The Lost Boys and HAPPY HALLOWE'EN!

Source.

HAPPY HALLOWE'EN, ALL!  Man, I love Hallowe'en...costumes, imagination, yummy treats (I'll share some sugar-free ones with you soon), scary/cheesy movies.  SO GOOD.  Do you want a fun not-really-scary movie to watch tonight?  If so, I recommend: The Lost Boys. This is an 80s vampiric romp in a California costal town...enjoy The Coreys and Keifer Sutherland (who's dad is from my hometown!) in the decade of opulence.

Highlights:

Source....vampire blood that glitters is way better than vampires who glitter.

Source...Star's glorious 80s hippie stylin' and mane of hair.

Source...Sam's fashions.

Source...Curly Mullets...CULLETS!

Source...Vampires bearing their chests, wearing crop tops, and loving hair products.

Source...Hippie Grandpas who save the day!

Source...Max's glasses.

Source...The hilarious FROG BROTHERS!

Source...men wearing earrings, especially dangly ones.

So what are you waiting for?  GO watch The Lost Boys!

I hope you have a great All Hallow's Eve...I'm off to visit my nieces!

A Perfect Hallowe'en Read: Graveminder

(Source)

Lately, the majority of my reading has consisted of textbooks and articles for school.  While interesting, it's not exactly the most recreational reading material.  Inspired by a conversation with a friend, I realized that I do, in fact, have time to read a novel.  For fun.  I just need to cut back on the internet addiction and make reading for enjoyment a priority.  So this week, I actually read my first novel since September 1st.  It was glorious.  In the spirit of October and Hallowe'en, I chose Graveminder by Melissa Marr.

Last Sunday I happened to stumble across this book at the bookstore and it really got my attention.  I just love the way the book is explained on the back cover, so I'm including it here [source]:

Three sips to mind the dead . . .

Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the attention her grandmother Maylene bestowed upon the dead of Claysville, the small town where Bek spent her adolescence. There wasn't a funeral that Maylene didn't attend, and at each one Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual: She took three sips from a silver flask and spoke the words "Sleep well, and stay where I put you."

Now Maylene is dead, and Bek must go back to the place she left a decade earlier to confront dark secrets, a centuries-old bargain, a romance that still haunts her, and a frightening new responsibility—to stop a monster and put the dead to rest where they belong.

This book kept me so engrossed!  It is interesting and a bit creepy/macabre, but not gross.  There's not a lot of gore here.  And as someone who isn't a fan of zombies, this book had a refreshing take on the walking dead genre.  Marr develops an interesting plot and makes the concept of the un-minded dead walking around plausible and, at times, oddly endearing.  

Want to hear a bit more?  Click here to watch a video with the author, Melissa Marr, about this novel.

**I hope for a series to come from this story.

New in TrickArt Jewellery

Hello!  I've added some new items to the shop: birch bark bead earrings, flutter earrings, and some sculptural necklaces.

Asymmetrical knotted silver birch bark earrings...$8.50 USD.

Asymmetrical silver birch bark earrings...$8.50 USD.

Sculptural Experiment necklaces... #1 and # 2...$8.50 USD.

Flutter earrings (asymmetrical butterflies)...$5 USD.

Pink flutter earrings (butterflies--slightly asymmetrical)...$5 USD.

Thoughts?

Jaclyn's Apple Crisp on Welcome To My World

Recently I created a sugar-free apple crisp recipe and sent it to the lovely rosieposie to share on her blog.

Check it out here.

Naturally sweet!

Gratitude: October Good Things

A nice tea makes me smile.

Argh!  Has it really been a month since my last Gratitude post?  My, my, time flies!  I can't believe it is almost Hallowe'en (which I LOVE).

Here's some good things from this month:
* Serious snuggles with the Alfie-Cat.
* Running on a gorgeous fall day.
* Beautiful autumn day--perfect for Deck Yoga.
* Faster running times.
* Watching Pretty in Pink!
* Coffee dates.
*  A wonderful Thanksgiving (I wore shorts, the weather was so nice!).
* Nature Park walks with my Sister L., my nieces, and T.
* The beautiful autumn leaves on my drive to school.
* Shopping with Sister L.
* Kisses from B. and L.
* L. clasping my leg when it was time for me to leave.
* How I feel after running.
* Laughter with a friend.
* Having a warm and snuggly lair.
* Chilling with B. and L. in the playroom.
* Having Alfie groom my hair (he is so affectionate!).
* Browsing the bookstore with Mr. Boyfriend and buying two novels to read.
* A great evening.


What's making you happy?

Free Glasses?!

Photo booth shot...very profesh.

This summer I received a free pair of glasses, paying only shipping.  New 'specs for $15? Yes, please!  I took advantage of a deal for new customers offered by Clearly Contacts .  Last month they had an offer where you could get another free pair (minus shipping--you pay for that) even if you had already done it before.  Obviously, I partook in this.  I got a sweet pair of retro frames.  In my package, Clearly Contacts included a code to give a friend (a new customer) to share the free glasses love.  Now, I'm offering it to you.

The first person to email me: positiveponderings @ hotmail DOT ca will get the code.  Easy as that.
**I don't know if the company ships outside of Canada.

P.S.  Clearly Contacts donates one pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair sold.  That's pretty freakin' wonderful!!


P.P.S.  I am definitely a glasses vs. contacts advocate.  I used to wear contacts all the time in high school but then my eyes revolted and I realized how cool glasses truly are.  Glasses pride is where it's at.


P.P.P.S.  This brings my glasses count up to 13 regular pairs and two sunglasses.  I know, it's kinda disgusting.

Banana Muffins

Yumness...

