DeCode Wednesday - Dancing Queens?

First off, here are the giveaway winners: Safire of living in Maryland won the Save Handmade giveaway. Bird, Frizzy and our little Yaya of Heaven's gift won the surprise gift for Quest for the Black dress contest. Congrats and thank you to all who participated. Watch out for more.

Now for some fun! A week ago, I decided that last week's Decode Wednesday will be the last due to lack of players but a lot of you told {begged} me NOT to retire it. So for the sake of those who really like this game, I'll give it one more chance. Here's the 4th Edition!

This one's easy.

What's wrong with these Dancing Queens?

Nothing really, they're just having fun, right?
yeah Right! Except for one and some!

click on the image to enlarge picture

Shoeless Queens!
And I won't even guess why he's got that look!
I'll just cover my nose!

Yes, this has been going around all night!
can you blame the poor kid?

I hope you all enjoyed this one.

For Posterity, I'm including Mr. Linky for the last time to those of you who may want to RSVP to play along next week otherwise we'll see. ThaNk you!

Enjoy!

Year of the Ox Party with some of the Rich and Famous of Charlotte

Today is the official day of Chinese New Year where it welcomes the Year of the Ox! As promised, here is the full scoop of my celebrations and the long-awaited reveal!

Let me give you a little tour around Charlotte in the process too...

The Celebrations were kicked off with a successful Festival on Saturday at The Peaceful Dragon - Charlotte's Premium Martial Arts School - attended by a huge crowd, which made it to our local TV News 14 as featured in this short clip - also my hubby's little fame! Watch out for the tall guy in the front row doing Tai Chi right after the Lion Dance - that's him!

Some pictures of the Demo Team from the Festival:

Click on image to enlarge picture

After the Festivities, the celebration was highlighted with a formal Dinner Banquet held at Holiday Inn uptown. Here's a little preview of Center City Charlotte's skyline for your viewing pleasure...

Click on image to enlarge picture

Now the Reveal:

Click on image to enlarge picture

This is the reason behind the need for the little black dress. After 10+ years of required training in Tai Chi, my hubby finally reached the final mark and was promoted to Lao Shr {Teacher} level. He now carries the revered title Sifu. It was a very touching moment not just for him but for me. There were 3 of them that got promoted in the same level but ONLY him got the standing ovation. It made me prouder of him more than ever! Just made me realize that there are a lot of people out there that loves him for who he is, besides me... {I know you're reading this - I love you honey!}

And finally, see my black dress!? Loooooved it! Thank you to all those who participated in the quest. The lucky winner of a surprise gift will be announced tomorrow along with the drawing for the giveaway with a cause.

Now onto the Party! Hobnobbing and rubbing elbows with some of the rich and famous peeps of Charlotte:

Click on the image to enlarge picture

On the picture: Juanita Munoz - Celebrated Expert on Feng Shui. Eric Sbarge - Renowned Martial Artist and owner of the famous The Peaceful Dragon Martial Arts School. Carolene Chun - Owner of AudioBook Store of the Carolinas {the ONLY existing Audiobookstore in Charlotte} and Debra Sbarge co-owner of The Peaceful Dragon.

So far, The year of the Ox looks really promising! - My jewelry almost sold out during the Festival + special orders. My daughter won the 1st prize for her age category in the Banquet drawing. Then I won this Princess dress for her today! How lucky is that!?

Now here's something FOR YOU. Juanita will be featured in an upcoming post and one lucky winner will get a free Feng Shui reading from her. And if she's in your area, she'll even do a Feng Shui application for your home. Is this cool or what? You may want to subscribe to my RSS so you won't miss it! Stay Tuned.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR TO ALL

The Blogger is OUT. Come back later.
She's celebrating Chinese New Year Festivities right now and enjoying her Siesta!

But here's a note from her sending GoodLuck wishes
YOUR WAY!

Don't forget the REDS! {not the team} Wear one today!

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Great pictures will be posted later + the winner of the surprise gift. In the meantime, check the giveaway with a cause and show your support!

Where's my little honey?

Have you entered my giveaway yet? Enter and Help Save Handmade.

This is the 3rd Edition of DeCode Wednesday! And I'm lovin' it!

DeCode Wednesdays was inspired by the DaVinci Code Novel and are for those who take pride in revealing the hidden truth and having fun in the process! For every Picture tells a story that is NOT visible to the naked eye!

So fairly new . If you want to play along, please RSVP for the game next Wednesday by adding yourself to Mr. Linky, so I can remind you to get ready for it. Now, If I don't get that many players to play along {much as I love this game} sadly I will just retire the game and post something else appealing to the distinctive taste of many. How will one enjoy a game without someone to play with right? {did I just sound desperate? ugh!} Nonetheless, here's the....

