Domestic Geek

With Mother's Day right around the corner, this time of year always makes me think about my mom. It's been 11 years since she passed away. I remember my mother always loved getting carnations for Mother's Day. She thought that they were less pretentious than roses and they lasted longer. They also have a lighter smell and there are no thorns. It turns out that they were the appropriate flower for her as carnations are the flower of her birthday month (she was born in January). I guess since she loved them so much that's why carnations are one of my favorite flowers, as well. I really love mixed flower bouquets, though; especially arrangements with lilies and irises in them. I love variety and color.

I keep seeing ads for ProFlowers and wish that she was still around so that I could send her some. Since the flowers are delivered fresh from the fields, they would last even longer than those I used to bring home from the grocery store for her. Did you know that you can support breast cancer research when you order certain floral arrangements from ProFlowers? They have a line called The Pink Ribbon Collection, 10% of the sale price going to The Komen Foundation.

Speaking of flowers, the lilac bushes outside should be blooming soon. I love how the smell of fresh lilacs just fills the house.

This is a Sponsored Review.

When we were out for our weekly Saturday evening dinner date, my friend Nina told me about a great t-shirt that I would probably like to have over at Jinx. She mentioned it was about knitting and the Jolly Roger. I was picturing the "knit or die" shirt they had on Gilmore Girls, but this one is way more cool!

For many people, their pets hold a special place in their hearts. Finding unique gifts for those people and their pets is easy when you visit Big Paw Designs. Founded in 2002, they specialize in quality, hand-crafted, made in the USA charms, accessories and gifts for pampered pets and their owners. They have a little bit of everything for dogs, cats & humans: pearl collars, pewter charms, keychains, earrings, magnets, frames, treats, toys and so much more. I'm thinking of purchasing a book to make homemade dog treats.

What is truly special about this place is the line of items geared towards "resuce" animals and their parents. I'm a strong proponent of rescue groups and admire those whose utmost concern is the wellbeing of animals and finding them a loving home.

They also get involved in various charity and relief efforts. They currently are offering a special pewter charm or keychain called the "Woof Fleur de Lis," a part of the whose proceeds benefit a very worthy cause — animal rescue efforts in New Orleans.

The site is more than just a store, it's a community. There are contests, links to rescue organizations, a blog and even a pet birthday club. Add them to your list of places to go for information, gifts and supplies for your pets or those who love them.

I picked up a couple of small things on my way home from work a couple of weeks ago at Meininger Art Supply over at 6th and Broadway. I didn't notice the bag at first because I had other things on my mind. After I got home and was taking my purchase out of it, I noticed the awesome art printed on it. I just had to scan it to share:


Isn't it cool? The design was made by Denver artist Bill Amundson. He's going to be doing a demonstration of his color pencil technique on April 14th. I need to check that out. I haven't drawn with colored pencils since school I'm actually quite good at it. Anyway, I wouldn't mind a print of that on my wall. I wonder if they sell prints of it? I'll have to check next time I stop in.

I need new shoes. Bad.

Some days at work I spend the whole day on my feet and by the end of the day my feet are killing me. I'm one of those weird women who absolutely hates to buy shoes. My feet have weird needs and it's rare that I find a style that feels good. I currently have two pairs of Skechers. One style that I really like that I broke the thing that holds the laces off, so I can't wear those anymore. The second pair that I have been wearing don't support my arches well enough. Luckily, we have a Skechers outlet close by, and that's where I usually buy my shoes. Well, Marcus and I went in there yesterday and of course they don't have my size in the style I usually buy. The place was so freaking packed that I couldn't stand to be in there to look if there was another style that would work.

I found out there was a Skechers store in the Cherry Creek mall, so I figured I'd stop by there on the way home from work. Well, it's one of those lame mall-type shoe stores where you have to get a clerk to help you because all the shoes are in the back and there was no prices on any of the shoes. You know what that means...expensive. So, I sucked it up and went back to the outlet. Still no shoes in my size of the style I waned, so I found three other styles I could probably live with and STILL NO SHOES IN MY SIZE! WTF? Have I got the most popular size foot or something? I looked at shoe styles I wouldn't dream of buying and still no shoes in my size. I think there were like two pairs total in my size and they were way too much money. *sigh*

So, I decided to go home and order them online. Yeah, the style I usually buy is $15 more per pair online that at the outlet. How freaking lame is that? So, I guess my feet get to keep hurting until they get my size in stock.