The world's most heinous crime

CNN is broadcasting a genocide documentary called "Scream Bloody Murder", TONIGHT December 4th @ 9pm. The CNN Presents Special hosted by Christine Amanpour includes interviews with survivors of Genocide. It will highlight the courageous individuals that tried to raise the alarm on the Holocaust, Cambodia, Rwanda, Iraq's gassing of the Kurds, and Bosnia/Croatia. A French priest in Cambodia. An idealistic U.S. Senate staffer in Iraq. A Canadian general in Rwanda. Each one tried to focus the world's attention on genocide. Each time, they were shunned, ignored or told it was someone else's problem.

Throughout history genocide has plagued different parts of the globe sometimes with little attention or aid being paid to the cries for help. Today as I write this genocide is alive and ravaging Darfur. For six long years hundreds of thousands of people have been killed.

Genocide - any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnically, racial or religious group, as such: killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life, calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; [and] forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

As many as 400,000 innocent people have been killed and more than 2.5 million more have been driven from their homes. These refugees now face starvation, disease, and rape, while those who remain in Darfur risk torture, death, and displacement.

Be part of the solution learn more about genocide and how you can help starting with this documentary. And then something as easy as signing an online petition is a good start in seeing this brutality stopped.

St Jude :: Choose Hope :: Juicy Couture

St. Jude has teamed up with Juicy Couture to offer these exclusive

Hope Gift Book products:

Large Juicy Tote



Heart Charm Key Fob




Juicy Couture Locket Necklace

100% of profits, after all related expenses, benefit

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

BAD Santa - Terror in Toyland

As a mom I know how going to get Santa pictures can be stressful. First off you have to find a cute outfit, then get them to wear it. You have to fight holiday traffic and crowds only to stand in line for god knows how long. You talk the little suckers up the whole time about how great it's going to be to see Santa, sit on his lap, tell him all the super cool things you want him to bring you. Finally you get to the hopefully decent looking Santa pay your bajillion dollars and cross your fingers that little Susie will at least look at the camera and if your really lucky the rugrat might flash a smile. Sounds like a great afternoon to me ;)

Now imagine your the kid, you sense your parents stress, mixed with that familiar hope that you will behave. You've been hearing all about this rockin santa guy that magically gives you all your hearts desires. Your stuck wearing this stupid tie or god forbid hat and expected to be patient in a line that's taking FOREVER. This better be good! After a million years it's your turn and you see this...

"He's huge and hairy and hulking. He dresses in strange furry clothing. He sneaks into people's homes at night.Who wouldn't be afraid of . . . Santa Claus?!? "

Your eyes are huge, your mom's repeatedly telling you to smile, you got some chick squeaking an Elmo at you while trying to tickle you with some weird dusty thing, Santa smells like cheese or even worse old spice and after 2 minutes of terror all you get is a stupid candy cane and the hope that Santa heard you when you said you wanted a red ryder BB gun (fingers crossed)!

I cry LAME and so do all these little punkin heads...

Poor Babies!

"Nothing says Christmas like innocent children shrieking with terror as a hulking red stranger drags them onto his lap."

Quotes from Harper Collins book "Scared of Santa, Scenes of Terror in Toyland"

"Now this time-honored rite of passage is celebrated with a hilarious collection of more than two hundred and fifty priceless photos of kids' traumatic trips to Santa's workshop. Scared of Santa offers a cornucopia of photographic funnies - from sixty-year-old family heirlooms to last year's howlers-along with delightful commentary on those unforgettable childhood visits to scary ol' Saint Nick."

Funny stuff... You can buy the book at Barnes and Noble or just skim through it next time your there. And either laugh hysterically or feel sorry for all the traumatized youths on the pages.

I'm sorry but something about this is hilarious to me!

Hope about you do you have any scared Santa pictures or stories?

Cutting the Red Ribbon...

I'm a little late on the official ribbon cutting for the holiday season which as of today is in full gear. How many of you went holiday crazy this weekend? I didn't do much shopping but we did bust out the tree, start the decorating and cranked up the holiday tunes! So far this year I'm feeling good about the holiday season, it's not over saturated (yet) and with the economy being as it is there has been less emphasis on all the wants with more attention being paid to cutting back and giving back. Speaking of giving back .... ;)

Today is the 20th annual World Aids Day, a day in which special attention is paid to the global aids epidemic. Day's like this are extremely important in bringing home awareness to issues and causes that may be overlooked throughout the year. Everyone knows about HIV & Aids, everyone knows Bono, everyone has seen (RED) products but how often on a daily basis do we think about the more than 25 million people that have died of AIDS since 1981 or the 33.0 million people currently living with this disease, half of which are children? This day brings those people to the fore front of our minds!

