lot of time just watching tv..

dirty blue room...

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 00:11:00 +0000

7 random things about me..

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 22:50:00 +0000

I was tagged the other day by Leigh!
She is an artist, btw, and creates illustrations
to die for, I swear.

The rules:
1 Link to your tagger and list the rules.
2 List 7 random facts about yourself
3 Tag 7 people (and make sure you check back
and see what they say!)
If you're tagged, play along and pass it on!

So here are 7 random things about me..

#1 I drive a stick shift high performance car....
in LA traffic..only now since I'm trying to work
from home, I choose my own time to drive!

#2 I'm kind of addicted to reality tv and
the B-ish horror movies that have a lot
of blood and gross stuff on Sci-Fi channel..
I'm on my 4th movie today and counting.

#3 I just reconnected with my dear
high school friends from back home
on a European version of classmates.com
website...after 17 years. Most of them
now live in Spain and Italy..which
brings me to the next random thing.

#4 I desperately need an airplane
ticket to Lisbon, Portugal for this
December..so I can see my best friends
in Badajoz and Oviedo, Spain.
(you should look it up)

#5 I speak 3 languages - Russian,
English and Spanish. Italian and Hebrew
are a little forgotten, but with practice
could come back to me again.

#6 I was a classical violin player for
18 years, all my friends from the conservatory
now work in the Italian and Spanish orchestras.

#7 I love to hang out with people, but
I think I'm losing my social interaction
skills..I spend more time with the computer
then with humans..i'm so glad i got Wes.

That's all for now, I hope I didn't bore
you too much, off to tagging :)

The good news and the bad news

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 07:41:00 +0000

The bad news is, I was offline for the whole 3 days!
Yes, that is a BIG problem for me.
One of my very important laptops, the one
that gets me online and basically is my lifeline..
after my big Mac, of course ..anyway it took a crap,
it's done, it served it's purpose.
I guess I just squeezed all the life out of
that pure computer.
AND the money that I spent on a new laptop
was suppose to be for my ticket to Spain..damn

The good news is that now I had an excuse
to buy a brand new laptop! I bought a really
nice one I think, it should be powerful enough
for my web design projects and such.
Besides that, I got a new wireless broadband
card that gets me online on my 21" Macintosh
desktop too..I'm in heaven..
The laptop also has a built-in bad ass webcam,
I'm stoked! I can now talk and be seen by my
friends all over Europe.
Introducing Hp Pavillion Entertainer Notebook.

Pretty slick, no!

Also I've been tagged by Leigh, and will be listing my
7 random things tomorrow.
I'll try to make it as strange as possible.
Good night , y'all.

good old hotel days

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 06:49:00 +0000

There is a new show on Bravo, The Rachel Zoe Project,
that I like to watch..I'm so far from that world right now,
the world of high fashion that is. I mean, I love fashion and
I follow the trend, and i try to buy cool t-shirts
and what not..but not like back in a day. And for me,
all that fabulousness just takes so much work and effort ..
not to forget to mention big $$$$.
If i could afford a stylist, I'd hire one in a second...
not necessarily to tell me what to wear, but mostly
to go shopping for me. Yep, that would be GREAT!
I hate shopping, unless I do it online, but it's still different.
There are some things you just got to try on.

I also miss hotels....terribly

the update..

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 07:13:00 +0000

I haven't been blogging for over a month.. I hate that!
I do have an excuse, I've been sick with some nasty virus for
almost 3 weeks(seemed like everybody in LA had it), and had
to finish up an old project and start on a new one..I was in hell..
I had to do all that being sick like a dog. I was in a stressful mood,
no desire to right anything.
I've been doing nothing but websites and banners lately,
and didn't take a single picture..it sucks.
I already have to work on some ideas for a brand new website,
I met a new client a few days ago. But I'm taking a short ride
this weekend no matter what..I've been wanting to go
up the mountains, where there are lots and lots of trees and
beautiful huge stones, and do a photoshoot there..
Hopefully, I'll make it happen.

Speaking of a project that I started over a month ago,
I'm working on a website for a very successful seller-
DennisAndreson on Etsy.com. They sell handmade soap and
all kinds of fantastic creams, gels and lip balms. I was very excited ,
when they decided to hire me. I'm having a lot of fun designing the website.

Here is the design they chose, I only uploaded a small
part of the website, the work is still in progress.

web design project II

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 05:21:00 +0000

I've spent so much time on a computer lately!...
but not enough tine to blog. I've been working
on another web design project, had no time to breeze .
See, on most of my projects , I do it all form scratch..
meaning I design graphics, get a hosting plan for a client,
do all the photography, and wright a copy.
Yep, I do it all, I'm for hire.

This is the website. In case anyone want to see.

I need to take a road trip and look for something beautiful
to photograph. Sooner then later..I'd like to go for a few days,
but we have to take my cat with us, and she is not that
crazy about traveling...it's stressful.Still, I don't want that
to stop me from traveling, I haven't gone anywhere forever!
I have 2 more websites I have to design..so, before I
start slaving on the computer again, I must take a break.

i love spring!

