“The purpose of art…

is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.”

Now this one. Goodness, this one took a while. Not really the picture itself, but the idea. I could not think of what to draw for the longest time! Eventually I just said “t’ hell with it” and googled “purpose” quotes. (I know, I’m a cheater!) I found this quote by Pablo Picasso, and I knew exactly what I wanted to draw. I tried to make it look like the black was coming off (almost dripping, but that didn’t turn out like I planned) and showing the true color underneath. This isn’t a perfect picture of it (damn shadows!), but I think it turned out pretty well, don’t you?

If you were doing this challenge along with me, what would you have done for purpose? C’mon, tell me.

-Smelly

Song of ze Day: The Call by Regina Spektor

Let Me Introduce Myself.

The first part of the 100 theme challenge! The Introduction. I messed up quite a bit with the left page, and I debated editing it on Photoshop, but then I thought to myself “what’s wrong with a couple mess ups?” And so flawed it stayed. But I think that’s what I like about it. It has a bunch of flaws, but I still kinda like it. 🙂 Anyway, that’s (supposed to be) me with my two boys, Teddy (the purring one) and Figaro (the one on the giant thought bubble.) It doesn’t do them justice, I’m afraid. The rose and “Once upon a time” was supposed to be my Introduction, but I think I needed to actually have myself in that part, so I added the picture on the left.

I find that outlining things in pen is troublesome. I should just stick to digital art. (Look at that chin. I mean, really!)

With this being my first drawing in the book, I am actually quite happy with it.

Well, there you have it! I do think that this is a beginning to the start of this challenge, don’t you?

-Smelly (Anyone have a more pleasant nickname for me, maybe?)

Song of ze Day: Once Upon a Dream from Sleeping Beauty (Don’t even get me started on Disney music, folks.)

Of Endings and Beginnings.

Ok, so I have some good news and some bad news. I’ll be cliched and start with the bad news. While this blog was created for the purpose of giving bored SB residents fun places to go and such, it has become apparent that I will be unable to do much of that. So, I may be able to post a few things here and there regarding that sort of things, but for the most part this blog will have a new purpose. Here’s where the good news comes in. (Well, it’s good news for me. Not entirely sure if you’ll like it or not.) This blog will now host my 100 Theme Challenge. Here’s a short description of what this means:

The 100 Theme Challenge is an art challenge of sorts where you are given a list of 100 words or phrases that you must draw/write your own interpretation of. I have found a challenge on the interwebs that I will be completing in an old book. (Don’t worry. The book has served it’s purpose in life by being read numerous times, and now it is serving it’s new purpose.)

So yes. That’s that, I s’pose. The challenge list can be found here.

I’m off!

-(I guess I’m not really your Local Santa Barbarian anymore, am I? I guess I’ll sign off with an unfortunate nickname.)

–Smelly (All I’m going to say is that I blame my old sister.)

Song of ze Day: How Far We’ve Come by Matchbox Twenty

Going on an Adventure.

Another place in Santa Barbara to go adventuring in is El Paseo. Not just the restaurant (though that place is damn good), but the little court yards and hideaways around it. One can simply lounge in the courtyard, or go exploring through the passages to see what they can find.

There are many other pictures of this place that I could have taken, but I think I’ll just leave discovering the rest of this place up to you, hm?

-You Local Santa Barbarian

P.S. Spam me with suggestions! Please! yourlocalsantabarbarian@gmail.com or http://www.sm3llyy.tumblr.com

Song of ze Day: Send Me On My Way by Rusted Boot

Welcome to Sunny California

One thing any visitor to Santa Barbara must do, is take a drive through the back roads and mountains of SB County. (This somewhat relates to the Cold Springs Tavern post, as you must drive through this area to get there.) You don’t even really need a destination, as the sights are enough on their own. I took these pictures on my way to Cold Springs Tavern the other day, so you can see what I mean.

Now isn’t that a swell sight? And that sure as heck isn’t all there is, either. Driving on the winding roads through all the trees and hills is absolutely breathtaking. I strongly suggest a drive through here.

-Your Local Santa Barbarian

P.S. Don’t forget to send in suggestions or comments! yourlocalsantabarbarian@gmail.com or http://www.sm3llyy.tumblr.com

Song of ze Day: Our Town by James Taylor (and McQueen and Sally by Randy Newman. My song of choice when driving through back roads and mountains.)

