Drumroll, Please...

Lots of you joined the giveaway to win that wonderful prize pack from Lix Hewett Photography. But there can only be one lucky reader. So I let the rafflecopter work its magic and out rolled a name.

Chantal Lavender from Ponychops, congrats!

If you didn't win you can still use that discount in the Lix Hewett Photography shop and get yourself a print, some cards or one of the many stunning iPhone cases she has for sale. I know I would if I had an iPhone!

Anyway, be sure to place your order before the end of the month if you want to get in on this deal. And pop by Lix's blog to stay up to date and hear about sales, new items and her style posts as well.

the Cacomistle

It's not often you suddenly discover the existence of a cute animal you didn't know about yet. And the cacomistle -or "ringtailed cat"- looks so cute that I'm surprised it's not a huge hype on the internet. Granted, it looks pretty eerie in some other picture, but just look at this face!

Here's a little video so you can see one in action:

Anyway, I'll be back tomorrow to announce who won that lovely photography prize pack!

Lovely Movies: the Fox and the Child

Whenever I am sick I often find myself watching children's movies. However, it seems that the older I get the more heartbreaking those movies become. As a kid I never noticed that, but now, well, I cry my eyes out!

I sure did this evening with the Fox and the Child(it sharing the Kleenex-top 3 with Hachi and the Grave of the Fireflies). And though I normally don't do spoilers I will have you know that thankfully it does not end sad. Spoiling this surprise is well worth saving you from the stress, I promise.

Anyway, apart from the heartbreaking moments it was actually a lovely film. And it was shot so beautifully too. So I do recommend it. Just don't watch it when you feel sick, ok? Instead pop in an animation comedy or something.

Don't Forget...

There's only half a day left to join the Lix Hewett Photography giveaway! The prize pack is wonderful, so enter while you still can! And don't forget you can get 10 extra entries and 10% off if you buy something from her shop with coupon code "BIRDY".

For your chance to win, simply fill out the rafflecopter if you haven't already.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Yawnday?!

As much as I wanted to keep up my daily blogging routine, I just couldn't for the past few days. I've been tired, sick and had my birthday too. Unfortunately the latter was pretty uneventful due to the first two, but I'm sure I'll post some pictures of my gifts soon. Anyway, I'm off to bed. Again.

!CLOSED! Giveaway Time! -> Lix Hewett Photography

Lix emailed me with a lovely idea for a giveaway. She wanted to give one lucky reader a wonderful prize pack. So today you can win not only a 5x7 print, but also a greeting card, a postcard and a set of 4 blank mini cards. And all with the pictures of your choice!

So let's get started and fill out this Rafflecopter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

As you might have read in the extra entries, Lix has sent in a coupon for %10 off till the end of the month. Just enter "BIRDY" at checkout. And don't forget to come back and claim those extra entries!

A Pair of Cats You'll Never Forget

Last week I came across the best cat video I had ever seen. In fact I can't seem to stop thinking about this hilarious duo. I've been watching this video over and over again, and it still doesn't get old.

Of course the whole premise is amazing, but the timing is even more important. And whoever made this video nailed it. I recommend you check out the channel too. I watched nearly all of the videos in one day and most of them are just as funny. I'm sure I'll post some others in the future, but if you can't wait till then just click here.

Wishlist

The custom yarn bowls from MaidOfClay are simply jaw-dropping!  I love the 3D features and how you can pull the yarn through the mouth of the cat.

And you can choose the color of the fur and eyes so it resembles your own cat. This next one actually looks a lot like mine.

MaidOfClay also has a few adorable bunnies. This one is a little vase. The opening on top is heart shaped, isn't that cute?

And though most of the items in the shop are bowls and vases, you can also get this adorable bunny pendant. I love that it has a little flower.

To see more items follow this link.

Cast Off

Over the past two months or so I've mentioned a knitting project I was working on. As it was a gift I couldn't share it sooner, but now it has arrived I can finally post some pictures!

This is the most intricate lace project I have done so far. It most certainly wasn't one of those things you can do while watching Law & Order, I really had to stay focussed. But is was a lot of fun too and I'm quite proud of the result!

Have you finished any knitting projects lately? I'd love to see them!

Owl Things Considered

Despite the fact that I'm probably buying a little cake for my birthday this year, I figured it would still be nice to look into owl cake DIYs. And I found a lovely one with progress pictures and instructions.

Isn't it cute? It looks pretty doable, but the effect is still quite spectacular!

Find the whole post on the My Inner Need to Create blog. And have fun baking!

