Tempting

I ALWAYS get advertisements on my facebook for Mod Cloth and their dresses are so cute that I find myself clicking quite often. I wish I had a few hundred dollars burning a hole in my pocket, I would so buy a handful of these.

Check it out... you'll get lost for a while.

xoxo, Mimi

End of the week HEALTH update!

So... as you know... I started kicking butt at the gym and its working! As of tomorrow it will be two weeks that I've started working out and I've lost 8 of my 20 lbs.

How? No diets... a lifestyle change.

Run - 3-4 times a week

I'll stretch and walk a quarter mile and then run... my goal is always to run a whole mile without stopping. Sometimes I can't but most of the time I CAN! Eventually I hope to be at 3 miles without stopping. Big goal for someone who is NOT a runner.

There were a couple days this week that I was able to run outside too, nice change of pace but I think its actually harder. Different ground, different air.... It is refreshing so I hope to learn to love it.

*A day or two a week I switch it up and do the elliptical and sprints, just so my body and muscles don't get comfortable.

Walk - 3-4 times a week

I like to walk around the neighborhood. I know Olive loves walks so I can blame her for my desire to get out and move. This is also a great excuse for my friend Renee who is 7 months pregnant to join us.

Video- 5-6 times a week

I told you about Jillian's 30 day shred.... I love it! Its only 20 minutes and it works. There are three levels and I'm happy to say, I dominated level 1 and as of tomorrow I'm moving on to level 2.

Another video (or should I say dvd) that I recommend is Denise Austin's, Pilates for Every Body. I love this video... currently can't find it but if I don't come across it soon I will buy it again. You will see results if you do this one regularly. Its 45 minutes but its peaceful as well as hard.

Yes, Jillian is scary and Denise is a little creepy but they can make you love yourself more :)

Random Reps - Daily

I also will get on the floor during commercials and do ab work, leg lifts, push ups, etc. Anything that I can feel a little burn from and then return to my lame television program. I say every little bit counts.

What am I eating?

Breakfast:

Light and Fit Yogurt - Plain or with Granola and Fruit (Depends what's in the fridge)

OR

A Kashi cereal bar with some grapes

OR

Toast with PB and a banana

Lunch:

Tuna fish with pickle chunks and crackers

OR

A PB&J on wheat with fruit

OR

A salad full of veggies!

Afternoon Snack:

A smoothie!!! Made with OJ, yogurt, protein powder and any fruit you want! I usually go for strawberries and bananas. We did buy a frozen bag of mangos, pineapples, apples, strawberries and more which makes it easier.

Dinner:

A lean cuisine - My favorite is the Santa Fe Style Bean and Rice. Its so flavorful and only 290 calories and honestly sometimes I don't finish it off because there is a lot of food in that little box.

OR

Whatever my roommates make. (minus the extra naughty stuff - example: tacos, I leave off the sour cream and cheese) Or, if I cook for them; pasta, chicken and veggies, etc, I can always offer the extra naughty stuff to them but not consume it myself.

Probably not a perfect diet but its a big change from the one I was doing... and for now, its working!

And... I do have the weekly mexican meal which includes a margarita and I can blame my friends who join me for these treats!

Be good to yourself ~ Mimi

Making Books!!!

I am currently taking a Book Binding class and I LOVE IT! Here are a few of the books I have made so far...

An accordion book which contents tell facts about a Magnolia Tree.

Perfect Bind. Made from old print and drawing scraps I had in my stash.

A flag book made from vintage papers and photos - Content depicts the difference in the details we know about these peoples lives from the lives of people now. With facebook and other site we know a little too much about everyone :)

This is a stab binding stitch created for my very dear mother :)

And last but not least, a codex book for my sister.

Why am I making things for people vs just making art for myself or for the purpose of selling. We'll get there, but as I'm learning these techniques it helps me to have someone in mind to give it to. I'll make more and sell those.

Friday Favorites!!! Sunshine Please

Friday Favorites!!!

During the week when I am shopping etsy, I come across so many amazing items! I want to share a few of my favorites with you on my favorite day of the week!

