Last year it was this Converse shoe commercial that I fell in love with. As a kid, I enjoyed playing with paperdolls so the 2D quality of this CGI animated video fascinated me. Everything about this commercial inspires me and makes me feel great - especially the music - “My Drive Thru”, a Julian Casablancas, Santigold and Pharrell Williams collaboration. Everytime I hear this song it evokes memories of Summer of 2008 and makes me wanna dance!

This year, the “it” song, the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling”, first grabbed my attention from this Target commercial. First of all, I almost always adore Target commercials. Their use of a combination of eye-popping graphics and great music makes their ads very effective and memorable. Who could forget this? Or this?

I find this song to be so uplifting especially for these times. Its cheerful beat and positive lyrics really makes me feel alive. Plus, it’s the perfect workout song particularly for those times when you need that second wind, if you know what I mean.

Enjoy. Hope it inspires you too.

PERSONAL UPDATE: We’ve moved out of state and into our new place with 85% of our stuff still in storage because of renovations in progress. Will post before and after pics soon. Hope you’re having a happy Summer!

After looking at condos, townhouses and single family homes for over a year now and our lease coming to an end this May, our house hunting efforts have accelerated to a frenzy. Will it be a high-rise condo in the city? An affordable mid-century fixer upper that needs a total reno down to the studs? A loft in an artist colony? The woodsy cottage with a water view? A turnkey 3-story townhouse in the burbs?

I know, I know, we’re all over the place. The options are limitless. Each choice offers a different lifestyle. Just depends on which one we want to pursue. We’ve even started to entertain thoughts of a life on the road. (DH pipes in: “And I can blog about it too!”)

Enter the airstream. The minute I saw the sleek exterior and silver & wenge wood interior fittings of their International Signature Series, I fell in love.

I’ve been watching these videos and coveting one of these timeless shiny babies.

We’re so there. I can even take all my beads and make jewelry on the road. Just one glitch though - emptying the poop tube. Any volunteers?

One life saved. It was a decision that could have set such a wonderful example that would’ve been heard around the world. A “ripple-in-the-pond” decision that could have saved many more.

PORTUGUESE WATER DOG

 
From: REUTERS

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Animal rescuers voiced disappointment on Monday that President Barack Obama and his family chose a purebred dog from a breeder over rescuing an unwanted animal from a shelter.

Bo, the first family’s new Portuguese Water Dog, is six-month-old puppy who was returned to his Texas breeder by a previous owner.

“I think all of us who work trying to place homeless animals had hoped that they would choose a shelter dog,” said Steve Gruber, spokesman for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals in New York City.

“His choosing to go to a breeder is a disappointment. Choosing a shelter dog, that would have been a really powerful message to the American people,” he said.

The Portuguese Water Dog was chosen in part because the breed is hypoallergenic and Malia Obama has allergies.

However such a dog could have been found on any number of Internet rescue sites or through Portuguese Water Dog rescue groups, said Antonia Kwalick, adoption coordinator for the Infinite Hope rescue group in Brooklyn, New York.

Take Pepper, a young Portuguese Water Dog up for adoption in nearby Arlington, Virginia, found online with just a few quick keys strokes on the computer, Kwalick said. The shaggy brown-eyed Pepper is described by her rescuers as an “adorable and sweet” dog who “loves kids.”

“I am really disappointed,” Kwalick said, calling the Obamas’ decision “elitist” for “wanting a pure breed and getting it from a breeder so that it is presumed perfect.”

“It would have been good for the girls to actually walk into a shelter to see how many animals need homes. They should have set a better example,” she said.

In the blogosphere, opinions were mixed. While some bloggers were critical, others noted that Bo already had been returned by one owner and needed a home.

Others noted first-time dog owners might fare poorly with a rescue dog, and others felt the decision was a private matter. Also, the Obamas will reportedly make a donation to an animal shelter.

Some rescuers voiced concern of a possible surge in the number of people wanting Portuguese Water Dogs who could find themselves unable to care for the high-energy canines. Those dogs could land in shelters, where millions of unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized every year, they said.

“It’s a cycle that should stop,” said Kwalick.

“…because every dog deserves a happy ending.“

Shortly after I reopened my shop this February, I received an Etsy conversation from Renee, a member of the fundraising committee for an animal organization I was unfamiliar with. After some research through various charity guides and visiting the organization’s website, I was quite impressed with what I saw.

Based in San Francisco, Muttville.org is a wonderful organization dedicated to “changing how the way world thinks and treats older dogs and to create better lives for them through rescue, foster and hospice.”

I have a special affinity for older dogs so I immediately connected with this organization’s mission and made four necklaces for their “Moolah For Mutts” 2009 fundraiser this coming June.

Click the links above to find out more about this great organization and how to help them.

The photos above show the pieces I made especially for Muttville. Special thanks to glass artist, Marcy Lamberson, for donating the shaggy dog bead, and especially to glass artist, Janet Crosby, for her continued support and generosity. The black silver-core paw print bead shown above was a present from her.

The photos below show my packaging process. Enjoy!

Giving Wisely. Whenever you’re contacted by a nonprofit organization you’re unfamiliar with and asked to make a donation, it’s always a good idea to verify their legitimacy and find out more about them before you give. Here are some of the websites I regularly use to check out any charity organization:

GuideStar
U.S. National BBB
Charity Navigator
American Institute of Philanthropy

Lastly, the donation docs page has been updated with my most recent donation made from 1st quarter sales from my Etsy shop - a check to the National Canine Cancer Foundation in memory of sweet Spencer.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Until next time - take care & stay well.

New goodies have been added to my Etsy shop. The whimsical, one-of-a-kind dog bone bracelet above is oh so fun and sure to bring a smile to your face. It’s chock full of special beads by favorite Lampwork artist, Dawn White. Don’t you just love her work? I adore them!

I also listed a new item in my Etsy shop — anti-tarnish Sterling Silver Jewelry Pouches.

These anti-tarnish pouches have a few extras that other Etsy shops who sell a similar product don’t offer. They’re padded for extra protection which makes them great for travel. And they’re lined with Pacific Silvercloth, the premier tarnish protection fabric. It’ll protect your silver jewelry and keep it shiny and tarnish free until the fabric literally disintegrates. Now that’s a loooong time!

Check ‘em out! Just click the photos to view each item.