Harry Potter-mania

Today marks the release of the Harry Potter film series' final installment. I have to admit that I have been a bit out of the loop since I got busy with life, work, and my ETSY shop. The only way I get to find out that a new movie is coming out is when my Platform 9 3/4 print starts selling like pancakes or gets featured in several wonderful ETSY treasuries. 

Through the years, I have read all the books though I have not seen all the released films. Perhaps, I prefer to imagine Harry's world rather than see Hollywood's rendition of it. Since joining ETSY, I found several talented artists who have their own version of the wizarding world. Below are a few of my favorites (Click on each photo for more info). Enjoy!

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Bastille Day, Seattle Style

Vive la France! July 14 is France's «La Fête Nationale», commemorating the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution. A couple of years ago (before I opened this blog and my ETSY shop), I checked out the Bastille Day celebration sponsored by Seattle's French and Francophone community at the Seattle Center.

Despite the light summer rain and having the Space Needle instead of La Tour Eiffel, it was quite fun! There was lots of wine, Perrier, pomme frites, macarons, and baguette sandwiches to go around along with music, vintage French cars, and anything French.

On a related topic, here's an ETSY treasury in honor of Bastille day. Click to visit and enjoy!

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31:31/10:10

The title says it all. During training (mostly at the gym), I came to run 3.12 miles for 37 minutes. I told myself that as long as I finish within my training time, I'll be happy but who knew? I was quite surprised at my running time and pace since I did not expect to run this fast.

The race was held along Lake Washington's western shore, at Leschi Park. I was a little concerned about the rain since running in shoes is not really pleasant. Thankfully, the weather cooperated and it turned out to be a beautiful morning and a wonderful day.

The first mile of the run was alright since the ground was level. Right after the first mile, it became harder because of the gradual hill climb that stretched for another mile. The last mile or so was not as hard as the hill climb except for the twists and turns that never seem to end. It was another small hill climb to the finish line.

What's next after my first 5k? Keep up with my current run time and pace which I am able to reproduce on a treadmill at the gym--thank goodness! I guess the scientist in me wants to prove that what happened three Sundays ago was not a fluke. I even keep a record of my run time and pace each time I run at the gym. I also started gradually increasing speed with the hope that I can shave off time from my current run.

The gym has become a lab-of-sorts for me when it comes to running but nothing beats running outdoors. I still make it a point to run around Lake Union which is about 7 miles around. Come to think of it, if I keep this up (which I will), I'll be able to run my first 10k pretty soon.

Running

I know that I have not been keeping up with my quasi-regular posts lately but I have not forgotten my blog nor you, my blog friends. I have a TON of ideas going through my head right now but so little time. 

Apart from working in a research lab, finishing crochet items for my summer collection, and minding my ETSY shop, I have been preparing for my first 5K run for charity.  A good friend of mine got me started on running less than a year ago. I still remember that day when he took me on a 10K run around Seattle's Lake Union for the first time. I thought that I would not survive it (okay, perhaps I was exaggerating) but obviously I did despite really sore legs the next day. 

Thanks to my friend's patience and moral support, I kept at it and slowly built my endurance. By no means, I am not an athlete but I have come to enjoy running because it felt quite natural. I was blessed with leg muscles and the so-called Mountain Girl lungs. Running does not require any fancy gear, just good running shoes and ones' feet. I can say that I run because I can.

I recently replaced my worn and torn Merrel running shoes (I was sad to see them go) with a pair of Reebok Runtone Action shoes. One sign (for me, anyway) that running shoes fit well is not having blisters whenever one runs in them. I have run around in these a few times now and my feet are still blister free.

Here are a few more things that allow me to enjoy running, whether it's on the treadmill at the gym or outside. Click on photo for more info. 

A month for Bicycles

It was not until I joined ETSY that I discovered that May is National Bike Month here in the USA. For those of you who have followed my blog and visited my shops, my velophilia shows even though I am still a klutz on two-wheels. Nevertheless, this does not damper my love for bicycles so for this month, I have created a special section called «Bike Love» where all bicycle photographs are specially priced. Also, come and visit the treasury I made, «Vélophilia» on ETSY featuring wonderful items from very talented ETSY sellers. Clicking on the treasury's screenshot takes you to the actual treasury.

Just for my blog is a collection of lovely finds inspired by my love for bicycles. Click on the photo for more information.

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Green Day

Today is Earth Day and as I write this entry, I think of  how my everyday actions have impacted the environment around me. Of course, one person's efforts of living green seem insignificant but it is also true that there can be strength in numbers.

It's been six years since I moved to Seattle to be closer to work. Prior to that, I lived in Tacoma from where I commuted everyday for 5 years. I could have decided to buy a car using money saved from taking public transport but realized that moving to Seattle would be the better option. The car would've been okay but I found a place within walking distance to work. and to almost everything Now, I live car-less in the city, with a transit pass that's also subsidized by my earth-conscious employer. I do have a driver's license but I've gotten used to my relatively simple life that the thought of owning a vehicle sounds a little complicated, i.e. gas, insurance, parking...

How does someone like me get to have fun in the city while living green?


1. I walk to Benaroya Hall to attend the Seattle Symphony.

2. I take the Monorail to attend festivities at the Seattle Center and also to attend a matinée at McCaw Hall, home of the Seattle Opera.

3. I walk to the Post Office to mail packages for my ETSY shop and get exercise. It's always fun to get moving!

4. I take public transit (running on Natural Gas or electricity) to visit my parents and friends.

5.  The Pike Place Market is right in my neighborhood and that's where I go to people watch, get some fruits and flowers, or hunt for vintage stuff to upcycle. No transportation needed since I just walk.


Here are some items I picked just for Earth Day. Click on the photo for more info.

 

Favorites of the day: Mes coups de coeur du jour

Recently, I stumbled upon ETSY.com's «Taste Test» feature where one's taste is determined by what items are selected during the «test». My taste for vintage items resulted in me stumbling upon this travel bag from Sweet Shop Vintage. It is a lovely shop where I also bought one of my vintage brownie cameras not so long ago.

Here are more of my favorites of the day as inspired by this Mod Travel Bag. Just click on photo for more info. Enjoy!

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