Sesame

Fried pickles, beer, Chaz and Bean at Sesame. I love them.

Washington D.C

These were taken some time ago. Chaz and I met up with a friend and took a train to visit another friend in D.C. They were taken before I cut my hair and before we got engaged. I just got these developed and seeing them was a nice surprise. I forgot what pictures I took on our trip. They turned out so awesome.

Wedding Ideas

Chaz and I are getting hitched about this time next year. Yeah, I know it's little soon to be planning things but I can't help it sometimes. Here are a few things that have caught my eye recently.

1, 2, 3, 4

HeArt Attack

So, it's been a long time since I've last updated this blog. There are lots of reasons for my absence such as some upcoming exhibits which means more time spent on new work, a new Pinterest account (a big time eater) and also new Law & Order episodes on Instant Netflix. I'm kind of joking on that last one. Kind of. I'm going to try to update more often. I promise.

In a few weeks I'm participating in a new show about love and the heart called The HeArt Attack. It's been getting a lot of press around here in Charleston. It's a show curated by creative couple Justin and Erin with 30+ artists taking part in a show that serves as the two's wedding reception. So fun! I feel so lucky to be a part of their special day and included with so many great artists. Here's a video Justin took of me about my work. Let me just say...seeing yourself on video is so strange. It was a fun experience though and Justin did an awesome job. Check it out...

the heArt attack : NINA GARNER from Justin Nathanson on Vimeo.

on the farm

Here are some images from around the farm. Mostly kitty photos because I love them so much. I think I took about a million photos of them on our lunch break. That little orange guy is my favorite. I named him French Fry.

An Experiment

So Chaz and I have started a year long experiment called, "Consumer Whore No More". For this experiment we have decided not buy anything new for the next year. This means no video games, movies, CDs, clothes, shoes, home decor, etc. We started this experiment for a few reasons. First of all we want to see if we can actually do it but really we want to start appreciating the things we already have and to start saving more money while living less frivolously. In addition to not buying anything new we've also limited the amount of times we can eat out (which is the difficult part, for me at least). Here are the rules we made up:

What is NOT Allowed

-No new items

What is Allowed

-Groceries (we might invest in a CSA share this fall)

-Medicine

-Items required for school and/or artistic endeavors

-Gifts for others & each other (such as birthdays and Christmas)

-Accepting gifts from others & each other

-Eating out

Chaz - 18x per year

Chaz & Nina - 12x per year

Nina - 12x per year

-Thrift store/ 2nd hand

-Pet items as needed

-Important Home Improvements

-Preexisting magazine or online subscriptions but no re-subscribing once expired

-Recreational activities, such as the movies or bowling

-Garden supplies

-Anything that is not frivolous, unnecessary, or junk.

So, over the next couple months or so I might limit myself on how much time I spend on the internet since most of my time is spent looking at fashion/style blogs or on-line window shopping. It's probably best I don't tempt myself or make myself depressed. But overall I think we can do it and that this experiment will be good for us.

Wish us Luck!

Farmtastic

I'm sorry I've been neglecting my blog lately. I've sort of become a little overwhelmed with all the fantastic blogs out there which has made me somewhat insecure about my blog, if that makes sense. And also I've been really busy lately. I just started working on a local organic farm and its been wiping me out all the time. It's a lot of physical work and the heat, oh god the heat! But I really enjoy doing it. Today I helped pick poll beans and eggplant. I got to see the new baby ducks that have just started wandering around the farm and soon we'll be picking cherry tomatoes. I can't wait cause when we do it we can eat them as we work! The best part of the job is all the free food I get to take with me. Summer squash, eggplant, arugula, basil, cucumbers...

Here are some other things that are happening:
-Looking into getting a DSLR, finally
-My own garden is doing so well! Planted leeks, fennel, more arugula, parsley, oregano, Thai basil and others
-Getting a little antsy about some new artwork I want to start, which is a good feeling
-Learning so much from the farm it's awesome, like pattypan?
-Going to try to make my own ginger ale and mozzarella cheese soon, I'll let you know how it goes

chickens

So these past few weeks I've been pretty busy fixing up my backyard. It hasn't been touched in years so I've been weeding, hoeing, branch collecting, grass cutting, and soon brick laying and gardening. I plan on having a veggie garden, compost bins, rain water barrels, and hopefully in a year we'll have chickens! I really want two or three hens for fresh eggs. I've been thinking about it so much I'm having dreams about chickens...beautiful chickens.

(images from design*sponge)

Changes

So, the weather has been really nice these past couple of days. A little chilly but just the right amount. I've been enjoying it. I like wearing layers of clothing...jackets, sweaters, knee high socks under my jeans...and drinking hot beverages. I want to get pumpkins soon, huge ones. And is it too soon for a Christmas tree?

I do miss summer though. Only because I was here and went to places like this:







I miss my family. I miss Okinawa.

(photos taken by me)

Busy Sunday

Today I have been working on various things. I have decided to stop feeling sorry for myself and get things moving on the right path. I have applications for jobs filled out and now I'm working on my application for grad school and another application to be considered for exhibitions at a local gallery. Lots of paper work. It feels good though.

Recently I applied for an internship with a local photographer and found out that I got the gig. I'm really excited to start working with her. She has all kinds of ideas for projects she wants me to help her with. We're going to be experimenting with book binding and various other projects related to book arts. I can't wait. I need the inspiration and this will hopefully get my brain juices going and keep me busy creatively till grad school.