Kate Bullen

2012-01-17T17:04:00.001-08:00

2011-12-30T17:20:00.000-08:00

The holidays passed too fast, yet not fast enough. My apartment was too small to contain my family. I escaped Christmas Eve and danced it out at Machine. My brother got me a record player for Christmas, and my dad got me a working typewriter. I plan to get lots of 99 cent records from Goodwill and type many love letters in the new year.

After my dad left town my brother and I took the commuter rail to Salem. I had never been before. I was immediately caught up in the charm of everything. All the tiny white lights in the trees and the cobblestone streets and the nicknack shops reminded me of my hometown. We met up with Kate M. and went to a cute cafe called Gulu-Gulu. I got a raspberry UFO and a peanut butter/banana/honey crepe for lunch. It was all rather sickly sweet, but I have an iron stomach apparently.

Next the three of us visited the Peabody Essex Museum. There were some incredible antique shoes on display. Shoes like that just aren't made anymore. Or if they are, I sure can't afford them. I thought about who would have worn them. Maybe I will write a story about the pair with the tulle pompoms on my new typewriter. There was an interactive exhibit centered around water that I really enjoyed, as well.

On his last day in Boston I took Evan to the New England Aquarium and the ICA. We saw the baby penguins and the seals. Two of the baby penguins were actually hugging-- hugging, you guys, I am so serious. I would not joke about something that Youtube-worthy. For like ten minutes! I couldn't tear my eyes away, it was so heart-achingly adorable. I was tired by the time we got to the ICA (and had just gone there myself the week prior) so I let him wander around while I read in the cantilever and watched the sun go down over the water.

The benefits of working at a museum are vast, but I would have to say free admission to other museums tops the list. There are so many I can go to- and I can go as often as I want!

One of the last things we did was see the new Girl With The Dragon Tattoo movie, which I hate to admit the Americans did better than the Swedish. Everything has come full circle in a sense; it was only a couple Christmases ago that I was cozied up by the fire reading the first of the Steig Larsson trilogy.

We squeezed in a lot. Evan is back in Louisville now and the only thing I didn't manage to tackle before returning to my job was the massive pile of laundry smelling up my closet. Oh, and I only just got around to deflating the blowup bed (he left two days ago). All that remains is a lot of roast beef and turkey in the fridge. And a little egg nog.

2011-12-27T21:11:00.000-08:00

Salem, Massachusetts.

2011-12-23T11:31:00.000-08:00

Everyone. Announcement. I got an iPhone. This is extremely thrilling. I've only had it about a week and I am already glued to it. It is like crack. I don't even care. I adore it. I want to buy it a cute knitted sweater to protect its beauteous yet vulnerable glass face. Perhaps something handmade from Etsy. My favorite app so far is probably Instagram. I can takes lots of photos of random stuff all the time. Like my cute boots. And my outfits. Vanity, thy name is Camera Phone!! How did I ever live without this thing? I don't have to call people and ask for directions when I randomly get lost! I don't have to write down Google maps instructions on a scrap of paper before leaving the house to go someplace new. I can call restaurants to make reservations without having to dial 411. I can check my bank account whenever I want (this one is big, I will take much better care of my checking account this way).

In other news, my brother and my dad are arriving into Boston today for the holiday weekend. I'm off to the airport to fetch Evan. Happy Christmas!

2011-11-25T14:53:00.000-08:00

2011-11-09T19:54:00.000-08:00

At last! A room update! I thought I would share this DIY alternative to a bulletin board. Cork crumbles, requires you to put holes in your precious mementos, and reminds me of my college dorm room (in a bad way). I've seen variations of this frame around blogosphere for months, so I thought I would finally give it a go. All the materials I needed I already had on hand. The frame I found on the side of the road. No-cost design picker-upper= yipee! It's as simple as this:

1. Find an old frame
2. Paint it whatever color you want
3. Hammer nails into each side of the frame
4. Tie string, yarn, or ribbon between the nails
5. Use clothespins or paperclips to arrange.
6. Tada! Done. Change clippings as often as you want.

2011-11-05T16:50:00.000-07:00

I woke up one day last week to the familiar sound of paws on hardwood flooring. Confused for a moment, I thought I was at my parent's house. Nope!! Turns out my roommate found this little fluff ball shivering outside without a collar on her way back from yoga. I wanted to keep him so badly you guys!! She took him to the animal shelter later that day. I loved the excellent/distinguished white grandpa hairs around his face. I was tempted to play hooky from work just so I could play with him. Possibly nothing better than waking up to a surprise puppy in your kitchen.

