a few thrifty finds

A few scores, all $2 or less:

• a blue and white vintage dress for nat (pictured)
• a sweet floral and lace top for her also (pictured)
• a long french blue coat from the gap
• a plaid vintage jacket
• two long sleeve buttoned up plaid shirts from target overstock
• a 1958 paperback edition of grapes of wrath printed and sold in england (not for sale in usa or canada)

welcome to le cirque fantôme!

I am so thrilled to show you my little ghostly circus! I had started this before the year was over and completely forgot about it once the holidays came. This is an idea I had for quite some time so I am excited the Circus is finally in Town!

Don't deny her the kiss she seeks....

I introduce you to my first illustration of 2011...

If you sail the seven seas, you may come across Albatrina Inkwater. Sweet faced she is, but don't cross her if you wish to continue your journey in good weather. It is said that to deny her the kiss she seeks will invite the wrath of the Grey Torrent, a giant swell that obeys her whim and leaves no ship intact.

A little stylish award for me, thanks!

I have been given a Stylish Blogger Award from Blue Terracotta (thanks so much Laura)! So in keeping tradition of the award, I share with you seven things about myself and fifteen recently discovered blogs...

1. I have an affinity for lively Indian music and always dance to the theme song from Outsourced.
2. I do not like spiders but I do love the intricate patterns from spiderwebs.
3. I am thankful for the opportunity to be childlike again when I am with my daughter.
4. I like silhouette art but have a very strong dislike for actual silhouettes (not art) of people (it bothers me when I can not see someone's face).
5. I've been forgetting my actual age since 31 (who doesn't right?!) For the record, I'm 32. I know that because my friend just corrected me in a comment below (I originally put 33, geesh)!
6. I once was a tiny little thing and am working on getting healthy again for myself and my family (maybe not so tiny but small enough)!
7. Very random something about me, I once met Elijah Wood at a Gogol Bordello concert. I was a tad tipsy (yes, a tad!) and went up to him, rubbed his shoulder and said "I am so happy that you are here". He smiled and laughed and said "I'm happy to be here too!" ;P

Now, even though I am downsizing, here are fifteen recently blogs I've 'found' that are quite enjoyable!

1. An Apple a Day
2. Anna Emilia
3. Carson Ellis
4. Cooking with my Kid
5. Dutch Drift
6. Just something I made
7. Kate Blake
8. Le Petit Echo Malade 
9. MousesHouses
10. Seven Spoons
11. Simple Village Girl
12. Something's Hiding in Here
13. Spoonful
14. The Mountain Rose Herbs blog
15. You are what You love

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Monday for MLK's holiday, we ventured on over at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. There were so many delights to view (I personally had the biggest grin once I spotted a Modigliani!) and inspirations all around. Some of my favorites were Magritte, Picasso and Chagall. The exhibits were fantastic too! We saw
India's Fabled City: The Art of Courtly Lucknow with rich colors, ornate patterns and paintings that look like they were lit from within.  Another (permanent) exhibit Nat enjoyed immensely was Art of the Pacific showcasing tribal masks, headdresses and ancestor figurines. The best part of the day was Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700–1915. This was Nat's all time favorite of the day. She really was having so much fun looking at all the clothes from different time periods. Lots of photos were taken with my little phone camera. Here are some (including Nat romping around on the Urban Light by Chris Burden) and the rest you can view on my flickr set.

What to do with left over party streamers...

You make a mummy! This was all her idea and what a great and fun idea it was too....