~ Why I Read New Moon in 1 Day ~

Let me warn you, there are spoilers about New Moon here. Stop reading now if you plan on reading the book.

A lot of people told me that New Moon isn't that good. And after the part when Edward left and Bella is just being crazy, I lost interest. I don't care for Jacob. One of my personal rule is that I don't date younger guys. So, I am not interested in seeing Bella with him.

Then, how did I end up staying up till 8am reading New Moon? Honestly, I was waiting for Edward to come back. I wonder if Ms Meyer expected this reaction from her readers. She makes it seem like Edward didn't really leave. He's still there, taking care of Bella through his voice. So, I read page after page, waiting for Bella to realize that it's really him or for him to come back.

Near the end of the book, when Bella jumped off the cliff and saw the "flame" in the ocean, I was fully expecting a big fight between Victoria, the evil vampire, and Jacob. And, I also expected Jacob to actually get to kiss Bella. I was sad, but I thought that would be how the story goes. I thought Edward won't be coming back till much later in the book.

I was actually pleasantly surprised that Edward reappeared sooner than I expected. It was exciting to read about the events in Italy, though it turned out to be a lot milder than I thought it would be. No fighting?? Come on! I feel like this book's climax is more like a plateau. Just dragged on and on, but not really peaking anywhere.

My favorite scene is when Bella was waking up and thinking that she's dreaming because Edward was right beside her. I am a sucker for the "sleeping" scenes because I love waking up next to my fiance every day. But, I don't get the whole marriage proposal and rejection thing. Why would she not want to marry him, but want to spend the rest of eternity with him. That doesn't make sense to me at all. It makes me feel like Ms Meyer is just doing it to prolong the series.

Anyway, I am not going to start on the next book till I get on the plane. I don't have time to pull any more all nighters :) But, I think this is going to be one of my most enjoyable 20-hour plane ride to Hong Kong. Not only do I have my fiance with me, I will have Edward. Ok, and Jacob too.

~ Etsy Milestone: 200th Sale + 1000 Hearts ~

On Sept 9, 2009, I passed my 100th sale for my jewelry shop on Etsy. Almost 5 months later, I have passed 200 sales!! The 200th item is the Fuchsia butterfly earrings you see in the screen shot.

I am very happy to have reached this milestone right before my vacation. To tell you the truth, I was really hoping to reach 200 before I leave. I have also passed my 100th sale in my supplies shop. But, supplies are easier to sell. So, I celebrated quietly in my head. :)

I also hit 1000 hearts a little while ago too! Thank you to for all your support and making these milestones with me!!

I am sad that I am going to put my shops on vacation mode today. February has been really good too! I average 1 sale a day in my jewelry shop so far and a few sales a day for the supplies shop. But, I will be gone till the middle of March so the shops need to be closed. I will still be blogging though! It will pretty much be just food and more food! Are you as excited as I am?

~ Swarovski Crystallized Elements 2010/2011 Spring Launch ~

Ok. Enough of snow already. It was all fun and pretty and exciting, till they announced another winter storm watch from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon. Snow is no longer pretty when it stands in the way between me and my trip to Hong Kong. *sigh*

So, to cheer myself up, I am going to share some exciting news with you. Earlier this week, I received an email from a supplier about the Swarovski 2010/2011 Spring launch. I was so excited! I usually like their spring launches more because of the light colors and elements. This year, they have very pretty, bright colors and organic shapes.

~ Colors ~

Provence Lavender

Supposedly, this is a pale purple shade with a hint of blue. I have looked at these pictures in 3 monitors and they still look blue to me.

Fern Green

This look like a green between bright peridot and dark ernite. It looks very rich. I like it

Lavender Pearls

Wow! I really like this one! Right now, Swarovski pearls only has a few shades of purple and none of them are very bright. This looks like a very pretty color.

~ Beads ~

Artemis 5540

I can see a lot of angels being made out of these beads. The bottom looks like it will fit round beads very well.

