Make cute bracelets out of old socks

Has anyone ever figured out where all the missing socks go? I don't know about you but I am always losing socks. I even have a designated drawer for my socks who have lost their pair hoping they will someday be found or return home. I just don't have the heart to throw away a perfectly good sock just because it lost its other half.

The other day I was going through the drawer of socks and finally accepted all these poor socks might not ever find their missing other half. So instead of the garbage why not make something out of them... bracelets! It's easy to do because its meant to look worn and grungy. Cut the sock in whatever width desired. U can make the bracelet wide or thin. Cut into three sections. Then braid very tight. Tie a knot on each side, then tie it to your wrist. It's that easy!

We used to be REALLY fun!

So I found this old video and it reminded me of the good old days when I was young and carefree. And Popular, fun, the life of the party, you get the idea. I could party on Wednesday night, then go teach Thursday morning and continue the party Thursday night and on into the weekend. Nowadays I'd rather walk my dog and then drink a margarita with the sisters while sticking my toes in the hot tub.

But now let me fill you in before you enjoy the video. So Summer and I went to college in San Diego and met these super HOT firefighters. These boys went to see this cover band every Wednesday night in PB called Metal Shop, so guess who our favorite band was... you got it... Metal Shop. Well Summer and I ended up seriously loving our Wednesday nights and even after the fire crew fell off the bandwagon we didn't care because we constantly were recruiting friends to join us(I think Shawna and even Autumn were regulars). Doesn't sound so bad right? What I haven't mentioned yet was we traveled 30 minutes one way to see them every Wednesday and one of our crazy friends ended up introducing us and we would talk to the band before or after the show. Serious groupies! haha! For a cover band! The band changed their name to Metal Skool and now many people recognize them as Steel Panther. If you have ever seen their shows you would know they are SO raunchy on stage, but when we knew them they could not have been nicer to us.

One day near Summer's birthday(August) they emailed us this You Tube video and seriously we screamed! So happy! So in love with them! Needless to say I was SO, SO JEALOUS! Every time I hear an 80's metal band(our faves were Def Leppard, GnR, Poison, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Warrent, Whitesnake, and even our former neighbor in Vegas, Slaughter!) it makes me SO happy. I get teary when I hear Sister Christian(by Night Ranger) because that is the song Summer and I dedicated to each other since Metal Skool rarely played it.

Steel Panther still play in LA and I keep telling the sisters that we need to see them soon. Maybe if we can recruit some old friends and new friends we could make a night of it! :)

By the way... we ARE still fun, but in a more chilled out way!

The Lovely Benefits of Tea

We always say that Shawna needs to work for a tea company. Whenever we see her she brings bags of tea and explains all the benefits each kind will provide for us. She now has convinced the whole fam how important it is to drink daily. Since whenever we are with her we have to have more tea then everyone in China combined, I have now made the whole office at work crazy about it too. I bring cups of tea to everyone's desk and make them drink it. I'm sure on hot days they want to kill me because they are all sweating bullets while drinking their tea. I'm sure the tea lady (Shawna) can explain better how important tea is, but I can provide some things I have learned from her obsession...

Tea can help fight against cancers and heart diseases. It contains many antitoxins, which can benefit your overall health. It is great for your teeth, gums, boosts your immune system, and increases your metabolism. What is better than burning calories, while you enjoy a nice cup of tea?

Green Tea- helps reduce stress. This is wonderful for me considering I stress over everything. It also burns fat, reduces risks for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and diabetes. It fights allergies and infections.


Black Tea- helps reduce risks of a stroke, helps you to lose weight and provides antitoxins for your skin and decreases virus's in the mouth.

White Tea- helps reduce risks of cancer, lowers blood pressure, provides stronger bones, helps fight bad breath (gross), helps skin against aging, and kills bacteria.

We personally like loose teas. You can find lots of variety at Tevana and if you live in San Diego, Pannikan has plenty of options to choose from! Drink a few cups of tea a day and see the important health benefits it provides for you!

<3 Sun

Take us back to NZ!

