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10 Awesome Calendar Ideas for 2009 |
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The new year has begun & now it’s time take that old calendar off the wall & replace with a brand spanking new one. But you & I, we’re special. We don’t want just any calendar now do we? Of course not, so here are some of the best that the world wide web can offer us.
1. The Cheap Calendar
Here’s a cheap & easy calendar made out of post it notes. You write the date out on individual post it notes & stick them to the wall. Then use the rest of the space on each post it note for reminders, to do lists or whatever! Take today’s note with you when you leave the house - awesome!
2. The Messy Calendar
This calendar by artist Oscar Diaz uses blotting paper to absorb coloured ink. The line of blotting paper marks out the numbers on the calendar & each day slowly appears over time. Be careful not to spill that bottle though!
3. The Destructive Calendar
Designer Susanna Hertrich developed this hypothetical calender that shreds itself. Each day takes a full 24 hours to shred, slowly moving on to display the next day. With no off button, you had better think about placing it over a bin; if it even goes into production that is.
4. The Crafty Calendar
The cute handmade calendar was whipped up by Rashida of i heart linen. It was auctioned off for charity not too long ago. The removable buttons are held on with Velcro & are removed at end of each day. I love the blue & gray colour scheme & how easy the whole thing is to customise.
5. The Stress-busting Calendar
Popping bubble wrap is an immensely satisfying time waster. The folks at Bubble Calendar have managed to combine the awesome pastime of popping bubble wrap with the functionality of a calendar. Pop each day as it passes you by - if you can even wait that long!
6. The Wallpaper Calendar
Christiaan Postma has created a calendar that come the end of the year will not come off you wall without a little steam & some persuasion. Why is that? Because it’s wallpaper. No word of when the wallpaper will enter into production though.
7. The expensive Calendar
This calendar designed specifically for newave looks & behaves much like a clock. The hands point dutifully towards the present day of the week & day of the month. Each day ticks over much like each second on a clock. Not for regular folks though, this costs a hefty $95,000. With a price tag like that, I’d want it to last more than a year.
8. The Cute Calendar
Artist & illustrator Cecilie Ellefsen is responsible for some of the most adorable creations & her 2008 calendar is no exception. While it is perhaps the most conventional calendar here, it is one of my favourites. I love the decals used for each day’s shape & the cute little characters. Here’s hoping that 2009 calendar will be available soon!
9. The Hands-on Calendar
The Behance Network offers up some seriously artistic fodder for thought & I found this calendar on their site. It is a little box of numbered fridge magnets - awesome! You affix the magnets to your fridge (or any metal surface for that matter) & hey presto! you have a calendar. The customization options are endless, & who doesn’t like playing with magnets!?
10. The Pyromaniac’s Calendar
Also from Behance, this matchstick calendar is any pyromaniac’s dream. The calendar is designed to be similar to a book of matches, with each day written along the length of the individual matches. Think up new & exciting uses for each day’s flame - light a scented candle or a luxurious cigarette. Light the gas ring on the stove for tonight’s dinner - or burn your junk mail!
So, which one will be hanging on your wall this year?
Today’s Threads | 31st December 2008 |
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It’s New Years Eve! A time for celebrating with good friends, which is exactly what I did - & here’s what I was wearing when the clock struck midnight!
- Black ruffle dress & red satin ribbon
- Red wool beret
- Red patent PVC peep-toe pumps
- Vintage Czech cameo on black satin ribbon
- Silver snowflake earrings
- Black handbag
This is my attempt at the messy hairdo. I don’t think I succeeded much; making messy hair look effortlessly chic is an ironically taxing exercise. For my NYE celebrations I choose a house party hosted by an old school friend of mine where we sat around & talked & giggled & drank till midnight. I drank gin & tonic mixed with lime & a little Campari - super delicious! It was one of the best NYE parties I have been to in a long while. We even had sparklers!
Marathon Shopping: 12 Survival Tips |
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1. Sales., 2. 4 bags, 3. Sales, 4. souls for sale???
