tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67549097814134619522024-03-05T07:38:02.747-05:00Fine WiningBecause wine can make any situation better...Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-47581799707312503232011-11-06T21:20:00.000-05:002011-11-06T21:20:39.224-05:00First Watch - Restaurant ReviewThis week I was invited to check out a restaurant here in Jacksonville. First Watch opened up their doors and menu for me and other social media types to eat, talk, & blog. Breakfast for dinner? Free pancakes? Heck yeah! So I grabbed my friend Jessica and joined others for a first look at First Watch.<br />
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First Watch is a chain of breakfast & lunch only restaurants that started in Bradenton, FL and have opened 92 restaurants now, including two in Jacksonville. The one I went to for the dinner was over on San Jose, but *spoiler* it was so good that James and I went for brunch this morning.<br />
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We were welcomed with iced green tea (slightly sweetened, but not too sweet) and apps of Floridian French Toast and tiny Beefeaters.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Floridian French Toast: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;">Sourdough French toast, with wheat germ and powdered cinnamon sugar, covered with fresh bananas, kiwi and berries</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Beefeater: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;">Roast beef, tomatoes, Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses on grilled Parmesan-crusted sourdough bread. Horseradish sauce on the side</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I loved the Floridian French Toast and went back for more, but didn't try the Beefeater because I'm not a huge fan of roast beef.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the table, we were able to order anything off the menu, but we all decided to go with breakfast.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I literally couldn't make up my mind, the menu made everything sound so good. Every time I made my decision and announced to the table, I quickly followed it by "Just kidding, I'm getting X instead."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Food</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I finally settled on blueberry pancakes with a side of eggs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2a9ynH6ToKj69ggTHUBaYsl3x96fO_xiVEqOGZiCpisKERJrApXcvv9fq5mMzzNtNM5WQjFf5zXdq0Q7PnzvqFzsa6vHdZVKvSH1d3jzF_wjbPm8HoyAPQI6x2TcXELqF1TWW-_UAOb_/s1600/IMG_1310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2a9ynH6ToKj69ggTHUBaYsl3x96fO_xiVEqOGZiCpisKERJrApXcvv9fq5mMzzNtNM5WQjFf5zXdq0Q7PnzvqFzsa6vHdZVKvSH1d3jzF_wjbPm8HoyAPQI6x2TcXELqF1TWW-_UAOb_/s320/IMG_1310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;">I got three huge pancakes that were fluffy, light, and the blueberries were huge and ripe.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7QuM7qSany3i_QIkmKw2xDlzqX8rp1Cdmq9MZgOpFYIcocZqN7cQE2ylM5f_7ZwvzCtw9Sv_T0CmBFkpJP70KbZoBz4a5htWV3Rb0DqCLwxQ6vYavTB_fjcjwdxTxDQGdGHVUdSeVYdm/s1600/IMG_1311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX7QuM7qSany3i_QIkmKw2xDlzqX8rp1Cdmq9MZgOpFYIcocZqN7cQE2ylM5f_7ZwvzCtw9Sv_T0CmBFkpJP70KbZoBz4a5htWV3Rb0DqCLwxQ6vYavTB_fjcjwdxTxDQGdGHVUdSeVYdm/s320/IMG_1311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;">The eggs were good... tough to screw up eggs.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yLkj4EP7xmSQB_uFJjRfpsnwF3vZAMSQBk-RIEw-kHcrbD_LMI9JXPTsKd8-jU6FcJT1hyphenhyphenDhbbvht6NjluvI0iZCklwJ4f11ozBHLZ1lIVnKNvh6TkOoOYWL6So-qz-fXrvIH0wh6_Zc/s1600/IMG_1312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yLkj4EP7xmSQB_uFJjRfpsnwF3vZAMSQBk-RIEw-kHcrbD_LMI9JXPTsKd8-jU6FcJT1hyphenhyphenDhbbvht6NjluvI0iZCklwJ4f11ozBHLZ1lIVnKNvh6TkOoOYWL6So-qz-fXrvIH0wh6_Zc/s320/IMG_1312.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;">The Tri-Athlete Omelette</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz-4zawpMGF_R9vXDIWU3uGX5HXoKf3mOSNiPLOSsCijQrtRhNFsfVfWJpqBgviVN9GO7mFj3u-h7mwtEQDliCv_XtfprGhG_T2tgxAYu3ZQupN5B2cPuYHzZFEN1EqsUHM8ZZ2xAwNZd/s1600/IMG_1307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz-4zawpMGF_R9vXDIWU3uGX5HXoKf3mOSNiPLOSsCijQrtRhNFsfVfWJpqBgviVN9GO7mFj3u-h7mwtEQDliCv_XtfprGhG_T2tgxAYu3ZQupN5B2cPuYHzZFEN1EqsUHM8ZZ2xAwNZd/s320/IMG_1307.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Tri-Athlete Omelette: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;">Egg white omelette with sliced mushrooms, onions, tomato and green chilies. Served with salsa, a dry English muffin and fresh fruit</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Joaquin Yahoo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6tsid-aLbGnXdAqOSthNEH1qtMiYxCf3jf2ZpeIsViLIE9rSZrYjdzO8JhBz1D-D2z1BrzxQaFlk0wl_I5Tu7Wd3Ca_W6s8Vrth6r1cgwwsncGknpVQ93BMx930cwFsWZ3BuFPRp0CfO/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs6tsid-aLbGnXdAqOSthNEH1qtMiYxCf3jf2ZpeIsViLIE9rSZrYjdzO8JhBz1D-D2z1BrzxQaFlk0wl_I5Tu7Wd3Ca_W6s8Vrth6r1cgwwsncGknpVQ93BMx930cwFsWZ3BuFPRp0CfO/s320/IMG_1308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">The Joaquin Yahoo: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;">An open-faced Mexican-style frittata made with eggs, mushrooms, broccoli, celery, zucchini and onions. Topped with salsa, melted cheeses and sour cream. Served with an English muffin.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;"><i style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;"><i style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; font: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">More pancakes! Carrot Cake. Very sweet, but tasted just like carrot cake.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73iSm91dF9Jqtw6P5o97_qpBJzJ44EACdprgEjKTYNcSA-2slNJpNxBN7UevJIkYzxKLY_KF2hhxZWDDHDecH2xj-bmY72kv0H8WLdp-aKG-uMB3Dux6P7XF1L2H-up-EUkVvA13voiVp/s1600/IMG_1309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh73iSm91dF9Jqtw6P5o97_qpBJzJ44EACdprgEjKTYNcSA-2slNJpNxBN7UevJIkYzxKLY_KF2hhxZWDDHDecH2xj-bmY72kv0H8WLdp-aKG-uMB3Dux6P7XF1L2H-up-EUkVvA13voiVp/s320/IMG_1309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And for dessert:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fresh Fruit Crepes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFZoZIIYSt08KwGmQF0IYc0rDWMhadx6h_63lnuSeHegNG_eESBK2svDWSxYPCTR9OdSSv6SBESFCgCbZciDYZSgtpG7s4haD8TZDQGga9rYrb8gql8Dj_H-ipXhYwb9igl7e5jsgpJrI/s1600/IMG_1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFZoZIIYSt08KwGmQF0IYc0rDWMhadx6h_63lnuSeHegNG_eESBK2svDWSxYPCTR9OdSSv6SBESFCgCbZciDYZSgtpG7s4haD8TZDQGga9rYrb8gql8Dj_H-ipXhYwb9igl7e5jsgpJrI/s320/IMG_1313.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">Fresh Fruit Crepes: Thin, sweet crepes wrapped around fresh fruit, topped with low-fat organic strawberry yogurt, cinnamon and sugar. Served with a baked Muffin of the Day and granola</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Every thing was delicious, hot and quickly prepared. The service was friendly and helpful. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b>The Decor</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">The decor was clean, uncrowded, and modern. It was cozy enough to settle in for awhile and I loved that even with the restaurant filled, the noise was kept to a minimum so you could hear everyone clearly at your table without raising your voice.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmGKDJCWqG1UMTqzZr9tsKt9xf7mKocJitrsS5Ga1eZOLtQ078lkdWdIzTw3x6TTyGCOWaZAjSmhTp9KGgC6zvyoTu7nwBvaaL58J4hFN70htrfQJsiiSELeouPOV2OATQaCcJVhoebNk/s1600/IMG_1316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmGKDJCWqG1UMTqzZr9tsKt9xf7mKocJitrsS5Ga1eZOLtQ078lkdWdIzTw3x6TTyGCOWaZAjSmhTp9KGgC6zvyoTu7nwBvaaL58J4hFN70htrfQJsiiSELeouPOV2OATQaCcJVhoebNk/s320/IMG_1316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33BrYd5dY2A3J0f8O3bxRqDfNJNOW14wLT-Ahvvmqm4cIQrB-ErM72Q4zcZ1Ljsm5iT40OTZNYGFwPUn33zq9aKZDeAn3X2i_FnRyvQnHR9FSSd_qZZMOdy_jXcx7TBzGhZmqKmjUSf7q/s1600/IMG_1315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33BrYd5dY2A3J0f8O3bxRqDfNJNOW14wLT-Ahvvmqm4cIQrB-ErM72Q4zcZ1Ljsm5iT40OTZNYGFwPUn33zq9aKZDeAn3X2i_FnRyvQnHR9FSSd_qZZMOdy_jXcx7TBzGhZmqKmjUSf7q/s320/IMG_1315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><b>Downside</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">While 99% of everything was delightful, I have two things that I would change to make everything perfect.