Hello dear friends, how have you been? Thank you all so very much for your kind words; they really meant a lot to me. I'm still not quite 100%, but am very, very much better, thank the Lord. I expect to be fully back in the saddle very soon; in the meantime, here is a little Christmas song for you in celebration of this beautiful season, extracted from B's Christmas musical this year (she was the angel who got to announce Jesus' birth hee hee). I love that it captures the real meaning of Christmas. I pray that the Lord bless each and every one of you, and that you have a lovely close to this year, filled with joyful expectancy of a blessed, peaceful one ahead.

*** Hello dear friends -- thank you so much again for your good wishes. I am still under the weather, and shall also be away till mid-December, with little or no access to a computer, so the shop (and blog) will be taking a little break till then. I trust to catch up with all of you in time for Christmas, and wish you a peaceful, blessed season in the meantime :) ***

eh sexy lady

Well, up until like, yesterday, I must have been one of the few people on the planet who didn't know what the heck this thing was all about. But when everyone's doing it at the husband's company dinner, and the kids go around humming the refrain, and one's own mother line dances to it, you think, hm, maybe I should find out once and for all.

So now I have, and am sharing it with all of you who were either as clueless as I was, or who just need a little giggle today. Beautiful, lovable, yes you, hey, yes you!

According to Wiki, "the phrase 'Gangnam Style' is a Korean neologism that refers to a lifestyle associated with the Gangnam District of Seoul". The singer, PSY, has said, "People who are actually from Gangnam never proclaim that they are -- it's only the posers and wannabes that put on these airs and say that they are 'Gangnam Style' -- so this song is actually poking fun at those kinds of people who are trying so hard to be something that they're not.

"The song talks about 'the perfect girlfriend who knows when to be refined and when to get wild'. The song's refrain, 'Oppan Gangnam style', has been translated as 'Big brother is Gangnam style', with PSY referring to himself; 'Oppa' is a Korean expression used by females to refer to an older male friend or older brother. He studied hard to find something new and stayed up late for about 30 nights to come up with the 'Gangnam Style' dance. Along the way, he had tested various 'cheesy' animal-inspired dance moves with his choreographer, including panda and kangaroo moves, before settling for the horse trot, which involves pretending to ride a horse, alternately holding the reins and spinning a lasso, and moving into a legs-shuffling side gallop" (sourced from Wiki).

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Candy, by Mamma 190, designer of beautiful clothing and accessories for kids and mommies (she's having a sale right now too!). The entire list is here.

1. Gold snowflake cupcake toppers by Catch Some Raes

2. Sailor Ghostlet softie doll and pillow by Bikbik & Roro :)

3. Stoneware forest wall hanging by Studio By The Forest

4. Beige garland bunting by Couture By Ayca

5. Pointed brown cowl scarf by SweetKM

6. Mountain Hare notebook by ShePinTea

eye candy

Because I still feel crappy, and not up to much of anything else.

Clockwise from top left:

Jim Sturgess, Jude Law, Daniel Day-Lewis, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ben Barnes, 

and Jeremy Renner

Have a super lovely rest of the week.

celadon

1. Handpainted silk scarf by The Silk Moon

2. Custom couple portrait by Frances Marin

3. Crochet wool hobo bag by Bags by Mellysse

4. Willow Tree dangle earrings by Taylor's Eclectic

5. Party dress with rosebud details by Ainslie Wood Co.

6. Stacking rings set by Doll Disaster Design

7. Moonstone necklace by Artifacts Et Cetera

8. Baby jacket by Moon & Sixpence Knits

on eating happy

O, Puss.

Thank you so much to all of you who left me such kind, sweet messages, or emailed me with your good wishes -- it meant a lot to me! I'm not feeling 100% yet, but I know by God's grace, I soon will!

In the meantime, I wanted to share with you something I read while lolling about in bed. It's a Daily Telegraph article on Oscar-nominated actress Salma Hayek. Now I'm not a particularly huge fan of hers or anything (and I'm not mad about her when she's literally busting out of some barely-there outfit), but I've always found her very attractive, and I've quite enjoyed the odd films I've seen her in, like Frida, Fools Rush In, and yes, Puss in Boots (ok, well, she wasn't literally in that).

Well, if there's one thing Salma Hayek's known for, it's being curvaceous, and the article, Go forth and munch, is about just that. Dietary debates aside, I love the spunk and self-confidence, the wonderful joie de vivre she expresses here with such warmth:

"For most Hollywood actresses, strict diets and punishing exercise regimes are the order of the day. But Salma Hayek has proved the exception by proudly extolling the merits of being "chubby", saying that eating fattening food is the best way to keep looking young".

"I am on the limit of chubbiness because I love my food and my wine. It's not the best for fashion, but it's good for my mood," said the Mexican-born actress.

"I am happy because I eat. I am 46 -- I will not have Botox. You know why? Because I eat! I eat the fat, I eat the vegetables, I eat everything.

"If you exercise too much and you don't eat enough, it takes its toll on the skin. Everything starts ageing. And you know what? You look miserable."... "The truth is, I just don't have the drive to be the prettiest and the thinnest. I can be happy for other people for their beauty. Learn to be happy for others and you can never run out of happiness"...

