Notes to self

MEMO 1/26/09

TO: Bev's Bod
FROM: Bev's Brain
RE: What condition your condition is in.

It has come to our attention that your pants have grown snug and your double chin has come out to play. We've also noticed that you're drinking a lot of BEER lately, and we can't help but think these two items are related. It cannot be a coincidence that your daily beer consumption went up right around the time the little line on the scale went up.

We are demanding that you cease and desist with this self-destructive behavior immediately. Please, think of the clingy dress you need to squeeze into for that big family wedding in two weeks. Also, remember that there will be pictures taken that weekend. Lots of pictures, from all angles, most of which you will not be aware are being taken.

Thank you,
The Management
_____________________________________________

MEMO 1/27/09

TO: Bev's Brain
FROM: Bev's Bod
RE: Fine.

Okay, you have a point about the beer. I stopped drinking beer a week ago because I, too, noticed the bloat. Beer guts are hardly attractive. I get it. But I'm still drinking wine on the weekends, so suck it.
_____________________________________________

MEMO 1/28/09

TO: Bev's Bod
FROM: Bev's Brain
RE: Have you forgotten something?

What about the tub of cookie dough in the fridge? The one you purchased for Danny's cookie swap? The one you keep sneaking spoonfuls out of?
_____________________________________________

MEMO 1/30/09

TO: Bev's Brain
FROM: Bev's Bod
RE: You suck

Eff it, I'm just gonna buy some Spanx. Beer I can give up, but cookies, well, cookies are a dealbreaker. And it's not like I eat them every day. I can stop anytime I want. Honest!

Exciting News!

Thanks for all your support of our new lines over the last few days. We love and appreciate every comment! It's been a joy sharing them. We just wanted to quickly put in a good word for a recent feature. Martha Stewart Weddings has three of our papers in their winter 09 issue!


Morning Meadow Dew is the adorable blue box in the middle. They feature a whole crafting section that also includes Morning Meadow's Breeze and Poppy's Ratton. So go check it out on the newsstands or here online!

CHA Giveaway Winner!

Thank you again for all your amazing feedback. We have a winner for our giveaway... using random.org we were able to randomly choose a winner. Drumroll...the winner is:









Congratulations Lynette! All you need to do is email us your shipping information to seiblog@shopsei.com. Anyone can email us whatever is on their mind for that matter. For those of you who have been wondering, some of the Playdate & En Route papers will be featured in upcoming Club SEI kits. Yay!

Evil hunks of demonic plastic

LS is 16 months old now and still uses his binky at night while sleeping, though we're trying to keep them out of his mouth during waking hours. Trouble is, he thinks it's hilarious to throw said binkies and say, "Uh oh!" at any opportunity. I'd waiger that we have at least 25 binkies lurking somewhere in the house. Finding those binkies is proving to be troublesome at best, absolutely maddening at worst.

He's also cutting all four of his his eye teeth right now. Wicked fun.

Yesterday he bit the one binky we could find clear in half. We searched high and low for another one, all for naught. "No binky!" We declared. Tonight, Babychild will sleep sans binky.

It did not go well. He was up at 3 AM, screaming. Jim went to soothe him, and we were all up and down until DH finally relented and got up with him at 4:30.

I've decided that these things are pure evil. I refuse to buy another one, EVER, so it looks like we're in for a couple more sleepless nights until he gets used to not having one. I think we'll go with some ibuprofin for the teething pain and go from there. Highly irritating - I am not someone who does well on minimal sleep. I actually do best on about 9 uninterupted hours/night, not that that has been possible for the past 5 years or so....

So, that's what's new in our neck o' the woods today. I'm tired.

CHA Giveaway!

