2011's Last Breath (Smells Like Popcorn).

Ahem... yeah. I sort of fell off the blogging wagon there, didn't I? The last couple of months have been filled with mostly good things, and I've been enjoying the holiday season, even though I'm kind of broke and still trying to get my post-school shizzle together.

But this moment found me sitting here listening to the Black Keys and sipping some tea by the Christmas tree, which is going to be coming down very soon... and as I took a sip of this amazing tea my mom got me for Christmas, I was all "man, this is the best tea ever!" and I felt compelled to share it with you!

It's called Movie Night (from David's Tea). And yes... it's popcorn flavoured! It sounds ridiculous... and if you said to me, "Hey Shellbot (that's what my brother-in-law calls me, so why shouldn't you?), guess what? Popcorn tea!" I'd be all like "whatever, that's lame and gross and I work in a tea room so I should know". But I would be so wrong.

It smells like heaven. If there is a heaven, this is what it smells like. For serious. And it tastes just as good. I don't work for David's Tea, I swear. But I think I may have found a new obsession :)

Oh, and also... my mom enshrined the tea in this container:

Yeah, those are snowflakes and space invaders. Yeah, I'm bragging.

Homemade Christmas Cards!

So because I'm so broke this year, I've decided just to do homemade Christmas cards. I spent this afternoon watching Love, Actually and putting the cards together from little bundles of cardstock and scrapbooking paper that I pre-cut and pre-stamped a little while ago. I made 10 of them today, and I have about 20 left to do. I'm having a lot of fun making them! I really like how these ones have turned out.

I may still add a few finishing touches to them with ribbon and the odd glittery snowflake. The next batch will be blue and violet coloured! Maybe I'll watch Elf next time :)

Forget Wrapping Paper...

Unfortunately, I can't afford to buy Christmas gifts this year. I kind of went a bit crazy last year, though, so if anyone says anything I'll just remind them of my past generosity, LOL!

Still, I am in love with this gift wrapping idea from Lune Vintage: A Silk Scarf Furoshiki.

Place the item to be wrapped in the centre of the scarf. Grab opposite corners and tie one snug knot, then grab the other opposite corners and tie another knot. 

You'll have 4 points to gather with a ribbon or bit of string. If you're using a scrap of fabric, you can also double knot and skip the ribbon. 

The next gift I wrap definitely gets the furoshiki treatment... unless it's, you know, a gift for a dude. I may have to find a cool, creative, non-wrapping-papery way to wrap dude gifts! I'll post it when I find it :)

Neck Lace.

Aye carumba... November seems to have gotten away from me a wee bit. I've been blogging over at the Victorian Garden Tea Room (a little project I started to try and help create a more active online presence for the tea room where I work part-time). This has left me feeling kind of unbloggery where my own blog is concerned. But I do still like stuff, so I will try harder to get back on track for the rest of this month!

Last weekend I went to the Made by Hand Show with my friend Crystal, her sister Carole (who blogs here) and Carole's friend Heidi (who Etsy's here). There were lots of amazing handmade wares on display by loads of talented local crafters and artists. I took some photos and got a bunch of business cards, but unfortunately, I can't remember what belongs to whom, so I'm not going to post them all, since I hate not giving credit to the appropriate parties.

However, there was one particular piece that stood out: 

This exquisite necklace (it's not lace, it's metal!) was at one of the first vendor stalls I visited, and it completely blew me away. The designer told me it was one of a kind. At $25 it wasn't even expensive, but since I'm pretty broke at the moment I couldn't justify buying it for myself, especially when I still had the rest of the show to see. So I made a deal with myself that if it was still there when I'd seen everything else, then I could have it. 

Of course, I wasn't surprised to find that it was gone when I went back for it. I shouldn't have let that one go... here I am four days later and I'm still swooning and pining for it!

Here's Jolanta modeling the piece... she's the vendor who designed it.

I may actually consider contacting her to see if she would make another one like it just for me!

Happy November!

I fell in love with this photo by ArtByChrysti just now... seemed like a great way to begin the month!

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Paper Mache Teacups!

About a year ago, I thought about doing something like this... and then today I came across this tutorial!

 Aren't they amazing?

I found this by way of Frivoli-tea. Images belong to Annwood.net.

The Fab Four!

Apparently I'm still on my Beatles kick :)

A friend offered me a pair of free tickets to see The Fab Four ~ a Beatles tribute band ~ at The Rose Theatre in Brampton last night. Since seeing the Beatles for real is sadly an impossibility, this show was something I was not going to miss!

I kind of let myself get right into it and pretend it was the real thing... I even wore a 70's inspired outfit with a bit of an East Indian vibe to it, as a show of my affection for George Harrison, LOL! 

