Instant Motivation

I love this calendar and can't wait to make one for myself! Isn't it great?! It instantly motivates me to become more crafty.

Here a few great websites that I love right now.

http://jenduncan.typepad.com/

http://www.modabakeshop.com/

EARTHQUAKE!!!

I felt my first Earthquake today! Michael and I were watching some television when I felt like the futon was rocking and asked him if he was shaking his foot or rocking the bed and he very calmly replied, "no, that's an earthquake." To which I promptly freaked out! I've never felt an earthquake before and it was definitely a strange experience.

After noticing that the futon rocking I noticed that the vertical blinds were moving back and forth and I got the strange sensation that I was on a boat rocking back and forth. I've always heard that to those experiencing an earthquake it feels like it lasts for minutes when it is only a few seconds and it really did feel as though it was lasting quite some time, even though it was only about 20-30 seconds. Nonetheless, it was strange and left me a feeling a little disoriented and actually a little bit nauseated.

Apparently, it was caused by a 7.2 magnitude quake that hit Mexico some 200 miles away and we felt the rolling of the quake but not the jerky, shaking motions that others closer to the fault line felt. This definitely makes me want to go tomorrow and stock up on a few 72-hour kits for the future.

I'm in love with stop motion videos right now. Here are a couple of my favorites. I hope you enjoy!

Earth Hour 2010

The countdown is on for Earth Hour 2010. Please join me in the efforts of preserving our beautiful world by participating in this hour long event and making a statement by turning off your lights and other plugged -in electronics on Saturday, March 27 at 8:30 PM local time.

Visit the website for more information at MyEarthHour.org to learn all about the efforts being made to spread the word. This started out as a small hour long event in Sydney, Australia and has become something worldwide in only 3 short years and that is truly Amazing!

Last year consisted of me reading a book by candlelight (which was actually very nice) and I may have a repeat of that again this year... or maybe a candlelit dinner with the husband. :)

SAVE THE PEAK!

There's nothing I love more than classic americana. It makes me heartsick when I see a rusted and abandoned Drive-In movie screen or a 1950's gas station with boarded up windows

, so when I found out that the mountain peak next to the Hollywood sign is in danger of being developed into "prime real estate apartment complexes" it made me feel sick. If you are interested in learning about the SAVE THE PEAK FOUNDATION, than you need to read all about the efforts being taken to buy the peak and preserve a piece of classic americana from property owners in Chicago. Yes, Chicago! So, read all about the Foundation and donate if you can!

I love seeing the Hollywood sign every time I drive into Hollywood for work and would hate to see it spoiled by giant apartment buildings.

Ode to Design Sponge

I love the Design Sponge Online website and all that it has to offer. I can't get enough of the recipes, DIY projects and such. I have been so inspired! (I seriously could lose a few hours a day on there, and practically feel no remorse.)

I've started a new section of my blog to the right where I highlight a great craft found on the internet, many with tutorials, and I've decided to post those that I either am working on that week or just love and hope to work on the in future. This week I've posted the tutorial on a Hidden Jewelry Case.

I'm not sure when I am going to get to this next project but I hope to soon! I just wanted to share it will all of you because it is so creative and pretty, not to mention smart and in my case will clear the jewelry clutter and confine it to a nice place. I've also thought about mounting a small mirror to the back of the painting/picture as well.

Enjoy, and don't forget to take a look through the Design Sponge Online website. You won't regret it, I promise!!

The future of Pizza boxes -

I want to know why we haven't been using these before now. Not that I eat a whole lot of delivery pizza, but nonetheless...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQBjJjpkjl0&feature=fvst

Happy Anniversary!!

For the past 6 years I have been married to the most amazing man.

Here's to another 66 (at least)!

Happy Anniversary, Michael.

Valentine's, Birthdays and an Engagement, oh my!

First, I have to start off by giving a big "Happy Birthday" shout-out to such a great husband. Michael turned 29 yesterday on the 15th and we celebrated by having a very delicious dinner at our friend Eric's house in Santa Monica. And since Michael has a twin, I want to be sure to send a "Happy Birthday" gretting to the best sister-in-law in the world, Tish.

