When I was younger, my mother tried to teach me how to crochet. I would get a really great first line going, but when it came to doing the second row and having to loop back through the first, I would get frustrated and throw the yarn across the room. A couple of years later, I would think "I'm older now and more mature, I can handle some yarn", so I would pick it up again. Who was I kidding? The yarn ended up across the room once more. Repeat this scenario every few years and you have my history of crocheting.

Well, things changed this year. My sister is having a baby in September, so I am totally motivated to be the best aunt in the world. And I will be. A cute little baby to cuddle and spoil and hand back at the end of the day? Fabulous.

So when Melissa Jill offered to teach me how to crochet, I took her up on it and created #52 on my 101 in 1001 list in order to make sure I stuck with it: "get over my fear of yarn and crochet a baby blanket in order to be the best aunt in the world".

Last night I headed over to Joann's fabric store and, not knowing how much yarn I would need, bought out the entire bin in the color I wanted. Then Melissa and I got to work on making me the best aunt ever. I finished the first row, and after a few attempts at the second row, outsourced that part to Melissa. Then I picked it up again at the third row and am doing great, if I do say so myself! I am so excited for this blanket!

Thanks again to Melissa for taking on Project Liene and for letting me swipe these pics from her blog!

If anyone is a sucker for pretty dishes and glassware, it's moi. I have plates and bowls in many different patterns and ready for any occasion. Want a lemon-drop martini? I have the appropriate glass. The home entertaining area of any store is an oh-so-dangerous place for me to be left in.

A few years ago I actually registered at Bed Bath and Beyond for my birthday. (Hey, single ladies need to stock their homes somehow. Why should married women get all the fun?) Don't believe me? Just ask Kim. Thanks to her generosity, my collection sports a fab set of Irish coffee mugs and I still get a little giddy each time I use them. Ok, it's a sickness. Really.

So when I saw this over at the Wedding Bee blog I just had to share it here: Crate and Barrel is offering the print version of their 50 Things You Wish Someone Had Told You Before You Registered™ guide for FREE right now!

Be sure to read through it before you register for 12 each of red wine, white wine, champagne flutes, water goblets, tumblers, coffee mugs and tea cups only to discover you don't have the cabinet space to house it all.

Not that I would know anything about that.

Restoration Hardware has launched a new catalog and online boutique called Brocade Home. It is cheaper than Restoration Hardware and just as wonderfully delicious.

How fun would a bar area like this be at a wedding? Especially with wedding trends heading the way of opulent luxury. Arrange for dim lighting and throw in some pin-spotting and you would have a fabulous and welcoming lounge area for your guests.

I love that Angelina and Brad adopted again. I love that they are using their celebrity to expose the needs of tens of thousands of children across the world. No, they are not perfect people, but neither am I and I’m guessing you’re probably not too hot yourself.

I am not married and I am not ready to start a family yet. But when I get to that point in my life, I want to adopt. There are lots of children in the world who need love. There are lots of children already living who need a chance at life. I have nothing against being pregnant and I also believe that there needs to be reform in the adoption process laws. But there also needs to be a shift in our priorities when it comes to loving those who have nothing.

It breaks my heart that right now at the Mercy House in Nashville they are having a difficult time placing children because “. . . most families are applying to adopt healthy Caucasian infants. We currently have very few families interested in adopting medical special needs and African-American children”. That story is not unique to them. It is repeated at adoption agencies across the country.

I will never understand people who “need” their childrens' skin to look like theirs. To me, that is a completely selfish sentiment and I just don’t get it.

Angelina and Brad’s kids had no idea what type of family they were welcomed into. They have no clue that they will never go hungry or want for material things again. All they know is that they went from being alone to having parents who are madly in love with them.

And that is nothing short of miraculous.

Six years ago I shared a small office at a parachurch organization with two other women. One of the gals would play a cd by Rend the Heavens, a group from Montana, quite often.

I fell in love.