We were going through old photos of our trip a few years ago to New Zealand for Autumn and Richards wedding. It was such a fun fam trip! We came across some pictures and they made us laugh so we wanted to share. We were a little obsessed with the grandma wig we found in the house we were staying in!

Best thing on TV yet!

We had to blog about this considering it has take over our lives the past couple weeks. Jonnie introduced us to this show and we haven't stopped imitating Jonah, Ja'ime and Mr. G ever since! Jai'me has to be our favorite person in the world and it makes us so sad that she is just a character. Pretty much we are obsessed and we know you would be too! This show has been around for awhile, but if you haven't seen it please rent it. Best thing ever!

St. Francis Dog Tags

As most of you know, we are all huge animal lovers and our pets are our babies!  We revolve our days around them and we try to spend as much time as we can with them because we are so obsessed!  We found these awesome St.Francis dog tags at a surf shop in Encinitas and we just had to get them for all of our animals so St. Francis can protect them when we are away from them!  We love the St. Francis prayer because we wish we could save all the animals out there that are suffering or are in pain!

 Shawna got one for herself and made it into a necklace!

Good St. Francis, you loved all of God's creatures.
To you they were your brothers and sisters.
Help us to follow your example
of treating every living thing with kindness.
St. Francis, Patron Saint of animals,
watch over my pet
and keep my companion safe and healthy.
Amen.

 We also found this prayer recently and fell in love with it! It's so horrible to think about all the awful people out there that are cruel to animals and the least you can do is say a prayer for them everyday.

Hear our humble prayer, O God,
for our friends the animals,
especially for animals who are suffering;
for animals that are overworked,
underfed and cruelly treated;
for all wistful creatures in captivity
that beat their wings against bars;
for any that are hunted or lost or deserted
or frightened or hungry;
for all that must be put death.
We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,
and for those who deal with them
we ask a heart of compassion
and gentle hands and kindly words.
Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,
and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

Author - Albert Schweitzer

 And we have to brag about how cute our babies are so here's some photos..

The Queen, Shawna's little girl,
 Myra

Crazy Brick and our Beautiful 3-legged girl Bethany

Summer's precious girl, Breeze

The 3 crazies last weekend on their way from Laguna to Carlsbad

Mako Shark and Brick when we first brought Brick home in February

Bethany showing off her stub (She was born with 3 legs and we rescued her in October she's so hilarious and loves her new life with us..her theme song is Lady GaGa Born this Way!)

Shawna's Hawaiian Man, Jungle (Shawna found him as a stray when her and Autumn went to college there so he came back to the Mainland with her!)

And if you have time to read our blog then you have time to sign this petition to stop Seal Slaughtering in Canada! They slaughter them for their fur to be imported to Russia so help end this and click on the link and just sign your name.

Support Sen. Harb's Bill to End Canada's Seal Slaughter

AND IF YOU CAN DO ONE GOOD THING IN YOUR LIFE DO NOT WEAR FUR!!!!!

-Jonnie

 

Dressing Cute For Cheap

You know you're poor when Forever 21 and Marshall's is becoming a little too expensive for you...yep, that's how I feel! I love to keep up with the latest trends, but I do not like spending a lot on clothes. I feel like it's a waste of money because trends only last so long, then it's on to the next in thing. Lately, my sisters and I have become obsessed with thrift shopping. It's the best! The Humane Society and Goodwill are our favs. I try to clean out my closet monthly and whatever I don't wear I give away to the poor, and since I can consider myself the poor I might as well shop there as well. ha! I figure instead of giving money monthly to the humane society, I'll just shop there and that way I am giving back! The other day I bought 10 items and a cool vintage leopard night stand for $50.00. I was stoked! You can find great quality stuff and you feel good because you're giving back. Shawna redid her whole room for a less than $200. She found all her decor at thrift stores and it looks unreal.
In order to keep up with the latest trends I encourage you to clean out your closet every couple months and whatever you do not wear or care about give away. I know when I have old stuff around I think "oh I feel bad for that hideous shirt I have to wear it." Below are some cute items to add to your wardrobe, That way you look stylish. Remember, don't feel you have to spend a lot of money on this stuff!

