New for Fall

Greetings all,
Some cool new stuff going on now that I'm back on the East Coast.

First up: http://ayerscollection.blogspot.com and http://ayerscollection.etsy.com are the new home and online store for my jewelry line Ayers Collection (named for my great aunt Joan Ayers). Check it out!!

Second: I will be having a booth every Sat from 10am-2pm, at the Everett Farmers' Market, which runs through Oct 9. Please stop by and visit (if you happen to reside on this coast and in the vicinity).

That is all for now. Stay tuned.

Bracelets

These are all the bracelets that I still have available.

 B2: cane glass, Swarovski crystal, sterling silver

$49

B3: cane glass, Swarovski crystal, sterling silver

$49

B4: aventurine & sterling silver

$69

B6: German crystal, Swarovski crystal, sterling silver

$59

B9: vintage glass, Swarovski crystal, sterling silver

$49

B10: cherry quartz, Swarovski crystal, sterling silver

$49

To see the necklaces I have, click the link below.
Necklaces

Necklaces

Since I've been home, I went through my jewelry stash. Here are some of the pieces that I still have available. All necklaces have sterling silver clasps.

N47 "Kemet": gold plate & Lapis Lazuli (gold plated clasp)

$199 - SOLD

N34: painted glass & Swarovski crystal

$49

N5: blue goldstone & sterling silver

$79

N6: garnet & Swarovski crystal

$69

N7: Picasso jasper & Swarovski crystal

$69

N12: freshwater pearl & sterling silver

$129 - SOLD

 N13 "Mardi Gras": glass, Swarovski crystal

$49

N3: blue lace agate & sterling silver

$59

N19: rose quartz, freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystal, sterling silver

$89

N15: freshwater pearls & Swarovski crystal

$149

N20 "The Dutchess": freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystal, sterling silver

$249

N45: onyx, glass, Swarovski crystal, sterling silver

$149

N25: freshwater pearl & mother of pearl

$69

 N4: crystal quartz, glass, Swarovski crystal
$119

N17: freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystal, sterling silver
$89

N26: cherry quartz, Swarovski crystal, sterling silver
$59

N23: moonstone & sterling silver
$59

N27: jade & sterling silver
$89 - SOLD

 N31: vintage double-sided Swarovski crystal & swarovski crystal
$149

N35: freshwater pearl, glass, Swarovski crystal, sterling silver
$49

N37: Swarovski crystal & sterling silver
$39

N39: crystal quartz, glass, Swarovski crystal
$119

N9: freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals, sterling silver
$69

N24: freshwater pearls
$89

N46: lapis lazuli & sterling silver
$109



To see the bracelets I have available, click the link below.
Bracelets

Current Playlist - July 2010

I'm gonna start posting a playlist at the beginning of every month, with the songs I'm currently most addicted to.

July Playlist:

Airplanes - B.o.B. Ft Hayley Williams

Half of My Heart - John Mayer

I Never Told You - Colbie Callait

King of Anything - Sara Bareilles

If I Had You - Adam Lambert

If We Ever Meet Again - Timbaland Ft Katy Perry

Misery - Maroon 5

Your Love is My Drug - Ke$ha

Voodoo - Adam Lambert

Not Afraid - Eminem

Billionaire - Travie McCoy Ft Bruno Mars

Bulletproof - La Roux

Master Plan - Adam Lambert

Uprising - Muse

Society - Eddie Vedder

Know Your Enemy - Green Day

Grace Kelly - Mika

All The Right Moves - One Republic

Adam Lambert is making multiple appearances on my list this month for two reasons: 1. He's an amazingly talented singer and performer and I love all his music 2. I will be attending his Glam Nation Tour in San Francisco July 23rd!!

Summer School - Ceramics and Watercolor

Greetings & Happy Summer All,
Since they aren't offering any Auto Mechanics courses over the summer, I had to switch to a Fine Arts Major for the next month or two, so I can continue to receive my educational benefits. I, who have never had any real art training or experienc, am tackling Ceramics I and Watercolor I. My mom's dad is a professional watercolorist, so at least I have a decent chance of relying on genetics in that class.

Here are a couple things I've done so far:

Piggy Bank & Vase w/Egyptian Symbols

Values Landscape - Watercolor

(The 1 mega pixel cell phone camera really doesn't represent this piece well.)