YEAH!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU GUYS!!!

As for Valentine's day, we simply went to church and took a nap and gave each other our presents, a rose and chocolates for me and some more chocolates for Michael. Also, my brother and his girlfriend (who happens to now be his fiance) came to LA to spend some time at Disneyland and stayed with us for a few days. Because she is a super-fanatic about Disneyland, he proposed to her during the fireworks on the 12th. Congratulations! And we can't wait to have you in the family Stacie!

Well, since we still don't have a way to upload pictures and now we have very limited internet access (our computer broke) I haven't been updating more than every few months. As soon as I'm able to I am going to do my top moments of the past few months. We've done a lot of great stuff, but I don't really care to post without pictures, and that's why you have not heard of any of it. So, look for my TOP MOMENTS LIST soon!

Would you like fries with that?

Granted, the weather in California is beautiful and I have loved living here in LA with it's abundance of sunshine, warm breezes and palm trees, but this week it has rained and rained and rained non-stop. I feel a little spoiled when I get annoyed by rain now, but I have to go off a little bit and vent my frustration over the fact that there are FOUR, count them, FOUR Chase Bank branches within a 2 mile radius of my house BUT not a single one has a drive-thru window! Yes, the weather is conducive to walking the 20 feet into the building of the local bank but lately it has not been, and as anyone who knows LA traffic and parking, you can never find a place to temporarily park your car so you can make the 5 minute errand into the bank. And no, I would not like to park my car valet to deposit my check. Any money I have I don't want to unnecessarily give it away before I even make it into the bank. With that said, I've loved wearing flip-flops in January, rolling down my windows the windows the week before Christmas and wearing a t-shirt when I go on walks. Okay. I'm done.

P.S. I'm waiting to get my camera back from my parents house (I left it there over X-MAS break) and I haven't wanted to post anything because I wanted to give visuals. Anyway, keep your eyes peeled for a top 10 list of things that have happened with the Smith family since, say about October.

Cards Galore...

So, in anticipation of Christmas in a little over a month I've keep myself pretty busy making Holiday cards and I thought I would share some of my creations with everyone. I've decided to sell a few of my Christmas cards in a box set of 9, that includes 3 each of the 3 following cards.

- 3 Christmas Snowman Cards -

- 3 Snowflake Cards - and

- 3 Christmas Truck Cards -, nine cards altogether for $1o.

I love creating cards using StampinUp! and these are high quality inks and stamps used here, and they are absolutely adorable.

Also, as an added bonus I'm going to do a little giveaway that will end in about a week, Monday the 30th of November. For each box set of cards purchased I am going to give away an additional 4 Birthday cards. So, all you have to do is buy a box set and you can possibly receive 4 free birthday cards with your order. ALSO, just for blogging about my cards on your blog I will do another random giveaway for two free Birthday cards (just be sure to leave me a comment in this post with a link to your blog so I can check it out.) So, buy a box set and you can possibly receive 4 free cards, and simply blog about my Cards and you can possibly receive 2 free cards. Wow!! That's a lot of cards!!

So, remember, the giveaway's end next Monday night, the 30th at midnight, but card purchases can be made right up until Christmas, and there is no limit to the amount of cards that you buy. I hope you enjoy!!

I can take payment through Paypal or you can simply email me about payment at jayna119@gmail.com. Thanks!

*Cards do not include envelopes. :)

Cupcake? What's that?

Okay, I am a little obsessed with cupcakes right now. I love the fact that they are adorable, yummy, little treats in a petite size. Today after work I celebrated the landing of another morning part-time job with a cupcake from Buttercake Bakery here in LA. Delicious! I had the sprinkled chocolate cupcake with buttercream frosting and of course I had to get a coconut cupcake for Michael to enjoy later. My favorite cupcakes are from Magnolia Bakery in New York City, but Buttercake is a very close second and only .4 miles away, not 3,000.

Assorted Cupcakes from Buttercake Bakery