Your Aura is Blue
Spiritual and calm, you tend to live a quiet but enriching life. You are very giving of yourself. And it's hard for you to let go of relationships. The purpose of your life: showing love to other people Famous blues include: Angelina Jolie, the Dali Lama, Oprah Careers for you to try: Psychic, Peace Corps Volunteer, Counselor

About Me

My photo
This blog started out as a way for me to display and sell my handmade jewelry creations. I have set up shop on Etsy.com, where my shop name is "Dreamin of Beadin". The link to my Etsy store is located on the right hand side of this page. Please check me out!! If jewelry's not your thing, then check out the site anyway ~ there are plenty of talented artists selling lots of cool things there. For your reading pleasure, this blog will serve as a sneak peek into what's going on "behind the scenes" in my world. I love to cook, so there will be plenty of recipes, as well as product reviews and the occasional product giveaway (woo hoo!) I also love to take pictures of anything and everything, and I just bought a new camera, so there will be plenty of photos. And I like wine too, so things could get pretty interesting . . . Thank you for your support of me, Etsy and "all things handmade" :)

9.28.2008

New Necklaces!

Earrings are undoubtedly a top seller in my Etsy shop, and I think the same goes for most other jewelry sellers. My Earring section is loaded up, with new additions on the way. I do think I've been slacking in the Necklace category, though. So, I've decided to focus on some stellar new necklace designs. Personally, I love necklaces! I try to wear a different one every day. I love to coordinate a piece with what I am wearing ~ it can make the difference between a so-so outfit and one that is "WOW!!" Not to mention that earrings often get hidden behind my hair, but a necklace stands out and people really do notice them.
These are two new designs to my shop ~ you will see that they are vastly different. One is made of Vintage Lucite beads, while the other is made with a stone called Crab Fire Agate. I recognize that everyone's taste is different, and I love to be able to offer something to suit your individual style.
Keep an eye on my shop in the coming weeks, especially if you're a fan of neck jewelry. I hope you'll see something that you love!

9.27.2008

Milkshake for the Big "Kids"

Just in time for football season and those tailgating parties where the beer is usually flowing! If you're like me and not so much into massive beer consumption, here's the perfect alternative. It starts with beer, and a few other simple ingredients are added. I'm willing to bet that you've never had anything like it before ~ at least, I had not. It reminded me of a root beer creme soda float. Give it shot!
Vanilla Beer Shake
Ingredients:
12 oz of your favorite beer
1 shot vanilla extract
1 can "Reddi whip"
2 shots vanilla vodka
1 shot heavy cream
Directions:
Pour beer into a 16 oz beer glass (any glass will work, just make sure it's big enough!) Add the vodka, extract and the heavy cream. Top the glass with the "Reddi whip". This recipe makes one shake as pictured above.

9.19.2008

Wine Wisdom

On my desk at work I have one of those “Page a Day” calendars that seem to be so popular. Not surprisingly, it is about wine ;) One day last week the topic was a quote from novelist Jay McInerney that has really stuck with me. It went like this: “Bottles of wine aren’t like paintings. At some point, you have to consume them. The object of life is to die with no bottles in your cellar. To drink your last bottle of wine and go to sleep that night and not wake up” The point is that most of us, myself included are guilty of saving “special” things for that proverbial “rainy day”. In the process of doing that, we deny ourselves the pleasure of enjoying things we deem too “good” for daily use. So . . . ya know those stilettos you spent way too much on and haven’t taken out of the box??? Wear them to work tomorrow. Or, how about those pearls that haven’t seen the light of day since your High School prom ~ be sure to put those on the next trip to the Grocery store. And that fine china that was given to you as a wedding gift and collects dust somewhere in the basement ~ start using it daily. What are you waiting for?? As for me, well ~ there are about 4 bottles of wine gathering dust in my wine rack that were purchased on a winery tour in September 2007. I think I’ll start by cracking one open with dinner tonight ;) ** On a side note: Be sure to check out my friend Kay’s blog ~ she is giving away a pair of earrings!!! **