Recently, I found myself lost in the shopping rush just before Christmas & like so many others, scrambling to find last minute presents. Again, in these last few days, I seem to have been compelled to join in the post-Christmas sales, waving my credit card around like a gymnast with a pretty ribbon. I’ll admit to picking up several bargains, but my sparkly new purchases come with a hidden cost. Time. Shopping is an extended activity & after wandering around a shopping center you could be left up to eight hours behind. This is what I call Marathon Shopping. It requires stamina, foresight & planning as well as the usual funds. Surviving eight hours of window shopping is an art form. So here are some tips I have picked up during my time as a Marathon Shopper.
1. Wear comfortable shoes.
Being on your feet for such a long time is very trying. Preempt tender feet by looking after them to begin with. A nice pair of comfortable flats will serve you well. Save the high heels for coffee with you friends the next day.
2. Wear sunglasses.
Shopping centers & malls can be hostile places full of short tempered people. If your the kind of person that wants to get in & out as quickly as possible you may find that an easy way to avoid unnecessary distractions & conversations is to don a pair of sunglasses. If people can’t make eye contact, they won’t usually speak to you. They’ll also stay out of your way - bonus!
3. Take regular breaks.
Be sure to take five minutes every now & then to sit down & center yourself. Don’t become a shopping center zombie! If you’re in a shopping precinct find a nice bench or a spot in a park to rest & revive.
4. Hydration.
Air conditioning is both a blessing & a curse. In the hot summer months people flock to shopping centres & malls to bask in the deliciously temperate air. However, the cool dry conditions can leave you feeling dehydrated fairly quickly. Pack a bottle of water & avoid the grumpiness, lethargy & headaches that accompany dehydration.
5. Take public transport.
Parking can be a nightmare. Avoid this by taking public transport where possible. It’s reasonably good for the environment & will save you money as well. If you end the day laden with purchases, use any money you might have saved to splurge on a taxi for the ride home.
6. Wear headphones.
“Can I help you with anything?” was the most frequently heard phrase during my shopping escapades & quite frankly, it drives me nuts. Because I like to be left alone when shopping, I try to avoid sales representatives as much as possible. They are less likely to approach you if you’re wearing a pair of very conspicuous headphones. As an added benefit, you can listen to your favourite tunes, instead of those inane Christmas carols.
7. Take your lunch.
Save some dollars & take a packed lunch with you. Make your favourite sandwich or take a bento box. Mess free finger foods are best, especially the kind that don’t need to be heated up. A piece of fruit is a healthy & tasty snack to have on hand & will provide a little energy boost when you need it most.
8. Pay in cash.
Withdraw the exact amount you are willing to spend for the day & leave your cards at home. Overspending is not a happy habit & may leave you with buyers remorse. Cash is a tangible way to keep track of your spending. Just be sure to keep it somewhere safe!
9. Plan ahead.
You don’t need to be so particular as to plan out the exact route you will be taking, or when you will be scheduling toilet breaks, but it is good idea to start out with some sort of plan in mind. Make a mental list of the items you are after or the stores you want to visit so you don’t waste to much time or make silly purchases.
10. Bring some friends.
Shopping by yourself is a lonely business. Take a good friend who will keep you company & give you sound advice & a fashionable opinion.
11. Take your own bags.
You take reusable bags to the supermarket, so why not take them with you for the rest of your shopping? Strong bags with lots of room & wide shoulder straps or handles will make your shopping experience more comfortable as well.
12. Look after yourself.
Christmas shopping can be particularly draining, so be sure to look after yourself. A little self love never hurt to much, so treat yourself after a long day of Marathon Shopping buy getting a pedicure or buying a good book. After purchasing all those gifts for others, you deserve something as well!
The Gossip Girl Grilled Cheese Sandwich |
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I first saw this delicious sandwich on the pilot episode of Gossip Girl. It’s a delicious twist on the traditional grilled cheese sandwich, the twist being truffle oil! The famous New York restaurant Gilt serves up their own version using fresh sliced white truffles, which sounds decadent enough, but is difficult for us everyday gourmands to put into practice. Truffles are notoriously expensive & definitely won’t keep as long in your pantry as a small bottle of truffle oil will. Besides, the Gilt grilled cheese sandwich will set you back $50! So not only is this sandwich fairly cheap by comparison, it is also easy to put together & is delicious! I think that at 3am it would make a perfect ending to a big night out!
