The Earnest Little Mouse

I have been an Etsy buyer and seller for a couple of years now and while I have had some really wonderful experiences with my own customers, periodically I stumble across another artist who is so talented it simply takes my breath away.  This almost always happens by pure happenstance because I am completely special needs when it comes to searching.  If I don't know what I'm looking for, then how can I find it?  This is where it helps to "follow" other people who have similar taste to yours.  The other day I was randomly searching around and came across a little felted critter.  Intrigued, I clicked on the link, which led me to the Felting Dreams shop, or Johana Molina.  Then I found the sweet little mouse pictured above.  I was so overwhelmed with cuteness, I almost fell off my chair.

I mean, come on.  Look at that face.  She is confident, earnest and eager to face the world with nothing but personal gumption and whatever is in that backpack.

Allow me to mention that I am NOT a knick knack person.  The surfaces in my house are covered mostly with books and the idea of having small objects that need dusting does not thrill me.  But I could not get her out of my mind.

This little guy also made an impression since (believe it or not) he really looks like LAM.  Same wire-rimmed glasses and he has a leather bound document carrier that is the exact same color as this one.  I showed them to LAM, who, instead of looking at me like I was crazy, said, "Oh my God, they are so cute."  Uh, what?  You're a guy remember?  You think these are cute???  "Well, yeah--look their little feet really look like mouse feet."  Um, ok.  I went back and looked to see where the seller was located.  Santiago, Chile.  Wow--that's a hike.  Then I read her feedback.  All 800 of them.  Holy Cow!  Each one was more glowing than the next.  Her buyers love her and many, many of them are repeat customers.  I couldn't stand it anymore.  I needed felted mice.  Needed them with all my heart and soul because every single time I looked at them, they made me want to weep with joy, or cuteness or whatever.  Then the problem became WHICH ones to buy?  LAM mentioned that I had a birthday coming up and me ordering a couple would solve this problem for him nicely.  Thanks a lot.  Ok, so here are a few of my favorites:

Not only is Johana a genius at felting small critters, but her photography is brilliant.  The backgrounds somehow make them come alive and look even more adorable.

I'm amazed at how each one seems to have a personality.  This guy looks like he's just seen something delightful that has taken him by surprise.

This sweet girl looks hopeful, but concerned--almost maternal.

This one seems as though he would really like a piece of cheese--so long as it isn't too much trouble...

This one is so glad to see you she can hardly stand herself.

And this one would like it very much if you could just be a little bit quieter while she reads her book aloud to the class.

It was a tough choice, but in the end I went with the first two that caught my attention--the girl in the pink sweater with the pink scarf and the boy who looks like LAM.  I simply cannot wait for them to arrive.

When I pinned these on Pinterest, I had likes and re-pins within nanoseconds.  One woman posted that she thought they were adorable, but really expensive.  Well, not if you think about it.  I don't know how to needle felt wool and I suspect it would take some time to learn it to get this good (and I promise you that it could take FOREVER to learn how to make these facial expressions).  Simply being able to perform the craft is only half of the task.  Also, I suspect they take at least several hours to make--maybe longer depending on the detail.  Once you subtract Etsy fees and Paypal or credit card fees, well, how much do you like to make per hour?  Just some food for thought.

For those on a budget, Johana also offers postcards of her creations.  I wonder, has she ever considered a stop-motion photographic children's book?  Set in their natural environment, the mice and their friends could have wonderful adventures.  What an idea!

~ESM

Muchas Gracias to Johana for allowing me to share these little guys with all of my readers!  I hope you all enjoyed them and will check out her shop.

Homesick for a place that isn't home

I have been uncharacteristically silent on the subject of my recent trip to London (and in the blogging world in general), and for that I apologize.  The problem was and is that I have so MUCH to say, that I don't even know where to start.  LAM asked me the other night, what images come to mind when I think about London.  That's easy.  Packaging.  I know, that sounds ridiculous.  He was really disappointed with my answer, since for him it was architecture, historic sights, cleanliness and the overwhelming kindness of every single person we met.  Well, I think about all of those things too, but for me it was the way things looked.  Take for example, the photo above.  I pinned this on Pinterest onto my "Chic Packaging" board, because I loved the refinement of the packaging.  I had no idea what or where this company was located, but I knew I wanted to carry that cup in my hand because looking at it made me happy.  When we arrived at Heathrow, we took the tube to our hotel and upon climbing out of the tube station (where btw, I didn't stand for more than two seconds at the foot of a long flight of stairs before someone asked to help carry my luggage), I noticed a Paul Patisserie.  Holy crap--so this is where it lives!  Ok, so it's really a French company, but they are ubiquitous in London and they did not disappoint.

