New treasures

I came across a skrit I completely forgot I had in the very back of my closet today. Finding something like that again makes me get the same feeling I get when I've just purchased something new. Sadly, it doesn't happen every day.

The top is my new favourite leotard from American Apparel, with a low back.

Pies, fruitsalads and not feeling well.

Today I haven't been feeling very well with a sore throat, headache and a lack of energy. Not the best way to feel when you have millions of things to do. Well, not actually, but that's the way it feels since I have a lot of stressful things ahead of me. The following weeks I have two term papers to write, and by Friday I need to have chosen the topic for one of them. Let's say I am clueless. I am so behind on my reading and in order to choose a topic, I need to read more. Today I couldn't do any of it since I felt like that. Maybe I could have, but I still couldn't. Instead I watched DVDs and made myself good food.


Fruit salad, with nuts, strawberries, banana and apple.


A delicious vegetable pie with onions, tomatoes, zucchini, broccoli, paprika and topped with fresh basil.

A big old thanks...and a giveaway *****It's Over*****

I have noticed a slew of new visitors to my blog. I want to tell everyone who has mentioned my attempt at beautifying the world one hair style at a time to their friends and family a big ol' THANKS!

To show you how much I appreciate your loyalty and cyber-friendship, I am doing my first give-away.

Here is a preview. In addition to these bows, I will also have two other sets and some flowers as well. I will post pictures as I complete them. Don't look too close, I'm not a professional, I am just having fun making them.

The catch, you need to leave a comment on this blog post. I will randomly pull your comment number and this contest will end on Friday, May 2 at 3:30pm Mountain Standard Time.

Three very desired things.

At the moment there are three, or possibly four things that I really, really want, but that I don't know if I should actually go ahead and decide to buy... decisions, very hard decisions. However, not all of the things are equally as difficult to decide if I should get since they have different price ranges, but still...

Repettos. I adore them. I have a thing for ballerinas, and these must be the ultimate ballerinas. I tried on some repettos at a shop in Munich, and they felt heavenly. The leather was so soft around my feet, and they felt like a perfect fit. I especially like these two versions which resemble real ballerina poine shoes instead of the usual rounded tip. Most of the repettos I can find online do have a rounded tip, so I can find some with a pointe tip on ebay at one point or another.

The miu miu bag. Originally I want the miu miu bow satchel but it's practically impossible to get hold of these days as it's sold out everywhere. Then I came across this one on Asos, which I thought looked nice as well. I have to say that I am still very much in doubt whether to get it or not. For one, it's way above my budget, and therefore I don't know if it's really worth it. Then again, I think it's very beautiful, and it would be great to have a fantastic bag. Is it really that beautful in person? I would have to order it online and wouldn't be able to see it in person to examine it myself. And because it must be ordered online I'm sure that the taxes would be high due to the delivery since it's sent by carrier. Once I was charged 25% of the cost of an item to pay as tax, and if I would be charged that much on the bag, the cost would be enormous. Oh, I don't know what to do...

I love these two dresses, also from Asos, and I'm definitely getting one of them, but I'm unsure which one. Both are beautiful in different ways.

A comment from a reader..

Anyone who actually follows all of that advice, is a complete and total sheep. Not just a poser, but a conformist follower. It's so sad how some people say that being 'emo' is being unique and individual, when you are just reading a few 'how-tos' on the subject.

If you truly are being who you really are, and truly are being an individual, then nobody can give you a 'how-to'. Develop your own personal style and be yourself, not just one of the mindless followers of thousands of teenagers who all look and dress exactly alike.

On that subject, it actualy truly saddens me when I read a few of these comments saying 'heavier set guy, not fat, just bulky, i know this is a bad thing' or 'little puggy (not fat) how to I trem it down to small again? (with out turning it into muscle?)'

