The eco-friendly wedding dresses of yesteryear were naught more than organic hemp silk sacks, sometimes embellished with a sash of peace silk colored with vegetable dyes. Or at least that’s the way they looked to me, since the companies and designers producing them seldom did much in the way of fitting them to the bridal models they used. Oh, how times have changed.
Check out the Natural Bridal Collection by Morgan Boszilkov on her web site and in her her Etsy store. I know that tight-fitting mini wedding dresses aren’t everyone’s thing — and Lord knows I wouldn’t wear one — but I’m rather fond of Boszilkov’s hemp silk Pixie dress.
All of Boszilkov’s wedding dresses and bridal accessories are handcrafted using luxurious and sustainable fabrics, and 5% of all her profits support environmental charities. I particularly like that some of her wedding dresses are convertible in the sense that the lower part of the skirts are detachable. It’s a great option for the bride who wants a separate reception dress but can’t really afford it, and makes it more likely that she’ll wear her wedding dress again in the future.
Several local Etsy sellers will be taking over the space for one day only. Friday Dec 4th from 12 noon to 8pm. at 330 W Cordova (at Homer). Lots of amazing vintage boots, clothes and accessories, handmade chocolate, handmade jewelry and feather headbands.
We will have wine later....
www.bootmeister.etsy.com
www.2gorditas.etsy.com
www.meldream.etsy.com
www.AFarmersDaughter.etsy.com
As an early holiday gift to you, I present the current leading candidate in the race for “douchecanoe of the year”…
related: facebook wedding drama
They also come with a $20 off any $75 purchase in January coupon.
Best price in town ( that I could find), if you know of other great places/prices, feel free to comment.
Well you asked for it. All day long in fact. In between berating me for posting that fucking cat fanny pack.
Well, here they are. Know Question is To Dum T-shirts, just for you. Click on the image to go to the Cafe Press store.
And if that’s not enough (and it never is with you people), these shirts have a special purpose.
The Regretsy Alchemy Fund
As you know, we auctioned off a domain a while back, and we used the money to hire an Etsy seller to make toys for Toys for Tots. It went so well, that I decided to make it a regular thing.
This time, the profits will benefit The Hatbox Foundation. When we sell 40 T-shirts (a $200 profit), we’ll find a seller through Alchemy and hire them to make knit caps for cancer and chemo patients.
So there you go. A fabulous shirt for you, a sale for a seller, and handmade hats for people who could use a little love.
Now shut the fuck up about the cat fanny pack.
UPDATE: NOW AVAILABLE ON ZAZZLE TOO BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT OF IDEALS
Sequoia, the matted-hair, bear-feet, insanely anerable kitt-tayns is not gonna let you groom her. No WAY:
Big thanks to Winston and Rich over at Four Four for this personal reccomendayshe.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Kittens
Politically, this seems very risky: in the long run, there's much more downside to breaking the promise than there would be upside to keeping it. If nothing much has changed in Afghanistan and our troops aren't getting out 20 months hence, we can presumably expect some major blowback, especially from liberals -- a primary challenge from Obama's left flank would not be entirely out of the question.
Of course, it may be precisely because the withdraw timetable is so risky politically that it is in fact credible; a credible withdraw deadline is almost certainly better than a non-credible one, but whether or not it's better than not setting a deadline at all, I don't know. I certainly do hope that Obama set the deadline to achieve policy goals and not to quiesce liberals -- if this was intended purely as a political move, it was probably short-sighted.
These are the three core elements of our strategy: a military effort to create the conditions for a transition; a civilian surge that reinforces positive action; and an effective partnership with Pakistan.It seems that in the choice between tilting either toward counterinsurgency or counterterrorism, as with most decisions Obama makes, the president wants to split it down the middle: doing some of both, with a civilian surge--akin, if you will, to a civil investiture to counter the counter-insurgency (presuming that will work), packaged with ramped up cooperation with Pakistan to work the areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan where the terrorist elements are hunkered down.
My main wonder here is how seriously Americans perceive the threat of a regrown terror network, or more to the point how much the investments and knotty implications of working with the Pakistanis will actually yield in terms of snuffing out terror networks in any once-and-forever way.
