A Poem to Remind Us All, Poets or Not.

I've just woken up unreasonably early, my head jumbled with jigsaw puzzle pieces of bad dreams and worries that don't quite fit together. Perhaps it's the start of a New Year that has got my subconscious so worked up. Making a list of resolutions seems so painfully cliche (and I'm too muddled to get it right at the moment anyway.) Instead, I thought of this poem, with it's advice to "avoid screens" and honor silence. (The photo above is from this lovely apartment.) Wishing you a New Year filled with clarity and peace.

Love,

Becky

How To Be a Poet

BY WENDELL BERRY

(to remind myself)

i

Make a place to sit down.

Sit down. Be quiet.

You must depend upon

affection, reading, knowledge,

skill—more of each

than you have—inspiration,

work, growing older, patience,

for patience joins time

to eternity. Any readers

who like your poems,

doubt their judgment.

ii

Breathe with unconditional breath

the unconditioned air.

Shun electric wire.

Communicate slowly. Live

a three-dimensioned life;

stay away from screens.

Stay away from anything

that obscures the place it is in.

There are no unsacred places;

there are only sacred places

and desecrated places.

iii

Accept what comes from silence.

Make the best you can of it.

Of the little words that come

out of the silence, like prayers

prayed back to the one who prays,

make a poem that does not disturb

the silence from which it came.

New Years Rockin' Eve!

We're all looking forward to a fresh start come January 1st, but first we've got to send 2010 out in style. My husband and I will be dancing away the last night of 2010 while my friend Katie fiddles with her bluegrass band. If you're in Kona and would like to join in the fun, you can still get tickets here. Here's my inspiration for a fabulous night. See the treasury live on Etsy here!

Now this is the slogan for a great new year! Here's to clean slates and fresh starts.

What's more fun than an outrageously and unabashedly sugary Tingly Lolipop ?

Why not go over the top with some bow embellished peep toe heels?

These two are the perfect inspiration for a night full of fun and mayhem! (Harlequins always call up the new year for me with their black and white checkered costumes- it's something to do with being halfway between two things- the old and the new, don't you agree? According to Wikipedia, their real meaning is much darker. )

Sparkling vintage earrings will go perfectly with all the bubbly that's being passed around.

No time like New Year's Eve to experiment with an outrageous eye color- or three!

And what New Year's Eve is complete without a shimmering Mirror Ball? Wishing you a New Year full of surprise, delight and wonder.

DIY with the Fab Miss B: Lipstick Palette

Since I was so pleased with the results of my DIY Make-up Palette, I thought I'd do the same thing with my lipstick collection. The humid weather of Hawaii seems to make my lipsticks gloopy and they often break off. I decided to condense them. Here's how I did it.

First, I used a butter knife to slice the tops off the lipsticks and put them into metal lip balm containers I purchased on Etsy. I used a chopstick to scoop out every last pigmented blob.

I preheated the oven to 300, lined a baking sheet with foil and set my containers in a little line.

After 10 minutes, my lipsticks were mirror smooth, with a bit of overflow from one or two. I left them to cool undisturbed for a few hours.

Then I wiped the containers clean.

And added them to my palette with a bit of hot glue. How great does that look? My make up bag just keeps getting more streamlined- I'm loving it! What essentials are in your make-up bag? I always curl my eyelashes and add a bit of mascara- if I have time for nothing else, it's the biggest bang for your buck and always makes me look more awake.

Mele Kalikimaka!

I thought you might enjoy a little peek at our holiday tree. Christmas ornaments are one of my all time favorite things because their only job is to sparkle and bring delight. Mission accomplished.


This is the first time I've had all my ornaments in one place since we've been traveling and my tree was positively groaning under the weight of it all. Apparently I have been buying a little every year and have reached a critical mass since I couldn't see it all at once. (Remember these camels?!)

Skunk in Bikini is one of my all time favorites, for sure.

One of the last Pipettes. I've decided to discontinue them for now to focus on the Love Birds which are flying out the door. (Tee hee!)

The Party Dogs are safe however. They've been earning their keep around here.

Eric and I are looking forward to spending the next two days hiking, hanging out at the beach, drinking lots of whiskey spiked cider and watching Black Swan. Tonight I've planned a whole menu of appetizers- including a few delightful caviar potato chips. It's been blissful just relaxing and enjoying time just the two of us. How are you celebrating?

Songs I love: Jesus in New Orleans by Over the Rhine

This song gives me goosebumps. I've been playing it again again again the last few days. So damn true.

