Happy Hand Made

     Ewww...  I always thought hand made gifts were pretty special, but this may be going too far.  However, apparently, crafting with cat hair is a real thing. Check this out:

Crafting with Cat Hair

      

     I discovered this book when I was searching for a small gift to send to my daughter in college.  Something she could carry around in her pocket to give her a smile and think of me.

    This is what I found:

The Grey Woods

   At only one inch tall, this tiny adorable bunny was just what I was after.  He is needle felted wool (same idea as the cat hair above). He was hand crafted and sold through a shop on Etsy.com.  I love Etsy because everything for sale on Etsy is either hand made, vintage, or supplies to make things.

Here's another cutie:

Ellemeno P

   I am thrilled that although we live in a very commercialized society, hand made and recycled items are making a comeback.

I always loved this battle cry of the Great Depression:

     I imagine that the majority of Americans, including myself, would have no idea how to really survive in a time like that.  So pressed for anything of value, including food, they even made their toys from what we would consider garbage.  This is a traditional Depression Era corn husk doll:

Pink Stripey Socks

    And sometimes surprising to us, Depression Era type of living (and worse) is going on all over the world TODAY.  But humans are creative beings, and they will always find a way to bring joy, no matter how difficult.

Here is what a group of children in Paraguay 

are doing with landfill trash:

You can see an amazing video of the entire orchestra here: Landfillharmonic

     I was fortunate for Mother's Day when both my children gave me hand made gifts.

My son purchased this gorgeous pitcher at a local Art Fair:

And my 'college poor' daughter got creative:

    Yes, I tried them all on..... and yes, a nose by any other name WOULD smell as sweet. 

    Now, I need to get cracking and come up with a hand made item for my husband for Father's Day.  Wait a minute....  We have a cat!

Heeeere... Kitty, Kitty!

To Selfie or Not to Selfie?

     selfie:  A self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a hand-held digital camera or camera phone. Selfies are often shared on social networking services such as Instragram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Tumblr. They are often casual, and are typicaly taken either with a camera held at arm's length or in a mirror. (Wikipedia)

and to that description, Urban Dictionary adds this hilarious note:

   You can usually see the person's arm holding out the camera in which case you can clearly tell that this person does not have any friends to take pictures of them so they resort to Myspace to find internet friends and post pictures of themselves, taken by themselves.

    Selfies are such a modern phenomena that Emily Post has an etiquette guide for them and there are even children's books on selfie etiquette.  (clearly the birds haven't read up on that yet)

     I became curious about the 'State of Selfies' when I saw that NASA posted the mind-boggling 'Global Selfie' in honor of Earth Day 2014: 

http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/globalselfie/#.U4uN9PmwLYg

(p.s. I didn't spot Atlas' arm, did you?)

     I wonder if the infamous Kim Kardashian, did she-or didn't she enhance the photo, 'butt-selfie' is in the mosaic.

www.thedailybeast.com

     I agree that Kim's photo isn't in the best of taste, but at least she has a friend with her, which clearly redefines the Urban Dictionary definition of selfie.

    The first selfie was reportedly taken in 1839 by Robert Cornelius, an American pioneer in photography.  Because the daguerreotype process was slow, Robert was able to uncover the lens, run into the shot, and then replace the lens cap.  

      ^{I personally like his version better than Kim's, but that's just me.  Maybe if he had lived in 2014, he would have posted a photo of himself crushing beer cans on his forehead.}

     ^{Just for the record, I think selfies were around way before the camera was invented.  Poor Van Gogh didn't have an iphone to Instagram his heartbroken self to the world.... he had to painstakingly paint it.  (You'll have to research yourself if you want to know why he cut off part of his ear.)}

    ^{When I initially starting 'investigating', I had a pre-determined judgment that selfies were just that: SELFISH. (If you want a real eye-opener, Google search 'selfie images'....  warning: set your filter to strong)} 

^{'It's All About Me"....  right?  The age-old PRIDE issue.}  The 'look at me!....aren't I great!?..... don't you wish you were here!?... don't you envy me!?.... Look how much fun I am having!'....  is certainly there.

