My Son in a Pizza Guys Commercial with Doug Christie

Hi all!  I wanted to tell you about the time my son was in a Pizza Guys commercial with NBA Kings legend and sports caster Doug Christie.  The shoot took place last summer but I wanted to wait until the actual commercial came out before blogging about it.  It was a super exciting experience!

One day, I was scrolling through Instagram (follow me on Instagram if you don't already) when I came across an ad for a Pizza Guys commercial.  The ad was looking for kids between the ages of 10-13 to be in a commercial with a "Kings legend."  On the ad, there was an email to inquire about being in the commercial.  I emailed them and found out that the commercial was being filmed at the Wackford Center.  I decided that this was a safe enough location and let my son skip school to have this experience.  (Now, I'm not saying that it's a good idea to reply to random people on Instagram.  I checked out their social media and confirmed across platforms that they were doing a commercial.  The email seemed legit and I was most secure in the fact that it was at a community center that I am familiar with and I know that they have staff from the city working on the desk at this location. Please be safe!)

We didn't know who the Kings player was or what would be happening in the commercial.  It just said to have the kids come in athletic gear.  We showed up at the Wackford and Brady was given a t-shirt after I signed a release.  As I looked around the room, I noticed that there were a bunch of kids who looked under 10 and I felt really bad for not letting Parker be in the commercial too but I follow directions, what can I say?

After a little while, Doug Christie showed up!  I was FLOORED!  I used to LOVE the Kings back in the early 2000's.  I call them the Glory Days of the Kings and I thought each member of the team was amazing!  I may have been secretly hoping it would be Bobby Jackson since I not so secretly had a crush on him.

Behind the Scenes Photo Courtesy of Pizza Guys

The commercial shoot was REALLY cool!  Doug Christie  (in my brain, I use his whole name so that's what you get in writing too) literally walked the kids through a basketball camp.  They warmed up.  They practiced playing basketball.  At one point I saw him lift a sweet little boy with down syndrome so the little guy could dunk.  It didn't feel like a commercial at all.  It felt like a bunch of kids having a great time playing basketball.  Doug Christie was SO encouraging to the kids!  It was such an honor to meet him!  He seemed like the most genuine, kind hearted person!

Behind the Scenes Photo Courtesy of Pizza Guys

Behind the Scenes Photo Courtesy of Pizza Guys

Then, at the end, the Pizza Guys truck made a bunch of pizza and each group of kids had a turn to go up to the table to get a slice from Doug Christie.  After that, the kids were given all the pizza they could eat and we got to go home.  The whole thing only took a few hours but it was an amazing experience!

Here's the commercial:



I will leave you with a closing thought.  There was a point in the day when I really badly wanted to get a picture of myself and Doug Christie but the kids didn't want to go with me to ask for a photo.  I felt silly asking for a photo for myself.  But as I sat there and stewed over it, I decided that I NEEDED to ask because this could be my only shot EVER to get a photo.  I went up, asked, and got my photo.  He was SO gracious!  Now, I'm not saying hunt down celebrities and ask for photos but use your best judgment.  This was a work type situation and he was on a break so I felt like the time was fine.

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Do You Konmari?

Hi friends!  I hope you are well!  We are doing ok.  I'm ready for the weekend!

I have a bit of a different post today.  I've decided to try a method of decluttering your home called Konmari.  It's explained in the book I linked above.  Essentially, you rid your house of anything that doesn't bring you joy.  I'm excited to start.  I'm AWFUL!  I'm practically a hoarder.  My house NEVER looks ready for company and I'm overwhelmed by the mess.  I really badly need a change.  Have you done this method?  I know it's very popular right now.  If so, please let me know how it worked for you!

Have a great day, friends!  

My New Obsession: Instant Pot

Hi friends!  I hope you are doing well!  We are ok.  I'm trying to get over a cold that just won't relent and I have a bum shoulder but everyone else here is doing good so I can't complain too much.  The kids are on their last weekend before their "off-track" time ends so we are living it up!

Today, I wanted to tell you about my new OBSESSION.  It's my Instant Pot Duo!  (I am in no way sponsored or associated with this company but I have used my Amazon affiliate link here, if you purchase with my link I get a very small commission.)  The Instant Pot did for cooking what Project Life did for my crafting.  It gave it a whole new life.  I'm a mom.  I have three kids and dinner can be really tedious.  Not only am I busy but finding food that everyone will eat is nearly impossible.  I was starting to really dread making dinner.

My friend Ashlee got an Instant Pot on Amazon Prime Day which was a while ago.  I still wasn't sold.  She occasionally sends me picture of what she could do in her pot that was super fast and easy like cooking chicken from a frozen state or caramelizing onions without hassle.  Eventually, I gave in and got one.

