Category — Blogging

I haven’t done a giveaway for several months because I have been just as crazy busy as the rest of you with summer and trying not to kill my kids.
But, summer is over, and fall is just around the corner. I think fall is my favorite. I always debate between spring and fall, but I think that the fall clothes and boots I get to wear have decided it for me. Fall is the winner.
Speaking of fall and winners,
I have found the coolest leaves to use in some new jewelry designs.
I’ve posted them in my shop along with lots of other fall goodies.

They are made by painting an actual leaf with metallic paint, and then plating that metal form with either sterling silver, 24 ct. gold, or copper. Then they are antiqued or polished or given a green patina.
They are stunning, yet natural and simple and they feel almost weightless on your neck.
It’s the perfect thing to add spunk to your fall wardrobe.

You want?

To win, just leave a comment on this post and you’re entered. If you link to this post on facebook, you’re in for three entries.
(These necklaces range in value from $35 to $135.)

Contest ends Tuesday, August 31st at midnight. Winner announced Wednesday.
Check out the new stuff for fall HERE.

Today, Kelly D. read my post from yesterday and he said something along the lines of, “Holy desperate cry for attention Batman”
Just for the record, I was soliciting questions for post topics, not begging for love. Not that I’m above that, because I’m not. And love and attention are both things I’m fond of.
But Brooke left a comment about reviewing local eateries and this is an idea I love! Because as much as I love attention and love, I love good food more.

Anyone who knows me will probably expect a review of The Dodo. But, I won’t be that predictable. (But just in case you are going to try that place for the first time, get the roasted tomato polenta cakes for an appetizer, house salad, and spinach/mushroom/feta quiche)

For this post, however, I want to tell you about Vito’s. Have you been? If not, let’s go! I have gift certificates out the wazoo! But no kidding, it’s the best Philly Cheesesteak you’ll ever eat in Utah. It’s located in downtown Bountiful in a parking lot at 100 South 100 East. He’s one dude in a trailer, taking orders and cooking all by himself. There’s a jar on the counter where you pay and make your own change. For $5.50 you can get a sandwich, bag O’ chips and a soda.
And Ohhhhh baby, is it good.

It’s been a busy couple of weeks.
I’ve been working on a big jewelry order and am almost finished with it. In between that and my motherly duties, I’m getting ready for the Artisan Fair coming up at the end of July. Very exciting, but also, a bit nerve-wracking because I’ve never done anything like this before. I hope it’s as fabulous at it is in my mind. I’ve teamed up with Erin, and everything she does is awesome, so I’m in good company at least.
Please come to this fun event. I’m asking so nicely, and I think there will be cupcakes.

Anyway, I wanted to post about lessons I’m learning while taking Nelly to puppy school. Lessons for me and not her. But, I don’t want to rush it, because puppy school isn’t over yet, and I don’t have time right now to do the topic justice.

So, I’m wondering two things:
1) Does anyone still read my blog? I took my sitemeter down last year, and I have no idea.
2) If the answer to question 1 is yes, do you have a question I can answer? Or a story to tell me? I did a Q and A once before and it was fun, but that was when I knew there were readers. Is anyone out there?
Hhhhhhelllllllooooo?

I just wrote an entire post about how I got Casablanca from Netflix and it came three weeks ago, and I just don’t feel like watching it, but I think I should because it’s such a beloved film.
And then I read the post over for spelling/grammar errors and I realized that it was the most pointless thing anyone has ever written, so I deleted the whole thing.
It’s obviously a slow night over here.

I am so happy that I reached surpassed the goal of 50 entries! It was the best one yet at 74 entries! Thanks to all who entered. I’m going to have to think of something good for next month. The bar has been set. Thank you, thank you.

The winners are (picked by random.org)…………..

Personalized silver necklace winner is: Kate who said,
Kate { 05.03.10 at 7:16 pm }
Pick me! I’m number 51! Super cute necklaces, I’ve been looking for one just like them! I wish I was that creative!
Scrabble Tile Pendants winner is: Allison who said,
Allison { 05.03.10 at 10:00 am }
I love color (as became super-evident when we downsized from three rooms to city studio and all colors ended up together in one little room. Some may say epileptic. I say funky fun. Though I’ve never actually said that…) – so those Scrabble tiles are a-screamin’ my name. Love them!
I”m not sure what three words describe my style – colorful, simple, classic? Your style is flawless! How do you describe yours? (:

I just need you to e-mail me with mailing addresses and Kate, you need to let me know what you’d like stamped on your silver.

