Chicago!

Source: google.com via Keri on Pinterest

I'm escaping from Tennessee and heading up to Chicago this weekend to see one of my besties, Stephanie. I've only been to Chicago once, and that was 12 years ago. In December. Can't really see a whole lot when you're bundled up like an Eskimo. I'm really excited to be going. We're gonna check out Navy Pier and hit up the Field Museum. 

Source: google.com via CjA2104 on Pinterest

I want to check out the Chicago Bean, cause it looks like a giant silver jelly bean, and who doesn't love that?

Source: google.com via Nate on Pinterest

And a few people have told me to go see the Buckingham Fountain as well. Isn't she pretty?
I'm sure I'll be taking lots of photos and I'll probably end up making a scrapbook which, of course, I'll share with all of you. :)

Holiday Scents Trio CP Soap Giveaway!

The holiday season is literally right around the corner so I figured I'd host another giveaway! Yay giveaways!

Up for grabs is the Holiday Trio pack. It includes the following scents: Feliz Navidad, Holiday Fir and Gingersnap. These bars are made with luxurious oils and a generous amount of Shea Butter so they won't dry your skin out like some other soaps can. These are perfect for gift giving, or just treat yourself!

The giveaway starts today and runs all the way until December 1st so you have plenty of time to sign up and you can get extra entries my Tweeting about the giveaway daily. Just click the 'Read More' below and follow the instructions :)

VOTE!

{Image via The Handmade Gift Guide}

Voting is now open for the Handmade Gift Guide Ad Space contest!

Please head over and vote for your favorite. I've got an item from each of my shops listed: StrangeCandy, IssueGirl, Venenzia & Golden Leaf. (We're in the top two rows)

Voting closes on Sunday at midnight and the winner will be announced on Monday. The winner gets a deluxe ad space, which I could use desperately!

Thanks for voting!

{Juicy Summer Watermelon Cold Process Soap by Golden Leaf}

{At First Sight Leaf & Briolette Necklace by Venenzia}

{Seychelles Necklace by StrangeCandy}

{Ho Ho Ho Holiday Notecard from IssueGirl}

Sunday Recap

It started out simple enough. I slept in, snuggled with the boys and spent a few hours drinking tea and perusing blogs. After that I dragged all of my December Daily stuff out and set to work on planning my foundation pages and just getting everything in order. I even modified some Thickers that I had (I'll be doing a post on that in the next couple of days.)

Enter Mom.

"Hey, wanna go fishing?"

And my afternoon of scrapping went out the window.

Just like that.

I did manage to catch 6 Largemouth and a Bluegill so I can't complain. Mom can; she only caught one.

So now dinner is in the oven and Once Upon A Time starts very soon.

All in all, it was a great weekend. Hope you all enjoyed yours as well :)

A Thousand Words

{Our flight from the lodge back to Anchorage}

{Seriously could not get enough cloud/sky/sunset pics}

{Agate Beach. Life is good}

{Down at the big lake. Before jetting across the water}

{Welcome to the lodge}

{Arctic cotton}

{Nonvianuk Mountains}

{Steph & I}

...Seriously, check this girl out!...

{Somewhere between Chicago & Seattle}

{The flight back to the lodge from Brooks}

Work It: Level 1

Source: downtownn.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

I found this on Pinterest and figured I'd give it a shot. Over the course of the summer I lost almost 30 pounds. Yeah, I know, go me. I still want to lose another 10-15 but mostly I just wanna tighten everything up. Today is Day 5 and let me tell you, I guess I never realized just how much jumping jacks will kick your ass. Sweet Jesus! My quads and glutes are a little sore. I get to rest today, then on to more jumping jacks and sit-ups. I'm still running on the treadmill every two or three days and randomly using the TotalGym. This is designed as a 60 day plan and I'll reveal Level 2 and Level 3 as I complete the previous. Or you can head over to Pinterest and find them for yourself :)

And here is some music for you to crunch to!

