Purificacion Valera Quisumbing

Purificación Valera Quisumbing

• 1st Filipina Chair of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (1990)

QUOTE
"If we do not know the facts, we do not know the truth."

DATE OF BIRTH
February 1

BIRTHPLACE
Aparri, Cagayan, Philippines

HUSBAND: Leonardo A. Quisumbing
CHILDREN: Josefa and Cecilia Rachel

USEFUL LINKS

CHR Chairperson Purificación C. Valera Quisumbing
'High tech' reporting focal vs human rights violations -CHR

how to remove acrylic paint from your clothes

A question I get asked over an over again is "how do you remove acrylic paint from your clothes?"

All acrylic paints can be tricky to remove from your clothes once dry, but I have a little method that I'll share with you. While it's not foolproof - it works about 99% of the time. You can always give it a try! Hey your shirt already has paint on it, what's the worst that can happen!?

Here's a jacket sleeve that I got a little bit of purple paint on. This purple is from my Claudine Hellmuth Studio line of paints. These paints were designed to be extra waterproof when dry so you can use them to paint fabrics. Good for painting fabrics. Not good when you get them on something you would rather not have paint on. I was wearing this jacket at the CHA convention and it was in my suitcase a couple of days before I realized I had paint on it. Oops!

Not to worry! Rubbing Alcohol to the rescue! You'll want just regular Rubbing Alcohol that you can get from your drugstore or grocery store.

Using a paper towel completely soak the area with the dried on paint. Use A LOT of Rubbing Alcohol and get the area 100% saturated. The resins in the paint will be broken down by the rubbing alcohol.

With your fingernail (or here I am using a coffee stirrer), scratch at the area gently going with and against the grain of the fabric. Keep applying more Rubbing Alcohol to lift off the stain.

At a certain point you get as far as you can with the stain. Here I can still see it a little bit, but it's much better than what I started off with! Throw it in the wash right away and usually even more of the stain will be removed in the wash cycle.

Here it is after it's been through the wash and dried. Very hard to tell where the stain was and one of my favorite jackets is now ready to wear again!

Off the runway

Me, Sabrina (aftedrk) and Monique (girlscene) on the second row

Just as interesting as what comes down the runway is what the visitors of the show are wearing. From the boldest creations to jeans with Uggs, it's all there. For me it was an easy pick because this dress arrived on the same day as the show. Would love to wear it with bare legs and heels, but the snow is back... (It's one of fashions worst enemies. You won't believe how many girls I saw struggling in the snow on their heels!)

Claes Iversen @ Amsterdam Fashion Week

Seeing what designers come up with season after season always inspires me, so I was glad to visit Claes Iversen's show today. The color scheme reminded me of that Dries van Noten collection from 1 or 2 years back, it's right on trend for this summer. What I love even more is his conceptual work, hence the post-it bridal dress. Last collection Claes did a post-it collared trench, so awesome! I might have to start sticking those little yellow fellas on to my mini skirt this summer... what do you think? Post-it or lose it?

back from CHA

I am back from the CHA Show! What a fun and exhausting show it was! I compare CHA to summer camp. You get to see old friends, make new ones and there's never enough time to do it all.

Here are some of the highlights:

My product display at the Ranger booth.

Purse I made using my Sticky Back Canvas.

My demo table at the Ranger booth - the little blue bag is my collapsible water bucket!

Me and my friend Carmi. She kept me sane and on schedule during the whole trip! She has lots of CHA updates on her blog. Don't miss them!

Here's me doing my Make N Take bracelets on the first day of the show.


..... and some videos taken by the sweet Kim Jackson at the Creating Keepsakes blog:

Easy transfer technique using Sticky Back Canvas




How to stamp using clear Stamps and my new Extra Time product



For more CHA Show photos than you can imagine, you have to visit Suze's blog and see her CHA round up posts.

Say it isn't so

I was blog-surfing last night.  I came across a blog by a young gal who spent part of last year as an au pair in Vienna.  It was funny, interesting, a little sad (the au pair job didn't work out and she's now back home).  I was enjoying my read and all was going along fine until I came across a line, something about .... access to Diet Coke being extremely limited.  Um.  Why haven't I considered this?  Please. Somebody.  Tell me this isn't so.