For some reason, I have it stuck in my head that I need to get 50 entries in one of these giveaways. I don’t think I can rest until this happens.
So.
I am going to combine the two most entered giveaways and let you choose one of two prizes.
First up- Scrabble tile pendants! A set of TEN. In your entry, you tell me three words that describe your personal style and I will hand pick ten of these beauties to send your way, complete with three necklace options for mixing and matching. I have lots more than are pictured here, so tell me colors you like, interests, etc, so you’ll be sure to get something you like.

If that’s not your cup of tea, then how about something personalized? In silver?
You can have your name, your favorite quote, your mission statement (you have one of those, right?) anything you like stamped into this silver pendant. I will also include a charm bead (pearl, birthstone, etc.) to make it even cuter. The possibilities are endless!

A comment is an entry. And, if this contest gets 50 entries, I’ll give both prizes away. Go!

(Lots of new stuff in the shop now and even more coming after this weekend is over! Click HERE to see)
Contest closes Wednesday. Winner announced Thursday.

Ideas for blog posts come only from living a life away from the computer. The more time I spend in front of a screen, the less worthwhile experiences I have to share, and the less colorful my life is.
I bring this up only to say that some very bad influences (you know who you are!) made me curious about that tv show Lost, and ever since then, I have watched more television than any person ever should. Did you know you can start with the pilot and watch them ALL on Netflix? Well, you can. (and I have)
I’m not even through with the second season yet, but I’m afraid I can’t stop.
I bring this up because when I try to think of something to pontificate about….nothing. I’ve got nothing.
Posting my be sporadic until I finish this……um….project. Unless something interesting happens to me between episodes.
Until then,
Kelly

Number 17….Kelly Robinson!
Thanks everyone for putting my button on your blogs! I appreciate the help! If you leave it up, you’ll be eligible for next months drawing. Just watch for the post.
Meanwhile, Kelly… e-mail me about which item up to $30 you want and give me an address to send it to.
Thank you thank you thank you!

It looks a bit different around here.
You like?
Well, if you don’t , I don’t want to know about it. I spent the better part of last night and today editing HTML code and pimping this thing out, so…..
I thought it would be nice to have a cleaner, simpler design. The best part is that the masthead picture changes every time you visit or refresh your screen.
Go ahead, try it. Refresh.
Cool, huh?
Also, I am making the recipes section easier to find things in. And I created a cute little button on my sidebar for it. I’m still adding some. Not quite done. (if anyone cares)
I will be able to post larger photos too, which is good.
Besides all this, I was getting really sick of my old color scheme.
But that snail photo will be making an appearance here, because I love it.
Even though it’s slimy.

Forgive me blog-world. For I have sinned.
It’s been five days since my last post.
I have even had post topics floating around in my head, complete with photos to illustrate them!
But instead, during my free time, I have been reading a book until my eyes close against my will.
And then sleeping way too late in the morning.
Ah, summer.

 
There was going to be a cute little post about how I caught The Little Guy at one of his brother’s baseball games sitting on the grass surrounded by a group of little girls. He was sitting smack in the middle of them charming them like only he can.
I took a substandard photo from my comfy lawn chair…

Speaking of The Little Guy, I took this picture this past week,

and I was going to write about how much our family loves the littlest boy, and how I worry sometimes that we’re all spoiling him, but that we can’t help it. Because when he talks, his voice is irresistibly precious and whenever he asks for something, he ends the sentence with, “Is that a pretty good idea?” To which my response is inevitably, “Well, yes. That is a pretty good idea.”

 
Or I had an idea to do a post about this house that I drive past every day. This person LOVES them some windchimes. And flower baskets. Trust me, that post would have been fascinating. Really.


 
We went to Lagoon during one of the dry days we had during this rainy June. I was going to post pictures of that trip too. It was so much fun to have a kid that is big enough to go on real rides with. This is me and The Fish just before the roller coaster ascended…

I also would have mentioned in that post about how much I hate/love the Sky Ride.

Am I the only person who’s backside is in perma-clench the entire time they’re on that thing?
During the entire ride, I am imagining how easy it would be for one of my kids to slip underneath that “protective bar” they’ve got on that thing. Too much wiggle room for my taste. Yet, I cannot stay away…

 
I intended to post about this fun bike ride I went on with some friends…


 
Or how much I love the smell of the plant nursery on a Saturday morning. I love the whole vibe of that place. So many possibilities…so many kindred spirits there.