A lot of times music put out by the "Christian music industry" is, well, lame. It tends to be uninventive, mediocre, and nothing more than a copy, at best, of the music the rest of the world is producing. In contrast, this group had lyrical depth, musical talent and their songs really resonated with me. When I look back at that season in my life, their music is the soundtrack my mind plays.

I don't remember how my friend had the cd, but at the time I wasn't able to get one for myself. Tonight I was randomly thinking of them, and decided that if they were still around then surely they would have a MySpace page. I logged on and voila! They do.

Apparently they are now in Nashville. In addition to their new cd being available on iTunes (sorry to say, not so much a fan of the new samples), they have their old stuff available for download on their MySpace page.

And now I am listening contentedly. :)

There are some songs played at weddings that are timeless classics, such as At Last, by Etta James. Others have seen their day and overstayed their welcome. Butterfly Kisses anyone? Exactly.

I was a flower girl once. Not the hippie kind of the sixties, but the wedding kind. I was about three and don’t remember the wedding at all. The rehearsal though, I remember vividly. (I actually have memories dating before this as well –weird, but true).

I had a little plastic white basket with a silk flower arrangement inside – purple lilies, green leaves and little pink filler flowers. The ringbearer was an older guy, probably all of five or six. He was taller than me (a feat that’s still not hard to accomplish) and had sandy blonde hair. We were supposed to walk down the aisle together, holding hands.

Gross.

I was not about to hold his hand, so I did what any intelligent, self-sufficient three-year old would do: I walked over to my aunt and pulled a long, pink ribbon out of her rehearsal bouquet. I handed one end to the ringbearer and I held the other. We walked down the aisle, as far apart from each other as possible, towards my uncle and my dad who were trying to stifle their laughter.

Forget the bride, I was the most beautiful and talked about girl there.

I just finished reading both Little Black Book of Connections by Jeffrey Gittomer and Love is the Killer App by Tim Sanders. I recommend both of them for any business person, especially business owners.

Both books refute the notion that "looking out for number one" is the way to success as well as reinforce the fact that you can be a nice, genuine human being without checking your brain, or your spine, at the door. Working in an industry that can be so cutthroat, it is refreshing to hear these insights from two very successful business leaders.

You can also check out Tim Sanders' blog for more great information on sharpening the business side of your work.

I spent a few hours at the mall today trying to find a pair of jeans. Several fitting rooms, even more stores, and far too many shelves and racks of denim later, I left with a pair. A pair that I will most likely return.

After I got home I remembered this email from a friend, where she introduced me to Zafu, a site that makes finding the perfect pair of jeans, well, a lot easier. I am trying it out, returning the pair I bought but don't love and getting some that fit everywhere they should.

From her email:

"I have possibly found heaven on earth, or at least on the internet. What, you ask, could be so amazing yet applicable to you all? What has plagued us women for centuries and time has only complicated?

If you said finding a good man, you might be right but that isn't what I am talking about. I am talking about finding the right pair of jeans! I found this website that asks you seven questions and then gives you styles, prices and websites of different jean makes and models. I tried it and believe it or not, they actually recommended two pairs of jeans I already own and love.

Try it out ladies, you won't be sorry! And no, I don't get any money for recommending them, I just wish I had thought of it first."

Ok, so those of you who know me know that I am not a vegetarian or vegan by any stretch of the imagination. I live in Arizona where carne asada taco stands abound and I am more than happy to do my part for the economy (and my tummy) by supporting them.

Not everyone shares my dietary choices however and chances are high that some of your guests (and perhaps even you) forego meat, eggs, and dairy. Not considering these guests when planning your menu is just plain rude. So to avoid any social faux pas and to truly be the hostest with the mostest, ensure that you have some options available for all palettes.

There are lots of choices for hors d'oeuvres and main courses, but let's get to the fun stuff and skip right ahead to dessert. Have a separate smaller cake on hand for your veg friends and family and make sure it is super cute. Too many times a ton of effort is put into your wedding cake (as it should be), but anything else is left as an afterthought - and looks it. If you're doing wedding cupcakes, it is even easier to take everyone's eating habits into consideration.

