Okay, two posts for today is rare for me but just wanted to give a heads up that I'm working on my new site and it should be up by next week.  So please check back for a brand spanking new site.

It's a lot to put a site together so I'm personally patting myself on the back.  Okay, I actually didn't build the site nor put the coding like I use to in the past.  It's a template you choose by the ever fabulous BIGFOLIO.  I did choose the colors, designed the logo, uploaded all the images, named the tabs and subtabs, wrote the wording, oh, and yeah, shot the photos!  That would be horrible btw if I had a site showing someone else's photos.  That's stealing!  Unfortunately people do it!  It's horrible but they do.  So here's a word of warning to photo thieves in cyberland....YOU WILL BE CAUGHT AND WHEN YOU ARE CAUGHT IT'S NOT GONNA BE PRETTY!  Word of warning No. 2:  BEWARE OF NERINNA'S WRATH!...LOL

I was working in my office one weekend and stepped out to get something from the garage.  When I opened the door, bubbles were bubbling everywhere and Hanna was jumping on her trampoline, smiling and laughing in the thick of it.  She set up a bubble machine to continually spew out these fantastic bubbles that enveloped her.  It was an immediate flashback to being a kid again and I LOVED it!  I grabbed my cam and quickly took shots.  I asked if we could go outside to take more and she agreed.  From this quick 10-15 minute shoot, a slideshow was born.

Hanna reminded me of a HUGE lesson I learned long ago....NEVER stop having fun...even if you're by yourself.  So here's to Hanna, my bubble queen...I love you sweetie.

WARNING:  There's one word in this song I'm not happy about but Travis and I decided it would be okay for this one time.

Bubble Queen

What does it mean to be a green company?  Beyond recyling, composting, and using recycled materials, what does it really mean?

I've been reading "The Green Bride Guide."  It's a book packed with info about planning a green wedding.  So it's not actually about becoming a green company but it keeps reminding me why I should always opt for green.  And I know what you're thinking...it's hard enough planning a wedding but now green???

My take is if you're planning a green wedding, it can only be a win-win situation.  It's not hard, it's easier than you think, AND you can do it on any budget.  And you may not be able to choose green options for everything but at least you're trying.

If you're still teeter-tottering about the issue, keep in mind the wedding industry.  It's a 70 billion dollar a year industry and the waste that evolves from it is massive.  I think about the Pacific Ocean and the plastic zone we've created.  There's literally an area two times the size of Texas in the Pacific that is littered with plastic.  And it's our plastic, the stuff we've discarded.  Check it out on youtube.

And then I think about disposable cameras that are used at weddings and the plastic that contains them and how they're often discarded afterwards with many unusable photos.

Or what about diamonds?  Or more correctly...blood diamonds?  If you're buying a diamond wedding ring, check the source.  Make sure you know where it came from.  Was it mined using child/slave labor or was it mined from an area that's devastating the environment?  There are several celebrities now who refuse to wear diamonds such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie because of these issues.

Maybe consider other ring options like heirlooms, rubies, other gems.  My friend who's a walking wikipedia told me recently that diamonds became famous because of the marketing behind it, especially with Marilyn Monroe singing the tune "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" and the movie "Breakfast at Tiffanys."  It didn't use to be the stone of choice.  And it's NOT the rarest gem.

I'm still learning btw, learning to be a better company, learning how to move forward positively towards being a greener company.  I'm not an expert in the "green" field but reading this book helped me to understand.  If you're a bride or groom, this is one the best books you can purchase to plan your wedding.  And when you do opt to plan green, it'll showcase not only your style but your values as well.

On another note, I'm passing these books out to one individual every thirty minutes at an upcoming wedding tradeshow.  It's in San Ramon, February 21st from 11-4pm.   Please pass by my booth.

I've been working on a logo since yesterday.  I'm tired and I look haggard as a result.  But, good thing is it's looking snazzy.  And, I'm pretty sure I'm done but knowing me I'll probably get up in the middle of the night, turn on the computer, open the file, and see if there's something else I could do to spice it up.  I'm already thinking I could establish a ring of words around the tree that's three dimensional with something important to convey, maybe even monumental....kidding about the monumental.  Honestly, I really think it's done.

