Karine’s Neighborhood

Hey, guys. Missin' you so I thought I'd come do a post for ya!
Unfortunately, summer's coming to an end and I start classes tomorrow. Le sigh. And I got a new job. Soooo, yeah. Fill in the blank. Haha.

Anyway, just wanted to say hello. Love ya! Come visit me here, plzzzz =) And I thought I'd fill your smile with cuteness with new stuff from my etsy ^___^ Take it easy, ya'll!

Ever since I was a little girl, I've been in love with fairy tales. The thought of finding my modern prince charming and living happily ever after never leaves my mind. I'm a sucker for romance, as most girls are. And I cannot wait to be married to the man of my dreams. In the meantime, I live vicariously through women in romance books and romance movies. And no matter how predictable romantic comedies are, they never get old. Because just like fairy tales: she always gets the prince at the end of the movie.

But I'm also scared of being too critical. I'm a perfectionist and sometimes I can't go with the flow or do something without thinking the worst. My pessimistic attitude comes out when it's not needed. I remember in the 5th grade, my friend James asked me to be his girlfriend. I was leaving in one month to Japan, and I remember thinking What if we break up in a month, I'll be completely devastated. And of course we'll break up because I won't be here in a month. Instead of living in the moment, I said no. Then James went and asked my friend Anna to be his girlfriend not even an hour later during recess. But, that's besides the point.

I'm the kind of girl who falls for a guy who doesn't feel the same way back. I'm the kind of girl who falls for the quarterback and he doesn't even know I exist. I'm the kind of girl who gets the guy I don't want. I'm the kind of girl who gets the guy but doesn't want commitment. I'm the kind of girl who can't keep a guy as a friend even after.... after.

These romance movies fill my head with qualifications I seek in a guy. The perfect guy. But just like us girls who falter at the perfect body men ogle after, the perfect guy in fairy tales and romance stories does not exist. And my moments of feeling needy and lonely is just... pathetic.

Fortunately, I think I know who he might be. But like my fifth-grade-self, I'm still scared. And my mouth remains shut.

Yesterday's art.
More today.
I'm addicted to colored pencils... foreverrrrrr.

xo.

Yeah, you know...
...lately I've been acting like the biggest girl: needy, hungry, & artistic.
Not much to update you with. I woke up this morning thinking it was August already.

I ride my bike 50% faster now! Woohoo. Good exercise week this week. Every day I either went to the gym or rode my bike. I'm on a roll.

PS: Shameless plug, I know: MY ETSY SHOP!
Have a good weekend, ciao!

I finished reading this book in less than a week. I couldn't put it down! Call me crazy, but I'm a sucker for romance. I watched the trailer a thousand times, and I cannot wait to watch the movie! Though I did find part of the book confusing---once I finished reading it, I understood it perfectly. I enjoyed this book immensely and since I don't know how to keep my mouth shut with spoilers... I will not say anything about this anymore! Haha!



I went to that cupcakes place I applied to work at. I did not find the owner anywhere in the front, and they were kinda busy! I was impressed---the cupcakes were delicious! I got two mini cupcakes (strawberry & red velvet) and they're like bite-sized heavens in cake form.

Today I spent being an artist. I drew and painted all day (but made room for an hour at the gym!!) and I feel accomplished. Haha. I drew Iron Man, as a request, and the picture I used looks good, but mine looks odd with just one foot >_<

Anyway... my products:

First of all, I have to say CONGRATULATIONS to MARY for winning the free stickers giveaway!! =D Yay! I love the recent painting she created recently! =)

Anyway, nothing much going on in my life factory. I went bowling last night with friends and had a tipsy game night with friends. Which was lovely =) Pink lemonade tastes much better than regular lemonade in my opinion---I do not know why!! Must be the pink...

Anyway! So it's Friday. And I have no plans. Haha. The cupcake lady emailed me back. My friend, Jordan, told me I should stop being picky and if I get the job at the cupcake shop---I should... despite my stubborn-self not wanting to do dishes. Haha. Okokok. I'll take whatever job hires me first v_v Le sigh.

I also began The Time Traveler's Wife and I cannot put the book down! I'm completely drawn into it and addicted. Must... read... more...

Ciao!
Happy Weekend!