Taste matters, so make sure to find a good baker and hold tastings, just as you would for your main cake. Organicweddings.com has some great resources, as does Portovert.com, to point you in the right direction. If you're in the Phoenix area, check out the new Strawberry Fields Vegan Bakery.

The stylish cake pictured is by Miette Pâtisserie & Confiserie in San Francisco and the photo by Frankie Frankeny. I love how simple and chic it is!

I don't have Tivo, so I love that both NBC and ABC post shows online the day after they air so I can watch them whenever I want. I just watched last week's episode of 30 Rock (Tina Fey cracks me up!), and it showed part of a clip of a YouTube video of a baby panda sneezing. Naturally, I had to look it up to see it for myself. It is so stinkin' cute! Enjoy!

Early in the Kennedy Administration, the First Lady was planning a ball for all of the international heads of state. It was one of the first she and her husband, John F. Kennedy would host. At that time, all galas used the oblong banquet tables to create one long table. Dramatic centerpieces lined the middle, blocking the view of the person across the table and so conversation was limited to the person seated to your right and left.

Jacqueline Kennedy instructed her staff to ditch the oblong tables and replace them with round ones. She did not want to be known for hosting stodgy and dull affairs; her goal was to have an event where the guests enjoyed themselves and each other. By limiting the tables to ten people and placing them where they could all easily see each other, she achieved just that. Her guests were able to converse more freely and with a larger group of people than just the two a rectangular table would have afforded them.

Once again, Jackie’s impeccable taste and style changed the way America entertained. Below is a seating chart from a dinner held in May 1962.

For all you divas who want to kick your wedding experience up a notch, Modern Bride is hosting their first ever Modern Bride of the Year Contest where the winner gets to be the magazine's covergirl bride. To qualify you must have been engaged prior to March 13, 2007 and remain engaged through May 20, 2007.

Here's the scoop from their site:

"We've never had a contest like this before. Here's how it'll work: Between now and April 14, we'll collect your entries and photos. Soon after that, we'll ask 25 of you to send us a brief video so that we can get to know you a little better. From there, we'll name 10 semifinalists and then post your entry, photo and video here on Brides.com. We'll also show the videos on "The Insider," and, in early May, we'll ask America to vote for who they think should be our Modern Bride of the Year. And this is when the fun really begins.

The top five finalists will be flown to New York City for all kinds of cool events, culminating in a fashion show on "The Insider," where we'll announce our first-ever Modern Bride of the Year. The winner will then have her own photo session, where she'll pose for our cover."

I do not recommend printing invitations at home. Unless you have the patience of a saint or a printing background, it will be a bigger headache than it's worth. People usually end up spending more because of all the unforeseen problems than if they had just gotten them done professionally in the first place. That being said, this is a funny commercial:

Over lunch today, a colleague and I were discussing the book, The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. I read this book several years ago and it completely changed my outlook on relationships and my life. While this particular edition is written with marriage in mind, I've found that the principles Chapman outlines apply to any relationship, whether it be romantic, professional, family or friendship. Definitely pick it up -- it is a must have for everyone's library.

I received notification today that Blue Orchid Designs has been nominated for a 2007 Spotlight Award in three categories!! What?!? I then called them to verify that they did indeed intend to send that email to me and not someone else. Ha ha! I am completely in shock and a little giddy! Apparently they will be sending information soon about how people can vote for the nominees, so stay tuned!

In December, I told you that Blue Orchid Designs is donating a portion of our proceeds to Students Empowering Malawians with Disabilities. Here is a little peek into how this organization is changing lives:

Elizabeth is a 40-year old woman working to support her family in what is considered a pre-third world country. Her disability has left her with only one good leg and arm, both on her left side. Because there is no refrigeration in her country, she must make the long walk to the market and carry the food home on a daily basis. This would be exhausting even for a healthy person. In order to produce income and support her family, she needs to be able to operate a sewing machine, a task that is impossible to manage with the limited use of her limbs.

