Mugshot Monday: Tax Day and My Story

Posted on April 23, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

It’s a “two-fer” Mugshot Monday (yes, on Tuesday, again). Last week, we were recovering from the flu or some crazy virus that decided to infest my house. Luckily, it was just my little guy and I who were hit hard. My daughter had a sore throat, and my husband had his own issues… which we’re afraid came from bad food? All you need to know is that we were on. the. couch. sick. Nothing got done in this house. Nothing. Then I had to play catch up with our taxes, ugh. I was one of those people at the post office at the very last minute. Maybe next year I’ll hire someone. I don’t know why I punish myself like that.

Last week’s Mugshot Monday prompt was “What’s Your Story”. Like my husband says – I like reminiscing. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that as long as you’re not living in the past. My t-shirt quilt sort of says it all, and this morning’s mug (actually, my daughter’s) is resting on my high school yearbook. Read on, more pics!

Mugshot Monday: If my mug could talk

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

Yes, I should sit…

I could sit at my sewing machine, at the desk to finish our taxes, at the table with my kids, at the tea bar, on the couch to watch a few shows on the DVR (anyone watching Dallas?!).

… but yesterday, I sat for a few minutes with my leftovers from a wonderful Easter weekend.

Mugshot Monday: Spring Break

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

Creativity without rest, and productivity without renewal, leads to an exhaustion of our inner resources. -J. Philip Newell

Everyone’s home this week… so for today’s mugshot, I offer “My afternoon coffee with the hubby”. We’re enjoying Casi Cielo with soy milk creamer. Can I tell you, I’ve had far less stomach issues now that we’ve switched to soy?! (Yes, I’m a lactaid-carrying, lactose-intolerant person. Okay, too much?)

We aren’t traveling anywhere this year. But that’s not to say we won’t be enjoying our very welcome time off. Kids and hubby are enjoying sleeping in, and so am I. We’ll head to a museum, check out some new restaurants and play games. Easter lunch/dinner will be at our home, too. So I’ll have plenty of things to do before the weekend.

I leave you with these pics from the dining room… hope to have some more finished projects next week.

Check out some more pictures at Instagram.

Mugshot Monday: Good Old Days

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

TeaLula storefront with customer and family pictures over the years (Park Ridge)

We headed to our favorite tea shop for Mugshot Monday. Yesterday morning was a little more festive than usual – TeaLula celebrated its five year anniversary! (What a great milestone for a new business!) Check out the big number five – a picture of Oliver is at the tail end. He fell asleep on that table, in that very window.

Enjoying a new brew

Chinese Bai Mudan white tea

Mingling around with our tea friends, having a spot of tea, scones and fruit made for a lovely morning.

TeaLula with my tea buddy

It’s hard to remember now, lugging Oliver’s infant car seat into the shop. (So sweet how the staff remembers.) Then he learned to sit up at the bar and sip his rooibos… totally content. Now we bring the iPad so I can have a little more time to chat with our friends.

It wasn’t just a teashop for me. It was my refuge once a week, a time to talk with “grown-ups”. (We tease now because we’re not sure how “grown up” our conversations were!) I was settling into my new role as a stay at home mom, and with postpartum depression experience from the first time around, I was hell bent on not going down that path again. TeaLula was my way of doing something for me, even if it was just for an hour or so.

When I first went to the store, I could not get over how quaint and cute everything was. Talk about wanting to buy everything…

Sheila capturing the morning

So, congratulations and thank you, Sheila, for not just creating the loveliest, cutest shop ever, but creating an atmosphere of friendship and hospitality. It’s a haven for anyone. The best part wasn’t learning about all the delicious teas from around the world, it was meeting you and everyone at TeaLula who I can call friends. Here’s to more good old days.

**Update: Links to more TeaLula posts including Oliver falling asleep.

Mugshot Monday (on Wednesday): The Going-Ons

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

Surprise visit from my sis-in-law, birthday project, works-in-progress… no wonder I missed posting on Monday! Well, not totally. I did post my mugshot on Instagram. But here’s an “outtake”.

Here I have a mug of Café Maté from our favorite tea shop … a delicious alternative to coffee, lovely with milk. Almost enough to wake me up from the Daylight Savings stupor. What it as bad for everyone else? Awful.

Speaking of TeaLula, we did the Harlem Shake! Crazy tea shop friends.

So, what’s been churning in the craft room these days?

Here’s the finished nursery art project for my niece. I went with a monkey theme after the burp cloths I made for her, and she just loves her monkey “binky”. My daughter made the quilled bananas, and I found the little bugs on sale at Michael’s. I added some bling (what girl doesn’t like bling?) and buttons to add some interest. Want a closer look? I posted a picture at the Facebook page.
A Chicago Bulls fan, quilt in progress, read on!

Mugshot Monday: Drink of Choice

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

Today’s prompt from “A Year in the Life of an Art Journal” was Drink of Choice.

So, what’s in my mug nowadays? Today was Major Dickason’s from Peet’s. But on any given day, I might have a Sumatra from Starbuck’s or a blend from an independent roaster. I’m a purist. Love my French press. Well, honestly, I’m only making a cup for myself and the hubby. No need to break out the coffee maker.

Last December we took a tour of Intelligentsia Coffee in Chicago. And we went home with like four bags of freshly roasted coffee! It was divine – so silky smooth. So now I’m spoiled.

But, I gotta say after the one cup of coffee, I really try to stick with tea if I want something hot to sip. And what better way than to have loose leaf tea from our favorite local tea shop, TeaLula.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

So This is Julie

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