The Tote Trove

Jack Handey Quote of the Week

2012-01-25T18:57:00.000-05:00

"Instead of a trap door, what about a trap window? The guy looks out, and if he leans too far, he falls out. Wait. I guess that's like a regular window."

New Etsy Buy - My Billowing Pillow Collection

2012-01-24T19:02:00.000-05:00

How cute is this Happy Apple Pillow from Bubbledog? I'd bought the orange (also from Bubbledog) at a craft show a few years back and just knew I had to have its equally cheery mate. It arrived with a free gift of three fruit-themed buttons and now keeps watch on my living room bench. Decor doesn't get much sweeter than that :)

Something New and Sparkly - Yikes Stripes

2012-01-23T20:38:00.000-05:00

Fabulous Felt Blue Diamonds Necklace

Top: Olsenboye, J. C. Penney's

Skirt: Xhilaration, Target

Shoes: Barefeet Shoes

Bag: Candie's, Kohl's

Hat: Kohl's

Necklace: The Tote Trove

What is it about a one-sleeved top? Is it its devil-may-care silent scream, "So what if I'm asymmetrical?" Or maybe its flagrant disregard for balanced protection from the elements? Or perhaps its nostalgic (near) nod to "The Flintstones?" Whatever it is, I like it, especially in fiery stripes!

This top served as the perfect backdrop for a geometric felt bib. I got so excited that I made two versions: the asymmetrical and slightly unpolished one you see displayed with the outfit (for me to keep), and the slightly more restrained Fabulous Felt Blue Diamonds number for my shop. Which do you prefer?

Etsy Favorites - Outer Space Case

2012-01-21T13:58:00.001-05:00

Wooden Solar System Puzzle, Kid Puzzles

Crochet Amigurumi Alien, Wigglysee Crocheted Toys

Astral Witch Space Fantasy Art, Art by Sarada

Magellanic Cloud Hubble Space Print Skirt, Shadow Play NYC

Vintage Rocket Toy Print, Luvin Every Minute

Spaced Out Charm Necklace, Beijo Brasil

Children's Outer Space Wall Decal, evgieNev

Galaxy Star Rainbow Necklace, The Tamerlane

Outer Space Nails, Filthy Cute Boutique

Berry Blast UFO Soap Set, LoveLee Soaps

I've always found the concept of outer space to be terrifying. Still, there's something uplifting about it, too. Today's creations capture a galaxy's worth of the good stuff in dazzling color. From wall art to soap to nail art to toys, each piece delivers heart and humor to give us the moon.

Something New and Sparkly - C is for Cookie

2012-01-21T12:23:00.000-05:00

Fabulous Felt Cookie Monster Necklace

Tee: Kohl's

Skirt: Target

Shoes: Material Girl, Macy's

Bag: Bisou Bisou, J. C. Penney's

Hat: Kohl's

Necklace: The Tote Trove

. . . and that's good enough for me! Whether it comes from kid-friendly Keebler or the more polished Pepperidge Farm, a cookie always hits the spot. So why not top off a deliciously diva-worthy ensemble with a dose of the dough?

Eighties Extravaganza

2012-01-20T17:38:00.001-05:00

Without even trying, I've managed to amass a bunch of 1980s-inspired clothes. It's all such a treat for the eyes, such a blast of bubblegum bliss (yep, I just typed that), that I couldn't help but post it here for your viewing pleasure.

Above three skirts, Material Girl, Macy's

Above three skirts, Xhilaration, Target

Above three sweaters, Poof, Boscov's

Olsenboye, J. C. Penney's

Material Girl, Macy's

A rare guest appearance by me in what the bf has dubbed as the "Tony the Tiger skirt"

Jack Handey Quote of the Week

2012-01-18T19:54:00.002-05:00

"Whenever you read a good book, it's like the author is right there, in the room, talking to you, which is why I don't like to read good books."

Book Report - Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me by Chelsea Handler's Family, Friends, and Other Victims

2012-01-16T10:14:00.000-05:00

Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me is an odd book. But I knew that going in. That's because it wasn't written by Handler herself, but is rather a collection of anecdotes penned by her nearest and dearest. Each sap expresses outrage at being the victim of one of Chelsea's pranks, then backpedals by insisting that such treatment only proves the mettle of her love.  Each storyteller is also quick to add that the vacations and cash that Chelsea lavishes as consolation prizes aren't bad either.  So, reading Lies That Chelsea Handler Told Me was like reading the outpourings of in-crowd kids simultaneously denouncing and revering their queen bee.  Which was entertaining in a fly-on-the-wall Mean Girls sort of way. But mostly it made me glad I wasn't one of them.

Back when I posted about Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), I listed some of Kaling's alternate book titles, one of which was, "So, You've Just Finished Chelsea Handler's Book, Now What?" Now that I've read both of them, back to back, I can in good conscience say that Kaling penned the far funnier memoir. Now, I realize this isn't completely fair because Handler didn't write this book pe se (and I did so enjoy Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea).  Even so, I prefer Kaling's style. Her benign but trenchant humor makes Handler come off as a menace. A generous menace mind you, but a menace nonetheless.

Apples and oranges, people. Apples and oranges.

Book Report (sort of) - Geeky Dreamboats: A Celebration by Sarah O'Brien and Lacey Soslow

2012-01-14T17:20:00.000-05:00

When I saw this Geeky Dreamboats: A Celebration book on Fred Flare, I knew I had to have it. So when I opened it on my birthday last weekend, I was pleased as punch. Once I started leafing through it I found it was - gasp - even funnier than I could have imagined. Chockfull of favorites such as Michael Cera, Jemaine Clement & Bret McKenzie, Topher Grace, Adam Brody, Conan O'Brien, John Krasinski, and Paul Rudd (my personal favorite), this nearly pocket-sized who's who of nerdy knights in shining armor delivers a refreshingly quirky perspective on what makes a dude drool-worthy.

Of course, some of the selections may raise an eyebrow. But as O'Brien and Soslow explain, "Some of these cuties may appear a little dreamier than geeky or a little geekier than dreamy, but remember, the prevailing theme here is the beautiful and poetic combination that makes up the sexy nerd. Not everyone strikes that perfect balance, but we've found a slew of cuties who come pretty close, and we've ranked their appeal with our trusty Geekboat Meter." (Introduction) Well put, ladies.

Whether you're thirteen or thirty, Geeky Dreamboats: A Celebration is sure to earn a top spot on your list of guilty pleasures.

Etsy Favorites - Butterfly in the Sky . . .

2012-01-13T20:59:00.000-05:00

Digital Butterfly JPEG, Pixel Twister

Butterfly Stockings, Banana and Cherries

Paper Butterfly Fantasy Necklace, Nurit Spiegel

Monarch Butterflies With Velma, Schin

Rainbow Butterfly Quilted Paper Pendant, Filigree Delights

". . . I can go twice as high. Take a look, it's in a book, a reading rainbow."

How great was that show? Not to mention that song. You know, it wasn't until "Reading Rainbow" host LeVar Burton guest starred on "Community" that I realized he was also that guy with the glasses (who I now know to be Geordi La Forge) on "Star Trek: Next Generation."

Now that that recollection is out of the way, we can move on to our winged ones. Let's face it, the butterfly tattoo is a cliche for a reason. People love butterflies. And why not? They flit through the sky on gossamer wings, inspiring us with their beauty and freedom. This week's Etsy pieces capture this spirit with equal parts charm and edge, challenging us to spread our wings and take flight. (Metaphorically, that is. I'm in no way advocating taking to the skies without the aid of an airplane.)

Orange You Glad I Did Another Shoe Montage?

2012-01-12T18:47:00.000-05:00

From top left: Hot pink flower pumps, Journeys; Lace-tipped pumps, Alloy; Green ankle straps, Alloy
From bottom left: Peach platforms, Candie's, Kohl's; Leopard wedges, Alloy; Orange peep toes, Alloy

What could be better than a new pair of orange shoes in the dead of winter? Two new pairs!

Five of these six pairs where Christmas/birthday gifts. The Candie's pair I bought as a reward for battling a (minor) bout of food poisoning. Seriously. When the going gets tough, never estimate the promise of pumps.

Eleven Not Quite Red Balloons

2012-01-12T18:21:00.000-05:00

About a month ago I received an email from someone who wanted to know if I could paint eleven of my Tiny Up Up and Away Totes for her to give as favors at her son's fourth birthday party. Having just wrapped my wholesale necklace order, I jumped at the opportunity. I ordered the paint, purchased the bags, and painted like a fiend after Christmas.

It was with fingers crossed that I shipped the finished favors to Indiana this past Monday. I've said it before and I'll say it again: custom orders are nerve-wracking. You just never know if your final product is going to meet your customer's expectations. I was particularly worried that the bags weren't "identical" enough to each other. This is always a concern in the handmade world, especially for me, as I draw all of my tote designs freehand.

But thankfully all of my fretting was for naught. I was happy (and relieved!) to open this email yesterday:

"I received the box today! The totes are ADORABLE, thank you, thank you, thank you."

Reading that made my day. What's more, I have two more custom jobs on the horizon. Both are for felt necklaces, which warms the cockles of my costume-crazy heart.