Colorful pants. Love them, a good way to add some color to your wardrobe.

 Bandeau's are so cute. I wear mine daily and when it's in the wash I don't know what to do with myself! (I don't know why this girl is so tiny, but I couldn't get it bigger and it's actually pretty funny this small haha).

Obsessed with the skirts that are short in the front and long in the back.

Want this! Perfect dress for summer.

Love the color of the jacket.

Coral is the best color. Love this skirt.

A good fitting pair of jean shorts is a must for the summer.

Black skirt great addition to your wardrobe. I wear mine all the time and just switch the tops.

Love this look. Headband and over sized sweatshirt. Perfect for Cali weather.

I need these pants! If anyone has seen them somewhere to buy please let me know!

Saddle Bag..perfect hippie accessory!

Love everything about these pants! Perfect if you're short. I wear mine with heals and then I look 6 feet tall.

Love, Sunny xo

We Love Mothers! And you Others too!

Us sisters thought we would give a big "shout out" to our favorite mothers out there on Mother's Day 2012.

First mother on our list goes to the hilarious, generous, gorgeous mother of seven and grandmother and great grandmother to too many to count...

Grandma Lois


The next mother on our list of favorite mothers is the one, the only, none of us sisters would be here without her...

Our Mom, Kay Gurell

She's funny, too giving and not only our mom, but our close friend.

And lastly, a shout out to a newer Mom, and one we are completely jealous of because of her handsome husband and adorable daughters. She is fun, beautiful and coming to America this June...



Autumn Gurell

We love all you moms and all the others we didn't mention on here. We hope you all have a very Happy Mother's Day!

Minnie "the Mooch" Gurell

Today would have been Minnie's 20th birthday. Unfortunately, she is not here to celebrate with us but we did get 17 fabulous years with her. I'm sure all of us girls have their favorite "Mooch" stories and any one who grew up with us probably have one too. :)

We got Minnie when Jonnie was three. The six of us really wanted a tiny, teacup Yorkshire terrier but God knew better and Minnie was a big tomboy. Jonnie was obsessed with Minnie Mouse at three, probably because Jonnie and Minnie Mouse have always had that small, cute voice.

One of my favorite memories with Minnie would be our midnight microwave buttered popcorn nights. Usually after we would have too many cocktails(always when we were 21 and older of course), she would see us stumble in and knew she was having a popcorn night! She loved it and we always felt way better in the morning. Nowadays, Jonnie the vet tech tells us not to share food with our four legged babies, not even buttered popcorn.

Summer and I are lucky because we have Minnie with us everyday. I know a lot of people might be a bit creeped out having their dog's ashes in the house, but not our family. Each of our dogs that have passed are in a gorgeous wooden box, with their picture near and their paw print pressed in clay. Our family always ends up spending lots of time in the room that have their ashes laughing and fighting and we think they would like it that way. We talk to them and seeing their pictures remind us of our special time with them. Maybe it is creepy to some, but to me and my family its just another way to show our love to our dogs that are always taken from us too soon.

Love you Mooch!

Healthy Hair

People are constantly asking us how we got our hair to grow so long. Since some girls can't get there hair to grow past their shoulder without it looking dead and classless..here's some advice to help grow your hair and to keep it looking healthy!

1. Use a wide tooth comb and only brush your hair after it's wet and conditioned. Do not brush your hair when it is dry because it will break apart your ends and you will look like you got electrocuted!

 2. Try to only shampoo and condition your hair every other day or less. Our favorite product to use is Biologe.

3. Always use a leave in conditioner...we are fans of the brand Rusk. 

 4. Use a root pump when your hair is damp. We like the brand Big Sexy Hair

 5. Let your hair dry as long as possible before using the blow dryer. We usually just blow dry our roots and then let the rest dry on it's own.

6. DO NOT curl and straighten your hair daily. There are many cute hairstyles that are in that don't require any damaging to your hair. Side braids and buns are cute options!

 Add a feather to the end of your braid for a stylish accessory!

7. Try to avoid bleaching your hair and if you do make sure to apply hot oil and conditioning treatments to it.


Hopefully after following these steps your hair will be long and healthy!