The foolish people who write these articles are just contributing to the body image crisis that is sweeping this world, making these peoples self esteem PLUMMET. The people who leave these comments are probably at an incredibly healthy and attractive weight, but people writing these how to be emo articles are telling them LIES about who they 'should' be.

If you are truly overweight like 300kg then I'd say lose some weight but it's not a bad thing to have a few curves!!

WHY are you telling them what to do and how to live their life, how much to weigh, how to look etc., and WHY are you listening to these people telling you to do these things? You are perfect the way you are- your true self is who you were meant to be and not what some 'how-to' tells you to do on the internet.

Don't put on the mask of labelling yourself, become truly unique and appreciative of who you really are on the inside. Nobody can tell you how to dress or how to look, only YOU can tell yourself that.

It really is sad, that people think they need to conform to some emo standard of style to give themselves any worth.

You need not be anyone other than yourself. Don't let people tell you how to live your life, only YOU can tell yourself that. I eagerly await the day that people finally start to wake up to who they really are inside.

A comment from a reader..

Anyone who actually follows all of that advice, is a complete and total sheep. Not just a poser, but a conformist follower. It's so sad how some people say that being 'emo' is being unique and individual, when you are just reading a few 'how-tos' on the subject.

If you truly are being who you really are, and truly are being an individual, then nobody can give you a 'how-to'. Develop your own personal style and be yourself, not just one of the mindless followers of thousands of teenagers who all look and dress exactly alike.

On that subject, it actualy truly saddens me when I read a few of these comments saying 'heavier set guy, not fat, just bulky, i know this is a bad thing' or 'little puggy (not fat) how to I trem it down to small again? (with out turning it into muscle?)'

The foolish people who write these articles are just contributing to the body image crisis that is sweeping this world, making these peoples self esteem PLUMMET. The people who leave these comments are probably at an incredibly healthy and attractive weight, but people writing these how to be emo articles are telling them LIES about who they 'should' be.

If you are truly overweight like 300kg then I'd say lose some weight but it's not a bad thing to have a few curves!!

WHY are you telling them what to do and how to live their life, how much to weigh, how to look etc., and WHY are you listening to these people telling you to do these things? You are perfect the way you are- your true self is who you were meant to be and not what some 'how-to' tells you to do on the internet.

Don't put on the mask of labelling yourself, become truly unique and appreciative of who you really are on the inside. Nobody can tell you how to dress or how to look, only YOU can tell yourself that.

It really is sad, that people think they need to conform to some emo standard of style to give themselves any worth.

You need not be anyone other than yourself. Don't let people tell you how to live your life, only YOU can tell yourself that. I eagerly await the day that people finally start to wake up to who they really are inside.

Stripes and strawberries.

Today's been a tireing day. I went to sleep late and had to get up early for work. Luckily I managed to catch a few hours of sleep after work, so that was nice. I'm soon off to a 'work party', which should be fun. I hope. I'm not wearing this - it's what I wore earlier today.


Top: Zara, Jeans: Vero Moda, Necklace: Grandmother's.


I also just made myself a delicious smoothie, that I am enjoying right now!

Zoological garden.

While visiting my boyfriend, we also went to the zoo. I love zoos. For some reason I was never really that fond of them as a kid since I thought they were boring. Now, though, I really like them. This visit to the zoo made me reach the desicion that zoos are really the best in the spring because then there are so many cute baby animals to see. Well, at least that's true with domestic animals, like sheep and goats. I completely fell in love with all the lamb and baby goats skipping around.


Me giving a little lamb a cuddle.


I think this picture is absolutely adorable. I would love to have a garden where I could have sweet little lambs and baby goats skipping around in the spring... Ah, dreams.

I held a little goat like that, but unfortunately it wasn't captured on camera.

The big goats were more interested in our bags and our food.

Really interested.

The monkeys, too, were nice and funny to watch. Monkeys are my favourite animals in the zoo, especially orang-utans.

Normally I dislike birds, but this one had pretty colours.

Me inside a green house, with exotical animals, where it was nice and warm.