2011-10-27T18:57:00.000-07:00

First snow in Boston, 2011.

2011-10-20T19:02:00.000-07:00

2011-09-29T19:02:00.000-07:00

It seems that when I proclaim to the internet that I'm going to update my blog more frequently, the result is that I don't update my blog. And every time I come back, I unload a fury of excuses. But here's the thing- I have really good excuses this time. First, there was moving. My main complaint about my new place is location (my girlfriend now lives an hour away), so that's shifted my time priorities quite a lot. Girlfriend > blogging, obviously. Then, before I could blink, I started my new job. Starting a new job is strange. It's quite like being in a foreign country where you don't know the language, and you're just sort of teetering around inquisitively while you adjust to the jet lag, and the new smells, and sounds and colors...

I never really (and still haven't) had time to unpack or buy myself any furniture. So in the way of design updates, I don't have much to show. I have painted my room, but that's pretty much it. I won't bore you with a picture of a wall. To top it all off, I am potentially nuts because I accepted a part time job that I don't really need. Let's just say a certain mass market retailer seduces me with their goods. Uttered were the phrases "you're hired"/"the discount is phenomenal", and I was too weak to say no. Will it last? I would bet against myself, but I may as well get some discounted cashmere while still in the race!

Anyway. I like the changing of the seasons. I like going to order my morning chai and realizing that I suddenly want it hot instead of iced. Smelling falling leaves soothes my lately chaotic mind. Seeing gourds at the grocery store gives me a little thrill. I try to focus on the little thrills. Life is full of them, and it would be a mistake to take them for granted.

Be back ~~soon~~ whenever.

2011-09-03T12:32:00.000-07:00

My week-long jaunt to New York was, undoubtedly, my most successful encounter with the city so far. In addition to chiroptophobia (fear of bats), I have possessed an irrational fear of New York since the first time I rode some sketchy Asian bus line there when I was 14. Several visits/major panic attacks later, I finally managed to have an okay time. The best thing was getting to see Keren, my former roommate and dear friend from my time in Paris. She lives in Tel Aviv, which is just too far away in my opinion. We stayed together- out of hurricane Irene's way- in a beautiful upper west side apartment that she was house-sitting. Highlights included a visit to the Museum of Art & Design, a late night showing of Our Idiot Brother (highly recommended!), scouring Pearl River and the MoCA design store, drooling over everything at A.P.C., and Irene Slumber Party 2k11 (complete with non stop food and naps).

2011-08-26T17:41:00.000-07:00

2011-08-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

The summer has been a quick, wonderful whirlwind. Temperatures have been mostly moderate, with few days being unbearably hot, just the way I like it. I've been rather spoiled living downtown in an amazing sublet with Gabrielle. The historic building has a charming art deco-era elevator and is solely occupied by working artists, not to mention that it's a stone's throw away from Newbury Street. Because the sublet has a painfully slow internet connection, I've had a much needed technology break, only sporadically checking my email and reducing my social networking time by about ninety percent. I've worked, cooked and baked lots, jumped on the food-truck bandwagon (my new favorite is Clover Food Lab), gotten through several unputdownable books, fallen in love with SoWa open market, gone to a few great shows (Alela Diane/Marina & The Diamonds/Mirah), and reconnected with friends.

The fall is bringing many new and exciting changes. For one, I'm moving to a new apartment September 1st- a two bedroom I will be sharing with a friend I went to school with. Once I have high speed wireless again, you can bet you'll be seeing more regular posts/apartment design updates. Also, I have been strongly considering starting an Etsy again- though I'm not sure if I will sell vintage again or go the handmade route this time. Lastly, I will be starting a new job that I am so so so so overjoyed/thrilled/nervous for! More details on that at a later date.

2011-06-14T10:09:00.000-07:00

Au revoir mes petits!

2011-05-17T15:13:00.000-07:00

Today I said goodbye to my Tuesday after-school munchkins! I have been working with this adorable group of 1st and 2nd grade hoodlums since January, and I am sad to be leaving them. There was cake and ice cream, face-painting, a massive group hug, and some tears. These children- even though often on my last nerve- have all taught me so much. I especially enjoyed making practically shapeless paper maché animals and hilarious adventures playing in the woods.