A Crime of Fashion - The First (er, Second) of Many Infractions

2012-01-11T19:05:00.002-05:00

Yesterday I broke my most sacred of shopping rules. I bought an acrylic sweater. A 100% acrylic sweater. With a credit card. And it wasn't even that cheap, at least not as cheap as an acrylic anything should be two weeks after Christmas.

So, what brought on this rebellion? (Or maybe some of you are asking a different question, namely, "What's this woman talking about?" This post will clue you in. Provided you haven't given up and wandered over to some other blog.) I'm going to blame nostalgia and the ingrained need to buy myself a treat (or two) after a routine doctor's check-up. The nostalgia comes in because I was at the Hillside Heights Mall (not its real name), or as it's now known, Slick City Square (also made-up), which was the first mall of my childhood and therefore the site of many a prize picking. Although the new Square is elegant, the Macy's (which began life as a Strawbridge & Clothier) is light on stock and haunted by overzealous salespeople. (Actually, the salespeople are kind of charming, even if they do overstep their boundaries in the way of quaint boutique owners.) What I'm trying to say is, there wasn't a whole lot to choose from. So when I saw this brightly colored zigzag-print sweater, my spirits rose. Until I looked at the tag, that is, and discovered that it was wrought entirely of the evil A-word. Annoyed, I put it back and made my rounds through the rest of the store. But there was nothing. So I returned to the sweater and reconsidered. The fact that I was already wearing the very same half acrylic cherry-emblazoned sweater that first broke me (which, by the way, is holding up pretty well even after a washing) seemed to tip the scales in the new piece's favor. Coincidence? I think not. I snapped it up, along with this navy and chartreuse striped tee.

All things considered, I think I made the right decision. I love both pieces and am looking forward to wearing them apart, together, and with countless other things.

Jack Handey Quote of the Week

2012-01-11T18:34:00.003-05:00

"I hope some animal never bores a hole in my head and lays its eggs in my brain, because later you might think you're having a good idea but it's just eggs hatching."

Young Adult

2012-01-10T18:09:00.000-05:00

January is not a time for happy movies. When the bf and I hit the theater to see Young Adult last Friday night, it was thronged with people who had turned out for the horror flick The Devil Inside (not to be confused with the upbeat INXS hit of the same name).

But I'm not here to talk about that movie (thankfully).

Young Adult is the story of 37-year-old failed young adult fiction ghostwriter and recent divorcee Mavis Gary (Charlize Theron). Suffering from (the beginnings of?) alcoholism and depression, Mavis takes one last greedy grab at happiness by returning to her one-horse Minnesota hometown to stalk her high school boyfriend, Buddy Slade (Patrick Wilson), who is now married with a baby. So things are pretty bleak, right down to Mavis's seedy Minneapolis apartment, nearly empty closet, and take-no-prisoners bitchiness. Mavis is the kind of woman who wears sweats to Macy's and no-holds-barred-cleavage-baring dresses to brightly lit sports bars. She also has the nasty habit of pulling out her hair, a problem she masks by wearing hair extensions.

Mavis is in a bar plotting her next move with Buddy when she runs into ex-classmate Matt Freehauf (Patton Oswalt). (I'd like to interject that I've always found Oswalt's "King of Queens" character Spence to be sensitive and endearing and thought that Doug and Co. were far too hard on him. Now back to the discussion at hand.) Mavis, having been of the in crowd elite, doesn't immediately recognize him but ends up exclaiming (something along the lines of), "Hey, you're that hate crime guy!", her eyes traveling to the cane propped next to his barstool. Matt then relays how he was beaten and left for dead by the football team (I think) because they thought he was gay, the effects of which permanently damaged his nether regions. Thawed by this icebreaker, Mavis reveals her plans to win Buddy back, much to Matt's disgust.

As one may predict, it's a disgust that's well-founded. Although receptive to meeting Mavis, Buddy is clearly discomfited by her return. Even Mavis's parents don't know what to say when she retreats to her childhood bedroom and dons Buddy's old sweatshirt. (By the way, what's with these movies where parents leave their grown kids' bedrooms creepily untouched? I don't know about you, but my old room has long since been stripped of its unicorn figurines.) Yet as Mavis grows more and more distant from the people who, as she puts it, "knew her at her best," she and Matt nurse a tenuous friendship.

A few words about Buddy. He's obviously meant to be a good guy and comes out looking even better than I suspect he should when stacked against Mavis's machinations. But he does a few things that he shouldn't, revealing Mavis to be vulnerable and, dare I say, sympathetic. She's a modern-day Blanche Dubois, delusional and damaged, gorgeous and glamorous, and desperately trying to hang on to a time that has moved on without her. She's not the cheerleader who married her high school sweetheart and got all fat and happy.  But she's not the big-city success story, either. She's a ghostwriter for a teen series that's outgrown itself, a byline-less novelist living through her characters in hopes of achieving greatness.

As I hinted at this post's beginning, Young Adult isn't a feel good movie. (Cue the ladies a few rows ahead of us who screeched, "That's it?!" as the credits rolled.) But it's a good movie and one worth seeing. Theron and Oswalt shine as outcasts from opposite sides of the social spectrum, and the nebulous ending makes a kind of sad perfect sense.

Something New and Sparkly - Inspired by Wonder Woman and Wonder Bread

2012-01-09T18:20:00.001-05:00

Fabulous Felt Primary Colors Necklace

Top: Material Girl, Macy's

Skirt: Marshalls

Shoes: Journeys

Bag: Journeys

Necklace: The Tote Trove

I like primary colors. They remind me of happy things like super heroes and squishy white bread. Maybe that's why the outfit I built around this Fabulous Felt Primary Colors Necklace has a retro vibe that makes me think of simpler, cartoon-chronicled times. Sigh.

I Don't Know How She Does It

2012-01-08T18:21:00.000-05:00

I Don't Know How She Does It made me a little bit nervous. As I'm sure it was meant to. According to Mindy Kaling's list of romantic comedy stereotypes (even if this movie isn't exactly a romantic comedy), its heroine Kate Reddy (Sarah Jessica Parker) is a cross between the beautiful klutz and the busy working woman who is obsessed with her career and never ever has any fun.  As a finance executive, wife, and mother of two, Boston-based Kate is relentlessly plagued by a never-ending to-do list that catapults her into one fiasco after another (enter beautiful klutz syndrome) and makes her the subject of smug stay-at-home-mom Wendy Best's (Busy Phillips) barbed commentary (delivered documentary-style from a treadmill at the gym). Although Kate's freelance architect husband Richard (Greg Kinnear) is mostly understanding, we sense that he is one play date away from a meltdown.

The heat is turned up on Kate's pressure-cooker life when she scores an account designing retirement fund plans for hotshot New York financier Jack Abelhammer (Pierce Brosnan). Far from being put off by Kate's klutziness, the widowed Jack is charmed by it, a feeling that grows as Kate shuttles between Boston and New York for their meetings. Kate is soon in the precarious position of forging a workplace friendship with a colleague who has a crush on her, a situation that causes her to unwittingly serve as emotional caretaker for Jack. In this way her career resembles an illicit affair, not because she reciprocates Jack's feelings, but because it usurps her time and attention from her family.

Of course, Richard lands a plumb design job just when Kate begins traveling, creating the kind of intense conflict for which movies like these are made. Now, Richard is a pretty good guy. Certainly not some stereotypical tyrant who would lighten the load of Kate's dilemma by way of his sheer awfulness. It's his very mild-manneredness that complicates things, echoing the mindset of the husbands in those Second Shift studies.  Which is to say that he seems to think that it's fine for his wife to work - as long as it doesn't get in the way of her real work, which is in the home.

It should be noted that not every part of the movie is serious. The plot is laced with classic Carrie Bradshaw-style narration that "Sex and the City" fans will enjoy, if only because it reminds them of Parker's plucky appeal as an authority on angst. There is also plenty of witty dialogue, punctuated by well-placed jokes. Finally, the spoiled and catty Wendy Best is funny. Yet at the heart of her quips is a bitterness that I can't help but feel channels the movie's central message, which is this: Kate may travel a treadmill of never-ending conflict between work and home, but Wendy is trapped on a treadmill of catering to her kids and in-laws. She's angry because she's jealous of Kate.  Although stressed and conflicted, Kate never comes off as angry. The comparison between Kate and Wendy poses the question: What do these women really want, and how stressed are they willing to be to get it?  At first I had trouble answering this question. During most of the movie, I just wanted Kate to quit her crazy-ass job already. But ultimately I understood that for her, her job was her identity and therefore worthy of fighting for on her terms.

So, a lot of deep thoughts swirling around here. I Don't Know How She Does It, by the way, got terrible reviews. (It closed fairly quickly after opening this past September.)  I admit that it wasn't great. But I don't think it was as bad as people made it out to be either. It was just up against the challenge of tackling an unpopular topic and falling somewhere between light fare and full-fledged drama in the process.

