Yeah Whatever

I must have something from DOLL FACE DESIGN. I'm completely infatuated with her collages. Then image in my next posting is her's as well. Check out her blog at...http://www.dollfacedesign.blogspot.com

Handmade Is Better

There is something about a handmade item that is so much better than mass-produced goods. Today I came home to a lovely little package on my doorstep. I had ordered a present for my niece from an Etsy store called, Mini'Mocs. The whole presentation from this little shop was so wonderful. The box it shipped in was made up with a custom label, the item itself, a handmade bib and burp cloth made from recycled quilted fabric, was packaged up so nicely and completely ready to give to little Anneka. You can tell that every detail of putting together MY package was attended to. Not only did this item come from a small business that made (and so well) this sweet set, but an actual human put together my order, and made it all look special. I love it....Handmade is Better!

You can check out MyMiniMocs shop at http://myminimocs.etsy.com/

(Here is some interesting info from http://buyhandmade.org/ on why handmade is better)
Buying Handmade makes for better gift-giving
The giver of a handmade gift has avoided the parking lots and long lines of the big chain stores in favor of something more meaningful. If the giver has purchased the gift, s/he feels the satisfaction of supporting an artist or crafter directly. The recipient of the handmade gift receives something that is one-of-a-kind, and made with care and attention that canbe seen and touched. It is the result of skill and craftsmanship that is absent in the world of large-scale manufacturing.

Buying handmade is better for people
The ascendancy of chain store culture and global manufacturing has left us dressing, furnishing, and decorating alike. We are encouraged to be consumers, not producers, of our own culture. Our ties to the local and human sources of our goods have been lost. Buying handmade helps us reconnect.

Buying handmade is better for the environment
The accumulating environmental effects of mass production are a major cause of global warming and the poisoning of our air, water and soil. Every item you make or purchase from a small-scale independent artist or crafter strikes a small blow to the forces of mass production.

When did people stop wearing hats?

When did people stop wearing Hats?
Any movie depicting a time prior to, say, 1943, shows men with their fedoras and women with their huge inventories of hats. No one wears them anymore and it is such a shame. I love hats....I miss hats. They are so fancy and fun. I wonder if I can bring them back? Maybe I'll throw a party and instead of "black tie" or "cocktail attire".....it will be "hats required". So if you want to come to my party, you'd better start shopping now.

A couple of my favorite places http://boringsidney.etsy.com/ (she's from Bothell), http://topsyturvydesign.etsy.com/ and http://kankalinhats.etsy.com/

fresh laundry

Just in time for Spring Cleaning.

I have been working on a natural, gentle, yet very effective Lavender Laundry Soap. Perfect for hand washing all your dedicates & dainties. Can also be used in a machine for towels & sheets. Will leave your laundry sweet smelling, clean & fresh. Sold in 1lb bulk bags for $6.00. Each will wash about 6 loads of laundry...much more if you are hand washing.

If you'd like me to send you a sample, please email me, cory@sweetpetula.com and I'll fix you right up.

Speaking of Afros

My brother & I. I'm the one on the left. David has lots of wigs, costumes and such in his Louisiana apartment. He is an artist. No, he is not gay. He likes the ladies. My Mom and I had gone down to see an opening of a show he was doing in New Orleans. David brought out the wigs and I spent the rest of the evening pretending I was Pam Greer.

Too Much Work

I have too much work to post. So what do you ask am I doing here? Well, I needed a break. And a vacation. Which got me to thinking about a great trip I took to Italy with my pal Sarah. While we were there, I was working on a collection of photos all about afros....yes..afros. Enjoy!From the Dolce & Gabanna Showroom in Florence.

Little baby clothing store in Tuscany (some small town...can't remember)

Graffiti in Rome.

have a happy easter

Oh Sweet Friend

I decided a few weeks ago that I may...possibly...perhaps...have a sugar problem. My daily, "I think I'll have a little treat" had turned into, "Where's my GOD D*#%* COOKIE?". So I decided to go cold turkey. No treats, no mochas, no sugar of any kind, natural or processed until I wasn't so dependant. The first few days were rough, but slowly, I started feeling great...amazing in fact. I had more energy, true hunger for healthy foods and a more positive mental outlook. I was feeling great! Accomplished! Satisfied that I have been doing so well. Hooray for me!

Then Tom B. came home (the boyfriend). Of course I was happy to see him....and even more excited when he casually mentions while passing through the living room, "I brought you home a present". For me? A present? Yippee! I love presents! What could it be?

It was a piece of beautiful dark chocolate cake.

I immediately decided I would eat some. Not the whole piece...just half. I have read, "French Women Don't Get Fat". Your supposed to eat what you really crave. Just not too much of what you desire. Just a taste. I can do that. I can be that French woman...having my cake and eating it too. There is no way I was saying, "goodbye" to sugar forever.

The first few bites were amazing.....delicious...hello old friend...I've missed you. Then...it happened. Around the fourth bite. It tasted....bad. Too rich and too sugary. It hurt my stomach. I had to stop. WHAT? But I love cake. I've never met a cake I didn't like. I sometimes attend birthday parties of people I don't particularly care for...just for the cake. I thought absence was supposed to make the heart grow fonder. What the hell is happening here?

Did my Sweet Friend turn it's back on me, was my only vice no longer satisfying?...or did I just learn a valuable lesson? Did I just realize that I really only need 3 bites of cake to feel satisfied?....I think oui.

Grassy Green & Sweet Pink

Just in today...these pretty cami's and boy cut panties from Felina. We have a few other colors available...but this pale green with bits of rosy pink is just too pretty and perfect for Spring.

Panty is super comfortable a little bit of a low rise and sits very close to the skin for a no-show line. This style is flattering on all types of bodies. Price on these sets is amazing....panty is $9 and cami is $29. Stay tuned...we got a HUGE box of new modal pj's in today.

First Day of SPRING

It's official. The first day of Spring! I feel like celebrating.

I'm going to run barefoot through some grass wearing a breezy cotton dress with a sprig of chamomile tucked behind my hair....like a fabric softener commercial. If only I had a patch of grass. I wonder what passersby would think if I performed my little spring celebration in the middle of traffic on Queen Anne Ave?

Okay, maybe that is a little far fetched. But I love Spring. It is so full of newness and promise. Here are a few random acts of Spring-time celebrating I'm really going to try.

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Buy a bouquet of my favorite flowers...daffodils

Get a pedicure & have my nails painted pale pink

Clean my entire apartment with all the windows open

Plant some primroses in my window box

Eat a lot of Marshmallow Peeps...yellow is the best...& my Grandpa's favorite

Buy a new dress

Force Cherry Blossoms indoors

Enjoy the Spring Rain

Prepare a simple fresh dinner

Drive around with my windows down and the sun on my face

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this list should keep me busy for awhile.

How do you celebrate? I would love to hear everyones Springtime rituals...post me a message