A Savage Journey into the Heart of the American Dream

I've just finished reading this book. (And watching this documentary too.) Here is my Etsy homage to Mr. Thompson. Click on the images to check out the listing.









“San Francisco in the middle sixties was a very special time and place to be a part of. Maybe it meant something. Maybe not, in the long run…but no explanations, no mix of words or music or memories can touch that sense of knowing that you were here and alive in that corner of time and the world. Whatever it meant…

History is hard to know, because of all the hired bullshit, but even without being sure of the “history” it seems entirely reasonable to think that every now and then the energy of a whole generation comes to a head in a long fine flash, for reasons that nobody really understands at the time- and which never explain, in retrospect, what actually happened… but being absolutely certain that no matter which way I went I would come to a place where people were just as high and wild as I was. No doubt at all about that. There was madness in any direction, at any hour. You could strike sparks anywhere.

There was a fantastic universal sense that whatever we were doing was right, that we were winning. And that, I think, was the handle- that sense of inevitable victory over the forces of Old and Evil. Not in any mean or military sense; we didn’t need that. Our energy would simply prevail. There was no point in fighting- on our side or theirs. We had all the momentum; we were riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave.

So now, less than five years later, you can go up on a steep hill in Las Vegas and look West, and with the right kind of eyes you can almost see the high water mark, that place where the wave finally broke and rolled back.” -Hunter S. Thompson

Mini Sewing Kits

I recently came upon a stash of vintage thread on wooden spools and felt inspired to assemble these little mini sewing kits. I just loved lining the spools up to make a rainbow of thread and picking a few choice vintage buttons to include. (Ooh, and aren't the pincushions perfect?) I think they'd be the perfect going off to college or housewarming gift. These pretty kits would certainly inspire me to tackle that pile of mending, what about you?

DIY with the Fab Miss B: Plastic Bag Dispenser

I'm all about bringing my own bags to the grocery store, and yet, here and there, I still end up with the plastic variety. There are lots of ways to re-use them. This bag, and this chandelier are ingenious re-inventions, but I usually use them as packing material for my Etsy parcels or garbage bags. This little dispenser keeps those unruly bags both tidy and handy. Here's how I made mine!

You will need:

Scrap fabric- Mine was roughly 7 x14"
a small strip of extra fabric to make a hanging loop- say 2 x 6" you could also use ribbon- just cut it as desired.
Scissors
Iron
Elastic 4-5" piece
Sewing Machine (you knew that already, right?)

First, give your scrap fabric a nice press. Mine was rather rumpled from being stashed away.


Press the 7" ends into finished seams. Make sure to leave a large enough opening to thread your elastic through.

And finish them off with a quick pass on the machine.

Then, put the right sides together and make a seam along the 14" end, but be sure to leave on seam unclosed so that you can thread the elastic through. Now you have a long, inside out tube. Snip your elastic to desired length. This will be the end you pull the bags from.

Thread your elastic through the tube- a crochet hook is helpful here if your opening is too small or long for your fingers.


Now, stitch those elastic ends together really well. Lots of reverse stitching to keep those pieces well attached.

Now that your elastic is secured, you can finish off that last seam.

Now for the ever-so-handy hanging loop! Press your fabric.

Press the raw edges to make a finished strip like so.

Fold it over again and stitch it closed to make a matching strap. Fold strap in half again to make a loop and attach this to the top of your bag.

Ta Da! This will look much tidier than a bulging plastic bag filled with bags, and you'll always have one handy when you need it. What have you been busy making lately?

Happy Hawaiian Statehood Day!

Today marks the 50th Anniversary of Hawaiian Statehood! There is no school today and celebrations are going on all over town. Eric and I are off to investigate the Green Sand Beach on the other side of the island (also the southern most point in the United States!) Wishing you lots of Aloha!

P.S) I can't seem to get this song out of my head!

Vintage Sand Paintings

Here are some super kitschy sand paintings I scored just before I left MN. I've also got one that Daddy G made as a kid- a delicate rendering of a dachshund in a striped sweater. Glitter, fishbowl gravel, string and glue- this is the stuff of which Art is made! Do you have a kitsch collection?

The Tiny House

Have you already heard about Tumbleweed and the Small House Movement? I've got housing on the brain in a big way and this idea appeals to my sense of idealism, but I have a hard time imagining life in 600 square feet let alone 89. I have terrifying claustrophobic dreams of passing through series of smaller and smaller doors- shimmying in on my belly and unable to ever get out again. (Eeek!)

But I also love the romantic nomad-ism afforded by life in a gypsy caravan, house boat or Airstream trailer. And I think a home like this would force you out of doors to enjoy the beauty of the nature around you. It's like a little mini Walden! Could you take the plunge and live the streamlined existence a home like this would demand? I'm on the fence. Have a look at the stories of real life people who've done it here.

Island Living

Here are some snaps from the Island we'll call home for the next two years. Thanks for your patience with my humble little blog as we hunt for a home and get settled in to a routine. There is so much to see and enjoy- the weather is hot and humid, the flowers are incredibly fragrant- their perfume hangs everywhere! The water is the color of fire opals- so incredibly luminous! We are going to enjoy every second.

Farmer's Market Bouquets

Farmer's Market Bouquets beat the grocery store variety hands down. Cheaper, fuller and way prettier. Oh yes, and your money goes to a local grower instead of a giant corporation. Don't you wish all choices were that easy?

Watermelon Rinds, Sunshine & Sand!

This little lady is one of the people I'll miss most while we're in the Aloha State. I enjoyed being a beach bum with her and her mum while I was in MN. What was the best thing you did this summer? (I can't believe it's almost over!)

Edible Flowers

Have you ever tried squash blossoms? I bought some at the farmer's market just before leaving Minnesota. After washing them and removing the stamens, I lightly floured them and deep fried them in oil for about 3 minutes. After letting them cool and drain on paper towels I sprinkled them with powdered sugar and ate them all up. They were so light and crisp! I rather think a Bellini would have been the perfect accompaniment. Have you tasted anything unusual lately?

Guest Post on Coco + Kelley

So excited to tell you that The Fab Miss B contributed a guest post to the ultra-glamorous Coco + Kelley today! Cassandra's gorgeous blog is dedicated to all things pretty and posh. Check it out here.

P.S) I hope to be back to regular posting very soon. Just arrived on the Big Island on Sunday and am in the midst of the house hunt already. Wish me luck as I find the perfect (tastefully furnished) house in this amazing paradise.

Etsy Bloggers Mega Giveaway!

The Etsy Bloggers have organized an incredible giveaway! Find out how to enter here. There are lots of lovely goodies, including my favorite Becky Kazana greeting card. Go check it out!

Aloha means "Goodbye." But it also means "Hello!"

I'm departing today at last! A short stop in Seattle to bring Otis to his new home and then straight to Our New Home on the Big Island. Wish me Bon Voyage!

Sail the Ocean in a Silver Plane

The latest finds for my Hawaii Beach house...These lasses need a bit of polishing up and then I'm considering whether or not to put them up in the shop. Sometimes it's a very tough call. Is it wrong to enjoy them in my house for awhile first?




P.S) My love affair with all things nautical continues. This little lovely just arrived in the mail and I adore it! Getting lots of compliments on it wherever I go. I'm also listening to this songon repeat. Have you got any fixations at present?