Haramaki

Tired of those shirts that keep riding up? Looking for an extra layer of warmth without the bulk? You might consider the haramaki:

Haramaki was originally part of samurai attire. In 16th century Japan the haramaki was a belly protector made of lined silk. The protector also contained chain mail or plates of iron. Today, the haramaki has made a fashion comeback. Checkout this review online.

If you don't have time to stop by Japan, where can you find these things in the U.S.? DanielleDIY once had a selection (although she's backed up with orders so don't expect your haramaki for at least a month!) Stretchy, comfy, in pretty colors...hmmm...it might be worth the wait!

~flutterbyblue
Image from danielleDIY.etsy.com

The Power of Suggestion

Today in the mail I received two packages...from myself! After many years of believing that I am not a petty consumer and that I actually do have my own sense of style, I've realized that I am a completely dependent on the power of suggestion. Here's how it works:

Example A: I read a Chic&Charming blog entry. Note the red suede clutch and silk handbag.

Several months later I found myself buying said red suede clutch and the silk handbag (in black.) They were on sale and happened to match my new dresses (which, incidentally, were purchased after much discussion with Sophia of Chic&Charming.)

Example B: pequitobun (need I say more?)

Almost a year later and I am still making jewelry for fun, buying bits and baubles here and there and always running out of brass chain when I need it.

Example C: Just today I read a blog entry on the benefits of brining chicken.

I haven't actually attempted this as of yet (I have no chicken on hand.) But if I did, that chicken would be sitting in a plastic baggie of salty/sugared water even as I type.

Then again, maybe it's not so much that I am at the whim of other people's blogs and more that I really love their sense of style, skill or creativity. Maybe that's why we're friends to begin with? In any case, I think I might go see how well this new handbag matches that dress and whether or not I can make a new pair of earrings to go with the whole shebang, all the while roasting a brined chicken in the oven...

Ah, the power of suggestion.

~flutterbyblue
Images from JCrew.com and flutterbyblue.etsy.com

A series of unfortunate events

Like many people (or unlike many) I actually enjoy going home for the holidays. Thanksgiving is great, what with the turkey and all, but my absolute favorite event is Christmas. I LOVE Christmas. I love the lights, the tree, the ornaments that serve absolutely no purpose whatsoever except to tinkle and look pretty. And almost as much as I love the smell of fresh pine needles, I love the smell of Christmas dinner. But I'm getting ahead of myself...

As a graduate student, I go to work most days --strike that-- I go to work ALL days of the week. I work most weekends and holidays without thinking twice. So this year when I decided to take three days off the usual work schedule to go home and enjoy some good food, I was really looking forward to it. That's three whole days. I had been relatively healthy and cold-free the entire season up until now (a random fact which will become a key point in the next paragraph.)

Day 1: I arrive at home mid-day. Tired, no exhausted, but nothing too unusual.

Day 2: Christmas Eve. I wake up feeling...off. Throat is a bit scratchy and I feel slightly...congested. By the time we put on our coats and head to a much anticipated Christmas Eve dinner at Sel de la Terre (insert, fabulous Provencal and Southern French country fare) I can no longer breathe through my nose, my eyes are dried out and crusty-feeling and my head feels like it is filled with jello.

By dinner I felt like absolute crap and the saddest part of all (other than my complete lack of appetite) was the fact that I couldn't taste a thing. The sea bass had the most incredible texture, and based on the looks of everyone's faces as they ate it, I am assuming it tasted pretty good. The cheese plate looked divine as did the Bûche de Noël (which my brother gobbled up on my behalf -- with relish.)

Day 3: Christmas Day. Having gotten very little sleep due to extreme sinus pain I wake up late, have a nice brunch with the fam, open presents (thanks for the slow-cooker!) and then take a nap. At dinner I can **almost** smell the gorgeous roast beef, but I suspect this could just be my imagination.

It's now been 5 days and I am finally sinus-pain free. I can breathe through one nostril and have to say that a little R&R really does one good. Rather than go to lab on a particularly cold, wet, miserable day, I spent the afternoon watching Season 1 of the Gilmore Girls and knitting a hat, which I will never wear.

6 DVDs, 20 packets of Tylenol, 2 balls of yarn, and three chocolate bars later (well, just because you can't taste the chocolate doesn't mean you can't enjoy it!) I am feeling almost well enough to start up the New Year with a bang. It's a good thing I still have 3 more days to make a full recovery.

So how was your holiday?

~flutterbyblue

Matchstick Garden

For Christmas this year, one of my little decorative goodies included one of these cute matchbooks. Tear out a matchstick, plant it tip first in damp soil and watch your flower or herb garden grow!

Matchstick Garden comes in two varieties: mixed herbs or wildflowers. Each matchbook is 3" W x 2" H with 10 matchsticks. Easy to follow instructions are printed inside. Find them online at Brooklyn 5&10 or at a specialty shop near you!

Free Rice

Bored at work? Here's one easy way to waste time, learn some vocab and donate rice! Check out FreeRice:

Click on the answer that best defines the word.

If you get it right, you get a harder word. If you get it wrong, you get an easier word.

For each word you get right, 20 grains of rice are donated to the United Nations World Food Program.

Who says procrastination can't help fight hunger?

Zhen Zhen

In Chinese, Zhen Zhen means "Precious" and what better name for one of the world's most adorable creatures. San Diego Zoo's newest panda cub was named on November 26, 2007 (naming traditionally happens 100 days after birth.) You can watch the little panda live on Panda Cam.

So cute!!!

The Chachkis Forest: The saga continues...

When I first heard about the Giant Microbes (stuffed animals that look like tiny microbes a million times actual size) I thought to myself, "Well, that's creative!" I also could not believe people actually make money off such an idea. Yet, over the years, the company has expanded its repertoire. One can buy The Common Cold, The Flu, Sore Throat, a number of exotic disease microbes as well as some calamities. Imagine sending your boss a Black Death microbe or a plush Ebola!

Our Chachkis Forest is home to a number of little critters: The Cough is a cute, yellow, rectangular shaped plush microbe, the Ear Ache is a pinkish double budded-looking organism and the Common Cold comes in bright blue. Despite being rather silly (in a nerdy kind of way), I have to say these little plush toys are terribly cute! They even come with a little informational card. Designed after their microscopic images and colored based upon their stain, these cuddly companions have made very friendly additions to our window sill.
Images from www.giantmicrobes.com

~flutterbyblue