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Archive for December, 2013

linked: good-bye 2013!

Monday, December 30th, 2013

I was debating whether I should post or not, as this last week around the internet has been slow. Nearly everyone is on vacation, and those who aren’t are re-posting things from the past year. Also, due to the holidays, I have been surfing just a bit less.

However, if I can only manage two consistent posts a week, I should at least bang out one last linked!! So, here is a wee bit of linkage for you to send off 2013. Here’s to a bigger, better, more amazing year in 2014!!

It may be that part of why I haven’t been surfing so much, is because I found this photo blog and I just. Can’t. Look. Away. It goes to show that not everyone can stage a property, nor take proper photographs. Note: Do not view while taking a drink.

A friend shared this, lamenting the loss of grammar over the years. As someone over 30, I was sure I would agree with the list of things people my age shouldn’t say. I agreed with a couple, as making polysyllabic words monosyllabic drives me cray-cray. (Unless you are Malcolm McDowell, or James Earl Jones.) From the last part of that statement, you may guess I don’t agree with them all!

Also from Huff-Po, a different friend pointed out that an organization is looking to set up a writer in a house in Detroit. The hope is to set up a writer in a home where they can focus on writing, and in turn get people living in Detroit. As someone who grew up in the Detroit metro, and grew up visiting my grandfather there (until we had to move him out of his house after the third time he was carjacked in his own driveway), I love the idea, but just don’t think it’s enough.

So yeah, there it is. One last linked for the year. See you next year. Party hard, party safe, friends. xoxox

squirrely sunday: happy new year!

Sunday, December 29th, 2013

How is it that New Year’s Eve is practically here? I think I missed a month or two in this year. That’s the only possible explanation. These squirrels are partying it up in celebration of another year coming, as I will be doing in two days’ time. I still haven’t come up with what my ensemble will be. According to some magazine a coworker left in the lunchroom, we’re all supposed to look like we came out of the 1970s. It’s all the rage. I don’t know about that.

So, have a wonderful New Year! Celebrate safely, either having someone sober drive you home or staying put while you put away the champagne, or prosecco, or other sparkling beverage. As always, I resolve to be more fabulous in the coming year. What do you resolve? Please do share!

cheers!!!

12.29.13 new year squirrel

linked: hot thoughts for cold times

Monday, December 23rd, 2013

So, partway through last week, I realized I forgot to post links last Monday! I don’t know how it slipped my mind, the links were hanging out there ready to go. Because of my brain fart, you get double the link action today! Consider it my Christmas gift to you. xoxox

If you are a vintage clothing lover like I am, this list of tips from Style Rookie, Tavi, might be of use. I’ve been fortunate with my vintage collection, but her tips include things I do already. If you aren’t already cautious with your vintage wearables, give this a read!

No matter how cold it is where you are, this slideshow of hot guys in warm sweaters will keep you cozy. I appreciate the span of eras from which the hot guys come from, so you should definitely head over and take a look. There is something for everyone!!

While this piece of advice from Carolyn Hax is speaking to weight obsessed family, I think “I don’t recall” might just be the best piece of advice for nosy folks all around!

I am committed to finding some terrible black velvet paintings for my terrible art collection. After reading this piece on the typically tacky paintings, I discovered there are some true works of art out there on this lustrous textile.

I was wholly unfamiliar with the tradition of Temari before reading this piece. I am totally fascinated now, and am trying to wrap my head around how these stunning orbs are created.

I’ve always sided with Martha, and this is no exception.

Finally, I feel a little vindicated in keeping my liquor cabinet fully stocked. Behold, the healing ability of cocktails!!!

Are you as addicted to Sleepy Hollow as we are? Tom Mison is so pretty, they could do just about anything with the show and I might still be addicted. Luckily, the show is really great on top of his lovely looks. This behind-the-scenes look into the writing of the show, focusing on the scene known as “Farewell, Yolanda” is brilliant.

Speaking of “Farewell, Yolanda,” over at i09, a list of both the best and worst moments from this year in television was compiled. Warning, there may be spoilers if you aren’t 100% caught up with your watching. I agree with most of the lists, and appreciated that there were some gems that are often overlooked. I didn’t agree with the last item, because it gave such a lovely closing shot to the show!!

squirrely sunday: away in a manger

Sunday, December 22nd, 2013

The bus I take to get home from work goes past a few interesting shops, including several antique stores. One day, last year, I noticed a display window in one of the antique stores was filled with taxidermy. It was a manger scene made up of taxidermied animals, except for the baby. It was one of those things that I saw, and was sure it wasn’t what I thought I saw. Surely, my obsession with taxidermy made me think I saw a taxidermied animal manger scene. However, the next day I saw it again. It was definitely what I thought. I didn’t manage to get a photo last year, and was so bummed out. This year, I was determined to get a photo! Unfortunately, the salt and frost on the bus windows make it difficult to capture a photo. Today, I ventured over to the shop to get some shots. I think if I knew more about my new camera, I could have eased the reflection action in the window. I still managed to get some great photos, including this squirrely one!
Taxidermy manger squirrels

A wee albino squirrel, and its fat and sassy grey neighbor were only the tip of the taxidermy iceberg! There were more squirrels, some raccoons, an armadillo, even a penguin!! To see the full menagerie, check out my flickr set here.

