So I ran with panties on my head the other morning...

Yeah. That's what I said. Panties.

As you may already know, I've signed up to run 1/2 Marathon this May 2nd. So I have to train at least 3 times a week and go for a 30 minute run each time. I'm up to 5km now!

Anyway. The other morning was really chilly, but I HAD to go for a run. I had to get it out of the way, as I was having guests over for dinner later that evening. But it was the first time I had to run when it was quite cold. And for the life of me I could NOT find my ear warmers! Yes, ear warmers. You know, that headband-like thingy that goes round your head and covers your ears.

You may call me a wimp, that is fine. But when my ears get cold, they ACHE. I mean, like an ice-cream headache in my ear-holes. Not. fun.

I was desperate! I rummaged around for anything . . . Fabric...? I thought of cutting some socks open...? What...? Then I opened a drawer and spotted the panties. Brand new, never worn, bought on a whim last September and - too small for my ass. Damn cute - navy blue with white stars and white trim. Handmade even, by Vancouver's own Devil May Wear.

I quickly wrapped them around my head, over my ears, and wound the rest around my ponytail. I hesitated. Would people point and laugh? Would I forever humiliate myself? Does it look like I'm wearing panties on my head???!!!

Topped off with my Team In Training cap, it didn't look too bad... did it? You tell me!


And, yes, I'm still fundraising. Don't forget about the big PRIZES if you donate!

Running a Half Marathon (gulp) . . . and . . . PRIZES!

In a move very much unlike me, I have signed up for training to run a half marathon this May 2, 2010! Along with it comes the commitment to raise at least $2,000.00 towards blood cancer research.

Those of you who know me understand that I'm not exactly a fitness buff, so this came out of left field. Why, you may be asking? Well, I'm training with an organization called Team In Training, which provides certified coaches, plus volunteer running mentors to all those who sign up for the program. I was really drawn to the supportive group environment. Plus, I knew if I committed to it, it would be impossible for me to drop out before reaching the goal!

I joined in order to personally work toward becoming more fit. But after our first 8:30 am run last Sunday (Yay! no rain!), I went for breakfast with 4 other team members and got a chance to get to know them better. Two of the people running are both survivors of Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. One guy just got his remission news only 2 months ago! Someone commented that, 10 years ago, his diagnosis would have been a death sentence. That really hit home with me and made me realize how important it is to raise money since research really is progressing that fast.

So, to get the ball rolling on donations, I'm offering up some big incentive prizes! There will be other contests to follow, but the prizes won't be this big, so go ahead and donate NOW!

Anyone who donates $25.00 before February 14th will be entered in a draw to win $50.00 credit towards any BuenoStyle or OAK jewelry!

Anyone who donates $50.00 before February 14th will be entered in a draw to win $100.00 credit towards any BuenoStyle or OAK jewelry!

There's a very very good chance of winning this contest, as I have *just* barely started my fundraising campaign and not that many people even know about it yet!

All donations are tax deductible too!

You can donate on-line here. A tax receipt will be automatically emailed to you. Or, if you'd rather send a cheque, please just shoot me an email and I'll send you my mailing address, and a tax receipt will mailed out to you.

And since I don't have any photos of me running yet, please enjoy this photo of me feeding a squirrel.

Hearts for Haiti

Here's a great way to shop and give at the same time! Hearts for Haiti is a group etsy shop that has been set up by volunteers.

The way it works is any individual etsy seller can donate items to be sold on the Hearts for Haiti website, then when the items sells, the money goes toward Haitian relief efforts - specifically Doctors Without Borders.

I've donated a few pairs of these heart locket earrings. Great for a wee Valentines treat.

So far they have raised just over $23,000.00!

Hats off to Hearts for Haiti!

www.buenostyle.com

umm, the olympics and stuff . . .

Ok - I am kind of excited for the Olympics. I'm having a hard time imagining how little ol' Vancouver will explode with people though. I was just dropping off a load of jewels at Fine Finds and the owner was saying that they will be open from 10am to midnight every day! Plus, they and a bunch of other Yaletown businesses will have tents set up right outside the Canada Line station that will be open until midnight as well.

I thought it would be kind of fun to go work there for a couple of days a week during the Olympics - so I'm gonna! I'm mostly interested in meeting people from Europe, then becoming best friends and then they will invite me to come stay with them at their homes. Yes. This will happen.

Jane (owner) told me that they expect 550,000 people to be walking through Yaletown during the duration of the games. And they are staying open until midnight because the nearby live music venues and BC place events all get out at 11:00pm, so about 150,000 drunk people will spill out of these venues around 11pm. Yikes!

I've made a few special "souvenier of Canada" pieces that fit right into the BuenoStyle line. They're made with vintage and antique Canadian coins and I think they are pretty darn cute. Oh - and some rings and necklaces made from vintage military buttons. CUTE!

These pieces will only be available at Fine Finds and and Dream. Oh - I'm also going to go work for Dream a couple of days too. Come say HI!

www.buenostyle.com

The great Studio clean up - again!

For those of you following along, you may remember the big studio clean up of last year, right around this time. It went from looking like this - to this.

Nice, right? Well, I had the opportunity to move my studio next door to a slightly larger space with a storage closet so I jumped on it. Last August. And I haven't organized it since! So - get ready for the great studio clean up of January 2010! Here's the before photos. Yes, I have been working in this messy space since August! I'll post the "after" photos soon. (hopefully!)

Holiday images . . .

Thought I'd share a few of my favorite shots from the Christmas / Holiday season. Just for fun . . .
Vintage chandelier crystals and twinkle lights up in the studio.

Beautiful veggie plate I made for our friend's Christmas party. I know, I know, vegetables at Christmas? But it's so nice to have a palate cleanser when all those sugary treats are around. Homemade hummus too.

The traditional human pyramid that happens at our christmas party every year. Don't ask me how that got started, I actually have no idea. This year it happened at 11:00 sharp, so no one was tooooo wasted.

Me and my folks on Christmas day in Victoria, BC.

Took the Clipper down to Seattle on Boxing Day to visit bestest friends, John and Kellie. They have an open door policy when it comes to urban wildlife.

And a pet duck.

Featured in TLC December issue

Thanks to TLC (This Little City) magazine for featuring my vintage key necklaces on page 25.

These little guys feature vintage keys with vintage clip-on earrings or brooches hand wired to them. I've always thought of them as an affordable alternative to the gold, platinum and silver Tiffany key necklaces!