Halloween Heaven

{Click the photo for a full view}

And head over here to see all of these goodies in detail!

Wednesday Giveaways!

{Christmas stocking of your choice by RIKRAK}

{Personalized Monogrammed Initial Locket by Micky Chase Jewelry}

{Moleskine Paris Journal by Dorothy Jane}

{$40 Gift Certificate to LilNoodleBug}

{U2 Art Poster by Artistico}

The 101 Project: {Updated}

And I'm at it again. Seeing as how I have less than 2 months to complete a crap load of stuff on my list, I figured I would just update it now and then blog all of my new 101 things in December. Quite like I should!

Travel/Events in Other Places

1. Visit the Hoh Rainforest in Washington {How about, just Washington? Does that count?}

2. Go to Provincetown {Completed 08/10/09}

3. Go to Thunder Over Louisville

4. Rolex 3-Dy Event in Lexington, KY {I know I won't make it this year but I still want to go so it's staying on the list}

5. Plan a trip to Mt. Rainier {Doesn't necessarily have to be The Wonderland Trail but I'd like to go nonetheless}

6. Visit Canada. Our friendly neighbor to the North :)

7. Go to Times Square for New Years Eve {Maybe it will happen this year}

8. Visit Papa {Completed this May}

9. Infield at the Kentucky Derby {Perhaps next year. Once again, it's staying on the list}

10. Take Mom to Bermuda

11. Go on another cruise

12. Do an overnight at Waverly Hills Sanatorium {Unfortunately the 2-hr visit last summer didn't count}

13. Visit one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants {When I do Times Square, of course!}

Fitness

14. Drop 20 pounds, and keep them off for the remainder of the project {Completed this summer, courtesy of working my arse off. I actually lost almost 30!}

15. Run, ok maybe walk a 5k

16. Master all Yoga positions {I've got quite a few of them down!}

17. Take a yoga class

18. Take a Zumba class!

Health/R&R

19. Take vitamins every day {I found some gummy ones and I've also been taking a Viactive chew - the chocolate ones}

20. Get a hot stone massage

Career/Finances/Independence

21. Get my bath & body business off and running {Work in progress, seeing as how I've been MIA for 4 months}

22. Clean any debts {I'll be paying off my student loans for awhile but I've managed to clear 6 other debts within 3 months - Go me!}

23. Add to my IRA {Since the economy is getting (a little) better I have seen my IRA rebound quite a bit. I'm ok with where it's going so I feel I don't need to add as much as I had originally planned}

24. Set up another 401k {Once again, this may change in the very near future}

25. Own a home {Yep, I'm keeping this one up on the list}

Gaining knowledge/Intellectual pursuits

26. Learn a foreign language

27. Sign up for a ballroom/salsa lesson {If only there were ones nearby}

28. Get CPR certified {Why shouldn't you know how to save a life?}

29. Learn how to knit {I taught myself the basics but would love to learn more}

30. Read 101 books {See 101 Book Post}

31. Learn how to play chess {And not suck at it}

Creativity

32. Open up another Etsy shop {Completed 01/20/10}

33. Get familiar and comfortable with Shrinky Dinks}

34. Complete the 30 Days of Lists prompts {FAIL!}

35. Learn how to sew... properly

36. Finish an afghan

37. Make a quilt.

38. Complete the Owl Doorstop pattern from Tiddliwink Toys

39. Go to a glass blowing class {Once again, if there was one nearby}

40. Create a recipe for a solid sugar scrub

Relationships/Family

41. Document family tree back to Italy {Still working on this one}

42. Complete Family Tree Maker & update online {1,348 people, 451 marriages, 8 generations, 385 surnames... and counting}

