Tweet of the Week (June 22nd)

After barely using Twitter for two weeks, I'm back. In fact, I've posted so many updates on Twitter this week that it was difficult for me to choose just one for Tweet of the Week. So this time around there are two Tweets of the week, while yet another Tweet is my inspiration for my upcoming Dear Blogary entry.

#1 Glad I found @OurBestBites in addition to recipes they had spa in the kitchen http://bit.ly/WcaWt http://bit.ly/nKEBC http://bit.ly/h3fJX 9:34 AM Jun 20th from web

If you've seen my Hippie Luxe Party Menu you'll notice that three of the recipes are from Our Best Bites. I just recently came across this blog while surfing for recipes that would fit the hippie theme and stumbled onto a jackpot. A few days later I was browsing over some of the blog's older entries when I came across a Spa in the Kitchen Week feature where they featured homemade recipes for facials, sugar scrubs and hair potions. I knew there was a reason I loved these gals.

On another note. I found another recipe blog that I'm now following Cara's Cravings

#2 I've started a new hashtag. For those who are unfamiliar with Twitter, a hashtag (#) is a way to sort of bookmark your updates so to speak so that related posts can be tied together. For instance, popular hashtags of late have been #iranelection, #inaperfectworld, #irememberwhen. There are also weekly hashtags like #musicmonday, and #followfriday. People can use the search bar within Twitter to find all the results for the hashtag they are looking for, and see all the users who are participating in that particular conversation.

So anywho, thus far I'm the only one who has used my hashtag #polyinspire but maybe it'll catch on. I started it because I wanted to share inspiration boards from polyvore like the ones below. I love seeing other peoples inspiration boards and the different thematic or color elements that they pull together.

a rock 'n roll way... by bubbatea (BUSY) featuring Converse shoes

To see some of the other polyvore sets I've shared enter #polyinspire in the Twitter search bar. If you come across event inspiration boards that you like whether on polyvore or on another site and your a Twitter user, share them.

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Tweet of the Week May 22nd

This weeks tweet of the week is a simple one. I actually messed up when posting it to twitter so the tweet just included a url and nothing else

Actual tweet: http://bit.ly/iXDty





I'm pretty sure that no one actually followed the link, unless it was out of sheer curiosity. I chose this as my tweet of the week not only to give it a second go, but because this link leads to good tips on nail care from a salon professional The article "10 Things I've Learned from Doing Manicures and Pedicures Professionally" was authored by Shenna McCallum of the Spa Girl Beauty Blog .


You'll have to visit the link in order to read Shenna's full article, but I'll summarize her insights here:

1. Dry skin and callus are two different things
2. You can file callus wet or dry
3.People always use too much product
4. Soaking in water weakens the polish
5. Neutralize the nail before polishing
6. Yes you do need a base and top coat
7. Avoid the skin
8. Polishes have personality
9. People will continue to use a product even if it doesn't work...
10. Be consistent, patient, and realistic

I highly suggest you do read the full article to get the full insight from someone who knows fingers and toes.

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Tweet of the Week (May 17th)

It all started with a simple Retweet...

RT @trendsettingwed Freebie on trendsetting wedding: Hollywood Glam table numbers: http://bit.ly/HW78c Happy Friday! :) (very nice)

Trendsetting wedding is a blog full of entertaining ideas, design ideas and a host of other creative tidbits as the author (Kristine) calls them. I've recently stared following her on Twitter and decided to RT her FREE Printable "Hollywood Glam" table numbers.

The table numbers reminded me of a party that was featured on another blog recently b/c of the use of the Damask pattern. Among other things I happen to be a google fanatic so I promptly Googled to find how else folks around the net have been using Damask in their party decor. This resulted in a series of tweets on my part sharing all of the sites I'd come across:

#1 If you liked the Hollywood Glam table #s from @trendsettingwed you'll love this Damask tablescape by Paper & Cake http://tinyurl.com/r639o3

#2 Now I'm on a Damask kick so click here http://tinyurl.com/o4zhho , http://tinyurl.com/a9wupq ,http://tinyurl.com/qmsg39

#3 Ok last one promise damask lollipop favors http://www.accenttheparty.c... going to watch TV w. the hubby now night tweeples



Now that I was fully in love with Damask, I decided I'd have to feature it in one of my spa parties. What I love about Damask is that depending on the color combination you choose, you can elicit both vintage and modern at the same time, romantic and sophisticated, traditional and trendy, I'm guessing you get the point. In my limited experience w. Damask I've most seen it used in Parisian themes, however before I use an element in a party I like to do my homework so back to Google I went.

I discovered that the name Damask is actually derived from Damascus (as in the city in Syria), where in the 12th century this method of fabric making was perfected, though the fabrics were first produced in China, India and Persia.

Interestingly, enough earlier in the day I had been researching roses for another party and found out the the Damask rose, whose name also references Damascus, is one of the two major species of roses cultivated for use in cosmetics, and perfumes. In fact, one of the ME! Bath Ice Cream Product samples that I ordered was the Valley of Roses scent derived from pink Persian (Damask) roses, and it smells just delightful.

