As the year is coming to an end I have so much to be thankful for. 2011 has been filled with wonderful memories to reflect on.
For starters January 1, 2011 I made a HUGE change in my life when I left my job of 7 years to start a new career. That change alone is the reason that many of my adventures have happened. More awesome things that happened this year include:
1. Whitewater rafting in Jackson Hole
2. Enjoying my first taste of North Carolina BBQ.
3. Flying lanterns like in the movie Tangled.
4. Camping at Pine View Reservoir for a 30th birthday bash.
5. Visiting a logging museum.
6. Whale watching at Dana Wharf.
7. Catching my first fishy ever.
8. Girls trip to Denver, CO
9. Venice Beach.
10. Visiting the Goonie house!
11. Do-Se-Do-ing with an old man at Home Depot
12. Go-kart racing
13. Rocking a city wearing a green mustache.
14. Living on my own.
15. Denver Zoo.
16. Laguna Beach.
17. Drank too much.
18. Festival of Colors.
19. Duke Chapel.
20. Didn’t drink enough.
21. The Getty Museum.
22. Llama Fest.
23. Cabin camping with new friends.
24. Guitar lessons.
25. Visiting the Farmers Market.
26. Kansas live in America Fork.
27. Comedy shows.
28. Tracy Aviary with BETH!
29. Balboa Island.
30. Cookouts in the Mountains.
31. Moab.
32. Shimmer Wall.
33. Dressed up as Bjork.
34. Brewtour.
35. Hungout with a former Raider.
36. VIP… Too many times to count.
37. 311.
38. Princess party.
39. Hike the Little Wild Horse and Bells Loop
40. Goblin Valley.
41. Raiders Game.
42. Astoria, Oregon.
43. Shipwreck Beach, OR
44. Cannon Beach, OR
45. Vancouver, Washington.
46. China Town, San Francisco.
47. Season tickets to the UofU complete with a tailgate pass.
48. Alcatraz.
49. Golden Gate Bridge.
50. Utah vs. Cal football game in San Francisco.
51. Hike to Naked Falls, Washington.
52. Drive the PCH a few times.
53. Built a sand castle with my best friend.
54. Caught a wild frog.
55. Got stuck in an elevator.
56. Met P.O.S and Dessa from my favorite hip hop group.
57. Got a new little nephew who I love to pieces.
58. Celebrated Mardi Gras for the first time.
59. Foreigner and Styx concert.
60. Hanging out at the Irvine Spectrum.
61. Hosting a golf tournament.
62. Chillin’ with the infamous Crazy Lady.
63. Visiting a Monastery.
64. Dated more than I ever have before.
65. Gallery Strolls.
66. Bikram Yoga.
67. Pay off all of my debt.
68. Watched a meteor shower.
69. Worked on my domestic skills.
70. Real Salt Lake games.
71. Medical questions answered.
72. Banff Film Festival.
73. Knee injuries… Again…
74. Gave to the Giving Tree.
75. Dreamt about care bears and strawberry short cake.
76. Ensign Peak.
77. See Perish Lane’s first show ever (band of a friendish).
78. Went to a tea party.
79. Found a note I wrote on the wall at Kilby Court nearly a decade ago.
80. Moved from Downtown to the Suburbs.
81. Moved from the Suburbs to Downtown.
82. Spent a wonderful day in Huntsville.
83. Baby showers.
84. Weddings.
85. Nature hikes.
86. Tin Foil dinners.
87. Met someone who the very thought of made me smile.
88. Took up playing Frisbee golf.
89. Learned I’ll be getting a sister-in-law soon.
90. Bees Games.
91. Saw a baby moose.
92. Free mini getaway to Park City… Oh the stories I could tell…
93. Shuffleboard champ.
94. Lived the good life.
95. Bowled like a champ or maybe not so much like a champ.
2012…. GOOD LUCK being as great as 2011!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Feels Like Home!
For the first time in my adult life I’m able to decorate my home in a way that’s completely MY STYLE! Yes, it’s weird, eccentric and eclectic but hey so am I, so it works. Little by little I am working to complete the look of my cute little nook. I was inspired to decorate my living room using the color scheme: yellow, grey, black and white (thanks Christy Koy for the inspiration). I’m not able to paint the walls so I’m limited and have to create other ways to make the room unique.