"Jesus In New Orleans" by Over the Rhine

The last time I saw Jesus
I was drinking bloody marys in the South
In a bar room in New Orleans
Rinsin' out the bad taste in my mouth

She wore a dark and faded blazer
With a little of the lining hanging out
When the jukebox played Miss Dorothy Moore
I knew that it was him without a doubt

I said the road is my redeemer
I never know just what on earth I'll find
In the faces of a stranger
In the dark and weary corners of a mind

She said, The last highway is only
As far away as you are from yourself
And no matter just how bad it gets
It does no good to blame somebody else

Ain't it crazy
What's revealed when you're not looking all that close
Ain't it crazy
How we put to death the ones we need the most

I know I'm not a martyr
I've never died for anyone but me
The last frontier is only
The stranger in the mirror that I see

But when I least expect it
Here and there I see my savior's face
He's still my favorite loser
Falling for the entire human race

Airplants- The Zen-iest Houseguests!

A little more catalog inspiration! I loved the look of these grapevine airplants and had mentally filed them away when I came upon Tortoise Loves Donkey- who specialize in airplant sales!

Here are my little quartet of plants installed on a lava rock I dug up at the beach. So very zen, don't you think? These little guys don't like soil or being cold, but they do like a nice soak of water about once a week. I haven't got much of a green thumb, but think I can handle that much.

P.S) That photo in the background is of my brother and I one Easter Sunday long ago! It's one of my all time favorite shots of he and I.

What kind of plants do you keep in the house? I've heard ferns are pretty easy- any tips?

Kristin's New Pad!

At long last, Kristin and I arranged a photo shoot so we could share her apartment re-vamp with all of you! She is so thrilled with the transformation- I think we really took it from a crash landing pad to a home. Here's a peak at the before!

This is a furnished rental apartment, so everything was quite neutral. There was some terrible hotel art on the walls, so the first thing we did was take it all down and hide them under the bed to give us a clean slate to work with.

There isn't much stuff in this small apartment, but in such a small space, clutter determines whether a space feels calm or chaotic.

This area in particular we wanted to make more functional for Kristin so she could use it for eating and food prep instead of random stuff catchall.

When vertical spaces are filled to the brim, it tends to weigh down the space. We decided to re-imagine her photos as art on the large wall opposite so we could re-claim this tabletop for a display of something inspiring and lovely to look at.

The bedroom already had a wonderful jolt of color- we just wanted to add some details to make it feel more cozy and relaxing.

Here is our heroine enjoying her new space AFTER. Doesn't it feel transformed?

At the narrow entryway, we re-painted some of her frames with simple coat of black spraypaint. Having a cohesive color makes a huge difference visually, cutting distraction so the art is the star. Here, Kristin chose to display some vintage Hawaiian post cards that were $1.00 a pop.

In the living room, we added a durable rug made from recycled bottles which made a huge impact in terms of making the room feel more personal. We also added hanging lanterns for a pop of geometric color and Kristin selected photographs and artwork that reflect her interests and personality.

Remember all that tabletop clutter? We transformed it into a visually impactful display of images that hold meaning for her. Now everyone who walks in the door can take a little walk through Kristin's life. The trick is to vary the scale, be choosy and use photoshop!

Now look at that tabletop. So clean, fresh and energizing!

I sewed these custom pillow covers with fabric she picked out and I love how they look Hawaiian, but the color combination still keeps it fresh and preppy. So perfectly Kristin!

I didn't get a shot of the lanai before, but we revived it with a pretty tablecloth and a potted orchid. Now she can enjoy her beautiful view of the garden and welcome friends over for meals.

To cozy up the bedroom we added some oversized throw pillows. (Aren't the pom poms perfection? I can't get over how cute they turned out.)

Hello Lilly Pulitzer, eat your heart out!

On her vanity we added a cork board for her growing jewelery collection. Kristin loves to make her own jewelery, so we needed a way to showcase her beautiful pieces! Seeing all your jewelery at once means you wear it so much more. When you can see it all at once, you can find the perfect piece in a flash.

Kristin also framed a small sketch a stranger did of her in a local bar. Art doesn't have to be expensive or professional to make it up on your wall, just take care in the presentation. Mementos like this one make a home feel personal and welcoming.

Wishing you all the contentment, success and joy you deserve in your new space dear friend! Congratulations!

And Visions of Sugarplums Danced Through her Head

Dreamily browsing through my Etsy favorites with a vague idea of giving Eric some strong leads for stocking stuffers. Just look at the lovely things I discovered! (And check out the treasury live on Etsy here.)

I'd love to wear a whole stack of gleaming green and violet beetles on my wrist.

And stir a fancy Christmas cocktail with the world's prettiest artisanal candy canes.
I love the striking simplicity of this nativity stable. (Mine have no roof at the moment!)

Now this is a decidedly extravagant friendship bracelet! I love the bohemian mix of weaving, rhinestones and bold, vivid COLOR!

I quite love the idea of cupcakes in a jar- and just look at those sweet little wooden spoons! Just right for a picnic with a miniature sip of champagne, don't you think?

