SARAH JANE DESIGN

Paia, Maui and my New Sign

2016-08-19T16:15:00.000-07:00

This summer, we took the family to Maui. On our last day, we'd checked out of the hotel, but our flight wasn't until evening! How do you kill time and not get entirely dirty when you can't shower and all your clothes are in the back of the rental car? Well there are ways. We were able to hang by the pool of a nearby hotel for a few hours. We also drove up toward the north end of the island and explored the quaint, artsy town of Paia. Never been there before on previous trips, but it was thoroughly enjoyable, especially being an artist myself.

This town has a mix of both hippie and hip. It showcased gorgeous glass and art galleries, gelato shops, great restaurants, candles, soaps and sundries that my girls enjoyed sniffing (thankful for coffee beans), ultimate surfer gear, swimwear galore, (mostly in extra teenie weenie sizes), jewelry (of course my fav), and clothing boutiques with some really high end items. (I had to put down the super, funky, cool Italian leather and metal sandals with the wooden heels when I saw the prices were close to $600.) Yep-at that point, our budget was for ice cream and taxi tips only.

Another find was the local grocery store, Mana Foods. From the outside, you might think it was a touch run down, all boarded up and about to be demolished. But then you notice the locals using the single side door on the left hand side of the store. In you go and behold....it's Whole Foods and Trader Joe's combined, only for a fraction of the cost. Oh, it would have been fun to shop there, but alas, we were only looking for water and snacks. So be sure and hit that place up if you need something completely organic and INEXPENSIVE. They are the only store like that in the world. (I asked)

But my favorite find, was a sign I saw high on a wall in a boutique. I came home and had Darcie from Darcies Deals make it for me in colors to match my home decor.

Perfect, isn't it? Anyway, vacation with family is all about those special memories.

'Til next time...Aloha!

6 Tips to Survive Hoopfest

2016-06-13T16:56:00.003-07:00

What is Hoopfest, you ask? It's only the largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament IN THE WORLD! Held in Spokane, WA every year at the end of June. The site states "That means around 7,000 teams, 3,000 volunteers, 250,000 players and fans, 450 courts spanning 40-some downtown city blocks! Beyond basketball, though, Hoopfest is an outdoor festival chock-full of shopping, food, interactive entertainment, and every year brings something new. It is pretty amazing how the city transforms each year."

If you've been doing Hoopfest for years, you already know. It takes some planning and prep to make it successful. If you're thinking about it for next year or going in a few weeks to beautiful Spokane, WA, (June 25-26th, 2016) there may be a tip here for you. I was grateful for my friend for sharing her experienced wisdom to help me out my first year.

1 - BOOK EARLY

Figure out where you will stay. One of the best places to stay in my opinion is Red Lion Inn at the Park. The reason is that you can park there for free as a hotel guest, they have a pool with a slide for the kids. They have meal options onsite, but no free breakfast. (Wendy's is around the corner, and McDonald's a short ride up Division Street towards the north end of town) if you want that. Many rooms also have fridges and microwaves, so you could bring your own food as well. But the biggest reason is that you can simply walk out of the hotel and through the park over to Hoopfest. About a 5-10 minute walk (yes wear comfy shoes and bring the stroller), but it's a pretty walk over the bridge with Spokane Falls raging underneath, through the tree lined park sprinkled with squirrels and marmots.

But here's the snag - everything fills up quickly and you will pay premium prices for any hotel during Hoopfest weekend (the old supply and demand thing). It is not strange to book your hotel a year in advance to ensure a close in stay. Even the cheapest motel will be expensive.

If you don't have early game times and you can handle the drive into town for up to an hour, you may consider staying towards the north end of town and even just into Idaho. We been going for years and one year we booked late, and could barely find anything under $275/night if at all. We booked at Coeur D'Alene Casino Resort Hotel for $95/night. It was a beautiful place with a great pool, gift shop and amenities, plus a casino for a little nighttime fun for Mom and Dad. (Our kids were old enough to leave in the room) Of course, you can also find RV and camping places for less.

2 - ORGANIZE YOUR TEAM
After you have your four players (3 + 1 sub) all with accommodations set up, the best part is picking the team name and figuring out your matching costumes. You will see mucho inspiration when you see all the teams playing. My youngest daughter's team is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles this year. We got matching TMNT tees from Walmart, and will cut off the arms and open up the sides (for ease of play and cool off factor), then we ordered the color of our "turtle" Nike head ties from Amazon. They will wear whatever black shorts they own, bright colored sports bras, and socks to match their headbands. Easy, right? You will need to get player info and register months ahead.