ITS FRIDAY FAVORITE TIME!

This week I'm itching for spring! All I want is to see some sunshine.

Tara Lea Smith

Irene Bau

Sweet Tooth Sweetie

Sewn Natural

Ordinary Mommy

Oiseaux Noir

Mojo Spa Style

Lizardous

Pulp Sushi

Honey Tree

DiGiacomo

Amme and Neb

Be sure to check out these awesome shops and let yourself get lost in the world of etsy!

I really want that bird bag! :)

Until next time ~ Mimi

Artist Feature - Sofie from Bonjour Pourpette

Who is behind that amazing Etsy?

Here is where you find out!

Meet Sofie from bonjourpoupette.

About Sofie:

I am an artist and illustrator living and dreaming in the Pacific Northwest. I grew up next door to my family's veterinary clinic on the edge of Oregon's high desert and today I live a very quiet and creative life with my beau and our cat in Portland, Oregon.

What she does:

My creative work spans a number of mediums including drawing, painting and sculpture. I am usually working on multiple projects at any given time. Animal people have been a recurring theme in my work for years, but it wasn't until my beau brought me some polymer clay to play with that I began to create three dimensional creatures just for fun.

I opened my Etsy shop, Bonjour Poupette!, last spring. I knew that I wanted to learn about running an online business to sell my artwork, and Etsy seemed like the perfect venue for me. At the time, I was doing illustration and graphic design work and my creative portfolio was quite varied. I had the worst time trying to decide what to focus on and, honestly, was afraid to commit to any one thing. Eventually my beau dared me to try selling my little animal people on Etsy. It was the challenge I needed to finally make the leap. I made my first sale in less than a week. In less than a year my figurines are in numerous private collections in Europe, Australia and North America. I sell them on Etsy, privately, and at Ghost Gallery in Seattle. Last fall I started the Poupette du Jour Project by committing to making and listing one new figurine each day, and posting it on my blog: bonjourpoupette.com

Inspiration:

Besides animals (of course!) i am inspired by tableaux vivant, surrealist humor, fairy tales, edwardian silhouettes, and anyone who is vulnerable and brave.

Favorites:

The most precious things in my life are my beau and our cat. As for things, I deeply appreciate having a good bed and my mother's beautiful old guitar.

Etsy Love:

Etsy has been a really good fit for me. It has been a very supportive and educational environment and seems to attract a lot of really nice people: customers as well as sellers. I have been very pleased with my overall experience, even though my personal learning curve has been a very long one. I would heartily recommend Etsy to anyone.

Dreams and Desires:

I have a lot of plans for my shop in the upcoming year. I'll definitely be continuing the Poupette du Jour Project as well as expanding my offerings. I would like to bring in more custom work, especially poupettes inspired by family pets and wedding cake toppers. I am also planning to open another shop for my paintings and illustrations this year. Aside from business, I am looking forward to moving away from the city in the upcoming year and finally having a garden again!

Please take a moment and check out this fabulously funky shop!Check out her blog too! bonjourpoupette.blogspot.com

Thanks for spending time with us Sophie ~ xoxo, Mimi

MimiBird Giveaway!!!

Win a FREE pair of Mimibird Vintage Button Earrings!!!

Contest Rules.

We are trying to get as many NEW friends as possible here at MimiBird!

Win a pair of Mimibird vintage button earrings by telling your friends about us.

Get 15 of your friends to "like" our page and then have them post your name to MimiBird's wall

Example: "Jane Doe sent me". You can post for one person, one time when you first "like" the page.

50 pairs of earrings available. Contest begins today, March 1st and ends on Friday March 11th at 12:00

midnight, or when all 50 pairs are gone.One pair per person. 18 years and up only please!

After you get 15 friends to "like" MimiBird you can choose from black/gray, white/cream, or brown earrings! All earrings are on nickel free posts.

Are you a male who isn't interested in these fabulous earrings? You can still win a pair for your lady friend, or Mom. She will love them!

BONUS! The person who sends the most friends our way will also win a matching MimiBird Bracelet!

To check out our jewelry and accessories go to www.mimibird.etsy.com