Once I have a larger collection of taxidermy, I think a Christmas tradition will be creating my own taxidermy nativity.

I hope your Christmas is full of unexpected delights!!!xoxox

squirrely sunday: in disguise

Sunday, December 15th, 2013

I came across this guy, and he was just too adorable!! Happy Sunday, friends!! xoxox

12.15.13 corgi in squirrel disguise

linked: merry weird christmas!

Monday, December 9th, 2013

Christmas is creeping ever closer! It’s been an odd season, I think because this year Hanakkuh was more intertwined with Thanksgiving than Christmas. Anyway, it’s a festive time, and there are lots of goodies out there I just have to share!!

I love this list from Mental Floss of widely known facts, proved by science!

Normally, I find gift guides disappointing. They are often either out-of-touch with regular folk, or the items don’t jive with the intended market. However, I do adore this Goth Girl gift guide. The items are all elegant and chic, and not stereotypical. (Also, for this semi-goth girl this may or may not be a hint. Hint…hint…)

I am fascinated by old-timey hair jewelry. It satisfies all the components for things I love…old-timey, quirky, darkly fascinating…
So this tutorial for Victorian-inspired hair jewelry from Style Rookie is super rad! (Now taking volunteers for offering locks of hair!)

I thought this piece on people who are always on time was pretty interesting. It was relatively recently that I read an article on tendencies that late people had, and I looked for those behaviors in my life so I can be better at punctuality. Reading similar things in the opposite context was super helpful!!

Finally, the weird Christmas moment of Zen. If you are not familiar with the Kardashian Christmas card, you should be. I don’t care one way or the other about the Kardashians ordinarily, but man, they put together the most ridiculous holiday cards, year after year. It’s so surreal, and kind of hilarious. I think this year’s card really takes the cake for absurdity. So click on over to Go Fug Yourself, and check it out!

Happy Monday, friends!!! xoxox

squirrely sunday: merry little squirrel

Sunday, December 8th, 2013

12.8.13 Christmas Squirrel

With the coming holidays, I thought this was too perfect! I think that holiday decor can and should go beyond trees and brick-a-brack. It’s a great opportunity to refresh and update, even temporarily. I can see this little guy replacing a print or photograph in a frame as a festive little surprise. I may even have to splurge on him! (Or her. I respect the squirrel’s privacy.)

linked: strangely beautiful

Monday, December 2nd, 2013

A lot of the links today made me think of a dear friend’s book, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker. Sadly, it is out of print at the moment, but it should be back in print soon! When it is, I will surely link it here. Until then, onto some other strangely beautiful links, and other amusing items.

First, a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Somehow, people often have no problem asking someone to write (or create whatever other form of art) for free. This piece looks at this phenomenon, and how problematic it is.

A look at The Addams Family home in color! It is just as gorgeous in color, and I still maybe dream of living there.

I am enamoured with this abandoned train station. I’ve certainly not seen anything quite like it stateside.

A man bought thousands of undeveloped negatives, and developed them to find gorgeous photographs that revealed stories of days gone by. I am fascinated, and must know more!!!

I have long had a fascination of old timey medical institutions and asylums. While they often had specific layouts for their functions, the architecture was largely indicative of the time. In recent years, facilities are more about function and sterility. These abandoned asylums are stunning, and I would love to save them and make them the coolest residences ever…surely there must be some like-minded weirdos out there!

I’ve found my new favorite grocery store!!

Also from Lucid, Inc., images from a church now filled with plants and flowers. It’s ethereal, and magical, and unusual!

I know I’m always up to expand my vocabulary, so I loved this piece from Mental Floss chock full of Victorian slang to bring back!!

Finally, for your entertainment, this Buzzfeed list (in gif form) of background actors who have no clue what they are doing. Some are less background than others, but there is some comedy gold there!

squirrely sunday: felted up

Sunday, December 1st, 2013

I know some aren’t completely sold on my love of taxidermy. I found this guy whilst perusing Etsy, and thought it was a lovely taxidermy look, without the actual animal part. The felting is lovely, and it is very squirrel-like!

Felted Squirrel

Clicking the photo above will take you to the artist’s Etsy site.

A friendly reminder to check out independent artists and small businesses when shopping for gifts!