Happy Friday, Bon Jovi Hair

Happy Friday.  I apologize for this utterly self-indulgent post, but I must share this observation, as it's quite deep. 

You see, with my new haircut, when I let it air dry, with all my waves and volume I somehow end up with 80s rocker hair like Bon Jovi or Def Leppard - without doing a bit of work for it.  And I am rather amazed... 

Because you see, I came of age during the late 80s.  I remember distinctly those days of big bangs, teased and hairsprayed.  I remember girls who got wave perms to add more volume and crimping irons.  I remember all of this effort required to get one's hair into a hairsprayed rock and roll helmet. 

And now, voila!  My hair does it totally on it's own.  How is this possible?  Quelle miracle!  Oh, I am such a lucky, lucky gal.

(Tongue in cheek, for those of you who have never been exposed to my humor)

Have you ever dreamed of writing a book?

 *via cometstarmoon

I've dreamed of writing a book.  And now I'm dreaming of getting published.  If you're a dreamer too, this post is for you...

Have you heard of NaNoWriMo?  It's National Novel Writing Month and it's this November!

I hadn't heard of it until this year, but if you've ever dreamed of writing a book, please check it out!  The basic idea is writing like a maniac with the goal of producing a first draft of at least 50,000 words in one month.  Sound crazy? Before the last six months I would have said - no way, it's not possible.  Now I can tell you from experience that it is possible.

If you've ever wanted to try writing, this is a great way to jump in.  Quoting from their web site:

Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved.

Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.

I'd love to participate in it at some point, but I'm knee deep in writing THIS novel and just can't stop for a whole month to write something new.  Maybe next year?

So I want to know... Anyone doing NaNoWriMo this year?  If you are, let me know - I'd like to cheer you on!

This week I feel... plummy

Actual color = Bahama Mama by Essie

So I still have the long, oval 80s nails but I think they're coming off next week.  This color seems less purple now than my first impression.  More of a raisin.  But I like it.

Let's hope I can use my fingernails as an outlet for all of my purple patch urges instead of my writing.

*via D. Sharon Pruitt

See more of my Purple Patch nail polish color collection!

When to stop writing

 *via vvaldzen

There is something about writing that can be blissful.  When the music's playing (and there is almost always music playing when I write) and you're in the zone and things are flowing.  Magic.  You wake up three hours later and you've written three thousand words.  And you don't want to stop.

But when you're stuck.  Chihuahua.  Aaargh.  Urgh. The feelings of dread.  The worries that you'll never get it quite right.  The longing for the magic to just come back again.

You know what needs to be done.  You need to step away from the laptop.  You need to quit trying to spit more words out.  You might need to architect, define, analyze, pinpoint, brainstorm, close your eyes and just imagine a little bit, go outside and observe the world, listen to real people talking.  Why is this so hard to do?

Today it's what needs to be done.  I'm at a rather stuckish point when my novel just won't behave.  No matter which way I try to lick it and brush it the cowlick stands right back up again.

Here I am in the final stretch of my first draft.  Yip, yip, yippee.  Here I am at the height of my impatience.  My fingers refuse to leave the keyboard, even though they are typing out drivel. 

Something must be done.  I must pause and slow down to move ahead. Now, to muster up the courage to do it.

Overheard at lunch

"Sometimes I just want to run away..."

"What do you have to run away from?"

"I don't know... nothing."

I wasn't trying to eavesdrop when I heard this. I wish I knew what she was talking about, but I certainly understand.  Don't we all want to run away by the time Friday rolls around?

This week I feel... purple-y

Did you know that when you are writing, it is a rather horrid thing to be accused of having a purple patch?  But since it is fall, and I think hazy shades of purple are rather marvelous in the Fall, I'm going to celebrate it with a Purple Patch nail polish color collection!  Here's my first installment.

I stumbled across this a blog called I'd rather have a cup of tea with Cath Kidston inspired blue and white polka dot nails and I loved it!  Then I saw these nails, so pretty, pink and 1960s and was inspired.  Since my nails were already longish and oval from last week's vintage manicure, I decided to keep the look and exaggerate it a bit more.  Why not?  These 80s nails make me feel sixteen again.

