coming clean :: day five (cont'd)

I'm not sure what got into me...

Workout: evening @ pool
(2,700 SCY - the pool was closing!)

Coming Clean:
face: Tea Tree by Two Strands Soap Works

body: Tropicalia by Long Winter Farm

Naughty Points: ZERO!!

if i win the lottery :: fruitcake

It's that time of year! And, believe it or not, none of these are the real thing!

Cara Mia Cakes

Isabell's Umbrella

Savannah Soap Kitchen

FLYoung Studio

coming clean :: day five

Workout: lunch @ gym

Coming Clean:
face: Neutrogena Deep Clean® Invigorating Foaming Scrub

Naughty Points: 0
(as of 15:00 and subject to change)

Source

UPDATE @ 21:56: I need to add my evening workout to this entry. In case you were wondering, I am still at zero naughty points -- yah!

flavor of the day :: Franz Ferdinand

Franz Ferdinand & Jane Birkin - A Song for Sorry Angel

Mull over a cuppa!

coming clean :: day four

Four days in, and I'm already behind!

Workout:
intended: evening @ gym
actual: evening of vegging
excuse: I had an early morning!

I assure you, this is going to be the first of many. Excuses, that is.


Coming Clean:

face: Rhubarb Al Fresco by RachelRene

It was included as a freebie, but my golly ~ a yummy one at that! (Stay tuned; I'm planning on doing a proper write-up on RachelRene's soaps. They smell divine!)

Naughty Points: 4 - Hanukkah sugar cookies from Marvelous Market

They sure were maaahhhvelous!

if i win the lottery :: honeysuckle

Creating Etsy treasuries seem like a lot of fun. But you have to be at your computer at the right moment, and that moment always seems to pass me by. So here are my own, a series I'm calling "If I Win the Lottery". I'd happily rename it if there are any Etsy sugahpeeps (equal opportunity!) out there :: hee ::

ModernClassicsPaper

The first IIWtL showcased two pieces from StudioÉLAN. This one is based on a theme -- honeysuckle. I may not be a girly-girl, but I can appreciate pretty flowers!

pumpkinsputnik

YouStinkSoap

ElementLux

sherrisscentsandsoys

coming clean :: day three

Workout: evening @ pool (3,500 SCY)

Coming Clean:

body: Apple Mint by MyBirch
face: Tea Tree by Two Strands Soap Works

Naughty Points:
1 - strawberry cupcake from Baked & Wired

flavor of the day :: Boyz II Men

Boyz II Men - It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday

Mull over a cuppa!

it's so hard to say goodbye

I'm not gonna lie and say that I'm moping over the fact that my 4+ year old iPod, Clementine, is on its last leg. Sure, I am going to miss her and her 9,269 tunes. But that's about it. She is big and bulky and crashes for no apparent reason, oftentimes right in the middle of a good tune!

But this is a post to honor Clementine for an overall job well done. R.I.P. Clementine. This next FotD's for you!

coming clean :: day two

Workout:
intended: evening @ pool
actual: dinner with friends
The drunken noodles were delish!

Coming Clean:
face: Earl Grey Tea w Lemon Peel
Savor

Naughty Points:
1 - taro bubble tea during "workout"

if i win the lottery :: StudioÉLAN

...these two wheel-thrown beauties from StudioÉLAN are on "the list"!

Snowflake Platter in Evening Storm

Apple Bowl - Large

eye candy :: Coconut Mini Cupcake Bath Bombs

Wait, what? They aren't edible?!! Unfortunately not. But thanks to Sweet Tush Yummy Bath Treats, you can indulge in the tub... calorie-free!

coming clean :: day one

Workout: evening @ gym

Coming Clean:

face:
tea tree soap
Two Strands Soap Works

body:
pink clay complexion soap
Country Heart Gifts

Naughty Points: 3 (is rather unfair because these were "bite-sized" Pumpkin Spice Sure is Nice / Itty Bitty Bites!)

coming clean :: intro

I've been avoiding getting my yearly physical (usually done in February), but due to certain circumstances, got talked into getting one... TOMORROW! I have to stop eating in 1:23 for my 12 hour fast. :: waah ::

Source

I already know the results aren't going to be good. So, before my doc tells me that I need to cut down on cupcakes and exercise more, I am starting a new, two-part online project called "Coming Clean". It will not only chronologize (chronicle + analyze) my weight, naughty points and workouts, but will also include my post-workout "coming clean" where I share my love of handmade face & body products with y'all. It's a win-win situation!