"[She] is a critic of the fashion industry's use of stick-thin models. She said: "In recent years, we have had to fight against our genetic nature to look like something we are not, to look like little boys."

"Of her career, she said: "It's a miracle that I'm still working... the worst thing you can be in Hollywood is a woman and over 40.

"On top of that, I have an accent, am dyslexic, short and chubby. You name it, I have it, but here I am".

Have a spunky, inspired weekend everyone!

*** The shop (and blog) is on a little hiatus while I endure enjoy the mother of all colds. Purchases and custom orders may still be placed as usual (I have already shipped all orders prior to today): Ready-to-ship goodies are, well, ready to ship; please allow an extra week for the making of made-to-order goodies. Thank you so much, and have a super lovely rest of the week! ***

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In Case of Emergency, by Shavingkit Suppplies, sellers of gorgeous vintage and antique goodies for the home. The entire list is here.

1. Black salad bowl by Laurie Goldstein's Shop

2. Snails' shell candles by LessCandles

3. Children's blanket by Lovely Home Idea

4. Chunky cowl by TortillaGirl

5. Original mini painting by The Haunted Hollow Tree

6. Real Cat pins by Bikbik & Roro :)

not quite screamfest

I thought I'd share a couple of movie recommendations -- just in time for Halloween! Be warned though, they're not run-of-the-mill Scream/Poltergeist fare; you sort of have to watch closely and pay attention haha..

So, first up -- From Time to Time. This haunting British film is set in the 1940s, and is about a 13-year-old boy who uncovers long-buried family secrets when he goes to stay with his grandmother. The cinematography is beautiful, and the story both charming and poignant -- something the whole family (well, 8 and above maybe) can watch together by firelight.

(In a moment of sorrowful candour, Maggie Smith's character Mrs Oldknow tells her grandson, "If you have children, don't ever quarrel with them. No matter the reason, no matter how angry you get -- don't quarrel. I promise you -- it's never worth it". Like I said, poignant).

Next -- another British film, this time called Haunted. Set in the late 1920s, the story is about an American professor who gets invited to Edbrook House to investigate the alleged hauntings there. While the storyline is mildly cliched, the cinematography is gorgeous, as are Aidan Quinn's brilliant blue eyes. Be advised though, there are some adult themes and a bit of nudity too, so keep it 18-and-up please!

For goodness' sakes, don't watch this bit in its entirety. I couldn't embed part 1, so just copy and paste this video's title in the YouTube search box, and change the number to 1/11.

What ghostly films do you recommend this All Hallows' Eve? :)

on nurturing nature

Mother and Child, by Gustav Klimt

So, my dear cousin has been listening to these psychology lectures in his car; the other day, he comes in and tells me, "Parents actually have very little influence on how their children turn out -- it's just in the genes". He tells me this with great confidence, presumably because Dr So-and-so said it, which somehow gives it "scientific" credence.

Now, we've had these discussions on psychology before; I'd done it in university, and had previously told him quite frankly that it was fine for some generalisations, but really that's all it is -- generalisations. I don't feel that there's that same objectivity and universality with psychology as there is with say, chemistry or physics. Trying to create principles that apply to all individuals and groups is, to me, impossible; humans are just too complex and diverse, as are their personal lives, experiences, beliefs, circumstances. And really, how many people could one possibly study, and for how long?

This idea that genes may be what influence personality and that parents don't really matter, came into prominence when a certain Judith Rich Harris published her book, The Nurture Assumption, some 14 years ago, in which, summarily speaking, she claims that parental influence is minor; whatever our peers do to us outweigh, in the long run, whatever our parents do (Ms Harris, by the way, was a textbook writer, with no doctorate or academic affiliation).

"[Harris] looks at studies which claim to show the influence of the parental environment and claims that most fail to control for genetic influences. For example, if aggressive parents are more likely to have aggressive children, this is not necessarily evidence of parental example".

Further, "Harris' most innovative idea was to look outside the family and to point at the peer group as an important shaper of the child's psyche" (I do not find this an especially profound or groundbreaking idea). However, "contrary to some reports, Harris did not claim that 'parents don't matter'. The book did not cover cases of abuse and neglect. Harris pointed out that parents have a role in selecting their children's peer group, especially in the early years. Parents also affect the child's behavior within the home environment and the interpersonal relationship between child and parent" (extracted from Wiki).

Dr Frank Farley of Temple University eloquently put into words what my immediate thoughts on all this was, namely that "she's taking an extreme position based on a limited set of data. Her thesis is absurd on its face, but consider what might happen if parents believe this stuff!"

Dr Wendy Williams, a professor at Cornell, said, "There are many, many good studies that show parents affect how children turn out in both cognitive abilities and behaviour" (extracted from Wiki, italics mine).

Naturally, however, there are supporters of Ms Harris' great insights, as there are critics. What I wonder is, with all the glaring, physical evidence of the effects of child neglect and abuse, why does anyone even want to propound something that goes against all the noblest principles of parenting at its best, and that has the potential to further encourage parenting at its worst?