9.17.2008

Shop Update

I've been asked about when I will be adding some new items to my shop ~ the answer is, quite simply ~ "Soon!" In fact, I've already started to list a few exciting new pieces (there's two of them on the right). I have quite a few more to add, and will be doing so over the next week . . . or maybe longer, depending on how fast I can type :)
Also, keep a look out for the "SALE" section ~ you never know what might show up in there :) It's a great opportunity to get your hands on some one of a kind, handmade creations for a steal!
As always, thanks for looking!

9.12.2008

Must Try: Lychee Martini

For the past several months, I’ve been on a quest to try a Lychee martini. I had first read rave reviews about this amazing cocktail and then received an overwhelming testimonial from Janna of jac jewelry as to just how delicious they are. I believe her exact words were “You’ve got to try one ~ NOW!!”
And so I did. The picture is proof ~ it is an “Amici Lychee” from Amici’s Living Room, located in Berkley Michigan.
I must say, locating a venue that serves this fine beverage was a challenge. Many a bartender looked at me as if I was from another planet when I requested it. In case you never heard of one, a lychee is a fruit bearing tree that grows primarily in Asia. The picture shows what the fruit looks like. The drink tasted refreshingly fruity ~ both sweet and a little bit tart. It went down with no problema. So be careful not to overdo it, and make sure you have a DD :)
In case your local drinking hole doesn’t yet have one on their menu, here’s a recipe I found so that you can make one yourself:
Ingredients: Ice 3 ounces lychee nectar or juice 2 ounces vodka 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1 1/2 teaspoons Simple Syrup
Directions: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the lychee nectar, vodka, lemon juice and Simple Syrup and shake well, then strain into a chilled martini glass.

9.11.2008

A Day of Reflection

With today being the 7th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, I wouldn’t deem it appropriate to blog about anything else. Much has been written and spoken about the events of that day, and even though life has gone on, it has changed in so many ways. On this day I find myself recalling where I was at the moment I learned of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center. Seven years later, the memories are still vivid. This morning on the drive into work, the radio station I listen to was interviewing the author of “Tower Stories”. I found myself completely drawn into the gripping accounts of those who survived the WTC attack. It brought me back to the events of that day as if they were happening all over again. I find it very hard to focus on anything else today; I suppose it all seems so insignificant in the scheme of things. Personally, I think 9/11 should be declared a “National Day of Reflection”, but that’s just my two cents. Let us not forget the innocent lives that were lost on that day ~ those who were simply going about their routine and never made it out alive. Likewise, let us not forget our Service men & women who fight for our security every day, especially those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. God Bless them all, and their families!

9.07.2008

Welcome, Fall

I'm baaack!!! The last few weeks have been jam packed, and I've been neglecting my blog, my Etsy shop, and a few other things. I hope everyone had an enjoyable and fulfilling Summer. Now that Labor Day is behind us, I'm ready and raring to buckle down and get to work :) Spring and Fall are my favorite Seasons. Spring because it is always welcome after a long, rough Winter. I love to see the trees awaken and hear the birds chirping. Although nature goes the opposite way in Fall, I welcome the cooler temps and crunching leaves beneath my feet. It is always fun to take a trip out to the Cider Mill and experience the traditions that come with it. For me, a new Season signals change and the chance to start anew.
Since I love cooking (and eating!) about as much as anything, I thought I'd start with this simple, delicious recipe. I actually saw this being made on the local TV news channel this morning. Since I had all of the ingredients on hand, I whipped this little treat up myself. Take advantage of the wonderful crop of apples that are plentiful this time of year, and make one for yourself!
"Apple Blossom"
*Cut an apple into slices (I used a Granny Smith)
*Drizzle with hot caramel ice cream topping, cinnamon and chopped nuts.
*Enjoy with someone you love!