Dirty Dozen

I participate in Instagram photo challenges. 

I do so as it gives me an opportunity to be present and capture my surroundings through a camera lens, which more often than not is via my iPhone4S. 

The subjects of the day are usually not items I would choose to take a picture of without prompting. 

I like this aspect of the challenges. 

I enjoy seeing how others interpret their life from the prompting of one word. 

Today's subject was money.

I decided to open my coin purse and see what would randomly fall free from the depths of the faux crocodile patent "leather".  

12 coins. 

12 coins adding up to $1.00. 

12 coins representing all the decades I have been alive. 

Random.

I am intrigued.   

If these coins could talk, what would they say?

Where have they been? 

How many hands have touched them? 

 Their story stops today. 

I am going to mount these coins in a shadow box to remind me to maintain a sense of wonderment, to never cease asking questions, to see and find joy in the simple, to embrace the random, and honor the mystery of every day. 

I had no idea so much would come from a photo challenge asking for money to be captured. 

I'm thankful it did.   

'Tis True

'Tis true. 

I am a child of the 80s. 

Sure am. 

So, it makes perfect sense for me to currently be watching the NatGeo channel's series on "the decade that made us". 

It is quite surreal to see and hear the sights and sounds from my formative years as an adult. 

It's almost like opening a time capsule from back in the day. 

Totally. 

Pinterest Success

I admit I love to look and pin but hardly make the time to execute my Pinterest finds. 

No particular reason other than me standing in my own way. 

On one of the few days I wasn't down and out with sickness, I decided to give one of the ideas a whirl.

It was easy peasy and super fun, for both me and the folks on the receiving end. 

You mix 2 parts paint with 1 part dishwashing soap. 

Yup, that's all it takes. 

I didn't measure for exact part distribution.  Shocking I know.  Just eyeballed it on a paper plate and called it good. 

Here's the other thing you need to do.  After you print what you want to be under the ruboff, cover it with clear packing tape. 

So, the project goes like this: 

Print surprise, gift, funny, etc.
Cover with clear packing tape
Mix 2 parts paint and 1 part dishwashing soap
Paint over surprise, gift, funny, etc.
Let dry
Paint over again as needed

I used metallic silver paint and Trader Joes dishwashing soap as this is what I hand.

It took 2-3 applications of the mixture for coverage consistency. 

The possibilities are endless and I know I will be using this idea again in the future.

Peace.  xoxo Mo

Mark the Day

After the holidays and getting over the flu, I had a handful of thank you cards I needed to send. 

I like to keep it funky and fresh so I headed to Michael's to see if I could find something that would catch my eye and feed my crafty soul.

I had a few designs in mind and was hopeful I would be able to make them reality.

In the end I did. 

Made one of them a reality that is.

However, I paid full price for the goods I purchased that fine winter night. 

Full.  Price. 

I had no coupons on me. 

This my friends never happens. 

You know the phrase never say never.  Well, let's just say I will never, ever, ever say never say never again. 

Nor will I leave the house and head to Michael's or JoAnns without a coupon in hand. 

I'd share a picture of what I bought and the final creation with you if I could but for some unknown reason, I am not able to upload pictures right this minute. 

Perhaps later in the day or over the weekend. 

Peace. xoxo Mo

Happiness

Have you heard the buzz about happiness jars?

From what I gather, it is an idea by Elizabeth Gilbert, that is rapidly turning into a movement. 

Take a jar.

Fill it with inspiration, joy, tiny bits of paper of things that make you happy.

We're on the bandwagon around these parts.

My bestie Fiwa gifted a jar to start the movement going the day of the Festivus party. 

My jar is more of a clear vase but let's not get caught up on the details too much shall we.

What matters is it works in my decor, the jar/vase fits my personal taste, and the start of the project is underway.   

The first bit of happiness, joy, blessings, etc. was captured today.    

It went a little bit something like this on a piece of paper

Sleep  Smuggles with Lucky  Pot Pie  Black Eye Peas "Revenge" on Netflix

Representation of my day.  Simple pleasures.  Good ole fashioned comfort food and traditions while continuing to recover from the flu.

Shall be interesting to reflect at the end of this year on what I deemed jar worthy. 

Peace.  xoxo Mo    

Soundtrack Tradition

Started in 2012 and continues today, the first day of 2013. 

The only difference is since I purchased maybe 10 songs in 2012, I have to rely upon Pandora's shuffle for 2013. 

It's a fun way to expose see what you listen to and how your musical tastes may change from year to year.

So, with this being said, here's how you play if your life were a movie, your soundtrack would be. . .

1. Open your music library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)

2. Put it on shuffle

3. Press play

4. For the first question, type the song that's playing

5. When you go to a new question, press the next button TWICE

6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...just type it in man!

As was the case last year, some of the results are just down right funny to me. To quote my niece, shuffle is the new magic 8 ball. It's Yoda wise.


Opening Credits:
2012: Air Force Ones by Nelly
2013:  Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper

Waking Up:
2012: We Are Family by Sister Sledge
2013:  You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC

First Day at School:
2012: Where Are You Going by Dave Matthews Band
2013:  Rock with You by Michael Jackson

Falling in Love:
2012: Best of My Love by The Emotions
2013:  Amazed by Lonestar

Losing Virginity:
2012: Tequila Loves Me by Kenny Chesney
2013:  Landslide by Dixie Chicks

Fight Song:
2012: Heartbreak Town by Dixie Chicks
2013:  Hangover by Taio Cruz

Breaking Up:
2012: Leaving Las Vegas by Sheryl Crow
2013:  My Own Worst Enemy by Lit

Prom:
2012: Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears
2013:  Take Me Home Tonight by Eddy Money

Life:
2012: Take Me Away by John Legend
2013:  Hollaback Girl by Gwen Stefani

Mental Breakdown:
2012: Relator by Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson
2013:  Situation by Yaz

Driving:
2012: Kill the Lights by Britney Spears
2013:  Yeah! (feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris) by Usher

Flashback:
2012: Doin’ Time by Sublime
2013:  Stronger by Kelly Clarkson

Getting Back Together:
2012: Live Your Life by T.I. feat. Rihanna
2013:  Take It Off by Ke$ha

Wedding:
2012: Toes by Norah Jones
2013:  Sexy Love by Ne-Yo

Birth of Child:
2012: Crying Shame by Jack Johnson
2013:  Open Arms by Journey

Final Battle:
2012: On the Floor by Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull
2013:  Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson

End Credits:
2012: The House is Rockin' by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble
2013:  What I Got by Sublime

Death:
2012: Baptism by Kenny Chesney and Randy Travis
2013:  Personal Jesus by Depeche Mode

Funeral:
2012: When It Hurts by Avant
2013:  The Story of Us by Taylor Swift

I promise I listen to more than the oldies.  Really. 

Should you decide to play, let me know so I can come check you out.

Peace.  xoxo Mo