The hall of shoe shame

This post couldn't be more obvious. Stopping the shopping isn't my cup of tea! A small part of me said not to get them, but the other part said 1) you don't have lace ups yet, 2) these are both really cheap, 3) you regretted not getting them last year. Am I now in the hall of shoe shame?

Also...
-> Ever since my previous post was up I got a virus scan when I opened my blog. So I deleted it. I'm extra coutious these days as I'm still recovering from the absolute horror I experienced when my laptop broke down on me three months ago with al my pictures and documents inside.
-> Something really exciting is coming up in two weeks, can't wait to tell you all about it!
-> I dropped out of the G-star competition. It's in the exact week I have to finish my thesis and since I wouldn't be able to go I had to give up. Still, I really appreciate all your support. I have the best readers :D

Loren Legarda

Loren Legarda
AKA Loren Bautista Legarda-Leviste

• 1st Filipina environmentalist to receive the Global Award of the Priyadashni Academy for outstanding contributions to Environment and Afforestation (2004)
• 1st Filipina to hold the post of Senate Majority Leader (2001)

QUOTE
"At the end of the day, after all is said and done, you're left with only you and your God. I am answerable only to God and country. Whatever you say, whatever you do, it's God and country above all else."

DATE OF BIRTH
January 28, 1960

BIRTHPLACE
Marikina, Rizal, Philippines

FATHER: Antonio Cabrera Legarda
MOTHER: Bessie Gella Bautista

HUSBAND: Jose Antonio Leviste
CHILDREN: Lorenzo Antonio (Lanz) and Leandro Antonio (Lean)

USEFUL LINKS

Senator's Profile: Loren Legarda Leviste
Personal Information: Legarda-Leviste, Loren Bautista
The 'Double L' Word: Ricky Lo's Conversation With Loren Legarda

The $5 Bill Game

A few weeks ago, I sat in my doctor's office, flipping through a magazine.  It was just after New Year's Day and the cover articles were appropriately promising...."30 Days to a New You," "5 Ways to Lose 5 Pounds in 5 Days," and the requisite, "10 Steps to Save More Money This Year Than You Ever Have Before."

Silly though I pretend to think these are, I will admit I have a weak spot for bite-sized self-help articles.  If you pair the self-improvement aspect with a to-do list, or 10 steps, I'm a goner.  I rarely follow through with such silliness, of course, usually because they're made up of  recycled information, already read, already tried, but I can't stop myself from peeking... just once more...just in case.

That day, I found it.  A small little gem.  Something new in the "10 Steps to Save More Money" piece.  The $5 Bill Game (my name, not the original author's.....I wanted to give it a little something extra to make it more fun for myself).  When you find yourself with a $5 bill - if the cashier includes one in your change at the coffee shop or the grocery store - put it aside.  Save it.  Every $5 bill.  Every time.

And so I am, although it's a little slow-going.  It seems I'd gotten more in the habit of using my handy check card than cash in the past couple years.  But I've made an effort to get back to the cash standard, if only to be able to play my game.  

I do realize I will not fund my Vienna move solely with saved $5 bills.  I have no grand illusions, but there is something so satisfying about the accumulation of them in my specially designated $5 Bill Savings purse.  It's like a grown up piggy bank.  And much more satisfying than checking my bank account online and watching a number on the screen oh-so-slowly increase in my savings account.  Real money is so much more fun than virtual money.

Corazon “Cory” Aquino

Corazon "Cory" Aquino
AKA María Corazón Sumulong Cojuangco Aquino

• 1st Filipina President and Asia's 1st Female President (1986)
• 1st Filipina President of the 5th Republic of the Philippines (1986)
• 1st Filipina and 1st Woman to receive the J. William Fullbright Prize for International Understanding (1996)
• 11th President of the Republic of the Philippines
  

QUOTE
"Democracy in the end, is the best system for ordinary people. It is the only one that exalts them and unites them in peace across all the countries of the world."

