Merry Christmas...

from our family to yours!!!!

We are enjoying staying up late, sleeping in, staying in our PJs til noon time... and being with each other.  I hope that you are also enjoying your time with the ones you love most.

Be Open to Whatever Comes Next

...because you just never know...

$50 (1" sterling silver circle washer disc $30, small sterling silver open heart charm $5, NEW 16" sterling silver 1mm bead chain $15)

Adventure is out there!

$48 (1" sterling silver circle washer disc $30, sterling silver sea horse charm $12, crystal beads $6)

Mother in Law

Awww... I hope one day (waaaaay later in the future!), I will receive a special pendant like this from my future daughter in law.

Isn't it just lovely?!

(thank you for raising the man of my dreams)

$43 (1" Sterling silver circle disc $30, large open heart sterling silver charm $10, red crystal $3)

If you are visiting me for the first time, please stop by and "like" my Facebook page.  Support my small business with some likes. I really appreciate your support VERY much!  THANK YOU!

"Chunky" pendants with a vintage feel

That was what we decided to call this "collection" of discs when she and I discussed this necklace.  She wanted something "chunky" with a vintage feel.  I absolutely love it... so I made myself one too!  (different names of course, hahaha!)

I'm working away on Christmas ornaments -- so fun!!!!

You are my sunshine...

I met a really nice mom and daughter team at the San Jose Country Club holiday boutique a month ago.  They both wanted to place an order for a special friend whom recently lost her daughter.  They saw my other pendant with the words, "you are my sunshine" but made a request to add the little girl's name and a butterfly charm and 2 crystals.

They were happy with the results and so am I.

I can't imagine what it is like to lose a child...  My heart ached for this woman when I made this pendant.  Her birthday was very recent and she received this special gift from her 2 friends.  I hope that this pendant will bring her comfort and allow her to wear her precious child's name close to her heart.  I know that sometimes when I am feeling sad, I rub my pendants and remember how fortunate I am to have 3 children who love me as much as I love them.. and are here with me.  Although it seems so simple to me (and some of you!)... I find comfort when wearing their names so close to me.  It's the simple things in life...

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving... and now on to Christmas!

Remember, all ornament orders need to be made by November 30, 2012 in order to be received by Christmas!  (I will have them in your hands within 7-14 days of your order or I can mail them directly for an additional $3 per ornament).

Kappa Delta Sorority

Today, baby girl (who is no longer a baby -- but just indulge me as I continue to think she is! ;))... she and her Girl Scout Troop spent the afternoon with a group of wonderful ladies at San Jose State University... the Kappa Delta ladies, to be exact.

Here they are in front of the sorority house:

They had a great visit and learned about college life.  Last night, I thought about this day and felt so appreciative of the girls at Kappa Delta Sorority because they were taking time out of their busy schedules to spend time with our girls.  I feel that it is so important to have these girls learn from college students who are enthusiastic about being in college and giving back to their community.  They need positive role models and today, I felt they met some amazing ladies.  So late last night...  I made 3 of these pendants to give to the coordinator so that she may raffle them off to 3 lucky ladies.

I want to have a successful business, but I also want to give back to the community.  I want to show that I appreciate them for their time, effort, and enthusiasm.  What "I" enjoyed most, aside from these young ladies' enthusiasm, was the last station where they had a panel of them discuss their majors.  One young lady was a civil engineering major, another a graphic design major, another a teacher, and the one that got the least response (because I'm sure the girls became scared of her!) was the young lady studying to be a police officer!  (I liked her immediately! hahaha).  No seriously....  It was nice to listen to their hopes and dreams -- which will soon become a reality!  I hope my daughter listened and grasp the concept of college life... Although it seems so far away, I know it will be here soon enough!  (So I'd better get this business going! hahaha)

Well, I just hope the winners of these pendants will enjoy wearing them and remember that today they made an impact on a lot of little girls.

For those who did not win... a 10% discount for you!  Just contact me with your orders!  :)

($19 -- rectangle sterling silver disc $10, crystals $3 each, and stainless steel necklace in this picture (but was not included in the giveaway) $3)

Christmas Ornaments

and so it begins...
Place your orders now!  Last day to place orders is November 30, 2012... to ensure that all ornaments are completed in time for the holidays!

Family ornament:
$50 (1 1/4" sterling silver circle disc $40, Snowflake #1 charm $10)
(yes, I used 2013 on purpose!)

First year ornament:
 $28 (1" sterling silver circle disc $25, 3 holiday color stones $3 each)

First year ornament (can add year here as well):
$28 (1" sterling silver circle washer disc $25, 3 holiday color stones $3 each)

 Family ornament:
$50 (1 1/4" sterling silver circle disc $40, snowflake #2 charm $10)

Family ornament:
 $58 ( 1 1/4" sterling silver circle disc $40, 6 holiday color stones $3 each)

For you sports fans out there!