They say it's good to keep your expectations high; always move forward and do the best that you can do. And that's what I'm doing; I'm going to keep creating and designing and drawing in hopes that I will become a world-known artist some day. That is my dream as of this moment. <3

My internet only works when it's plugged directly to the router. I'm unsure how to fix it since I misplaced my Linksys CD and cannot find it anywhere! Any help, pls? v_v

I'm going to take this time and share with you what I'm enjoying most lately:

1) Talking about Miko and finding old photographs.
2) Summer dusk, Dashboard Confessional on the iPod, and driving with the windows down.
3) PB & J Sandwiches.
4) Digital Art -- my new series!
5) Plaid tops.
6) Charm necklaces.
7) My new watch band -- now I need a new battery!
8) Bunnies!

I started reading a new book by one of my favorite authors, Tracy Chevalier! Here's a quote:


Anyway, so I'm just reminding you that my Etsy shop is having a sale that ends tomorrow. Thanks! =D

Have a fun day ^_^

PS: I ride my bike 30% faster! I'm riding so much faster!
PPS: Surprise in the future...a BIG change that I'm SO excited for!





 

Tomorrow marks my third year with Vox. I cannot believe I've been here for three years. It's... crazy. But I do love it here very much. In honor of my three-year anniversary I decided I want to have another summer free giveaway of stickers!! And to go along with the love, I made a sale over at my etsy... so check my shop out... I have NEW charm necklaces that are sooo darling.

The Contest--

So... how can you win these stickers (that I designed myself!!)???? Well, simple! Just like last month's giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment in this post saying you want to participate. If you would like to double your chances of winning... make a blog post about my Etsy shop (promoting it, of course lol---with a link to your post in a comment) and I will add your name TWICE. I will (literally) pull out a name from a hat on JULY 23RD and announce the winner on that day. Good luck! This is all for fun =D


I went shopping yesterday and had a successful trip! I bought Hotel Dusk and it's seriously my favorite DS game at this moment! Even better than Gardening Mama... coughcough. I'm addicted to it. In fact, I'm going to play it before I sleep/after this post!!


I'm also obsessed with my new digital art series.... here are a few more pieces I've designed =)

We got a card in the mail from the Vet. It was very sweet and Miko's doctor wrote a thoughtful note and the staff signed the card on the back. Inside the card had this poem, which made me feel sad yet... I grinned. I miss Miko. :( So so so much <3

Lastly, I made marshmallow puffs. They're like... cinnamon rolls. Best when out of the oven!

Anyway, have a lovely weekend... I'm seeing Harry Potter on Saturday and going to a birthday party on Sunday.
Ciao.

PS: SUMMER SALE AT MY ETSY JULY 16-23RD!

I also began a new series of digital art I titled "Realizations"


xoxomiko<3

Yesterday, I baked vanilla cupcakes from scratch. I have a super-duper easy recipe that I'm willing to share with you at the end of this post. A friend wanted to go to the beach, but I said I was baking cupcakes instead. Maybe I shall go today. I dunno. I watched What Not to Wear Friday night, and I'm inspired to go shopping with last weekend's paycheck. I'm over a lot of clothes that I have and I want more grown up and professional pieces. So I might do some shopping therapy today -- who knows. Shrugs.

I'm at the stage where I think I see Miko around. I saw my bro's black backpack on the ground, and turned my head twice. That also happened with two Pepsi boxes on the ground. And, this morning, I thought I heard her footsteps on the hardwood floor. Sigh.

Thanks for all of the support, everyone. I've been sent some very comforting messages and I'm feeling pretty all right all things considered now. I'm just super glad this week is over--it hasn't been the best.

Ciao.
Oh, here's that recipe:

Ingredients:

- 1 c (2 sticks) sweet butter, softened
- 1 c superfine sugar
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 4 eggs
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:

- Preheat oven 350F (175C). Line muffin pan with baking cups.
- Mix all ingredients into a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and pale, about 2-3 mins.
- Spoon mixture into cups (about 3/4ths or else you'll get mushroom caps like I did on my first batch). Bake for 20 mins.
- Leave cupcakes in pan for 5 mins before removing them to a rack.
- Frost heavily or heavenly as personally needing.
- Enjoy

i<3cupcakes

PS: First two photos were taken with my bro's new Nikon D700. I really want one. My digital camera doesn't feel as special anymore after using the D700.