BP Spills Coffee

Ha haha, my friend Melanie posted this on Facebook and its too hilarious!!!

Glee

I can't push this TV show enough!!




Get on to www.hulu.com/glee and check out full episodes "The Power of Madonna" and "Bad Reputation" are my favorites!!!!

One Republic - All The Right Moves

Another great music recommendation for you. Enjoy! Download the MP3

Does Feminism = Man Hating?

Feminism has been cast in a negative light for the last handful of decades. I was accused of being a feminist by a friend and I took offense. In society today it seems like people define feminism as "man hating" or a movement that desires to give women more privileges than men, or put women ahead of men. Well here it is folks, the text book definition of feminism.

Feminism: A belief in the political, social, and economic equality of men and women.

Wow, what a concept. I now consider myself well informed and thank you Brandon, yes I guess that makes me a feminist.

definition retrieved from "Living Democracy" by Shea, Green and Smith 2nd Edition. 

La Roux - Bulletproof

I caught this song/music video on VH1 this morning and really loved it! Enjoy! Download MP3

My Earth Day Recommendation

In the spirit of Earth Day, my recommendation to you is an amazing 100% recycled, 80% post-consumer TP that is soft and strong and only 3.99 for a 12 roll pkg at Trader Joe's!



Did you know that using luxury toilet paper has a worse impact on the environment than driving a hummer?? According to this article, out of the UK, that is the honest truth.

"American taste for soft toilet roll 'worse than driving Hummers'"

Starbucks Coffee Company

Starbucks is my #1 favorite place to chill. I love their drink selection, friendly staff and excellent atmosphere. They also offer some great patron benefits. With my registered Starbucks card I get 2 hrs (sometimes more) of free WiFi a day, I get a free drink every 15 drinks purchased and I get free refills of brewed coffee.

Their green options are a huge plus as well. Everytime I pay with my Preservation Card, Starbucks donates 5 cents to Conservation International (now through 12/31/2010). If I bring in my own mug, I get 10 cents off of my drink and they are constantly improving their cups and packaging to use more recycled content.

I was recently criticized by a friend for going to Starbucks, because they are a huge corporation. I understand the importance of giving local and small businesses patronage, but I'm proud to support a progressive company, dedicated to social and environmental improvement.

To learn more about Starbucks commitment to responsiblity click the link:

http://www.starbucks.com/responsibility

Operation Beautiful

This note was waiting for me when I went to grab a seat at Starbucks! Spread the word!

http://www.operationbeautiful.com/

Hint-As you spread your Operation Beautiful notes, support a beautiful planet too...use recycled post-its!

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/255477/Post-it-4-x-4-Recycled/

Trader Joe's Greek Style Yogurt

Since I'm starting out on a Trader Joe's kick, it make sense to feature my favoritest favorite item:

Trader Joe's brand Greek Style Honey Flavored Yogurt

This product has changed everything I ever thought I knew about yogurt. Its Xtra-thick and smooth, with a very subtle flavor. It goes AMAZING with Nature's Path Organic Pumpkin Granola (also at Trader Joe's) and an organic fuji apple (also, also at Trader Joe's). Now that's the breakfast of champions!

BEWARE-Don't get the fat free or low fat version of this yogurt, they aren't even in the same stratosphere.

Trader Joe's

    After one trip to Trader Joe's, I swore I would never go to a "normal" grocery store again. Whether you are trying to eat healthier or not, it is the most amazing place to shop for food...and contrary to popular belief, items are competatively priced. I can walk out with more groceries, for less money than when I'm shopping at Safeway or Raley's.

    The variety and selection of specialty foods is a huge draw for me. I try to eat organic whenever possible (currently about 75% of my diet) and they sell the most delicious selection of organic produce that I have ever tasted. Other organics include; dairy, bread, cereal and meat, just to name a few.

    Other amazing options include vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and my personal favorite...free range.  There's something incredibley satisfying about buying a product that comes from a place where the animal's quality of life is a priority.

Check out the link: http://www.hsus.org/farm/camp/nbe/traderjoes/trader_joes_goes_cage_free.html

    If you don't have any special dietary preference, they have an amazing selection of "normal" groceries; dairy, eggs, bread, produce, meats, cheeses, with less additives than most commercial brands.