I used Essie Splash of Grenadine and then added a top coat of Love My Nails Dazzling for a touch of sparkle, although it's not quite as glitter ball as I hoped.

Stay tune for more Purple Patch nails!

A day all to myself

Saturday morning I sat down with my notepad and started jotting down my list of to-dos.  And then it occurred to me that I wanted to do something different.  I wanted a day all to myself.

Sometimes on my birthday, I take the day off work and spend the day to my heart's delight.  I wander boutiques, get manicures, eat lunch at a place I've always wanted to go, hang out at coffee shops, explore thrift stores.  It's nice, but I didn't do that this year.

So it struck me suddenly on Saturday that I could do it now!  I felt such excitement, even though my plans weren't dazzling.  And the day turned out to be one of the most lighthearted, fun ones I've had in awhile.

I packed up my laptop and a bagful of books and set off. The first spot of fun was going to West Elm.  My mother-in-law gave me a gift certificate and I was excited to pick something out.  I ended up getting this sleek, modern, fun, playful chair for my office.  And it's a classic, pop-y red.  Which is even more fun because my mother-in-law was telling me that I need a touch of red - red is her favorite color.  So I hope we're both happy!

Then I wandered off to have a leisurely lunch at a place I've been wanting to try but never got to - Thai Fresh.
While I was there, I noticed Frenchy's a charming vintagesque beauty salon in a cute old cottage.  So I popped in to see if they had any openings.  Thus began the most spontaneous part of my day.  The hair cut.

Recently a friend told me she wanted to do something to really change her hair.  So I sent her photos as ideas and as I was looking at them, I realized, "Hey, that's what I want to do with MY hair, but I'm just too scared."  I was scared hubby wouldn't like it.  I was scared it would make my face look too wide. Blah, blah, blah.  Why is it sometimes the things we're afraid to do turn out to be the most exhilarating?

Here was my hairspirational photo by Courtney Brooke that I found at The Little Deer.  Face-framing bangs, seventies-style layers.  A bit like a long shag.

And here's how mine looked after I got home from the hairdresser.  She styled it a little wavier than the photo, but it's still pretty.  She turned out to be a goddess with a razor and knew how to sculpt my big mop!  She's definitely going in my Rolodex of hair goddesses.

 
I did it.  I LOVE it.  It's so freeing to just let yourself do something small like that.  At least for me.  I don't know why I'm so chicken sometimes?


So I want to know - What have YOU really been wanting to try, but you're still hesitating and why?

Days

*via dwstucke

There are days when I'm pretty happy with myself.  I think, you know, I'm kind of special...  I'm singing "Shiny Happy People" by REM.  I think I've got my own thing to give to the world.  A gift with words, an eye for magic, a sensitive heart, a black sense of humor, an appreciation for irony, a way of making friends, a unique point of view.

And then there are days when something happens.  Someone pierces my armor.  A small comment, a big mistake, a flurry of doubts, or a breakdown in miniature. Someone holds up a mirror to a side of myself I've never seen before and I'm humiliated to see it, as if I've been walking around with tags hanging from my clothes and lipstick on my teeth.  I think, I'm weak, oversensitive, cowardly, quiet, untalented, unintelligent.

Oh life.  This is life, isn't it?  The ups and downs.  The millions of facets, glittering in the sun and gritty in the shadows.  This is me, glorious and faulty and flawed all at once.

Thank goodness it's Friday!

p.s. I picked the little camper photo, because if I'm having a good day, I imagine myself having a cheery, chipper fun time with friends and if I'm having a bad day, I imagine packing it up and driving somewhere scenic where no one will find me except the birds!

Chick Flicks: Witty banter

Back for more of my Chick Flicks Guide! I suppose you could call this one my ode to the 1930s.

There's nothing I love more than some fast paced witty banter.  In the 1930s they had it in spades, so most of my movies on this list are from that glorious age. If you want a film with witty banter, the odds are in your favor if you pick one starring Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, Carole Lombard, Jean Arther, Myrna Loy, or William Powell. And the fun part is you get a nice dose of 1930s style at the same time.