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Fake maple syrup is provided at no cost. For real maple syrup, it was $1.29 extra. Most of the breakfasts were already in the $6.50-$8.00 range and for that price for basic breakfast items, I would expect real maple syrup. Even cutting portion size slightly to cover the cost of the syrup would have been fine.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">The second item is that the wireless is very difficult to get on from a wireless phone. If the login screen were made more mobile friendly and required fewer steps, it would make a greater first impression.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Updates</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span">I told James about how nice my dinner was earlier this week and left a menu on the counter. Today, James asked if I wanted to try the First Watch at the beach for brunch. I jumped at the chance to go again and see how the experience would stack up against a real world meal.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">The place was packed at 1 PM, but it only took 15 minutes to get a table. I even commented to James that they turn over tables quickly after a guest leaves and the tables are really cleaned, rather than just bused.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">Our meals, Belgian waffles for me and turkey burger for James, came out quickly and tasted fantastic.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">I also noticed that the open kitchen design was utilized again and that it still looked as clean and inviting as the Mandarin location.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">On a funny note, a friend mentioned how nice the flatware was during or special look at the restaurant. Today James mentioned the same thing. I love it was the small things that matter and are noticed.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Tahoma;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">In summary, we both enjoyed our meals and we will both be returning.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-61869698814149147292011-10-30T15:08:00.000-04:002011-10-30T15:08:29.034-04:00Spray Paint Glitter?? My Two Craft Loves in OneI found this post on a blog and I took two things away from it.<br />
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1. How freaking cute are these?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/haunted-birdhouse-glitter-427x599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/haunted-birdhouse-glitter-427x599.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2011/09/make-a-haunted-birdhouse/">via</a></div><br />
and<br />
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2. Holy Freaking Moly! SPRAY PAINT GLITTER. MUST HAVE. NOW. IN EVERY COLOR.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/krylon-glitter-blast-birdhouse-580x488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/krylon-glitter-blast-birdhouse-580x488.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Warning. My house might go up in flames from the amount of glittered items I will now have. That is all.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Craft is at <a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2011/09/make-a-haunted-birdhouse/">Dollar Store Crafts</a></div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-86149383590846765782011-10-30T15:01:00.000-04:002011-10-30T15:01:13.215-04:00FrustrationsI'm going through a serious period of frustration. I know it will pass and that things are happening for the right reasons, but I'm stuck.<br />
<br />
I went through a time similar to this when I was in Indianapolis. James and I were engaged already, I hated my boss (literally I still have nightmares about how horrible he was), and was just waiting for my 3 year mark at my company so I would be completely vested in my 401k. At that point I could move down to Jax to be with James, set a wedding date, start a new career, and just be with the man I loved rather than see him once or twice a month. I filled my days with work, searching for a new job, and just dealing with what I had been dealt at this moment in time.<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">I started wishing my life away. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">If I could just blink my eyes and it would be fall, I would be happy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I knew I shouldn't feel that way, but I felt stuck. Waiting for my real life to begin.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But I would have missed so many wonderful things if life had really jumped. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I would have missed learning that my favorite thing in the world is a Friday night spent sitting on my couch alone, in a clean apartment with 30 million candles lit, drinking wine while watching truly terrible DVR'd shows.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I would have missed on my friendship with Carol who I only got to know through bonding over a shared bad work experience.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I would have missed out on learning who I am as an adult, managing my own money and living alone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I would have missed out on learning a city and discovering my love of crafts and thrift stores.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now I'm back in the place of wanting the next year to fly by. To a time when I won't have to work 11+ hr days because my sales business will be built. To when I will be out of this horrible, old, small apartment with not enough storage. To when James and I can actually go on a honeymoon. To when our money situation won't be as tight saving for a wedding AND a house.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But what will I miss if I could jump ahead?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My first year of married life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Developing the friendships of people I've just met.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Helping grow a young professional group from scratch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My first time on an exec board of an organization.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A time before my responsibilities include lawn maintenance and home repair.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>And many things that I don't know about that are in store for me.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So I'm going to keep on going and trying to enjoy life as it happens and remember that I'll look back on this time as special.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">But that doesn't always mean I won't sometimes dream of just being in my own house with time to craft and cook.</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-9540406566602788322011-10-27T20:39:00.000-04:002011-10-27T20:39:39.257-04:00ChangeThis is a confession: I'm not perfect.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Shocking, right?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But, I'm not. And in this case I'm referring to my blogging. My original goal was to slowly turn this into a craft blog full of beautifully done crafts that everyone would ooh and aah over. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">But I ran into a few hiccups.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">Crafting is really laborious. You have the time it takes to think up the craft, shop for supplies, the hours it takes to do the craft, photograph it, edit the photos, and then blog about it. I'm tired just thinking about it.</li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">I'm foremost a career oriented person. At this moment in my career, my job is really demanding on my time. It isn't unusual for me to stay in the office till 7 or 8 pm a few nights a week. Add to that my charity work and networking groups and I may be home one night a week. I love what I'm doing with my life, but it leaves no time for much of anything else.</li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;">My wedding is 44 days away. Queue panic. See above about time.</li>
</ul><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Even with all that, I know I could still find time if I wanted. But I wasn't enjoying it. I was trying too hard to make my blog fit what I thought a craft blog should be. But it wasn't me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I'm making a change. Instead of writing about what I thought would make a successful blog, I'm writing about what I want to write about.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you'll stick with me as things change and feel free to tell me what you think.</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-83188126207070677882011-08-31T17:33:00.000-04:002011-08-31T17:33:00.349-04:00Haunted House CraftI'm not the only one who started thinking about Halloween early...<br />
