Monday, August 27, 2012

Conspiracy Theory: Did everybody decide to skip a month and not tell me about it?

Is it just me or does it feel like we lost a month or something? I can't believe summer is over! I came to school yesterday and peeked at my classroom. Yikes. It was weird because I felt like it's been forever since I was there but then it also felt like it was just yesterday when we had our end of the year parties. 



I'm trying to shake away my summer-is-ending blues and so I'm thinking about some of the things I'm looking forward to in the months ahead. There's the 20 new three year olds coming to my class, my new teaching partner, the gorgeous fall colors, and August ending also means that we're a month closer to snowboarding season! Eek! 

I've also asked my friends from the Maryland Promotions Team what they're looking forward to for the fall. Any of you share the same sentiments?

        "Haha! My kids going back to school! That's a no-brainer! Seriously, though, I'm 
            sketching my third novel now and hopefully I will start writing in earnest once my kids 
 are back in school and I have the house to myself again.Here's a pic of 
   my babies' first day of school last year.
 - Laura from Rockefeller Crystal




"I always feel like Fall really begins with my favorite show of the season. 

It's a two day show. (Anne Arundel County Craft Fair) I set up on Friday night, 
drive to 'work' (show) Saturday morning, go home, go back to 'work' Sunday ... 
so all weekend I talk to people about rocks and jewels and create when the quiet moments 
present themselves. This show reminds me that dreams are within reach 
~ just keep working hard and never stop reaching! 


But I must say ... the best part of Fall ... 
every moment I get to spend with my 2 amazing Grandsons!!! Okay ... t
he rest of the family counts too. But those boys are my reward for 
                                                       surviving 4 kids and the teenage angst years!!" 
- Janet from A Gems Journey and Janet's Fun Jewels

                                    



"I'm looking forward to as many days off of school the calendar will allow,
 and RAVENS football! Go Ravens!
- JoAnn from I Sew Munch Time



"I am looking forward to the crisp, cool weather and colorful leaves. 
Fall weather is great scarf weather! I love looking at the trees with all the different colors. I
 also enjoy looking at the details in each individual leaf. 
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, so I am looking forward to that as well. 
I have a large extended family and we always get together on that day. 
Good times and good food! Can't complain about the beginning of football a
nd hockey season also! Fall is my favorite time 
of year of all of these reasons!

And I'm also gonna be an Aunt for the 3rd time!"
- Meezan from Stringtown Beads


"Since I live at the beach, I am most looking forward to the town 
clearing out. I am also looking forward to not working full time for 
someone else. When the summer season ends this year, 
I plan to work full time on my etsy shop 
and doing some art/ craft shows."
- Mary from Seaside Siren

*****
Last 2 days of the Maryland promotions team Fall sale. Check out these 4 wonderful shops plus 30 more. Use coupon code MDFIAS to take advantage of this awesome deal. 
*****


How about you? What are you looking forward to this fall?


<3,
Mary


Tuesday, August 21, 2012

A-a-a-arm Party!!!

Hello, beautiful!

So remember that bracelet I'm wearing in my previous outfit post? That was from the Arm Swag Party hosted by Leonora from Yellow Heart Art and Ilene from Much Love, Illy. [side note: How cool is that? A blogger named Illy! Hers is a nickname by her boyfriend but I still thought it was super cool. I tweeted her about it and told her it's a sign that we should be friends. Lol For those of you who don't know, I have 3 first names - Mary Suerische ILLEE. I'm pretty sure our Illy(Illee)'s are pronounced the same way and it's not a name you come across with everyday. ;)] 

ANYHOO. Back to the..................


Basically, it's an exchange gift of awesome arm bling. You get paired up with another participant and boom! You got yourself a new friend and of course, a new bracelet. 

My partner is awesome momma Alli from Life On Leroy


When I got my mail from her, the first thing I noticed was she used The Incredibles stamps. That's when I knew she's ultra cool. We've exchanged a few emails the past month and I quickly learned I'm not mistaken. She's cool and super nice. We decided to do a Q&A type thingamajig so you can meet her too. Read on to learn more about this sweet chic and to see the pretty, pretty bracelet she sent me.


Tell us a little about your self:

Hey, hey my name is Alli and I blog over at Life on LeRoy.  I live in Wisconsin with my charming, energetic 3-year old Dayton, and my handsome, hardworking husband, Tony. We enjoy the simple things in life like snuggling, taking long walks, having random dance parties in our living room and tickle fights.  On my blog you'll find updates on our life, recipes, DIY's, photography, fashion and a "Life Lately" link up party every other Monday!! Stop by and say hello, I would LOVE to meet you! xoxo 

Why did you start a blog?

I started a blog because I really enjoy writing and taking pictures. I felt blogging was the perfect way to do that. I also have family and friends that live all over the country so I think it's a great way for them to keep in touch with us.  Blogging is a huge hobby of mine and it's something that I truly enjoy.  

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

As cliche as it sounds, my favorite thing about blogging is meeting new people. It's fascinating meeting people from all over the World through the blogging community.  I also love that I'm able to capture moments of my life in hopes that someday I can look back on them and see what I was doing during this time in my life.

Favorite summer memory so far:

My favorite summer memory so far is probably my brother's wedding in June.  It was something that my whole family looked forward to for so long and the entire day was a blast. Weddings are such a huge part of someone's life and I was so excited to be able to be a part of my brother's.   

If you had unlimited resources to go on your ultimate dream summer vacation, what would you choose to do?