So far CHA has been a lovely experience. Much like the feedback we've received from you our viewers, our CHA audience has also embraced our new lines. Here around the art room, we are relaxing a bit and enjoying our new products. We've been working on layouts, albums, cards & numerous paper projects with our new lines. The great thing about creating our projects is that we love our paper lines even more. So to give you an opportunity to enjoy your day as much as we do, we are giving away a Lovebirds assortment pack (shown above). It includes two sheets of all the papers in the collection, which is a total of 20 papers (2 of each glitter, 2 of each foil, 2 of each shimmer, 1 of each lace) and 1 sheet of glitter die-cuts. Visit our website for more images. All you need to do is leave us a comment by Wednesday, January 28th by midnight. You'll receive the assortment pack just in time to make some sweet valentine's. Thanks again for all your support this last week!

Love,
the art studio

Forget it, old people: No more TV for you!

Another funny from Spike Feresten's show. I guess I'm going to have to start DVR'ing that show again!!

This one cracks me up because it's soooo true. The older woman (she's 70) who I work with bored me for weeks talking about buying & installing her TV converter box for the digital transition next month. I, for one, am REALLY glad to have cable so I don't have to worry about that whole deal!

Anyway, check this out:


Hee!

Meet our friends- Playday!

Last year we came out with our baby lines chick-a-doo and chick-a-dee. We loved adding these cuties to our SEI family, but they needed friends. We decided a toddler line would be the perfect solution, and Playday was born:

Whimsical elephants, giraffes, little birds, and a momma kangaroo with baby all invite you for a play date. Creating layouts or making cards with this collection will create smiles. These papers and embellishments are perfect for boy or girl layouts.



Love,
the art studio

Celebrities who I wish would just go away...

take a long walk off a short pier,
make like a tree and leave,
scram, skidaddle, and/or take a hike....

I feel like posting something light & fluffy today, since it's Friday, the sun is shining, and I'm in a GREAT mood. :-D The bossman will be out more than in today (he's got a lunch appointment and then he has to go pick up his brand new Lexus from the dealership, don'tchaknow), and I plan to watch Grey's Anatomy online since my DVR ate the recording for no good reason last night. I also hope to get a few pages written, if my muse shows up. That bitch has been tardy has hell lately, so we'll see.

Anyway, back to the fluff! In the course of my daily (ok, multiple times/daily) blog stalking, I seem to keep coming across stories about the same boring-ass celebs. I find that I am skipping blog entries about these dingbats on the regulah, so I thought that in and of itself was blog-worthy. Here goes:


Brangelina
They're both about as interesting as a hunk of boiled cauliflower. Additionally, sure, they're pretty people with lots of skilled workers dressing them, doing their hair, and slapping on make up (not to mention Photoshop help), but the result is that I have seen more realistic-looking wax figures.




Jennifer Aniston
Why is she interesting? Why should I feel sad that she can't seem to make a relationship stick? She's rich, famous, and gorgeous. Cry me a freakin' river! Although, Jen does get points for being in Office Space & not totally sucking. She even had one of my favorite lines: "I don't really like talking about my Flair."



Anyone from The Hills
I've never watched that shit, but these entitled twats make me want to hit something, or someone. Hard.







Paris Hilton
Duh. Is there anyone out there who really likes her? Maybe if we stop paying attention to her, she'll go away.








Kim Kardashian
Why is she famous again?!? Oh yeah, she's a spawn of Paris Hilton and is largely famous for having a big butt and a sex tape in which she (allegedly!) gets peed on. Yeah, you heard me. What an utter bimbo. Oh yeah, and her dad helped keep OJ out of jail (the first time). Not hot.




Lily Allen
Yeah, I liked that song she had way back when, but this chick has become annoying on a whole 'nother level. She's a hot mess with an opinion about everything, and she just comes across as petty and nasty. Also, she has a third nipple, which is just Freaksville, USA, population: HER! ;)


There are more, but I'm boring myself by talking about the idjits whose news bits I regularly ignore! Maybe next Friday I'll do a post on celebs I wish I knew/heard more about, like Anna Paquin, Zooey Deschanel, and Michael Cera!

En Route- by land, by air, by sea

En Route is the first travel line that we've ever released here at SEI. This line will be ready to purchase before your summer adventures. May is when we will have it available whether online or with our distributors. We have been overjoyed with the responses that we've gotten so far from you, our viewers. Remember, if you need to see a close up of the pictures being shown below, you can always click to enlarge the embellishments and papers.