A lot of times when things don't directly involve us people tend to be removed from the issue and have a ho hum attitude towards what their personal role can be in it. You may not have a ton of money to donate or time to spend to this or any cause but there is always something that you personally can and should do to help.

Something as simple as just spreading the word does wonders to keep up awareness and social consciousness, tell a friend, blog about it, add a badge to your website or other site. Above that you could donate to a variety or organizations like these Avert, AIDS Alliance, World Vision or find your own at Charity Navigator.

If your a shopper... check out the awesome products at Join Red, create your own Converse, buy a t-shirt at the gap, or soothe your crusty lips with Kiehls lip balm, send a greeting from Hallmark, ( I use the Hallmark thank you cards and used (RED) gift wrap during my launch party and in other applications around the house) These and many other product's all donate a portion of their sales to AIDS research or aid. If your buying anyway why not buy socially conscious products?

Happy World AIDS Day!

A Thankful Heart

Take nothing for granted, for whatever you do,

The joy of enjoying will be lessened for you.

For you'd rob your own life much more than you'll know

When we fail to respond or in any way show

Our thanks for blessings that daily are ours ~

The warmth of the sun, the fragrance of flowers,

The beauty of twilight, the freshness of dawn

The coolness of dew on a green velvet lawn,

The kind little deeds so thoughtfully done,

The favors of friends and the love that someone

Unselfishly gives us in a myriad of ways,

Expecting no payment and no words of praise.

Oh, great is our loss when we no longer find

A thankful response to things of this kind.

For the joy of enjoying and the fullness of living

Are found in the heart that is filled with thanksgiving.

~ Helen Steiner Rice

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With thanksgiving in my heart i'm wishing you all a

Happy Thanksgiving! =)

SOS...

Happy Tuesday everyone!

I am extremely overwhelmed right now, I have more on my plate than ever before! Because nobody likes a pity party I'll spare you from all the details but I will say that my Internet is still down! The combination of both chase and I being sick for over a week now combined with my grandma passing away on Saturday has giving me little time to do anything!

I will try to blog more later this week but I did want to follow through (a day late) with announcing the giveaway winner! I have to admit I was a little disappointed at the turnout but I'll just amuse people don't like froyo ;) or it might have been from the lack of promoting on my part! Oh well perhaps I'll have a better turn out next time =)

The winner of the Red Mango $25 gift card is.... Jason ... first time commenter and new friend to me here! Congratulations Jason I will send you and e-mail or hit you up on facebook! Xtra special thanks to all the commenter's!

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Thank you to all my friends that have been sending me out prayers and well wishes! You are extremely appreciated! Lots of Love ~ Amanda

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Celebrate 100 with Froyo !

Welcome to my 100th Post!

To celebrate I am doing my 1st giveaway!

Back in march I mentioned I often have craving's for some yummy yum yum froyo from Red Mango. For those of you not in the know, Red Mango & Pinkberry are frozen yogurt franchises for the supercool ;) I'm no talking the low fat ice cream crap they call "frozen yogurt" to trick you into thinking your eating healthy ... cough **mcdonalds**... This is real 100% natural non fat frozen yogurt.

Typically you choose from original, green tea or sometimes a third flavor (pinkberry has coffee, yum!) and then you pick your toppings. You can be a good girl like me and get fresh fruits =) -I love strawberries, raspberries, & blackberries - or you can get a little more adventurous with something fun like chocolate chips, fruity pebbles, cap'n crunch, etc...

It's the best of both world's! You get a tasty treat without ton's of fat while also benefiting from eating a superfood rich in probiotic's, calcium and other good for your body ingredients.

Now to the really fun part I with give one lucky person in cyberspace a $25 giftcard to Red Mango. Just leave a comment below telling me what you'd order or if your not sure just say hi & that will count as well. I'll leave it open till Sunday 11/16 @ 9pm PST then announce the winner on Monday!

AND because "I sweet girl, I do nuttin wroong" I'll pass along this deal too...

Free treats for everyone!!!

Okay not "everyone" just you ambitious few that can't turn down a freebie...

For Red Mango locations click this.

Come on people... comment away, no more lurkers! =)

Tree for All :: Space Needle

Have good times this season at the Space Needle all while giving back to the community!

Sounds like a win - win to me!

Your charity will receive $5 back for every Adult ticket and $2.50 back for every Senior or Youth ticket, purchased at the ticket booth or online with a tree for all voucher.

So, pick your favorite charity from this list, print out thier voucher and visit the needle anytime between November 12 - December 24, 2008.

Why not make a day of it! Go ride the carousel or have fun ice skating (in my case falling on my butt) at the Starbucks Ice Rink during Winterfest.