Etsy Favorites - Celebrating the Goat

2012-01-06T16:30:00.000-05:00

Capricorn Mouse Pad, Art by LJ Grove

Zodiac Birthday Party Invitations, Jay Kay Original Designs

Capricorn Birthday Card, My Wonderful Things

Capricorn Mirror, Ctn Yarn of Idaho

Capricorn Zodiac Pendant, Star Lark

I am the goat. Well, I am a Capricorn. And today is my 30th birthday. I know that most people hate turning 30, but so far I'm okay with it. I guess that's because I don't feel 30, as evidenced by my diehard commitment to day-glo, teeny-bopper fashion. Here's a handful of cool Capricorn-themed stuff that echoes this spirit. Who knew goats could be so glam?

Book Report - Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling

2012-01-06T15:35:00.000-05:00

I was excited to read Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by "The Office's" Mindy Kaling. The title really spoke to me, as did the contrast between Mindy's fun pink top and perturbed facial expression.

In some subconscious attempt to prove (if only to myself) that I also read "real" books, I used this Virginia Woolf bookmark. For the record, this attempt was completely futile. The last time I read anything by Virginia Woolf was in high school, and even then when I said I liked To the Lighthouse I was lying.

Anyway, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? is laugh-out-loud funny. Really. I was yukking it up like a hyena as I turned the pages, prompting the bf to ask, "What are you reading?" (This might be a good place to add that the book was a gift from him. He deserves that much, if only for being cool with serving as my foil on so much of this blog.)

Here are a few parts I particularly enjoyed:

"Here were some titles for my book that I really liked but was advised strongly not to use:

When Your Boyfriend Fits into Your Jeans and Other Atrocities
The Book That Was Never a Blog
Sometimes You Just Have to Put on Lip Gloss and Pretend to Be Psyched
The Last Mango in Paris (This would work best if "Mango" were the cheeky nickname for an Indian woman, and if I'd spent any time in Paris.)
So You've Just Finished Chelsea Handler's Book, Now What?" (7)

Then there was Kaling's take on romantic comedies, which were very much like my own (and I suspect most women's).

"I love romantic comedies. I feel almost sheepish writing that, because the genre has been so degraded in the past twenty years or so that admitting you like these movies is essentially an admission of mild stupidity. But that has not stopped me from loving them." (99)

Kaling goes on to list several common romantic comedy heroine stereotypes. My favorites included "the klutz," "the ethereal weirdo," "the woman who is obsessed with her career and is no fun at all," and "the woman who works in an art gallery." (100-103)

Now, I'm ashamed to admit that I, like many Office fans, assumed that Mindy Kaling was like her superficial and sometimes manipulative character, Kelly Kapoor. Kaling herself pokes at this assumption, going as far as to list ways in which she is and isn't like her onscreen persona. Here are a few things I didn't know and would never have guessed about her before reading this book:

She graduated from Dartmouth.
All through high school she was a book-reading nerd.
She got her big break by writing and acting in a play about Matt Damon and Ben Affleck called "Matt and Ben." Its poster boasted the tagline "Friendship isn't always about good will."
She's also a writer and co-executive producer for "The Office." (I know, I know. Despite years of watching, this somehow escaped my notice.)

Of course, now I can't help but watch "The Office" with a fresher eye. Just the other night I caught the booze cruise rerun and realized that the outside consultant Michael hired is Kaling's best friend Brenda. I knew this because her character's name was also Brenda and because she looked just like her picture in the book.

Too Cute Baby Sloths

2012-01-05T18:34:00.000-05:00

Anyone who reads this blog with any kind of regularity knows that I am not an animal person. So, when the bf called me over to watch an Animal Planet clip of something called "Too Cute Baby Sloths" the other day, I did it just to humor him.

But then I saw the sloths. And they were, in fact, too cute. Even as they were being shaved and then slathered with lard to ward off the mange. Heck, especially as they were being shaved and slathered with lard to ward off the mange. Because the lard meant that they needed to be swaddled (Animal Planet's word, not mine) in these adorable pajama-like bandages. I was so entranced by it all that the bf threatened to get me a sloth for my birthday. Which, come to think of it, is the least he could do for turning me into the kind of person who posts kittens-playing-piano type fare on her blog.

That last part was a joke. I mean no disrespect to kitten enthusiasts, or, for that matter, to my fellow bloggers. Just wanted to get that out there.

Jack Handey Quote of the Week

2012-01-04T17:56:00.002-05:00

"I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect it."

Something New and Sparkly - Fiery Felt Fiesta

2012-01-03T19:38:00.001-05:00

Fabulous Felt Taco Night Necklace

Sweater: The Limited

Skirt: Macy's

Shoes: MetroStyle

Bag: Marshalls

Leggings: Marshalls

Hat: Kohl's (Yes, it's the very same one from my Hats Off to Headgear post. I couldn't resist :)

Necklace: The Tote Trove

A few things about this Fabulous Felt Taco Night Necklace:

1) Its color scheme was loosely based on that of this marzipan:

I say loosely because it wasn't until after I completed the necklace that I noticed its similarity to the candy.

2) It illustrates my idealized version of Mexican food, which is to say that it does not include beans of any kind. Although it does include chili peppers, which I don't like either. (I couldn't help adding them; I needed something red to balance the taco and avocado.) So much for that theory.

3) It makes me think of summer, which is handy at a time when all the gluttony-endorsing pre-holiday commercials screaming "Spend more! Eat more!" have been replaced by the judgmental ones ordering us to do our taxes and go on diets. It's times like these when felt comes to the rescue.

New Year's Eve

2012-01-01T23:03:00.000-05:00

Like Valentine's Day, Garry Marshall's other holiday-themed, star-studded extravaganza, New Year's Eve features eight intersecting vignettes about people searching for hope, and yes, in most cases, love.

Here's the rundown. (I'm not going to bother using character names; when a movie has as many celebrities as this one, they become sort of superfluous.) Josh Duhamel is hoping to meet the "extraordinary" woman he met last New Year's Eve by chance at a pizza place. Michelle Pfeiffer is a bored office worker who hires bike messenger Zac Efron to make her New Year's resolutions come true. Jessica Biel and Seth Meyers are competing with Sarah Paulson and Til Schweiger for the $25,000 awarded to the first baby born in the new year. Hilary Swank is orchestrating the Times Square ball drop and encounters technical difficulties that can be solved by only eccentric electrician Hector Elizondo. Sarah Jessica Parker is a single mom trying to prevent her teenage daughter, Abigail Breslin, from spending midnight in Times Square with a boy. Wise guy Ashton Kutcher and perky Lea Michele get stuck in an elevator. High-profile caterer Katherine Heigl, whose sous chef is Sophia Vergara, has her heart broken by rock star Jon Bon Jovi (who, oddly, does not quite play himself). Robert De Niro is dying in a hospital, and Halle Berry is his nurse. All of this drama is sprinkled by wise words from Ludacris, who plays a cop and, ostensibly, Hilary Swank's work husband.

Although the plot (or, rather, plots) moved a little slowly at first, New Year's Eve is ultimately fun and frothy, spiked with the kind of gentle twists that you (okay, I) loved in Valentine's Day. High points included commentary on Sarah Jessica Parker's shoes, Seth Myers's comic timing, Sofia Vergara's silliness, and an appearance by recent "Project Accessory" contestant Shea Curry. Oh, and the Christmas decorations backlit by the glitz of Times Square. As always, the flashier the better.

Something New and Sparkly - Check it Out

2012-01-01T22:45:00.000-05:00

Fabulous Felt Checkerboard Bow Necklace

Top: Rampage, Macy's

Jeans: J. C. Penney's

Shoes: Material Girl, Macy's

Bag: Bisou Bisou, J. C. Penney's

Necklace: The Tote Trove

I think this Fabulous Felt Checkerboard Bow Necklace is my favorite bow necklace so far. The candy colors and checkerboard pattern scream 1980s, which always makes for a good time.

Book Report - The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

2011-12-31T12:32:00.000-05:00

The Best of Me, by Nicholas Sparks, reaches in and rips your heart out. Which is to say that it's like every other Nicholas Sparks novel. This particular story was one part The Notebook and one part Dear John, with a heavy dose of The Guardian's darkness tossed in.  Actually, the last three or four Sparks books I read seemed uncharacteristically vengeful and violent. What's more, there seems to be a thread of spying at large in a growing number of titles. Not, of course, in a creepy way, but in a do-gooder-just-watching-over-you kind of way. Which, come to think of it, is a little bit creepy. In Dear John, John skulks around Savannah's house for years even after they part. Then there's The Lucky One, in which the entire plot hinges upon ex-soldier Logan pursuing a woman he knows from only a photograph.

Easy-target jokes aside, no bestselling author spins a tale of unrequited love more poignantly than Sparks.  He drops characters into situations that force them to come to terms with their purpose in life. That's the theme at the core of each of his stories, with the romance serving as the conduit through which these revelations are made possible.

So, The Best of Me.  Dawson and Amanda are two small-town North Carolina high school kids who fall in love.  He's poor, and she's rich, and her parents tear them apart by packing her off to a prestigious college.  This, of course, is The Notebook-y part. But unlike in The Notebook, they don't meet again just seven or eight years later. Instead, fate wedges twenty-five years between them, reacquainting them at, of all places, a funeral. It's after this part that things get especially dark and dicey. Then there's a bit of medical drama that seems heavily borrowed from Dear John.  At times it was all a bit too much, and I can see why a lot of readers may write it off as unbelievable, or even worse, cheesy. But here's the thing.  It's this crazy course of events that clarifies exactly what it is that Dawson and Amanda are meant to be doing.  Because try as they might, they're too indecisive and influenced by worldly concerns to figure it out on their own. Whether they end happily or tragically, Sparks's novels always give readers (or at least this reader) the sense that things are as they should be and that everything has gone according to plan.

