Wedding Plans

Our wedding is coming up in June!! And I have lots of the planning done, but there are still things to accomplish. Cherry blossoms are the theme and pink and brown are the colors. Or more specifically, rose and chocolate. We figured we could have a cherry blossom cake, much like one of these cakes to the left. I was so excited when I found these cherry blossom cameras that I can set on the guest tables at the reception. Ben and I both love chocolate and love coffee, so we are going to have chocolate covered espresso beans for our favors. We are even thinking of doing a s'mores making station at the reception in addition to the cake. We are dessert fanatics, so it's only fitting! More to come!

My First and Second Day of Work

For those of you who don't know, I am working toward my master's in speech language pathology. I am done with all my coursework and just need to finish my practicum hours. I graduate in May!!! So this week I started my externship in the inpatient rehab center at the hospital. So far so good! I am really enjoying it, and my supervisor is very supportive. I am learning so much from her. I primarily work with stroke patients, but I also work with patients with other types of brain injury, dementia, etc. I anticipated it to be sad and taxing, but I find it more rewarding than anything. To be able to help someone regain the communication skills they once had is a great feeling, even if it happens in small steps. I love working with this population!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Can you spot the Chihuahua?

Clasps of Wonder

I have to feature Anne's handmade clasps!! They are so beautifully made and the best ever! I mean, look at all those gorgeous colors!! Here is her shop: nottoto
She offers lots of jump rings too for all you chainmaillers.
Anne is so great to work with, she has been such a helpful friend to me. Her clasps are truly one of a kind!!

It's FrEeZiNg!

Kate at the Alpaca Show! It's her birthday Monday, but we are celebrating tonight with the girls.

It's 16 degrees. Hibernation is in the stars for me today.

Today will probably be filled with more listing new items in my Art Fire shop and cleaning up around the house. Also, I need to figure out what to make for Kate - She always knows shes getting jewelry from me, haha!

True story: It was so cold yesterday that, instead of driving half a mile down the road to Best Buy, I just ordered what I needed from their website. Granted, it was free shipping, and this is how I justified it. Not to mention, it was on sale. That's how I roll.

My Art Fire Shop

Two posts in one day, YEAH! Talk about keeping up a New Years Resolution. (I probably should not get too ahead of myself). Anyway, I forgot to mention in my previous post that I have opened up a new shop on Art Fire. Here it is: Padaysia It's my jewelry shop. I am currently working on handcrafting items to put in my other shop too. This shop is called "Pretty Little Ditty" and will consist of crafted items from my fiber-liking. Wait for it!!

I've been listing stuff all day long!! I know Art Fire is not as common, well-known, popular, whatever as Etsy, but maybe with time it will blossom. It seems like it's got a good thing going. I was resistant for a while to open up an Art Fire shop, but everyone on Twitter kept talking about it, and I finally gave in.

My next mission: I am really getting into the chainmaille but have not listed it yet, as I do not yet feel that my skills are up to par, if you know what I mean. I may try my hand at selling some at Raleigh's Flea Market when the weather warms up, and see how it does.

The New Year

Happy (Belated) New Year!!! One of many of my New Year's Resolutions is to maintain my blog. Why is it so challenging for me?
I typically get a little depressed when the holidays are over, but I think this is the first year that I am actually relieved. Then again it definitely was not a typical holiday. My dear cousin, Samar, passed away on Christmas day, after her 10 month battle with cancer. She is survived by two sisters, her parents, and a three year old daughter. Samar remained strong throughout her struggle, and in order to honor her, I am participating in Rely for Life this April. It's a fundraiser where all the donations go toward the American Cancer Society. If you are interested in contributing on my behalf, here is my personal page: Rely For Life
You can find a link on the page where it says "Make a Gift to Support Manal A Fakhoury" (that's me). My personal goal was to raise $50, but since I've already raised almost $200, I've bumped up my goal to $300!! Hopefully not too ambitious, but it's for a great cause of course.