February 23, 2010

Procrastinate & Evaluate

So I warned I'm a procrastinator about some things, and writing is definitely one of those things.  The new year has been off to a very rocky start, and that is actually an extreme understatement BUT I have to keep moving forward.  I'm a perpetual optimist and I won't give it up.  I have to have hope for the future.  You never know what life will bring you or when it will bring it.  Things can change at the blink of an eye.  That's what makes life both beautiful and frightening.

"Don't ask what the world needs.  Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it.
Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." -Howard Thurman

Cheeky Jezebel has had a makeover!  Not only is the design different but new products have been added too. 

There are many new "Word Play" necklaces.  I love making these.  Some of the sayings are so random, but no matter what they say they let the person wearing them express a part of themselves whether they're bold, contemplative, or playful.

I've started making clay charms as well.  On the left is one of my Buddhas (blue to represent peace).  In the middle is the "Classic Rose Earring Set" which will hopefully soon come in pastel, bright, and gothic sets as well.  And last, on the right, is my camera necklace for those photographers out there.  Soon I'm hoping to have my new cameo
necklaces and rings up for sale as well.

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December 11, 2009

Say Fast Food Fixation Three Times Fast

I've given up fast food since the beginning of the month.  It's slimy, greasy, high in calories, and so yummy!  When I'm honest with myself I probably have fast food more than three times a week.  It's fast (of course) and everywhere you go has that tempting dollar menu.  It's hard to resist for me and that was a sign that I had a problem.  Not good.  Not at all.  I feel horribly unhealthy after I eat fast food, I waste money on it (even when using the dollar menu, bless it's little heart), and the more I have it the more I seem to somehow crave it!  So no more happy meals for me.  Turn that smile upside down McDonalds! I don't want you anymore!  And to my beloved Taco Bell with your awesome nachos and super unnatural processed cheese, I'm sorry.  And Burger King... Well I don't really miss you.  Your burgers are good but "the king" scares the heck out of me.

After I made the decision to go fast food free, I read a few articles on how some scientists now believe it's pretty darn addicting.  People know that fast food contains a lot of sugars and salts and research has been done showing that high amounts of this in food can cause a sort of addiction to those foods.  It's been shown in animals that foods which are high in sugars, salts, and fats affect the chemicals of the brain's "happy chemicals" to put it extremely unscientifically ... basically it  makes people happy to eat these foods.  In reverse it also causes anxiety to some animals (and some people) when these foods are taken out of the diet.  I think there may be credibility to all of this based on how often I crave these types of food.  Giving up fast food sounds so easy, but if you eat it all the time it's actually pretty frustrating when you crave something (ahem, nachos) and can't have it.  The past few days however, I've been fine and have been craving more healthy foods.  I have to say though, before that I had been eating a lot of Dove chocolate but I've weaned myself off of that pretty much too.

I also remember hearing somewhere within the last year that some scientists believe there is an evolutionary reason for people craving fatty foods.  Our ancestors had to work for their food, and didn't always know when their next meal would come along, so food higher in fat would have been more beneficial to them.  Researchers were saying that may have carried on to today.  If our bodies know a food is high in calories that would have been beneficial in the past, thus we will crave these foods more even nowadays.  I wonder how long it takes evolution to catch up with everything.  I want my body to either only crave healthy foods, or have my metabolism boosted so that I never gain weight.  Sigh, only in a perfect world.  In the meantime I have these great Dove wrapper sayings to keep me going 0_o

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December 3, 2009

It Has Been Too Long...

I've taken too long to write a "REAL" entry.  No good! I'm going to try to write a weekly blog entry
from here on out.  I'm a super procrastinator so... Wish me luck!

I love taking random pictures of things.  I carry my camera with me wherever I go!  I don't know
what I ever did before I got my first digital camera.  ~Sentimental Sigh~  There are so many things
I see every week that strike me as interesting or odd.  On the road, in stores, wherever!!!  So
what do I do? Whip out the camera!  I know people sometimes look at you like you're crazy when
you're taking a picture of something in public because they may not know why you want a picture
of whatever it is you're aiming at, but all you really have to do is say, "I'm a ______" FILL IN THE
BLANK.  Say artist, photographer, uhhhh... professional weirdo... doesn't matter what you say,
just say it with conviction!!! Those gawkers will give you the nod of approval and be on their
merry way.  Beware of the talkers though, who like to ask you about what you do.  Perhaps have
some index cards ready or write notes on your hands.  Personally I just start talking to myself
(I do this a lot normally anyway), and then anyone who had any interest in asking me what I'm
taking a picture of suddenly becomes quite uninterested. They must think I fall into the
professional weirdo category. But anyway... On to the random photo taking!

This week my life is complete!  I saw the Oscar Meyer weiner mobile! It was outside the grocery
store.  I think I was more excited about it than the little kids that were there.

I took the picture with my phone so it's blurry.  The one time I didn't bring my camera with me and there
were a lot of photo opportunities that day.  But I made the best of what I had... my old, old, old, old, old
phone.  On the way back home there was a controlled fire at a forest preserve down the street from
where I had been shopping.  Again I had to bring my outdated phone out to snap this shot...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 
I am thankful that I am able to share the holidays with the people I love.  I can't wait for Christmas!

As far as Cheeky Jezebel goes I've been working hard on designs.  There are many new stud earrings up as well as a
couple new necklace designs and more to come soon!!!

"Love on the Brain" Necklace

"Zombified" Necklace (Gotta love those crazy zombies!!!)

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September 30, 2009

 Up & Coming Designs

 First I have to thank a Miss Kate for purchasing the Roly Poly Kitty necklace
that was auctioned!  Next,  I just wanted to post previews for a few designs
here.  A few of the designs you will find for sale already but the others will be
up as soon as I build up inventory on them!

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September 14, 2009

Charity Auction on Ebay

I'm putting up the necklace below for auction on ebay!  It's being auctioned
off to help a no-kill animal shelter & 100 % of the profit is going to the shelter
to help the animals.  I'd be extremely thankful if you would check it out.

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August 20, 2009

There Is Rain

Today is a rainy day so...

I'm working on my Inventory!!!
  

I know, not very exciting news, but news nonetheless :)