In this recipe, I have used sliced grain bread, which is chewy & dense, is low in carbohydrates & has a low GI. I also used Nimbin Natural cheese, an Elbo style cheese that is free of animal rennet & one of the best tasting cheeses I have come across. You can find small bottles of truffle oil at most delicatessens’ but expect to pay as much as thirty dollars for 100ml.
Gossip Girl Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- half a cup of good quality freshly grated cheese
- two slices fresh grain bread
- butter
- truffle oil
- salt & pepper
Heat a small spoonful of butter in a frying pan over a medium heat & preheat your griller (broiler) or oven. Brush both sides of the bread with truffle oil using a pastry brush & then top both slices with the grated cheese. Season with salt & freshly cracked pepper & place each slice into the frying pan face up. Let the bread fry for one to two minutes & then transfer the frying pan to the grill or oven to melt the cheese. This shouldn’t take too long! Carefully remove the frying pan when done. Sandwich the two cooked slices together (cheese facing inward of course!) & cut in half. Enjoy while still warm & gooey!
Today’s Threads | 5th December 2008 |
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Apologies for the muted expression, but I was feeling a bit glum. I have a junk food hangover you see. No more nachos for me in the near future I think.
- Black jersey shirt
- Black velvet high waisted skirt
- Black patent PVC pumps
- Black ribbon (around left wrist)
- Pearls, pearls, pearls! (the faux kind: around neck, on ears, in hair)
A while ago I went on a shopping spree for faux-pearls. I love the shape & colour of pearls, & how lovely they look en mass. Pearls seem to me to be the epitome of femininity. I used to raid my mother’s jewellery draw for her strings of pearls & wear them whenever I could get away with it. I think that sometimes pearls really deserve to be the centre of attention. To take advantage of the white-on-black contrast they provide, I like to combine pearls with simple black clothing. Though, I have been known to wear pearls wrapped around tartan skirts, coiled around my ankles & thrown over bold T-shirts!
Also, my brother & I picked this cane lawn-chair up from the side of the road. Isn’t it awesome? It needs some tender loving care, but it should make for the perfect garden seat on hot summer days don’t you think?
Threads from the Web | 2nd December 2008 |
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1. The silver threads of my tasbih, 2. The Rope, 3. Web and drops, 4. strings
- No Impact Man (always a pleasure!) shares a story from the Talmud that prompted me to think about our interconnection & taking responsibility.
- Also via No Impact Man is this New York Times piece by Al Gore which make for some interesting reading.
- This photo set is awesome. ‘Nuff said.
- Would you like to snack on a candied scorpion? Sprinkle some pearl dust onto your ice-cream? How about a champagne-flavoured lollipop embellished with flakes of gold? These & more can be found at Edible. Definitely not for the feint of heart!
- I recently found Tina Su’s blog Think Simple Now & I think its awesome! Her article Dealing with Difficult People is definitely worth a look.
- Sleeveface always manages to give me a bit of chuckle. Described as “one or more persons obscuring or augmenting any part of their body or bodies with record sleeve(s) causing an illusion” you can’t say no, & now they have a book!
- ideeli gives away free stuff!
- Sonja asks; did you unwillingly support the wrong candidate in the American election this year?
- I’ve been rethinking my approach to fitness lately. Anti-gravity yoga looks fun doesn’t it?!
- Also from Elastic Waist is this Holiday Survival Kit! Hilarity abounds!
- I wish I had a home like this!
- If you need some consoling after a break up, why not try the R.I.P scented candle from Greece is for Lovers? It promises instant redemption & pleasant scents to burn away your blues. It is of course, too good to be true, but why not give it go?
Thought for the day |
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Photograph by MagicTyger
This photograph was taken by my father earlier today. He says that the planets Venus & Jupiter only align with the moon like this every 28 years. It’s the gallaxy’s way of saying hi every now & then.
Tasty Tequila Temptations |
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Last night my beau & I went to a Herradura Tequila Mixology Master-class held by a local chain of boutique liquor stores. I was terribly excited & a little bit nervous, as I’ve always heard nasty things about drinking tequila. My experiences in the past have been the usual lip, sip & suck kind so I was interested in learning more about tequila, its origin & how to serve it. Plus, we were promised food & drink!