Where are you going? By land, by sea or by air, your memories will be enhanced by this collection. Choose between the subtle colors inspired by the rolling hills of a road trip, a day sailing on the water or relaxing with a view of a sunset.



Love,
the art studio

So like us.

LMAO!

Thanks to Cary at List of the Day for this little gem.

Turn him on...

...and I swear he'll return the favor.
(Read: this is babymakin' music)

Every couple of weeks, when I'm feeling especially mellow and contemplative, I'll pull out (hot!) Scottish singer/songwriter Alexi Murdoch's CD "Time without Consequence." If I listen to it in the morning on the way to work, I'm so relaxed by the time I arrive that I'm practically in a trance. Which, as you can imagine since you've heard me talk about my work, is a good thing.

Favorite tunes are "All My Days," "Breathe," and "Dream about Flying."

Here he is at a record shop a couple of years ago performing "Breathe":



"Dream about Flying" has very cool lyrics, and I especially love:

"Five years old I climbed up on the wall
My mother warned me but I took no heed
Like all creatures great and small
I took a fall and found out I could bleed"

He's aptly been compared to the late Nick Drake. Check him out if that seems like your cup o' tea. My awesome & amazing brother-in-law introduced him to me, so I thought I'd do likewise for you. You're welcome. ;)

Artist website.

Bridgeport- game, set, match

We are so ecstatic that our lines are being embraced by our audience. On the Tuesday, January 20th entry we were actually featured on Print & Pattern. It is one of our favorite blogs to see what trends and inspirations are orbiting the world.

Now for another yummy spring must-have, Bridgeport. Remember, if you need to see a close up of the pictures being shown below, you can always click and enlarge them to appreciate the details.

This collection of spring papers captures the elegance of butterflies flying through a garden path lined with flowers. Imagine yourself spending a sunny spring day playing badminton or croquet in a grassy field. Share laughter with friends. Taste the sweet pucker of lemonade. Squint at the sun. Enjoy the shade under the trees. Clover green, bordeaux, turquoise and misty blue are the signature colors.



Love,
the art studio

The boy is an artiste!

My 5-year-old's homework assignment tonight was to draw a picture of our new President. We were actually expecting even more of a Picasso-type image, so we were pleasantly surprised by his creation! He's a genius! Can't wait till he gets famous and starts supporting ol' mom and pop. :)

Infuse Passion with Mimosa

Thanks for all your comments yesterday on our Lovebirds line. It will be the line featured in our February Club SEI kit. And now introducing Mimosa:

A lavish watercolor bouquet blends the passionate colors of guava and mango, whispers of pink, sweet and sour cumquat and the zest of key lime. This collection is perfect for celebrating Mother’s Day or a spring wedding shower. The complementing embellishments add the finishing touch to every card or layout.



Love,
the art studio

Just when we'd given up on Spike Feresten

We caught a few minutes of his show the other night and he had us rolling.

1/23/09 Edited to add: Thanks for letting me know that YouTube had pooped out on me AGAIN. When will I learn to go to Hulu first? Anyway, the clip's working now. Check it out!

THE SNOOGLY:



The Mancoon and the Napcap - LMGDAO!

CHA Preview, seriously!

This last year we have been laboring our little fingers away to come up with some amazing lines. It's definitely been worth it and although our creative juices have been drained we are so satisfied with the fruits of our labors. We each have a different line that we like to call our baby and we're hoping that you will want to take them all home with you. What we'll be doing this week is featuring one new line everyday and telling you a little about it. Please, please please leave us your comments and feedback. We would love to hear what our lines do to your heart, whether it flatlines or pitter patters. Our first line that we're showing is actually here and ready to order, she is called... Lovebirds.


The sweetness of love is delivered especially for you. This collection is the key to expressing your love and friendship. Small lovebirds fly free among the flowers. Die cut lace paper is a delicate patterned overlay. Chocolate, forget-me-not blue, lilac and berry say “you are the key to my heart”.

