xmas wrappings

tools include: an old issue of prarie dog, hemp, old scrap-book paper bits and lotta gift tags.

also.

i am ruling my world as a "brunette" now.
i get asked all.the.time. if i feel different.
the answer?





no.

regardez! (look!)

how to wrap gifts: ecofriendly and plan ol' stylish
find more here


red wine sangria for the holidays?
find a delish recipe here

re-use old xmas cards as postcards!
read all about it here

also.
i love tinsel trees.
very much.

this one belongs to this lovely lady

the birth house

let us just start at the beginning

which is, of course, the inspiration

to write such a remarkable tale

the author, ami mckay,

moved to a new home

with a distinct (and awesome) history:

it was a birth house!

a home where women came to birth children

under the guidance of a trained-by-experience only midwife.

now.

to the literary beauty itself: the birth house

i am not a fan of tales (aka fiction)

i like memoirs.

and thats basically it.

however.

i could not put this book down.

it was absolutely luring and had me from the very first word

it is a tale of midwifery

of an ancient tradition passed on from woman to woman

who were accused of being "witches", of being "wickedly evil"

because they could use potions, herbs and words to coax babies

out of wombs

and into worlds

(of course they could also heal the common cold and any other ob-gyn issues)

it is a tale of love

and, sometimes, loss

of women ranting and raging

for the right to do whatever they so please with their own bodies

it is a tale of science and medicine

attempting to take control

every rant and every rave suddenly became a sign of "psychosis"

a sure sign that they needed a doctor now more than ever

it is a tale of the brutal history

of medicine and birthing

(which we are still very much so a part of today)

it is a tale of endurance and strength

midwives stood their guard

pitchfork at the throat of trespassing doctors (ok fine, only sometimes)

and, finally,

it is a tale of family

and how they form

by blood

or otherwise.

it is a tale

that you should seriously consider reading

today

i need a comfy sweater
a mug of tea
and this great book


followed by this movie

oui oui, c'est francais!

i would be absolutely lying if i said i have
not been stalking the library waiting for its release.
(everyday my friends, every damn day).
enjoy your saturday!

in response to my self conscious

dear dream that ended at approximately 10:15 this morning:

let it be known that
i have no desire to be married.
like none.
i would really enjoy a life-long partnership
maybe a cool kid or two
maybe adopt a kid or two
throw in some puppies and kitties
a family band
be a somebody's "partner" (so controversial)
but
i have no desire to actually proceed with a wedding
and carry the label "wife"


that being said
i really enjoy being at weddings
and i think they are all-around lovely
but they are simply not for me.



but...that being said.....


i have the strongest desire to design a wedding
through and through.
(i know, what's my deal?)

here is what you need to know about my-notgoingtohappen-wedding:

this dessert table.

spotted here

vintage bow ties for the men

spotted here

grey suits with brown shoes. it's a must.

spotted here

colourful pompoms and white paper lanterns

mason jar lights

spotted here

lots of wedding dress accessories

note the belt. i need a brown belt on my wedding dress.

and

i suppose this location will do

it is stunning!

basically. vintage elegance with a quirky twist.

re-use

little known tidbit about myself:
i re-use gift bags, tissue in good standing, hemp ribbon
old, but pretty, fabrics and anything else i can muster
to disguise my presents.

happy eco-wrapping!

yes!
that is my red antique-inspired bookshelf in the background
yes!
it will be in one beautiful piece soon.
yes!
you will see it.
however.
i have already filled it with
too many good books!
oy.

sunday desires

wanted: a book club crew

must be into memoirs

soy lattes

and political chats

must also be forgiving of an over-filled schedule

(my own)

also wanted:

the biggest array of pottery EVER.

i have decided to defy tradition (i know - i never do such things)

and gather many different pottery delights for my future home

including (but never limited to):

my love for baking/cooking and pottery combine

as far as i am concerned, this lady is wicked cool


also.
it was brought to my attention
that i have yet another conundrum:
i heart paper goods but i am also a recycling nazi
how could one love so much then kill so many trees.
sigh.

so.
a compromise.
eco-friendly paper goods.

this calender makes my heart happy

and....

susyjacks. love.

and my last desire on this very sunday
to see this movie.
once and for all!

evolution

the double knot

devoured

i can now officially conclude
that martin is an amazing writer
with a knack of revitalizing my activist spirit
love:
that she empowers the small acts
that she brings in Buddhist theory
she brightens up the concept of failure
(after all, we really do learn something each time we fail. don't we?)
she encourages
she shares
she pushes
she probes
she creates something that is awesomely earth shattering.

don't love:
you have not read it
so we cannot discuss it.
please do.

visual learners? feast your eyes on this:















and the author
courtney e. martin



go do small radical acts.
they have a ripple effect.
i promise.