Philadelphia Story
Already mentioned before, but must come up in any list of films regarding witty banter.

Swing Time
Fred and Ginger don't just dance, they do quite a bit of flirtatious talking too.

The Awful Truth
Jean Arthur and Cary Grant are divorcing wife and husband at war.  They each try to sabotage each others attempts at happiness with other people, because the awful truth is, they're only happy with each other.

The Women
You just can't beat this movie for banter. It's interesting to watch this movie, how they make a movie revolving around a man without ever seeing him.  The entire cast is made up of top-notch female 1930s stars.  I don't want to be a hater, but I was so very, very disappointed by the remake.  See the original.
P.S. Check out the long red vintage fingernails in the photo above - much like what I tried to do with my vintage manicure!

The Thin Man
Have I mentioned I love William Powell and Myrna Loy?  (And their dog too).  This husband-wife duo is constantly enmeshed in mystery and mischief and they have the kind of marriage that makes you cheer.

His Girl Friday
Cary Grant reigns again.  What can I say? Here he's a reporter who's got a rivalry with feisty Rosalind Russell.


And a few modern additions...

Sweet home Alabama
A modern movie.  But I would argue it's got a little bit of witty banter of the sassy Southern variety.

Gilmore Girls
Not technically a movie, okay? But if you like 1930s films and witty banter and you watch Gilmore Girls, you will not be able to deny the connection.  Before I started watching this show I thought it was some sort of schmaltzy mother-daughter soap opera of the CW.  But when I started watching it I discovered fast-paced creative dialogue with quirky characters and a big heart. I was hooked.

An Ideal Husband
The casting in this movie was amazing! And the dialogue is amazing. Funny, smart, sweet, sharp,  with lots of twists and turns. Wish I could find a better photo.  Cate Blanchett, Julianne Moore, Minnie Driver, Jeremy Northam and Rupert Everett.

Recommended double features: 
Dynamic duos: The Thin Man and Gilmore Girls
Love the second time around: The Awful Truth and Sweet Home Alabama

The book that could make me into a Crafter again...

Except for selective crochet projects, I've been rebelling against crafty projects lately... They take so many supplies.  I so rarely finish them.  I pick up a hobby for a little while and then lose interest.  And yet, and yet... sometimes I come across something that threatens to make me turn crafty again.

I stumbled across Crafting a Meaningful Home by Meg Mateo Ilasco recently in a bookstore and if anything could end my crafty dry spell this might be it.

A giant doily rug!  The crochet-er in me wants to try it. 

And there are so many other seriously cute, stylish crafty things right up my alley.

A huge, modern Union Jack collage, my anglophile is itching to do it.  Decoupaged plates.  A gorgeous wall of framed love notes.  Hold me back, people!  Hold me back!

This week I feel... like a vintage vixen

So I decided to play around this week.  Besides color, I haven't gotten very experimental with my manicures (and don't worry, this is likely to be as experimental as I'll get).  I've seen these how-tos on vintage 1930s style manicures and thought I'd try it.  You know, how those women in the movies often had those pointy-rounded nails in a shade of red, with the half-moons not painted?  Well, ta-da.  Here it is.  It's been called the half-moon manicure, the reverse french manicure, and a vintage manicure.

I have to say I don't understand why they ever painted their nails this way!  Frankly, it looks odd.  I haven't decided whether I like it or not. But if you think about it, the entire act of painting nails is incomprehensible anyway.

I used paper-punch hole reinforcer stickers to block off the bottom of my nail and create a stencil of sorts, then I painted the red over that, took the stickers off (that was a nightmare to do while you have wet nails) and covered with a top coat.  It was hard to position the stickers evenly on every finger - it's hardly perfect.  But it was an experiment and it was fun.  I actually think this would look prettier in a soft washed-out 1940s rose pink or coral shade.  I might try it one of these days...

