We’re continuing with our series featuring some of the creative people that we know. Every Tuesday we will introduce them as they share with us the ten things they can’t live without. Today we are introducing our dear friend and  architect/graphic designer/fashion connoisseur/fellow blog writer Raul Baeza. To learn more about him check out his blog: nic&RAB.

Location: San Antonio, TX

[one] my mama

I attribute everything I am to my mom.  She is and has always been my rock.  From her, I learned the importance of humility and unconditional love.

[two] mis amigos

Friends are the family you choose!  They keep me grounded and I know I can count on them to get me into and out of trouble!

[three] my magazine subscriptions

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Christmas happened every month of the year?  Well if you have a magazine subscription then you do know what it is like!  I exaggerate, but there is nothing better than opening a mailbox (much like a stocking) to find a fresh copy of Dwell or Paper Mag.  I eagerly wait for the mailman every month to deliver my mags so I can run and sink into my couch to devour the latest music/movie/arch/fashion news!

[four] thrift stores / yard sales

My friends and I have created a weekend crew called the Thrift Store Posse (yes I know its super nerdy).  About once a month we make the trip out of San Antonio to explore unknown lands around Texas for treasures.  The magic behind thrift store shopping is all in the hunt for those unique and discarded treasures in the jungles of moldy shoes and dusty stuffed animals.  I have acquired some amazing pieces of furniture and irreplaceable trinkets from my journeys.  My apartment has become a treasure trove of thrift store findings.

[five] themes / costumes

I freaking love themed parties and costumes!  This is why Halloween is my favorite holiday! Those that know me, know that I make every one of my birthday’s themed (and not in a crappy “black and white” theme kind of way).

[six] humor & laughter

Life is way too short to be so serious.  Laughter is the perfect solution to break awkward moments, end a conversation, cover up the fact that you missed what someone said, or cheer you up.  You have got to be able to laugh at yourself sometimes; it makes life a lot more enjoyable.

[seven] KCRW

I depend on streaming the latest news and music from KCRW everyday.  It’s what keeps me sane and prevents me from hanging myself with my mouse cord at work.  The music is excellent and always fresh; they have a variety of stations you can pick from depending on your mood.

[eight] project 52

About three years ago my friends and I started a pact called Project 52.  There are 52 weeks in a year and we decided to motivate each other to experience something new every week to accumulate a total of a minimum of 52 new experiences in a year.  It can be as simple as trying a new restaurant or as extreme as going skydiving.  Keeping with this pact has kept me growing as a person/designer and has kept me fresh to adventure and the pursuit of knowledge.  Just this month I swam in the San Antonio River at 4AM, jumped off a bridge into Lake Austin, went through the back wall of a phone booth to get into a bar, etc.

[nine] tom ford

Ummmmm….. I EFFIN LOVE TOM FORD!  He is the definition of class and elegance. The man has produced timeless pieces of clothing, advertisements, and now a MOVIE!  His style is something retro with a bit of sexual edge all tailored into a sophisticated envelope.  I am not one to idolize a celebrity but Tom Ford is a genius when it comes to visuals.

[ten] my toaster oven

Its simple….if I didn’t have my toaster oven I wouldn’t eat.  It has survived two fires involving tortillas and continues to make delicious meals!  You can bake cakes in it, bake tilapia, grill burgers, toast bread and if you are feeling dangerous you can toast tortillas!

Stay tuned for text Tuesday when we feature our dear friend and graphic designer/photographer/fellow red raider/fellow blog writer Lynsey Jones [@lynseyphoto]. To learn more, check out her Photography and Graphic Design as well as her fantastic blog!

Until next time!

dc