Mad Men style

For Halloween this year, we dressed as Greg and Joan Harris of my favorite show Mad Men.

While Josh is Away...

I'm going out with my friends! I asked my good friend Jen to the Hot Chip/LCD Soundsystem concert last Saturday. This is a picture of the HUGE disco ball LCD used for a couple songs.

This video is my favorite song of LCD Soundsystem's called Dance Yrself Clean. They're an electronic band and even have a guy on stage that syncs the lights with the music. We had an awesome time, it was a great show!

My New Job

This week, I started working full time again. I was hired at Cetacea Sound Corp./Marion Zoological in Plymouth and so far I'm liking it. The one thing I hate about new jobs is the learning curve. Even setting up your computer to the preferences you like can make a difference, but I think I'm catching on. I can't wait to learn more about the companies and start making a difference.

I'm Golden.

Yesterday for my birthday, I requested Josh plan a fun activity for us, so we went to the Walker Art Center. Neither of us had been (I've always been embarrassed to tell other designers this) so it was a new adventure for us. We didn't have time though for the Sculpture Garden, so that will have to be another time!

3 Years.

Since moving into our house, life has been pretty crazy. For our anniversary on Tuesday, I celebrated by heading over to the DMV to get my Minnesota Driver's license and plates. Then when Josh was home from work we worked in the kitchen. I'm not complaining or anything, because Josh and I rarely exchange any gifts. We just try to do something fun with each other. Working in the kitchen together was our present!

Since everything has been so crazy, we're having a hard time keeping up with posting, so everything will be a little delayed. You can see above, the floors have been refinished, and I painted the cabinets. Friday, our new appliances were delivered, and Josh took down the tile back splash. Saturday, my Mom, Dad and Shelby came up to help out. Dad and Josh installed the dishwasher and put on the new oak counter top with our new sink and faucet. I don't have the pictures off my camera yet for the latest changes, but we'll post again with more updates soon!

Even More Art Buddies

You may remember in May when I posted about Art Buddies. After the spring session was over that I participated in, the leaders of the program asked me if I would be interested in joining the Advisory Board. Of course I said YES! I love Art Buddies and I look forward to it every session, hoping I will be available to participate. We had our first meeting last night. I'll be helping with fund-raising and I've also agreed to take on the task of editing and labeling all the photos from the professional photographer after each session.

Art Buddies

Yesterday was our last day for this session of Art Buddies. Art Buddies is an after school program for 4th and 5th graders at Whittier International School in south Minneapolis. Each student is paired with a creative adult art buddy over the course of 6 weeks. Each session has a theme and this time it was to create an animal costume that represents your childs good qualities.

I've been volunteering since college and this was the 4th time I've done it. Aminata was my buddy this time and together we made a wolf costume. This is a picture of her working it in front of the professional photographer. I always have such a fun time and this was no exception. I can't wait for the next session to start in the fall.

I Love DwellStudio

No, these aren't always on our sofa. They are just all my DwellStudio pillows from Target. I love them and every time I go to Target I swing by the isle in the bedding department to ogle at them. Dwell actually makes a line under their own name and makes another (less expensive) line for Target. Both of which I love, only one of which I can afford. Today I just bought 2 more (on clearance) and I can't wait to splurge on the new bedding line after we get back to MN.

Selig Table

I frequent Craigslist regularly, and last night I came upon this gem. A Danish mid-century modern serving table made by Selig. I called this morning about it and picked it up in the afternoon while paying for it with some of my birthday money. The guy I bought it from just refinished it, but in doing so lost the casters that were on the bottom. It looks great next to the sofa which is also a mid-century style. Happy birthday to me.

Janelle Tubbs Design

I am so excited about the new look of my website. I've been learning more and more web techniques at work and I was finally able to put my new skills to good use. I don't quite have all the pages finished yet, but I just couldn't wait to share! You can find the link to my website on the right as always. Please check it out and check back soon after I've finished my portfolio page.

Mmm...Garlic

Yesterday, Lisa and I went down to Gilroy to the Garlic Festival. Gilroy is just south of San Jose and they produce 90% of the country's garlic. They had everything from garlic salt to garlic chocolate.

We also wanted to see Fabio and Jamie from the last season of Top Chef. Fabio was the MC and Jamie participated in a cooking challenge. They had to use garlic and a secret ingredient that was revealed right before the challenge started which was heirloom tomatoes. I wish we could have seen more of their cooking, but it was still fun to see them in person.

A Year in Review.

Yesterday was our year anniversary of living in California. We can't believe that it's already been a year. We've had some really bad times (us freaking out), but we've also had some of the best experiences of our lives. Above is when Josh and I drove up to Tahoe the first time on Hwy 88. Here's looking back to some of our other favorite moments...

Having Matt and Brie out was really fun. This was at Sterling in Calistoga.

Here are Josh, Christine and I at Stinson Beach. Although my favorite moment when Steve, Deb and Christine were here was going over the hill on Divisadero Street and Christine screaming like we were on a roller coaster!

We waited until my parents got here to go out to Alcatraz and it was worth the wait. It was so gorgeous out there with everything blooming in the spring.

Then Matt and I planned to surprise Josh in April. We got him good. And I think they had a really great time in Monterey together golfing.

And most recently was our road trip down to see Christine, Anna and Ryan in LA. It was so fun to see familiar faces and a whole new city.

We can't wait to see what the next year has in store for us, and we're so excited to have more adventures in California and hopefully back in Minnesota!

2 Years.

Today is our anniversary. I can't believe that it's been 2 years already! I love you Josh.

Flea Find

We haven't been to the flea market in Alameda since February when we found our buffet, so I was really looking forward to going this weekend. This time we found this old blue watering can. I can't wait until I can actually use it!

After the flea market, we checked out Point Isabel north of Oakland. There were tons of people out with their dogs enjoying the weather.

Working 9 to 5

This is the building that I work in. My desk is to the right by the window. The part that Wolfe is in is just under the red awning. Other businesses are in other parts of the building.

Here is my desk. I also work with Robin (art director), who sits next to me, Dave (web), Diane (owner), Adam (intern), Barabara (bookkeeper-here about once a week) and Larry (Diane's husband that comes in almost everyday).

It takes me about 30 minutes to get here in the morning and 40 to get home. I wish we could live closer to the city, but then it would take Josh a very long time to get to work. In Elk Grove. we get to split the difference.