While I do not discount the effects of a child's innate qualities on his or her personality, I do not accept that it's these inborn, genetic factors that determine how that child will turn out, or that they outweigh the importance of loving, nurturing, responsible parenting. Child neglect and abuse are on the rise, and without fail, parental personality and behaviour are cited as one of the major risk factors. To suggest that those neglected or abused children would turn out crappily even if their parents were nurturing and responsible, simply because they're inherently crappy people, is profoundly annoying to me.

However, it seems that Ms Harris "rejected the idea that her book would encourage parents to neglect or mistreat their children. She maintains that parents will continue to treat their children well 'for the same reason you are nice to your friends and your partner, even though you have no hopes of molding their character' (extracted from Wiki).

Well, I don't know about you, but I do not "treat my children well" for the same reason I'm nice to my friends. I do not feel responsible for my friends' behaviour and morals, for their sense of self-worth, and for the values, habits and attitudes with which they will live their lives and which they will pass on to their children.

Of course, I can't help vaguely wondering about Ms Harris' own kids, or the kids of those who support her views. Ms Harris, at any rate, has two children, one of whom was adopted. The biological child, Nomi, was, according to Ms Harris, quiet and well-behaved; she was, apparently, just like her biological parents, and "gave us no trouble while she was growing up".

The adopted child Elaine, on the other hand, was different. "She always wanted to be with people. We started getting bad reports from the school right away -- that she wouldn't sit in her chair, and she was bothering other kids... As the girls got older, Nomi became a brain and Elaine became a dropout. Nomi was a member of a very small clique of intellectual kids, and Elaine was a member of the delinquent subgroup".

When you have a parent who describes you like that, you have to wonder if it truly was because you were a genetically hopeless case, or because, having intrinsically different -- but not necessarily bad -- traits, your parent just didn't spend the time and effort needed to develop your talents and abilities to the full.

There was a study known as the Colorado Adoption Project, in which, for a mere seven years, researchers "followed" the lives of 245 adopted children, giving them and their adoptive parents personality and intelligence tests at regular intervals. The conclusion they reached from this supposedly vast, all-encompassing study was that "the only reason we are like our parents is that we share their genes".

Besides the fact that I believe all psychological studies are limited and subjective, I don't believe good parenting is about making our children similar to ourselves -- indeed, it is often hoped that they don't become like us -- it is about harnessing their innate qualities and turning them to positive, productive account. That is why I think good, present parenting does matter.

While one child may be innately shy and the other gregarious, as a parent I am responsible for instilling the right values and attitudes in both of them, sound principles and beliefs that will then dictate their behaviour, and which are not so weak as to be squashed by any peer pressure they may encounter.

Obviously, peers do have an impact on one's life, but I believe the degree of that impact is dependent on the amount of time they spend with those peers, and the fundamental value system they've acquired at home. In fact, I believe it is those values they learn at home that are what will influence the peers they choose to interact with.

For me personally, I can honestly say that the kind of person I was as a child and am now, is almost entirely due to how I was treated at home, the behaviours I saw, and the words I heard. My peers growing up had, in fact, very little influence over me then, and certainly none at all now. I have known and witnessed enough of the effects of parental nurturing and attention, as well as cruelty and neglect, in both my own life and the lives of my relatives and friends, to know how valuable responsible, accessible parenting is -- it is what greatly influenced my decision to give up my corporate career in favour of full-time motherhood.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6).

If you've ever done psychology in school, or ever read a paper on some theory, how often did you think, "Well, that sure didn't apply to me" or "That wasn't what happened in my niece's case, or my son's case, or my neighbour's kid's case"? There simply are no universal behavioural laws, and I find it irresponsible to propound theories that ultimately have no positive purpose.

Instead, they serve to bolster the views of people like my cousin and his friends who happily leave their kids in the care of maids and strangers all day, every day (interestingly, I recall a study done in 2011 by scientists from the US and Netherlands which found that "genes may contribute to a child's bad behaviour, but only when parents are distant; parental monitoring -- how well a parent knows what’s going on in their child’s life -- was key").

I found this person's response to an article on Ms Harris that appeared in Scientific American particularly eloquent: "There is no substitute for good parenting. I am a teacher and see this every day. If you see a problem student, 99% of the time, you have to look no farther than the parent... who does not value education, who is working too many hours to know or care what there kids are doing, who is mentally or physically abusive, who is dependent on alcohol or drugs, or who suffers from some type of mental illness.

"I am amazed at what our kids have to overcome everyday. I am also a parent of two honor students. My college student has won multiple scholarships. Who do you credit for that? Her teachers? They deserve some credit for their knowledge of subject matter....BUT it is the YEARS that I have spent raising them to value education, spending precious time with them, and pushing them to always do their best.

"The most promising students are those who benefit from the combination of GOOD parenting and GOOD teaching. They will choose their peers based upon shared values, and they will have the strength of character to speak their own mind. The old saying "birds of a feather, flock together" is very true.

