Where does the time go

It's been a week and a half since my last post. I know all the secrets to blogging and how to make the blog appear current and have lots of new material. I still just don't understand how people find the time to have all those scheduled blogs to begin with.

I guess I just don't cut it as a blogger. Even Jamie at C.R.A.F.T. says in order to grow a blog, you need to blog consistently. I think I just ran out of things to write about. I think I need to start working on crafting and cooking more, then I just may have more inspiration.

Nailed it

This weekend, I tried the Sally Hansen Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips in 240 Check It Out.


It's neat, it smells like nail polish but looks and feels like stickers. The steps are really simple:
1) push back your cuticles
2) shape and buff your nails
3) clean off nails with a solvent
4) apply nail strip
5) shape off the excess

I did mess up on the first one. I was a little rough and the strip tore. It easily peeled off and I could salvage the other end, since the strips are so long.


The only thing really challenging about this pattern is that it's directional. If you don't line them up, it'd give a funny parquet.

I love how once you apply it, there's no dry time necessary and smudging isn't an issue.


It's not as tacky and uncomfortable like stick-on nails. You don't have to worry about adhesive remnants as this comes off with nail polish remover.

Check out the website to see other patterns and the line of solid colors! I definitely would use these again, but I hope I don't run into the problem everyone else seems to be having-- stores being out of stock!

Another technicality

So remember how I wasn't going to start on a new bag projects until I finished my tea clutch?

Well, I needed a bag to tote my stuff around that I was ok with getting dirty during our company community service day.

I threw something simple together by scrapping a previous years' logo shirt. So it's not like I found a pattern and spent a lot of time on it. I actually just used some bag making basics and about 20 minutes later:


The bag is lined to strengthen the capacity, it's got a square bottom to help manage the loading, and a long strap for cross-body carrying.

The cutest part? The strap is attached by tying knots through grommets!



I know, I know. I'll finish that other clutch. We've been working on cleaning the craft room. I'll soon have a dedicated space to focus on my projects ;)

June Birch Box

Ryan bought me a 1 year subscription to Birch Box for Valentines' Day. My June box came in today!




I'm totally excited for the sample of Kate Spade's Twirl and the full-size Laura Gellar Blush!

Thank you cards

And just when I thought the whole party thing was behind us -- THANK YOU CARDS! No, I didn't forget, we were waiting on a few things (finishing the letters for Ella to hold, taking the pictures, piecing the pictures together, ordering cards).

After the Christmas card issue (we paid $80 for 120 photo cards from snapfish), and getting smarter for Ella's invitations (we paid $25 for 100 photo cards from sams club) but then had to order custom envelopes to fit the ridiculous size they gave us, so add $50. I realized, "Ahhhh just get the ones we want. What's the big deal?!"

In my BirchBox last month, there was a promotional flyer for Tiny Prints. I checked out the website. Wow. Expensive! I get that it's intended for custom, individual cards that are mailed directly to the recipient, and is probably cheaper than buying a card from Hallmark and mailing it. Though, it's so automated that it loses the personal touch. Anyway, $3.99 a card for "Pay as you go" membership. Whatever, I did find a layout I liked and I happened to have that promotional code.

Ryan helped me get the photo ready, and we ordered the cards. The promotional code took 50% off the cost, so it was only $100 for 50 folded greeting cards. I think they came out really cute~!


Front of card


Inside of card


Back of card

Sweet dreams are made of these

I went to Regal Bakery for the first time on Tuesday. Look at all the delicious goodies they have!


I saw an article in the Star Advertiser, but upon further research, this blogger, has some great pictures! The great part was, to pack 2 dozen donuts (doughnuts?) , they were randomly arranged in a Pizza Box!
That brown one with tan and white flecks is the flavor of the month: Rocky Road. It's a delicious donut, topped with a chocolate glaze, sprinkled with chopped nuts and mini marshmallows with another drizzle of chocolate. I don't think any other donut can compare. I mean. WOW. (With the "O" pictured as the donut itself.

Regal Bakery
3040 Ualena Street
(across from Airport Center)
5:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
(808) 834-4423

If you have a favorite flavor, they suggested to call in advance and place an order. They'll pack it up and reserve it for you -- just in case there's a mad donut rush before you get there.

Busy with the room

I know I've been delinquent in my posts recently. I've been working on my room for quite some time now and it feels never ending. I get home from work around 4, and with dinner and Ella's evening routine, that only leaves maybe an hour or two to work on building, organizing, and cleaning the craft room.

I finally put together the bookshelf we got from Target.


It only sat in the box at the bottom of the stairs for maybe 3 weeks? Why didn't I put it away, you ask? Well, Ryan and I agreed we weren't going to tackle any projects until after Ella's birthday party. Starting right after, Ryan installed the ceiling fan, we painted the room, installed the shutter blinds, built the shelf, and I'm still working on getting the craft things into the room.

Hopefully, I can get the room cleared out and set up the desk. I'm itching to play with my Letterpress. Yah, that thing I bought a few months ago.

More room stuff

It was my job to paint the closet doors.




I'm really not cut out for this painting thing. It's definitely not hereditary because my dad was a painter by trade and he probably would've had the whole room painted (including the closet door) in half a day and not have to touch up anything.

I accepted that I suck at painting and if there are areas that don't look nice, oh well.

You know what does look nice? My shutter blinds! Ryan installed them for me, and they look fantastic! I still have to go through and remove the extra length, but that's the easy part. I can't imagine how terrible it'd look if I installed it myself. Oh yah, and he even flipped the fan blades to the white side for me!




You know what I realized today? I asked for the teal wall paint in eg-shel and it was made in semi-gloss. Now, I have to be extra careful in what touches the paint, everything sticks and leaves residue. Especially paper. Oh well.

Painting a room

Don't underestimate the need to tape, and well!

We started painting my craft room today. It's amazing what a gallon of color can do!

We had a couple of mishaps:
•Relied on a straight edge pad that failed us.
•Didn't tape where we should have.
•Didn't press down the tape in all areas.
•Accidental smudges on areas not intended for paint.

But it is starting to look awe-some!

Beauteous

Yes, I know all the sayings, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" "It's what's inside that counts". But sometimes, I wanna feel pretty, too!

I discovered the Lancome palette, "Taupe Craze".




It's subtle on my tanned mixed-Asian skin, but the highlights do make my eyes feel glamorous!

Eats: Catania

For work, I'm in charge of ordering lunch for an upcoming training. Some suggestions were to do a family style pasta. It was narrowed down to two options: Catania and Bishop Street Cafe.

Both have really great pastas, but of course I volunteered to try them out!

Today, I tried Catania. This is their linguine and meat sauce.




I'm pretty (100%) sure that's not linguine, but oh well. It was delicious and the roasted veggie garnish added a nice crunch. The portion was really generous and I could only eat half.

The leftovers will be for Ella's dinner. Or tomorrow's lunch, if I forget to bring it home.

Unfortunately, this place has been disqualified from being an option. It's cash only -- the place we order from needs to accept AMEX.