tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80440779181478865422024-02-07T22:00:11.933-08:00Koukla Mou DesignsKoukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-10555420146163263002011-04-09T06:51:00.000-07:002011-04-13T15:19:04.168-07:00Pamper Yourself Local: ladies' night<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ladiesnightofindulgence.com/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEWQZOSHCHhQ3v7ozdL5SXzYrfLK7afslLbrJ9asg4E2UAfk4-tfxlMK_HmQBE0MCDd1lf1HCU9CbfYDkqSBv9T9svapjjoE76_ZKSyLdhLKza787C8hiUw4kzpITIjq83gq4m2BSOhMT/s320/797021914-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594796851253885426" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">photo courtesy of: The Specific Chiropractic Center</span><br /></div><br />I am <span style="font-weight: bold;">so pumped</span> to share this exciting event with you:<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kouklamoudesigns">Koukla Mou Designs</a> will be at <a href="http://www.ladiesnightofindulgence.com/">Ladies Night of Indulgence</a> on April 29 at the <a href="http://www.portlandharborhotel.com/">Portland Harbor Hotel</a>. In addition to jewelry there will be many other vendors to pamper you and give you attention, including desserts by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mom-Made-It-Cakes-Cupcakes-Muffins-More/271828362076?ref=ts">Mom Made It!</a>, <a href="http://khortonfoods.com/">gourmet cheeses</a>, <a href="https://michellespires.scentsy.us/Home"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Scentsy Candles</span></a>, <a href="http://www.arbonne.com/international.asp">Arbonne</a>, <a href="http://bodyscapesfitness.com/location/scarborough-me">personal training</a>, <a href="http://www.karmafairtrade.com/">Karma Fair Trade</a>, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, bra fittings from Macy's (WOOHOO!), photography and many more!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Mom-Made-It-Cakes-Cupcakes-Muffins-More/271828362076"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAnfIQeHJnYu5cRSp21nNM-86eLFKJFgjkSWqKESypYKCt-0beQduEfdEJ1U2d98EDW9xdtnncqVUepTyLmp9eREdUHe9_ft5puT9ODKS0R9uSnQ04yIjqmHi05AUGw7vVgaCqHXuqRXA/s320/190842_10150109178322077_271828362076_7041381_357595_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594795279781756930" border="0" /></a></div><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">photo courtesy of: Mom Made It!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://khortonfoods.com/"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPruyE-UYvXUMVHUBk7l3hhdHYaJhsxt61AowhEqw0CtBJDrp8BtIeJkhivZPH8DVpFZtDvVJgnbIkWX_hEfzYpJCiQZNrbnuyWPSnEHEe26E7RIZmSSnFCy5oQkgwM_cBHzTExUtPOLL/s320/hp_finest_mn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594795924744360354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">photo courtesy of: K. Horton Specialty Foods</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Something else exciting:</span><br />For the first time, I will be accepting credit cards! (double "yay"!)<br /><br /></div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Detail recap:</span><br />April 29 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Portland Harbor Hotel<br /><a href="http://lnoiportland2011.eventbrite.com/">Register </a>online and be sure to enter discount code "koukla" to receive $5.00 off. All ticket proceeds will benefit the American Heart Association.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Indulge yourself silly - you SO deserve it</span><br /></div>Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-66604485628263910852011-04-01T06:25:00.000-07:002011-04-01T07:30:55.340-07:00April Snow Brings: Autism Awareness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/71255092/autism-awareness-necklace"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6ZKxCWbey2s7T1kBRygkh1Jux-iYZinURTz2VWXX39Vm3FDnK1KAMOtOEFJVwxDXUrq_-fIOZAk4gg6ke8J6rTTZwmCA8uEFaVZ6zSqO8-pFf9gLpxcZm_F99G1HEWWEMNP2TXlrxPkn/s320/P3310006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590613904109878418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">'Tis the Month to Be Aware</span><br />I am SO excited about today. Not only is it a snow day, but it is also April. April is Autism Awareness month. As a special educator, I try to educate staff and students about how to be a good friend to someone with Autism. Of course, this is a daily goal, but this month gives us a great excuse to get into classrooms. Due to the busyness of the year, we are going to have to hustle and bustle to put something enriching together this year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtlsu7LGJqDDTNDpPAQJHT0O6haPllgCFdcJSqyfL0sxhoVBGF7DNslbfAg0j0Yhgnm_OcQQmp0i0PEmrT8E-dPDtC-7fQjtGO_asCYBsfSWpAV-Ne2bvoHpcDGM2qmn29N7EaezZ5oAZ/s1600/9780979471308.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 254px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtlsu7LGJqDDTNDpPAQJHT0O6haPllgCFdcJSqyfL0sxhoVBGF7DNslbfAg0j0Yhgnm_OcQQmp0i0PEmrT8E-dPDtC-7fQjtGO_asCYBsfSWpAV-Ne2bvoHpcDGM2qmn29N7EaezZ5oAZ/s320/9780979471308.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590615072956247362" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Love</span><br />I have worked with children with Autism for the past 6 years. These children have brought such joy into my life. Each day,there is always SO MUCH laughter and an abundance of smiles. The perseveration, random words, conversations and hugs make my heart burst with love and overcome any frustrations I may be feeling. As a K-4 teacher, I have the pleasure to have some of these children for 5 years. It offers opportunity for close relationships and our classroom often feels like a big family. I wish I could share all the stories, but there is this little thing called "confidentiality".<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">*Pretend there is a picture of all my students here*<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Local Events</span><br />There are many <a href="http://www.asmonline.org/calendar/default.asp">local events</a> this month in which you can become involved actively or as a spectator, including a <a href="http://www.asmonline.org/calendar/default.asp?mc_sd=4/1/2011&v_sd=4/1/2011&v_ed=4/30/2011#day_6">Portland Pirates</a> game and a <a href="http://www.asmonline.org/calendar/default.asp?mc_sd=4/1/2011&v_sd=4/1/2011&v_ed=4/30/2011#day_9">Sea Dogs</a> game.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/71255092/autism-awareness-necklace"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Necklace</span></a><br />This is the first piece of jewelry I've made in support of Autism Awareness. I'm so pumped about it. A cluster containing a freshwater coin pearl, turquoise, "lentil" glass, and Swarovski hangs from a 40" antique brass chain. My favorite part of the necklace is the handcrafted and hammered 14K gold filled autism ribbon, hanging a bit above the cluster. Unique.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/71255092/autism-awareness-necklace"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7oLD5Dp5L2HrPyCB1ddNoaPOnXiXhXxTM-JHHwouvM8WTxNedVAoVV0ZbSu2y1wkRR-2t8yUgi09oCEdtQ0kS9xIDXTAmGN9kkcwB_vxPUmFIGUUGKoYamQKGZHurtMsnKo7sZIBa0taV/s320/P3310008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590613537569934146" border="0" /></a><br />For more information about Autism visit http://www.autism-society.org/Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-78102947262482431492011-03-26T05:24:00.000-07:002011-03-26T06:12:54.011-07:00Inspired By My COACH: purseIn my <a href="http://kouklamoudesigns.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-birthday-in-mobile-uploads-spoiled.html#comments">birthday blog</a>, I mentioned my new COACH purse, my first ever COACH purse. The color is brilliant and although a little darker than "coral" I like to call it coral.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCrKvasBuYR0EG3aSZSDNMccAW7ao2U3SfMIuEz9z6Xq0BcVXElZk0-1jMvQrGROTMeEJxKvo-VHEag2VCKpH7G4NXxzvo325fqSXr01IXY8of0kbYmnrUKn_09TMIdeWELl7LefcrgHn/s1600/P3250005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCrKvasBuYR0EG3aSZSDNMccAW7ao2U3SfMIuEz9z6Xq0BcVXElZk0-1jMvQrGROTMeEJxKvo-VHEag2VCKpH7G4NXxzvo325fqSXr01IXY8of0kbYmnrUKn_09TMIdeWELl7LefcrgHn/s320/P3250005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588370905244537250" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Antique Brass Chain</span><br />I had ordered 50 feet of antique brass chain at <a href="http://www.caravanbeads.net/">Caravan Beads</a>. I walked out of the store with the spool of chain and my purse. When I ordered it, I had high hopes for its use. When I picked it up, I thought, "What was I thinking? Why did I order SO MUCH?!" However, as I was walking to my car, purse under arm and spool in hand, the colors looked amazing together. <span style="font-style: italic;">Mission: </span>find coral beads!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRY3eHNI18w4snvSzaskgimoLe2homf-3rhn7gPLi4nb4CEBxwNSca3DDdYYsK8D82Sc5idAQ0C6rPl-CA_sPJgqrTYZ4Q6Kix5BAZe7gx3xZh-gfapGhGHZ-kY3SEig3PTQih5MQ-plb/s1600/P3250010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRY3eHNI18w4snvSzaskgimoLe2homf-3rhn7gPLi4nb4CEBxwNSca3DDdYYsK8D82Sc5idAQ0C6rPl-CA_sPJgqrTYZ4Q6Kix5BAZe7gx3xZh-gfapGhGHZ-kY3SEig3PTQih5MQ-plb/s320/P3250010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588371260394757810" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.beadinpath.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Beadin' Path</span></a><br />What better place to look? and use my <a href="http://www.beadinpath.com/bead_gift_cards.html">birthday gift cards</a>? I spent over an hour looking at the same 4 strands of beads and trying to figure out what exactly I wanted to do with them. What exactly DID I do with them?