Valentine Colorventures

February 14, 2015

Happy Valentine's Day!

I know that I have literally dropped off the face of the blogging world as of lately, but this post is the end of that dry spell! I have taken up quite a bit of exciting personal projects lately since the new year has gotten started, and just haven't made it a priority to sit down and write in awhile.

I started up my own Society 6 shop, which is something that I have been wanting to do for awhile. Come visit me! society6.com/amyventures

In January, I also wrote a collab blog post with Live Like You're Traveling about solo adventuring - which was a lot of fun to write! You should definitely go check it out. ;)

15 Mantras For 2015!

January 8, 2015

Happy New Year! I can't believe that it's 2015 already - 2014 came and went so fast!

This being my first full year of post-grad life, I'm feeling like kicking some serious ass and have decided to take up a personal project. Gotta start the new year with a bang! ;) I have been wanting to work on my hand-lettering typography skills for a little while now, and so I created this little project to share with you all: a series of 15 hand-lettered mantras for 2015! (If it all goes well, I may do more than 15). I have looked to inspiring / motivational quotes quite a bit this past year to get me through some of my lowest points. Sometimes when you're not feeling on top of the world, reading just the right words can totally change your mood and mindset.

New Year's is always a time to reflect back on all that has happened in the last year, acknowledge what you have learned, and revel in all the ways that you have grown. It is also a time to set new goals, hopes, and dreams - and find a way to make the next year even better. With my "15 Mantras For 2015" project, I hope to share with you some "words to live by" to keep your spirits flying high in the new year. By taking steps to fulfill my resolution, I am also hoping to motivate you to fulfill yours as well.

DIY Gift Wrapping: Gold Sharpie on Kraft

December 24, 2014

Ideally, I would have had this post up and ready for you all much earlier than this - but I admit that I am a mega procrastinator when it comes to gift buying and wrapping! It's actually a miracle that I have this ready for you today on Christmas Eve (lol) - as most other years I am typically still wrapping the night of Christmas Eve. Chances are most of you smart people are already done with your wrapping, but in the case that you still haven't finished - I'm here to share with you what I did this year! If you have finished, maybe you will find these ideas useful for next year or any other gifts you may be wrapping in the future (birthdays, Valentine's Day, anniversaries, etc.)

This year I decided to do my own DIY gift wrapping. Of all the people in my family, I am probably the only one who truly gets into the spirit of wrapping gifts. Most people in my family think that the extra ribbons are a waste of time / money, but I think that an extra pretty gift (from the outside) is much more fun and exciting to open. With all that said, you can totally dress up your gifts and make them extra special without spending a whole lot of money - and I am here to share with you how I did just that. :)

Chester - The Stars Hollow of New Jersey

December 19, 2014

This week I took a "me" day and decided to drive to the historic town of Chester, NJ. It's been weeks since I've had a good local adventure, so I took advantage of the 50 degree day we had on Wednesday. As the weather has gotten colder, my outdoor hiking ventures have sadly died down quite a bit - as I don't feel as inclined to go freeze my butt off. I have driven through historic Chester many times, and always thought it was the cutest little town upon passing by. It's a small strip of shops, but I feel like there is so much to see. I spent 4-5 hours just walking around looking at everything and taking it all in. I also have been binge-watching Gilmore Girls on Netflix, and it very much so felt like a visit to Stars Hollow.. haha.

My Black Friday / Cyber Monday Haul

December 11, 2014

I'm hoping you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with delicious noms and quality family time! (I know I did) - and we all know what comes after Thanksgiving: Black Friday / Cyber Monday! I have never been one to really fully embrace Black Friday or Cyber Monday before… the thought of shopping when everyone else is shopping has always made me wanna vom. I can't stand shopping at a crowded store, so I have always avoided going out to shop on Black Friday. I also have never really been a fan of online shopping (for clothes) - because I am one who always needs to try shit on before buying it so that I don't buy something that looks ridiculous on me / doesn't fit right. I'm also generally pretty careful about how I spend money, and rarely (if ever) go on a shopping binge of any sort ever. This year, however, was different - and I decided to treat myself to a few goodies. Life is too short to hold onto all your money, and sometimes you really do deserve something nice! ;)

Salted Caramel Apple Slices

December 8, 2014

Today's post is a quick snack idea! I had some leftover homemade caramel sauce from when I baked a Thanksgiving salted caramel apple pie from scratch, and I have been debating what I should do with it before it goes bad (in 3 weeks or so). You are supposed to make more sauce than what you need to make the actual pie (in order to reduce chances of burning), so I had about half of what I made for the pie leftover. The Four and Twenty Blackbirds pie book suggests re-heating it and drizzling it over ice cream sundaes (which isn't a bad idea), but I personally don't eat as much ice cream during the colder months / when snow starts falling. I thought about potentially making another pie, but decided against it since it takes so much time to do it and there really isn't any special occasion / holiday to bake it for this time around. I also didn't think my family wanted to eat the same exact pie so soon again -- it would almost detract from how special the first one was, haha.