2011-05-10T17:03:00.000-07:00

Spent a lovely long weekend and Mother's day with my mom and Aunt Susan. We drove around to various towns in Vermont and Massachusetts, shopping at outlets, antique shops, and a couple of thrift stores. I ate a tremendous amount of food, including creme brulee at two different restaurants! My mom is truly the best mom a girl could ask for.

Elsewhere.

2011-05-04T07:40:00.000-07:00

The above installation, Elsewhere, by Korean-born, Toronto-based artist Soyeon Cho, is currently on display at MASS MoCA. With my internship drawing to a close here at the museum, seeing this work of art (and many others) when I walk into work every day is going to be one of the perks I miss the most. I have met so many wonderful people here, learned a ton, and gotten to know so many incredible children. Although these last couple of weeks are going to be bittersweet, I am definitely looking forward to moving back to Boston in June. I can't wait to settle into a new apartment, decorate, and revisit all my old haunts- the Comm Ave. Goodwill, Bagel Rising, Harvard Square, the ICA... I have a feeling it's going to be a great summer.

Make: Cup Flowers

2011-04-11T13:32:00.000-07:00

These flowers are made entirely of clear and white plastic/paper cups! They are super easy to make. To inject some magic into any room or dinner party, make a dozen or so, drill holes in the center of each, and attach them to a short string of Christmas lights. Hang them from your ceiling, or lay them out down the length of your dining area- à la whimsical floral table-runner. This project is fun for little ones, too. I made hundreds of these at work with kindergarten, first, and second graders.

Materials: Plastic and/or paper cups of assorted sizes (party stores typically have the best selection of sizes, including tiny cups for condiments that work well as flower centers), sharp scissors, strong double-sided tape or heavy-duty glue, drill & Christmas lights (optional), LED lights (optional), paint (optional).

Directions
1. For a basic flower, cut strips down the sides of various sizes of cups. To get the strips to stay down, pinch them backwards. Experiment with different cutting techniques to achieve different looks; try cutting petal shapes instead of straight lines.
2. Once you have cut at least three cups of varying sizes, stack them together by size. Affix with double-sided tape or tacky glue. Sometimes the more you stack, the more awesome it can look! Just play around.
3. Optional- Use colored cups for a more colorful look, or try adding some painted accents.
4. Optional- Use a drill to make a hole in the center of your flowers. Affix Christmas lights through each hole.
5. Optional- For a sleeker table-runner look, purchase small LED lights for the center of each flower.

2011-04-07T17:05:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to a Sister Spit show at Amherst. San Francisco-based writer Michelle Tea was the main draw for me initially; I saw her recently at the Hampshire College Queer Conference where she gave the most BAD ASS keynote speech ever, basically schooling me (and the entire audience) pretty hard. She was funny and intelligent and didn't bullshit. She was stylish and fearless with her words (even upon realizing the last page of her speech had failed to print!). She said about Paris, "It's just better there", and at that moment I wanted her to be my queer auntie. But Sister Spit- what is Sister Spit? I didn't exactly know, and on the ride there the six other people in the car admitted they didn't know what we were about to see either. I'd spent a split second on their website-which is poorly designed/contains broken links/makes my brain hurt in general- and come to no solid conclusions. I mentally noted that, at the very least, Michelle Tea would again be a delight and I could go up to her and gently tell her my concerns about the website and offer to redo it. Because bad design makes me sad. And as payment she would agree to be my queer goddess mother (actually I don't know much about web design at all, so that's a reach).

Anyway, HOLY BANANAS, I'm so, SO happy I went. First of all, we got delicious burritos beforehand. Then it was like, SURPRISE, Sister Spit is an awesome collective of awesome people and they're all going to read stories and poems to you, and show you awesome photographs, and make you laugh until you're practically peeing. I was super smily when MariNaomi, who I've been a fan of for ages, read bits of her graphic novel. I had no clue she would be there. I blushed when Amos Mac sauntered on stage and introduced himself, because for the past hour in my head I'd been all "Gee, that boy in the red hat is cute. He sorta looks like Amos Mac". I had that feeling of uber-joy in my stomach you get when you go to see one of your favorite musicians and then ANOTHER of your favorite musicians just happens to be the opening act, and it's like some mysterious magic of the universe conspired just to make your day! Michelle read a blog that she wrote about fashionable lady writers and I sighed at our mutual adoration of Joan Didion, Lynda Barry, Zadie Smith, S.E. Hinton, Anne Rice, and Susan Sontag. She said her weakness is thrift stores and I thought, were we separated at birth?

