JAPANESE CRAFT BOOK

One of my favorite craft inspiration books...it's cute and quirky.

ISBN4-8399-2137-7

70's INSPIRED

70's INSPIRED by jo_annie808 featuring platform sandals

SUPPORT JAPAN

RED CROSS + ADAPT TEES

SLOWLY COMING BACK...Where Is My Mind?

My mind has been everywhere else but on blogging.  It's been a whirlwind of a Holiday Season & New Year for us to say the least.  It started with my surprising and happy pregnancy in November.  Then kind of went on a downward trend with one of my cousins committing suicide just after Thanksgiving, my husband's Grandpa becoming ill, my miscarriage in January, my Grandma failing health, and my husband's grandpa's passing.

I finally feel like I'm getting bearings.  I've learned a lot about loss, and forgiveness in these past few months.

I found myself feeling so much anger toward my grandma and family for my childhood experiences.  I was verbally abused by my grandmother when she lived with us (when I was 5 until 17 years old). She would call me "fat, lazy, good for nothing" among other things...

I realize now that people do the best with what they know.  And my Grandmother herself has her own personal demons-- whatever they may be we will never know.

She will probably never have such a loving, and heartfelt funeral like my husband's grandfather.  She has never been that person to anyone.  But that's okay.

I can spend a lifetime feeling sorry for myself... but that will only bring me a life of sorrow.  Or I can realize that life is what I create it to be and open up a lifetime of open doors, and opportunities.

In light of the Japan Disaster with so much loss and devastation, I am instead recognizing how much I should cherish and appreciate all that I do have.

I love our home, family means everything... and Emily Jay is such a joy.  In January I passed the LCSW exam that I keep talking about, and I am working on becoming a better human being.

2011 will bring a new me. And hopefully new and fresh things to this blog.

I LOVE...

Dysfunctional families, that love each other in their own way... RAISING HOPE is such a great program!

San Francisco -- Did I tell you that we're going there again???  We are.  Marc and I wanted to do a family trip with just the three of us in January.  It was between San Diego, and San Francisco.  The cost of airfare, and our LOVE for San Francisco won out.  I truly do leave a part of my heart there every time.  And have very often entertained the thought of moving there.  Anyway, after booking the flight we realized that January is the worst time of year for the weather.  Anyone living in San Francisco that can make us feel better about this?  Is it really that bad?

My workplace.  Because I am continually inspired by the amazing work we do, and wonderfully compassionate team we have.  And after 6 and 1/2 years, with some bumpy patches along the way (like a few weeks ago)- I can honestly say that I am happy.  Happy that we provide quality care, and happy that our agency values our staff, is truly accountable for actions, and is loving and supporting.  This make providing the best possible care to our patients and families so easy. Go Team.

J Brand low-rise capris.  For a short person like me it's the perfect length--no hemming required!

Halloween!!  Here's Em Jay in her costume last year (photo taken by my friend Dari)...  and a picture of the costume I bought for her this year...

• Got a busy weekend ahead... Pumpkin picking tomorrow, along with an eye doctor appointment.  And bowling with friends on Sunday to celebrate a birthday.  My intent tonight was to study for my LCSW exam, but I fell asleep and woke up at 10:30p.  Now I'm blogging.  There's always tomorrow night.

ANIMAL

If I am wearing a t-shirt, it most likely has some sort of cat or wolf, or other animal on it.  Don't know what draws me to it, but here are some I've has my eye on...

(all above are from uo)

(from modcloth)

(from karmaloop)

(from karmaloop)

 (from nyillustration)

(fake won't kill tee from designer playground)

(this one I have and love from neon analog)

(little girl's jacket from gilt)

 (kids tee from san franpsycho)

FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS... FOR ADULTS

remember those friendship bracelets we used to make when we were kids? I'm loving them again... especially modern ones like these...

 from brooklyn thread

from thief and bandit

from erban fiber

from anaosgoodjewelry

from ayofemijewelry

from plume and bloom

from lucky brand (zappos)

from juicy couture (revolve)

here's one I made...I was inspired by the summer of love class by kara haupt--we used them as book bindings!

and here's a great website full of tutorials!   

p.s. going to announce the winner of my kind-hearted blogger giveaway tonight or tomorrow morning.  sorry for the delay, also still waiting for one of the prizes to arrive.  be back soon!

TWO GIVEAWAYS!!!!! : HAPPY 100 KIND BLOGGERS...

** I'll be keeping this at the top for awhile so scroll down for newer posts!

**I AM ALSO EXTENDING THE FIRST GIVEAWAY UNTIL THE 20th  BECAUSE IF THERE IS NO INTEREST IN THE SECOND ONE, THE FIRST WINNER WILL ALSO RECEIVE THAT PRIZE! YAY!  THANKS FOR WAITING...


101 to be exact!  I am so happy to announce that The Kind-Hearted Blogger Campaign has reached an astounding 101 pledges!!!!

To celebrate I am offering two giveaways...

Giveaway #1:

Is open to Kind-Hearted Bloggers only.  I will be drawing one blog name from the list of 101 bloggers.  The winner will be contacted by Monday September 13th for your mailing info.  One winner will receive:

A "spoil" reusable tote made by dear colleen.  100% of the sales from this tote goes to Oxfam American (Gulf Oil Spill Fund).

And a copy of the wonderful book Craft Hope by Jade Sims.  Even if you are not a crafter, this is a wonderfully inspiring book to read through.

Both of these were featured in one of my previous posts showcasing a few things created for charity.  I thought it would be nice to do a giveaway that would also "give back".

Giveaway # 2

This giveaway is open to anyone!  To be eligible participate in your very own card/note drop (here's are some examples from kind over matter) or even small gift drop (here's an example).  Randomly place a little note or small gift with a reminder of kindness in a public area for a stranger to find. it could even just be a little post it note with a kind quote.

Then comment on this post with a brief description of what you did/what you left or what you will do/leave.  Let's make someone smile this week.  You never know how much this can make a difference in someone's day! And that's it--easy!

One winner will be drawn at random on Monday September 20th (so you have a little over a week).  And will receive a set of unazukin keychains.  and a few other small surprises. (sorry for the bad photo):

THANK YOU TO ALL YOU KIND PEOPLE OUT THERE!!! AND HAVE FUN!!

And make sure to stay tuned for even more Kind Hearted Blogger activities!!!

SHOP LOCAL

I've been wanting to showcase  local designers from hawaii for awhile now.  But was finally inspired to after this past weekend's made in hawaii festival.

• I mentioned earlier that I bought two roberta oaks dresses for $60 (on the sale rack!!)... now I am addicted to her dresses-- they are sooo comfortable and cute.  the dresses I bought are similar to the 3rd photo--but in different prints/colors.

(photos above from robert oaks website)

• I've also been stalking the machine machine etsy shop lately.  her designs are made from repurposed vintage clothing... the cute hat is made from a vintage aloha shirt.

(photos above from machine machine etsy shop)

•  jersey knits from fighting eel...

 

 (photos above from fighting eel webshop)

• and kawaii girls dresses and bags from moopiland (she makes adult dresses too!)

(photos above from moopimart online shop)

• more local shopping... this thursday my friends jess, sheryl, and I are planning on attending this event:

can't wait, and hope to have some photos to share!!!