I loved the mall.... When I was a teenager. I even worked at our local (read incredibly small one) mall on the coast when I was in High School. When I was in college a great time could be had at both the Salem Center and Lancaster malls, spending money I did not earn (but am now paying back) as freely and I received it. Then I grew up.
When I say I grew up I mean that I started appreciating the smaller thing in life. I don't mean I stopped shopping, hell no! I began to support local businesses. I have not been inside a Wal-Mart in almost 10 years, I grocery shop at our neighborhood locally owned grocery store, Powell's Books and the library are the best places to get reading material. I live in an area of the city that is such a well defined community that I can go the whole weekend without driving and yet I can still watch a movie, go out to eat, take the cat to the vet and visit our local yarn shop. I really developed a social concsience, our local ecnomy is the key to our future. And then I went to work for a (fabulous) Corportation, I know it seems a little hypocritical. But when you have a diabetic husband health benefits become really important.
I started out working in community stores, I built some valuable relationships not only with the people I worked with but also the customers. I have always worked in customer service oriented jobs, the best part is getting customers that come to your store because you work there. I spent a little over a year in the community and then bad things happened with our economy. My business was not immune the financial crisis so our stores re-structured themselves.....and I got moved to the mall. A friend of mine (also in the biz) text messaged me the day we got the news and said good luck at world war III. I really hoped she would be wrong.....
Friday, April 17, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Cherry Blossoms
They are the first clue that spring is here in Portland. I went for a morning walk and became happier with every tree that I saw. The blossoms are fluffy and range in color from stark white to bright pink. Etsy has some amazing items from fabulous crafters that do a great job evoking spring in their cherry blossom work.
This is the creation of lulu Coco from her Etsy shop. It reminds me of my great-grandmothers 1920's house, complete with vintage charm. I think this ring would get a ton of recognition for whoever wears it. She has many more in her shop that range in shade and color and change the whole look.
Check out these amazing note cards.. These are all occasion and pretty enough to frame. Weddings, Birthdays, thinking of you's, would all work. I can't decide which color is my favorite. They are made by the Craft Pantry, there are many other items to choose from in her shop as well.
It is how the findings are oxidized sterling silver that make these earrings for me. Plus they are simple and stylish and would look great with work or play clothes. Thioviolet has a great eye when making all of her earrings, there are more than a few pairs that I would love to own.
This pendant by Cherry Creek Charms has class and sophistication. Not only are cherry blossoms one of my favorite motifs but it has great composition. Plus its rustic charm truly represents the new hand-crafted movement flowing all over the web today.
This is the creation of lulu Coco from her Etsy shop. It reminds me of my great-grandmothers 1920's house, complete with vintage charm. I think this ring would get a ton of recognition for whoever wears it. She has many more in her shop that range in shade and color and change the whole look.
I found this print while browsing Etsy. I totally want this girl. I am adopting a baby in the near future and I think she would look perfect in a child's room. She is the concept of lindsayart. There are many more pieces in her shop that are just as intriguing. Plus the prices are totally reasonable.
Check out these amazing note cards.. These are all occasion and pretty enough to frame. Weddings, Birthdays, thinking of you's, would all work. I can't decide which color is my favorite. They are made by the Craft Pantry, there are many other items to choose from in her shop as well.
It is how the findings are oxidized sterling silver that make these earrings for me. Plus they are simple and stylish and would look great with work or play clothes. Thioviolet has a great eye when making all of her earrings, there are more than a few pairs that I would love to own.
This pendant by Cherry Creek Charms has class and sophistication. Not only are cherry blossoms one of my favorite motifs but it has great composition. Plus its rustic charm truly represents the new hand-crafted movement flowing all over the web today.
Friends
Seriously the best show ever, how much of my own personality was formed by the humor of that program. I mean even thinking of some of their one liners can send me into hysterics.... "Can I be wearing any more sweater vests?" ...... "The cushion is the essence of the chair."....... "It's not Phil Spiderman.... he was SPIDER MAN." I am sure I butchered the exact words but the feel of them is the same. I could watch friends over and over again and crack up laughing everytime. Ah Chandeler, Joey and gang.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Nancy Drew
I grew up reading Nancy Drew Books. I was in 4th grade when I received my first one. Actually received my first 2. We were celebrating christmas and my grandma asked me to come into a back bedroom and she held a book open to a random page and asked me I was able to read it. I looked at it for a few minutes and told her yes. I guess she decided that my reading skills were advanced enough that she gave me the books that night as a gift. I remember loving the feel of their yellow spine as I cracked open the fresh new book. I was a little daunted by the lack of pictures and the amount of text. I had to start reading it several times, and I can not remember why but I became engrossed. I read them and then everytime I visited my grandma (she lived several hours away) or she visited us I received 1 to 3 more books. It took a couple of years but eventually i owned all 52. I still have them, probably one of the most sentimental items I own. My grandma passed away when I was 14 and those books are my most precious memory of her. It can still coke me up and it has been almost 18 years. I make Nancy Drew Pendants from used books (not my own private collection) I have found.... everytime I wear one i think about her.
