Rock. Paper. Reckless

Springtime is finally...maybe..here!

It seems like this winter has been dragging on FOREVER. I remember last year at this time being in tank tops and sandles. As I write this, I am still in tights, boots and a scarf. Oh well, hopefully we are getting closer!

Last night I took Jack on a jog down by the marina. It is truly one of my favorite places. The trail is right alongside the river, and there are only a few other runners/cyclists on a normal evening, so we usually have the trail to ourselves. 


The grass is finally growing and turning green again, and there are buds on most of the trees. Spring is here! I'm getting excited for longer days and earlier sunrises. I have a hard time getting up early when it is still dark out, as I'm sure most people do. Let's cross our fingers and hope it only gets nice from here.


This little dog child really loves evening wave watching, if you can't tell.

 xoxo..michelle

Mountain Lady

Hello dearest bloggy. I am in the mountains! Well, sort of. I am in utah, very close to mountains. my dear mommy and step dad live here, along with all of my extended family. I only get out here twice a year, so we always fill the week with lots of activities, which I am hopefully going to be able to share here!

My mom lives in a town called Eagle Mountain...it's fairly all new development, right in the foothills of the mountains. I shot this photos early morning. As you can see, there's not much, if any, snow here or in the mountains, which should make snowboarding this week interesting!

I think the street names up here are so adorable! Ok, that is all for now, I will have more vacation updates soon! Happy Thursday!

xoxo..michelle

Weekend Rundown: East Village Promenade

Happy Friday! The holidays are once again suddenly upon us! I love this time of year, especially since it is not freezing cold yet. It's a gorgeous day outside, and tonight will be just as great, so make sure to head down to the East Village tonight for the 10th Anniversay East Village Promenade!

This year's event will feature caroling, free horse and carriage rides, boutique shopping and store events from 5-9 p.m.  Families will enjoy a fireworks display at 6:20, a visit from Santa from 6-7 p.m. at Brenton Plaza during the opening night of skating, and festive music and events throughout the East Village.  Miss Iowa and Ballet Des Moines will be performing at the LifeServe Blood Center providing a great place to get out of the cold and enjoy family fun between shops.

New this year is the Winter Wonderland Holiday Promenade Window Decorating Contest.  Vote for your favorite at www.eastvillagedesmoines.com.  Delight in the charm of the Historic East Village as you enjoy beautiful window displays, two horse drawn carriages, refreshments offered by area businesses, a meal at an East Village restaurant, and holiday carolers strolling floating through the neighborhood. Historic East Village Business Members and Promenade Sponsors will provide bags featuring samples and special offers, plus a shopping and dining map and ballot for Viewer’s Choice Best Window. Pick up your bag at Brenton Plaza, Baby Boomer’s or The LifeServe Blood Center from 5-7:30 pm or while supplies last.

Those attending Promenade for the fireworks will have the best view from Brenton Plaza or the Center Street Pedestrian Bridge. The Walnut Street Bridge will be closed during the evening of Promenade for the fireworks and parking

For more information, please visit www.eastvillagedesmoines.com.

Wicked Costuming

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Wicked on Broadway. I am sad to admit, but this was the first show I've seen at the Civic Center. I was slightly hesitant as I am not a huge musical fan in general. As soon as we walked into the theater I immediately was excited. The set design was amazing! Please excuse my lack of theater knowledge and terms here...

All of the scaffolding and structure was designed to be antiqued and gear themed, very steampunk-esque. It was amazing to me how drastically the set changed from scene to scene, and just how many things they were hiding up there in the ceiling.

Another thing that completely blew me away was the costuming. I know this is a huge show and they most likely have famous costume designers (i tried to research who but couldn't come up with much), but wow. so amazing and detailed.



 one  two  three  four

Wicked is playing at the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines through December 4th. I highly recommend going to see this awesome performance before it leaves Des Moines!

 

Weekend in Review

Happy Monday! This weekend was full of lots of friends and art and crafty goodness! Friday night was spent at DMSC's "The 11th Hour" celebration at the Lovejoy building downtown.There were lots of talented local artists performing, and lots of delicious (errr) Highlander Beer to be consumed.

This was the piece i live painted and when then auctioned off to an adorable couple!


Saturday night was the lovely Miss Jessica's birthday dinner and we all went to the Chicago Speakeasy. It was a quaint little family restaurant with lots of close friends.

How was your weekend?!

Crossroads of Art: Week in Review

Last night was quite the eventful thursday evening! It's starting to get really chilly here, and I have in turn been hibernating at my house, so it was good to get out on the town and support some great local events.

I started my evening at the lovely Star Bar for DMSC's 'Art That's Good For You'. DMSC is putting together events all over the city that feature live music and art, and some boozey networking/happy hour fun. The musician, Elizabeth Arynn was really great, and my buddy Van Holmgren (spelled correctly) as always, made some bomb art in less than an hour!


Next we ventured out to the Bombay Bicycle Club for Drake Law's annual fundraiser to support public interest law. I donated a piece (seen above) and I wanted to get out to support the program. There was some amazing work there up for auction, and I think they were really pleased with the turnout!


local artists Chris Roberts and Van Holmgren representin'

AND THEN back to downtown for the annual Crossroads Entertainment Showcase at Peoples! It was a really good time spent with lovely friends I hadn't seen in a very long time!

 xoxo..michelle

Baby, It's (not-really) Cold Outside

snow! finally, in november we have our first snowfall of the season..although i don't know how long it will stay on the ground. I was up bright and early this morning with no power in my house, so i snapped some quick early morning shots around downtown.