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoCGhsLME1PMqvO13_qIVeOqNqvufiY8LVelbvXEc_dYaVP6HiwDA6rQaeobbKrE3v7UwoqHsdmanRvmPuTsR6RbZbN7zLLNqznS6_23IUfvRUm4mnV7QQNnvhLw0Sy8xVvd1P7Qarc1-/s1600/P3250012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgoCGhsLME1PMqvO13_qIVeOqNqvufiY8LVelbvXEc_dYaVP6HiwDA6rQaeobbKrE3v7UwoqHsdmanRvmPuTsR6RbZbN7zLLNqznS6_23IUfvRUm4mnV7QQNnvhLw0Sy8xVvd1P7Qarc1-/s320/P3250012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588371642651072722" border="0" /></a> antique brass chain with lucite and antique brass beads necklace 42"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67iV3R_OOE1B43p45MB5L6gA45wkxHz6A0YNxcmMS3Xxha4kjfZ08pNDo9gkS_vZ15l8ouag1Kc7QVsV-Izoz7osuDdcCjsOyRtJPtxWj3zp8kBDf1jTaiIluKYtsGQojTTHzY7tIJnuz/s1600/P3250013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67iV3R_OOE1B43p45MB5L6gA45wkxHz6A0YNxcmMS3Xxha4kjfZ08pNDo9gkS_vZ15l8ouag1Kc7QVsV-Izoz7osuDdcCjsOyRtJPtxWj3zp8kBDf1jTaiIluKYtsGQojTTHzY7tIJnuz/s320/P3250013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588372105679654834" border="0" /></a>42" antique brass and lucite necklace<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizsCGMp71JLJ9pyHXnUsO6QqqLnSYe7ZLHn97yqtZXT4rys9hFPsdQPduTYqvkiHlXeQYQGC1OgW4DW5QuSqARsQaYlGcVLTekApZSP6t2urLE9nKGbEyOREfT4VwcmquRbW_jTsDMTY3/s1600/P3250015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizsCGMp71JLJ9pyHXnUsO6QqqLnSYe7ZLHn97yqtZXT4rys9hFPsdQPduTYqvkiHlXeQYQGC1OgW4DW5QuSqARsQaYlGcVLTekApZSP6t2urLE9nKGbEyOREfT4VwcmquRbW_jTsDMTY3/s320/P3250015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588373498171563314" border="0" /></a>20" antique brass and lucite necklace<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Some more things to come</span><br />So I clearly need to make earrings to match all of these necklaces, but here are some <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61240529/tri-color-stacked-hoops">earrings </a>that would also match perfectly with them. Oh and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/53172497/grace-the-americas-stefania-mou">these</a> would look great, too! Something I'm excited about...my owl. I have high hopes for this little guy!<br /></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxmi63qrFsaPupGXwqyOYntht-PhRK60mNyRXesFosc7a1CEk9lE0ppYbrxVi16UItdMYslmqPfYG2I-t2J5vABp0dqgNkXtu8bVQa0kj517z-Am4fmHIdYMhCTF-2LmOQkqDsCX5zgK1/s1600/P3250021.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxmi63qrFsaPupGXwqyOYntht-PhRK60mNyRXesFosc7a1CEk9lE0ppYbrxVi16UItdMYslmqPfYG2I-t2J5vABp0dqgNkXtu8bVQa0kj517z-Am4fmHIdYMhCTF-2LmOQkqDsCX5zgK1/s320/P3250021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588374507222619602" border="0" /></a>Is he not SO cute and innocent?!<br /></div>Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-772753223051821362011-03-19T04:50:00.000-07:002011-03-19T16:26:57.408-07:00My Birthday in Mobile Uploads: spoiled<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki8pcYMcOJwzzaSIs3Fsatc2QedzvnsqW-sW8OdflBwH3fB6EAcUQb5V8ZyW26oNeaANniOJIeJ4YBC6XA5kJMXskEceF1CXjyAq5HD_nRhoUPtGVqVdj5UztORz8eUMEf-a5MbJi8ANk/s1600/199428_10150109407641463_533746462_6893861_4749625_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki8pcYMcOJwzzaSIs3Fsatc2QedzvnsqW-sW8OdflBwH3fB6EAcUQb5V8ZyW26oNeaANniOJIeJ4YBC6XA5kJMXskEceF1CXjyAq5HD_nRhoUPtGVqVdj5UztORz8eUMEf-a5MbJi8ANk/s320/199428_10150109407641463_533746462_6893861_4749625_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585763879325473922" border="0" /></a>My girls who threw my party (note the red and silver balloons to match my outfit!)<br /></div><br /><br />Last year I brought to you "<a href="http://kouklamoudesigns.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-life-in-mobile-uploads.html">My Life in Mobile Uploads</a>". My friend (see Jenika above with blonde hair) inspired me to write another.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I. Am. SPOILED!</span><br />I walked into school last week and laughed: from the office, out of the main building, into the portable, down the hall and to my classroom door. All throughout the school were pictures of me at various ages. The pictures were on the bathroom door, on the refrigerator...EVERYWHERE.<br />When I finally arrived at my classroom (still laughing), this is what I saw:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K3a9oH2uLiGj2Wp9OBTqEwaexRRMRTTtJOlUfgq7v8-tGEDWH1J9BPlBdUp6VrKC6ox1ai4kJs8i1XKw93ki-9A9DbC_mTtiSc9J5-Y4R8M7xGK0CPhEK7CwLVLK1E76lKhqGFDzTLZu/s1600/197823_10150206753494829_629914828_9106305_4335323_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1K3a9oH2uLiGj2Wp9OBTqEwaexRRMRTTtJOlUfgq7v8-tGEDWH1J9BPlBdUp6VrKC6ox1ai4kJs8i1XKw93ki-9A9DbC_mTtiSc9J5-Y4R8M7xGK0CPhEK7CwLVLK1E76lKhqGFDzTLZu/s320/197823_10150206753494829_629914828_9106305_4335323_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585758918540377778" border="0" /></a>The kids LOVED going through this. Everytime, saying, "CARWASH!" (note all the pictures of me on either side).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Secret Admirer</span><br />I still have NO IDEA who these are from. It is a flower "birthday cake" and it is GORGEOUS. A week later and they still look beautiful. The card read, "Happy 30th Birthday, Friends". Who wants to fess up?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AEY5rLjHzns8fd49nO1kylnR3VML4cf4AaMufJFWkO91vmQhpwnNhY4gdLsrfjknisWEFc1FX_495cVLN7wRPF2MnTjMHEVATBj6VA-JFfu_Y-_d2VvkV2etJDXAoww8ok8DJz_maDIr/s1600/190024_10150206744034829_629914828_9106198_5897268_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AEY5rLjHzns8fd49nO1kylnR3VML4cf4AaMufJFWkO91vmQhpwnNhY4gdLsrfjknisWEFc1FX_495cVLN7wRPF2MnTjMHEVATBj6VA-JFfu_Y-_d2VvkV2etJDXAoww8ok8DJz_maDIr/s320/190024_10150206744034829_629914828_9106198_5897268_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585759767101997058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">CUPCAKES!</span><br />Red and silver sprinkled cupcakes to match my birthday outfit (<a href="http://kouklamoudesigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/tortilla-chips-and-brass-knuckles-my.html">remember, match whenever possible</a>). I really wanted to blow out ALL the candles at once and I really had to give myself a pep-talk (inside my mind), but I did it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TGrAatVfwrLhhzro4vv3gAgjm4Th-YUzCvZ7TpHCmz_2Ul1ag6unwyV5hKT5RzsD8LSJmXJu4VpsWGSFRgYb6t_EbuuLA8VIlIOpSFk0h1XZllJfIpak1B2dfAsAO6-k-4Sf3Oxpophs/s1600/Unnamed.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9TGrAatVfwrLhhzro4vv3gAgjm4Th-YUzCvZ7TpHCmz_2Ul1ag6unwyV5hKT5RzsD8LSJmXJu4VpsWGSFRgYb6t_EbuuLA8VIlIOpSFk0h1XZllJfIpak1B2dfAsAO6-k-4Sf3Oxpophs/s320/Unnamed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585934628870017842" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Not So Secret Admirer</span><br />I'm growing up. My first ever COACH purses. Enough said.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlyvrH62yu32xxpl0BBYuBdGcjX445c4zqq3IOplcc0Die1vve3TEEXOiJ3MyfKQX2uIxfLF4Kzg7VwZLChyphenhyphenTceLv2qs_JFJsD0PVNmQcOBuV2OkgvX5hrEk27UX8px0hpUFX6HqvxlFq/s1600/IMG00473-20110312-1101.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlyvrH62yu32xxpl0BBYuBdGcjX445c4zqq3IOplcc0Die1vve3TEEXOiJ3MyfKQX2uIxfLF4Kzg7VwZLChyphenhyphenTceLv2qs_JFJsD0PVNmQcOBuV2OkgvX5hrEk27UX8px0hpUFX6HqvxlFq/s320/IMG00473-20110312-1101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585934818313453010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Spoiled? </span>Yes<span style="font-weight: bold;">. Loved? </span>No Doubt<span style="font-weight: bold;">. Deserve it all? </span>Absolutely!Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-57436498524714516022011-03-08T13:31:00.000-08:002011-03-10T17:27:35.018-08:0030% off: my gift to you<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpIXR1XYZ4Ldb46u1HMKnzyipfxbV0bK6Egmp_0-0lGTPYXxX-f13EmobnHfhVoss9nC2SaUwPZzPmv9_ghIfVXSItpJzEVwN8DUHPq8CYSLsieJV3wxkTDafRxhWkQ15Cx3LuG-nyPDS/s1600/hpqscan0042.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpIXR1XYZ4Ldb46u1HMKnzyipfxbV0bK6Egmp_0-0lGTPYXxX-f13EmobnHfhVoss9nC2SaUwPZzPmv9_ghIfVXSItpJzEVwN8DUHPq8CYSLsieJV3wxkTDafRxhWkQ15Cx3LuG-nyPDS/s320/hpqscan0042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582625596639332818" border="0" /></a>3rd bday - check out the blonde hair!<br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Happy Birthday to ME</span><br />Tomorrow is my birthday (WOOHOO!) Here's what YOU get... 30% everything in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/KouklaMouDesigns">etsy shop</a>. One percent for each year I've been alive....what a deal!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsGl2uH6_C5vnggHRueluB4yoW6d8P_MvNK19RGLUmtKeAgXM469Qn91JtRTyhU0IU0fNSsEd8SFefictDiDTyJ9-fkrKpGBXuBIuYKgHvAhUcf2nnV5Dcsnjws-vL77jlnTqvT__Nzb4/s1600/hpqscan0004+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSsGl2uH6_C5vnggHRueluB4yoW6d8P_MvNK19RGLUmtKeAgXM469Qn91JtRTyhU0IU0fNSsEd8SFefictDiDTyJ9-fkrKpGBXuBIuYKgHvAhUcf2nnV5Dcsnjws-vL77jlnTqvT__Nzb4/s320/hpqscan0004+%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582627569982931314" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Party like it's 1981<br /><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Enter coupon code "BIRTHDAY30" at checkout</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> on March 11 only.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Happy shopping!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYUUU7eWgmnV_nOU8QRQ001A6vyp8ZJwWQqBAtIl6eL9sbSJHdjDfIug9Zhd9wE-pOCq-E65oggC-h2D8_IfomWXHKPY0M04Ladw2l-wberpI0011_uNcq5FpgG4XUlD_E3DHH1RtaFFI/s1600/hpqscan0010+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYUUU7eWgmnV_nOU8QRQ001A6vyp8ZJwWQqBAtIl6eL9sbSJHdjDfIug9Zhd9wE-pOCq-E65oggC-h2D8_IfomWXHKPY0M04Ladw2l-wberpI0011_uNcq5FpgG4XUlD_E3DHH1RtaFFI/s320/hpqscan0010+%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582625945888685330" border="0" /></a>nice hair<br /></div>Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-27642053202190094022011-03-07T10:27:00.000-08:002011-03-07T11:18:15.996-08:00It's my birthday week: what to wearI love my birthday. Who doesn't remember my 11 days of giveaways last year? Well, I have been much too busy to plan a giveaway, but I do have something in store for March 11, so be looking. March 11 is Friday. My birthday. And I'm turning THIRTY.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Trying to find the perfect dress</span><br />I went shopping on Saturday morning to find my birthday dress. Afterall, you only turn 30 once. I was FREAKING OUT trying to find a dress. And I HATE shopping. I am busy every night this week, so really it was my only time to find something. I couldn't find ANYTHING.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Surprise!</span><br />After all the freaking out, my family threw me a surprise party on Saturday night. What an emotional day. I was in shock for a good 4 hours. Everyone needs to be surprised at least once in their life. And only once...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp0CoUUBqniRixb0REw6R04pLT5qYceH0t_P5w9DHBe6pLvG3CAa3lR39ZtPmJXDdhxoeAsEAsjo8g_okIpzz8l5-N8MxLtwVPBrLFumUqz-WpNvJhfSorLak397nICKJgTfa9Q_CIA1g/s1600/194110_10150111032309239_543584238_6177518_3393447_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp0CoUUBqniRixb0REw6R04pLT5qYceH0t_P5w9DHBe6pLvG3CAa3lR39ZtPmJXDdhxoeAsEAsjo8g_okIpzz8l5-N8MxLtwVPBrLFumUqz-WpNvJhfSorLak397nICKJgTfa9Q_CIA1g/s320/194110_10150111032309239_543584238_6177518_3393447_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581411813581545762" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The outfit</span><br />So on Sunday, two of my best girlfriends decided that I really shouldn't freak out anymore and they went shopping with me. I found the dress (birthday dress) at Forever 21. It is perfect. It's red. It's comfortable. The shoes (DSW) were more expensive than the dress, but they are also perfect and comfortable. Red dress. Gray shoes. Score. Full-length pics? You'll have to wait for those.