The Foolish Traveler

this is the story of the most foolish traveler in the world.

once upon a time, there was a foolish traveler who had gone on a journey. why was he foolish? well, because he was fooled by everyone he met!

everywhere he went, people made up all kinds of sad stories to tell him, and the traveler fell for every one of them.

please, some money for medicine…?

i have a sick younger sister…

i don’t have money to buy seeds to plant in my fields.

pretty soon, his money, his clothes, even his shoes had been cheated away from him.

however, the foolish traveler was always glad to help. for everyone of them, he’ll smile and say, “i wish you happiness.”

but by this point, the traveler was completely naked, and with nothing left to cover himself, he decided to leave the main road and travel through the dense forest, where no one could see him…

soon, he was discovered by the goblins that lived in the woods. the goblins wanted to eat the traveler’s body, so they begged and pleaded, and used kind words to try and trick him…

of course, the traveler was fooled. first, he let the goblins eat one of his legs. then an arm. then more and more…before it was over, all that the traveler had left was his head. he’d even given his eyes away to the last of the goblins…

and as the last goblin was eating the traveler’s eyes, he turned and said “thank you, traveler. in return, i leave you this present.”

what the goblin left was a slip of paper, with the word “fool” written on it. the traveler couldn’t see it. he didn’t know what it was. even so, tears began to flow down his face. “thank you,” he said. “this is the first present anyone ever gave me. i’m so happy. i’m so happy. thank you.”

even without his eyes, he cried and cried great tears of joy. then, the traveler died, with a smile on his face.

and that’s…the end of the story.

(episode 11, Fruits Basket ~ a rare gem of an anime)

New Business Cards

Barnes and Noble is really the perfect place to get things done! I was there for 10 hours yesterday O: !!

Since I had no idea what I was doing, it took me a very long time to create my new business cards. So, worth it though! I think they came out really well and professional :) Step one of my branding is finished! And here is the finished product. What do you think?

December Giveaway!

Wow! I can't believe it is already December! This is the month of giving! And with that in mind, I thought it was time for another giveaway! This month I will be giving away a "Fragile Bird" hand-carved stamp :D Use the widget below to enter. Good luck!!

Let Them Be Little

Stuart Ceramics

What an adorable place!! My friend, Julia, got a hold of me to take pictures of the place she works at: Stuart Ceramics. When she told me it was a ceramic painting shop, I immediately got excited. I used to paint ceramics ALL the time when I was younger and visiting my family in the keys. I didn't think it was going to be THIS adorable though!! If you are in the area, you DEFINITELY need to visit this amazing little studio!

I had a blast taking pictures! Each wall is painted with a different, bright color and the trims are all painted with cute stripes and designs. The walls are filled to the brim with different ceramic pieces with a few display pieces as well... People have such talent!

I got to catch up with my friend as well, which was a huge plus :P It has been years! What a perfect job! Hehe <3

Some unfinished work hidden in the back : )

The tools needed for art at Stuart Ceramics ^_^

And of course, an owl :3

Take a look at all the pictures here !! :)

"Like" Stuart Ceramics on Facebook: click

"Like" Felicia Mariah Photography on Facebook: click

You Spook Me

Thanks to Pinterest, I've been able to find all kinds of goodies for Halloween this year! Especially because my mother decided she is going to host a Halloween party... which means I will be doing most of the work! ;) Hehe, just kidding mom! <3

Things I've decided are a must have for the party!

Screaming Red Punch With a Creepy Hand - A recipe for a (what i assume to be) delicious punch. The best part is (and you can add it to any punch) is the clever idea to have a icy hand floating in the juice! All you need to do is fill a powder-free latex glove with water... let it freeze... and voila! A spooky hand that keeps your punch cold ;)

Ghost Poop - Doesn't that just make you giggle?! Hehe! I definitely think this is a must have for the party seeing as it is super easy, cost-efficent, and will give everyone a good laugh! Click through for a free printable as well : )

P.S. I've also discovered the Witch Warts by the same blog! Hehe. And if you don't get to use the ghost poop this halloween, be sure to use snowman poop for x-mas! hah! I'm having too much fun with this...

