Hula Hoop, Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?

Cue Culture Club.

Imagine Boy George sadly crooning, "Do you really want to hurt me... do you really want to make me cry?" That, my friends is what I hear every time the hula hoop clatters to the ground at my feet!

I was a master hula hooper (is that a word?!) as a child, so naturally I assumed it was like riding a bicycle! Wrong!! So very wrong! Oh and did I mention these new fan-dangled (again, is that a word?!) fancy pants hula hoops are weighted? Yeah...

I owe this new purchase to my friend Brenna, a friend for many years, and then some. She mentioned that she wanted one and I latched on! I'd been thinking about it for a few years, I have a few acquaintances that hoop, but I've been waiting for someone I see on the reg to get one!

Enter Brenna... and lovely lady, I'm not sure whether to hug you or bill you for my Advil!

Who knew such a staple of childhood would be so HARD?!

ahhh... sigh, finally- I got it!!!! And in the words of my dear friend Brenna: "I hooped for ten seconds! I squealed like a little girl." Me too my friend, me too!

I purchased my hoop from Canyon Hoops:


Canyon Hoops

Make Pie Not War- Interview with Founder and Jewelry Designer, Alana Little

(photos provided by Alana Little)

An Interview with Alana Little, Owner and Brains behind Make Pie Not War

Alana founded MPNW in 2007 (celebrating her 5 year anniversary next month).  She lives in Fresno, California with her husband Cameron, daughter Lucy and dogs Obe and Smeagol. She is the founder, owner and one woman show that is the jewelry business Make Pie Not War!

Alana was kind enough to take the time to answer the list of questions that I sent to her and here's what she had to say:

 How did you learn to make jewelry? Did you take classes or are you self taught? 

Alana: I started making jewelry when I was 10 with my little Indian seed beads and little pewter charms… I was obsessed with African trading beads when I was kid. Ok, I still am. I am currently taking some metalsmithing classes, but most of my techniques are based off of necessity. If I really want to do something, I find a way to do it or wait until I can find a way!

Since having your daughter Lucy, has your jewelry changed at all- or is it just that you have less time for just yourself and your jewelry?

Alana:  Interesting question, I like to say that my life is a gigantic E.R. Who is dying first? That’s who Dr. Alana will tend to first. MPNW has definitely changed in that I have cut the fat. I used to sit around and fart around with pieces and do lunches with fellow designers, but who really wants to talk to a designer when she’s trying to cut her toddler’s sandwich up in little bites and trying to focus on an adult conversation?  Not so glamorous. Lucy has definitely made me better in many ways. In regards to MPNW, she has made me quicker, more efficient and realigned my overall priorities. Less time for lil ol’ me? YES. Do I mind? Sometimes, but wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Is it ever hard to find supplies for your pieces, you use a lot of vintage stuff?  

Alana: YES. It’s the most common question I am asked ALLLLLLL the time. “Where do you get your pieces from?” I’m going to start saying “Mars.”

I feel like your business has exploded (i mean, you have 3,075 likes on FB and 4278 admirers on Etsy!)- were you prepared for this kind of success or did you think you'd just stay small and local to your area? I feel like a lot of people find out about you through word of mouth, so that's got to be exciting! I always feel like personal referrals mean so much more than just standard advertising! 

Alana: I’m not sure I think of MPNW as successful. I guess designers never really feel like that because we’re always imagining ourselves somewhere else and onto the next BIG thing! I am sooooo grateful for really great faithful fans and customers that keep me going. They really are the heroes behind my success. When I hear about a customer buying because a friend recommended me, it really makes me feel like I am doing the right thing with my life. FB, Instagram, Twitter, and Etsy has really allowed my business to blossom internationally in a really tough market and allowed me to do this full time. I don’t ever want to be huge. I really love that I am a wife to Cameron and a mom to Lucy. That’s my first priority and MPNW is my vessel I use to keep me here!

You work out of your home- it is hard to stay focused or are you good at tuning out the world and getting down to business? 