I recognize that there are a range of concerns about our approach. So let me briefly address a few of the prominent arguments that I have heard, and which I take very seriously.Well, if this is the part of the speech to push back on the left wing elements in his party, I'm not too convinced. Saying something is not Vietnam is a soft case. Of course it's not. And the size and breadth of a coalition does not make or justify a strategy. Indeed, fighting in coalitions, as my colleague Patty Weitsman argues, often is more costly and complicated than its worth. I wonder, too, how many Americans feel that our Afghanistan investment looks even remotely like a proportional burden among allies.
First, there are those who suggest that Afghanistan is another Vietnam. They argue that it cannot be stabilized, and we are better off cutting our losses and rapidly withdrawing. Yet this argument depends upon a false reading of history. Unlike Vietnam, we are joined by a broad coalition of 43 nations that recognizes the legitimacy of our action. Unlike Vietnam, we are not facing a broad-based popular insurgency. And most importantly, unlike Vietnam, the American people were viciously attacked from Afghanistan, and remain a target for those same extremists who are plotting along its border. To abandon this area now – and to rely only on efforts against al Qaeda from a distance – would significantly hamper our ability to keep the pressure on al Qaeda, and create an unacceptable risk of additional attacks on our homeland and our allies.
Second, there are those who acknowledge that we cannot leave Afghanistan in its current state, but suggest that we go forward with the troops that we have. But this would simply maintain a status quo in which we muddle through, and permit a slow deterioration of conditions there. It would ultimately prove more costly and prolong our stay in Afghanistan, because we would never be able to generate the conditions needed to train Afghan Security Forces and give them the space to take over.I think this is inarguable. What we're doing now is a waste--it's not working. We either need to do more or do less, or more of some things and less of others, or just something different.
Finally, there are those who oppose identifying a timeframe for our transition to Afghan responsibility. Indeed, some call for a more dramatic and open-ended escalation of our war effort – one that would commit us to a nation building project of up to a decade. I reject this course because it sets goals that are beyond what we can achieve at a reasonable cost, and what we need to achieve to secure our interests. Furthermore, the absence of a timeframe for transition would deny us any sense of urgency in working with the Afghan government. It must be clear that Afghans will have to take responsibility for their security, and that America has no interest in fighting an endless war in Afghanistan.Immediately after the speech, you had Sen. John McCain and the Council of Foreign Relations' Richard Haass saying that setting a timeline or deadline is dangerous business. They have a point, Haass specifically arguing that Obama is betting that ramping up now will cost more in troops and money in the short term but save in the long term. What you have here, in both policy and political gambits, is the equivalent "surge" for Obama in Afghanistan to what Bush did with his surge in Iraq. I suppose violence is down in Iraq post-surge, but the long-term situation there isn't going to be any better as a result, is it? And although Obama's less-in-Iraq-means-more-for-Afghanistan argument is better than a more-in-both-countries further over-extension of our military and treasury, scaling back in Iraq is not in by itself a rationale for ramping up in Afghanistan. Failure at a lower cost-per-fatality, cost-per-casualty, cost-per-dollar-spent investment is still a bad return. What matters is whether this counterinsurgency strategy really can work. I'm still not sure it will, and given that the president's Afghan approval numbers are lower than his overall approval numbers, I wonder how many Americans believe it will work.
As President, I refuse to set goals that go beyond our responsibility, our means, our or interests.Well, now. We are already living beyond on means in terms of spending outside our borders, not to mention what we're spending back home. Maybe Obama should have left "means" out of the equation, especially after making the politically-astute admission elsewhere in the speech that Americans are very likely thinking about how every dollar sent overseas is one less dollar that could be spent here. Responsibility? Well, we started in over there, so hard to dispute that. But "interests," well, that's the real question.
I'm not trying to get down on the president. He inherited this mess, one of many. He's right that Afghanistan, not Iraq, was the more justified war. He's right about the foolishly asymmetrical investments made in the past and to this day in Iraq relative to Afghanistan. And he's right that what we're doing now is just a long dead end and thus waste of resources. I guess I have to trust him and his military advisers when they tell us that a buffed-up counterinsurgency policy, coupled with a new pact with the Pakis, is actually going to work.
Like the punch line to the parable about the boy and the donkey that Gust Avrakatos, portrayed by Philip Seymor Hoffman in the movie version of Charlie Wilson's War, used to invoke, "We'll see."
There are some flavors that seem lacking in everyday cuisine and the humble bitter is a fine example. There are tons of recipes online that include the distinct adventure of bitters, and what could be better than making your own? This week's flashback comes from the pages of CRAFT Volume 10. Written by Portland's own Sister Diane Gilleland, this bitters DIY not only teaches you how to concoct your own, but gives some great resources at the end too. Did I mention bitters make great homemade presents? Just sayin.