I would go back to the mountains in Montana.  My hubs and I honeymooned there and fell in love with it!  It was the first time I had ever seen mountains and they were breathtaking.  I would spend time hiking, fishing, taking pictures and getting to know the locals ;)  A little cabin in the mountains = blissful!

What are you looking forward to the most this coming fall?

I am most looking forward to EVERYTHING about Fall! Fall is by far my favorite season of all.  I love the smells, the sounds, the tastes, apple orchards, pumpkin patches, cute Fall boots and scarves! I love it all.  I'm not a huge fan of this extreme heat we've been having so I will welcome Fall with open arms!

========================================

See? Isn't she lovely? Head on over to her blog and show her some love. Her blog is entertaining, insightful and her little boy is such a charmer! Such a good read, I promise. :)

And lastly, here's the bracelet she sent me. She got me this gorgeous mustard suede bracelet. I didn't get to shoot more outfit posts with it but I'm wearing it quite a lot. My whole summer's been all about the blues, yellows and oranges and this has been perfect for stacking my favorite summer arm swag pieces!



And.. in action...




Thank you so much, Alli. It was so nice getting to know you. :)


Talk to you later,
<3,
Mary



Sunday, August 12, 2012

Busy August!

Hey guys! Just a quick post for a couple of things...

(1). Thank you to everybody who've tweeted, liked, shared, and of course, purchased a decal for my Project RescuePH. It's doing really great and I appreciate all the help I'm getting. I've decided to do it all through August so there's plenty of time to join in. Let's help our brothers and sisters in need! The decals can be found here.

(2). I cannot tell you how excited I am over meeting and working with friends over at the Maryland Promotions Team from Etsy.My notifications are constant and I love it! We just started gaining momentum and  I'm loving how a lot of the members are working with each other. We've been brainstorming  and let me tell ya, lots of great things are gonna come from that group! Starting with....

(3). A HUGE fall sale. Over 30 shops from all over Maryland are offering 5-30% off their shops. Holiday shopping in August? Why not? It's never too early to start! Save yourself from procrastinating this year and check out the wonderful shops. You're bound to find something perfect for everyone on your list! From August 15-30, use coupon code MDFIAS to take advantage of the Fall Into Autumn Sale. Visit the wonderful Melissa from Crafty Panda Girl for more details and a complete list of participating shops - including KISSEMHUT!

(4.) And if that's not enough, we're also having Fall Into Autumn Giveaways! Sale and free stuff?? It feels like the holidays already! Hop on over to the Crafty Panda Girl to enter the raffle. Enter as many times as you can for bigger chances on those awesome giveaways!

Awesome, right? The sale starts in a few days so get ready! Treat your self to a thing (or two) I won't tell, I promise! 





Laters,
<3
Mary

PS. Are you a Maryland vendor? Join us over at the Maryland Promotions Team, the more, the merrier! See you! :)

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

#prayforthephilippines


Show your support by getting these decalsAll proceeds will be donated to on going relief efforts.


My beautiful home, the Philippines, has once again been hit by nature. Two years after Typhoon Ondoy, which shook up the whole country leaving many dead and a lot more stricken and damaged, a tropical storm and southwest monsoon have severely flooded areas in Luzon and Metro Manila the last few days. Over 800,000 people (increasing as we speak), have been affected. Lives have been lost, properties have been damaged. Words cannot express the horror and sadness I feel every time I see the news.

Here are some pictures I've collected to show you (little of) what the Filipino people are going through right now. None of these pictures are of my own. 















I am grateful that all my family and friends are safe but like most of the people affected, their properties have been severely damaged. Evacuations and relief efforts from all over are going on and it makes my heart beam with pride to see my countrymen help each other in this time of great need. 

In an effort to help out and organize a fund raising project, I have made Pilipino/ Filipino decals, now up in my etsy shop.


100% of the proceeds will be donated to ongoing relief efforts. These decals can be used on laptops, cars, computers, refrigerators, books, and other surfaces. Please help me spread the word and help out our brothers and sisters in need!

Let me end this post with a collage I found on facebook. I want to share with the whole world how even in times of disaster, count on Filipinos to be laughing and finding humor in the situation. Ah, how I love being Filipino, let me count the ways......



Roughly translated, text says: "You are just flood, I'm Filipino!"

<3,
Mary

============================================

For those in need, here's a list of numbers to reach: (List copied/ reblogged from Camille Co)

Hotline: (02) 433 – ULAN (433 – 8526)
Hotline: (02) 911-1406; (02) 912-2665; (02) 9125668
Hotline: 136 (MMDA Metrobase) ; (02) 882-4177 or (02) 8820925 (Flood Control)
  • DPWH – Department of Public Works and Highway
Hotline: (02) 304-3713
Hotline: 7890, (0918) 884-8484
Hotline: 143, (02) 911-1876
  • Meralco Emergency
Hotline: 16211
SMS: 0920-9716211(SMART); 0917-5516211(GLOBE)
  • Philippine National Police
Hotline: 117
SMS: Send TXT PNP to 2920
Additionally, visit this link for a list of relief centers.

Monday, August 6, 2012

What?? An Outfit Post?!

Happy Monday, People! 


If Pocahontas and Tiger Lily turned into 1 person and lived in Maryland in 2012...........

        
         


Must be the scarf print and the braid, no?

Details:
Top:  scarf that I turned into a top using safety pins
Bottoms:  DIY shorts from here
Shoes:  Gap, $30 (I've had them for 2 years now and I've been living in them the whole summer!)
Necklace:  Kissemhut, here
Bracelet:  Arm Party Swap Bracelet (more on that next time)
Nails: Funky Fingers' Kingston, $3 - 5 Below

<3,
Mary