So I Made this Cuff Bracelet...

I had an idea. I thought a four inch cuff with my special "tooled" touch would be awesome. So I made one. I was unsure of it, not because I was unsure of my ability (shameless pat on the back), but because 4" cuffs are, well uncommon, it looks like something a dominatrix would wear and I had never riveted ever and so had to learn. Basically the whole thing was a bit raw.

I tested out the bracelet by wearing it in public. I mean who better to give their opinion then the people at the high-end clothing store I moonlight at? Well guess what, they liked it, even in it's raw, prototype form, which is great. Now I must perfect it and make more.

Until next time......

A Little Metal Flower Power for Ya!

So why not take something as fabulous as tools that look like tiny metal flowers and group them in a bouquet on a homemade chain. No reason, just to be fabulous. 1.5"x2.5" and super lite, cuz that's how I like it. Enjoy!

New to You!!

So, let's talk about what's new to you. Well, a fantastic set of 2.5" dangle earrings made of zinc washers, which look great with jeans or dresses. And the best part they are not heavy!! No one wants heavy earrings. You should check them out!

Where I am now.....

So I have been making jewelry pretty much my whole life, but never knew/thought it would/could be anything. Until last Wednesday I had an ephifany. One of those "yes that is what I'm supposed to do with my life!"epiphanies. It seems when this particular type of epiphanies happens to people on tv it's either after they:  

• survive a car accident 
• get hit on the head with a coconut or bowling ball 
• or survive a major catastrophe, which usually involves water...hmmm

 Nothing like that happened, it was more a gradual succession of events i.e. learning to write the perfect cover letter, finding I do not fit in a niche, jewelry compliments, which I did not take seriously and far to many soul searches. 
Regardless of how I came to it I realized that I am supposed to make jewelry and everything I have done in life has prepared me to make it, market it and sell it. I like when that happens. Of course I will still need odd jobs here and there, but at least now they are a means to something better, something I enjoy and know I am good at and can do. 


It feels good when you realize what you are supposed to do. So stay tuned I am "working" on a website and let's see where this crazy ride takes us. 


Until next time......

Seeing Red through Jewel Colored Glasses

A few weeks since my last posting, yes I'm aware I was missed, I missed you too. Be happy though, the time was well spent. 

I went to a "motivational" seminar at Key Arena that was supposed "to change my life." Well it was more Republican propaganda, about buying their product and writing out my goals to "keep in my bible." So needless to say I did not stay long. 

I dyed my hair Rihanna Red. Not the "technical" term, but for-sure the Hollywood term. It's very red. Very, very red, and I love it. I feel like a whole new person. I feel like I'm from the future. 

Prefaced statement; This next part is a pat on the back to me from me. I realized I am way more skilled at jewelry making than I thought. I made Steampunk style earrings out of Edwardian glasses, and in my opinion A-mazing.

I also have decided to try out for a juried  show, try a video style resume from Hello There and drink a gallon of water a day. 


Until next time.....

Grandpa Leo, You're Right, I Don't Know and I Don't Care

(Set to the tune of Jimmy Crack Corn) "I don't know and I don't care. I don't know and I don't care. I don't know and I don't care. I don't know and I don't care"

Today's post is brought to you by the "inspirational" song by my grandpa, Leo Bertolucci, titled "I don't know and I don't care." 

When I was 14 my paternal grandpa and grandma picked me up, in my then home town of Spokane and drove myself and my cousin Ryan back to their home in Bakersfield, California. This took 3 full days of Rush Limbaugh's radio show, the Roserary on the radio, I-90 nothingness, 9 full meals at Denny's and my grandpa thinking up this fantastic song. 

I'm bringing this to you today, because I think my grandpa had something with his, I don't know and I don't care theory. Hear me out. When couples stop worrying about having a baby they get pregnant, my dad says when you stop caring about finding a job you find one, when people stop worrying about dieing they begin to truly live, need I continue. 

My point is this, why do we care so much? We don't know what's going to happen so why should we care? My grandpa is now 83, and for an Italian immigrant with only a very early high school education has done extremely well for himself. It makes me wonder if it's from not really caring about what he doesn't know. 

So I'd like to toast to my grandpa, who doesn't know and doesn't care and seems to be quite content. I'm going to try that theory, I'm not going to really worry/care about things that I don't really know about and see how it goes. If you decide to do the same let me know how it woks for you. 

Until next time....

Weird Wednesday!

Yesterday I tried to post about my very strange Wednesday, but blogger was down. And since today was far from memorable, view this post as if you were reading it on Thursday May 12th, like you're going back in time. So hold on here we go......

