moving on

Hey Y’all!

It’s been a minute. I’ve actually moved my blog to Tumblr. Please check out & follow me at my new blog, “NOLA Inspired” -> http://nolainspired.tumblr.com/

all that glitters is gold

“Way down yonder in NEW ORLEANS . In the land of dreamy scenes. There’s a garden of Eden. You know what I mean.” — Louis Armstrong

Is everyone excited for the holidays? If we’re being real and inclusive then the holidays really already started December 1st was the first day of JEWISH 8 DAYS OF OIL HOLIDAY (it’s famous).

I’ll be in NEW ORLEANS for the holidays as usual. Last year the family went to London to celebrate my parents 25th-anniversary-of-not-killing-each-other-while-living-on-the-under-the-same-roof. It was cold and dreary (thanks ENGLAND). And we missed the annual FAMILY LAST NAME tradition (going strong after three years, The Annual Christmas Eve Party at the FAMILY LAST NAME, which consists of my mom inviting 3 people + family and having tons of party food and a random ham my Nana thinks needs to be there. My sisters and i just look embarrassed at the lack of guests.

This year my middle sister and I are going to wear festive holiday sweaters to keep up us warm and entertained for five minutes. I purchased “classy” versus “classic” holiday sweaters at a LOS ANGELES thrift store on Melrose (they had tons at AMERICAN VINTAGE). Look for an example below:

"CLASSIC TACKY HOLIDAY SWEATER"

"CLASSY HOLIDAY SWEATER"

Do you see what I mean now? these are two very different kinds of sweaters, and I’d be very offended if someone thought the one on the right was the same as the one on the left.  how did i get these words here?

Now that we’ve got that cleared up (thankfully) on to more important & pressing needs.

SELF PROMOTION TIZZY

"I HEART NOLA Shotgun (one of a kind)"

“I HEART NOLA SHOTGUN (one of a kind)” can be purchased at my ETSY SHOP. This colored pencil drawing is just one of many new items in my shop. I have new paintings and holiday ornaments like the ones below!

"SAINTS Holiday Ornament (one of a kind)" & "NOLA Orange Ornament (one of a kind)"

DIE-HARD FAN PORTION: Where Y’all get to ask me questions!

You can e-mail me or leave questions for me to answer in the comment section. I love to answer questions- a favorite pass time for me.

1. have you been able to find any great chimps in a holiday sweater for the season? Cause I can’t find a single one!!! NOT ONE – Lex (from Newport, MA)

It’s been difficult. Very trying actually! TACKY HOLIDAY SWEATERS = hilarious & CHIMPS DOING ANYTHING = hilarious, so you’d think that sweaters + chimps = GOLDMINE. I know, I know. These two pics were the closest I came to finding our dream pictures!

Puppet Monkeys Dressed for the Season - this is disappointing

Imagine that this adorable little chimp had a holiday element to it. maybe those white dots are SNOW!!

I couldn't resist! It is a GREEN sweater/hoodie with a dogggggy!

2. KATNAWLINS, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT LITTLE DOGS DRESSED UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS? – Vince (from Jakarta, Indonesia)

I think it’s cute. More cute than I should because I also think it looks absolutely stupid. I totally understand from a place of warmth. If you have a dog that has hair instead of fur (i.e. poodles, schnoodles, cockapoos (anything with poodle in it basically) then to keep this animal warm in cold climates something like a doggy sweater or coat is good.

How cute I find the picture is determined by how awesome the dog feels in said picture.

Exhibit A: This schnoodle LOVES their sweater & their owner. Couldn't be more stylish if it tried!

Exhibit B: This pug hates his life & loves his owner (cause all dogs love their owners unless the last name is VICK).

You can also be impressed that both pictures involve HOLIDAY SWEATERS (and one is an example of classy and the other an example of tacky).

3. How about dem boys? You think we gonna two dat? – Flex (from Alexandria, LA)

I would loooooovvvvvvvvveeeee to play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, and BEAT EM!! How awesome would that be if we could beat Manning and Brady in back to back Super Bowls. It’d say a lot about us and for Drew Brees!

