Be Different Act Normal Strikes Again!

Lori found this DIY lampshade at

http://www.alittleglassbox.com/2011/08/horsin-around.html


This gal took a simple (it looks like linen) lampshade and wrote love notes from to her son on it. Very cute! What a fun keepsake that can be a sweet little reminder all year round. I would have to have someone write it for me because my hands shake so badly, BUT if you have steady hands, it's super easy. I think she used a sharpy.

You also have to check out Lori's Halloween posts on her blog. She has so many easy and cute ideas for this very quirky holiday, from mesh ghosts to cute little Halloween hats.

http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/

Is it a holiday? I don't know, I guess not.

Finally!!!

You know that feeling where your stomach is in your throat and you can hardly catch your breath? That's been me for the past six weeks or so, waiting for the first parent's weekend at Oliver's school! I miss my boy so much, but he is doing incredibly well and was definitely ready for this experience.

We had such a great time visiting with him and hearing all the great things he's been up to! The campus is lovely and the weather was beautiful. It was a wonderful weekend!!! Can't wait for Thanksgiving now, his first holiday back home.

We're Going to Party, Fiesta, Karamu, Forevah....

Jenny from Pearl Street Interiors and www.littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com is pretty much a genius. I love her blog for all the beautiful photos, but this might be my most favorite of all. It kind of makes me mad it's so pretty!

10,000 Free Round-Trip Tickets to Japan

(I just saw this on Yahoo news... do you think it's true?)

If you’ve ever wanted to visit Japan, this may be your chance.

In a desperate attempt to lure tourists back to a country plagued by radiation fears and constant earthquakes, the Japan Tourism Agency‘s proposed an unprecedented campaign – 10,000 free roundtrip tickets.

The catch is, you need to publicize your trip on blogs and social media sites.

The number of foreign visitors to Japan has dropped drastically, since a catastrophic earthquake and tsunami triggered a nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Power plant in March. Nearly 20,000 people have been confirmed dead, while more than 80,000 remain displaced because of radiation concerns. In the first three months following the triple disasters, the number of foreign visitors to Japan was cut in half, compared with the same time in 2010. The strong Japanese currency has made matters worse.

The tourism agency says it plans to open a website to solicit applicants interested in the free tickets. Would- be visitors will have to detail in writing their travel plans in Japan, and explain what they hope to get out of the trip. Successful applicants would pay for their own accommodation and meals. They would also be required to write a review their travel experiences, and post it online.

“We are hoping to get highly influential blogger-types, and others who can spread the word that Japan is a safe place to visit,” said Kazuyoshi Sato, with the agency.

The agency has requested more than a billion yen to pay for the tourism blitz. If lawmakers approve the funding, Sato says visitors could begin signing up as early as next April.

No no no NO!!!

There's a mouse in my house and I want to die.

(update: Scott killed it last night with a broom.)

100 YEARS / STYLE / EAST LONDON

I just saw this on Alice's "I'm So Funny" blog and it put a smile on my face! Fashion today has such a broad range, a girl could sport every one of these outfits. Seriously, even from the early part of the last century. Anthropology, for example, has made new vintage so desirable and brought even Victorian to the street. You want wear lace ruffles with ballet flats, go ahead... how about a fringy flapper dress with a big ole' flower in your hair, okay.... dookie pants and converse, sure why not?! The Internet has changed fashion forever because everything is so accessible and everything is in. I love it!!!

Mormons Are Christians

Mormons are Christians! "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints" even has His name in it. It's not a trick! We love the Lord!!! We want to be more like Him, be His hands here on earth by showing love, kindness and serving those around us. We love the Gospel message of hope and charity and strive to become more patient and long suffering, even when others don't show us the same respect and say things that are hurtful and untrue.

I know my Savior lives and will not be defined by someone else's definition of what a Christian is. If a Christian isn't someone who believes all of the above, reads their scriptures, attends church, serves the community, seeks answer through sincere prayer, loves their neighbor, and is so humbled and amazed that they have access to the greatest gift that was ever given to mankind, the gift of true repentance and atonement only through our Savior Jesus Christ, then I don't know who or what is!

Korean Celadon Pottery

Korean celadon pottery is absolutely beautiful, and I am so lucky to own a few pieces myself! I'd love to collect more, but it's not cheap. So, I wait for my very generous mom to hand me down a few pieces every now and then. (hint hint) Anyway, these first pictures, of course, are not pottery, but I wanted to include them because they are so beautiful. Both are paintings of garden scenes, the first of a watermelon patch and the second of chrysanthemums and other flowers. So pretty!!!

My mom owns a lot of these celadon vases and they are just
beautiful. Way more impressive in person by the way. The green color and
pattern vary in each piece which, in my opinion, makes them
even more desirable!

Chopstick rests for serious Asian cuisine foodies! The little ducks
are so cute.

A bowl with the very traditional crane detail.

I LOVE THIS TEA SERVICE. I am a sucker for a beautiful set of china, but this pink and green
pottery is my new favorite. I may have to ebay my other sets and concentrate
on collecting this one pattern. LOVE IT!!!

All of these items are available here:   www.korean-arts.com

I'd Rather Eat My Weight in Cheese Than...

... fold another fitted sheet.

I'm no good at it. Every attempt ends with me red faced and shoving the sheet in the back/bottom of the closet, wishing it was disposable. I actually think that would be a great invention. Probably not super eco-friendly, but sometimes I don't care about that.

Just kidding, I do care.

Anyway, Martha has a tutorial that I will use next time:

http://www.marthastewart.com/269141/how-to-fold-a-fitted-sheet

This will help I think.

Wow.

I love all things Martha, but her Halloween cover of MSL is freaking me out. I've had pink eye for like three weeks now/allergies and those butterfly wings on "Motha's" face are making me feel ill. Itchy, so itchy, right?! I don't like it.

Fall Fashion Tip from Home Stories A2Z

It is almost scarf season!

I've had so many people (2) ask me how to tie a scarf. I pretty much wear one 6 months out of the year, because I don't like being chilly and I think they're cute... plus, turtle necks are horribly uncomfortable. They make me feel super claustrophobic/ my head's going to explode.

It's like, "Renee, it's June, so why do you have a scarf on?"

and I'm all, "None of your beeswax, dummy!"

Anyway, I found this helpful tutorial on "Home Stories A2Z", a really cute blog with all kinds of decorating and fashion tips. She includes a link to a free printable with easy directions showing how to do all the different styles shown in this photo the left.

www.homestoriesatoz.com/2011/09/fashion-friday-how-to-tie-a-scarf-free-printable.html