I bought this little storage container at TJ Maxx about a month before I moved. I love the vintage look to it, and the drawers are a perfect size to fit the little stuff I own that needs good organizing.
My brother always dug it in my head that wooden furniture and things of the sort that are wooden shouldn't be painted. You should keep the wood the way it is, and as much as I disagree (I was ready to smother it in decoupage and magazine clippings to decorate it), I felt this little guy needed to have the wood the way it was. But I wanted to do something to it.

There was no time for me to work on it before leaving, so I saved the project for after the move.
I let the idea stew in my head and I settled on keeping it simple by doing a repeat of 'be nice' with a screen I made using my ghetto screen print method.

I zigzagged where I painted since I didn't want to put my screen over wet areas. I did the same going down the sides, and left it to dry.
After the paint dried, I went back to the empty spots and painted those bits to finish it up. Top and sides.

After round two, I left it to dry.

I have a nice little corner of the room in which I rest it on. I brought my Psych bobble head dolls and a jar my friend made for me for Christmas. I put fake flowers in it to liven up the area a bit. I think it fits nicely, and the design is not overwhelming.

As I mentioned in my summary post yesterday, I'm at the point where I am starting to decorate my space. I picked a spot next to my desk in which I plan on decorating. So far I have found two items I want to hang.

I have the tendency to start projects, finish them or don't finish them, and then do something else to them. I made this shirt for a project last semester, but I haven't finished the hemmings, and so it just sat around. I wanted to hang that design and I didn't feel bad ripping it up since it wasn't done.

I've also taken inspiration from Pinterest hanging up art on yarn with clothespins.
I found a good spot to stick the walls with thumbtacks and hung my yarn with loops I tied up.

I hung up my fabric. Using another thumbtack and binder clip, I hung up a postcard (in which I shared yesterday too).

I also received this guitar pick from when I purchased vinyl from the band She's So Rad. If you haven't heard them, listen to them now! Anyway, I managed to dig up a super baby binder clip which worked perfect with hanging the guitar pick.

I plan on adding more as I go. But that's my little wall of decoration so far!

Just got through my second week living in Portland. And I realized I haven't done a summary in a month.

01. Still familiarizing myself with the neighborhoods. Found some cool places around with with Mexican folk art. There will also be a parade like thing on Dia De Los Muertos that I totally plan on going to. I'm actually getting excited for Halloween (although I don't have a costume idea yet).
02. I've tackled all the boxes. Opened up every single one. 95% of my stuff are put away. I figured I'm at the point where I can start decorating.
03. Received my first welcome postcard from a family friend of mine! It was the sweetest thing ever to read.
04. Went out and about with the neighbors yesterday. Discovered SCRAP, the most amazing store - it's a crafters paradise. Walked away with paint, binder clips, thumb tacks, fake flowers, fabric, and thread for less than $4. Seriously, it was a win.

I came across a new iPhone app that I decided to give a try called Faded. It's free, the effects are great, and it's super easy to use. I edited my morning view to test it out and I love it. The photos come out amazing. I recommend it!

I've also been getting psyched to see Slowdive in two weeks, so I've been familiarizing myself with their opening band Low. So relaxing.

Browsing through my computer, I found files to a contest I participated in back in February. My family friend passed this contest along to me for the annual Crab, Seafood, & Wine festival in Astoria, OR. The contest called for a new 'logo' to print on posters, shirts, etc.

I came up with two designs on Illustrator. I made it somewhat typical with the wine glass in the center with a ribbon. But around that time was when I started experimenting with patterns, and so I made the background a repeat of shrimp, clams, and a crab that stands out.

I wanted to scrap the first one, but kept it since we were allowed to submit more than one design. I created a second mocking a poster. I repeated the same pattern in the background, but took out the crab and replaced it with a glass of wine.

My preference was the second of course, but unfortunately I didn't win the contest. I don't recall seeing them post the winning design, so I don't know what happened with that contest.
It was still good for me to participate in something like that. I need to do more contests. These days, that seems to be the only way to get me to illustrate something. BRB, need to go find some contests.