In the past we have been Super Heroes with the cape socks, black & pink cheetahs with glittered names on their shirts, tie-dye shirts, etc. (You get the idea). Oh, and practice together and figure out who will be "the coach" to sub in/out. Yes, it can be one of the parents. Also decide if you're playing in a standard or elite division. More info here.

3 - KNOW WHERE TO GO
Prep the night before. You can find the map here of the entire event. Look up your bracket and team name to find out where your game court is. Screenshot on your phone and then enlarge to find the cross streets. if you are driving into the area, you might find parking at River Park Square (great shopping BTW). See also the site's suggestions for parking here.

Also this year (so exciting....) there's an APP FOR THAT! Download the Hoopfest App here.

Know your court sponsor. (Ex: McDonalds or Dr. Pepper, etc.) When you get to your cross streets, you will be looking for the sponsor name at the top of the court markers and the number. IT.IS.A.ZOO! Allow plenty of time to get parked, drag your stuff and kiddos and walk through the maze of people to get to your court on time. Nothing worse than adding stress on top of this because you are late. The games are very short, probably only @ 20mins. long, and they keep things moving. The nice part is that the court will remain the same for all the games until the team is out.

Spokane has some really good shopping both in Downtown, at River Park Square, up at the Northtown Mall, and slightly east at the Spokane Valley Mall. The PLAN YOUR STAY section of the Hoopfest site has some suggestions for where to stay, park and other tips.

4 - BEAT THE HEAT
Spokane gets HOT! It can get over 100 degrees sometimes. The first year I brought my young girls, they both got some kind of weird red bumpy rash that was most likely prickly heat from sitting in the main stage court to watch the pros play in full sun for only a short time. I had no idea it would hit them that hard. They were red faced, but fine as soon as we got them cooled off and out of the sun. Here are some suggestions:

- A rolling cooler works well. Fill with ice from the hotel the morning of your games, plenty of water and healthy drinks with electrolytes, plus a wet washcloth or two thrown in stays nice and cold and feels oh so good on the forehead or back of the neck after a game. Bring sunscreen and snacks too. It can all go in with the drinks in gallon freezer baggies. Spray bottles with fans are nice to have too. Hit your local dollar store.

-Bring Cash. There are plenty of food vendors all throughout the streets selling slushy cones, lemonade, ice cream, kettle corn and everything else. You kids will definitely be begging.

- Find shade if you can. The best spots against the stores or under a tree on the curb are snapped up early in the day. But you can usually find a spot since people are moving between games. People bring folding chairs too, but make sure you can haul them around the crowds if you need to move courts for different kids playing different places.

5 - EAT OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN
Here's the scenario. Games are over the day. You and your kids are exhausted and melted and you need to eat. There are quite a few restaurants downtown like Red Robin, PF Changs and Olive Garden, but if you don't want to stand in another crowd and wait for two hours for your table, make the journey to your car and head away from downtown.

You can also eat cheap at the food court of the River Front Square mall, or drive up Division Street towards Northtown Mall and beyond for tons of uncrowded options. If you kids can do the walk back to the car, trust me, you will be sitting down and eating sooner than waiting with the rest of the ravenous 250,000 players, friends and families.

(yeah, no thanks).

6 - HAVE FUN!

There is a fun, athletic and youthful vibe at this event. The music is playing, the sun is shining, and everyone is having fun and enjoying the game. You can't help but join in.

Aside from Hoopfest itself, which is packed full of people watching, seeing the various teams play from young kids, to family teams, to crazy college boys in tutus, to the old timers (40+ but still amazing to watch) teams, there is something for everyone. There are street vendors all over, plus all the shopping you can handle. And your tan (hopefully not burn) will look pretty good when you come home. Be sure and take a minute to get the schedule of Nike Center Court to watch some real talent by the elite players. So much fun to watch!

In addition to the event, be sure and check out what Riverfront park has to offer. Feed the ducks over by the convention center, ride the giant red wagon slide, take photos around the park, children will enjoy the amusement area with rides and IMAX theatre with the latest releases. And did I mention the shopping was good?

River Park Square Mall, Spokane, WA

Another family fun add-on is to combine Hoopfest with a visit to Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho. About a 1-1.5 hour drive out of Spokane. You can usually purchase cheaper tickets at Costco a month or so before the summer begins, or look online for coupons and discounts. It is totally doable in one day. There is the rides side, and the water park side. Tickets get you entry to both. It has a small park feel, but with rides for all ages, shows and a relaxing and fun train ride with a old time western hold-up played out - not to be missed.

What about you? Do you go every year? Do you have any funny stories or tips and tricks for the rest of us? I'd love to hear.