A friendly & experienced bar tender by the name of Shay led the presentation & told us all about Herradura tequila, where it is from & how it is made. He also told us what to look for on the label of the bottle when buying tequila & the differences in taste & quality between brands. We tried three types of tequila, Herradura Anejo, Herradura Reposado & Herradura Silver. My favourite is the Silver! At the end of the night we were given a little bottle of el Jimador tequila to take home with us as well. Awesome! We also tasted a new cocktail, created by Shay. It is a variation of The Bramble, which was created by Dick Brandsell in the eighties. The original bramble is made with Gin, lemon, sugar & double crème de mure garnished with berries. I hope he doesn’t mind me sharing the recipe!
Photo by nerdling
Shay’s Herradura Bramble
- 45ml Herradura Silver Tequila
- 20ml fresh lemon juice
- 20ml simple syrup
- dash of Chambord liqueur
Pour the tequila, lemon juice & sugar syrup into a cocktail shaker half filled with ice. Shake Shake Shake! Serve in a glass filled with ice & top with a dash of Chambord. Enjoy responsibly, & hopefully with friends!
In this cocktail the bitter cherry notes found in the Herradura Silver tequila apparently marry very nicely with the modest addition of Chambord. I think its rather tasty & has sparked my new-found appreciation for tequila.
The Country Sportswoman |
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We have had some amazing weather lately. Luckily, where I am there has been no damage. For several days together it’s just been deliciously overcast; a cool break form the hot sticky spring days of a week ago. I went for a walk in the park & the weather reminded me of Britain & the outdoor sports used to pass the time there. So I whipped up three fantasy outfits on Polyvore that are inspired the sporting British gentry. They’re full of goodies & are complete with the necessities; boots, gloves & hats.
Rambling & Birdwatching
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Pack a luncheon basket with your favourite sandwiches & slip into some tights to keep warm. Add some matching boots & gloves in lilac, both with cute button detailing & finish with a wide brimmed hat (equally handy for rain & sun). Don’t forget to bring a pair of binoculars; handy for spying the local fauna.
Falconry
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Don your favourite pair of Christian Louboutin boots over velvet trousers & pair with a beautiful silk & cashmere blouse. Owls have been used as hunting birds too, so wear this topaz owl brooch for good luck. Finish the look with a wide leather belt & a pair of feathered earrings.
Horse Riding
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For a ride through the fields slip into some tailored, yet loosely comfortable trousers & pair with a tartan vest & blouse. A thick knit riding hat & some gloves will keep the cold out. Strap on a pair of cherry red Doc Martens & don’t forget the lucky ribbon & riding crop!
Extra Credit
- Join the Ramblers’ Association!
- Or the Royal Society for Protection of Birds.
- Check out photos from Dita von Teese & Marilyn Manson’s wedding for stylish falconry outfits.
- Visit this neat online gallery of vintage equestrian fashion.
- & lastly, How to Pack a Picnic Basket!
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Things I <3!
1. Books, books, books, books, books, books, and books., 2. bed sheet, 3. Orchid attack, 4. Moét & Chandon, 5. Storm Windows, 6. orchid (opexy)
Reading a good book. I love sitting down to read. I think it is one of life’s most luxuriant pleasures. There are few things that can compete with the thrill of loosing oneself in the whirl of an imaginative novel, a compelling magazine article or a book on a favoured subject. Keep track of your reading adventures with Shelfari. See my shelfari here!
Sleeping in. An all time favourite I must say. My bed is one of my best loved places on earth.
My orchid! It’s amazingly pink, resilient, & always happy. I’d never thought I’d be so head over heals for something so ridiculously pink! But I am & I love it!
Drinking champagne. The froth & bubbles make me happy. Sharing a bottle with friends is wondrous! Yesterday I went to a wedding & afterwards there was much champagne & lots of conversation. I was thoroughly thrilled.
Rain. When we get it, it is lovely & cool & makes everything green. At the moment it is sunny & hot, meaning we are all sticky & sweaty. The weatherman promised us a big electrical storm this afternoon. I hope the clouds are delivered & the rain drops begin!