Taupe is one of my favourite colours. I certainly have enough of it in one of my closets - sweaters, pants, a jacket or two, and of course, shoes. It's funny though, because everyone of those "taupes" are slightly different in hue.
I searched the online encylopedia for a description but it referred me to a Swiss tenor from the early 1900's. I went to the Encyclopaedia Britannica (online) but this was the message they gave me. "Sorry, we were unable to find an exact match for taupe. Here are results using alternate spellings and phrases. You may also try rephrasing your query." One more "educational" try - but that one had so much advertising, I couldn't even find the search bar. So I just had to try on my own.
Taupe certainly covers a wide range of shades. I looked for a colour palette and this is one that I got. It does show a huge range of colour. I wasn't sure that some of the colours should be considered in the taupe category. I had to look further.
Martha Stewart suggests taupe is a "perfect wedding color". In this article she calls taupe "sandy". I think that's a good description from the picture.
I finally decided to try Wikipedia (even though I hate to rely on this website). It did offer the largest coverage and my curiosity was satisfied.
Good Night for now. I'm wearing: Skin: LeLutka Mila / HUSH Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Eyelashes: Miriel Glamor lashes (no longer available) Hair: W&Y hair # 154 Nails: SN Shiny Red
Today is Robbie Burns Day and I, along with the Scots, and all others of descent, celebrate the birthday of the national poet of Scotland. He was a poet but also collected Scottish folk songs often adapting or revising them. One of his most famous poems and songs is "Auld Lang Syne" often sung at New Year's. To find out about his life or his works, there have been new books just published this past year and most are available at libraries or book stores.
My paternal Grandfather was born in Scotland so my father always celebrated Robbie Burns Day with a group of friends. My Dad would come back from the celebration with tales of the traditional meal - haggis, neeps and tatties. Robbie Burns wrote a poem called "To a Haggis", where he describes the dish as a "Great chieftain O'the puddin'-race". At the formal dinner, the haggis is always brought in the room heralded by a bagpiper. I always wanted to experience this gastronomical affair...and I finally did. The neeps (mashed turnips) and tatties (mashed potato) were great and the haggis...hmmmm...needed some getting used to. If you'd like to try it, the recipe for making haggis can be found here.
I visited Taugh Ard in my other life and while touring around the countryside, I found this picturesque old library.
Once inside, I sat looking at old manuscripts.
Celebrating this day will always be a tradition with me and visiting this place today was perfect.
Good Night for now.
I'm wearing: Skin: LeLutka Ava (light) Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Eyelashes: LeLutka Seductress Hair: DBS Winnifer Nails: Candy Nail Basic nails Red 01
I don't own any "furry" items. I'm not sure it's a moral issue with me. I'm just not into it. BUT....this morning the thermometer read -33C.
"Yeah", I thought. "Hmmm. And will the car start? What if the gas line freezes and I have to walk?"
So on that note, I dug out the furs.
The practical me is on the right. Great coat with fur trim and hood to keep my ears from freezing; woolen sweater with wool pants; and knee high leather, lined lace up boots. Of course you need heavy gauge knitted mitts to keep your fingers from freezing. All good for keeping you warm and safe from the extreme cold and biting wind that we seem to be having right now.
However, my alter ego likes to look cool while trying to maintain warmth. The fur head band keeps the ears warm - at least; the short leather jacket has fur trim - at least; the leather pants and unlined leather boots...ehhhhh. Gloves do not keep fingers from freezing but they do look very sleek. I mean...like...you have to keep up a great appearance. Don't you?
Even though it was an extremely cold, windy day, I managed to get outside. Ok...so it was only to run to the car, drive to work and then run into the building but still...come on....give me some slack! I'm a northerner! I would never get outside if I waited for warm January weather. It just won't happen.
Good Night for now.