<br />
I love Cathy Holden's Haunted House luminaries. I haven't decided how I want to display them after I make them, but I'm excited to try different things!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://justsomethingimade.com/wp-content/uploads/JSIMHauntieHouseX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://justsomethingimade.com/wp-content/uploads/JSIMHauntieHouseX.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">So visit her page at <a href="http://justsomethingimade.com/2011/08/haunted-house-luminary-party-treat-box-templates/">Just Something I Made</a> for directions and template.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://justsomethingimade.com/wp-content/uploads/JSIMwordluminaries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="61" src="http://justsomethingimade.com/wp-content/uploads/JSIMwordluminaries.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-56009736949767382702011-08-28T14:49:00.001-04:002011-08-28T14:50:20.541-04:00Catch Up<div style="text-align: center;">One thing I've learned about myself in the last year is that crafting while working full time and planning a wedding is hard. I'll begin a project for a major holiday, get busy, and then finish (or almost finish) the project after the holiday is gone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then it seems pointless to post the project and I feel defeated. Feeling defeated is not good for starting another project.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My other problem is that even when I finish a project, like my canvas art project for my office, I don't want to spend another hour, staying till 8 PM in my office hanging everything. (The canvases have been sitting in my office for over TWO WEEKS!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So what is a girl to do?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Glad you asked.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm going to start crafting for holidays MONTHS in advance. Crazy you say? How can you can start Halloween decorations before Labor Day? How can you start Christmas decorations when you haven't even begun decorating for Halloween?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Easy. I'm just going to do it. And then I'm going to put it up on here and you'll just have to deal with it. Hopefully it will inspire others to make my craft their own and still have time to do it before the holiday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So that's the game plan.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's see if I can do this.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And James, please remember:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdk-Jh27VNShtfjbOq9GrQnW4BdyhPahHLYz-NdpGNcjUFtIr2LPQOF0Z3pK3G_DK6RTHg0bl9_f_xbpQi9uFaOdldkWtm9rcG94K5LHLUz8RSFqEGVCdU8SUARd6zIcglB2xy6WmEY7D/s1600/Creativity+is+Messy+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdk-Jh27VNShtfjbOq9GrQnW4BdyhPahHLYz-NdpGNcjUFtIr2LPQOF0Z3pK3G_DK6RTHg0bl9_f_xbpQi9uFaOdldkWtm9rcG94K5LHLUz8RSFqEGVCdU8SUARd6zIcglB2xy6WmEY7D/s640/Creativity+is+Messy+photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-31497771329531422322011-07-10T20:25:00.000-04:002011-07-10T20:25:53.334-04:00Patting Myself on the Back & Summer Printables<div style="text-align: center;">I'm really, really, really proud of myself right now.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Like, wanting to run up to random people on the street and say "Look! Look what I can do!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Because I pulled off something I didn't think I would ever do really well. I made my first really good looking printables. I used Photoshop for the first time in 6 years. 6 years. Let's put that in perspective. The last time I used photoshop, I could have birth and sent my kid off to kindergarten. Crazy right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But still... I'm really excited with the outcome.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So even if you aren't impressed... pretend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And with out further ado:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiE19tnIBAiJ4ji-ZTqIMaqNef1fnKJzYfcgIWiKVg1tf9NyE8ZpCykKjMLXrbmUmPb4RISMenKhnwTYp74XCt_7jUYnSxM_SE_s_JgyVptKQKwYGtdrFUm7G-SkqwKdxl8yxJjybKmet/s1600/Flipper+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWiE19tnIBAiJ4ji-ZTqIMaqNef1fnKJzYfcgIWiKVg1tf9NyE8ZpCykKjMLXrbmUmPb4RISMenKhnwTYp74XCt_7jUYnSxM_SE_s_JgyVptKQKwYGtdrFUm7G-SkqwKdxl8yxJjybKmet/s320/Flipper+small.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4A84Y520YlQyvfse5zwTPRDdcIRXxB9uUCwleTW-n-ph9qGp4BuQ1835n4ffNbZx6_5ZtD4o2NLaEQI2IJp9eov_hqqgl4wVleTFI5aB0VlBd6bZaB2z11Wk6dBeauoChkQMQ-SzTj1G/s1600/Dont+be+crabby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4A84Y520YlQyvfse5zwTPRDdcIRXxB9uUCwleTW-n-ph9qGp4BuQ1835n4ffNbZx6_5ZtD4o2NLaEQI2IJp9eov_hqqgl4wVleTFI5aB0VlBd6bZaB2z11Wk6dBeauoChkQMQ-SzTj1G/s320/Dont+be+crabby.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7QgY3VdU_IiAgbXjDiLrdtR-VCIW001HMy4bnSsgwEIFW9kMFFEEeDbV2YFnFAZeNnFakTY2_Y7Na0lzUxzB8FwJhHeOcL3-EJCv5kUOvoyM0_k-lcsuf3SWsRMrK3yDNF8TESfUr5_y/s1600/Bigger+Boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7QgY3VdU_IiAgbXjDiLrdtR-VCIW001HMy4bnSsgwEIFW9kMFFEEeDbV2YFnFAZeNnFakTY2_Y7Na0lzUxzB8FwJhHeOcL3-EJCv5kUOvoyM0_k-lcsuf3SWsRMrK3yDNF8TESfUr5_y/s320/Bigger+Boat.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If I didn't have a juvenile cottonmouth trying to kill me outside my door my prints would be picked up from Walmart, in frames, and on my wall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Feel free to shower me in praise.</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-91754913905769930002011-07-06T22:31:00.000-04:002011-07-06T22:31:56.854-04:00Tease of Upcoming Post<div style="text-align: justify;">I hope everyone had a great holiday. I have been very MIA with wedding planning, work, and friends but hoping to get back to posting more often again soon.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So until I can get to a full post this weekend, here is a tease of what I have been working on for my office.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbD0Xk9rJZM/ThUaORyNZuI/AAAAAAAAAPI/khyRXG3JYp8/s1600/Blue+wall+art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sbD0Xk9rJZM/ThUaORyNZuI/AAAAAAAAAPI/khyRXG3JYp8/s320/Blue+wall+art.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l2ze8fWrZiI/ThUaQi3csLI/AAAAAAAAAPM/RejYfQ6y5MA/s1600/Green+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l2ze8fWrZiI/ThUaQi3csLI/AAAAAAAAAPM/RejYfQ6y5MA/s320/Green+wall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Sorry the picture quality is so terrible, it was a quick camera phone pic. I figured this was better than nothing.</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-8180852126742394172011-06-19T22:08:00.000-04:002011-06-19T22:08:15.392-04:00Infinite PossibiltiesOne of the perks of my job is that I get to play with really nice paper. Like... really nice paper. Very expensive paper. The type that only gets used for special occasions like weddings or annual reports when you want people to ignore that your company is losing money.<br />
<br />
See, paper companies want printers to upsell projects by pushing better paper. They do this by giving us "swatch books".<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYz9RSq1OZni2AGQ4ixz6Alif-jxvWKTC4rta8jm3Hh-KfN4KIAD3r0sPkPjDG29SPyu_sc7nvvY-EI6hGR9qYElypoX8ZEOFedLhbZ0o4VrVYIPB-r-z8nhxZNoMZYer2uEnL1qHSgg/s1600/2930003874_b7ac0e8e2c_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdYz9RSq1OZni2AGQ4ixz6Alif-jxvWKTC4rta8jm3Hh-KfN4KIAD3r0sPkPjDG29SPyu_sc7nvvY-EI6hGR9qYElypoX8ZEOFedLhbZ0o4VrVYIPB-r-z8nhxZNoMZYer2uEnL1qHSgg/s320/2930003874_b7ac0e8e2c_z.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Each book contains a line of paper. For example, Neenah Classic Linen (green book) as shown above. In the book you will find samples of all the Classic Linen colors and what paper weights you can buy each color in. Each brand has many lines and each line has many colors. This means lots of swatch books with lots of paper. These swatch books are updated frequently to reflect changes to the lines and paper salesmen pop into the different printer offices and replace the books.<br />
<br />
