Officious Seeing Eye Bitch

I finished Rebel Angels by Libba Bray. It was fun. I liked that the girls each struggle with their own personal issues and its not all about the adventure. Its a quick fun read with some darker tones that give it a bit more lasting power in my head. I think the third book comes out next month.



I also went ahead and borrowed the BBC series Fingersmith. They stayed so true to the story, and I appreciate that. The casting was quite good too.

Everything is Illuminated did not stick so closely to the story, In fact, I'm still aggravated that they changed the grandfather's story. Its the most moving part of the book! Read the book if you are at all inclined. It will make you giggle in between making you sob.

The dog though was hysterical and perfect. Alex was wonderfully cast as well.

Why did it take me so long to watch Brokeback Mountain? I adored it! Beautiful and heartbreaking and perfect. I need to stop avoiding movies just because I find the hype overwhelming. Somedays its much deserved.

Blood Diamond was good. I thought the love story in it was unbelievable and unnecessary, but the main story was well told and important. It was hard to watch in some parts but not unbearable.

I promise that I have been crafting! Its just that its dark when I leave for work and dark again when I get home which makes for miserable picture taking. That plus a horrible never ending cold that didn't help. I will manage some pictures this weekend.

Hee!

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye." — Miss Piggy

Long weekend of reading

I finished Eclipse over the weekend. Its the third book from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series. Its 600+ pages but a super fast read. Its chock full of vampires and other super natural creatures and lots of excitement and romance. Can't wait until the next one comes out!

I was also listening to The Greatest Generation Speaks on cd until the cds got so scratchy that my player spit them back out. So I'm reserving it on tape from the library this time so hopefully I can hear the last half of it. Its really good and makes me teary eyed which can be hazardous since I usually listen to books on tape while driving, cooking or crafting.

I like the little kid clowns

Pretty cute.

Thieves and Rats

Its seriously cold in my apartment. This is made even more obvious by my cat stalking me waiting for me to stay put so she can curl up on me. Luckily, she noticed that the computer was turned on and now she's curled up on the monitor - leaving my hands free for typing.

I just cranked up the heat and put a pot of tea onto boil. That should help.

I finished a great book this morning. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters is similiar to a Dickens tale - with interesting characters from different class levels and twisty turny plot lines. I was seriously hooked on the story. And after ranting last night about why in the heck are they making dumb-looking movies like the one coming out based on The Chipmunks cartoon when there are good books out there just waiting to be turned into amazing movies, I found out this morning that the BBC already has done it. Its already on my Netflix queue.

I also just finished listening to Mrs. Frisby & the Rats of NIMH on tape. So good! And I adore listening to books where accents are involved. I know this story, and yet I couldn't help getting nervous when poor Mrs. Frisby had to go visit the owl. Such a great children's story!

Now I've got my hands on the third book of Stephenie Meyer's vampire series, Eclipse. If I'm not careful I could while away my whole weekend under a blanket, sipping tea, and reading. (Doesn't that sound marvelous?) But I have things to do! I've promised a cake for a good friend's 30th birthday (and I already feel baked out after turkey day) and I'm determined to make our own Xmas cards this year. Busy busy busy!

Sucked into YA books

I'm really loving teen books lately. First the Stephenie Meyer vampire books, and now A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Gray- a series about English girls at a boarding school who discover sorcery. So good! At first I was mad when I got to the end, thiking that it finished up pretty abruptly. Then I looked it up and realized that its the first of a series. Now I love it.

I'm listed as #1 one for both the 3rd vampire book and for the second sorcery book. They're both enormous and I'm sure they will come in all at once. Decisions shall have to be made. (Not to mention the 500+ page book I'm reading at the moment. I may have to start researching some less tome-like novels to pick up).

Someone glancing at this blog lately would probably think I'm 13 years old and not in my late twenties. Mentally, they may be right.

I just finished Rosie Little's Cautionary Tales for Girls.