I'm wearing: In both pictures: Skin: LeLutka Mila / HUSH Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Eyelashes: FTL Kirei 501 lashes
The Real Me: Coat: Latte fur coat (brown) (comes with hair) Sweater: Orion sweater (grey) Pants: LeLutka grey dress pants Mitts: RendeR fur muff and mittens (only mittens worn) Boots: Shiny Things Ribbon boots (brown)
My Alter Ego: Jacket and hat: Eshi OtawaraBlack fur bolero (special) Sweater: CoCo turtleneck sweater (group gift) Pants: CoCo shiny leggings (group gift) Gloves: Cover Girl fur gloves (white) Boots: GF Long fur cuff boots (white)
When getting dressed for the picture, I thought of the "Indigo Girls". They were popular during the early '90's and their voices blended well together. They picked the name of the band by going through the dictionary and looking for words that they thought would be a good group name. Indigo was an excellent choice in my opinion.
Indigo also refers to a species of an herb famous for the natural blue colour you can get from leaves and branches. During the Middle Ages, indigo was an important dye plant for achieving a blue colour.
In additon, there is a private airline, IndiGo, based in India; Chapters Indigo, a chain of book stores in Canada; and, the most interesting - the "Indigo Child", a term dubbed by a psychic who bases a person's personality by the colour of their aura. Maybe I should have mine checked out.
I didn't realize a colour could not only be beautiful but so intellectually stimulating! Thanks to Luna and the 52 weeks of colour challenge, I'm learning a lot about all of these colours.
I love a good cup of coffee - anytime - so while in my other world, I look for nice coffee shops where you can sit with friends and talk over a coffee or two. One of the first places I looked for was a Canadian coffee shop that I frequent often and that is Tim Horton's. The coffee is wonderful! The doughnuts are scrumptious! The atmosphere is friendly! I go to this spot regularly and love it every time I go. My friends and I sit and solve the problems of the day over a few cups.
I was waiting patiently for my friends but the smell of the coffee AND doughnuts was getting to me. I just had to go in.
The selection of what to pick is just overwhelming. It was really hard to make up my mind. Sometimes I like the doughnuts...sometimes it's the muffins...or often it's the biscuits. Then again, it could be a sandwich with soup!
The business is named after Tim Horton, a professional hockey player in the 60's. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs at one time and he started this very popular coffee place in 1964. Check out his bio.
I grabbed my coffee and looked for a large table since I knew my friends would be here shortly. Mmmm....hot coffee, strong and black! What a way to spend the afternoon.
Good Night for now.
I'm wearing: Skin: LeLutka Lola light Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Eyelashes: LeLutka Seductress lashes Hair: Truth Hair Joanna
Cardigan: CLEMATIS knit cardigan (blue) (it's free!) Tank: Fri. Layering tank (pumpkin) Leggings: Royal Blue Meow for I am catwoman in ink leggings (older free item) Boots: Bax Coen Prestige boots (night with grey top)
Earrings: Dark Mouse 12 days of Catandmousemas (silver ball earrings)
Sienna...as in minivan? Sienna...as in Miller, the actress? Or is it Sienna ...as in Italy? Nope! It was none of those. It's Sienna... as in colour for the weekly colour challenge.
I love sienna. I like all of the brown tones and lean towards that colour when I go shopping for clothes but when I looked in my closet, I found nothing labelled "sienna". I ended up trying on just about everything designated as "brown" to see if [in my mind] it fit into the category for the particular shade. I finally decided on the dress that I think fits the category.
This dress is by one of my favourite dress designers, Fnzo Takacs of Cover Girl. I love the lace detail on her dresses. The skirts always stay together when you sit and her designs look so elegant any place you go.
Good Night for now.
I'm wearing: Skin: LeLutka Mila / HUSH Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Eyelashes: Glow Studio Greta Garbo lashes Hair: Oh Hair Oh my holiday Nails: Candy Nail Basic Nails Red 01
OMG!!! I'm feeling totally stuffed!! It always starts with the PRE Christmas get-togethers and progresses up hill from there. It's the little appetizers, the mashed-potato-gravy combo, the whipped cream laden desserts and let's not forget the bottomless box of chocolates. I've been eating my face off since mid December and now almost a month has gone by and I'm still doing it. Since the zipper on my jeans showed resistance when being pulled up, I decided I better get on the scale.