An order just placed... and now filled for a proud mommy of two athletic boys!

$45 total (5/8" sterling silver circle discs at $10 each shown with an 18" 1mm 8sided snake chain $25)

To the moon and back...

A mommy's order so far...

So sweet!!!!

She's still deciding what discs the names will go on.  I just thought this was too sweet NOT to share it as it is... sigh...  it's so sweet!  :)  I love that my clients are so creative in their orders/requests!

$58 total (1" sterling silver circle washer $25, star charm $5, birthstones $6, 16" sterling silver rounded oxidized chain $22)... names to be determined still.

You are my sunshine

For a mommy to be... and soon a baby's name will be added to this on a smaller circle disc! And maybe even a birthstone!   Isn't it sweet???

$50 (1" sterling silver circle disc $25, pearl $3, 16" rounded oxidized chain $22)

Congratulations Khay and Deo!

My dear friend from college, Anita, attended the wedding of her dear friend, Khay. We all met in college.  Anita was in my wedding too.  :)  (She's second from the left.)
Khay ans Deo have a wonderful love story. One day, I would like Khay to share it here.  Until then, just know that they were married and they were happy!  VERY happy!  Like, over the moon HAPPY to be married!

I made them this:

And I made Khay this keyring.  She and I are Pinterest addicts.  I saw that she has re-pinned this quote by Mother Teresa.  I found it hard not to make her this as a gift.  :)

Congratulations, Khay and Deo.  May your lives together be filled with lots of love and laughter.  

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

It's October... and it's breast cancer awareness month.

This is what I read from my October Real Simple Magazine today:
2.7 million is the approximate number of breast cancer survivors in the United States, as reported by the National Cancer Institute.  To help ensure that survival rates climb even higher in 2013, dig deep into your pockets during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  A $50 donation to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (bcrfcure.org) funds one hour of life saving research.

Here are a few orders that were recently placed for some loved ones.  I think these turned out just wonderful.  I even made the square washer one for myself to wear and promote!

$45 (Rounded square sterling silver disc $20, pink stone $3, 16" rounded oxidized sterling silver chain $22)

$ 53(Square washer sterling silver disc $30, sterling silver breast cancer ribbon charm $5, pink stone $3, 16" sterling silver 1mm diamond cut chain $15)

don't forget the survivor pendant:

$38 (rectangular rounded sterling silver disc $20, breast cancer ribbon charm $5, pink stone $3, sterling silver light cabin chain $10)

this was last year's pendant:

$23 (Sterling silver flower disc $20, pink stone $3, chain NOT for sale)

Please, if you are able, please help in this fight to find a cure for breast cancer... every little bit helps.

Thirty-One Bags

Have you heard of this growing company?  (Hubby wish I hadn't!  hahaha!  They have the cutest bags and are very functional for all events! My favorite is their utility bag which I used all summer for their beach towels, swim suits, goggles, sunscreen, water bottles, and extra clothes to change after the beach.  The company is growing quickly! (moving from the East Coast and quickly adjusting well here in the West Coast).   A former customer, Stefanie, is a director of her group.  She was so excited for her team that she placed an order for 6 "thirty.one" pendants (with chains) so that she may give them as a gift for being on her team.  I was very excited to make her these beautiful necklaces for her team.  Go Stef, go!

A Cancer Survivor Story by Kelley

Remember awhile back I asked for your survivor stories?  Saimi was the only person to comment.  So, she won a pendant for her friend, Kelley!
Below is the email I received from Saimi:

Here is the cancer story written by my friend, cancer survivor, Kelley:

"In March of 2008, I felt a lump in my breast during a breast self-exam that I try to do monthly. It felt different from my previous self examinations so I went to my doctor who then referred me to our local Oncology care facility for woman where a mammogram awaited me.  After the results came in, I was called back for an ultrasound and biopsy. The doctor was unable to get a core biopsy, so I was referred for a 'needle-guided' biopsy at the hospital. This procedure involves using a mammogram machine to flatten the breast, then a needle is inserted. Once the needle is inserted, I underwent  minor surgery where they removed a small  portion of the breast at the location of the needle.

This surgical biopsy happened in May, two months after my initial self-examination. After a few days waiting for the results, the doctor himself called, after hours, to inform me of the results. I had cancer. 

Devastated, my husband and I met with the Oncologist to discuss the possible outcomes. Naturally I was upset and scared, but the doctor was kind and understanding, taking the time to explain everything in detail, all the while jotting down notes. We spoke for over an hour and by the time our appointment was finished, the doctor was gracious enough to make copies of his notes so I could take them home and process the information.