A little tidbit about me, I don't like the crockpot.  I know!  I know!  Everyone just LOVES the crockpot.  I don't.  I feel like everything that comes from a crockpot tastes like "crockpot."  I don't know how to explain it.  I also felt like all the meat was stringy and dry.  If I was across town and needed to run an errand, I would have to drive ALL the way back because the crockpot would ruin my food if left in there for too long.  I very rarely use my crockpot.

The Instant Pot in an electric pressure cooker which means that it cooks everything SUPER fast.  I like this.  I like to cook things at high heat and quickly.  The Instant Pot is amazing because I can throw in chicken and sauce, set it for 9 mins and come back when it beeps.  It does take a while to pressurize but that's just like waiting for your oven to preheat.  I do not have to stand there and babysit it.  I don't have to stir.  I don't have to be super on top of things and throw food in it at the beginning of the day.  It is AMAZING!

Here are some things I like to make.

I love using the IP to do eggs.  I'm trying to perfect my "medium boiled" egg but it's trial and error.  Hard boiled is super easy and the peeling is SO ridiculous easy, I will NEVER boil eggs on the stove ever again.

I made this chili verde pork.  This is the first time I used this specific recipe and I would change it up a bit but it was pretty good.

This chicken and brown rice soup is SO fast and so easy!  We all love it!  I used rotisserie chicken from Costco on this occasion and it was very good and really quick to throw together.

I tried making mashed cauliflower for the first time and it was great!  I just seasoned it with salt and pepper but next time I'll try adding different flavors.  This was SOOOOOOO fast!

You know those one pot pasta dishes on Pinterest?  I did one in the IP and it turned out awesome!  I used a little too much sauce but other than that, it was delicious and almost no work!  

Turkey meatloaf that I put under the broiler to brown after.  I have been known to epically FAIL on meatloaves.  It was so bad that I barely ever made them but I was able to do it really quickly and easily in the Instant Pot.

 I know this probably sounds like an infomercial but I'm honestly just a person who is really excited about finding a product that is getting me excited about making dinner.  I'm also trying to lose weight.  Being able to throw together a quick meal has saved me so many times from picking up take-out because of the ease factor.  I actually enjoy cooking again.  Like I said, the only benefit I would get is if you bought the Instant Pot through my link but you certainly don't have to.  I just wanted to share something I really love on my blog in hopes that it might benefit someone.

If you would be interested in recipes, let me know and I can post them.  I'm not great at taking food pictures or measuring ingredients but I will certainly try to help my friends to replicate the food I make in their own homes.

Have a wonderful day, friends!

Friday Fives: Current TV Sitcoms

Hi friends!  I hope you're doing well!  We are ok.  I'm very slowly getting better.  My mom just left after spending 3 weeks here to help me out and we'll see how the next week goes.  Wish us luck!

While I was doing the Sunday Bests for the last week, I just had a thought that there were so many things that I like that I've never shared on my blog.  I've decided to do a weekly top 5 list.  There are so many things that I want to share like my favorite tv shows, my favorite beauty YouTube gurus, my makeup favorites,  books that I like to read over and over, things I like to drink, and just everything.  I think I will keep up the Sunday Bests as those are a weekly favorite of what I like right at that moment whereas Friday Fives will be all different things and who knows what will happen as it progresses.

Since TV is on hiatus for the summer, I thought I'd share 5 of my favorite sitcoms that are still running.  If they sound interesting to you, you could binge watch them and be caught up for the fall season!

1. Undateable.  This is such a funny ensemble cast!  The premise is that there's a group of friends who are all quirky, awkward, and undateable.  You get to watch as they fumble their way in and out of dating relationships.  The show is ridiculous and funny.

2. Brooklyn Nine-Nine.  I've mentioned this show before in a Sunday Best but I still love it.  It was probably my absolute favorite show of 2014.  Andy Samberg is the main character and he's so funny! This show also has a great ensemble cast.  It deals with the humorous side of being police officers and the relationships that they form.  This is one of the first shows in a very long time that I have re-watched.  I've seen every episode at least twice.

3. Big Bang Theory.  I'm sure you all already watch this show.  It's about a group of geeky guys and their neighbor who lives across the hall who is trying to become an actress.  The show has progressed beyond that as the characters have grown up a bit and gotten into relationships.  This is the show that most closely relates to my life as my husband and his friends are very much into video games, sci-fi, gadgets, etc... whereas myself and my friends tend to go more towards pop culture.

