Exciting News!

Posted by Melina and Denise , Thursday, January 23, 2014 1:05 PM

Melina is trying to fit in time to paint again! I am so excited. So many of you haven't even been exposed to her work, but she is so talented. When we first met and became besties, she was a student at NSCAD, so I have always known the awesomeness of her talent. As we were roommates, I was the frequent subject of her last minute homework assignments for figure painting. I was pretty good at sitting still as long as there was an episode of Law&Order to watch.

Once she drew me with a 2-3 foot long stick dipped in ink—and it was fantastic! I still have it. She was highly praised for it, but that may also have been the subject.

What does she paint, you may ask. I am a huge fan of her abstract paintings. Her sense of colour and texture is phenomenal. She also has a love of watercolour and landscapes.

As always, time is the biggest factor in her being able to paint. With all of the sewing for the shop, and the day job, and life ... it's hard. But I am so happy that she is finally making painting a priority.

I'm a proud bestie.



This Is Where It Gets Really Tough

Posted by Melina and Denise , Saturday, January 4, 2014 3:31 PM

We made the plans for all our economies, we have the goal that it is supposed to help us achieve. And now it is clear that a plan on paper can do nothing to express how mentally tough it will be.

All of our time as roommates, Melina and I have made decisions that were not necessarily the norm. Our priorities? Self-reliance, creativity, power over where we will get to live. While our friends have been out doing other things, we have been working our asses off to get to the point where we are creatively free and independent.

Now, we are close. Now, we are to the point where everything is coming together—but it means a final push of epic proportions. Economizing to get rid of debts and accumulate savings. It all sounds doable, and then my princess-self remembers it means taking the bus every day. I loathe the bus. And it means finding innovative ways to make ends meet. Coupon queens, here we come!

The results will be worth it, I know this. But we need to stay focussed on the end goal. And what is our motto for the coming year?

No looking back!

No Looking Back

Posted by Melina and Denise , Wednesday, January 1, 2014 11:31 AM


Way too much time has been spent thinking about the ways in which 2013 sucked. Time to move on, move forward without looking back. So the question becomes, what will have change by NYE 2014? I have some thoughts.

1 - We will be 'financially better off' (clue as to where we work). All fallout of the Grand Insurance Debacle of 2013 will be a distant memory. YES!

2 - My novel will have been self-published. That simple fact will make it a successful venture. I just can't predict beyond that. Too scary.

3 - Melina will have spent a great year getting back into painting. She's really amazing at it and I can't wait for everyone to see what she can do. I am so excited by this!! She will even have a site set up.

4 - I will have a draft finished of a second novel. That's right, I said it!!!

5 - We will be so totally strong and healthy. Amazon-strong!

Bottom line is that we will be way closer to the ultimate goals we talk about in the site - independent lives living in the Valley in a great house. Writing / painting and crafting full time.

This is our year people! Stand back.

~ Denise