Pretty Paintings

Paintings on wood are so lovely, not by definition of course, but they can really add that extra something. Like this Mark Ryden for instance:

But what do you get when you cross that with some other favorites of mine, geishas and even an occasional owl?

Lovely art by Audrey Kawasaki. I love that she combines Japanese atmosphere with western aspects and girls and in such a way that it looks like porcelain, yet it's translucent. The more I look at it, the more I fall in love.

And even though it's cute, and yes, creepy, she doesn't stray away from somewhat different topics, such as death or sex.

Owl Things Considered

One of the lovely owl things I got for Sinterklaas is a passport cover. I already had a few, but not with owls, so this one was great to add to my collection. Even though using a cover results into my passport not fitting in the little compartment in any of bags anymore, it's worth it 'cause they make my passport so much prettier.

Tell me could you say no to this?

Marvelous Music

You might know her Gollum's Song from Lord of the Rings, but that's definitely not all Emiliana Torrini has done. From lounge music, to cute more singer/songwriter like songs. She's done it.

As if she wasn't awesome enough, she has the cutest videos and is known to rock vintage dresses.

Here's one of the cutest videos ever made for one of the loveliest songs:

And to remind you how Gollum's Song sounded:

Feel Good Food

My dad once ordered a cappucino and they made him a really pretty one. It was the first time I ever saw it, so I watched how they did it and later tried it myself and it wasn't that hard. Turns out there are quite a few coffee artist; I'll show you some cute ones and a little video from which I think you should be able to learn it.

This is similar to what I can do and is probably seen most often.

I have no idea how you could make something out of milk that looks so lifelike.

This one is cute as well and would make a lovely mikshake for kids if that's possible, I do think it can be done.

Last but definitely not least, it might even be my all time favorite, it's so lovely:

And here's the video with lots of patterns to try:

I'd love to...

>ride my bike with a skirt on this summer

>learn how to use tarot cards really well

>make my own chai

Lovely Movies

This cute independent film has justly won an oscar and many other awards. I'm sure that "Once" will make a lasting impression on you as well. Apart from being cute, inspiring and bringing back your faith in mankind it is so realistic, nothing, not the the characters, nothing comes across as fake or has that bad Hollywood vibe we come across so often.

The two actors who play the main characters have not only really sung the music, but they've also written it and they're touring under the name "the Swell Season".

They're coming to my favorite venue, but it was already sold out before I could make it to the box office. It's ok, though, it was was a little over my budget anyway and frankly it's already near to impossible to make it to every concert I'd love to see.

Wishlist

After seeing the commercial for Cacharel's new scent, Scarlett, I've been wanting it so bad. Especially after reading it contained the smell of jasmine, pear, lavender honey, orange blossom and even tea leaves. So I went to smell it and, thank god, it really smells as lovely as it sounds, I was afraid they couldn't live up to it, but they did.

Not only does it smell great, look at the bottle, it's so original and delicate, I love it.

My only "more expensive" perfume is Beyond Paradise by Estee Lauder, it also smells like jasmine a lot, I love love love jasmine. It has a great looking bottle too and I keep it on a lotus dish, it really seems to belong there.

That's it for today, I have to hurry, because I'm going to a photography workshop, can't wait!

I can't believe it's already been four days since Sinterklaas. I guess time flies when you get fun gifts.

My parents wanted me to make a wishlist.

I got some things I asked for: the Time Traveller's Wife, which means I can finally read it. I'm hoping to watch the movie this week. I also got another book I asked for: the Elegance of the Hedgehog, I'm really looking forward to reading that as well. And I don't know if you were aware of the fact that I love graphic novels, but I put a few on my wishlist, so one of them could pick whichever was easiest to find, I got Watchmen. I have also yet to see that movie.

Even though it's great I got some things I'd been wanting for a while, like the Adolie Day pencil case I told you about here, what I like most of all are surprises. And I got quite a few. My mom knows I'm really into owls so she gave me quite some things involving them, I'll save them for another "Owl Things Considered" though. I also got that wooden crochet hook I told you about, I'll try to put a picture up soon.

I also got some art supplies from my grandma, it's pretty cool she came up with that.

Anyway, I just thought I'd let you know I had a good time and I got some lovely things.

Pretty Paintings

If I can make it I'll be going to Angelique Houtkamp's booksigning at the American Book Center. It'll be this saterday and I'm really hoping to go. Her book, like most art books, is probably expensive so I'm not sure if I'll buy one, maybe she's willing to sign something else?! Hope so.

