Can you forgive me for recycling last years holiday in NYC shots? Here’s a rewind photo I took last Christmas when I first came back to New York. How lame of me, I can’t even give you an updated one! Sorry I haven’t been very chatty lately!

You know, when I was working at Nine West day in and day out, I really felt the urge to express myself on my website. But lately, since I am not sitting in an office day in and day out, sortof stuck there, I haven’t felt the burning desire to photograph, write or post as much! I guess this is because I am still adapting to my new life as a freelancer, and sorting all that out! I guess now I view every moment of my time as a possibly billable hour, and I am trying to be more dedicated to the work and less distracted. That is not to say that I have been working like a maniac, I have been taking it easy, catching up on sleep, etc.

It’s funny, I still have dreams (not quite nightmares, but stress/anxiety) dreams of Nine West at least twice a week! This week I was running up and down a stairwell all day and on each landing, somebody fed me some gossip. I felt like a character in that kids game Chutes and Ladders. Obviously, the symbolism of that dream is most of the work I did there was overshadowed by this awful feeling of the run-around! I learned alot, so I’m happy about that, but I am learning so much more now that I am in charge of the product I produce! Anyway, I feel as if I am still somewhat purging out the old experiences at Nine West and sortof “getting over” it. That, and adjusting to the new winter season, with temps in the 30’s/40’s, I certainly find myself staying home more and hibernating like a bear more often!

Sorry I’ve neglected you with my usual juicy tidbits and stories and photos… However I am going to Boston today until the New Year and I will certainly update you with photos and stories of my trip to New England to be with this guy! And I can’t wait!

I think 2007 will be a great time to come back and approach the new year with a more focused vision. There is so much I am interested in and like to do, but some things deserve to go a little further, and for that, I feel I need to be focused and disciplined to make those things happen. For example, just as simple as taking my illustrations a step further and DOING something with them, whether screenprinting them onto something, or just creating a series of illustrations, I want them to go further! And my photography… I think it’s time to start offering some of my prints for sale. I’m giving one framed and matted as a Christmas gift this year, and I’m really proud of it and happy that the image is now moving from just existing on cyberspace into somebody’s home to be enjoyed in person. Hopefully! Anyway there is no better recipe for sorting out my strategies, then some R & R -some space between crazy NYC stimulation and myself. I’m really looking forward to getting out of town! It never fails to amaze me the decompressing my mind and body do when I leave for a bit. We deal with these loud and physical vibrations every day here that really indirectly stress us. I always notice when I come back, and I’m happy to be in the city again, but also always missing the calm of wherever I left. Push-pull! Maybe that’s one of my artistic focuses for 2007…

For now, I wanted you to know that things are going well, I’m happy doing the work I’m doing, it’s keeping me busy, and I definitely made the right decision for myself, I’ve had nothing but good signs that I am absolutely doing what I should be doing, ever since leaving Nine West. I’ve even had a full-time job offer already, but I am going to try to keep as much as my freedom as I can, for now, and keep freelancing for as long as possible! It’s a pretty amazing feeling to be in charge of yourself, I feel more motivated than ever to really get my work done. And I have a sense of inner peace about getting myself around and working on my own time schedule. I am so definitely a night owl, something happens at about 1:00 or 2:00 p.m. and honestly, I feel like I am really mentally warmed up to then start doing the work efficiently! I do my most productive work between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., so it has been nice to structure my day to working when, where and the way that I am most productive. I have always loved staying up late, and it’s still true, that I love staying up until 1:00 a.m., and I find I sleep most peacefully in the morning, so sleeping in until 8:00 is just perfect for me.

Anyway, beyond picking my own schedule, freelancing, so far, has been excellent for my professional confidence, especially because at one of my accounts I am the only designer and they are relying on me to do what needs to be done. Talk about removing multi-layers of management! There is no management at this account, and I couldn’t be happier working directly with the few people making all the decisions. It just seems so natural! Well these are a few of the positives of the situation, and of course, there are some negatives too. But life is too short to dwell on those! As long as the positives outweigh the negatives, you’re good!

So friends and family please accept my love and wishes for a wonderful holiday and an even better New Year! I don’t know about you, but I am soooo excited for the new year, I feel like it really is a chance to refocus and move on from some things that have passed their prime in our lives. 2006 was certainly the most challenging year of my life. Yeah yeah you’ve all read about it and you’re all aware of that, but the cool thing, is I have finally found myself moving away from just “reeling” from the transitions (you know, reacting and being distracted and figuring out how to be an adult on my own for the first time in 30 years) and now I’m gliding a little more gracefully into what it is I need to be doing, and with whom! I’ve figured a few things out for myself, and intend to push ahead and have a fabulous 2007! Let’s all carry on then! Cheers!

I’m going to take a cue from Lulu and lounge around all weekend while in Boston. And you should too! Photo credit: Bob Weis

Pancakes… Buttermilk, blueberry, strawberry, or maybe chocolate chip. Whipped cream, powdered sugar, maple syrup… eating them while still in your pajamas. Going out to breakfast with your Grandpa when you were little and ordering a stack bigger than your head. It’s like having cake for breakfast. I liked them alot as a kid, but now I think I like drawing them more than eating them. However no egg-white omelette can ever take away pancake’s special place in my heart. Yum!

I made a logo for the Organization for a Sweeter Society. A ficticious organization based on all the Grandmothers everywhere who insist that you eat everytime you see them. Sal’s grandmother used to say eat or you will die. My grandmother says something a little less morbid, but nonetheless, I never seem to eat enough to satisfy her that I am indeed full. But I like that we always eat dessert, no matter what. That’s something I completely agree with!

It is 20 degrees today. Very cold, and very winter-like. It was a nice very mild fall here in NYC but now it’s time for Winter, no doubt about it. And how about some warm cozy slippers to go with your winter! Slippers and boots are fun to design, soon it will be time to work on flip flops and sandals, and since I admit, I’m partial to the cooler weather, I like doing the winter stuff the most. There is nothing about the cold weather that makes me absolutely insane. Whereas stick me in the middle of a stinky humid summer, and I do feel like I have to work extra hard to keep my cool, both mentally and physically.

These are more rubber wellington rainboots going into production that I designed. They feature a tweed fabric collar with lacing in the back. We shall see how the factory works it out, and hopefully they turn out well! Get it… well… wellingtons… haha.

It was 39 degrees today. There were snowflakes in the air. I like the cold. But there is something so sweet about the California sunshine. But I did feel a bit festive in the chilly weather, walking among the Christmas lights with a chai tea, all bundled up in a wool coat with furry hood, gloves and boots with warm stripe-y socks. Maybe I’ll make a rebel Christmas card and put a scene like this on it.