Alana: Oh man, good thing my bff isn’t here to answer… I am the biggest farter-arounder. I think I need that adrenaline time crunch. I normally get anxious, bite my nails off, and then get down to work and rip through the work! I am a night owl and will do what it takes to get it done. I never want to let down my customers. It’s not business for me; MPNW is personal.

 **(Let me just interject my own personal view here: you can absolutely 100% tell that Alana takes pride in what she does and doesn't treat it like a business. As a customer it's one of the things I love! It's always personal services, she's a can-do kind of a gal!!)

I'd like to see you take over the world- what are your ambitions for your company? Do you want to stay a smaller one woman business or do you see yourself growing beyond that? 

Alana: That’s hilarious. Some day I’m definitely taking over the world. I am a natural born entrepreneur. My first enterprise was when I was about 10 and I started, C.S.A.T. (Children Saving America Today) and we collected cans in my parents rich crusty neighborhood so we could cash them in to sponsor a whale. I’m sure my parents wanted to die when they got calls from the neighbors to see if we were struggling for money. Lololololol…. My current ambition is to complete my facelift I am giving MPNW as we celebrate our fifth year. New website, new cards, new art, new booth, new products, better service, new packaging, better social marketing, and more. We really are trying to go outside our comfort zone and offer a better company while still maintaining the funky fresh vintage fun fabulousness! I am a one woman show, but I am producing more now than before I had my babes. I am becoming a jewelry making machine and I love it. (Side note: my joints would like to interject that they are currently in opposition to this new output and are ready to strike.)

Thank you to Alana, @ Make Pie Not War  for a fun and fresh interview and for being my first feature, you're the best!!

Check out some of her amazing work below!! 

(from my collection and also some items from her etsy shop, available for purchase- links provided). 

My Pieces: 

(I think I might actually have enough to warrant calling it a collection!!)

 Links to items for sale provided: please click on the price for the link.

Left to Right: My Favorite Hoops in sterling silver, $40,  Plain Ol' Jane hoops, $29 (mine have an additional turquoise bead) and Rosie Posie rose gold hammered earrings, $37 (featured MANY times in my Outfit of the Day posts), soon to arrive to my earring collection: Far Out Constellation Vacation, featured below in her items from MPNW Etsy shop.  

Mustard is Cam's Delight bracelet, $44
(Alana was kind enough to customize this piece for me, removing the locket so I don't bonk people's foreheads while shampooing at work!)

Bee Mine Forever brass chain, $20
(I cannot stress enough how delicate and teeny tiny this necklace is. It's so precious!)

This piece is no longer available, but it's similar to free as a bird.
This necklace was my very first MPNW purchase!

Big Black Bauble necklace, $30 

This exact piece is no longer available but it's similar to: Free As A Bird

One of a kind piece, and my absolute favorite!!

A Few Pieces Currently on Make Pie Not War's Etsy page:

Links provided: please click "found here" in each caption for the link

Far Out Constellation Vacation red brass earrings, $40. found here

Shoot Me Camera necklace, gold filled or sterling silver, $42 found here

  

My Granny Left Her Jewels vintage brooch necklace, $72 found here

My Favorite Hoops in Mint, $43 found here

If Cleopatra Worked At Anthropologie, $75 found here

*(photos provided by Alana Little through her Etsy shop. Thank you for your permission!) 

Where to find Make Pie Not War:

Make Pie Not War Etsy Page

Make Pie Not War Facebook

Make Pie Not War Website 

(currently under construction)

Make Pie Not War on Pinterest

Make Pie Not War on Twitter

How to Contact Alana:

Alana@makepie.net

She does great custom pieces!! Late Summer/Fall brides, it's not too late to hit her up! :)



an amendment to the original post: got my far out constellation vacation earrings today, it's LOVE

*next up in what I'm calling my "Summer Features": A local bakery whose wares are something you can really get hooked on... stay tuned!

Celebrating 4th of July when your Husband is of the British Variety

The Fourth of July almost always includes a parade, maybe some sand sculptures, a barbeque and sometimes if you're in the right spot, fireworks. It's been spent with relatives, friends, neighbors and starting many years ago: a subject of Her Royal Majesty the Queen- awkward!

