Oblivious meets Cozy Reverie

I am so happy to have Amy Martinez of Cozy Reverie as my first Oblivious Interview!  Amy is a few years younger and was in my cousin Charlie's year.  It's funny how those details stand out in one's mind.  The "grade" you are in defines who you are, who your friends are, and a whole other onslaught of things. 

Through Facebook (obviously) I reconnected with Amy and learned that she runs several blogs. I'll let the interview speak for itself. Here is Oblivious meets Cozy Reverie!

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What's the one word you are guilty of using too much?
"Totally"  I don't say it too much, but I definitely write it too much.  For a blogger, I need to keep reminding myself to stop it!  But I can't help but smile when I think of the old Mitch Hedberg joke:
'I use the word totally too much. I need to change it up and use a word that is different but has the same meaning. Mitch do you like submarine sandwhiches? All-encompassingly...'

What is a random high school memory that has stuck with you all these years?
It was during one of our homecoming celebrations.   I used to love homecoming week because of the ridiculous games and events, plus not ever being in class.  During one competition, the whole school was out by the field. Every one was super pumped up, not really because of the game, but mainly because the week was a free pass to do absolutely no schoolwork. 

I remember a van driving by our field, with kids yelling "St. Gen's sucks!"  With our Homcoming game being against our long-time rivals, Bell Jeff, we KNEW they were the "enemy".  The crowd freaked out!  The one moment I really remember is watching one of the senior guys run after the van like a maniac - absolutely furious!  Before that van drove by, our school could not have cared less about the game.  But for that one moment, we were one.  We were all proud St. Genevieve Valiants and we believed nobody was better than us.  I never forgot that.

How did you end up doing what you are doing now? 
I have been working at Fox for the past five years, working on commercials and programming at FX and Fox Movie Channel for that last two years. Still, I've always been someone that likes to add more to her plate.  

In college, I majored in costume design and I began to miss the creative process.  Two years ago, I launched my own brand, Noisy Merriment (www.noisymerriment.com), which features my original paintings and digital illustrations.  With the support of family and friends, I have had modest success on Etsy and Society 6, as well as art shows and custom work.  In 2012, I self-published my first children's book, "Hooty Takes a Bath".  I also worked in website design and became the resident art blogger for the Disney fan site, "A Waltz Through Disney" (www.awaltzthroughdisney.com).

In 2013, I launched the brand, Cozy Reverie (www.cozyreverie.com), which features my designs made of up-cycled items.  This site has recently evolved into a lifestyle/DIY blog and will soon feature my artwork as well.  So I guess you can say the Internet has become my creative outlet.  I blog about the things I love, which means I blog a LOT.

If high school is the movie "The Breakfast Club" which one were you? Brain? Athlete? Basket case? Princess? Criminal? Which one are you now?
Yikes, I have no idea.  Maybe a mix between the brain, athlete, and princess?  I was in AP classes but I wasn't the smartest.  I played a lot of sports, but I wasn't the MVP.  I got along with most, but not to the level of being envied by others.  I guess I don't remember being classified in these roles since we were such a small school.  A lot of "brains" (AP students) were "athletes" which might put you in the "princess" (popular) category.

Today, I'm probably the basket case without the lice or compulsive lying.  The artsy gal that really doesn't worry about pleasing others, as long as she's doing what she likes to do.   At least, that's what I'd like to think.  If you asked my son, he'd probably say I'm the principal.

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What is the best part of any given day for you?
Getting home to see my son!  Nowadays, we all spend so much more time with co-workers than we do with our own families, so seeing my five-year old son smile at me when I get home is most definitely the best part of the day.

Algebra. Did whatever Mr. Van teach you stick? Do you even still use it?
I actually never got Mr. Van!  I got Mr. Carter.  I'm sure some of that stuff is buried in the darkest part of my memory bank, but if he taught me anything, it's that you shouldn't fall asleep in his class.  If you do, he'll quietly tell the rest of the class to sneak outside, and lock you inside the room.  Then he'll let us all watch through the window, as you wake up to the sudden silence and freak the f*ck out.  
I make sure not to fall asleep when my boss is around. ;)

What is the last thing you searched for on google?
"The Breakfast Club" haha!

If you could talk to your high school self, what would you say to them?
When you get to college, get as many internships as you can!  Oh, and don't worry about the virgin thing, nobody really cares if you are or aren't.

Can you still sing the Valiant Alma Mater? 
I remember the tune, but I would need the words in front of me.  Anybody got a karaoke machine? 
Oh wait, who am I kidding? I went to St. Gen's for goodness sake.

Ariel De Los Muertos on NoisyMerriment.com

Many, many thanks goes out to Amy!  As a self proclaimed Disneyphile, I absolutely adore her Disney inspired pieces.  Amy also shares some really neat ideas on CozyReverie.com. 

You can follow Amy on the CozyReverie facebook page or instagram!