I’ve Gone Bizerk

I’m sure many Santa Barbara locals will recognize the store Bizerk. With it’s wildly outrageous costumes and accessories, Bizerk is the best place to go to find everything you need for your Halloween costume, or even just to goof off! This exciting store can be found on the ocean side of Haley, on State st. It’s right between Energy Tattoo, and Indochine restaurant.

So if you happen to be downtown and you’re bored, or if you’re looking for some costume things, I highly recommend Bizerk. One could spend hours in there!

-Your Local Santa Barbarian

P.S. If you have any suggestions for places to go or things to see in SB, feel free to email me at: yourlocalsantabarbarian@gmail.com

Or, you can send me an ask on my tumblr: http://sm3llyy.tumblr.com/

Thank you! ❤

Song of ze Day: Let’s Dance to Joy Division by the Wombats

Over the River and Through the Woods

Last weekend, I went up into the mountains behind SB with my family to have lunch at Cold Springs Tavern. And, I must say, I forgot how incredibly cool that place is.

It gets surprisingly crowded on the weekends, especially Sundays, but it’s worth waiting for a table. They have delicious food and the atmosphere is cozy and warm. And it’s not just one building. You can walk around and take a look at all the other shacks, and there is a small bar next door where you can get a drink or wait for your table.

While you cannot actually go into most of these places (excluding the restaurant, bar, and bathrooms, of course) it’s still quite a fun experience! I advise every one of you to check this place out.

-Your Local Santa Barbarian

Song of ze Day: Rocky Raccoon by The Beatles

Have Some Tea and Biscuits Daahling.

Welcome back, my dear friends! On this episode of- Nah, I’m not going to do that.

Anyway, today I will introduce you to the wonderful world of Teavana. Unfortunately, I don’t have any pictures of the entrance to the store (because I’m a idjit and forgot), but I have some lovely photos of what is inside!

Now, at Teavana they have everything from tea pots (like the lovely ones above) to delicious teas! The employees are wonderful and they were ready to ask any question I had. (They even give out free samples of teas! Woowho, free samples!)

While, unfortunately, my camera was being weird on the focus, here is the lovely Katherine with some free tea samples! Heck yeah!

You can find Teavana in Paseo Nuevo, right next to Aveda. Now go get some yummy tea, guys!

-Your Local Santa Barbarian.

Song of ze Day: Roxanne by The Police

Let the Games Begin

And here we are. The first real post. It took me some time to debate what I should post first. And then I realized that I hadn’t taken enough pictures of places in Santa Barbara yet, and so I will have to suggest a place that many will already know. Ah, c’est la vie. Anywho, the place I want to refer all you lovely people to is none other than the lovely Epic Bowl.

Ah, yes. I’m sure we’re all well acquainted with Epic Bowl. (I know my stomach is.)

Epic Bowl.

Now, to be honest, I only just stumbled across this delightful little smoothie/fruit bowl place not too long ago. But, I must say that these bowls have quickly become “a few of my favorite things.” It was love at first bite. I ordered the Rincon Berry Bowl, and have yet to try anything else because of it’s deliciousness. If you live in SB and it’s a particularly hot (or not) day, I highly suggest visiting this joint. That is, of course, if you haven’t already. Which makes you a teeny bit insane in my book. (Visiting company excluded, of course!)

And here is Epic Bowl’s handy work completed. The aforementioned Rincon Berry Bowl in all it’s glory. With a mix of açaí, bananas, strawberries, and apple juice, topped with even more yummy stuff like granola, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, goji berries, and (my favorite part) honey, this is up there on my “Favorite Things” list.

And here is the colorful menu for you gorgeous viewers of my blog. See it? Anything you like? Well go out and get it! Git! Go experience the beauty for yourselves. I bid you adieu. ❤

With Love,

Your Local Santa Barbarian.

 

(Just kidding, I’m not actually done yet. Fooled ya, didn’t I? Anyway, just a short note.

Song of ze Day: I’ve Just Seen A Face by the Beatles (cover by Jim Sturgess) (Unfortunately, this is a cover because, for the life of me, I could not find the original Beatles version! Of course, it’s probably on Youtube, but I didn’t want to put a video in here. Oh well. Sorry for the not-so-short note! <3)

Why You’re Here

Now, I’m sure many of you (and by many I mean the few people that I have conned into looking at this) are wondering what this website will be about. Well, that is quite an easy answer, I assure you.

For those who live in Santa Barbara or are visiting and curious as to where they should spend their time, this blog can help. Every day I will post suggestions and reviews of places to go in Santa Barbara, and hopefully that will cure the extremely contagious virus commonly known as Boredom.