So yesterday was a very strange day. I woke up to an email from an adult website wanting to share links on my blog. It was not spam it was a real email. Now I can kind of understand why they might think soinsoout would want to share links with an adult website, but well I'm really looking for a different branding and audience, but it still made me laugh, a lot. 

Later in the day I went to a eco-friendly woman's event, which I was hoping was for networking. No it was about shopping and spas. My right arm did however receive a turmeric, coconut oil scrub. I left the event with two rulers made out of old phonebooks and some dark chocolate chapstick. Why do grown women need rulers? I did however get to debut my pink nut necklace (it really needs a better name). It got fantastic reviews, which was well fantastic. In addition to my necklace making it's debut, the event allowed me to be a featured writer for Chicecologist, an eco-friendly blog. Also fantastic.

My day ended with my much younger friend Sheila and I getting hit on by a slightly nerdy guy, while having happy hour. He claimed he was sent over on a bet. I asked him what he won and he said us....and the chance to buy us saki. Really? He than asked my friend for a kiss on the cheek. Wow, really guy come on. 
Yeah so yesterday was weird, but humorous, which is actually a good match.

See now wasn't going back in time fun? Until next time....

My Week Ended in Yellow!

It was a hard week. A hard week that ended in yellow and cookies, which was very needed. This week was full of kicks to my confidence, stress and a bit of soul searching, not fun, but all necessary to move onward.

Speaking of onward, part of the soul searching was me starting the book Onward, by Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz. It's uplifting, insightful and just downright fantastic. I'm glad I picked it up this week, it helped my week end in yellow...and cookies.

So what do I mean about my week ending in yellow? I'm usually a wear black kind of girl. I love black it's a fantastic color that looks good on anything, everything and everybody. As mentioned in my last post, I had my nails painted yellow on Wednesday and since then I have become obsessed with the color. I kind of want to change all my clothes to yellow, but will settle for a yellow dress or shoes, maybe a hat. However, on my way to buy supplies for a pair of earrings which I will debut next week, I decided they could be no other color, but yellow.

I also tried a new cookie recipe from the amazing Joy the Baker, they are delicious. You have to brown butter and roast coconut. I'm exchanging them for a new logo for SoInSoOut, which you will see next week too.

That was a  lot for one week and one post. Happy Mothers day Mom!

Until next time.....

Adults do not Paint their Nails Sunshine Yellow!

Yesterday and today I was an adult. I got a ridiculous amount done, changed my blog header (look up) and my etsy logo, but that will get another face lift next week. I also updated my LinkeIn, with more improvement to that profile coming tonight, because that's what adults do and I am an adult.

What do adults not do? They do not have their nails painted sunshine yellow, but that's what I did, and I love it.

Check out my new profiles!

Until next time.....

Le Sigh...I did it for Fashion!

I wasn't going to do it. I kept saying there was no reason to stay up till 1am to watch a wedding. No I wasn't going to do it.

Well, I did it. I stayed up from 1-2am fell asleep for a hour and then woke up to watch 3 more hours of the Royal Wedding. Why, why did I do this? It was fashions fault, damn you fashion (shakes fist). I had to see what, or better yet who Kate was wearing (I love Alexander McQueen RIP) and I HAD to see all the hats.

Being part of 4 billion people made me want to now:
1. Move to London, like tomorrow. House Hunters International here I come.
2. Wear hats! I have decided to start a movement to wear crazy hats to events. Yeah, I'll be able to be picked out in a crowd.
3. Speak with an English accent. I mean if Britney and Madonna could do it why can't I.

So I'm a little sleepy I'm not going to lie, as I really only had 3 hours of sleep, but it was worth it.

In addition, but yet unrelated, I'm running Blooomsday this Sunday in the town where I grew up, Spokane. So pray it won't snow. Hmm, I wonder if a fantastic hat will go with my running skirt?

Until next time.....

Space Needle Cocktail Rings and Teeny Tiny Plants

I made a ring! It's my first one, and the first time I got to use my new solder kit! I'm pretty fond of the ring. My friend Erin thinks it looks like the Space Needle, I guess I can see that. It actually is a drawer pull, and one of my favorite pieces. I think it looks tough, but still feminine. And talk about a cocktail ring, which bigger is always better, so Ta-Dah!


Speaking of big, let's talk about small (nice
transition, right). Today I was in the search of a mint plant. Not spearmint, chocolate mint, lemon mint, cat mint (it's real), no just mint. This quest was brought about due to my desire to make mojitos this summer. I thought, since mint is kind of expensive at the store, why not grow it myself? Come to find out regular mint, is incredibly hard to find. However, on my way home from Fred Meyer, who did not have it, I drove by Emerald City Gardens, my new favorite local nursery. They had mint, were extremely friendly, and the reason for this post, sold the teeny, tiniest plants. Now I'm not usually suckered in by "register things," but super tiny, tiny plants? Yes, please!! I was told this is what Emerald City makes when they are bored. Well, I for one appreciate their boredom!