It never dawned on me when I was little what was really being celebrated on the 4th of July- I just thought it was about fireworks and hotdogs. War of Independence? Huh- shrug- pass me the relish. Even when I was old enough to know what those fireworks represented I didn't think much of it, again, pass me the mustard.

Then I brought an Englishman to the party. "So yeah... would you like to go to a party where we celebrate our independence from, um, you?" Haha, thank goodness my husband has a great sense of humor and it also helps that's he not too nationalistic, so he honestly doesn't care.

I also experienced this when we went to Boston for our first wedding anniversary. I was so excited to go to all of the historical sites and I couldn't understand how he could not know who Paul Revere was. Paul Revere!! Helllllooo- "The red coats are coming, the red coats are coming!"?  OH yeah, you were the red coats! Haha! Our Revolutionary War is their "American War of Independence", it's not taught in school, they don't even mourn the loss of the tea in the Boston harbor, and they certainly don't observe a day in it's honor.

What have I learned from this? I've learned to put down that hotdog, hold the relish and take some time to learn our history and do my best to honor those revolutionaries in my own way. So this 4th of July, spare a little thought to Paul Revere's midnight ride and the brave militia men, those very Minute Men who stood in two rows, in plain sight, and listened as their Captain, John Parker declared, "Stand your ground; don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here."

Statue honoring Paul Revere in the North End of Boston, Mass. Sculpted by Cyrus Edwin Dallin, taking his "midnight ride". 

Headstone for Paul Revere, Granary Burial Ground, Boston, Mass. 

Minuteman statue (representing Captain John Parker) sculpted by Henry Hudson Kitson,  Lexington Battle Green, Lexington,  Mass. Site of the very first battle of the Revolutionary War- The Battle of Lexington and Concord. 

Buckman Tavern, across from the Battle Green, Lexington, Mass. 

North Bridge (aka Old North Bridge)  Concord, Mass.

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood
And fired the shot heard round the world
-Ralph Waldo Emerson 

inscription on the obelisk monument across from the bridge. 

Um, Sir? Did anyone tell you that you have the wrong uniform on? 

Happy Independence Day everyone!

*And a cool little fact: I'm a proud descendent of Ebenezer Chase, one of the very Minute Men who stood their ground on April 19, 1775

Adding a Signature Piece- Room Upgrade

You know sometimes your room is just lacking something? A big something to tie a room together or a little something to complete a look? Well, I was looking for a big something- or rather I needed a big something and I didn't even know it! I'm a big believer in eclectic decorating- finding pieces you love and making them work even though they may not actually "go" as they say.  Enter Ruby Rose. While trolling through the blog of local "junker" and Ruby Rose store owner Stephanie Hendry, I fell in L.O.V.E., with a rug in the background of a photo. I didn't know how I would use it, where exactly it would go or how I was going to make raspberry sorbet go with my tomato reds, pumpkin oranges, mustard and lemon yellows and the aqua/seafoam galore I have going on. And then I realized I didn't care and I was going to make it work, cuz I wanted it to work!

So Stephanie and I were having a casual chat when I brought it up- tiptoed up to it really.  She didn't even hesitate (she must have had more faith in my ability to find a place for it in my home than I), we struck a deal and just like that, I was the owner of an ornate raspberry sorbet rug of the best quality and perfect size!! *Cue excited jumping!

I couldn't wait to make it work!! I just knew it was would come together!!

detail of the rug. Thank you Ruby Rose

Here's the rooms evolution from "Meh" to "Yeah!" and the little details that pull it all together!

Bed frame: Habitat Home and Garden in SLO,  Yellow chevron bedspread Urban Outfitters. Dresser: Target, bookcase leading a double life as bookcase/jeans shelf: Target

rug courtesy of RUBY ROSE

yeah, I know, I have an old school stereo- it still works so why get rid of it?! 

