What I Wore

Worn to a meeting with buyers from Bebe :)
"What I Wore" inspired by the series by Viet-My Bui

Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become character. Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.
~Albert Einstein

"But I Didn't Have Time"

I've been thinking lately. I was randomly hopping around Twitter, and reading through this one lady's tweets that were very interesting... she said, "I could have been even better if I had gotten a trainer, but I never had the time."

Reading through this with fresh eyes, I thought, "Well, if you wanted to be better, why didn't you make the time for it?!" And then I realized:

How many times in my life have I made this excuse? "Well, I could have been even better if I had _______, but I didn't have time." Or, "I could've made/done this, but I didn't have time"... etc.

My mother always used to (and usually still does!) say, "Well, you need to MAKE time, then." And I always had a problem when she said that. I mean, how does one simply create additional time that isn't there to begin with? I've always been a person that wonders where the hours go and wishes for about 5 extra hours per day (it hasn't happened yet, but I keep asking). I never seem to quite get everything "done"; I have so many creative ideas running around in my head, but so many of them never see fruition due to this mysterious "lack of time".

But is it really just a lack of focus and motivation? I claim that these things are important to me. I believe that my future is what I make of it and the hard work that I do today will create the tomorrow I want to experience. But why do I constantly let things slip to the side that would better my happiness, better my career, better my life? Am I complacent, sinking into my couch, aimlessly wandering Facebook/etc, telling myself, "Oh no no, I just simply didn't have time."?

Life is a gift. Precious and fleeting. We should make the most of every day, because tomorrow holds no guarantees. I want to re-evaluate the way I spend my time, so that I won't look back one day and say, "Oh, I could have been all I wanted to be and more, but I didn't have time."

...what else is there time for, but to become who we truly want to be?
















"Indifference" - Piece I painted to rid myself of artblock.
Glad I sat down and "made time" for this piece!
Art (c) Erin McManness 2010

Best Tutorial in Ages / WTF US Census?!

IFX - Strike A Pose by *WarrenLouw on deviantART

One of the most amazingly helpful tutorials I've seen in a looooooooong time. This is a MUST read.

And WTF is up with these US Census people? Someone just came to my door and was like, "Do you have 10 minutes to fill out the Census Survey?" I politely told her that I was busy at the moment, but that I had the papers and would mail them in. She said, "Oh, it's too late for that." And starts reading me off the questions. I again told her that I did not have the time at the moment to complete the survey.
"Oh, can I come back in a half hour?"
"No, I will be running errands."
"Oh, can I come back later tonight?"
"No, I will be out."
"What time will you be back?"
"I don't know, I'm sorry. I'll mail in the papers."
"You can't do that. What about tomorrow? What time do you get up?"
"...what?"
"Here's my phone number, call me. I'll be waiting for your call and someone will keep coming back until you call me and finish the Census."

...really? WTF? I felt so interrogated. I'm like, "Are you gonna be watching my house?!" [gets out binoculars and shotgun]

TT A TT;;;;

Brand New Beautiful Blog | Tons of EyeCandy

Well well well !

You may have noticed some changes to my blog! I am so excited that this got a face-lift! Thanks to my wonderful man-friend/personal computer nerd, I was able to revamp this pretty easily, with some lovely results. I am now celebrating with my Lady Gaga playlist and delicious martinis (after this update is posted!) with said man-friend.

I promised the final image from my Livestream, and here it is:
[Bookmarks are being delivered as we speak! Sold at AX and on my Etsy! Stay tuned!]




















"Lady Tatiana Snow" (c) Erin McManness 2010

Life has been incredibly busy. I've been working a lot, making some big decisions, and doing lots of art. I recently heard about Gaia's new Splash Page Contest for zOMG! and am planning to enter!

Here is a sneak peek of my Splash Screen so far (not seen anywhere else on the web! Blog exclusive!):









"Blaze, Hot on the Trail" (c) Erin McManness 2010

Last night I helped out my lovely girlfriend Teresa at a local Burbank Boutique, 34 Fourteen, sell her adorable pouches and purses for "Ladies Night Out", a fundraiser in LA.

Yesterday I placed an order for acrylic cupcake charms! Get excited for Rings, Barrettes, and Magnets of these adorable sweet treats for your darling fingers, lovely locks, and rockin fridge.

Carrot Cake | Chocolate Caramel | Mint Chocolate | Cherry Cheesecake







Get ready for more exciting stuff soon!

What I Wore :)

Latest installment of "What I Wore",
inspired by the series by Viet-My Bui.

I wore this outfit out to dinner to a really nice Italian restaurant last night with my trusty male companion ;) Lemon-Seared Fresh California Ahi Tuna with Mozzarella and Tomato Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze. It was delicious!

Wanted to try out a different palette and work lighter than I usually do with the lineart :) I like how it came out!






















{ Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use. ~Earl Nightingale }

Life is Better with Better Toes

Hey lovely muffins ~

What a lovely day I had yesterday! After a long and arduous week, one of my favourite girls in LA, Teresa (aka StolenTowerDesigns) and I went out for pedicures next to our favourite hair salon. It was amazing and so relaxing! AND the best part?! $23. Yes you heard me. $23 for the whole shebang, including adorable design.

Take a look at my brand new toes!
"Life is Better with Better Toes" - our tagline of the day














This is a pretty big deal for me... I NEVER wear pink. Only recently have I been embracing it as a colour of my life lololol. Afterwards we filled out the day with delicious CoffeeBean coffee, shopping, trying on "attitude" glasses, and buying new shoes * U * What girl doesn't love pedicures, coffee, and new shoes? I got two new headbands which I am dying to wear to work! Later on, we stopped at Chipotle for cheap margaritas and amazing burritos, and then walked down the street for red wine and martinis. Such a perfect, relaxing end to the week :)

* Stay tuned for yesterday's outfit in "What I Wore", and the completion of the WIP of "Lady Snow" in last my post.

I'm also working up some acrylic flower charms that will be featured as bracelets and cell phone charms at AX2010. In addition, new stickers and fun goodies!