Sex and the City

Just how cute are these shoe cupcakes? Lea McIntosh over at Lea McIntosh Weddings and Fine Events sent the photo to me. This adorable cosmo and cupcake party was for the Sex and the City farewell bash she threw when the HBO series went off the air.

But it's inspired me to have a styling cupcake before seeing my fav gal pals on the big screen. Maybe this week...

It seems most people love or hate the series. I'll admit at first I didn't care for it so much. Sure it was easy enough to laugh at all of the funny bits. But my initial reaction was that all in all I thought the women were really flawed. It took a few episodes before I realized that the flaws are what made them real. Even if you didn't have any of their issues at the time you watched the series, chances are you had at least some of them in the past or you knew family members or friends you could relate a lot of them to. With that realization came an appreciation for the poignancy of some of the toughest times the women faced and the way they supported each other through them.

My hubby doesn't understand a lot of my friendships. As a man there are some things he'll never understand. That's ok though because quite frankly I don't quite understand a lot of his friendships. Or, errrrrr, former lack of friendships.

Case in point. When we met? He used to attend a weekly supper club. For years he ate with the same group of guys almost every week. Yet he wasn't really friends with any of them. Every week he saw these guys for an hour or so, ate, and left until the next week. I marveled at that. Put the same women together week after week, month after month, year after year... And they'll be going out to dinner, chatting on the phone and getting together for who knows what, probably after the first month or two. LOL

Women are great at being friends with each other, and when they find those special friends? They're forever. I have a lot of those friends. They all mean the world to me and I cherish each relationship. They are one of the best parts of being me. I consider myself very, very, lucky to have the good fortune of having all of them in my life. We laugh, cry, support each other in person, on the phone and online. Whether I talk to them every day or once a year we accept each other whatever our differences may be. Just like Carrie, Miranda, Samantha and Charlotte.

Well It's Official... I've Gone To The Dogs

A few days ago I received an email inquiry asking if I would be interested in a short guest posting stint on the Official Dogster.com blog. Most of you know I am a huge fan of Dogster. I go there and pretend to be my dog, Kitai, and talk to other people pretending to be their dogs.

Seriously, it's not as crazy as it sounds.

On Dogster your online username is your dog's name. Your avatar is a photo of your dog. So it's only natural that people start speaking as their dog right? Ummmm well that's my story and I'm sticking to it. 

So not to worry, I posted as myself, a human being, and not me pretending to be my dog. My post is titled "Does Your Dog Need a Blog?"

All in all I can't say enough good things about Dogster. Want the latest news about anything dog related and I swear you'll read it in their forums days before the mainstream media picks up the story. Want to help support dogs in need, help demand responsible owner legislation, tougher cruelty laws and learn about the latest in dog health, nutrition, training and behavior? The Dogster Forums is where you can do all of that and much, much more.

My post is all about how a blog can help to share this information with even more pet owners then those who are members of Dogster. In particular I think starting a blog and adding a link list to all of your local shelters and rescues that you email to anyone you hear of looking to adopt a pet is such an easy thing we as individuals can do. And it can help save some of the millions of unwanted pets in our nations shelters each year. I have a Northern California shelter and rescue link list on Kitai's website home page. Just scroll down a bit and you'll see it.

Other then emailing it to interested friends how do people find it? Well it's easy once I hand them one of his business cards. LOL.

Since joining Dogster I've learned a lot about the internet, basic HTML, online communities, how to post on a forum and how to be a better communicator in general. I've also made some really fantastic real life friends. (If you aren't a dog lover they also have Catster for people who are into their kitties.)

Check out Kitai's Dogster page. When you join Dogster or Catster you get a free online profile where you can add a bio and 10 pictures of your pet. If you join, you can send Kitai a Pup Pal Request and toss him a few virtual bones :P

My Favorite Apparel Boutique

Everywhere I go people ask "Where do you shop?" because they love my oh so flirty clothes. Well good news gals! My fav boutique Simply Smashing in downtown Campbell is having a special 4 day sale that will blow you away! I can't wait to go shop! (My bad. I'm a day late posting so there are only 3 days left! So don't wait if you want to grab some deals!)

From the cute pink chandelier I use in my booth display at bridal showcases to the very memorable red Marilyn Monroe dress that I wore to the Hotel Vitale last May, and the cute aqua top I had on at the BAWN Masque Ball earlier this year, they all came from Deb's super cute boutique Simply Smashing!

If ever there was a time to "shop til' you drop," now is the time and Simply Smashing is the place!

Every single solitary thing in the store is on sale. Everything! Up to 60% Off!!

10% off - Purchases of $99 or less

20% off - Your purchase of $100 to $249

30% off - Your purchase of $250 to $499

40% off - Your purchase of $500 to $999

50% off - Your purchase of $1,000 or more

Receive an additional 10% off when you pay cash for your purchase! THIS DISCOUNT INCLUDES SALE ITEMS!


