Embarking on Winter Giveaway!

So, I did promise to post this yesterday afternoon or this morning, but I was prepping for my weekend company.  Eeeeks.  My sincere apologies...

'Kay, so here is the Embarking on Winter Giveaway.  It's still early days yet, but if you're anything like me, the beginning of gray, windy, drizzly, cold as shit short days are already wearing my energy.  Blech. 

So, here are the details...

A necklace designed and made by me...

The charcoal chunky beads and the red pendant are made of plastic, but created with a wood-grain finish.

Bone-coloured seed beads, black seed beads and red wooden beads make up the rest of this piece.

The bead above the red pendant is a handmade glass bead created by Rebekah Morris.

A hammered clasp completes the look.

The necklace is 16.5 inches long.  If you win this sucker and prefer it longer, please let me know!

Please comment on this post to enter the draw. 

You have until Tuesday, November 24th, 2009, 2:00pm EST to get your name in.

I will randomly draw the name and post Tuesday night.

Good luck and have a fabulous weekend!

a

Bloggin' Love...

I am at a loss of words lately.  My friends/family reading this will ultimately be surprised because I am a chatterbox in the truest form.  I figured since today was a gray, blah day and I am feeling a little "ugh", I would pick up the spirits a little by speading some blog love and my thoughts on blogging.  Awwww....

How true is this?  (See above)

Anyways, I am just in awe of the blogs & posts out there.  For someone to write thoughts/feelings/opinions and toss it out there on the 'Net is pretty bold.  And very cathartic.  Blogging has, for me, stepped up my voice and has given me even more confidence.  I would even say that it keeps the mind sharp. 

Most importantly, it has inspired, made me belly laugh (always good for the soul, I think) and has allowed me to think outside the box.  I can see the big picture.

There are some blogs I have stumbled on that I don't like and that's the way life rolls.  But these are few and I could shout them all out in this post, but I frankly don't have the time.  I want to give kudos to those who make me think, smile and wanna go out and create or learn more...

• Leya of Curious Bird ~ One of the reasons I began to blog.  I stumbled across this world of creativity and beautiful photos by sheer luck.  With a thanks to Google (I believe I searched for handmade art) I was inspired to give blogging a try and allow people into my whacky (if sometimes boring) little world.  Leya, your amazing posts continue to rock!

• Sherri of The Claw ~ A fine chick that has put me face to face with rad music and a taste of motherhood/life which I have yet to experience.  What is not to dig?  Sherri's flat-out honesty, hilarity  and not candy-coating life gets a big high five from me. 

(P.S. To those who put the veil on life for their blog's sake, get real.)

• Raina of If The Lamp Shade Fits ~ Without Raina, I could have been steered in the wrong direction and bought a shitload of Orla Kiely.  I am kidding because I have the wits to know that crap was fugly, but Raina has opened my mind to many decorating possibilities.  Like this, this and this.  And like, Sherri...no BS.  Love it.

• Mayra of Life is Bananas ~  When Mayra wears Louboutins, so do I.  When Mayra runs a 100 mile marathon, so do I.  Mayra's life is bananas and I am thrilled to be along for the ride. 

• Shona of LALA dex press ~ The girl does it all...amazing print work, the biggest Springsteen fan I know, will take on projects full-on and sees them through, all while working (and not at the easiest job in the world, either).  Shona is my go-to for film reviews and a good ol' e-mail pep talk.  Which reminds me...we have not chatted in a while.

• Lenorenevermore ~ I love a good mystery and although I get snapshots of Lenore's life daily I wanna know...who is this girl?  I do know that she is quite the world traveller, a woman of style and class with a huge helping of funny!

• drollgirl ~ Where you find the photos for your posts, I have no idea, but keep them comin'!  I will need a stake in Depends soon.

• Cristin of Tiptoeing Through The Tulips ~ 'Kay, I am new reader.  I was hooked.  Instantly.

The list really goes on and I wish I could write to my heart's content, but I need to eat, sleep...that kinda thing.  Oh, and I need to stop 'cause I am going to do a giveaway.  That's right.  It's getting cold and shitty out there and someone needs a pick-me-up package.  I will post later today or early tomorrow and I will show you the goods.  Actually, the good.  It will be one necklace created by moi.  Details coming up...

And thanks for sticking by me, those that follow.  I sure appreciate all of the comments and verbal offerings.  You have really no idea...

Ciao!

a

Warmth

My fuzzy girl, Molly (aka Mo, MoFo, Momo...) is loving the full force of radiator warmth. 

I have to say that I am too.   

Last year, we had a tech in to check out the boiler system and all was a go, but the rads never got really hot, which I found disappointing. After some tweaking, hubby got them going this fall. It seems this house has a few tricks up her sleeve that we have yet to discover.  We still can't quite figure out why the lamp post at the end of the drive does not have an accessible on/off switch.  It's turned on by going into the basement?!?  Wha?

Anyhoo, last night I got crafty.

I love this chunky goodness and I think I will keep it for myself.  99% of the time, I give my creations away.

However, I am thinking of Etsy and a few craft shows next year, especially since I am getting my artsy mojo back into full swing.  Perhaps this winter will bring a good inventory.

Happy Tuesday, my lovely peeps.  Especially to Raina.  Tuesday's gotta be good for you, I just know it!

Cheers!

a

Weekend Observations

How was your weekend?

Mine conjured up some observations that I thought I'd pop on here to share with the blogosphere.

'Kay, so, I acknowledge that if you don't have a receipt for something you want to bring from the US to the Great White North, you can really piss off (and get pissed off by) not one...

...not two...

...but three Canadian border patrol agents.

I also acknowledge that "it's simply common sense" that I would not try such things. 