**I found the original recipe online sometime last year, but I can't find the source to credit.  I've tweaked it a bit to suit my muffin-needs (such dirty minds!)**

Want a delicious banana muffin without any added oil or sugar?  Yeah, I thought so.  Lucky for you, I have a fabulous recipe to share.  These muffins are seriously yummy and easy to make (only one bowl needed).

Ingredients: (Makes 10-12)
* 3 large bananas (or 4 small ones), the riper and mushier the better
* 7 dates, chopped
* 2 eggs
* 1 teaspoon cinnamon
* 1/4-1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
* 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (or coconut oil, canola oil, or butter, but applesauce works wonderfully and amps up the health quotient of these puppies)
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
* 1 1/2 cup flour (all spelt, or a mix of spelt and kamut; I am sure all-purpose and whole wheat flours would also work)
* 1/2 a bar of unsweetened baker's chocolate, chopped (weird typo: I just wrote "child" there...please do not use 1/2 a baker's child in this recipe)
* 1/4 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
* 1/4 cup chia seeds (optional)

Directions:
1.  Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and place liners in a muffin tin.
2.  In a large bowl, mash the bananas, add the eggs, cinnamon, and nutmeg.  Beat it a little.
3.  Add in the applesauce and mix.
4.  Top with the dry ingredients and mix together.
5.  Fold in the dates, chocolate, walnuts, and chia seeds.
6.  Pour the batter into the muffin tin.
7.  Bake for 20 minutes.
8.  Allow to cool and eat!

**These can be individually wrapped and frozen.

I love these.

I made an Etsy Treasury...

I recently discovered how to make treasuries on Etsy.  Obviously, I had to make one.  Presenting: Clearly Delightful!

Vintage Clothing on Etsy: Pistol Poppy

Hmmm...I love me some vintage clothing and window shopping.  Oh, and I like Etsy as well.  Therefore, I have been partaking in some online window shopping over at Etsy.  One shop that has really caught my eye is Pistol Poppy, where you can find lots of vintage clothing delight.  I advise my fellow lovers of the vint-age to check it out!

I'd thought I share some of my favourites with you:

I love the peplum on this...

Front view...

This would rock with a pair of brown knee-high flat boots that I own.

Frilly delight!  

A lovely vintage wedding gown that could be worn on any occasion.

Le derrier.

I am enjoying the blouson effect of the bodice.

Blue.  Velvet. Circle. Skirt.

This would also be nice on a bride, but I would love to wear this as a summer dress...frolicking in a field, adorning a daisy crown, making friends with the local wildlife...

A nice lace top....what a delight.  I would wear this with a skirt, over a dress, with shorts, dress pants, or jeans (essentially anything).

No, I am not being paid by Pistol Poppy to make this post.  Yes, I would love to own a ga-million of the pieces in the shop.  Yes, I am a slightly impoverished grad student, so for the next while, I must be content to window shop.

TrickArt Giveaway Over On Indie Spotting

FYI:  Indie Spotting is hosting a giveaway for one of my pieces.  The winner can look at the shop and and let me know what they like.  It ends 30 October.  Good luck and thanks to all who enter!

Click here to go to the contest!

Some Tolerance From the Interwebs...

Disclaimer: I am not trying to enforce my political views/moral beliefs on others; rather, I am sharing images which, to me, are spreading positivity.

Oh,  Crackbook Facebook...I logged onto you for a brief moment before doing some readings for school. Well, that brief moment was much longer than anticipated and resulted in this post.

Here's a fabulous FB group I discovered: Straight People for Gay Marriage, and all images are from there.

True.  I'm not a fan of mullets,  so I just won't get one.

Are heteros who get married several times being discriminated against? No!  (And they shouldn't be).  Marriage is a PERSONAL CHOICE!

Funny and correct! Did  I just gay type this caption?

Think on it...

Why choose hate?

Marriage is a personal choice.

Ahhh.  So sweet!

YES!  Thankfully in Canada they can!  GO CANADA!

Funny!  Even if you do not believe people are born gay and it is a choice based on environment, you can blame the breeders!

Annnnnnndddd, here's a video about whether being homosexual (or heterosexual) is a choice:

Jaclyn T's positive pondering of the day: Why Choose Hate?

FYI: Price Mark-Downs in the Etsy Shop

The shop is looking like a real one, now.  I even have the store name in the header.

Hello, all!

Well, it's been a month since TrickArt was launched, and while people are digging the designs, there have been no sales (*sad face*, haha).  SO, I decided to reduce ALL the prices.  The most expensive item is now $17 USD.  I just wanted to let you all know in case you'd been eyeing an item but thought the price was too high.  Plus, I love a good deal** myself and figured, "What the heck?"

**Speaking of GOOD DEALS, I was shopping with my sister, L, tonight and I got quite the haul.  Seeing as I am a full-time grad student I wasn't planning on buying anything, but went along as her style-consultant ("No, L, not a white turtleneck.  That thing will be stained within 3 minutes...hmm, those pants make you look shorter...you have enough black; let's try this sweater in a colour...").  She loves my direct advice!  Where was I?  Oh, yeah, I scored big in the clothing department.  A local store had a deal where the clearance items were 50% off the last ticketed price.  My goods?  A jacket, two dresses, and a top for $32.   That's as good as thrift shopping!  Gotta love that!  :)

Things I Like From the WWW...Home Decor

Hello all!  Here is some more inspiration for home decor:

Precious!

The light streaming through makes this looks a bit like stained glass.

Spooky and cute.

A colander into a hanging planter?  Yes, please.  A frisky cat in the corner?  Even better!

TEA TIME!

Baby food jar chandelier!

A doily for your tootsies!

Colourful delight.

Felted rock rug.  This would feel so cool on your bare toes!

Moss bath mat.  OUI, OUI!

Are you diggin' this stuff?