ALIAS
"Saint of Democracy"
"Mother of Democracy"
"Cory"


DATE OF BIRTH
January 25, 1933

BIRTHPLACE
Tarlac, Philippines

FATHER: Don Jose Cojuangco
MOTHER: Doña Demetria Sumulong

HUSBAND: Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.
CHILDREN: Benigno (Noynoy), Maria Elena, Aurora Corazon, Victoria Eliza, and Kristina Bernadette (Kris)

YEAR OF DEATH
August 1, 2009

USEFUL LINKS

Corazon C. Aquino
1986: Corazon Aquino is Philippines president
Biography of Corazon C. Aquino
Corazon Aquino Speaks to Fullbrighters
Corazon Aquino, Philippines president, dead at 76
World condoles on Aquino's death

california here i come!

Tomorrow morning very early I'll be on a plane to LAX and then headed to the CHA show in Anaheim. It's going to be a busy show!

If you are the show, stop by the Ranger booth (#2063) on Sunday from 10am - 5pm and make one of these cute Sticky Back Canvas bracelets with me!

Here's my complete schedule for all 4 days of the show.Because the show is so busy, it's sometimes hard to find a spare minute to blog. But I'll be Twittering! Follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates! See you next week!

I definitely need sweaters

Crazy weather in the Bay Area lately.  It is the rainy season, so the downpours are no surprise, but the thunder and lightening that accompany them are.  Temperatures aren't low, but everything is wet, windblown, dank, and dark, which sets a chill in my bones.  My house is cold, the library where I work is cold, there is no sun, and I can't get warm.

Compare this to Vienna, where it is currently 21 degrees and snowing, and I feel silly complaining about the
"cold."  I lived for many years in New England.  I know cold. I don't mind cold.  I'm just not prepared for cold, sartorially-speaking.

My Northern California cold weather wardrobe consists of lots of thin, layering sweaters worn one over the other. I'm not even sure you can call them sweaters, but that's how they advertise them here.  I once owned a dresser full of thick, effective sweaters in every color of the rainbow and a variety of styles and designs.  Ah, how I miss them now.

So, I'm considering a sweater investment this year - a real, honest-to-goodness, keeps you warm sweater - and I'm using Vienna as the excuse.  I debate this purchase each year and put it off, thinking I just need to get through a short time of cold here and it's not worth spending the money.  But I will need sweaters next year, so why not start now?

This does conflict with the other goals of not spending money or increasing the number of possessions we need to bring with us, so I've got a dilemma.  Hmmmm.... one won't hurt, right - one beautiful, substantial sweater?  I can wear it on the trip to Vienna and save the packing space.  And stock up once I get there.

This gets me thinking.....how many pair of shoes is too many to ship overseas?  Uh oh.

new custom artwork

Here's a 16x20 custom canvas artwork order that I just finished up!

I was asked to create an artwork of these sweet kiddos who love to swim in the pool. It was fun to work with the Summer theme while it's still chilly here in DC. Thinking of warmer days ahead!

Style file: Leather Light

We have exactly 9 weeks to go untill it's officially spring. And what beter way to count down than by having a weekly trend report? I'll be presenting my nine favorite trends of the season. So by the time it's spring you have your info and you're ready to shop!

Those of you that live in leather skinnies and skirts, like me, are not to worry. Leather summer wear is making an entrance, and a big one at that. When stores like H&M and Zara are stocking up on leather shorts, you simply know there's no way back. The leather styles are a bit less biker / goth chic and more subtle and feminine so that's why I called it leather light. And most of it is in black or earthy tones, which makes these pieces easy to use in fall as well. Although I doubt the comfort level of leather in the burning sun, for spring this trend definately appeals to me. Light brown shorts with an off white, flowy blouse would be my combination of choice. What are your thoughts on this trend?

On edition 2: Mixed prints

ice skating at the National Gallery Sculpture Garden

Saturday Paul and I treated ourselves to a day of ice skating at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. In the winter they turn the large fountain in the middle into an ice rink. We missed it last year so this year we were determined to go.

When we got there, we discovered everyone else must have had the same idea. There was a long line with about a 30 to 45 minute wait to get your skates and get on the ice. A guy with his date saw the length of the line then promptly went to the front, gave the guy a tip and got right in. I'm sure his date was impressed but we were not.

