Mandizzle

A non-businessy/photoish update

2010-11-12T23:28:00.013-05:00

Where the heck have I been these past few months, you ask? Very busy at my full-time job and with Mandizzle! I've also been having fun outside of work...I will tell the story quickly and through photos...and I PROMISE - from now on, I will be blogging more!

September 19 - Browns Home Opener

My Dad surprised my Mom and I with season tickets for the Brownies this year after skipping last year. No pics, and the Browns lost...but still exciting! (No pics, sorrrrry)

September 24 - Mega 80's

My friends and I once again visited the Cleveland House of Blues to see our favorite 80's cover band. It's basically the most fun you can have in 2 hours for $15.

My gals Kate & Steph and me. Notice the sweet Dizzles.

Our shoes. I'm obvi wearing the pink Chuck T's.

October 3 - Browns vs. Bengals

So fun...Browns first win of the 2010 season and any excuse for my parents to drive up and visit me makes me happy! As a bonus, my Grandma and nephew visited me as well. Yay!

Pregame photo shoot

Mom, Dad and I excited after the win!

Three of my favorite boys - Coop, Charlie, and Bradon taking a snooze at my house

October 9 - First visit to a bar in my 'hood

So I live in Tremont. For those of you not familiar with Cleveland, Tremont is located about 3 minutes from downtown Cleveland and is a really cool, little, artsy neighborhood. There are so many great restaurants and bars...and I'd never gone to a bar even though they are all 2 minutes (on foot) away from my house. My poor brother had to put up with me and his lovely girlfriend Kiley while we had a few delicious drinks at The Treehouse. A church-step photo shoot took place after...needless to say, it was fun.

A tiny piece of our church photo shoot

October 10 - Browns vs. Falcons

Let's rewind really quickly. When Kiley, Brant and I got home from the bar, Ki and I started Dizzling our Browns shirts up for the game. We were up until 4am and had rhinestones and glue stuck all over our fingers. I still have a sparkly floor and am proud to say that my seat at Browns Stadium and the backseat of my Mom's car have also been Dizzled.

Brant and meee before the game. Love my bro!
Check the sweet rhinestones!

Our fam after the game

October 14 - New ride!
FINALLY, I purchased my first new car ever. A white Honda CR-V. After a month, it's still love. :)

No, this isn't my ACTUAL car...I don't have a cool white backdrop which would fit a crossover SUV

My cousin, Kimmi and nephew, Bradon enjoying the car

October 16 - Ohio University Homecoming

I visited my college Alma mater for the first time in 5 years...and I definitely had fun. I apparently reenacted the scene from The Notebook when Rach and Ryan laid down in the middle of the brick road. Normal.

Me & Kiley at the beginning of the night (and this is the only pic that will be posted)

October 23 - The HUNT
My Dad holds a yearly fundraiser which involves a scavenger hunt in the small town I grew up in . It's such a blast and I was on a team with my brother, cousin Andy, and 2 of their friends. The night ended with me in a haunted Southern Ohio forest followed by 4am McDonald's breakfast. Again, normal. (...and again, no pics.)

October 29 - Halloween

A couple of my friends and I debated on what we should be for Halloween. We had a list of everything from 3 Lady Gagas to the JoBros. We landed on "Girls of the Decades" which ended up being a Go Go Dancer (me), a Pink Lady (my friend Meghan), and Sookie from True Blood (a girl of the future? My friend Ellen).

Me (biggest hair EVER), Ellen, & Meghan

The 2 lone "Girls of the Decades"

November 7 - Browns vs. Patriots
Not to quote the WWE, but the Browns totes laid the smack down on Tom Brady and his boys and it was amazing. (No pics)

Coming up: More Browns games and LOTS of fun new Mandizzles to soon be unveiled. Thanks for looking and listening!

Talk to you all soon!
♥
Mandi

Mandizzle is Two!

2010-10-03T20:39:00.002-04:00

The Mandizzle Shop turns two today! A big THANK YOU to all of my friends, family, supporters...and of course, my awesome customers!

As a gift to you, take 20% off your entire purchase this week at mandizzle.etsy.com. Please enter the promotion code "TWO" in the notes to seller box when checking out.

Hurry! Ends Saturday, October 9!

Rope Me In!

2010-08-25T00:16:00.005-04:00

The Ropey was one of the first pieces I created. It's so chic, functional and versatile that it has become a customer favorite.

So, what would I wear with the ropey? Just about anything...but right now I'm really feeling this look for end of summer/early fall.

Laura Lace Dress - Delia's

Winnie Boot (I need these) - Coconuts via DSW

Richelle - Zoya via eNail Supply

Have a great Wednesday!

♥

Mandi

Haul

2010-08-16T00:02:00.009-04:00

Ok, I lied. I did not write a dedicated Bachelor Pad post last week (nor the week before) and I'm technically not going to tonight. I do have a few questions:

What exactly is this show? What is the point? Ok, I don't care...I'm still going to watch, but if I was expecting more (say, I was a stranger to the show), I would just turn the crap off immediately.
Why are they having romantic competitions and there is a girl with a boyfriend there? Oh yeah, to make it more scandalous. (By the time this blog went into production, Gia had already been sent home. So that answers that.)
Why is that Elizabeth girl (though beautiful) so crazy?
Why is Wes still singing the same song three years later?
Why is Melissa Rycroft only on camera about 10 minutes per show (I love her)?
Finally, why don't I just write bulletpoints...I really want to. I'm refusing (at least for now).
Wait, really quick - Ok, must admit...next week looks like it's going to be pretty, pretty good

To divert my attention away from giving in and writing bulletpoints, I'm going to do something I never do...post a recent haul from Ulta. I haven't totally spoiled myself in months, so I went a little crazy at Ulta last week.

I went in with my Buyers Rewards certificate, which was worth like $10. I spent a little more than that. Rundown of what I got...

Nail Polish:

Seche Clear - Crystal Clear Base Coat
OPI - Meet Me On The Star Ferry (Hong Kong Collection)
OPI - Lucky Lucky Lavender (Hong Kong Collection)
OPI - William Tell Me About OPI (Swiss Collection)
OPI - Lucerne-tainly Look Marvelous (Swiss Collection)
OPI - Couture Collection Mini Set (FREE Gift with $10 OPI purchase!)

I've only worn Lucky Lucky Lavender on my nails and William Tell on my toes so far. I am obsessed with Lucky Lucky. So pretty. I have been matching my outfits to it (which is not hard since it's a creamy lavenderish-pink).

Eye Colors

So I went in hoping to only buy the new Urban Decay NAKED palette and get maybe a nail polish or two. The UD palette was sold out, so I figured I could go crazy with my second favorite eye makeup brand...NYX.

NYX Purple Smokey Eye Palette

NYX Bronze Smokey Eye Palette
NYX Natural Eye Palette
NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Slate (love all of these)
NYX Eyeshadow Single in White
NYX Eyeshadow Single in Aloha

So far, I love the Purple Smokey Palette a ton. I am pretty much a spokesperson for purple shadow, though. I love everything else as well, just haven't used it as much. I use the White and Aloha singles everyday and this was probably my third or fourth time replacing them.

Other Stuff:

Revlon ColorStay Foundation
ecotools - Bamboo Bronzer Brush

Pink Quilted Train Case (I was going to dish out the cash for the Sephora Brand, but I think this $30 works JUST as well and keeps my stuff from being spread out all over the bathroom counter, which it has been for years.)
Ulta Citrus Cream Shower Gel - My free gift

AIGHT, sorry for going on and on. No one will probably read a word of this, which is fine. :)

♥

Mandi

mandizzle in the real world - Bride Casey

2010-08-06T11:56:00.002-04:00

I got a note from Casey, a bride I worked with on a custom order a few months ago. She shared some of her beautiful photos...how gorgeous was she. Love her dress (the back is cray cray in a good way) and her hair piece wasn't too shabby either! :)

A little English Garden Couture

2010-08-05T16:18:00.006-04:00

Hi! Today's Daily Dizzle is:

The English Garden Couture Collection #1

So, I have a freakishly vivid memory about most things. That's one of the things that some of my old boyfriends have definitely not enjoyed...I remember every single, solitary detail of the most minute conversation or event that happens. I'm telling you this because I remember creating this piece on a freezing night in February while watching the Cavs play (and get beat by) the Bobcats on a Friday night. I had a bridal show coming up in a few weeks, and I was not expecting to make anything like this...but I guess my basketball frustration was turning into positive creativity, because I really love this piece. I think it's just a whimsical, classic, garden-esque piece. That I love. Yes.

What could you pair the EGCC #1 up with? Here's what I think:

If you're a bride...

Ivory Silk and Chiffon Backless Dress - Holly Stalder on Etsy

Antique Vintage Inspired Chiffon Wedding Dress - bridalblissdesigns on Etsy

If you're attending a wedding or other special occassion...

Matteo Dress in in Blush - Dallin Chase via Bluefly

If you just want something pretty to wear everyday...

Loop Chain Knit Top (High probability that I will buy this top!) - Forever 21

Ankle Stretch Toothpick Jean in Smoke Wash - J. Crew

Rock Star Sandal in Gold - O'Neill

Rock Candy Nail Polish - essie via The Beauty Clutch

The Bachelorette: Ali and Roberto Edition

2010-08-04T02:42:00.005-04:00

The Bachelorette is over. Dunzo (in my best Kristin Cavallari or Stoibs Laguna Beach voice). Finito (in my best chic from Blaque voice from that scene in Bring it On. Side note - ever notice how ridonkulous that song is by Blaque? The one with JC from *NSYNC (a side, side note - I used to be OB-SESSED with him. I mean, OBSESSED.) Anyway, he actually says "are you feelin' my Timbs', my baggy jeans, my thug appeal." Really? JC Chasez and Thug Appeal. Hmm.)

Sorry, I'm making no sense.

A couple of quick Bachy Bullet Points:

I know, I know. I've really been lacking with my BP's this season and it's partly due to the fact that I read the spoilers (kind of accidentally). It just takes the fun out of it. I will be back on track with Bachelor Pad. Please Believe.
Ali's family seems really nice and down-to-earth. I really have started to like her a lot more over the season. She is a normal chic who doesn't try too hard like most of the chics out there.
Ali looks nothing like any member of her family.
It was always pretty obvious that she was going to pick Roberto. I mean he is adorable, and if he is as nice as she claims he is...than best of luck. I'm still skeptical.
I think it's great that she went against the producers and let Chris go before the big finale. He seems like a nice guy and I'm sure it was a lot easier than it would have been had he been humiliated after walking up those high stairs.
My friend Stephanie made a comment that Ali's hair is always halfway falling out of a ponytail. It's so true. During her breakup with Chris...it was halfway falling out of a ponytail. Again, I like that...makes her a lot more normal.
I cried. The rainbow thing made me cry.
Will Chris be the next Bach? I don't know. I'm sure someone does, I've been too lazy to Google.
Ali's finale dress was REALLY pretty.
Roberto sweats A LOT. I would sweat profusely too if I were in 110 degree weather (I just made that up, how do I know how hot it is in Bora Bora?) Anyway, dude is constantly sweating.
Cute proposal, more natural than most. Much more natural than "Monkey, will you marry me?" Bleh, gross. We all saw how long that lasted.
After The Final Rose - which is normally my favorite part because of the drama, really kind of sucked. Frank didn't show (not surprising), and Ali and Chris were very cordial - which I was happy about. I want to yell at Ali and Roberto and beg them not to move in together. Is it only a matter of 4 months before Ali is on tv calling Roberto a fake liar? Let's hope not. (To rewind, I can't believe I didn't bullet point about the Jake Vienna situation. That WAS AMAZEBALLS!)

Ok, finallly...this has nothing to do with our beloved Bachelorette Ali, but can we talk about how obsessed I am with some of the new OPI Swiss Collection for Fall 2010 which launched just a few days ago? Oh my gosh...truly need these colors:

Diva of Geneva

Glitzerland

Just a little Rosti at this

Lucerne-tainly look Marvelous (MY FAV!)

Ski Teal we Drop

William Tell Me About OPI (My other FAVE)

Ok, sorry for rambling. Sorry for this whole post actually. It doesn't make much sense, but whatevs. :)

♥

Mandi

Sunny Day.

2010-07-31T17:09:00.006-04:00

Today's Daily Dizzle is the sunny.

I picked up this pretty yellow fabric a while ago, and one very late night while watching, undoubtedly, HBO on Demand, I wanted to create something really simplistic yet super cheerful. A couple of hours later after experimenting with the fabric and different colors/styles of headbands, I finally put together this pretty combination. It has definitely been a personal and customer favorite.

Check it out HERE.

Summery items I'd love to wear the sunny with:

Long Ribbed Tank in White - Forever 21

Only $3.50 and I ruin tanks like it's my J-O-B.

The Rachel BellBottom - 7 For All Mankind at Piperlime.com

7's + Bell Bottoms + Rachel Zoe = LOVE

Paprika Cansee Shoe in Tan - ZooShoo

I need some HIGH heels if I'm going to wear those 7's...and I love camel and manmade leather.