So, yes I think we can definitely TWO DAT (for those not a SAINTS fan it just means WIN THE SUPERBOWL). In order to make our lives easier it’d be great to get no. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs, but that will be hard with the dirty birds playing so competently. I do think we can beat them in the Georgiadome. We’re much better than we were when we first played them back in week 3. It’s going to be tough, but we’ve been done this road before and have been VICTORIOUS!

That’s it for now, y’all. HAVE A FABULOUS HOLIDAY, and I’ll see you in 2011 (damn this place is getting mad old!!).

i may be paranoid, but not an android

“Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
I miss it both night and day
I know that it’s wrong… this feeling’s gettin’ stronger
The longer, I stay away
Miss them moss covered vines…the tall sugar pines
Where mockin’ birds used to sing
And I’d like to see that lazy Mississippi…hurryin’ into spring.” — Louis Armstrong, “Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans”

I know I’m supposed to begin each blog now with a quote about New Orleans, but I felt like using Louis Armstrong’s famous song about New Orleans instead, so sue me! OKAY, don’t really. IT’S an EXPRESSION!

Since today is Friday and I don’t give a hoot anymore. I’m going to dedicate this blog post to DOGS vs CATS. It’s one of the oldest feuds on record. You may be asking yourself, reader: HEY, HOW CAN I TRUST THAT KATNAWLINS IS IN FACT QUALIFIED TO EVEN TALK ABOUT THIS? First of all, READER! I’m not qualified to talk about 3/4ths of what I talk about here, and NOW you question my knowledge bank? This might be the only thing I know anything about at all.

Secondly, READER! In my short time on this earth thus far I have owned (or my family as well) SIXTEEN cats & SEVEN dogs. Don’t believe me? Here is the list of names! [side note: we've own SEVEN Hamsters, too] My house was a regular old zoo.

CATS	DOGS	HAMSTERS
1.       Max  2.       Gretchen 3.       Maggie 4.       Little Blue 5.       Blackey 6.       Sophie 7.       Natasha 8.       Boris 9.       Lili 10.   Tiger 11.   Tiggy 12.   Princess 13.   Kerry-Edwards 14.   Carmen 15.   Kitty 16.   Shelby	1.       Lassie  2.       Henry 3.       Duma 4.       Angel 5.       Kara 6.       Heidi 7.       Buckley	1.       Ginger  2.       Phoebe 3.       Lauren 4.       Whisper 5.       Lumpkin 6.       Bonita 7.       Odie

Yeah I grew up in a crazy animal place! Now my family doesn’t really love cats very much. I know that’s hard to comphrend when you see that we have had 16 cats in my lifetime.

We’re those people that other people say “Hey! Can you take my cat? Cause I’m moving and the landlord won’t let me keep my cat. Sooo if you don’t take my cat I’ll have to kill it” OR “We found these 2 abandoned cats if we bring them to the shelter they’ll kill em” OR “Hey, is that an orphaned one month old kitten outside your house post Hurricane Lili? Oh it is… make sure you name the kitten after the hurricane, too. Thanks!” This is how we accumulated that many cats. Because we’re stupid.

Most of the sixteen have passed away from old age. The family still has SIX cats and FOUR dogs. The only dog that we own on accident is Buckley who was saved outside of El Peso, TX on my drive to Los Angeles. He’s the sweetest dog we’ve ever owned, too. So, that time we were awarded.

So, I just did the math… Oh my god that means my family has owned 30 ANIMALS in my lifetime. Y’all we didn’t grow up on a farm or anything. ANYTHING! I know that those 30 animals didn’t all chill with each other. They’re from different points and times, but still this explains my childhood desire to be a zoo keeper (okay just at the age of eight was this a goal, but still).

I realize that I spent most of this blog post not actually arguing that DOGS are better than cats, but instead making my point as to why I’d be the right person to lead this discussion. So, instead of making an argument how about y’all just tell me the comments which you like more. DOGS vs. CATS!!!