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRU29cv_EeX257zEnsYjCdLRWyZJd6wh4FHwXqibjaZN1gWDkSJXcux7Gdtt6fZhdkk-56DKzqLIAZAR5ORQT6RO0Qssr8TawiKFxKPPLi8CWcpz-mavf-sdCnj-xh7LLSt4KnB5yw5of/s1600/P3070038.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRU29cv_EeX257zEnsYjCdLRWyZJd6wh4FHwXqibjaZN1gWDkSJXcux7Gdtt6fZhdkk-56DKzqLIAZAR5ORQT6RO0Qssr8TawiKFxKPPLi8CWcpz-mavf-sdCnj-xh7LLSt4KnB5yw5of/s320/P3070038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581409691171966978" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Jewelry</span><br />Swarovski earrings, oh so long.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialmVy5Jiu9nmgFNUH3L36MelU1pl7cTwv2LuDfTuhJdYPxTJgYO1uBsN-X2v1iin7HmtVvczkpnYf4qjNm0i3x8Js8L9uedKultvDcu6OwMhbNrt5bOI3YclQ5R07sYx7GtiyDpqqEl-2/s1600/P3070003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialmVy5Jiu9nmgFNUH3L36MelU1pl7cTwv2LuDfTuhJdYPxTJgYO1uBsN-X2v1iin7HmtVvczkpnYf4qjNm0i3x8Js8L9uedKultvDcu6OwMhbNrt5bOI3YclQ5R07sYx7GtiyDpqqEl-2/s320/P3070003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581410351998260258" border="0" /></a> A matching bracelet? Yes, please.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYAx0ie-Ri58rBTWRs9HVLoeUtYR9msUrCL-Y-1092vYMDLkNimE2_KhVzuoUB20Bj22EVf1LoXf4R_6iaOQsrFX_7rux5PO7Me0afzad2adKzWM_-DShN-cQp6KbidyGAHxgOWXI1Ahs/s1600/P3070018.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYAx0ie-Ri58rBTWRs9HVLoeUtYR9msUrCL-Y-1092vYMDLkNimE2_KhVzuoUB20Bj22EVf1LoXf4R_6iaOQsrFX_7rux5PO7Me0afzad2adKzWM_-DShN-cQp6KbidyGAHxgOWXI1Ahs/s320/P3070018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581410827899462898" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Putting it all together</span><br />I will post pics after my birthday bash. Did you know I have a birthday on Friday?Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-64293849095677013422011-02-23T08:38:00.000-08:002011-02-23T09:18:29.762-08:00Permission to Rest: freedom to be<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTmiFFFds5Q4tSJTNOCXF2rtEvPdFOA53On3BFx9JvP6SLCJ_1s9_NFhLI-BJPTw6GbyxBXCOMTxKGBCB-l6ySnrJlDdJ50DEVT61nFlAo5K8kgsXmMTowU6twP9nXvdjFjZlF8o6U1hk/s1600/P2220041.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTmiFFFds5Q4tSJTNOCXF2rtEvPdFOA53On3BFx9JvP6SLCJ_1s9_NFhLI-BJPTw6GbyxBXCOMTxKGBCB-l6ySnrJlDdJ50DEVT61nFlAo5K8kgsXmMTowU6twP9nXvdjFjZlF8o6U1hk/s320/P2220041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576929146677982002" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">garnet chips and copper</span><br /></div><br />The other night, I was so frustrated with myself, because I had been feeling like I had so much to accomplish during vacation. Instead of tackling any of these "things", I did absolutely <span style="font-style: italic;">nothing</span>. In reality, none of these "things" even <span style="font-style: italic;">need</span> to get done this week. I put so much pressure on myself all the time. I was talking to a friend who said, "Rachel! Do I need to look up "vacation" in the Merriam-Webster for you? You don't have to work. Give yourself a break." That just about did it for me. It was completely freeing. I don't have to make jewelry, post new items, blog and tweet during vacation this week. A hobby was becoming an obligation and I was the only one who had expectations for myself. That night, I gave myself permission to rest and do nothing.</div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">smoky quartz and copper</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihN0015JEWy5PEk7MfSbB_-36Kf0Kba3B-gEJALdPuZtf3UUc7YnROH7VmThDyZgTZInnKG5aNfChjX_IF8VkjrM4YtUCW_7HVChYsOqNzx-P6Q8HZYfFeutmagEP2bcCaVXj1FtbCXTC7/s1600/P2220035.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihN0015JEWy5PEk7MfSbB_-36Kf0Kba3B-gEJALdPuZtf3UUc7YnROH7VmThDyZgTZInnKG5aNfChjX_IF8VkjrM4YtUCW_7HVChYsOqNzx-P6Q8HZYfFeutmagEP2bcCaVXj1FtbCXTC7/s320/P2220035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576928327610395154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The funny thing is...</span><br />The next day I <span style="font-style: italic;">wanted </span>to make jewelry. So I sat on the floor (I love sitting on the floor...I don't know why, I just do), caught up on all my favorite shows: Glee, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl (how old am I?), Gray's, and Private Practice, and made some new items. They have not been added to my Etsy shop yet, but they are all for sale.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">sterling silver and turquoise chips</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF152lAczc628uBey7C29h6CYDzsr3Zq1paFQ0hJ8um5IPfINybkRaV-XdJXRYHPKPfVNj4n86zGMBYGtQq8yJSJ2xFqhCTVogQ_YuXWRoMUNtBQNnl4tRTXdBbyjZy8fq1btRltSQMaN/s1600/P2220005.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIF152lAczc628uBey7C29h6CYDzsr3Zq1paFQ0hJ8um5IPfINybkRaV-XdJXRYHPKPfVNj4n86zGMBYGtQq8yJSJ2xFqhCTVogQ_YuXWRoMUNtBQNnl4tRTXdBbyjZy8fq1btRltSQMaN/s320/P2220005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576927218728807058" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">gold filled hammered hoops with green freshwater pearls</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9Sh6VTnp6qUbBZiZjKFOgUeOXtd7RlzurrUpFR83FVJ29OW-7RnE98iQ2isCzfKS-VJyiIsEse54Wdx9lW358yA_toFYC22WAaBAu2LUdan8dHAZyMbAP61QWNZ0I4BzwGe7zVJ1ganA/s1600/P2220032.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9Sh6VTnp6qUbBZiZjKFOgUeOXtd7RlzurrUpFR83FVJ29OW-7RnE98iQ2isCzfKS-VJyiIsEse54Wdx9lW358yA_toFYC22WAaBAu2LUdan8dHAZyMbAP61QWNZ0I4BzwGe7zVJ1ganA/s320/P2220032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576927813347878338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">peridot chips and copper</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-AUl0A-bs5fBkoTNpwOEIsu8lhXDgxnhUIRHM7N3WzqN3ch8IwQxfWpF9b316q8zpG5-ZuJ5TbRaRE-uA19BcGtQPGm72lUTj5yds8SPFmCRxNBRN6kMXZqhK7XAXDdBOBTfTHE57T_c/s1600/P2220043.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-AUl0A-bs5fBkoTNpwOEIsu8lhXDgxnhUIRHM7N3WzqN3ch8IwQxfWpF9b316q8zpG5-ZuJ5TbRaRE-uA19BcGtQPGm72lUTj5yds8SPFmCRxNBRN6kMXZqhK7XAXDdBOBTfTHE57T_c/s320/P2220043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576932960338275218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div>Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-71695678214341726622011-02-19T08:54:00.000-08:002011-02-19T09:46:11.078-08:00Theme Songs: a time to catch up<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SIMnd_lk7YU0zdKWt64ykV4j1wDuYGJqfgWTWp7-N_6Rl1dPljqy2rVkTnSia-tOuIlY4-jRS4zVK0MCLsJuP4S6u2NF2VvSzuq8KhQc_FX66S18LxooTpNx4KUf9KZ0xrQezNVCaJve/s1600/IMG_0912_2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SIMnd_lk7YU0zdKWt64ykV4j1wDuYGJqfgWTWp7-N_6Rl1dPljqy2rVkTnSia-tOuIlY4-jRS4zVK0MCLsJuP4S6u2NF2VvSzuq8KhQc_FX66S18LxooTpNx4KUf9KZ0xrQezNVCaJve/s320/IMG_0912_2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575457072705778978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Modeling how I wanted my student to sit in a box (right before I fell over) so I could make preposition pictures. "Sit <span style="font-weight: bold;">in the box</span> like Ms. Roberts."</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>As a teacher, I have several vacations a year. People often say, "must be nice." Let me tell you. It is!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ga_M5Zdn4"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven. -Ecclesiastes 3:1</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Theme Song</span><br />To everything, rest rest rest<br />There is a season, rest rest rest<br />And a time to every purpose under heaven.<br /><br />a time to catch up<br />a time to slow down<br />a time to drink coffee<br />a time to drink wine<br />a time to work out<br />a time to sleep in<br />a time to laugh with friends<br />a time to weep from exhaustion<br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kouklamoudesigns"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A time to make jewels</span></a><br />This of course gives me more time to do what I love. So be looking for some new designs. I may try to challenge myself to work with the supplies I already have and see what happens. Anything you are looking for me to make?Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-26619815311767372572011-02-12T05:06:00.000-08:002011-02-12T10:47:12.267-08:00Weapons of Fashion: copperhead strikesWhat is my obsession with weapons this week?! <a href="http://kouklamoudesigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/tortilla-chips-and-brass-knuckles-my.html">Brass knuckles</a>, <a href="http://kouklamoudesigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/show-me-your-guns-right-to-bear-arms.html">guns</a> and now copperhead snakes? I am not a violent person. These are just the things I thought about as I was designing in different metals. I am loving the new long necklaces. They are so simple, affordable, trendy, and beautiful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67961491/garnet-and-copper-drop-necklace"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BjS6LaoUbXCrGkMvgNVkCP_V48k9pCjZgp_cIV43wej09ZBXZWNIlzWEoy6ie4q-xOg8no0XX0WevoBBpQ1cgFhgnUzYGoZq_QM_ZxD6J158rGz_7cSB66uvUQW6g9EqXvFr3ylhn4pU/s320/P2110017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572869548013116962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Garnet Theme Songs</span><br />I made this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67961491/garnet-and-copper-drop-necklace">necklace</a> for a friend's birthday this week. My friend already had the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/53172497/grace-the-americas-stefania-mou">Stefania Mou</a> earrings (purchased for her birthday) and I figured she needed something to match. The next day I made one for myself. It also matches well with the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61240529/tri-color-stacked-hoops">tri-color stacked hoops</a>. The 36 inch length is perfect. And has a nice jingle. So people know when you're coming. It's like your own special theme song as you walk into a room. Don't even get me going on theme songs. Everyone should have a theme song. Every. One.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67961344/peridot-and-copper-drop-necklace"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZBoacI2mwjGop5DfIS9vbRW_fISb0suVHjxmITe3MuL-EUgoYD_aDq-_zi1QsJomAY7f2Xfvi1Ucx7jQ8_YOLQhsJymUieP80JelppfN97IeCY07pFecOs1s6imUjYUpl-X7vfBNnmCA/s320/P2110008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572869886454232802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Peridot Boots</span><br />I would like some lime green boots. Some tall boots. Some tall, lime green boots. Just because. They'd be cool. In the meantime, I'll settle for a necklace with lime green in it. This <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67961344/peridot-and-copper-drop-necklace">peridot and copper necklace</a> is the perfect balance of color. It is lightweight and again, very jingly. Press play and strut your stuff.