An English friend warned me that British coffee is terrible and that I would do well to scout out every Starbucks in the city so that I wouldn't curl up into a caffeine-starved ball and die.  I didn't need to.  In fact, there are HUNDREDS of Starbucks in London, some of them only a couple of doors away from each other, which made no sense to me at all, and I never went into a single one of them.

We had breakfast every morning in this little cafe on Gloucester Road and sometimes caught a latte in the afternoon.  My favorite location was the one in Picadilly Arcade, which had a lounge area on the side.
This is actually a photo of the other side, but you get the idea, plus the breathtaking view.  Note the lack of tourists.  Early March is THE time to visit.  The weather was pretty much the same as in Philadelphia, but not as cold.

Where am I going with all of this?  I do have a point.  It seemed clear to me right from the getgo that marketing in the UK is very different than in the US.  Here, we have products that compete with each other to see who can be the loudest and most obnoxious to grab your attention when you walk down the supermarket aisles.  HEY, BUY MY DETERGENT, MY LOGO IS RED AND YELLOW AND REALLY UGLY--SEE IT?  NO?  HERE IT IS AGAIN!!!!!!  BUY ME!!!!!!

I saw none of this.  What I did see were thoughtfully packaged items, some actually downright adorable.  Case in point, just about everything from Marks and Spencer (or Marks and Sparks for the initiated).

I bought these because of the packaging.  I had never tasted rhubarb in my life.  It's delightful, btw.

I felt calm and serene walking around in a world where I was not constantly assaulted for my buying dollar.  This made me WANT to spend money.  The concept seemed somehow consistant with the personality of every British person I know.  They are refined.  They are kind.  They enjoy quality over quantity.  They are reflective and cerebral.  I felt right at home.

Here are some things I miss terribly:

Teatime at Duke's Hotel.  This hotel (not where we stayed, although it was in the running) was GORGEOUS and tucked away in an alley so tight cars had to back away because there is not enough space to turn around in the courtyard.  The very best tea in the city.

Fortnum and Mason.  Forget Harrods.  Yes, the food halls are very cool, but the rest of the store is just like every other department store on earth.  If I could have visited only one store in the city, it would have been Fortnum.

The Gloucester Road tube station.

Hatchards.  I was surprised by how much I loved this store.  Yes, it's the oldest bookstore in London, but they sell editions here you can't buy in the US.  Their children's department was particularly delightful with really beautiful copies of Beatrix Potter, A.A. Milne and every other prominent British author you can think of.  It was really tempting to go crazy, but carrying books home on an airplane is a pain because they weigh a ton, so I didn't.

Jermyn Street.  LAM purchased a hat at the famous Bates shop (they made all of the hats for the Indiana Jones movies).  It is the softest thing I've ever felt.  He also had a cashmere sport coat custom fitted.  Yes, everything in London is expensive, but there are some things that are worth paying for and the service you get on Jermyn Street shops is worth every penny.

Here's my handsome guy with his new hat.

Here's Indiana Jones riding the tube.  Oh, did I mention that I miss the tube?  Without question, the best public transportation system in the world.  When the line you want to ride isn't closed for repairs, that is.  Still, I loved it.  Clean, fast and I don't think we ever waited longer than 30 seconds for a train.

Last, but not least, the postboxes.  I love seeing E II R written on everything.  And how everything is "royal" this and "royal" that.

I know I've left a ton of things out, but this is my little memory slide show.  We went to every major museum in the city and they were all incredible.  I probably enjoyed the National Galley the most and wished we had spent more time there.  The building itself is as beautiful as the works of art it showcases.  Oh, well, there's always next time, which reminds me, Virgin Atlantic is the best airline I have flown to date.  Our American carriers have a lot to learn.  Every time I fly a European airline, I am blown away by the service.  All in all, London is my favorite city so far and I felt instantly at home there.  I was indeed sad to get back on that airplane.

~ESM

Up Up and Away!