SELF PROMOTION TIZZY

 

Fleur de Elephant PRINT 14"x 10"

I have a bunch of new 10″ x 14″ prints in my ETSY Shop. I’m going to continue to add more prints of various different sizes throughout the rest of the year, so be on the look out, y’all. I know this is what y’all always wanted!!!! So, you’re WELCOME!

DIE-HARD FAN PORTION: Where Y’all get to ask me questions!

You can e-mail me or leave questions for me to answer in the comment section. I love to answer questions- a favorite pass time for me.

1. I’m so excited to see how this GRAND DEBATE between DOGS vs. CATS goes. I for one am on TEAM CAT. Here’s why: cats are independent, cool, and but can still be in sync with their human masters. This picture demonstrates what I’m saying best! – Dek (From Williamsburg, VA)

What a sweet lil kitten with that primate!

I have no idea why that picture makes your case at allll. I wish I did. Yes, that kitten is being very patient with that little monkey, BUT the thing with a single picture is we can’t see the before and after. It’s not a moving picture, so for all we know (and this is likely) in the next second that cat scratched the living shit out of that monkey. SAD!

2. I am totally TEAM DOG, and here’s why. Dogs are: sweet, loyal, compassionate, loving, devoted, awesome, and smart (they can be). This picture clearly shows what I’m talking about! In fact I shouldn’t have that said anything because this picture says it all. – Ashton (From Beaumont, TX)

Man/Primate's Best Friend. Through Thick and Thin

I couldn’t agree more, but I am also heavily biased since I am definitely on TEAM DOG. A cat would never let this picture happen. Maybe a kitten, but not a grown cat, hellllll to the no! That would never happen! Ever!

3. I’m on TEAM DOG. How cute is this? – Ryan (From Dillon, NY).

How cute and patient is this lil pupppppy?

Well umm you can’t just be TEAM DOG because this is a cute picture. There are tons of cute pictures with kittens doesn’t make me like cats anymore. But thank you for writing in and sharing.

Agree? Disagree? Let your voices/feelings/emotions/opinions be heard in the comment section!!! Have a great weekend, y’all!!

Why would you go and kid a kidder?

Wow. I know TWO POSTS in less than a week. Whatever is happening in this here universe to allow such a thing to occur? Also, how cliche and stupid am I? I constantly say the same thing if I even write two posts in the same month. I am nothing if I am not a walking cliche of a hollowed soul. It MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE. I know. I know.  (I’ve been waiting my whole life for the proverbial “GET HER OFF THE STAGE” CANE to make its literal presence in my life. No such luck, world.)

In today’s post, I think we should (we = me, haha) focus on ONE THING. I mean that’s what a blog should be. Of course you know I’d love to focus just on the #SAINTS all the time, but I’ve promised a certain lovely person in #INDIA I would keep all Saints talk to a bare minimum. I will say this: GEAUX SAINTS –> 4-2 thus far! YAY!

Let’s make this post ABOUT SOMETHING. So often my blog posts are about nothing. Zlitch, NADA… they’re about how they aren’t about anything. How #Seinfeld of me, right (also no idea if I spelled that right or not)?

I even thought about making this post about wanting to make this post about SOMETHING. How 21st century of me, how modern (katie, it’s not the modern age anymore that was 100 years ago, FUCK!) How Post-Modern of me, right? (…) WHAT? What it’s not the post-modern age anymore? Then what time are we living in?

I want this dog so very much! He is available right now. He's a puppy stray in Los Angeles.

I sold a painting this weekend BY THE WAY, readers. I sold my “Lil Creole Red (one of a kind painting).” If you like this painting and are bummed you didn’t get it first. Do not fret, readers. I have plenty of paintings, drawings and prints on sale at my SHOP.

 

Everyone knows the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but no one knows the story of Lil Creole Red who was told many a time to “beware the path” unfortunately the path was destroyed by the United States Core of Engineers during Hurricane Katrina.
Now she’ll have to make her way through the watered path to Grandma’s house.

DIE-HARD FAN PORTION: Where Y’all get to ask me questions!

You can e-mail me or leave questions for me to answer in the comment section. I love to answer questions- a favorite pass time for me.