Afterwards I hovered around the merch table biting my nails, cursing myself for having no cash. Then Paranoid Park author Blake Nelson (yep) informed me that they were accepting plastic!! So I decided on one of Ali Liebegott's "Emily Duckinson" posters, Michelle Tea's Fashion Week Poems, and MariNaomi's Kiss & Tell: A Romantic Resume Ages 0 to 22. The drive home was snuggly and warm. I'm almost sure I fell asleep with a grin on my face.

2011-04-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

To the Blue Ben, space, and back.

2011-03-21T17:10:00.000-07:00

Flourless chocolate cake.

2011-03-15T20:20:00.000-07:00

Made this flourless chocolate cake recipe for my housemate Michael's birthday (via Martha Stewart). I modified this recipe slightly; I didn't have that much chocolate so I used some cocoa powder, substituted a couple eggs for sour cream, and made a glaze/added the trimmings. Was pretty tasty--but I wish we had let it set longer before digging in, and it really could have used some vanilla ice cream on the side! Next time.

Random photobooths.

2011-02-17T15:24:00.000-08:00

A gift for Gabrielle.

2011-02-17T15:19:00.000-08:00

Dailies.

2011-02-17T15:07:00.000-08:00

Wii Addicts, August 2010.

2010-12-26T21:31:00.000-08:00

Through the fog light.

2010-12-21T00:31:00.000-08:00

(Aliscarpulla, From A Road Divided by Todd Hido, Nikolinelr, Helen Korpak, Lauren Withrow)

Cirby's birthday dinner.

2010-10-18T18:59:00.000-07:00

What a lovely weekend it has been. Saturday night kicked off with Alec Baldwin & TCM's Robert Osbourne discussing the accomplished career of Billy Wilder at MASS MoCA. Wilder was the man behind some of my favorite films of all time, like Foreign Affair, Sunset Boulevard, Sabrina, and Some Like It Hot. Osbourne's charm and encyclopedic knowledge of cinema blended with Baldwin's wit made for a fascinating and funny talk.

Sunday I spent most of the afternoon cooking up a storm with my housemates for my roommate Cirby's birthday. I made veggie lasagna and baked mac and cheese, Jamie made bruschetta, Charlie made a Michigan salad, and Kitty and Leigh each made separate cakes! I also made the flower center pieces (above) with spare art materials found at work; coffee filters, food dye, barbeque skewers, and green masking tape. All in all, it was a memorable night. I felt so lucky to be sharing such a delicious feast with a table full of new friends.

Fall upon us.

2010-10-07T14:35:00.000-07:00

Last remnants of summer.

2010-10-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

A roll of film I just got back, from August in California... Goodbye summer. Bonjour fall. I'm ready for sweaters and knit leggings, chai lattes and pumpkin carving. I am enjoying work, new friends, and autumn in the Berkshires. I have Harry Potter on the brain and I cannot wait for movie seven to be released- I am counting down the days.

October delights.

2010-10-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

(Alexa Chung for Madewell black coat / Plate via Anthropologie / Hanna G.H. Bass Shoes / Titanium Quartz ring via Nubamu on Etsy, Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery & Cafe, by Joanne Change / The Exquisite Book: A Hundred Artists Play a Collaborative Game / Parisienne by YSL / Pins & Needles Watercolor Chiffon Blouse via Urban Outfitters / Earrings via RejoiceTheHands on Etsy)

Five dollar find.

2010-09-22T16:01:00.000-07:00

Tada! My new room!

2010-09-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the Berkshires!

2010-09-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

First week of working at MASS MoCA down! I have the next couple of days off so I'm going to take some time to better settle into my new digs. Intern housing is a bit of a fright-fest (footprints on the living room ceiling, anyone?), so I'm going to be doing some sprucing. So far Kidspace has been wonderful. The exhibit I've been overseeing during public hours (actually coming down tomorrow) is called You Art What You Eat! It's been a joy to be surrounded by such colorful, playful works of art. Although, admittedly, I'm always craving candy at the end of the day. In my spare time I've been reading up on gender in preparation for Kidspace's upcoming exhibit Color Forms: Pink & Blue project by Portia Munson. Munson is dealing with and challenging the traditional notions of pink and blue. I read an especially interesting article on gender-stereotyping in children's literature. More later! (From top: me being silly in front of a jello city by Liz Hickok, window installations by Luisa Caldwell, the MASS MoCA sign, and candy wrapper garland installations by Luisa Caldwell).

