Happy Valentine's Day!

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DIY - Lego Plant Stakes or why "Everything is Awesome"!

***First a Public Service Announcement brought to you by SugarSkull Industries!***

Ya'll need to go see the The Lego Movie!  I'm serious!  Your life will never be complete until you see this movie.  Don't protest, just rush out to see.  You may thank me in advance!  I have in no way, shape, or form been compensated or approached to endorse the Lego Company.  JUST. WATCH. THE. MOVIE.

***This has been a Public Service Announcement.  Now back to your regular programming.***

Sorry about that my ninjas.  I just felt I needed to get that off of my chest and to perform my civic duty in alerting you to any and all things awesome.

Now, I've had my eye on some pretty sweet gnome plant stakes for some time.  To add to my lil' collection of succulents currently occupying my window sill.  They seem to burn and die if I place them outside.  I finally found one at a cheap price at Walmart.

And he (My Lil 'Gnomie), seemed a tad underwhelming.  I mean yeah, it's a cute little gnome but he is quite mass produced and available almost everywhere.  Not really my style.  I mean, I'll keep him just....ehhh.

I was getting really excited by the arrival of The Lego Movie, in theaters, that I started looking for LEGO DIYs on Pinterest and found this terrarium inspired one.

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Pretty awesome!  However, I'd like to point out that the Lego mini figures used in the above photos come from moderately expensive Lego sets and I'm not about to buy a $30 set to use two figurines and stick them in a plant.  You know?

However, if you buy the individual Lego mini figures like I do ('cause I'm a giant nerd who only had one Lego set growing up), you sometimes end up with multiples of a particular figure.

They sell them in blind packing, so you never know which one you'll get.

I decided to use my extra mini figures and also a little Batman figurine because Batman appears in the The Lego Movie.  So let's get started!

Okay so Batman, a conquistador, and an elf walk into a bar.....

You will need:

- Lego Mini figures
- 10" Wood Skewers
- A Cutting Tool
- Hot glue

Let's do this!!!

Step One - Cut down your wooden skewers to about 3 to 4 inches from the pointy end.  You can pre-paint the skewers if you want to.  I chose to go au naturel (because I'm lazy).

Step Two - After you've cut down your wooden skewers, keeping the pointy ends, take your hot glue and daub a generous amount on the back of your figure.  Attach the flat end of the skewer and hold in place until the glue hardens.

I realize I just put glue on my Legos, something the movie tells you not to do.

Step Three - Make your plant totally awesome with your new Lego Plant Stakes....*whispers* and go see The Lego Movie!

Remember to holla back my ninjas!  You still play with Legos? Let me know.

Laterz,
Marg

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DIY - Cherry Infused Vodka for Valentine's Day

Hi Babies,

Wondering what to get that special someone that hates flowers, chocolates, stuffed animals and generally the whole commercialized aspect of St. Valentine's Day?  Short answer; get them booze.  Long answer; get them a special type of booze with your own personal spin on it, to prove you put forth some time and effort.

Look no further than infused vodkas, specifically cherry infused vodkas.  It's really simple if you can remember to make ahead of time, to give the vodka time to sit in cherry goodness.  I used Bing cherries for their sweetness, but you could use other fruits as well.  In fact,  Pinterest has a whole trove of infused vodka recipes.

Let's get started!

You will need:
- About 2-3 cups of cherries, washed and pitted
- Vodka ( I used Dripping Springs Vodka)
- Mason Jar
- Ribbon

Step One - wash and pit those cherries.  You may want to be careful because the cherry juice can leave some dark wine-colored stains on light clothing.

Step Two - Add about a cup or a cup and a half of cherries to the mason jar.  You can add more or less depending on the amount of cherry flavor you want to add.  I made two batches, one to give and one to keep, so I divided two cups of cherries between two jars.

Step Three - Add vodka to fill the mason jar, right up to the lip and carefully secure the metal lid to the jar.

Step Four - Add a cute ribbon.  I found this ribbon in the dollar bins at Target.  You can also personalize with a cute labels or stickers.

Yay! You're done.  Now you can store in a cool, dry place for a week and give to your loved one on Valentine's Day.  (I hate calling it V-Day.  I still think of V-Day as in "Victory Day" during WWII.  Don't ask me why, 'cause I have no idea.)