Graduation Gift Idea - Customized Dog Tag Pendant

2016-04-22T14:51:00.002-07:00

Just finished another customized designer dog tag pendant as a special gift to her graduating boyfriend. We used school colors of black and gold which I painted in a camo style pattern. Then I hand stamped the school name (Prairie View in Colorado), his name and graduating class date. We added a the hawk charm, since they have a Thunder Hawk mascot.

These are personalized and affordable keepsakes. They can hang from a car rear view mirror, trophy or diploma when not wearing. You can add their jersey number, or charm from almost any sport they played or interest they have. I also have many mascot style charms in stock as well. You can also pay an upgrade fee to have the back etched with a custom message.

Includes gift wrap and I will work with you to get it just perfect for your graduate.

Here's a link to my ETSY shop, where you can message me to start a custom piece. Here are some other samples below.

Washington State University with Cougar paw print charm

Fife High School with school mascot charm - for the student


Seattle University - custom baseball player - for Mom

Disney Princess Weekend Race Medals

2016-01-29T16:31:00.001-08:00

Have you seen the 2016 Princess Weekend race medals? Super pretty. I'll be modifying some of my designs to incorporate the Ariel/The Little Mermaid theme this year. I will be adding earrings as well shortly, so check back to my shop.

My personal favorite is the Glass Slipper Challenge medal below.

Check all the race medals out here...

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is coming up February 18-21, 2016 in Walt Disney World, FL. The races are: Princess Half Marathon, Enchanted 10K, Glass Slipper Challenge (which is both 10K and 13.1 = 19.3 miles), a Princess 5K, and some delightful races for kids under 13, including a one miler, Diaper Dash for crawlers and some shorter dashes as well. Yep, Disney starts them off young. And they all get a finisher medallion for participation.

Here are some of my Princess Weekend designs available for purchase in my SarahJaneDesign ETSY shop.

Customize charm and colors

Customize bead colors to your princess/costume

Customize quote, race name and year

CUSTOMIZED SHOE CHARMS/TAGS

Glass Slipper Challenge STAMPED PENDANT

GSC Soldered Pendant - other colors available

Customize colors, charms & bead colors

Gotta Run BLUE Soldered Pendant

Gotta Run PINK Soldered Pendant

Disney 10K GLASS Pendant

Enchanted 10K STAMPED Pendant

Enchanted 10K SOLDERED Pendant - other colors choices

As always, you can ask me to customize any of my SJD handmade Run Disney inspired jewelry for your race or character costume.

RACE Movie

2016-01-28T16:32:00.000-08:00

I love inspirational running movies, and there are quite a few out there. Who can forget Chariots of Fire? Can't say I've seen all of these, but here's a list of another 25 Great Running Movies per Running.competitor.com.

This February, we have a new one....RACE. Not only is it inspirational for running, and for race equality, but it really happened. It's the true story of Jesse Owens. He had so much pressure to prove himself for his race at the time, but also not to prove himself for what Nazi Germany was doing during the war. What a choice.

I'm excited to watch and find out what he did. When personal conviction and real life come together, you really find out what's inside.

Comes out Friday, February 19th, 2016.

How to Put on a Bracelet (Hack)

2016-01-26T15:07:00.000-08:00

I'm all about shortcuts and ways to make your life easier, even when it comes to putting on your jewelry. I've always opened my clasp with left hand (I'm right handed) and flicked my bracelet underneath, up and over facing me on my right wrist, then held my right wrist to my stomach to hold the bracelet in place, so I could clasp a lobster clasp. But there is another way that may be easier - TAPE! Who knew?

No Excuses - This is Your Year!

2016-01-12T09:28:00.002-08:00

2016 is well underway. How are your fitness goals doing? Did you join a gym this month? If yes, I hope you take baby steps and just keep a reasonable steady pace. If you go from 0-60mph in terms of "never worked out" to 4 or 5 days per week, you're bound to burn out by March. And we don't want that. Start with 3 days per week, and work up to five if you can.

Some of you have the "no time to exercise" excuse because you work from early in the morning until dark, pick up kids, make dinner, help with homework, shuttle to soccer practice, feed the dog, laundry, (insert ten more things here), then collapse into bed, only to repeat the next day. I know how it is. It's hard.

But I also know people who make the time despite a work schedule. They either get up earlier and put in the time, or do it right after work. If you wait until after dinner, chances are slim you'll feel motivated. I also suggest if at all possible, get a friend to workout with you. Have the accountability partner really staves off the excuses for why you have to stay back and fold towels or go through the mail, etc.

Someone once shared this with me at the gym and it stuck. "When you're young, you sacrifice your health for wealth" (always too busy working to exercise). "When you're old, you sacrifice your wealth for health." (Sometimes if you wait too long to get healthy, you find all your money in your golden years is going to pay medical bills.) None of us want that. Prevention is better than cure, right? So take action now.