Currently gushing over.

2010-08-28T23:25:00.000-07:00

(From top: Designs by Gretchen Jones of Mothlove, Persephone Vintage via Etsy, Bus Town Modern via Ebay, the lovely Ida via Studded Hearts)

Coast to coast..

2010-08-26T15:49:00.000-07:00

Back on east coast time. Back from San Francisco. The days flew by all too quickly. Highlights included eating burritos and drinking Blue Moon in Dolores Park/seeing a naked man in a helmet run a complete lap of Dolores Park (yeah), seeing Despicable Me (it's so fluffy!!), Laura's lasagna, and lots of thrifty goodness on Haight Street. Finishing up my last bit of packing, and then moving to the Berkshires for my new job on Sunday! Jet-lagged with a to-do list a mile long...

Laura & Megan

2010-08-16T17:47:00.000-07:00

2010-08-08T18:10:00.000-07:00

(Clockwise from top left: The Suede Sunset Sandal by Madewell, $148 / Rayban Wayfayer / Saint James of Normandy classic striped pullover at J.Crew, $85 / Faithful Place, a novel by Tana French / Canon T2i / Vintage daisy pin via Smitten Vintage on Etsy / Jenny sport cruiser by Scwhinn, $399)

Meg, July 2010

2010-07-23T22:20:00.000-07:00

Breakfast of champions.

2010-07-12T18:34:00.000-07:00

Goat's milk yogurt, whole wheat granola, sliced banana, and agave syrup.

Make: Magazine flowers.

2010-06-29T19:06:00.000-07:00

Magazine flowers! Super fun and easy to make. Google magazine flowers and instructions should pop right up. I'm trying to find more ~~time~~ patience to do crafty things lately. The heat in Boston has been terrible. I haven't been up to much except writing/dropping off resumes (yes, still), and going to the local pool. Oh, and I've joined the gym again. I am laughably out of shape, but I'll come around. My whole family is in Ontario this weekend, where my mom is hosting the family reunion. I'm sad I can't be there to enjoy the lake and the party.

Sophie the cat.

2010-06-27T12:48:00.000-07:00

Big thanks!!

2010-05-02T17:17:00.001-07:00

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to my opening on Friday night. There was a great turnout! I had a lovely time, despite impending laryngitis. I was so happy to have all my family and friends in attendance to celebrate my senior BFA work. The best surprise of the night was definitely the appearance of my high school photography teacher! The new work will be up on my website soon.

Fran at Antique Row, 2005.

2010-04-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

There is nothing I find quite so soothing as thrifting, flea-markets, digging in piles of discarded bric-a-brac, treasure hunting... Whatever you'd like to call it. Avoiding writing a rather depressing research paper, I found these photos of my old friend Fran on my hard drive. With school winding up to the pace of a jack rabbit on speed, I long for a lazy weekend getting lost in a cluster of antique shops. The story to that second photograph- I remember exactly that the old man pestered both of us "pretty young ladies" to try on his diamond necklaces. The one Fran has on in the picture he claimed was worth $38,000. He also claimed that he regularly lent his precious gems to women for the Oscars. It could have just been costume jewelry... But that's not nearly as exciting, is it?

Oh, and on the subject of vintage things- I'm really happy with how my vintage Etsy store is doing. I've only had a few sales so far, but I'm steadily getting more item views and hearts! Please take a look if you haven't already, and/or stop by the blog. Cheers!

Anna, 2006.

2010-04-09T08:06:00.001-07:00

Postal Love.

2010-03-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Keren sent me the cutest thing in the mail a while ago as a late birthday/Valentine's gift- a roll of film! I got it processed finally and was delighted by all the beautiful photos! She knows just what I like! Keren was my roommate when I lived in Paris last spring, and I miss her like crazy. It bums me out that she lives so far away in Israel.

Etsy vintage store launch!

2010-03-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone! I've been a busy busy bee lately, not only with working away at finishing school, but also setting up my new vintage Etsy store: Flats Vintage. Please visit, favorite, and spread the word! I really appreciate it. Follow the brand new Flats Vintage Blog for updates and more!

My senior show is just around the corner!