If that sounded vague in terms of plot, then I've done my job. The Best of Me is one of those books that would be spoiled by discussing too many details. That having been said, I'll leave you with a quote that struck me:

"Too many people glorified small-town America, making it seem like a Norman Rockwell painting, but the reality was something else entirely. With the exception of doctors and lawyers or people who owned their own businesses, there were no high-paying jobs in Oriental, or in any other small town for that matter. And while it was in many ways an ideal place to raise young children, there was little for young adults to aspire to." (82)

There's a lot of truth in what Sparks says here. I found this interesting, especially given that most of Sparks's books take place in small towns. It made me wonder if, on some level, the deaths of his romances are symbolic of the death of small-town America. Or, at the very least, that the romances are plagued by the same limitations.

Etsy Favorites - Pizza Party

2011-12-30T17:11:00.000-05:00

Pizza Party Bobby Pins, Fay's Foodie Jewelry

Yellow Pizza Party Dress, LeBayBay

The Best Pizza Ever Painting, Cheri O'Brien

Crochet Pizza Rug, Nicannmardee Designs

Supreme Pizza Slice Earrings, Deep Fried Kudzu

Pizza Slice Hair Clip, Now Voyager

Pixxa Pizza Super Supreme Shea Lip Balm, Soapopatomus

Pizza Fairy Print, Water Bears

Supreme Pizza Double GFI Outlet Plate Cover, Impressions Express

Smiling Pepperoni Pizza Plush, Zen Plushies

Kawaii Basil Cheese Tomato Pizza Floating Ring, Finger Food Delight

Pizza Play Food Set, Kid-n-Around Creations

What is it about the phrase "pizza party" that inspires such instantaneous celebration? No one ever throws a cheeseburger party (okay, they host BBQs, but that hardly has the same ring) or a bucket of chicken party. No, there's something about the combination of melted cheese and tomato sauce all smooshed together on a round of dough that brings people together. And, apparently, inspires cool art. I don't know about you, but donning these pizza-themed wearables, flicking on a pizza light switch, and curling up on a pizza rug with pizza plushies to gaze at pizza paintings while digging into a slice sounds divine.

Speaking of which, it's about time to order my Friday pie.

The Muse and the Mistake - A Fashion Fairy Tale

2011-12-29T14:42:00.000-05:00

Fabulous Felt Red and White Polka Dot Bow Necklace

Tee: Kohl's

Tank: Target

Skirt: Kohl's

Shoes: Candie's, Kohl's

Bag: Target

Belt: B Fabulous

Necklace: The Tote Trove

Tank: Gap
Dress: Marshalls
Shoes: Candie's, Kohl's
Bag: DSW
Belt: Cast off from an old dress
Necklace: The Tote Trove

Top: Kohl's
Skirt: Kohl's
Shoes: Betseyville, Macy's
Bag: Target
Belt: B Fabulous

I'd been wanting to make this Fabulous Felt Red and White Polka Dot Bow Necklace for some time. But on the first try I thoughtlessly sandwiched black satin ribbons between baby pink felt, causing the black to show through. The horror! Having done its adhesive best, my trusty Beacon Felt Glue ensured that the felt could not be pried apart. So I had no choice but to cover up the mistake by adding yet more rhinestones. Although pretty, the look wasn't in keeping with my other Fabulous Felt bow necklaces, so I resolved to add it to my personal stash and try again. This time I used black and white polka dot ribbon, which hid itself nicely underneath the pink.

So what, you may ask, is up with that last necklace-less outfit? I just liked it. The sweater is a favorite of mine, even if its cowl neckline isn't necklace-friendly. It has a subtly 1950s look about it, which I enhanced with the colorful polka dot skirt and matchy black and white polka dot clutch and belt. All it needs is a cute little hat!

Book Report - George and Martha

2011-12-29T10:32:00.001-05:00

On Christmas morning, I was pleasantly surprised to unwrap this paperback copy of James Marshall's classic children's book George and Martha. George and Martha, for the uninitiated, are a couple of gently quarrelsome hippos who also happen to be best friends. My five-year-old self had been under the impression that they were married, but a quick read-aloud revealed that they were not. Which made them even more hilarious, especially in "The Tub," the mini story that made me laugh the hardest:

"George was fond of peeking in windows."

"One day George peeked in on Martha."

"He never did that again. "We are friends," said Martha. "But there's such a thing as privacy!" '

I couldn't help but think that such humor was too subtle, not to mention suggestive, to be intended for children alone. So I flipped to the back cover, which sure enough parroted this quote from the New York Times:

"James Marshall's five stories about two great friends are really five mini-farces in which the dignity and the bulk of the hippos is in contrast with the ludicrousness of their situations . . . The secret of Mr. Marshall's success lies not just in the freshness of his sense of the ridiculous, but in the carefulness of his control and editorial judgment."

Indeed, Mr. Marshall, you are a jewel. So much so that I may just have to start a George and Martha library to have all that ludicrousness at my fingertips.

Something New and Sparkly - Lady in Leopard

2011-12-28T18:56:00.000-05:00

Fabulous Felt Leopard Bow Necklace

Top: Kohl's

Skirt: Target

Shoes: Journeys

Bag: Betseyville, Ross

Tights: Betseyville, Marshalls

Necklace: The Tote Trove

I recently discovered printed felt. Although I'm pretty sure I mentioned this before, it isn't until now that my use of it has come into full flower. I particularly like the way the leopard print pops in this Fabulous Felt Leopard Bow Necklace, all ready to moonwalk into a strobe light-infused 1980s nightclub. Next stop, polka dots.

Blue Valentine

2011-12-28T13:30:00.000-05:00

I waited to rent Blue Valentine until it was 50% off. Because I like my heartache at a discount.

Simply stated, it's about a young married couple that has fallen out of love. Dean (Ryan Gosling) is a house painter, and Cindy (Michelle Williams) is a nurse. They have one child, a five-year-old daughter named Frankie. Dean's "the fun one" and an attentive dad, but he drinks too much. Cindy is a nag who won't let him touch her. This is how we first meet them, a setting that makes it easy to feel sorry for Dean and to wish that Cindy would soften a little. But then the flashbacks start. Like favorite photographs, they slip in and out through the couple's present misery, revealing how they fell in love and how they got to be where they are now. A world of subtlety is unraveled in those snapshots, and it becomes clear that Dean and Cindy's relationship, although once seemingly pure, was disintegrating even as it was being built. Before even meeting Cindy, Dean says something that foreshadows their demise. Men, according to him, are more romantic than women because they live their lives resisting commitment until one amazing woman comes along and changes their minds. Women, on the other hand, are always ready for commitment but weigh their options, choosing to settle down with the man who makes the most money. Dean says all of this naively, yet is so convincing that even I had to stop and wonder if maybe we women are just a bunch of unfeeling opportunists. But by the end of the movie, I realized that Dean's words had prophesized the problems that would result between him and Cindy. He thinks finding the right person, that one amazing woman, is enough. He doesn't realize that he needs to work at his relationship to keep it going, that's it's not ultimately how much money he makes that will determine his wife's happiness, but the level of emotional support he's willing to give her. (Sorry to get all Dr. Phil on you, but it's true.) Knowing this, my loyalties reversed, and I began rooting for Cindy to break free of Dean. The movie is crafty this way, manipulating your viewpoint to unveil the truth through the most accurate lens. Watching it is uncomfortable, but then, it's supposed to be. Blue Valentine, after all, is a dirty-dish-towels-exposed slice of life, not a detergent commercial fantasy.

It's good, though. Layered and gritty and all of those other things that make you think and feel. I'm glad I shelled out the $2.99.

Jack Handey Quote of the Week

2011-12-28T10:27:00.000-05:00

"I hope life isn't a big joke, because I don't get it."

And that's the last quote in the book. Fitting, right? Next Wednesday I'll begin posting quotes from Deepest Thoughts: So Deep They Squeak. If that's not something to look forward to, then I don't know what is.

Season's Readings

2011-12-27T16:40:00.000-05:00

Here is the "ton of excellent books" that I got for Christmas and made mention of in yesterday's (admittedly catty) book report post. The collection spans the gamut from mainstream to obscure, including bestsellers such as Nicholas Sparks's latest, The Best of Me (a gift from the bf, who never fails to deliver the newest Sparks saga each December), and token titles like the Mardi Gras murder mystery Frill Kill. I like to think of it as my new mini library, the perfect companion for a week's staycation.

Book Report: The Christmas Cookie Club by Ann Pearlman

2011-12-26T18:55:00.001-05:00

I was in RiteAid the other day, stocking up on Christmas candy, when I wandered over to the paperback rack in search of something sweet for my brain. (It bears mentioning that I'd already browsed and resisted a 10-piece Coca-Cola-themed Lip Smacker assortment and various Calgon bath and body gift sets.) I picked up and rejected a couple of murder mysteries, not wanting something even the slightest bit dark. Then I saw a book called The Christmas Cookie Club, the back cover of which promised laughter and heartache, trials and triumphs. In other words, all your usual sentimentality wrapped up with a great big holiday bow.  This sounded just marvy to me. What better way to forget life's problems, after all, than to read about a bunch of fictitious characters' undoubtedly more serious problems?