It's my personal logo for my new website, cards, blah blah blah.  I was trying to incorporate growth, artistry, creativity, something fun, while keeping "green" in mind.  Travis has been my main man, giving me his suggestions.  The first run was too feminine...too much pink.  And he was right....WAY too pink.  Next run, I can't remember what he said but I changed it again.  Several more runs again but I think with this last one I got it right.  Travis looked at it and he said his eyes go to the blue section.  I'm actually liking that comment considering there's content that needs to be read in the blue section.

Anyway, I'm really loving Illustrator considering it's the program I used to build this logo.  I don't know a lot about the program but I know it enough to put something together.  Below is my new logo....I think...pretty sure this is it....umm...yeah....pretty sure.....

 

Free of bugs!...Yippee!!...I mean my computer is free of viruses.  It's been a pain...like someone yelling straight in your ear saying you're just no good!  You're completely infected!

I literally tried everything possible but in the end I decided to re-install Windows.  And I'm talking both my laptop and desktop.  And yes, for anyone who even cares...I'm still a PC user.  You'd think with what I do I'd be totally ga-ga-goo-goo over Mac but I'm not.  I do have a Mac...well...more like my boyfriend has a Mac and well, you know, if I ask nice enough, he lets me use it when necessary.

I'm working at home today and my dogs are eager to leave the house for a romp at the park.  I need to go.  Below are lovely images of my crazy dogs doing their doggie thang at the park.

http://www.nerinna.com/2010/Family/01_DuffyJazz/index.html

February 2, 2010 will NOW be known as the best day to begin blogging...at least in my realm.  I'm seeing sunshine bouncing off buildings from where I'm typing.  The city's just waking up and I wish I could hear birds sing but instead I hear cars whooshing.  But that's okay, I'll pretend.........twee-twee-tweet-tweet!  I hear birds tweeting...louder....louder more so......AND....talk about tweeting...

I've joined the masses and started my own twitter site.  Yes, my fellow Interneters, I've been tweeting (www.twitter.com/nerinna_valera) in lieu of blogging.  It's easy, simple, and quick.  Relegating myself to 140 characters is simpler.  And more simpler since my iPhone arrived two months ago.  Another gadget for me and I LOVE gadgets!  Between jewelry and gadgets, there's no question I'd opt for Gadgetland.

And speaking of gadgets, I took a look at my backpack this morning and realized I carry a LOT:  laptop, kindle, iPhone, wacom tablet, 3-4 portable hard drives, connection cords up the gazoo, gym equipment, lotion for dryer days, FOOD, miscellaneous papers, pens, etc.  Despite dealing with the weight, I wonder what would happen if I got hit cycling through the city and my gadgets flew out.....I know I should be worried about what happens to me but a girl can't help thinking about her gadgets. :-)

As to how I'm feeling...despite trying to keep my eyes open from lack of sleep and having to deal with the blue screen of death, I possibly, just possibly, may have caught Travis's illness.  Last week he was involuntarily devoted to being sick and luckily he's now on the tail end but whatever it was/is is sneaking its way in my direction....or.....and I could be wrong...may have already snuck in.  I'm fully on watch and prepared to defend myself with my trusted juices and vibrant health drinks.

And because I'm feeling like tangent queen this morning, here's something else....I'm prepping for Modern Bridal's upcoming tradeshow and I'm a little nervous.  Okay, just nervous.  It's on February 21st in San Ramon.  I've never participated in a tradeshow so I'm really digging down deep, reading, prepping, getting the necessary materials, and revamping my website.  It's not easy.  So much to think about.  What I do know is I can't be a perfectionist.  I do want everything to be perfect but if I become a perfectionist I'm only setting myself up for failure.  Nothing is perfect.  From what I understand perfectionists are never satisfied and stress themselves way too much than normal.  I'm taking the road of just getting stuff done day by day, keeping my mind open, thinking creatively, not giving up, and presenting myself and my work to the wedding world in an open and honest fashion.  I am so hoping to knock socks...

And the last tangent is is a random pic of my two faves:  beautiful little hanna on the left, her father and my oh so amazing soulmate on the right.