1. Hey-yo.You promote your artwork here a lot? Why? – Cirk (from Dock, AL).

Cirk, I promote my artwork here because that’s what a blog is used for. It’s used to publicize me as a person. That’s what all blogs are made for. Sheeeeeeeessssssssssssshhh!

2. If lizards grow on trees. What grows on lizards? – Tommy (from Scarsdale, NY)

I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just do my best to make sense of what you just asked me, Tommy. First of all, lizards don’t grow on trees. They’re not money. Secondly, I’m very concerned that you thought they possibly could. Sure, they might make a tree their home. Their habitat even, but never grow from said tree. Thirdly, only tails actually grow on lizards. You’re truly an idiot. And I don’t mean that as a compliment. Sheeeeesssshhhh!!

Exactly! This is how this QUESTION makes me feel. thanks, lizard!

3. Katnawlins, You seem hip and with it what with your dancing monkeys and all- I have a question. Yesterday I had the unique experience of posing as a poser at an indie rock festival. It was exceedingly difficult seeing as I didn’t speak the lingo and I’d left my black skinny jeans in with my whites, thus bleaching them. So for meta-analysis? How does one succeed at posing at posing?! – Concerned Hipster (from San Francisco, CA)

First of all bleached skinny jeans is very “in” with the “hipsters” aka “indie” crowd. Why are they in, Katnawlins? Thanks for asking-ish. They’re IN because they’re IRONIC, and they’re ironic because they are dated. Have you ever seen a young gentlefellow (i.e. early to mid-35) with a crazy “evil mustache” on his face that he grew himself? This here man is probably a hipster, and when I say probably I mean YES, HE IS A HIPSTER! I’ve included pictures to make you understand what I’m saying, world. But back to “Concerned Hipster” you see you were FITTING IN. You were. That’s the thing. Look weird and awkward, which I’m sure you are both, and you’ve got it!

Which one is a hipster?

Who do I like more? Let's put it that way.

Santa Claus is Dead… Yeah, well so is Nietzsche!

Happy, Happy, Happpppppy HOLIDAYS, y’all. Can you believe that we’re in the last month of the year, and we look this cute?

I’m not afraid to admit in this blog that I used to love Christmas. I’m not above that. I guess who doesn’t like Christmas (not everyone celebrates it, Katie, but  Jews who sometimes do for the fun of it). There is a baby (jesus, y’all), presents (capitalism, check!), dreams (childhood, yes!), food (holiday weight, thanks!), and outrageous expectations (life!). So, it’s clear at the age of 23 why Christmas doesn’t have the same impact on me anymore (less presents).

When I was 6 I found out the truth. It was on the playground of all (seemingly innocent) places, and this little red-headed bitch had the nerve to drop the largest bomb of my very young, privileged life. She had the audacity (one of my favorite words) to say there was no Santa… no Rudolph no nothing. I did the Home Alone clutch my face and scream. How long did I scream? I don’t remember cause I passed the fuck out.

The worse part was now I had to carry this secret with me. This  green&scarlet letter permanently scaring my brain. At the time my sister Elle was four (so young and innocent) and my Manager was like literally a baby like Jesus (she was my manager even then though. powerful shit in her baby formula). Every holiday season post six years old was like a real kick into my gut because I had to keep acting like the fat man was real. It was insulting. On top of the secrets and deception I kept and told my sisters I still stayed to all strange hours in the night waiting to open presents from mom and dad NOT from Santa. This is what Christmas always looked like at my house:

Sister trying to open her present (Left) and Me (Right) trying to get at her present after I've devoured my gifts in moments... it's hard to be older and stronger. And I guess that's my dad in the background making that weirdo face

By the way, my middle sister didn’t find out the real truth about Santa Claus till she was NINE, which means I kept that promise not tell her for FIVE, long hard years. It was devastating (that’s what she said, hahahahahah). This secret dissolved any any soul I had to begin with. I honestly don’t remember when the manager found out (manager, do you recall)?

Self-Promotion Time

"Bohemian NOLA Shotgun (One of a Kind)"

I have a new 18×24 piece up in SHOP. I just sold the “Who Dat Shotgun” as well. So all is going well at the shop, but could always be better so come on down, y’all!