The living room has its original 1930’s hardwood floors and so I knew I needed to find a nice rug. I started searching all the stores and lucky for me I found this little gem on
http://www.etsy.com/shop/GiulianaDesign I knew the moment I saw it that it would be perfect for my vision and what a steal of a deal for a handmade rug! I also knew that I needed something larger to warm and fill the space so I added a black shag rug underneath it. The overall look is so warm, soft and cozy!
My next step was figuring out a storage space for my books. Yes, I could have easily gone to Ikea or a number of places to pick up a bookcase but then it just wouldn’t be right for me. I came up with an idea to use old, wooden apple crates stacked like a staircase. I found a great woman in Alpine selling them for only five-bucks. I bought 6 crates and some paint and for about $40 including my trip to the car wash to clean them I was able to build a fun one-of-a-kind Kristi Cartwright original bookcase. What makes this even better is the shape and the extra surface area for décor. I haven’t had time yet to paint them so I’ll show you the finished look in a couple of weeks.
I used an old Ikea bookshelf as my tv stand, I know you are probably asking “Kristi, why the hell didn’t you just use that for your books and tv?” The answer is simple I wanted to use it for pictures and fun items not just my books! So I flipped in on its side and put my tv on top leaving plenty of nooks for photos and personal items. Above the television I hung 2 pictures that I took from my grandparents home after their passing. I always loved them growing up and it’s nice to have a part of my relatives in my home.
I have strange love for octopus and a few years ago I saw this picture on some design show.
I loved the idea of bringing something similar into my home. However, I’m not a fan of commercial art. I like things to be one of a kind and quirky. Plus I wasn’t about to spend over $3,000 for a picture. Once again I started searching www.Etsy.com for a handmade picture that’s more in my price range. There were a lot of great paintings but I could find the right color, size and look combination. Then I stumbled across a guy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/StephenEdwardGraphic) who makes vinyl decals in any color…. HMMMM my creative juices started flowing again. I remembered that I had an old picture frame that was the right size so why don’t I try to do something myself. I bought the decal in grey and upon its arrival I painted a large poster board with yellow swirls before I added the decal. Whala I have an original piece of octopus art and it cost me less than $25!
Along with the octopus http://www.etsy.com/shop/StephenEdwardGraphic sent me a practice decal of a little bird that just so happened to be yellow, so of course I HAD to do something with it. I found another picture frame that I could use it has a mat in it and 3 windows. I went to my old scrapbook stuff (which I haven’t touched in years) and found two sheets of grey paper. I then hit up Hobby Lobby where I found a packet of small, black, felt keys. Kind of an odd combo but in weird little Kristiland I think it works. I cut the paper to fit the windows, put the yellow birdie in the middle and 1 key in the window above and 1 key in the window below. Another custom art piece that cost me less than 5 cash dollars!
I have a big wall of windows which have blinds but it’s just not that attractive and let’s be honest curtains can cost a bundle. I’m willing to spend the money if needed but I got lucky again this time at good ole Ross! I found exactly 4 panels of sheer grey curtains. They allow the light to come in but they also make the room look better even when the blinds behind them are closed. Again I only spent about $20.
I have the most comfy, cozy couch but unfortunately its greenish/brownish… It doesn’t match at all. I purchased a slip cover but it looked hideous so I returned it. I might get it re-upholstered but for now it’s just there. I did however add some great pillows that I bought at Bed Bath & Beyond on SALE!
I have one area left, I think I’ve figured out what I’m going to do I just haven’t started the execution. I’m also on the hunt for a strange, one-of-a-kind end table that I can refinish with the help of Brandilla Hess and maybe a cool chair. All in all I like it and for the first time since I moved out of my parents’ house at 18 I feel like I’m HOME!
The living room has its original 1930’s hardwood floors and so I knew I needed to find a nice rug. I started searching all the stores and lucky for me I found this little gem on
http://www.etsy.com/shop/GiulianaDesign I knew the moment I saw it that it would be perfect for my vision and what a steal of a deal for a handmade rug! I also knew that I needed something larger to warm and fill the space so I added a black shag rug underneath it. The overall look is so warm, soft and cozy!