Almost done unpacking. Areas of the room are forming; it's coming together.

Set up my record player and organized a place to put my records. It's getting cozy, and it's making me more excited to buy records. This is surely the city to go record shopping. And they're reasonably priced if you're on a budget, which I've concluded that I am. I have to be.

I've been playing more music. Made a few new discoveries, which I want to share.

Psyched Up Janis - The Stars Are Out
I started getting into this band that Sune Rose Wagner fronted before The Raveonettes. I love how his voice fits these songs so well, it's kinda like a Raveonettes part II.

Eluvium - Under The Water It Glowed
I made a new friend in this city recently and we of course had a music discussion. I talked about my love for shoegaze and noise and he recommended I listen to this track. It's just droning and I love it. I'm not a big fan of instrumental songs, but this one is great to just doze off to.

Allo Darlin' - Dreaming
This band is more indie/cute but so pleasant to listen to. This song just makes me happy and craving fun nights out like this with friends. Makes me miss my friends back home, but gets me excited for future friendships that may form. I should get out of the house, hah.

I'm just craving new music. I want to go music shopping. I should add that to my list of things to do for the next outing I go on. About that budget...

As I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, and to get my inspiration/creative juices flowing, I figured I'd post a wishlist as it is Wednesday.

01. Girls All Over Me Tee by Wacky Wacko - I love how funky this shirt is, and it features singers that I love and listen to.
02. Home book by Beci Orpin - Moving out has me wanting to partake in so many crafty/DIY projects to jazz up my new room. I love Beci's style and this book seems great.
03. Technical Sole Derby by Farewell - I know that wanting shoes that are not very practical should not be a thing for me right now, but I love these. The color combo and platforms are perfect. I miss wearing platform shoes and want to start that up again.
04. Pampa Sport Cuff by Palladium - I figured it's okay to want a pair of shoes for aesthetics, and want these for function. Portland is a very outdoorsy city with constant rain and many hiking trails. The majority of my shoes are not made for this weather, so I need to buy shoes that can handle it.
05. The Monster Mash on Threadless - My favorite shopping experiences are during Halloween season. I'm not a big fan of the holiday but I love buying sock and decor during this Halloween. This shirt is also just fantastic, as I'm a big fan of anyone's take on the monster mash.

I'm in no place to be spending money right now since I'm still jobless, but I may treat myself to one of these items. I've been doing well with budgeting since moving, so I figured why not. We'll see how I'm feeling after I have to pay for next months rent and bills, not to put a damper on anything.

I'll admit, it's been hard adjusting. I really do feel like I'm vacation; it's been tough since I went from working two jobs seven days a week, to absolutely nothing. I've been job searching. Hasn't been that easy. I'm kicking myself for already feeling this way after a week of being here.
All of my boxes officially arrived too. You'd think I would be busy unpacking, but I'm taking my time. I think everything became real when the thought of having to unpack came about. I guess I'm just trying to find an excuse to go back home and send all my stuff back. But I've been tackling boxes, slowly but surely it'll all get done.

This is the first time I'm living day to day - completely in the moment. Which makes things feel like they are moving in slow motion. I'm hoping soon this bookcase will be filled, as well as every other storage related container I bought. They ain't gonna fill themselves, thats for sure.
But I do have to say that after unpacking quite a number of boxes, I'm realizing how much I brought with me. Especially art supplies. I have so much to keep myself busy; I have been becoming a little more inspired. I feel like my mojo is slowly coming back.

I noticed I haven't been listening to much music. I've been sitting in silence a lot. I also haven't taken many pictures. Actually, I've taken pretty much close to none. I've been a bit of a homebody, which I'm hoping to snap out of when I find a job and make a few friends.
To add more to that list, I haven't really been blogging either. I've had no inspiration and motivation for anything ever since leaving home. I'm just hoping to get out of this mini funk and get back to being productive. I know it'll take a little while, but I'm working on it.

I guess I just have to continue living in the moment and just take things as they come. I'm no longer on a time crunch, so there's nothing stopping me right now from doing anything.

I apologize for the scatterbrain-like thoughs, but that's how life has been for me lately.