DIE-HARD FAN PORTION WHERE Y’ALL GET TO ASK ME QUESTIONS

You can e-mail me or leave questions for me to answer in the comment section. I love to answer questions- a favorite pass time for me.

1. Katnawlins! Love the blog always read it! I have a serious question for you: How are you spending this holiday? In your beloved New Orleans or in Los Angeles. – Frederic II (from Dillon, TX)

Hi Frederic, thanks for the blog love. I really appreciate it! I am spending a good chunk of the holiday in cheerie ole’ London (my first time out of the country in all of my 23 wise years on this here planet) and the other half in New Orleans to recover from London and New Orleans New Years Eve.

2. It’s the holidays, so I’m wondering what you celebrate Christmas or Chihuahua? Like the blog, but don’t love it yet. With time. – Zed (from Salmon, OR)

Thanks, Zed? I think you meant Chanukah (or Hanukkah) and not chihuahua, but I make spelling errors alllll the time so who am I to talk? You left out a million other celebrations that happen this time of year. If you must know (or now know from this entry of my blog) that I celebrated Christmas growing up, but because I’m half-jewish we ignorantly had a menorah on the Christmas dinner table (including the rare time it snowed on Christmas day in New Orleans in 2004 for forty-five minutes… tsunamis in southeastern asia happened hours  later and Katrina months later, so never was the menorah placed on the Christmas table again).

3. Tell me as a SAINTS fan you have seen this video? It’s hi-larious and pretty insulting to the people of south eastern Louisiana. Here is the video. GEAUX SAINTS! (Luxe from Baton Rouge, LA)

Haha, yes I have seen the video and I even put it up on my facebook status because it’s just soo ridiculous. I reccomend everyone who reads my blog to see it. It’s tooo funny and terrifying all that drinking with all those firearms.

That’s it for now, folks! I hope to post before I ship off to cold-rainy-but-fun-London. If not have a great holiday whatever faith you practice or don’t practice. And if you have to work during the holiday break make sure you get that overtime, get it!

OH AND GEAUX SAINTS! 13-0!!!! AMAZING BLACK&GOLD SUPERBOWL

Here Goes Nothing…

Hello World!

I know y’all have been waiting for this moment forever. When Katnawlin’s got her own blog. It’s insane and daring (only because I’m like 95.7% sure I will forget to post).

So, why get a blog?

• Narcissism? CHECK
• Self Promotion? CHECK
• ATTENTION? CHECK CHECK CHECK

With the three most important reasons for starting a blog under our belts, why else am I doing this to unsuspecting public?

Well, let me introduce myself first… my name is Katie (aka Katnawlins). I am a New Orleans artist, actor and writer who just moved to Los Angeles, CA about 2 months ago! I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Emerson College in Boston this past May (theatre major, jeez guys!) I work as a floating assistant in “the industry” (as people in the industry say in their quotation marks way).

So, what will I write about? Most likely about the artwork I’m doing… if I ever land a gig (so i’ll probably have to just tell y’all about funny audition stories that sadly end with just the audition and no part). Also, kind readers do know that weird stuff happens to me at least every other day, so I will have much ridiculousness and awkwardness to share with you. Like right now… it’s raining and I’m in a coffee shop <– not pedestrian at all.

Questions I know my DIE-HARD FANS have been wanting to know FOREVER!

1. Where is your art at, girl? – Wilson (from Detroit, Michigan)

Gosh, thanks for asking. Go here to check it out: KATNAWLINS.ETSY.COM

2. Hey, great blog! Love the one post! How can I become a fan of you and your work? – Duke (from Raleigh, North Carolina)

Thanks! I love you, too. You can become a fan of me on facebook here

3. What’s up? How you doing? I think we have the same bday, which must mean we’re meant to be. August 8th by chance? – Henry (from Juno, Alaska)

Well, you asked how I was twice… so, I’m good and I’m chilling. Actually my birthday is August 9th, but good try!

If you have any questions for me please ask away in the comments, and i’ll be sure to answer them in the next post!