Red and Orange Long Beaded Necklace - Feather and Bird on Etsy

A girl can never have too many lonnnng beaded necklaces.

OPI - The Thrill of Brazil

For the toes and the fingertips (even though I normally have a real problem with matching them. I'm so weird.)

Make Up For Ever Super Lip Gloss in True Red - Sephora

Because I can't wear a heavy lipstick in August. Who am I kidding, I love lipgloss.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, lovelies!

♥

Mandi

Daily Dizzle - 7.30.2010

2010-07-30T11:28:00.004-04:00

Happy Friday!

I had to do a quick on-camera interview today for something at my FT job. Right before going down for the interview, my friend Steph handed me a mini cupcake (de-freaking-licious!) After the interview, I looked at my sleeve and I had frosting all over my sleeves. Sweet, that's just how I roll.

Let's get into the Daily Dizzle...

the flora - Pink Chiffon Petals on Grassy Green

This is one of my favorite pieces ever. I am obsessed with pink & chiffon (as you can probably tell.) This was such a happy marriage for me when combined with the green rope. It really reminds of a real flower in the garden (if only my grass were that green.)

Check it out HERE!

Have a great weekend, friends!

♥

Mandi

Dizzle of the Day - 7.29.2010

2010-07-29T14:55:00.005-04:00

Hi friends! In order to keep myself posting more regularly, I'm going to post a piece I've designed each day and tell a story behind the design.

I'm going to kick it off with one of my newer pieces -

the blanca.

I designed this headband with the intent of it sitting atop a bride's head on her special day. I wanted to create something with a simple ruffle...so I did, and I decided I wasn't done. After wrapping the headband in satin and then placing two rows of pretty pearls, I added the coveted ruffle. I then added a puff of chiffon and some pretty net tulle...and ta da! I was happy with the result. Nothing over the top, but definitely beautiful!

Check it out in my shop HERE.

On a sad note...I'd like to say farewell to a very special man in my life, Dexter Derrow.

Dexter was the thirteen year-old Cairn Terrier that my parents surprised my brother and I with when I was a Freshman in high school. Many of our friends were scared of Dex, he had a knack for attacking people, but he LOVED the family and would never hurt us (ok, he bit almost all of us once, but he was still a sweet guy.)

This past Friday, my parents and I had to take Dex to the vet and he had to be put to sleep. It was extremely sad, but he was sick and I'm sure he is in a much better place now.

We will always love and miss you Dexter D!

♥

Mandi

One Hot Dizzle Sale!

2010-07-19T14:45:00.003-04:00

Mandizzle and N.E.E.T. Magazine have teamed up once again...this time for a super-awesome discount to the shop! If you're not a N.E.E.T. reader, you need to jump on board...it's amazing!

Bachelorette Post - This was a good one!

2010-06-15T17:41:00.003-04:00

Ok friends. Once again I’ve strayed and did not report on the last two episodes of The Bach. I do, however, have great excuses:

1. During episode 2, I was watching at my parent’s house with my Mom, Dad and Grandma. My Dad started doing jerky things on purpose, just so he could say “Look at me, I’m Craig M.” It was quite hilarious.
2. Last week, well, I was taking a nap and accidentally slept until 9:30 and missed most of the episode.

It seemed like I didn’t miss anything too important last week (The Barenaked Ladies, NAF)…at least nothing that can hold a candle to the amazingness which was last night’s episode.

I did not take notes, but I’m positive that I can issue a pretty accurate recap using the fond memories I absorbed in those two magical hours.

Bulletpoints, and go:
• The outfits picked out at InStyle were cute. I really don’t have anything else to add…it’s a fashion magazine so they should have been cute.

KASEY

• Kasey. Dear, sweet, Kasey. Disclaimer: I didn’t want to say anything mean about him. I’ve tried really hard not to…but I think that I have free reign to say whatever I want. Again, I think that the producers edit a lot of these people into looking cray cray…so I’m not really judging Kasey as a person; I’m simply pointing out some abnormal activity displayed by the edited version of him. I will not make fun of his voice, because that’s a problem he can’t help (but did I just indirectly do it by pointing it out?)
• What the hell was with that song? How did he have time to fall in love with Ali, guard and protect her heart, and write that (not-so) catchy tune within the span of a 45 minute helicopter ride? Dude is a plant. Craig M. was for sure a plant, but Kasey is a plant and he doesn’t even know it.
• When he made the statement that he was being honest about his love and “come on in” to his heart or whatever. Gagfest. Seriously. WTF.
• After Ali doesn’t dump him (which she clearly wanted to do, but the producers wouldn’t let her), Kasey goes and gets a “guard and protect” (hopefully FAKE) tattoo. I’m not even that creeped out, because in my mind…this is all fake. There is no way this poor guy is this crazy. The teasers after the first episode made me think that he was going to try to commit suicide. Instead, he just got a guard and protect tattoo. That’s a plus!

The Lion King

• Before I even start on this subject, I’m going to go ahead and make an extremely bold statement: I LOVE ROBERTO. If he is not the man picked in the end and goes on to become the next Bachelor (or she picks him, they break up, and he returns to the show (a la Jen Schefft)), I promise you all that I will audition to be on the show (if I’m single of course). I will stoop that low for Roberto. He has a sparkle in his eye…seriously, pay attention next episode and you will see it.
• Back to the group date starring Roberto and 7 other dudes. Pretty much boring, but I was quite entranced by Jesse’s beautiful voice during the auditions.
• Roberto won since he sang to Ali (and since she also loves him and probs told the Lion King director to pick him). He and Ali were given the opportunity to perform (air hump) live in that evening’s performance of the Lion King on Broadway.
• Here’s the thing. Let’s say you are a hardcore Broadway fan…or even better. Let’s say your name is, uhm, Martin. You save for like 20 years to have your badass dream vacation to NYC. You take in all of the sites, get an autograph from Sean “Puffy” Combs, eat delicious food, take pics in front of your favorite Gossip Girl locations, watch the Yankees play the Cleveland Indians, and finally, take in as many Broadway shows as you can. You decide to save The Lion King for last since you know it will be the perfect culmination to your New York dream trip. You decide to go over budget and splurge on the most expensive seats for TLK, you just know it will be worth it. You go out shopping, buy a new 3-piece suit and opera binoculars (even though you don’t need them since you’re in the front row. ) You take your seat: awesome. The house goes dark, the curtain goes up, and what happens next? The whining girl that used to work for Facebook and sits and reflects on San Francisco rooftops appears with one of her many suitors. She is flying around on a harness. How pissed off are you, Martin? Seriously, you’re 20 years of savings have just possibly gone down the drain? You would have used your savings to go to the World Cup had you known how your dream trip to NYC would end. Now, if you are me, your NYC dream trip just ended in the 2nd most perfect way possible (hello, half-naked Roberto!) 1st place goes to time-warping back 10 years to see *NSync on TRL in their prime.
• After the show, Ali takes her dudes to dinner and she starts feeling really sick. She doesn’t give out a rose, but does let Kirk walk her to her room and put her to bed, bed, bedddd (Not in a J. Holls kind of way, though.) It was actually pretty cute, and it made me like him. He was not even on my radar before. How sad that I have a Bachelorette radar.

Chris from Nantucket
• He hung with Ali all day while she was sick, that was very nice of him. I kept thinking that I would want to chug Nyquil and sleep all day if I were her.
• I cried. When he told the story about his Mom, I seriously cried.

The Cocktail Party and The Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony in Bachelorette History
• I noticed that Ali said she got to take these guys on the “most exciting dates yet.” I was hoping she said “the most dramatic dates yet.” Too bad.
• The weatherman played his guitar and sang. Wow.
• Kasey didn’t get to show his tattoo.
• The wrestler is just f’ing annoying now.
• Frank is starting to be annoying with the “I’m so in love with her; I can’t watch her making out with this guy.” Duh, you signed up for this, brah!
• …to the rose ceremony.
• Uhm…who is that guy with the hair that always gets a rose? He never talks, but is always there.
• Kasey got a rose(because the producers made Ali keep him.) How else will he reveal his (fake) tattoo?
• Those who ended up being booted: Weatherman and JESSE.
• Pause. I’m issuing the Graham rule right now. What’s the Graham rule? Well, I made it up and I think it’s pretty legit. Mom: if you’re reading, please stop here.
• Ok, so…remember a few years ago when Deanna booted Graham right before the overnight date? I wanted to kick her ass. You keep the hot guy THROUGH the overnight date. How hard is that to understand? Ok, so last night Ali sends Jesse packing. Graham Rule. Right now you might be spending the night in a hotel room with Kasey over Jesse. Yes, he will be booted before it gets to that point, but that’s still the situation right now. GRAHAM RULE.

Ok, I’m done. I drank too much iced coffee and my hands are literally shaking. Wait, one more thing? Chris Harrison is basically disappearing from these episodes and I don’t like it. Ok, now I'm really done.

♥

Mandi

My Bitchy Bach Bullet Points...have returned. S6/E1

2010-05-25T16:13:00.005-04:00

I haven't posted anything in 2 months. I have been busy for reals, but I won't stray any longer. I was going to post something last week...but I thought no grander entry than that of a Bachelorette post. So let's get it.

Strike One - No cheesy title. Let's not take ourselves too seriously, please. (Seriously, couldn’t stop singing On the Wings of Love to my dogs all night.)

Strike Two – If you’ve read my past Bach blogs…I’m obviously not the biggest fan of Ali (but I will admit, she is growing on me a little after this epi.) The fact that she is wearing Chucks in that photo is also helping.

Strike Three – There is no strike three. The Bachelor will have to do something pretty bad to strike out in my book.

Just a reminder – I do not read spoilers. If I did, I wouldn’t have nearly as much fun reporting the Bach nonsense.

…and it begins

• Good to see Ali is still sitting on rooftops in San Francisco…looking as insightful as ever.
• Things I didn’t really know about Ali: Impressive soccer skills (me=not too jealous. I lasted one week in this soccer class my school tried to make me take in college. Not happening). Very impressive abs (me = jealous. They showed her running…that must be it.)

Time to see what terrible antics the producers made these dudes pull out...
In order of appearance w/some first impressions:

1. Chris H./27/Vancouver - No real first impression. Seems pretty nice. Reminds me of Chris Evans!

2. Jesse/24/Peculiar, MO – He’s cute…she seems to like him.
3. Chris L./32/Cape Cod - He seems really nice.
4. Ty /31/ Nashville - Did he have that accent in the little pre-segment?
5. Frank /31/ Geneva, IL - He seems really funny to me. He will probably annoy some people, but I think he’s funny (so far)
6. Justin/26/Toronto - Sympathy vote with the crutches. She really likes him…he’s a professional wrestler. I didn’t like his Rated R personality in the pre-segment, but he seems more normal as Justin.
7. Jay/29/Rhode Island- How is he only a year older than me? He is much, much more mature than me.
8. Chris N./29/Orlando- Alert: FIrst cheesy tactic – pulling a rose out magically (the standing on the limo was cute to me).
9. Kasey/27/Clovis, CA – Seems like a really nice guy.
10. Kyle/26/Colorado - Nope. He hunts a lot. Not gonna work for me, maybe her…definitely not me. Did you see all of those poor creatures being displayed in his home?
11. Roberto/26/Charleston, SC - She looooves this dude. I can tell by the comments she is making, such as: "I love hugs” and “I’ll just call you cutie.” He does have a cute way about him. He is speaking Spanish with some sweet music in the back ground.
12. Craig M/34/Toronto - "I'm so happy you're not Vienna." Wow. Dude looks like the guy from Devil Wears Prada (or more currently The Mentalist.)

13. John N./27/Kansas – I didn’t write anything about him. I don’t think he made any real first impression on me.
14. Tyler V./VT - I think he is cute and seems nice. He made a comment that he is glad Ali is not flying around on Jake’s airplane. I think he messed up. It’s supposed to be not flying around on the airplane of the student who (or whom…I always messed this up). Jake is instructing.
15. John C./32/Washington – He’s the one that supplied the fake diamond ring. Ali looked mortified and pretty, pretty scared.. I was, too. Cheese ball.
16. Jonathan/30/Houston - The weatherman. This isn’t directly related to him, but I I feel bad that she has to give this many fake smiles. Sheesh.
17. Craig R./27/Philadelphia - I feel so old. I am older than a lawyer.
18. Steve/28/Cleveland – Dude is from Cleveland, so that’s cool. I know a few people that know him, and the consensus is he is a nice guy. Anyway - "Thanks for comin' out" kind of means he's getting sent home…maybe not.
19. Kirk /27/Milwaukee – Kirk thinks Ali deserves a rose…and he is going to make her one. Out of tissue paper. Too bad that dude like 10 guys ago gave her a realish rose. Sorry, bro.
20. Tyler M./25/Austin – Oh, Tyler M. Tyler really enjoyed the fact that Ali was wearing cowboy boots when she got out of the limo on Jake’s show…but she wasn’t wearing boots, and it was super awkward when she reminded us that she was never wearing cowboy boots. Ouch.
21. Hunter/28/San Antonio –Says he planned something humorous to say, but instead confssed that he had to pee. Wow.
22. Derek /28 /Warren, MI – Another gimmick. Derek told Ali he saw her hometown date when she spoke of catching a falling leaf and making a wish on it. So, he brought these huge leaves and through them in the air and she caught three of them, and her hair caught one. Fake laughing commenced.
23. Phil/ 30 /Chicago – I wrote nothing down about Phil when he came in. Oops.
24. Derrick/27/ San Diego – Derrick tells us that his nickname is Shooter and he will explain why later. This should be interesting.
25. Jason/27/Denver – Jason did a backflip off of the limo. That was a good gimmick to round out the 25 dudes.

