Monday, October 31, 2016

Mood & Music Mosaic #18

While My Guitar Gentle Weeps - Regina Spektor 

It's been a few weeks since I went to see Kubo and the Two Strings, yet I still think about it. And I keep playing the soundtrack too. So here is a collection inspired by the film. If you've seen it you'll recognize all the elements.

Did you see the movie yet? Where you blown away by it as well?

Friday, October 28, 2016

Lovely Movies: Kubo and the Two Strings

I fell in love with Kubo's story long before I'd seen the movie, or even the trailer for that matter. I was sold the minute the studio released the announcement poster that let the world know they were in the process of making the movie.


As a rule of thumb, that sort of expectation is bound to let a person down. Yet it didn't. It was perfect from the get-go. I marveled at the gorgeous details, soaked up the music and was completely whisked away to a magical world. A world where origami folds itself into characters and stories whenever a young man plays his instrument! I mean, wow!

I did, however, find the voices of the famous actors distracting. Charlize Theron as a monkey just isn't a seamless fit. And I kept wondering whether the male voice was George Clooney. It wasn't. It's actually Matthew McConaughey.
Both did a fine job, but I thought it took away from the otherworldliness of the film a bit. By the end of the movie I had grown accustomed, and I look forward to watching it again (and again and again) without being thrown off by it.


Other than that it was absolutely perfect. Even the credits were. And I loved that you got a peek behind the scenes of the stop-motion process at the end of the movie! I always love behind the scenes stuff, but especially for stop-motion. I am very well aware of the insane amount of hard work that goes into films like this, yet I'd love nothing more than to be part of something like that. Even if it means making a hundred slightly different monkey faces with a pair of tweezers. Anyway, I'm already looking forward to buying the dvd and watching the extras!

I know I already mentioned the soundtrack, but I need to mention it again. It's amazing! And the final song -While My Guitar Gentle Weeps as covered by Regina Spektor, with use of traditional Japanese instruments- is spectular!

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Mood & Music Mosaic #17

Pluto - Clare and the Reasons

I really love duck egg blue. Especially when it's combined with gold! It looks so vintage, so magical and so soothing. And I just love the items in this collage. If only I could afford that vest! I might just get those cute socks though...

What is your favorite soothing color combination?

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Review: eShakti


I always thought of eShakti as a dress company. Though I was vaguely aware of skirts and blouses, I had not yet seen their pants. But when I went through all their options, I fell in love with just that... A pair of high-waisted pants!

High-waisted pants are my favorite! I find them to be very elegant and comfortable. This particular pair reminds me of both Katherine Hepburn and Dharma from Dharma & Greg. They look vintage and classy, yet also quirky, fun and a little zen. I feel like I could wear them to fancy Christmas dinners as well as on trips to the farmers' market.


They were custom-made to my measurements. I was a little nervous about measuring it myself, even with help. And so -thinking it would be easier to put a belt on than to hold my breath all day- I opted to go an inch up in the waist, which turned out to be a very good decision. (I did the same with the overall length too, by the way, as pants can often "wrinkle" up a bit as you wear them.)
The waist is elastic. I still found it a bit tight the first time, but it stretched to a comfortable size with wear.

The fabric is a nice velvet. Not thick, but not at all flimsy either. Very wearable, and pretty too. Dark velvet is tricky to photograph, but I think you can see how it changes from red to deep burgundy, depending on how the light hits it.


I am also very happy with the embroidery. It's machine embroidered onto the garment. So it's not an applique, nor is the print cut off in any hem or whatnot. It isn't bulky or very stiff, so it still moves well too... It's perfect, really.


A silver satiny polka dot fabric has been used on the inside to make pockets and a trim. It looks quite fancy, I think!


Also, I'm a sucker for good pockets. And these pants have very good pockets! Deep and roomy in the front, so there's plenty of room for a cellphone, wallet and the like. And smaller and more subtle in the back, so as not to mess with your silhouette in any unflattering way. Whoever made these put a lot of thought and care into them!


I kept the outfit for these pictures very simple, but I'm very excited about all the possible combinations I could make… Lots of color and flowers? Or a burgundy top and some bling for evening wear? I know they'll accessorize very well!


Anyway, eShakti is a great place to shop. Especially if you have trouble finding garments for your measurements, or if you want the option of different necklines and sleeve/skirt lengths. And it's cheaper than going to a tailor. Also, they have a few gorgeous owls in their collection! Like this skirtdress and -my absolute favorite!- this awesome sweatshirt.


It has been wonderful working with eShakti again. Communication was fast and easy, my custom garment was finished within two weeks and the overall result is beautiful and well made. I'm also glad they keep an eye on their factories so that their workers are paid and treated fairly. Something you can read about more if you follow this link.

Find out more about eShakti on their website, or follow them on FacebookPinterest or Twitter.

P.S. I was given an item to review, but was encouraged to honestly share my own experience and opinion.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

For Your Next Project: Love Book Folding

If you love the idea of book art, but find it daunting to figure out how to design a certain image, you could actually buy patterns for it. LoveBookFolding on Etsy sells digital patterns so you can turn your own old books into pieces of art!


They come with printables so you can accessorize your project or spruce up those end pages with any color you want!


There are a bunch of owls available, as well as plenty of other animals and designs to cut and/or fold. The shop owner is even willing to do custom work, should you have something else in mind or want something personalized.


If book folding is something you want to learn more about, be sure to also visit the Love Book Folding website as it has much more info and even some tutorials!

Monday, October 17, 2016

Mood & Music Mosaic #16

Bloom - The Paper Kites

It's sweater weather and I am recovering from a serious cold. So it is unmistakably Fall! Hopefully in a few days I can go out and find myself some orange trees to marvel at and photograph. And maybe drink some hot chocolate after...

How are you holding up? And are the colors of Fall sparking your creativity as well?

Monday, October 3, 2016

Mood & Music Mosaic #15

Maybe - Isbells

We've had some serious rain recently. Days like that make me want to light a candle and sit down with a journal. Journaling has been my new go-to pastime. As a blogger it makes sense to love it. It's a bit like blogging for yourself. Or perhaps blogs are just public journals. Either way, it seems that working on either one inspires the other too.

What have you been up to lately? Any new hobbies? Or… any pretty new notebooks?

Saturday, October 1, 2016

Plans & Goals: October


October is generally when I start easing into hibernation. I'm still making a few plans outside of the house, but my list this month is definitely more geared towards indoor activities already. Lovely stuff though! As I hope to:

  • Cast on an owly cardigan.
  • Eat Japanese curry again.
  • Play some board/card games.
  • Go see Miss Peregine's Home for Peculiar Children.
  • Work on some collabs. More on that later...
  • Meditate at least once every week.
  • Do something Halloweeny for myself at home.
  • Treat myself to a cute fountain pen so I can up my journaling game.
  • And blog more about stationary, planners, etc.

What are your plans for this first month of Fall? Do you have any fun Halloween ideas?

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