Q&A with me: Part Two!

Welcome to Part Two of Q and A with yours truly, where all your burning questions about Chris, Lindsay and Aisle to Aloha are finally answered. Right. If you missed part one, check it out here to learn all about my journey to opening an Etsy shop and  my favorite nail polish color!

Sandy asked the following questions::


What one accessory can you not live without (besides your wedding rings)?

Sunglasses! Especially in Hawaii, I always have to have my sunglasses with me. I am forever smooshing my sunglasses in the bottom of my purse or losing them, so I always buy pretty cheap ones. The ones below I bought in Maui on my girl's weekend trip this fall. I'm surprised they've lasted so long but I hope I don't lose them any time soon because I looove them!

My current favorite pair is this turquoise pair that I bought for $1.50 at Forever 21 (where else, right??). I'm a big spender, baby. 

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Mmmmm... mocha chocolate chip! On one of our first dates, Chris and I shared a cone of mocha chocolate chip ice cream from Storm Bros. Icecream in downtown Annapolis. Sweet, creamy, mocha flavored ice cream and big chunks of rich chocolate. Ooh, I could go for one of those even though there was snow on the ground this morning.

(random picture of us back in the day, which doesn't have anything to do with ice cream)

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

I want to go back to Italy sooo badly! I visited Rome and my grandfather's hometown in Sicily when I was in college (read about my adventures in Sicily here!), but I'd love to walk those streets again with Chris by my side, spaghetti carbonara in my belly and some fabulous boots on my feet.

Do you put your right or left pant leg on first?

Actually, I just hop in both feet at a time.

Sarah asked:

As a kid, what did you think you wanted to be when you "grew up"?

I've always been a creative type, so my dream professions as a kid were a teacher, actress or a cartoonist.

I was a preschool teacher for a year before Chris and I got married and I LOVED that job. I taught Spanish to 3 and 4 year olds and I also worked in the nursery with the itty bitty babies. If I wasn't blogging and painting for my Etsy shop, I'd want to be teaching preschool for sure.

 But I think being an artist is the job for me. In fact, in 6th grade, we had to do a project on our dream career and we had to dress up. I decided I wanted to be a cartoonist, so I wore a Mickey Mouse sweatshirt and a beret. I guess I thought that's how artists dressed. I looked thoroughly dorky and it was fabulous.

What is something you haven't done yet that is on your bucket list?

I don't really have a bucket list, but it would be so fun to make one. Maybe sky-diving? I think it'd be awesome to do it while we're still here in Hawaii. I think my biggest one though is to be a mommy. That is the cry of my heart and is at the tippy top of my bucket list (if I had one).

Thanks for your questions, friends! I'm having a lot of fun answering them. Stay tuned for part three next week!

Q&A with me: Part One!

I love all the questions you asked me yesterday! I'll start with a few today and I'll answer more next week. Hopefully you enjoy getting to know us better -- I always love reading these posts from my favorite bloggers.

Here's the first round!

Lulu wants to know...

How's life like in Hawaii? Suburban, calm, quiet, loud, busy, relaxed?

Well, it totally depends which island you are on! It's kind of funny because each island ( and even the different sides of the islands!) has its own 'personality' you might say. Oahu is the most populated and busy island. It's pretty crowded on most of the island, with all the tourists, military families and locals all in one spot. You'd be surprised that we actually live in a pretty busy, ghetto-ish area of the island. Not on the picturesque beach, in a hut (though we are across the street from the waters of Pearl Harbor.)

What's the story behind your Etsy shop? Why did you start it?

I love this question! She also asked...

Where did you learn to paint such amazing paintings? Is/was it a hobby?

Gosh, Lulu, you're so sweet! I'll answer both of these together.

I've had a passion for drawing and painting since I was little. I did take a lot of art classes through high school (including AP Studio Art) and I took a drawing class and a ceramics class in college. I'm not sure why I didn't major in studio art in college, but I guess I just didn't see it being practical (oh, but Spanish is sooo practical...in Hawaii, right??) Other than that, I guess I'm just mostly ''self-taught''.... or just learn through trial and error! :)

 Click here to see some sketches from high school on up that I blogged about last year (and feel free to comment on that post-- I don't think I had many followers when I blogged it! :)

When Chris deployed last year, I signed up for some painting classes at a local art school and I was so excited to learn more and spend my time painting! Well, I hated, loathed, despised those classes. They made me question myself as an artist and I almost quit painting forever. Thankfully, Chris backed me up 100% and I quit halfway through. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Here are some unfinished paintings I shared when I was struggling with those classes.