On to the partayyyy…
• I wish they didn't have to wear suits. Girls in dresses look different. Boys in suits all look the same, just different heights.
• I would be super nervous…these dudes are staring at her like she is a Triple Big Mac with Bacon and they haven’t eaten in weeks.
• Frank grabs Ali for some alone time. He mentions that he quit his job and lived in Paris to write screenplays. Ali says Paris is amazing…but then tells us she has never been. Sure.
• Kirk decides to tell everyone that he made a scrapbook for Ali. Great idea. Wow, wow, wow. After giving it to her, he says “I feel really good, I really think she liked the scrapbook.” Wow.
• We then pan to Hunter, playing a ukulele. A personalized song. It wasn’t too bad, but I still am not a fan.
• Then the moment happens...we learn why Shooter is named Shooter. Fully equaling (if not surpassing) last season’s amazing landing strip comment in inappropriateness, this was not nearly as funny. I was actually embarrassed. Shooter, who seems quite proud of his name, informs us that he is named Shooter because in college, he “shot” prematurely with his you know what. I’m not making this up.
• I still can’t get over how much Craig M. looks like dude from Devil Wears Prada.
• She seems to really like Roberto.
• Craig R. brought the yellow Chuck key chains – cute gift, but stop trying to sell people out for no reason. The person that does that never gets picked in the end. The person they are trying to sell out always makes it really far (e.g.: Vienna, Wes).
• Roberto has just won the first impression rose. Shocking (not).
• The creepy box comes in where the guys have to choose a fellow suitor to be voted out. It’s much easier to conduct this process on the Bachelor…girls can sniff out who they don’t like in 2 seconds flat. Dudes aren’t like this…unless they are jealous or something. They all chose Justin, the pro-wrestler, to be voted off. I really don’t think he seems like such a bad guy (at least not with editing.) Maybe he will prove me wrong since Ali chose for him to stick around.

The Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony in Bachelorette History Commences:
Now – I wonder this every single year during the first rose ceremony. Do they have earpieces in when choosing 15? I mean…that’s a lot of names to remember of people you JUST met after a long night of drinking. I know the one Bach (DB Brad maybe?) messed up a few seasons ago and called the name of a girl he didn’t mean to keep…I would think that’d be a more common occurrence.

The 15 Chosen to stay (don’t forget that 2 others were already picked):
• Jesse - Not surprised.
• Ty - Not too surprised.
• Craig R. - Not surprised due to his gift.
• Tyler B. - Not surprised.
• Frank - Not surprised.
• Steve – Pretty surprised. They didn't show him at all...but, yay Cleveland!
• Chris L. - Not surprised
• Kirk - Not surprised...he made a scrapbook. She would look like a total B if she booted him after that.
• John C. - Surprised.
• Chris N. - Surprised.
• Chris H. - Not surprised
• Hunter - Surprised. He seems like kind of an a-hole.
• Craig M. - Not surprised. They probably made her keep him.
• Jonathon - Not surprised. Too much of a character to kick off.
• Kasey - Not surprised.

I wasn’t surprised that she didn’t keep whoever was booted. 17 dudes Is a lot to keep around. I would be terrible at this show.

My front-runners at this point:
Roberto
Justin
Jesse

...but I kind of think that one of them, maybe Justin or Jesse is the one that has a girlfriend at home. Again, I don't like to read Bach spoilers, so I don't know for sure.
We will see as we continue on this amazing journey.

Missed you lots!

♥

Mandi

Meet Charlie!

2010-03-31T23:26:00.003-04:00

It's been too long, friends! I'm sorry for my MIA-ness. I do have some exciting news, though. Cooper has a new brother!

Introducing: Charlie Cotton!

Charlie is a Maltese which I got from a rescue group in Pittsburgh. He is about 4 and a half months old and weighs 3.8 pounds. He is a sweet little guy, and he and Coop are getting to know each other.

Love these boys!

♥

Mandi

Super Late Bachelor Post

2010-03-04T22:27:00.005-05:00

Argh - friendies I'm so sorry about my absence. I have had 2 crazy busy (in a good way) Dizzle and full-time job work weeks (obvi if I can't take find time to post about The Bach.)

Anyhow, I'm going to write up a quick recap about what I can remember from The Women Tell All through After the Final Rose (I know this is so 2 days ago, but I wouldn't feel right about not wrapping up this magical season.)

Women Tell All

This was just good ol' tv. Starting off with the Bachelor reunion was just brilliant if you ask me. I mean, I seriously can't wait for that amazingness.

Let's start with the Reunion segment.

Erica that wears the crown? Yes. Thank you for being on this show. You could have your own show, so the Bachelor reunion is sure to be a hit. She looked a lot like Tisdale a few years ago in her Bach days...and she's a judge? Uhm, wow.

Gwen - I loved her. She was so cute. Happy to see her.

A personal side note...if I showed up to this reunion show and Graham wasn't a part of it...I'd leave immediately. For reals.

Wes - Tool.

Matt Grant - He's cute...I like his accent.

Deanna - No. You're doing this? No.

SHAYNE? REALLY? No.

Juan - Creepy.

Bettina - Loved her. I actually originally picked her as the winner of Brad's winnerless season. Actually, they all won because he didn't pick them.

I thoroughly enjoyed the segment when they were handing out bags of food and Shayne was still dressed slutty.

On to the "We Hate Rozlyn" segment.

Ashleigh planned her fall. "Good thing he's a good catch." C'mon Chris Harrison. You are so much better than that.

When the girls were talking about Tenley, I was laughing so hard. "She shits rainbows." "She floats on twinkle toes and dreams in cartoons." HAHA

Michelle - The Bachelor is not the real way to find love. Oh, thanks for that wisdom. You still scare me, but Elizabeth shouldn't have been picking on you. Oh, and Ali...you're offended by the comment that the Bach isn't the real way to find love? I wonder why, oh, because they are paying you to be on the show. Annoying, be quiet.

Out comes Rozlyn. I don't think I really need to speak on this subject. Everything was awesome...especially when Rozlyn admitted that the dude she isn't having an affair with (sure) has a wife (nice.)

Uhm, yes I will watch the atrocity that is Jason and Molly's wedding. It's probably actually really pretty...and I have a girl crush on Melissa so I'm still pretty bitter.

When Jake decides to come out and use the line "MY HEART WAS CRYING" to Ali. No. DOUBLE U TEE EFF. Never say that again.

Jake said that he wanted to get to know Christina better...I think she was my least fav on the show...but I also think she kind of had low self-esteem so I shouldn't be such a b.

Finally, I love Corrie because she farted.

FINALE

Alright. I was sitting at my desk at work during the entire 3 hours of the finale and After the Final Rose. This is going to be as short as the skirts I used to wear in college (seriously, what was I thinking?)

Shocking that Jake's family loved Tenley.

Shocking that Jake's family didn't like Tisdale (and then pretended to like her later.)

Uhm, I could barely watch the last chance dates. When Tisdale wrote "I love you" in sand or mud or whatever dirt that was, yuck. I can't take stuff like that.

Tenley looked beauiful when Jake rejected her. She was WAY to nice. I'm sitting at my desk with a few others I work with screaming "DOUCHEBAG" and "F U" at the tv, just because he was crying and pulling Mesnicks left and right. Eew.

Tisdale's win? I really couldn't watch. I was photoshopping something for work on my computer and listening to the groans going on around me. I mean he proposed to her. At least they played OTWOL.

After the Final Rose...Tenley again too nice and level-headed.

More of me yelling "douche." One of my bosses suggested that the show needs someone like me to tell this dude how it really is. I wouldn't last past the first round.

I find it hard to believe that Jake and Tisdale are still together. Honestly, they aren't, right?

Best part? The show embracing OTWOL and bring Jeffrey Osborne onto the show. Thank you for that.

Final thoughts? I don't have any. I don't like that Ali is the next Bach, but I will still watch. I don't have any feelings about Jake's decision because he's a turd and this show is fake anyway. Again, I will still be watching and writing when the Bachelorette starts.

Your opinions, please?

♥

Mandi

Let's kiss in the ocean, shall we?

2010-02-16T16:42:00.006-05:00

Bachies...this week was all about the infamous "run and jump" and gratuitous makeout sessions in the ocean on the tropical island date...this one happened in St. Lucia. Also, poorly staged shots of a heartbroken Ali sitting on some random rooftop in her Chuck T's (nothin' wrong with those.)

On to the one-night-stands (maybe it's wrong for me to assume that, but yeah.)

Gia:

How many times can he say he doesn’t like her for how she looks...but never stops telling her she is drop dead gorgeous, sexy, etc. 1,000 times? "When you stepped out of the limo, I thought you looked great, you looked amazing."

Take the "Hey, I went on a beach vacay" necklace off. It’s really nice that you bought it from that guy, but you can take it off now.

Bathtub scene - "I’m kissing this wildly gorgeous girl … that has everything in the world going for her." Again with the who "looks that he doesn't care about since he likes everything else about her more" bit.

My life with her starts flashing before my eyes. Or the next 4 minutes when things get too hot for tv.

Tenley:

Not really fair to place the almost virgin after Gia. Tenley is so pretty.

"Can you believe we’re here?" That’s his opening line with both girls so far.

Most annoying point of the show...he shows Tenley his passion…flying...while someone else flies the helicopter Oh, that’s right. He’s a flight instructor.

When Tenley asks Jake about how he will court her in the real world ("Will we have picnics, will we go to exotic places?") Jake answers with a "Yes, that's the great thing about the airline. One night we can say 'Let’s go to Cannes tomorrow morning.'" Yeah. Right. Go in the water and makeout or something.

SIDE NOTE: GIVE ME THAT FILET O' FISH. GIVE ME THAT FISH!

Did Jake seem drunk to anyone else?

The date ends with Tenley accepting to stay with Jakers in the Fantasy Suite. I do believe that Tenley was a good girl.

Tisdale:

Jump and run. Gross.

"Ive never been in love before," says Tisdale...but...you've been married?

Nothing of note to talk about at the pirate ship portion of the date, but there was a fun, playful version of OTWOL playing. That's notable.

The microphones amplify the disgusting sounds of the kissing.

Kissing in the ocean...shocking.

Fantasy Suite...Here comes the lingerie. This turned in to Rock of Love real quick. Tisdale is too young to have seen season 1 when Trista did it with the dude on the overnight date and he picked the other chic.

Ali:

Jake tells her she can't come back.

She's probably going to be the next Bach.

The finale:

Jakers dumps Gia and we find out that "The Women Tell All" special will be airing next week. LOVE IT. They have been pretty good the last few times...or maybe that was "After the Final Rose." Anyway, I love when they catch up with the ex stars of the show, and I love even more that they are making a whole series about it.

Don't forget to watch Johnny Weir skate. Just for his antics, and he lost the fur.

♥

Mandi

Valentine's Day isn't so bad...

2010-02-14T21:58:00.006-05:00

So many people talk about hating Valentine's Day. Yes, I'm a single gal this VDay, but so what? There is pink everywhere and flowers and chocolates are being given out all over. I definitely don't hate that.

Valentine's Day is a holiday about love, and I was surrounded by those that I love this weekend.

Below are a few pics of the the gorgeous tulips(they're my fav) my Mom and Dad sent me on Friday. They made me so happy.

Yesterday, my Mom, Grandma and nephew drove up to visit with me over the weekend. Spending time with them...to me...is a lot more fun and meaningful than waiting around in some crowded restaurant with some dude I barely know.

For those of you with a loved one who truly appreciates you, good for you. For those of you who are single like me, I hope you were able to talk with or spend the day with friends, family, or anyone that makes you feel special. Man, I am really deep today! :)

I hope everyone had a great day.

♥

Mandi

P.S. I'm sure I wouldn't be so "yay, Valentine's Day" if I hadn't been able to see my family. :)

Also, praying for the family of my Mother's dear friend Kathi, who passed away today. May they find peace in the memory of this lovely lady.

Homey Hometownnns

2010-02-09T11:15:00.008-05:00

Ok friends, so this Hometown recap is going to totally suck. My electricity went off and the cable box took forever to reset. I saw about 5 minutes of Gia’s Date, completely missed Tenley and most of Ali’s, and saw all of the Tisdale clan through the end of the show. Let’s get this shiz goin’.

Gia’s Hometown (the 5 minutes I saw):

Family is very, very New York (shocker, since that’s where they live)...and do I really know what very New York is? No, I am from Southeastern Ohio. Ignore this bulletpoint.
They seemed nice and protective.
I still am thinking that she is a little too, I don’t know, hot for him? Not that he isn’t a cute guy, but it seems like maybe he’s not her type.