The staff at the ice rink are hilariously grumpy, sternly shouting out rules and orders over the loudspeaker every 5 minutes, exasperated if you needed to change your skate size or ask any additional questions. You got the feeling they really didn't like their jobs, or maybe they weren't getting enough tips.

Still it was super fun and we skated around for about 2 hours, we didn't even fall once! It was a beautiful setting to skate in amongst the sculpture garden artworks and we got hot chocolate to warm up at the pavilion. Already looking forward to going back again!

At the ELLE Style Awards

In describing my night at the ELLE Style Awards, I think pictures speak louder than words. The best part of the evening? Having a great time with two gorgeous and funny girls, Andy from Style Scrapbook and Nicole. Or sipping champagne and cranberry vodka with my favorite columnist Oscar (who we dubbed OsCarrie Bradshaw)... Or sitting front row at the H&M stylist fashion show... Or chit chatting and hitting the dancefloor with ever so stylish editor at large Cécile. OK, I can't decide! So just see for yourself ;)

Ich heisse Caroline. Wie heisst du?

First lesson in Beginning German at the Piedmont Adult School this week. My name is Caroline. What is your name? But I already knew that.

Kiefer and I attended the first of 10 weekly German classes on Wednesday. I like the instructor and there are six students in the class. It's going to be pretty rudimentary for me, covering things I already know (alphabet, numbers, basic phrases) and I was, at first, a little disappointed. But I've figured out what the major lesson will be for me. To be in the moment. To have to listen to an actual person asking me a question I can't predict in a language I don't know and formulate a response for that real, live person, right then. And to do this with different people - different voices, different inflections, different questions.

I studied Latin and French in high school, but don't recall being put on the spot. Perhaps I've blocked it out. Classes were larger and the work focused on reading and writing, reciting already translated answers rather than having to think on my feet. I earned good grades, but nothing stuck.

My tendency is to continue in this way. I'm good at hunkering down with a text book and barreling through conjugations and declensions. I excel at listening to language lessons and talking back to the computer to practice pronunciation. All of that can be done very nicely in my head, in my home, in my comfort zone.

I've said "Ich heisse Caroline" many times to myself and I've asked the computer its name about as often. I felt completely different saying the phrase and asking the question in class.

But, to get the alphabet and numbers down in 10 weeks isn't fast enough for me, for us, so we're using a different approach - class, Rosetta Stone, and we're hoping to find someone to do a weekly German-only-dinner with us. Holy @!#$#, that seems scary.

Too much? Too many approaches at once? I have no idea, but I suppose we'll see where we are in 10 weeks.

craft and hobby association convention

I am getting ready to head to The Craft and Hobby Association convention January 22nd in Anaheim CA. I thought I would post my schedule in case any of you will be there! I would love for you to stop by and say hi!!

Saturday January 23rd:
3 - 5pm - teaching CHA/Ranger workshop "Studio Time"

Sunday January 24th:
10am - 12 noon - Make N Take at the Ranger booth - stop by to make a cute bracelet with me!
2:00 - 5:00pm - more Make N Take at the Ranger booth.

Monday January 25th:
9am - 12:00pm - demoing at the Ranger booth
3:00 - 5:30pm - More demos of my Claudine Hellmuth Studio product line at the Ranger booth

Tuesday January 26th:
12noon - 4pm - demoing at the Ranger booth

Wednesday January 27th:
12noon - 3pm - demoing at the Ranger booth

Frohes Neues Jahr

Birthday Indulgence 2010 - Red Velvet Cheesecake.

Because my birthday is so close to the beginning of the calendar year, I often think of IT as my very own New Year's Day. This gives me an extra 11 days to settle into self reflection, review the previous year and consider resolutions or goals. The big day always comes, though, and as the beautiful red cake above illustrates, that day is today.

2010 is quite a year for those goals, I'd say, so here goes......

• SHARE. Those who know me well know I'm a rather tight-lipped sort. When I share about life, be it the tiny details or the big news, I tend to do so once things have begun or, more likely, after the fact. But this project, this blog, heck, this move, won't work that way. I can't make connections, develop relationships, build trust without first being open and sharing.