If you really can't get outside with three feet of snow to drive to the gym or walk outside, and you have no gym equipment in the house, don't forget about cable workouts. (There are lots of great free ones to your interest under the Sports & Fitness tab.)

And there's Pinterest, laden with quickie workouts you can do with just your body. I've posted one below as an example. I'm not sure it's really a 'Lazy Girl' workout. That would be lifting a hand full of chips to your mouth while you sit on the couch watching TV. Check out my Fitness Board for more ideas and targeted problem area workouts. Take screenshots with your phone, so you have them right in front of you.

I'm not kidding. If you did this little number 3 times/week (before or after folding your towels), even this would make a world of difference. You will get stronger, faster, more energized, toned and even burn some calories. You can work up to 3 sets of these exercises as you get better. Put on some fast music to motivate yourself. No more excuses. This is your year to get healthy! (Plus summer is only a few months away.)

Celebrate Life - it's precious!

2015-12-15T12:59:00.001-08:00

I loved making this order because as I cut the leather and ink distressed the edges, attached the Minnie Mouse ears and bling accents, hung the sterling silver awareness ribbons above each one, added the jump rings and chains, wrapped each one in spotted tissue with Disney princess stickers and black organza bag, I could anticipate the joy from the beaming smiles on the ladies faces as they receive these. I could feel the bond of sisterhood and love as these ladies choose to celebrate life and each other in one of the happiest places on earth.

You see six gal pals are going to Disneyland this February and they have great reason to celebrate. Two of them have been through Breast Cancer, and are celebrating their recovery. This disease affects so many, but these days with early detection it can be quite treatable. I know SO many ladies who have been through the dark tunnel to the other side of hope and health. I have had a scare myself, and I know the crazy places your mind will go.

The best advice I can offer is what we already know to do:

Don't forget your annual checkup and lab work. Many Moms forget about themselves and only go to the doctor when they're sick or pregnant (NOT good).
Do monthly self-exams to catch any unusual lumps or changes between checkups.
Exercise (yes you have to). Plus you'll look better, feel stronger, have more energy, and sleep better. A strong body can fight off anything better. Make time.
Make healthy choices in your diet. (Cancer cells love sugar and acidic environments)
Reduce stress in your life - toxic people, stressful or dangerous relationships, a job that depresses you daily, too many cats or Christmas lights.
Try to stay emotionally balanced. Don't be a drama queen. Be happy for others and not jealous. Forgive and don't hold onto grudges - it hurts you the most. Be slow to anger (OK, that one's for me - I have teenagers. LOL)
Don't let worry or fear of the disease overtake or consume your thoughts frequently. Just because it was in your family, doesn't mean it will happen to you or recur. Don't plan on it, but be all the more vigilant with your health.

And if you are going through the battle, keep a positive (I'm going to beat this) survivor's attitude, which is one factor that helps your body stay strong. Pray. Make the changes. De-stress. Don't give up. Fight. Hold strong. Never quit! And if I could hug you right now, I would. Surround yourself with people who care and love you. Love is powerful!

New Zealand ALL BLACKS Necklace

2015-12-03T08:50:00.002-08:00

Well this was a fun one for me to create, since I was born and raised in New Zealand myself. One of my clients is visiting this Christmas and has a dear friend who plays soccer herself and loves the sport. The design immediately popped into my head, as I literally had one lone rugby charm in stock. I added the closest thing I had to a fern charm as well, since that is a popular symbol for both the ALL BLACKS national rugby team and New Zealand. Just coming off their 2015 Rugby World Cup win, they are riding high right now. If you've never watched a rugby game, it is quite entertaining. Players wear no protective gear whatsoever. The game is a mix between American football and soccer with a fast pace. When the ball drops, they just pick it up and keep moving up the line. My favorite move is when they lift a player up to catch the ball. It looks almost like a ballet dance move to me. (don't laugh guys) Don't get me wrong, these boys are 100% tough.

I think her friend will enjoy something so personal and unique. Custom jewelry is becoming my middle name, as I design SO many designer dog tags and stamped pieces for my clients. When a gift is personalized, I think it comes with a little extra love.

Email me if you want to discuss a custom piece.

Custom Biker Designer Dogtag Pendants

2015-10-29T09:24:00.001-07:00

This was a fun one to create. Custom biker dog tag pendants hand painted in their colors of red and black, with "Sisterhood" hand stamped, cut and textured, plus a winged heart charm attached and all sealed in non-toxic resin. Then I etched their nicknames on the back side.