43. Document Gill lineage {Still working on this one via Ancestry.com}

44. Grave hunting {Ongoing}

Food

45. Make a one-month meal plan {This is kinda hard now that I work 3rd shift, but I'm keeping it up here}

46. Go to 30 new restaurants and Yelp each one {I've been to a few, just haven't added them to Yelp yet}

47. Bake something at least twice a month

48. Cook one new recipe every month {Will post these later on, recipes included}

49. Drink nothing but water for a whole week {I could do this easily if it wasn't for my tea addiction}

50. Try every flavor of Stash & Tazo tea {Stash 5/200+; Tazo 3/?}

51. Make homemade ice cream

52. Make Nana's fresh fruit jam

53. Update recipe book {I've been adding recipes sporadically}

54. Eat more fish. {Just not Salmon!}

55. Find a variety of sushi that I like.

Fun

56. Participate in Gimme Your Stuff {Completed 11/2009}

57. Go camping {I lived in a cabin this summer. Does that count?}

58. Watch 101 movies {See 101 Movie post}

59. Go to the opening night of the rest of the Harry Potter & Twilight movies {I missed the last HP, so it's 0/2 left}

60. Start a garden {Gonna have to wait until next year}

61. Get more ink! {Completed 02/16/11}

62. Visit IKEA {Completed 03/16/2010}

63. Set up other Nano to be used as a frag tank {Emptied tank last weekend, waiting for sand to dry}

64. Sell frags

65. Fishing with mom {Soon. Seriously.}

66. Send a secret to PostSecret

67. Have a snail mail pen pal {It's been a while, but the lovely Ria has helped me with this goal}

68. Go to a planetarium

69. Go horseback riding.

70. Go on a whale watch {Completed 08/10/2009}

71. Fly first class {I've tried many, many times. Apparently, it's the first thing to book up}

72. Go snorkeling {On my cruise of course}

73. Take mom to a Michael Buble concert {Once he gets his butt over here!}

Social

74. Throw a holiday party

75. Host a bonfire

76. Write ten snail mail letters {10/10 ~ completed this summer}

Community

77. Donate blood twice a year {Gotta wait since I just got fresh ink}

78. Design an item to sell on Etsy. All proceeds to go to an organization in need {Completed in May}

79. Volunteer for an organization or at an event

80. Vote!

81. Plant 3 trees

Organize

82. More photos into albums.

83. Have a yard sale {Completed 4/10-11/2010}

84. Update iTunes {All names, titles, artwork, etc. filled in}

85. Organize beads/jewelry

86. Get rid of 101 material things {Completed - 200+}

Indulge

87. Cricut {Completed 05/2010}

88. iPod Touch {Completed 05/10/2009}

89. Bella Bag {Completed 09/24/2009}

90. Necklace from BirthDesigns

91. Mittens

92. Get my hands down with henna {by a professional}

93. Project Life {Completed 01/2011}

94. wii

95. iPhone4 {Completed May 2011}

96. Sewing machine {Perhaps for Christmas!}

General

97. Blog about each of my 101 tasks at least once {Completed 03/21/2010}

98. Complete the 365 Project {Started and stopped this year, keeping this up}

99. Blog every day {260/360}

100. Don't take life too seriously!

And finally...

101. On day 1001, publish a new 101 Things in 1001 Days list that includes new goals and everything else that didn't get completed on this one.

The December Daily: Let's Try This Again

If you've been following by blog long enough, you'll remember a post about The December Daily project from Ali Edwards that I was planning on doing last December. You'll also remember that I never finished it (much less started anything substantial) Anyways, I've promised myself that I will finish one this year. I still have all of my supplies and a few new ones I have picked up this year. In the next few days, I'll be sorting everything and then start to work on my foundation pages. If any of you completed yours last year (or didn't quite make it) feel free to post your Flickr links!

We're Open!

Three of our shops are now open and ready for business! I'll be adding lots of new items in the next couple of weeks so be sure to check back!