4. Fresh off the Boat.  I wrote a whole blog post about this show.  As a daughter of Asian immigrant parents, this show makes me laugh my butt off!  Some of the things that happen are SO ridiculous but they really did happen to me!  Like when the mom won't let the kids turn on the air conditioner in the summer because it costs too much money.  I guess that isn't THAT ridiculous but it strikes a cord with me.  I think this show just shows a culture that people might not know a lot about but they show it in such a funny way.

5. The Middle.  This show is about a family with three kids, two boys and one girl.  (Sound familiar?)  And while that's about all we have in common with this family, the struggle and hilarity in being a family just carries through every family.  It's a hard working stoic dad, a chatty mom that tries to bring her family together but doesn't always do it in the right way, a teenage son that's too cool for everyone, a sweet teenage daughter who strives to be something, anything, and an awkward younger son who has a lot of quirks.  I enjoy the dynamics and how REAL family life is portrayed on this show.  

New TV Show Fave: Fresh Off the Boat

Hi friends!  I hope you are doing well!  We are great around here!  Spring is in the air and we are getting our allergies under control.  ;)  A little NorCal humor for you.

Today, I wanted to talk to you about a new show that's on TV.  It's called Fresh Off the Boat.  It's about a Taiwanese family that has immigrated to the United States to make a better life for themselves and their kids.  It's set in Orlando, Florida in the 90's.  It has LOTS of throwback music, clothing trends, and all sorts of fun stuff from when I was growing up.  It's a comedy.  (I'm in no way affiliated with this show, haha, I wish!)  

This show is REALLY important to me.  Why?  Because growing up in the US in the 90's as an Asian kid was hard.  There was NO ONE on TV that looked like me.  There was ONE Asian Barbie doll.  No Asian singers in US music.  Since there was a lack of Asians represented on TV and in music, no one really understood me and my culture.  

Things that people don't understand often make them uncomfortable. People who look different than everyone else you're used to seeing often get treated differently.  From being called racist names to people pretending to "speak Chinese" to all the nail shop jokes, I've heard it all.  You get used to it and that's just sad.  I, like Eddie, had to go to middle school in a town with predominately white people.  It's hard when you don't have anyone to identify with.

Fresh Off the Boat is a fun and funny show that depicts what it's like to have immigrant parents.  It shows a generation of kids that don't really know who they are.  We don't want to stick with the "old ways" but we don't want to lose our culture either.  The Huang Family struggles through a lot of things that my family struggled through i.e. fitting in, making friends, having people question your food, etc...  

If you are Asian, have Asian friends, or ever wanted to know what like was like for an Asian family transitioning to the US, you should watch this show.  ESPECIALLY if you are in a mixed race relationship!  Oh my gosh, it's so nice for me to point at the TV and tell hubby "this is what it was like when I was growing up."  This is the first show in over 20 years that has an Asian family as the focal point and that truly embraces what being Asian American is all about.  You should check it out.  

In Defense of the Holiday Loving Parent

Lately, I've seen a lot of posts complaining about parents who do over the top things for their kids for holidays or their birthdays.  The whole complaining about what someone else does thing bothers me.  Who is anyone to tell someone else what they should celebrate and to what extent?  There are no rules, no guidelines, no boundaries on emotion.  Why should anyone try to tone down their joy?

You may not know this about me, but I had a bad childhood.  Horrific.  I could probably write a screenplay for a Lifetime movie of the week.  There are days when I regress back into a very dark place.  To combat this, I've chosen to turn towards joy.  Instead of numbing my feelings with drugs, alcohol, or other addictions like some people in my position, I try my darnedest to achieve happiness because for a very long time, I'd forgotten what happiness felt like.

I never want this for my children.  I hope that should they ever find themselves in a dark place later on in life that they would have some beautiful, joyous childhood memories that they could cling to.  Should life beat them down later, perhaps they will be comforted by the yesterdays that are full of smiles.  And I understand that such memories don't always include a holiday or a birthday or a vacation.  But none of us know what kind of memory will stick with our children, do we?

What does this have to do with holidays?  For me, they are times when we get reminded to feel joy and celebrate.  Yes, we should celebrate every single day but admit it, most of us don't.  Getting through the laundry, the homework, the dinner battle, the bedtime routine, etc... is exhausting and most days, it's all I can do to get it done.  It can be easy to forget to celebrate everyday and pursue joy.  Holidays give us a kick in the rear that says "HEY, celebrate today!"

Plus, with all the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to forget that this small window where our children are at home with us is extremely short.  Soon they will be off living their own lives and we will go back to dreading Christmas because it's a pain in the butt to travel to see everyone.  And it costs money we don't have to buy gifts for everyone.  And it's annoying to pull out the ladder and hang the darn lights that we just have to take back down in a couple weeks.

