Category: books

April 5, 2012

Book Pages: Happy Homemaker

I love the iconic image of a homemaker–not the part about passivity, but the tender ways that she cares for her home, children and relationships. That’s still a wonderful thing, no? I really wish I could just make my bed in a way that would please a hospital caretaker. Really I do–it was even on my list of yearly resolutions to learn how to make the perfect bed. I don’t like the stuffy-ness of trying to keep a perfect house, but I do try to instill in my child the value of a clean, comfortable home.

So, when I saw this little dandy at the thrift store for like $3, I knew it was meant to be.

Originally though, it was the gorgeous imagery that endeared me to it. The Home Almanac was published in 2004, but the images look like they’re straight out of your grandma’s old issues of Good Housekeeping. They’re to die for.

If this doesn’t make you want to clean your bathroom sink, I don’t know what will. I mean, surely a little scrubbing will turn it into a Greek bath.

Every girl needs to know how to keep flowers fresh. Especially when receiving a bouquet from a suitor is a rare occurrence.

My grandma took me aside one time to show me how to properly iron clothes. It wasn’t that she thought I was incapable, it was because she had a vivid memory of her own grandmother teacher her. She wanted to pass that memory along to me. I accepted. This page reminds me of that day.

Shouldn’t we all treat our homes with such care? With our own elbow grease put into every corner, we can’t help but relish in our feeling of achievement. Plus, these youngin’s are just too darn cute. Ah, shucks.

I have a crush on this idea of backyard luminaries. And canvas party tents. Great Gatsby-style entertaining.

The words and images are almost poetic. Ah, to be poised atop chintz pillows and outdoor hammocks.

But seriously, this book from 2004 is a real charmer. It has the old-fashioned appeal with real-world modern applications. Yes, throw pillows really are a great easy way to freshen your living room with each season. From practical cleaning tips to interior design strategies, the pages are filled with everyday ideas to make a house feel like a home. If you can do it in high heels and an evening gown, you’ve probably got a leg up on the rest of us.

I noticed a comment on Amazon that someone uses this book as a standard gift for showers and housewarming events. What a precious idea!

March 27, 2012

Book Pages: All About Women’s Fashion

Don’t judge this book by it’s totally 80s cover. Doesn’t it remind you of Designing Women or something? Hey, I was a child of the 80s too, so I can make fun of it. And look, at some point along the way, it only cost $0.10!

Well, this book is actually a mine-field of fashion apparel information. In fact, I have used the collar index to help with my actual copywriting work on-the-job. And, if I were to ever realize my dream (one of about 264) of being a fashion designer , I could take lots of info away from this little gem.

And shoulders? I didn’t even know they had terms for some of these. Oh how these images make me wish I was enrolled in charm school. I probably lean more toward the Gretchen Wilson (I ain’t no high class broad) end of the spectrum, but that doesn’t mean I sometimes don’t covet me some fashion sense.

And the collar types. Swoon. I want one of each! I’m not sure I even knew what a sweetheart collar was when I was on the market for a wedding dress. I just tried on whatever looked amazing by sight.

Doesn’t the word “espadrille” sound classy? This book reminds me so much of Jackie O. I’m pretty sure she probably could’ve written “the book” on high-class fashion.

Paging through this book is like digging through my grandma’s 50s-style closet, filled with tweed, gingham and houndstooth. Or the time she pulled me aside to show me how to properly iron clothing. These days, I think we’re missing a lot of that grandma-taught-me-how style education. I bet your grandma’d be really touched if you asked her to show you how she used to tie her scarf back in grammar school.

March 20, 2012

Book Pages: Childhood Favorites

Let me introduce you to my most favorite childhood book of stories. It’s called the Bedtime Book of Two-Minute Stories. I think it was a gift, but how much do you think my parents probably enjoyed the idea of it? Sometimes at bedtime, you just want to read something without an extravagant storyline. Especially when you’re planning on going to bed right after Junior. Or you still have dishes to wash downstairs.

The book is kind of in shambles. After all, what would you expect from a book that made it through the ’80s? Actually, this is the only book that made it past the too-grown-up feelings of puberty, the makeovers of high school, and the packing for college. I had to take the book to Kinkos to get a new binding put on it (spiral), but they couldn’t do anything with the hard covers. I’m going to have to get crafty to somehow attach them.

A true piece of vintage, this book is. The pictures are simply endearing and the little rhymes so charmingly innocent.

Like who could resist this octopus? Wouldn’t he make a dynamite waiter?

I want to go to this place too:

And be friends with these charming kite-flying kids:

I have really vivid memories of this bus picture. Even now, I stop on that page and stare. Not sure what it is about the double-decker bus. But all I can think about is a bus tour in San Francisco or something. It just makes me happy.

And duh, don’t your birds always stop to picnic at the bus-top? Ha!

This cutie is a keeper. I’m sure my son will inherit the charmer at some point, but then I might have to steal it back.