So why did I just bore you with this information? Well I do have a point. My very awesome paper salesman, Bob Cain of Mac Paper, has been saving me old swatch books. I now have two big boxes of old swatch books to craft with.<br />
<br />
So what am I going to do with these small pieces of paper? I'm thinking paper flower bouquets to start.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_08381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/IMG_08381.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/flowers/rolled-paper-flowers-tutorial/">Jones Design Company</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I mean how cute are these flowers?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So now with infinite possibilities of projects to start, I'm enjoying the brain storming before actually starting. We'll see what I eventually settle on and if I actually finish... but at the very least, I have the nicest scrap paper on the planet.</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-52533407957952299132011-06-05T17:48:00.000-04:002011-06-05T17:48:09.299-04:00Wedding CompetitionSomething you don't realize until you are engaged is that the majority of fellow soon-to-be brides want to make <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>everything</i></span> a competition.<br />
<br />
Oh, you are making your own wedding decorations? My wedding decorations are made from a secret Peruvian handcraft that I learned from an 84 year old man while I volunteered in the Peace Corp. But I'm sure your Dollar Tree crafts will be pretty.<br />
<br />
Oh, you are having your cake made at Publix? My cake is being made by a blind, mute genius who only makes one cake a year and my cake will be the last cake he ever makes. But I'm sure your grocery store cake will be nice too.<br />
<br />
Oh, you got your dress at a sample sale? My dress is being made by magical mice and birds that appear when I sing. But I'm sure your dress that other people have tried will clean up well too.<br />
<br />
Yes, I am exaggerating a bit, but still... it happens.<br />
<br />
But last weekend, I had the <i><u>bitchiest</u></i>, competitive comment I have ever heard. I didn't even have a reply.<br />
<br />
At a friend's wedding, James and I were sitting at a table with fellow Miami grads. We were seated next to a guy I knew and his fiancee that I had just met that day. She and I were discussing the difference between shopping for a wedding dress and shopping for bridesmaid dresses. Long story short, I mentioned that I brought two bridesmaids shopping because all my bridesmaids have very different coloring and builds.<br />
<br />
And her reply:<br />
<br />
"Oh, I only took my maid of honor because all my bridesmaids are thin and hot. Aren't all my bridesmaids hot, Baby?"<br />
<br />
She literally told me that dresses weren't a problem, because her bridesmaids were all hot.<br />
<br />
Subtext for those of you who haven't watched Mean Girls in awhile:<br />
1. Your friends are ugly.<br />
2. Your friends are all fat.<br />
3. I'm superior.<br />
4. I also just made a friend of yours agree my friends are hotter.<br />
<br />
And I stopped talking to her for the night.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Because how stupid is she?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aESiUz9IfvM/Tev1F_X554I/AAAAAAAAAO8/D9ulrQtDDcQ/s1600/christina-hendricks-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aESiUz9IfvM/Tev1F_X554I/AAAAAAAAAO8/D9ulrQtDDcQ/s640/christina-hendricks-.jpg" width="339" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Christina Hendricks is hot. She is 5'7" ish.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QoBsA4AaY7c/Tev2D25ydTI/AAAAAAAAAPA/sGxO7SA4kQA/s1600/Olivia-Wilde--number-13-505356_815_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QoBsA4AaY7c/Tev2D25ydTI/AAAAAAAAAPA/sGxO7SA4kQA/s400/Olivia-Wilde--number-13-505356_815_1000.jpg" width="325" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Olivia Wilde is hot. She is 5'7" ish.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E_29l0poqFs/Tev3kRVG7SI/AAAAAAAAAPE/6Tc4cNj0PdM/s1600/kristen-bell-bad-fashion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E_29l0poqFs/Tev3kRVG7SI/AAAAAAAAAPE/6Tc4cNj0PdM/s320/kristen-bell-bad-fashion.jpg" width="308" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kristen Bell is hot. She is 5'1".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">All three women are conventionally beautiful, hollywood women. But all three women have different coloring and body shapes (even though they are all thin).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Unless you are Hugh Hefner, the women around you will look different.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So stop putting other women down to make yourself feel better and get some self confidence.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">/rant</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-56127594616152721252011-05-23T19:26:00.000-04:002011-05-23T19:26:20.646-04:00When Crafts Go Wrong (An Office Dry Erase Board Tutorial)Even though I have been terrible about posting, some crafting has been occurring. You would think that with the longer day light and not as many weekends traveling that I would be a crafting fiend. But sadly I have been neglecting crafting instead pouring my energy into my work life. Even my crafting has revolved around my work life, which nicely segue ways into today's craft.<br />
<br />
My office is a noisy place with lots of voices and constant phone calls. I am an extremely lucky lady who has an office door, but I usually feel extremely rude shutting my door. I also needed a way to let project managers know whether or not it was okay to disturb me. So it started with me taping ugly paper signs on my door.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And then the crafting light went off in my head.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Ah ha! I will make a pretty dry erase board for my office!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And it was a brilliant plan.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But then the project started, it sucked, and then I salvaged it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mostly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So learn from my mistakes and follow along of you would like.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please Knock: An Office Dry Erase Board Tutorial</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0n3cgvnEwI/TdrpoKmKURI/AAAAAAAAAOg/8BGNgrzBNqY/s1600/IMG_0921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0n3cgvnEwI/TdrpoKmKURI/AAAAAAAAAOg/8BGNgrzBNqY/s320/IMG_0921.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Begin with ugly frame from Dollar Tree. This one is 8x10. Remove glass and backing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_lEq1E6psNU/TdrqE6SeQ4I/AAAAAAAAAOk/6pYk4ftSvQ0/s1600/IMG_0924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_lEq1E6psNU/TdrqE6SeQ4I/AAAAAAAAAOk/6pYk4ftSvQ0/s320/IMG_0924.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Spray paint awesome Ocean Blue color. Ignore fact that craft was done in February and therefore photos are once again taken in dark apartment late at night.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TrQWUFBv4v8/TdrqX-YyAPI/AAAAAAAAAOo/ROc83kAJmRs/s1600/IMG_0925-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TrQWUFBv4v8/TdrqX-YyAPI/AAAAAAAAAOo/ROc83kAJmRs/s320/IMG_0925-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ignore fact that bugs kept landing in spray painted areas and leave marks after you dig out bug bodies.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ue24yUihUMk/Tdrqp05qjgI/AAAAAAAAAOs/sqwOkj-Harc/s1600/IMG_0926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ue24yUihUMk/Tdrqp05qjgI/AAAAAAAAAOs/sqwOkj-Harc/s320/IMG_0926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Decide frame looks boring. Decide that trendy craft blog idea of modpodging glitter to frame will be awesome. Use German Glass Glitter instead of tiny glitter.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Panic as you realize how cruddy frame looks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gRFE8H0EwM/TdrrF0Z0QHI/AAAAAAAAAOw/-BILytfXeTA/s1600/IMG_0928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2gRFE8H0EwM/TdrrF0Z0QHI/AAAAAAAAAOw/-BILytfXeTA/s320/IMG_0928.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Panic more. Then realize that majority of glitter can be scraped off if you rub really hard with paper towels. (See right side of frame versus left)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AqtTVfqhmMg/TdrrdhzEDQI/AAAAAAAAAO0/dv2Oou4J7OA/s1600/IMG_0930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AqtTVfqhmMg/TdrrdhzEDQI/AAAAAAAAAO0/dv2Oou4J7OA/s320/IMG_0930.