This Ballet Print makes me giggle and reminds me of my attempt to steer the helm of the great Pirate Play of 2009.

These whimsical earrings would add a punch of humor to my holiday wardrobe.

I love the vague ambiguity of this print, and especially the sun drenched colors.

This Frog dishtowel is irresistible. I'd totally kiss this guy.

Battle of the Books: January

Bonjour Book Lovers!

Our "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" meeting was an intimate affair on a rare dark, stormy wind whipped night in Hawaii. Gwen's beautifully lit Christmas Tree and glittering candles made a perfectly cozy in contrast to the cold, howling wind outside! It really got us all in the holiday spirit. We enjoyed some delicious pupus (that's "appetizers" to you mainlanders!) wine, and good conversation. And now, the time has come to choose next month's book. Here are the contenders! Read up and then cast your vote in the poll at the bottom of this post.

May the best book win!

xo- Becky

The Help: What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel (and maiden publication of Amy Einhorn's new imprint) set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it.

The Glass Castle: A Memoir Freelance writer Walls doesn't pull her punches. She opens her memoir by describing looking out the window of her taxi, wondering if she's "overdressed for the evening" and spotting her mother on the sidewalk, "rooting through a Dumpster." Walls's parents—just two of the unforgettable characters in this excellent, unusual book—were a matched pair of eccentrics, and raising four children didn't conventionalize either of them. Her father was a self-taught man, a would-be inventor who could stay longer at a poker table than at most jobs and had "a little bit of a drinking situation," as her mother put it. With a fantastic storytelling knack, Walls describes her artist mom's great gift for rationalizing. Apartment walls so thin they heard all their neighbors? What a bonus—they'd "pick up a little Spanish without even studying." Why feed their pets? They'd be helping them "by not allowing them to become dependent." While Walls's father's version of Christmas presents—walking each child into the Arizona desert at night and letting each one claim a star—was delightful, he wasn't so dear when he stole the kids' hard-earned savings to go on a bender. The Walls children learned to support themselves, eating out of trashcans at school or painting their skin so the holes in their pants didn't show. Buck-toothed Jeannette even tried making her own braces when she heard what orthodontia cost. One by one, each child escaped to New York City. Still, it wasn't long before their parents appeared on their doorsteps. "Why not?" Mom said. "Being homeless is an a
adventure."


The Great Gatsby:In 1922, F. Scott Fitzgerald announced his decision to write "something new--something extraordinary and beautiful and simple + intricately patterned." That extraordinary, beautiful, intricately patterned, and above all, simple novel became The Great Gatsby, arguably Fitzgerald's finest work and certainly the book for which he is best known. A portrait of the Jazz Age in all of its decadence and excess, Gatsby captured the spirit of the author's generation and earned itself a permanent place in American mythology. Self-made, self-invented millionaire Jay Gatsby embodies some of Fitzgerald's--and his country's--most abiding obsessions: money, ambition, greed, and the promise of new beginnings. "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And one fine morning--" Gatsby's rise to glory and eventual fall from grace becomes a kind of cautionary tale about the American Dream.

It's also a love story, of sorts, the narrative of Gatsby's quixotic passion for Daisy Buchanan. The pair meet five years before the novel begins, when Daisy is a legendary young Louisville beauty and Gatsby an impoverished officer. They fall in love, but while Gatsby serves overseas, Daisy marries the brutal, bullying, but extremely rich Tom Buchanan. After the war, Gatsby devotes himself blindly to the pursuit of wealth by whatever means--and to the pursuit of Daisy, which amounts to the same thing. "Her voice is full of money," Gatsby says admiringly, in one of the novel's more famous descriptions. His millions made, Gatsby buys a mansion across Long Island Sound from Daisy's patrician East Egg address, throws lavish parties, and waits for her to appear. When she does, events unfold with all the tragic inevitability of a Greek drama, with detached, cynical neighbor Nick Carraway acting as chorus throughout. Spare, elegantly plotted, and written in crystalline prose, The Great Gatsby is as perfectly satisfying as the best kind of poem.

Shark Dialogues:This expansive and engrossing multigenerational saga details the history of Hawaii through the experiences of one family. It begins in the 19th century with the dramatic meeting of a young Yankee sailor and a beautiful Tahitian princess. Their descendants, who live in contemporary Hawaii, are four cousins named Vanya, Ming, Rachel, and Jess who have been brought up by Pono, a kahuna, or seer, who has never talked about her mysterious past to her four granddaughters. Davenport deftly includes much information in the narrative--about politics, leprosy, and the racial melting pot that is Hawaiian society--with a minimum of didacticism. She incorporates folklore, history, and myth in a vivid, lush prose style that only occasionally becomes overwrought. This first novel is much better written than James Michener's Hawaii (1959) and brings Hawaiian history up to the present day.