OK...ready...I think I'll hold my breath. That will make it better.
If you stand on one leg.......
or on tippy-toes, it's not so bad.
Hey...like...who cares?...and bottom line is, that I'm strong, healthy, happy and I like how I look so adding a few pounds after a wonderful holiday doesn't seem so bad.
Good Night for now.
I'm wearing: (In all pictures): Skin: LeLutka Mila / HUSH Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Eyelashes: Glow Studio Greta Garbo lashes Hair: Oh Hair Oh my Ramen Earrings: YS Roundie earrings (gold) Mules: 5th & Oxford Little Miss Maribou Mules (black)
Today is Christmas Day in the Orthodox Church or for those following the Julian calendar, including the Ukrainian culture. I'm not of Ukrainian descent myself, but I have lots of friends who are and I like to celebrate along with them. There are many traditions that are followed over the next week.
Food plays a big part during the Christmas celebration. It starts with a 12 course meal on Christmas Eve that is meatless. I was able to participate at this supper with a friend and her family and I enjoyed every dish. It was truly an experience for me. I love to eat and all this food was really delicious. It was extra special knowing that the women in the family (grandmother, mother and daughters) had prepared this meal with love and spirituality.
I decided this year I would bring something to my friend's family to say how grateful I was that they included me in this celebration. I enjoy baking so it was suggested I make Kolatki, a delicious Christmas cookie in the Ukrainian tradition.
OK....now where is the recipe?
I'm a good cook but I need to use every pot, pan, spoon in the whole kitchen. Well, after all, a girl needs to make an impression.
Alright. If this is going to take place, let's get moving. I hope I have all the ingredients in the cupboard and 'fridge.
After a few fitful hours, I managed to get everything made. The cookies turned out perfectly and I'm going to get changed out of my cooking clothes to something more festive to celebrate with my friends. It will be a wonderful night, learning about the traditions in another culture.
З Різдвом Христовим!
Good Night for now.
I'm wearing: Skin: LeLutka Mila / HUSH Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Eyelashes: LeLutka Lola lashes Hair: Truth Hair Saffron
Sweater: Clio free Italian blue sweater Jeans: FD Entourage original (blue) (no longer available) Apron: Cover Girl apron (white)
Earrings: Caroline's Jewelry large hoop earrings (silver) Glasses: HOC apparel glasses (rectangular)
Well, this is my very first entry for 2011. It's a double whammy since I was able to fill Luna Jubilee's 52 weeks of color challenge and also show what I was wearing for the New Year's Eve party I went to.
I like to get dressed up for the parties on New Year's Eve but it's kinda bitter sweet. The old year is ending - regrets? - never! And the new year is beginning - apprehension? - somewhat! I guess a lot of people feel that way. What's ending? What's coming? But I look forward to the challenges that face me. I've always been like that.
Everyone seems to make New Year's resolutions on January 1st. Hmmm....I thought about it and I guess I did - somewhat [again]. I want to make this blog better. I love the fashion part of it but I want to bring more to it than just that. I want to take better pictures and I know what I have to do for that and will be striving to get more proficient in photography and writing. Busy as I am, I vow I will try [fingers crossed].
Of course there's the usual promises of more exercise, better eating, calmer lifestyle but those never seem to last. I do exercise, I follow some food sense and I try to keep a serene outlook. That's about all I can fulfill on those ideas.
It's going to be an exciting and wonderful year. I feel that. Will it be a different Dreamer who writes in this diary? No. I doubt it. I think it will be the same old me but I'm looking forward to telling you about lots of things going on and I hope you enjoy it all.
Good Night for now.