First page of the book reads, "These are not, I should say from the outset, tales written for the benefit of good and well-behaved girls who always stick to the path when they go to Grandma's. Skipping along in their gingham frills - baskets of scones, jam and clotted cream upon their arms - what need can these girls have for caution? Rather, these are tales for gilrs who have boots as stout as their hearts, and who are prepared to firmly lace them up (boots and hearts both) and step out into the wilds in search of what they desire. And since it cannot be expected that stout-booted, stout-hearted girls will grow up without misfortune or miscalculation of some kind, they require a reminder, from time to time, about the dangers that lurk both in dark forests and in the crevices of one's own imagining - Rosie Little"

The best part of the book in my opinion. Besides the second story (a great one about a woman who finds herself inadvertantly collecting elephants), the stories just fell really flat for me.

But what a terrific opener! And it was really beautifully bound. Just not so great a read.

Eels!

This segment on NPR was hysterical. Don't read it! Listen to it so you can appreciate the singing.

Eel's Have Second Set of Jaws

Yay for Project Runway

I seriously love the show and I'm so glad its back. My favorite outfit from last night is nothing I'd ever wear, but I think its pretty cool.

Carmen's outfit just had such pretty combinations of fabrics and colors. Very striking.

Sealife and Xmas - a natural fit

I'm in absolute cute spasms over Futuregirl's Octopus and Seahorse patterns. How can you resist them?

I'm envisioning a Xmas tree covered in pretty colored sparkly sea life. And I've always had a super soft spot for Octopi. If only there was a jellyfish pattern to go with or a narwhal. (Hmmm.....maybe next year Futuregirl?). Anyway, I'm totally ordering these patterns and going to try to fit in a mass of ornament crafting in between all the other holiday crafting I'd like to do but haven't even started yet. Yikes! I have a hard time putting realistic restraints on my crafty projects.

Vampirey Goodness

Just finished New Moon by Stephenie Meyer today. Actually I was reading the last few pages during my lunchbreak and it was so noisy in the lunchroom that I holed up in my office with my door closed for a few minutes just so I could finish it un-interrupted.

Its all about teenagers and vampires and other creatures. Fun! Its book two in a trilogy so I've already reserved book three from the local library.

Books and magazine ponderings and surrenders

I've been reading a whole lot as always. Here's my most recent books.


How Sassy Changed My Life was book number 4 in my quest to read more nonfiction (from my 101 list). Obviously, I'me starting out pretty easy and girly on this goal. So far I've read two books about reproduction and two books about feminism. Who knows where I'll go next!

I liked this book. It made me wish I had another magazine to fall in love with. Right now I only subscribe to The Sun Literary Magazine and Cooking Light. I recently let my Lucky subscription lapse. I need some fabulously well-rounded magazine to fall for I think. Any suggestions?


Straight Man was good! Even funnier than Empire Falls. I quite enjoy Richard Russo's writing about middle aged men. Makes me think about my dad and make me think how I owe him a call.

Purple Hibiscus is gonna be a non-finisher for me. And I hate not finishing a book, but man! I'm listening to it on tape and my sense of dread for the family in the story is too much. I don't feel that much of a connection with them either, just dread. And I was so ready to mentally escape to Africa for a while.

Library Madness

I'm either the public library's best or worst user. The amount of books I have out right now is madness. Here's what I have:

-Setting Free the Bears - by John Irving. I'm determined to read all his novels, but so far this one isn't grabbing me.
- Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Agozi Adichie. Set in Nigeria, this story is making me so anxious, I'm listening to it on tape, and I'm not so sure I want to continue. The story is doing something to my nerves.
-A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray. Next up for listening to in the car. A supernatural story set in a girls boarding school. Sounds very good.
- New Moon by Stephenie Meyer. So anxious to start this one! I may have to crack it open tonight. Teenage vampires!
- Fingersmith by Sarah Waters. I've heard so many good things about this book. Its about a household of thieves.
-Rosie Little's Cautionary Tales for Girls by Danielle Wood.I love fairy tales and short stories. This looks right up my alley. And a good breather book since most of the novels on my stand seem to have between 300 and 400 pages.
-Femme Fatale by Pat Shipman. About Mata Hari. I've had this out for far to long. I need to either read it or return it.
-Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. I keep putting this off for other books. I think I'm a little afraid I won't love this as much the second time around.
-Clouds and Eclipses by Gore Vidal. Another I've renewed a ridiculous numbe rof times without opening.
-Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. This is the graphic novel version of a novel I heart very much. It shall be read soon and quickly.
-The Spanish Bow by Andromeda Romano-Lax.About a violinist. Another I've read raves reviews about.
-I Dreamed of Africa by Kuki Gallman. I've been in an African mood lately I think.
-Fabulous Felted Scarves by Chad Alice Hagen & Jorie Johnson. Cause while swearing not to start new projects, I still cannot help but think about them. I'm delusional I know.

13 books! I think maybe I have a bit of a library addiction.

Projects

I have this insane notion that I need to make some progress on my innumerable un-finished projects. Maybe if I make myself finsih two projects for every new one I start. I'm not sure that's possible - especially since I should make an exception for Xmas and etsy projects. Its an admirable idea though. Right now, I'd love to finish a softie for my 16 year old niece and a painting I've stalled on. There must be progress and maybe even completeion this month! Hold me to it. Plus that pesky photo album. Oh my - this could take a while.

One of these nights the whole world's going down

Love this song:

Monsters

We had these on our windows for the Halloween party. Also inspired by Martha Stewart. I love how the bird monster looks like he has intentions for the feeder.

I stumbled onto a blog chock full of pretty clothes like those below. Check out The Perfect Closet to see more of her pretty picks.

Daydreams

This dress is beautiful and only $4,000+ dolares.

This one is an absolute stunner and also quite sold out.

This would make me feel like a super heroine:

And this one is just drop dead beautiful:

That concludes my fantasy shopping daydreams for today.

Getting on track

Here's what I'd like to accomplish during the month of November:

Things on or affecting the list:
Chicago trip
Finish my sister's photo album
Add 3 more garlands to my etsy shop
Have an English tea
Get birthdays on calendar
Read one shelf sitter
Finish filling out passport application

Other things:
Start on some holiday gifts
Go help the folks cut wood

Halloween pictures (part 1)

We had a Halloween party on Saturday. (which by the way was #87 on my 101 list.) I was Frida Kahlo (which hardly anyone got, but I'm always okay with that). Everyone came in costume! It was great.

So so wrong I know but he is my little brother. He's used to getting away with shit.

I found this banner at the local Goodwill. The bats in the hallway were inspired by Martha Stewart, high priestess of all holiday crafting. In fact almost all our decor was ripped straigh from good ol' Martha.

Glittery skull! A pain but so cool looking.

The whole house was covered in webs and spiders and a couple of these spider balls.

My favorite costume of the night:

"Peg" even brought keychains to sell and a camera for any much-needed Glamour Shots. Very thorough!

Couple of friends looking fittingly evil:
Old dead people staying in grim character:

I'll have some more pictures tomorrow.

Words

Willful Creatures, a collection of short stories by Aimee Bender, is odd, and I enjoy odd. However, many of the stories felt like they were missing something, but the good ones were very good. My favorite was "Fruit and Words" and it can be listened to here.

Lost and Found by Carolyn Parkhurst was a fluffy story. I enjoyed it, but I have to admit to being a bit let down because I absolutely loved Dogs of Babel with its hauntingly sad and horrifying turns. This one followed a bunch of reality tv show contestants in a race around the world. I like dthe skipping between viewpoints, but it all felt a bit too easy by the end.

If I won the lotto today

I'd splurge on pretty clothes from Plumo. Like these:

Found via This Is Glamorous.

In the interest of sharing

Found two super spiffy design blogs today!

Nice Spice

and

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Enjoy!