My Blog

She's Sooo Good!

Tina Fey did it again. Absolutely hilarious!

Sorry McCain. Good try...but it just ain't working.

Because I Can't Stop....

 

"You see these Cocoas?!?!?"

 

EDITED: 

Thanks to another late night convo that I had with Ki (I'm convinced that we are delirious and the wildest then), I had been saying the above phrase ALL day--to the kids...at the store...to the people cutting me off while driving...and for no reason what so ever just because I find it so darn funny.

It's an old inside joke---circa 2005--that came from a comment "Princess" made on the Tommy Hilfiger reality show called "The Cut"---which she and I were glued to.  The show kind of sucked--mostly due to Tommy and his lack of acting skills and corny catchphrases.  But it did make for some entertaining telelvision--some designers I liked--Rob, Deanna and Chris....and few others who were way too confident for their own good--Tommy and Princess were just a MESS...each thinking they were the best thing since sliced bread. 

"You see these Cocoas?!?"  was her way of saying "do you not know who I am...you see these pretty brown eyes...I'm bangin!"  LOL 

Oh, how I wished I could find the clip to share.  All I could find were pictures:

"Princess"

Check out the others here.

The show was short-lived...and apparently so was her career (I couldn't find anything on her)...but I'm certain we will never let that phrase go.

Peace*Love*Life

Nina

Dare To Win

I finally sold something!

Two of the items that I sent off to D.C.--the "Beautiful Flower" tunic/mini dress and a "Woman's Worth" tee--were purchased last weekend.  

Here are pictures of what I ended up sending in the package:

 

 

 

..."It's a Wrap" skirt/dress...

 

..."Killing Them Softly" tube top...

 

 

..."Woman's Worth" t-shirt in Avocado...

   

 

...."Beautiful Flower" tunic/mini dress in red...

..."Hips Don't Lie" belt in African Wax-green...

 I got a lot of positive feedback. I was told that I..or my clothing was a hit...and that I need to make sizes for the thicker ladies--people loved the denim wrap skirt but some had a little too much junk in the trunk for it to fit comfortably.

So I spent last night re-drafting the skirt pattern--- while having fun chatting with Ki into the wee hours of the morning.  We are such nuts!  There was so much joke cracking and laughter.  I know we were getting on E 's (Ki's husband who was trying to sleep) nerves.

Be on the lookout for the wrap skirts.... t-shirts in new colors...new variations of the "Beautiful Flower" tunic...as well as some new designs for fall popping up.

slowly but surely...newness is on the way.

I heard this quote yesterday:

“To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. Not to dare is to lose oneself.”

        ~Soren Kierkegaard

It really struck a cord with me.  Initially I applied it to my clothing...talking risk...just doing whatever in the freaknik ( I don't cuss--I use that sometimes instead) I feel like...knowing that it may not be  a hit right off...but I''ll eventually get to where I need to be.  

Then I took it as sign that I was supposed to buy the LG Dare...

Yeah, so sad...I tend to think almost everything is some sort of sign. LOL  Everything DOES happen for a reason...

OK, I need to go start on my homework now.  I'd really prefer to sew though. 

"Work first... play later, Nina"  is what I'm telling myself. Easier said then done.

Peace*Love*Life

Nina

Long Day...Even Longer Week

What my table looks like right now...(notice all the Jade WAS HERE signs) just a small part of the reason I haven't been keeping up my end of the bargain on this here blog.

I've been:

• spending countless hours at the schoolhouse (I keep calling it that because I think it's hilarious) trying to get my school stuff straight
  
• working on a (small) fall collection
  
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  trying to keep Myles from hurting himself any worse (those little bow-legs move too fast for his little big headed body).  He's sporting a Batman shaped tattoo like scar across his forehead to prove it--see pic below

  
  
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  creating a new website/blog home

  
  
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  working on some beginning phonic lessons with Myles

  
  
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  binging on trail mix and granola bars

  
  
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  at the park with Myles every morning

  
  
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  reading countless geek/tech blogs/sites trying to decide if I want a Blackberry Curve or the LG Dare. Still haven't decided...anybody have either? anybody on Verizon? got any suggestions?

  
  
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  re-decorating the kids bedroom. Nothing too big. Making new curtains...pillow covers...putting up wall art

  
  
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  doing my best to keep up will all the sewing request Jade is throwing my way

  
  
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  transporting kids back and forth to school. I'm officially a carpool mom...just don't count on my trading the Accord in for a van anytime soon.  One extra kid is all I can handle right now.

  
  
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  Knifty Knitting while in the carpool line.  At the rate I'm going, I'll have my arm warmers finished by spring

  
  
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  wishing I could get rid of my car and get a bakfietsen...the biking scene in Portland is unreal!

  
  
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  trying to get my borderline OCD child to not obsess over things like perfectly matching up the velcro on her mary janes or the placement of her bun on her head

  
  
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  singing Eric Benet's "You're the Only One" all-day....everyday

  
  
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  enjoying the last little bit of warmth and sunshine. Street fairs...water sprinklers... long walks...

  
  
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  breaking up fights over EVERYTHING

  
  
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  sewing up lots of random stuff

  
  
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  looking for money in all the wrong places

  
  
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  getting pretty good with the clippers...Myles has a not so fresh cut

  
  
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  sleeping everywhere but in my bed

  
  
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  cooking more frequently than I had been (back to the Nina I know and love)

  
  
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  daydreaming about these shoes from Chie Mihari (these too..if only they were vegan friendly AND affordable--see more about her here)...a new serger...fabric and dye

  
  
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  putting everything down to cuddle with kids a lot more often

  
  
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  noticing that I'm a creature of habit...I took an extended break about the same time last year...interesting

And just in case you're like me and the words just aren't enough....I've got picture...