<br /><br />Theme song? Anyone?Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-2395946147204531332011-02-07T03:54:00.001-08:002011-02-12T10:45:57.638-08:00Show Me Your Guns: right to bear armsWhether you are for or against the right to bear arms, this is one gun you will absolutely support wearing.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67573976/turquoise-gunmetal-diamond-necklace"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatW6s1ShkBnSwowHUGcmhFy2VSVB-n1JqP22u1pRtdXCI9eGwHZaLM4FxkMwqlaWZ-lSpDPIMxXTmcagvhXPT5UNg47SEyWMzF0seIPNsziShpsFi-evbuRh84HCC9TMcDc9rP4ywyITj/s200/P2060007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571282998028119570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67573976/turquoise-gunmetal-diamond-necklace"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Turquoise and Gunmetal</span></a><br />The combination of these two colors is perfect for the warm weather seasons we hope are just around the corner, well paired with a white <a href="http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=31135&N=1200005&categoryId=204&pCategoryId=3359&Ns=CATEGORY_SEQ_204&Nty=1&No=15&loc=TN&defaultColor=White&defaultSizeType=Regular">tank</a> and a tan. You don't have a tan? Not warm enough for a tank? No problem! Show off your pasty white skin and throw on an open front cardigan.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67574890/coral-and-gunmetal-love"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEiT43rFP0dw6VPBXTtSRzfkZ967FrXuEbS16oecMSwlbO_ikPcw1ZgnP-XaUEfP6dCfvdXSum5j2gkJEU1FSnoXE_1fReZGneJ4crk6MRmZwmHHjfBwIMW4uXu71bLvM0UjdJLf1qAW1/s200/P2060001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571283911723297794" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67574890/coral-and-gunmetal-love?ref=v1_other_1"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Coral and Gunmetal</span></a><br />Another beautiful color combination: coral and gunmetal. This necklace is light-weight and comfortable. Just think: beaches, sunshine, and...sand stuck in all crevices of your body. I can not wait to dig my toes into the beach and yell at seagulls at Pine Point.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What about Valentine's Day?</span><br />What about it? Anything will do. From hearts, to red, to anything in between. Women love jewelry. Observe. Take notice. And find something stunning. <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/KouklaMouDesigns?ref=top_trail">Need some help?</a><br />What are <span style="font-weight: bold;">YOU</span> doing for the day that is both adored and despised all around the world?Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-8163043013100987982011-02-03T04:01:00.000-08:002011-02-03T15:48:31.132-08:00Tortilla Chips and Brass Knuckles: my newfound love for all things metal<span style="font-weight: bold;">Mmmm...chips</span><br />I love potato chips and tortilla chips (mmm...corn). I also love amethyst chips. And antique brass. And copper.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Metal Mixology</span><br />The past few months, I have really enjoyed <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61240529/tri-color-stacked-hoops">mixing metals</a>. Now I'm mixing colors with metals. My new found love of brass began as I started realizing how much money I was spending on sterling silver. The prices keep rising. But since I started making jewelry when the price of silver was high, I didn't really have a reference point when I started. Thus began my<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/59824786/hoop-and-chains"> mixed metal</a> journey.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67288400/amethyst-tri-dagger-necklace"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vo6Iyw5ArJMOb38KKWBGyoeb4HqWs5hZNJxzc-59_YzsRahsxEalp27G2SxREE2MOtJQa-t6y6PEPmeWkzHoHJFRmKLKlaEZVPwfderhu8Cw9UIQXi2g2DBGMB013tzIvAKU813k7_vx/s200/P2020008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569611911192762690" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tri-Dagger Necklace</span><br />This light purple amethyst looks beautiful with the antique brass chain. And the pointy "daggers" add a unique edge to the purple beauty. The <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67288400/amethyst-tri-dagger-necklace">necklace</a> is long enough to slip around the neck and can be worn alone or stacked with other necklaces of mixed metals (of which will be made shortly).<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amethyst C</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67380787/amethyst-chip-daggers"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz76UFhq2egFfLyJRk9A-ZWwuC8y0YeEJJrKn-JmDZgIKsXmBf4PvHiab0opY8tl8K06QISpeU5BVzW03SkXPUBEoJpQ3Wq0Bk71_4xpH8V4FpgAF0psvcQU1sauWtWgAaBi5ZszSrqHKQ/s200/P2030004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569612418399712818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">hip Earrings</span><br />The<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67380787/amethyst-chip-daggers"> earrings</a> are a perfect match to the necklace for those who are the matchy-matchy type (I never used to be like this, but my friend, Jenika, told me to match whenever possible, even if you're only matching to your underwear). I didn't take her advice lightly. And to this day, I try to match my underwear to SOMETHING, but the hot pink is always difficult to match. And I like to match my jewelry.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brass Knuckles</span><br />If you have brass knuckles, I suppose you can pair those with the daggers. If you're the brass-knuckle type.Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-32963559931466402372011-01-31T19:31:00.000-08:002011-01-31T19:40:14.504-08:00A T-Shirt Success Story: Interview with Johnny Vegas Originals<div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBB1W7ZvIp7uMxy4vUbmdKBn5KgimHme4__Cv4j6zZhc7r9eB0iF3oNQokn7oT6_nTMHMJDZ1cNI9z5MI4DVImc_PYSa3ETsimv1PSlC59DizLzJQvQm5_yrHYTHrcin_FTf8HLpUYpUm/s1600/166629_10150120373336095_255670301094_7733717_3089484_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568512569804178130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBB1W7ZvIp7uMxy4vUbmdKBn5KgimHme4__Cv4j6zZhc7r9eB0iF3oNQokn7oT6_nTMHMJDZ1cNI9z5MI4DVImc_PYSa3ETsimv1PSlC59DizLzJQvQm5_yrHYTHrcin_FTf8HLpUYpUm/s200/166629_10150120373336095_255670301094_7733717_3089484_n.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 200px; width: 150px;" border="0" /></a><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">As I try to peel my eyes away from t-shirt scarves (I actually just bought the one pictured above that will pair perfectly with some </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kouklamoudesigns">silver hoops</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">!), I reflect on the past couple weeks of my obsession and my favorite t-shirt shredding artist. To wrap up our t-shirt scarf session, Johnny from </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/johnnyvegasoriginals">Johnny Vegas Originals</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> shares his cotton jersey slashing journey. Who wants a chance to </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.etsy.com/transaction/42885264">win a scarf </a><span style="font-family: georgia;">from Johnny?!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">Tell us a little bit about how, when and where <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/johnnyvegasoriginals">Johnny Vegas Originals</a> began. </span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">i would have to say that it all began in the mid 80's. i loved tie dyeing t-shirts, and "slashing" them up. and my 80's concert t-shirts as well. then later in the 90's i lived in san francisco, and worked on haight street for many years. that's when i started fine tuning my skill in making the t-shirts actually fit better, and really </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/40218146/shredded-tunic-top-smallmed">flatter a woman's figure</a><span style="font-family: georgia;">. it wasn't until 2 or 3 years ago that i added </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/johnnyvegasoriginals?section_id=6668798">scarves</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> to my line. that started here in utah.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">From where do you draw your inspiration?</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">i get inspired by the jersey fabric i use, and all the different things you can do with it. it holds brilliant color, and is remarkably strong. but of course, soft! no scratchy wool!<br /><br /></span></span></div></div> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} /* List Definitions */ @list l0 {mso-list-id:98836737; mso-list-type:hybrid; mso-list-template-ids:-2060915712 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;} @list l0:level1 {mso-level-tab-stop:.5in; mso-level-number-position:left; text-indent:-.25in;} ol {margin-bottom:0in;} ul {margin-bottom:0in;} --> </style> <span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLmx5p8JTmOjp9AnC7HF4nxHvxHHVEFeRCBtVJQNSVVmmPE-1MwFt6qwcoM6_SmEpGfXmmn7R9F9xPYdBh3T3YpP3TJBftKAp9IVcwr8iGQhN7e8uBeGNEa1JQPCwNjvbE2PWZSptNDqX/s1600/165583_10150130532691095_255670301094_7895573_3390282_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568520743877220114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLmx5p8JTmOjp9AnC7HF4nxHvxHHVEFeRCBtVJQNSVVmmPE-1MwFt6qwcoM6_SmEpGfXmmn7R9F9xPYdBh3T3YpP3TJBftKAp9IVcwr8iGQhN7e8uBeGNEa1JQPCwNjvbE2PWZSptNDqX/s200/165583_10150130532691095_255670301094_7895573_3390282_n.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; width: 134px;" border="0" /></a> </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;"><br />Which product do you most enjoy making?</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">i go through phases. i'll make scarves for a week, until i run out of ideas, then i'll go through a </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/johnnyvegasoriginals?section_id=6513443">shirt</a><span style="font-family: georgia;"> phase. then i'll get some new scarf ideas, and switch back to that for a while.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">Which product do you receive the most feedback about?</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">i would say that the most popular item on my etsy shop would be the </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67154614/shredded-braided-jersey-eternity-scarf">"shredded eternity scarves".