Happy New Year!

....or is it Happy New Years...? Either way, let it start glorious and end with a big bang!

Beetle Bug

I saw many of them on the way to my gram's house in Texas. We had stopped at a rest area and boy there were lots and many of em. I'm not a big fan of bugs so seeing them on the way to the ladies room, I literally tip toed there even though I was wearing sneakers. One word. GROSS! Sorry bug fans. Spending Labor Day weekend here and I'd live in the freezer if I could fit. Bugger.

On a side note, brother's wedding is in November, Thanksgiving weekend, and helping the planning is really a lot of work! In all honesty, didn't know it'd be quite pricey, with the decorations, location, food, etc...The couple want a gold-silver-red theme, and from all the googling I've done, I can see why!

So many options! I think I see a few DIY projects on the way...Until then though, let's enjoy what's left of Summer!! =)

I gouged my finger...

With a SPOON! That's right folks, not a knife, not a saw, not even something sharp. Heck even I didn't know I was bleeding till it started stinging LOL. You see, my 16 year old brother and I were having a tug of war with the spoon for the last bit of Ben & Jerry's. I won...by getting another spoon -_-'

Yes, I taped my finger, I ran out of bandages lol. Nah, there's gauze underneath but it bugs. Every time I wash my hands, it STINGS! Don't you hate when that happens? And there's no way you can avoid NOT getting it wet cuz its smack in the middle.

My point? Don't fight over a spoon for some delicious ice cream :(.

Jewelry Fun!

While in Sydney, I was mainly attracted towards, well...jewelry lol, as it's the love of my life. Far more than fashion, and right next to books. While browsing the Sydney Market (incredibly busy!!!) I was accosted by SO MUCH! Loved it! All sorts of variety and different nationalities, just wonderful.

First off, I saw a table full of clutches and purses and I saw this one black clutch which was really bedazzled with rhinestones and crystals. It BLINGED. When I made a bee line for it, another woman had her hands on it, so I was really bummed out. Funny enough, a while later I learned that the lady didn't end up buying it, but my MOM did! Mom's, you gotta love them, they know us so well :)

Unfortunately, the picture does NOT do it justice, sorry about that. The size is just right, and the perfect accessory if you want to bedazzle people. Flash it around, pull it out for a fast one...okay okay, moving on...

At another table, there was just rows and rows of different types of necklaces for 5 AUS bucks, and so I had a real hard time picking up one piece, but in the end I went for fruity lol.

I'm sort of worried that the stones may fall off, but so far so good. The middle stone is a dark purple by the way, the camera refused to pick it up =/.

I love watches. All sorts and sizes, if you see my collection, you'd think I'm a bit bizarre, but all's well, because the next picture you're going to see is a watch ring! I've seen them around, mostly on solid silver setting, but to me it feels a bit too heavy, so I improvised. I like the color purple... =D

You always need a bit of arm candy so I bought a few of different kinds. I absolutely LOVE THEM! And for quite a bargain too :)

Out of the 3, the one on the right has to be my favorite piece. Seems so Egyptian and elegant. All 3 are unique though and very well made. Kudos.

And of course, I did get a share of touristy things lol. T-shirts, bags, pencil cases, business card holder, etc...but I'll show my favorite.

Bright huh? LOL

And while we're still on the subject of jewelry and things, I did manage to snag some more when I got back home.

Got some more Pandora beads for my bracelet. I've always been a fan of theirs even though I'm such a cheapskate 'cuz we all know the beads are a bit pricey, but I still love them. Will show the bracelet when it's all filled up :) The two on the right I use for spacers.

I also had eBay bucks to use so I spent it on more...rings >.>

I came across this while searching for birthstones (mine's ruby for July) and I saw this ring. It's so dainty and cute and it comes in other colors! If you're interested in purchasing one, here's the link for the seller!

So my mom's a bit of a pearl fanatic and it's rubbed off onto me a bit so I purchased a "pearl powder ring" for myself. She doesn't let me borrow any of hers lol.

If interested in this ring also, I'll slap on a link for ya here! The seller has more cute stuff too, AH it's addicting!!! I'm actually waiting for more items to arrive which I will share with you guys.

I bargained my way with most pieces, and don't be shy to do so, there is always a middle point where both you and the seller are happy with. I wish there were websites for the other jewelry items so I could share them with you, but alas, there weren't. But I do hope it gives you ideas of whats out there and just the variety of it all. I really love how jewelry gets more and more bizarre, beautiful, and bold :) Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! =^D

Ozzie Land

Now that things are good and settled, FINALLY, I thought I'd share some of my experiences in Australia. The main reason we had gone was because my older brother was getting engaged so we thought, what the heck, let's go to Australia and celebrate HA HA! Kidding, his fiance is Australian and one of the sweetest, funniest, and loveable woman I'm lucky to have in my life. So while there we decided to tour as much of Sydney as we could before hopping back to the other side of the ocean. Even though technically the season was winter, it was beautiful, fun, and lush! Living in the desert, water and green is refreshing! Lol. And going from America, I fell in love with the Australian accent all over again, but it was funny because people I met there liked mine! Plain ol' American XD? But alas, I truly miss it, and can't wait to go again! So without further ado, PICTURES!