What plans do you have for Valentine's Day?  Drop me a note. I want to know!

Kisses,

Marg

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My Etsy Shop is Open and Free Giveaway!!!!!

Hello a-llo,
I have finally opened my Etsy shop, SugarSkull Industries, where I'm selling a limited number of wreaths for the holidays and occasions like Birthdays, Housewarming, New Hire, Baby Showers, etc.  I gave the shop a subname, SugarSkullIndustries (W)Reef Shop, just to be funny but rest assured I'm only selling handmade wreaths.

Cute for boy's Baby Shower.

This is my Nacho Libre inspired Valentine's Day wreath.

I can do other states as well.

Take a look, take a browse, stay awhile.  Currently I have some Valentine's Day wreaths for sale but expect to see alternative takes on other holidays as well.  I have

I'll be working on a Santa-Fe themed, mini-series of wreaths next.  So check back from time to time.

Oh and let me know if you'd like a free sample wreath to display and get me some business in other parts of the US and Canada!  Just leave a comment explaining what you'd like on your wreath and why.  I'll the pick the one that gets my creative juices flowing the most and privately contact you about a shipping address which I'll send free of charge.

Later my ninjas and wish me luck in the Etsy biz,
Margaret

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Superbowl Snack-Down

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Hello My High Achievers!

I don't normally watch football or make my own viewing party snacks but this year I'm doing both!  I'm super excited to see the Seahawks and the Broncos play at a friend's house this year.  I don't normally follow any teams but ever since my trip to Seattle, earlier this month, I've been following the Seahawks.

Their fan base is impressive, super-supportive and includes members of my own family.  I made them a Seahawks themed wreath to say thank you for hosting me during my stay.  Fingers crossed that they'll win.

In the mean time, I'm even more EXCITED for Superbowl Snackage!!!

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Auth-or-gasm #1

Hello,

Can I get a show of hands?  How many of you read books?  Like, love reading, can't put them down, been reading since the first grade?  Closeted and not so closeted bibliophiles,  Hardcore ROD - Read Or Die (an awesome anime)?

If you are like me, you read almost everything.  I know we all have our favorite authors, and I would like to showcase this in my first ever Authorgasm.  First off, you gotta know I do not like chick lit, romance novels, self-help books, or memoirs.  I prefer science fiction, fantasy, historical novels, graphic novels, murder mysteries and pure unadulterated fiction.

For my first Authorgasm post, I want to introduce to you Michael Chabon, author of Wonder Boys, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, and The Yiddish Policeman's Union.

Incidentally he also looks like he could be Jon Stewart's younger brother, (hot).

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Dear Sexy Underwear

In preparation for Valentine’s Day or S.A.D. (Single Awareness Day) I have written a letter to my favorite pair of sexy underwear.  Don’t worry, this is suitable for work.  My sexy underwear is neither racy nor obscene but probably better suited to a mother of four, trying to come to terms with her perceived “ruined” body.   Let’s read on shall we?

Ahem…. *whips on reading glasses* *imagines its James Earl Jones reading this*

Mmm....yes....

Dear Sexy Underwear,

I must congratulate you on this highest accolade.  I knew you were my sexiest pair, black with a bit of lace around the waist band, when I first laid eyes on you.  Shortly after my 30^th birthday party, when my mom slyly handed over a gift bag from Soma Intimates.  Her well-intentioned present to assist me in my laughably non-existent love life.  You were nestled among two seamless, nude-colored everyday bras and multiple pairs of seamless briefs in an array of colors.  I knew you were my sexy pair, because you were black and….well, that’s it really, sorry.

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Nerd Rant #1 - Not the Catwoman we need, but the Catwoman we deserve...

I feel the need to show my nerd side today.  I am a closeted Batman nerd and have been since 1992, when Batman Returns showed in theaters. Batman is my Star Wars, Danny Elfman is my John Williams, Tim Burton my George Lucas.

I was too young to watch any of the original trilogy of Star Wars in the theaters.  I came of age when the second Batman film was showing and later when Batman: The Animated Series became my Bible, my jam, my life as a 12 year old.

