How Can I Control My Life When I Can't Control My Hair?

Confession: While you are talking to me, I am probably thinking about your hair. Sure eyes are great and smiles are important, but nothing wows me as much as a woman with no split ends. Hair is a common theme in my life. As a child I bit my blonde friend with the hopes that my dark locks would lighten. My first paid, published article was based on that very event.  I have dyed my hair with Kool-Aid, Henna, Manic Panic and dye on the market.  It has been every color imaginable except green and blue and it has been cut in just as many styles. I like to sit in a stylist's chair and say, "Surprise me."  But enough about me, here are some other hair obsessed folks who have taken it to greater heights:

At the Imperia Vodka Hair Competition new heights wasn't an exaggeration.  Thanks to Natalie West for the pic!

I might add that Project Runway is another one of my obsessions and Chris March's clothing made with real human hair was one of the most unforgettable collections in the show's history. 

Of course no hair is more unforgettable than Medusa's head of snakes. Even she had to tame her mane as depicted in this great print by artist Nancy Farmer. 

"Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair" Art Print by 2nd Coming cracks me up. 

I also get a good laugh from this Vintage Novelty Hair Dryer.  I feel like you could really freak out the neighbors if they caught a glimpse of you aiming this at your head in the bathroom one morning...

In an ultimate act of patience and recycling, Beijing hairdresser Huang Xin celebrated the 60th anniversary of Communist China’s founding with a replica of the buildings and monuments around Tiananmen Square – all made entirely of human hair. Photo and info courtesy of Mental Floss.

And finally......

What you are looking at is hair.  The NY Times reports: "According to Matter of Trust, a San Francisco environmental charity, the ridged texture that helps hair sop up natural skin oils also make it effective at catching crude. The group began taking donations 10 years ago to create hair mats for smaller spills and have been in the national spotlight since the Gulf oil spill.  Learn more at Matter of Trust's web site.

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! ~Maya Angelou

Still planning your Memorial Day bash?

Here are some inspirations on what to wear, what to serve and quick and easy ways to decorate.

Meryl Streep, classy and gorgeous as always in a patriotic Catherine Malandrino dress.  

If head-to-toe red, white and blue too much for you, this simple yet stunning leather necklace is a DIY piece of cake. M&J Trimming has a great tutorial that will show you how to put this together in about 20 minutes.

 

Not a do-it-yourself type of girl? Any outfit from a sundress to a pair of old shorts and a tank top looks chic and put together with a great hat. I am especially in love with this floppy striped hat from the Gap.

 

Since Memorial Day marks the start of summer, start it off hot in a traffic stopping, party starting bombshell sundress from Pin-up Girl Clothing.

Now YOU look good, Let's quickly dress your party. 

Photo courtesy of www.Anitaarts.com

The dollar store has hundreds of pinwheels this time of year - snag a handful and place in white or glass containers scattered across the table and you've got a playful centerpiece.

Photo courtesy of faveflowers on Flickr

Glass containers of any type can be found at the dollar store and you probably have some in your house already.  Fill them with alternating layers of any appropriately colored items. Fave Flowers (above) used petals but blue colored candy, rice or white mints and red hots (all available at the dollar store or local grocery store) would work as well.

Whew! All done - now....ready for a drink?

Slash Food introduced me to one of my favorite Americana inspired drinks - the Starfruit and Stripes Daquiri. Visit their site for the recipe for this sweet (and potent) drink and many more. 

Since I am no grill master and I do believe Memorial Day is all about BBQ, I will let someone else blog about the main courses but for dessert, I have a few personal faves:

Cream Cheese Strawberries are delicious and a snap to make. People expect it to be white chocolate so it is a pleasing cheesecake like surprise.  Find the simple steps here.

Photo courtesy of www.Annies-Eats.com

Bake these fresh or use a favorite cheat of mine. Go to your local bakery and pick up plain cupcakes and just top with fresh fruit. No one will know you didn't make the entire thing.

You know you have made Jell-o shots so you know how to do this. Grab a star shaped cookie cutter and some food coloring and go to town.  You can't mess this up.

Have fun and enjoy your weekend. Be safe and I will see you back here Tuesday!

Blogging the Art-Full Life

I love my blog, I really do, but there are millions of other bloggers out there and some of them are just crazy-good.  Today's Art-Full Life spotlight is on three of my favorite blogs.