</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">What is the best piece of clothing or jewelry to pair with a John</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh891u4na9iOAwUY4GYBevSq17PvmwXfbEmTVie5N5pJIHKDpPeV1EFgq6ljFNUcknhIe0_nyimY5Xv896nh3S_Py4bldrPOjMH92d8h59ylVJC2VMKNjXR7WbmP6Rpy1FzQLqsFndb00Wn/s1600/164760_10150132124941095_255670301094_7916880_1473765_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568534554819973474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh891u4na9iOAwUY4GYBevSq17PvmwXfbEmTVie5N5pJIHKDpPeV1EFgq6ljFNUcknhIe0_nyimY5Xv896nh3S_Py4bldrPOjMH92d8h59ylVJC2VMKNjXR7WbmP6Rpy1FzQLqsFndb00Wn/s200/164760_10150132124941095_255670301094_7916880_1473765_n.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; width: 150px;" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">ny </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vegas scarf?</span><br />you can wear the scarves with ANYTHING! from tank tops and jeans, to dresses and jackets. a</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" >nd since they're cotton jersey, you can even wear them in summer. they're really versatile. in the </span><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">winter i wear mine wrapped 2 or 3 times, to keep me warm. in the summer, i wear them looser, like a necklace almost. very chic.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: georgia;">What are your greatest hopes for Johnny Vegas Originals?</span><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">my hope for johnny vegas originals, is to be recognized as a unique, boho chic brand, and sell enough pieces to quit my day job! i love creating the endless colors and textures the fabric allows.</span><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><div style="text-align: center; font-family: georgia;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Enter for a chance to win THIS scarf:</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" >1. "Like" Johnny Vegas Originals on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Johnny-Vegas-Originals/255670301094">Facebook</a> if you don't already!</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" >2. AND, leave a comment below.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" >*Accepting entries through midnight EST, Thursday, February 3*</span></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6HWt7hcYQh1bpq2qdr1V0NvIy-1vcuL_yEMwvUDanvKwy6MorkZI4nOr32AieYxldELwqsOvKuNtIVRHtmb10Xpx26LIeLMNxrrEGTAwbC6upRhh1Tayxmd1p576orsSTNxE7Ox-nzAK/s1600/il_fullxfull.202032430.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568535244957185778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6HWt7hcYQh1bpq2qdr1V0NvIy-1vcuL_yEMwvUDanvKwy6MorkZI4nOr32AieYxldELwqsOvKuNtIVRHtmb10Xpx26LIeLMNxrrEGTAwbC6upRhh1Tayxmd1p576orsSTNxE7Ox-nzAK/s200/il_fullxfull.202032430.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 200px; text-align: center; width: 150px;" border="0" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <style><!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;}</style> <span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:100%;" >Shredded Eternity Scarf</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><br /></span></span> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Times New Roman"; panose-1:0 2 2 6 3 5 4 5 2 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:50331648 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-parent:""; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;}</style> <span style=";font-family:times new roman;font-size:100%;" > </span>Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-79904003292350852292011-01-29T18:33:00.000-08:002011-01-29T19:39:51.945-08:00Another Trashy Success: t-shirt finds homeLast week, after quickly becoming obsessed with<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/johnnyvegasoriginals"> Johnny Vegas Originals scarves</a>, I DID in fact decide to cut up my beloved t-shirt and make a scarf...it was SIMPLE!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How'd you do it, Rachel?</span><br />I found a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PERn2iLa2eg">DIY video</a>. I wasn't a HUGE fan of it, but it worked for what I needed. I skipped over a lot of it. If you want to make your very own t-shirt scarf, now's the time to learn.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Journey</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMSmUpGgFwOOWbMh5nmcwmiRX6icVNULOyuaFSEqnigQ1_LHMXWI4XTje8YRHpLCZvIZ0dG6KSowdCtn4aUzR_JpHy7E8dqQeK9N7uLvPsYFfqq7MECXkpbjrQo-TBoMeBMtexOdmTV1o/s1600/P1200001.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTMSmUpGgFwOOWbMh5nmcwmiRX6icVNULOyuaFSEqnigQ1_LHMXWI4XTje8YRHpLCZvIZ0dG6KSowdCtn4aUzR_JpHy7E8dqQeK9N7uLvPsYFfqq7MECXkpbjrQo-TBoMeBMtexOdmTV1o/s200/P1200001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567804688957298610" border="0" /></a> <br /> My beloved shirt<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA71qODFm5_9JHdGqYTeQHkIC_BUt7qFWhqciAA4mDqxqBhBRLWSGiek8r11dLrC14PUc0i0rSCv7GZAIGbPcBTx-vhxtvQcPG7ojRjPABmOvJbp9r9HVYrOH2EZIhX0tZGzZeuHovHrdb/s1600/P1200003.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA71qODFm5_9JHdGqYTeQHkIC_BUt7qFWhqciAA4mDqxqBhBRLWSGiek8r11dLrC14PUc0i0rSCv7GZAIGbPcBTx-vhxtvQcPG7ojRjPABmOvJbp9r9HVYrOH2EZIhX0tZGzZeuHovHrdb/s200/P1200003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567805603005861010" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> The rip :( <br /> <br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu6l4MzhD1aD0UuFqEjrN4nEFEVYFRWQkO1B_Mc3J7Eg3v1vh9omnQr6ftst-TLWFs3MdI1PdBGuGf2vlxIfQEwKAlfJiWrzmif3cYToURzcyM4dW6CO0sdva-sh1mJ5OhGO9XJn57ZoH/s1600/P1210004.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifu6l4MzhD1aD0UuFqEjrN4nEFEVYFRWQkO1B_Mc3J7Eg3v1vh9omnQr6ftst-TLWFs3MdI1PdBGuGf2vlxIfQEwKAlfJiWrzmif3cYToURzcyM4dW6CO0sdva-sh1mJ5OhGO9XJn57ZoH/s200/P1210004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567808302701126194" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9T3VKOu7FKtvrta7nceQmxkOy5vSjzqoZx7swQVgiVIh4lHvb6s9I4aTlYQI9xV1sAfqYW4ztCN4CgpbMWF7flWGJn94YIyMAGdLq1XrwC5_Gm21haSromM2aAwLsMBLhKVwb03UTVoI/s1600/P1210006.JPG"> </a><br /> The Slice <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9T3VKOu7FKtvrta7nceQmxkOy5vSjzqoZx7swQVgiVIh4lHvb6s9I4aTlYQI9xV1sAfqYW4ztCN4CgpbMWF7flWGJn94YIyMAGdLq1XrwC5_Gm21haSromM2aAwLsMBLhKVwb03UTVoI/s1600/P1210006.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9T3VKOu7FKtvrta7nceQmxkOy5vSjzqoZx7swQVgiVIh4lHvb6s9I4aTlYQI9xV1sAfqYW4ztCN4CgpbMWF7flWGJn94YIyMAGdLq1XrwC5_Gm21haSromM2aAwLsMBLhKVwb03UTVoI/s200/P1210006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567809979382125906" border="0" /></a> <br /> Finished Product<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqrQWRhEJLBCnck_chNFKSBcTlM4o_s-4fs793K9Sr9aiLXDZqOdhANnzl2_kkr_kNO2Tq_9bk3z1gl9G76gKIuPXEwMlLCbatcX57mCFUrUoNPH_hUjT5v4iE55KjE0HIFifgFqMT6xG/s1600/P1210011.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqrQWRhEJLBCnck_chNFKSBcTlM4o_s-4fs793K9Sr9aiLXDZqOdhANnzl2_kkr_kNO2Tq_9bk3z1gl9G76gKIuPXEwMlLCbatcX57mCFUrUoNPH_hUjT5v4iE55KjE0HIFifgFqMT6xG/s200/P1210011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567810484364905986" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4eeiBocmodbEeIP-qegz6C8S5PiazPPXt5SgeiBjC5POagdQud5kKAZRn3vHZ-vZRc5ccKpr_CYmPT-71RDxiFfdnJmkfvg3MGK3KMMIq7SANspntbyTnQZj2RFGKW1rhn3oFQAUSIYp/s1600/P1210015.JPG"> </a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> My favorite detail <br /> <br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4eeiBocmodbEeIP-qegz6C8S5PiazPPXt5SgeiBjC5POagdQud5kKAZRn3vHZ-vZRc5ccKpr_CYmPT-71RDxiFfdnJmkfvg3MGK3KMMIq7SANspntbyTnQZj2RFGKW1rhn3oFQAUSIYp/s1600/P1210015.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4eeiBocmodbEeIP-qegz6C8S5PiazPPXt5SgeiBjC5POagdQud5kKAZRn3vHZ-vZRc5ccKpr_CYmPT-71RDxiFfdnJmkfvg3MGK3KMMIq7SANspntbyTnQZj2RFGKW1rhn3oFQAUSIYp/s200/P1210015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567811380276683250" border="0" /></a><br /> Double it up<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">T-Shirt's new home</span><br />My t-shirt found a new home. Around my neck. I showed it to my brother and said, "I made a t-shirt scarf! Isn't it cool?!" His response, "It looks like a t-shirt."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-56916473039182375392011-01-21T05:12:00.000-08:002011-01-21T06:08:34.658-08:00Trashy Successes: T-Shirt scarf necklacesAs I fold my two week overdue laundry, I fumble with my hole-in-the-armpit long-sleeved t-shirt that I don't think I will EVER throw away. It is from a <a href="http://www.kawanhee.com/">camp</a> I worked at for 8 summers and I LOVE it. Each time I wear it, the hole grows bigger. It doesn't keep me warm. It doesn't really do much for me. But I just like wearing it to bed.<br /><br />A couple weeks ago I saw a scarf on a friend that I thought was so cool. It was made from t-shirts. We've all seen t-shirt quilts, but have you ever seen a t-shirt scarf? Or a t-shirt scarf necklace?<br /><br />A few designs I like:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/64642458/trendy-statement-necklace-metallic"> </a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/64642458/trendy-statement-necklace-metallic"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigf3-8pRRng4OalMsbwRRccf8Q80yc2LluxBQ_WpD37VVgW8t88_sDpFBhAq0QBHsmeIRpaQGYUzlS54Efbu3Ucr902LIvx3tIjKC5dfQnMGkEYqXR-hZ7X-td4Hax9Y3slkpz2pK_m-cT/s200/il_570xN.203174373.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564630617760854162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO-AVwyp-9j0bX_ofi7i0VgKiZeepcqEVysH0v_PD0-_vKfk_tlw8AojWeRB0Q70HXEMUsSY7ngYVv7P7K1m9lhhHp6_wHtgS1Z8iq9Ggzk-_DbokLZQ88gzviMM0B74X08pTyu7In8k-/s1600/il_570xN.208869759.jpg"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/66078727/boho-multi-layered-shabby-chic-rose-and"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 111px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO-AVwyp-9j0bX_ofi7i0VgKiZeepcqEVysH0v_PD0-_vKfk_tlw8AojWeRB0Q70HXEMUsSY7ngYVv7P7K1m9lhhHp6_wHtgS1Z8iq9Ggzk-_DbokLZQ88gzviMM0B74X08pTyu7In8k-/s200/il_570xN.208869759.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564631175460159250" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TrueRebelClothing?ref=seller_info">True Rebel Cloth</a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TrueRebelClothing?ref=seller_info">ing</a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/TrueRebelClothing?ref=seller_info"> </a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/64963973/shredded-honeycomb-eternity-scarf"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRUTEXlG8yUO9zBI_gT_cyQNkGVUKfoTKbyZ77CHKgv7EDLC90TCeyVfCSAqNvWgk2RsbeBFCN_yvroI7ZBNL8DHUdJ8ymPtr8lmIY7Vy3ZkYc0wCCrf3rhXgJF4ZChS4-9tpUZe2CLRj/s200/il_570xN.204429750.