I'm wearing: Skin: LeLutka Mila (Hush) Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Eyelashes: Glow Studio Bohemia lashes (Raindrop) Hair: Sadistic Hackers Corvus
Earrings: Dark Mouse crystal earrings (silver) (12 days of Catandmousemas) Necklace: YS & YS Afrika necklace (group gift) Bracelets: Dark Mouse silver bangles
The other day I realized that this year was coming to an end. Where did the time go to? When did the days go by so fast? Why didn't I realize that everything was whizzing by? It was time to sit in my favourite chair and think about the year that passed me by.
This was a very exciting year for me. I met some new friends who will always be close to me. They're fun and always ready to go some place new. I've seen some great live musicians who are very talented and give their audiences their best. I've visited some truly amazing sites - ones that put me in awe of their creators who have the imagination to be able to put their dreams into production.
The presents that have been sent my way have been truly amazing. I've received some awesome gifts from clothes designers, who manage to keep me in satin and furs; from jewelry makers who decorate me in diamonds and pearls; and to hair entrepreneurs who enable me to change my look at my every whim. I'm a shoe fanatic and have hundreds in my inventory from stilettos to runners, from boots to sandals. And who can pass up the skin makers who give me that flawless, unlined face.
The furniture originators make my house look like it came from Architectural Digest with only the latest in design. I'm able to dance like a pro; stand like a diva and walk like a model all because talented people know how to make poses that mirror human movement. It amazes me at all this talent that has made my second life so exciting.
And of course, I'm thrilled that I have you, you who read my ramblings and rantings. I've learned a lot in the few months that I've been writing my diary and I expect to learn more in the new year. I'm really looking forward to that!
Many thanks to all of you for what you've given me this past year. Thank you for the best Second Life.
Good Night for now.
I'm wearing: Skin: LeLutka Mila Hush Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Eyelashes: LeLutka Lola lashes Hair: W&Y Hair # 148 Nails: Candy Basic Nails (Red 02)
Yes, today is Boxing Day in Canada and in many other places in the world. It has a long history behind the day, some facts from the Middle Ages. However, the data is often obscure or variable but the meaning behind the day is always interesting.
I always enjoy this day. It's always nice to have a day off of work but it's a day to sit and relax after the crazy, whirlwind day of Christmas festivities.
Today I am just taking it easy - if dishes from last night's dinner; washing table cloths, silverware and napkins; scrubbing the sticky whatevers off the kitchen floor; and vacuuming up the ground in cookies, count as "taking it easy".
Tonight I'm going out to a formal ball where you must wear "Christmas colours". I really hope navy counts as a "Christmas colour" because I really like the look of this dress. I love the filmy skirt. I always feel like I'm floating.
The back has such great detail, with the lace insert.
I know the evening will go so quickly that it will just be a blur but I don't get a chance to wear a formal dress that often so I'm knocking myself out to look great. It will be a fun night.
To everyone, I wish you the merriest, happiest, sweetest and most peaceful Christmas that you've ever had. My sincere wishes that all will be great on that day and that 2011 will bring you all that you've hoped for.
I really love to wrap at Christmas time. Hmmm...no...wait...I wrote that wrong. It should be - I really love THE wrap at Christmas time. And that's exactly what I've discovered about myself. I do love the wrapping stuff. The multitude of papers with their glitzy, shiny colours; the frothy bows in satiny textures; and even the tags that might be stick-on, tie-on or tape-on, all get me excited about the wrapping process.
It's just a matter of getting all the wrap and ribbon out, getting a comfortable place to sit and not stopping until it's finished.
I think my problem is that I like all the gifts to look pretty. I seem to spend a lot of time with each one. I mean, I wouldn't want it any other way but it does take me hours to wrap everything. It's the big awkward ones that seem to tap my energy. I see one more to go.
DONE! So that's it for this year. Now all I have to do is persuade everyone not to rip it all off in 10 seconds. [Laughing cuz I know that won't happen!]
Good Night for now.