My next step was figuring out a storage space for my books. Yes, I could have easily gone to Ikea or a number of places to pick up a bookcase but then it just wouldn’t be right for me. I came up with an idea to use old, wooden apple crates stacked like a staircase. I found a great woman in Alpine selling them for only five-bucks. I bought 6 crates and some paint and for about $40 including my trip to the car wash to clean them I was able to build a fun one-of-a-kind Kristi Cartwright original bookcase. What makes this even better is the shape and the extra surface area for décor. I haven’t had time yet to paint them so I’ll show you the finished look in a couple of weeks.
I used an old Ikea bookshelf as my tv stand, I know you are probably asking “Kristi, why the hell didn’t you just use that for your books and tv?” The answer is simple I wanted to use it for pictures and fun items not just my books! So I flipped in on its side and put my tv on top leaving plenty of nooks for photos and personal items. Above the television I hung 2 pictures that I took from my grandparents home after their passing. I always loved them growing up and it’s nice to have a part of my relatives in my home.
I have strange love for octopus and a few years ago I saw this picture on some design show.
I loved the idea of bringing something similar into my home. However, I’m not a fan of commercial art. I like things to be one of a kind and quirky. Plus I wasn’t about to spend over $3,000 for a picture. Once again I started searching www.Etsy.com for a handmade picture that’s more in my price range. There were a lot of great paintings but I could find the right color, size and look combination. Then I stumbled across a guy (http://www.etsy.com/shop/StephenEdwardGraphic) who makes vinyl decals in any color…. HMMMM my creative juices started flowing again. I remembered that I had an old picture frame that was the right size so why don’t I try to do something myself. I bought the decal in grey and upon its arrival I painted a large poster board with yellow swirls before I added the decal. Whala I have an original piece of octopus art and it cost me less than $25!
Along with the octopus http://www.etsy.com/shop/StephenEdwardGraphic sent me a practice decal of a little bird that just so happened to be yellow, so of course I HAD to do something with it. I found another picture frame that I could use it has a mat in it and 3 windows. I went to my old scrapbook stuff (which I haven’t touched in years) and found two sheets of grey paper. I then hit up Hobby Lobby where I found a packet of small, black, felt keys. Kind of an odd combo but in weird little Kristiland I think it works. I cut the paper to fit the windows, put the yellow birdie in the middle and 1 key in the window above and 1 key in the window below. Another custom art piece that cost me less than 5 cash dollars!
I have a big wall of windows which have blinds but it’s just not that attractive and let’s be honest curtains can cost a bundle. I’m willing to spend the money if needed but I got lucky again this time at good ole Ross! I found exactly 4 panels of sheer grey curtains. They allow the light to come in but they also make the room look better even when the blinds behind them are closed. Again I only spent about $20.
I have the most comfy, cozy couch but unfortunately its greenish/brownish… It doesn’t match at all. I purchased a slip cover but it looked hideous so I returned it. I might get it re-upholstered but for now it’s just there. I did however add some great pillows that I bought at Bed Bath & Beyond on SALE!
I have one area left, I think I’ve figured out what I’m going to do I just haven’t started the execution. I’m also on the hunt for a strange, one-of-a-kind end table that I can refinish with the help of Brandilla Hess and maybe a cool chair. All in all I like it and for the first time since I moved out of my parents’ house at 18 I feel like I’m HOME!
Back to Cali!
A couple of weeks ago I went on a quick trip to Orange County for work. I had to be at the airport super early to catch my flight but at least I got to watch the sunrise over the mountains.
Upon my arrival I had a few hours to myself so of course I took a drive down to my favorite spot in Laguna Beach. I took a nice relaxing walk down the beach and enjoyed listening to the ocean, watching the waves rush in and the paddle boarders always make me smile. I did a little shopping, went to some art galleries and grabbed some lunch and a great local café.
Then it was all business: Meetings, meetings, meetings and guess what?! More meetings! But after the meetings we had a wonderful fun filled dinner at my new favorite restaurant ever, Javier’s at the Irvine Spectrum, if you are ever in Irvine you MUST go there and order the Cabo Azul – best meal of my life! We walked around saw a beautiful sunset. The next day was more meetings and a flight home. It was great to see my co-workers and I learned a ton of new things, I can’t wait for my next meeting!
Upon my arrival I had a few hours to myself so of course I took a drive down to my favorite spot in Laguna Beach. I took a nice relaxing walk down the beach and enjoyed listening to the ocean, watching the waves rush in and the paddle boarders always make me smile. I did a little shopping, went to some art galleries and grabbed some lunch and a great local café.