"Kids who are raised in similar homes, suffer similar problems, and will group together to find some sort of "home away from home" feeling of comfort and safety. Its hard to be a member of an intelligent and successful peer group, when you cannot relate to any of the experiences that they have had. This article and the author of this book is a joke. Sadly it will be used by irresponsible parents to bolster their own irresponsible attitudes of denying any responsibility for the fate of their own offspring".

vermilion

1. Chunky wool snood by Wears Wooly

2. Hessonite garnet necklace by Jaros Designs

3. Dress sash by RomanticARTlife

4. Corduroy hobo purse by Sisoi Bags

5. Handpainted wooden bracelet by Aramar

6. Autumn vines brooch by Foxtail Creek Studio

7. Winter berries and leaves earrings by Just Under Sky

8. Red autumn ring by Raceytay

Tweedy

A new movie, with a very dear friend of Inky the Octopus!

This is Tweedy, our eight-legged star! Tweedy is a charming little fellow made entirely of heathered black wool yarn. He loves reading, and looking at the stars, and well, obviously he loves lounging about on things as well. Tweedy would make a dear companion, as well as an adorable addition to a nursery or bookshelf. He's perfect for Halloween too!

Tweedy is in the shop now, looking for a loving home with lots of toast and tinned pineapple. Who knows, he might make another film in the meantime haha!

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Sunny October, by Le idee della Vale, maker of adorable jewelry and accessories. The entire list is here.

1. Blossom pins by Bikbik & Roro :)

2. Fabric flower necklace by Made in the Attic

3. Grape cluster earrings by Love Potion Design

4. Adjustable heart ring by Loopy Bird's Boutique

5. Owl brooch by The Muu Bear

6. Knitted scarf by donnaAda

I was greatly saddened this morning to hear the sound of chainsaws outside my home. At first I'd thought it was just some pruning of the trees by the road, but looking out my windows, I saw that it was in fact the beginnings of the complete destruction of the last parcels of forest that once carpeted this entire estate.

These trees have been here since I was a child; they used to grow so thickly together that you could barely make out what was beyond the first few rows. The whole place would be alive with the sounds of birds and frogs and crickets and numerous other animals scurrying secretly within the foliage. Everywhere it was a deep, deep green, and the air would be so cool and smell so clean.

And now, the incalculable greed of developers and investors has bulldozed its cruel way in. I had in fact written to a certain minister with regard to this, not once, but thrice; almost needless to say, I did not even receive a token letter of acknowledgment.

For those of you who are so blessed to live surrounded by nature in all its life and splendour and beauty -- relish and delight yourselves in it, be daily thankful for it, do all you can to preserve it.

I'd taken these photos when it first became obvious that even this last patch of forest had been condemned. I felt we simply had to have some record of what it looked like. I didn't want my kids to forget.

This picture kinda captures what it's all about.

When I was a child, there used to be a tiny village in the midst of all this jungle; the people had little thatch-roofed homes, and raised their own chickens. I used, in fact, to play with a boy who lived there, a little ragamuffin who never spoke. They all disappeared when the land was taken for the construction of block after block of apartments.

Ro is still too young to fully grasp that what we'd just walked through would all be gone. As it turned out, it was in fact our last walk through there; the very next day, they started boarding it up.

Goodbye.

pastel

1. Handpainted tee by We Are Hairy People

2. Fabric and suede bracelet by Red Rhino Productions

3. Big twisted headband by Leah Goren

4. Beaded flower earrings by Vintage Rose Shop

5. Spiral clay tile necklace by Celebrated Lady

6. Vintage button bobby pins by Bee Vintage Redux

7. Keishi pearl beach necklace by hART Jewelry

8. Mint bracelet by Jewellery By Jora

grown-up Tabby

The Tabby satchel in a grown-up size! This particular satchel was made for a sweet young lady in Illinois.

It's sized a good 11x10", and holds a great many things, including a fat copy of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. There's an inner pocket as well for easy access to keys and pens and cellphone and such. This particular satchel had an adorable teapot pocket. You can get your own customisable satchel here :)

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The Ghosts and Ghoulies Come Out, by Odd E Designs, a line of delightful clothing and toys for children. The entire list is here.

1. Monster Mash cake topper and banner by Sugar and Spark

2. Owl shirt by Westmama

3. Sailor Ghost softie doll by Bikbik & Roro :)

4. Felt pirate hat and eye patch by Two Little Bluebirds

5. Frankenstein toddler hi-tops by Boy Girl Boy Girl Design

6. Bat applique shirt by Sweet Threads Clothing

Excursion

And -- more stop motion experimentation! This was 255 frames for about four minutes of film -- very effortful lol. I've certainly learned a few things from this experience. For one thing, a tripod is definitely handy; I used one for the first time ever to do this (yeah, I did Inky with one hand haha).

I also realised quickly enough that a tiny digital camera which cleverly switches itself off every few seconds is not helpful. Plus if, like me, you're using a computer that's at least 10 years old -- save, save, save; at every turn, and at every moment. Trust me, you do not want to have worked on a hundred frames and then have to start all over again. I guess people who do this seriously for a living have to have fairly sophisticated equipment -- plus a team of assistants.