Tamara :: Portrait Session

Check out this beauty I was lucky enough to do a session for...

Tamara is such a sweetie and was a true pleasure to photograph. She was giving me all kinds of difference looks every frame, a true natural in front of the camera.

Tamara - It was a pleasure working with you! I hope you enjoy your pictures! =)

Disconnected = SUCK!

Hi folks! I'm doing a rare post from my computer at the 9-5er. It so silly now a day, employers actually get mad when you blog and surf blogs all day, well unless that's your job but in most offices it's frowned upon. Imagine that? ;)

So I know I've said this the other times I was a bad blogger and didn't post but I really do have loads to share! Ton's of pictures people... ton's of pictures!

My wireless connection has been down for 8 days and counting. Admittedly I'm no computer expert, but I'm no dummy either. I've set up connections and fixed connections for years yet this one has me stumped. I blame Windows... curse you Bill! The obvious answer would be to just plug directly into the wall but that's not possible, I need to be in my own cozy space so wireless it has to be.

The last few days have been spent transferring data to both my external drives so that I can reformat and reinstall windows. Hopefully it will work and be a lean mean internet connecting machine like it used to be by this weekend. Wish me luck!

I NEED MY "INTERNETS"!!!!

Happy Monday!

Amanda's recipe on how to turn a super tired, raining, crap Monday morning into a good day...

#1 Grande Non Fat Vanilla Latte

#2 "Perfect" cup of oatmeal

#3 Even though dead tired sing really loud to a favorite song in the car, I'm talking about top or your lungs pretending your in the video type of singing ;) repeat until you get to the office

#4 E-mail a friend 1st thing to find out how her weekend was

#5 Thank god for giving me another week =)

This was on my Cup this morning...

The Way I See It #239

It takes two seconds to tell the truth and it costs nothing. A lie takes time and it costs everything.

-- Randi RhodesRadio host.

Urban Unveiled Fall 2008

Once again Urban Unveiled was amazing. I attended this event earlier in the year so I was super jazzed when i found out they were having another one. If you are a bride in the NW, a wedding vendor or just a wedding enthusiast this is a must see event. The decorations alone are worth seeing, not to mention the good foods, the Luly Yang fashion show, amazing vendors and the swag isn't bad either.

After the fashion show they have a raffle of about 20 great prizes, this time I won a prize, a SWEET prize at that! It's a brunch cruise for up to 20 people on Waterways Cruises valued at approx $1600, I told you it was sweet! I can't wait to plan that, I'm thinking a girls only birthday cruise with mimosa's lot's of mimosa's!

So I was smart this time and brought a camera! I had a blast capturing all the amazing details!

The program of vendors/ Resource guide

Lot's of lovely flowers

Doesn't it look yummy? It smelt good too!

I was too far up to get any good fashion show pictures but check out the slideshow on Jeff Laplante's blog they are awesome!

As you can see it's a great event. I look forward to attending them for a long time. You'll have to stay tuned to see more info from some of the great vendor's I had a chance to chat with.
And my cruise info and pictures later on in the year, So fun! =)

New Header + "SLC"

So what do you think? Do you like???

I have been wanting to make a new one forever, but couldn't find the time. I still didn't have time but I had to make it happen because the old one was killing me. I featured some new fall pictures of the kiddos, but plan on changing those out hopefully at least once a month.


I'm still not sure if I'm in love with the whole design but it will do for now. Of course I had to keep with my colors, and I wanted to incorporate images as well as font and design elements from my cards and marketing pieces. The camera on the right is one of my most favorite things! I love it, it's one of those things that you display somewhere to collect dust but every time you see it, it makes you happy! I got it a year or so ago at the Lakeside (Bill Gates Alma mater) rummage sale for $3!!!


Lately I have been taking a lot of pictures of "stuff" meaning non humans ;) that I will hopefully be blogging about in the future and the camera was one of them. I hadn't intended on using it in the header and just stumbled onto the idea as i was searching my files for inspiration. I think it ended up being a pretty cool element though.


Here are some more flick's of my "SLC"= sweet little camera...

It's cool to think of the history in this.

Who were it's owners, where did they take it? How did it end up in the rummage sale?

And lastly one of the lil guy in action as a prop at the Launch Party

Business Card :: Round 2

Here are the cards I'm using in addition to the round ones. Although I love my round cards, I wanted a traditional card as well. So I designed these to be used as appointment/referral cards.
I love having two cards! I've received really great feedback on both of them.

The color is not perfect in these photo's, I'm having serious calibration issues with my home monitor! ergh... but you get the point.

Happy Columbus Day!!! =)