Here is, yet another gratuitous shot of Big Ben.  This is my porn right now as I ponder what will be packed as the Ultimate Urban Chic London Wardrobe.  I'm not new to the concept of packing since we travel quite a bit throughout the year, but mostly that is for track events which I can do blindfolded.  I know exactly what to pack, be it for a one, two or three day event.  I know which items go where in the bag and what goes with them.  It isn't difficult.  Ditto packing for a tropical vacation.  Bathing suit, cover up, flip flops, sandals, sun dresses--lets go!  But this has been hard.  Mostly because I have no clue what the weather will be like.  I am guessing it will be cold and wet, but what if it isn't?  I know I will be doing an absolutely INSANE amount of walking.  I do not want to be immediately identifiable as an American at 100 yards by my running shoes, so they are staying home.  I don't really want to look casual, but I do want to be comfortable, so here's what I've compiled.  Please do tell me if I'm kidding myself here or if you have better ideas.

First off, there is outerwear.  I may look like a complete tool walking around London in my Barbour, but I will be warm and dry.  I'm guessing that no one wears these in the city, but I don't care--I like it.

My trusty Brooks Brothers trench will be coming along since it looks equally fab with jeans and dresses.  The only problem with mine (not exactly the one pictured, but a lighter color and fabric) is that it has no lining, and therefore provides only basic warmth and the fine fabric wrinkles like the dickens.  I hope the hotel has an iron.

The Restoration Hardware chiffon scarf.  I think they changed the design to an "infinity scarf", which is a darn shame because the original model was a real chameleon.  It works as a shatoosh-like wrap--light and fluffy and oh-so-elegant with a dress or as a light airplane blanket and equally wonderful doubled up and tied in a myriad of ways as a chic and warm scarf.  It also weighs NOTHING and can be rolled up and stashed in your purse if you find it's too warm to wear.

The Marc Jacobs Globetrotter Kit Calley bag impressed me in a whole bunch of ways, not the least of which was the soft, buttery leather and nearly impossible to pick-pocket styling.  It's big enough to hold what you need without being TOO big and lays fairly flat when worn across the body AND has an infinitely adjustable shoulder strap that you can make small enough to use it as a shoulder bag if you wish by simply doubling up upon itself--brilliant!  It also does not unbuckle, making it nearly impossible for a would-be thief to undo the strap and run away with it.  The jury is still out on the completely useless luggage tag on the front zipper.  It flops back and forth when you walk and there is no good way to remove it without destroying the pull, so it's not leaving.  I do like that it adds some interest to the front of the bag, so we'll see.

Yeah, there it is... the ubiquitous Longchamp Le Pliage tote.  Everyone has them and there is a reason.  They're waterproof.  They weigh nothing.  They can be folded up and stashed away when you're not using them.  The one huge downside for me is the total and complete lack of compartments, but I can deal with it.  They also hold a TON of stuff and still manage to somehow look like a purse.  Also, the handles are a good length to carry it on your shoulder--some of my nicer leather totes have short handles which greatly reduces their usefulness.

Blundstone 500's or "Blunnies".  I don't even know how long I've had these and I rarely wear them at home, but they are great for traveling, mostly because they behave like a sneaker and look like a nice boot.  They are also waterproof and slip on and off with ease.  With the addition of thick socks they are warm and comfy--if not the most elegant things in the world.  I can make a concession to my feet since I don't want to spend the whole trip in pain/freezing.

Should the weather decide to cooperate, even just a little, I am wearing these.  Attilo Giusti Leombruni or AGL ballet flats.  They are, um, not cheap, but there is a reason.  Hand made in Italy, they are hands down the most comfortable ballet flats I have ever tried at any price.  It's the leather.  And the memory foam footbed.  And the leather.  Did I mention the leather?  It's thick, soft and well, you just have to try them for yourself.  I also love the color combination.  They work with black AND brown--how many things do you own that do that?

A must see for this trip is the Liberty store.  I realize this is blasphemous, but I haven't always been a fan of their small floral prints.  Then Ann Mashburn came out with this:

The Liberty print popover.  I am a huge fan of the popover since I hate tucking my shirts in my jeans.  This one dresses up or down and looks great with a variety of colored sweaters or jackets--it has the unique ability to go with red or pink.  I'm hoping the find some other gems when I visit the mother ship.  Also the achitecture is incredible.

Traveling with me as well, will be the Banana Republic Sloane fit boot cut black pants.  Dress 'em up, dress 'em down--they always look good and the fabric is comfy.  They are the swiss army knife of the travel wardrobe.

Last but not least is the COH Dita Petite.  For the vertically challenged, there is nothing better.  You can wear them for days on end (in fact they recommend that you wash them as infrequently as possible) and they just keep getting better in fit and softness.  The "felt" wash is particularly choice since it's thin and soft and very dark, with just the right amount of whiskering.