Eventually, the whole group will have one of their own, as I am making these in small groups. These gals are going to feel bonded and pretty special as they rev their Harley's and spend time together, and live out what sisterhood really means.

Fallen Soldier Custom Gift

2015-08-28T09:57:00.001-07:00

I love to share some of the very personal custom pieces I get to design. My clients will share the back story on what this piece is about, who it's for, who has died, who is sick, who needs encouragement to stand strong, who has overcome a huge milestone, etc, and we discuss the design together. As I create it, I picture the face of the recipient and I know how special this piece will be each time they choose to wear it.

This one for a mother of a soldier who struggled with PTSD, who also collaborates with a charity that utilizes horse therapy to help others coping with the same cause.

Hand painted camo background for the military, angel wing (for her son), horse charm for the charity, and etched Bible reference on the back for encouragement.

Isaiah 40:31 New International Version

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

SJD Featured on Karus Chains Jewelry Blog

2015-05-19T15:10:00.000-07:00

SJD was recently featured on Karus Chains blog with a Guide to buying Father's Day jewelry featuring plenty of male celebs wearing jewelry of all kinds. Find the article here...

They discuss many types of jewelry for men including personalized, standard, sports themed, music themed and novelty. Even some ideas for the guy who doesn't like jewelry (Yes ladies - you CAN find something). Cufflinks are my personal favorite - so classy and personal to the man wearing them. Check out the Seahawks Cufflinks in right sidebar.

They featured my TRI Guy Leather Designer Dog Tags for men under the Sports Themed Jewelry. You can purchase these in my ETSY shop here...

I'm a little partial to the pics of two of my favorite Celebrity Chris's - Chris Pine and Chris Hemsworth, both shown wearing dogtag pendants.

Source: Pinterest

Source: KarusChains.com

Be sure and check out Karus Chains site for their specialty, which is high quality gold and silver chains with free shipping. Thanks again for featuring Sarah Jane Design handcrafted jewelry.

Join me online for the latest in my handcrafted Sports, Fan, Gemstone Jewelry and more!
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
ETSY Shop #1: SJD - Run Disney inspired, Sports and Fan Jewelry.
ETSY Shop #2: SHINE - You from the inside out - everyday glam.

Little things DO mean a lot

2015-04-20T12:25:00.001-07:00

Just a little jewelry education here...

When you're shopping and wonder about the price of handcrafted gemstone jewelry, there are many product features to consider that affect the final price. I can't speak to manufactured jewelry since I don't make that personally. I will address a couple of things so you can sleep better tonight knowing all this.

Did you know...?

1. Larger links of sterling or 24kt gold-filled chain cost more than smaller links. Here size does matter. More metal means more expensive.

2. Finishes on a chain cost more.

If it has filigree or special markings, is diamond cut or oxidized rather than just a solid shiny finish, that took more time to make. I love to use oxidized sterling chain, because it doesn't tarnish, and I love the modern look of the deep grey chain.

3. Genuine Swarovski crystals cost more than the other glittery knockoffs. They have tested at 21% lead crystal - the real deal. Side by side comparisons are really obvious. I only use these types of crystals in my work when I list crystal, so you know it's a quality product.

As far as safety when wearing, Swarovski stands by their manufacturing process that creates a matrix which greatly slows the mobility of lead, and poses no significant risk to human health.

3. AB Finish

What is that anyway? The brainchild of Swarovsi and Christian Dior. Sometimes a Swarovski crystal color is listed with an AB finish. It means "Aurora Borealis", named after the Northern Lights because their special coating reflects a multitude of colors.

Through a steam finish, an extra fine coating of metal is appled on one half of the crystal, giving it an extra glittery sparkle, and in some colors, a completely different tone or color. There is also an AB 2X finish for even more variety.

I use this type of crystal often in my work, especially in clear, taking the look from sparkly flat glass look to truly magical crystal sparkle that you simply can't ignore.

Certain shapes cost more than other shapes of the exact same size and color, probably due to the number of facets. Ex: a round crystal costs more than a bicone cut crystal.

4. Wirewrapped beads and stones

It is MUCH quicker to create simple loops when connecting stones, beads or crystals. That is also the reason that much of the inexpensive costume jewelry on the market today falls apart in short order with a little wear or catches on clothes, as the loops are not closed tightly and work their way open allowing the pieces to break. More labor equals more expense.

All expensive stones or pearls should be wirewrapped to ensure durability. Next time you are shopping, pay the extra for quality construction.

5. Faceting

This is when stones and crystals have all those cuts or sides on them for extra sparkle. As you would see on well cut diamonds or fine gemstone (rubies, sapphires, emeralds, etc.) it allows the light to enhance the beauty of the stones. This process costs more than a flat finished gemstone, so keep that in mind when browsing a table. Cut adds value.