Right now, I am really enjoying this (especially since the sun is out), but i know in about...3 weeks I will be over this Iowa winter already. I AM very excited to drive my new Jeep over snowbanks though!


ok, so it wasnt really a legitimate "snow storm" but it still made the ground a little pretty this morning..if you could avoid the massive puddles of water.

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo..michelle 

The Saturday Night Eternal

Hope you all are having a fabulous Saturday! I have been spending my morning crafting and drawing in my studio, and giving my little pup a haircut!

Tonight, one of my bestest pals Jeff is hosting a vampire themed art show at Finders Creepers. I sat down for a quick and dirty interview with him about the show tonight! Hope you can all attend!

Where did the idea for the Sanguivorous Show come from?

The idea came a fascination of vampires and a lack of vampire art around. I know that many people like me are "old school" in their horror loves and thought it would be fun to have a show based around them. The name Sanguivorous is based on a sect of real life vampires called Sanguivores that believe that they get energy that sustains from drinking blood.

What is the fascination with couture vampires? Explain a little more about that element

 I think the fascination is one of immortality and glamour with a taste of seduction and danger thrown in for good measure. The ultimate predator to humble us oh so mortal humans who presume to be on top of the food chain.  

The image on the flyer is gorgeous, can you tell me more about that?

 The picture was by Steve Baier done from a model he works with. He is from the Anne Rice era of vampire lovers, where they are creatures of seduction and temptation.

Rumor has it there will be tons of fabulous models walking around all night, as well as performance art and DJs…do tell more!

 Yes! Going to be great show with Trey LaTrash & Kinky Kyro coming down from Ames to do a TechNoir inspired performance complete with models in the latest vampire fashions and special surprises throughout the night...this is the event of the century and all the oldest kindred will be in attending.

 I am very excited about the level of excitement and participation for this opening! Lots of great art, food, drinks, music and performances. I strongly believe art is a celebration of creativity and every opening is special. Hope people come down and enjoy the works by these fabulous artists and support them and Finders Creepers while there!

Thanks Jeff! Get out your vampire garb, and I'll see you all tonight!

Trey LaTrash and Kinky Kyro present TechNoir
Vampire Couture Costume Party & Fashion Show

Please join us for a fun and exciting night that is all VAMP!!!

Not only is this a Vampire Couture Costume Party and Fashion Show... it is an ALL VAMPIRE themed art show as well!

Trey LaTrash and Kinky Kyro will be providing the music and entertainment!


Participating artists include:
Andrea McOwligans
Shawn Palek
Shellie Snoddy
Holly Marie
D Ryan Allen
Allegra Lynn
Malina Lee
Chris Peterson
Cynthia Elizabeth Lee
Chris DiMatteo
Bret Miller
Buffalo Bonker
Jim Coppoc
Mike Dennis
Cinda Dixon
Kimb Kreatures
Steve Baier
Courtney Kain
Samantha Hacket
Nikki Rains
Kara Berhow
Waldorf
Honey Grodt
Jennifer Beavers Boes
Leroy Martin
Cher Noble
Patty Perry
Mirian Gilbert
Leanne Kamberg
Michelle Holley
Job Yamen

Finders Creepers
515 18th Street 
Des Moines, Iowa 50309

Weekend Roundup

woohoo its the weekend! So many exciting things to do tonight and tomorrow!

I Dreamt I Was A Postcard / Official Launch Party 

    @Mars Cafe - 6-9pm 

A Des Moines-based photography collaborative aiming to bring back the postcard for communication and as an artform.

www.facebook.com/idreamtiwasapostcard

Come hear the soulful sounds of Ryne Doughty from 6:30-8:30. Postcards will be 50% off for one night only and limited edition prints will be for sale as well. 

 

Accidental Industry Fashion Show
 @Glaza Studio - East VIllage - 9pm 

Runway event featuring the best of winter party wear from the city's brightest designers and boutiques.

The Line-Up
** Atomic Garage
** Hill Vintage
** Magpie
** RAYGUN
** Shu Shu Maus
** Vitae Design Collective

 Tickets will  be available at the door ($12/ticket).

Doors open at 8:00pm; runway show starts promptly at 9:00pm. Music by Trey LaTrash, cash bar and after-party in the venue. Must be 21+ to attend.

Bury Your Burdens in the Ground

Last night Erica and I had the joy of attending a William Elliot Whitmore show here in town. If you haven't heard of him, you really really need to. Pretty much the most amazing iowa musician ever. According to Erica, probably the planet. It was my first time seeing him live and he put on one heck of a show!

I wasn't able to take my camera in because A) poor planning B) last time they wouldnt let me in with it, so now I have had to borrow some from the internets. Please enjoy!

c/o the lovely Miss Curnes

Hailing from a horse farm along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, William Elliott Whitmore has developed an intense love and spiritual understanding of the land, which he flawlessly conveys through all of his records.

With live performances of a caliber to leave one completely stunned in silence, and albums full of songs not only from the heart but also from the heartland, William Elliott Whitmore is one of the most interesting contributions to today's diverse collection of musical ingenuity.

He spiced up the show with some pretty fantastic dad jokes...they were hilarious at the time, but now they are escaping me...something along the lines of "If it is sloppy eat it over the kitchen sink"...much funnier in context, i promise..i just cant remember what that context was..

The River Monks did an incredible job opening the show!  c/o metromix

xoxo...michelle