Tenley’s Hometown – I got nothin’.

Ali’s Hometown:

I literally only saw 2 minutes of Ali’s hometown.
I say this every Bach season, but nothing irks me quite like the run and jump when they see each other for the first time in a few days. UH-NOOOY-ING.
I didn’t even get to see Ali’s family. I just know that I felt bad for her since that was the first time she’d been home since her Grandmother’s funeral, and her house reminded me of the house in Marley and Me (but let’s not talk about Marley and Me. Tears.) She also said the word "foiliage."

Tisdale’s Hometown:

Another run and jump. Stop it.
I didn’t know that Tisdale was from Florida, but her family totally fits in there (again, just talking about stuff I have no idea about).
You can tell that she is totally spoiled by her Dad…but not overly-rich spoiled. Like, maybe her Dad spent every dime he ever had to give her what she wanted? I’m not trying to sound like a b here…and who knows how the Bach spin changes things, but that’s just the way it looked to me.
Everyone's family is going to trust Jake because he is total cheese and some parents eat that up. I think my Mom would say “what a nice guy, but kind of nerdy” and my bro would say “what a douche.”

The Dramatic Last Hour

PART 1:

The Scene: Jake is in his hotel room, gazing out the window.
The Cleverly Inserted Voiceover: Jake ponders who he will eliminate at tonight’s rose ceremony (which is sure to be the most dramatic ever), all while happily chatting with himself about the four amazing women he has remaining.
The Knock: Enter a very sad-faced looking Ali.
The Conundrum: Ali must choose between her job and staying with Jake. (Hmm, this sounds strangely familiar and not the most dramatic at all. Remember one season ago when Ed left because of his job? Do these producers think the people who watch The Bach don’t also watch The Bachelorette?)
The Scandal: Whilst (sorry, I’ve been watching way too many epi’s of The Tudors and have been kicking it old school with words like whilst and betrothed). Anyway, WHILST talking with Jake, Ali…PUTS.HER.LEGS.ON.JAKE’S.LAP. NOOOOOOOO! Hide your eyes, Gia. For the love, HIDE YOUR EYES!
The Result: A very confused Ali leaves the room with no answers and is so distraught that she must collapse in the middle of the hotel hall and cry.
The Text: My Mom texts me during this time with these exact words: “Stupid Ali. Ur on The Bach, don’t you think someone will hire u?” True that, Motha. Side Note: Apparently, Ali works for Facebook. You'd think The Bach would be right up FB's alley/Ali, haha. Sorry.

PART 2:

The Dramatic Stroll: Jake and Chris Harrison walk to the infamous room filled with the framed photos. Jake thinks he has found love, but it’s not his decision tonight. One of the women will choose if they want to leave this incredible journey to go back to the real world and leave the pilot (er, Flight Instructor) lacking wings…wings of love.

The Decision: Ali, again very sad-faced, enters the photo room crying like she is sitting in the hotel hallway or something. After going back and forth, she finally reaches a decision. She will return to work…(someone pointed out to me and I was thinking the same thing…fun to work with her that next Monday.)

The Result: Ali gets in a limo and yells “What am I doing? Why am I leaving him?” Why do I have a funny feeling that you’ll pull another Ed and show up in Puerto Rico or whatever tropic region the other 4 are heading to next week? The previews show us that you call Jakers. Are the producers trying to pull one over on us? Uhm, I’m guessing yes.

The Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony Ever: Not dramatic at all. No crying, no questioning, nothing. WTF.

Please fill me in on what I missed with the first 3 hometown dates.

♥

Mandi

The 100th Dizzle Post...this one's about The Bach

2010-02-01T23:06:00.009-05:00

My 100th post, and how fitting…a session of Bitchy Bachelor Bullet Points.

This epi was pretty, pretty, pretty boring (in my best Larry David voice.) I will still talk about it of course.

The ladies and their pilot (flight instructing) prince are in San Fran – home of my friend, Jen. I’m glad she was not a part of this.

Tenley’s Date:

Jake – what the H is that turtleneck you are wearing? No.

“Tenley, I have a table for two set up on the roof.” Hey Jake, no you don’t. The writers or producers or someone that is not you set it up.

When asked by Jake what she would have changed in her marriage, Tenley answers that she would have jumped off the couch or run out of the kitchen to greet her ex-hubs. If that is all she did wrong, dude is a total a-hole (which he obviously was.) I would have so many more things to list than that…and I don’t even have an ex-husband.

Tenley then asks about the old “pilots are unfaithful” rumor. Jake says that the woman he marries will be the last one he looks at. Oh, that’s right…he’s not a pilot, he’s a flight instructor.

Jake wraps up the date with a super-iffy comment…"The kisses were magical.” Please don’t say that ever again. You’re not at Disney World.

The producers wrap up the date in the most awesome away possible... another super cool instrumental remix of OTWOL with lots of xylophone. Yeah, haven’t heard that word in a minute have ya?

Gia and Vienna's 2-on-1 Date:

Gia and Vienna learn that they will be going on the 2-on-1 date and a chest full of clothes shows up at the door. Tisdale says that “it was really sweet of him, it meant a lot.” Guess what…HE DIDN’T DO IT!

Jake is exactly the kind of guy I’ve been waiting to take home to my parents.” – Tisdale. Your parents like flight instructors, huh?

The girls show up to this 12th Century castle, and Jake is standing at the top of the stairs with the “Huh, how badass am I?” look. He even says “What do you think?” Again…IT’S.NOT.YOUR.CASTLE. Last time I checked, you weren’t faux flying 8 or 9 centuries ago…but what do I know? Maybe you’re a vamp. No, definitely not.

Before Gia and Jake began their gratuitous makeout session, Gia expressed how upset she was when one of the girls said that Jake let her put her legs on his lap. "I thought that was our thing. That really hurt me." Lame.

Most hilarious moment of the show: Tisdale scouring the castle with her lantern. Alas, she finally found Jake...and put her legs on his lap. EEK!

The date ends with Tisdale sneaking down to get in bed with Jake. He turned her away and that was that.

Corrie's Date:

BORING (and way too awkward to discuss), next. (I must admit, that I like that she is saving living with a bf and other things until marriage.)

Ali's Date:

Ali has become a serious villain to me. When she was yelling at Tisdale saying "How do you know I was acting like that at the last rose ceremony because of you?" Uhh, because you obviously were! She doesn't like Tisdale because she was talking about the other girls. Isn't that what you're all doing? Aren't you contestants on a reality dating show?
When Ali and Jake walked by that seagull with the crab...I would have freaked. I wouldn't have been able to concentrate on anything else. I know it's the circle of life, but poor crab.
Ali and Jake did have a cute little date...but she was at a serious advantage. She lives in San Fran (or SF, as Jake apparently calls it.)
Not a fan of the park scene. She was straddling him in a public place and eew with the tongues. Yuck!
They ran into the water and the only thing I could think was "why ruin those cute boots?" and "DID YOU SEE THAT AWESOME DOG?"
Before the rose ceremony, Tenley complains that when Jake says he's falling for all the girls, it breaks her heart. Sensitive and insecure as ever, Ali says "When I hear him say that, I think he's just talking to me." Really nice.

A few other random notes:

Jake is obsessed with touching all of the jewelry the girls are wearing. Weird.
Another comical production direction is the "Now, take each photo and stare intently while we waste time with a thoughtful voice over."
Corrie got booted...shocker. They didn't like each other. She thinks it would have been different if he wasn't dating 4 other women. Yep, I think that's a given. I really like her pretty hair.
Finally...HOMETOWN Dates next week. Love the Hometown Dates so much I'm capitalizing them like they are proper nouns. They are equivalent to the makeover episode on Top Model for me. Exciting.

Love y'alllllll.

♥

Mandi

P.S. HOW AM I SO BEHIND ON THIS? Check out Corrie's official blog here: http://ohsodandy.com/blog/

This week's B-word Bachelor Bullet Points (and a Mandizzle Giveaway!)

2010-01-26T00:29:00.009-05:00

Before I begin this heartwarming post, I want you all to enter the Mandizzle Giveaway on my gal Lizzie's blog - http://www.itsunbeweavable.com/. She is having a week long giveaway extravaganza and you can win something from my shop and some other gorg items as well.

On with my Bitchy Bachelor Bullet Points:

Dear Jake. Give.it.the.f.up with the motorcycle. That's probably not even you riding it! You're telling me you rode that thing all the way down the California coast? Sure you did, you are scared of heights and you are clearly too high above the ocean to feel comfortable on that ride.
This episode revolved around the girls taking buses (a la Rock of Love) down the California Coast to different outdoor locations that fit "the real Jake." As if I wouldn't have already bolted, I would have refused to take this trip. I hate road trips, I hate buses. No.

Gia's Date:

The first stop on the road trip is a pretty vineyard where Jake declares that he can't think of a better place to fall in love. Hmm...yep, I can. Anywhere inside probably. I bet mosquitoes are pretty bad at night there, and I can't deal with mosquites.
No to the Hide and Seek scene.
Gia and Jake play a super-fun game of Spin the Bottle and Surprise! The bottle lands on Gia! Shocking! Right before they start to kiss, Gia says "This is our first kiss." WHO DOES THAT? I shouted that out loud, don't worry.
In all fairness, Gia is really pretty and seems like she is nice. I like her. Oh, and when she declared her plans for the future, she said she wanted kids (including an adopted Chinese baby girl) and a pig. She had me at pig.
When Gia declared that she hadn't felt like this in "a year and a half" (which obviously isn't a long period of time), I was so relieved. Finally, a girl not gushing about how this is the most in love she's ever been in her entire life!
...and the date closes with a moving instrumental rendition of what else but...On the Wings of Loveeeee!

The Group Date:

This date actually looked really fun. I would have fun dune buggying and sand surfing.

I don't have much to say about this date except I'm pretty much obsessed with that pink wall in the room Tenley was in. Oh, and how could I forget Ashleigh saying she doesn't want to come across as desperate, yet she is basically trying to dry hump little Jakey during their one-on-one time. I could see her butt cheeks. About that.

Tenley gets the rose. Good - she is cute and sweet.
End scene...this time with a jazzy remix of OTWOL. They are writing Joel McHale's material for him.

2-on-1 Date (Ella and Kathryn):

Before I get into this, let me say how much I appreciate the dramatic direction the producers give these girls. "Hey Ella, go deeply reflect alone on the beach...but hey, we are going to shine this bright-ass light on you and film the whole thing. Make sure you think about what you are going to say in your voiceover while you're reflecting on how you might go home tomorrow."
This date was boring. SO obvious that he was going to send them both home. He had zero chemistry with either of them and was outright bored the whole time. Oh yeah, and they showed him burning the rose in that plaid shirt with the elbow patches (what are those for, anyway?). He is terrible at acting like he likes these girls...which is refreshing because douchey Brad Womack was just in love with all of them (and picked none of them.)
The actual rose burning scene was truly amazing. I was laughing like I was watching Superbad or something. The acting they are making Jake do is so hilarious.

A few notes on Ali:

I think I'm off of Team Ali. I get it that she doesn't like Tisdale and Tisdale sucks or whatever, but why does she feel like it is her duty to be so mean about it?
When Ali mentioned that if she went on the 2-on-1 date, and she had to take one for the team, she would...because she was sure she'd come back with the rose.
She is just so all-knowing and I'm over it.

The Rose Ceremony:

The rogue footage of Jake looking for Chris Harrison was awesome. I wish they would do a special episode of completely rogue footage.
Not surprised at all about who went home.
Again, annoyed with Ali being such a B at the end. Hopefully, just the way they are making her look.

Alright...sorry to go on and on, but this episode was just toooo good.

♥

Mandi

The Poppies! Vote Mandizzle!

2010-01-20T20:13:00.003-05:00

The Handmade World's virtual answer to the Grammies...The POPPIES! A fun awards ceremony for the Handmade Community, and I have been so graciously nominated!

Click over here to vote --->>>http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/2010/01/poppies-vote-no-3-accessories.html

Check out the beautiful site while you're there!

Thanks, friends!

♥

Mandi

Pilots are apparently afraid of heights.

2010-01-19T21:23:00.006-05:00

This is going to be short because I have been in bed all day (sore throat, achey, bleh) which affects my ability to think straight about issues as complex as The Bach.

Starting with Ashley Tisdale (Vienna)'s 1-on-1 date:

Producers, please stop making these girls spend hours on their hair and then put them on the back of that bike forcing them to have helmet hair. Let's be honest, they ride about 15 feet down the road and hop into a limo or SUV which will ultimately take them to wherever they are going.

A. Tisdale declares that she is in love with Jake before their date even begins. Right.

The date starts out as a fun helicopter ride, but takes a bad turn. The copter lands near a super-high bridge which overlooks a stream full of rocks. Tisdale learns she will be bungee jumping from this bridge. F YOU, later. Seriously, no way.

Jake soon admits "I'm terrified of heights." You're a pilot. He wasn't lying, though. I thought he was going to have a heart attack or start crying before they jumped (both of which I would have done.)

