ShiningLightJewelry

The Lotus flower is just absolutely beautiful to me !
I chose this necklace created by Annette from ShiningLightJewelry as one of my favorite items today because it reminds me of the beginning of a fresh start ! This necklace goes along with today's 80 degree weather in Chicago - an almost perfect day!

For more info, the following are just a few interesting meanings behind the symbol of a Lotus Flower. (full article from wikianswers.com)

• Like the Hibiscus flower, the lotus flower is universally accepted as a symbol of estranged love and the associated empty yearning it entails. The lotus flower originated in Egypt and in India, and has had a major role in the local myths and legends.

• The lotus flower in Indian mythology also represents birth and beauty. The goddess, Laxmi, was born from a lotus that sprang from Vishnu's forehead and there are many goddess figures that are described to have lotus features.

• If you don't look at the mythology and the symbolism of the Lotus flower and actually look at WHERE the Lotus flower comes from that can be a huge part of why some have it. I have my Lotus flower, because it actually represents my life. The beginning of the life of the Lotus flower is down deep in the MUCK and the MUD of water and it actually grows up and OUT of the muck, mud and water and becomes a BEAUTIFUL creation of life. That's why I have mine, life for me did not start out so great but I fought my way through the crap of it all and succeeded.

June22 is so Groovy !!

When I grow up I want to be GROOVY and SHABBY just like Lilian!
Check out some FAB Vintage Clothing and Accessories from her Etsy Shop called June22!
Peace Out !

"Made by Me" Indie Jubilee - hosted by Bebot Squad

Now it's time to execute this event !! Bebot Squad will be hosting their First Annual "Made by Me" Indie Jubilee in Morton Grove, IL - 25 minutes north of Chicago.

For General Information and to see who will be participating in this event please follow us at :
IndieJubilee.blogspot.com

If you are interested to become a member or would like to be an active participant please join us at :
IndieJubilee.ning.com

Recipe of Love...

Let's gear off to a different direction for one moment ....Although my love for blogging, surfing, finding great buys, and pointing out awesome handmade items will never fade, I thought maybe posting some of my favorite recipes would inspire you to not only appreciate our culture but to maintain our roots for our own family.

Today, for the very first time I attempted to cook a famous Filipino dish called Chicken Afritada ! I've been following my own comfort zone when it comes to cooking certain filipino dishes (adobo, bistec, pancit, etc) but today I had a craving for something different - now that I have more time I am learning to find out more about myself and my heritage. I never realized how easy and so scrumptious this dish is - I say scrumptious because I was ready to flop this recipe. Anyways, I pulled this recipe from FilipinoFoodRecipes.net and enjoyed using my cooking skills.
I am waiting for Art to come back from the gym so we can eat like the true filipinos that we are - cross legged indian-style and all hands !! ha ha. Here is the recipe and a few photos !
Now this is what I call one of my Recipes of Love...












50 minutes

Chicken Afritada Ingredients:

• 1 kilo chicken, cut into pieces

• 5 pieces potatoes, peeled and halved

• 1 red onion, diced

• 1 head garlic, minced

• 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips

• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips

• 2 cups pork or chicken stock (broth)

• 1 cup tomato sauce

• 2 tablespoons of patis (fish sauce)

• 3 tablespoons of cooking oil

Chicken Afritada Cooking Instructions:

• In a cooking pot or wok, heat oil.

• Sauté garlic and onions.

• Add chicken and slightly brown.

• Pour the tomato sauce and stock. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 20 minutes or until the chicken is almost cooked.

• Add potatoes and continue to cook for 10 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked.

• Add the green and red bell peppers, simmer for an additional minute or two.

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Serve this chicken recipe hot with steamed rice.

Inky Livie has Sprung !

Winter is coming to a close in Chicago and I am pretty excited ! I woke up this morning looking at today's temperature = 44 degrees ! That is the first I've in over 4 months ! Ready to roll down the car windows, stash away all our winter gear, do a little bit of spring cleaning, and most importantly - bloom to a fresh new you for the Spring Season!

Look out Spring, Bebot Squad is in effect !

Check out this lovely card set created by Inky Livie from San Francisco, CA. A pinay that seems to be holding up real well with her Etsy shop. She is a graphic designer that specializes in ready made and custom wedding invitations and other paper arts ! I love her style as she uses a bright, whimsical colors and designs ! Enjoy.

Etsy Lab Nights in Brooklyn

This is my mmteenth time trying to upload this video! So if you saw this post
3+ times it's because I am going crazy and not you. :P
I don't know why I had such an issue today - maybe it's because
I am getting over the flu and cannot think right but wutever it is I
somehow deleted my awesome context relating to this video.
So upset!

Anyways, this video will basically tell you the full story of my
evening in Brooklyn, NY. Not sure when I'll be back again but this
is something I will definately remember ! Hope you enjoy it.

PS. Thanks to Swap-Bot.com- they hosted the event !

Click on the link if you are interested in creating your own Valentine (or any other occasion) Matchbox!

papersandtschai

[ your memories. close to your heart ]
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This listing is for 1 (one) mini leather PHOTO BOOK pendant.
Maximum of 10 photos (1 photo per page) , please send me hi res photos for better detail. Preferable cropped, or i can do it for you also, just convo me with instructions.
Your photos will be laser printed and laminated to withstand minimal moisture. Just don't forget to take it off when taking a shower. =)

Size: 1 inch x 1.25 inches
Style: wrap style
cord: suede cord, (please specify color if you want, ill see if its available) my standard colors would be shades of brown, white and black.
embellishments: wooden beads or glass beads or faux metal trinkets.
* leather may be engraved with name or logo, convo me for rates, ill put uo a custom listing for you.

My photo here is not so clear, so ill be posting more photos soon.


This would make great christmas gifts or wedding favors.

For orders more than 10, please convo me for discounts.

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Allow 1 week for fabrication (1 week from receipt of payment and receipt of complete set of photos)
and 2 weeks mailing.

You may available of faster mailing if you order within 2 weeks, a relative is leaving for the US at the end of the month... =)