Painted bottles with Halloween clip-art - Love these simple decorations! They look fun to make too! I also found a good site to get some awesome clip-art with the same style as the ones above : ) Clipart here!

Check out my Halloween Pinterest Board for more Halloween ideas!!!

And I would love to hear your ideas / plans as well! <3

The Skill Collectors: Etsy Team

Meet the Members

Introducing the members of Etsy Team: The Skill Collectors! Take a look at some wonderful people with MANY talents and skills. If you are already a member of the team, be sure to give me your info. so I can add you to the list : )

Alison Lane: Etsy

Denver, CO

Crafter

Anita Allen: Etsy

Roanoke VA

Artist, Painter

Casey Daxenbichler: Etsy

Washington

Crafter

Cori: Etsy

Campbell, CA

Crafter, Hiker

Crystal Scherer: Etsy | Facebook | Twitter
Crestview, FL

Chainmailer

Felicia Mariah: Etsy | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Blog | Etsy Team
Jensen Beach, FL

Photographer, Singer, Actor, Dancer, Rubber Stamp Maker

Hannah Greatorex: Etsy
Matlock, England. United Kingdom
Crafter

John Massimo: Etsy | Blog
Durham, NC
Crochet, Quilter, Sewer, Painter

Katie: Etsy | Facebook
St. Joseph, MO
Crafter

Kendra Lock: Etsy
San Francisco, CA
Crafter

Jacinto Elá: Etsy
Barcelona, Catalonia. Spain
Crafter

Mackenzie Morgan: Etsy | Facebook | Twitter
Silver Spring, MD
Crochet, Pysanky, Computer Programmer

MFG: Etsy
Los Angeles, CA
Crafter

Wendi Delaney: Etsy
Manchester, Connecticut
Crafter

Last Halloween Party!

It was two years ago when my mom started an annual Halloween party... that soon turned into a semi-annual :P . And, I am glad to say that it was way more than successful! A couple highlights from last party:

My favorite room... the Ouija board room! We lit a bunch of candles throughout the room that gave it a really fun feel to it. The room later in the night turned into a fairy card fortune reading room :)

Another huge event we had during the party was a pumpkin carving contest! I teamed up with my friend, Ryan, to make the most epic pumpkins ever! And we won! It would have been first and second place if it wasn't for the prizes being alcohol... lol. I'm still too young x_x Another 8 months!

Now, this year, i'm gonna have to top it! I have NO idea how! Haha But I can't wait!

Etsy Team: The Skill Collectors

Really excited about this new project i've started! I figured that there are so many skill collectors out there, so we need to stick together and help each other out!! :))

If you have an Etsy, feel free to join the team!! Here it is! :D

Welcome to the team!

Wild Photoshoot Inspiration

Something that I am super excited for is a photo shoot I have coming up. It's a "Wild" theme, so I feel like anything goes. After speaking with Raysa, my model, we both came up with some main ideas and things we want to go with. And, since i'm so excited, I made a whole pinterest board dedicated to this shoot! Hehe. Then I decided to put my new skill of making photoshop templates to use. And out came an inspiration board : )

1. I could see this saying over one of the pictures that turn out! Maybe a bit faded with a crazy font? The hunt for fonts is next, i assume :P (via pinterest)
2. I love the amount of trees surrounding this girl in the picture. Also, I like her pose. (via flickr)
3. Another pose that I find to be interesting. And, I love the messy hair! Possibly propped up against a tree? (via pinterest)
4. I just find this breathtaking. I want to do something like this in some way... I just don't know how yet. Love the gold light blurs as well... brushes, or natural? (via deviantart)
5. To shoot with a "wild" theme... it's good to know the look you're going for ;) (via pinterest)
6. Eye makeup is awesome! (via pinterest)
7. Another lion face. Fierce. And teeth, perhaps? (via deviantart)
8. More makeup. Love the use of rhinestones. (via deviantart)

Wish us luck on the shoot : ) I'll be sure to post pictures once we've finished <3

If you want to take a look at the rest of my wild photoshoot inspiration collection, take a peek here.

