I adore little.  Most anything when it’s a miniature version of itself has my full undivided attention.  This little 2″ x 3″ spy camera with its vintage good looks makes me want to give up my recent addiction– a daily Starbuck’s chai latte habit.  Gosh knows my hips and bum would be better for it and then I can save up for this little guy, so much better than a latte.

This very well may be a goat, but since it’s Monday let’s believe that it’s a cross between a panda and a lamb because that would be, uhm, rad. I received an email the other day with the subject line, “I want one”, I usually ignore my piles of emails for days before I click open (I get overwhelmed by my inbox) but if you have a clever enough subject line I am impervious to the siren cry of cute. I knew that behind ‘curtain number two’ was going to be something to make my heart sing and the sender Miss Jules never ever disappoints with her links. This however was shockingly original even for someone that always sends me something cool.  A goat/lamb creature that looks like a panda? Well, sheesh I want one now too.

Happy Monday to you all!  I am looking forward to this week, I am hoping (fingers and eyes crossed) that I can make a special announcement at the end of it, but if not you’ll always have the elusive panda lamb to make this week worthwhile, no?

P.S. I couldn’t find photo credit, darn Pinterest, if this is your photo or you know who was lucky enough to shoot this, let me know and I am happy to give glory where it is due.

I am letting out a huge sigh that my work day is finally over. I have been working since the sun rose without a break.  I am a slave driver, seriously, being my own boss makes me insane.  If I was a ‘real’ employee I would be calling the labor board on me–18+ hour work days, no breaks and never a kind word for the work I produce, no wonder I was thrilled when the Postman knocked. I had ordered a couple of books from Amazon and they took so long to arrive I actually forgot I ordered them. They were photography books, an expensive addiction, thank goodness for the Kindle app, or else I wouldn’t be able to pay my rent. I wanted these two particular books ‘live’ because they were written by fellow bloggers and I love to support my fellow bloggers. I bought the new Shutter Sister book-Expressive Photography, I was hoping for more of ‘how to create that awesome shot’, but it wasn’t as technical/break it down step-by-step as I hoped but the chapter on documentary photography by Sarah-Ji had me so thrilled that it made up for my disappoint that I wasn’t going to be added to the Shutter Sister line-up anytime soon. There is some serious talent in that group and I am always inspired. I hope that they one day make a step-by-step for people like me. It’s still a great book to add to your photography library, how can it not be?  It’s a Shutter Sisters book. 

The second book Plate to Pixel is another excellent addition to your photography resource library.  It’s by Helene Dujardin of the award winning food blog Tartlette. I loved seeing the pre set-up shots and it truly is a great resource, lot’s of information.  If you are a little more advanced in your photography journey some of the chapters may not be for you, but skip them, the book is filled with great information and well worth the purchase.  Now if I can only convince my ‘boss’ to give me some time off to shoot I will be golden.

Last Saturday I attended another one of perfumer Sarah Horowitz’s workshops.  It was a very intimate class, just myself, Sarah and two very talented perfumer’s.  I really enjoy these classes, it’s like cooking you may know a recipe but everyone does it just a tiny bit differently.  I pushed myself to create something other than a floral and made a fragrance that was an almost exact replica of a green, watery cucumber.  I like cucumber’s don’t get me wrong but I don’t think most people want to smell like one.  We also worked with essential oils, something I really enjoy. Sarah gifted us with Rose Damascus, essential oil which in her words was ‘worth its weight in gold’.  I love that it conveyed a preciousness that you don’t find in one’s ordinary dealings with oh, say the bills. The class truly transports you to another time, the blending and exuberant experimentation is perfect for fragrance-phile indulging. I have recommended her classes before but in case you are still on the fence about taking the plunge, there is not a better, kinder (more patient) fragrance teacher.  I am feeling very motivated to start work on some personal fragrance projects.  I know Jules has requested a real rose perfume (read–not musty or mothball-esque) and I am hoping I may be able to comply soon with a fresh, clean, just picked version with bright citrus top notes and sunshine on your skin dry down. Well, I’ll try…

I was dreaming about Paint by Numbers last night, why that was in my sub-conscious I have no idea. I do know that the idea of custom paint by number projects sound very appealing to my painterly -challenged self.  Think of all the fun portraits you could create, or wallpaper with our without color, impress your friends and family or better yet impress yourself.  There is something very satisfying about a finished paint by number, it’s like completing a puzzle, there’s a sense of accomplishment associated that you had the patience to complete.  I have been wanting to find vintage oil paintings of dogs for my foyer, to no avail ( anyone have a source?) and I am thinking that maybe I can get some custom paint by number kits created and paint my own.  There are some kits that aren’t as obvious that they were a PBN, which will make you look like a master artist and who wouldn’t want that?