Epithelial Pearl

My 10-month baby's teeth are growing.
He has 2 on the bottowm, 2 on the top (fangs first!), and 2 top middle ones are coming out.

But I noticed that, on the top tooth, there's like a piece of gum or something hanging out...
My husband and I just figured it'll take care of it's own...

I found out that this is most likely an Epithelial Pearl, which is just bunch of cells coming out to the surface while the tooth is forming.
It says it will go away on it's on.

However... my baby didn't think so.
I got a call from the sitter today, saying that he was picking at it, and his gum is now bleeding.
I called the Dr, and he said if he seems fine, just leave it alone and watch out for it for few days, making sure there's no infection, etc. etc.
Aaaah, babies babies...
Amazing the things they do...

shiseido

To get ready for the change from Hawaii weather to California weather, I got a set of Shiseido Benefiance skincare.



I always get this before I go to the cold weather - California, or Japan.
As I remember, I thought this was more moisturizing...
Cleanser a little more moisturizing and not as "tight", toner sticky, and day cream sticky as well.
But they all seem to soak into my skin this time.
Hmmm... Did they change the formula, or did my skin get OLDER that it needs more mosturizing!?!?!?
It seems good enough for Hawaii.
I wonder if this is good for colder weather?

Either way, it's a good product. It's just a little pricey...
$50 for this set isn't bad, but if you were to buy each product, it's like $40/ea.

Picnic at Alii Beach

We went to a picnic at Alii Beach in North Shore.
It is as beautiful as always.
BUT it was windy and cold!!!
Who would think it can be cold in Hawaii?
...Ok, I'm such a wuss when it comes to cold... but still!

pictures

I'm finally uploading some pictures of my bags.

"Mother-and-daughter" matching bags.



Wristlets



Bamboo handle bag for "Aunties"



Many more...I'm almost done with the x'mas gifts, but my urge to make bags is still there... I'm asking friends if they want any bag made.
I might post some on Etsy...

Voggy

Agh, today was so voggy.
"VOG" - it's Volcanic Fog, or Volcanic Smog, I'm assuming.
Basically volcano is errupting in Big Island of Hawaii, and if there's not enough wind, all the vocanic ash in the air stays around in neighbor islands, which is us.
Normally you can see the Diamond Head from the freeway, but the visibility was so bad today.



On the good note, today was a group lunch from my work.
My boss was nice enough to let me bring my baby, so we happily accepted. :)

We went to a restaurant in Down Town called Indigo.



It's a very nice, "fusion" style (both atmosphere and food) restaurant in Chinatown.
The food was delicious - mix of all sorts of flavor.



And it was a buffet - I wonder if they always have a buffet, or if it's just a holiday thing?

>>>>>>>>>>>

Sewing talk...
I also started putting the labels on my bags.
They make them look so professional!
AAAh, I seriously need to upload some photos.

Late night again...

AAAgh, why do I always love to give myself a project at the end of the year?
Every night, I've been making bags for X'mas gifts.
On top of it, I've been baking for work, neighbors, friends, etc...
(while taking care of a 10-month-old)
I've been sleeping past 11pm, and feel so tired when my son wakes me up at 6am.
So I told myself, "I'm gonna go sleep by 9pm today. ...Ok, at least by 10pm."

But...

I've probably made more than 10 bags, but I've been holding off on finishing them all, because I wanted to attach a personalized label on each.
I ordered the labels about 3 weeks ago, and I've been checking my mailbox everyday, because I can't finish these bags until they come in!
And it finally came in TODAY!
So I will probably stay up late to finish up these bags...
I want to finish them so I can wrap it up and don't stress over them!!!

BTW, I've ordered personalized woven labels from www.charmwoven.com.

Even though it took few weeks to receive them, but it was worth the wait!
It looks really nice, and will make my bags look more professional.
They take orders as few as 20 ($14.95), and s/h was $3.50, even to Hawaii!
(That doesn't happen very often.)

My new "thing" - sewing

I'm a craft person.
Never thought I was, but I guess I am.

It all starts because I'm such a budget-er.
Whenever I see something, I think "Can I make this myself?", and alot of time, I can!
I'd make anything if it saves me money, even if it takes my time.
I enjoy the process.

Last few years, I was into jewelry making.
I was so into it, I even sold some at a craft fair.
Then I got burnt out.
I didn't even want to look at beads!
I still get the "ugh" feeling when I see my beads box.
There're so many beads in there, I so want to organize it one day... but right now, I just can't!

And now... my new "thing" is sewing.
It started when my in-law set a limit on X'mas gifts for this year.
$10 gift per person.

It's so hard to find a nice gift for $10!!!!
Especially for older crowds - my mother-in-law, aunties, etc...
I wanted to get them something nice.

I thought about getting a small purse.
I found few Hawaiian purses for about $10 - $15.
It's over our limit, but hey, it's only few dolalrs more!
But it's not really that nice...
The Hawaiian prints are so basic. The style is so simple...
The more and more I look at it, I started thinking "Can't I make this?"

So I searched online for bag sewing tutorials.
And there were so many!!!
Don't you just love internet?
And so many people are nice & generous enough to post a very detailed, pictured tutorial.

I figured, I'd start with wristlet, because it's small & won't use much fabric, so how hard can it be?
Now I think about it, I was pretty bold - Didn't realize that wristlet has a zipper, a little side tab, etc etc...

But I managed to make one, and it wasn't that bad!
So I searched some more, and started making bags... and GOT HOOKED!!!

I've made about 6 bags with bamboo handles.
Nice Hawaiian print with good fabric for aunties.
maybe 3 or 4 hobo or sling bags for younger generation, with matching smaller bags for their daughters.

And now, I'm back to making wristlets.
Second time around is a lot easier.
So now I want to make a wristlet for my own after all these x'mas bag making is over.
A wristlet with credit card holder slots, so I can just use it as a wallet/purse!

Pictures to come...