The Palm Springs Edition

(The Riveria Hotel and Spa -- Gorgeous!)Can you believe I was gone AGAIN this weekend? Spoiled, I know. I took Scott to Palm Springs for his birthday and some much needed couple time. And yes, I was just there a few weeks back but that was with my partner in crime, Oonagh.Palm Springs is so fun for me because it's the mecca of mid-century, modern design. I always come back inspired after seeing all the great furniture...

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Garage Rules

1. Don't use the tablesaw when you're tired.2. Don't cut yourself with the biscuit joiner...again.3. Be respectful of the miter saw.These are rules I live by daily. Can you believe with all the potential hazards in my garage the scariest one in a long time is a BLACK WIDOW?!? I reached over a storage box last night to grab a sanding block and THANK GOD saw something hanging above it (right where I was about to grab.) Then I saw that red spot on the underside and froze. I was THIS CLOSE to grabbing a black widow. Today, I'm armed with RAID...

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Land of Nod Update

So here's the skinny on the Land of Nod (a division of Crate and Barrel) negotiations. They're done! And they're dead. :(While Land of Nod really liked the designs I submitted (and one in particular that they chose for me to make a prototype), it ultimately came down to pricing. Ya know how most furniture is made in China or Taiwan or basically, somewhere other than the US? There's a good reason for that. It's really...

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Breakfast with Clean, Made-Up Moms

Today was Breakfast with Moms at our elementary school. Unlike most of my mornings where I literally roll out of bed and throw on the same saw-dust covered jeans I wore yesterday, I really tried today! The hair was done, make-up on, and I even had on a dress for pete sake. (NOTE: Only one toenail had one of my Lee Press-on Toenails so the rest looked like crap but no one looks down there really, right?).I had one of those ah-ha moments Oprah talks about as I'm lined up with about a thousand other moms and kids waiting for the mini-muffin and...

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In One Ear and...Stuck

(Yesterday at 2:30pm)Grace: "Mom, I stuck something in my ear today."Me: "You're not supposed to stick things in your ears, silly."(Hours pass....9:00pm at night while cuddling on the couch with G)Grace: "Mom, my ear still hurts from that thing being in it."Me: "What? Did you really put something in your ear....really?"Grace: "Well, I had this sticker that was balled up that was stuck to the end of my finger and then I put my finger in my ear cuz it was itching and the sticker just fell in."Me: "Seriously?....ok, we have to look. It's really...

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Lumberjocks ROCK!

About a year ago, I joined a website called Lumberjocks. It's basically a social networking site for woodworkers. You can post your projects, receive feedback, ask questions, etc. I'm the first to admit I was a bit intimidated to join. I'm also the first to admit the kind of furniture I build doesn't require mad woodworking skills like those who make traditional or victorian style work. Since day one, I've felt nothing...

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Foiled AGAIN!

Ok, so this isn't related to woodworking...but it kinda is, since I ditched work to do it. A couple of weeks ago I finally made an appointment on a Friday to get my hair professionally colored, something I'd given up over the past year in an effort to save money. Basically, I was starting to look like a freak with dark roots and white blond/yellow hair so I bit the bullet and set the appointment with a salon down the...

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The Truth About Motherhood

Anyone see Oprah yesterday? The show's topic was about motherhood and what we really go through -- the joy, the isolation, the guilt, the exhaustion. And how for the most part, we don't support each other as much as we should. Obviously, I could relate but more than that, it made me really think about my mom friendships and how lucky I feel to have found women who aren't afraid to say they really DON'T want to play...

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I've got some news....

Pregnancy and Newborn magazine was sitting on my coffee table last night to which a good friend said, "you have something to tell me?" OH HELL NO! No little kiddies on the way but I have to say, after looking at the magazine, they make having babies and breastfeeding and all that jazz look fun! There are so many new contraptions on the market.....like the Owyn Toy Box!Which brings me to why I had the magazine in the...

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Dress Code

Today, I showered. :) I had to run a few errands before work so I threw on my "I'm trying a little bit more than I did yesterday" outfit. Most people who know what I do assume I don the overalls and work apron. But the truth is, I pretty much work in whatever I have on that day. Today, I'm in a skirt. No heels, thou...

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