the crab + the moon
Mother's Day is coming up and I reworked some pieces for the special day! There are prints, iPhone cases, and my personal favorite, mugs! You can check them out on Society 6. Click the "SHOP" button above!
I have such a great weekend planned for Mother's Day. My mom is coming to visit me in New York and her big gift is going to see Kelly & Michael Live. She has been planning her outfit ever since I told her the big news. We are SO excited. May 10th is just around the corner!!
The Paris room is going to look SO good. I stepped away from the sophisticated graphic boutique look and made it more of a fun, floral, pastel-ly cafe concept, which is what the adorable 7 year old came up with. I love these girls already!
Since the bed will have a canopy, the overhang can become an awning with thick stripes. We can also transform her closet doors into cafe shop doors! I am picturing her windows to have flower boxes where we will have a little bistro table and chairs set up. Since there are so many places in this city to purchase props I really would like to get her some fake macaroons and cakes and cake stands to put on her dresser! This is going to be so fun!
Our little babes turns 1 year young today!
Everette Mica has such a personality. She giggles, she runs around, she's fearless, she loves guacamole, she claps her hands, she has literally traveled the world (yes, in a year), and she can say "I love Auntie Tay". It's the craziest thing (wink wink)!
Everette's mother, one of my besties, asked me to paint Evers as a mermaid. I think that's a pretty perfect first birthday gift. When we gave her the painting to hold she couldn't stop staring at it. We wanted her to hold it and show the camera but she had her own agenda.
I just love her so much. She's so warm and loving and beautiful. I was sitting next to her in her adult size crib and she just started patting my shoulder and looking at me. My heart could have exploded.
I took her 1 year old photo shoot on my friend's dock. She was a champ and was absolutely loving the camera. She loves the water, just like her parents! She's such a little sweetie.
Whatever my friends are doing, they're doing it right!
Happy First Birthday Everette Mica Rhee!
Now I KNOW that I'm being a nerd, but I couldn't help but be so excited when I saw the latest video that Adriene put out. She looks just like my illustration that she so lovingly shared with all of her followers (@adrienelouise)! I smiled the entire practice... through the sweat and the pain!
I've started doing Adriene's Yoga for Weight Loss videos and they are kicking my ass. But if I plan on wearing my new yellow bikini in a few weeks I have to keep on truckin'!
Namaste loves!
It's day 30 and I feel a lot of feelings!
This last day was kind of sad but very rewarding. For the first time ever I led my own practice! Well, there wasn't much leading as it was only me, but still. It felt really fulfilling that I could do my own thing and feel great after. It was actually more therapeutic than when I follow someone else. Your mind focuses on what you're going to do next or how your body feels at that moment. There's no room for the BS of your day to sneak in.
On day 30 I think it is so important that I look back and think about where I was when I started and where I am now. I was feeling so stressed and anxious, my body felt tired, and my mind felt cluttered. Every time I practice yoga I feel lighter and happy so I knew this journey would help heal, and it did. My mind feels happier and healthy, my body feels stronger, and I definitely feel less anxious. All positives and I couldn't ask for more.
There will always be stress out there and there will always be things that make you sad or angry or aggravated but what's important is to find something that can wipe all of that away, even if it is just for 20 minutes.
Thank you so much Adriene for helping me find my center and feel good about myself once again. This was so fun and I strongly suggest participating in the challenge if you can. Adriene is such a great teacher. She moves at a slow, steady pace and you don't realize that you're building muscle until you're doing things you could do before. Also she is funny and weird and we would totally be besties.
K, I'm going to go eat some healthy homemade tacos now.
Be well, namaste, and FIND WHAT FEELS GOOD!
The painting above was originally a tattoo design for a little yogi friend of mine, Joanna. Last summer when I was back home visiting I took one of her classes (which kicked my ass in the best way) and then after we spent the afternoon in the North End catching up on life, talking about my illustrations, her yoga, and what it was like for her moving out of NYC and back to Boston. She has really built a beautiful life for herself in back home. She teaches yoga and lives in one of the coolest neighborhoods in Boston. I think she was the first person to help me see that you don't HAVE to stay in NY to find this "career fulfillment." I know that seems a little obvious but when you're in it you feel it's the only option. She definitely opened my eyes a bit.
If you are in the Boston area and want to take a class from my friend Joanna, she teaches at North End Yoga + South Boston Yoga. Her classes are fantastic. I sweat so much she needed to bring me a towel in the middle of teaching. I really loved her class. When I go to visit I'll have to make a pit stop in the city. Her website is joannabenevides.com
So I think the wild flowers above are a nice little symbol of freedom for this practice. I really love this watercolor.. especially with the piles of snow outside, it's a reminder of spring. As always, Adriene leads a relaxing and empowering practice in day 23. I don't want it to end! I have a feeling this yoga challenge will quickly become my new "series on Netflix that I just watch on repeat." BUT she does have other videos that I am very excited to dive into.
Take care, be well, and happy Sunday!
Day 21! This practice was all about focusing on your breath, fine tuning and exploring your poses, and finding full-body awareness. It was very relaxing and of course... joyful!
Happy Monday everyone.
How fitting. Day 15, halfway through and it's all about the half moons!
I took some time to reflect on why I started this challenge. I wanted clear my mind, reunite with my happy, and to feel good both inside and out. My mind, like everyone I know, gets completely filled with unnecessary stress and negative perspectives of current situations. I wanted a moment where I could dust all of that away. A moment where none of that exterior shit that takes up far too much energy matters. When I step onto my 10+ year old bright blue mat I take time for me, and I breathe away all of it.