Etsy
I have a new Etsy Store that I am kind of proud of right now, at least I am having a lot of fun with it. It has really caused me to re-visit all sorts of arts and crafts projects. I adore fabric and am falling even more in love with it as I work on my stuff. www.wanderingblossom.etsy.com.
easter turned out to be awesome, Scott and I hung out at home all day. I only got a work call once and after several minutes of panic that I might have to go in (turnd out I didn't) it was relaxing. Scott spent time working on my banner for my etsy shop and I made bracelets, really cool chunky, funky fabric bead bracelets.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Review
Sarah's Key, Tatiana de Rosnay.
So I was hoping when I sat down to this book that I would discover an inspirational story that would bring forth hope, which had been driven out of Europe during the reign of the Nazi's. You know, the kind of inspiration that emerges after the disaster, when you realize there are so many amazing people out there doing amazing things in the face of evil. I was wrong, this book began sad and ended with only a sliver of hope.
The novel set in France during German occupation has two heroines. Sarah who was a young girl when her Jewish family was sent to a concentration camp and Julia, an American woman living in modern Paris. The first half of the book goes back and forth between the stories of the two women chapter vs. chapter. While many books are set up in this style, (the first time I experienced this was Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath), at times it can be frustrating if you are a working woman like myself. I only have a limited time to sit a read and I have to remember whose voice I am reading and what had preceded the part I was on, etc.
Not only were the two different voices a mere annoyance it would have been nice if we (the readers) had been given a break from the dark depressing tale that was Sarah's holocaust nightmare when we were reading about Julia. Instead we were led down the loveless, lonesome life that was Julia's. The book does become intriguing at the end... and wraps up nicely... just beware if you want a light story to take you through the week this is not it.
So I was hoping when I sat down to this book that I would discover an inspirational story that would bring forth hope, which had been driven out of Europe during the reign of the Nazi's. You know, the kind of inspiration that emerges after the disaster, when you realize there are so many amazing people out there doing amazing things in the face of evil. I was wrong, this book began sad and ended with only a sliver of hope.
The novel set in France during German occupation has two heroines. Sarah who was a young girl when her Jewish family was sent to a concentration camp and Julia, an American woman living in modern Paris. The first half of the book goes back and forth between the stories of the two women chapter vs. chapter. While many books are set up in this style, (the first time I experienced this was Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath), at times it can be frustrating if you are a working woman like myself. I only have a limited time to sit a read and I have to remember whose voice I am reading and what had preceded the part I was on, etc.
Not only were the two different voices a mere annoyance it would have been nice if we (the readers) had been given a break from the dark depressing tale that was Sarah's holocaust nightmare when we were reading about Julia. Instead we were led down the loveless, lonesome life that was Julia's. The book does become intriguing at the end... and wraps up nicely... just beware if you want a light story to take you through the week this is not it.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Review
Getting Rid of Matthew, by Jane Fallon.
While I was not profoundly intrigued, I spent several enjoyable evenings curled up with this story. The book focuses on one woman who has an affair with a married man, who decides to leave his wife and move in with his lover. Epitomizing the saying the grass is always greener, each lover realizes that the fantasy is always better than reality. And as us feminists who enjoy a modern day fairy tail, depicting woman who take their lives into their own hands as they hypocritically allow men to lead them astray, love the romance and the drama as the novel unfolds. It was a quick read, great for nights when thinking hurts and an escape is needed.
While I was not profoundly intrigued, I spent several enjoyable evenings curled up with this story. The book focuses on one woman who has an affair with a married man, who decides to leave his wife and move in with his lover. Epitomizing the saying the grass is always greener, each lover realizes that the fantasy is always better than reality. And as us feminists who enjoy a modern day fairy tail, depicting woman who take their lives into their own hands as they hypocritically allow men to lead them astray, love the romance and the drama as the novel unfolds. It was a quick read, great for nights when thinking hurts and an escape is needed.
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