 
Lastly, I was going to share a great internet find with you that I used for Father’s Day. I made this little basket of goodies for all the Father’s in my life…

Is that not the cutest thing? That little hamburger bun is a cupcake cut in two and the ‘meat’ is a brownie. The fries are sugar cookies cut into strips. And the best part, is the packaging- that stuff all came out of my printer! You can download it for free! There are blanks too so you don’t only have to use them for Father’s Day. I found it on THIS website. She’s got the step by step there.

 
So, see? It’s not that I haven’t had posting material on my mind. I’m just experiencing the lazy days of summer to the fullest.
Hope you are too!

Instead of my usual method of “randomly picking” a number, which consists of me yelling down the stairs to Kelly D. “Hey, Kel! Pick a number between 1 and 31!”, I actually went to a website that generates random numbers.
But, I was excited by the creative challenge this contest presents, so I picked two winners!

 
Number 16 (Staci)


 
Number 2 (Emily)


 
Now all I need is your mailing addresses and I’ll get to work!
Thanks to everyone that commented! I’ll post pictures of the finished products.

I’ve been sick. Also, I’ve been alone because KD was at a photog convention in Vegas.
So, needless to say, I’ve also been feeling sorry for myself.
But you know what’s really bad?
I just had an entire post written about how I’ve been wanting to have The Little Guy sleep in my bed because he’s so squishy and funny and presh. And how, if it were legal, I’d eat him alive. (maybe with jam.)
There were a few jokes. There were a few observations. A question, even…for you, the reader.
And then as I went to my hard drive to find a pretty picture of him to go with the post, I clicked away from my blogging headquarters (without saving first)
and poof!
It’s gone.
And I’m too annoyed/sick/pitiful to try and pen the whole thing again.

When I asked for some help with a topic to post about, this is what Shannon said:
How about something you are thankful for today tnat in years before you never would have been grateful for. sounds confusing but smarty that you are I bet you could figure it out.
I have thought about this a lot because I think it’s a great idea. I tried to come up with something profound and inspiring, but this one thing keeps creeping into my thoughts and I decided not to ignore it anymore.

 
Sometimes I describe myself as shy. This isn’t totally accurate, really. I am not afraid to talk to other people, but what I am very afraid of is talking to groups of people. I know, I know. Many, many people hate public speaking. Lots of us are intimidated about being in front of a group, but for the record, I think it’s maybe just a tiny bit more severe in my case.
It’s actually kept me from doing many things in life, and while I get mad at myself for being such a wimp, still….there it is.

 
Sometime this past summer I said out loud a thought that I have had for some time. I said, “I want to be a really good public speaker. I want to be interesting, engaging, funny and informative.”
And that was it. I forgot about it and went about my business.

 
Well, as it turns out someone was listening. Maybe you are thinking that it’s The Secret You know what that is right? The law of attraction.
Don’t you watch Oprah? Sheesh.
Anyway.

 
Little did I know, that as soon as those words left my mouth they flew away like little messenger pigeons. Since that casual utterance I have had opportunity after opportunity to stand in front of groups of people, both large and small, to speak.
And each time, my face gets red, my heart races, I get sweaty pits and feel like I’m going to vomit.
But the thing is that after the first 5 minutes or so, it’s actually kind of fun! And the more I do it, the easier it gets.
I am FAR from interesting, engaging, funny and informative, but I am grateful for these opportunities. I never would have thought I would say that, but there’s the answer to your question, Shannon.
I am thankful for opportunities in life to stretch myself and make weak things strong.

Do you miss me when I don’t post? I miss you. It’s true, I do.
But, I have been doing so many things lately that are taking up both my time and my mental energy.
I’ve got nothing for you. (or me, for that matter)
I have sat down in front of my computer every night for the past couple of days, clicked on ‘write post’ and then I just sit.
And stare.
And sit some more.
Then I say (out loud) I got nothin’.
So I close my laptop screen and do laundry instead.
Or start to do laundry, but instead I get wrapped up in an episode of Top Chef and sit on my bed amidst a huge pile of unfolded laundry, holding underwear that I just can’t seem to tear my eyes away from the TV long enough to fold. (It’s the whites! I hate the whites! The whites take so much longer to fold than the colors!)

 
So, kindly help me out.
Remember when I did that “ask me a question” post a while ago? (fun!)
Well, let’s do this…
If you give me a topic, I will expound on it to the best of my ability.
Any topic you like. If it’s too personal, I will make something up and call it fiction.
Ready, set, go!