Love,
the art studio

Bored-d Bored-d Bored...

BORK BORK BORK!

I know, the Swedish Chef has nothing to do with me being bored today, but that's just one of the strange ways that my mind works, mkay?

Happy MLK day! Anyone else working? I am, if you can call it that. I finished returning the phone calls in exactly 20 minutes, did 2 transactions, and now I'm pretty much done with all of my work FOR THE DAY. It's 9:30 AM. Eeeeeesh.

But, I'm not complaining. I have decided that I am not going to complain about my craptastic job until the economy improves again. Now's no time to be out looking for new work, after all, so I'm going to do my best to be grateful for just being employed. No matter how soul-sucking my work is. No matter how annoying my coworkers are.

It's my way of giving back. That's me - just doin' my part. ;) I'm a regular humanitarian.

My weekend was good. I did very little. I watched a lot of True Blood (online, because HBO is a bunch of suckers who won't put that shit up on demand). It was alright, but not nearly as good as the books. I like Anna Paquin as Sookie a lot, but the rest of the characters bored me a bit. The books are ALL about Sookie, so the fact that the show has to focus on her brother, best friend, boss, etc., kind of bores me.

Today I'm just going to do my level best to ignore the crazy cat lady here at the office. She has already cornered me twice to talk about the snow and bird seed or some crap. I dunno - my eyes glaze over the minute she approaches my desk.

Ta ta for now, mes amies. I'm going to hunt down some more caffeine!

syla AVA BIKINI

syla AVA BIKINI

Other products in this event: syla AVA BIKINI syla FRANCES... syla ANNA BI...

Beachside Beauty All too often, women view swimwear shopping more as a pain than as a pleasure. Thanks to Sylvie Cachay however, this no longer has to be the case. In 2006, this veteran Victoria's Secret designer set out to create a swim collection that looks as beautiful on women's bodies as on clothes hangers. This revolutionary concept gave rise to SYLA, a luxurious label that unites high-fashion styling with the ultimate in comfort. Named from a combination of her own name and those of her mother Sylvia and her friend Layla, SYLA combines Art Deco and eighteenth-century aesthetics for a collection that is both vibrant and elegant. Cachay understands that women "are most vulnerable in their swimsuits, but if they're comfortable and feel sexy and in-control, they're going to be beautiful on the beach." This philosophy anchors every piece, and Cachay creates a variety of silhouettes to flatter a multitude of female shapes. Every piece is crafted specially for the perfect fit, and each is unique in details and style. The result is a collection that celebrates individuality and reminds us of the true meaning of beachside beauty. This event is scheduled to start on Friday, January 16 at 11am for 1st Row members, noon for 2nd Row members. This event will run for 36 hours. ideeli prices for this event start at $52 2009 syla AVA BIKINI , new season beach style,bikini

isharya ZEBRA PENDANT - jewelry

isharya ZEBRA PENDANT

Other products in this event: isharya ZEBRA P... isharya ZEBRA HOOP isharya LILY BA...

Bollywood Heat, California Cool Though both are movie meccas, Hollywood and Bollywood each has its own unique spin on star-powered style. Bollywood's fashion revels in Bombay's over-the-top commitment to glamour, while California's laid-back vibe lends a more relaxed tone to the Hollywood look. Fortunately, thanks to the styling of two snappy sisters-in-law, the jewelry of Isharya seamlessly unites these styles in wonderful, and better yet, wearable pieces. Convinced that the continental divide should never get in the way of a person's true calling, Radhika Tandon of California and Gauri Tandon of Bombay joined forces to create eye-catching jewelry in user-friendly designs. Anchored in the concept of family, the brand's name is derived from the names of the designers' children. Intent on bringing real glamour to everyday life, the duo crafts earrings, bracelets, rings and accessories in notice-me colors, glinting metals and organic shapes. The results are pieces that feel as good as they look and transform any woman into a sparkling starlet, whether she's strutting down the city street or lounging at the local park. This event is scheduled to start on Friday, January 16 at 11am for 1st Row members, noon for 2nd Row members. This event will run for 3 days. ideeli prices for this event start at $62 isharya ZEBRA PENDANT,jewelry of Isharya for women

