101 in 1001: #48 Donate to Charity

Happy Friday! :)

I'm sure that many, if not all, of you have heard about the powerful earthquakes that hit Haiti. Our hearts go out to those who have lost their loved ones and all the survivors. It's been devastating to read through the news and look at the images. We gave a donation to Hope For Haiti Now and are hoping for the best.

Shout Out - Faire Houre

My sweet sister gifted me this beautiful clock by Faire Houre last Christmas. I just love the beautiful plate with the pearly shine and the delicate detailed lines. I have yet to put it up on my wall since I'm still figuring out the layout on my wall. But I can't wait to have it up there and check out the time. I currently have the standard silver Ikea clock so it's definitely an upgrade! :)

Faire Houre has a variety of different plate designs offered in clock form. :) I'm diggin' this faux bois clock and this whip stitch clock. Check out her Etsy shop or blog and find a lovely addition to your wall.

Photos: La Belle clock

Which clock tickled your fancy? ;)

MDD Personalization: Red Panda Pillow

Red Panda Pillow personalized RAMONA

Fan Moments: Lavender in China Part II

Last week, I shared Part I of Lavender in China. I hope you'll enjoy the rest of them here today on Part II! :D

Snow!

Inside a shopping bag

Winter Wonderland!

Oops! Lavender got her head stuck while checking on the lens

Thank you again, H for sharing these lovely photos! ;)

Where would you go with your Mini Penguin?

p.s. - things to learn

source: swissmiss

An inspiring animation for a Dutch children's charity. :)

Episode 15: Long Distance Friendships ft Bryce

Show Notes:

• "Do you have best friends?"
• A little about Bryce
• Friends in different countries
• Ways we keep in touch with long distance friends
• Best friends, close friends, friends, or acquaintances
• Bryce's army of friends around the world
• Key factors to making long distance friendships work
• Snail mail
• Guys' friendships vs girls' friendships
• Advice on how to stay connected

How do you keep in touch with your long distance friends?

Would you like to be featured on our podcast or would you like to share your thoughts with us? Please comment below or email us at HeSaidSheSaid at MyDearDarling dot com! :)

101 in 1001: #73 Learn 5 New Recipes

Happy Friday! :D Today, I wanted to share that I've actually completed something on my 101 in 1001 list. It's been daunting to watch the ticker go by day after day with what seems like no progress. But last week, I was able to cross off #73 Learn 5 new recipes! I got all these recipes from Real Simple Magazine's January 2010 issue. (Thanks again, B!) If you don't subscribe to the mag, I've linked all the recipes they have available online. :) And I have to say, I'd totally recommend trying any of these. They were quite easy and perfect for the cold weather we've been experiencing.

Smokey Fish Chowder (photo above)

made on 01.10.2010

Pasta with Spicy Shrimp and Tomato Sauce

made on 01.11.2010

Tex-Mex Burgers

made on 01.12.2010

Chicken and Pepper Stew with Olives

made on 01.14.2010

Jalapeno Pork Stew with Pickled Onions

made on 01.15.2010

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a photo of the pasta and burgers because they were such a hit! They were all gone by the time I realized I hadn't taken photos. :P I think my favorite one was the pasta with spicy shrimp, which was actually from RS's January 2009 issue. It's REALLY easy and super yummy! But I also couldn't get enough of the chicken and olive stew. My husband's favorite was the Tex-Mex Burgers. Hehe, so let me know if you tried any of these recipes and how they turned out for you. :)

I was super pumped to get #80 Learn a good soup recipe or two accomplished this week since last week turned out so well. I tried the Kale and White Bean Soup and Rich French Onion Soup (from same mag), but we didn't really fall in love with them like the others. So, if you know ANY AWESOME SOUP RECIPES, I'm wanting to try them! Of course, if you're willing to share. ;)

So, what's your favorite soup you love making?

Have an awesome weekend! :D

Shout Out - Love. Obsess. Inspire.

About a month ago, I was on the search for new inspirational blogs to follow through my Google reader. I came across a few new wonderful blogs, but I've fallen in love with Love. Obsess. Inspire. curated by Lexi. I've read every single one of her posts since and have been inspired by most of them, if not all! Her blog design is beautiful, especially the type treatments and colors. She explains in her about section that "As an 'artsy crafty, party planning, tea drinking, high-heel wearing, font loving' full time graphic designer, I fall in love often, obsess a lot, and am constantly inspired!" :) She also posts Free Printable Goodies and they're all worth downloading and using! Click on over there and be inspired by her lovely posts!

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WHAT News: Character Updates

Starting the New Year, we changed a few features of our Bear, Tiger, Pig and Bunny characters. :) I hope you like the new updated look! Here's the new and improved Pig Pillow available in my Etsy shop! Others will be available soon. :)

MDD Personalization: Pig Pillow

Pig Pillow personalized DANICA

p.s. - kissing in the rain

source: fotocollasso&goodenough

How romantic and beautiful is this shot? I wish the rain here gave off a sweeter vibe like this. :) It's been pouring with thunderstorms and I haven't been able to sleep. Throughout the night, I was lying in bed just thinking of random things like sheep playing cards or things that could go wrong like being struck by lightening and what I'd do in such a predicament. Well, not much I'd be able to do, but you catch my drift. :) I'm in need of a new umbrella, a cute one that will fit both my husband and me. Any suggestions?

pocket this quote

I'm a day late but a great quote nonetheless. :)

Fan Moments: Lavender in China Part I

My smile gets so BIG every time I check my inbox to find Fan Moment photos. :D Last week, I received these photos from H. The same sweet lady and her husband who sent in these photos of Lemony & Fotobie. They took Lavender, the newest addition to their penguin family, along their trip to China and were kind enough to share lots of photos! Here's Part I of Lavender's adventures:

Lavender eyeing the juicy oranges

Lavender fitting into the vase

Lavender meeting her new found friend

Lavender as part of the romantic set up on the bed

Lavender with Chinese style cushion

Examining traditional Chinese tea set

Reading the letter from hotel manager

Posing in front of the bridge and pagoda in the hotel

Stay tuned for the rest of the photos next week! :D Thank you H!

p.s. - storytelling crayons

source: diem chau

It amazes me how some artists, like Chau, can work at a small scale and yet show all these beautiful details. :)

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Episode 14: Baby Names

Show Notes:

• Father & Mother naming their child
• Auctioning baby names
• Crazy baby name stories: Hitler & Akuma "Devil"
• Naming babies after places, state of mind, misspelling, prized possessions
• Worst baby names ever & Iona Knipl
• Longest baby name: (First & Middle Name) Adolph Blaine Charles Davide Earl Frederick Gerald Hubert Irvim John Kenneth Loyd Martin Nero Oliver Paul Quincy Randolph Sherman Thomas Uncas Victor Willian Xerxes Yancy Zeus
• Brandon's baby names
• Name affect on baby

What ridiculous baby names have you heard? What's your favorite baby name?

Would you like to be featured on our podcast or would you like to share your thoughts with us? Please comment below or email us at HeSaidSheSaid at MyDearDarling dot com! :)

p.s. - penguin & girl

source: ffffound

I came across this image and loved the little girl's expression. It made me smile. I love how animals can bring smiles to our faces, sometimes when you need it the most. :)

What made you smile today?

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regarding fashion

OFF Topic: An Engagement Story

I've been wanting to shout this out for a long while now since it happened, but my BFF and her long time boyfriend got engaged a few days before Christmas! :') December 23rd to be exact.

He picked her up for a surprise dinner with a dozen red roses. Although the service and food didn't quite meet their expectations, they made the best of it and enjoyed their romantic night out. He then took her out onto the beach where his brothers had decorated a lifeguard tower with lights and a hammock streamed from the top deck to the lower railing. It was the same hammock he had put up five and a half years ago when he asked her to be his girl. She was completely caught by surprise only to turn around and to find him bent on one knee with a red box asking, "Girlie..." But she couldn't hear anything because she was too excited questioning, "What are doing?! Are you?! OMG... OMG... What are you doing?! Are you?!" After she freaked out, cried and laughed, she finally remembered to say, "Oh! YES!!! YES!!!" He put the sparkling ring on her finger that night and she hasn't stopped smiling since. :)

Congrats to N&B!

Photos: B's beautiful ring against the roses and lights, decorated lifeguard tower, the newly engaged couple

p.s. - fog light

source: vtpeacenik

I love how nature can inspire you to do things. :) This morning I woke up and found our apartment enclosed in fog. It was beautiful how the sunlight shined through the trees. (Photo above is not the view from my apartment, but very similar.) The scene inspired me to go out and take a hike... well, maybe not today, but this weekend I shall. I need a nature walk, not to mention a little workout. Hehe.

What was the morning view from your window today?

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Shout Out - Mochi Studios

Last month, Brandon and I did some of our Christmas shopping at a couple of the local craft fairs. We invited our plush loving friend, Josh, along to Bizarre Bizarre. It was his first bigger craft show he'd attended. His eyes opened up wide anytime we'd come across a plush stand but by far, his favorite item was Mochi Studios' Peas in a Pod. We couldn't pull off buying it behind his back so we ended up waiting until Renegade where we went without him. I was so happy to find that Mochi Studios was a vendor there and we immediately bought this Pea in a Pod for Josh's Christmas gift. He loved it. :)

Rita is the creator and crafter behind Mochi Studios. I love how in her about page she says, "Her favorite times to work are late at night when angry neighbors start to complain of her sewing machine rumbling their ceiling, during long drawn out phone conferences, and on nice sun filled evenings just before twilight with a cup of boba milk tea as her fuel." I think I can relate to the sound of the sewing machine annoying the neighbors, but I have yet to get a complaint. And after I read this, I started craving milk tea. In any case, she's not only got cute pea pods in her shop but also cute mushrooms, ninja beans, and much more. :)

Photos: Mini in a Pod, Mini & Josh's Pea Pod, Happy Mini & Josh's Pea Pod

Doesn't Mini look happy with his friend? ;)

p.s. - candy apple cafe

source: boopsie.daisy

Lately, I've been wanting a library in my own home. Of course, we don't have the space or the amount of books to do this. But oh how I wish to cozy up in a comfy chair and be surrounded by books and indulge myself in a good read. Everytime I would picture it, the dark wooden bookcases would be packed with books of all sizes. I would be sitting in a dark leather chair with the sunlight beaming through the large windows and warming up the darkness. Then, I came across this photo of this beautiful cheerful library and was so inspired by the bright colors! Now I'm envisioning my dream library to be bright and warm, just maybe full of yellows. :)

What color(s) would your dream library be?

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MDD Personalization: Lavender Monster Penguin

Lavender Monster Penguin personalized SOPHIA

p.s. - beauties wood

source: helen musselwhite

p.s. - the third & the seventh

beautiful music and amazing cg. and mind you, it's 100% cg!

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Darling Moments: Gap Booties

My sweet sister in RI sent these to me along with many other birthday/Christmas gifts. :) These booties come in handy since it's been quite chilly around here. I wake up in the morning and the first thing I do is slip these on. Thanks, Sis.