Photo for Today

What's with this not-so-exciting Picture?

Nothing here to see right?

WRONG!


Well, my Little one decided to hid behind the curtain and slept there.


She didn't want to sleep in her room so she sneaked in our room, hid behind the curtain, got comfy and went to sleep!

Of course, we were already on the verge of panic when we finally found her!
Sneaky this one.

Hope you enjoyed this Edition.
See you next Wednesday - or not...

Save Handmade and Twinkling Tees

A campaign, a review with unbiased view + a giveaway!

During the Christmas holiday, I was lucky to win a gift certificate from Twinkling Tees which I used to purchase this lovely Pink Shirt customized for my daughter with rainbow colored Swarovski crystals. Though there was a little glitch using the GC during checkout, Jill, owner of the shop, personally took care of me and gave me the best customer service one can ever ask for! A small business thriving to deliver good service and quality products!

My daughter love this shirt so much, she wore it three days straight! I kid you not! If she was a man, I can't agree more if you say after 3 days in that shirt, it reeked of man-stink! BUT she love the shirt so much that she'd rather wear it over and over again than change into a different shirt that's piled in her closet. I relented only because her happiness of wearing it, was PRICELESS! More so, what makes this shirt special is that the design was painstakingly set by hands by Jill herself! A mom just like me! Definitely handmade with love!

If you plan ordering Kids T-Shirts from her, today is the best time to do it before you miss your chance! Also, order size larger than your kids regular size because the kids' shirts runs small. This may be your last chance of getting a T-shirt that your kid would love wearing three days straight!

With the Threat of CPSIA's new Policy in effect on Feb 10th, it kills me to think that a lot of small business owners will be forced to close due to their inability to afford the expensive testing fees which can run from $75 to a hefty $1000! - All depending on the number of material and items used to create it. The more materials used the higher the fee is.

In this event, I would hate to see wonderful creations like Twinkling Tees Toddler T-shirts go away! The Company creates customizable designs and has a wide array of design selections that caters to each ones' whim and style!

So, what then will happen after the new policy is in place? Will little girls like my daughter miss the chance of wearing great creations like this shirt just because? I, too have a small biz that does Handmade. I know how hard this will impact those who will be affected. So, Please, let's all help handmade Children product manufacturer and small biz owners like Twinkling Tees by signing these petitions: Clothes, Apparel and accessories / Toys or support the cause by writing your respective Congress using the pre-filled form.

Please HELP US Save Handmade!

Now for the giveaway! Twinkling Tees was generous enough to sponsor a $20 Gift Certificate as part of the Save Handmade Campaign. And as part of my support for the Campaign, I'm throwing in my Best Seller bracelets - all four of 'em! How's that for a treat!? You want it?

Here's the drill :

1. Go visit Twinkling Tees come back here and let us know which product you liked best.
2. Leave your comments with a valid email address so I can notify you if you're the winner and where Twinkling Tees can email you the GC.
3. Open to US addresses only.
   

For Extra Entries: {Leave separate comments for each action done please}
All entries are noted and tallied manually, so simply let me know what you did and it will be checked for accuracy. Thank you. Goodluck!

1. Twitter the Giveaway
   
2. Simply Follow me {open to new followers only}
   
3. For 5 extra entries post about it and link back here.
4. For 10 extra entries subscribe to my RSS
   
5. For 15 extra entries - sign any of the Petitions {we're REALLY serious about this!}
   

Deadline will be on the 26th Monday. Winners will be announced Tuesday, 27th. Goodluck! and help SAVE HANDMADE!!!

The Red Deal

Next Saturday is the Chinese New Year Party. As mentioned in my previous Siesta Saturday , I Celebrate two New Years and Jan 26th is this years' Chinese New Year which is The Year of the Ox. It is also a BIG event for me this year- hence reason why I'm in a quest for the perfect little black dress. Have you submitted your finds yet? Lucky entry will win a surprise gift.

For those not culturally-challenged, RED in Chinese Tradition, is a big deal! Red connotates GOOD Luck making it specially important during Chinese New Year. Want some Good Luck? Wear Red! Need to know more? Familyculture.com have more answers. Or have Sara Naumann tells you all about the famous RED UNDERWEAR! Hmmm....I'm seeing fiery red now...

