DIY Mason Jar Pendant Lamp & What's On My Desk
Last November, I made the decision to move my desk upstairs to my bedroom because I needed more room in my main living area pending a Thanksgiving visit from my brother and his dogs. When we first moved in last year we'd sectioned off a full wall with all my bookcases (miraculously they all fit) which would serve as the backdrop for my workspace. Once my desk was upstairs, I scavenged in the garage for frames and a cork board I'd used in my office in Italy to make my new workspace both prettier and more functional. I'd given the lamp I used in Italy to my son Michael so for the last few months I've been working with light from lamps by our bedside. Fast forward four months and this cute DIY mason Jar hanging pendant light lamp was my solution. I could have squeezed a lamp onto my desk, but I really didn't want to crowd my workspace with a lamp and since I have no space surrounding the front or sides of my desk for a floor lamp, the only usable space left was the ceiling and the wall. I didn't want to hang something from the ceiling and I knew a lamp hanging from a hook on the wall would be both purposeful and also serve to give me some visual dimension from a design point. I wanted to go the DIY route, but I wanted this "DIY" to be simple to do and quick. This easy DIY mason jar pendant lamp is both of those things. It's also pretty to look at and it didn't break the budget. All my supplies came from Michaels. Thanks to a great sale, and a few coupons, the entire project came in under $20.
How to assemble your DIY Mason Jar Pendant Lamp:
1. Gather your supplies:
For this project you'll need: a pre-cut mason jar, a string "pendant" light and a light bulb. Because this jar is clear glass I opted for a decorative light bulb too, but you can use a regular one.
The pendant light string comes with a small hook and instructions on how you could hang it from your ceiling, so you don't necessarily need a hook like I used here. Since I was hanging this from my wall I wanted something more decorative. I have a few antique hooks like this one already in use in my home, so this new - vintage looking one (also from Michaels) fits right in. You could also use decorative planter hooks, a coat rack, pegs etc.2. Place the light-bulb side into the lid section. The great part about these "mason jars" is that the hole has already been drilled and the bottom of the jar cut, so this project is as easy and as it gets.
3. If you're choosing a different method to hang your pendant properly secure your hook. Otherwise follow the instructions on the box.4. Hang your pendant lamp.
What's on my desk?
I went back and checked my old posts for "what's on my desk" and I only found one. I could swear there had been more, but there wasn't. So this is my second.I'll start from the left and make my way to the right. Pointing out the obvious too I guess. Haha...
- On the upper left hand corner you'll find a tiered tray I use to keep my office supplies like paper clips and staples as well as smallish things I use regularly or want to keep within easy reach such as stamps and stamp pads, and extra pair of ear buds (they're pink) and a measuring tape.
- Below that on the right is my large journal. I keep that handy for any brilliant ideas. I bought it in Florence in this little stationery shop that was so cute just outside of the Duomo. When I see it I think of Florence and I long for Italy. I wish I'd captured a picture of it, but sadly I didn't.
- Going to the center - against the wall is my inspiration board. Here I pin story ideas or pictures, bits of string, anything that inspires me or may be relevant to a story I'm writing or thinking of writing. You'll also see a ceramic skull, some rosary beads, a jar of washi tape, a favorite photo of my husband and I, a swan pencil sharpener I bought in Germany and a, Funko POP Movies: Pride, Prejudice & Zombies Elizabeth Bennet Action Figure doll. Finally in the center is my laptop still going strong in my decoupaged lap top cover.
- Moving to the right are some craft books, markers, and pens and pencils in cute little scalloped cups.
I did a little bit of research and the supplies I found at Michaels can also be found online.Here is a complete kitAnd another kitHere is a jar...A white cordA black cord like the one I used in this post...And we can't forget the bulb. Here is an amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "thepincha-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B018PZ0WUO"; amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "2e912e6d515e582a2b6f293a9c421cff"; ">Edison bulb.You may also like these...
We're Expecting! Gamer Pregnancy Announcement
Three weeks ago I shared this photograph on Instagram and Facebook, and earlier this week I thought I should make it "blog official". My husband and I decided our pregnancy announcement should focus on a favorite pastime of our two sons which is playing video games.
For our gamer pregnancy announcement I ordered the shirts off of Amazon and designed the graphic myself. I used iron-on transfers which worked great, but after a few washes they're pretty much done, I honestly wish I had one of those vinyl machines like a Cricut instead... but the shirts served they're purpose and I think the announcement turned out super cute!We've wrapped our brains around the fact that our third baby is on it's way.
My husband and I had talked about trying for a third for years but never really decided. God certainly did for us!
My boys are excited and I am savoring this pregnancy in ways I don't think I did with my last two. This pregnancy has been uniquely different because I've basically had all day "morning sickness" every day for the last 6 weeks or so. Otherwise I feel great and this last week the nausea is tapering off. I'm hoping this is a sign it will eventually dissipate. I appreciate the nausea and dry heaving I really do, because I know it's a sign everything is working. Being of "advanced maternal age" (I'm over 35) I was really concerned this go round so having this "sign" that all is well though exhausting and not ideal has been very comforting.
I'm presently twelve weeks and feeling a bit overwhelmed by how many cool new products are out there from baby carriers, to bottles, and strollers.The making of the nursery will be put on hold because we'll be moving back to the States either before or after this baby comes which has taken a ton of the prepping for baby pressure off.
Though moving from a foreign country (Italy) back to America will be a big enough challenge for me either significantly pregnant or with a newborn. It's going to be fun to share this journey here. I hope you'll join me.
Star light, star bright. Stay positive.