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Insert left over scrapbook paper behind glass. Put back on frame backing. Hate project a little less than you did an hour ago.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UcCGBWQomCg/TdrryW-YycI/AAAAAAAAAO4/QYw0BwtHJ8w/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UcCGBWQomCg/TdrryW-YycI/AAAAAAAAAO4/QYw0BwtHJ8w/s320/IMG_0932.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"Decide" glitter gives depth and say screw it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hang on office door with Command brand hook.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Write Please Knock or Do Not Disturb as needed in awesome purple dry erase marker.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Wait while office mates wonder why you put so much effort into project and instead bring "Do Not Disturb" door hanger from hotel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Beat head on desk.</div><div style="text-align: center;">j/k</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fin.</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-76016170301354045222011-05-11T18:03:00.000-04:002011-05-13T16:32:43.488-04:00A Fun, Tropical Summer Wreath<div style="text-align: left;">I love wreaths. I think they are fun and I love the creativity in creating new wreaths. There are some really amazing creations out in the blog world.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>But I live in an apartment complex with people I don't trust very much. Some neighbors really go far to dress up their entrance, but I'm scared I'll put effort into it and someone will steal my creations. Which will really p*ss me off.<br />
<br />
But I saw this wreath and realized that even if it gets stolen, it was only $4! How amazing is that? Plan this weekend is a trip to the Dollar Tree now.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae292/madiganmadeblog/hawaiian-lei-and-ball-pit-wreath-summer2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i981.photobucket.com/albums/ae292/madiganmadeblog/hawaiian-lei-and-ball-pit-wreath-summer2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Make sure you head over to <a href="http://madiganmade.blogspot.com/2011/05/wreath-from-flower-leis-and-ball-pit.html">Madiganmade </a>for directions on how to make this.</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-63365376454989893182011-05-08T19:05:00.000-04:002011-05-08T19:05:00.720-04:00Better Than the OriginalSometimes out in the craft universe, you see a knock off and wonder why anyone would spend the time, money, and effort to recreate the original. The knock off looks tacky and you'd rather spend $20 more for the original.<br />
<br />
But then sometimes a knock off turns out even better than the original. That is what happened at my favorite necklace knock off queen blog <a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/2011/04/boden-boulevard-necklace-knockoff/">Flamingo Toes</a>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Hers</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/P1011987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.flamingotoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/P1011987.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Original</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flamingotoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/BodenBoulevardNecklace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.flamingotoes.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/BodenBoulevardNecklace.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The only thing I would change from her directions is making the bead strands/ metal part longer like the original. But obviously simple change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I just need to have the time to go the store for supplies. But that will definitely not be happening for the next week as I will be working my behind off volunteering at TPC this week. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anyone want to go shopping for me?</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-63796955951951887282011-05-08T18:21:00.000-04:002011-05-08T18:21:26.102-04:00Get Ready for Summer - Silverware TutorialWhen James and I moved in together, we had a lot of decisions to make about whose stuff would be used daily and whose stuff would go to the garage for storage. Basically the decision was James's stuff would be in the garage because he had eclectic hand me down items and mine was nice sets.<br />
<br />
But I love the idea of this post. If we had a house with a patio, I would be all about this for summer silverware. How awesome would this be, especially with serving utensils, in <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;">orange</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: lime;">lime</span>?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Love.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88ZCS67Z5WtMurA13Y-pEVuyVH60dnwPRyX5egB-D6GqA9kDUwTO01BbW1RTe0K-pAqZHEcmgM7vy9h4LeVBXBxE1XiIh62KNTNQPngdb07fbc9ao3AT7dTSDPwLU7DitQTdjMNY9qug/s1600/spoon+3+color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88ZCS67Z5WtMurA13Y-pEVuyVH60dnwPRyX5egB-D6GqA9kDUwTO01BbW1RTe0K-pAqZHEcmgM7vy9h4LeVBXBxE1XiIh62KNTNQPngdb07fbc9ao3AT7dTSDPwLU7DitQTdjMNY9qug/s320/spoon+3+color.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So until we have a house, I will just start collecting mismatched sets. Because everyone knows my love of crafts that use spray paint.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Craft and photo via </span><a href="http://creativelychristy.blogspot.com/2010/11/colored-spoons-tutorial.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Creatively Christy</span></a></div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-27285945354048108512011-04-18T17:55:00.000-04:002011-04-18T17:55:59.708-04:00I Wish I Had Two Houses- Made it on Monday PB Gate Knock OffBesides the fact I would love even one house, I sometimes wish I had two places to decorate. This is because I have such widely different taste pending on the day. Usually my taste runs Crate and Barrel, modern simple... but then I just walk into Anthropologie and just die.<div><br />
</div><div>My friend Sarah's apartment in Chicago is amazing. She basically has slowly grown her apartment into the perfect feminine vintage place ever. All I ever want to do in her apartment is curl up, drink tea, and read.... which is what I normally do when I'm there.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Anyways I sometimes come across crafts that I adore, but don't fit my decorating style. So from now on I'll just link and hope one of my friends makes it so I can oooooh and awwwww over it.</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pottery Barn Blue Gate Knock Off</span></b></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_o2md_v3UO7M/TavQrHT5e6I/AAAAAAAADSs/2G_7-576Pa0/img72m_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_o2md_v3UO7M/TavQrHT5e6I/AAAAAAAADSs/2G_7-576Pa0/img72m_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Original by Pottery Barn</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_o2md_v3UO7M/TavQrpN3BlI/AAAAAAAADSw/53xmgmOwiUU/s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_o2md_v3UO7M/TavQrpN3BlI/AAAAAAAADSw/53xmgmOwiUU/s1600" width="242" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://madeitonmonday.blogspot.com/2011/04/tutorial-pottery-barn-blue-gate-knock.html">Made it on Monday's Knock Off</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Visit <a href="http://madeitonmonday.blogspot.com/2011/04/tutorial-pottery-barn-blue-gate-knock.html">her site</a> for the tutorial and let me know if you make it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-92098172515508214632011-04-04T23:38:00.000-04:002011-04-04T23:38:17.707-04:00April's Goal<div style="text-align: center;">Also I have realized my suckitude at posting lately. Because a public goal is harder to ignore, I am putting out there that I will post at least 10 entries this month.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Will they be good? I hope so... but not promising anything.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Only 8 more to go!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And a super big congrats to Andy and Melinda this weekend for tying the knot!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnKYPunELzY/TZqOSe4cCxI/AAAAAAAAAN8/LldYxYG7pEI/s1600/img0103gf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnKYPunELzY/TZqOSe4cCxI/AAAAAAAAAN8/LldYxYG7pEI/s640/img0103gf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How freaking hot does James look in a tux?