2010-03-22T18:10:00.000-07:00

I am extremely pleased to announce the date of my BFA thesis exhibition opening. The show will be up from April 26th, 2010, to May 1st, 2010. The opening reception will take place April 30th, 2010, from 6pm to 8pm. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served (I'm also thinking about making a bundle of cupcakes!). The show is located at the AIB Gallery at 601 Newbury Street in Boston, MA. I am presenting work along with three of my peers- Liz Affa, Tiffany Ulrich, and Malin Sjoberg. They are all very talented women and I am proud to be showing alongside them. Please stop by if you can!

Paris markets.

2010-02-24T18:33:00.000-08:00

Float.

2010-02-03T19:28:00.000-08:00

I always find it bizarre to look back at old photographs. Especially self portraits. I found this picture, a discard from my junior portfolio, floating around on a half-dead backup drive. I think that my eye has evolved and changed as time has passed, and seeing this particular image struck me- I'm not as sure if I would immediately dismiss it now. At some point before I leave school, I want to catalogue all my negatives digitally.

Boston has grown cold, dark, and rotten. It is officially winter and I couldn't be less enthused. For all my talk about being desperate to graduate, something occurred to me today- in all likelihood, I am going to miss art school. I will not miss the pressure, but I will miss every single person that is excited to talk the creative talk at any given moment.

Victoria, summer 2009.

2010-01-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

Après the holi-daze.

2010-01-11T20:08:00.001-08:00

Oh, dear blog, I've neglected you (consequently breaking one of my 2010 resolutions already)! The end of the school term was an upheaval of emotions, which eventually melded into the busy holiday season. I blissfully hibernated at my cottage in Ontario with my family, expertly avoiding responsibilities at every turn. I ate far too many chocolates. I napped several times a day. I read an incredible book- The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson. I've been in Maryland for a while now, hunkering down and putting together resumes... And, um, watching endless episodes of Lost at regular intervals so that I don't go nuts writing cover letters. Afternoons are spent with my mom, snagging up the last of the post-Christmas deals, such as the (gorgeous!) above pictured blazer from JCrew (can we say major-markdown-happiness?).

The new year is well underway, and I am thrilled (and petrified) to be starting my final semester of university. The number of proper grownups who have tossed the colloquial "the world is your oyster!" bit at me over the last several months is becoming irksome. Despite my best efforts, I can't help but be a worry wart sometimes. Soon there won't be any path to follow but the one I decide on. 2009 brought many new, great things into my life. Most prominently, I went to Paris and fell in love with it completely. I found the most beautiful friends there, ate the most decadent food, and danced often with gusto. I can only dream of what is to come next.

A happy 21st.

2009-12-14T16:39:00.000-08:00

Birthday cupcakes and gifts from the tenth! I think my favorite flavor is still carrot with cream cheese icing. My roommates were so kind as to bake me a cake, too, so I've had plenty of sweets to savor all weekend long. It was a lovely 21st. I drank a little wine, ordered a pizza, ate lots of dessert, and opened presents in front of the t.v. I've got one more exam and senior juries left to go, and then I'm off to Ontario for the holidays. I'm so excited to see my family and make Christmas cookies and eat Christmas dinner! I've been living off of grilled cheese, toast, and cereal all through finals, and I'm just aching for a good meal!

A peek at my thesis.

2009-12-07T16:53:00.000-08:00

This is a reject from my senior thesis project. I'm really attached to it, but I understand why it needs to be edited out. Yesterday, working in the digital lab, my hard drive completely died. I just got the darn thing! I have the worst luck with technology. I went to Best Buy immediately to get it replaced, and it was all I could do not to yell and scream for the manager when they told me it would cost a ton of money to have information recovered. I dully glared at the guy and said "Really? I mean, really? I bought this less than a month ago." He was not very sympathetic. "This is our policy," he replied with a smile. Jerk! I lost three days worth of work, and am now totally off schedule. Ugh! I just want the semester to be over.

My birthday is later this week, and even though it's finals, nothing will deter me from celebrating (i.e. relaxing to the max!). I just found out my mom is having cupcakes sent to me, and I've got a whole pile of mail to open too! Can't wait!

Sailing.

2009-11-29T10:28:00.000-08:00

Nostalgia.

2009-11-17T15:08:00.000-08:00

Lazy weekend.