...but the jump happens, and is topped off with a Spiderman-esque upside down kiss. Jake mentioned that he'd never had a first kiss like this before. I'd surely hope not.

After the date, Tisdale declares that she's on Cloud Jake. Lame. Even lamer: "Jake's my Prince Charming. He's it. He's the real thing. " LAMEST: "This has been the best time of my life so far. The best day of my life will be when I marry Jake."

These chics really hate Vienna. They aren't showing why she is so deserving of the hatred, though.

Ali is really starting to bug me with her know-it-all, but I'm so sweet, 'tude. She also felt betrayed that Jake was going on another solo date with Vienna. Guess she thought the show was over.

Michelle will now get her own set of bullet points:

"I see myself as very attractive." - Michelle (We see you as psycho. Hopefully, the producers are just making you look that way).

"Our first kiss will be different. Soft, passionate, crazy, rippin' the clothes off." - Michelle

Did you catch the coconuts joke? About them being on her waiting for Jake? WTF.

"I'm not over dramatic or emotional. I really, really want a husband." Yep, we got that...and you're only 25.

After forcing herself onto Jake, she is upset that he didn't kiss her enough. Eventually she leaves before the rose ceremony and is quite upset because "everybody felt, certain people felt I was the girl." Sure they did.

With Michelle's departure...there goes the entertainment...but, I'll still watch.

The rest of the comedy date:

Stupid and boring.
Girls being catty.
More of Ali being a sweet know-it-all.
Tenley is really pretty.

Ella's date:

Not much to say outside of the fact that she wants she and Jake to be the next Trista and Ryan.
Don't think I need to even comment any further on this. Or anything else for that matter.

♥

Mandi

An Etsy Shopping Post

2010-01-15T01:41:00.011-05:00

As some of you may know, I moved into a new place a month and a half ago. I am definitely still in the middle of decorating.

Fine. I'm in the beginning of decorating...the only piece of furniture I have in my living room is my beloved CHOFA (It's not a chair...not yet a sofa. I'm singing these words out loud to a beautiful Britney Spears melody. Holler.)

I need to class this place up like whoa, and I'm not EVEN kidding. I took a looksy around Etsy, browsed through my favs, and found some things I need to order immediately.

♥

"softly ever after" - Set of 4 5x5 fine art photography prints from GabrielleKai
I actually want everything in her shop! I love the gorgeous colors - everything is so soft, and mostly pink. I am totally obsessed. Hooray!

♥

Pic 1 - "Poppies with Dragonflies" - Wall Art from PopWall
Pic 2 - "Flower Gathering" - Wall Art from PopWall
Pic 3 - "Bloom Variety" - Wall Art from byrdiegraphics
Since I rent, I want to get a few of these in different designs to stick in my studio and my bedroom. The best thing is that you can customize them in your choice of colors as well. There are so many of these I want, too!

♥

"Pink and Green Crystal Leaf Spiral Chandelier" from PinkPerch
This is probably meant for a baby's room...but I want to see it hanging in my house.

♥

"Tiffany's Blooms" - Wood Artwork by curiousmess
I have started prettying up my studio in pink and aqua. This would be a perfect match.

♥

Finally...something I've already purchased and can't wait for them to show up in my mailbox.

"Pink, Indubitably" - Paper Poms from PomLove
I got 10 of these in a mix of pinks, aquas, and white. Can't wait to get them! I think I mentioned that already.

Have a great Friday!

♥

Mandi

I know they didn't just play "On the Wings of Love"...

2010-01-12T03:00:00.010-05:00

Time for another edition of Mandi's Bitchy Bachelor Bulletpoints

I'm going to start this off by saying 3 important words. Butt. Crack. Rose. Am I the only one who noticed this? Jake went to give the precious Rozlyn her group date rose and he stuck the rose right in his butt crack. Eew. There are too many easy jokes that I want to make...but I will spare you.
The InStyle Photoshoot. Cute little segment. I felt bad for the Christina chic. You could tell that she felt super awkward, but, she really doesn't seem like that nice of a girl...or maybe she really was just uncomfortable.

Jake "chose" to take Ali on the first alone date of the season. The magical producers played "On the Wings of Love," Ali cried, it was just beautiful. Not. She does seem like a genuine girl, though, so I'm glad she's happy. Do I think she should be crying and saying she wants to marry this dude after one date? Absolutely not.
I love the makeshift headboards in the bachelorettes bedrooms. I love that fabric and almost bought it a few months ago. It's so pretty. Nobody has a clue what I'm talking about, so I will stop.
Vienna looks like Ashley Tisdale.

Rozlyn looks IDENTICAL to Ella from Melrose Place.

What was that letter that Elizabeth wrote? Eek. She is being portrayed as a B now, too.

Michelle? Crazy. For reals.
My Mom called me after the show and said after she saw the preview, she thought that Rozlyn was having an affair with another girl in the house. I must admit that I first thought that as well. Would have made for much better tv and that poor guy could've kept his job. I'm hearing now that Rozlyn just wanted to see her kid and they wouldn't let her. No matter what, I blame the producers.
Any new thoughts on who I think he will pick? I'm going to stick with my original three. I'm not feeling the girl named Ella on the show (not to be confused with Ella from Melrose Place lookalike, Rozlyn), but I think he likes her.

Alright done. Thoughts?

♥
Mandi

Just bought 'em...

2010-01-11T00:14:00.005-05:00

I haven't been buying much for myself lately...and by that I mean I haven't been buying clothes or shoes or makeup or any of those fun things. I went to get my hair done today (it was baaad...my stylist said she was going to call me and make sure I was ok!) I thought I might as well roll over to DS-DUB just to look around.

Of course they had these booties that I've been scouring the web looking for. I originally wanted them in purple, but they didn't have the purps in my size...so I went with black leathery-look instead. They are still beautimous if I may say so! These look just like them...just a different material.

Madden Girl Raleigh Bootie {{pic via Shoemall}}

I also picked up these flats because my current silver flats are getting gaaroosss. The color of these shoes? DRIZZLE. Like I could pass that up!

Rocket Dog Memories Flat {{pic via Zappos}}

Can we talk about The Bachelor for a second?

2010-01-05T23:43:00.004-05:00

Alright, I'll admit it...I love The Bach & The Bachelorette.

I've been a faithful watcher almost every season (I skipped Bob and Byron...most of Charlie, too), even though I understand it's fuh-ake. My friends and I at work even had a Bachelor Fantasy Draft during captain DB Brad Womack's Season. It was like fantasy football, only awesome. Nobody won since Brad decided that neither Deanna or Jenni were good enough for him. That's fine.

So, skip ahead to this wonderful season...I want to talk about it's amazingness for a minute. I'm gonna have to break out the bullet points fo real.

This season is appropriately titled "The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love." Cheese CHEESE CHEESE. The Bachelor, Jake, is a pilot...how cute and quirky is that title? CHEESE.
The first episode opened last night with a shot of Jake doing push ups and jumping rope on a rooftop next to an infinity pool. It appears that he is in Dubai, but the show claims he is in LA.
Chris Harrison - who I really do love - claims that this will be the most dramatic season of The Bachelor ever. I'm shocked, I really am. I wonder if the most dramatic rose ceremony in Bachelor history will take place this season as well...say, maybe every week?

Now onto the ladies.

WHY do the producers insist that they all have these gimmicks when they meet The Bach? Every single girl had to say something so dumb. I especially enjoyed the below exchange:

"Close your eyes, picture your favorite place, where is it?" - Chic

"Right here, right now." - Jake

"Oh, mine is snowboarding." - Chic

How insightful.

Where do the girls find these dresses? I really want to know, where would you even start looking for something like that? The one girl had boxes and boxes of them that her mother had been sending her.

Just how many spokes models are there in the world?
Thankfully the producers didn't cut out the best line in the whole show. When 29-year old Channy whispered something to Jake in Cambodian, I thought it would be another corny airplane line. Well, it was an airplane line, however, not corny. "You can land your plane on my landing strip anytime." Thank you, Channy. We will miss you.
Who would I pick as my early favorites? Uhm, this is going to be tough since I kind of tuned out after that girl walked into the room in that Frederick's of Hollywood Flight Attendant costume. Anyway, at this point I will say Ali, Elizabeth from Nebraska, and Tenley. As for who is having an affair with someone in the Bach house who is not Jake? Gia or Rozlyn. Jake probably likes Rozlyn. I will give a more accurate assessment next week.

Thanks for listening to my rant.

♥

Mandi

New Shop Items!

2010-01-02T23:39:00.011-05:00

Hi friends! I hope 2010 is going just wonderfully for everyone so far. I added a lot of new items to my shop today and will be adding more tomorrow. See below for some fun new mandizzle's!

The Prettiest Hair Pins

Girly Bouquet

Dreamy Pink

Raspberry Cream

Aqua Cherry Sparkle

Black Raspberry Blooms

NEW RINGS

the funky ring

the wild rose ring - Deep Coral

the wild rose ring - Purple

Frosted Shimmer Ring - Pink on Gold

Frosted Shimmer Ring - Clear on Antiqued Gold

the pom pom ring - Hot Pink the pom pom ring - Black

the dazzle ring - Turquoise

Lates 2009! Plus, 1999 flashback!

2009-12-31T23:09:00.006-05:00

With some 10 minutes left in 2009 and in this decade, I thought I would take a quick glance back on where I was 10 years ago in 1999 at this time...and it's pretty funny how different, yet how much the same things are:

Then: A senior in high school who had just turned 18.
Now: A 28 year-old who has had a real job (that I love) for almost 5 years.
Then: A lover of pink who was once told that no one over the age of 6 should wear the color.
Now: A lover of pink who is joined by many (yay!)
Then: A cheerleader.
Now: An accessories designer.
Then: Scared to move 30 minutes away for college.
Now: Live 3.5 hours away from home (and that's super far for me!)
Then: Waited in line at midnight for the release of the new *NSYNC cd (ok, that was actually 2001).
Now: Waited in line at midnight to watch New Moon with my Mom and Aunt.
Then: Would rather spend time at home with my family than go out.
Now: Would rather spend time at home with my family than go out (proof...New Year's Even and here I am spending time alone with Cooper, Cooper's friend Rocky and building some shelves for my sewing room. Also, occasionally Skyping with my parents. Nerd Alert? Maybe. I don't care.
Then: Annoyed people with my shortening of words (the word "whatev" specifically.) Oh, I also called everybody Dawg.
Now: Annoy people with my shortening of words (basically all words.)
Then: Obsessed with Carolina basketball...had only seen them play in person one time.
Now: Have seen Carolina win a National Championship in person!
Then: Lover of my family, my friends, animals, chocolate, staying up way too late, and basketball.
Now: Lover of my family, my friends, animals, chocolate, staying up way too late, and basketball.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful 2009, and I want to sincerely express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me this year...whether personal or Mandizzle-wise, I love you all and cannot thank you enough.

My wishes for the sweetest 2010 for you all.

♥ Mandi

P.S. I will try to find some embarassing 10 year-old photos to post. :)

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-26T22:17:00.004-05:00

Here is hoping that everyone had a wonderful holiday! I got to spend some time at home with my family, and it was around 50 degrees on Christmas...which was actually pretty nice!

Below are a few photos we snagged on Christmas Eve and Christmas:

My stud nephew Bradon and I. I love that look on his face.

Coop will let us dress him up like Santa and will even strike a pose. Such a good boy. :)

Birthday Wishes

2009-12-19T10:56:00.010-05:00

I've got all I could want on my birthday - I love my fam so much and I am so fortunate to be surrounded by such great friends and of course my little Coop.

My wish for you on my birthday is to enjoy 20% off everything in my store today only! Use the code BIRTHDAY when checking out. :)

In the meantime, I'm going to post some photos of things outside of my awesome fam and friends that make me smile:

Ice Cream Cake

I've said for at least 10 years that I'm going to go get a pig, monkey, and mini horse someday. Today is not that day...but it will happen!

My future husbands...of course {{yes, I'm 28 today...not 12}}

...and sleeping in. About to go do more of it even though it's almost noon! Yay!

Have a great day, and I will be back for more of my loves later.

What up, Elfster.

2009-12-17T23:48:00.006-05:00

To all of you who don't know what Elfster is, I sincerely suggest that you open your world to the magic that it beholds. Seriously.

A group of friends from work arranged a Holiday Gift Exchange and we used the magnificent Elfster to set the whole shindig up. It selects who everyone will be giving their gifts to, and it allows you to ask anonymous questions and create anonymous group posts. Pretty amazing stuff (it's much cooler than it sounds, I promise.)

Anyway, we had our exchange party tonight and it was totes fun. We had some drinks (I went away from my regular Dub Z and drank Orange Vodka and Cranberry. I suck at drinking), ate delicious food, and even though I was a Bumpit virgin, I ended up doing 3 Bumpit tutorials on a Flip cam (someone received them as a gift).

My little friend, Stoibs, drew my name and she got me this amazing gift set from Philosophy (because the girl knows how I love my baths.)

I literally used the stuff 5 minutes within walking in the door (after putting the trash out for the first time at my new place, yay!) and it.is.amazing. Thank you, little Stoiby!

