Midwest me

I've moved!

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 09:24:00 +0000

I've moved to www.beyondbay.blogspot.com! Come and visit. :)

Marianne's December Wishlist

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 06:57:00 +0000

1. I've wanted Dior's Miss Dior for-ev-er! No one ever gets it for me though because it's like, ninety dollars... ouch. I'm sure I'll eventually end up splurging on it for myself one day. 2. The Priestess Necklace from Sea of Bees Jewelry is just so effing pretty! 3. I am IN LOVE with the Charlotte {in metallic chevron} Camera Bag from Epiphanie. It's definitely my favorite out of the entire collection of gorgeous camera bags. 4. Every girl needs a bit of sparkle in her life. Especially during the holiday season! I think I'd look pretty rockin' in this Navy Sequin Blouson Dress, if I do say so myself. 5. I don't know about you, but I can't resist this whole chevron fad. And what better way to wear it than with this simple and feminine version? 6. I'm really into song lyrics as art these days... {well, all days, actually} I want this on my wall like, now, thank you. 7. I'm still using my Canon EOS Rebel that I bought way back in 2005. Yeah... I really need a new camera. The Canon EOS Rebel T4i is exactly what I want in a camera, we were made for each other. 8. I just want these boots so I can wear them with all my nineties inspired skater dresses I keep buying. 9. I have the first Urban Decay Naked Palette and it is my favorite thing ever. So i figure I should have the Naked 2 palette as well. You can't have too much of a good thing, right? 10. I used to hate lace. Now, I really like it and I think I need some in my life. This Lace Tank Dress would be a good start. Plus, I could wear the black boots with them and pretend I'm back in the 90's. Not that I had any style whatsoever back then...

What do you guys want for Christmas? Do you ask for things that you need or things that you want? Happy shopping! Cheers, Marianne.

Drive-In

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:12:00 +0000

This past weekend I took Danny to the Huntington Twin Drive-In in Huntington, Indiana. He had never been before. And before last summer {my first in Indiana} I had never been either. ~~There aren't any drive-ins that I know of where I am from in California.~~

*Update: There are totally drive-ins in California and in the Bay Area. I just had no idea. {Thanks to my friend Chad for letting me know}. :) There's one in San Jose and one in Oakland too. There are a couple in southern CA as well. So for all you Californians, check out West Wind Drive-Ins for locations and showtimes.

Photo via www.huntingtondrivein.com

Going to the drive-in is a completely different experience than just going to the movies. I mean, you can to lounge around in your vehicle and you can even bring your doggie. I don't know about other drive-ins, but at Huntington Twin Drive-In they always show a double feature. And it only costs $7.00 per person! That's right, $7 for two movies!

My favorite part about going to the drive-in isn't even the movie, it's the intermission. They play various vintage advertisements. I just love them.

They also have a snack bar where you can get yummy munchies like popcorn {of course}, hamburgers, nachos, even a whole pizza, plus lots of choices if you happen to have a sweet tooth. This past weekend they were serving up Root Beer Floats. I had to get one. {In addition to the push-up pop I had already nommed on for only a dollar.} The root beer was ice cold and the soft serve was yum yum yummy. It was so good, NOM!


Snack Bar photo via www.huntingtondrivein.com

Nom nom nom...

The weather wasn't so great, there was a short summer storm. But after the downpour the occasional lightning was pretty cool and the drive-in still made for a fun date with my guy.

Oh! In case you're wondering, we saw Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Captain America. I enjoyed both, but I liked Rise of Planet of the Apes better. Maybe because it was set in San Fransisco? It made me a little homesick...

If you can find a drive-in close to wherever you call home, I highly recommend checking it out. i don't think you'll be disappointed. :)

On another note: I am obsessd with the Instagram App for the iPhone. But I don't have an iPhone. :( Heck, I don't even have a smart phone. {Ooh, I just sounded like my mom} Anyways, I found some free Photoshop actions that replicate some of the filters on Instagram. {Get the Instagram actions here.} I used these actions for all the pictures in this post. Thank you, Kevin & Amanda {blog} for sharing this site, I love the actions.

30 Day Photo Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 21:35:00 +0000

Day 2: What You Wore Today

What did I wear? Flowers in my hair... How could I resist with our roses starting to bloom. So pretty!