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-49205939906704349252011-04-04T23:32:00.000-04:002011-04-04T23:32:29.578-04:00Airspace- A New Rule<div style="text-align: center;">Everyone knows space on a plane or any form of public transportation is limited. This is not a new concept.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And usually the unspoken rule on a plane is that the middle seat gets the arm rests.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But apparently I missed the memo that women were exempt from that rule.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/436545886_8021f22309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/436545886_8021f22309.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/436545886_8021f22309.jpg">via </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dudes, I get it. You think your "package" is just soooooooooooooooooo big that you think you need to spread your legs apart as far as possible in order to not smoosh the crown jewels.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You think that is fine because women are taught to take up as little space as possible.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.lemondrop.co.uk/media/2010/10/legscrossedgetty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.lemondrop.co.uk/media/2010/10/legscrossedgetty.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.lemondrop.co.uk/media/2010/10/legscrossedgetty.jpg">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm a 5'10" woman. I also need room for my knees and if you are going to spread your legs to the point that your leg touches mine the WHOLE 3 HR FLIGHT... you best give me the arm rests.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The "gentleman" next to me this weekend decided I didn't deserve the whole armrest (he gave me half). And by gave, I mean I elbowed his arm out of the way until I could take at least half. And at that point, I stopped pushing because my entire right side of my body was touching his.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ew.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So new rule.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> If your package is "too big" to confine your legs to your seat area, my boobs (which take up more sq in than your crotch) demand my arms and elbows take over the entire upper seated area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is only fair.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Non compliance will result in me explaining (in length) any relationship issues, frenemy stories, or knitting patterns that I so choose. Further non compliance will result in graphic detail of any womanly issue I feel like discussing (e.g. periods, UTIs, birth, etc) until you are the appropriate distance away from me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just try me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, and have a nice flight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-24809198989019880182011-03-21T23:32:00.000-04:002011-03-21T23:32:27.775-04:00Things I Could Be Doing Right NowI'm tired, but I can't fall asleep. I was being all super productive working on a piece of art for the house/office (not sure where yet) and James walks out of the bedroom. Now first of all, James is that guy who literally puts his head on the pillow and is fast asleep. Pisses. me. off. But for whatever reason, James couldn't sleep so he asks me to come to bed. This was 9:30 so I figured, sure why not try to go to bed?<br />
<br />
<br />
Only I can't fall asleep.<br />
<br />
<br />
Three episodes of Arrested Development later and I realize "I've made a huge mistake" or really I'm just not tired enough to fall asleep. So I get up and head to the living room to wait until I'm tired like all the books say. But now I'm tired enough to do nothing productive, but not tired enough to go to sleep.<br />
<br />
<br />
So I decided to torture myself with what I COULD be doing instead of updating my blog.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">1. Finishing my wall art.</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Vacuum the living room.</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Go grocery shopping at the 24 hr Walmart.</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Painting my toe nails.</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Laundry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Pricing quotes for work.</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Updating my resume, writing the essay, and finishing the paper work for ImpactJax mentor program (resume is for the program.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">8. Reading literary classics</div><div style="text-align: center;">9. Reading a crappy chick lit book</div><div style="text-align: center;">10. Reading a magazine.</div><div style="text-align: center;">11. Organizing my computer bookmarks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">12. Uploading photos from my camera to write a craft post.</div><div style="text-align: center;">13. Writing a craft post and saving it until I have the photos ready.</div><div style="text-align: center;">14. Writing my family.</div><div style="text-align: center;">15. Writing letters to Congress telling them to stop trying to take women's rights away.</div><div style="text-align: center;">16. Writing Congress telling them to stop writing stupid bills that won't pass just to appease their base and start instead get stuff done that is needed but doesn't make a good commercial/ news piece.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
And now I have tired myself out and hopefully can get some sleep.<br />
<br />
<br />
Also in general James and I have made some amazing progress in wedding planning. Just need a DJ and we can take a break from planning for about a month. YAY!!!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">And because posts are boring without photos...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cMZAujk6J2Q/TYgWkbFlIQI/AAAAAAAAANw/WuqH2LBsmgk/s1600/Street.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cMZAujk6J2Q/TYgWkbFlIQI/AAAAAAAAANw/WuqH2LBsmgk/s320/Street.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I took that five years ago (March 27, 2006) while in Antibes, France (South of France next to Cannes).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jOL6hCq5OgU/TYgXWP4Jg3I/AAAAAAAAAN0/IU2Nn_n-zlM/s1600/Village+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jOL6hCq5OgU/TYgXWP4Jg3I/AAAAAAAAAN0/IU2Nn_n-zlM/s320/Village+5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Eze Village, France same weekend</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vv-3p13AkNc/TYgX75dDJhI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Qsak3zVfzU4/s1600/Sea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vv-3p13AkNc/TYgX75dDJhI/AAAAAAAAAN4/Qsak3zVfzU4/s320/Sea.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">World Famous rocky beach in Nice, France</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I seriously have the travel bug again.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-17061009855311181922011-03-15T23:34:00.000-04:002011-03-15T23:34:40.200-04:00Progression of My Work Attire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">First Real Internship Interview</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://l.yimg.com/jn/util/anysize/283*391l-86400,http://a323.yahoofs.com/phugc/CkWRMIbxqmw_/photos/1da0ae00279f16d701a4865846b68e5a/ori_cdd7cb8ed3ecd7.jpg%3fug_____DB4conDIs" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://l.yimg.com/jn/util/anysize/283*391l-86400,http://a323.yahoofs.com/phugc/CkWRMIbxqmw_/photos/1da0ae00279f16d701a4865846b68e5a/ori_cdd7cb8ed3ecd7.jpg%3fug_____DB4conDIs" width="231" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://l.yimg.com/jn/util/anysize/283*391l-86400,http%3A%2F%2Fa323.yahoofs.com%2Fphugc%2FCkWRMIbxqmw_%2Fphotos%2F1da0ae00279f16d701a4865846b68e5a%2Fori_cdd7cb8ed3ecd7.jpg%3Fug_____DB4conDIs">via </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Please hire me. I am energetic, own the same black suit from Express every other Junior owns, and wear my hair up so you'll take me seriously."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First Few Weeks at Internship</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.best-job-interview.com/images/womeninblackbelt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.best-job-interview.com/images/womeninblackbelt.