     However, the more selfies I see, the more I am ashamed of my prior conviction.  Yes, pride is definitely one reason that people post photos of themselves.  But, on the whole, I think there is something much deeper going on.

    ^{There isn't a human being on the planet who doesn't want to be loved, admired, and accepted. Selfie's are really just our way of saying, "Hey, I'm here!.... don't you love me?"}

     ^{Unfortunately, with the inherently superficial tendencies of social media along with instant images (and everything else 'instant'), I fear that a vicious cycle is going on:}

^{We want to be loved, admired, and accepted, so we do what the rest of society is doing} 

 ^{and turn to social media.....}

^{but social media actually makes relationships and real conversations superficial....}

^{so we end up feeling like we aren't loved for who we truly are.......}

^{so we turn to social media ......}

    

     What's the answer?  How about this... next time you send a selfie or one is sent to you, send this message back:  "Hey, I miss seeing you!  Let's get together and talk over dinner."

     Here is a selfie of me and my gal pal in the 1980's.  It used to be fun to squeeze into a small photo booth and change your poses as the camera clicked a photo every 5 seconds. Then, when a strip of very small photos dispatched at the end, you would tear it in half, so that both you and your friend could keep part of a treasured memory.

     There wasn't internet back then, or I suppose we we would have posted those selfies.  Probably with the line, 

'We are having fun!.... don't you love us?.... 

Wish you were here!"

Risky Business

   

     All Zsa Zsa needs now is a wrecking ball in her living room.... and maybe a straw.  Poor thing doesn't realize that not all trends are attractive.

     Beauty trends have been around since before Cleopatra decorated her eyes with kohl made from lead, copper, burned almonds, and soot.

     There are probably as many reasons for adopting a trend as there are trends to adopt.  And sometimes, those beauty trends are not without physical pain.

     The age-old custom of wearing neck rings is related to an ideal of beauty: an elongated neck.  However, it is said that many people that still wear neck rings, do so because of the popular tourism factor. 

Neck rings push the collarbone and ribs down.  The weight of the rings twist the collar bone and eventually the upper ribs at an angle of 45 degrees lower than natural causing the illusion of an elongated neck.  The vertebrae do not elongate, though the space between them may increase.

     

                                   

     Like many women, Maria Jose Cristerna decided to get a makeover after a difficult time in her life.  She has transformed herself into a vampire, complete with fangs and horns.  Lest you think she is just crazy...  she has an advanced degree and used to practice law.

Photo: thesuiteworld.com

   

     And, why would anyone want to go back to the days of wearing braces.  Do Madonna and Katy Perry believe these 'grills' look youthful?

dailymail.co.uk

mtv.com

    Not all beauty trends are extreme.  Here is an advertisement for Botox of the lips:

   Is the woman above really more beautiful in the 'after' photos?  I bet Lisa Rinna thought so.

plasticsurgerystar.com

    I would venture to guess that every woman in the world has used some type of technique to make herself more attractive or to gain attention .  I know I have, and many times.  

     Now that I am an 'older woman' I am slowly becoming more comfortable in my own skin and who I am.  Before adopting any new trend of society's ideal of beauty, my new goal is to answer the personal questions of 'why and how much' is right for me.

     Can anyone be more beautiful than Audrey Hepburn, even at this 'ripe old age'? She didn't run to the latest trends.  She aged with grace and style on the outside; dignity, kindness, and generosity on the inside.

huffingtonpost.com

    "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry of fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3?3-4 NIV

     "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised." Proverbs 31:29-31

Husband or Boyfriend?

    It amazes me that 'boyfriend' jeans are so popular.  But, why not?  They've been around since denim was invented.  Back then, they were probably more of 'husband', 'uncle', or 'brother' jeans. 

      These ladies happily donned their man's jeans to do heavy work during World War II while the chaps were off fighting.  I'm sure they were thrilled to skip the girdle!