So now you know a little more about the process when browsing the jewelry tables at the local craft market.

Ever been rock hunting?

2015-03-25T10:06:00.001-07:00

Treasure hunting is always fun. Garage sales are some of my favorite places to go scavenging. My Mom once found two large pea-sized cultured pearl cufflinks to be the real deal for only $2. The owner did not apparently know what she was selling.

My Mom stealth fully did the "real pearl" test - lightly scratch them against your teeth to see if they feel sandy or grainy. (P.S. May not want the seller to watch you do this). They seemed genuine and she doublechecked the price with seller.

Later, she got them appraised, and had the set remade into a beautiful custom ring set diagonally with the two pearls.

I have also found long strands of semiprecious stones for just a few singles. So keep your eyes out for estate finds and special treasures buried amongst the dusty wreaths and brass lamps.

#rockhound #giddyjeweler

Disney Party

2015-03-19T16:34:00.000-07:00

Hi guys, and sorry for not updating you recently. I HAVE been busy though and have thought of you often. I just wanted to let you know of a collaboration I did recently with Jeannie of MyMoodyMama blog. A busy homeschooling Mother of 4, let me just say, she is a wealth of information (as you can see by her handle +alittleaboutalot) especially about many things Disney. #LOVEDisney

Honestly, I don't know how she does it all, and has time to blog, etc. BUT SHE DOES! (Her next vids should be on time management, because she has that handled.)

She profiles many products including scrapbook materials, favorite makeup finds, clothing hauls, has all kinds of #Giveaways (mostly on her Insta), even test drives cars, and still has time to film makeup tutorials on her YouTube Channel. #DollFace
I also like that we share common core values with our faith, and she uses humor and inspiration to encourage you along the way in your daily life.

Her blog post re SarahJaneDesign was about a Disney Side @HomeCelebration, where Disney sent her a big box of goodies for a child's party. How cool is that? If you want more info, click the link above. Be sure and check out her party layout, including Frozen punch with a little Olaf inside.

She profiled some of my Princess Necklaces, and each girl got one as a necklace favor with a different princess when they left. So much fun! #HopefullyNoFights

If you go my SarahJaneDesign ETSY Shop and search for Disney Princess, a lot of options will come up, not to mention all my Run Disney jewelry.

Here are the links to ALittleAboutALot online...

Blog:www.mymoodymama.blogspot.com

Facebook:www.facebook.com/alittleaboutalot

Instagram: @alittleaboutalot

Twitter:www.twitter.com/littleaboutalot

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/user/alittleaboutalot

Why Water Is Important To Your Health

2015-02-03T13:03:00.001-08:00

This article is great visually to tell us what we already know to be true. Have the goal to lessen or even drop your soda intake this year. Not only will you lose calories, but your skin and entire insides will thank you, plus you will have more energy.

Have a big glass (at least 20oz.) by your desk at all times, and refill when empty. You are supposed to drink half your body weight in ounces per day. Research also shows that water directly affects metabolism and your body's ability to burn through calories.

So don't tell your brain there is a drought and it needs to conserve energy. Go get that cup right now.

I recently saw an interview with supermodel Naomi Camp discussing her first thing in the am regimen. She drinks warm water (cold shocks the system) with lime juice to start a mini cleanse each day. If you don't have a lemon grove out back, just pour in a little bottled lemon juice into your water. It's amazing how clean you feel drinking this. Also a go-to of mine when sick with a cold. So if you want to have supermodel skin, it's a great start.

Here is a FREE PRINTABLE water glass tracker.

http://pinterest.com/pin/159244536798142649/

Drink up!

Custom Memorial Pendants

2014-11-30T14:21:00.003-08:00

Sadly, I have made several custom memorial pendants lately, and even more sad is that a few of them were for deaths by suicide. So sudden and tragic, you often don't know what to give at a time like that. Jewelry is something to consider giving when you want something uniquely special that lasts much longer, and means more than a gift of flowers.

The first was for the mother of a down syndrome man. I included the phrase Live Lives On, plus his name, date, an angel wing charm, and the Swarovski crystals in Down Syndrome Awareness colors of dark blue and yellow.

The next was for family members who had lost their Mom. One went to the daughter and had her amethyst birthstone, plus the angel wing and other charms. A slightly different version went to the granddaughter, with the strength circle charm and cross charm, as her faith was helping her through this difficult time. The last leather dogtag was for the younger grandson to clip onto his backpack.