But these problems, as it turned out, were just a little too serious. So much so that I probably should've stuck with a nice glossy copy of InStyle.  Readers, this Christmas caper was grim.

I don't know about you, but I don't want to hear about stillborn babies and twentysomething men plummeting to their deaths in my seasonal stories. Or, actually, ever. I know these things happen - but I'd rather not know about them, much less within the gilded confines of supposedly fluffy fiction. Although I appreciate the occasional tearjerker, the thing I crave most from a novel is a frothy escape.

Whew.  I unleashed more of my inner mean girl there than I meant to. Thankfully, I got a ton of really excellent books for Christmas, so my next book report is sure to be sunnier.

Etsy Favorites - Birds of Paradise

2011-12-24T13:58:00.000-05:00

Tropical Sparrow Tattoo Earrings, Leighlicious

Pink Flamingo Charm Bracelet, Art a Lot

Flamingo on a Bike Tote, Dark Cycle Clothing

Beaded Toucan Earrings, Brittany's Beading

Little Red Bird Pouch, Bagzgirl

Big Bird Kandi Necklace, Kandi Konnect

Colorful Birdcage iPad Case, Hildebrandt

Yellow Bird Wool Coin Purse, Nap Kitten

Pink Flamingo Necklace, Modern Vintage

Pink Peep Earrings, The Little Schremlin

Birds get a bad rap. "You eat like a bird," is never complimentary, and calling someone a "birdbrain" is just downright mean. Then there's the whole dirty bird thing, so named, undoubtedly, for the feathered ones' predisposition toward mites and lice. Yet despite this nest of negativity, I've always liked them (the birds, that is, not the lice). They're graceful and colorful and charming and exotic. Which I say quite a bit and now seem to be regurgitating like a just-eaten worm. So let's just leave it that I like birds as well as what this talented flock of Etsians has done with them.

Hats Off to Headgear

2011-12-22T20:19:00.001-05:00

Sur la Tete Red Cloche, Village Hat Shop

Christy's Crown Series Fuchsia Basix Fedora, Village Hat Shop

Apt 9 Orange Felt Floppy Hat, Kohl's

Wide Brim Yellow Plaid Hat, Diva Wear Designs

Parkhurst Roslyn Cloche Hat, Village Hat Shop

"Hats! One day I'm a mother. One day I'm a lover. What am I supposed to do? Hats! Working for a livin'. All because I'm driven. To be the very best for you. Hats!" Remember that Amy Grant song? I think I had the music video on VHS (purchased, of course, for that smash hit "Baby, Baby," not "Hats," but still.)

I used to be a hat person. So much so that I recall being asked to take off my (big, flowered, floppy) hat one fateful first day of school. These days my collection has shrunk down to a couple of fedoras and a knit cupcake cap. But all of the cute styles cropping up in stores and on Web sites have me rethinking the wisdom of such downsizing. Here are a few of my list toppers. For everyday wear, I favor the Kohl's felt floppy number, which also comes in dazzling shades of fuchsia, cobalt blue, and evergreen. But for full-on drama it has to be the Wide Brim Yellow Plaid Hat, staked out on Etsy (of course).

Jack Handey Quote of the Week

2011-12-21T18:34:00.002-05:00

"If you're in a war, instead of throwing a hand grenade at some guys, throw one of those little baby-type pumpkins. Maybe it'll make everyone think of how crazy war is, and while they're thinking, you can throw a real grenade."

Trolls - Toys to Treasure

2011-12-21T18:29:00.001-05:00

For most of us, Christmas isn't Christmas without toys, and one of the most classic and wonderfully wacky of them is that die-hard hippie, the troll. Whether you prefer the Russ or Norfin variety (clearly I'm on team Russ), the outrageously costumed or the au naturel, you can be sure that there's a big-haired buddy out there for you.

I had lots of trolls as a kid, their rainbow hair electric against the sky blue of my bedroom wall. Sadly, I can't lay claim to any of those pictured here (although I did once own that board game), as mine have all gone the way of yard sales and enforced attic dwelling.

Other holiday toy favorites include the equally colorful (if less wacky) Rainbow Brite, Strawberry Shortcake, Jem, and of course, the ever-controversial Barbie. Basically all your 1980s classics. Oh, and Cabbage Patch Dolls. Although I was always a little weirded out by them, especially the way they had Xavier Roberts's name tattooed on their butts. Very disturbing, that.

Something New and Sparkly - Living in the Limelight

2011-12-19T19:17:00.000-05:00

Living in the Limelight Pin

Dress: XOXO

Tee: Kohl's

Shoes: MetroStyle

Bag: J. C. Penney's

Scarf: J. C. Penney's

Pin: The Tote Trove

A few nights ago I was wrapping Christmas gifts into the wee hours while watching I Love You, Man for the umpteenth time. I never get tired of that movie, mostly because Paul Rudd is at his hilarious nice guy best. I still want to hide under the table every time he overhears his fiance and her friends talking about his sad friendless state, only to emerge from the kitchen bearing a tray of root beer floats for them complete with Pepperidge Farm Pirouette straws. But I digress. He (Paul Rudd, that is) and Jason Segal were rocking out to Rush's "Limelight" when I thought, hey, that would be a good name for that lime slice pin I made awhile back. So here it is in all its limey, look-at-me goodness, albeit a little bit glarey.

An Early Christmas Gift That's Way Cooler Than a Partridge in a Pear Tree

2011-12-19T00:14:00.000-05:00

Fruit with Mustaches Button Badges, Kikichoo

If these fruity friends look familiar, then it's because they were part of my Etsy Favorites: Weird and Wonderful post. So you can imagine my surprise when I found them staring up at me from the inside of a gift bag yesterday! The gift was from my sister, and the occasion was, somewhat appropriately, the fourth day of Christmas. So christened by their creator Kikichoo, Hercule Pear, Jacques Lemon, Felix Orange, Carlos Raspberry, Chico Banana, Pablo Picasso, Alberto Apple, and Salvador Strawberry take the cake for kook, outshining that tired old partridge in a pear tree any day. I was so excited that I pinned all eight of my new mustached muchachos to my cardigan :)

Etsy Favorites - Lemon Meringue Pie

2011-12-17T18:51:00.000-05:00

Lemon Meringue Pie Candle Tart, Old Hickory Candles

Miniature Pie Slice Necklace, Sugar Cube Corner

Miniature Lemon Meringue Pie Slice, Miniature Sweet Shop

Strawberry Shortcake Cupcake Toppers, Party Wonderland NY

Lemon Meringue Pie Gift Boxes, Lulu's Little Shop

Perfect Meringue with Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, Betty Turbo

Not too long ago I was listening to a morning radio show that claimed that America's least favorite pie is lemon meringue. This didn't surprise me, given the way most people feel about lemons. Yet despite its unpopularity, this tart treat is among my favorite desserts, right up there with its key lime cousin. Even those who eschew the pastry's taste can't deny the visual appeal of its yellow and white color scheme and custardy texture. Both have inspired countless artistic creations, a few of which are pictured here.

As for Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, I know he's not a lemon. But he made me laugh and seemed as good a way as any to close this post.

Stuff That I'm Crazy About

2011-12-16T22:52:00.002-05:00

Summer Snow Cone Brooch, A Self Portrait

Poof Elbow Sleeve Leopard Dolman Snit Top, Boscov's

Grass Textured Tier Skirt with Bow, The 15 Dollar Store

Over the Rainbow Necklace, A Self Portrait

Baby Pink Faux Leather Strawberry Heels, AMI Clubwear

Futai Clear Bubble Umbrella with Teal Trim, Target

Women's Mossimo Black Blue Patent Viviana Platform Pumps, Target

Pink Rebelle Butterfly Friendship Handbag, Target

Caparros Valery Red Dots Pumps, Zappos

Cute Options Sunset Tie Dye Tier Dress, The 15 Dollar Store

Candie's Coral Peep-toe Platform High Heels, Kohl's

One side effect of Christmas shopping is seeing stuff you just can't live without. Am I right, or am I right? Here's a smattering of the stuff with which I'm smitten. Hey, they have day-after-Christmas sales for a reason . . .

Book Report - Echoes by Maeve Binchy

2011-12-14T18:52:00.000-05:00

They say that rereading a favorite book is like going home again (schmaltzy, maybe, but nonetheless true). That's how I felt when I recently reopened Maeve Binchy's Echoes. Only, the house seemed a little bit smaller, as it's apt to after being abandoned a decade.

Like so many of Binchy's novels, Echoes is set in an Irish village in the 1950s and 1960s. Seaside Castlebay is the home to the usual colorful cast of busybodies, drunks, pillars, and unfortunates, the most compelling of which is its heroine, Clare O' Brien. Although the daughter of a poor shop owner, Clare is brilliant and determined, doing whatever it takes to leave Castlebay to become a history professor (a lofty ambition by even today's standards, let alone 1950s rural Ireland). With the help of her schoolteacher mentor, the bright and beautiful but put-upon Angela O' Hara, Clare clears hurdle after hurdle -- only to have life intervene.