I have been thinking of making this a monthly feature so let me know what you think!

StyleLikeU is an incredible site for anyone who loves fashion and closet voyeurism (and by that I mean spying in people's closets).  Sometimes weird, sometimes inspiring and always interesting, everyone featured on this site has one thing in common - they are living an art-full life.

My new "must check every day" blog is Domestic Sluttery the "Home and Lifestyle Blog for Women Who Have Better Things To Do." They cover everything - fashion, interior design, cooking, shopping and they do it with humor and the pefect amount of girliness.  They are what my site would like to grow up to be!

Finally, a local blog has caught my attention - and completely frustrated me all at the same time lol. I am including it with the hopes that one of my South Florida friends will help me on my quest.

Tile Fort Lauderdale, run by one Mary Tiler More (so cute!),  is a perfect example of the Art-Full Life.  The artist paints tiles and hides them around Fort Lauderdale giving hints to their locations. Thus far I haven't been able to find any so I am hoping maybe one of you can!

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter for even more great stuff: www.twitter.com/Emilyontheave

What Do Vegans Do For A Third Anniversary?

If you follow the traditional gift guides for wedding anniversaries - the third anniversary is leather (I fear Martha Stewart would be upset if I followed the modern guide, lol).  Putting aside all kinky items, wallets, belts and briefcases, I was able to find some incredible leather gifts for men and women.

Here, in no particular order, are my Top Ten Leather Finds of the Day. 

Ok, I know I said no briefcases, but this is an incredible laptop bag that defies categories.  2UNFOLD works as a briefcase, shoulder bag, safecase, rucksack, leather courier, canvas courier (it's reversible), leather cluth or canvas clutch.  It is gender neutral and holds laptops up to 17" vertically and 13" horizontally. It is also $483 and currently sold out, but will begin taking orders on April 19th so get ready!

Who doesn't love to give a gift they can share?

Looking for a gift for us both, I stumbled upon what I first thought were leather rocks....

This funky piece which I absolutely want to lounge on right this very instant is actually the Tantisassi Leather Designer Sofa from Italian furniture maker Rossi di Albizzate.   

Even if the Tantisassi is out of my price range, my house can still smell like an expensive sofa or lounge chair.....which apparently men who play guitar really dig.  My husband does play and does love the smell of a new car....so maybe Colonial Candle is on to something.

I also looked into leather guitar straps. Leather Smith Designs makes gorgeous custom straps with designs or words of your choice embossed. It is a cool idea and they do fantastic work, but "Big Dog" in the photo below from their web site, cracks me up....

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True happiness can come in many shapes and sizes, and for me it comes in a large bouquet of polka dot lillies from BD Leather Designs on Etsy.  Made of leather and available as a super oversized single flower or a smaller bouquet of three, these just make me smile.

Talking about things that make me smile - I can't resist a happy giraffe. Especially when he is protecting my phone. Squirellicious on Etsy has happy giraffes in many colors, but for me the sweetest was in white.

I do love most animals but I hate ostriches. They are evil creatures who attack without being provoked. They have tiny brains and huge pointed beaks and they are the closest living relative to the T-Rex. I have also been attacked by ostriches twice in my life and so I am very happy when they are turned into purses and furniture and other goods. This chair from the Ostrich Emporium in South Africa is a chic, art-deco example of prime ostrich usage.

You always hear that love conquers all things (including ostriches), and I can believe that.... but after three years of marriage and nine years together, I think Michelle Verbeek's bracelet speaks the truth...

Do you know what else I believe conquers all things? The perfect pair of shoes. Nothing can make a woman feel more powerful and in-charge than a great pair of heels. Sure, there are a million leather shoes to choose from (and some amazing vegan lines as well!), but my favorite has always been the pin-up styles by Fluevog. (They do have men's shoes too!) 

Operettas / Malibran in Turquoise

Don't let your feet get all the attention. Maskmaker and artist Tom Banwell creates masks that are part Eyes Wide Shut, part chic masquerade party and part Shakespeare's A Midsummer Nights Dream come to life. They are also completely breathtaking.

Happy Anniversary to my husband, I love you! (and P.S.Your gift is NOT listed on here...ooh sneaky...)
See you all tomorrow....