• DON'T LIVE EXCLUSIVELY ONLINE. Blog. Facebook. email. MyFamily.com. A dream come true for me, to hide behind the screen and have written words and photos stand in place of my actual presence and voice. As my online life grows, I'll pay attention to my real, live, in person life as well. Conversations. Phone calls. Coffee dates. The "can't talk, need time to blog, email, FB" excuse will not leave my lips.

• STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN the HERE & NOW and the UP & COMING. I already find myself saying things like, "well, when we're in Vienna I'll go to the museum more...." as if the Bay Area has a dearth of art and culture to explore. Don't forget where I am, don't put off life thinking too far into the future and looking for greener grass.

• LEARN GERMAN. Oh yeah, that small thing.

So, a bit daunted but strangely exhilarated.... I say Frohes Neues Jahr & Alles Gute zum Geburtstag.....Happy New Year & Happy Birthday.....to me! Next year's birthday indulgence may just very well be Sacher Torte.

P.S. For those of you wondering, the passport application has been submit. Deadline met!

Photo: Cheesecake Factory

Forex trading, what the hype is all about

Forex trading is all about making big money. Some investors have found it quite easy to make a large amount of money as the forex market changes daily. Forex, is the foreign exchange market. Online and offline you will find references to the forex market as FX as well. Forex trading takes place through a broker or a financial institution often where you are able to purchase other types of stocks, bonds and investments.

When you are thinking about getting involved in the forex markets you should know you are sending money to be invested with other countries. This is done to prop up the investments of people involved in certain types of hedge funds, and in the markets overseas. The forex market could have your money invested in one market one day, and the next day your money is invested in another country. The daily changes are determined by your broker or financial institution. When reading your statements and learning more about your account, you will find that every type of currency has three letters that will represent that currency.

For example, the United States dollars is USD, the Japanese yen is JPY, and the British pound sterling will read as GBP. You will also find that for every transaction on your account listing you will see information that looks like this: JPYzzz/GBPzzz. This means that you took your Japanese yen money and invested it into something in the British pound market. You will find many transactions from one currency to another if you have money that is scattered through out the forex markets.

Forex markets trading by investment management firms are the companies you can trust with your money. You want to find a company that has been dealing with forex trading since the early seventies, and not someone just new on the block so you get the most for your hard earned money. It is important that you beware of companies that are popping up online, and often times from foreign countries that are stating they can get you involved in the forex markets and trading. Read the fine print, and know whom you are dealing with for the best possible protection.

If you are interested in trading on the forex market, you will find limits for investing are different from company to company. Often times you will learn that you need a minimum of $250 or $500 while other companies will need $1000 or $10,000. The company you are dealing with will set limits in how much you need to open an account with their company. The scams that are online will tell you, that you only need a $1 or $5 to open an account, but you need to learn more about that company and where they are doing business before investing any money, this is for your own protection while dealing in forex trading and markets online.

Stop the shopping

This might come as a shock, but I'm kind of done with shopping for a while. I've got a pretty decent winter wardrobe and it feels good to just go with what I have instead of constantly craving new / more items. That's why I'll try to stop shopping untill all the spring collections are in stores. Can't wait! (I guess it's kind of a protest against winter as wel, hahah) These are my latest buys, and I'll keep you posted if I break the promise :P

And again, I'm asking you to vote for me as a reporter in NY! You can do it more than once. So if you've already voted, you can vote again! ♥ All you have to do is click here ♥

h&m triangle bra's and tee - zara bag - ebay necklace - h&m divided exclusive real leather skirt (marktplaats)

take a class!

Ready to be more creative in 2010? Why not take a class with me!! Here's a quick preview of some of my classes this year. Complete listings here!

February 6th - beeswax collage workshop in Alexandria VA
A one day Beeswax Collage Workshop class at The Artistic Artifacts Studio in Alexandria VA. For more details and to register: Click here. Spaces are limited so sign up soon! spaces still available!

February 18th & 19th - workshops in North Yorkshire England
A full day of Collage Discovery Workshop followed by a 1/2 day Adventures in Color class. Sign up here! spaces still available in Color class only!