Better Bitters
For the tastiest drinks, make your own flavored bitters.
By Diane Gilleland
Bitters add a little depth and mystery to the flavor of cocktails and nonalcoholic drinks. You can buy them in most supermarkets, but why not make your own? It's so easy, and you can experiment with all kinds of flavors.
You can follow this bitters recipe, find a recipe online, or create something of your own. It's important to have at least one bittering agent in the mix, like gentian or quassia. Aside from that, you can have fun mixing various flavors. It's a great way to make your party beverages truly special!
Somali pirates are raising money through a local equity offering:
In Somalia's main pirate lair of Haradheere, the sea gangs have set up a cooperative to fund their hijackings offshore, a sort of stock exchange meets criminal syndicate.
Here is one internal account:
"Four months ago, during the monsoon rains, we decided to set up this stock exchange. We started with 15 'maritime companies' and now we are hosting 72. Ten of them have so far been successful at hijacking," Mohammed said.
"The shares are open to all and everybody can take part, whether personally at sea or on land by providing cash, weapons or useful materials ... we've made piracy a community activity."
For the pointers I thank Pin-Quan Ng and Eric Crampton.
- 23:31 Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
rrrrrrrrrrrrrealfuckinhighondrugs. # - 10:51 @lexstaley that guy elicited a response from you that is STILL making me laugh #
So as I'm still relatively new to Vancouver I need opinions on the other networks for reliability (and when you call customer services, they actually help you instead of mumbling into their mic).
-Pay as you go
-Cheap
-Get reception without sticking your head out a window while standing on one leg
-Internet browsing that works.
That's pretty much it, I'm otherwise easily pleased.
Sean @ MAKE points us to this nifty polycube puzzle folded out of paper by Qiao Chang.
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Thank you to everyone who entered in the Me, My Scarf, and I Contest! All of the entries were fantastic and so creative, it was fun to see what everyone came up with. You can see all the entries in the Flickr Group.
Here are the winners! Congratulations!
Grand Prize:
Selvedge Ruffles by Crafty Intentions
Dana of Made shares a tutorial for making this tiered ruffle skirt as part of the So You Think You're Crafty contest. The tutorial will be available for a limited time on the SYTYC web site, after which it will be available in Dana's shop.
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You know, this reminds me of a fairy tale too; “The Girl Who Put Shit on Her Head and Thought it was a Hat”.
You don't have to spend a lot to find a fantastic gift! Just take a moment to reflect on the recipient. Thoughtful gifts that show you know the person are worth much more than expensive-but-bland gifts.
Suspenders ($14.50 - $19.95)
Rainbow suspenders! Unexpected, fun, and occasionally practical. These rainbow bad boys from Suspenders.com are heavy duty, utilitarian-grade, and, according to the web site, made for someone who has "everything imaginable" hanging from their trousers. Or grab some cute red and black checkerboard ones at Suspender Hut for $14.50.
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From our “sad but true” files: Somewhere, at this very moment, people are taking pictures that don’t have any cats in them. To remedy this injustice, there’s CatPaint, an iPhone app that populates any pic with prosh pouncy purriness pronto.
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And as if that weren’t enough, the app drives other cats insane (OK, more insane):
Spotted by Susy P.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Cartoons, Kittens, Product Cuteness
I've put a list from that post of places I hope to visit:
Stanley Park
Grouse Mountain - Santa in snow, how can I resist! Not to mention the wolf and bear sanctuary
UBC Campass - Museum of Anthropology
Ferry Ride to Vancouver Island - Victoria
Lynn Canyon bridge/Capilano bridge
Davie Street
Police Museum
Granville Island
Trinity Street Light Competition
Is there anything I have missed, maybe something festive? Also what bookshops would you recommend?
I will be doing a lot of solo sight seeing as my partner will be working during the day. Are there any areas or places that I should avoid as a lone visitor?
Thanks again for all your tips :)
- Mood:
excited
Ribbon Tree Holiday Cards
By Ann Martin
Are you planning to make cards to send this holiday season, but running out of time? Or perhaps you've been toying with the idea of giving paper quilling a try, but have hesitated because you think it must be too complicated? Worry not ... these retro ribbon trees go together quite quickly. The 3D quilled scrolls add a bit of extra dimension, but if really pressed for time, you could omit them and still have a pretty card.
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