See:

 

 

 

 

Alberta street fair...kids enjoying Capoeira...the boy drumming the kids gave money to...fair attractions...interesting Obama, Ghandi and McCain t-shirts...

I can't seem to add any more pictures without this shutting down, so I will save the other pictures for the next post.

so happy my days with Typepad are numbered...this is really starting to bother me.

Be lovely.

Peace*Love*Life

Nina 

Since Typepad Keeps Stealing My Posts...

... I will post a video instead.

Today is just one of those days I guess. 

I spent the morning composing a long catch-up post...got all excited...and then went to add pictures and the computer froze.Luckily I saved it this time.

So I tried again....it disappeared again!

I decided to leave it alone and just go pick up my book for class...way out in Timbuktu.I thought I knew where I was going.

Ummm...NOPE! 

I went the wrong way (like 30 minutes out of the way) not one-- but two times...in totally different directions.

Hilarious!

You would think I know the area being I've  lived here most of my life.  But apparently not.  I also came to the realization that I am horrible with directions. I need to hurry up and get a new phone so that I can utilize GPS...it must have been made for people like me.

I get there... search for parking for about 15 minutes (you can only park with a permit--which I do not have)..find the book...and learn that the line to pay for it was all the way outside and stretched around the outside of the building!   I stood in the line for nearly an hour with Myles asleep on my shoulder before I made it to the checkout.

Four hours later I was back home...tried to post again...and no go...boo hoo.

I'm on my way to parent meeting now, so I'll have to problem solve about the post later.

 

For now I'm going to leave you with a video of us rollin'...in honor of all the time I spent in the car today. 

See ya soon.

Peace*Love*Life

Nina

Happy Peace Day!!!

Celebrate world peace...today and every day!

PEACE...LOVE...LIFE

 

 

Make This World A Better Place

I know...I know....

Sometimes  it seems like why bother. You are only one person...what difference will it make...I can't change things all on my own.

But I beg to differ. 

No, YOU alone... choosing to make changes in your life will not (on its own) solve all of the world's problems.  But your actions just may:

 influence someone else to make a change

 improve your mind, body or soul

save you time or money

reduce your waste or your impact on your environment

help bring people together

or even possibly save a life

I'm not here to preach...I still have aways to go myself.

But I have been making a conscious effort to try and do my part to make things better for both my family and all of the other people on this planet. 

Not sure where to begin?  You could start by:

 
...making sure that you are registered to vote...or like me...that your info is current. 

Every single vote is going to be important in this election.

 

  

 

...trying to eliminate or reduce the number of plastic or paper bags you use by carrying reusable shopping bags.

You can make your own  like I did... get some at your local grocery store... or buy some here...here... or here.  I'll have my own available for purchase next week in my etsy shop. 

  

...thinking about signing up to be a organ donor in event of your death.  This is something I wanted  to do well before I was even old enough to think about learning to drive (and yes, I have been practicing my signature just as long--I always knew I was gonna do big thangs and it would be worth something someday. Still working on that...)

I know some are very touch about this subject.  But it could mean life or death to someone that really needs them.  Besides, what good will they do you if you can no longer use them. Just like money...you can take them with you, but do you really need to???

 ....joining  the kids and I (along with millions of others) and observe the International Day of Peace tomorrow....Sunday, September 21st.

You can go here to find an event near you or you can just plan something on your own.  The kids and I are planning to go find some people to play a pick-up game of soccer.  We might even try to join up with a local chapter of Pinwheels for Peace.

None of that of interest to you??  How about one of these things:

-cut down on you use of paper towels... by either making reusable (washable) cloth napkins/towels or try these  biodegradable alternatives from SKOY

-donate to a cause...Give new or gently used shoes to Shoes4Souls (we have started collecting ours) or write a blog entry about the crisis Africa in support of Africare,  or host a party or trick-or-treat on behalf of UNICEF.

-pick up a few extra non-perishables the next time you are in the grocery store and drop them off at the nearest food bank

-replace bottled water with a sink mounted water filter or pitcher (with filter) and use a reusable water bottle like this  or this to carry water with you when you are out.

-recycle your glass jars and use them for various things around the house. Try them as candle holders, vases or to drink out of  them like my Paw Paw did (he also wore overalls EVERYDAY of his life-aside from the occasional wedding or funeral--but that's a whole nother post ).

These are just a few of the many ways--both big and small--that we can try to make a difference in or communities...environments...our world.

It only takes one person to start a movement. Be the change you want to see.

Something is better then nothing...

EVERY little bit counts.

Whatever you do...let it be in love and in peace...especially tomorrow.

Peace*Love*Life

Nina

2 Birthdays and a Funeral

Finally....

Showing My Face

 

Seems like forever....

I thought it was about time I show my face around here.

You know the drill...me...busy...tired...torn between washing the dishes, bathing the kids, getting Jade to and from school on time  OR  posting--hence no posting.

I have also been dodging the catch-up post.  I have gotten so behind because I try not to back blog. It's kinda of like writing checks out of sequence... I just doesn't feel right. 

So I'm going to get it together and get myself back in gear.  It's only going to get tougher once school (for me) starts and I get going on the shop like I plan to now that I can devote a little more time and energy towards it.

Guess I'm going to listen to Ki and just punk out....picture post!. 

For now I have to wake the kids up, get them dressed, fed and out the door....

Hopefully I will be back with another post before the day is through. Thanks  for all the birthday wishes and comments...I'm going to be sure to respond to my comments and emails soon as well.

See ya soon

Peace*Love*Life

Nina

P.S. If you were wondering about the scar on my forehead...I have had it since I was in the 2nd grade.  I was being babysat by a neighbor and her light fixture just so happened to fall from the ceiling as I was walking under it.   Stuff like that ONLY happens to ME.

Mama's Boy