september giveaway

I'm kind of sad that August has come to an end. The start of September means that the summer is pretty much over and it's time to start thinking of cooler weather and *ugh* the impending winter.

The other day I squeaked in horror when I saw 3 red maple leaves on a tree that had otherwise green leaves. Oh no! The leaves are changing colour already? I'm not ready! I'm not ready!

I guess there are some bright sides to September:

- I have a trip planned for the end of the month (more on that later!)

- I have lots of pretty jackets and sweaters to wear

- the NHL hockey season is starting up again

- ....ummm....

*sigh* Ok, I can't do it. I'm still in "summer mode".

I know that some of my readers are on the other side of the world from me, so as I move into the cold seasons, they're moving into their summer (lucky!), so no matter where in the world you are, I want to know - what are you most looking forward to this September/October?

I'll do a random draw from all entries received for this lovely autumn inspired bobby pin and ring set.

Here's how to enter:

Leave a comment on this post telling me what you're looking forward this coming season (whether it's getting cooler or warmer in your part of the world).

Want extra entries? (you must complete the first step above before doing these)
- 1 extra entry: Follow this blog. Leave a comment telling me that you've become a Follower (or that you were already a Follower).
- 1 extra entry: Become a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/pandacubshop. Leave comment telling me that you've become a fan (or that you were already a fan).

- 1 extra entries: Follow me on Twitter (pandacubcafe) and tweet about this contest (use the tag @pandacubcafe so I can see your tweet). Leave a comment letting me know you've done this.
- 10 extra entries: Buy anything from my pandacub shop. Come back and leave a comment letting me know what you bought and your Etsy username.

Remember to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Notes:
- This contest closes at midnight (ET) on Friday, September 17, 2010.
- Winner will be announced on this blog shortly after the contest closes.
- This giveaway is open worldwide.

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

star sign rings - update 4

As we start moving into the fall seasons, I'm already starting to plan for my pandacub Etsy shop.

As most people can imagine, the holidays are a pretty busy time of year, so keeping on top of what's going on in my shop is really important - if only to make sure that everyone gets their purchases in time for the gift-giving season!

So, just a reminder that my very unique star sign rings are in limited demand so shop early to avoid disappointment!


Even though I've been searching constantly, I still haven't been able to find any more of these stunning vintage intaglios, so I can definitely say that these rings are VERY rare and unique. As I've mentioned on this blog before, I only made 2 of each symbol and unless I can uncover more intaglios (and it doesn't look good), this will be it. Many of the zodiac signs are already sold out, so get yours before it's too late!

Check out this great Look Book outfit that includes my Taurus star sign ring!

Here's an update on what's available:
Aries - 1 available
Taurus - SOLD OUT
Gemini - 1 available
Cancer - SOLD OUT
Leo - SOLD OUT
Virgo - SOLD OUT
Libra - SOLD OUT
Scorpio - 1 available
Sagittarius - SOLD OUT
Capricorn - 1 available
Aquarius - 1 available
Pisces - 1 available

wordle wednesday

Time for me to play with wordle again!

A Wordle is "a toy for generating 'word clouds' from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text as well as words that were used more recently.

I get the prominence of "Sherlock" and "Holmes" considering I just did a feature on Etsy sellers inspired by Sherlock Holmes, but look how big "finished" is! It must be because of all the books I've "finished" reading in my quest to read 50 books in one year.

(If you click on the image, you can view a larger version so you can read the words more easily.)

50 books in 2010 - update 5

Here's how I'm doing so far in my goal to read 50 books this year...