     Of course, they wouldn't have dreamed of paying upwards of $1000 and more for a pair of ripped and patched pair.   And doesn't that defeat the whole idea of 'stealing' someone else's clothes? The beauties below cost (only) $800 (tongue-in-cheek):

Junya Watanabe at Netaporter.com

    I actually love the relaxed and comfortable style of boyfriend jeans.... especially the twist of wearing them with heels.

labydiana.com

    

     This pair by Old Navy can be had for under $35 (although I do like them better styled with heels):

    The best idea, though, is to REALLY borrow from your boyfriend or husband.  Boyfriend too slim?  Do what Dressed Her Days Vintage did....  picked up an inexpensive pair at Goodwill.  I think she looks fabulous in them!

dressedherdaysvintage.com

    It appears that the trend of boyfriend jeans will not end anytime soon..... too comfortable, and not just a little bit sexy (like wearing HIS dress shirt as a nighty).  

     My favorite pair had a large 'paperbag' cinched waist and cuffs that showed a calico print when rolled up.  Wish I still had them...  Here they are 20+ years ago (too bad I didn't think about wearing heels back then):

     What's your favorite pair?.... husband or boyfriend?  Just remember to ask before you grab the scissors!

Gladiator or Slave?

     Looks like Zsa Zsa is ready for summer, and as usual, sports the latest look (in sandals, NOT combat gear.)  I believe there are (or should be) several requirements for wearing this style: youth; youthful legs (aka. slender); youthful attitude.

Source: Stuart Weitzman at Zappos.com

     If you fail the entrance exam to wear these knee-high models, try something like these (much more attractive to 'womanly limbs'):

Source: Versace Collection at Zappos.com

     I personally don't care for all the strapping of the Gladiator styles.  A single ankle strap that resembles more of a slave shackle, appeals to my sense of minimalism.

Source:  Cambelle Stringray at Yosisamra.com

     Instead of a spear and shield, I'd accessorize this way:

 Manacles, anyone?

Source: evesaddition.com

Source: polyvore.com

    Of course, Zsa Zsa has covert plans for buying these sandals. 

 "Oh, Jacques,..... where are you?"

Source: fashion2comment.blogspot.com

     Whatever you do in wearing this style... please wear sunscreen on those legs... unless of course, you love zebras. And don't be a SLAVE to fashion.... be uniquely you!

What's your style?  Gladiator or Slave?

Zsa Zsa and the Pinterest Scarf Tying Tutorial

Okay, I hate to admit this, but I am enormously out of step with current fashion trends. I do not like wearing scarves!  Actually, I have an aversion to anything tied or tight about my neck... scarves, turtlenecks, heavy necklaces, noose ropes...

In my twenties, I had some neck problems and was told by the Doc that I have what they call a 'swan neck' (long and bony... maybe it was stretched at birth?).  At first, I was disturbed by the news, picturing more of a 'goose neck'.  But then I discovered that many successful ballerinas also have this phenomena.  Ha!  I knew I should have been a dancer!

Speaking of dancer, Isadora Duncan would have lived longer if she had felt the same way about scarves.

So, back to my aversion. Why on earth do I have so many scarves in my closet?

This is embarrassing, but at latest count there are 55.... a little less than the number of shoes in my closet, but that is another problem.

Of course, scarves accumulate over the years and don't get thrown out with every change in weight or fashion trend. And I do like to pick up a pretty scarf as a souvenir when on vacation.  Here is my latest silk acquisition from a trip to Rome last fall.  I think its prettier tied about an antique handbag, than about my 'goose' neck.

Here are a couple more ways I can tolerate wearing a scarf:

source:  www.etsy.com/shop/lynamobley

source: toast

If you like to wear scarves, but don't want to mess with the tying bit, there are some beautiful 'infinity' scarves.  Here is a Pride and Prejudice one I purchased for my daughter:

source: www.etsy.com/shop/storiarts

And if you are like Zsa Zsa and don't mind having your neck wrung.....  you might try the hundreds of ways of tying a scarf.  (I do not recommend the Sumo Wrestler look) and keep the scissors handy.

Found on dressedtoat.wordpress.com

Happy Tying!