I know it's a little early for New Year's Resolutions, but since I'm already here... I'd like to:

(a) In April, run the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in around 1:30. I plan to use Hal Higdon's 15k Training Guide for Novice Runners as a guide.

(b) In May, get down to 130-135 lbs. It works out to an average of 4-5 lbs. a month. You do the math :)

That's it for now. Oh, now we're down to 1:05 until the fast begins...

flavor of the day :: Metric

Metric - The Police and the Private

Mull over a cuppa!

is this what you're looking for? :: 8 ~ 12 Dec 2008

If you're visiting from Twitter,

receive 20% off (excluding S&H) when you purchase two or more items from otamajyakushi - sui*generis designs using your RME account*

or

receive 15% off (excluding S&H) when you purchase two or more items from otamajyakushi - sui*generis designs using your PayPal account.

You must include my blog name in "Notes to Seller" during check-out! Please wait for a revised RME / PayPal invoice. Or I will happily refund your RME / PayPal account upon shipment of your items.

This offer expires on Friday, 12 Dec at midnight EST!

* If you would like to take this opportunity to open an RME account, please do not hesitate to e-mail or convo me for a referral!

flavor of the day :: Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers

Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers - Such a Way

Mull over a cuppa!

flavor of the day :: Sondre Lerche

Sondre Lerche - Two Way Monologue

Mull over a cuppa!

flavor of the day :: The Shins

The Shins - Girl Sailor

Mull over a cuppa!

etsy ohana :: seajewels2005

When I got back from my vacay a few weeks ago, there was a lovely convo waiting for me from seajewels2005. I won her October blog contest! Now, the last thing I remember winning was a Pat Benatar long-sleeve tee (white with black sleeves - you know exactly what I'm talking about!) from Subway. I was a little too young to fully appreciate Ms. Benatar in all of her singing and dancing glory, but that didn't stop me from wearing that tee and shimmying as she did.

These eyeglass holders are so colorful! Thank you, seajewels2005!

flavor of the day :: Eskobar

Eskobar - Love Strikes

Mull over a cuppa!

flavor of the day :: Stephanie's Id

Stephanie's Id - Unmistakably Love

Mull over a cuppa!

is this what you're looking for?

If you're visiting from Etsy or Twitter,

receive 20% off (excluding S&H) when you purchase two or more items from otamajyakushi - sui*generis designs using your RME account*

or

receive 10% off (excluding S&H) when you purchase two or more items from otamajyakushi - sui*generis designs using your PayPal account.

If you forget to include my blog name in "Notes to Seller" during check-out, I will happily refund your RME / PayPal account upon shipment of your items.

This offer expires on Friday, 21 Nov at midnight EST!

* If you would like to take this opportunity to open an RME account, please do not hesitate to e-mail or convo me for a referral!

UPDATE (00:21 EST, 21 Nov 2008): This promotional offer has expired. Please visit back when I post the next one :)

flavor of the day :: Pomplamoose

Pomplamoose - Hail Mary

Mull over a cuppa!

BONUS: They make & sell soap!

these are a few of my favorite things :: Trebor Soft Mints

Spearmint Trebor Soft Mints are like minty Mentos, only better ;)

flavor of the day :: Rufus Wainwright

Rufus Wainwright - Cigarettes & Chocolate Milk

Mull over a cuppa!

UPDATE @ 19:53: You MUST listen, watch (and download for free on her MySpace) to this rendition by Nataly Dawn!)

11/11

Not to make light of Veterans Day (also known as Remembrance Day to our northern neighbors), but 11 November is also Pocky Day! Chin chin!

Source

It's been a while since I've had them, but my fav is the TsubuTsubu Ichigo, not to be mistaken by Ichigo.

thank you, veterans!

Source: U.S. Deparment of Veteran Affairs

flavor of the day :: Priscilla Ahn

Priscilla Ahn - I Don't Think So

Mull over a cuppa!

"i voted!" stickers

Let's collect 'em all! Take a pic and send in your "I voted!" stickers! I'd be happy to give you as much / little credit as you'd like.

If I do it electronically, it isn't clutter, right?

Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida - Mannie
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont

Virginia - oriental banana
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming

"i voted!" stickers - colorado / connecticut / delaware / district of columbia / florida

Florida - Mannie

"i voted!" stickers - vermont / virginia / washington / west virginia / wisconsin / wyoming

Virginia - oriental banana

supporting your peeps

across the pond

I would love to travel with (and use) mini-versions of a few of the handmade soaps I've recently purchased on Etsy, but am having difficulties coming up with a creative* way to transport them. Suggestions and/or sharing your experiences would be greatly appreciated. Worst case scenario, I will use an empty Mango Altoids tin and try to keep them as dry as possible.

