"we are mexicans!! we are humans!!"

The past couple of weeks I have been volunteering at the UNT LTC Summer Institute, an emersion-and-project-based intensive English-learning program for adult students from Toluca, Mexico.

It. Has. Been. Awesome.

The students and teachers are all amazing, and I'm learning so much. On Friday, my Performing Arts class performed a flash mob that they conceptualized called "We are Mexicans!! We are Humans!!"


"We are Mexicans!! We are Humans!!" from Shertown Studios on Vimeo.


They really had a good time with it and so easily addressed such a politically/personally-charged issue (although, let's be honest, there aren't exactly a wealth of hyper-conservatives prowling around UNT.) Seriously, these students are great. They have been cracking me up every day. I will be so sad when they go home on Saturday.

video: cups (lulu and the lampshade) cover

Have you seen this? I spent all day yesterday making my own.

And, when I say "all day", I mean all day.


Cups (Lulu and the Lampshades) Cover from Shertown Studios on Vimeo.


Should I be embarrassed about this? Someone please tell me if I should. I can't always tell.

las vegas 2011: the pool

We go to the Mirage pool a lot while we're in Vegas. There's really not much more to say.

















We even splurged and got a cabana one afternoon...although it just ended up being an expensive place to put our stuff. The pool/Dolphin Bar is pretty much my favorite part of going to Vegas. Yes, I can go to my pick of pools in Dallas. There's just something about that pool, the weather...the $20 margaritas. Mmmm...

And that concludes our look at Las Vegas 2011! I hope you had fun. :)

outfit: braids and feathers (with guest appearance from harley)

I know that I am much too easily excited, but the fact that my hair is now long enough to put in one long side braid really thrills me. I've definitely got this whole "enjoy the little things" notion down.





Date: June 29, 2011 / Occasion: work
Details: shirt/skirt-Banana Republic / watch-Michael Kors / earrings-gift from husband (etsy)

Of course, Harley completely upstaged me in the last photo. You can definitely tell that she really wanted to be grabbed and shoved in front of a flashing computer screen. She's a modeling natural.

las vegas 2011: the strip

Most of the Las Vegas strip walking/adventure-having was done by the guys. I'm an old fart now. I can't be expected to be having all this "fun" past 10pm. They even pulled an all-nighter at one point.

Bromance All Nighter




They kept going even after the sun came up (second to last photo) and the cleaning crews came out to the casinos (last photo.) Bunch of crazies. Despite my decided status as the resident "lame old person", I did have some good times that were not food, pool, or gambling-related. Proof:


Cirque du Soliel Ka


Friend Duck


Date Night(s)


Lonestar Park Horse Racing, A Little Taste Of Home


I've saved my favorite part (The Pool) for last. Then I'll be done. I know you can't wait.

las vegas 2011: the food

Frozen Hot Chocolate at Serendipity 3



Enchiladas and Brisket at Dos Caminos





32oz Beverages at the Mirage


I love food. Like, I really really love food. Eating is one of my greatest joys in life. I wouldn't say I'm a "foodie" per se, more like a "food snob." I know very little about the production of fine food and wine, but I will criticize a bad plate of food until judgement day.

That being said, the restaurants that we ate at in Vegas were just wonderful: Shibuya (not pictured), Dos Caminos, Bouchon (not pictured), and Serendipity 3. I would highly recommend any of these places if you're ever in Las Vegas and willing to drop some serious cash.

Our next vacation is going to be spent in San Diego and Los Angeles. Any must-try food suggestions?

las vegas 2011: the trip

Yes, our Vegas trip was eons ago, but I still think that the internet needs to see these pictures. I'm going to split these posts up into The Trip, The Pool, The Strip, and The Food, not necessarily in that order. There are just that many photos. Don't want to crash your computer or anything. ;)

The Trip


(notice my artwork to the left of the photo)








And that, my friends, is how we got to Vegas. Pretty much the same way everybody else does it. Coming up, more pictures of my vacation! So daring! So new! Nothing that the internet has not seen ten thousand times before!!!

outfit: typewriter shirt

After taking these photos, it suddenly hit me how young I dress sometimes. I'm pretty sure that I have not progressed in maturity since high school. No wonder I get carded so often.





I basically wear this shirt to work every other day. Way, way too often. It's ok if I pair it with a flouncy floral skirt, right?

Right?

On a less depressing note, who's ready for the 4th of July!?!? This is one of my favorite holidays (not there are many holidays that aren't my favorite.) It's really wrapped up in wonderful memories for me. This year I'm making red, white, and blue jello shots.

Time to make some more memories. :)

new painting: you're just what i needed

It has been a seriously long time since I actually posted a new painting. I've worked on a few things here and there, but mostly as gifts (I've got something special in the works for a birthday coming up soon...who will be the lucky boy or girl!?), pieces for my home, or simply false starts.

Man, false starts are the worst.

This one was inspired by my and Corban's song, "You're Just What I Needed" by the The Cars (yes, we have a song because we are cheesy that way.) It came on the radio while I was driving to work and I was like, SHAZAM! Painting!




I lovelovelove how it turned out! Just perfect (and now that I look at it, definitely inspired by Red Velvet's Elsie.) It's posted here in the etsy shop.

I am still slowly but surely making progress on Operation Make Our Bedroom Look Amazing (and, yes, the clown painting has been hung.) Hopefully I'll pictures later this summer!