In vintage Binchy style, we're treated to the inner thoughts of a host of villagers and Dubliners alike, a dialogue that embroiders this already-rich saga. It's got all the stuff you'd expect: broken hearts, secrets, and even some danger, yet fails to fall into the trap of a cliche. Nevertheless, it's not all tea and warm hearths. Echoes offers layers and characters that cut deep, forcing us to re-examine that age-old conundrum of free will vs. fate. Among other things.

Jack Handey Quote of the Week

2011-12-14T18:19:00.001-05:00

"It seemed to me that, somehow, the blue jay was trying to communicate with me. I would see him fly into the house across the way, pick up the telephone, and dial. My phone would ring, and it would be him, but it was just this squawking and cheeping. "What?! What?!" I would yell back, but he never did speak English."

Wholesale Order Complete!

2011-12-14T18:09:00.000-05:00

At first I wasn't going to post a picture of every single necklace (or in a few cases, barrette collection) I made as part of this 75-piece wholesale order. But then I thought, what better way to convey the scope of the project than to go into image overload?

Working on this was exciting, exhilarating, and exhausting . . . and now it's over. Well, almost. There's still the shipping to be done. Maybe I should've waited until after that to write this post, but I couldn't help myself. After all, the end of the order signals a return to (semi) regular blogging, which I have sorely missed.

Now it's on to the next (much smaller) custom order. Big doings here in the Trove!

Another Shoe Montage!

2011-12-04T11:36:00.001-05:00

From top left: floral wedges, Madden Girl, http://www.macys.com/; leopard boots, Jessica Simpson, Barefeet Shoes; blue leopard pumps, http://www.amiclubwear.com/, metallic ankle-wrap pumps, Dollhouse, http://www.journeys.com/, yellow leopard pumps, http://www.amiclubwear.com/, red floral slingbacks, http://www.journeys.com/

It's high (heel!) time I posted a fresh shoe montage. Even if I have realized that "montage" isn't the most accurate word to use. (Collage, maybe.) Still, the name's grown on me, so much so that I don't want to drop it.

I don't know about you, but I have an especially hard time finding distinctive, colorful shoes during the fall and winter. "Black boot syndrome" is what I think when I see display after display of boring old neutral stand-bys stretching before me between the months of September and February. That was why I was so excited to discover the oh-so-interesting crop of kicks pictured here (although to be fair, the leopard boots were a Christmas gift last year.) I think the rose-print wedges top my list, partly on account of them being my favorite color, sky blue. Which ones do you like?

Adventureland

2011-12-01T17:27:00.001-05:00

One of the perks of being a one-woman felt factory is getting to watch lots of movies while I work. Last weekend I rhinestoned a trio of French fry-themed necklaces to the tune of Adventureland, a dark comedy starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kristen Stewart as a couple of nearly-adult kids trying to figure it all out one summer while working at an amusement park. Set in the late 1980s, it's more angst-ridden than bubblegum, playing up the murkier undercurrents of carnival life and intermingling them with all the live wire edges that come with being young. Rounding out the cast are Ryan Reynolds as a sleazy married guy who hits on all the girls and "Saturday Night Live's" Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig as the dorky but devoted married couple who serve as his foil. Engaging, gritty, and refreshingly real, Adventureland is the kind of story that makes you want to relive and bury your early twenties all at the same time.

Jack Handey Quote of the Week

2011-11-30T17:40:00.001-05:00

"If I had the time to sit down and write a thank-you note to everyone who sent me a nice, expensive present, what a wonderful world it would be!"

Catch of the Day

2011-11-29T17:00:00.001-05:00

It's not often that the bf whips out the camera to capture something he wants up on the blog. But his culinary (and fishing!) prowess must have gotten the best of him the other night, because he snapped a picture of the striper dinner he caught and cooked. My contribution was boiling the potatoes.

Jack and Jill

2011-11-29T06:55:00.001-05:00

When I first saw the trailer for Jack and Jill, I thought, oh no, that's too ridiculous, even for me. But, as is often the case when I make such sweeping declarations, I ended up seeing it anyway.

In a nutshell, Jack and Jill is about polar opposite twins. Ever the popular one, Jack (Adam Sandler) grew up to be a hotshot LA ad exec with a beautiful wife (Katie Holmes) and two adorable children. Jill (also Adam Sandler), on the other hand, has always been a little bit . . . different. Garbed in an endless array of garish prints, Technicolor belts, and kooky accessories, she's socially awkward to the nth degree and desperate for "twin time," a quality that seems to have grown stronger as a result of her and Jack's mother's recent death. When she visits Jack for Thanksgiving (with a fleet of luggage and her beloved cockatoo, Poopsie, in tow), she doesn't want to return home to the Bronx. Jill's antics carry on through Hanukkah, her and Jack's birthday, and the family cruise to Europe, during which time she's pursued by both Jack's gardener and, wonder of wonders, Al Pacino.

Now, what I'm about to say may seem a little strange. But in a weird way, I identified with Jill. Her wacky wardrobe and out-there personality sort of spoke to me, a feeling that was cemented when I spied her carrying a cherry-print XOXO handbag I own. Quirkiness is also alive and well in Jack's kids. His (adopted) son straps random objects to himself with tape, and his daughter always carries a doll dressed exactly like her. I was surprised to find myself laughing out loud at the want-to-hide-your-head-under-a-pillow humor (which was all the more conspicuous in a theater full of silent viewers).

Peppered with appearances by "Saturday Night Live" alums Tim Meadows, Norm MacDonald, David Spade, and Dana Carvey, Jack and Jill is a hoot that delivers holiday hilarity worth the price of admission.

Cranberry Jello Mold

2011-11-27T12:53:00.001-05:00

I realize that this isn't a mold. Oddly enough, an appropriately-shaped version of this Thanksgiving family favorite never featured in my childhood. But I'm okay with that, just as I'm okay with posting this admittedly unappetizing picture. Because I know that fruity refreshment resides within the confines of that homely Pyrex bowl. If you too "crave the wave" of cranberry goodness (please don't sue, Ocean Spray), then here are the fixin's you'll need:

Ingredients:

1 small can crushed pineapple
1 small can mandarin oranges
1 3-oz package raspberry Jell-O
1/2 cup boiling water
1 16-oz can jellied cranberry sauce
1 cup whipped cream

Directions:

Drain pineapple juice and reserve. Add 1/2 cup of boiling water to the pineapple juice. Dissolve the Jell-O in 1 cup of pineapple juice and boiling water. Add the cranberry sauce and let it gel for about half an hour, or until slightly thick. Then fold in the oranges, pineapple, and whipped cream. Let gel for at least 24 hours.

You can also garnish and/or serve with additional whipped cream, which I did (although it's not pictured).

Larry Crowne

2011-11-27T12:13:00.001-05:00

I always wondered why Larry Crowne was considered such a flop. It had Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and a classic underdog-makes-good story. But when I rented it recently I couldn't help but admit that it was missing that certain something.

That's not to say that it wasn't good. If you've seen the trailers (or heck, by now, the movie), then you know that the title character (Tom Hanks) loses his upper management job at a Target-esque superstore because he lacks a college degree. So he enrolls in (what I imagine to be) community college and takes a public speaking class taught by hardass Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts). Ever the optimist, Larry tackles his new life cheerfully, trading in his gas-guzzling SUV for a more economical scooter and, coincidentally, membership into a scooter gang led by pretty young thing Talia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) and her jealous boyfriend (Wilmer Valderrama). But Larry has eyes only for teacher, who is conveniently married to a freeloading, porn-obsessed loser (Bryan Cranston).

Larry and Mercedes's courtship is far from orthodox, and certainly not as magical and carefree as this movie poster would lead you to believe. To be honest, there were plenty of scenes that made me just plain hate Roberts's sour Ms. Tainot. (At least until I remembered that sour people are sour for a reason and that fictional characters are no different.) But the frustrated professor has a proverbial gooey center, and Larry is just the charmingly befuddled Little-Engine-that-could kind of guy to unveil it.

Overall, there isn't much of a storyline, and what story there is could have easily been depressing. There are faint shades of Everything Must Go at play, particularly when Larry attempts to have a yard sale only to be challenged by his large-and-in-charge yard sale king neighbor (played by none other than Cedric the Entertainer). Similarly, some of the classroom scenes mildly echo those from NBC's darkly comic "Community." Yet despite these shadows, Larry Crowne remains on a trajectory as confidently upbeat as that of its hero. Maybe that makes it less complicated, but that's also what makes it a good choice for easy weekend viewing.

Jack Handey Quote of the Week

2011-11-16T07:12:00.001-05:00

"I bet if you were a mummy wrapper in ancient Egypt, one thing you would constantly find yourself telling people would be, "Be sure, before I start, you have all the jewelry and so forth on the body, because I am not unwrapping him later." '

From the Archives - Something Old and Tasty

2011-11-14T22:14:00.001-05:00

Dress: Macy's
Tee: Kohl's
Shoes: Journeys
Bag: Nahui Ollin
Necklace: The Tote Trove

I'm not talking about a Reese cup stuck beneath my couch cushion. Just some drive-through-themed neck candy I made for myself last winter. I may have even posted it here at the time. (With all the frivolity that goes on, who can say?) Anyway, I just really liked this outfit and thought I would share.