(got to have a practical corner. :) when you're pressed for space you find your "exercise station" wherever you can)

 The Little Touches Pulling It All Together:

Dried chives from my garden, gorgeous glass bud vases from the now defunct Sycamore Herb Farm in Paso.

necklace holder: Urban Outfitters

Scandalous nighttime reading and music. Lamp: Target. Lampshade, Urban Outfitters. Nightstand: free from my friends at Finder's Keepers, one man's junk is another man's treasure, I say!

whimsical touches. Owl nightlight, Urban Outfitters, Olivia Circus Tent jewelry box purchased at a toy store  many years ago

orange table, Cost Plus World Market. Large terrarium glass lidded jar: West Elm.  Blown glass ball: Earth Tones,  succulents courtesy of my friends Joy and Barbara owners of California Blonde, glass cups holding succulents: Anthropologie, metal "G" Urban Outfitters.

Rooms are ever- evolving so I'm sure this room's evolution isn't done, but I do believe I'll be happy to keep it this way for a little while longer. Stay tuned- that terrarium of my dreams is going to become a reality- photos to come!!! If you want a sneak peek of what it's going to look like click HERE

What's waiting around the corner to inspire you?!

info on Ruby Rose:

1335 Walker Street, San Luis Obispo, Ca . 

805. 545.7964

Hours:
Thursday, 11-5
Friday, 11-5

Saturday, 11-4

Ruby Rose Facebook

Ruby Rose Blog

Ruby Rose on Pinterest

Stop on by, visit with Stephanie and find something to fall in love with!!!

QUICK Summer Meal

I love to cook, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate a quick meal that doesn't take all evening to prepare! This is a staple in our home right now- so simple and tasty and soooo quick!!

Here's what you need:

1. Fish (I use Trader Joe's Mahi Mahi burgers- if you don't have access to a Trader Joes, I suggest either mahi mahi filets or salmon for this recipe) **for my vegetarian friends: I love to use Amy's Bistro Veggie Burger as a substitute for the fish- just as yummy!!

2. Haricot Verts. (or regular green beans if you can't find haricot verts). These are finer and more delicate than a regular green bean and cook a little faster. 

3. Russet Potatoes

4. Butter (for both potatoes and for beans)

5. Milk

6. Spices and seasoning. For mashed potato: garlic powder, sea salt and pepper. For haricot verts: Mrs. Dash salt free Lemon Pepper

7. Greek Yogurt (your choice on the percent. I used non-fat)

Rustic Mashed Potato:

(I call these rustic, cuz I leave the skins on)

ingredients: Milk, greek yogurt, spices and butter

 ,

after microwaving potatoes and cooking all the way through (approx. 8 mins) transfer to your mixer. Cut potatoes into smaller chunks with knife so it's easier to mix and it releases the heat of the potatoes. ** You don't need a mixer for this. If you do not have one then use a hand masher- I have done that many times before I got my mixer as a gift)

add butter (approx. 1 tablespoon)

add, salt, garlic powder and pepper. I'm a very intuitive cook, so I hardly ever measure- I just go by taste. I would guess that it's 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon garlic powder and probably 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.

add heaping teaspoon of greek yogurt. This is for creaminess, you don't actually taste it. It gives the potatoes a great texture.

 add milk. Start with maybe a half a cup and add as you go along. This part is all about texture and thickness. If you want thicker mashed potatoes use less milk. 

mash away!!

Buttery Lemon Pepper Haricot Vert:

ingredients: water, butter and lemon pepper seasoning. I use Mrs. Dash

wash the beans. 

in a large saucepan, fill halfway with water and boil. Once water has boiled, add beans.  Boil beans until blanched and partially cooked- about 7-10 minutes.

in large skillet melt butter (about 1/2 tablespoon)

add beans and about 1/4 cup of water

add seasoning.

stir and coat beans with seasoning and butter mixture. cook on high, letting the water/butter mixture bubble and thicken to a "sauce" coating the beans. Once it is no longer watery you are done. :) Easy!

Fish:

this is where I take a break. :) cook your fish however you like. If you get the Trader Joe's Mahi Mahi burgers then just follow the directions on the box. :)

AND you're done!!! Finished product is restaurant ready! :)

husband sized portions! :)