Thursday, June 5th: 11:00 - 7:00

Friday, June 6th: 11:00 - 9:00
Also: First Friday

Saturday, June 7th: 10:00 - 6:00
Also: "Paris Flea Market"

Sunday, June 8th: 10:00 - 5:00
Also: Farmers Market & "Paris Flea Market"

Don't miss this incredible sale event - it's the one you've been dreaming about, and it's 4 DAYS ONLY!

Simply Smashing!
241-B E. Campbell Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008

408.379.1925

(While Simply Smashing "scratchers" or other coupons will not be redeemable during this sale event, we will gladly accept gift certificates toward your Simply Smashing purchase.)

Cake Coquette

Remember my "Cake Deprivation" post a few months ago? Well I'm happy to report since that sad day that I have now had the occasion to sample cake and a cupcake from Cake Coquette in San Francisco. Pronounced "Ko-ket" like "get," coquette is the French version of a "flirty girl."

Inside the box were 10 samples of her scrumptious cake! Imagine how happy I was: A girl, a fork, and a box full of cake.  

But Gabby does more then make cake that tastes really great. She also makes cakes that look really cool. Gabby is a sculptor who knows how to create imaginative and whimsical cakes with fondant and to add a cool twist she also loves to use butter cream to add more depth and texture to her creations.

How Unique!

Swarovski Crystal Bridal Shoes

After

This was a quick and easy project. Adding sew-on Swarovski crystals to a pair of bridal shoes. The Bride wanted just a little bit of sparkle to complement the delicate rhinestones embedded in the tiny buckle on the ankle strap. She dropped them off and came back the same day to pick them up with tiny, individually handsewn and knotted crystals gracing what was once a plain satin strip on the top of each shoe.

Before

A Nice Shot of AT&T Park

I had just left the Ferry Building in San Francisco after grabbing a couple of vegetarian buns at Out the Door, the to-go counter for the renowned Slanted Door restaurant. One of the most memorable meals I've ever had was at the Slanted Door. If you love Asian fusion you'll love this restaurant. If you really want to go be sure to make a reservation as this place gets crazy busy.

On my way back to the freeway I found myself at a red light right across the street from AT&T park. That's where the SF Giants play. Baseball. If you aren't a sports fan you might not know the Giants are a baseball team. Anyways I quickly opened my window and took this shot before the light turned green. I realized that I've been taking a lot of photos from my car these days as my camera is almost always tucked in my purse.

The world may have once been my oyster... But since becoming allergic to shellfish and mollusks a few years ago... Now? It's just a photo op for my blog. LOL

A Raggedy Origami Rhinoceros

I am a miniature origami crane specialist. But every now and then I'm contacted for something different. In the past I was happy to oblige when clients wanted frogs and butterflies. Recently I was contacted to fold origami pieces at a 3 day medical conference in San Francisco at the booth of a pharmaceutical company. My first questions were what dates and which company. I wanted to make sure it was a company that didn't do a lot of cruel animal testing and that it was a company with products that really help people in need.

After preliminary communications the company decided instead of the cranes and flowers they had first requested, they wanted a rhinoceros. Huh? A rhinoceros? Ummmmm okee dokee. Always being up for a challenge I went online and found this pattern of an origami rhino.

Suffice to say while possible? It would take longer then the two weeks available before the conference for me to learn and perfect this fold. For starters my sample rhino is missing his ears.

Here is a key example of how poorly done my poor rhino turned out. The instructions were more then a bit confusing so I had to refold some sections causing the paper to wear through and lose it's shape. And note his raggedy uneven feet and crumpled hind leg. LOL

It took me about 30 minutes to make my imperfect little rhino. I'll save him though, he's kind of cute. Maybe someday I can make a thousand miniature rhinos. There is a guy on Youtube who makes one from a Post It note. Very cool!

Bay Area Photographer Orbie Pullen

One of my two fav photos on his website. © Orbie Pullen

When I received the invite to attend photographer Orbie Pullen's launch party of his new studio in Soquel, just down the highway from Santa Cruz, I was intrigued. Having never met him before I made a quick visit to his website and after viewing his wedding gallery it was an easy decision to make the drive over the hill. My favorites on his website? A smiling bride holding a red parasol and the reflection of a bride and groom in an aqua blue pool with multi-colored flowers floating atop the water. Both are gorgeous images! I can't decide which I like the most. I think it's a tie.

For me, the opportunity to meet talented professionals like Orbie is one of the coolest things about The Flirty Guide.

Upon arriving at the party I promptly ran into DJ Carl Mindling, photographer Craig W. Smith and photographer Tanja Lippert and the now infamous but MIA pink flamingo.

Tanja and Flamingo

Carl and Flamingo. That bird got around. LOL

Poetry in Motion Catering created some really scrumptious treats like chocolate dipped strawberries and this cool salmon and cucumber dish. It was all very yummy!

My other fav photo on Orbie's website.

© Orbie Pullen