Giveaway at Going Green with Noah

There's a really big 4th of July Giveaway Marathon at Going Green with Noah. Over 20 Independence Day themed giveaways! One of which features this bookmark from my shop.

Hop on over there if you want a chance to win it. It's open until the 27th of June and you can enter HERE.

Owl Things Considered

This beautiful poster was part of the advertisement of this year's Dutch Imagine Film Festival.

I forgot to post it when it just came out, but was reminded of it because of this strange commercial:

The Owl-Human hybrid is so cool! Although I haven't heard of it in any myths before, it wouldn't look bad next to, say, centaurs. Don't you think?

I thought it was a bird, but it was just a paper bag.

So I just came back from seeing the movie Brides Maids, a special sort of free premiere I'd won tickets for. More on that later, for now though: Fiona Apple. The song Paper Bag was featured in the movie and I was instantly reminded of how much I love it!

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And it has such a pretty video too:

Another song I love is After You've Gone, now technically this isn't a Fiona Apple song, it's from the 1920's, but I love her version. And it's the one I stick to when I play it on the guitar and sing it myself.

Anyway, she reminds me so much of Piper Perabo (and a bit of Regina Spektor too). I think both of them look a lot like Sims, now I don't mean this in a bad way at all, but they just remind me of them, it's something in the way the eyes and eyebrows move together and something in the jaw line. Anyone else thought that too?

Adding to collections...

A while ago I was invited to go and pick some things that would other wise have been thrown out because their previous owner had passed away. There was a list attached and it included a bunch of things that I just couldn't bear picturing in a dumpster somewhere.

Among the things I picked where these three cameras, they're all analogue and I haven't tested them yet, but if they work(and I think they might) they'll be awesome. The one above is a very old Kodak Instamatic which still has the original box and even the flashcube.

Below is one that can take panoramic pictures and one that turns on in a really cool way: the square the lens is in pops out completely. So cool! I can't wait to try them all.

The reason I came was the knitting needles. My instinct said there would be some like the ones below. I've always wanted some, they have a cute little acorn like shape and are all plastic and oh so pretty. To be honest I was afraid I'd never find any in my lifetime(and if I did they'd be a cute pink, but yellow and purple are gorgeous too), but now I have two pairs, plus some metal pink ones and a bunch of regular dull greys of course.

Then all of a sudden I spotted owls. These two tiny little gold cuties.

They have a special place on one of my bookshelves. I love putting all sorts of trinkets and things on my bookshelves. Here's an example of one in my room. It has some owls, body shop perfumes I bought on sale, a creepy and cute Marie Antoinette painting I made some years back, a fox statue from my graduation ceremony and a reading fairy without wings(but with a flower light to make up for that).

This shelf is mostly reserved for Lemony Snicket and the Spiderwick Chronicles. Though due too lack of space I put some other, more grown-up novels, in front too.

I love how two of my biggest loves: owls and books, go so well together. Putting them on my shelves is the perfect excuse to collect them, don't you think?

Spotted

Came across some amazing stuff again this week! Today was a bit disappointing, like when they denied access near closing time at the Japanese shop, just when I was craving their ice cream! But putting these together for you has made me all excited again!

These lace earrings are fabulous, don't just match anything and everything, but are perfect for summer too.

Leanne Marshall (from Project Catwalk years back) not only makes stunning dresses, but is now selling fashion illustrations too.

I love moustaches! They are fun on every item. And these erasers are so cool too.

For the real chocoholics: chocolate inhalers, also come in coffee flavour.

These incredible huge candy sculptures look so real!

Origami doesn't really get old. I love how people always find new ways to incorporate the old craft. This jewelry is the perfect example.

Now that I use my camera bag a lot and am also loving backpacks again as well, I would love a waist/hip purse so I carry my basics in a more accessible place. These caught my eye.

If you're into creepy stuff as much as I am, you'll love these lockets.

Lovely Series: Rules of Engagement

Oh, how I love sitcoms! I'm an avid watcher of the Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men and How I Met Your Mother, but in these past few months I've also fallen for Rules of Engagement.

It's about a group of friends: 2 couples, a bachelor and his Indian assistent.

Even though the recipe is pretty simple, it's still an original series. It doesn't have a very realistic feel to it, but the characters are quirky and loveable and they're very human and deal with issues of all sorts, but it never ever gets depressing or whiny.

And I absolutely love the show's intro video and song:

Do you watch a lot of sitcoms? Are you following this one too?

Feel Good Food: Banana Almond Shake

A few days ago I figured out a new drink, I think it's delicious and it was high time for another recipe!

It's a banana almond shake and goes so well with the cake below. It's just a little sneak peek but I'll post the recipe of the cake soon.