Related posts: Photography Display Template Using Photoshop

Photography Display Template using Photoshop

This is something i've been wanting to do for a while and after the shoot with Jenna the other day... I knew I couldn't procrastinate on learning this any longer. I should mention that every time Jenna visits I get a nice filling of inspiration ;) And here was the outcome:

If you have Photoshop, this is really a piece of cake once you get the hang of it! What this actually is, is a template that you make and you can drop the pictures in to make multiple images like the one above. You can just change the pictures easily any time you want to make a new one. I plan on playing around with it a lot more, but as for now, I used the same shapes that were used in the tutorial. I did say tutorial... so that means you can learn too ;) And what's even better is it is shown through a video! I always find them to be easier then written tutorials. Anyways, enough rambling! Try for yourself! :)

Making templates for photos in Photoshop

Fun in Downtown Stuart

One thing that I don't take advantage of enough is learning new tips and tricks by experiencing a different point of view in situations i'm usually in. Situation normally being that i'm the photographer... this time I was more along the sideline, helping out with lighting and such. I was lucky enough to be teamed up with one of my long-time best friends, Jenna Pinchbeck! She is such a talented girl who is constantly growing in each skill and aspect of her life. Not only is she a marvelous photographer ... but she is a fabulous Actor, Singer, and Dancer as well! :D Meet the wonderful Jenna! :3

So, we headed to Downtown Stuart which seems to be the only spot of life in this town. Lighting was perfect due to some nice overcast and we were lucky enough to have no rain! : ) After a bit of walking around and seeking out some good locations, we met up with our friend, Matt Siregar to start his head shot session. Can I just say that holding up a reflector and/or diffusor is a lot harder than it looks?! I must have made some serious muscles after yesterday. Hehe. Needless to say, the end product was beautiful and I learned a lot of new things from just watching and helping out with anything Jenna needed.

And, truth is, I was wiped out after just the few hours we had been out and about! I don't know where Jenna gets all that energy! So the three of us wondered into a lovely little coffee shop called Stuart Coffee Co. to upload the pictures and just relax after a hard days work :P We didn't get that far once we saw the gorgeous wood floor, the red sofa, and the great lighting this place had to offer! We took out our cameras again and started shooting. I have to admit, getting behind the camera was a little intimidating after being the helper. But, once I warmed up, I really had a blast!

Overall, a marvelous day! Nick and I even got to get some couple pictures taken :))) But that's a whole 'nother blog post ;)

View more pictures from this shoot: 1 | 2

Jenna's Photography Website

Jenna's Acting Website

Stuart Coffee Co.

New Addiction: The Sims Social on Facebook

I always do this! Find a game that looks interesting, get started, and then completely become involved with it! That game right now is The Sims Social on Facebook! I was such a big fan of the sims when I was younger that I just had to try it out... and now it's 2 in the morning and I just can't get off. >.<

Although, I you kind of have to follow the assignments and can't just go crazy on your own... I still find this game to be way too much fun! Great quality and lots of fun for a facebook game. This is my little house above so far. I'm having fun learning guitar as well as painting and tons of other stuff. I'm also glad to say that I talked Nick into getting a Sim as well and now we are in a relationship in the game! Haha, oh man... i think i'm taking this too seriously xD

Click here to take a peek at the game : )

And click here to like my facebook <3

But for real... It's time for bed! Sims... stop being so much fun...

Are there any games you're addicted to? Facebook or not?

A Pair to Die For!