Let's not forget MAGIC.  The window that our children believe in magical beings that come into your life to merely delight you is so very short.  We are nearing the end with our oldest and I feel like that window just barely opened.  The sweet innocence of seeing what Santa put under the tree and finding Easter eggs is fleeting.  Kids are growing up faster and faster.

So, what's an extra hour to build a leprechaun trap?  I got to sit with my son and craft with him.  Crafting that I usually do sitting alone in my office.  I got to share with him the love of paper and glue and glitter.  He was proud of it!  He showed his friends.  He talked to them about how we made it.  And what's 5 minutes tying shoelaces together or turning pictures upside for "leprechaun tricks"?  I spend at least twice that in line at Starbucks to get coffee for myself and that doesn't cause my kids to talk about it for months and months after it happens.  "Remember when the leprechaun turned the picture upside down?"  No joke, they talked about at least 10 times after it happened.    

Another thing I would like to address is that other parents feel pressure.  Well guess what?  You're putting that pressure on yourself.  I couldn't care less if you build a leprechaun trap.  I couldn't care less if you have no holiday decorations for any holiday ever.  You don't celebrate birthdays?  Fine by me.  To each their own!  I highly doubt that any holiday loving parent like myself cares if/what you do for your own kid.  Please stop acting like we do.

I do these things for my children.  To show them that I love them.  I don't know what your love language is but this is part of mine.  I stay up for days on end making a 3 tier cake out of paper for a birthday party because though we might not be able to afford an extravagant party, I can give them me.  My time.  My love.  My creativity.  My effort.  Something that I did with my hands to say "you are the most special person in the world to me and I want you to know.  And to remember.  And to keep it in your heart for a dark day when life beats you down."

But you should show your kids you love them in your own way.  By reading to them or teaching them to cook or playing catch with them, whatever it is that you do to create special memories.  I would never think less of anyone for not going all out on holidays or birthdays or any occasion.  However, asking someone to tone down their own joy and their children's joy because you don't want to hear your own children complain about how little Jimmy's mom did this and that and you didn't?  Well, I'll let you decide what kind of person that makes you.  

CHA Top Ten Part 2

Hi friends!  I hope you are well!  Avery and I are really sick.  I have some sort of horrible cold that I got at CHA.  Poor Avery has a double ear infection and is not loving life right now.  She's just in so much pain.  I feel terrible for her!

Today, I'm going to finish up my top ten at CHA post.  Hopefully, I can keep my writing brief but I make no promises.

6. Chickaniddy

I've been online friends with Heidi Sonboul for a few years.  I look up to her as a crafter and as a mother.  And let me tell you, girlfriend can DESIGN A BOOTH.  She did the GCD Studio booth for years and it was always spectacular!  The two collections Heidi is releasing are adorable!  I can't wait to get my hands on them and the embellishments are extremely trendy.  I appreciate that her collections are complete meaning they have papers, stickers, enamel dots, stamps, foil papers, etc...   I think it's awesome that she did two complete collections as opposed to launching a bunch of smaller things.  

7. Jack Archibald

Let's all be honest, if I had to pick my number one favorite thing at this whole show it would be THIS guy.  He is the cutest, sweetest, happiest baby.  You might know of his mommy, Amy Tangerine, but I assure you he stole the whole show.  Even Tim Holtz stopped what he was doing to get a picture with little Jack.  I'm so happy for Amy!  I always used to see pictures of her holding babies and she was so smitten with them.  Now she has her own baby and she is the most beautiful, glowing mother.  

8. Hazel and Ruby

I've known Lindsay Moore since I've started attending CHA.  He's an extremely friendly and kind person.  When I heard he was starting a new company, I knew it would be something amazing!  They have really progressive new products.  They make beautiful wrapping paper, stencil-masks (which are the opposite of most stencils), vials of sequins, wide and scalloped washi, pic pockets that you can slip your pictures in, etc...  Lindsay was coming up with some brand new ideas as we were standing at the booth.  You NEED to check out this company!  So fun!  

9. Suzy Plantamura

Suzy has a really fun colorful style.  She has really inspired me in my Project Life.  I was previously afraid to add too much color and brightness to my albums, I guess because most people do a very muted and toned down album, but upon seeing Suzy's work I was inspired to do whatever my heart wanted.  Suzy also started designing stamps for My Favorite Things Stamps, Sunny Day Doodles.  I thought her doodles were so cool when I saw them on Instagram and I really wanted one for my album and now I can have one!  Beyond that, she's like a ray of sunshine!  She's so funny and totally gets my sense of humor.  I could follow her around all day but I doubt she'd let me.  ;)  

10. Jillibean Soup

This one is an oldie but a goodie.  I'm really excited about Jillibean Soup this year!  Their products have a lot more innovation than I've seen in a while.  They made their big mats into minis that are perfect for pocket scrapbooking. They've put together stamps and stencils for a fun new twist on stamping.  They are offering a ton of new embellishments.  I can't wait to get these items for my album!  Lots and lots of great stuff for pocket scrapping here!  

