Ruffles and Lace

What girl’s heart doesn’t beat a little faster at the sight of piles of ruffles and spools of silky ribbons? And lace? Oh my… I’ve always thought it would be amazing to learn to make handmade lace, just to know. People often call skills like this a “lost art”, but thanks to the resurgence of crafting and the support of crafters, wonderful old-fashion traditions are made new again. As most of you know I am a big Etsy enthusiast and I always love to see how people find new ways to appreciate the old. I tend to (sadly) dress a little more conservatively than I would like, but any of these would be a lovely way to add a little artistic elegance. What “lost art”  skill would you like to add to your talents?

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{All images link back to the little shops they came from}

Dragon’s Blood

Today’s Discovery: The Dragon’s Blood Tree

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What a fascinating tree! Something like a cross between a banyan tree and a mushroom.

The deep red resin of the tree is believed to have exceptional healing properties and was often used in medieval magic and alchemy. (After all the actual dragons were gone of course!)

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{photo sources and information are hyperlinked to images}

Breaking Free of the Cage

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It’s much easier said than done… What would you completely change about your life given an extra dose of courage?

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Happy Halloween everyone. I hope you have a delightfully creepy one. We have plans for dinner out followed by a small Alfred Hitchcock film festival. (Netflix loaded and ready) What are your plans?

Here are some haunting images from an illustration of Henry James’ Turn of the Screw. This was a short story that truly got under my skin and left me unsettled. Have you read it? I always wanted to discuss it in a book club….

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{images via this magical artist}

Spiced Tea Red

A little inspiration…

Mme. Florence

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Toast

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One of my Favorite Movies of All Time!

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And your comments!

Well, you talked me into it! And guess what? I LOVE it! Why did it take me so long to do this? I don’t know if I will ever go back…

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Never underestimate the wonders a new hair color can do. I feel like a new person! Red feels so perfect for me right now. It’s kind of funny because only two people at work noticed. Them and a very insane crazy man at my coffee shop. I walked in and he declared loudly, “Here’s an Irish girl!” I laughed and misguidedly responded. After confirming my Irish heritage he launched into a long story about his own and how he was directly related to or best friends with every famous Irish person you could possibly think of. (Most notably Michael Collins) Then he asked, “You’ve heard of the IRA War right? -Well I’m the one that ended it. But I’m sure you know that. I was in the papers…”

After launching into some pretty gory anecdotes he started genuinely making people nervous and was asked to leave.

See the adventure that red hair can bring?

A Toast to Change

Two rather silly things that have been occupying my mind lately: Plaid and dying my hair red. These images from Toast are particularly persuasive…

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Houses of Sticks

If you loved all the twiggy wonder of the architecture in Where the Wild Things Are you will especially love these fascinating installations created by Patrick Dougherty.

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{all photos via Patrick Dougherty}