I'm not really a shoes person... but there is always that rare occasion in which I fall in love with a pair that I gotta have! Right now... That pair is the 'Simple Minds' criss-cross floral heels made by Office.

via Pinterest

If you already clicked through to these adorable shoes... you would know that they no longer have them!!! NOOOO! It really would have been my first online purchase in a while. But we can't always get what we want I guess... :( If anyone see's these on eBay or anywhere I can get them... let me know! Hehe.

But in the meantime, i'm on the hunt for any other shoes that catch my eye with a similar feel to them. So far, it's looking ok... but nothing that i've GOTTA have. So, i've found heels that are almost identical over eBay!!! But... they are peep-toe... which i'm not sure how I feel about that. Also, they do not have the criss cross straps. In fact, they have no straps at all. A decent alternative, but not the real deal. :P About $47 here

Now, ditching the whole floral idea... I found another pair of heels that I adore. These heels are called Hotline by Chinese Laundry. They are a beautiful ivory lace with a little peep-toe and a nice heel. Not as colorful nor do they catch my eye as much... but still gorgeous none-the-less. Running for $69.99 at heels.com... still not the drop dead gorgeous that i'm going for.

Last but not least... (and I may have found a winner here) these beige floral closed toe pumps! Although they are not like the original with a smaller floral print as well as no straps, they are possibly the next best thing! Especially when you find out the price... (wait for it...) $12.99 at amiclubwear !! How can you beat it? Hehe. I think I know what's next in my online shopping cart. ;)

Unless you have any other suggestions? :)) Let me know in the comments below <3

New Source of Inspiration

If you are someone who constantly likes to be inspired by new things like I do... you might want to jump onto the Pinterest wagon!

Pinterest is a website that has an endless flow of interesting posts that people "pin up" on their boards. You will find anything from interesting products to workout inspiration to DIY projects to amazing architecture all in one place! Find something you like, something that inspires you, or a new recipe you want to try and "repin" it to your own boards to look back on when the time is right! In the image above, you can see my collection of boards :) You can almost even think of it as bookmarks but in a much more organized, clean, and colorful way!

If you are a creative type in any aspect, you definitely want to get yourself onto Pinterest! Just be careful and don't fall into the habit of constantly searching and repinning like I did! Hehe

::Take a peek at some of my favorite boards I made::

Dream Home | Get This Body | Learning to Cook

Things That Amaze Me | Make Me Laugh

DIY | Photography Inspiration | Inspiration | Organization

I am a Tree

I see myself as a tree.

Still young and growing, with 20 rings in age.

The flowers, the grass, and the soil around me are all the things and people in my life that help me grow.

They give me what I need to become a bigger and healthier tree.

My trunk is my passion, the one thing that fully holds me together as a person. Art.

My branches are all of the things that I learn and that make me the individual that I am.

And my leaves are little sparks of ideas and pieces of inspiration that come and go.

I am never a bare tree and my leaves are constantly changing colors with our without the season's permission.

I am a tree.

And I take a lot of pride in how many branches I have : )

Hunger

Auditions for Bad Seed & Lie, Cheat, and Genuflect were today! I think my monologue went over well! I did a cut version of a monologue I found on youtube. It's a great one! And the performer on youtube is so grand! Take a peek : )









P.S. If anyone knows the author of this, PLEASE let me know A.S.A.P. !

My cut:

Hunger

Everyday... Everyday it's the same thing. It's exhausting. The worry, the waiting, the hoping... It's almost as exhausting as working three jobs. But you know, I can't complain. I have a beautiful boy and he is so smart... So smart... But I have to complain. I'm just so sick and tired of picking up Manny from school and watching his little eyes watch the other kids go home. And I can just see those wheels turning... I can see him thinking, wondering- What's it like... What's it like to go to a place where the refrigerator is always full... To have juices and snack and fresh vegetables. I'm sorry... There are just so many things that are good for our kids but cost so damn much. God forbid we actually eat well! But by god, by god... My son will not go to sleep hungry and he will not wake up hungry. Even if I have to.