And then an idea started to grow in my head and my heart. I knew that God had given me a passion for art, for painting and I just needed to explore and find my own style. And what if people liked my paintings and would actually want to buy them?? It was a scary thought and it took me almost 7 months before I was ready to open the doors of my Etsy shop. During that time, I changed around the artwork in our house a lot as I defined my style of painting and I started selling some paintings to friends. I slowly developed an idea of what I wanted my shop to feel like and began creating the modern, colorful paintings that fill my shop now. Looking back now, I wonder how I ever doubted what an amazing experience this would be.

Cat asked:

What was your worst job? 


Oh gosh, you're going to make me talk about THAT? Haha. I had a waitressing job for SIX weeks and I hated it. Not everything about it. Actually, I loved talking to people and taking amazing Italian food leftovers home to eat. What I didn't love was the smoking, cursing, screaming Italian owner, the stress of the job (I was not made to waitress) and the mob bosses that I had to serve. I'm serious.

One night, a group of six old men pulled up in a black town car, came into the restaurant and sat at my booth (in the far corner). The owner's daughter said to pour them sparkling water and leave them alone. She brought them some appetizer's and I wasn't allowed to go near them the whole night. Eventually, after a lengthy chat with the owner, they exited through the back kitchen door. Suspicious, right?

Yeah, I quit that week.


After Hawaii, where would you like to be stationed? 


After we leave Hawaii, we'll most likely be headed to Florida for some training for Chris. He's switching jobs and will be a much happier man in a job that he really cares about. I'll share more about that as things become more defined (with the military that usually means after they happen... ha. )

Do you wear nail polish? If so, what is your favorite color to wear? 


I rarely wear nail polish on my fingers. I'm usually wearing another kind of paint all over my hands. :) But, I love wearing fun colors on my toes! My favorite color is Conga line Coral by OPI.

Have you thought of a question yet? Keep them coming and I'll keep answering!

Get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend! See ya later, alligators!

Feeling Loved! {& Ask Me Anything!}

 I can't say it enough. The online community is something special. Almost two years ago when I started my blog, I never realized what amazing friends I would meet and what a beautiful community I was joining.

When Chris deployed a little over two weeks ago, I was not surprised, but certainly overwhelmed by the outpour of emails, comments, tweets, prayers and support from my fellow bloggers.

But when I arrived at my parent's house last week, I definitely WAS surprised by the pile of packages and envelopes waiting for me from sneaky  loving bloggy friends.

Have you read the book Graceling by Kristin Cashore? Cuz you should if you haven't. Ruthanne sent it to me and I am gobbling. it. up. I'm trying not to read it too fast because I want to savor the story but I was seriously up until 2:30am the other night (morning?) reading. 

Sandy sent me these adorable heart studs from tru.che on Etsy. It was funny because they were on my Valentine's wish list for Chris but he ended up getting me something else! Aren't they the best-- friends who shop your favorites list on Etsy?? :)

Thank you Jana, Gina, Sandy and Ruthanne for your encouraging notes and packages this week! You've made my Valentine's week extra special and I love you all so much!

And of course, I can't forget my Valentine's gift from my sweet love, Chris. He sent me this lovely foreign language LOVE print from sugarfresh on Etsy for my studio. And it's a beautiful mustard color too!

I am so grateful that I get to be married to this generous, funny, adventurous man who keeps me on my toes, is always challenging me and supporting me and loves me like no one else on earth can. 

PS. I love the FXCam app on my phone. Maybe a little too much. :) 

So. 

Many moons ago, I did a Q and A session on the blog. But I had maybe 5 followers and most of them were my sisters. :) So I thought I'd bring it back and open it up to you guys. Is there anything that you'd like to know about me, Chris or our life here in Hawaii? Ask me [almost] anything you'd like to know. I will do another post (or two) in the next week or so answering your questions. If I can't answer it on the blog, I will definitely email you with my answer. 

Be kind and don't ask anything embarrassing, pleeeeease. :) 

Here's my favorite question from last time, from Chris who was deployed at the time. 

Chris said... 

My question for you is... How did you get so beautiful? I have been wondering this for 8 years now.

APRIL 7, 2010 2:42 AM