1. The Last Boleyn by Karen Harper, finished January 13

2. The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser, finished February 7

3. Lamb by Christopher Moore, finished February 12

4. The Man Who Ate the World by Jay Rayner, finished February 20

5. There Will be Dragons by John Ringo, finished February 26

6. The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory, finished March 2

7. Emerald Sea by John Ringo, finished March 3

8. In a Time of Darkness by John Ringo, finished March 3

9. Against the Tide by John Ringo, finished March 9

10. East of the Sun, West of the Moon, by John Ringo, finished March 15

11. Daughter of York by Anne Easter Smith, finished March 15

12. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie, finished March 16

13. Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie, finished March 18

14. Captain Alatriste by Arturo Perez-Reverte, finished March 18

15. Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, finished March 24

16. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, finished April 1

17. The Sixth Wife by Suzannah Dunn, finished April 11

18. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory, finished April 27

19. Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist, finished May 10

20. The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy, finished May 24

21. Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, finished June 5

22. The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld, finished June 10

23. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, finished June 15

24. The Queen's Sorrow by Suzannah Dunn, finished June 21

25. Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay, finished July 3

26. The Shadow of the Pomegranate by Jean Plaidy, finished July 25

27. The King's Grey Mare by Rosemary H. Jarman, finished August 13

28. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, finished August 24

29. Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurst, finished September 2

Currently reading:

- The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George

- Great Harry by Carolly Erickson

pandacub wants...sherlock holmes (and watson too!)

My husband and I have just finished watching the third episode of the absolutely brilliant Sherlock series starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes and Martin Freeman (from the British version of The Office) as Watson.

I love reading Sherlock Holmes (my favourite is the Hound of the Baskervilles), and have watched several different interpretations of the characters through the years. This one is a modern take on the characters (Holmes is quite fond of texting and Watson has a blog), it's very well written and acted and I'm quite upset that the first season (or series, as they say in the UK) was only 3 (yes, THREE) episodes long.

But I'm super happy and excited to find out that on Aug 10, they just renewed Sherlock of a second series so there will definitely be more great episodes to come!

In the meantime, I'm browsing Etsy for Sherlock-inspired items.

Top row:
1. Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle...mini wooden library book - hand made from scratch...from the elloh public library...one of a kind...keychain or miniature wall art, $24.00 by elloh
2. Sherlock Holmes Tote Bag, $20.00 by chibitoaster
3. Sherlock, $15.00 by boisdarc

Middle row:
4. Sherlock Holmes, 8 x 10 art print, $13.00 by Larriva
5. Sherlock Holmes - 13 inch Version - Macbook Vinyl Decal, $12.00 by TheDarkMonkey
6. Sherlock Holmes, $50.00 by Jtnee

Bottom row:
7. Sherlock Color Graph Afghan pattern, $3.20 by CrochetChest
8. Sherlock Holmes Tie Tack - Come Watson - the Game is afoot, $8.00 by pretentiousjewelry
9. Sherlock - Etching on Clay Brooch, rolled edge setting, $35.00 by Musetypes

wordle wednesday

I've just spent 30 minutes playing with Wordle and I'm addicted. So I've decided to start Wordle Wednesday so that I have an excuse to play with Wordle at least once a week.

A Wordle is "a toy for generating 'word clouds' from text that you provide. The clouds give greater prominence to words that appear more frequently in the source text." I've also noticed that the Wordle also gives prominence to words that have appeared more recently - so I guess I've been talking about Shakespeare a lot lately. LOL

If you click on the image, you can view a larger version so you can read the words more easily.

50 books in 2010 - update 4

Here's how I'm doing so far in my goal to read 50 books this year...