Until next time.....

Change the Drab to Fab for Spring!

Yesterday and today the sun was out and the sky was moderately blue. What is a girl to do when Spring is trying to spring in Seattle? Change her color pallet of course. Hair colored yesterday,Spring makeup colors today and the finishing the Spring like necklace, did the trick.

The new makeup colors are exciting, not only because they are new and well colorful, but because I have been on the hunt for a new makeup person and I finally found her today. She was fantastic, knowledgeable, a little edgy, super nice, I spent less than usual and still got to stay with my favorite makeup line MAC.
 
To add to my Spring color extravaganza, I finished a necklace I have been working on for a week. I think it turned out fantastic. I know it's big and not everyone's cup of tea, but it would offset any basic piece in your wardrobe swimmingly. 

So welcome to Spring friends, hope you have found some color and good things for the new season. I have important stuff to do tomorrow, so wish me luck. 
Until next time....

Orange You Glad I Didn't Buy Black?

Today I bought an orange belt. Which lead me to want a pair of orange shoes. No, I did not buy a pair of orange shoes, but I sure wanted to. 

It's, weird to own orange anything, I usually am a gray, black, white or brown, kind of girl, with amazing shoes of course, but I figured I needed some color in my life. Thus orange. Hmmm, I now want to add all sorts of random bright colored, accessories only, to my wardrobe. Oh the possibilities....oh the shoes!

I also started a new necklace. The pieces are the metal part that attaches to the wall of a light sconce. When I bought them they were painted gray, but as you can see no longer. This necklace is not finished, but just giving you a sneak peak. 

Until next time......

A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words!

It's raining today. I know, not a surprise for Seattle. The plus to today's rain is it kept me inside, for numerous hours of contract work and projects, which was good, I was very busy. 

The rain however, did keep me from searching for "treasures" at my favorite second use stores for found objects to turn into jewelry pieces. Mainly, because all the stores are outside and kind of dirty. So I figured I would be more productive inside today, which I was. 

Being inside also gave me a chance to take new and ideally better pictures of my already existing pieces. Let's see if new pictures will make a difference. 

Let me know what you think and I will let you know what I find tomorrow, I have a very full day planned.

Until next time.....

Busy Day Starting with a Metaphorical Ass Kicking

Every now and than I lose perspective on life. Usually this lack of perspective, I either don't see in myself, or choose, out of stubbornness, to ignore. It ALWAYS takes someone close to shine a light on this perspective. Today, my perspective was noticed with less of a soft light and more of a metaphorical kick in the ass. Yep, that's how I started my morning, and it was necessary and good.

After my kicking, luckily by someone I greatly respect, I went on the hunt for just the perfect pieces to accentuate my gold dresser plate necklace. The store I wanted was closed for a silly reason and so I went to Fusion Beads on Stone Way, and I'm so glad I did. I knew I was in the right place when walking in they loved the necklace I was wearing and made. They then solved my problem.

With a bag full of supplies, and not even a chip out of my wallet I returned home to complete my newest necklace and possibly by far my favorite piece. Both the girl helping me at Fusion and myself agreed that this piece could be worn with jeans and a cute shirt or with a great cocktail dress in the evening. I like when people I don't know get me. 

I ended the day with a new etsy posting, and a bit of itunes shopping, where lil Wayne and Rhinna joined my gym mix.

Overall, it was a great, much needed eye opening day. 

Until next time.....

Banana Bread!

I woke up a bit out of sorts today, my dead grandma's term. So to remedy that, I looked for jobs, for 3 hours. I kept myself busy with various projects. and ordered some ring shanks for a few new projects. 

Shortly after , Husband decided he wanted Italian for dinner. Upon looking in the freezer I came across two, count them two, one gallon Ziploc bags of frozen bananas. So what does one do with that many bananas? I made the following:

• 2 loaves of chocolate chip banana bread
• 2 loaves of pineapple, coconut banana bread
• 1 loaf of pineapple banana bread
• 1 loaf of blueberry walnut banana bread
• A dozen gluten free, blueberry, walnut, oat bread
• 1 tiny loaf of gluten free, blueberry, walnut, oat bread

Needless to say I have a lot of banana bread now. Do you want some? 



I ended the day with spinning and Italian food. Overall, the day ended better than it started. I'm glad about my completed projects and the banana bread made me feel better, plus the ring shanks for my new ring is exciting.

In addition, Husband has mentioned I should write a separate post about each of my Etsy pieces and how I made them. So expect that tomorrow. 

Until next time.......

Purple Shoes, need I say more?