In any case, B wanted me to do a movie with her Sylvanians, and I decided to make it educational for her; and, well, it's about time those Sylvanians do some work around here!

Blessed weekend everyone :)

heliotrope

1. Amethyst Forgotten earrings by Lilluxe

2. Bracelet with glass and book page beads by Made in the Attic

3. Vintage 20s garden dress from Bread & Butter Vintage

4. Picasso jasper necklace by One Last Thing

5. Cameo ring by Alex De Haro

6. Hydrangea painted shoes by Nora Karen

7. Amethyst and cubic zirconia earrings by Orion Designs

8. Foldover clutch by Rouge & Whimsy

Inky

More movie experimentation! This was 38 frames for just 24 seconds of film -- effortful! I've read that it takes an average 1,440 frames to make one minute of film -- you just have to marvel at the people who do entire movies.

But here is Inky, the star of the show! Inky is a sweet little fellow made entirely of black yarn. He loves reading, and listening to dinner conversations, and well, obviously he loves lounging about on things as well. Inky would make a charming companion, as well as an adorable addition to a nursery or bookshelf. He's perfect for Halloween too!

Inky is in the shop now, though I must admit to feeling greatly tempted to keep him. Perhaps for more exciting films haha!

See you soon!

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Golden Child, by L.W. Hooks, maker of adorable custom crochet goodies. The entire list is here.

1. Super Hero mask by World Of Whimm

2. Wool felt baby booties by Hilary Frazier

3. Daisy paisley bucket hat by BumbleFuzz

4. Hand dyed burp cloth by Sew Brookstone

5. Leo lion softie pin by Bikbik & Roro :)

6. Ballerina Belle costume by Fairy Godmother For Hire

Waddle*

Ooh, I don't know which I'm more excited about -- this awesome book Ro borrowed from the library, or the fact that I just learnt to make a tiny mini-movie! With sound!

Anyone who knows me knows what a technophobe I am, so humble and unsophisticated as this little filmlet may be, it's a gigantically huge achievement for me haha.. I'd actually just filmed the book, but then I couldn't help feeling it would be much, much nicer with music. And it was, which just confirms how very important a movie's score is!

As for the book, it's Waddle, by Rufus Butler Seder. It uses Scanimation, a six-phase animation process, which was created by Seder. Going through the book, you feel a curious "antiquated" sensation, as if you were viewing the images through a Victorian kinetoscope. Seder has several titles in this series; check one out at your local library today!

Have a dreamy, creative weekend everyone :)

* Wonderfully, despite the fact that hordes of other people use and upload the same piece of music on Youtube with no problem, my video had to be the one that gets blocked in certain countries. I'd originally used a recording of me playing Comptine D'un Autre Ete, but have now replaced it with Carly Comando, a distinctly better musician haha.. Thanks to everyone who let me know they couldn't play the original video :)

say :D

Ro was asked to be in this advertising campaign for a major pharmaceutical chain here, and I let her, for the experience. I didn't realise till now how large this chain actually is; it is apparently the largest here, with at least 140 outlets scattered across the island. So it has certainly been interesting to see Ro's face almost everywhere we go -- in malls and magazines and newspapers, on the trains, and even the bus.

The pretend mom was in her early 20s, about half my age haha.. However, we did all agree that the pretend grandma does look rather like my mother-in-law lol. They have these things literally everywhere in the pharmacies; even gigantic ones hanging from the ceiling. The first time Ro went in and saw them, she squealed, "There are so many mes!!"

Look! Only $8.90!

One prerequisite I have about the kids doing these things is -- no make-up! I hate seeing children looking all mature and done up, and worse, striking sultry, alluring poses (no child beauty pageants please!). The other thing is -- school has to come first. B isn't doing so much of these things now that she's in grade school. Ro is still in nursery, so I'm ok with it once in awhile (needless to say, she has become a sort of mini-celebrity at her kindergarten haha..). Well, I'm glad she and her sister have had these experiences; I should like them to be a lot more self-assured than their mother ever was!

baby

1. We Are the World framed print by Enrouge

2. Knit baby hat by Baruch's Lullaby

3. Custom cloth Waldorf doll by The Busl Barn

4. Woodland Baby dress by Chasing Mini

5. Long john diaper cover by Mabel

6. Organic baby bib by Down Home Amy

7. Knitted baby skirt and sweater by Tenderblue

8. Vintage night light by Madilyns

Real Cats

It's the Bikbik & Roro kitties looking like Real Cats! OK, well, until I can think of a better name for these fellows, that's what they're going to be. While I was making 25 of them as party favours, B came along and said, "Oh, it's Tabby Cat, but looking real". And so I decided to call them Real Cats. Anyway, I think they're sweet no matter what they're called, don't you?