Ok, what you'll need for the drink: (serves 2, or 1 huge glass if you'd prefer that)

-almond milk

-1 banana

-1 stem ginger ball in syrup

-a little bit of cinnamon

-2 to 3 tbsps oat meal

Now I don't really know the exact amount of almond milk, but if you'll put in all the ingredients and fill it up with the almond milk until it's enough to fill two glasses you'll be golden.

I really like this drink and love the foam layer on top too, it makes me think of cappuccino(maybe I should try if this can be served hot?).

Pretty Paintings: Ryan Myers

The art of Ryan Myers reminds me both of the Little Fox as well as Mark Ryden. It switches between very colorful and very serene and is, yet again, cute and a tad bit creepy.

Ryan Myers also sells original drawings on Etsy.

All images belong to Ryan Myers.

Marvelous Music: Radical Face

If you're a Nikon lover too, chances are you absolutely adore their commercials. The thing that mostly makes them so magical is the music.

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So I looked it up, and here it is.

The rest of Radical Face's cd Ghost sounds pretty good and the cover looks amazing!

Great Reads: Self-Made Man

I just finished reading Norah Vincent's first book. It was phenomenal! It's been only a few years since I discovered how amazing non-fiction can be, but this really went beyond any expectations I could possibly have had.

We follow Norah as she lived as Ned for a year and a half. It's both an objective and a personal story, I don't know if that makes any sense, but that's what it felt like because you both learn a lot about both sexes along the way, but of course get to see it through her eyes too.

Antony Hegarty(from Antony and the Johnsons) once said that it would do wonders if everyone would go through hormone therapy for a little while, to catch a glimpse of what the other gender is feeling. That, of course, is a bit drastic, but reading this book would all help us take a little step in that direction. It points out so well how different we are, while we're also all looking for the same things. It might make us more considerate and help us get along better.

On top of all the "life lessons" it was entertaining too. I don't think I've ever had such a fun yet informative read.

Lovely Movies: the Ramen Girl

I got so super excited when I saw the trailer for the Ramen Girl! Just when I was really getting into Japanese cooking, I was watching some trailers on a dvd and they came with this one:)

It's a lovely, funny and inspirational film. And I was happy to see that the Japanese people in this movie actually speak Japanese and not English with an accent, as is the case with most Hollywood movies that take place somewhere else.

You should probably eat some Japanese food prior to, during or after the movie, because you will definitely crave it.

Speaking of Japanese food, not only did I cook udon tonight, I just walked across this bento shop that they've been planning to open for ages (I think it's been about a year since I first spotted it and it's still not open!) and you can now apply for a job. It's sooner than I planned to look for work, but this is the perfect job! I'll let you guys know if I go through with it and become a bit of Ramen girl myself.

What I've been up to

As I mentioned, a lot of things have clicked lately and a lot of things have happened. I've been juggling, not only all those things, but also literally. Yes, I've taken up the sport. (if that's what you can call it?)

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Another thing, the one that's been taking up most of my time, is organizing and getting rid of old junk. A task that was long overdue was a proper cut in my clothing. I'd started before, threw out a bunch of stuff, but never enough to get any positive results really. But this time with Lady Croissant's tips in mind, I managed to throw out 8 bags full of clothing and another few to send to a secondhand shop. And guess what, it's got me hooked!

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Now I'm a collector, if ever there was one. And being stuck at home for the past few years has definitely made that worse. I was quite the shopaholic for clothing, books and movies. But when I started throwing stuff out I realised that I don't need all those things. And getting rid of some of it has been so very liberating. Not to mention it really brings out the pretty things much better:)

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In fact, this afternoon I started on books, which I never thought I'd be able to throw out. But I went for it and now I have a yard long pile that I can sell. Perhaps and even bigger love, my dvd collection, has even decreased in size a little.

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There's so much to do and by making more space I suddenly see so many more possibilities. I'm even working on a cleaner and lighter look for my Etsy.

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I'm also still learning to drive which I suppose is another step into adulthood. It's so weird, but over this past week I've grown so much and I think this is only the beginning.

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Less life altering, but nevertheless amazing are these fish ice cream waffles! I found them yesterday in the Japanese supermarket and they're delicious! The red part of the filling is red bean paste(delicious!).

I'll be back...

A lot has been happening, this week is filled with lightbulb and aha moments. So many changes and plans and not nearly enough time or energy to get to everything.

Fortunately though, part of my plans are for the blog and shop. So yeah, I will be back soon. Hopefully tomorrow.

P.S. I took this picture last summer and have been wanting to post it ever since. This was the first (but perfect haha!) opportunity.

Pretty Paintings: Sarah Joncas

These beautiful paintings are all made by Sarah Joncas. She has made so many and in so many different colors and styles. I love that they're dreamy and a bit surreal, sometimes they depict everyday life while still having that same feel to it.

Be sure to scroll down so you can see all the amazing art work!

All images belong to Sarah Joncas.