Pins: Home Is Where The Heart Is

Source: elementsofstyleblog.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: classy-in-the-city.tumblr.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: yankeemagazine.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jen on Pinterest

Source: flickr.com via Jen on Pinterest

It's stuff like this that really makes me miss home. Especially this time of year. I miss chilly mornings and crisp afternoons. Hot chocolate. Meals in the crock pot. Scarves and mittens. The smell of fallen leaves. Pumpkin coffee from Dunks. Football games. Fireplaces. Family get-togethers. I miss it all.

DIY Resin Candle Holder

This week's DIY is a make it yourself resin candle holder. You don't have to stick with the cylindrical shape that I've used. The square and bowl shaped holders would work just as well. The best thing about this project is that it takes no time at all to make and you only need a few supplies.

Supplies:

2 glass containers (one small enough to nest in the other)

E-6000 or any other strong glue

Resin (I ended up using about 12oz.)

Any type of filler

Remember, you want your filler to be light enough in color for the candle to show through. I'm using the Agate I collected this summer in Alaska. Glass drops would work as well and they come in a wide variety of colors. I plan on making one with sea glass once I manage to find enough.

The first thing I did was adhere the smaller glass inside the larger one using a good size dollop of the E-6000. Make sure it's centered, press firmly and wait a few minutes to it to take hold.

This gives me about 3/4" - 1" of space on all sides.

Slowly start adding your filler. I covered the center with my hand to prevent rocks from falling into the smaller glass.

It's not quite up to the top but I'm all out of Agate. And I'm ok with that :)

Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect!

I chose to use a paper cup to mix the resin not only because I can just throw it away when I'm done but I can also squeeze the top sides together to get a more direct pour.

Once your resin is mixed slowly start to pour the resin over your filled between the two glass containers. Don't worry if you end up getting some on the glass. Just make sure you wipe it off with a paper towel when you get done pouring.

It takes a while for the resin to make its way down to the bottom. I actually ended up doing 4 small pours with about 5 minutes between each.

The resin will eventually settle at the bottom. I kinda like the look of the Agate that the resin has passed through.

And the finished product. Place your container somewhere it won't get knocked over and let sit 24 hours to harden. You can drop in a tea light candle (or larger, depending on your container)

I can't wait to see how this looks in the dark. I'll try to take some photos tonight.

Getting Pinched By Bears

This summer I was lucky to have my day off fall on July 4th. It was a slower week for us and I was able to fly out with the guys to Brooks River. If you've ever seen any photos of bears near a waterfall, more than likely, they were taken here.

First time visitors have to watch a 10 minute bear safety video (don't feed them, don't approach them, they don't like hugs or kisses. etc.) They give you a nifty little lapel pin (photo coming soon) and then you're off on your own.

Since I wasn't fishing or involved in taking photos for the website, I was stuck on bear duty. So, every three or four minutes (sometimes in lesser intervals) I would say, 'Incoming. Three o'clock.' And one of these guys would show up. (See above)

While these guys, Todd & Ryan, were busy documenting.

It was a little unnerving at first because there was a lot of tall grass but after awhile I sort of got used to having them around.

Doesn't he look cute? Yeah, looks can be deceiving. Later on, this clever boy decided we were a little too close for comfort and decided to charge us. Well, more specifically Todd, but since we were all standing together, we all got the full effect.

Incoming!

(Click on the pic for a detailed version of some lovely sharp teeth)

(And lovely sharp nails)

Scuba Steve! It cracks me up that they stick their heads under the water and look for fish. I guess everyone has their own way of doing things.

This big boy had perched himself on the falls and was waiting for salmon to jump.

(Click the photo for a larger view and you can see all of his battle wounds from other bears)

The falls, so beautiful. When we first got there only a few bears had taken up residence. By the time we left there were about 10-12.

They remind me of really big dogs.

Mr. Grumpy Gus. I love all of their facial expressions.

Hopefully I'll be able to go back in the next couple of years. Later on in the season more bears flock to the falls and that's what I want photos of!

:)