Today I went to my job interview. I think it went well. It seemed to go well. I hope it went well. I was asked back to talk to the other partner next week, however based on their name I'm not sure if it's a man or a women. I'm excited, I like the vibe of the space and a bit of very part time, part time work will add nicely to my employment repertoire. 

Aside from the good interview, I learned something today about purple shoes. To my interview I wore purple shoes, black opaque tights and a black patterned dress. I got more compliments on my shoes than on any of my other pairs, and I have a pretty fantastic selection of shoes. I even had two people tell me at stop lights from their cars how much they liked my shoes. So riddle me this Batman, was it the color of the shoes that they liked, because they were not usual, or was it the fact the shoes looked so bright with the black tights? 

In addition I launched my etsy site today. It only has four pieces, but it's up. Maybe go check it out. 

Until next time.......

Bootcamps from Hell, I love the Smell, Spark Plug Gap Checkers are Swell!

Yesterday, I tried out a new bootcamp. My hairdresser Shelina convinced me it would be great, as it is only 6 people and led by personal trainer Tony Moses. 

So at 11pm I set off to Kerry Park feeling confident and ready. I mean, I workout about three days a week and did a hour and forty five minute outdoor bootcamp from January to November of last year, I was ready and pumped. Plus I was wearing all Under Armour so I looked really fast and sporty too, always a plus in my book. 

Oh my God was I ever wrong. I feel like I'm going to die! Every muscle in my body hurts, and during the hour long bootcamp I felt like I had never worked out before in my life. How is this possible? However, I am happy to be in this much pain. I mean what is the point of working out if you are not in completely and utter pain after? If I'm not crawling up and down stairs because my legs hurt so bad, I feel I am not getting my moneys worth. Mother blames this on my possible blood type.


On a different note. I have two pieces of jewelry done and another should be finished tonight. Ideally would have been finished sooner, but  ran out of spark plug gap checkers today so had to make a mad dash to the auto parts store. I need to figure out where to get those in bulk.

Also, had a delightful car ride home with the fabulous Kate Walling today. She suggested I change my picture in my blog header, to something well, happier. I tend to agree, so ideally watch for something soon. 

I have my clothing store interview I mentioned last week tomorrow, so wish me luck. I'm not really nervous, but what am I going to wear.....

One more note to add that has nothing to do with anything. I love the smell of Gain laundry soap mixed with Gain fabric softener, They smell fantastic and really do last a long time. Just in case you are in the market for new laundry soap. 

Until next time....

Me, the Past Two Weeks

For all of you who didn't know, today is the 17th of March. In the past two weeks, between the 3rd my birthday, and today, my life has been well, "life changing." Let's take a look back over the past two weeks shall we.

• Had a giant rock thrown through my front house window, and then was burglarized. For those of you who don't know proper "crime lingo," when your belongings are stolen from your possession off the street when you are say, walking you are robbed. When someone throws a rock the size of your pug through your window and steals your husbands laptop, you are burglarized. 
• I turned 31. Which, I just gotta say, better be a Hell-of-a-lot-better than 30. 
• Went on a "vision quest" to LA for four days. I did some soul searching, some spinning, went to church on Hollywood Blvd, went to the acclaimed The Viper Room, had a 70+ year-old waiter named Manny think my friend Joy and I were lesbians, went to the beach, won an Emmy and acted like a movie star while shopping at the Whole Foods in Venice. 
• Established an Etsy store. No, don't go looking it up, there is nothing on it yet, but wait till ideally next week. Fingers crossed, this delights and scares me all at the same time. 
• Picked up another bit of contract work and set up an interview for what I'm hoping will be an awesome part time job. If anything at least it will get me out of the house three days a week and gives me a reason to put makeup on and wear heels again. I will keep you posted. 
• Ran the St. Paddy's Dash...in the rain. But hey it was four miles and they seemed easy. All in preparation for the half marathon in June, plus I got a tee-shirt.
• Was commissioned by my friend Allyson to produce a set of side tables out of 70's style brass lamps. I know sounds weird, but from what I did today, I think they will be pretty awesome. Expect a blog post soon.

So, yes friends, it has been an interesting two weeks. I'm thinking with Sunday being the beginning of Spring it will be the beginning, and birth of new and fabulous things, and I'm excited.


Until next time (which hopefully will be sooner than later)....

Joyful Invite from a Joyful friend! See you in LA!

The day started with my slight rut of yesterday continuing on to this morning, and with the threat of snow coming I felt a bit "meh" this morning. Then I got a text message. No, not one saying someone fantastic wants to hire me, although being hired by text would be awesome. Actually, it was a text from my amazing baking friend Joy, who lives in sunny LA. 