Salted Caramel Apple: A Thanksgiving Pie Experiment

November 28, 2014

For Thanksgiving this year, I decided to take my first stab at making a salted caramel apple pie. It was only the second pie ever that I've ever made - ever. Over the summer, I made my first pie - which was a simple blueberry pie. I figured I would write a blog post about my pie-baking experience thus far, as it's definitely one of my newer food experiments that I've recently tackled (and a skill that I'm determined to hone). I used Four & Twenty Blackbirds Pie Book for a reference / recipe for both the crust and the pie filling. If you don't own the book, and are interested in baking pie - I highly recommend their book! It's filled with everything from tools to technique to seasonal recipes - and great for beginners. Four & Twenty Blackbirds is a sweet little pie shop based in Gowanus (Brooklyn, NY) and they were a place I frequented during my Pratt days. Their pie is literally to die for - so if you are in the area / in NY, I highly recommend giving them a visit!

For the First Time in Forever

November 18, 2014

Last week I went to Disney's Frozen on Ice with my dad - and for the first time in forever, we spent some quality time together. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration (I really just wanted to make a Frozen reference in the title ;)…) my dad and I aren't that distant, lol. I guess what I mean to say is that since going away to school, I haven't been able to spend as much quality time with him or with any of my family. However, now that school is over - I have been trying to scoop up these moments even more-so. It's like being away from home (for school) made me realize just how special things like this are, and that they should never be taken for granted - and therefore, I've grown to appreciate them much more.

Now I know what you're thinking… what "grown" adult goes to see Disney's Frozen on Ice with their dad…? I may be 22, but that doesn't stop be from being a Disney fanatic - and it certainly doesn't stop me from going to Disney's Frozen on Ice (with my dad). Most 22 year olds would probably be too embarrassed to go to such a thing with their dad (let alone write a blog post about it), but not me … haha.

(it looks like I'm totally flipping the bird, but I assure you - I'm not haha…)

Someday, Someday, Maybe

November 4, 2014

Lately I've been channelling my inner Mulan, so let's get down to business:

I have taken up blogging (and social media to promote the blogging) pretty much full storm. I wake up and tackle a list of things to accomplish for my blog, and set out to do those things throughout the day. Whether it's plan new posts, photograph for an upcoming post, or sit down and write - it has all been quite a bit of work -- work that I truly enjoy. I treat it like a job, except the one problem is that I'm not getting paid for any of this, lol. I really hope that this blog can eventually become my main source of income some day (sooner rather than later), but for now I'm okay with it being something I do for pure enjoyment. I have faith that if I keep being gung-ho with it all, it will pay off - but that is much easier said than done. I know it's going to take time to establish, and I am aware of that. The support thus far has been incredible, though - and to those of you who have reached out to offer encouraging words - it seriously means the world to me.

I have a habit of hoarding all print collateral / entry tickets / etc. whenever I go to events / exhibitions ... #designerhoardingproblems — I have a habit of hoarding all print collateral / entry tickets / etc. whenever I go to events / exhibitions ... #designerhoardingproblems

Storm King & Jeff Koons

October 16, 2014

This is my first art / design related post on my blog – and after a month of blogging, I think it’s long overdue haha. This past weekend, my family drove through upstate NY, and I got the chance to finally experience the wonderland that is Storm King Art Center. It’s been on my “places to see” list for a little while now, and I keep hearing / seeing good things about it from multiple sources (mostly Instagram because… let’s be real: that’s my main source of *news*). The Jeff Koons exhibit is something I saw about 3 weeks ago at The Whitney (in Manhattan, NY) but never wrote a post about. The exhibit is the last to be hosted at the Madison Ave Whitney location before it relocates in the spring to somewhere in the Meatpacking District. I made it my mission to be sure to see it, and that was one of the reasons why. Both of these trips could have easily been separate blog posts, but since the Jeff Koons exhibit is winding down, I figured I would include it with my most recent venture to Storm King. Both of these exhibits have to do with sculpture – and while that isn’t what I studied in school - it’s one of my favorite fine art fields to go out and see. This may or may not have to do with my love for dimensional design in my own (graphic design) work. I love the interactivity of sculpture; you can’t “walk around” a flat painting to observe different angles like you can with a 3D piece. Sculpture is also affected by light and shadows – which is recipe for epic photos ;) I took a bajillion (photos) during both trips, so brace yourselves.

AMYVENTURES

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