I decided to put a couple in the shop, including an all-black one in honour of Halloween! The pins are original illustrations on heavyweight paper, mounted on illustration board, and protected by several layers of varnish. Every Real Cat pin is hand-drawn and hand-cut, making each one a unique work of art. They're adorable and retro and rustic all at the same time. Wear one, or several together to create your own special clowder!

daycare

1. Nursery art prints by Just Bunch

2. "Baby Turquoise / Teal Elephant" clock by LeLuni

3. Custom handmade fabric doll by FulBelSic

4. Contemporary baby quilt by B. Perrino

5. Vintage child's wooden guitar from Mellow Mermaid

6. Crayon rings by Oh My Lucky Star

7. Teepee play tent by Love Lime Kids

8. Shark pencil case by Minne Bites

on the cost of looking good

Lanvin evening satin broiderier paillettes clutch; yours for only $2,350.

Our local paper has this supplement thing they put out weekly which just, well, just bugs me. They call it "Urban; A guide to looking good", and the name alone seems to capture all the shallow, frivolous ostentatiousness of a modern, moneyed lifestyle, caught up in luxuries and externals.

Don't get me wrong -- I am daily thankful for all the urban comforts we enjoy, but at the same time, I can't help feeling that there's this intangible point, where basic comfort and well-being gets enmeshed with excessive vanity, pretentiousness and extravagance.

Most of us use some sort of moisturiser, for example, but how many of us use Peter Thomas Roth's $120 Laser -Free Resurfacer, or better yet, Dr Brandt's $190 Crease Release with Gaba & 3D Lift (Gaba? 3D Lift?). And oh! I see here there's something called Sampar Glamour Shot Eyes for $447 -- now, that has got to work.

These wondrous items were among a bunch featured in a write-up on "skincare potions which promise to turn back time instantly". Testers had even been roped in to try the things and give their verdicts (I was intrigued to read that while Sampar Glamour Shot Eyes "impressed" one lady, "the fine lines reappeared once I stopped using the product". Well, never mind! The readers who were seduced by this profound article can just shell out another $447. And another...). I have to say at this point that I think my $13 L'Oreal moisturiser works pretty good.

Then there's this thing they have called "Beauty Secrets". I think magazines like Vogue and such have similar features, where they ask some possibly famous, but clearly affluent, person what they use to look so amazingly good.

Invariably, I find these are people with money to burn; therein lies their real "beauty secret" I think, not the fact that they use $260 Hermes perfume or that, in answer to the question "What's the most ridiculous thing you have ever done in the name of beauty", they "flew to Paris for a weekend because my friend told me about a very good hairdresser based there... I spent about $1,000 in total on the air tickets and haircut" (she did add, "I never went back; it was too expensive to fly to Paris on a regular basis just to cut my hair". Yeah, y'think? Well, doing it once is ok, I guess).

Then there's "Style Watch". Have you seen Fashion Police? It's this show where Joan Rivers and a bunch of other hosts give their largely negative, scathing opinions on celebrity fashion. Well, "Style Watch" is like a tiny printed version of that. Except the people doing the critiquing are even less qualified than Joan Rivers to judge, if that's possible. The feature shows some celebrity in two different outfits, and the writer -- who will probably never have to deal with even an iota of that continual pressure to look perfect in the public spotlight, and who will likely never say such things to the person if they were ever to meet -- goes into this detailed analysis of what they're doing right or wrong.

I don't know; all this stuff just bugs me. I recall they even had this segment where they'd take pictures of people at parties (for some reason it's not in this latest issue) -- young people at the height of their looks -- and ask them what they were wearing, and how much it cost. Each mini-interview would end with the question, "Do you think you're good-looking?", and ask them to rate their looks on a scale of 10. And there'd always be people happily posing and answering this stuff. Like, ??!

You might have read my post on beauty here. In it, I quoted Thoreau: "The perception of beauty is a moral test". All this judgment and criticism; this perpetuation of shallow, mistaken notions; superficial, illusory standards requiring wealth that a large percentage of the world's population can ill afford; why do we support these things?

I'm not referring solely to that silly supplement now -- for that is thrust upon us whether we like it or no -- but to other "fashionable" publications that many otherwise decent people purchase with monthly zeal and regularity. A $1,200 Sacai cardigan? Valentino boots for $1,500? A Celine clutch for $2,450? Articles on diets, plastic surgery, starting anti-aging regimens younger... ad upon ad of all the potions you need to save your decaying self, at $100, 200 a pop.

If you actually had $2,000 to spare, could you really purchase that Celine purse with a clear conscience? Don't get me wrong; I'm all for enjoying beautiful clothing and accessories, and treating oneself every now and then, but $2,000? If you actually could fly to Paris for a haircut, would you? When there are causes like this in the world?

As the apostle Peter wrote: "Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes;

"But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God" (1 Pet 3:3-4).

"Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," it says in Luke 12. What's the most expensive thing you've ever put on your face or body? For me, it might be my $80 Levi's jeans (I've since found $30 ones from Old Navy which I love). Or my old $150 boots. What about you?

"The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

more Tabby

Custom Tabby satchel for a sweet little girl in Pennsylvania. I shall be working on a Tabby with grey markings next; I'm excited to see how he turns out! I've also put up a listing for custom Tabbies here :)

treasury clipping

Bump in the Night, by brilliant artist Shelly Renea of Bird Brain Studio. The entire list is here.