As you can see in the text she must have been keeping tabs on me lately and realized I needed a vacation in the sun, and so she reached out to me. After talking to Husband and the snow coming and going like 5 times today, a flight to LA was booked to spend four, what I can only assume will be fabulous days, with Ms. Joy. I can't wait! 

It's funny, because after my flight was booked I then found and applied for a job, and ate a fortune cookie that said "your day shall go well tomorrow," which I have all the faith in the world in.

So thank you Joy for the Joyful outlook to my day and I can't wait to come to LA in two weeks, but what shoes will I wear. 

Until next time....

Spark Plug Charts, not Just for Spark Plug Measuring

Today, I was trying to pull myself out of a slight "I'm turning 31 next week" birthday rut. So in addition to contract work and the non-existent jobs in my search today, I decided to get creative today. 

This creativity lead to the necklace to your left. The best part is what the metal-coin-like object is really purposed for. The mystery piece is a Spark Plug Gap Chart. Yes, the very same item one would use to measure spark plugs. This came into my possession when Husband and I were cleaning  up his office Saturday, and the rest is history. 

Let me know what you think. 

Until next time......

7 Things I Learned in the Ikea "Restaurant" Today

Today I did something I thought I would never do. I sat in the Ikea "restaurant" for an hour and fifteen minutes. This fun filled time came about because Husband and I were looking for a large, slightly modern looking table for his office. The problem was we agreed on the style, but not the price and went to Ikea searching for the "perfect" table that might bridge the gap between price and looks. 


So we arrived in the As-Is section at 11am on the Friday before Presidents Day where yes we did find the prefect table for $62, and all it needs is a little coat of paint, perfect. Here is where it gets sticky, and I'm not talking about the Ikea cinnamon rolls. 

We decide to purchase the table and realize it won't fit in our car. I figure Ikea has this problem all the time and would let us purchase said table, put a sold sign on it, and we would go get the larger car. Clearly my logic and Ikea's didn't jive, and the Ikea man suggested one of us stay with the table while the other gets the right car. With no other options we decide that yes, this is what must be done. So I was nominated, by default of not knowing the most efficient way home, to stay. So Husband left while I waited. 


Things I learned while in the Ikea "restaurant" for an hour and 15 minutes:
1. Ikea, or maybe the Swedish in general, hate gluten free people. 
2. Ikea, or yet maybe the Swedish again, really like to make people fat. 
3. The general public really likes Swedish meatballs.
4. Between 11am and noon a lot of babies go to Ikea. 
5. Ikea potato chips are not very good. Do Swedish people not know how to make good potato chips?
6. When small children walk and try to eat at the same time they lose all other senses and run into things like our new perfect table. 
7. When small children eat and walk they also look like they are drunk, which I think is funny. 

Side note: I also thought it was funny when the"inebriated" child ran into the table. It's not my fault it's not as if the table jumped out at her it was standing completely still and is stark white.


Until next time.....

Good Fortune and Half Marathons!

What up, what up, guess what I did today? I signed up for the Rock and Roll half marathon in June. Yes, although I swore I would never do another one after my first one this last November, I have decided, with the encouragement of my friend Kevin, to do it again.

Registering for my crazy race, was done in between eating fortune cookies, making shelves out of books (you heard me right) and searching for jobs, that today did not seem to exist. The reason of mentioning the fortune cookies is because the fortunes to your left. I believe they are a sign for jobs to come.

Until next time...

I'm Back with a White Person Afro!!

Hi, yes I'm back. Please excuse my hiatus I was moving and with Husband being in London I decided it would be easier to not have to write a daily blog.

Today I had a meeting with the fantastic Kate at her new space at 6th and Union.Mine and Husbands new living location is now closer to downtown, so I decided I wanted to see how long it would take to walk. Why I decided to choose to walk in rain, I'm not sure, but hey it's Seattle it's what we do. So I walked in the rain and realized it only takes me 15 minutes and one near account of death by car in a crosswalk.

My meeting went well. I then picked Husband up some tee-shirts at Urban Outfitter and found they are now using reusable bags as their bags, which is really cool, and oh so earth friendly. I also took a little visit to my other contracting responsibility to pick up my paycheck and then walked home and looked for jobs.

It seems the job market has picked up a bit and I was actually able to apply for two today, with one waiting for application in the wings. So let's keep our fingers crossed.

Just a note about all my walking today. I had my hair cut and colored last Tuesday and she gave me the white person afro I always wanted. So today when it was pouring rain I just pulled my white person afro back in a few bobby pins, but still afro like and I looked good, I view today as a plus, plus on all levels.

Boy it's good to be back.
Until next time....

Not Insightful Part 2, But I did Recycle

Week 4

I spent most of the day trying to think of something insightful to post, but alas nothing. I wanted to post something insightful, due to yesterday's not being much of anything, but today I still found nothing.