2009-11-08T15:45:00.001-08:00

Had a great weekend visit with my mom. Highlights included a stop by Sweet in Harvard Square to gorge on cupcakes, ordering in pizza, and watching a silly Sandra Bullock movie. The only low note to the last few days was getting physically ill after seeing A Christmas Carol in 3D-- not recommended if you are at all prone to motion sickness. Didn't do a speck of homework, and even though finals are rapidly approaching, I don't regret it one bit!

Megan at Versailles, 2009.

2009-11-03T18:46:00.000-08:00

On being in an artistic rut.

2009-11-01T17:54:00.001-08:00

I sincerely miss a lot of things about being fifteen. I was such an intolerable teenager, but I do remember that everything I made was intensely felt. Photography held such limitless possibilities. I saw the pictures in my head all day long. All I thought about was the next spare moment I would have to photograph. I used to feel breathless when I held a camera, when I heard the shutter release. There was a tightening of my chest that could only be likened to being in love.

I can't pinpoint when exactly a change started to occur, and I couldn't describe the breadth of the change if I tried. Many days, I cannot wait to graduate and undo everything I was ever taught in art school. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate my education immensely, and it has been a tremendous amount of fun. But for all the fun, and all the hours spent rattling away in critiques, I've lost some spirit. Or maybe it isn't school at all, maybe it's just this disheartening business of growing up. Like a slow paralyzation, former extravagant dreams are daily replaced with shiny new worries and whole new cans of worms. I do try not to fret so much, though. I look forward to a new era, one in which I'm afflicted with clammy palms, butterflies, and lumps in my throat all over again.

Francesca at the Garment Disctrict, 2007.

2009-11-01T08:04:00.000-08:00

Spooked.

2009-10-31T08:15:00.000-07:00

Halloween! A perfectly ominous sky, shaky golden trees, and... seventy degrees? I watched a really terrible horror movie starring John Cusack last night. Ate a lot of ice cream. My roommate then put in Clue as a means of recovery, but by that point I started to fall asleep. What I really want to see is the new Lars Von Trier film, Antichrist. Even the trailer gives me the willies!

I don't feel like doing much today except reading my new John Connolly book and eating sour worms whilst listening to Alfred Hitchcock's Music To Be Murdered By. But of course, I have a dreadful amount of work to do, which I really ought to get done seeing as my mom is visiting next weekend- and I definitely won't want to do it then.

This time of year always reminds me of grade five, when me and two of my elementary school friends were obsessed with The Craft and believed quite vehemently that we had special powers. I miss that. And the lady on Victoria's street who used to hand out homemade playdoh and fudge every year, and how it was so hard to pick which one to take. And Devil's Night, oh Devil's Night, when all the most mischievous boys in town would sneak into the park and pile the picnic tables into an enormous pyramid. A sight to behold.

Skinny minx.

2009-10-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

Faded.

2009-10-30T11:37:00.001-07:00

2009-10-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

Places To Go, People To See...

Lovely Artist Friends
-Kelly Burgess
-Shane Godfrey
-Cig Harvey
-Caitlin Sherwood
-Alina Pride
-Katie O'Brien
-Yvonne Romano

My Favorite Fashion Blogs
-Park & Cube
-The Sartorialist
-Pour Porter
-Jak & Jil
-The Style Rookie
-That's Chic
-The Glamourai

My Favorite Art/Design/Illustration/Crafty Blogs
-Design Sponge
-Rob Ryan
-The Selby
-Conscienctious
-Kris Atomic Illustration
-Maira Kalman Illustration
-I Heart Photograph
-Hello Sandwich
-How About Orange
-Where The Lovely Things Are
-Jillian Tamaki Sketch Blog
-Oh Joy!

My Favorite Queer-Centric Blogs
-Ms. Awesome
-Effing Dykes
-Autostraddle

More Lovely Folks (Internet People I Wish I Knew IRL)
-Freckle Wonder
-Diminuta Diminuta
-Wiksten Made
-Hannah & Landon
-To Ramona

2009-10-29T07:06:00.001-07:00

Salut internet wanderers, and welcome.

My name is Kate. I grew up in Ontario, Canada, and I now live in Boston, MA. I am an artist, an avid reader, and a thrift shop junkie. Despite my BFA education, I believe that distinguishing between "fine art" and "craft" is mostly snobbery. I throughly enjoy cake baking, bum shaking, movie-going, and collecting. If you like my blog, please take a moment to subscribe. Also, shimmy on over to my portfolio website and take a peek!

Say hello: kate@katebullen.com