Me, doing my best 70's Beatles fan impression :)

The show started with an introduction by Ed Sullivan (obviously a clip from one of his shows back in the day). The Fab Four took the stage dressed in their iconic suits with those famous haircuts, and they opened with Twist and Shout. 

Yay, Ringo!

John was fab :)

Paul and John were amazing... it was incredible how much they sounded like the real Paul and John, even when they spoke! Their banter was lively and hilarious, and I thought they did an amazing job of impersonating them. Ringo was great as well, but I have to say I was pretty disappointed in the guy who played George. Not only did he look nothing like him (think chubby Italian dad, instead of wiry, mysterious young man), he also wasn't a very good singer. So that kind of threw me off a little bit... but the others more than made up for it.

 Yeah... that's supposed to be George.

So the first half of the show was a selection of earlier Beatles tunes from 1962-65, including A Hard Day's Night, I Feel Fine, 8 Days A Week, This Boy, and All My Loving.

After the intermission, they came back dressed as Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and did a mix of songs from 1965-67, such as Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, With A Little Help From My Friends, and Penny Lane.

 Paul and George

 John

During Yellow Submarine, John left the stage which was a bit alarming... but as the song ended he returned, with long hair, glasses, and attired in his white Abbey Road suit. The other "Threetles" as he called them left the stage, and he performed "Imagine" (not a Beatles song, but still great to see performed live!)

When that was done, Paul, George and Ringo returned to the stage also garbed in their Abbey Road gear, and they then played a selection of songs from that album and a few others. I was surprised that they did Lady Madonna and Hey Bulldog, but they did fit well into the set.

The Balled of John and Yoko was a highlight, as was Octopus's Garden. And even though the man playing George was not a deadringer and unfortunately a weak singer, I still got caught up in the moment when he began to play Here Comes The Sun. Yeah, a little misty-eyed, me. I can't help it, that song just does something to me.

For the encore, they came back with Revolution and Hey Jude, which I still have in my head this morning :)

Really the only thing that bothered me about the show was the apathetic audience. What is it with audiences in the GTA? Why are they so lazy? You don't stay in your seat and remain quiet during a show like this! And where was the applause? I was embarrassed to be among that crowd.

The band really gave it their all, they were enthusiastic and energetic and worked really hard to get a reaction from the audience, and they got almost nothing in return (with the exception of my ear-piercing shrieks, haha). My message to audiences: if you don't want to clap and sing and get into it, STAY HOME and watch the tube instead. Give the tickets to someone who will appreciate the show! 

*All images taken from www.thefabfour.ca.

I Always Say This, But...

I know I always say I'm going to do these things, and I never do. I keep collecting cool ideas for fun art and craft projects, and maybe one day I'll get around to actually doing them. Here's another one to add to the list.

DIY Canvas Photo from A Beautiful Mess!

Click the link for full instructions. I may actually do this for Christmas gifts this year :)

Girl Lives in my Head.

I came across this today...

It belongs to Rebecca Head's webcomic The Official Crumpet Fighting League on tumblr. Her stuff's so cute. Also, I'm pretty sure she based this comic on me. Because there couldn't possibly be another awkward, short blonde girl who goes to the bar wearing jeans and a t-shirt and says really lame things to total strangers after too many beers. Right?

I didn't think so.

Here Comes the Sun.

George Harrison was my favourite Beatle. Still is, I guess. He wrote my favourite Beatles song (check the title of this post). It's hard for me to overstate just how important this song is to me. It is woven into the very tapestry of my existence, to the point where I actually avoid listening to it in order to preserve it's specialness. It means that much to me.

Saw this incredible documentary the other day - directed by Martin Scorsese: Living in the Material World. All about George, with fantastic contributions by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, and tons of iconic imagery. I haven't been able to stop thinking about George since seeing it.

This is a must-see film for any Beatles fan. A little warning though... if you love George like me, you'll be mourning his passing all over again by the end.

Hey, Lookie What I Made... The Sequel!

Making cards is fun... good times! Check these babies out.

My sister and I are getting ready to make a whole bunch of Christmas cards. Photos to follow!

Warning: Typographic Content

I may have forgotten to mention this, but I got a job. I'm a Professional Resume Writer. I interview job searchers about their skills and achievements, and I write their resumes and cover letters for them. Pretty neat, eh?

But I can't just write the resume in whatever style I want. My boss has a degree in typography (I know right?!) and is somewhat particular about the fonts I use. As well he should be... it's his business, and if he prefers that I use Arial and Times New Roman, then I will. From now on.

I learned the hard way, today, that he isn't a fan of Trebuchet MS. I happen to think Trebuchet MS is great. Quirky, yet understated. I'd like to think that sort of sums up my own personality. But I guess that's not what employers want to see on a resume.

Today, a friend pointed me in the direction of this article: I'm Comic Sans, Asshole. And I just about died. Not that I would ever write a resume in Comic Sans (though I'm sort of tempted to play a joke on my boss and do a fake one just to get him riled up, LOL). 