Today, I did however recycle a mattress. Yes, I said recycle. For $20 and driving 19 miles, I greenly disposed of a mattress. I felt really good about that.

In addition to mattress recycling I applied for a paid internship. If you are an avid reader of my blog you understand how I feel about internships, but this one seemed good and more learning is always necessary for job growth.

I also went to the dentist today and found dental insurance is not all that it is cracked up to be.

Until next time....

Nothing Insightful Today

Week 4

Cleaning, packing, contracting, searching, spinning, good night!

Oh my what a day!

Until next time....

Hopefully Today's not Day One of Four

Week 4

My goodness kind of a busy day.
It started off with me doing two hours of contract work, followed by a trip to the art supply store. Where I spent 45 minutes with a worker, who is identified by always having a Starbucks (my kind of guy), picking out just the right color marker for a new project. As I went up to pay I realized I did not have my wallet, due to a purse switching the night before. This wouldn't have been a big deal if the art store and my home were not on two completely different sides of town. So it was back home and then back to the art store.

After returning home, I had another Craigslist sale, where once again I was not murdered. After, I applied for a job for a staff writer position. The ad said if I don't hear from them in four days I won't. Hopefully they don't count today as day one.

Finally, I went back to the gym after a two week hiatus. My friend Shelia convinced me to do a body pump class. I was scared, bar bells are used, but it ended up being a very good the workout. I needed a good workout and some good workout endorphins. However I'm sure I'll be regretting it tomorrow.


Until next time....

I Was Not Murdered and Finished Some Seating!

Week 4 (really?!)

Today was busy. I sold a vanity on Craigslist and delivered it to the buyer who owned a coffee shop. Instead of killing me she gave me a delicious free, Americano and commended me on my cautionary sense of not wanting to help her move the vanity to her living space.

Today also brought about me finally finishing my Spokane Coliseum stadium seats. I took them from kitchy to modern with a can of spray paint and some imagination. Which my friend Blair (a boy) believes I should sell on Craigslist for $400 dollars. I appreciate his optimism.

Finally, the day ended with me enjoying happy hour with a very good friend of mine from high school, a Mrs. Wendy Choy, who I had not seen in 12 years. It was nice discussing old times, why neither of us went to the reunion and how we both felt about high school.

Now I end the day now with you, my readers, some job searching which doesn't seem to be promising, and contract work. I guess if all else fails I can always fall back on reconstructing furniture.

Until next time.....

A Stroller Named Bob, but no Margaritas

Week 3


Today was a fantastically sunny day. To enjoy this sunny day I had lunch with not one, but two pregnant friends. Myself not being pregnant now or probably in the near future, was probably no help in the pregnancy discussions department. The only knowledge I have of children is friends kids, nephews, younger brothers and years of babysitting. None of which gave me enough knowledge to have a conversation about $400 strollers named Bob (I think a better name would be Dante ).


In addition to my lack of baby knowledge we went to Cactus in Madison Park for lunch. Do you know what's great about Mexican food on sunny days? Margaritas. And although, I was being a "lady who lunched," I didn't want to be the only lady drinking in the middle of the afternoon. Thus forgoing my Mexican food margarita, oh well the babies are due soon.


The rest of the day was spent pretty normal. I did do a write up for a possible job, which I would love, and be perfect for, you know who you are possible job. I also walked the Thelonious Pug, did some contract work and felt a huge lack of vitamin D and C (maybe I have scurvy) thus sending me on an impromtu fruit jaunt to Trader Joe's. Overall, not a bad day.


Until next time....

When Unemployed You get to Handle the "Stuff"

Week 3


So when you are unemployed and your spouse is not, it leaves you to be the person who has to deal with "stuff." In this case the "stuff," I so delightfully got to deal with, was the smell of death pouring out our refrigerator.


Words can not describe how bad the refrigerator smelled. I don't know why or how it could EVEN smell that bad. It was making the Britta water, cheese, and anything not in an air tight container taste like the smell. I felt like I was on the Smelly Car episode of Seinfeld. There was very little in the fridge, and in my opinion nothing to make it smell so bad. I'm therefore taking the blame off of myself and placing it on the senior citizen attempting to keep what little is left in my kitchen cold.


The most difficult part of my days delightful task was the fact that I have no dishwasher. Instead I cleaned everything all "Laura Ingles" style. I might as well have been using a washboard surrounded by chickens in my backyard.




Overall, it was yet another day, but I did find a job that sounds promising for they are looking for a fun creative writer, just ignore me as I raise my hand.


Until next time....

Case of the Blogging Mondays

Week 3 (day counting has stopped, too many and can't remember)


Nothing much to say, pretty low key day. I did however apply for a job and made $25 selling my vanity. Overall not a complete waste. 


