It's amazing to see how many tools we have stopped using over the years. Some have been rightly abandoned as dangerous or inefficient, while others would still be handy to have today. To see a collection of some interesting tools that have mostly been forgotten, check out my etsy treasury here.
September 22, 2012
September 21, 2012
What I Want for Fall: Shoes
Keep in mind that I am not actually saying I can buy these things. This is more of a list of what I would buy if I had money.
Shoes
I have been dying for these shoes for months. They make me hungry, literally. I have this silly idea that they would taste like cherries. And, despite the incredibly high heel, I actually think they would be (for high heels) comfortable.
Red Skyscrapers
In my opinion, oxfords are a must-have (that I don't have, of course)! I want these in both brown and black.
Banx by Steve Madden
How could I not want these flats, which are in my favourite colour?
The Sidewalk Skimmer in Suede--More Colours Available
I have had to give up ballet due to arthritis (it started when I was in 2nd grade!) but I still practice my barre exercises and now The Precious does too! I will always dream of being a professional ballet dancer. These shoes would help me look a bit more the part, and would be much easier to walk around in than my pointe shoes (seriously, have you ever tried walking in pointe shoes without walking en pointe? It's dreadful!).
Precious Ballerinas
Of course, fall and winter are the time for boots (hurray!)
These would make me feel like some sort of action hero. I can see River Song wearing them--always a good thing!
Journee Collection Women Buckle High Heel Boots
A pair of these in each colour and I would be set.
Gretell
Time to do some walking.
I have been dying for these shoes for months. They make me hungry, literally. I have this silly idea that they would taste like cherries. And, despite the incredibly high heel, I actually think they would be (for high heels) comfortable.
Red Skyscrapers
In my opinion, oxfords are a must-have (that I don't have, of course)! I want these in both brown and black.
Banx by Steve Madden
How could I not want these flats, which are in my favourite colour?
I have had to give up ballet due to arthritis (it started when I was in 2nd grade!) but I still practice my barre exercises and now The Precious does too! I will always dream of being a professional ballet dancer. These shoes would help me look a bit more the part, and would be much easier to walk around in than my pointe shoes (seriously, have you ever tried walking in pointe shoes without walking en pointe? It's dreadful!).
Of course, fall and winter are the time for boots (hurray!)
These would make me feel like some sort of action hero. I can see River Song wearing them--always a good thing!
A pair of these in each colour and I would be set.
Time to do some walking.
Now Available!
I am trying to sell everything that isn't nailed down. Well, not quite, but you get the idea. If it doesn't have lots of sentimental value, it's probably an Etsy or Ebay candidate. With that in mind, here are the new items available in my Etsy shop!
Miniature Wooden Spinning Wheel
The wheel actually spins when you press the treadle!
Shabby Chic Vintage 70s Sewing Kit
Rare Green on Green Edwardian Thomas "Sevres" Bavaria Hand Painted Dessert Plate
I plan to keep adding things all week (and the next and so on), so keep checking my Etsy shop, Aurelas.
UPDATE: Spinning wheel is sold!
The wheel actually spins when you press the treadle!
I plan to keep adding things all week (and the next and so on), so keep checking my Etsy shop, Aurelas.
UPDATE: Spinning wheel is sold!
September 19, 2012
J.K. Rowling Gets Mysterious
Like most of the world, I was left wondering what I would read when Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was exhausted. Of course, life has gone on and I have found plenty of great books since then. The publication of Tales of Beedle the Bard helped too. And yet, a part of me has been longing for another work by J.K. Rowling, especially since she had said in an interview that she had thoughts of writing an adult mystery novel. Mysteries used to make up the bulk of my reading material, so this was welcome news. Years passed, however, and nothing but Pottermore was announced.
Until recently, that is. I was so surprised to see a sign at Wal Mart advertising a new work, The Casual Vacancy, by Rowling to be released September 27th. Not only is it the long-awaited novel for adults, but it is a mystery as well! Being broke, I am going to have to wait a while to get my hands on this book (darn those $35 hardcovers!) but it will be fun to have something new by such a good author to look forward to.
For more information about the plot, here is a link to the book's page on Fantastic Fiction.
The Casual Vacancy
Yes, you can preorder on Amazon, but your local independent bookseller will probably be able to preorder it for you too. Please check with it first! Let's keep the big chains from taking over our country and forcing small business owners out of work.
For more reasons to support your local independent bookstore, click here.
Until recently, that is. I was so surprised to see a sign at Wal Mart advertising a new work, The Casual Vacancy, by Rowling to be released September 27th. Not only is it the long-awaited novel for adults, but it is a mystery as well! Being broke, I am going to have to wait a while to get my hands on this book (darn those $35 hardcovers!) but it will be fun to have something new by such a good author to look forward to.
For more information about the plot, here is a link to the book's page on Fantastic Fiction.