However, I am a big believer in trying almost anything once.

I also observed that the movie Bride Wars was not even remotely the fun, mindless film that I expected it to be.  I could not be convinced that Hathaway & Hudson were best friends in this flick.  Bad.  Stinky.  Rotten.

I watched Notting Hill a few times before.  I thought it was an oldie/goodie chick flick.

Amazing how years gone by will change your perspective...

I also noticed that Taylor Momsen from Gossip Girl consistently wears too much eye make-up.  No?

Thankfully, Lisa and Paulo are making the 3 hour tour down here for a visit this coming weekend!  Yeehaw!

What do you have planned or do you still have a case of the Mondays?...

File This Under...

...Kill Me Now!

Princess Retardo really grates on my last nerve.  Today's news?  Kendra owns a Snuggie.

Really?

Happy Monday!

Lovin' It...

Just a few things buzzing around my brain these days...

1.  Lace-up Hunter wellies...

2.  Ponoko...you have to see it to believe it. 

Solar candelabra found here.

3.  The discovery of Pixie Market...

Deadly Ponies Zipper Clutch found here.

4.  The HBC Canadian Olympic Lambswool Sweater

5.  The smell of apples & cinnamon...mmmm...

6.  Comfort food...mac & cheese...stew...chili...

Happy Sunday...

a

Quotable Sunday...

- Good Charlotte

Sick?

I am a sick-o.  A mad woman!

I have decorated for Christmas long before December 1st.  And you know what?  I don't regret it one bit!

2 trees this year!

Found these minis at Chapters the other day...hilarious! 

Especially diggin' the Office Space buttons...I'll show more later...

I gotta case of the Fridays!  Yay!

I have met many of these...

Cheers!

a

Fugly Finds

On a recent retail therapy excursion in the good ol' U.S. of A, I found two especially fugly finds that I thought I may just throw out there in the blogosphere. 

These Joe Boxer pyjama bottoms (I think?!) were hot, hot, hot!

(I have 'em pulled over my pants!)

That'd be red & white gingham with a waistband and cuffs of black & multi-coloured neon. 

Yummy!!! 

I am sorry if you own these and I am sure they're super comfy and all...but...MY GAWD!

Dr. Scholl's clogs a la Croc spongy rubber crap with gold hardware.  Looks like a footwear designer may have lost their job?  No?

Cheers!

a

I'm a Big Girl Now!

I am a wanna-be high heel wear-er.  Does this make sense?

I wanna rock stilettos...be able to run through the NYC streets a la Carrie Bradshaw in Manolos.

But alas, I am a flats girl.  Maybe I'll don a pair of wedges, but only ever so slightly.

Until now.

These Guess babies are remarkably comfortable.  And I was remarkably comfortable with the price tag: $20.

Sheesh.

It's Monday and all is well around the switz~art fort.  Looking forward to seeing the Radio City Rockettes with my in-laws tomorrow night, as they are in Hamilton for the upcoming holidays.

Speaking of holidays...can you believe they're almost here?  I will admit that decorating has been on the mind, but I will not give in quite just yet.  I will, however, consume many Peppermint White Chocolate Lattes from Hundredbucks (a.k.a. Starbucks) without abandon.

Happy Monday, y'all...

a

A Regular Martha

Well, I am creating.  Slowly, but surely.

I want to thank everyone who made awesome comments on my last piece.  You rock! 

Today's accomplishments include this number made from citrine, shell & metal...

In honour of Remembrance Day next Wednesday, I made these larger felt poppies (complete with button centre).  They are sure to stay on compared to the ones sold by The Royal Canadian Legion, but I will still be sure to donate to the Poppy Fund, as I do every year. 

I created one for the Nana and one for myself...

Happy Thursday!

a

It's Been Awhile, Mojo...

Could it be back?  My creativity?  I sure as heck hope so.  Made this little sucker tonight.  My mind drifts to statement pieces...large pendants and these bib necklaces that look super fine with a plain ol' t-shirt. 

Let's see what follows this...

Happy Hump Evening...

a

Time Flies...

I cannot believe that Lisa & Paulo's wedding came and went...it's almost been a month.  To stir up some more excitement from that perfect day...the pro photos are in!  For a slideshow created by the photographer, Naomi Claire, please be sure to visit here. 

Some photos of that fine, fine day...

Beeeeeeautiful girly!

Lis & her dad, Papa Joe.

Helpin' out my main peep!

BFF's

Da girls.

Paul and his super awesome (and hilarious!) parents.

Da boyz.

I love a good black & white!

Cheers!

a

Hallowe'en Weekend

Next year, we need to throw a Hallowe'en party, because nothing happened. 

No kids at the door. 

Nada.  Zero. 

I began watching the 3rd season of Gilmore Girls with this fuzzy thang...

and this one...

I am hopelessly addicted.  I love the dynamic and all the pop culture references.  My next purchase?  Weeds.  That show puts my husband and I in stitches.

We prepped the house for winter today.  Oh my.  Still more to do, but the bulk of it is done.  The patio furniture is stored away, the mambo pile of leaves raked on our front lawn is gone and all of the garden knick-knacks have been pulled out.  I only have the back garden to tend to.  That should add another 4 bags to this pile:

Mr. Organics man is not gonna be pleased on Wednesday morning.

Oh!   If you're a keen gardener like yours truly, please remember to go ape shit on your pumpkins (read: smash 'em!) and put them in your garden.  So very good for it! 

Happy November...

a

Quotable Sunday

Perhaps not a quote, but two words that sum up not only the month of November, but all year long...

I know that I will never forget...

For more Quotable Sunday lovelies, please drop by to see Kyrie...

Happy Sunday,

a