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564635180450023362" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/johnnyvegasoriginals?ref=seller_info">Johnny Vegas Originals</a><br /></div></div><img src="file:///Users/teacher/Desktop/il_570xN.145233757.jpg" alt="" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">So now, I ask myself the question...what should I do with MY t-shirt? What do you think?<br /></div><br /><br /></div></div><br /><br /></div>Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-63043320407857123362011-01-08T08:20:00.001-08:002011-01-08T08:37:56.583-08:00Okay, So I Lied...<span style="font-weight: bold;">Why do you have to be such a liar?</span><br />I may have lied... just a little. Or maybe I just neglected to tell the truth.<br />I always tell people "I don't make new year's resolutions." The truth is, I do. I just don't tell anyone. I don't want to be held accountable. I don't want to be a failure. My new year's resolutions are usually just habits I want to make, or those I want to break. They're not huge. They're not exciting. They don't have anything to do with going to the gym or running a marathon or losing weight.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Let's start with being honest</span><br />Guess what? I failed. Miserably. On all accounts. Already. It's January 8 and I failed on January 4.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why should I care?</span><br />I'll tell you why you should care. Because if you can name one specific thing I have failed at this week (out of all my failures, there is one specifically I am thinking of) you will win $50 worth of <a href="http://www.kouklamoudesigns.com/">custom-made jewelry</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How to play</span><br />Post your response on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kouklamoudesigns">Koukla Mou Designs</a>' page on Facebook under the post "okay, so I lied..." within the next 24 hours (by noon on Sunday, Jan 9). The first person to guess will win. I will try to respond intermittently. You can post more than once, but please wait for a response from me before you post again.Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-62195447001734005172010-05-02T08:05:00.000-07:002010-05-02T13:20:39.187-07:00I LOVE MY MAMA-giveaway<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hFjB9EK4SVzX2YBN2gWfmabT74F_OjL_bOFPd7pE0GjCuPnrAAPTMMr1dPakfIURFHVvgiJ_koBCIx4Uh6ElIG182aWplY6RoZySFhMkg7POMcXJli_z0cW0FFtrWfqmWXQ2XgvQSAg8/s1600/il_430xN.138994214.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hFjB9EK4SVzX2YBN2gWfmabT74F_OjL_bOFPd7pE0GjCuPnrAAPTMMr1dPakfIURFHVvgiJ_koBCIx4Uh6ElIG182aWplY6RoZySFhMkg7POMcXJli_z0cW0FFtrWfqmWXQ2XgvQSAg8/s200/il_430xN.138994214.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466767207074429154" border="0" /></a>I love my mama. I love giving stuff away...who doesn't?! Do you love your mom? your wife? your sister? your daughter? your grandmother? your own sexy self? Need something special this Mother's day? Enter for a chance to win a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/45283754/mothers-necklace">Mother's Day necklace</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/45283754/mothers-necklace"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Necklace</span></a><br />This is an 18 inch sterling silver <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/45283754/mothers-necklace">necklace</a> with a handcrafted and hammered heart and clasp. Swarovski crystals representing each birth month dangle from the heart. The necklace will be shipped any where in the U.S. at no cost to you.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">How Do I Enter?</span><br />1. If you have Facebook, go to <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kouklamoudesigns">Koukla Mou Design's page </a>and post a comment, tagging the person you would like to enter, including her relationship to you and ONE word to describe her. <a href="http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local/story/How-to-tag-friends-in-your-Facebook-status/KDlSktujFE6Bn-5A0qJCFg.cspx">*<span style="font-style: italic;">How do I tag someone?</span> </a>Type @. When you type @ all of your friends will show up. Start typing your friend's name. When you choose a friend, the text of your friend will turn blue. This post will then show up on your friend's wall as well. I will leave an example on Koukla Mou Design's wall. (If you have Facebook, but the person you want to enter does not have Facebook, please still leave your comment on Facebook).<br /><br />2.You don't have Facebook? Who doesn't have Facebook?! Leave a comment in response to this post, including the lucky lady's relationship to you, her name and ONE word to describe her. For example: my mom, Joni, nurturing<br /><br />Wow, that was a lot of directions. You only need to enter once. I will choose the winner of the giveaway by 9:00 p.m. EST Monday, May 3, so that gives you ONE day to enter. The winner will be chosen at random.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">For the men</span>.<br />I'd LOVE to see some guys participating in this giveaway. So, men, show me what you've got and tell all of the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kouklamoudesigns">Facebook</a> world how much you love and appreciate the mother of your child/children (Mother's day is next Sunday, March 9).<br /><br />Game on.Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-44236702286068236282010-04-23T15:54:00.000-07:002010-04-23T16:34:03.906-07:00how it's madeWhen looking at many of my silver components, people often ask me, "Did <span style="font-style: italic;">you</span> make that?" and "<span style="font-style: italic;">How</span> did you make that?" and "Do the pieces <span style="font-style: italic;">come</span> like that?" and "Who <span style="font-style: italic;">taught</span> you how to do all this?" etc. etc. Most things I make are handcrafted. Bracelets, clasps, pendants and many different spirals. I learned how to make these components the same way I learned how to do a lot of things in life: I taught myself. To show how these pieces are made, I decided to do one of the things that I do best...a step by step of "how it's made."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 1</span>. Sterling silver comes in a coil. I decide how many feet I want to buy, and <a href="http://www.wargetc.com/">I buy it</a>. (This coil is 40 feet).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkYpCOtsTvJeauQ8WIICXUPY5-grVU_Fh6QziXT936QWK83KvudlHxg8DPKBnx53Nju_8Gb-i81J91lkuigRw8Gf6VkfHKSBl-DYH6xhmRlg-1009U72IcOab01zue0gY7nGWhQgAFO2X/s1600/P4230011.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkYpCOtsTvJeauQ8WIICXUPY5-grVU_Fh6QziXT936QWK83KvudlHxg8DPKBnx53Nju_8Gb-i81J91lkuigRw8Gf6VkfHKSBl-DYH6xhmRlg-1009U72IcOab01zue0gY7nGWhQgAFO2X/s200/P4230011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463472358979570178" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 2</span>. I eyeball the amount I think it will take to make a design that I have in my mind. I measure it and cut it. When I figure out how many inches it takes to make a certain component, I of course, use a measuring tape from that point on.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PYqg3A0aG418Y0gHB47zrUx5-K8jhnv_J1UkILnlo4QQdiLxFFpt97Y84PZrGU0-X4H9V1bhCtcNTx2V2qAAmLonVPDW_pahtp3nU_rtNCORX5ZUfPafHSx0tWhc61A4wkQ3GiQ-1rO1/s1600/P4230023.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PYqg3A0aG418Y0gHB47zrUx5-K8jhnv_J1UkILnlo4QQdiLxFFpt97Y84PZrGU0-X4H9V1bhCtcNTx2V2qAAmLonVPDW_pahtp3nU_rtNCORX5ZUfPafHSx0tWhc61A4wkQ3GiQ-1rO1/s200/P4230023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463472764805538882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 3.</span> Silver doodling. I doodle with silver. That's really what it is.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW69CEurueDNA-Vk26NNo59ybW6tWuDcC9bjKddnwsOLjwsbxxvc2G9gtFi6GdemlrPKVFJ4HAF5a3RSmDe43v73FE1kLn3JoWvQVSqVp_NhuVNjaOl86-Ha5YQJvb5q04yYAaEsBvxyJV/s1600/P4230025.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW69CEurueDNA-Vk26NNo59ybW6tWuDcC9bjKddnwsOLjwsbxxvc2G9gtFi6GdemlrPKVFJ4HAF5a3RSmDe43v73FE1kLn3JoWvQVSqVp_NhuVNjaOl86-Ha5YQJvb5q04yYAaEsBvxyJV/s200/P4230025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463472984013595874" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 4</span>. "Hammer on it!" During this process, I usually hammer pieces that fly across the room and I then have to get up, look under the couch, in the corners of the room, etc. etc. Sometimes I lose the smaller pieces. It's pretty annoying.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WoddVo7uxN6ne-49XRk485OcRehuj6zcqPch0CQET4XUl9OnlXwbmZA9mRG2o5UPikV2S8nnznSoDkau2RGFfSEI0k_zV3fdq5IOM-vNq1VqXcYML41PFwCOskUBAno4f1iC8WlYBTyb/s1600/P4230033.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WoddVo7uxN6ne-49XRk485OcRehuj6zcqPch0CQET4XUl9OnlXwbmZA9mRG2o5UPikV2S8nnznSoDkau2RGFfSEI0k_zV3fdq5IOM-vNq1VqXcYML41PFwCOskUBAno4f1iC8WlYBTyb/s200/P4230033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463473197871447170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step 5</span>. Finished product. Add a sterling silver chain and a little bling-bling Swarovski and there you go! I am actually making 30 0f these crosses right now to sell at the <a href="http://www.spyridoncathedral.org/grecianfestival/gfhome.asp">Grecian Festival</a> in Worcester, MA in June. Each cross is unique.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdzKhfay4hP74u3fRBYQ0CYGKVuipZCN2ujOfMgQAtoeopeQbKv8TQZnxk6VSG5QpEyADTsRHDdlkkvoc46Q9MlKiJSBTpK9299gT4kXaoAFRUURcF0vOa9uwE9daEE9DNmDa-BWccigJ/s1600/P4230038.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdzKhfay4hP74u3fRBYQ0CYGKVuipZCN2ujOfMgQAtoeopeQbKv8TQZnxk6VSG5QpEyADTsRHDdlkkvoc46Q9MlKiJSBTpK9299gT4kXaoAFRUURcF0vOa9uwE9daEE9DNmDa-BWccigJ/s200/P4230038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463473696551598034" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZQY_rHgpvuDeAXxiYTUNIRestqFeAQt-JS32v1PQnFcCVLt4fqpG430cVg4_8mbpQfOUQpbpynPgxTApnC6PyYTKSYtRMv7Kj9QRZ4wejXAfLxM8V55UoDGsq_d98hLhlkUjrqKbKw2n/s1600/P4230076.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ZQY_rHgpvuDeAXxiYTUNIRestqFeAQt-JS32v1PQnFcCVLt4fqpG430cVg4_8mbpQfOUQpbpynPgxTApnC6PyYTKSYtRMv7Kj9QRZ4wejXAfLxM8V55UoDGsq_d98hLhlkUjrqKbKw2n/s200/P4230076.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463473920274631858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thanks for asking!