Hope you've all had a great week!

♥ Mandi

P.S. Tomorrow is my last day at the age of 27. Any ideas how I should spend it? :)

CYBER MONDAY MANDIZZLE SALE!

2009-11-30T00:06:00.003-05:00

Hi friends! Check out the...

CYBER MONDAY MANDIZZLE SALE! HOORAY!

*Get $10 off of every $50 you spend + Free Shipping!

*All items come packaged in a pink gift box. If you need them wrapped separately or have any special instructions, please let me know.

*Sale lasts from 12:01am-11:59pm on MONDAY, NOV.30 only!

HAPPY SHOPPING!

Awesome Giveaway!

2009-11-24T19:33:00.004-05:00

Hi lovelies -

Visit the awesome chics at BonBon Rose to enter-to-win a Mandizzle scarf. They are so soft and I wear them all the time! (I mean the scarves, not the girls. :) )

Good luck and thanks for all of the love!

Mandi

We all dream of 7 Jeans...

2009-11-12T11:48:00.004-05:00

...and getting 40% off, yay!
Enjoy, lovelies!♥

No words...

2009-11-05T15:10:00.002-05:00

((Photo courtesy of vanityfair.com))

Embellished.

2009-11-01T18:06:00.003-05:00

I plan on creating, embellishing, and expanding the Mandizzle product line in the very near future. I've been slowly adding new pieces to my collections over the past few months. One project I've been working on for MONTHS are these tanks. Actually, I worked on most of these tanks nearly 7 or 8 months ago, but never got around to listing them in my shop.

They are really a beta version, but I wrangled the beautiful Kiley into posing in some quick photos. What do you think?

What's it like to hold a baby lion?

2009-10-26T00:07:00.003-04:00

((Me & Bella the Lion))

I found out last Sunday at my Mom's birthday party (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!). It wasn't a big blowout bash with circus creatures running around or anything, but it just so happens that someone we know in my hometown now owns one. Very long story. Anyway, the lion got to come over for a little bit and it was one of my the most precious things I've ever seen in my life (made me pretty sad, too, but that's a whole other post).

Am I too excited for New Moon?

2009-10-09T00:46:00.004-04:00

Not possible. So I made this lovely vampy collage of the Twinerds that I work with. Click on the image for full vampiness. :)

N.E.E.T. Mag

2009-10-06T00:47:00.003-04:00

Have you seen the amazing online mag, N.E.E.T.? Aside from being totally awesome, it's one of the most stunning websites I've seen.

I am so flattered to have had one of my shop items picked by Stephanie, the N.E.E.T. Editor, last week when she was an Etsy Guest Curator. It makes me hip-hop-happy!

Check it out HERE {clicky}!

Mandizzle blows out her first candle.

2009-10-01T23:19:00.018-04:00

Exactly one year ago today, October 1, 2008, the Mandizzle shop officially opened it's virtual doors to the public. I can't believe it!

The year whizzed by in a blur of chiffon and flowers, and I am so fortunate for the amazing things I've learned about my creativity, the business, and myself (I'm total cheese.) Above all, I'm incredibly lucky to have had the chance to encounter all of the wonderful people who have come into my world and truly changed my life.

It's not EVEN possible for me to express how thankful I am to have all of you. I am completely overflowing with gratitude for every single person reading this and the rest of the support system which has helped me along the way.

A few quick personal notes:

My Family - I love them all so much. From my Mom and Grandma spending countless hours helping me with anything and everything, to my Dad driving hours and hours just to spend time with me (and to dogsit Cooper and the neighbor dogs

while the rest of us were at an art show), to the rest of my family spreading the word about my business and always, always, always showing unconditional love. So lucky...love you all! P.S. Better thank Cooper, too. He never leaves my side - love my little furry man so much.

((We ♥ basketball. I still managed to sneak a Mandizzle in.)

My customers - I have always created, crafted, and decorated, but it wasn't until I started gaining such a loyal fan base that I realized how passionate I am about designing and sewing and simply making pretty things. I am completely obsessed with helping those who wear my designs feel

beautiful. I hope I've been able to do that with all of you wonderful ladies.

The Cleveland Handmade Family - Wow. This uber-talented and always witty bunch who have come together to form this brainstorming, marketing, promotional, support group are THE BEST. They were all SO incredibly opening and welcoming and I still can't believe that Cleveland is big enough to house all of this unprecedented talent under one skyline...but it's true, it's true!

The ETT - For all of us who ljust love that crazy little Twitter bird, we've joined together to help each other promote our Etsy shops and more. Despite the fact that most of us have never met in person,

the overwhelming support for each other is truly a beautiful thing. When the team got word that one of our dearest members, Joyce Richards, was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer, the love and selflessness shown by the team was just touching.

Kristin & Brandi at Vessels and Jewels - I am such a huge fan of these two designers/fashionistas. They've been so supportive of my work from very early-on, and I love them for that. If you are ever in New Hampshire, make sure you visit their adorable store (which is sure to have an awesome color of paint on its walls.)

Christina Edward-Hernandez - Christina, hands-down, put together the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen (and people all over the internet agree.) I am so thankful that she allowed me to design the hairwear for her wedding, and am now fortunate to call her a friend and fashion buddy. A special shoutout to Shawna Herring for taking the most beautiful photos EVER and allowing me to use them.

((Christina knows how to waaa-ork it.))

Miss "Unbeweavable" Elizabeth & the ladies at The Brightside Project - I truly believe that word-of-mouth is easily the best form of Marketing when it comes to starting a new business. Elizabeth (who has also become a great friend...she makes me laugh loud and often) and the awesome girls at The Brightside Project, have posted the most flattering re

views and opinions about my designs...and their opinions really do matter to their readers. They really breathed a new voice into my products. You can only say so much about yourself! :)

((Do NOT mess with Liz or her fantabulous hair.))

YOU - Once again, thank you so, so much. All of your love and kind words are the foundation of Mandizzle and I hope I am able to give you at least a fraction of the happiness you've given to me.

I have so many fun things in store for the coming months. Within a few weeks, I will not only be unveiling tons of new designs, but also an expanded product line including more jewelery and clothing. YAY!

Most exciting of all, the new mandizzle.com will be opening up in a few weeks. SO EXCITED.

Thanks again - it's been a great year!

♥Stay Pretty,

Mandi

A new Mandizzle Giveaway

2009-09-30T01:41:00.004-04:00

Hey y'all (I don't say that, but I just did)! Please check out the incredibly fashionable and always hilarious blog of Miss Lizzy at It's Unbeweavable. Not only is she super cool, but she is sooooo sweet, lovely, and...on top of all that...she and I have partnered up to give away an item of your choice to my shop. Yay!

((Uhm...hello gorgeous girl!))

Seriously, click THIS LINK right now, follow her fabulousness and enter! I bet you will read the rest of her blog and be totes addicited like the rest of us. :)

Good luck!

P.S. Stay tuned for more awesome MandLizzleness. We have a lot of fun in store for the coming weeks!

My Fav '09 Emmy Looks

2009-09-21T01:46:00.006-04:00

I'm home to celebrate my Grandma's 70th birthday with my family this weekend, and it's been great seeing everyone and all of our pups (and my brother's cat...who absolutely hates me and little Coop. Oh well.) More on that later.

While it's still fresh in my brain, I wanted to post some favorite looks from the Emmy's...the fashion is (obviously) the best part, and it was fun to watch and swoon with my Mom and Grandma. So agree or disagree, here goes:

My Favorite

Sandra Oh

Everything about her look is absolutely stunning. She always looks super-classy, but she really stepped it up a notch without overdoing it in her Marchesa.

More Fabs

Lindsay Price

She is so gorgeous. I love the black accents on her J. Mendel with her dark hair. I always did think she was a tad too cool for Steve Sanders.

Perrey Reeves

Dang...how hot is Mrs. Ari? The cap sleeves and the sparkles are so pretty on her. (Dress: Naeem Khan)

Jennifer Love Hewitt

Ok, I've never been a huge fan of JLH, but I will admit that she is starting to seem a lot more normal to me and she really did look beautiful in this dress. I LOVED her hair. (Dress: Max Azria)

Alyson Hannigan

Vera Wang did her gooood.

JL and Jerry

I don't care what people say, these two are adorable together.

Ryan Kwanten

Jason Stackhouse should dress up more often.

Finally...the most obvious choice of all. JT.

♥♥♥

There were tons of lovelies & lots of pink. Can't go wrong there.

Who were your favs?

I love everything about this...

2009-09-18T10:10:00.005-04:00

Oh, Oscar De La Renta...if I were famous and had some sort of special occasion to attend...I would be wearing this dress in 2 seconds. The color (my fav), the ruffles (adorbs), the shirred bodice (so flattering). LOVE.

Let's be friends!

2009-09-17T23:50:00.004-04:00

I recently created my Facebook Fan page...and I would love for any interested readers to become a fan. It will make me quite happy! Just click the little Facebook icon below, or go directy to www.facebook.com/TheMandizzleCollection. Thanks, friends!

P.S. My official Mandizzle store website will be up and running very soon. I'm so excited! :)

A little laugh

2009-09-06T01:14:00.003-04:00

I was talking to my cousin Kelli today during a break at the Salty Not Sweet craft show and I asked her if she knows the name of our President. She responded "Obama" and I then asked if she knew the name of our VP. She wanted a hint, so I said "His first name is Joe."

Her response?

"JONAS?"

Yes, Joe Jonas.

Maybe it was from sleepiness, but I laughed for a good 5 minutes. :)

This made me smile!

2009-08-27T22:56:00.005-04:00

I recently received this message from one of my customers in Spain. It is SO CUTE, because she doesn't speak much English, but she still took the time to use an online translator to send me her note. What a sweet, sweet person. I will definitely be saving this one!

Hello Mandi,
I write to you with an automatic translator, because my level of English is of most basic, so I hope that you understand to me.
Your flower has arrived to me and it has seemed me a wonder. I am very contented with her and I am the envy of all the friendly have seen that it. Equal arrives more asking to you from my city, jaja. The unique problem is that I have the very small head and I have had to him to put a little tape, like a finger and means, more or less.
I put me the other day in the previous celebration to the wedding of my friend and was the sensation, so thanks again. It is possible that in September or October it requests another one to you, because fodder to collect them. Very many kisses and thanks again.

Coop is all better!

2009-08-25T20:46:00.014-04:00

As you may or may not know, Cooper has just recently gone through a mini-trauma. This experience has really shown me how much tougher dogs are than humans...if this would have happened to me, I would be sedated in a bed somewhere.

What happened, you ask...

I took Coop for a little haircut/blowout action last Thursday (he had some mats and was in major need of a grooming sesh). Three hours later when the groomer called me to pick him up, his haircut was adorable, but he was acting super strange. We got in he car and he wouldn't open his eyes, and wouldn't for the rest of the night. I figured they were just irritated, so I put a wet washcloth on both eyes, hoping that would open them up overnight.

The next morning I woke up and he was still unable to open his eyes. He was bumping into things, and I was majorly worried by this point. When I got to work on Friday, I called the groomer and asked her what happened. She said she put a super-strong shampoo (flea-preventative) under his eyes, but used an eye wash. She suggested I should hold his head under the faucet. I didn't really like this suggestion, so I called Coop City Dancer's vet and they said to bring him in immediately.

When we got to the vet's office, she took him to the back and put dye in his eyes in order to see if the shampoo damaged his eyes at all. When she came back she said "I have no good news for you, you need to get on the phone with this groomer" and turned the lights out. She shined a light on Coop's eyes and told me a green glow on his eyes would indicate damage. Well...both of his eyes were entirely green. I kind of freaked at that point.

Dr. Anita told me that the shampoo had BURNED THE CORNEA ON EACH OF COOPER'S EYES. I started crying.

Dr. Anita said that the eyes may heal on their own or could require surgery. Coopac Shakur and I left the vet's office with eye drops and a lovely E-Collar (lampshade/cone) in tow. Coop wasn't allowed to be out in the sun and had to wear the lampshade at all times. I immediately called my Mom, and she was ready to kick some grooming butt (she is much better at confrontation than me. Maybe 27 is too old to have your Mom calling and fighting your battles...but it's also a very effective method.)

After talking to both me and my Mom, the groomer agreed to pay all of the bills involving this situation and refunded the money for the grooming with no hesitation. Honestly, this was not about the money at all...I was just upset that this happened to Cooper and asked the groomer to stop using the shampoo on other dogs so this wouldn't happen again.

Anyway...here are some sad (and blurry, Blackberry) photos of Coop during the first 10 hours of his lamp shade period (referred to as L.S.P. from this point forward):

During the L.S.P., Coop became Houdini-like at working his way out of the E-Collar. Eventually, he became accustomed to it and didn't even try to fight wearing it. He actually used it as a tool to run into me sometimes, and it eventually became a carrier for the socks he steals. He also acted like I was trying to kill him the first time I put his eye drops in, but eventually he knew he would get a treat afterward, and would turn his head side-to-side so I could get the drops in each eye. So cute!