30 Day Photo Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:48:00 +0000

Day 1: Self-Portrait

Did I mention I am a horrible procrastinator? I waited until the last minute to take these. I hopped out of the shower, threw on a shirt, grabbed my vintage blanket {to lay on} and hurried outside. It was a little after 9pm. I just barely caught the last light of the day... I didn't even dry my hair. No makeup. No retouching. Just me.

Thirty Day Photography Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 18:34:00 +0000

Happy June everyone! Welcome to my new photography blog. Since I've moved to Indiana a little over a year ago, I have grown as a photographer. I don't know if its the change of location, the people, my experiences here, or just growing up a little more each day, but I have noticed a change in my work and I'm liking what I have seen from myself so far.

This month I am taking part in the 30 Day Photography Challenge. Each day there will be a new prompt to follow. Here's a peek at the list from White Peach Photography:

Day 1: Self-portrait
Day 2: What you wore today
Day 3: Clouds
Day 4: Something green
Day 5: From a high angle
Day 6: From a low angle
Day 7: Fruit
Day 8: A bad habit
Day 9: Someone you love
Day 10: Childhood memory
Day 11: Something blue
Day 12: Sunset
Day 13: Yourself with 13 things
Day 14: Eyes
Day 15: Silhouette
Day 16: Long Exposure
Day 17: Technology
Day 18: Your shoes
Day 19: Something orange
Day 20: Bokeh
Day 21: Faceless self-portrait
Day 22: Hands
Day 23: Sunflare
Day 24: Animal
Day 25: Something pink
Day 26: Close-up
Day 27: From a distance
Day 28: Flowers
Day 29: Black and white
Day 30: Self-portrait

Looks like I'm gonna have some fun with this. If I can keep up with it...

I'll be posting all my photos on this blog as well as in the 30 Day Challenge - June 2011 flickr group. You can check out my fellow photogs and their interpretations of the daily prompts. I'd love to see your work if any one joins, just post a link to your photos in the comments box. :)

St. Patrick's Day Kitty

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 04:39:00 +0000

My boyfriend and I found a cat at Walmart today. It was living in the shopping carts.

Now we have a new pet. She was hungry!

Time to think up a name. :)

*Update: We decided to name our cat "Cat". She was the coolest cat I've ever had but she disappeared one day. :( She was so friendly, I hope someone else found her and took her in.

Snow

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 06:25:00 +0000

This past week Fort Wayne got just a little bit of snow. Okay, we got a TON of snow. The whole town basically shut down. Everything was closed. Perfect time for photos, right? Right.

Music Monday Mania!

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:49:00 +0000

I recently started following Urban Outfitters on Facebook. And what did I see on my news feed today?

THIS:

I was like, "WHAT?"

I had to check it out. What did I find?

That it's pretty freakin' awesome. And the best part? You can download all the songs for FREE!

For more music from Urban Outfitters check out their blog. They also have a music section on their blog where you can listen to and download a 20+ song playlist {also FREE}. They even have UO Radio, that you can stream on your computer.

And... because I'm a big blog slacker, here's some more new music I have found recently. Hope you enjoy.

James Blake.

Sexy man. Sexy voice. Sexy song.
'nough said.

Artist: James Blake

Album: James Blake {available 2/15/11}

Song: The Wilhelm Scream

Vanity Theft.

This song got stuck in my head the first time I heard it. I can't deci-i-i-de if it's catchy or just annoying. Either way, they're adorable and I love the retro look of the video. {I'm always a sucker for retro} Plus the bass player is Miranda from Lizzie McGuire {actress Lalaine}

Artist: Vanity Theft

Album: The Anatomy EP {Oct. 2010}

Song: Anatomy

Two Door Cinema Club.

Their song, I Can Talk gets stuck in my head too... Because it's awesome!

Artist: Two Door Cinema Club

Album: Tourist History {2010}

Song: I Can Talk

The Kills.

I had heard of The Kills before but I never really listened to them. When a friend posted their video for Tape Song on Facebook last week, I gave it a listen.

I said to myself, "Hey, I know this song." And I've been listening to it a lot ever since.

They have a new single out now called Satellite which will be on their new album, Blood Pressures {drops April 5th in the U.S.}

For updates about their new album and to stream their latest single visit their website.

Artist: The Kills

Album: Midnight Boom {2008}

Song: Tape Song

...I've saved the best for last {In my opinion}

The Naked and Famous.

They only have two songs available in the U.S. right now but they are both amazing. Check out their website for another video and info on where you can purchase the songs they do have available.