The Casual Vacancy
Yes, you can preorder on Amazon, but your local independent bookseller will probably be able to preorder it for you too. Please check with it first! Let's keep the big chains from taking over our country and forcing small business owners out of work.
For more reasons to support your local independent bookstore, click here.
Don't Worry...Be Silly!
I found this today and just had to add it because it sums up a part of me that a lot of people don't seem to know exists. Also, it's fun :D
I know that ever since I had The Precious, I have found myself being sillier and sillier to make her laugh, and it is SO much fun! So practice your silly walk today, surprise someone with a stuck-out tongue, or (my personal favourite)go play at a playground and watch the shocked faces of the kids and parents!
I know that ever since I had The Precious, I have found myself being sillier and sillier to make her laugh, and it is SO much fun! So practice your silly walk today, surprise someone with a stuck-out tongue, or (my personal favourite)go play at a playground and watch the shocked faces of the kids and parents!
September 18, 2012
What I Want for Fall: Tops
Okay, let's start this out with an admission. I am completely broke. I can't buy anything new for fall. But that doesn't mean I don't want anything! Since money is no object when making a wishlist, I am including some pretty pricey items. And because I want so many things, I have decided to break this into categories.
Tops
Everyone needs a blouse or two with long sleeves for fall!
Someone finally made a blouse in my favorite colour, and in a great style too!
Maryna Side Placket Silk Blouse
Red plaid is on my must-buy list, so I would have to get this blouse from Marc Jacobs' amazing fall collection. I wish they'd sell the hats too!
Diamond Silk Jacquard Tie Neck Blouse
For those warmer days, a short-sleeved blouse is needed; this is my pick.
Sessun Gloria Tie Front Blouse
I like to have something fancy to wear, just in case.
Lace Wrap Top
Greta Peasant Blouse
More than anything else, though, I have been wanting corsets that I can wear as tops. I haven't got around to making any yet, but have found several that I like on etsy.
Made to Order Tweed Corset
Map Print Corset
Red Ink Corset
And then there's this amazing waist cincher to wear over my blouses and skirts.
Darkwear Brown Floral Embossed Vinyl Waist Cincher w Pockets made to order
Let's be realistic though. I am a stay-at-home mom with a baby, so most of the time I end up wearing tee shirts. Nerd that I am, naturally I want these, featuring lines from Neil Gaiman's poem, "The Day the Saucers Came."
The Day the Saucers Came 4 Pack
I think that would get me through fall, don't you?
Notice that I'm not including sweaters. That's because they're getting their own post!
Tops
Everyone needs a blouse or two with long sleeves for fall!
Someone finally made a blouse in my favorite colour, and in a great style too!
Red plaid is on my must-buy list, so I would have to get this blouse from Marc Jacobs' amazing fall collection. I wish they'd sell the hats too!
For those warmer days, a short-sleeved blouse is needed; this is my pick.
I like to have something fancy to wear, just in case.
More than anything else, though, I have been wanting corsets that I can wear as tops. I haven't got around to making any yet, but have found several that I like on etsy.
And then there's this amazing waist cincher to wear over my blouses and skirts.
Let's be realistic though. I am a stay-at-home mom with a baby, so most of the time I end up wearing tee shirts. Nerd that I am, naturally I want these, featuring lines from Neil Gaiman's poem, "The Day the Saucers Came."
I think that would get me through fall, don't you?
Notice that I'm not including sweaters. That's because they're getting their own post!
Dinosaurs on a Spaceship
When I was a little girl, I was fascinated with dinosaurs. I read and memorized every book I could find on the subject (even the ones in the adult section) and drove everyone crazy with the estimated lengths and weights of brachiosaurs and pacycephalosaurs. When I was in first grade and competed in my first and only beauty pageant, they asked us what our greatest wish would be and why. The girl who won said that she wished she had a pony so she could share it with her friends. My wish was that dinosaurs would be alive again; my reason was "I like dinosaurs." Obviously, I didn't make it even to the top 10!
Loving dinosaurs was and is considered a "boy thing," for reasons I still cannot understand. Librarians would try to direct me to stories about princesses instead. I hate sexism!
But I digress.
Anyway, the other big obsession I had as a kid was Ancient Egypt. As I have said before, this is still one of my big hobbyhorses. But of course, when I was a kid, it was all new to me. It is funny really that I was so interested in mummification, because I have never been good at handling anything remotely gory. In fact, one reason I didn't like those princess stories the librarians wanted me to read was that they seemed to often mention beheadings. Just reading the word "behead" was enough to make me throw up. I kid you not. And yet, I could read about the details of the mummification process and feel just fine. (In case you're curious, I read fairytales often now and can handle the idea of beheadings, but am still afraid of gore in movies despite being able to watch surgeries while eating. I'm strange). Anyway, as you can see, I was kind of an odd kid.
That odd kid (who is still a part of me) got a huge thrill a few weeks ago when Doctor Who featured an episode called Dinosaurs on a Spaceship.