The below photo was taken Sunday night. I could tell he was starting to feel much better (notice the sock):

After work today, I took my little Boojie back to see Dr. Anita. She came in and told me that his eyes were basically healed and the progress was great. We were both so happy and the E-Collar came off immediately. I got to take it home in case I ever need it again (let's hope not!)

The photo at the very top and those below are from the A.L. (After Lampshade) period. I just took them a couple of hours ago. As you can see, he is much improved and I'm so happy my little guy is fine and his eyes are almost back to normal.

A new look...

2009-08-24T19:52:00.001-04:00

Hi all! As you can see, my blog has a pretty, new look thanks to Ria at Poppy and Me! It will resemble my new website which is coming VERY soon. :)

Christina's wedding - part 4!

2009-08-20T00:14:00.005-04:00

More beautiful Shawna Herring Photo's! I think Christina and every single person involved with her wedding is a model...seriously!

Christina's wedding - part 3!

2009-08-14T22:25:00.003-04:00

As always, photos credited to Shawna Herring Photography. :)

Christina's Wedding - Part 2

2009-08-12T17:20:00.008-04:00

More beautiful Shawna Herring Photos from Puerto Rico!

Check back tomorrow for more! :)

New Pink Laptops ARE Exciting!

2009-08-11T22:38:00.010-04:00

Ok, I know that you're not supposed to have any kind of "affection" toward THINGS...and most of the time this holds true for me. I really only love people and animal...however, I do LOVE the color pink and definitely love my new pink VAIO (I've wanted one for SOOOO long) that came in the mail today.

These photos really do not do it justice. The color is called "Cosmopolitan Pink" and it's a soft pink with a slight shimmer. No, I haven't taken the stickers off yet.

My friend Stephanie and I were basically freaking out when we opened up its pink wrapping and found that the keyboard, touch pad, and mouse buttons are all pink! A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

So far, I love everything about this compy...even the sound the keyboard makes when I type. Nerd Alert? Yes.

You can't see it in the photo well, but the upper left corner is engraved with a little "Mandizzle."

Sorry for this overall dorky post...but to me, a pink laptop is worth blogging about. :)

Christina's wedding - Part 1

2009-08-11T13:54:00.003-04:00

I'm going to warn you (well, it's not a bad warning, it's a delightful warning) - I'm probably going to post 9 gazillion photos of Christina and Carlos' wedding, because it was so amazingly beautiful and I'm so honored to have been a small part of it. As you can see, the photos are absolutely stunning...all credit to Shawna Herring Photography...what an unbelievably talented photographer!

Don't worry - there will be more tomorrow!

So great to see good friends...

2009-08-10T22:03:00.005-04:00

A few weekends ago, I was able to attend my good friend Amie's wedding. We met on our first day of college at OU, and I will never forget one of the first things she said to me: "When we met you, we thought 'that girl is so weird.'" I guess she was hooked to my weirdness, because we became really good friends...and I definitely don't get to see her as much as I'd like. She looked beautiful as expected, and I also got to see two of my other college biffs, Kelli and Allison.

I'm totes mcgizotes getting this...

2009-07-27T03:23:00.004-04:00

A couple of my friends and I talk in a super cool (or what most find to be super annoying) shortened (sometimes not shortened) language (example: the movie Definitely, Maybe is now Def Maybs. Totally Jealous has transformed into TBJ which is short for Tote Bags Jeal.) I've been doing this for years, and have collected others along the way that do it also. It just makes conversations a lot easier. My friend Stoibs and I (the creator of the amazing Twilight masterpiece from last week) can summarize a 500 page book in 2 seconds.

So...when I saw "I Love You, Man" in March, I was in love. It's like the writers listened in on my everyday conversations. It has got to be one of the top 3 funniest movies I've ever seen and I can't wait to get it when it's released in a few weeks. I'll totes watch it A.Tsquared (All the time.)

Puerto Rican Flowers

2009-07-23T23:31:00.002-04:00

One of my customers, Christina, gave me the wonderful privilege of creating the hair accessories for her Puerto Rican destination wedding. I've seen her dress, bridesmaids dresses, and flower girls outfits and they are all absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to see my creations tied in with her vision. Congrats, Christina!

Giveaway and Sleeping Bags

2009-07-22T02:19:00.008-04:00

The fantastical fabulousness of Liz from It's Unbeweavable is giving away a Mandizzle headband on her blog. Check out her awesome site filled with tons of beauty, fashion, and everything girly and enter-to-win while you're there! :)

P.S. Brooding and Pink are two of my favorite things. :)

Etsy Weekend Deals

2009-07-17T22:41:00.003-04:00

Etsy featured me in the weekend deals, hooray!

Have a great weekend, all!

Mandi Cullen

2009-07-17T11:49:00.003-04:00

I awoke to an email from my friend Stoibs titled "Mandi's Dream Date." I opened the file to find this lovely piece of work:

HAHA! I'm so pale that I suppose I could be a vamp. Even R. Patzz makes me look tan.

Love her...

2009-07-16T16:39:00.003-04:00

How cute is Melissa, even in her casual clothes?!

Eep Opp Ork Ah Ah

2009-07-15T17:36:00.002-04:00

...and that means I love you!

A few of us had this wonderful flashback today. George Jetson is a B.A. on the drums!

Featured in the Wedding Gift Guide on Etsy

2009-07-10T19:15:00.004-04:00

My item, the joyous, has been featured in the "Wedding Attire" Gift Guide on Etsy.

I'm excited to be in such a beautiful guide. So many pretty items!

Bradon's First Golf Outing

2009-06-23T23:59:00.007-04:00

I went home and got to spend a great Father's Day with my Dad and also got to see one of my Grandpa's.

Also, my brother Brant, took his son, Bradon golfing for the first time. Bradon looked adorable in his little mini-Tiger outift!

My new goal: prove National City wrong!

2009-06-18T01:37:00.001-04:00

I think this photo says it all.

Small Feature on handmadenews.org

2009-05-22T17:21:00.002-04:00

Happy Friday, all!

Vanessa at Handmadenews.org chose my item, the joyous, as the item of the day. Read about it here! :)

Have a great weekend!

Vote for me, if you please! :)

2009-05-19T11:13:00.002-04:00

Hi friends, Etsy has featured my headband, the siren, in one of their most recent polls. Thanks in advance for your vote or for at least reading this. :)

http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=50

I just bought this...

2009-05-16T00:32:00.006-04:00

...in pink of course! It's a gorillapod and is a bendy tripod. I hope it works, if not I'm sure I will find it amusing. It kind of reminds me of that small bad alien from Transformers.

gorillapod

Frenzy the Transformer (I placed a convenient arrow as to not confuse Frenzy and Shia LeBeouf)

One more pretty Bella picture...

2009-05-14T09:53:00.003-04:00

Bella in another Mandizzle headband (the dreamy) . She's so adorable.

Happy Birthday, Belli Button!

2009-05-13T17:21:00.007-04:00

My friend Dana's daughter turned one today...I present Miss Bella Marie Bail (wearing a Mandizzle headband. :) )

We took her out for an exciting first birthday lunch at Panera. She chose to put a sock in her mouth. It's her birthday...she could do what she wanted!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-11T01:43:00.009-04:00

Just a quick note to say Happy Mother's Day to all of the awesome Mom's out there (especially mine!) Love you, Mom! Also, Happy Mother's Day to my Grandmas and Happy Birthday to Mam Border! Love you all SO much!

Mam Border, Mom, Me in June '06.

Mam Derrow

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAM!

Doing some of her wonderful cleaning back in my first Cleveland apartment. Yes, she is standing on the counter - awesome!

Cleveland Handmade Challenge: May Flowers

2009-05-06T14:25:00.002-04:00

I am a member of the amazing Cleveland Handmade Team, and some of us are participating in the "May Flowers" Challenge where we each submit a design that reflects the challenge theme. I submitted one of my "flora" headbands. Please visit the link below and vote for your favorite. I won't be mad if you vote for me. :)

http://www.clevelandhandmade.com/?page_id=70

Take some time and look around the beautiful shops. There is a ton of talent in Cleveland!

Hey, Big Pup

2009-05-05T00:46:00.003-04:00

I was having a weird night (almost overdrawn in my bank account...went to deposit money at the atm and they were out of envelopes/went to return the too-small pants I bought on Saturday...left them sitting on my dining room table...bought the correct sizes anyway (didn't help the bank account situation) etc.)

Anyway, I walked out of the craft store where I had to pick up some things (it was only $13, but still didn't help my bank account) and I saw this big fella in this little car. It was so adorable. I know you can barely see him with my camera phone pic, but he (or she) was a pretty Great Dane, and cheered me right up. :)

So, what did you do this weekend?

2009-05-04T00:01:00.006-04:00

This was the first weekend where I haven't had some sort of work event going on in a few months...so what did I do with all of that time off? (Note: If you are looking for excitement and crazy stories, you may want to stop reading now.)

Friday (After Work)
*Napped

*Watched Slumdog Millionaire

*Watched Nick and Norah's Infinte Playlist

Saturday

*Went to Donato's with Scott and stuffed my face. So delicious.

*Went fabric shopping and made everyone in line angry because I had so much stuff for the lady to cut.

*Returned a shirt at the mall, and walked out with 2 pairs of pants, a shirt, 2 tanks, and a scarf (all for under $70 or $85 or something!) This was the first time I've purchased clothing for myself in MONTHS (basically.)

*Napped

*Watched the Bulls/Celtics game (kind of.)

*Went for a quick trip to the grocery store to get a few items (so I say, $101 later.) Literally haven't been there in at least a month, either.

*Watched Slumdog again

*Enjoyed a delicious Skinny Cow Chocolate Truffle Bar

*Watched Forgetting Sarah Marshall

*Made headbands until 6:00am

Sunday

*Made headbands ALL day

*Watched the Hawks/Heat game (kind of.)

*Watched Forgetting Sarah Marshall again

*Watched lots of reality tv

*Talked to my Mom on the phone...my Dad got on and told me that I needed to turn it on TNT to watch the amazing movie that was on. I later found out that it was Stomp the Yard, haha.

*Made a promise to myself that I would go to bed by 11:30pm (the time is currently 12:20.)

Now, that I've completely bored you - please let me know what fun you had this weekend! :)

Some New Springy-Sprang Shop Items

2009-04-29T15:12:00.009-04:00

This just in...

the bliss - White/Pink

the celaya

the flora - Special Edition

the fab - Pink Stripe

the fab - Special Edition

I hope you like them...I think they are a nice, big breath of fresh, Spring air! :)

Another Great Photo!

2009-04-24T22:39:00.001-04:00

Arna is a beautiful Australian and she looks so pretty in her Mandizzle headband! :)

Look how pretty!

2009-04-21T15:55:00.004-04:00

When people love something I make, needless to say, it makes me very happy. When someone sends me a photo of them wearing something that I've made that they love...it makes me even more happy! (Sorry for the almost run-on sentences there.)

Below are a few photos of one of my beautiful customers, Kristin, wearing the luna. How cute are she and her pup?! P.S. Kristin and some of her co-workers//friends have an etsy shop - b. Company - filled with beautiful jewelry. Check it out!

Some more new shop items...

2009-04-18T23:49:00.008-04:00

I know I've been a little absent lately, but I thought I would pop in and post some more new items from my shop. :)

the imperial

the rustic

the floppy bow (as seen as the Final Four! :) )

the dreamy - Gray//White Polka Dot on Mint

the dreamy II - Royal Blue on White//Silver

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Happy Easter!

2009-04-12T23:01:00.006-04:00

I hope everyone had a great Easter! I really wanted to make it home to see my family, but I had to work until 11 last night, so it wasn't really that possible. :(

I got some surprise Easter gifts from my family on Friday. My Mom and Dad got me the pink Chuck's I blogged about a few posts ago and some super cool pink sunnies (as seen below in one of my pics.) That was so sweet of them!

...now for some new items I posted in my shop today:

the dreamy - royal blue on red

the lucky - Bright Pink

the airy - Carolina Blue and Navy

the bliss - Ivory//Pale Yellow

the candy clip - Hot Pink

Happy Birthday, Cooper!

2009-04-09T23:29:00.004-04:00

Before the day ends, I wanted to officially wish my little furry bundle a Happy 1st Birthday! Love you, Coopie!

Final Four - Championship Game!

2009-04-09T21:42:00.006-04:00

Ok wow. I went back to Detroit on Monday to watch Carolina in the championship. I never ever dreamed I'd be able to do this. It was so amazing...plus, I got to see One Shining Moment live...starring the Heels! A few photos from the awesome experience:

Scott and I before the game...I talked him into wearing Carolina Blue. :) My friend from work, Jason, and me. Jason is a MSU grad, so it was interesting that we were sitting beside each other. My friend Jeff and me. This was his first "real" college basketball game. I'm pretty sure it can only go downhill from here...unless they start giving out money to the fans or something.Larry Bird and Magic Johnson handed over the game ballThe Starting 5 The Tip MJ was inducted into the basketball HOF at halftime. John Stockton, David Robinson and a few others were there to be inducted as well.Cut to the end...CAROLINA - NATIONAL CHAMPS!Yay Wayne! MVP!