Admittedly, I don't like the color red! Yet this is the only time I will make exclusive exemptions. Who doesn't want Good Luck for the whole year right? I, of course have a great idea on what to wear. Forget red clothing. I'm going for this:

Traditional Lotus Flower Carved in Red Cinnabar Necklace

Want to try your luck with red? You can find more of these Red Chinese-inspired jewelries online at Golden Flower Creations. The stock is limited due its' distribution exclusivity to a Chinese Martial Arts School intended for New Year. But after Jan 24th, rest of the design will be available to public.

If you want other than the color red, how about this?

It comes with matching Oh la la Earrings and is part of a whole slew of beautiful bracelets which can be found at Golden Flower Creations other online store HERE . Or you can click on the widgets on the side bar on the right to browse both stores.

What are you waiting for? Grab some RED today!

As for me, Here's my 1st Hong Bao {red envelope} with goodies!

The Proximity Award from HelloSweetWorld and Wolf of Musings

One Lovely Blog Award {again} from Wolf of Musings
Lemonade Award from Joanne of Barely Domestic Mama and Lisa of Serah's Soaps
Friends Award from Julia of Our Simple Life

ThaNk you...

"I'm sure I've missed a few couples of them here and there but please know I appreciate each one of them..."

I'm passing it on... I'll make it simple. No rules. No Instructions.
Just Grab!

To New Bloggy Friends:

Beth of Anti-Supermom
Cynthia of Confessions of a Yummy Mummy

Lori of Time of your Life
Alicia of More Than Words
Janah of So Not Mom-A-Licious
Michelle of One Crafty Mama
BlueViolet of A Nut in A Nutshell
Valerie of It's a wonderful Life
Namaste of Shut the front door
Martha of A Sense of Humor is Essential
Bird,Frizzy and Little Yaya
MammaDucky

There's more of you I want to mention but my fingers and eyes are bloody tired! So, It's up for grabs to all my bloggy friends who want it!

And to all my readers and visitors, yes YOU,
this award is for you too.
I appreciate all of you and your presence here. Always...

Enjoy your Saturday!

Articles you might enjoy:
Year of the OX
DeCode Wednesday

DeCode Wednesday - What's in A picture

Time for the 2nd Edition of DeCode Wednesday! DeCode Wednesdays was inspired by the DaVinci Code Novel and are for those who take pride in revealing the hidden truth and having fun in the process! For every Picture tells a story that is NOT visible to the naked eye! - That is what we need to DeCode!

So fairly new and If you'd like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let imaginations run wild! Feel free to "snag" my Zen Ventures button on the right to link back to me, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky. ThaNks for playing along!

Picture to DeCode today:
Look at the CLUES

Remnants from Holiday Gifts or Sea of Junk ?

If you guessed remnants from Holiday gifts...

LoOk CLoSeR!

Hubby and Ms. Clutter decided that they will haul ALL HER MESS out of her room while I was at work!

Clever Idea!

Yes, her room was sparklingly clean and neat

BUT NOT our living room! Holy crap! {no pun intended!}

It took us 3 hours sorting, tossing away stuffs and getting all her good stuffs back in her room.

Now Let's SeE what YOU gOt!

One Twist to this game is that whoever joins {or visiting}, will visit each of the players post and leave comment Luv! We all love comment! Ready for the Challenge?

Toilet Humor without the humor

I love my daughter but sometimes she can be the spawn of the Green Hulk for being difficult and stubborn. She can be a stinker and stinky as the Conference we had with her today! Lysol pleaaaase!!!

You see, She's turning 5 in April and this is where it got stinky! Before you continue reading this, go grab a napkin to cover your nose or spray some Lysol or something.

Are you ready? So she's turning 5 and if you guessed she's going to school at the end of summer, you are right! Nothing stinky with that you say but no, it will be if she doesn't learn how to wipe herself up after pottying! ah you're getting it now?

So she's sitting in the potty and was hooting her famous potty call "I'm done pooting!!!" which basically translates to Mama! - Why didn't anyone warn me that being a mother downgrades you to the level of a slave?

Me: uh-uh! We already agreed that you need to start learning how to wipe yourself up! You need to do this to get ready for School this year.

Stinker: NO! I don't want to. I want you to do i-i-i-t-t-t-t-t !!!

As you guessed, a debate ensued and a third-party was called-in to umpire! - Papa. Visualize this without the stink: Little stinker sitting in the potty, us standing over her with arms crossed AND taking in the wonderful aroma she just dumped in the potty while arguing with her to wipe herself up!

Now you wonder why Parenting classes or our Parents NEVER told us about this stage . It is so stinky to even discuss! Even Kandoo, can't do it!

If you're wondering, she never won the debate of course! She lost by default. 2 to 1. But she didn't give up the debate without howls, cries and roars. Little Stinker!