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNepmVpihF7_GjXVT6eO2RClre7SisdNYcH1w_-7zWfd7aSl7_FfU6R4dU6CNUGZYn4iw8_sQoOkP5PNW4RPtG8RgoTvj_TalZMDblt0D0WtoCjbx7gAdDPHtfere4uaA0y47avdryDFrJ/s1600/23583_424076189828_629914828_5404582_5869952_n.jpg"></a>Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-12949514506404808862010-04-16T10:39:00.000-07:002010-04-16T11:12:49.635-07:00my life in mobile uploadsThe <a href="http://www.drivinglaws.org/maine.php">Maine Distracted Driving Law</a> was written for me. I just know it. It's just a matter of time before I get pulled over... Forgive me fans for I have been busy. It has been 6 weeks since my last blog. No worries, I have chronicled my life in mobile uploads. I LOVE mobile uploads. I am border-line obsessed with taking pictures with my phone. Sometimes while driving. Here is what I've been up to...<br /><br />1. In March I went to a women's retreat in York, Maine. I had to take a picture of this grandmother with her grandchild in a harness. I know sometimes it is necessary, so I'm not knocking the use of these. It is VERY difficult to take advantage of the mobile upload opportunity, and you can notice by the angle of this picture that I actually had to turn my head around to take this picture. I'm a safe driver, really.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YeeP9huRXqoTHnVhIG1O6dMGYwOgc3-_OVVGXiIawlIKWtKT_pS44n-V1WC0UkOXgRO9vySBlGma_XwojaJU1vQBgSKYhxleYzS-A4VXT620lHYfVNCwluisdYqGsfd7sVh0GePPIhCH/s1600/IMG00100-20100320-1210.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YeeP9huRXqoTHnVhIG1O6dMGYwOgc3-_OVVGXiIawlIKWtKT_pS44n-V1WC0UkOXgRO9vySBlGma_XwojaJU1vQBgSKYhxleYzS-A4VXT620lHYfVNCwluisdYqGsfd7sVh0GePPIhCH/s200/IMG00100-20100320-1210.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460792903893270754" border="0" /></a><br /><br />2. York beach in March. In a tank top and shorts. Enough said.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L9CauMYJiTlBysm8Yv2ta4LZ5X3TO7oYjOpqN7WUnWOqLBHonU5gr8pSSVUSvkRn3tB2L_3Sq0cTArlMKZ34PE42L1ixSnZkUoTuQWZPFqLuV-7q-iubn5gPy71RyQp_U0fF5ZvencQj/s1600/IMG00099-20100320-0947.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0L9CauMYJiTlBysm8Yv2ta4LZ5X3TO7oYjOpqN7WUnWOqLBHonU5gr8pSSVUSvkRn3tB2L_3Sq0cTArlMKZ34PE42L1ixSnZkUoTuQWZPFqLuV-7q-iubn5gPy71RyQp_U0fF5ZvencQj/s200/IMG00099-20100320-0947.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460793372709738738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />3. My aunt gave me champagne for my birthday. A couple of friends and I decided to pop it open on Pine Point. My favorite beach. Onlookers were very jealous.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eG3USv4qGDVqUQ14Yv1rfF9OjyhdEwEaREWbo2ovDpC854FDewe1kerZL75nAQTmXbZjvikOuMtuQO-JGaRG18CWzLp2BZfF_uwIyMTASPp9UeBhSXGyQy0jWtqCZXAAmThbN0rCaGJM/s1600/IMG00080-20100307-1528.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eG3USv4qGDVqUQ14Yv1rfF9OjyhdEwEaREWbo2ovDpC854FDewe1kerZL75nAQTmXbZjvikOuMtuQO-JGaRG18CWzLp2BZfF_uwIyMTASPp9UeBhSXGyQy0jWtqCZXAAmThbN0rCaGJM/s200/IMG00080-20100307-1528.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460794105643131282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />4. April is <a href="http://www.asmonline.org/">Autism Awareness</a> month. As a special educator, I try to educate students and staff with updated information. This year, each class in 1st and 2nd grade made an autism ribbon, which was displayed in a front lobby window. There are 16 ribbons in the lobby windows of our school. They look amazing. I am so proud of our school. It was a very time-consuming project but well worth it!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmgWPcwqj0gYIpLDogiOAdwOrWZ-CacG__h6t05wF-PUc319cGAox4H_a0r9XLuePli6hyQbyn60XcvBehGmdgXKCVUAAE0RPnWVbgWSlxsucgjrMkcHavBTVDd-QdxauNvIGauJHAXZw/s1600/autismribbon.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmgWPcwqj0gYIpLDogiOAdwOrWZ-CacG__h6t05wF-PUc319cGAox4H_a0r9XLuePli6hyQbyn60XcvBehGmdgXKCVUAAE0RPnWVbgWSlxsucgjrMkcHavBTVDd-QdxauNvIGauJHAXZw/s200/autismribbon.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460794769596580786" border="0" /></a><br /><br />5. I LOVE my friends. LOVE THEM. They are beautiful and funny and refreshing. We were driving downtown the other day and there were 2 dogs: a german sheperd and a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/FreshAirDogs">golden retriever</a>. My friend, Jenika, LOVES goldens. Angie proclaimed that she loved german sheperds. Angie then said, "Oh my god, it's US, except dogs." How could I NOT take a picture. Again, I had to turn around to take it. Maybe I should stop driving and sit in the back seat to take pictures. I love my friends.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HL4npVKGrZpWdQPg7XmgnAIhVUzs2DNjsiNX6CK4KD1nukCEIguZBepiyPECSs4Y4FeCDvf5965TXlo1nc1GCJro07jY6XxTziq2WwPQqETY1G_0PQFiEWmD6Ej7YP66hm484wFiGZxV/s1600/IMG00137-20100410-1732.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HL4npVKGrZpWdQPg7XmgnAIhVUzs2DNjsiNX6CK4KD1nukCEIguZBepiyPECSs4Y4FeCDvf5965TXlo1nc1GCJro07jY6XxTziq2WwPQqETY1G_0PQFiEWmD6Ej7YP66hm484wFiGZxV/s200/IMG00137-20100410-1732.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460795901689384066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />6. Sunsets. Beautiful. Especially when setting behind a dunkin' donuts in Westbrook.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik15cNfRJ8x4VqAQPBXkDFta_3n1zaSfEclBdqa-S47LSDQYarPm_-RwWv7RdVZ0xXDmqzKUT83c-6Z1xz2w9tMBxr9PdoSt-QrOPglRh7WPsiNXuDwoKZDCxHdNv1tO-taNvaSqSNIrwt/s1600/IMG00142-20100412-1924.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik15cNfRJ8x4VqAQPBXkDFta_3n1zaSfEclBdqa-S47LSDQYarPm_-RwWv7RdVZ0xXDmqzKUT83c-6Z1xz2w9tMBxr9PdoSt-QrOPglRh7WPsiNXuDwoKZDCxHdNv1tO-taNvaSqSNIrwt/s200/IMG00142-20100412-1924.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460796278452333266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />7. My first campfire of the summer...wait. Oh yeah, it's still spring. Oh well. My first campfire this calendar year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IV5485vzFabHXoHMsnEtiCXVww47X4XLfwOF9XRm9mmuwcgFSEOOKqvzlY0HA74Fyteb-572rTVi6q3b0qcKURm3b62ANHht-TfUEFG7zlO0q2U8f0RBfNOSWGg_vMUwzIM4VZmiEtMj/s1600/IMG00143-20100413-1950.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IV5485vzFabHXoHMsnEtiCXVww47X4XLfwOF9XRm9mmuwcgFSEOOKqvzlY0HA74Fyteb-572rTVi6q3b0qcKURm3b62ANHht-TfUEFG7zlO0q2U8f0RBfNOSWGg_vMUwzIM4VZmiEtMj/s200/IMG00143-20100413-1950.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460796688527455058" border="0" /></a><br /><br />8. I FINALLY framed my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/elgarbo">Michael Garbutt</a> photo from Australia. It's been sitting in it's mailing envelope for a good month. LOVE IT.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VfOgq9qDUwcWaMWDe0B-JskR7gtWBWPQ33gftugTUiKuLrd-XUDxMuOeNWEtEgXOyZKzw9jpr87H2XbWLcWeHvvHvIHJ6VXrlxA9yqvuXmorFiYNepl7Jw0DbHiRU_7GZQ4t161t5iix/s1600/IMG00146-20100416-1258.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1VfOgq9qDUwcWaMWDe0B-JskR7gtWBWPQ33gftugTUiKuLrd-XUDxMuOeNWEtEgXOyZKzw9jpr87H2XbWLcWeHvvHvIHJ6VXrlxA9yqvuXmorFiYNepl7Jw0DbHiRU_7GZQ4t161t5iix/s200/IMG00146-20100416-1258.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460797499759205090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />9. Can we just talk about my life for a minute? Because this is what it looks like. It drives me crazy, but I have no choice. I have no other room to make jewelry. Ah well....<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VqRa7C9eTu-1GksdlHYUuPZzpXduhiPjaABQ_CN-WwOn2iRc93Q6NmKr7aLyAFn5I_lxL7dqhO1bZfPR5LxDuWJq0ZDJDkjO_SuLIDKRcaAl_OJZAowXRWv2R1Q33Bv-n_Ry4GsnanD5/s1600/IMG00144-20100416-1257.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VqRa7C9eTu-1GksdlHYUuPZzpXduhiPjaABQ_CN-WwOn2iRc93Q6NmKr7aLyAFn5I_lxL7dqhO1bZfPR5LxDuWJq0ZDJDkjO_SuLIDKRcaAl_OJZAowXRWv2R1Q33Bv-n_Ry4GsnanD5/s200/IMG00144-20100416-1257.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460798228927669890" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So there you have it folks. My life in mobile uploads. Hopefully I never write a blog about being pulled over for distracted driving....Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-2127402281932553542010-03-05T17:52:00.001-08:002010-03-05T18:09:12.429-08:00Where has all the clam dip gone?!<span style="font-weight: bold;">History</span><br />Everyone has their traditions. This is also true when it comes to the Superbowl.<br />For as long as I can remember, watching the Superbowl always involved eating chips and clam dip. This year I didn't watch the Superbowl. And I didn't have my clam dip.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Problem</span><br />You know when you realize something is missing and you just HAVE to have it? Yeah, well that's how I've been ever since the clam-dip-missing-Superbowl-Sunday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Journey</span><br />4 stores, 3 towns and 2 months of looking. I've been to 4 stores: two Hannaford's, 1 Shaw's, and 1 Walmart. I've been to 3 towns: Portland, Freeport, and Scarborough. I'm not gonna lie. I almost cried after the second store. It's not even that big of a deal. BUT WHERE HAS ALL THE CLAM DIP GONE? Seriously?! Where is it?! I've turned into a crazy person trying to find it. They have french onion, ranch, bacon horseradish, jalapeno cheddar, and a new BBQ something. Yes, I know every brand, every kind. I know what the colors are (light blue and white with a clam on the label). Helavu Good? More like Heluva GONE.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Solution</span><br />Solution? What solution. I want my freakin' clam dip!Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-84949509515938341782010-02-28T05:04:00.000-08:002010-03-05T18:10:54.520-08:0011 DAYS of GIVEAWAYS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNCvxXz5KPwEMOprrK4-AYWVTkh3eNQAUjG3y6VBwHDs3I2nvIOhKLuwHOHxJViR3avnyNFXPHHjkZY6MGFNMmx-Eq-KN5J6N_L3mJ-g_ZFqipFnLST2qR0249T4CVoy-jY8NJp0bs2Qd/s1600-h/P2270007.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNCvxXz5KPwEMOprrK4-AYWVTkh3eNQAUjG3y6VBwHDs3I2nvIOhKLuwHOHxJViR3avnyNFXPHHjkZY6MGFNMmx-Eq-KN5J6N_L3mJ-g_ZFqipFnLST2qR0249T4CVoy-jY8NJp0bs2Qd/s200/P2270007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443285257236495794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">*Note the change in time below!*<br />HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME</span><br />My birthday is March 11. I LOVE my birthday. I'll be 29 this year. I'm already planning my 3oth and I'm SO excited about it. But that's a whole year away, so let's talk about this year. This year, I want YOU to love my birthday, too.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">THE GIVEAWAY</span><br />Each day from March 1 thru March 11 you can enter for a chance to win aquamarine (march birthstone, which I love) cluster earrings. The cluster is sterling silver, with freshwater pearl and aquamarine sea glass from <a href="http://beadinpath.com/">The Beadin' Path</a>. These mini clusters are just the right size and super cute.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">HOW TO PLAY</span><br />To be included in this giveaway, follow these steps.