One last thing.  The Humangear Go Toob is possibly the most ingenious packing device I have ever seen for toiletries.  They have a huge wide mouth that is easy to fill and clean (really), the silicone is soft so you can get ALL the goo out (when you are running out of shampoo, this is huge) AND a suction cup so you can stick it to the tile in the shower and not have your little bottles falling all over the floor.  I found these years ago in an REI and they were pricey for travel bottles, but recently Target and Walmart have started carrying them at reasonable prices.  If you travel a lot, these are priceless.

Ok, that should do it.  Tell me, am I ready?

~ESM

And Panic Sets In...

I just recently had a horrifying moment when I looked at the calender and realized that I'm leaving for London in a little over a week.  In an attempt to not make myself completely crazy with anticipation, I booked the trip and then tried to completely forget about it.  Unfortunately, I forgot about everything, including the really important stuff that required advance planning, such as making boarding reservations for the dogs, making sure the credit card doesn't have international transaction fees (it did--eep!), making sure the electronic adapters/converters still work and of course, compiling the perfect wardrobe for international travel.  This is actually a bit easier for this trip than it usually would be for me.  I am expecting that it will be rainy, cold and crummy so I am packing the Blunnies, Barbour and copious quantities of cashmere.

I recently read that "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page."  I love this.  I love to travel and I can't wait to see London with LAM.  Neither of us have ever been, but this is his first time over the pond.  He is a tropical vacation addict, so we did that route for many years.  Tired of returning home with an expensive tan, I decided that this is going to stop here and now.  We all need to re-charge batteries from time to time, but part of the fun is experiencing a new culture, seeing and doing things that you can't do at home.  I can't wait until the first time he orders a drink in a restaurant and it comes with two ice cubes floating in it.  He doesn't deal well with change.

For me, besides the whole treasure trove that resides in London's various museums, I am probably most looking forward to seeing this:

The Arnolfini Portrait is my favorite painting of all time.  First off, let's clear up one thing: no, she isn't pregnant.  Ironically, the woman who is believed to be depicted in this painting died childless.  This was the popular style of dress at the time and he was a fabric merchant, so it is likely that the many fold of her dress are to show wealth and prosperity, but that's not what I like about it.  What I like is that for one, it was painted in 1434 and is not even remotely religious in nature, which is pretty darn uncommon.  Also, it depicts the Arnolfinis in what we can imagine to be their bedroom.  We can see the various debris of daily life, which makes it something of a time capsule.  Notice the prayer beads hanging on the wall, the brush hanging on the bed, the fact that they are (we assume) both barefoot.  We can see his stocking feet and her shoes are tossed aside behind her.  Can you imagine trying to WALK in his shoes?  The dog is front and center and he looks pretty secure with his place in things.  There is also the mirror.  Can you see the artist's reflection?  Fascinating.  The script above the mirror reads "Johannes de eyck fuit hic", which means "Jan Van Eyck was here".  There is, if you research it, a ton of speculation out there as to what all of these things actually mean.  I am inclined to think that it is nothing more than a marriage portrait of the Arnolfinis.  Clearly, she is looking at him with her head turned down, but looking straight AT him and not down at the floor.  He is not looking at her, but rather, gazing forward.  Interpret these things however you like because no one will ever know the truth.  Regardless, the detail is incredible.  The fur on his coat actually shimmers.  The brass on the chandelier gleams.  I could stare at it for hours.  Hopefully, LAM will be patient while I do just that when we visit the National Gallery; just like I plan on being when he complains about lack of ice in his drink.

~ESM

Happy Valentine's Day

More than bacon loves pancakes!

Have a great Valentine's Day everyone.

~ESM

Love

This print hangs in my dining room and I'm not sure that anyone but me pays enough attention to it to really understand what is going on here.  It's a Mark Stock painting from a series called "The Butler's In Love".  My former in laws were lucky enough to own one of the originals from this series--same butler standing against a similar wall (the color is more of an acid green), white gloved hand curled in anguish at his mouth--he looks to be in the throes of an impossible situation.  Because he is.  He is in love with the lady of the house, who he cannot have.  Ever.  My ex's parents have a vast art collection, but no one single piece ever jumped out to me the way this enormous, bold and wonderful piece did.  I used to position myself so that I could always look at it.  I was delighted to find this print so that I could keep the butler with me and although a print is never the same as an original piece, I think I might like this one even more.  Since he is contemplating the lipstick on the glass, you have a better sense of what is going on and the use of color is just stunning.

Another piece from the series, the emotion conveyed is just wonderful.

When was the last time a painting grabbed you?

~ESM