#217: Awaiting Results from Hepatitis Test

I used to do a regular girls trip to Vegas each March.  Over the past few years, people have been popping out babies and doing other slightly more important things, so the trip has become less regular.  And, I think some people have outgrown Vegas, but not me.  Brad and I took a trip in December to see this show and during the trip:

I went to Old Vegas (Fremont Street).

I’ve never seen so many flip phones and meth-heads in the same locale.  I did love it ever so, nonetheless. The Old Strip boasts the largest LED light show in the world, a zip-line through the street, cheap beer  and lots of random street impersonators.  What more could you ask for?

Fun factor: 10

#216: Sheader Times Goes Viral

Brad and I want to have a virtual scrapbook of sorts because we do a lot of stuff but we both suck at taking pictures.  So, in the spirit of the new year and the times, we’ve decided to go virtual and do a joint blog to recap all of our escapades.  So:

I started a blog with someone else.  

You can read it here.  Fasten your seat belts and put on a diaper, because things about to get crazy over at Sheader Times, yo.

Fun factor: 8

#212, #213, #214, #215: Now we just need to learn how to make a profit.

Over the past six months or so, I plunged back into my card-making biz, Paper by Shea.  Brad has been uber helpful throughout the process and his efforts have really helped to get things moving.  He’s da bomb. There are series of new things I’ve done associated with the business, all below.

#212: I had a launch party for Paper by Shea.

We planned the launch party as a way to invite new and old friends together to check out the products and get a buzz going.  About 20 people showed up and the event was generally a success, aside from Brad being overserved.

The scene

I got a dedicated website for Paper by Shea.

It’s here, check it out! Over time, we will refine it and give it more capabilities, but for now, it gets the job done.

I created a studio for Paper by Shea.

This is one of my favorite things ever to happen!  We live in a loft, so it’s really just one big room with a few walls here and there.  The spare bedroom is now the Paper by Shea World Headquarters. When we have guests visiting, we can use an air mattress or couch it.

Supplies and Invoice Trays

Photo Station

Work Station

Product Storage

I sold my first order to a bona fide stranger!

The order came around 11pm and Brad came into the bedroom to wake me up, he was so excited.  I was in a sleep coma, so apparently I briefly woke up to do an Arsenio Hall fist pump, but drifted back to the pillow soon thereafter.  The next day I thought it was a dream.  If anyone out there peddles their own product, you know there’s nothing more exciting than making a sale to a stranger.  I love when anyone buys anything but there’s something about a stranger that makes you feel really validated.  She bought theses coin jars:

Fun Factor: 10++++++

#211: Cuteness is the Spice of Life

This new thing feels a bit unpostworthy, but it’s been one of those projects that’s dragged on for whatever reason and now that it’s done, I’d like some extra closure.  A few months ago, Brad and I felt that our spice and herb storage needed revamping.  Because unsightly food storage is the type of worry that keeps us up at night.   So:

I made a spice & herb storage system.

Before you judge the lameness of this post, take a look at the before and after.  I mean…this new setup is soooo freaking cute.

Before

A few cute little glass jars, some printed mailing labels and a bamboo vessel, and VOILA!

After

Fun factor: 8

#210: Come on baby, light my fire.

The thought of being responsible for a wood-burning fireplace is stressful to me.  Our newest pad has one and we broke it in a few weekends ago when my parents were in town.  Because people in their thirties need help from their parents with these sorts of things, get over it.  I finally got up the confidence to throw a chemically filled log on the barbie all by myself,  So:

I lit a fire by myself using fake firewood. 

 

Fun factor: 7

#209: Move over, Martina.

Brad and I have had a hankering to play tennis recently, but can never seem to make time.  Feeling obese, coupled with getting new tennies last week, proved enough motivation to get out there on the courts, so:

I played tennis after dark.

I'm the loser pretending to exercise in the dark.

We left our place around 5:45 and didn’t realize how quickly it has been getting dark lately.  We biked to the courts and by the time we arrived, we had about 4 minutes of daylight.

Fun factor: 6

#208: Add bank vault to my list of disappointing realities…

Last weekend, I went out for dinner and decided to have a pre-dinner cocktail beforehand.  I was born to be an extra in Mad Men.  And:
I went to a bar housed in an old bank vault.

The Bedford was dimly lit, mysterious and fun, but a little disappointing.  As Brad accurately surmised, I always imagined bank vaults to be more like the Ducktails version, with Scrooge McDuck diving around in piles of gold coins and paper money while wearing a striped singlet.  Instead, it’s a bunch of boring safe deposit boxes lining a square room.

Fun factor: 7

#207: Paper by Shea Takes Over the World

I’ve been making handmade greeting cards for years.  A few years ago, I opened an Etsy shop, but didn’t do a good job of keeping up with it.  I picked it up again and:

I sold one of my handmade cards online!

Balloon Card

Cake cards!

Pennant Card

You, too, can search and purchase the products here and help a sista out.   While you’re at it, become a fan of Paper by Shea on Facebook!   (Yes, this post has been sponsored by Paper by Shea.)  I’m in a phase where I’m obsessed with this.  I’ve now made two online sales and have two custom orders that I’m working on, one for party invitations and one for holiday cards doubling as baby announcements.  If you have a need for any greeting cards, invitations, gift tags and other handmade gifts (Birthday Box, anyone?!), consider ordering from Paper by Shea.  I would encourage you to hurry up and place your orders before I die from carpel tunnel!

PS- my adorable Paper by Shea logo was created by the utterly talented artist, Angel Busque. I’m in love with her work and with the logo she made specially for my budding company.  Thanks, Angel!

Fun Factor: 10+

#206: Bakin’ with my Bestie

Bomber threw us one hell of an engagement party this summer so I wanted to do something besides write her a thank you note.   She had mentioned a few times around August that she was itching to bake a pie from scratch, so:

I had a PIE PARTY!!

I gathered recipes, flour, sugar, fruit, fillings, aprons, butter and love and she came over and we went to town.  We made everything from scratch and ended the day very proud.

The fillings

Uncooked - not bad for 2 first-timers!

60 minutes later....it was delish!

There were 3 pies on the agenda: apple, pear creme brulee tart & pumpkin mousse.  We made 1.5, all told…oops.  Although we didn’t complete all three, it was a super fun and relaxing day.  I would highly encourage you all to take a personal day to bake pies sometime in the near future.

Fun factor: 10+

#205: Lard with a side of honey badger, please.

Accidentally,

I ate at a vegan restaurant. 

Last Friday, Brad and I went to this restaurant and not until we were waited on did we realize the restaurant was vegan.  The spot is on our street and always looks so adorbs.  The menu items use terms like pork, crab, chicken and cheese, which threw us off a little.  For example, we ordered the cheese plate and sort of still expected actual cheese.  Because we are morons.  Instead, we were presented with 5 pieces of raw vegetable ground up with some mystery ingredient.  Pretty good, though.  Entrees were portabella steak with potatoes and “crab” pasta. Overall, everything was pretty good.  Then again, this was the same meal that I fell back off the wagon…

Fun factor: 7