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.best-job-interview.com/images/womeninblackbelt.jpg">via </a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"I'm still dress blandly enough that my clothes and hair won't make a statement, but my accessories show I take pride in what I wear."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After I Realized I Did Nothing But Drive Really Long Distances to Take Photos of Gas Stations</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IXICeNzJRZQ/TYAlAJX12WI/AAAAAAAAANo/67kM6HVwx1w/s1600/IMG_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-IXICeNzJRZQ/TYAlAJX12WI/AAAAAAAAANo/67kM6HVwx1w/s320/IMG_0086.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Basketball shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops rule. My boss won't see this because Facebook is not yet popular enough that adults actually have accounts."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First Real Job (same company)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EDy6sLmoyL0/TYAmJ_vJzRI/AAAAAAAAANs/mMXmgoD0wXQ/s1600/IMG_0482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EDy6sLmoyL0/TYAmJ_vJzRI/AAAAAAAAANs/mMXmgoD0wXQ/s320/IMG_0482.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"If I just buy lots of button down shirts and neutral pants, I can always get dressed based on what is actually clean and not worry if it matches."</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After I Realize My Customers Wear Carhartts and Jeans</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.washburnlaw.edu/washburnlawpdo/files/2010/09/Business-Casual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://blogs.washburnlaw.edu/washburnlawpdo/files/2010/09/Business-Casual.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.washburnlaw.edu/washburnlawpdo/files/2010/09/Business-Casual.jpg">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><div style="text-align: center;">"Polo shirts don't need ironed. Also doing my hair is overrated."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After I Realize I Work From Home</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/48026BE9-D469-423D-B980-589BFF8C21A5/42-17511223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/48026BE9-D469-423D-B980-589BFF8C21A5/42-17511223.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/48026BE9-D469-423D-B980-589BFF8C21A5/42-17511223.jpg">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">"I woke up at 6 am to start answering emails from my psycho boss and since it is now 6 pm, why bother changing now?"</div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">First Two Months in New Sales Job (Current Company)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bananarepublic.gap.com/Asset_Archive/BRWeb/Assets/Product/673/673810/main/br673810-00p01v01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://bananarepublic.gap.com/Asset_Archive/BRWeb/Assets/Product/673/673810/main/br673810-00p01v01.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bananarepublic.gap.com/Asset_Archive/BRWeb/Assets/Product/673/673810/main/br673810-00p01v01.jpg">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"You should take me seriously because my shoes, awesome suit dress, and kick ass jewelry mean business."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After I Realize I Can Wear Jeans to the Office on Days Other Than Friday</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx-edLf2_ITGsQTeeN4eW6T1BkmeIT43fuRZ7itNFO5HJp50RRZgCV3ayqvt3fjlHItVk6lFGzwdpqICV84q0wO5uKZdNDkQqkaUNJuXd2aDiIpmv3Qu7OgW50JKee-Yn1a_Hwnn0lsuo/s400/Summer+coral+for+work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx-edLf2_ITGsQTeeN4eW6T1BkmeIT43fuRZ7itNFO5HJp50RRZgCV3ayqvt3fjlHItVk6lFGzwdpqICV84q0wO5uKZdNDkQqkaUNJuXd2aDiIpmv3Qu7OgW50JKee-Yn1a_Hwnn0lsuo/s320/Summer+coral+for+work.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivx-edLf2_ITGsQTeeN4eW6T1BkmeIT43fuRZ7itNFO5HJp50RRZgCV3ayqvt3fjlHItVk6lFGzwdpqICV84q0wO5uKZdNDkQqkaUNJuXd2aDiIpmv3Qu7OgW50JKee-Yn1a_Hwnn0lsuo/s400/Summer+coral+for+work.jpg">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">"Maybe if I wear a bracelet and necklace you won't notice I haven't worn anything other than jeans and ballet flats for two months now."</div></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Now</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://c946.r46.cf1.rackcdn.com/shopbop-com-26-4351573_vince-double-layer-drape-sweater_orignal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://c946.r46.cf1.rackcdn.com/shopbop-com-26-4351573_vince-double-layer-drape-sweater_orignal.jpg" width="162" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://c946.r46.cf1.rackcdn.com/shopbop-com-26-4351573_vince-double-layer-drape-sweater_orignal.jpg">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: center;">"Try taking away my rotation of three draped sweaters, t-shirts, and jeans away from me and I will cut you. I am not kidding. Just try. Also doing your hair is for losers."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Once It Hits 95 Degrees Every Day</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I have no idea how I am going to cope.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Fin.</span></span></div></div></div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-1128896123696795072011-03-15T20:56:00.000-04:002011-03-15T20:56:49.922-04:00Still Alive and Kicking<div style="text-align: center;">Helloooooooo Blogland!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am still alive, not maimed, and not homeless. So I have that going for me... which is nice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">However I have been swamped with work, wedding planning, family stuff, and just life in general.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So please stay tuned and I will try to be a fabulous crafting, snarky, blogger again soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And because we all love him....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ICHxbYiacEY/TYAKuE5PtuI/AAAAAAAAANk/kzgiRL4Uv-Y/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ICHxbYiacEY/TYAKuE5PtuI/AAAAAAAAANk/kzgiRL4Uv-Y/s320/IMG_0553.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-68161461973163467542011-02-17T23:24:00.000-05:002011-02-17T23:24:51.059-05:00I Got Carried AwayI got so excited with my first printable, that I created another one. This one I copied the words from this...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bZ92XNpUqt8uTiGRcRSfcMjS-GE5mE_Nz5vHzlDNddDG1r_VvDObvKkWTqea8AhwvzUUwmwvVKApfGdUUSwwXws3TBb-dQHVy7qLIuK9z8I9ynmBJL_-NdMib0eoY-Y7ge8C1Yxmwmc/s1600/47531_52C98NQU_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bZ92XNpUqt8uTiGRcRSfcMjS-GE5mE_Nz5vHzlDNddDG1r_VvDObvKkWTqea8AhwvzUUwmwvVKApfGdUUSwwXws3TBb-dQHVy7qLIuK9z8I9ynmBJL_-NdMib0eoY-Y7ge8C1Yxmwmc/s200/47531_52C98NQU_c.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that I found <a href="http://kimboscrafts.blogspot.com/2011/02/guilty.html">here</a> that she found <a href="http://www.printclublondon.com/">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not a fan of the yellow and I wanted to draw attention more to the words brilliant and amazing. So I made this. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-goJpe3ehJkI/TV30CccjDVI/AAAAAAAAANY/8AbGgZy01tA/s1600/Blue+Brilliant+Amazing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-goJpe3ehJkI/TV30CccjDVI/AAAAAAAAANY/8AbGgZy01tA/s320/Blue+Brilliant+Amazing.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How can I not love the sentiment when trying to convince people they should meet with me so I can sell them things they already want? So this will definitely go in my office.</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-18634312793067214982011-02-17T23:06:00.000-05:002011-02-17T23:06:16.044-05:00I Did It! (My First Printable)<div style="text-align: justify;">I have always loved all the amazing printable subway art that people have created all over the internet. Throw in the "Keep Calm" trend and you will have free art for every holiday for every wall in your house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ah-mazing.</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Well I finally did it. I made my own subway art and it wasn't difficult. In fact I'm embarrassed I didn't try it earlier. Maybe embarrassed isn't the right word, but at least marginally disappointed with myself.