The last set I did was for the girlfriend of a young man who loved to play drums. So I included a drum set charm, the angel wing, and his favorite colors, black and red, plus the phrase Love Lives On the front, and RIP (name) and dates on the back side. The leather dogtag was made into a keychain for another family member.

As you can see, I will take care to personalize for both women and men, older or younger so they have a special keepsake to remember their loved one by. I will do my best to personalize with colors, meaningful text, and charms that I may have in stock that remind you of something personal about them.

You can purchase here in my ETSY shop and put in note to seller specific charms, colors, dates, text etc. or you can convo me as well through my shop.

Run with Me

2014-10-29T10:43:00.001-07:00

You know how sometimes you get your best ideas in the shower, wedding or picking out apples at the grocery store? Well, recently while sitting in church (yes I was listening), I got motivated to share with you my thoughts and inspiration that ties your faith in God and your quest for personal fitness together. And yes, there is much inspiration in the Bible that relates to your personal fitness, not to mention your health in general. Both of these subjects are very important to me. Both inspire me greatly to better myself.

So join me if you wish, and be motivated. Get inspired. Lift your spirits. God has much to say about you and your life in every area. Some thoughts are just too good not to share. I welcome your questions or comments. Just please try to keep them kind.

-Sarah

"Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31

Custom Run Disney Soldered Pendant

2014-07-27T15:19:00.001-07:00

Here's another custom piece that was a special gift from one friend to another to commemorate one of Disney's more challenging races - The Dopey Challenge. 48.6 miles in 4 days. I say everyone needs an amazing award for that - 5k, 10k, 13.1 and 26.2! Wow!

She liked my Goofy Challenge color pallette and design, but we changed the artwork for the Dopey Race.

We also matched the mileage to be all decimals and broke it into the four race parts. Then we customized the back for her friend's 40th birhday.

Here's the finished result.

I think it will be a special gift!

Custom Memorial Pendant

2014-07-27T14:12:00.001-07:00

I get requests all the time to create custom pieces that hold a great deal of sentiment and meaning to the owner. I feel quite honored to be part of someone's life in this way, knowing that each time they put on that jewelry, they hold their loved one closer to their heart and memory.

My latest request was for a stamped pendant for a dear friend whose father recently passed away. One of her fondest memories was to be out on the water together on the family sailboat. Naturally, I incorporated a sailboat charm with the others and kept the color neutral so she could wear with anything. She told me she wanted Miss You Dad on the front with the date of his passing. Then on the back side I stamped a Bible verse about heaven that she requested.

Next, came the one for her Mom. Hers had Miss You Honey on the front and a different verse on the back.

Email me at sarah(at)sarahjaned.com for custom requests. I have made bridal bouquet pendants, memorial pet jewelry, military tags, messages to kids leaving for or graduating from college, fitness quotes, poems and love notes in many languages and almost anything you can think of.

The Oversized Running Shoe

2014-06-30T13:09:00.001-07:00

Laying by the pool reading the latest issue of Competitor Magazine, I came across an ad for an interesting shoe worth taking note of. Apparently two guys gave up distinguished careers at shoe manufacturing giants to hole up in the alps and develop their dream running shoe. Oversized with maxium cushioning. It looked a little crazy...until runners started using them. They were less tired with fresher legs after their run. Check out hokaoneone.com for more info.

No more old school smoothies...

2014-05-12T14:00:00.001-07:00

According to Competitor Magazine, adding spinach and kale to smoothies is so last year. Brussel sprouts are the new powerhouse add-in to help ward off inflammation and strengthen muscles. Just be sure you have some other yummies in that blender as well to balance it out!

New Zealand: South Island Road Trip (part 2)

2014-02-19T12:26:00.002-08:00

Christchurch to Queenstown

We left Christchurch and started to head west towards Queenstown, since we had heard it was a happening city with plenty to see and do. On our @ 3.5 hour drive, we came upon the quintessential NZ sight...a farmer moving his flock of sheep to another pasture (paddock as they say). You must realize that the ratio of people to sheep in NZ is 3 million to 60 million. That's a lot of wool out there. Kiwi's are obviously used to seeing sheep everywhere. They didn't pause at all, but worked their cars through the woolen bodies. We, on the other hand, had all the time in the world to watch as they made their way past our rental car (without denting it). It was fun to watch the sheepdogs work to the sound of the farmer's whistle. They knew exactly what to do, much like this video.

On the way, we also stopped at beautiful Lake Tekapo and saw the Church of the Good Shepherd (one of the most photographed churches around).

We stopped in Omarama simply as a halfway point on our way to Queenstown. Not a lot to do except salmon fishing, hot tubs under the stars, gliding capital of the world, and an antiques/novelty store with some set costumes from the old TV series Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules.