The cancer I had is called, 'ductal carcinoma in situ', meaning the cancer was only in the mammary ducts which was good news. Since it had not yet spread outside of the ducts, my prognosis was very good.

More times than not a surgical biopsy removes the cancer and further surgery is usually not needed.  My case was not so open and shut. My biopsy did not come back with 'clean margins' meaning the cancer cells were so close to the edge of the tissue sample that further surgery was needed. 

Back in I went for what they call a 'wide excision.' It's a procedure where a wider wedge is cut from the breast around the site of the first biopsy insuring the removal of any remaining cancer cells. This happened in July of 08.

I couldn't have been happier as the surgery went well, my 'margins' came back clean and, although chemotherapy was not needed, I underwent radiation treatment in August right about the time I was starting a new job. Luckily my new employers were understanding, as I only had enough endurance to work half days.

While undergoing my daily dose of radiation, It was a comfort to chat and share stories with other woman who were going through the same thing. Despite the radiation 'sunburn' I handled the treatment rather well.

A date that will never leave my mind, was the date of my last radiation treatment. October 3rd, 2008. A Happy day indeed but still not out of the woods, I was prescribed Tamoxifen, a drug which blocks estrogen in the breast tissue. The type of cancer I had was encouraged by estrogen.

My continuing checkups involved breast exams, mammograms and breast MRIs every three months for three years. After my three year mark, my follow up appointments were scaled down to every six months. 

I will reach my five year cancer free date in October of 2013!"


Kelley, Thank you for sharing your story.  This pendant (chain not included)  is on its way to you!  I hope you wear it with pride!  Congratulations on your success story!

Funny thing tonight

(and most nights, really!)

I was putting the youngest to bed.  I kind of have to pretend I am sleeping and not talk to him while he tosses and turns, etc.  The whole ordeal - but not really an "ordeal."  It's just what he needs to do.  (Middle son used to request that I hold his hand before he fell asleep each night -- to each his own routine.)   It takes him literally less than 5 minutes to fall asleep.  Regardless, I still need to lay down and pretend I am asleep while he falls asleep.

So... there I am laying down and pretending to sleep.  He tosses and turns... then turns to me and says he loves me and hugs me.  (Mind you, we've already done the whole hugs, kisses, love you routine after the bed time story).  I pretend not to hear him -- because, again, I am asleep.  So he says it again and kisses me. (I'm about to lose it here!)  Alas, I hang in there... So he gives up and knows that I will not respond (because remember, I'm supposed to be asleep!).  And what do you think he does?!  He moves my lips for me and says in a very deep voice (didn't know my voice was THAT deep!)... and says, "I love you too."  Then he turns over a few more times, kicks the blanket off his bed and falls asleep!  And that was that!

I get out of his bed and run outside to laugh -- I needed that laugh this evening!  That boy, he tries my patience EVERYDAY!  :0

Gotta love him, right?!  Yep, I LOVE him!

Another Pioneer Woman success recipe

I really enjoy reading The Pioneer Woman's blog.  She makes me laugh... a LOT!  :0  Her book is pretty funny too.  She always finds a way to make me laugh even when giving directions on how to cook.  Gotta love that about anybody!  The other night I made this for dinner.  I followed her recipe this time - wasn't about to mess it up with my "winging" around!
I couldn't find my large casserole dish... (hey, Matt, is it at your house still?!)  so I made them in a few dishes!  But I found that to be an advantage in the end.  Why you ask?  Because as I was putting the ingredients together I realized she asked for 2 cans of diced green chili, green onions, and cilantro.  Errrr, the children will not appreciate those at all!  So, I assembled the children's dish with just the sauce, meat, cheese, and olives.  They LOVED it!  Middle son even asked for leftovers for lunch.  Gotta love that boy!  (He eats left overs!  His future wife will love me for teaching him young to appreciate left overs.  You're welcome, my dear!).  The other 2 dishes I assembled everything as prescribed... and even hubby made time to stop chewing to say to me, "Yum, is this a new recipe?"  Why yes it is!  (And you might soon be getting sick of it if the children ask for it again!)

Enchiladas

For A Sponsor

My dear friend and college roommate, Uyen, ordered this for a special person in her family's life.  This is for Genny.  A wonderful woman who sponsored Uyen and her family to America.  The story is beautiful and touching.  It reminds me of my own story and how my family was sponsored to America.  It makes me teary eyed thinking about it.