Angelique Houtkamp is a tattoo artist who also makes some amazing art. I love that it has that old tattoo feel, without looking like old sailor's anchors, instead it's really feminine and a bit quirky, especially the ones with human heads and animal bodies.

I'll let you know whether or not I went and how it was.

Moustache Madness

So this might not be something you really want to spend your money on, since you could easily draw a moustache on a band aid yourself. I'm still checking to see if they're available at Urban Outfitters next time I get the chance. If not for the band aids then for the awesome tin container they come in.

They should be available for $7,00, although I probably need to pay twice that amount, since I have to go to a store in europe. Anyway I do think they're awesome and I have a thing for cool band aids, as well as moustaches, of course. I already have tattoo and fairy band aids and they always come with a tiny little gift, love that! Fortunately I don't really bleed that often, or not enough to use a big band aid, at least. If that makes them redundant, so be it, most fun things are anyway.

Marvelous Music

Even though Ayo's songs can be repetitive at times, I still love to listen to her music, especially during summer. I met her after her show and she was really nice. She takes her time for everyone and I really felt we had a moment. Because she looks so cute and small on pictures, I was suprised to find out she's really tall.

Anyway she makes some great world music, sometimes really uplifting and sometimes a little melancholic. But she never fails to make me smile.

Feel Good Food

Mochi is a round rice cake from japan. There's the cake, but there's also ice cream and I love mochi ice cream. I love the taste and the structure; the firm, yet soft outside and the really light and soft inside. Apart from that I think it looks absolutely adorable.

Supposedly you can make it yourself, but I'm not sure if I dare to try it, maybe next summer. Now isn't exactly the time for ice cream anyway. If you've never had one, you don't know what you're missing. So take your chance next summer too, ok?

I'd love to...

>have a great Sinterklaas this evening

>watch a lot of art documentaries

>keep poaching eggs

Lovely Movies

Another item I asked Sinterklaas for, is the 3D dvd of Coraline. I've read the book by Neil Gaiman. And although I hoped it would have been more scary, I still loved the concept. After seeing the trailer I totally fell in love with the way they made the movie.

I know I shouldn't get my hopes up to high, as I did with the book, but I think the movie will be awesome. Plus it's about as creepy and cute as a movie can get. I think I have a good shot at getting it. If I don't, I'll have to buy it some other time and watch it then.

Wishlist

I'm a sucker for pretty notebooks, I absolutely can't resist them, that is if they're not way too expensive. The problem is that when they're pretty I don't use them because I think they have to be used for something good, something inspiring and that I have to watch my handwriting. I do think I'm getting better at it; slowly, but getting there.

This one is a little over my budget, but fortunately we have a little something called "Sinterklaas". He's like Santa Claus, but earlier, december 5th to be exact. That was the perfect opportunity to ask for it. The art is by Jasmine Beckett, I will probably do a piece on her later.

Pretty Paintings

Another artist who makes art for LaMarelle is Adolie Day. I guess it also fits in my category of creepy and cute, although it's a little less creepy. Even though it is digital artwork it looks so fragile, see through and lace like.

I'm hoping to get this box of pencils soon, another great item from LaMarelle and of course, as always, really cute.

She's currently working on jewelry for LaMarelle, which will be released in Spring 2010. Here's a little sneak peek:

Owl Things Considered

Just a little whimsical picture I took in my room of a little owl I put wings behind. I loved how it looked so I put it on the speaker of my computer. It makes me smile every time...

Marvelous Music

Another musician I saw opening for someone else is Matt Bauer. He looks like someone you might avoid when you're on the street late at night, but he's actually a really nice and talented guy who makes amazing music.

I bought one of his cd's after the concert and got it signed, unfortunately it was a 17 minute cd. I really wanted more, so I ordered his cd "the Island Moved In The storm". It arrived this week and I've been listening to it a lot. It's really great, especially whilst crafting. To top it off he has a song called "Barn Owl".

Here's a cute music video for a great song:

Feel Good Food

Some people don't like it 'cause of they jello-like pieces in it, but I love aloe vera drinks. Even though there are so many flavors I have to say I like the original best. I've had peach, mango, banana, strawberry, grape which was suprisingly good, lemon and kiwi. I recently bought coconut and guave, but have yet to try them. As we speak I'm trying tamarind for the first time, it's really spicy, didn't expect that. It might take a little getting used to, but it's not bad.

The bottle claims it's good for you, but then again some people say it's really bad for your health. I don't know what to believe, but I drink it because I love it.

It's really good with fravoured rice crackers by the way.

If you tried a few yourself, what's your favorite? Got any tips?