Away and back again.

My apologies for not blogging in such a long time. I was away, visiting my boyfriend, and I simply couldn't find the time to blog, let alone upload pictures here. Anyway, I'm going to try to make up for the time I've "lost", by showing some pictures from my trip. I had a lovely time, travelling, shopping and most of all, being with my boyfriend again. Here are some pictures from Berlin where we went for a few days. It's a great, very metropolitan city, with enormous amounts of things to do and see. The shopping is also fantastic, but unfortunately I had too little time for that.

At Brandenburger Tor, wearing my favourite bow.

Photograph taken from the Siegessäule (Angel) in the photo below.
Siegessäule. I actually regret going up there. Heights make me feel nausey. And especially this one, with its swirly stairs.

On the bus, looking through our LP deciding where to go next.

One of the main shopping streets, with the Gedächniskirche in the background.

In front of the Holocaust memorial. It's really a very impressive piece of art, but it annoys me a lot how disrespectful some people are, jumping from stone to stone, or running, yelling, completely ignorant of the memorial and its meaning. The information centre at the site is also very interesting.

One day we went out for couscous. Yummy.

Me at the Sony centre. At night it's beautiful with the neon lights and the nice cafés and restaurants.

Parts of the remains of the Berlin Wall.

At the Reichstag (parliament). I guess I was quite tired from a little sleep on the night before when we celebrated Passover, and it only ended very late. Very nice, however!

And the main synagogue of Berlin. I find it extremely beautiful - the golden roof and the ornaments.

I will be updating shortly again, with pictures from our trip to the zoo, tropical islands and random pictures.

Short Hair Part Puffy-Braid

Section the top of the hair into a square.

Make your first part going across the head.

Pull into a ponytail.

Secure with an elastic.

Part the next section going across the head.

Comb down smooth.

Pull the first ponytail into this and make a second ponytail.

Secure with an elastic.

Pull the last part of the square smooth and add the hair that is already in the ponytails to this section.

Secure with an elastic.

***I have included two pictures of this. One with a bow and one without. It is harder to see the elastics with the bow. A ribbon would allow you to see more detail.

Looped Upside-Down French Braid

Today she wanted her hair to look like Kierstie from "American Girls". So I tried. However, that hairstyle doesn't work with upside down French Braids. Only the normal style. Whoops! So here is our creation from my mistake.

Wet the hair, part down the middle.

Pull one side of the hair into a temporary ponytail.

Upside down French braid the opposite side.

Secure the bottom with an elastic.

Take the bottom and fold it up towards you to where the hair meets the neck.

Secure the "loop" with another elastic.

Tie your ribbon on the elastic.

Piece out the ends.

Repeat on the other side.

Scarf and Flippy Ponytails

AYSO stands for 'All Your Saturdays Occupied".

Which is exactly how we spend every Saturday morning.

And spring is in full, windy force here.

Hence the scarfs.

Plus, I think they are cute.

I just pulled her hair into two flippy ponytails low on her head.

I sprayed well and added the scarf.

She looked adorable running...or so I hear. I stayed home with a baby who would not have done well in the wind.

But at least we don't live in tornado row.

climate change

April freakin' eighteenth, in a city that sees a couple of dustings of snow annually, and we've got snow again! It's supposed to be in the mid-thirties tomorrow -- good thing Eric and I planned a day of indoor activities (art history lecture at UW, then off to see the Roman Art from the Louvre exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum).

Spring Scarf

Pull hair into a lose, temporary ponytail.

Take a triangle of fabric, or a pre-made hair scarf.

Wrap it around the base of the hair and tie it where the hair meets her neck.

Pull the ponytail out.

Either curl the hair or smooth it out straight.

If you choose to leave parts of the hair down, do that before you put the scarf on.

Spray and be done!

Short and Swirly with a French Braid

Take the top of the hair and section it into a square.

French Braid the hair to the crown.

Secure with an elastic.