March 20th & 21st - 2 days of Mixed media classes in Lincoln NE
Two days of classes at Southest Community College in Lincoln NE! One day of Waxing Poetic Beeswax class and another day of The Frayed Edge: exploring fabric collage. Stay for both days or just one! Whatever suits your schedule! To register contact Nancy Holman at 1.800.828.0072 spaces still available!

April 29th - May 2nd - 2 classes in St. Louis MO
Two classes at The Mary Engelbreit Home Companion Workshop event! I'll be teaching Sitting Pretty Photo Sculptures and Poppet Puppets! Click here for all the details and to register!! spaces still available!

Warum nicht?

By far, the most common response to our "We're moving to Vienna!" announcement to date is some version of the question "why?" It usually follows the statement - "That's so exciting" or "Wow, what great news" - but it's never far behind. And it makes me nervous.

How could such a simple question, "why?" give me pause, cause me to stammer "um" and "uh"? Because I'm not sure that even I know the full answer to the question, so how can I explain it to others? And because I'm not sure the answers I do have will strike everyone as logical or reasonable. And I very much like to be seen as logical and reasonable.

Why move? Why Vienna?

• For a job? No, neither of us received a job offer in Vienna. The decision to go came first, the job search will come second (or third, or fourth).

• Why Vienna, of all the places in the world? Because we found out we know people who know people there. And we heard that it's a good city to start in if we need to slip into speaking English at times to get by. See - there is the reasonableness, the logic. Very practical. Connections and communication.

• But why move at all? To experience a different culture. I have this idea (perhaps a romanticized idea, but anecdotes from others seem to confirm it) that life in Europe, even in a larger European city, is different from life in America. I haven't experienced anything other than life in America and I feel at a loss for that. I want to know more. More than a 2 week vacation could teach me.
  

• We're not anchored where we are right now by careers or children or a mortgage. And so, it seemed like a good time to explore. Together.

• And, well, have you seen pictures of Vienna? Read about the architecture, the music, the history? It sounds (and looks) like such a rich, magical place, and everyone I've talked to who's been there gets this dreamy look and thrill in their voice that's hard to ignore. I had never thought twice about the city before this began, but now I can't imagine going anywhere else.

So, while there are many other reasons that will probably show up in later posts, my short, sweet, simple answer to the query, "why?" is, from now on...

Warum nicht. Why not.

Kill your darlings

Don't mean to get all spam-y on you guys :P
But as you might know I'm participating in a contest to become a reporter in New York. And YOU can help me realising that dream.
NOTE: If you've already voted, you can vote again! There is no limit.
I really nead your help! All it takes to vote is a click here!

h&m "leather" skirt, blazer and boots - american apparel tank - zara tights - necklace was gift from my sweet and oldest friend Jes

What is an Entrepreneur?

People enjoy a lot of comforts as they go through life each day. Have you ever wondered who are responsible for all these life's comforts? You have to thank the entrepreneurs for it. But, what is an entrepreneur?

Entrepreneur has many meanings. If you want to know exactly what it means, just keep on reading.

A person who assumes business responsibility and the risks that comes along with it is called an entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, one expects to make profits, whether big or small, depending on the business he or she is involved in. generally, the entrepreneur decides which product or service to offer, obtain the needed facilities, hires the required labor force, acquire production materials, and provides for the capital.

Image via Wikipedia

There is no assurance that the business will become a success. However, if the business proves to be a success, the entrepreneur will reap all the benefits and rewards in terms of the profits. In case of a loss, the entrepreneur will also be the one to suffer.

Assuming business responsibilities is definitely not an easy task. Not many individuals are willing to take huge responsibilities, and most especially take all the risks. Only an experienced and knowledgeable individual will dare to become an entrepreneur. The ultimate goal of an entrepreneur is to earn profits.

By putting up a small business, you will also earn limited returns but by establishing a big business, you will also earn more profits. The choice will depend on the entrepreneur and his or her available resources.

As the most important person in a business venture, an entrepreneur will be the one to decide which product or service to offer. He or she must be able to determine the needs of the people and provide the answer to such needs. A careful study of the targeted market is required. This takes time because one can't decide immediately what product or service to offer.

Once the products or services are identified, it is now time for the entrepreneur to obtain all the needed facilities. This will include the building or the place of business.