Students Empowering Malawians with Disabilities is currently working on a project to design both a customized wheelchair and sewing machine for Elizabeth. They are taking her living conditions into account in their designs, ensuring that she can power the devices with her left side and, in the case of the wheelchair, that it will be able to handle the hills and dirt roads of the area. They are also considering how to incorporate a cover that would protect her from the sun and rain. Because she resides in the 4th poorest country in the world, the team is ensuring that she will be able to make any repairs that may be needed later on with her limited resources.

If you would like more information on SEMD and how you can be involved, you can contact them via email.

Ok party people, today we are going to have a crash course on spelling. Boring, I know. However, I have noticed a lot of people referring to their pretty papers as stationary, with the letter "a". Easy error to commit, except that I've noticed a lot of invitation retailers making the same mistake. So to clear the air, here are the definitions, courtesy of our pal Merriam-Webster:

sta·tio·nEry \ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē\
Function: noun
Etymology: stationer
Date: circa 1688
1 : materials (as paper, pens, and ink) for writing or typing
2 : letter paper usually accompanied with matching envelopes

sta·tion·Ary \ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē\
Function: adjective
Date: 1626
1 : fixed in a station course, or mode : immobile
2 : unchanging in condition

Those pretty wedding invites that you spent so long choosing are stationery with an "e" as in engagement ring.

Class dismissed.

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, Arizona is a growing favorite for destination weddings and many traveling guests turn their chance to get away into a mini-vacation . If you are planning a wedding in the Phoenix or Scottsdale area, check out the ShowUp NOW Pass. This handy card will save you some cash at local shops and restaurants and also grants you entry to a ton of places, some of which include:

Arizona Museum for Youth
Desert Botanical Garden
Frank Lloyd Wright’sTaliesin West Panorama Tour
Heard Museum
Mesa Contemporary Arts
Mesa Southwest Museum
Phoenix Art Museum
Phoenix Museum of History
Phoenix Zoo
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art

A total access 2-day pass is $34 and a 5-day pass is $49. They also have limited pass options grouped by category. These would be awesome gifts to tuck into your guests' welcome bags or you can include the info in the "things to do" section of your wedding website.

World Water Day is coming up on March 22nd. Here is a blurb from their website to learn more about it and how you can be involved:

Kellie over at Lifecycle Video just sent me this. I told you she was hilarious. Enjoy!

This week I am shamelessly plugging a friend's new book, Moods of Future Joys

Alastair Humphreys rode his bike (yes, as in bicycle) around the world in a trip that covered "60 countries, 5 continents, 4 years and 46,000 miles" and was dubbed "the first great adventure of the 21st century" by Sir Ralnuph Fiennes. He did this for the sheer adventure of it and raised money for an awesome charity along the way.

You can check out his website, www.alastairhumphreys.com, and learn more about it, see some awesome pictures he took, and of course, buy his book via Amazon and the other places it's sold.

Since we all know that word of mouth is fabulous, send his website link to all your friends, and buy the book and blog about it.

Number 26 of my 101 in 1001 list is to "carry my camera in my purse and actually use it". And I have been. Carrying it at least.

On Valentines Day, in the midst of laughing ridiculously with my friend because my eyes always blink when the flash goes off, the batteries died. Then I replaced them, toted the camera in my cute green bag, and took more pictures of my endeavors in making homemade limoncello.

I was so excited to post the photos of my bootlegging adventure, but the cord that connects the camera to the computer is MIA. Or rather MINA: Missing In Non-Action. So someday there will be pics up of delicious and highly-potent alcohol (along with the recipe of course - I won't leave you hanging) and of the delightful green purse that I have coveted for almost two years that is now in my possession.

Until then, I am off to find that cord. Hopefully.