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1. </span>Visit my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/kouklamoudesigns">etsy shop</a> and find your favorite item (I've been adding items almost daily, so be sure to check back every day).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2.</span> Email kouklamoudesigns@gmail.com between 6:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. (EST) each day March 1-March 11 with "GIVEAWAY" in the subject line. Include your favorite item from my etsy shop in the body of the email (you must include your favorite item in order to be entered).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3.</span> If you are the 11th person to email me for this giveaway between 6:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. (EST) you will receive the aquamarine cluster earrings.<br /><br />Winners will be announced each evening.<br /><br />Have fun and tell your friends!Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-31811289033654628492010-02-25T15:13:00.000-08:002010-02-25T15:21:57.327-08:00busy busyThis is going to be short and sweet this week. I'm so busy and thinking about writing a blog is very overwhelming. School is busy because it is the time of year we start planning for the following school year. You can imagine all of the planning, observing and meetings for kiddos that I don't even teach yet. And teaching on top of that.<br /><br />Today I was in a rush, spilled coffee all over myself, because I was late for the bus (I had to ride the school bus again) and was very unhappy that I had no coffee to drink. The rest of the day was much of the same. When I got back on the bus at the end of the day, I didn't want to talk to, look at, or "do a staring contest" with ANYONE. "GET ME OUT OF HERE!" I want to scream some days. Yeah, that wouldn't fly so well....<br /><br />One huge thing I learned this week...don't make a chicken on a Friday night, when trash day is Friday morning. My garbage has smelled SO BAD all week. Just don't do it. Take my word for it.<br /><br />Okay, so the next blog is going to include a giveaway, and your help is needed. So stay tuned, and I hope to have more exciting experiences to share next time.<br /><br />"Do you want to have a staring contest? Because I'm really good at them." -first graderKoukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-84547909132390629062010-02-17T18:05:00.000-08:002010-02-17T18:33:07.233-08:00What To Expect on 295This morning, I drove north on 295 from Portland to Augusta, then got on routes 2/27. There are a few things you can expect when driving this route. They are strangely comforting, as some things never change.<br /><br /><a href="http://http//www.92moose.fm/"><strong>92 Moose</strong></a><br />I LOVE <a href="http://http//www.92moose.fm/">92 Moose</a>. I don't get this station in Portland, so as soon as I'm in range, I tune in. It's always exciting to listen to <a href="http://http//www.chinadine-ah.com/">China Dine-ah</a> commercials ("China, china dine-ah...a stone's throw away from 202") and to the lucky 9th caller. Let me tell you a little about the 9th caller today. She was from Winslow. She needed to answer a question correctly in order to win a meal at China Dine-ah. The question: "How many states border Alaska?" She said "two", then changed her answer to "one". Keep in mind one of the multiple choices was "zero". Seriously?! I wonder what her answer would be if she was asked the same question about Hawaii...<br /><br /><strong>Random People</strong><br />I laughed right out loud today when I drove by a man on routes 2/27. He was taking a leisurely stroll right along the road....while reading a book. I wanted to put the car in reverse and ask him what exciting book he was reading that he couldn't put down for a walk. I wanted to take a picture. I thought better of it. I kept driving. And smiling.<br /><br /><strong>Frost Heaves</strong><br />Rural roads are often posted with bright orange "FROST HEAVE" signs. About 3-5 meters after the sign, you better slow right down or you will bottom out. I always know I'm "home" when I see these signs. There is one specific frost heave in New Sharon that has been there for about 20 years...but only at this time of year. You better believe I slowed right down for that one today.<br /><br /><strong>Advice</strong><br />Next time you're driving on 295, grab a camera, tune into <a href="http://http//www.92moose.fm/">92.3</a> and enjoy the ride.Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-25684367606551079462010-02-09T15:42:00.001-08:002010-02-09T16:02:09.171-08:00REMEMBERING<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBzacTzGp77vYWQV8WurCO4D5NrBEnLsmpvQeeFa9WaIsNnlQEIA_0NJQQ4uRCB8uhps9UF87ZF9RCqlbY7b-GSwMx3IeSf6hfdIUZBw2QgvgwrYOQ3AnkmNj4yhgBAPWN_QmhOvUDRLg/s1600-h/BigYiayia.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRBzacTzGp77vYWQV8WurCO4D5NrBEnLsmpvQeeFa9WaIsNnlQEIA_0NJQQ4uRCB8uhps9UF87ZF9RCqlbY7b-GSwMx3IeSf6hfdIUZBw2QgvgwrYOQ3AnkmNj4yhgBAPWN_QmhOvUDRLg/s200/BigYiayia.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436397290974186834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">big yiayia</span><br />I turned my apartment upside down this morning looking for a random note I saved several years ago. Instead of finding it, I came across memory upon memory. In the piles of memories, there was Big Yiayia. Big Yiayia was 103 when she died. We called her <span style="font-weight: bold;">big</span> yiayia, because she was my <span style="font-weight: bold;">great</span> grandmother. She was not, however, big at all. She was full of life and love and purple hair. And she told the most hilarious stories. She is the reason my business is named <a href="http://www.kouklamoudesigns.com">Koukla Mou</a>. She would grab my cheeks and repeat "rachel, rachel, rachel, koukla mou, koukla mou (my doll, my doll)" again and again. She never failed to ask "how are the cats?" even when I didn't have cats anymore. She was always smiling, always bobbing her head just a little bit, sometimes singing old greek songs, and always sharing stories. There is one story that remains my favorite.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ice cream</span><br />Big Yiayia came to America "on the boat" when she was 16. Her uncle picked her up and bought her an ice cream. A while later, he turned to her and asked, "Jennie, how was your ice cream?" Her reply, "I put it in my pocket for later."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">just smile</span><br />I didn't really understand Big Yiayia when I was little. I understood "cat" and "rachel" but the rest was Greek. I just smiled and nodded. Although she spoke mostly Greek and broken English, I never doubted her love for me. She loved in her smile, her body positioning, and with her eyes.<br /><br />Thank you, Yiayia. For loving without even having to say a word.Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-16014492972889159212010-02-02T14:51:00.000-08:002010-02-02T15:24:50.085-08:00MY UNLOVELY BONES<span style="font-weight: bold;">28 going on 89</span><br />I am 28 years old.<span style="font-style: italic;"> Twenty-eight</span>. So why do I feel like I'm turning 89 instead of 29? My knees ache when it rains (so painful!), I can't put any pressure on my wrist, and if every vertebra in my spine isn't stuck, my sternum is popping. If it's not one thing, it's another. So what's the problem? Why do I already have degeneration in my vertebrae and arthritis in my wrist?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Calcium</span>?<br />I drink about a pot of coffee a day. With cream. I get plenty of calcium.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exercise</span>?<br />Have I mentioned I'm a special ed teacher? For little kids? They are wicked quick. I should wear a pedometer. I get plenty of exercise.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Weightlifting</span>?<br />I actually did start lifting at the gym again. And these little kids I chase after...yeah, I also pick them up from time to time. I lift plenty.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Injuries?</span><br />Well there was the time I got a concussion when chaperoning a middle school dance a couple years ago....and the first time I tried snowboarding, went to the top of the mountain without a lesson and ended up with lots of bumps and bruises. Come to think of it, I developed a small ball in my wrist after that... Injuries? I've had plenty.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ergonomics?</span><br />I sit on a stool that's too short and work at the kitchen table. If I'm not at the table, I sit on the couch and work. And my chair at school...I can't even talk about it. It's so old there's probably a small colony taking up residence in the underside. Ergonomics? What's that?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Truth</span><br />I'm getting older. I'm not 17 anymore (even though I act like I am sometimes). If I don't make changes now I will be a hunchback when I'm 30. Who wants a hunchback with unlovely bones?<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044077918147886542.post-15171623719396323472010-02-02T03:34:00.000-08:002010-02-02T03:47:55.145-08:00SO MANY SWEETHEARTS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOucZvJI1Mj3h2C32yuV1jL6NT7cMr-2jmkGwxA1opvrI246y3cL2ghYc1BEy9nerOiXKmGmcVVqhHhG4PKiV2x9sN1kMcX7xwkU79UjItFAxEmqmjI4wtGuCw5J7bymokgrl3O7R2vPWc/s1600-h/P1270110.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOucZvJI1Mj3h2C32yuV1jL6NT7cMr-2jmkGwxA1opvrI246y3cL2ghYc1BEy9nerOiXKmGmcVVqhHhG4PKiV2x9sN1kMcX7xwkU79UjItFAxEmqmjI4wtGuCw5J7bymokgrl3O7R2vPWc/s200/P1270110.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433611334367216706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Thank you</span><br />Several beautiful, selfless, passionate and caring nominations were received for the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39464548">SWEETHEART necklace</a>. It was difficult to choose just one recipient. Thank you to all who participated!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Winner</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Casey Ryder</span>, your nomination has been chosen as the winner!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Twist</span><br />If you know me at all, you might expect this coming...<span style="font-style: italic;">Casey</span>, YOU will also be receiving a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39464548">SWEETHEART necklace</a>.<br /><br />*Free Shipping: If you order a <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39464548">SWEETHEART necklace</a> from now until Valentine's day, you will receive free shipping on your order.Koukla Mou Designshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15596611675987413571noreply@blogger.com0