Day 15 and I already feel changes. My body feels slimmer, stronger, and I stand up straighter. And I smile more! The theme of the half moon got me so excited. It's the moon I was born under and the halfway point of my first challenge of the new year. The half moon pose was a challenge since it is all about balance... another thing I'm striving for in the new year. Even though I fell out of the pose oh so gracefully, it reminded me that every day is different with new challenges. Points like that in the challenge teach me to appreciate all stages of any process. Even if you unattractively fall flat on your face.
In honor of the hovering cat poses in day 14 here are the kitties I've been working on! Phoebe on the left is almost done! I have to paint in her wallpaper and then she is complete. Cali on the right is pretty much done. I love her pet portrait because her wallpaper was inspired by the restaurant Indochine in NYC. Ever since I took some friends from home to Indochine I have been obsessed with that wall paper. I love it! And from what her owner tells me, the vibe of the restaurant really fits her personality. Perfection! (Perrrfection... NO! that's cheesy, jk jk)
Day 14 of the 30 Days of Yoga challenge was both relaxing and challenging. I'm finding that I really need to work on core and wrist strength. This session touched on both. I'm excited for day 15! It's the mid point and I want to reflect on the reasons why I started the challenge as well as my new year's resolution.
Till then! Namaste.
And by crow I mean my crow pose in yoga and not my original raven painting. Trying to be a little witty here combining my yoga practice with my painting practice. And yes that's my Treasure Troll top knot and belly button. Anyways, I am SO excited because, like I said, I found my crow again and I held it for a whole 10 seconds! It's the small victories on this feel good inside and out new years resolution challenge. Tonight I completed days 5 and 6 of the 30 days of yoga and I feel great! I will of course leave the videos for you to follow along as well. But first! I want to share my very special surprise from today... it felt a little like Christmas..
My dear friend Kat finished my wall tapestry! This is her first woven tapestry and I absolutely love it. I have big plans for this guy. One of which is that he will hang from a branch from my home town on the wall next to my bed. When he is finally complete I will of course show him off! For now he's just hanging out on some antlers. So excited!!
I hope you are getting inspired either through these little yoga videos or through learning about new and beautiful ways to make your home feel cozy! Part of feeling good in the mind and body is feeling good in your space! Maybe that will be my mantra. Keep my mind, body and space clean and feeling good.
With that being said, I'm going to light some sage and cook a little dinner!
Namaste. (prayer hands emoji)
There's a gift, an illustration, and a pet for everyone! Every Christmas for the past 2 years my assistant and I have exchanged some epic gifts (his gifts were more epic than mine). This Christmas I decided to make it super personal. Plants, art, and tattoos are a few of his favorite things, so I decided to hand paint his most recent tattoos on a wall hanging pot for a new cactus pet! A friend then gave me the witty idea to paint a "pet portrait" of the little guy.
A big thank you to Baked in Brooklyn for making my personalized gifting dreams come true!
A few months ago I met Sierra of Lovewild Design at the Artists & Fleas in Brooklyn. Her shop just jumped out at me. She really created her own little world down to every last detail. Everything from her products to the dress she was wearing to the milkmaid braid in her hair, she fully embodied her brand. It's people like Sierra who inspire me the most when trying to build my own brand.
That day I purchased a gift for a friend and a gift for myself. The tea vial gift set got the butterflies flapping in my stomach. Had to have them! They're almost too pretty to use, but as you can see from our Instagram I've cracked into them a few times!
Almost all of her products are made of sustainable materials. My favorite items are her plantables, the confetti or letterpress coins that can be planted and turned into wild flowers! Every piece has so much thought put into it. Please check out their website lovewilddesign.com. With the holidays right around the corner these are perfect stocking stuffers or hostess gifts!
Happy Birthday Month Scorpios!
I am surrounded by Scorpios. My mom, dad, best childhood friend, assistant, etc. are all Scorpios. This sign is an interesting one because it has three symbols. Most immediately think of the scorpion. The scorpion is their dark, earth-bound side that is protective and ready to strike whenever they feel threatened. The second symbol is the eagle, also ready to strike at any moment however can fly and is free and aware of its surroundings. Lastly is the Phoenix. The mythical creature that encompasses rebirth, resurrection and transformation. When Scorpios fall to their lowest point is when they can fully transform themselves. This sign is certainly a powerful one. Never underestimate the power of Scorpio. They will cut you.
Kidding! (sort of)
Happy Birthday to my best girl and my best assistant!!
This Scorpio illustration can be purchased on Society6! We have mugs and iPhone cases available as well! View it, share it, shop it.
This little guy is the most loving pug I've ever met. While babysitting him one time I noticed he kept hopping up on the back of my couch, perched up like a cat. Any chance he got he would crawl up on my lap and put his little chin on my knee. When his dad came home from his travels I told him all about his quirky little behaviors and his response was "Haha! Ya, he was raised with a cat." I couldn't control my laughter when I heard that. Duke is definitely a special little guy. He's been by my best gay's side for 8 years. I was so excited when his partner asked me to do this piece for him. And yes.... that's a Gucci paisley print in the background.
Below is my process of building up this little piggy. The first layer of paint and shadows always look a bit scary. If you are interested in getting your own pet portrait feel free to email me at thecrabandthemoon@gmail.com!