Along with it are the other things needed such as the office furniture, fixtures, and many other things. The capital is usually provided by the entrepreneur and a part of it will be allotted for the acquisition of the facilities. Later on, these things will be considered as one of the assets of the business.

Recruitment of the labor force is also an important part of being an entrepreneur. The business will not succeed if it doesn’t have a loyal labor force. Everyone should work together in order to achieve success. It is therefore of utmost importance to hire only the qualified employees.

As you can see, the entrepreneur has to take care of many things. This may be one reason why not many individuals are willing to become one. If the business succeeds or fails, it is all because of the entrepreneur.

Now that you know what an entrepreneur is, would you like to become one? Well, if you have the right attitude, skills, and qualifications, you too can become an entrepreneur. It would be best to embark on a humble beginning. Don’t attempt to reach the peak of success all at once. It takes hard work, dedication, and perspiration. You must take one step at a time.

Step One: Obtain Passport

That is correct. I am planning a big, fat international move and I have never been outside the United States!

Well, that's not completely true. My father was in the Air Force, stationed in Germany, so my folks married there and I (along with my younger brother) was born there. But we left when I was very little and no memories serve. Unfortunately, neither do my traveling papers from that time.

This task is quite simple to complete and doesn't actually set me on a path from which there is no return. It's a good idea to have a passport, whether I'm moving or not. I've always thought that, but never quite got around to getting one "just because". Now, getting that document has taken on much greater meaning as the first "official" step toward Vienna.

So, simple it may be, but an easy task to put off. A few weeks ago I set myself a deadline. My birthday - get those photos, fill out the form, wait in line, and get the application in by my birthday. My birthday is now 7 days away. And two of those days are weekend days. Yikes.

looking ahead

Every year I get a new kitchen calendar, I take down the old calendar and copy over birthdays and reminders into the new one.

As I go through each month seeing my old appointments, notes, trips it is like a year in review. When I read Dentist, Dr and hair appointments, I see between the lines of what on the surface seem like pretty generic calendar entries and they remind me of what happened in the last year. A vet appointment with Toby doesn't need to say much more than "Toby vet" for a flood of memories to come back.

2009 wasn't my favorite year. While it wasn't without happy moments it was a year in which change happened for better and for worse. I spent most of 2009 getting used to living in DC (after moving here from Orlando) and enjoying the city, the snow, making new friends.

Then just as we were feeling settled we learned Paul's company is closing their DC office and the renter of our home in Florida moved out. Everything is up on the air. Suddenly the future is uncertain. This time next year when I take down our kitchen calendar what will I see? A move to another state? Back to FL? Or will we be staying in DC?

Tonight, as I fill out my 2010 calendar with birthdays and reminders, I feel as if I am trying to see ahead into the future. I turn to the month of April and think "this should all be figured out by then" ... fingers crossed!

Style file: Assad Mounser

Although I love subtle and tiny jewelry, I constantly find myself craving for chunky neckwear and giant rings. One of my go-to spots to drewl is Assad Mounser. Amanda designs eye catchers for the neck and wrist that are decorated with anything a girl could ask for. And not only does Amanda have great talent, her personal style (she has a style blog too!) and sweet personality really top the bill. Let's read what she has to say about her own style and jewelry line! (And ps. please vote for me here! Would love that!)

When getting dressed, do you pick your jewelry first and then build from that?
Typically I start with a general theme or feeling... like I think to myself, I’m going to dress french equestrian today or I'll feel compelled to wear a silky boudoir piece in a way that’s street appropriate. I take that first idea and rough it up and throw it off kilter a bit. I guess at heart, I just like playing dress up! I kind of built my jewelry collection around the idea of offering a wide variety of options to wear with any look that might inspire you. I am also huge on color, I'm addicted to it, so that is a must for me when putting together any look.

Do you wear jewelry every single day?
I do. It’s like an appendage nowadays! I feel lost, and incomplete without jewelry. You know that saying "you should always take one piece of jewelry off when you leave the house"? I always add at least 2 pieces on before I walk out the door, and oftentimes I leave wishing I had piled on even more! Iris Apfel is my hero. She is constantly dripping in Bakelite, turquoise and silver (like wrist to elbow - both arms), and she always looks so individualistic and chic!