Wing 5590

I like the shape of these wing beads, but I am not sure I like where the hole is.

Square Bead with Double Holes

This one is pretty exciting. I like the shape a lot. I am imagining a lot of bracelets and necklaces with this bead! Rings too!

Baroque Pearl 5840

I am going to buy these in every color when this comes out!! I do like how all Swarovski pearls are perfectly round and it works out for a lot of designs. However, I feel that just round pearls can be boring. This baroque pearl is going to be very fun to play with!

~ Pendants ~

Three of the "new" pendants this year (ginko, lotus, and zinnia) are not really new. They debuted in Swarovski store last February as a designer collection called

‘Fantastic Flowers’ by Andrée Putman. But, finally, they are selling these as regular components, which means it is probably cheaper than before.

Ginko 6900

I love ginko leaves! These will make awesome pendants for necklaces.

Lotus 6908

These are very pretty too! I am imagining some very pretty necklaces with these.

Zinnia

I am not sure how I feel about zinnia. If you turn them around, it looks like a little fox.

Wing

I am surprised they pushed out another wing shape pendant so soon after the Pegasus pendant. This one has a softer shape and definitely looks more organic.

~ Miscellaneous ~

Filigree 62026

This is so pretty! It reminds me of Taj Mahal for some reason.

Filigree 62027

This is so pretty too! Looks just like a snow flake though. Won't it be better for the fall/winter launch? The 6 holes are just full of potential!

Cosmic Square Ring 4437

This is an interesting shape. I like how it's asymmetrical. Just get this and put it on a sterling silver chain and it'll be beautiful!


By the time I come back, most of the suppliers I use should have these in stock. I am excited!!!

~ Snopocalypse Continues ~

Still snowing!!! I have lots of pictures so be warned :) Let me showed you pictures from last night. This is taken around 10pm last night. My bike was getting buried in the snow.


Look at these cones!


3 hours later...at around 1am..... the cones grew by about 1/3?


I am hoping my neighbor's tree is not going to fall into my house. It was bending lower and lower.


So I woke up around noon. I slept late because I was reading New Moon. I wasn't happy with it though because Edward left. That bastard. :) Anyways, look at the snow building on that ledge!


Look at my neighbor's pot!


More generic snow pictures :)



Look how low the tree is now!


I guess, overnight, one of the cones fell over, but it built up again.


My favorite picture today.


My bench and bike are gone.


Momo wanted to go out to the deck but when I opened the door, he actually didn't go outside.


So, I threw him in.


And this is his revenge. He tracked snow everywhere!


We let him go out the front porch. The snow is up to our porch!



There was so much snow that it got on this wrath that was on my door like 6 inches inside the porch.


Being thrown in again. It's so fun :)


It wasn't that cold outside. So, I went outside to play! I tried to shovel, but it didn't work very well. This is throw #3 for the day.



He couldn't get back in himself so I had to go get him.


I think he still loves me.



I don't know how to build a snowman when the snow is up to my waist. So, I pretty much dug out a snow man instead. It was looking like a hershey's kiss and a cone head.


Here he is! Mr. Snow Robot!


The eyes are screw drivers. The nose is the cap off the laundry detergent and I have no idea what the mouth is.


I am so proud. I was only out there for like 30 mins but I was soaked! It wasn't that cold though so I didn't even realize it till I saw myself in the mirror.


My dad wanted to shovel. Look at this little path he created. It's barely wide enough for Momo to walk though and it's definitely a few inches over his head.


Hmm.....1 last throw :)


He asked for it...really.....




Oops...Momo?


There you are!


I think that's his way of saying "Thanks Mom!"


Ok, enough pictures. But, if you want to see more, you can check out my Facebook album. The sun is going down already. I am going to be productive from now on :) If you are snowed in, I hope you have some fun! Either go out and play or watch Hulu or animeready. Enjoy!