Etsy Favorites - Fruit Fete

2011-11-13T19:05:00.001-05:00

Fruit Salad Dangle Earrings, Down East Baubles

Colorful Juicy Citrus Fruit Slice Bracelet, Sugar Dreams Kawaii Gift Shop

80s Fruit Charm Beaded Necklace, Pretty Thingz

Yellow Banana Necklace, Purple and Lime

Ice Cream Fruit Sundae Kawaii Necklace, By Anne

Colorful Fruit Charm Bracelet and Earrings, Patchwork Laboratory

Fruit Salad Laser Cut Acrylic Ring Set, Lickety Cut

I Love My Harvest Fruit Cornucopia Necklace, Wires n' Pliers

Banana Fruit Bracelet, Julia Bristow Jewelry

Fruit Tart Stud Earrings, Divine Sweetness

In search of a nutritious and delicious style snack, I peeked into Etsy's jewelry box and discovered a whole banquet's worth. This collection of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings flowers with a fruity funkiness destined to transform your favorite jeans and white tee. If you crave color, then you'll want to drop by these shops for a bite.

Shiny Things

2011-11-11T15:47:00.001-05:00

I have lots of jewelry. Stored in lots of boxes. Each box has a theme. Sort of. This one's is rhinestones.

Most of this stuff comes from J. C. Penney's or Kohl's (big surprise there), but there's some Macy's and Cloud Nine thrown in too.

Back in the day I read a lot of Nancy Drew mysteries, some of which were about jewel theft. Fake jewels were inevitably used to imitate real ones, and they were always described as being made of the horrifically inferior "paste." Which honestly didn't sound all that bad to me. I rather thought I'd love a big old box of sparkling paste jewelry. Another thing about Nancy Drew books is that the villainesses were always described as being garishly dressed, as if bright lipstick and flashy prints somehow equalled moral turpitude. That never sat well with me.

Now for a bit of randomness. I may not be able to blog as regularly as usual during the next month because I'll be working on a large wholesale order that will require most of my attention. I'll be sure to blog about it around Christmas, though.

Something New and Sparkly - I Was Working in the Lab Late One Night

2011-11-10T19:35:00.001-05:00

Fabulous Felt Mad Scientist Necklace

Top: Marshalls

Skirt: Macy's

Shoes: J. C. Penney's

Bag: Nahui Ollin

Necklace: The Tote Trove

When I was a kid, my science text book pages exploded with overflowing beakers, day-glo amoebas, and cartoonish atoms. And that always sort of stuck with me. So some months ago I thought, why not conduct my own experiment in the form of this Fabulous Felt Mad Scientist Necklace? But as is the case with so many of my ideas, I put it on the back (Bunsen) burner. Then this past Monday, Google honored Marie Curie's 144th birthday with one of its charming Google doodles, and I was reminded of my necklace. What better way to honor the mother of radioactivity (not to mention the subject of my third grade book report) than with a trinket where style meets science? I like to think the good Madame would have glowed with pride.

Jack Handey Quote of the Week

2011-11-09T20:23:00.004-05:00

"If you're traveling in a time machine, and you're eating corn on the cob, I don't think it's going to affect things one way or the other. But here's the point I'm trying to make: Corn on the cob is good, isn't it."

Courtesy of Cosmo - What You Could Have Bought - Much Love for the Much Clutch

2011-11-08T19:29:00.001-05:00

Betseyville Raining Betsey Clutch

Lemon Meringue Pie Yellow Clutch, Lulu's

Bright Vintage Poppy Clutch, Shoplift

Beatles Abbey Road Duct Tape Clutch, Eleven Peacocks

Hand Painted Clutch, Nasilis

Betseyville Glamour Girl Clutch

Faux Leather Hand Painted Bow Clutch, Recanvas

Pearl, Black, & Fuchsia Colorblock Clutch, Journeys

Steven by Steve Madden Animal Print Calf Hair Clutch, Nordstrom

Mysterious Lady Clutch, Print Unique

Funky Turquoise Clutch, Hobbie

Asymmetrical Striped Clutch, Express

Bento Box Felt Clutch, Felteeeee

For Goodness Snake Ivory and Teal Snakeskin Clutch, Lulu's

Recycled Magazine Wallet, Heather Lauren Designs

It's no secret that I love Cosmopolitan's "What You Could Have Bought" column (just check out my Sundress Extravaganza post). The December issue reveals that forgoing a monthly Groupon habit will save you an impressive $456 a year, enough to cash in on 15 clutches! Whether you're wooed by the allure of fancy fabrics or the challenge of surviving the night on just breath mints and lipstick, the clutch offers sophistication and adventure in one sleek little package. Here are my favorite 15 upon which to launch your next Saturday night.

Something New and Sparkly - A Bird of a Different Color

2011-11-07T20:13:00.002-05:00

Summer Camp Feather Corsage Necklace

Top: Venus

Cardigan (and belt): J. C. Penney's

Skirt: Target

Shoes: Betseyville, Macy's

Bag: Bisou Bisou, J. C. Penney's

Tights: J. C. Penney's

Bracelet: Parade of Shoes

Ring: Making Waves, Ocean City, Asbury Avenue

Necklace: The Tote Trove

Back in summer camp, my favorite activity was arts and crafts. I used to pray for rain so I could make key chains and pencil toppers instead of braving the batting cage or BB gun range. This Summer Camp Feather Corsage Necklace reminds me of the kind of thing I might have made in the old craft pavilion. (Whether this means that it's charmingly nostalgic or that it looks like it was made by an eight-year-old is up to you.)

In a related note, I was out shopping for my sister's birthday gifts again when I snagged this cobalt space-dyed, belted cardigan in J. C. Penney's. I'd admired it before, envisioning it as the crowning touch for this very outfit, but had written it off as an unnecessary indulgence. As it turns out, that was the best thing I could've done because today it was marked down to $4.97! Plus, I had a $10 off coupon to apply to my entire purchase, lowering it to just $3.68. To say that I was thrilled is an understatement. People like to poke fun at J. C. Penney's, but I've always found it to be an emporium of exciting finds. On the way out I spotted several colorful scarves and a hot pink-banded watch that called to me (never mind that it was next to a bevy of Justin Bieber timepieces).

Something New and Sparkly - Hello Birdie

2011-11-06T20:22:00.000-05:00

Crazy for Kawaii Primary Colors Two Little Birds Necklace

Sweater: J. C. Penney's

Skirt: Abbey Dawn, Kohl's

Shoes: Dollhouse, Marshalls

Bag: 9 & Co., Kohl's

Tights: J. C. Penney's

Necklace: The Tote Trove

Crazy for Kawaii Tropical Colors Two Little Birds Necklace

Sweater: Victoria's Secret

Dress: Material Girl, Macy's

Shoes: MetroStyle

Bag: Bisou Bisou, J. C. Penney's

Tights: Express

Bangle: B Fabulous

Necklace: The Tote Trove

Crazy for Kawaii Girly Colors Two Little Birds Necklace

Sweater: J. C. Penney's

Skirt: Ross

Shoes: Material Girl, Macy's

Bag: Etsy, Eleven Peacocks
Scarf: Marshalls
Necklace: The Tote Trove

I spent my extra hour today fashioning feathered friends out of felt (try saying that five times fast). I almost used three birds in each necklace but then told myself, "Whoa! Hold it there, missy," because the two looked just dandy and would have been hampered by a third interloper. Once I saw how splendid they looked against my colorful sweaters, I knew I'd made the right decision.

As you know, I've been rephotographing many of my items against colored backdrops in an effort to improve my Etsy shop's appearance. As with any revitalization project, now that I've started I can't seem to stop! Today I removed any items that didn't quite fit in with the overall feel of the shop. And boy were there a lot! I wasn't all that focused three years ago when I started doing this and ended up creating a hodgepodge of things and slapping them up on the Web willy-nilly. From now on I'm going to be much more discriminating. Only bright, funky accessories with a sense of humor will make the cut. Anything bland or "normal" need not apply. That seems as good a credo as any.

Etsy Favorites - Spotlight on undercover POPULAR

2011-11-06T11:24:00.000-05:00

Floral Bull Clutch

Vintage Marie Antoinette Peacock Purse

Sassy Patent Leather 80s Upcycled Half Moon Purse

Buddha at the Brass Gate Clutch

Office Rainbow Vinyl Lenticular Clutch

I love yellow. And I love things that are quirky. So naturally this Sassy Patent Leather 80s Upcycled Half Moon Purse just leapt off the screen and into my Etsy Favorites. That gorgeous color! That half moon shape! That disembodied, googly-eyed woman peeking crazily out from the corner! Charmed, I had to find out more.

And find I did. The piece hailed from a shop called undercover POPULAR, which was just brimming with beguiling bags. By reading the shop profile (I love reading Etsy shop profiles, don't you?), I learned that shop owner Elizabeth scours estate sales for vintage purses to upcycle with her own design touches. Here's an excerpt:

"There’s that shock of recognition when you pick up something that’s not widely available in today’s market. There’s another little tinge of excitement when you realize the quality of workmanship that went into creating it. Doesn’t it deserve to be loved a little more? How can I leave it behind? With a little bit of love and creativity, I realized I could give handbags a whole new life, so a new owner could enjoy it as much as I would."