Of all people, who would you want most to be spotted wearing an Assad Mounser design?
I get excited when I see ANYONE wearing it. I just love to see how people with different individual style profiles wear my jewelry, what looks they come up with, and what their perspective is. I will have to say, this summer I was at a shoot for Glamour magazine, and watched them shoot my pieces on Rhianna. It was pretty amazing to witness, and she was so cool, and nice. Ahhh, that was definitely a huge surreal unbelievable moment for me!

Where do you see Assad Mounser in 5 years down the road?
I would like to expand the categories within my line to include rings, earrings, etc. I would also like to launch a men's line in the next year or so. Over the next few seasons, it would be amazing if I was able to collaborate with ready-to-wear designers on jewelry collections for their runway shows, and capsule collections for their brands. And I guess in 5 years, I would love to see myself doing creative direction for another line in addition to maintaining my own. I am in no rush though, SS 10 was only my second season! I have been so lucky so far. So I’m just trying to grow my business organically with my best foot forward...

Do you design with a specific type of woman in mind?
Basically, I try to offer something for everyone. I priced this line to be statement making in design yet affordable, because I really want it to be attainable to anyone who is drawn to it. Stylistically, I have pieces that are more avant garde and envelope pushing with spikes, bullets and raw stones, but I also cater to a more feminine customer, with pieces that contain soft pearls and chains. In Japan this season, some of my customers bought pieces from this collection for their men's departments. So I guess you could say I really do offer something for everyone! Ha!

ps. Could you please vote for me here? Big hug!

Turning Excitement into Exploration

At the moment, the Vienna move doesn't seem real. I imagine I'll go through this often throughout the year, but maybe disbelief will mark only this first phase, before anything has really been done or decided or scheduled. When it's still a lot of talk and not a lot of actual doing.

In fact, rolling thoughts of these "doings" over and over in my mind paralyzes me sometimes.

I had a bit of a panic attack earlier this week because the possibility of finding work, obtaining work visas and a residence permit seems just plain out of reach. And without these, there is no move. I got a bit doomsday about the whole thing and Kiefer had to talk me back from the "there's no point, there's no way, it's too hard and we'll never make it work" ledge. I like to think of myself as an optimist, but short bursts of extreme cynicism are the way I maintain a rose-colored outlook for the long haul. So, I don't know what that makes me. A cynoptimist? What we've realized, thankfully, is that while we each have these bouts of disbelief and doubt, they seem to come at different times. When I'm negative, K is positive and vice versa, so we keep each other on track.

So how to bring myself back around? I work well in phases, with time-lines. I need some sort of structure and purpose and tasks to put on a To Do list to make things real and manageable. Is there a name I can give this phase? This pre-planning phase in which it's too early to look for an actual job or an apartment, but necessary to think about it? What about the Too-Early-to-get-Freaked-Out-Just-Start-Planning-and-Researching-and-Trust-that-We-Will-Find-our-Way phase? Or, the Remember-that-Just-Because-We-Don't-Have-All-the-Answers-Today-Doesn't-Mean-it-isn't-Going-to-Happen phase? Or, maybe we're in the Turning Excitement into Exploration"phase.

Yes. I think I can work with that. Today, we're in the Turning Excitement into Exploration phase and we get to focus on building relationships, making connections and learning German - things we can do today. See, rose-colored glasses are back on.

Out with the old

Out with the old, in with the new! I had a great time celebrating the new year, having sushi and champaigne with my boyfriend and going dancing with the girls untill the sun came up. I'm excited for a new year to come. A new year means a fresh start filled with opportunities to seize. I will try to be the best person I can be and make some of my dreams come true this year. What are your NY resolutions? These shots were taken while getting dressed some time ago. After that I piled on tights, a cardi, a blazer and a coat. Wish I could just walk outside in this! Love this American Apparal tank, they have the perfect relaxed fit.

And I have a favor to ask you, sweet readers. Could you please, please, please vote for me here?
All you have to do is click on the e-mail you'll receive and you won't get any newsletters or anything! (make sure to check your 'unwanted' file too) Would love it if you would help me with this!

h&m "leather" skirt - american apparel tank top