Watch the official Dinosaurs on a Spaceship trailer
I mean to say, Queen Nefertiti, plus dinosaurs, plus the Doctor! Were they writing this just for my inner little girl? It certainly seemed that way. With glee I watched as the Doctor (full of equal glee) rode a triceratops and Nefertiti fought off small tyrannosaurs. I particularly enjoyed the way the Doctor was allowed again to show his Crocodile Hunter side, rejoicing in the beauty of a creature most find frightening or repulsive. Over and over throughout the episode I found myself exclaiming, "I just love him!" or "Gosh, if I didn't have you, Doldin, I would SO marry that man!" Luckily of course the Doctor isn't real, so my husband has nothing to worry about.
Doctor Who Recap Dinosaurs on a Spaceship
The euphoria this exhibition of boyish enthusiasm induced was slightly dampened by the reality check we received at the end as
SPOILERS
the triceratops was murdered and the Doctor chose justice rather than his usual mercy
END SPOILERS
but kept returning each time I remembered that crazy triceratops ride and the fact that the Doctor still makes a Christmas list.
In conclusion, thank you, BBC, from the bottom of my inner child's heart!
But I digress.
Anyway, the other big obsession I had as a kid was Ancient Egypt. As I have said before, this is still one of my big hobbyhorses. But of course, when I was a kid, it was all new to me. It is funny really that I was so interested in mummification, because I have never been good at handling anything remotely gory. In fact, one reason I didn't like those princess stories the librarians wanted me to read was that they seemed to often mention beheadings. Just reading the word "behead" was enough to make me throw up. I kid you not. And yet, I could read about the details of the mummification process and feel just fine. (In case you're curious, I read fairytales often now and can handle the idea of beheadings, but am still afraid of gore in movies despite being able to watch surgeries while eating. I'm strange). Anyway, as you can see, I was kind of an odd kid.
That odd kid (who is still a part of me) got a huge thrill a few weeks ago when Doctor Who featured an episode called Dinosaurs on a Spaceship.
Watch the official Dinosaurs on a Spaceship trailer
I mean to say, Queen Nefertiti, plus dinosaurs, plus the Doctor! Were they writing this just for my inner little girl? It certainly seemed that way. With glee I watched as the Doctor (full of equal glee) rode a triceratops and Nefertiti fought off small tyrannosaurs. I particularly enjoyed the way the Doctor was allowed again to show his Crocodile Hunter side, rejoicing in the beauty of a creature most find frightening or repulsive. Over and over throughout the episode I found myself exclaiming, "I just love him!" or "Gosh, if I didn't have you, Doldin, I would SO marry that man!" Luckily of course the Doctor isn't real, so my husband has nothing to worry about.
The euphoria this exhibition of boyish enthusiasm induced was slightly dampened by the reality check we received at the end as
SPOILERS
the triceratops was murdered and the Doctor chose justice rather than his usual mercy
END SPOILERS
but kept returning each time I remembered that crazy triceratops ride and the fact that the Doctor still makes a Christmas list.
In conclusion, thank you, BBC, from the bottom of my inner child's heart!
Viva La Revolution! Vivienne’s Diary: 29 August
Vivienne’s Diary: 29 August
While I most certainly do not agree that nuclear power is the answer--I think it is a quick solution with horrific long-term consequences--much of this is commonsense and has been part of my way of life for years. The part about survival being determinable by the next Olympics is a bit odd and vague--no idea what is meant by that. But give it a read and see what you think. I think that growing some of our own food and making at least some of our own clothes and household items is also a part of the Revolution.
What are your takes?
While I most certainly do not agree that nuclear power is the answer--I think it is a quick solution with horrific long-term consequences--much of this is commonsense and has been part of my way of life for years. The part about survival being determinable by the next Olympics is a bit odd and vague--no idea what is meant by that. But give it a read and see what you think. I think that growing some of our own food and making at least some of our own clothes and household items is also a part of the Revolution.
What are your takes?
September 17, 2012
You Got the Way to Move Me, Cherry
I am a cherry fanatic. Not only do I love anything cherry flavoured (except cherry cough syrup!) but I go crazy over anything with cherries on it. I've had cherry dresses, cherry anklets, cherry necklaces...the list goes on and on. So I have to share this cute vintage cherry embroidery design I found at The Graphics Fairy
I think it would be amazing embroidered diagonally across the front of a blouse. What would you do with it?
I think it would be amazing embroidered diagonally across the front of a blouse. What would you do with it?
September 16, 2012
Nerdy Quote of the Week
I have seen roll in my hand the names of years whose history was totally forgotten; names of gods who have not had altars for fifteen centuries; and I have gathered, while scarcely breathing for fear of reducing them to powder, such little pieces of papyrus, the last and only memory of a king....
Jean-Francois Champollion
I read this in The Keys of Egypt and just had to use it this week!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)