Artist: The Naked and Famous

Album: Passive Me Aggressive You {avail. March 2011}

Song: Young Blood

Point Richmond, CA Part One: Little Louie's

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 22:27:00 +0000

While in California my sister, Jessica took me to Little Louie's, a little deli and cafe in downtown Point Richmond.

View Larger Map

Jessica got the Chicken Breast Panini {w/pesto, tomato, & spinach} She let me have a bite. I was yum, yum, yummy! You can't go wrong with pesto.

She suggested I get the 49er Hamburger {w/bacon, avocado, & jack cheese}. So I did. Gotta take big sis's advice. :) And I was glad I did. Oh so glad.

It says avocado, but whoa! AVOCADO! There was half and avocado on there. It was creamy and buttery, delicious!

Now that's a hunka hunka burnin' love right there. I couldn't wait to take a bite.

Chomp!

You've got a little something... Right. There.

We went back for lunch again a few days later... and both got the 49er.

Music Monday: Peter, Bjorn and John

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 02:04:00 +0000

One of my favorite bands, Peter, Bjorn and John {PB&J} is releasing a new album in March. YAY! Here's a song from that upcoming album, which you can download for FREE on their site.

Artist: Peter, Bjorn and John

Album: Gimme Some {March 29, 2011}

Song: Breaker Breaker

How can you not love those lyrics? And the video too.

Makeover for Mom

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:24:00 +0000

Before:

Not bad...

After:

Hot Mama!

I had her get her hair dyed a nice dark brown color {after we had already dyed it auburn, her choice, but it didn't come out so well} I picked out an outfit for her, from her own closet. I added the red ribbon for a little festive pop of color for the Christmas holiday. She had never worn her metallic gold wedges and was so excited to finally get them out of the box. I had no idea she had such cute shoes hiding in there! Way to go Mom!

A little eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick, and a curling iron was all I used. I just had to play up her already beautiful features. What a great canvas to work on.

My beauty advice:

Always wear mascara. Even if you don't put on ANY other makeup, put on some mascara! It really opens ups the eyes, draws attention to them, and I think it makes you look more awake.

Music Monday: Ice Cream Shout

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:40:00 +0000

My friend, Cory {a fellow indie rock lover} introduced me to this weeks band, Ice Cream Shout. I loved what I heard. And the fact that this song is called Marianne {spelled the same as my name!} just makes it even more awesome. I've hear a lot of "Marianne" songs; More than a Feeling by Boston, Stupid Mary Ann by The Dead Milkmen and Sweet Marianne by Coldplay, but I think Ice Cream Shout's Marianne is now my favorite. You can check out a couple of their other songs/videos on their blog.

Artist: Ice Cream Shout
Album: Ice Cream Shout {2010}
Song: Marianne

Happy New Year Everyone!

{Future} Lady-killer

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 10:52:00 +0000

I have fallen in love. With my five month old nephew, Deus {pronounced Day-us}. He is my eldest sister, Sarah's, first born. He is so adorable! {of course, I'm not biased or anything...} With those dimples {from his mama} he is sure to be a lady-killer when he grows up.

<3!

Mustache Mania

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 05:43:00 +0000

Lately, I've been seeing mustaches everywhere!

For sale in the Haight...

I ran into these two in San Francisco...

There's tons of stuff on Etsy...

Art:

Mustache Love
Nan Lawson Illistration

Mustachios
Laurageorge by Laura Berger

Housewares:

Mustache Mug
The Secret 'Stache by Kimay

Assorted Mustache Mug
Trillium Artisans

Embroidered Mighty Mustache Hand Towel
CyanideStiches

Accessories:

Monostache
Idle Hands Designs

Mustache Icon Necklace
Apple & Ivy

Red Striped Bearded Beanie
Tara Duff

Even on me:

I've heard of people getting 'staches like this tattooed, but I think I'll stick with good ol' Sharpie.

I don't know what the fascination is, but I like it.

I Heart Sushi!

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 23:43:00 +0000

As 'payment' for shooting some family photos for my sister and her husband, I was treated to sushi and sake bombs at Takenoya in Santa Barbara.

I say SAKE! You say BOMB!

SAKE! BOMB!

SAKE! BOMB!!!

They're a little messy.

After chugging it down I matter-of-factly said "I can feel it in my brain". Hehe.

This was the roll I ordered. I think it was a Hurricane Roll. I know it had tuna and yellow tail. I also know that it was DE-LICIOUS.