That's the end of my top ten for this year.  I can't wait for the new items to start shipping so I can start playing!  

CHA Top Ten 2014 Part 1

Hi friends!  At the VERY last minute, I decided to go to CHA on Dustin's days off.  We were concerned that I couldn't go because Dustin didn't have a lot of time to take off work with the baby being born last year.  How did it not occur to us until the weekend before CHA that I could just go on his days off?  Duh, Ashley.

Today, I writing a recap of sorts with my top ten favorite things from CHA-W 2014.  Let's be honest, I could write a top 100.  But in the interest of not boring everyone to death, I kept it at 10.  I saw lots of amazing things and met/reconnected with a bunch of amazing people.  I hope no one gets offended if they are left off this list, these are just the top 10 things that stuck out in my mind but everything was awesome!  Also, I'm going to write a short novel so feel free to skim.

1. My Roommates.

With my last minute decision to go to CHA, most people already had roommates and had their accommodations squared away.  I need somewhere cheap but I also wanted it to be clean and safe.  Lorena and Tenia both suggested the Stanford Inn and Suites.  I decided to stay their not only because of the price but also because I would know people so we could walk back to the hotel together.  Safety in numbers and all.  Little did I know that I would meet/reconnect with people who would become lifelong friends.

Lorena Canto and I ended up rooming together on Thurs night/Friday morning and we spent the whole day together on Friday shopping, eating, and talking.  She is the most interesting, warm, caring, strong, wonderful woman ever.  In the universe.  She talked to me about her time as a war correspondent, about her son, about her travels, about food, etc...  I could listen to her talk forever with that Spanish accent.  But we could have talked about the weather and rocks and I still would have been able to see her beautiful heart and soul.  I hope that the universe brings us back together someday because 3 days was not enough.

Tenia Nelson and I hung out on Friday night and she and Lorena let me crash in their room on Saturday night when I had no place to stay.  I've met Tenia before but only had a couple minutes of chit chat each time.  Now, I know you all know and love Tenia but what you might not know is that she is the most positive and caring woman.  She is so dedicated to her family and her students.  And she's SO real.  Tenia is exactly how she comes across on her blog.  Nothing brings Tenia down.  She is sunshine and love.

2. Webster's Pages.

It is no secret that I love Webster's Pages.  Brandin O'Neill brings a very distinctive and beautiful style to the paper crafting world with her art.  I've always loved how easy Webster's Pages makes it to create vintage looking projects.  But with the addition of the Adrienne Looman and Allison Kreft designs, Webster's Pages has gone beyond being a vintage line.  This line has rounded out and has something for everyone now!  Beyond that, these ladies are some of the nicest people at the show.  They care about every single customer and are constantly going above and beyond to make people happy.

3. Shimelle Laine.

Yes, Shimelle Laine is an amazing crafter.  Yes, she is as cute as a button.  Yes, she's fun and innovative and inspiration.  But she's also a wonderful person to chat with.  Shimelle is wildly talented and hugely popular so you wouldn't think she would have the time to chat with me at all.  She was their introducing her new line with American Crafts which I am so excited for that I could BURST!  This year, I changed my priorities from trying to see everything and running around like a crazy person to actually trying to make some real connections.  Though Shimelle probably doesn't know or remember who I am, the conversation I had with her was a real highlight of my trip (she's fun and witty) and I can't wait to see her new line!

4. AHA Arts

This is a super trendy and funky brand new exhibitor.  The owner/artist's name is Ashley (so obviously she's awesome) and her art has been used by Urban Outfitters, Target, and much more.  She brought these super cool stamps to the show.  All the paper you see is made with her stamp sets.  Her style is very fresh and I hope to see her stuff get picked up.

5. Freckled Fawn

Though they were in the new exhibitor's section, Freckled Fawn is known through the paper crafting community.  They have cute tapes, paper clips, wood veneer, enamel dots, etc...  They are constantly coming out with fresh and trendy new products and delighting me.  Doe (AesaLina who is shown in the phot) and her sister JannaLyse are as cute as they are sweet!  I have a feeling that big things are in the works, so watch their site!

Ok, I'm going to wrap this up since I've written SO much!  Have a great day friends!