I'm considering combining the two elements Damask print & roses for a bridesmaids brunch and featuring it as my August Spa Party of the Month.

A bit of folklore...

Roses have been written about throughout history, for their scent, beauty and healing properties, and are symbolic of love and a host of other emotions depending on the flowers color and culture in which they are found. The use of rosewater preceded the use of rose otto/attar (rose oil). Pure rose oil, in fact, is more expensive than gold as it takes no less than 180 lbs of roses to produce just one ounce of rose oil and 3-5 tons of rose petals to make just a pound of the sweet smelling oil.

Rose oil is said to have been discovered between 1582-1612 on the occasion of the wedding of the Persian Emperor Djihanguyr to Princess Nour-Djihan. In preparation for the wedding festivities the Emperor had a canal dug which encircled the palace gardens and had it filled with rosewater. The sun began the natural distillation process which separated the oil from the water. As the newlyweds strolled through the gardens the princess notices the oily dew on the surface of the water. She ran her fingers through the scented water and found that a fragrant oil clung to her hands. From then on the Emperor had it produced and bottled as a tribute to her. Similarly, it is reported that at the wedding of Shah Jahan, to Mumtaz Mahal (for whom he later built the Taj Mahal and Shalimar) guests were carried by boat through fragrant water covered by rose petals, and once again the sun caused rose oil to be produced on the water's surface.

* Note: If you too are in love with damask I've found a Free printable damask wedding invitation suite that includes templates for invites, response cards and thank you cards in a variety of colors here

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Tweet of The Week (May10th)

This week my internet was down for about a day and a 1/2, once I finally got back up and running I was so busy playing catch up that I wasn't tweeting as much as usual. In the interest of being consistent however I have sifted through my sparse collection of tweets for the week to pick my favorite two.

1. RT @craft Mother's Day: Homemade Hand Scrub: Homemade Hand Scrub By Katie Goodman http://tinyurl.com/d2etne

I chose this retweet this week because it fits well into the overall theme of the blog and is a nice, easy, and inexpensive homemade gift idea.

2. Eco Beauty Brands for Teens and Tweens http://tinyurl.com/ckyzfd

This is my choice for my favorite original Tweet of the Week, because I really want to help spread the word about the toxins so often found in our beauty products. This article highlights two new beauty brands specifically targeted to young people, one of which is Teens Turning Green. Teens Turning Green's website is a wonderful resource for parents and children to find safe cosmetics and to get involved in projects ranging from Project Green Prom, to Lips Against Lead.

The Teen's Turning Green's Dirty Thirty is a must-read, and it prompted me to take a closer look at some of the products on my shelves; including the Huggies baby lotion which is now in the trash because it contains four different parabens (good thing I never used it on the baby).

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Tweet of The Week (May3rd)

I'm pretty new to both blogging and Twitter but must admit in the approximately 3 weeks since I've been at it I've really enjoyed myself, maybe a bit too much (as I'm still trying to find the balance between tweeting about work and actually working). I've found that Twitter is not only good for updating people on mundane tasks, but also for sharing tips, quotes, articles, websites, encouragement, etc.

In order to let blog readers, who may not be on Twitter, in on some of this info, I've decided to start a Tweet of the Week feature. Here's where I'll highlight two tweets, one original post, and something that I've ReTweeted from another Twitter user.

#1: RT @EmpoweringKids You should never let your fears become the boundaries of your dreams." - Robin, age 15 (from http://short.to/3fq6 )

This is my favorite ReTweet this week for three reasons. First it's a good quote, (2) the fact that it was authored by a 15 year makes it that much more poignant. Third, I love that @Empowering Kids included the link to a whole list of quotes by children which definitely put a smile on my face. According to my husband I could really benefit from Robin's advice, which is why I'm really trying to silence any negative talk and jump into this venture feet first.

#2 an @hennergy original: I want to bake my cake and eat it too. Take raw ingredients, turn them into something beautiful, enjoy the fruits of my labor & share it.

I picked this one because not only does it speak for my mindset at this juncture in my existence but the quote could benefit from some explanation.

First off, let me say I've never understood the saying "You can't have your cake and eat it too."

George Carlin once said, "When people say, 'Oh you just want to have your cake and eat it too.' What good is a cake you can't eat? What should I eat, someone else's cake instead?".

When I came up with my variation on the familiar phrase I thought that cake is an excellent metaphor for the things which we work for in life. Though I don't want to go it alone like the Little Red Hen, I want to experience the joy in taking an idea, adding my special flavor, and secret ingredients and with some effort turn it into something tangible and sweet. Cake also lends itself to my metaphor because of it's nutritional properties. Cake is among those things in life that is best shared, if one is greedy and eats a whole cake alone their well being suffers for it. So in a way George Carlin may have hit the nail on the head, maybe we should eat pieces of other people's cakes and share pieces of our cakes with them. Cakes are also a symbol of celebration, of the reaching of a milestone of some sort, so when you've achieved the goals you've set for yourself, pause to enjoy a slice of cake before reaching even higher, and baking a more delicious cake.



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You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true.
You may have to work for it, however.

Richard Bach

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