This week on more than one occasion I was given wonderful compliments regarding my positive attitude. Having people tell you they appreciate your positivity, is awesome! It makes me feel like I'm doing life right.Let's face it, life his hard, complicated, and messy and being your own personal sun, isn't always the easiest thing to do; even for someone such as myself, who has a natural inclination to beliving her glass is always half-full. Do I get sad? Yes of course. I've even suffered from depression, but knowing this about myself is another reason why each day I must make a choice... I choose to be positive.I do believe that having a positive outlook is a choice we all can make. I choose to be positive on purpose, because the alternative is unacceptable to me. Though my life is far from perfect, I am blessed. We, each of us has a light in us, that was meant to shine, so if I must be my own personal sun, then I'll be the brightest star in the sky. 
Aria of Words
I have an ariamade up of wordslike cells replicating within me.My hands at the ready,fingers tapping against the keys,searching for the stringof perfect words, nouns, phrases,to make up a sentencethat says it all.My own perfect concertoflaton to a blank page.
A Fire In My Brain
I spent the better part of my day at my local Italian hospital waiting for and receiving an iron infusion (I'm very anemic). My husband was with me and we were sitting in the waiting room surrounded by the iconography of my religion when he said something that lit a spark in me that is burning like a bonfire in my brain.I don't know if it was divine intervention or the fact, that for the first time in a long time I, at present have adequate levels of iron in my system. (This was my third treatment).I like to think it was a little bit of both.For the first time in a long time I feel like I can actually think with some clarity with regards to telling a story, even if my brain is ablaze.I have a lot of work to do and I'm thrilled.I'm about to go all Big Bad Wolf, and huff and puff all over this story, until it's a wild fire of words. I'll worry about water hoses some other time...maybe never.
Skin Cancer. Here I go again.
A few weeks ago I had a biopsy taken on my forehead of a mole that had come back from a previously excised mole that was confirmed basal cell carcinoma. Today I got the results, and it is indeed positive once more. I'll have to have it removed again, only this time the margins will have to be much bigger. My options as far as the removal here are limited. I can go to Germany and have a Mohs surgeon remove the mole, have one of the general surgeons here, or wait till April for the plastic surgeon. I don't want to go to Germany. The thing is, this is a reoccurrence, at present, the Mohs surgical removal method is the most effective way to remove all of the cancer cells, but still preserve healthy skin tissue. Yet the thought of going to a base in Germany, stay there a week or possibly more to have the procedure isn't something I'm keen on doing.Sigh.I may wait to decide until I get results for another excision I had on a mole that returned on my back that was very close to the spot I had melanoma in.Wear sunscreen. Trust me. The damage done to my skin occurred in childhood and during my teen years. I stopped attempting to achieve a golden, sun kissed skin when I was 19, and managed to get a sunburn so bad I landed in the ER. Everyday, I have sunscreen on. Every. Single. Day.My skin color is pale. I've learned to love it.
Here I am being all reflective in Crete. Sunscreen 100 SPF on my body, 110 SPF on my face.
If you'd like to check out other posts I've written on my skin cancer experiences, click right here.
Christmas 2014
12:30 a.m: Family arrived home from lovely evening with friends.12:45 a.m: Evan half-asleep attempts to make it to the bathroom, but gets nowhere. Vomits all over his bedroom floor. His father and mother clean things up. Mother has concerns the dreaded 24-hour bug that has plagued so many friends has struck. But Evan gave her hope when he said, "I feel good." With a worrying heart, the parental units put him back to bed.1:30 a.m: Commence "Operation Santa". Wrapping of gifts and general Christmas things occur in a less than Christmasy spirit.3:00 a.m: The proverbial "Witching Hour". Mother posts a very Christmasy photo to social media of tree with all Santa work complete. Parental units expect to be dreaming of sugar plums within a short period.3:05 a.m: Hopes are dashed when mother hears what can only be described as a coughing-gurgle-gag, coming from the children's place of slumber.Mother dashes in, turns on the light, and discovers a horrible sight! Poor sweet Evan, in his brand new Batman pajamas is covered in puke from brow to belly, as are his bed coverings. It's a view that would make even the most harrowing of Santa's toss his cookies.She called to her husband who was not so quietly snoring on the couch to arise and come see what was the matter!3:10 a.m: Evan is bathed and fresh smelling once more. He's dressed in his pajamas from three-Christmases past and snuggled up between his parental units and a bucket.3:25: a.m. Vomiting child.3:30 am: Child sleeps.3:35 a.m: Parents pretend to sleep.3:45 a.m: Vomiting semi-conscious child.Parents all but conscious lost grip on bucket.Sheets removed from bed.3:48 a.m. Parents actually fall asleep. One still wearing her spectacles.4:20 a.m: Vomiting child.4:30 a.m: Vomiting child.Parents fall asleep.4:45 am: Vomiting child.4:50 am: Child sleeps5:00 am: Parents sleep (sort-of).8:09 am: Elder child awakes. "Merry Christmas!"Mother explained preceding events of the night. Elder child tears up and generally freaks out over baby brother. Mother says, "Go see the presents, then go back to bed."Falls asleep.10:45 a.m: Sleeping, previously puking child awakes, seemingly "normal", asks about, "Santa".11:00 a.m: Family opens gifts.11:45 a.m: Previously puking child is given broth and crackers.Noon: Previously pretending to sleep mother prepares "French toast casserole" from recipe she scored on Pinterest.1:30 p.m: Three family members eat.1:45 p.m: Previously puking child now has other excremental issues.2:00 p.m: Mother & father sipping mimosas. Children are happy.Life is messy, but good.Merry Christmas!