So we simply HAD to see the Harbor Bridge and Sydney Opera House other wise I wasn't going to come back home lol. We were on the ferry at the time heading for the Taronga Zoo.
It's splendid when you're up close and personal! I heard that you can walk on top of the bridge but it costs buckets, so we detoured on that =P.

We got to go on trams for the Sky Safari at the zoo, and the first stop we took was where the kangaroos were. And...that's how we found 'em, lazing around, without a care in the world. Refused to acknowledged us :(. As a matter of fact, most of the zoo animals ignored us, 'cept for the tigers. They were such posers XD. Kinda depressing to see em bored but that's zoos I suppose.

After our adventure all around the zoo, we decided to go to Luna Park! And that giant half face is what you have to walk under in order to enter. Look at those lashes! Bizarre. The wild mouse nearly gave me a heart attack though, every turn made me scream, but LOVED it! We also did see an aboriginal playing the didgeridoo, with some techno beat involved. Very interesting, wish I took a photo -_-. All in all, good day, that was.

We also took pit stops pretty much wherever the train stopped lol, and I when I saw this bilboard, I HAD (not really) to take a photo!

And people have been raving about the ice cream too! We also got to see Laperuz and Tempe (I hope I spelled that correctly). The castle thing though...have no idea what its for, but was nice to look at.

Towards the end of the trip was the engagement party and I was able to finally put my bangles and other blings to good use!

I will say, the earrings sorta killed...they wrap around your ear at the top  and then dangle. It was heavy, gorgeous, and OUCH! In case though if you were wondering what the bride to be's dress looked like, I have a photo, but its from stock. It is beautiful with so many rhinestones and with a hoop under lol, and makes anyone feel like a princess.

After all the fun and games, and on our way back home, we got stuck in the airport for about 10 hours, so to kill time, I played run from the camera with my little brother...

And we stared at airplanes, at which my little brother proceeded to label them as "mommy planes" and " baby planes." Yes, we were that bored!

So there's a bit of my trip, hope it entertained you for a bit LOL, and I will definitely post up photos of things I brought home with me =). Stay happy guys!

P.S. I call it Ozzie land because that's how it sounds and well...it went from there  lol

I'm Alive?

I have abandoned most technology (mostly social networking) for more than a month now, and I feel guilty. Haven't kept in touch with most ( no I wasn't in a cave off in the boonies), but I have a real good excuse...My grandpa (mom's dad) passed away and also I've been out of country.But now things are a bit stable until I'm off again to Canada for my brother's graduation. It's a pretty exciting event! Before so many things happened though, and got pretty chaotic, the jewelry store I work at, acquired some very interesting things.The pictures have been sitting on my desktop for a long while now haunting me, and since I'm stuck at LAX for nearly 9 hours, might as well stop being lazy. So here I am sipping hot chocolate (I'm a sucker for it, no matter the place, time, or season) and making an effort to be productive!Ha ha! As pictures are worth a thousand words, I'll let the pictures do the talking (with captions of course lol).

Natural Amethyst

 

Variety of rough stones

All silver, some with gold overlay. (left to right) Garnet, CZ, Citrine, Peridot, Aquamarine

Now the rings above aren't of best quality of course. When we had first bought them, they were incredibly dirty as you see them, but once we had them cleaned and buffed, they sparkled and shine. All jewelry dazzles if treated right.


And the next photo...Well, I just thought it was really funny. Thank God rest areas have updated lol.

Hope everyone is enjoying the weather as I've been, or if you're on the opposite side of the world, I hope the weather's been bearable. =)

Oh My Waterfall...

Finally back home! After California, took a mini 2 day trip to Texas with the whole family (missing 2 people actually) and now have a blessed one week break at home until we're off to Australia! I feel really blessed with a side of lucky to be able to see so many places. Wish I could take you all with me in my pocket to see such beauties! Two days before saying good bye to California, we took a trip to Yosemite National Park and my was it GORGEOUS! I was in awe from start to finish. Wish I could build myself a cabin there but I'm pathetic with hand tools, make a proper mess instead. Anyways...took loads of pictures, because of course you simply HAVE to snap a photo for every millisecond of a difference in the scene ha ha!

Yeah, I drank from there, yum! XD

MASSIVE!

 

 

 

Yosemite Falls!

SNOW!

Now we know how Edward Cullen climbed the tree, handles

Getting close to Yosemite Falls!

Breath taking

Got lost so followed a random trail...

Found civilization again

And found a random bridge that's oh so cool

=)

Yes, I know, I got photo happy, 200 infact! LOL but still an amazing trip. If you're ever in the neighborhood, don't miss this. Though I admit, the journey to the top...those winding curves...bleh >.< Definitely worth it though. See anything spectacular lately?