helena de natalio SOFI bag

helena de natalio SOFI

Other products in this event: helena de natalio SOFI helena de natalio MARTA

Southern Hospitality As the only woman Madonna would ever label a fashion role model, Eva Peron put Argentine women on the map as diehard style mavens. Some 60 years later, South American women continue to be known for their creativity and style. This fact hasn't escaped American handbag designer Helen Hoppock. After joining the Peace Corps and living in Natalio, Paraguay for two years, Hoppock fell in love with the handcrafted leather goods found throughout the continent. Working with a local seamstress inspired her to combine her deep interest in social responsibility with her devotion to local craftsmanship. In 2005, the talented and industrious Hoppock moved to Buenos Aires to create a line of handbags that would marry fierce fashion attitude with a true humanitarian spirit. Soon enough, the Helena de Natalio line was born. Using only the finest Argentine leather, the workers at Helena de Natalio are given fair wages, good working conditions and humane benefits. And the bags, with their unique detailing and gorgeous color palate, couldn't be chicer. Good looking and goodhearted, now that's a sound investment. This event is scheduled to start on Thursday, January 8 at 11am for 1st Row members, noon for 2nd Row members. This event will run for 36 hours. ideeli prices for this event start at $110 helena de natalio SOFI bag , new season,pictures helena de bags, of sofi bag new 2009,purple color

te casan FRANCES Boots - Boots for women

te casan FRANCES

Other products in this event: te casan FRANCES te casan PIEMONTE te casan POMI

Walk this Way The creators of Te Casan-which translates from Gaelic as "a woman's path"-know what all women want: to walk independently in the most stylish shoes. As a concept brand, Te Casan is unique: rather than choosing one designer, the line invites different creative minds to design limited edition collections of innovative, fabulous shoes. The former head shoe designer for Alexander McQueen recently created a line of beyond-sexy skyscraper heels, while designers for Versace, Dolce and Gabbana and Dries Van Noten have all contributed one-of-a-kind footwear. Te Casan's most famous designer, however, would be none other than Natalie Portman. As a diehard animal lover, the actress created a collection of eco-friendly vegan shoes. Fabulous shoes and a clear conscience? Now that's what we call happy feet. This event is scheduled to start on Thursday, January 8 at 11am for 1st Row members, noon for 2nd Row members. This event will run for 36 hours. ideeli prices for this event start at $95 te casan FRANCES Boots - Boots for women , new boots,celebrity fashion boots,te casan FRANCES collection,for women's boots

mastro de paja JEWELRY BOX I

mastro de paja JEWELRY BOX I

Other products in this event: mastro de paja JEWELRY... moon palace PATCHWO... vetreria bisanzio CLASSIC...

Elegant Home This event is an ideeli Red Sale event. ideeli Red Sale events offer select merchandise from a variety of brands at extra special prices. As Dorothy so poignantly noted, "There's no place like home." And there's no time like the present to add those special touches to yours. Bring a bit of the Italian Renaissance inside with Mastro De Paja, a label that remains true to Italy's rich artistic foundations. Using natural materials to form functional items, Moon Palace unites style with practicality in everything from salt and pepper shakers to picture frames. Vetreria Bisanzio celebrates the luminous beauty of blown glass and R & Y Augousti crafts furniture and accessories that put a contemporary spin on Art Deco design. Unique in styling but united in sophistication, these creations add that ever-important finishing touch to turn your house into your true home. This Red Sale event will run for a full 3 days. To make sure you don't miss this event, we are releasing the date and time. The above is scheduled to start on Friday, January 9 at 11am for 1st Row members, noon for 2nd Row members. So get ready to enjoy this membership bonus and snap up these coveted prices! ideeli prices for this event start at $19 mastro de paja JEWELRY BOX I new JEWELRY BOX I, red blue yellow mastro de paja JEWELRY BOX I