Elizabeth reminds us that things aren't just inanimate objects. They have histories, infused with the joint powers of the people who loved them and of the people who will love them again.

If you want to be one of those people, then hop aboard the time machine that is undercover POPULAR. Your purse with a past awaits

Bright Backdrops Strike Again

2011-11-05T17:19:00.003-04:00

Tiny Cheeseburger Tote

Tiny Jell-O Mold Tote

Tiny Donut Tote

I told you I was excited.

Once I saw how these ultra-bright backdrops lit up my felt necklaces, I couldn't wait to see what they did for my tiny totes. Not bad, huh?

Pop Goes the Felt

2011-11-05T15:07:00.004-04:00

Fabulous Felt Peacock Necklace

Fabulous Felt Banana Split Necklace

Fabulous Felt Waffles Necklace

Fabulous Felt Lucky Stuff Necklace

Fabulous Felt Hot Pink Bow Necklace

Fabulous Felt Steak Dinner Necklace

Fabulous Felt Green Bow Necklace

Fabulous Felt Breakfast Necklace

Fabulous Felt Glamour Girl Necklace

Fabulous Felt Dessert Decadence Necklace

Not too long ago I mentioned that I was going through my Etsy shop with a fine-tooth comb in search of ways to improve it. One thing I came up with was rephotographing a bunch of my Fabulous Felt necklaces against colored posterboard instead of the usual white. I was amazed by how much better this made the necklaces look. Which just goes to show how staring at my site day in and day out sort of blinded me to its problem areas. I'm so excited about the transformation that I may just use this idea for rephotographing some of my other items.

Something New and Sparkly - Style Circle

2011-11-04T20:00:00.001-04:00

Fabulous Felt Pink Patterns Necklace

Tunic: Free People, Gifted

Camisole: Kohl's

Jeans: J. C. Penney's

Shoes: J. C. Penney's

Bag: Etsy, Eleven Peacocks

Scarf: A. C. Moore

Bangle: Bloomingsales Florist & Gift Shop, Brigantine

Necklace: The Tote Trove

How fun is this patterned felt? I found it (and some other designs; stay tuned!) at A. C. Moore and couldn't help but scoop up a few sheets despite my recent craft supply buying ban. Speaking of which, I've noticed that lots of art and fashion bloggers impose shopping bans on themselves, only to break them. If I'm weak, then at least I'm in good company! At least I've been faring slightly better on the clothing front. Just today I was shopping for my sister's birthday gifts in Marshalls and resisted a pale yellow cotton turtleneck sweater, a pink sequined beret, and a multi-colored sequined minidress. I told myself that I had plenty of sweaters, that the hat smelled faintly funny, and that the dress would have been too small.

But back to this Fabulous Felt Pink Pattern Necklace. Set off by a sequin-shot tunic, charcoal skinny jeans, and silver zebra-print pumps, it's ready to paint the town pink! There's a little voice in my head whispering that I should start making these necklaces a little bit smaller, so as to appeal to a wider audience. But for now I'm tuning it out.

Something New and Sparkly - Inspired by Kohl's (Again!)

2011-11-03T23:15:00.000-04:00

Fabulous Felt Show Your Cards Necklace

Top: Candie's, Kohl's

Skirt: Strawbridge & Clothier

Shoes: Candie's, Kohl's

Bag: Etsy, Krystala Creations

Scarf: J. C. Penney's
Tights: J. C. Penney's

Barrettes: J. C. Penney's

Bracelet: Kohl's

Ring: Cloud Nine, Ocean City boardwalk

Necklace: The Tote Trove

I saw this polka dot Candie's top in Kohl's about a week ago and was instantly inspired to make this Fabulous Felt Show Your Cards Necklace. I've always loved red, black, and white together as well as the graphic look of polka dots and knew that the club, heart, spade, and diamond quartet would make for a funky finishing touch. So, today I made the shirt my own, along with two camisoles. There was also a matching ruffly tiered white skirt edged in black lace that I really liked. But it cost more than I wanted to spend (the three shirts totaled just $27). Plus, I rationalized that it was probably more creative to use my own standby polka dot skirt anyway. (The fact that it came from Strawbridge & Clothier's gives you an idea of just how old it is.)

Jack Handey Quote of the Week

2011-11-03T17:31:00.001-04:00

"I wish I could shrink down to the size of an ant. And maybe there would be thousands of other people shrunken down to ant-size, and we would get together and dig tunnels down into the ground, and live there. But don't ever call us "ants," because we hate that."

Shoes! Shoes! Shoes!

2011-11-03T17:23:00.001-04:00

I've been limiting my shoe shopping lately (oh how I hate you, fiscal responsibility), so I sought the vicarious thrill of scoping out some new styles online. My travels took me to a shop called AMC Clubwear, which I'd never heard of. Color, animal prints, and platforms abounded, among other things. Although I'm fairly certain that AMC's core clientele consists of professional dancers and ladies of the night, that didn't stop me from saving a bunch of skyscraper stilettos to my Favorites.

Each pair of these candy-colored leopard pumps sells for $18.99. You could buy all six for just $113.94, which is $16.00 less than the price of either the Betsey Johnson or Steve Madden pair pictured below! If I had $100+ to burn, then I'd go for the leopard. (Although I do love the designer kicks too, especially the disco diva Steve Maddens.)

Another Halloween Treat - Wicked in Wicker

2011-10-31T18:41:00.001-04:00

Remember my handbag-a-day desk calendar? Well, this is what popped up today. More strange than scary, he's my kind of Halloween fiend.

Happy Halloween - Confessions of a Candy Queen

2011-10-31T18:35:00.000-04:00

The confession part is that I bought one of those tacky bagged Halloween costumes, the very anathema of creative people. The candy part is obvious. And hopefully somewhat vindicating.

The bf and I had a Halloween party to go to, and he went as the Monopoly Man to my Candyland. (He's a little camera-shy, though, so I spared him from co-starring in this post.) Now, you'd think that a Candyland costume would involve either a giant game board-looking thing that you slip over your head or the garb of a character from the game, such as Princess Lollipop or Queen Frostine. But that wasn't the case. Much like a kid wearing a shapeless plastic jumpsuit emblazoned with Mighty Morphon Power Rangers instead of an actual ranger suit, I donned a dress decorated with Candyland game board graphics. And at first glance I wasn't impressed. Anyone out there who's ever bought a canned costume knows what I mean. I was looking to make it more . . . well, me. So I busted out my trusty lime green Hue tights and ginormous handmade Crazy for Kawaii bib necklace. Having said no to the silly-ass hat that came with the costume, I added a pink tulle hair bow as well as my Kohl's rainbow stretch bracelets, my own handmade dessert eraser ring, my Betseyville wedges, and a faux clutch made from real jumbo button candy. After a fruitless search for a giant lollipop, I stumbled upon the button candy in the holiday gift section of J. C. Penney's (even the salesgirl said, "We sell these?"). It was the bf's idea to transform it into a pretend purse. I made that happen by gluing a candy sheet onto either side of the cardboard that came in the packaging and topping it off with a beribboned accent. Fellow partygoers kept asking me why I wasn't eating the candy. I replied that it was pretty untasty. Not, of course, that that stopped me from eating a bunch at home.

Footloose

2011-10-31T00:14:00.001-04:00

Oh, Footloose. That quintessential tale of teenage rebellion. Who could resist its conflicts between country and city, church and state, and authority and freedom? Apparently not me because despite not being a huge fan of the original, I found myself queuing up for the remake.

This time breakout star Kenny Wormald fills Kevin Bacon's dancing shoes (sorry, I couldn't help myself) as Ren MacCormack, the city boy who moves to the small southern town of Bomont where dancing is a crime. Armed with an attitude, Ren goes head to head with the man, who literally happens to be Minister Moore (Dennis Quaid), a key enforcer of the anti-dancing law and the father of Ariel Moore (Julianne Hough), the good girl-gone-bad with whom he's smitten. Exploding cars compete with even more explosive dance numbers as Ren fights to free Ariel from her race car-driving redneck boyfriend and Bomont from its funk.  The highlight is Wormald's version of Bacon's iconic warehouse dance scene. Infused with all the righteous teenage indignation of his predecessor, Ren number two busts out gymnastics moves to the rhythm of an appropriately updated iPod. Anger never looked so good.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the remake is a little edgier than the original. There's definitely more sex, as well as a deeper exploration of death. Still, the original retains a melancholy all its own, as well as its signature 1980s appeal. This is why I think Kevin Bacon was smart to decline making a cameo.  Such a move would have been a little cheesy. (And speaking of Kevin, did anyone happen to catch that old "Will & Grace" episode where Jack [Sean Hayes] stalks Kevin only to have the star invite him in and signal the Footloose theme song with the clap of his hands? Hilarious.)

Finally, I can't very well write a post about Footloose without commenting on the dancing. It was good. Darned impressive. And that comes from someone whose dance skills fall somewhere in line with those of "Seinfeld's" Elaine.