    If you don't shop there yet, try it, You'll thank me.'

    http://www.traderjoes.com/

    PS-two words...free samples.

The Auto Insurance Saga

Hello, my name is Sarah and I'm a starving college student! lol! In an attempt to reduce my monthly expenses I decided I needed to look for a cheaper motorcycle insurance carrier (I've already reduced my cell phone plan and moved into a cheaper apt complex and cut back on leisure spending).

Right now I'm with Progressive!! My motorcycle still has a loan on it, which means I have very strict insurance parameters I have to meet. So I called up all the major insurance carriers and here is what I found out.

Allstate: After a lengthy automated system, which I despise with a passion, I sat on hold for 20 minutes without ever speaking to a real person. At 20 minutes+ I finally just hung up! I called back an hour later and sat on hold for another 20mins before I threw in the towel for good. I figured 1. they are so good that they have tons of customers, which is why the hold time was so heinous, or 2. their service is so bad that they have tons of people calling to complain. Either way, it doesn't matter how good they are if I can't get a hold of anyone. : P one star!

Geico: Power to the Gecko, lol! The automated service was very quick and simple. I got a real person right away. Unfortunately, my premium would be about $10-20 more per month than my current Progressive policy. I guess 15minutes DIDN'T save me 15% or more on insurance, but they get major props for customer service and the price was still close! 4 stars!

State Farm: The automated system babbled alot, which irritates me to no end. I have a serious issue with automated menus. I got to a representative pretty quick, but they weren't able to work with my unique geographic situation. I'm a Ca resident, with my bike registered in Ca and a permanent address in Ca, but I'm in Nevada for the next 6-12 months for college. I couldn't even get a quote under these circumstances. I thought it was strange, considering how many college students attend school out of state, that they couldn't be more flexible! Still, I imagine someone in a more traditional residence situtation could get a policy quote with no problem. 3 stars!

Nationwide: I flew through this automated menu = brownie points right away. I was able to talk to someone right away and the representative was VERY friendly and I actually enjoyed talking to him. He had to transfer me to someone else and that was a very quick easy transfer. The second person I talked to was also friendly and quite knowledgeable. She had to end our call, so she could go do some research on my weird residence circumstances, but called me back 15 minutes later to get a little more info and then called me back 15 minutes after that to let me know that they could issue me a Ca policy and the weird geographic issues were no problem. They also gave me the same coverage for significantly less $! 5 stars!!!

Progressive: In all fairness, Progressive is an excellent insurance provider. I was with them for a year and the customer service was always excellent (Though I am, again, not a fan of their lengthy automated menu) and they were great when I did have to file a claim with them about 10 months ago. They just couldn't give me the price I needed. When I called to cancel my policy, the customer service was also excellent. I still give them 4 1/2 stars!!

A Little Sustainability Goes A Long Way

Until 2009, I pretty much ignored environmental issues. I didn't care where my food came from. I didn't consider my carbon footprint.

I first began to contemplate these issues when my brother decided to reduce his own negative environmental impact by becoming a vegetarian and opting to ride a bicycle, instead of driving, whenever possible. Matthew and I are incredibly close, so I was curious about his change in lifestyle. Over the course of the next year or so we discussed it pretty often.

2010 was set to be a landmark year for me. I was conmmitted to making positive, meaningful changes in my life. So when January rolled around, I decided that instead of the standard issue 'lose 10lbs' New Years resolution, I would make a 'green' New Years resolution, a 'healthier me, healthier planet' New Years resolution.

The commitment that I made for 2010 was simply 1. eat more organic food, 2. Utilize reusable shopping bags 3. Take my own mug when I went to Starbucks.

What I didn't anticipate was how this tiny seed of change would grow. After 2 months I was eating 75% organic. I started recycling. I considered the source of my food, opting to only consume meat that came from places that ethically treated their animals. I also became more conciouse about turning out my lights, switched to washing laundry in cold water and purchased more recycled products and non-chemical cleaners.

I find these changes have had a real positive impact on my life. I like going into a grocery store and making choices that don't only benefit me, but benefit companies that support my ideals about food production. I like knowing that I won't be adding to landfills or contributing to the destruction of forests. Its really kinda awesome!

To learn more out about an amazing grocery store, where you can find a huge selectiong of organic and natural products, check out my blog about Trader Joe's:

These are a Few of my Favorite Things: Trader Joe's