Picture Perfect St. Thomas

I definitely would go back.  No, scratch that.  I want to go back to Magens Beach in Saint Thomas.

The water was turquoise, clear, shallow, and still.  Just what I like in a beach for a.. um... non-swimmer like me [yea, I can't swim].  It was definitely a view that we couldn't have imagined.  It was as if we were plopped in a postcard.  Unbelievable.

For the Ears: Strike A Pose

The new Madonna CD is out.  Have you heard it yet?  The new song is catchy but I haven't really listened to it that much to develop an opinion about it.  However, I will always be a Madonna fan hands down no matter what shenanigans she gets into.  Did you see her during the Superbowl Halftime Show?  Enough said.

Soup Kind Of Day

From 80 degree weather and back to chilly 40 degrees.  What's up with this weather?  It was a cold damp day.  The kind of day that makes you want to stay in pajamas all day, under the covers, and just watch reality show marathons.   It was a soup kind of day.  Nothing like yummy homemade soup.  Not the boxed or canned, but the kind that just makes you feel all warm and cozy and makes your reminisce of happy memories in your childhood.  I made my great grandmother's chicken soup recipe and it turned out just how my mom makes it.  I like it when that happens.  What's your favorite comfort food to make?

Etsy Love: Mo Mugs

If you know me, you know that I love to make things, read about handmade products, post about them, and buy them (it's the shopper in me). This is definitely the case when products are beautifully crafted. I also like spreading the word for my fellow Etsy sellers out there because we do stick together!

My recent handmade purchase was from The Potters Daughter.  I've been eyeing her mustache mugs for a while on Instagram to the point where I asked her to let me know when she had them in stock. Yes, you can say I was persistent.  Suzanne, the skillful potter graciously informed me when they were available, so I snatched up two mustache mugs which she calls "mo mugs". Too cute! You can see how much detail she puts in her work.

The Village Pottery Website sells household items from mugs, plates, trays, bowls to jewelry and even paintings.  The store itself has been Prince Edward Island's longest running family owned pottery shop where Suzanne's Mom has been the master potter and has handed down the throne to Suzanne.
If you'd like to contact them through social media  : Facebook Twitter Etsy Shop

My husband and I took the opportunity to take pictures with our matching mugs.
Can you tell that we had fun posing with our "mo mugs"!  Our poodle wanted to be in on it too.

The Full Rodizio

There's nothing like starting the weekend a day early.  My husband happened to have the same day off, so we took the opportunity to get out of town.  We drove southbound toward New York and ended up at Rodizio Gtill.  We've had Brazilian food before, but we've never had this one yet.  I actually took some notes from a blog post that a fellow CT blogger Denise of Dee Cuisine wrote about the establishment.  Since it was lunchtime on a Friday, the place was not busy at all.  We had the full rodizio which meant we were able to have the buffet, apps, and all the grilled meat we wanted.  I just have to say that if anyone is planning on going there or to any Brazilian restaurant, make sure that you don't eat all day before you go or you wear elastic waist pants.

getting lost is part of the adventure

destination for the day

red means no more meat green means keep it coming

banana frita

polenta frita

pao de queijo

limeade

caipirinha

caipetuba

happy with his Brazilian limeade

no pictures please, not ready

posing like tourists

Telok Ayer Street

These pictures were taken by me when I had the opportunity to go to Singapore.  We went to the oldest and most important Hokkien temple located in the Chinatown area named Thain Hock Keng Temple.  When we visited, this national monument was decorated for Chinese New Year with bright red lanterns.  Nonetheless, it was still a very solemn place with so much history. 

kumquat trees inside the temple 

lion statue guarding the temple

red lanterns for the holiday

fire for the deities

red lantern with jade pendant

door god painting

For the Ears: One Time

This Roberta Flack song remixed by the Fugees made the group infamous.  I remember when I went to the Fugees concert.  The thrill of hearing this song LIVE with Lauryn Hill right in front of me was amazing.  Wonder what happened to Wyclef?  What's Lauryn Hill up to now?  Pras?  Wished they'd go on a reunion tour again.... one time, one time...

It Was a Sweet Giveaway!

Shout out to Jill G. for showing off her appreciation photos.  I am so happy that she liked her packages and that they arrived safely.  One from the West Coast and the other from New England.  If you missed it, Jen from The Cozy Project and I had a "sweet" giveaway a few weeks ago to commemorate The Cozy Project's one year Etsy-versary.  I would like to thank everyone again who participated.  It means a lot to have your support.  

L: delachic cupcake R: delachic cupcake & The Cozy Project coffee cup cozy
Photos courtesy of Jill G.

Renewed Jewelry Box

I found this beautiful wooden carved jewelry box made in India at the Goodwill.  Check out the price.  Yea, it was a little dirty, and needed some cleaning, but that was easy to fix.  

[before]

[after]

A little pledge and elbow grease cleaned it right up and made it as good as new!  Then I had to cover up the inside with some new felt.  I thought turquoise would be the perfect color.  Now it's ready to hold some jewels.  Time to find something old, clean it up, fix it up, and use it again.

I've Been Busy

In my previous post, I just put together my Christmas present from my sister.  This was my first ever project, and it came out pretty good too!  Picked myself up some vinyl and a zipper, already had some extra fabric lying around, et voila!  I am impressed with myself as a novice sewer.  I think I will be adding more clutches to my collection.  Shhh... don't tell my husband.  I'm not sure if I want to embellish the clutch yet.  Might use it a few times, then I'll think of ideas.  Of course when I do, I'll be posting it up.

By the way, this was the first time I was in front of the camera.  I got to use my brand new wireless remote shutter release.  It took me a while to get used to it, but I wanted to show the clutch being "used".

Shamrock Shakes

Just wanted to say Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Did you wear green?  Eat some corned beef?  Watch the parade?  Participate in some shenanigans?

Dela Chicky and I tried some shamrock shakes.

Well, whether or not you celebrated hope you had a wonderful day!

My New Toy

To my surprise my sister gave me a sewing machine this past Christmas [thanks Marie!].  I was so excited and thrilled to get one.  For someone like me, this was a really great present.  It's been a few months since I got this beaut, and I just recently FINALLY used it.  

I've been using my Mama's vintage sewing machine.  You know, the one that is attached to a table, and has a leaf that opens and closes so you can actually hide the sewing machine [I'll have to take a picture of it one day].  After many years of using that one, this new one took a while to get used to.  Yes, I actually HAD TO read the manual.  There's still a few things to read about, but I'll get to it when I get to it.  So far this machine is simple and effective, and will get me to a new level of craftiness!  I can't wait to make things with it...maybe finally sewing over my hand sewn stitches on my curtains...or make some new products for my etsy shop...or refashion some thrift finds..or even make new fashion accessories similar to the ones that I drool over on magazines.  The possibilities are endless!!  I plan on making something with this new toy very soon.