1. The Last Boleyn by Karen Harper, finished January 13

2. The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser, finished February 7

3. Lamb by Christopher Moore, finished February 12

4. The Man Who Ate the World by Jay Rayner, finished February 20

5. There Will be Dragons by John Ringo, finished February 26

6. The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory, finished March 2

7. Emerald Sea by John Ringo, finished March 3

8. In a Time of Darkness by John Ringo, finished March 3

9. Against the Tide by John Ringo, finished March 9

10. East of the Sun, West of the Moon, by John Ringo, finished March 15

11. Daughter of York by Anne Easter Smith, finished March 15

12. The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie, finished March 16

13. Secret Adversary by Agatha Christie, finished March 18

14. Captain Alatriste by Arturo Perez-Reverte, finished March 18

15. Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, finished March 24

16. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, finished April 1

17. The Sixth Wife by Suzannah Dunn, finished April 11

18. The White Queen by Philippa Gregory, finished April 27

19. Daughter of the Empire by Raymond E. Feist, finished May 10

20. The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy, finished May 24

21. Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, finished June 5

22. The Interpretation of Murder by Jed Rubenfeld, finished June 10

23. Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel, finished June 15

24. The Queen's Sorrow by Suzannah Dunn, finished June 21

25. Dexter in the Dark by Jeff Lindsay, finished July 3

26. The Shadow of the Pomegranate by Jean Plaidy, finished July 25

27. The King's Grey Mare by Rosemary H. Jarman, finished August 13

28. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson, finished August 24

Currently reading:

- The Autobiography of Henry VIII by Margaret George

- Great Harry by Carolly Erickson

hmmm...i think more training is needed

Although my husband and I have been trying to eat healthier for the past couple of years, but every so often we like to cheat a little and be very bad.

One of our weaknesses is McDonald's and so whenever we go, I tend to get a Big Mac. Mmmm, Big Mac.

Anyhow, the last time we went to our local McDonald's, we did the drive-through so didn't see our food until we got home. So when I opened my Big Mac box, this was what was waiting for me:

LOL! The person who put my Big Mac together put both patties on the bottom. Seriously? How hard is it to put together a Big Mac? So basically, I tossed the top bun and turned it into a double cheeseburger.

It's funny, in a really sad sort of way.

pandacub wants...more shakespeare

As I blogged about on Sunday, I was lucky enough to have tickets to watch Christopher Plummer as Prospero in Shakespeare's The Tempest on Saturday, so I have a little bit of Shakespeare on the brain.

I was never really interested in the Bard in high school (there's something that turns me off whenever I'm "forced" to read something) but now that I'm a little bit older, and wiser, I can definitely appreciate more the witty wordplay and cultural impact of Shakespeare.

Let's see what a search of "Shakespeare" turned up on Etsy...

Top row:
1. Exit pursued by a bear, $1.00 by beanforest
2. Shakespeare Art Taming of the Shrew 8.5 x 11 Print, $18.00 by thedreamygiraffe
3. Shakespeare Smarty Pants Tie, $20.00 by inhope

Middle row:
4. Shakespeare- 8 X 10 Digital Print, $20.00 by Goobeetsa
5. Tempest Journal - Shakespeare Leatherbound Blank Book, $35.00 by immortallongings (this is the second journal that I've bought from immortallongings - they're even more stunning in person!)
6. To Be Or Not To Be, $20.00 by CupcakesAndMace

Bottom row:
7. sterling silver ring engraved Love all,trust a few, do wrong to none. size 6 1/2 (M1/2), $120.00 by pocketfullofpoesy
8. A Plague on All Your Houses Shakespearean Pin Brooch from Hoolala, $4.00 by hoolala
9. William Shakespeare's Hamlet 'To Be Or Not To Be' Brass Cuff, $38.00 by JezebelCharms

brave new world

Yesterday some friends joined me and my husband and we travelled to the lovely town of Stratford a little west of Toronto to check out a play at the Stratford Festival. (Yes, for you Bieber fans out there - this is his hometown).

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival runs from April to November and is very well known around the world for it's productions of Shakespearean plays. The Festival does put on other plays (for example, Peter Pan is currently on right now as well), but Shakepeare's work typically counts for about a quarter of the Festival's offerings.

We were lucky enough to get tickets to see Shakespeare's The Tempest, which is pretty much sold out. It's a popular draw this year because the amazing Christopher Plummer was playing the lead role of Prospero.


Stratford is a sweet little town and obviously, a lot of its economy is based on the Fetival.

Here's the large Festival Hall, one of several theatres that hosts the plays (Festival Hall is the largest one)


This is a metal statue of Shakespeare that stands in the Festival Hall gardens. It's actually a little spooky - it has kind of robotic "Terminator" eyes. haha.


The play itself was truly amazing. I'm not one for plays, but this one was spectacular. Plummer is a powerful presence on stage and I can understand all the acting accolades he's received in his lifetime. What an experience!