Nom, nom, nom.

Me and Adrian {brother-in-law} split a Red Dragon Roll. More delicious tuna. YUM!

This is my friend, Elaine's Rainbow Roll. It looks like there's some crab and avocado inside, and tuna with two other kinds of fish on top.

Is your mouth watering yet?

Elaine also ordered a Tuna Box roll. I tasted this one. It was by far my favorite.

Crab on the inside, tuna on the top drizzled with eel sauce and another creamy sauce. Finished with scallions and roe.

It was so good, Adrian and I ordered one for ourselves. :)

Now if only I could find good sushi in Fort Wayne.

South Coast Deli

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:11:00 +0000

My brother-in-law, Adrian took me to South Coast Deli in Santa Barbara, CA for lunch today. OH! EM! GEE! It was SO GOOD!

My sister and me both got 'The Phatty'... chicken salad with basil mayo, bacon, and avocado.

The basil mayo was so yummy, the bacon was all salty and crispy, and the avocado was perfection.

Adrian got the 'Italian 3-way', which was my second choice... Triple-decker turkey, cappicola & salami w/ provolone cheese, basil mayo, lettuce, tomato, red onion & pepperoncini. After the description, the menu reads "GOOD LUCK!"

It was HUGE.

Adrian could barely fit it in his mouth.

I totally had sandwich envy. Luckily, Adrian was awesome enough to trade me half my sandwich for half of his so I got to try both. :)

I thought about saving the last few bites for later. Ha!

California Trip: Top 10

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 17:10:00 +0000

If you didn't know, I am originally from California {Bay Area}. I moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana exactly 1 year ago. This year, I am going back home for an extended visit for the holidays. I leave on Monday, the 15th and I am so excited, I can hardly stand it. And I NEVER get excited. I can't wait to hug everyone, and I'm not that big on hugs either.

This is what I am really looking forward to doing during my stay:

1. Staying in Santa Barbara with my big sis, Sarah, brother in-law, Adrian, and meeting their new baby, my first nephew, Deus.

2. Eating TONS of sushi at Sushi King in Alameda.

3. Helping prepare Thanksgiving dinner with my Mom. <3

4. Family get-togethers. My family is so crazy, in an awesome sort of way.

5. THE BEACH!

Clockwise from top left: Deus, Alyssa & David {my lil brother & his awesome GF}, Mom Jessica David Adrian & Sarah, Aunt Patricia & Grandma, Jessica & Elaine, Mom & Myself

6. Hanging out with Jessica {my other big sis} and Elaine. And ALL their doggies!

7. Exploring different parts of San Francisco that I have not been to and should. {I lived 30 min away for 27 years, sheesh!} Like the Seward Street Slides in the Castro. And shopping in the Haight.

8. Playing Rock Band 3 with Brian.

9. IN'N'OUT!

10. And last but not least, the people I will be spending all my time with.

Clockwise from top left: Haight Ashbury in S.F., Double Double from In'n'Out, Super Dynamite Roll, Unagi Roll {both from Sushi King, Seward Street Slides in S.F.

Stay tuned for posts about my trip and the crazy things I get to see, do, experience, etc...

What would you do on a trip to California?

Let me know, maybe I'll do that too. :)

Nylon Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 03:59:00 +0000

I just got my first issue of Nylon in the mail.

Yay!

I ordered it because I love their blog so much. I have been finding some awesome bands on that site. I hope I enjoy the magazine just as much.

MyTunes...

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 03:28:00 +0000

Just wanted to share what I've been listening to lately. {Besides the bands I just posted on this weeks Music Monday} New stuff, old stuff, all kinds of stuff.

Florence + the Machine: Girl With One Eye
Lungs {2009}

The Like: Wishing He Was Dead
Release Me {2010}

La Roux: Bulletproof
La Roux {2009}

Damien Rice: 9 Crimes
9 {2006}

Miike Snow: Animal
Miike Snow {2009}

Animal Collective: My Girls
Merriweather Post Pavilion {2009}

Nine Inch Nails: Discipline
The Slip {2008}

Gym Class Heroes: Cupid's Chokehold
As Cruel As School Childern {2006}

She & Him: Why Do You Let Me Stay Here
Volume One {2008}

Passion Pit: Manners {entire album}
{2010}

This song: Little Secrets

What have you been listening to lately?

