Another Art Project

Just a quick note to show another art project Juan and I are playing around with.

Simple silhouettes on fun fabric. We are working on some projects with silhouettes of skills, vintage silver streams, birds AND some of my friend's furry friends.

I'll keep you posted.

What to do...What to do...

Won these on eBay. What are they you ask???These are vintage punched tin bulb reflectors….I know…Cool huh! (I know you might be thinking I’m crazy, right?)

Well now what I am thinking is what I am going to make out of these cool piece of history. If you’ve been reading this blog you know I love to create things. During the holidays I had a hit with tin ornaments (check out this past blog about them) and so now I am thinking some sort of Christmas ornamentation!

I love Christmas and yes…it is January and I am already thinking about Christmas. The vintage stuff from the 60’s and 70’s I really la la love. I guess because it brings back such awesome memories for me as a child. But something I am looking for and I know it is from an earlier era….an aluminum Christmas tree! (happy happy joy joy face) Of course I’ll keep you posted.

For now….I am going to think about these vintage punched tin bulb reflectors and what they are going to become! I’ll keep ya posted (wink wink smiley face)

“Don’t make somebody a priority if they only make you an option!”





Thought I'd share a picture of me!

 
Have you seen this saying before? “Don’t make somebody a priority if they only make you an option!”Me???First time this year….and yet…it seems I’ve seen it everywhere. It keeps popping up like it is haunting me, whispering in my ear or maybe smacking me on the backside of my head saying “Hey you… wake up!”

I’m not trying to be philosophical or get real deep here….I just thought it is something we All should think about. Not only from a personal perspective….but in business too.

My “other life” is staffing. Juan and I have been doing this a L-O-N-G time. We love working with clients who are truly interested in finding top talent AND working with people who are looking to better themselves. Often times…we work with companies that say they want help in finding someone for a role and yet we are chasing them down trying to have a business conversation with them.

It happens to me a lot lately in work and in my personal life. I continue to make others a priority, bending over backwards and do not get the same treatment in return.

Now the Catholic side of me (dear Lord…she’s now going religious on me) has always been this. I do things for others NOT to expect anything in return. I never was a believer of “I did something for you, now you owe me and vice versa.” I do thinks because I want to…I love to…I’m happy to.

However….if you feel like your beating your head against the wall, think about my statement I found running rampant on the internet. I do not know who said this first…who thought of this…however, it truly spoke to me and thought I would share.

Have a great weekend!  

Always an Urban Hobo!

Just a quick post to tell you (again and again and again) how much Juan and I LOVE bicycling.

What a great way to get around your neighborhood and patron your local businesses.

2012 is the year to give back to your community and shop local. Juan and I are doing our best to do so and we will continue to share our latest adventures and great finds.

Have a local business you'd like to share? Give me a shout...I'd be happy to share.

Shawn

Urban Hobos- Cruising the neighborhood

Juan and I in simplifying or rather right-sizing our lives, have decided to ride our bikes as much as possible AND patron local small business owners.

You want to help the economy? Shop and visit your local neighborhood shops, restaurants and businesses. Small business owners are the key to boosting the economy not always BIG corporate America.

A favorite of Juan's is Churn. It is right next to a wonderful eatery and awesome hangout, Windsor (same owners) and when you walk past the threshold you are walking back in time.

Remember, Zots, Pop Rocks, Jumbo Pixie Stix, Taffy and assortment of gum balls and jawbreakers??? Well they have it all.

Besides the "old school" candy, they have some awesome artisan ice cream. All you need is one scoop and you're hooked. Do you remember the old wooden paddle style spoons you used to get as a kid for your ice cream? Well that's how you eat at Churn.

They offer a great selection of cones including my favorite... A pretzel cone.

So if you live in the Phoenix metro area or planning to visit, check out Churn (www.churnaz.com)!

Top Hits for December

And the winner is…….










Wow… it seems like yesterday I was getting ready to put up the tree and plan for the holidays…

Now, all that is left is some sparkle left on the floor that my vacuum refuses to pick up and all the shelves and spots in my home where Christmas lived seem blank....(sigh)

Well, I have listed the top blogs for December and in case you might’ve missed one….here they are.

Urban Hobo Cookies-A Couple of Friends Helping Me Out!

Can your table do this???

Regrets; Juan’s Perspective

Urban-Hobos-Patron Your Local Neighborhood Haunts!

Recycling Your Christmas Tree

Juan and I are always interested in anything and everything you have to say! If you have a suggestion or have a home, furniture, art, food, organizational tricks/ideas….you’d like to share, we would love to hear about and post!

Here’s to a hearty, happy, healthy and prosperous 2012!

So…Started the New Year Off Breaking Any of Your Resolutions?

Happy New Year! Juan and I love this time of year…time to release the old and on with the new….wipe the slate clean….start fresh! Hold on…. how many of you started with the best intentions only to have “blown it” already. That’s okay each day is a new day and you can always start fresh, however maybe this time set more achievable goals.

Begin with the end in mind.-How many of you just make a list that states…”I want to be in a new small space” (sorry I am always thinking right-sizing)”I want to be skinny”, “I want to ….blah blah blah. Start with the end in mind. For example; if you want to own a house…think about the cost of a home you will afford as well as the down payment that will be needed and realistic mortgage you can afford. Once you have that amount in mind then you are able to work backwards to the present as to how much you will need to save on a monthly basis to have the down payment on a future home. If you have a wish for a larger home and the down payment is big, you might need to either A) Save more on a monthly basis or B) Make a goal for the first year to save “X” amount and the next year (or less) the rest….We could go on…but I believe you get the picture. Bottom line is that you start with the end result and work backwards. Whatever the goal is start with the end and work backwards. You might reassess and adjust your goals.

Set realistic goals.-Sometimes we get waaayyyy toooo ambitious when it comes to goals. For years that has always been my downfall. I have always battled with weight and I would make a goal to be a size 2 in six weeks. I am not a contestant on The Biggest Loser….so it makes more sense to set realistic goals that can be achieved than to get disappointed with lofty ones.

Start off small.-If you wish to add exercise into your regime, try to start off with small goals and mark dates/time lines to move to the next level. Start off with 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening…OR…taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking your car further and walking more. If you start small it is easier to stick with it. Many tri-athletes had a starting point when they first started training…the same should be for you.

Include time for self or just relax. - In our very busy lives, we tend to keep running until we collapse. Or burn the candle at both ends. Give time to rejuvenate…meditate…or try yoga. The say it’s a great stress release and can lower your blood pressure.

Think about giving back or volunteering as one of your resolutions.- Volunteer!!!What a great way to give back and another great way to lower your blood pressure and de-stress! Volunteering or giving of your time etc., is a great way to feel good about yourself and doing something positive for the community or for someone in need. However, do it for the right reasons

Now…start making your New Year’s resolution(s) with some of these tips in mind. I guarantee better outcome and results. Good Luck!

Cheers to an awesome 2012!