Curl all of the ends with a flat-iron or a curling iron.

Spray the hair.

Add ribbon.

I do realize that it has been a while since my last post. I truly am sorry, but I truly am busy.

My capstone case study presentation is due on Wednesday April 23rd, 2008. This is the culminating experience for my graduate program that determines whether I pass or fail. I will pass of course, however there is all this added pressure to make it the best presentation I have ever given. I met with my advisor yesterday and my power point template got the big thumbs down but my content did not. Hey, you win some and you lose some.

I have had two on-campus interviews for various job opportunities and I have turned down one interview offer due to my lack of funds. I have a few leads and I will have a job. I just don't know where and when.

Oh, and I'm absolutely in love with my boyfriend and this video.

Spikey French Braids with a Zig-Zag Part

So I took a stab at the flippy ends. This is what happened.

She likes her hair crazy for soccer. That is my fault. I told her soccer players have crazy hair. I don't think I was lying.

The only difference between this one and the one a few posts down is the part.

Short Hair Ponies on Top

Since we cut Spunky's hair short, we get to come up with lots of fun new hairstyles. This is one of many that I have in my arsenal. Get ready. ;)

Oh, and she looks thrilled in this picture.

Simply part her hair on the part.

Pull the hair on each side up leaving about 1.5-2 inches of hair above the ear.

Attach bows.

Curl the ends.

I have a question for you

What does bewilderment look like?

My midterm assignment is to make a shoebox diorama (yes, you read that correctly) that represents a rectangular garden with the theme of bewilderment. As a person walks into this space, they should feel bewildered. I am asking for your opinion because I have found that it's surprisingly hard to pin down what bewilderment is, or what it looks like, especially among different individuals. What makes you feel bewildered? What sorts of external forces or environments might make you feel bewildered?

[edited to add]

* Don't worry about how to express it in a garden, per se -- that's my job. I just want to know what you think of when you're bewildered.

* The project is due on 5MAY

* I am supposed to use a minimal amount of statuary (or any hardscape elements) if any. The professor wants us to use plants first and foremost. (Although I do like that upsidedown plant idea... thanks Mom!)

Two French Braids with Spikey Ends

You know, some people are just blessed from the time that they are born with beautiful thick hair. My niece is one of them, and my friend Laurie has three of them. I remember when Little Londynn was born. She is three weeks younger than my Spunky. She was born with gobs of gold hair that never fell out (lucky Laurie)! While my Spunky was resembling Mr. Clean and making do with brain squeezers, Laurie was able to put cute clippies and bows and piggies in her daughter's hair.

Not much has changed. Londynn has super thick hair that makes me drool. Here is one of the super cute styles that Laurie does to her hair.

Thanks Laurie for your submission! Keep them coming!

Part the hair first. Laurie parted it on the side and then once she got to the crown she took the part over to the middle.

French braid down the first side. When you get to the part of the braid where you no longer have any hair to braid, this is where you end the braid.

Use your elastic to pull the braid through. When you get to the last loop, only pull the hair 1/2 way through.

Do the same to the other side.

Then put a ribbon or bow on the ponytail For super thick hair like Londynn's, a clip bow would probably stay in if you found the right place for it. For my dd's thinner hair, I would tie a ribbon around the elastic.

Then take your flat-iron or your curling iron and spike out the ends. Spray the hair.

WIP Wednesday

The huge log cabin has one more border to go! It has gotten so large, I had to employ the clothesline in order to take a photo (for scale, consider that the clothesline is about five foot, five inches above the concrete. Of course, I have to take photos when I get home while it's still light out, and then do some more sewing, so after this photo was taken, I added the creamy pink border to the top and bottom of the quilt. Now all that's left to complete the quilt top is the maroon border.



Notice the garlic doing very well in the lower right corner...

Our starts are also going like crazy: cucumber, beans and kale...






and just as I posted, Eric announced that we have Italian roasting pepper sprouts!