Music Monday Madness!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 01:09:00 +0000

Once again I have slacked off on my blogging. What can I say? I'm cool like that. Here are a few bands I have discovered during my absence:

Summer Camp from the UK...

My new favorite band. LOVE them!

Artist: Summer Camp
Album: Young EP {November 9, 2010}
Song: Round the Moon

The scene from this video are from the Swedish movie Love Story aka A Swedish Love Story from 1970. If you can find it to rent, I would recommend it. I loved it. It is my new favorite movie. It is definitely an off-beat, mostly visual film, if you're into that. Here's a preview from when they released the movie in theaters in France back in 2008.

First Aid Kit from Sweden...

Ages 17 & 20, WOW!

Artist: First Aid Kit

Album: Drunken Trees {October, 2009}

Song: Our Own Pretty Ways

The Raveonettes from Denmark...

Artist: The Raveonettes
Album: 50 Years of Dr. Martens {Oct. 2010}
Song: I Wanna Be Adored {Cover of Stone Roses c. 1989}

This video is so rad!

My First Stop Motion Video!

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 20:20:00 +0000

Song: Autumn Hill by Jon Hopkins

It's really quite hard to draw a picture one little line at a time. My trees usually look much better. But I love the video. It's not perfect, but hey, neither am I.

It took about 530 photos to make this. Hopefully this is the start to more awesome stop motion productions from me. I can't wait to see what I can accomplish.

My lovely sister has already asked me to make a stop motion video for her company Aroo Studio. I can't wait. I already have a story concept and can see it in my head. Good things always happen when I envision them first. I'm so excited about this.

Autumn Color!

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:37:00 +0000

Autumn is here and the leaves are changing. It is so gorgeous! I had to go out in the backyard to photograph our maple tree. It looks so amazing now that the leaves turning orange. It almost glows in the evening sunlight.

I took the ladder outside and climbed as high as I could. These are the results.

I Heart Stop Motion

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 05:21:00 +0000

I have always wanted to make my own stop motion video. I've been doing some research and have found that it takes a lot of time. I made a couple of really quick, amateur ones today. I am becoming obsessed. I really want to make a good one that actually IS stop motion, where I use a tripod and have characters or objects of some sort that move around and tell a story.

My dilemma?

What the heck am I going to use and what should the story be? I think for my first real one, I'll stick to a silent film with music. But I would eventually love to make one where I can add voices and sound effects...{I may be dreaming on that one}.

Until then here's a look at my very raw, amateur, wanna be stop motion:

I took the photos a while back and made the video today. I wish I had taken more so it would be longer {that's what she said ;) }

This one of my dog, Kodi, didn't work so well because he was moving too fast and my camera couldn't process the images fast enough to let me keep shooting constantly.

For this one, I actually did it like a real stop motion and did small movements for each picture. You'll notice that when it starts, Kodi is way far away on the grass, and then he suddenly appears on the patio. It was really hard to keep my balance as I tried to do the part where I step over him. I had to hold my foot in the air and move a little at a time for each shot. This one is made from about 85 photos...and it's only 6 seconds long! I would have taken more, but I ran out of room on my CF card and my battery died too.

I would love any suggestions and/or ideas you guys might have for my future stop motion endeavors.

Music Monday: Chappo... plus Bonus Track by Chairlift

noreply@blogger.com (Marianne) — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 08:14:00 +0000

While I was watching television this evening the latest ad for the iPod Touch came on. I wasn't even paying attention to the TV, but when that commercial came on my ears immediately perked up. "What is this song?" I wondered. So straight to Youtube I went to search for it. Took me a couple tries but I found it. It was the band Chappo and the song was 'Come Home'. I think the entire EP, 'Plastic Universe' by Chappo is awesome. You can listen to it FREE on their website.

Artist: Chappo

Album: Plastic Universe EP {April 2010}

Song: Come Home

You really never know where you will find great new music. Even when you aren't looking {or listening} for it, it can pop up anywhere. I discovered Chairlift back in 2008 from and iPod commercial as well. I love their song 'Bruises', which was used in the ad.

I was lucky enough to see them live back in December of 2008 when they were touring with Vampire Weekend. It was a great show with great bands. Audrye Sessions and Cold War Kids where there too.

Chairlift in Concert

If you would like to see all my photos from this concert, check them out on my Face Book here.

Artist: Chairlift

Album: Does You Inspire You {April, 2009}

Song: Bruises