Then it was all business: Meetings, meetings, meetings and guess what?! More meetings! But after the meetings we had a wonderful fun filled dinner at my new favorite restaurant ever, Javier’s at the Irvine Spectrum, if you are ever in Irvine you MUST go there and order the Cabo Azul – best meal of my life! We walked around saw a beautiful sunset. The next day was more meetings and a flight home. It was great to see my co-workers and I learned a ton of new things, I can’t wait for my next meeting!
Friday, December 2, 2011
Last week I went to lunch at Panda Express with some friends. Of course at the end of our meal we all opened our fortune cookies to see what was coming our way. See mine below.
“The coming month shall bring winds of change in your life.” This couldn’t be more true for me! I moved from downtown Salt Lake City to the suburbs of Murray in July. The place is great and the girls I live with our wonderful, but it has never felt like home. I recently broke the news to them that I was going to start looking for a place of my own back downtown. I’ve realized that I’m just not a burbs kind of kid. I like old buildings with weird nooks and crannies, original hardwood floors from 70+ years ago, random fixtures. Being able to walk to art galleries and local business. Call me crazy but this is what I love. So I started calling some buildings that I’ve always had an interest in but none of them had anything available. I put my name on a few waiting lists and continued my hunt.
Then on Monday afternoon I randomly checked Craigslist and found one of the buildings that I had called was listing a one-bedroom apartment. WHAT THE EFF??? Why didn’t they call me? I’m on this list!! I called immediately and talked to the Manager he looked at the list and saw that I was the #1 person, however there was a note that I wasn’t looking to move until January so they didn’t bother calling me. My thoughts at the time, “that’s because YOU said there wouldn’t be any openings UNTIL January!!!” So I left work right away to go check it out, knowing that a gem like this wouldn't last long. Luckily I was already on the waiting list because in the 2 hours it had been listed her had received over 45 calls. But guess what?! This little beauty is officially MINE!!!
It’s exactly what I want, meaning it’s weird and old. It’s one block away from my old place downtown where two of my best friends still live. It’s small but plenty big enough for little ole Kristi. I’ve never lived completely alone I’ve always had roommates or family so this is going to be a great adventure. For the first time I get to decorate how I want without asking anyone if it’s okay with them. I can’t tell you how excited I am!
Thanks cute little townhouse at Dufftown– You’ve been good to me but I’M OUTTA HERE!
Tune in next time to start seeing the makeover unravel. In the mean-time Peace and Love!
“The coming month shall bring winds of change in your life.” This couldn’t be more true for me! I moved from downtown Salt Lake City to the suburbs of Murray in July. The place is great and the girls I live with our wonderful, but it has never felt like home. I recently broke the news to them that I was going to start looking for a place of my own back downtown. I’ve realized that I’m just not a burbs kind of kid. I like old buildings with weird nooks and crannies, original hardwood floors from 70+ years ago, random fixtures. Being able to walk to art galleries and local business. Call me crazy but this is what I love. So I started calling some buildings that I’ve always had an interest in but none of them had anything available. I put my name on a few waiting lists and continued my hunt.
Then on Monday afternoon I randomly checked Craigslist and found one of the buildings that I had called was listing a one-bedroom apartment. WHAT THE EFF??? Why didn’t they call me? I’m on this list!! I called immediately and talked to the Manager he looked at the list and saw that I was the #1 person, however there was a note that I wasn’t looking to move until January so they didn’t bother calling me. My thoughts at the time, “that’s because YOU said there wouldn’t be any openings UNTIL January!!!” So I left work right away to go check it out, knowing that a gem like this wouldn't last long. Luckily I was already on the waiting list because in the 2 hours it had been listed her had received over 45 calls. But guess what?! This little beauty is officially MINE!!!
It’s exactly what I want, meaning it’s weird and old. It’s one block away from my old place downtown where two of my best friends still live. It’s small but plenty big enough for little ole Kristi. I’ve never lived completely alone I’ve always had roommates or family so this is going to be a great adventure. For the first time I get to decorate how I want without asking anyone if it’s okay with them. I can’t tell you how excited I am!
Thanks cute little townhouse at Dufftown– You’ve been good to me but I’M OUTTA HERE!
Tune in next time to start seeing the makeover unravel. In the mean-time Peace and Love!
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