my.homeboy.Ganesha.

I have fallen in love again! But this time with a necklace..

We have 7 (give or take) weeks until our little girl will be here, and all I can keep thinking about is what I will take with me to the birthing center. John check, Candles check, music check, essential oils check, Ganesha in some way or somehow....not checked yet. Ganesh is the symbol of wisdom, intelligence, education, prudence, luck and fortune. He is the remover of obstacles. He has been the one thing I always think of when faced with any decision or new journey. Literally I have Ganesh posted up in our home in more than a couple places.  John can attest that when we go to the zoo, I get MOST excited about the elephants.. and after gawking at them for quite some time I try to figure out ways to let them back into the wild (still working on that).  Anyway, after a couple weeks of looking around I have found a way to bring this wonderful elephant into our birthing room. A necklace! Eeek!! What's even more exciting about it? It also has Green Onyx which gives strength and stamina. (<--perfect yea?) It encourages happiness and good fortune. (Fortune defined as "things that happen or are to happen to a person in his or her life.") So.. Prana Jewelry, one of my favorite jewelry boutiques is where I found this beautifully perfect necklace.. What do you think?

Umm..you might want to wipe that drool off your keyboard.. it's okay I did the same thing, our little secret. 


I thought I would also share with you one of my favorite artist's rendition of Ganesha. The piece is by Valentina Ramos originally from Venezuela but now resides in sunshine soaked Miami, Florida. She uses paints and rapidograph pens to create the most amazing illustrations! I swear I would have my whole life drenched in her work if I could. What's even more amazing? Because I follow her blog, I am excited that I can say she is also having a baby girl this summer! Check out her work and pick me up an iphone case at valentinaramos.blogspot.com ;).

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday, and if it gets hectic just call on Ganesha to get you through.

P.s. Tomorrow SaltWaterDiary is featuring a really amazing photographer, and she is offering a REALLY rad giveaway! EEEeeppp!!!

Tiny post update- I am SO thrilled! I was just gifted this necklace by my sweet sweet Momma for my upcoming birthday! Instead of drool on my keyboard it's now tears of joy and appreciation. So smitten!


Also, just to show you how much I truly love Prana Jewelry I wanted to highlight their comment on this blog post which you can also find below! 

.New.Work.

A handful of new pieces available in the shop! Hope your weekend has been as blissful as mine!

"Waiting for Thee" is SOLD

I'm BACK!!

So I've been living without internet for the past month, and although it's been really nice for my brain, I have neglected my readers! (my apologies) But no worries my friends, I am back and in full force! Hang in there because my brain is bursting with ideas and I am currently covered in paint, all of which you will see here in the upcoming posts.
I have lots of exciting news, shows, and interviews in the upcoming weeks, so I promise to make it up to you! Warmest Aloha!

New(ish) Work & A Show!

Some new(ish) and brand new pieces! Hope you enjoy! I can't wait for the warmer months to come and stay for a while! 

On another note ART HOUSE GALLERY on Kaua'i is having the first opening of the year this weekend! Celebrating 2 years, which I am so honored to be a part of!

 March 8th, 2012 from 6-9

Milo Green. 1957

I really like this. In fact, I want to go sit in this cave with them and jam along.. how can I make that happen? Oh and P.s. less than 40 days until John gets back!! Woo hoo!!

inspiration.&.a.giggle.

A couple photos of inspiration.. and something that makes me giggle. Happy Tuesday!

Memories in the Making

I am honored to have been asked to be a part of the San Diego Alzheimer's Association's 'Memories in the Making' event happening on March 23rd 2012 at the San Diego Natural History Museum.
With a history of this very unfortunate disease in my family, it hits close to home and creating this piece really gave me some good hours to send nothing but love to those who face Alzheimer's. The patients, families and friends alike because it really does effect so many people when a loved one begins to show signs.
My piece is titled "Her Kind of Memory" and is painted with Acrylic and India Ink on a wooden artist palette. It along with several others by Southern California local artists will be available during the "Dazzling Art Auction" on the night of the event. If you would like to attend, it really is a spectacular event. You can read more about it on their website HERE.

Reef.Bella.Costas.

I won I won!! I'm SO incredibly stoked that I was actually chosen out of I'm sure a billion entries to win a pair of the new totally rad Bella Costas by Reef. With mattress-inspired quilted foam footbed with anatomical arch support which is OH SO COMFY, seriously, each one is intricately woven by artisans in the Mayan highlands of Guatemala. This traditional craft of ikat weaving is a centuries old technique that has been passed down from generation to generation. These shoes feature the bold colors and patterns often seen in typical Mayan wrap skirts, oh hello LOVE. Through a partnership with nonprofit organization Nest, Reef is providing an opportunity for these women to create a sustainable living. These shoes change lives. No really, check this out! http://www.buildanest.org/

So I received them in the mail, and then skipped all the way back inside with the box which I quickly ripped open to realize they were one size too big.. bummer? NO WAY! I then learned that the Reef Headquarters is literally less than 5 miles from our house! Don't worry, I called them up and explained that I was SO stoked to wear my new sweet shoes but that I did not want to look like I have duck feet.. they were super friendly and told me to just come on over.

HELLO MOST RAD OFFICE EVER! 

I swear I would be a janitor there just so I could work in such a sweet sweet building! Oh you want to see? Psh..well of course I snapped some photos! (well, only of the lobby..which is as far as I got to venture.. guess I should have asked for a tour.)

So here's my new shoes!!! Eeeep!!

and of course I am doing a photo challenge on Instagram

 (follow me at elisenicolek)

so here is my photo from "Day 23: My shoes"

.bloom.where.you.are.planted.

Today was my beautiful momma's last day here in sunny Southern California. It has been so nice having her here visiting for the past couple weeks, and I also had my sweet sweet aunt visit this past weekend too! EEP! I am such a lucky preggo gal! My morning walks along the ocean will now be accompanied by my ipod, and occasionally a girlfriend if I can lure them in. This baby is loving the long brisk morning walks (and the little pup is too)! Just before I dropped my mom off at the airport we strolled around Balboa Park.. the orchids apparently are loving this weather.

Yesterday, we drove east a bit where it's slightly more dry and picked up some succulents so I can attempt a small garden. House plants in general make a beautiful addition to any indoor space, they just bring so much life to a home. They add color and texture. Our first plant is called a corn plant.. a popular indoor plant that resembles that of a corn stalk. It didn't do so well at first because we had it pretty far from a window.. and SURPRISE it needs light, go figure! After some rehab time at John's sister's, he is back and in full force in our bedroom next to a nice sunny window. Anyway, indoor houseplants help create a healthy relaxing environment. Studies show that people in indoor environments containing healthy house plants exhibit less stress and had lower blood pressure. Yes please, don't mind if we do! I am still deciding how to arrange our new little guys and gals, I'm sure you'll see them when I do a little tour of our abode soon enough. But in the mean time here is what they look like as little baby clippings. I got a pretty great deal! 17 for under $20 and it included a drive to a MANSION of a home to get them.

happy.friday.

Please excuse my slow posting lately, I am back in California and don't have the internet quite hooked up yet so I am cafe hopping to use the computer! Since I absolutely LOVE trying different teas and of course chai's from different cafes, I don't mind it much. :) Meanwhile, here are a few instagram photos of the past week so you know what we've been up to!

Little bit o' Beach time

Beautiful California Day

Having a Ball at the Dog Beach

Our Valentine's Day gift! Thank you babe!!

Dropped Off a Whole Bunch of New Work at SurfIndian Pacific Beach, California

Li'i and His Valentine (isn't your heart melting?)