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:44:00 +0000

I know, kind of random, but I took these in May, I actually
took a bunch of cherry blossom polaroids, wanted to make
a "spring obsession II". I think I'll make another spring collage,
when it will be cold and gray everywhere.

objects of my desire I

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:05:00 +0000

I haven't blogged for awhile, but this time it's because
I've been really busy with more web design projects..very excited!
I got another client who needs a website, I started it already.
Designed a layout that I think I'm going to go with. Just need
to put this all together....Oh, and did I mention , I have
to take pictures of over 200 items from his shop for the online store?..
Yeah,that's right ..but that's perfect tho, I get to do 2 of my very
favorite things - take pictures and design!

In a mean time, I wanted to share just some of the
cool, awesome things that I love and would love to own.

web design

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 06:36:00 +0000

I love web design. I wanted to be a web designer for a long time,

I went to school for a number of years, mostly for graphic design.
I used to work for this graphic/web design company
(worth checking out)and did a lot of cool projects with other designers.
But I had to quit, because I couldn't stand sitting in traffic every day
for 3 hours!..God knows, I did it for almost 4 years.
I started learning more of web design, but sadly I had to stop school
for awhile, because of a horrible 9-5 job I had-only because it was
5 min. from my place, it almost crushed my whole being...
Now I'm back designing again, very happy about it.
Believe it or not, twiking with layouts and html relax me..it's strange.
Still have to get better with CSS (just lazy), but I can build a nicely
designed and functioning website myself without any help, except for
some book reading..I want to learn as much as my brain allows me.

I've been redesigning this website for a guy from my tennis circle,
he organizes tennis events at the Tennis club in Burbank, where
I love to play tennis sometimes, and he's been doing it for years.

He was in a real need of a good informational site with pictures
and other cool stuff to attract more people to this beautiful Club.
So, that's where I stepped in and not to be bragging, but now
he's got so many more people going to his events, it's awesome!
Now, it's not fancy, I was pressed for time and he was on the budget,
(I was also a photographer,a banner maker, content writer ,
and lots more!).I'm also just a messenger/designer, some of the
stuff he wanted, I wouldn't agree on having there..but he is the client.

If anybody would like to tell me what they think that would be fantastic!
Here are the screen shots of the website and the actual link -
Tennis Drop-In

1. Screen shot of a home page-
there is more, you just have to scroll when you're on the actual site.

3. My photos page, where I made a relatively simple
flash picture slide show,flash takes up A LOT of time!

2. My Sign-Up page, that I'm kind of proud of.
Even tho, it's not THAT complicated, but it's not
for a novice.

Visit the site if you have time, and if you live in Los Angeles,
and like to play tennis, you'll love these tennis events.

writer's block

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:38:00 +0000

I am in a complete hole..I have a "writer's blog" or
a creative block, or whatever it's called for a while now..
I can't come up with anything creative, I can't get
inspired, it's making me sick..I'm trying to get out of it..
but it fills like a quick sand.

Pink Fuzz-polaroids

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:20:00 +0000

El Scorcho and other things...

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:37:00 +0000

I can't believe it's been more then a week since I wrote something.
Time is flying...flying I tell you.

A Giveaway was a lot of fun, I loved to read what pictures
people liked..heck, I'm glad people liked any of my photos,
I know,I'm never satisfied.
A lady named Sue won the "Lady Bug" print,
I'm mailing it tomorrow.
In a mean time, it is 11o and rising..seriously, it's getting hotter
and hotter every year. And it's driving me crazy, because I like
to work out outside, especially to play tennis, and usually
we go in a very hot weather and train.
But now it is not humanly possible, and I don't have a gym
membership, not that I like the gym.. Oh man, this is got to end!

On a brighter and more creative note, I decided to collaborate
with two very creative artists that make jewelry.
I like pendants at the moment, and I wanted to see some of my
images in a different perspective or form, I guess.
So Lori , thecharmlady made me some pendants and
she's listing them in her shop.

Here is the picture Lori took of the pendants after she made them..
I think they look pretty awesome.

Giveaway Picture Contest

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:33:00 +0000

I've been so busy with my web design projects lately,
I had no energy to update my blog.
And I have so many wonderful artists to feature!
I feel bad about the lack of time... but aside from that,
there is a Giveaway Contest of my pictures on this fantastic art and design blog www.purplepinkandorange.com
You can win any 8" x 8" picture on my website bluecitrusart
or in my etsy shop
Check it out, it's fun!

projects in progress

noreply@blogger.com (irene.s) — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 05:15:00 +0000

I've been trying to find more time for doing more collages
and illustrations. I used to do a lot of computer drawing.
Then my wacom tablet broke, so instead of buying a new one,
I bought a lot of film for my cameras...
I love to illustrate, and I'm pretty good with it, when I do it
consistently, but my neck was killing me from sitting
in front of computer for hours. Because that's what it takes
to make art..hours. And I started to take a lot of pictures
and experimenting with polaroids and paper.
Now I want to find time for more..and not to loose
my mind in the process.

something I've been working on over the weekend.