patriotic hair accessories

So both Canada Day (July 1) and Independence Day (Jluy 4) are a month away, but I figured it's a good time to start promoting these adorable bobby pins that are relatively new in my shop. This way, you have lots of time to buy your own pair and get them shipped to you in time for the celebration!

Not based in Canada or the USA? Check my shop anyway as there are several other countries that I have flags for (like Germany, France, UK and more!)

50 books in 2010 - update 3

After a strong start to the year, I've really slowed down in the past month. Part of it is because I now no longer take the bus/subway as much to commute to work (which usually gives me two hours of reading time a day). I still may be able to squeeze in 50 books this year, but it will be tight.

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

Currently reading:

- The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy

- Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

- Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

- The Queen's Sorrow by Suzannah Dunn

- Buon Appetito, Your Holiness by Mariangela Rinaldi & Mariangela Vicini

- Last Chance to Eat by Gina Mallett

cute, but kind of useless things i buy

Seriously, I'm out of control. In the past couple of months my husband and I have been trying very hard to save money because we're hoping to buy a house this year.

And we've been doing pretty well. We have really cut back on eating out and have been finding lots of other ways to save a few pennies here and there. But every so often we like to treat ourselves so that we don't feel too deprived and start resenting each other.

Anyhow, even with these "indulgent" purchases, I've been pretty good and haven't spent too much, but seriously, the things I've been buying as my "reward" are completely useless...but totally cool (well, cool to me).

Here are 4 purchases I've made recently that I really, seriously did not need at all. But they made me smile.

This panda bear doesn't do anything, but his head bobs from side to side. It's powered by a solar panel in the front and he sits on my desk and watches me work. It's so funny when it gets enough power and his head starts moving without warning. (I can't remember how much this cost, I think it was $10)

Another panda purchase - this one is slightly more practical. It's a USB key! The panda is the carrying case, but I haven't used it yet because I like seeing the bamboo and paw prints on the key. ($20)

This is completely useless, but sooo cute. It's a wind-up music box. The store I got it at only had a few songs available, but I found out on the company's website that there's over 30 songs (I NEED to get "Moon River", and "My Funny Valentine" and all the Beatles songs...and "Stairway to Heaven" for my husband, and..oh boy). Anyhow, the one I have right now plays "La Vie en Rose" ($10)

I just bought this one today and it was totally an impulse buy. They're nesting dolls, but each part of each doll is a measuring cup and all of them are different measurements! Cute and practical! ($15)


Ok, so what do you think of my little shopping problem? A total waste of money or extreme cuteness?

art star craft bazaar

I've heard that this weekend is going to be nice and sunny in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania!

Yes, I know I live in Toronto, so why am I happy that it's sunny in PA? Because the lovely Alex of Hello Bluebird will be setting up a booth at the Art Star Craft Bazaar and she'll be selling (among many other lovely crafty finds) pandacub accessories!

So, if you're in the neighbourhood, you should definitely check this event out!

With over 100 local and national artists, the Art Star Craft Bazaar is an outdoor art and craft show (that's why I'm happy that it's sunny). There are lots of lovely things to be found, including housewares, dolls, prints, clothing, accessories, sculpture and other one-of-a-kind creations.

When: Saturday, May 15 from 11am-6pm and Sunday, May 16 from 11am-6pm

Where: Philadephia, Pennsylvania at Penn's Landing Great Plaza (on Columbus Blvd between Walnut St and Chestnut St.

Website: www.artstarcraftbazaar.com

moms

Although I missed posting a Happy Mothers' Day message yesterday, I definitely spent time with my mom and my mom-in-law.

My mom definitely inspired the practical and the creative in my when I was young and I have lots of fond memories of many different types of crafts (and crafty messes), many of which I hope someday to pass onto my own future children.