* not your ordinary plastic soap case

primo promo :: Mookaite

Every day until 25 Oct, I will be offering free additional item shipping for one listing in my Etsy store. Today's promo is... Mookaite!

in and out in 10 minutes

UPDATE (12:18): 34 states and the District of Columbia offer early / absentee voting!

primo promo :: Yellow Jade

Every day until 25 Oct, I will be offering free additional item shipping for one listing in my Etsy store. Today's promo is... Yellow Jade!

flavor of the day :: Feist

Feist - Mushaboom

Mull over a cuppa!

primo promo :: Cherry Quartz

Every day until 25 Oct, I will be offering free additional item shipping for one listing in my Etsy store. Today's promo is... Cherry Quartz!

primo promo :: Lilac Rice

Every day until 25 Oct, I will be offering free additional item shipping for one listing in my Etsy store. Today's promo is... Lilac Rice!

primo promo :: Autumn Jasper

Every day until 25 Oct, I will be offering free additional item shipping for one listing in my Etsy store. Today's promo is... Autumn Jasper!

flavor of the day :: Empire of the Sun

Empire of the Sun -- Walking on a Dream

Mull over a cuppa!

primo promo :: Czech Glass

Every day until 25 Oct, I will be offering free additional item shipping for one listing in my Etsy store. Today's promo is... Czech Glass!

primo promo :: Blue Lace Agate

Every day until 25 Oct, I will be offering free additional item shipping for one listing in my Etsy store. Today's promo is... blue lace agate!

primo promo :: Olive Jade

Every day until 25 Oct, I will be offering free additional item shipping for one listing in my Etsy store. Today's promo is... olive jade!

b&w vs. color

Color won this round! Next to the 'Purple Drama' dress, 'Black' was looking a little too formal. And how could anyone resist such cute, colorful shoes?!!

I did consider keeping both outfits, but on the 'Grey' shoes, the distressing on the light grey part looked more like scuff and dirt. And, more importantly, I really didn't need another pair of black work shoes!

primo promo :: Poppy Jasper

Every day until 25 Oct, I will be offering free additional item shipping for one listing in my Etsy store. Today's promo is... poppy jasper!

flavor of the day :: Jem

Jem - Flying High

Mull over a cuppa!

do you Feedjit?

I posed this question on the Etsy forums the other day, but it got buried pretty quickly... So here it is again:

just out of curiousity, do you know if visitors recorded on the feedjit map ever disappear? some of my international flags have mysteriously disappeared :(

My Feedjit widget is located at the bottom of the righthand column. It does say 'Recent Visitors'. Did I just answer my own question?

Hmm... I really like the instant gratification it provides and way it looks, but I might have to permanently replace Feedjit with ClustrMaps. It's been running at the very bottom. Keep scrolling, keep scrolling... there it is! Not all visits seem to be recorded, but Clustrmaps can be set to archive only once a year!

buy one in every color!

Pens, tees, post-its... Stocking up has always been a bad habit of mine. "You just never know when you're gonna need it in another color!"

I first spotted this dress on Old Navy's website, but couldn't decide which color combo to get. Could I rock 'Purple Drama' at work? Would 'Black' be too boring?

No time to waste! Order both & decide later!

Up until a few weeks ago, I had never been on DSW's website. What could their website have that their ginormous stores didn't? How about these perfectly matching shoes?!!

The shoes arrived earlier today! But I knew I couldn't keep both. So I skipped my evening workout to decide...

The winning 'outfit' will be revealed "after the commercial break"!

is this what you're looking for?

If you're visiting from Etsy, receive 10% off (excluding S&H) when you purchase two or more items from otamajyakushi - sui*generis designs using your RME account*.

This offer expires on Wednesday, 15 Oct at midnight EST!

* If you would like to take this opportunity to open an RME account, please do not hesitate to e-mail or convo me for a referral!

UPDATE (00:06 EST, 16 Oct 2008): This promotional offer has expired. Please visit back when I post the next one :)

flavor of the day :: Ben Taylor

Ben Taylor - The Legend Of Kung Folk Part 1 (The Killing Bite)

Mull over a cuppa!

now that the summer's over...

and, due to the success of Operation DeClutter, my shoe racks are looking quite lonely...

I don't care how trendy-wendy rain boots are. They are cute, sturdy and perfect for tromping! Bring on the rain, snow, sleet and ice! Thanks for the free shipping, Piperlime!

I probably could've gone another half-size up if Zappos hadn't sold out. The soles are a little on the thin side, but overall, these sneakers are much cuter than my former pair. They were christened earlier today!