Next day on our drive to Queenstown, we came upon the Kawarau bridge and the awesome bungy station there, both for jumpers and observers (us). It was a lot of fun to stay there awhile, even if we were too afraid to dangle upside down over the raging river below.

Queenstown is a busy resort town year round. Great hills make it a skiing destination in winter. Summer brings in people like us to do every imaginable outdoor adventure and extreme sport you can think of. Plus, there are plenty of outdoor restaurants and great shopping. We saw The Hobbit in 3D, since so many scenes from the movie were filmed, not only in new Zealand, but in and around the city. If you are a diehard LOTR fan, you might find this 7min. video interesting about set locations around NZ. We saw much of these beautiful scenery on our trip.

Another fun and unusal thing we did was to ride the gondola up to the mountain top to the Skyline Complex and then rode The Luge for awhile.

You can buy a package for as many rides as you want, on both a basic and advanced course. They were easy to control and it was so much fun. Check out this video to test drive one yourself...

We thought we would do some hiking as well, but with all the walking we did around town and up and down steep hills, we figured we did at least a couple of "city hikes" (LOL). There is a great shop, DF Souvenirs with affordable NZ souvenirs in the main downtown shopping area. We also planned on riding the famous Shotover Jetboat, but due to bad weather, our ride was cancelled, but we got to do it later on in the trip in another city with family, which was much more fun. I heard from some kiwis that they don't think Queenstown represents the true New Zealand, because it is geared for tourists. But that was fine with us, and we had a lot of fun there.

Next stop...Dunedin (the city I was born and raised in)

New Zealand: South Island Road Trip (Part I)

2014-01-27T17:23:00.001-08:00

So this past Christmas, we made the trek back to show my family my native New Zealand. I grew up on the South Island in the quaint city of Dunedin. Just in case you're thinking of heading there, I will share some of the highlights and tips from our trip, which may only apply if traveling from North America.

TIP: Hawaiian Airlines recently started flying to NZ. Fares are competitive and they are the only airlines still serving free meals. Inflight entertainment was also free and had good variety. If you're a tall traveler, you'll want an exit row / bulkhead or aisle seat: for sure. Seat space can be quite compact.

TIP:

Price flying from Bellingham airport or Portland airport. We flew from Portland and saved a few hundred dollars per ticket, stayed in an airport hotel with free breakfast and airport shuttle, and was able to park our car there the entire time for $25. Well worth the 2+ hour drive.

TIP: Stick to renting an automatic vehicle. You'll be driving on the left hand side of the road, possible navigating your way through a farmer moving his sheep. Why complicate things?

TIP:

Travel during the U.S. Winter because it's summer there. Best months in NZ are January/February. We traveled in Mid-late Dec, and it was still fine, but not as warm as I was hoping for.

We flew to Honolulu on the big island of Oahu, and had an overnight layover, which was actually quite fun. It broke up the long flight and we had some beach and shopping time. It felt like a mini Hawaiian vacation. And of course, it was sunny.

Once in the downtown area, rodeo drive style shopping awaits you with all your favorite name brand stores. Look for the walkway with all the surfboards chained to the sides. If it wasn't so colorful, you might miss it. They call it the Surf Locker, and it leads directly to the warm sandy beach of Waikiki! Just down the street and across the road is the International Marketplace, where interesting local vendors peddle their wares and you can try and haggle for a good deal.

The next day we flew to Auckland (north island) then took an interisland flight to Christchurch (south island). We spent time with one of my aunts. She took us to a beautiful botanical gardens, the paua house, Quake City, the cardboard cathedral, and container pop-up mall. It was sad to see the toll on the city from these large quakes, but the people are resourceful, creative in continuing business, and determined to rebuild their beautiful city.

It's quite possible that we gained 5lbs. just by drooling over the goodies at the 2 story Artisan Bakery in nearby Rangiora (a must see). I have not seen anything quite like it or it's flat bathroom sink.

Heading to Queenstown next blog...

Why stay broken?

2013-11-08T13:32:00.000-08:00

I recently had a lovely customer hand me a bag of loose stones, findings and crystals at a show. One of her favorite necklaces had broken and she ask me to repair it, and put it on a delicate sterling chain, and also make matching earrings, dangly and somewhat long. I dug through my stash of gems and was fortunately able to match the beautiful rich green tones of these faceted agates with some stones I had, as well as incorporate the other greens used with Swarovski crystals. She likes Persian design, so I decided to go with this style of earring chandelier. I think she'll be happy. If you live locally, I will gladly do repairs for you on your most favorite pieces. Send me an email with a picture of what you need done, and I can let you know if it's possible and give pricing.
~Sarah