Circle Songs #32

"Lullaby, the moon's so high, shining bright. But inside she's the shy quiet type..."

Lullaby - Jaymay

{picture sources: 1 - 2 - 3}

Spring is finally here! Yesterday I saw some lambs that were less than a day old. The sun is shining a lot more. And better yet, there's finally been some progress in my new place. So this might just be the quiet before a wonderful storm!

Wise Words

  {picture by Diego Arroyo - quote from Joseph Campbell - merged by me}

Review: MaryLou

Last week I got a little something from the Benelux facebook-shop MaryLou in the mail. It contained a lovely vintage business card and, of course, a little package.

In it was a lovely vintage inspired owl necklace. What I love about it, apart from the obvious fact that it's really cute, is that she thought of some neat little tricks.
As it's long enough to pull over your head anyway, it doesn't have a clasp on it or anything. Those can itch sometimes, so I was quite pleased it was all chain in the back.

The other thing I really liked is that the owl has room to move, but the little flower is fastened to the chain. That way, when the necklace slides around your neck, the owl will always hang in the center. Also, the loops around the pearls are very neat and secure!

Below you'll see a selection of other items MaryLou has to offer. The jewelry is nice and affordable and always has a vintage feel to it. The facebook-shop only ships to Belgium, Luxemburg and the Netherlands, but a real webshop might open up in the future.

If you want to stay up to date I suggest you like the facebook page. And if you are from the Benelux and see something nice just email Marcelien -you'll find the address in her shop- to place your order. And for all you Dutch speaking girls there is a blog as well.

P.S. MaryLou sent me the necklace, but I wasn't paid any money to do this review. These are all my honest opinions.

Birthday Wishlist

As I mentioned at the beginning of the month, my birthday is coming up very soon! Within two weeks actually. So I thought I'd do a longer wishlist post than I usually do. And I promise it'll be cute!

I just adore these beautifully illustrated polka dot mugs!

This awesome reusable cat pouch is full of lovely stickers. The best thing about? The back of the pouch actually shows the back of the cat's head, not the front again -like most would-!

Is it just me, or does the color mint stop any design from getting childish? Either way, I'd definitely wear this bag! Other colors are available too by the way. As is an amazing backpack.

These little journals are amazing! They even have some colored pages in them as well. Also, 3 bucks and no shipping. Can't beat that, right?

Words can not describe how wonderful these creamers are! I love both of them! Yes... there is a bunny too. Just click here.

These silver pendants stole my heart! They are Chinese zodiac signs and thankfully mine -the sheep- is one of my favorites.

The other I really adore is the rabbit. It's so pretty! But they're all adorable really, just take a look at all by clicking here.

How cute is this shirt? And I love how it's almost up to scale too, so everything falls were it should be. Threadless never fails to make me reach for my wallet smile.

And last, but definitely not least, are Laura Frisk's amazing pillows! So many creatures to choose from and you can even pick the colors of the fabric and the ink.

Is it weird that everything on my list is some sort of animal or creature, or at least has a face? Perhaps so, but I guess those just make me smile the most. And isn't that what birthdays are about?

Magical Moon

Here's a teeny tiny, yet amazing animation. I love how magical and imaginative it is. Enjoy!

Owl Things Considered

Incense and animals don't often mix. Sure you see the occasional elephant-shaped incense burners, but on the packaging they usually stick with Buddhas or flowers. Nippon Kodo doesn't. They use owls!

Each beautiful box contains an incense burner and two delicious scents that are meant to make you feel like you're in your favorite café, hence the name Café Time. There are sets with Sakura and Green Tea, Cassis and Mocha, Apple and Jasmine Tea; and so on...

And each set of scents comes in a different color cilinder with two beautiful animal friends. I would not mind collecting them all, but if I had to pick favorites, I'd say the owls and these stunning foxes:

They're available Omoi, Amazon, Incense Warehouse and of course Nippon Kodo. Enjoy!

Plans & Goals: April

We've had a few false starts concerning Spring, but I'm sure April will bring some sunshine. It has to, right?
Also, my birthday is coming up very soon! Anyway, here are some of my plans for April:

• Start spinning some more experimental yarn.
• Begin decorating my new place.
• Have a nice-ish time on my birthday.
• Watch some animation movies.
• Post two new reviews.
• Cast on a Spring/Summer knitting project.
• Take my Diana F+ out for another spin.
• Eat my first ice cream of 2013.
• And finally read outdoors again.

So, what are your plans? Are you expecting Spring to finally make an appearance too?