Anyway, this is for Genny.  Uyen chose 3 words to describe this woman who has a very special place in Uyen and her family's heart.  Then we added her October birthstone (opal).  Genny is flying to California from Michigan to visit at the end of September.  Genny came last year to visit for the first time.  However, this time around she is coming to visit with her daughter and daughter in law.  It will be a special time for everyone... and for Genny who will be celebrating a birthday!  Happy birthday Genny.  You are an amazing person for doing what you did so many years ago to bring Uyen and her family to America.  Thank you for being an important person in my dear friend's life.  May you wear this pendant and remember what an amazing person you are and the lives you have touched with such a simple gesture of love, kindness, and support.

Happy Birthday Hubby!

We had a simple meal (roast beef, roast potatoes, steamed broccoli, and flan for dessert). We always keep our birthdays simple.  I made him this because one of his favorite books is Lord of the Rings.  I saw the saying on Pinterest and thought of hubby immediately.

1 1/4" sterling silver circle disc $40

Butterfly love

This is for a special little 3 year old girl... for Christmas (with a June birthday - pearl birthstone). Yes, the person who placed this order is truly on top of things!  (So you know it's not a gift from me... I'm barely thinking about Halloween costumes!)

What about you... have your children decided what they would like to be for Halloween yet?  I often like to make their costumes... but this year, I think I may have to cheat and purchase them!  Let's see...

(5/8" circle disc $10, pearl $3, stainless steel ball chain $5)

His Dragon...

"Not all dragons have to be scary, mom."

(And so he says... But apparently, they all must have flames coming out of their mouths and smoke too!  Not scary?  Says whom?!)

Thanks Pioneer Woman

... for helping me with dinner this week.

She made this and I made this:
(I used chicken and snap peas - ehhh, I'm all about winging dinner plans!  It's what i had on hand.)

My children love pasta.  So when I saw this, I knew I had to try it.  Such a simple recipe and so tasty!  It was a hit because !)  I put in extra "empty shells for baby girl (she's  not a cheese fan).  Those are the shells that look out of place and trying to squeeze their way into the casserole dish. I know you see them and how ridiculously out of place they look!  2)  I used fresh mozzarella on the top of half of this dish for the family members who love cheese -- especially stringy cheese! 

 And I made an extra smaller dish for Jim and Clare for dinner tomorrow!  :)

 Almost forgot to take a picture of the finished dish!  See... almost gone!  :)

Survivor

I am always so inspired by people who fight and fight hard when they are put to the test... 

Do you know a cancer survivor?  I'd like to hear your story.  Post a comment.  I will have my children randomly choose a story to feature.  And I will gladly make a survivor pendant (chain not included) for the winner of the story to present to the person he or she wishes to honor.  

I made this pendant for a friend whom I used to work with, Jerry.  Jerry's wife is a cancer survivor.  Lyn fought and fought hard.  She is a survivor!  I am so proud to make this for her and I hope she will be proud to wear this badge of honor.  Lyn, you are an amazing woman.  Congratulations!

A New school Year!

They have enjoyed a whole week of being with new friends and a new teacher.  I am so excited for them.  They are loving it.  And now... it's just me the little one.  He and I... we've been getting reacquainted with simple games and simple fun  (with some work in between).  :)

Fourth Grade and First Grade... here we go!!!!

Little one starts Pre-Kindergarten in a few weeks - twice a week for about 3 hours.  That's when I plan to visit the grocery stores!  It'll be strange, I'm sure...

For a fellow August born BFF

she and baby girl became fast friends in 3rd grade.  Both are somewhat shy but friendly.  Both are artistic and love to create.  Both have a love for small furry things... mostly hamsters.  (Yes, we adopted one but that is another post!)  Both got along so well last year and I wish they had more time this summer to "play" together... Alas, summer vacation is over and now they are both entering 4th grade and unfortunately, will not be in the same class.  (insert very sad baby girl face when she looked at her class list today)

Busy here...

as now they are all turning 5, 7, and 9 respectively!

I'm exhausted.... and school starts in a few weeks!  I've missed blogging but I am having a blast with these 3!  Woohoo for summer fun and birthdays all in August!!!!

Another Pinterest find

Melinda, a dear friend, pinned this recipe... and I was dying to try it out.
This was her favorite part of the steps!  ;) (smashing the graham crackers!)

Little one went a bit over board with the marshmallows!  :)  (you can tell which ones he did and which ones I did!)

 S'mores cookies, anyone?  Ooops.... wait, we don't have any left over, sorry! But go here and try them out for yourself... SOOOO good!

Scones!

She and I have been baking a lot lately...  She's a great help because she actually reads the directions! (I wing a lot of things... But I specifically advised her that "winging" baking recipes is not a good idea... Hope it sticks when she is a mom and baking for her children...).

Today... blueberry and cranberry scones! I cannot remember where the recipe came from.  I thought it was a bit dry, so we're going to try another recipe later on this month.