New Art (on my body)

Hummingbirds are believed, in many cultures, to be messengers to other worlds - to the gods, to loved ones who have crossed over. My grandmother used to hang feeders outside and large beautiful Birds of Paradise to help care for the hummingbirds that lived nearby. These little flights of wonder always make me think of her.

So for many years I've considered and contemplated getting a tattoo of a hummingbird in memory and love for my grandmother - but I never got around to it.

Then this past September my Aunt decided she was also ready to have a hummingbird tattooed in memory of her mother. So we planned for Grandma's birthday to be the day we'd go and get little messengers tattooed.

I had been following a local artist for sometime on Instagram; with her eye for detail and beautiful flora/fauna artistry, I knew that Anna was who I wanted to do my hummingbird tattoo.

I was not disappointed.

Tulips for Days

I am a lucky girl. My darling has brought me flowers twice in the last month and not just any flowers...my favorite, tulips!

While they delight me, the saddest part of tulips is they can be so weighted and droop even when fresh and fully alive.

I've had a few folks give me tricks and tips - pruning the leaves so they're not in the water, clipping them down so they stand in the vase, extra food, etc.

So when my love surprised me with these lovely pink ladies I started scouring the web for the best floral arrangement tips and tricks for celebrating and showcasing the bouquet. Of course I found some of the same recommendations as before but then I came across one that sounded so ingenious I had to give it a try...and no, it wasn't by adding vodka.

The trick is using tape to create a grid across the top of your vase and then placing your flowers withing the openings - keeping otherwise droopy flowers upright and at the perfect angle.

I used left over clear (invisible) tape from the Dollar Tree and placed six strips across the top of my vase, ultimately giving me nine spaces to place the buds (one got two because I had ten flowers).

(To follow the image above, place tape on the very outside of the vase, and two more strips centered; then place two strips perpendicular to the first four. Trim leaves and place stocks into "circled" openings).

I will tell you, I've never considered myself too knowledgeable when it comes to floral arrangements; normally I'll trip the tips (best to always give bouquets a fresh cut), remove excess leaves and do my best. This grid trick though...it is one I'll be keeping around for a while.

Dry Shampoo: So Many Choices, Which to Pick?

Approached by Reviews.com to post their top five choices for dry shampoo options (read here) https://www.reviews.com/dry-shampoo/

Personally, I've been trying to work towards purchasing certified cruelty free products (beauty supplies are actually not that hard to find) and sadly only two of the "Top 5" for Review.com (print on their bottles that they) are "Not Tested on Animals":


Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Powder Spray and Dry Shampoo by Batiste Original

Sometimes it's good to give a little tossel to your locks and look fresh and dry. With my new haircut (post coming soon) I may need to explore more into these brands. 

A New Year. A New Try.

It's been five months since my last post and while I'd love to report that there was all sorts of adventures and trips and major life changes...mostly I was off line because of wave after wave of illnesses through my house - head colds, stomach flu, brochitis...you name it we had it.

Not that there weren't some fun adventures:

Pumpkin patch and hay rides at Roloff Farms

Oregon Children's Museum production

Celebrating the Spirit of Halloween-town!

But it's a new year, I'm feeling better, the BF and I are trying to bring more art into our lives (I bought him acting classes for Christmas, we've gone to a Laika Animation exhibit at the Portland Art Museum and are talking about doing a PaintNite for my birthday next month), and I'm hoping to use my blog and social media (see links to the right) to help with my artistic release.

So here is to a new year and to a new try!