1. Sailor Ghost softie doll by Bikbik & Roro :)

2. I'll be a ghost one day too print by Restless Things

3. Guardian Ghost original painting by Deanna Molinaro

4. Ghost cozy cup sleeve by The Cozy Project

5. Woodland ghosts earrings by T.L.Campos Designs

6. Ghost Friends necklace by Marymary Handmade

boo!

Behemoth is back in the shop, just in time for Halloween! Behemoth is really a happy fellow who loves lounging about on things and saying "Raaagh". A perfect companion with whom to watch scary movies and share Marmite toast :)

the opulent goth

1. Wool gown with honeycomb detail by Unsung Productions

2. Black spinel oak leaf ring by Lara Lewis

3. Stackable twig bangles by ZBlack

4. Cuff bracelet by Where The Moon Goes

5. Gothic black crystal drop earrings by Deconize

6. Black velvet and gold clutch by Belle Jou Jou

7. Beaded sequin statement necklace by Vintage Existence

8. Feather black pumps by A La Femme

The BLOG 5 Awards

Could this lady possibly get any sweeter? Cynthia of Antiquity Travelers has actually created five new blog awards which she -- and her six co-hosts, of whom I'm one -- will be giving out  through a blog hop linky! Each of us -- Kashmira, Gloria, Alicia, Christine, Therese, Cynthia and myself -- will be giving the awards on our own blogs; we've chosen bloggers whom we believe best represent one of the five categories. When a blogger is given one of the awards, we are inviting them to join the hop and continue building a linky group of awarded bloggers.

Well, in considering all the blogs I read -- and trust me, this was not easy; everyone is so creative and talented! -- I realised that I tend to read blogs that fall into three of the five categories: Artistic, Style and Journalistic. So, I shall be giving awards in these three areas.

First up, ARTISTIC:

1022 Sea Shell Ave.  Have you seen this lady's work?? Exquisite seashell art and jewelry, and other sea-inspired goodies for the home; Kim's blog is a treasure-chest of nautical creativity.

Chelsea Art Designs  Chelsea is an artist, designer and crafter, and I love seeing her spirited, vibrant work on her blog. Chelsea says she uses every possible chance she gets to be creative, and you can see that in her paintings and art journalling.

Piaroms Art  This beautiful blog showcases Conny's vivid, expressive work; her fluid lines and kaleidoscopic symbolism remind me of Klimt and Khnopff, plus I get to practice my German!

Next, STYLE:

Always Crave Cute  How can you resist a title like that? Diane's blog has the sweet, gentle beauty of a bygone time; her photographs and vintage treasures -- which are also available in her lovely Etsy shop -- make for a delightful, nostalgic read.

Georgia Girl With An English Heart  This blog is the sort that makes you think of sipping iced tea on the porch and just gazing out over the lake. Kay's breathtaking pictures and thoughtful, evocative writing make this blog one of my daily reads.

Life On Churchill  Julia has a background in product design, and you can see her aesthetic sensibility in her gorgeous blog. She has an eye for both vintage and modern home design, and her two adorable kids just add to the blog's coolness.

Last, but certainly not least, JOURNALISTIC:

Blue Ridge Blue Collar Girl  There is such a poetic beauty in Beth's eloquent, impassioned writing. Beth lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, so you can expect exquisite photographs as well.

Jacob's Limp  Bold, inspired, honest and erudite -- Pastor Ronnie's blog is a must-read by anyone, Christian or not, who's aiming to live higher and deeper.

Plowing Through Life  Martha's blog is another one of my daily must-reads; humourous and thoughtful, profound and joyful, Martha shares her beautiful, heartfelt way of living life one day at a time.

Now, here are THE BLOG HOP RULES (I must admit to being completely new to blog hops, so I shall have to rely on Cynthia's words here): There are no rules, but we do have some suggestions. These awards were designed to point out some of the great blogs out there. And you can choose to pass on your award to as few, or as many as you like. So if you've been tapped on the shoulder and given one of these awards, we would love to see you display it proudly on your blog. Join the blog hop and show off that lovely blog of yours. We would, of course, love to hear why you like to blog, and why you chose a fellow blogger for an award. So let's get hopping!

Sylvanian Chronicles

In giving Rebecca her first blog award the other day, I was reminded of a recent post she'd written that had tickled me when I first read it, and which I just thought I'd share with you now :) As you may know, B is a Sylvanian Families collector (she just recently turned 8, if you were wondering). Do pop by her blog if you've a moment; I know she'd welcome new readers and followers ;)

Actually, reading it again now, I'm thinking I might occasionally include her "Sylvanian Chronicles" here haha; after all, I'm sure you're dying to know what happens next! There's nothing quite like a child's imagination to put a little smile on one's face -- have a lovely, blissful weekend everyone!

Today Mrs Seadog is taking the patio class. She is giving Lucy Polar Bear, Harland Sheepdog, Hester Honeyfox and Felix Renard extra tuition in fractions (Harland has gone over to Mrs Beagle's class just to listen to Ellis Elephant's presentation on yogurt. He still can't believe it is made with bacteria). Mrs Seadog says that the word "fractions" comes from the Latin word "fractus", which means "broken". The kids were confused about all the different types of fractions and Mrs Seadog is trying to explain. She always uses the example of a pizza.