So I have a near-all-encompassing lexicon of the Batman movies which has bleed into the comics, and cartoons.  I have yet to tackle all the video games but own and have played Arkham Asylum, Arkham City and Arkham Origins.

I pick apart any comic book movie like a Southern Belle mama does her beauty pageant offspring.  I get a nerd boner that lasts long and stays hard.  BUT I usually hide it.

I don’t wear Batman t-shirts but I have pretty sweet Batman watch that my 10 year old twin sisters gave me for Christmas this year.  I don’t have Batman plastered all over my walls but I have almost every DVD box set made.

My sweet effin' watch.

So now I want to bring up the latest Batman movie, 2012’s “The Dark Knight Rises”.  Don’t tell me you haven’t watched it, ‘cause you probably did, with your boyfriend, because it’s actually cool and hip and all to openly love Batman, now.

Ok…ahem…HERE BE SPOILERS………………...............................................................................

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The Year of the (Dark) Horse

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Hello dear readers.  According the Chinese, 2014 is the Year of the Horse.  Last year was the Year of the Snake.  Expect to see lots of horse and riding related accessories pop up this month.

Horses are prized as symbol of strength in the western world but they are not quite my spirit animal.  One of my favorite songs from last year is Katy Perry's "Dark Horse".

 

The lyrics speak to me a lot and a dark horse by definition is "a little known person or thing that emerges to prominence, a contestant that seems unlikely to succeed."  An underdog, an unlikely hero.  This I can relate to.

For 2014, I want to make it my Year of the (Dark) Horse.  I'm going to do my best to go after the things I want.  To ignore my own feelings of insecurity and fear of failure.  To take no prisoners.  No holds barred.

This year I'll be my own Dark Horse.  You won't even see me coming, until its too late.

I want to open my Etsy shop, write more, do more, be more.

This is my year.  Make it yours too!

Love,
Marg

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The City

I spent a day with my dude cousin, in the city of Seattle. We toured his school, with a massive Chihuly displayed in the entrance and then hit the EMP Musuem nearby. If you find yourself in Seattle,  I definitely recommend it. 

We toured Jimmi Hendrix in London exhibit, and the Fantasy exhibit next. The exhibit is a collection of manuscripts from The Lord of the Rings and A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones) series. There were also costume and props from movies like Princess Bride, Labyrinth,  Snow White and the Huntsman, and the Chronicles of Narnia. 

They also had a quiz to see which of the 20 different fantasy archetypes fit you best, like the Magical Prodigy(Harry Potter), the Maiden Warrior (Xena) or the Unlikely Hero (Bilbo Baggins). Mi primo got The Knight, a master combatant, a leader, and a guardian who devoted to his quest. An example is Sir Lancelot. I got the Mythic Warrior, the archetypal hero blessed with gifts and destined to overcome evil. Examples include King Arthur and Simba. Pretty sweet, right?

Enjoy my greatest warriors, 

Marg

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Chihuly Fooly

I took a day trip into downtown Seattle with my grandpa, to hit up the Chihuly museum. For those just getting into art museums and whatnot,  you will come across a Chihuly piece at some point. Prized for the amazing things he can make with blowing glass, Dale Chihuly is one of Seattle's favorite sons and his pieces are displayed all over the world. My mom caught an outdoor exhibit back home and fell in love with his massively expensive pieces. She had tried to collect more local glass pieces, which she has dubbed her "Chifoolies".

Again after a staggering amount of pictures, we went across the street to a sport bar for some beers and snacks, mostly the tempura bacon. We caught the tail end of the 49ers vs Packers game. The Packers lost but that bacon was sinful!

Enjoy my supah ninjas!
Marg

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Go Tell On It On the Mountain

After spending a day of quality time, visiting and catching up with family, we went for lunch on Crystal Mountain. I had to bundle up to take the gondola up but it was worth it for the view. We got to cross an item off my grandma's bucket list and I'm so glad to be a part of it. After allowing me to take as many pictures as I wanted, we headed back down and stopped for shakes. Hahahah. Of course I didn't say no to one!

Enjoy my ninjas!
Marg

Peach dumplings made with love.

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