I love my kid with all my heart but I have to impose tough love to make her learn. She should know this is not for me {well, in a way, it is- I need a break! }, BUT more so, it is for her! Do you agree? Parenting stinks {no pun intended} sometimes, don't it ?

What are your potty-training escapades? How did you get your kid to transition to this "big kid" level? Any tools and tips to share?

Don't forget this weeks' DeCode Wednesday! Join me. It's a date!

Scam Alert : W-9 Email From Bank of America

It's Tax Season and Scammers and Phishers are taking advantage of everyones dilerium to trick us into giving them our secured informations like this email that I got posing as Bank of America asking me to submit my TIN or SSN by filling up the link to W-9 so that my account will not be subjected to U.S. tax reporting and federal backup withholding at a rate of 28% on interest paid to my account. Sounds really convincing...

Looking at the email it does look legit. But why would Bank of America ask for my TIN or SSN when they already have it on file from the first time I opened up my account? My guts were telling me this wasn't right. And when you feel this way, trust your instinct RIGHT AWAY! I researched online last night for confirmation and amazingly, 75% say it's valid. It's Legit! but without valid confirmation from the bank itself- Then 25% say it is a Scam! There was no sense of validation to any of this ratings or where they got the info from! For all I know the people who said it's valid may be the same person scamming us all! I opted to TRUST MY INSTINCT!

Today, I called the Customer Service number on the back of my card to get real answers and TRUE ENOUGH, the EMAIL WAS NOT from Bank of America and I was told to forward the email to abuse@bankofamerica.com. IT IS A SCAM!

Don't Be FoOLed!

Legit Email from Bank of America below:

Rule of Thumb : When in doubt, trust your instinct and get the answer straight from the alleged source. You're doing yourself a BIG favor!

Bank of America quickly responded to my email along with useful tips!

Some things to keep in mind regarding fraudulent emails:

• Unlike phishing emails, we will never ask you to verify personal information in response to an email
• Most fake communications convey a sense of urgency by threatening discontinued service
• Many fraudulent emails contain misspellings, incorrect grammar, and poor punctuation
• Links within the fake email may appear valid, but deliver you to a fraudulent site
• Phishing emails often use generic salutations like “Dear Customer,” or “Dear account holder” instead of your name
• The address from which the email was sent is often not one from the company it claims to be

Inform others. Let's spread the word: Please Tweet or Re-post.

DeCode Wednesday

I know what you're thinking - "Not another Version of Watchamacallit Wednesday!" - Well, what can I say I want something different! Something with a little Twist! - Every Picture tells a story that is not visible to the naked eye! DeCode Wednesdays was inspired by the DaVinci Code Novel and are for those who take pride in revealing the hidden truth and having fun in the process! Hmmm...something you might want to try?

If you'd like to play along, post a photo on your blog, and let imaginations run wild! Feel free to "snag" my Zen Ventures button on the right to link back to me, and be sure to add yourself to Mr. Linky when it's up next Wednesday.

I know that this was just launched today, so it's expected that no one can play along with me today but I hope you would join me next Wednesday!

So, Here's the honorary picture:
Look at the picture. What are the clues telling you?

Learning to Climb or she's got a hidden talent up her sleeves?

LOoKiE !!!

To those who guessed climbing, sorry, you're wrong! Well you see, she's sleeping! Sssh!

TALENTED eh? That's my girl!

She was about 2 years old then. I found her like this after hours on end of playing. Like a toy that ran out of battery, she just froze there in mid-motion!

If you're wondering how long she's been in that position, no idea! All I know was that, she was snoring! Is that clue enough for you?

See you next Wednesday!

The quest for the Little black dress continues...
You might be the LUCKY one!

Siesta Saturday - Quest for a Black dress

I'm glad that Christmas and New Year has passed... screeeeccchhhh...what New Year? Oh but no! my New Year is not over yet! Yes wonderful friends, {I'm a freak of nature} I celebrate two New Years...American and Chinese {but I'm not Chinese - go figure}... AND this years' Chinese New Year carries a very significant reason to look my best {why?- suspense dearie!} hence, my {desperate} quest for that perfect little black dress...

Your mission, should you accept: is to get your sleuthing skills going and help me find the "it" dress...give me your perfect 10 suggestions and links to see them...and to reward you for your Sherlock Holmes effort, I'll reward you with free linkage to my blog with Mr. Linky's help {if he isn't too crazy}. Does that sound like a good deal?

Then bring it on!

Psst! The lucky detective will get a surprise gift!

You might want to check this:
Exclusive Chinese New Year Jewelry