What are your fall/winter wardrobe additions? I have a feeling I'll be posting on this topic a few more times before warmer weather rolls around again...

flavor of the day :: The Killers

The Killers - Human

Mull over a cuppa!

flavor of the day :: Guster

Guster - Either Way

Mull over a cuppa!

flavor of the day :: Human Television

Human Television - Saw You Walking By

Mull over a cuppa!

"And the 2nd SPA goes to..."

This was a toughie. Ultimately, because of the Halloweeny + Autumny feel of the necklace, I choose two Smarty Pants Award ("SPA") winners -- thepaperbluebird and wendiwinn. CONGRATS! on winning this very prestigious award!

thepaperbluebird said:

I looked at your necklace and all I could think was
"Jungle Fire, Jungle Fire, JUNGLE FIRE!!!"

I swear I could hear drums beating in my head
(or maybe I just need a psychiatrist?)

and one of wendiwinn's entries just made me laugh:

i totally want that oriental banana smarty pants award.
what about candy corn?

prettyfun came up with lots of good names, including one that I'm already using for another necklace!

I will list the necklace on Etsy as Candy Corn until Halloween. If it hasn't sold by then {sniff}, I'll rename it Jungle Fire, Jungle Fire, JUNGLE FIRE!!!. Thanks for playing! Let's do this again soon!

flavor of the day :: The Ark

The Ark - This Piece of Poetry is Meant to Do Harm

Mull over a cuppa!

is this what you're looking for?

If you're visiting from Etsy, complete the following phrase correctly in the "Notes to Seller" section during check-out to receive 10% off (excluding PIFs and S&H) when you purchase two or more items from otamajyakushi - sui*generis designs using your RME account*.

IT'S JUST A SONG, IT'S JUST A SONG, IT'S JUST A SONG ABOUT...

Get instant gratification! 10% off discounts for correct answers will be reflected in your RME invoice.

This offer expires on "whenever I get to work" Friday, 5 September 2008. Good luck!

* If you would like to take this opportunity to open an RME account, e-mail or convo me for a referral!

UPDATE (12:42 EST, 5 Sept 2008): This promotional offer has expired. Please visit back when I post the next one :)

flavor of the day :: The Chemical Brothers

The Chemical Brothers -- The Salmon Dance

Mull over a cuppa!

flavor of the day :: Voice of the Beehive

Voice of the Beehive - Monsters and Angels

Mull over a cuppa!

"Hello, my name is..."

I love these beads, and think this necklace would make a great addition to someone's fall wardrobe. I can't just list it as an Orange Coral Briolettes Necklace, though... So, let's have another contest!

Name this necklace! Let those creative juices flow and send in your entries via comments. I'll pick one and use it in the eventual listing (this weekend, if my camera cooperates!). No good deed goes unrecognized. You will be mentioned in said listing and win the 2nd Oriental Banana Smarty Pants Award ("SPA")! Imagine how prestigious that will look on your resume :)

HTMilLiterate

My HTML brain cells (perhaps that should be cell, singular) have gotten quite a workout this week! As if creating an Etsy store, website and Flickr account weren't enough, I've been making upgrades to this pretty little thing! To make room for my newly-acquired love of widgets, I've added a 3rd column*! By doing so, I am now able to wedge the meat of my blog between two slices of widgets-filled bread.

You might've also noticed I'm running Feedjit (on the bottom right-hand side) and Clustrmaps (at the bottom). I can't decide which one to keep. Any thoughts? Hmm... maybe it's time for a poll?!!

* Many thanks to the kind people in the Etsy forums for sharing their experiences and phydeaux3 for the tutorial!

flavor of the day :: Matt Costa

Matt Costa - Mr. Pitiful

Mull over a cuppa!

flavor of the day :: Missy Higgins

Missy Higgins - Ten Days

Mull over a cuppa!

flavor of the day :: The Shins

The Shins - Sleeping Lessons

Mull over a cuppa!

flavor of the day :: Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend - A-Punk

Mull over a cuppa!

flavor of the day :: Ingrid Michaelson

Ingrid Michaelson - Masochist

Mull over a cuppa!

the long & winding road

While I still have a long ways to go, the past few weeks have been extremely busy... but very educational!

otamajyakushi :: autumn sunset

"autumn sunset"

pietersite + tiger's eye + czech glass + seed beads
sterling silver s-hook & chain + tiger iron drop

otamajyakushi :: diva's safari

"diva's safari"

zebra jasper + rose quartz

silver toggle

flavor of the day :: Hot Chip

Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor

Mull over a cuppa!