Take a Virtual Vacation

It's mid week for most people (although its more like "Sunday" for my husband) and I thought we might all enjoy a little virtual vacation. So here you go. Enjoy some beautiful footage of Yosemite. I can't wait to get back there myself.

Yosemite HD from Project Yosemite on Vimeo.

Just remember, Friday is only a few days away!

Around Town: Jan 29

Well we are one month in to 2012! How is everyone doing with their goals? I think I'm doing pretty well on all accounts so far. I've gotten outdoors, lost 6.5 lbs., been pretty regular on my blogging (this could be better) and been fairly good about the giving back.

Here are some events around town this week - maybe they'll help with your goals for 2012! Want to work on your cooking? Paula Deen Live! is coming to Sacramento on Friday, I think she'd be fun to see live. Although her recipes don't generally help with healthy eating. Tickets are available here.

Add some culture to your schedule next weekend by participating in Sacramento Museum Day! On Feb. 4th you can get free or discounted admission to 28 different museums in the Sacramento area. Check out a new museum or one you haven't been to for a while.

Chatelaine's 31 days to a healthier you

While working on all my goals for this year - I stumbled across Chatelaine's 31 days to a healthier you. I figured these would be a good place to start since "healthier" is exactly what I am looking for. Today will be my first day --- and it's easy enough. Reviewing my horoscope for 2012.

Here it is for any fellow Gemini's (and I know I have a few of you as readers!):

Gemini (May 21 - June 22)

Think back to the summer of 2000 through to the summer of 2001. What was going on back then? Your confidence level was high and you were branching out in some new way or in some new direction. You can expect more of the same for 2012, especially from June through December. It’s a positive, once-in-every-twelve-years kind of opportunity, so say yes to whatever the Universe offers up!

Your mantra for 2012 is: I choose to have faith in my abilities.

Love: You’re redefining your bottom line in all your primary romantic and business relationships this winter/spring. Where are your boundaries? You may not really know until someone pushes them. They will too, especially on January 4th, April 9th and most notably on the Eclipse of June 4th! At that point you should be able to define exactly what it is that you want, (or equally as important, what you don't want!). An engagement, marriage or second honeymoon could be part of the scenario this summer!


Money/Work: The March 21st New Moon earns you a spot in the limelight. Finally! All your hard work starts to pay off and your reputation soars. Image is key at this time too, so don’t hesitate to fake it ‘til you make if you need to! Financial opportunities abound once bountiful Jupiter enters your sign in June. Be watchful for opportunities, as calculated risks, offers and prospects tend to pay off big time.

Here's what I got out of it: I don't really remember 2000 or 2001. I'm sure I was having a good time - I would have been 19/20 years old and probably was out on vacation with my friends having a blast. I'd love more of the same this year.... especially if it only comes along once every 12 years!

"I choose to have faith in my abilities" sounds like a perfect mantra. I'll repeat it to myself often. Since the engagement/marriage part have already happened -- I'll sign up for the second honeymoon. We'll be returning to Tahoe in April for our 1 year wedding anniversary, and I'm really looking forward to it. I'll work on being prepared and open to any financial opportunities this summer as well.

All sounds good and positive to me!

Friday Fixation: The Hunger Games

I want to thank my friend Meghan for having me read The Hunger Games. I finished the first book in a few days on my kindle - it was such an easy read that just sucked me in. Now that I've watched the trailer for the movie -- I am equally excited for that. I like the main actress in it - she was in Winter's Bone too - which I just watched and liked as well.

Here's the trailer for The Hunger Games if you haven't seen it. I'd agree with my friend and highly recommend reading it! I can't wait until February when I can get my next free read on my Kindle... so I can read the next book in the trilogy - "Catching Fire."

Valentine's Day Cards

I love getting cards for people. Half the fun is planning in advance and getting something original instead of the normal quick dash to Target or Rite-Aid. It's always good to load up on some unique cards in advance. I do that for wedding and birthday cards as much as I can.

So in honor of the next card holiday - I thought I'd share some nice Valentine's Day ones that I've found. I'm sure its no surprise to my regular readers that I'll start with an "I'm Owl Yours" card from Kate's Paperie. Its a wooden card - which I love - totally eco-friendly. A bit expensive at the $8.95 mark though.

Etsy is always a good place to check out for cards - and they can be more affordable too. I like this "Love You Like Whoa" card from the Love you Paperly shop.

Vintage style valentines are always fun too. Paper Source has this set of 12 for $13.95 that is adorable. They always have such sweet and innocent pictures on them! The tin that they come in is cute too.

Luxe Paperie has a nice mix of cards to choose from as well. My two favs? The Kate Sutton Choo Choo Choose You card and the Elum Designs plume letterpress that says "You make my heart go Boom Boom" - I mean, look at the lettering on that!

Anyways, those are some places to start. I found some adorable Valentine's post cards on etsy too - but I don't want to share yet - since some of my readers might be receiving them!

There's still time to order cards... don't wait last minute and end up at Target!

Around Town: January 22

Has anyone heard of these "Creative Juices Events?" It's an awesome chance to mix cocktails with canvas (as they say.) Tomorrow is an event at Il Fornaio $45 a seat. It sounds like a fun event. Check out their calendar for other upcoming options like Feb. 3rd at Piatti.

If you are into Music or Photography (or both) it seems like it would be worth checking out this "Rock Air: A Tribute to Sacramento's Music Scene" exhibit at the j27 gallery. There are some awesome, high jumping, rocking photos at some local musical landmarks - like Old Ironsides. The exhibit is open thru Jan. 31 - so check it out this week!

I've mentioned events at Borjorn Winery before - and they are one of my favorites up in Amador County. If you're looking for a little wine tasting this weekend, maybe you should stop by. They'll be featuring a verticle tasting of Sangiovese from '07 thru the current 2010 barrel tasting. Worth checking out.

Friday Fixation: My Declutter Calendar

One of my goals for 2012 was to get more organized about house cleaning. I found this Declutter Calendar at MySimplerLife.com that is super helpful at getting started. I've been trying to do at least the one thing a day that it mentions - and I love it. I already feel like its helping. Sometimes the "clean one drawer in your bathroom" turns into clean the whole bathroom... which makes me feel like I'm getting somewhere.

I really recommend it. So of the items don't apply so you get a little break here and their. All you have to do is sign up for the email and you'll get the link to the calendar to download for free.

I love the stuff I find on Pinterest...