Here you can see the kids! Hester Honeyfox is starting to think she understands what a denominator is. Felix Renard is thinking that since he broke his arm last month, it is still only a fraction of how strong it used to be. Lucy Polar Bear is raising her paw to ask Mrs Seadog to use cakes to explain what mixed fractions are. Harland Sheepdog is thinking she should use real cakes.

Here are Jemima Kangaroo and Iris Smoky Cat having their late morning snack. They had had chess practice early in the morning and hadn't had time for breakfast (and you know breakfast is the most important meal of the day!). Iris is saying, "It's true, 'gnu' is pronounced 'noo'!" and Jemima is saying, "Really! I wonder what they have the 'g' there for then". 

Tune in next time for the next part of my Sylvanian story!

lookie-look

 

O wow, more wonderful awesomeness. The super lovely and talented Cynthia of Antiquity Travelers gave me these awards, and did some amazing features not only on me, but six other brilliant artists as well -- thank you so much Cynthia; I'm so honoured to be included! Cynthia's blog is a wellspring of creativity and inspiration, and this is just a tiny sampling from her lush shop on Etsy -- feast your eyes!
 

Clockwise from top left: 

Turquoise Boho earrings 

Black Knights earrings 

Silk & Pearls necklace 

Russian Spiral bead bracelet

treasury clipping

Bright Morning, by Ugly Duckling Gal Angel, designer of gorgeous retro-chic swimwear and lingerie. The entire list is here.

1. Floral crown headband by k is for kani 

2. Mustache lollipops by The Frosted Petticoat 

3. Leather earrings by Boo and Boo Factory 

4. Watercolour fashion illustration print by Silver Ridge Studio 

5. Before the Party print by Alice B Gardens 

6. Hep Cat pin by Bikbik & Roro :)

Liebster Award

About a month ago, Evi at Sexta-feira was so kind as to give me a Liebster Award -- thank you so much Evi! Evi is Greek, and teaches English as a foreign language in Greece; her beautiful blog is full of breathtaking photographs of her travels.

Well, part of receiving this award involves sharing 11 things about yourself, and answering 11 questions posed by the giver, so I knew I had to make time to do this properly!

So OK, here goes -- 11 things about myself:

1. I love to dance.

2. My first dog was a massive black Lab/German Shepherd cross -- we grew up together and I still miss him deeply.

3. I brought a book with me when I went into labour for the first time, thinking I might get bored waiting. Boy, was I mistaken.

4. I love pasta.

5. All the dolls in our house have their own distinct personality and I frequently voice them for the kids.

6. I am greatly fascinated by shipwrecks.

7. I enjoy watching Titanic repeatedly, but only after they hit the iceberg.

8. Some of my favourite flowers are lupines, peonies and heliotropes.

9. I enjoy watching Gladiator repeatedly, but only to the point when Maximus growls, "I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next". Whoooa.

10. I actually find Andy Stanley kinda cute.

11. My favourite ice-cream flavour is banana.

And now, my answers to Evi's questions:

1. Which is the most boring book you've ever read?

Twilight. I read it just to find out if the hype was really deserved.

2. Which movie made you cry your eyes out?

Charlotte's Web.

3. Do you like "Friends" and if you do, which character do you identify with?

I do not like "Friends" at all.

4. What do you find more relaxing, going camping or staying at a 5-star hotel?

Camping if it's fall; a 5-star hotel if it's London.

5. What's the ideal way to spend a work-free day?

Hanging out with my kids, doing whatever they want.

6. Coffee or tea?

Tea please!

7. What's the best present you've ever received?

My kids.

8. Have you ever been given a really bad haircut and how did you react?

O yes. My mother did it. I cried. Hard. I think it scarred me for life.

9. What color is your car?

Champagne. Well, it's sort of an old-man-frosty-beige.

10. When's your birthday?

I'm already middle-aged; I can't remember.

11. Do you use a camera or your cell-phone to take pictures?

Both.

And now, the Liebster Award goes to...

1. A Beader's Blog

2. Antiquity Travelers

3. Art by Keri Keene

4. Bichinhos na Cabeça

5. Introverted Art

6. Moonflygirl

7. Multilocus

8. My Amazing Days

9. Natasha May Art World

10. Rag and Stone

11. The Bub in the Belly

And my 11 questions are:

1. What do you spend the most money on?

2. What is your least favourite food?

3. Where would you like to live?

4. The last time you said "I love you" was... ?

5. Do you believe in reincarnation, and if so, what do you think you'd come back as?

6. The last thing you do at night is... ?

7. What is one of your greatest achievements?

8. Who was your first celebrity crush?

9. What are you reading now, and is it any good?

10. You think insects are... ?

11. What's your idea of a perfect breakfast?

I hope you have fun with this, but as I always say, don't worry if you haven't the time or inclination; I'm just acknowledging your coolness! Drop me a line if you need copies of anything in this post. Have a super lovely day :)