March 13, 2012

Book Pages: Kurt Vonegut Style

I am happy to introduce a new segment to my blog called Book Pages. Each week, I’ll introduce you to the whimsical pages of books right off my bookshelf. Being a writer, I have always loved to read. And I guess you could say that books are one of the things I “collect.” Yes, I actually do return to some of them after reading them, English major that I am (was?).

Anyhow, it only seemed appropriate to start with my very favorite author, Kurt Vonnegut. If you haven’t read anything of his, I encourage you to. They seem like war stories on the outside, but inside they’re…unexplainable. Believe me, I’m the last person you would think would pick up a war story (no offense to war stories, they’re just soooo not my fave thing to read). Vonnegut understands human nature; he understands our downfalls and our successes; he understands our motivations and happiness. And the reading is not far out of reach either. Literary genius, if you ask me. This is the type of book that will never be considered for the donation bin.

Armageddon in Retrospect is one of the only ones I haven’t read (YET!!). It’s waiting patiently on my shelf until I’m finished with a few other tomes (and online classes, might I add). I can’t wait to engross myself in these beautifully-written pages. One of my favorite things about this collection of writings is Vonnegut’s own artwork at every chapter beginning and end. Here, indulge yourself:

His slogans are wrought with humor and politics. And completely real and meaningful all at the same time.

I’ve always been a fan of abstract, hand-drawn art, so it’s not hard for me to like these drawings.

It’s such a tragedy that the words/art that he left were numbered and what we have is all we’ll ever have.

January 30, 2012

Packing More Life Into My Days

I have to say, I’m just loving these “10 minute increments” that I’m building into my day. I do sometimes truly feel like I’m packing extra life into my days. These are a few of the things that are keeping me busy:

1. TalkShoe.com: how come no one ever told me about this site before? Ha! You can literally take classes for free. I’m currently listening to a podcast course on entrepreneurism. I can sneak in clips here and get a Carnegie Mellon University-worthy education for myself along the way. What a concept!

2. TedTalks: These are just mesmerizing, if you didn’t already know. These come in 20-minute increments, but I often just have them playing in the background. Some are motivating, some are educational, and some are downright awe-inspiring.

3. I just picked up these two books from the library as a complement to the journaling course I’m taking. I’m just trying to soak in all the different journaling techniques to use and coming up with of some of my own.

Journal Junkies Workshop

Visual Chronicles

4. Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall: I keep trying to squirrel away time to read this book, because I’m completely mesmerized. I’m a runner, so I find myself just wanting to steep myself in this culture of mega-distance runners and learn all their little secrets. My aunt was visiting last week and she was the one that turned me on to the book. Thanks Aunt Mary! And thank goodness for the public library.

5. Picnik.com: I messed around on this site this past week. Wow! Right now Picnik is offering all their premium stuff for FREE!!! Until April, when they merge with Google, the site is just open to the public. Oh, what fun it is to ride in a Picnik open slate, hey! I am trying to learn new ways to make my blog cuter without Photoshop. So, slowly but surely I’m teaching myself little techniques in those spare moments. I just played around with the above banner, designed an Etsy banner and made a really cool picture invitation. That’s right friends, I’m actually taking steps to open an Etsy shop. S’about time!

Any other ideas of great things to sneak in during the day? What do you accomplish on your lunch break?

November 8, 2011

Fall Reading List

This is what’s on my book list lately. Yep, I’m reading them all at the same time.
I pick up wherever I left off in the tome that matches my mood that day. It’s a terrible habit that I have of starting too many books at one time. I’ll put books on hold at the library at the same time that an Amazon order arrives at the doorstep and the Bible study starts a new book. Aye!

Thankfully fall is a great time to refresh the bookcases, because there’s plenty of dark time to enjoy a few hours of reading.

1. Handmade Marketplace: I’ve been toying with the idea for awhile of starting an Etsy store. This book is great for goal-setting and branding a craft store.

2. Cannery Row: A friend lent this Steinbeck classic to me. It’s great because the chapters are short and they jump around. So, I can pick up where I left off easily. Steinbeck’s descriptions are expert!!!

3. God Girl: This is actually meant for the younger lady, but I love it anyway. It’s so soft and sweet and makes God feel like your best friend. It’s fresh not to be so serious and in-depth once in awhile.

4. Desiring God: I’ve mentioned this one before. Apparently, it’s a Christian classic that’s regaining ground again. I love love love the idea of finding or re-living pure joy in God.

5. Power Thoughts: This is the Christian response to the Law of Attraction movement that’s shaking the ground right now. It puts thoughts into a Christian perspective. Yes, you can use your thoughts for great things, but you can’t “think into being” your favorite house or a million dollars. So helpful for not getting caught up in all those materialistic concepts.

I almost added more to this stack, but I had to stop somewhere. Inevitably, a few will go half-read once the library demands their books back. A book like Desiring God cannot be inhaled in one night. It’s meant to be savored and re-visited for a quite some time. Thankfully, some are short enough to be completely read within a few more days. Happy Reading!