And yes, at dinner with my parents on Saturday night, I did get the "when am I getting grandchildren" question, which I unsuccessfully tried to deflect onto my sister. Haha.

another cool contest

Over on my beauty blog (yes, I have a split blog personality!) I'm hosting a giveaway for a collection of Softlips lip balms and a Certain-Dri anti-perspirant - go check it out and enter!

It's open to all US residents and really simple to enter - so go check out the post on my Cinnamon Kitten blog and good luck!

pandacub april giveaway

Yes, that's right! The pandacub giveaway returns for the third month in a row, but this time, with a twist!

I'm very excited that it's finally getting warmer here in Toronto so to celebrate I'm giving away some spring-inspired bobby pins!


THREE lucky winners will each receive a pair of spring welcome bobby pins. This lovely pair of bobby pins includes one bird and one blossom and the winners will get to choose the colours they want (see my Etsy listing for more details and all available colour choices)

There are THREE ways to enter (you can enter 1, 2 or all 3 ways to increase your chances!):
- Become a fan of pandacub on Facebook
OR
- Sign up for the pandacub monthly newsletter (use the form at the top-left hand corner of this blog to sign up)

OR
- Follow me on Twitter (pandacubcafe) and tweet about this contest (please use the tag @pandacubcafe so I can see your tweet). (Each tweet per day will count as one entry)

If you're already a pandacub Facebook fan or e-newsletter subscriber then you're already entered!

Winners will be contacted via the way they entered (email to the e-newsletter winner, Facebook message to the Facebook winner and Direct Message to the Twitter winner).

Notes:
- This contest closes at midnight (ET) on Friday, April 30, 2010.
- This giveaway is open worldwide.

GOOD LUCK, EVERYONE!

mmm...macarons!

My sister went to Las Vegas last week and brought me back a SUPER treat.

When my hubby and I went to Vegas back in November, we stayed at the Venetian and every day we had breakfast at the Bouchon Bakery (it was in our hotel lobby). I got to try a different item every day (mmmm, macarons, chocolatines, sticky buns...)

Anyhow, we had told my sister and her husband about the Bakery and they ended up falling in love with it as well. So as a souvenir they brought us back a pack of Bouchon macarons!

Look at them!!! (Did I mention that these are HUGE? Like almost 2.5 inches wide!)

MMM....each one was a different flavour:
- pink: passion fruit (I think - it was fruity)
- green: chocolate mint
- yellow: lemon

- cream: vanilla
- light brown: coffee
- brown: chocolate

pandacub wants...a newspaper

Well, kind of. To celebrate the upcoming launch of the pandacub e-newsletter (have you signed up for it yet?) I did a quick search on Etsy for some nice newspaper inspired items and look what I found!

Top row:
1. Headline News Reusable Sandwich Baggie w/ Waterproof Lining, $6.75 by bellsandunicorns
2. On the Toilets - open edition print, $15.00 by TheNebulousKingdom
3. My Medium Purse- Extra, Extra, Read All About It, $16.00 by wildmustangs

Middle row:
4. The Daily Prophet Reporter - badge, $2.00 by celestefrittata
5. Newsprint and Dot Reversible Headband, $10.00 by darlingdaisy2468
6. Toronto Egg Prices, $35.00 by jennlawrence

Bottom row:
7. NewsPaper Retro Circle Pendant Necklace, $14.00 by PaisleyChainsaw
8. Newspaper and Billboard Messenger Bag, $69.99 by ReclaimedWreckage
9. Lovely Real retro Vintage Fabric newspaper Patch Petticoat skirt with Ruffles, $180.00 by malam

what's new? a pandacub newsletter - that's what's new!

I'm very excited to announce that pandacub will be launch an e-newsletter next month!

Sent approximately once a month, the e-newsletter will have sneak peeks at upcoming products, special discount codes for members, exclusive e-newsletter contests and other fun tidbits!

I won't have the same content as my blog, but I hope that my friends and customers will find it useful.

Sign up now by using the handy little subscriber box on the left hand side of this blog!