Shortly after, another friend reminded me of the spectacularity that is Exocet. 

I definitely do not have enough Exocet in my life. In a world filled with Arial, Verdana, and Times New Roman, we all need a little Comic Sans, Trebuchet MS, and Exocet in our lives for shits and giggles, no?

Einstein...

Photo taken by me today while traversing a lane in Yorkville.

Rollerskates.

I started wanting them when I was 15. 20 years later, I still want them. That is all.

A Martini is Like a Steak.

It's totally true. Everyone likes their steak done differently. Me... I'm not much of a steak fan. I don't always eat steak, but when I do, it's cooked well done. And if I get to choose the cut, it's a filet mignon. I don't think that makes me a steak snob. I'm just not a bleeding T-bone kind of girl :)

But I digress. And yes, in this case, filet mignon is a digression. I'm here to talk about how I like my martini. Obviously. 

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It's funny that I'm blogging about martinis right now, because I have recently declared that whisky season is officially upon us. I was sitting here sipping my Glenfiddich on the rocks... I don't mind drinking it neat, but I like the chill that the ice gives it. In a rare move, I decided to go ahead and pour myself a second dram. And then I realized that I'm out of ice, so I have to drink this one neat. That's when I started thinking about the different ways in which people enjoy their spirits, and I thought of the legendary martini - my favourite cocktail.

Truthfully, I may not be a steak snob, but I do think I'm a bit of a martini snob. I don't bother with all of those crazy martini flavours you can get these days.... appletini, crantini... etc.  I'm sure they're really tasty and everything, but I guess I'm just a martini purist. 

Here's how I take my martini:

Gin. Never vodka. Vodka has it's time and place... and it is not in My Martini.
Vermouth. Dry, and just a little.

Dirty. Put motherfucking loads of olive juice in it.
Straight Up. Chill it up with a little ice, but then kindly remove the ice from my drink, k thanx.

Olive garnish. In fact, throw about six olives in my glass if you want to make me really, really happy.

When it arrives in my hand, it should be slightly chilly, super smooth, and full of savoury, salty, olivey goodness. Pure effing heaven.

Now please excuse me while I get back to my... whisky.

Whoa... I am totally doing this!

How to make a lace patterned coffee table, by Elsie Larson of A Beautiful Mess! Click the first link to be taken to the stunningly photographed tutorial.

Everyone knows elsiecake is full of brilliant ideas. I think this is one of my absolute favourites!

Swooooooooon.

Please excuse me while I flop onto the couch and sigh.

This image belongs to northern star.

My all-time second favourite song...

...is also my all-time second favourite video.

"Love is a verb and a noun as well... you can find it in the dictionary under L".

Oh, September...

Normally I would be so glad to see you. You are the door to my favourite time of year. But not this year. This year, I'm not ready for summer to end. This year, I want to postpone autumn. I can't stop you, September... but please go slowly.

That is all.

Where I Want To Be

This is Chandos Lake. It's in the Kawartha Lakes area in Ontario. I spent last weekend there. It was over too soon. Can I please have some more of this?

...and back to job applications with me. I can only handle not working when I'm actually on vacation. Sigh! 

By the way... image by me!

Streetcred.

Generally speaking, I have none. But I know streetcred when I see it. So here's some art that has streetcred written all over it!

I found it on Reddit... but I'm told this is the original source.

The Shoelace Express

THIS. Blew my mind.

It's so beautiful. And it's not a picture of a rose, or a cat, or a pretty girl wearing a pretty dress... it's THIS. And I love it. Suddenly feeling inspired to get photographing again!

Nice work, uiethma.

Jack.

End of a Chapter.

As I find myself sick on a Sunday, sad to see the thunderstorm go, it occurred to me that I'm still coming down from all this school stuff. Tomorrow is Monday, and I guess I will begin my for-real job search. But for as long as Sunday is here, I shall maintain student status.

Over the past year, my creative juices have been poured almost exclusively into my school projects. I have to admit, while it was stressful at times, it was great to finally use my creativity for something that will ultimately take me somewhere in life (I hope).

I'm particularly proud of the way one of my projects (a guide to thrifting) turned out. It was probably the most fun of all my independent projects... I got to write and design a book about one of my favourite subjects! I browsed my favourite thrift, vintage, and antique stores for ideas, and a few of them actually let me take photos to use in my project.

It has been a long time since I posted anything to my flickr account, or any of my own work to this blog... but it suddenly occurred to me that some of the photos I took (and edited using Poladroid) and used in my project are some of my best work to date! So here are a few of my favourites.

You know how when you finish reading a book that you really love, and you end up re-reading the last page a thousand times and then just laying there dreaming about that world, pondering the characters, reliving the adventure in your mind, trying to grasp what it all meant? That's what today is for.