Here's a few of my favorite posts about vintage manicures:
Vintage Manicure, A real one please on Forties Fashions
Half Moon Manicure on Princess Margot
How to Create a 1930s Vintage Manicure on Super Kawaii Mama

My perfect protest

My friend Amy told me about The Perfect Protest... she knew I'd dig it.  So I thought about doing my own protest to perfection.  I sat around thinking, thinking, thinking about what I'd say.  And then I realized I just wanted to share this song by Marina and The Diamonds.  It's been rolling around in my head lately.  It's a catchy song, but I love the words. Because guess what? I'm vulnerable - And I am not a robot.



I never thought of myself as a perfectionist.  I'm not the type to worry about tiny details.  But in the past year I've started to see that perfectionism has its hooks in me.  Because you see, I'm often afraid to fail and my fear is totally out of proportion.  And fear of failure's been holding me back in life.  It makes it hard to try new things at work, to learn new crafts or sports, to make new friends, write a blog,  or even write a novel! So I'm trying a new approach that welcomes failure, even when it hurts, because I know it's part of the process.  Failure is not a stop sign, it's mile marker.

I'm a human being, not a robot.  And that's okay!

Blushing... Unveiling a new guest column on BrocanteHome

 I'm blushing today.  I'm so excited to share this...

BrocanteHome has been one of my favorite blogs ever since I began reading blogs years ago.  It's inspired me to tie on a vintage apron and get my house in order, to make the little things special in life, and to pick up many a book.  And it's been one of my inspirations to begin blogging.  Alison has always felt like a kindred spirit - creative, honest, nurturing, and reflective not to mention her lighthearted, feminine, vintage signature style. 

And now I have the chance to have a regular guest column called Bohemian Season at Brocante!
It's kicking off today with an interview Alison did with me where (as usual) I reveal all.  Go check it out and say hi ;-)

If you came to visit today from BrocanteHome, I'm rolling out the welcome mat and thrilled about connecting with more kindred spirits.

Today I'm feeling... soft

Actual color = Petal Pusher by Sally Hansen Insta-Dri

It's nice to switch gears and do something so feminine and classic once in awhile.  This Sally Hansen nail polish had this super-wide brush applicator that at first made me nervous, but worked quite well.  The only thing I didn't like it was having to apply three coats to get the level of opacity I wanted.

I was inspired by this pretty, soft pinky-beige sweater in The Edge of Love. See the rest of my nail polish color collection inspired by The Edge of Love.

Hello October

While thinking about October I realized I have no substantial plans.  Nothing flashy or exciting.  Or even a little bit exotic.  Am I getting dull again? Is it time for another crafty class?  Another adventure?

The thing is... I am writing like a maniac.  Every night, I am on my little computer, typing, typing.  It is utterly dull to blog about and absolutely essential for me right now.

So in the meantime, these are the small things that will fill my days in October:

• Enjoying the weather.  Why don't I go out for a walk already?
• A little blogging surprise I am super, super excited about!
• Going to see some chick flicks with my chick flick friend.  We have our eye on Life As We Know It and  You Again.  We might even make it a double feature.
• Trying to get to know my characters inside and out and writing another 30K words on "Story C".  That would put me at 67% done with the first draft.  Surely that's a good thing.
• Getting the garage clear enough to at least park the car on one side. We're almost there, we're almost there.
• Reading something utterly self-indulgent.  I have tried to read several things that were on my "should read" list lately and failed.  Although I have my excuses, it does take time to write... However, cool fall nights are the perfect time to curl up with a book and I think I'll be curling up with the new book by Galen Beckett: The House on Durrow Street.  I really enjoyed the Magicians and Mrs. Quent.  It was completely strange and enjoyable at the same time in an odd blend of Austen, Bronte, adventure and magic, and ever since I've been waiting for a sequel.  My Kindle is downloading it as we speak...
• And lastly (and this does qualify as my one exotic thing), I'll be taking an e-class on Overcoming Sugar Addiction.  And before everyone freaks out... let me just say that I am not some moralistic high-horsey person about these things, neither am I a perfectionistic nutrition nut.  I am totally human.  I just happen to be a human who turns to sugar to deal with almost everything and I'm tired of it.  And the idea of going off it for longer than a couple of months scares me to death. I don't know if I'll be writing much about that here...  just thought I'd share my one exotic item of the month.