I'm wearing: Skin: LeLutka Mila (Hush) Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Eyelashes: FTL Eyelashes - 502 Kirei Hair: W&Y No 148
Sweater: Fri ballet sweater (red) Leggings: CoCo white leggings (group gift) Boots: YS & YS Tiburon (red) (Christmas group gift) Earrings and Necklace: YS & YS Stone necklace & earrings (Christmas group gift)
I was going to start my wrapping today but my neighbour said that a wreath on my garage door would add to my outside decorations. "Oh!", I said, "Really? Do you really think it's necessary?" He raised one of his eyebrows at me and just went, "Hmmmmm". I think he was trying delicately to tell me something. So I got on my warm clothes, headed out to the shed to try and find my extra wreaths.
This is wonderful weather for decorating outside. It's crisp and cold but with no wind it makes it a pleasure to be out. I had to walk through snowy trees to get to the shed but it was worth it.
Lucky me!! I found the first wreath without a problem. Sometimes when I put away the Christmas decorations at the end of the season, I'm not as careful storing them. Then when it comes time next year to get all the things out, I can't remember where I put them.
I managed to find the second right away too. I just needed to dig the step ladder out to be able to hang these up. I wonder where I put the step ladder?
Oh well! I'm now entirely finished with the decorating and need to get at my wrapping in the next few days.
Good Night for now.
I'm wearing: Skin: LeLutka Ava (light) Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Hair: House of Heart (now Hairy Situations) Glamor Nails: SN Shiny Red Nails
Tonight I'm going to a Christmas party with some friends. I love the parties at this time of year. It's always dress-up-major, deck-the-ears-neck-wrist, and do-the-do kind of time. I love putting on the make-up, the jewelry, the push-up bra with the strapless dress and going out and just having a great time with the people I love. I thought I'd better finish the tree before I left so I got myself in gear and packed the tree with lots of bling. Sometimes I put candy canes on the tree but usually what happens is that I eat a bunch before they even reach the branches. Then the peppermint starts to get to me. YUUUUCKK!!!! Just over-kill!
It was a relief getting ONE of the inside trees decorated with lights and all the extras. I put this one in the front window because it just looked so glittery. I wanted all the neighbours to see it. I think I'm almost finished with the decorations now. I guess I should start wrapping soon. That's a big job I must tackle next week.
Well, off I go to have some fun.
Good Night for now.
I'm wearing: Skin: LeLutka Estelle (light) Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Eyelashes: Glow Studio Innocent Hair: Calico Ingmann Creations (Teri) Nails: Love Soul Nail color (copper)
The days just seem to be flying by. After I sat by the fire the other night, I decided to persevere and get the rest of the presents bought and wrapped. And...oh yes...I absolutely HAD to pick up some things for me for the holiday season.
The snow let up a bit so I went out to my favourite shopping district in Liberty. I shop at a lot of the stores there [Baiastice, Modern Gypsy, Morantique] so being all central, I could just walk from store to store and "ka-ching" with the plastic.
I parked the car and was off and running into the closest place. The cold and snow didn't even bother me. It's the excitement of the buy that gets the adrenalin running!
Obviously the snow plough had been over the roads a few times and had managed to push drifts on the sidewalk. But did that stop me? Oh no!!! I just climbed right over.
I must admit I'm glad I braved the weather. I picked up things to finish - hmmmm - almost finish - my Christmas gift buying. And things to supplement my Christmas wardrobe.
Good Night for now.
P.S. I had not participated in Luna Jubilee's 52 weeks of colour since November, thinking I would get Christmas finished but surprise surprise! This week I managed to fit it in with my coat and shopping bag. A bonus week for sure. {By the way, it's yellow!}
I'm wearing: Skin: LeLutka Ava (light) Eyes: Miriel Hazel (no longer available) Hair: LeLutka Seth
Coat: Lika Ruby coat (yellow) Hat: GF Rose beret hat Boots: GF long Fur cuff boots (white) Purse: Chuculet Maya bag (black) Gloves: Cover Girl fur gloves (white)