I made sure that Ray Ray was there in some form. That's my lucky Carolina shirt.

Final Four - Semi's.

2009-04-06T01:03:00.004-04:00

I HAVE to get in bed, but here are a few photos from the Semifinals of the Final Four. It was so awesome to be able to not only go to the Final Four, but to go with my family AND see Carolina play...and win!

Mom and I posing with one of the first Carolina signs we saw.

BDid and I getting ready to go in!
Brant, Mom, me and Dad

The tip.

Final Score

...and finally. Peanut the Dog.

Coop's Day at the Beach

2009-04-01T22:49:00.008-04:00

Well, we were only there for a half hour - but it was still nice. Coop and I visited the beaches of Lake Erie for a little walk since it wa so nice out this evening!

Chipotle

2009-03-31T22:32:00.003-04:00

I don't know why I'm posting this...it won't matter. I am completely obsessed with Chipotle, and I will admit it. A few years ago, I would eat there 3-5 times a week. Now, I only visit 1-2 times...but that's probably still too many. Ok, obviously it's too many (just look at the nutrition facts below for what I eat.) I'm WAY too careless about my food intake, but these fatty, salty facts probably still won't sway me away.

Look at all that protein! That's what a vegetarian like me needs. It's settled - it's too healthy to give up. :)

Oh, P.S. - you can (if you dare) generate your own at www.chipotlefan.com.

VEGGIE BOL

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

Calories 455

Cal from Fat 215

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 23g

35%

Saturated Fat 13g	63%
Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 70mg

23%

Sodium 1240mg

52%

Total Carbs 44g

15%

Dietary Fiber 3g	12%
Sugars 9g

Protein 16g

Vitamin A	0%	•	Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	0%	•	Iron	0%

*	Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

INGREDIENTS: Tomato Salsa,Corn Salsa,Rice,Cheese,Sour Cream,Lettuce

VEGGIE BURRITO

(That dang tortilla will get you everytime)

Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

Calories 0

Cal from Fat 0

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 0g

Saturated Fat 0g	0%
Trans Fat 0g

Cholesterol 0mg

Sodium 0mg

Total Carbs 0g

Dietary Fiber 0g	0%
Sugars 0g

Protein 0g

Vitamin A	0%	•	Vitamin C	0%
Calcium	0%	•	Iron	0%

*	Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

INGREDIENTS: Tomato Salsa,Corn Salsa,Rice,Cheese,Sour Cream,Lettuce,13" Tortilla

A few more new items...

2009-03-30T21:07:00.005-04:00

A few more items I added to my shop today. :)

the sunflower

the dreamy//Special Edition

the bloom - Tangerine

the candy clip - Azure Blue

Tagged!

2009-03-30T16:24:00.002-04:00

1. Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your own invention; add a question of your own.

2. Tag eight other un-tagged people.

*What is your current obsession? Sewing, Carolina (the Heels), and Twilight of course!

*Do you nap a lot? Whenever I can get one in. I have the oddest sleeping habits.

*Who was the last person you hugged? Scott or Cooper.

*What’s for dinner? Don’t know, but I had Liquid Planet for lunch and it was sooo good. Veg-Out…Yum!

*What was the last thing you bought? A new camera and a batch of business cards. What are you listening to right now? People around the office talk about work things.

*What is your favorite weather? I like mid-70ish. I love when the weather first starts getting warm in Spring…before it gets hot.

*What’s on your bedside table? An OSU football helmet (not by choice), my glasses, and my berry.

*Say something to the person/s who tagged you. You are so sweet and I love reading your new posts!

*If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? If everything was paid for and I didn’t have to work…probably near my family!

*Favorite vacation spot? I’ve only been once, but I loved the Bahamas.Name the things you can’t live without. Non-people/animal related. A bathtub (love baths), chocolate, email, naps.

*What would you like to have in your hands right now? A billion dollars and a snack. Oh, and tickets to the Final Four.

*What would you like to get rid of? My lack of energy.

*If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? Home to see my family!

*What did you want to become as a child? A teacher, a journalist, an then an optometrist

*What do you like better, e-mail or telephone calls? Email – I hate talking on the phone for the most part.

*What are you currently reading? Still trying to finish My Sister’s Keeper, but I never have time to read.

*What is your favorite ice cream? Ben and Jerry’s Phish Food.

*What is one April’s resolution that you’d like to try to start and keep? Working out/sleeping more!

I'm going to tag - Marenna/Annika, Dana, Lauren, Ms. Stonz, LazyT, Angela, Rhea

A few new items...

2009-03-29T21:04:00.005-04:00

First of all - YAY CAROLINA! Final Four!

Some new items added to my shop today...

the wonder - ivory//gold on wine

the lucky - soft pink

the bloom - Bright Yellow

The Mandizzle "I Want List" - #1

2009-03-28T22:31:00.009-04:00

So, I will never get most of these things (maybe a nail polish...or two), but I can still want them, right?

BRIGHTS

#1 - Gypsy Chandelier - $139 - Dutch by Design//I.need.this.

#2 - Tropical Bracelet - $12 - erinkeys @etsy//This just puts me in a good mood.

#3 - Brights by OPI Nailpolishes - Atomic Orange/Gargantuan Green Grape/Blue My Mind/Need Sunglasses?/Charge Up Cherry - $8.50 and lower - OPI

#4 - murasaki dress - $350 - mutsuko @etsy

#5 - Oh Snap - $69 - hotellemotelle @etsy//I've wanted this for a few months. It's so adorable.

#6 - Porcelain Cup and Saucer - $23 - tip-top living//Ok, so I would probably sit this on my desk and drink water out of it, but I would look fairly classy doing it.

#7 - The Original PETaPOTTY - from $199 - PETaPOTTY.com//I'm the worst dog-trainer ever. My dog is almost a year old and is still doing his business on the carpet. Well, this would totally solve my problem. Or I could let him out more.

#8 - Chuck Taylor All Star by Converse - Pink/Carolina -$45 - Zappos//You can never have too many pair of these babies.

A feature and a giveaway!

2009-03-21T07:50:00.004-04:00

The girls over at The Brightside Project are so awesome. They were kind enough to write a feature on my headbands, and I'm floored by how sweet the whole thing is. If you'd like to check it out, hop on over to this site: http://www.thebrightsideproject.com/2009/03/the-bright-side-project-11-designer-21-mandi-derrowmandizzle.html

Also, they are giving away something from my shop, so make sure you enter! :)

Finally - a pic from our Conan encounter.

2009-03-18T15:06:00.003-04:00

He was such a nice guy, and wished the Cavs good luck (even though we weren't supposed to tell anyone in Boston that. :) )

Wow, a newspaper gave me some press! :)

2009-03-12T12:02:00.003-04:00

It may be a little vain, but I have google alerts set up for my Etsy shop...just to let me know if it ever gets mentioned or anything.

Well today, I got an alert and saw this bit from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. I was so excited! :)

http://www.star-telegram.com/458/story/1253788.html

VOTE FOR COOPER!

2009-03-05T14:10:00.002-05:00

Go to : http://www.lakeeriemonsters.com/topdog/ and vote for my little Coop City Dancer!

Thank you! :)

Chiming in on the Bach...

2009-03-04T20:42:00.005-05:00

Alright, so the moment that Melissa Rycroft stepped out of the limo on the first episode of the Bachelor, I basically screamed.

Melissa is my favorite Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader of all-time. Is it weird that I have one of those? Yes, maybe. She is my favorite because she was so cute and fun on the reality show. When the DCC's visited Cleveland for a Lake Erie Monsters game last year, I was super excited - but unhappy that Melissa didn't come. See below for an example of my friend Stephanie and I in one of our many stalkerazzi photographs. :)

Anyway, I totally knew that she would "win," but what a Doucheschnoggle Jason is for dumping her. Oh well, I don't think they were a great fit anyway...he is probably a nice guy - but not that nice if he did that to her on national television. Also, some of my friends brought up a great point...why does everyone run at him and basically attack him when they see him? He must smell like chocolate or something.

Hey, did you hear about that new pirate movie?

2009-03-01T04:56:00.001-05:00

It's rated ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. (That's the only joke I know)

...and it starts at 4:57am.

This is becoming embarrassing for all involved.

2009-02-28T05:17:00.003-05:00

5:17 am.

This is worse than that time I joined the Fitness Challenge at work to get in shape and ended up gaining 7 pounds.

Lent Day 2

2009-02-27T01:54:00.002-05:00

Time: ~~1:54am~~ 2:32am
Status: ~~Fail~~ FAIL

Yay! Front Page for the first time!

2009-02-26T17:19:00.001-05:00

Exciting! :)

Another Treasury

2009-02-26T10:25:00.006-05:00

I want Spring to comeeeeeee........

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=42142

Day 1 of Lent

2009-02-26T01:56:00.004-05:00

So I won't be keeping an everyday schedule of this (unless it for some reason helps).

I'm not Catholic - born and raised a Methodist. Anyway, my friend at work asked me what I gave up for Lent. I explained that I'm not a Catholic, and she proceeded to inform me that "Lent isn't just for Catholics". Come to think of it, I remember those folders that we had for quarters when I was little at church.

So...everyone agreed that my new goal should be to be in bed earlier. My goal time was set at midnight. Well, here it is...2:00 am and definitely not in bed.

Just wanted to confess. Or maybe I meant 12:00 am in Mountain Time. My friend that suggested it IS from Colorado. Hmm.

I love my dogs!

2009-02-24T20:56:00.012-05:00

My whole family is crazy for animals...we currently have and have had some great pets over the years. Stray dogs, cats, and even some little rabbits have found refuge in our home and my Grandparents' homes.

Olli (Olls McGraws)

When I was in college, my parents surprised me with my first dog, a Yorkie - Olli - for Christmas. They thought I was too immature to have a dog (which I was), but I reasoned by saying that my brother had a baby, so I could have a dog...great argument, I know.

My whole family and I fell in love with him. He lived with me some at school, but mostly stayed with my parents. One day soon after summer break had started, I was at home listing some clothes on ebay and Olli was laying on the bed beside me. I looked over at one point and noticed that he had gotten sick and was just laying pretty much motionless. I ran and got my parents immediately, and we hopped in the car and drove 45 minutes to Chillicothe to meet a vet. He told us there was nothing he could do at that point and instructed us to drive another hour to Columbus to the 24-hour emergency vet clinic. So, we arrived at the emergency clinic around 11:30pm and dropped him off. The Doctor gave us some hope, and we wished for the best. We sat in the waiting room for 5 or 6 hours. My Dad wouldn't even come inside because the situation was so upsetting...he sat in the parking lot in a lawn chair. I can remember reading every pet magazine I could imagine, and learned everything I'd ever wanted to know about the Sphynx cat. I also remember that the "My Immortal" song by Evanesence was playing when the nurse finally called us into a room. It was 4 in the morning, and she called us in and sat a box of tissues in front of us. The doctor then came in and told us that Olli had suffered cardiac arrest and wasn't strong enough to handle the surgery. He was only 8 months old to the day.

That hour and a half car ride home was the longest trip of all time. We were all so unbelievably devastated over those 2 precious pounds. We still think about him and miss him so much. We love and miss you , Olli!

Sugar (Boogie Bear)

About two months after we'd lost our little Olls McGraws, even though we were all still incredibly upset, I went out and bought a Westie puppy. When I showed up at my house with Sugar, my parents weren't exactly ecstatic...but I did promise that she would stay in Athens with me at school and they wouldn't have to take care of her. Two and a half months later, she was evicted from my apartment and took up permanent residency with my parents. They LOVE her. She is pretty amazing!

Today, Sugar is 4-years old, and had to get surgery to remove stones from her bladder. We were all, of course, pretty nervous - but it was supposed to be a fairly easy surgery. This afternoon, my Mom called to check up on Sugar's condition, and the vet told her that her heart had stopped beating at the beginning of the surgery. They had to put her on an IV, and thankfully, she came out of it. Currently, she is in pretty good condition, but staying overnight just to make sure.

I called my Mom to check up on Sugar, she told me that she was doing well, but also told me about the earlier problems. While relieved that she was doing better, this pretty much set us both off, and I started bawling at work. Even though she was ok, it was terrible to think that it had been so bad at one point. I'm so thankful she made it through the surgery and is still here with us! She now has to stay away from our Black Lab, Kobe, for two weeks and my parents have to ensure that she isn't too active. They will take great care of her. Anyway, some may think it's crazy to get so worked up over a pet, but they are little, furry parts of our family. :)

Cooper (Pooper, Poops, Coop City Dancer, Detroit Coop City, etc.)

In lighter news, my latest addition, Cooper, who is a Silky/Maltese rescue dog and lives here in Cleveland with me, discovered himself in the mirror last night. See the video below, he really wanted to beat himself up! It was quite amazing.

My New Headbands

2009-02-16T22:10:00.007-05:00

Hey all! I've been working on some new headband styles for a few weeks, and I finally got to post them yesterday and today. There are still more to come, but I thought these were a good start. Let me know what you think! P.S. Happy Belated Valentine's Day to everyone!

the airy

here

the braidy

here

the dreamy

here and here

the dreamy II

here and here

the knotty

here