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So the dealio (yep, that's right... I said dealio... well it's my blog and I can use embarrassing words if I want to) is that I have an office. Like a real office with a door that shuts. Jealous? Well you should be until you learn that it has no windows and is the size of a prison cell. Actually, it still is pretty cool. The cooler part though is that I can decorate it. Currently it has framed Monet prints that were there when I got there and they have gots-to-go. So what does a poor girl saving for a wedding and house do when she has an office to decorate? She gets crafty. My goal is to not spend more than $150 on turning my drab cell into a fabulous office that puts me in a great mood. Because when you are in sales, attitude is everything.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So long story short (too late)... I created my first subway art to be framed and put up on my wall. Since I'm in commercial printing, I decided to use print terms. Funny how 6 months ago I knew maybe two words that ended up on my art, but now I use them everyday. Since I'm sure that very few people actually would want a commercial print subway art printable, I'm not going to host the full printable. However, if you strangely do want one, leave me a comment with your email address and I'll send it to you. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZqgHv8yygg/TV3v6anOMBI/AAAAAAAAANU/lw6-QZXv1jI/s1600/Print+Subway+Art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZqgHv8yygg/TV3v6anOMBI/AAAAAAAAANU/lw6-QZXv1jI/s320/Print+Subway+Art.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-83806640299361203522011-02-14T22:39:00.000-05:002011-02-14T22:39:37.479-05:00UFO's Completed!<div style="text-align: center;">The unthinkable happened... I finished not one.. but two crafts tonight! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Excited to take photos tomorrow when it is light out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And why am I crafting on V-Day?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Because we already celebrated on Saturday and the future hubs goes to bed early.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So perfect Valentine's Day= cuddling on the couch + crafting afterwards</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/">Dollar Store Crafts</a> has rounded up many, many amazing printables out on the web. So if you need cheap decorations for next year, <a href="http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2011/02/free-valentine-printables-mega-roundup/">go here</a>.</div>Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-26369138147103372282011-02-06T19:18:00.000-05:002011-02-06T19:18:29.093-05:00Sew CoolOne of the skills that I wish I knew and is making a serious comeback is sewing. With my clothes budget severely slashed, I'm getting pretty sick of wearing the same clothes basically everyday. Which is why I'm seriously jealous of those who can sew. How amazing is it that someone can take a simple Target staple and make it unique? Or turn Goodwill finds into serious closet gold? Or be really crafty and make something from scratch like my amazing friend Christina.<br />
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A few weeks ago on our crafting day, Christina made an apron while I started 3 crafts and finished <u>none</u>. *Sigh* I need to seriously work on finishing <b>something</b>!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Anyways how freaking adorable is she and her apron?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_b_6fm2dslus/TU80rJO107I/AAAAAAAAANM/77fzEynoaok/s1600/IMG_0913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_b_6fm2dslus/TU80rJO107I/AAAAAAAAANM/77fzEynoaok/s400/IMG_0913.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The pleating around her pocket is my favorite.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_b_6fm2dslus/TU81C1OyLfI/AAAAAAAAANQ/SoQ9FUsepTk/s1600/IMG_0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_b_6fm2dslus/TU81C1OyLfI/AAAAAAAAANQ/SoQ9FUsepTk/s400/IMG_0914.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We then realized that we forgot a photo with her ribbon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So on my list of "wants" is a sewing machine and sewing lessons. Photography classes are still higher on the list (see awfulness of my photos above), but then definitely sewing.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Because I want one of these in every color ever: via <a href="http://sisters4saymoreismore.blogspot.com/2010/08/two-100-t-shirts-never-looked-so-good.html">The Sisters 4 Say</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWpk6X4C9v3wZYibnfTsHr18OL6q0HZJnfz7t_mQ7RFCcNaDGtc0vtK_nzaqSzTdmIc8y72F1kFxeRok8hYuDzjjeW5ozZMOmatHf_Ok2h9ea4-F6H2jVNQJeuoXMgJPkBbBRKQiQV-8/s400/CIMG4174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWpk6X4C9v3wZYibnfTsHr18OL6q0HZJnfz7t_mQ7RFCcNaDGtc0vtK_nzaqSzTdmIc8y72F1kFxeRok8hYuDzjjeW5ozZMOmatHf_Ok2h9ea4-F6H2jVNQJeuoXMgJPkBbBRKQiQV-8/s200/CIMG4174.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I would probably wear this with jeans every chance I had: via <a href="http://www.rufflesandstuff.com/2010/10/shes-lady-cardigan-tutorial.html">Disney at Ruffles and Stuff</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8oNgCcYrc7mzS-kc6N_rW8FCQ_MVaCYGFVBKG2aS3giphVEXF63M_Z1VyCDiAxtETHJGqASY_XoNwpuvv3f91JLxVTENjiyZpGq0wflJQ6TL5euC6ntuCm2U25qrUzP91zJ8TR4X1oA/s1600/_MG_0667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8oNgCcYrc7mzS-kc6N_rW8FCQ_MVaCYGFVBKG2aS3giphVEXF63M_Z1VyCDiAxtETHJGqASY_XoNwpuvv3f91JLxVTENjiyZpGq0wflJQ6TL5euC6ntuCm2U25qrUzP91zJ8TR4X1oA/s320/_MG_0667.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And my solution for surviving Florida summers... <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-circle-skirt.html">The Circle Skirt: via Made</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1eI7tS4s_Bg/TKLDD8t2sgI/AAAAAAAAfg4/b6fgBO3GQTs/s640/g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1eI7tS4s_Bg/TKLDD8t2sgI/AAAAAAAAfg4/b6fgBO3GQTs/s400/g.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I will make this in basically any fabric I find.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I have probably 40 more tutorials saved on my bookmark list on just clothes I don't have the skills yet to make, but maybe sewing will be my 2012 resolution. But in the meantime... Christina please help me with the circle skirt!Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6754909781413461952.post-77969247897598869362011-01-24T20:48:00.000-05:002011-01-24T20:48:40.732-05:00How is it Monday Already? And Why Do I Look Like I'm 50?<a href="http://ladyartlooks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/bobbi_20070515_fresh_102_350x263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://ladyartlooks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/bobbi_20070515_fresh_102_350x263.jpg" width="320" /></a>My life seems to be on warp speed lately. My days fly by without me getting half the work done I feel I need (this is a good thing... I think) and nights are filled with events and meetings. I'm exhausted... which is why I catch up on sleep on the weekend.<br />
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And all this means no blogging or crafting :( If this is your time waster at work, I apologize for leaving you hanging lately.<br />
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So with all that said, all this work is giving me the worst dark under eye circles and puffiness. I catch my reflection in the mirror and I look like I did in college after an all night-er booze fest. Or like I partied with Sarah and Becky in Chicago. Which is basically the same thing. Is it my fault that the Hangge Uppe is dark and you lose all track of time and suddenly it is 6 am?<br />
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So thankfully my handy list of blogs I follow has some advice:<br />
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Not sure how badly I want to try this, but "<a href="http://twelvecraftstillchristmas.blogspot.com/2011/01/pamper-your-eyes-tips-and-tutorial-for.html">Twelve Crafts till Christmas</a>" suggests grated potatoes and unsweetened applesauce.<br />
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Then <a href="http://classycosmetics.blogspot.com/2011/01/reader-request-dark-under-eye-circles.html">Classy Cosmetics</a> had a whole post on concealer for eye circles. Loving Benefit as much as I do, I think a stop off at Sephora is in my immediate future.<br />
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Hopefully this week I'll be able to take some me time and make some jewelry... if I have the energy.Liz4akerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01069320178230379927noreply@blogger.com0