Pretty Blue Beads!

So after a long day of work, I decided that I would not be a lazy bum and plop myself in front of the tv, as I normally would. I did the dishes, folded the laundry, took out the recycling, paid the bills, swept the floor, and then I rewarded myself by... plopping myself in front of the tv. But determined to make my couch potato-ing more productive I pulled out my box of beads and started making. And three reruns of Friends later, voila: the Taryn Necklace.


I had blue acrylic beads from a bead store in Vancouver that I picked up a long long time ago, but never quite knew what to do with them. This piece was Cleopatra inspired (can you see it?). I was going for a colourful collar kind of look, and I think it turned out! Three strands of silver chain with beads scattered throughout. Well, not scattered... I precisely picked each bead location to make the illusion that they were scattered. It's the engineer in me... I can't do random.

Viva Las Vegas!

I just returned from a fabulously refreshing trip to Las Vegas... and I'm already planning my next trip back! The sole reason for the trip was to watch the Pacquiao vs. Cotto fight live at the MGM Grand, and I am thrilled that our man Manny Pacquiao won by TKO. (I was actually really nervous about the fight and said a little prayer for him... so I like to think that in some cosmic way, I helped!)

Everything beyond the fight was just sugar-coating. What I love about the city is that everything is done up big. Go big or go home! The hotels were breath-taking, and meticulously designed to the last detail. My favourite hotel, hands down, was Wynn. (All the picture below are from Wynn). But I will be sure to draw inspiration on some new pillow and jewellery designs from everything that I saw (which I think was just a fraction of the sights.) I already have a few ideas percolating in my little brain ;) Stay tuned...