Until next time.....

Happy Birthday Mom and Happy Ah Ha Day Me!!

Week 2, Day 5


Hello from Portland. I am in the Rose city my fabulous mothers birthday party, which I planned unexpectedly, here's hoping she likes it.

Portland from Seattle is about a two and a half hour drive, which when driving with my husband I enjoy. It makes us get to chat for two and a half hours. Today's chat was about my unemployment and where I am going with it. We came to the conclusion that I should work in something creative. 


Now don't get me wrong, this is pretty obvious. I mean I am a Pisces, a bit unique and can not do math, so creativity seems to run in my blood. However, the realization had not fully hit me until today's car ride. Once I had this "ah ha moment" I suddenly felt a bit at ease. I had now just narrowed down my job search to art, fashion, music, etc. Knowing this, made me realize that I may have been trying to hard looking for everything and not trying hard enough looking for the right thing. 


So friends as the week comes to a close I will begin the job hunt Monday with my creative cap on and a new knowledge of myself. 


Until next time....

Not Feeling Bloggy

Week 2, Day 4

Hi Friends, 


I'm sorry, but today I'm not feeling very "bloggy." I don't know if it was the full day of rain, or it was my very low key day of contract work and job hunting, but I just don't have much to say today. 


I would however, like to wish my Mother a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


Until next time.....

Britt Bertolucci Cao and the Terrible Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Week 2, Day 3


I woke up this morning cranky. Not for any reason, I got my first full night of sleep in two weeks, I get paid on Saturday and I even had new coffee, so it should have been a good morning. For some reason it wasn't, and I was in a rotten mood. It could have had something to do with me finding out my coffeemaker has cancer, my mother calling last night with a "project" that she needed today (which I later found out means before 6pm) or that husband was in a great mood talking uncontrollably about nothing. Or it might have been one of those days when I come to the realization I am unemployed, thus having to face the inevitable question what am I doing with my life. Grrr, overall bad day.


Regardless, I faced the day. Three hours of contract work and ineffective job hunting,while watching Sex and the City reruns, followed by a furniture hunt with one of my favorite couples. The snow had melted and things seemed to be turning around, seemed being the operative word.


Little did I know when I got home husband and I had switched moods somewhere in the middle of the day. He was in a horrible mood and I was feeling a smidge better. I started the project for mother as husband tried to sleep off the angries. The stupid project ended up taking two and a half hours and multiple text messages from mother asking "how it was going." Dinner was to follow, where my now, back to angry self and the still angry husband had one of our usual arguments over how much he hates the pug followed by an angry, silent ride home. Thus ending here with you, and concluding Britt Bertolucci Cao's Terrible Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Tomorrow will be better, I just know it.


Until next time.....

Craigslist, We Need to Talk

Week 2, Day 2 


What do savvy unemployed girls do when they are moving? They sell furniture they don't need anymore on Craigslist. What does this mean for me as a savvy unemployed girl? It means I have to interact with all the Craigslist people, who in my mind are always out to kill me.


I know this sounds ridiculous. For I myself am a Craigslist person, I mean who doesn't love a great find at an equally great price. My problem is I believe people, both buying or selling on Craigslist, are planning on killing me when they come to retrieve their chair or I go to their house. I don't know why I find myself so special. I mean really I doubt anybody is going to kill me, but you never know.


In addition,  to the "murders" on Craigslist, lately I have expereinced a lot of chatty Craiglisters. Both today when I sold our barbecue, and last week when I sold a little side table. Both buyers wanted to discuss my last name, my family origin, Thelonious (my pug) and the weather. I'm sorry Craigslisters, but you already make me nervous I don't want to chat with you too. I didn't put a personal ad for a friend up, I put an ad for a barbecue and various furniture pieces. I might hang out with just myself and the dog all day because everyone's at work, but that is no reason to be overly chatty with me.


Until next time....

Being Unemployed, Doesn't Mean You Have To Be Fashionably Challenged

Week 2, Day 1

When being unemployed one must remember to continue to be fashionable. Being fashionable is thought to be hard, because it often seems expensive. Ah ha! That is where you are wrong. 

Today, I discovered how to be not only fashionable, but also super thrifty. Today I did what I have never done before. I sold some clothes at Buffalo Exchange, not for their 34% back in cash, which would have been like $5, but for the coolest pair of Kanga shoes and a shirt EVER!! 

Yes my friends I found fashion in the most unlikely place, for me. Now, I have never been one to buy "used" clothes. I always found it kind of yucky and they usually don't fit, but today, today I found awesomeness. These shoes are so great and A-mazing that they match perfectly with my $17 pair of Joe's from Nordstrom Rack, which I found last night...75% off! 


So my friends what I am telling you, is you can be fashionably unemployed, you just have to be thrifty. 


Until next time.....

Tony was Talking about me and other Happenings

Week 1, Day 5


Yep this post is kind of late, so sue me.


Today yet again was not hugely "job useful. " I was however, informed by Tony (same Tony from yesterday) that he talked to a PR firm about me (thanks Tony), thus sparking me to email him my resume. I also emailed my resume to two twitter tips, so overall not bad.


In addition, I signed some papers, saw a baby, read some books about ducks, ate a grilled cheese sandwich (yes the second one this week, I love them) did some contract work, finished a book and made some frosting for the red devil cupcakes I am making for the baby shower on Sunday. 

Actually now that I think about it, I find today to be actually quite productive.


Until next time......  

*Reader Note: I have yet to decide if I will write blog posts this weekend or just save them for the week days. So if you are expecting them please be either surprised or just excited for Monday.Thanks, Peace out!

Nerds and Fresh Fish, Always a Good Combination

Week 1, Day 4












Today I headed down to the International District to meet two of my nerdiest friends, Nick and Tony for lunch. J's Sushi was our destination and upon turning the corner and seeing my lunch location I considered going back to my car. Boy am I glad I didn't.


Being a hole in the wall is an understatement for J's. Small, black with just a sign that says "Sushi" distinguished it from the other restaurants, but as I reminded myself, I was in the heart of the ID, so what did I expect. We sat at the counter and J himself stood behind the rows of fresh fish rolling little clouds of rice for our next delicious sushi bite. We didn't know what we were having until he placed it on our little cutting board. Everything from Baby tuna belly to spiky sea urchin ended up dancing on my taste buds, all so fresh and delicious, J would even tell us what didn't need to be dipped because it would ruin the already amazing flavor.


After my two hour sushi extravaganza, and lively conversation covering everything from my recent blog posts to my owning a bianary watch, which both Tony and Nick decided was far to nerdy for me, I headed home. At home the endless and today not very effective daily job search awaited me, in addition to my daily dose of contract work. Even though slightly uneventful, you gotta love finding what could be my new favorite sushi restaurant.


Until next time....... 

Does being a Virus help you in the Job Hunt?

Week 1, Day 3

Today was rather uneventful. I had a meeting with the fabulous Kate, did some contract work, ate a grilled cheese sandwich and watched 2 hours of Tosh 2.0 (not by choice, husband was home).

Well, in the “extreme excitement” that was my day and the marathon of Tosh and my usual surfing of the internet. I got to thinking about people becoming famous, or being offered jobs due to the Internet, case in point Ted Williams. If it wasn’t for the Internet he would still be a panhandler on I-71 in Ohio, instead he’s being offered jobs left and right. Now don’t get me wrong I’m happy for him, but if it wasn’t for the internet no one would ever have known of his “golden voice.” Other famous internet “stars” Justin Bieber, Antoine Dodson, and Perez Hilton, just to name a few. 

The internet has discovered, and brought to the surface of semi famous society, a fine group of characters. Because of this I feel I too should figure out a way to find myself doing something on a viral video. Now, I’m not saying like take off my clothes or something lude. I’m saying something “amazing,” but do I really have the “talents” for a viral video, I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

Until next time.....

How Professional is Getting Personal?

Week 1 Day 2: 

Today I had a meeting with my “mentor,” of sorts and a great business woman, Kate. Kate is awesome, but my meetings with her often leave me feeling like I have no idea what I’m doing with my life. We are the same age, and yet she has her own business, and knows how to help others run their businesses, where as I am STILL trying to figure stuff out. 

Well in meeting with Kate today, she mentioned I would make a excellent  personal assistant. Now, this thought is nothing new. I have been told this before and have unprofessionally dabbled in it a few times. I also know I am VERY good at it (toot toot, yeah that’s my own horn you hear). So why don’t I become a personal assistant and say goodbye to my contractor/unemployed life you ask?

Here is why.

1. My husband feels being a personal assistant equates to basically being someones "bitch." (his words not mine) 

2. I have a hard time knowing I went to college, studied journalism and PR and then chose to be a personal assistant. I’m not saying they are uneducated, but you’ve never heard little Johnny or Sally say “I’m going to be a personal assistant when I grow up.” If they did I feel Jimmy, who wants to be a fireman, would punch them in the face. 

3. How old would too old be to be a personal assistant? I know movie stars have them and they are not teenagers and in Hollywood it’s a good job, but what about the real world? I mean I am no Fonzworth Bentley.

4. It’s not like I would end up being P Diddy or Oprah’s assistant. And does being a personal assistant to just anyone hold the same weight? 

These are just some of my musings of what today brought. Let me know your thoughts.

Until next time.....