Monday, December 29, 2014

End of the year candle sales I just can't resist!

One of the best things about the end of the holiday season is the holiday sales and when it comes to candles it is one of the very best times of the year to buy. It may be hard to resist buying them at the beginning of the season, but if you can be patient and don't mind smelling pumpkin pie in January you're sure to score some amazing candle deals!

My two favorite candle companies are Goose Creek and Yankee Candle. Yankee used to be my holy grail of candle companies until the day I discovered a Goose Creek Strawberry Jam candle from the extinct Little Black Bag site. I have been hooked ever since. 

Goose Creek's Strawberry Jam, Spun Sugar and Blueberry Cake Doughnut scents are my top 3 scents at the moment. The large Blueberry Cake Doughnut tumblers (115 hour + burn time) are only $9 right now if you buy 5 participating tumblers - retail $26.99. Score! Sadly, Spun Sugar is discontinued but I am hoping that Pure Cane Sugar is similar. 




Although Goose Creek is my favorite at the moment, I scored a few new scents from Yankee that just might win me over. Pumpkin Buttercream is my son's all time favorite scent year round! Snowflake Cookie is one that I'm aching to burn. It smells so good and it's ballet pink to top it off - adorable <3. The Pure Radiance candles are on sale for only $7 each with a $20 purchase. I bought the Toasted Almond but have yet to burn it. It reminds me of Burt's Bee's almond milk lotion.

IMHO one of the most awesome candles on sale at Goose Creek is this giant 70oz Toasty Pumpkin Toddy candle. It has a burn time of 400+ hours of pumpkin toddy lusciousness! It is so large that when you finally finish burning it you can use the leftover container as a cookie jar or candy dish. 

This candle normally retails for $47.99 and right now it is only $19.20! The Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Molasses flavors are also in stock right now. I'm a tad bummed that they sold out of the Blueberry Pumpkin tough because it is a beautiful shade of blue rather than burnt orange. 

Hope that everyone has a wonderful, safe and happy New Year. Talk to y'all in 2015! 

<3 KM

Friday, December 26, 2014

Cold Songs

I have a thing for weather related songs, and since it's winter I will share with you the two songs that get stuck in my head whenever I am taking a long walk in the winter.



This is the theme song to a British TV show. It's a pretty cool show, if you like comedy-science fiction.  It is almost annoying how often this song pops into my head when I feel my fingers go numb.



This song is not really about winter, but it uses winter as such a pretty metaphor. It is my happy blizzard song. I love jumping into drifts while mumbling this song to myself. I'm sure it makes me look like a complete crack-head, but I don't care. 

And that's it. The two songs that make me enjoy the cold. Do you have a favorite song about cold or winter? Tell me! I'm always on the lookout for cool songs.

Also, free tip on staying warm: silk base-layers. I have leggings, a shirt, and glove liners.  When the days are right around freezing they allow me to rock a hoodie instead of a coat!

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

My Christmas Wish - to find the perfect apartment pet!

I have been pet-less for about 8 months now and it feels so weird. I have always had pets as I am a definite animal lover but it can be hard to find a great pet for a 2nd floor apartment.

 To me a great apartment pet:
  • Has minimal odor
  • Doesn't take up too much space
  • Can control its bladder
  • Likes people
  • Can be left alone for 6 hours or more
Here are some of the pets that I am dreaming of:

Axolotl - Source
Axolotl's are my oldest son's first choice. They are pretty awesome looking and they can even convert to a land lizard although most spend their lives in the water.

Hamsters - Source

In the past we've had guinea pigs but we have never had hamsters. Guinea pigs are a bit too high maintenance to keep stink free, and they make a ton of poops. I'm hoping a hamster might be okay. They are adorable, especially when they are stuffing their faces!

Degu - Source
Degus are supposed to be very clean and have little smell since they take regular dust baths. They are social animals so it is recommended to have at least 2. They require a bigger cage than a hamster but they seem to have great personalities and can live 6-8 years. They seem to be very affectionate, and love being scratched under the chin. They look like little mice squirrels :).

Beta fish - Source
We inherited some beta fish from a party awhile back and really enjoyed them as pets. They are beautiful and are interested in people. One of ours even made a bubble nest which they make at the surface of their habitat when they are preparing for babies, really cool!

To thrive betas require much more space than they are usually allowed. We had one in a 10 gallon tank and he was a happy little fella! The only downside to beta fish is that they must be the only fish in the tank. I read that beta fish naturally live in rice fields where there is acres upon acres of water to roam around so they have room to establish territory. They will harm each other if put in the same tank and will not be able to escape the attacks of the other fish.

Goldfish - Source
Goldfish are beautiful and majestic. It is calming to watch them swim around. I have never had goldfish before, other than one that I won from a carnival which didn't last long. I'd love to give them a try though and the minimalist tank set up above is just gorgeous!

My hubby and I like our apartment to smell fresh, and it can get stinky quickly even if something is just left in the trash can for a bit too long. Since we have so much to look for in a pet our "no" list is much longer than our list of possibilities. We have decided against all of these animals:
  • No dogs
  • No cats
  • No guinea pigs
  • No mice
    • I love fancy mice but they be difficult to catch if they escape their cage
  • No ferrets 
    • Not allowed at our complex
  • No sugar gliders
    • We love them but they are too needy for us at the moment
  • No chinchilas 
    • Too delicate for small children
  • No rabbits
  • Nothing that carries salmonella 
    • No lizards, snakes or turtles although we would love bearded dragons in the future
If anyone has any other suggestions I would love to hear them :). 

Wishing you the happiest of holidays! 

<3 KM

Friday, December 19, 2014

Inexpensive Prescription Eyeglasses

Prescription glasses can be so expensive. I need glasses to see in the distance...  that distance being about a foot from my face. I don't like to wear contacts every day because my eyes get itchy sometimes. Also, I am forgetful, and that doesn't go well with contacts or expensive glasses.

I was so happy when I found Zenni Optical. Almost all their glasses are under $30. Some are as low as $6.95 like these cat eye ones below. 


I have been getting all my glasses from this store for more than five years. Some styles are more durable than others. Check the onsite reviews to tell which are most likely to survive being dropped or slept on. 


These are my glasses that I ordered almost 3 years ago. I think this may be my longest surviving pair of glasses ever. I might be becoming slightly less destructive with age, but I also believe that these glasses are pretty good quality. There was some black paint on the front that has scratched off, but everything else has held up well



These $12.95 wayfarers have cute little stars. They have tons of styles of wayfarers there and you can even order them as prescription sunglasses. 


For some reason these remind me of the glasses KM used to wear when she was really little. I think they are super cute. They are $19.00


These epic eyepieces are $27.95. I've never bought glasses this "expensive" from Zenni before, but I love them. Next time I go to the optometrist I am gonna order theses. 

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Totoro clothes and gifts for everyone!

With his big fuzzy body and giant personality Totoro is universally lovable. Here are some adorable clothes and gifts for all the Miyazaki fans in your life.

Totoro Skater Dress by akuma2636 on Etsy








Wishing everyone peace and happiness this holiday season! <3 KM

Friday, December 12, 2014

DIY Beer Can Herb Pot

 I wanted to bring my basil in for the winter, but none of the containers I had fit on my kitchen windowsill. No place near me sells Thai basil and I find it quite hard to live without it. This is not the classiest DIY herb pot, but it works and is easy to make. I think I deserve bonus points because I make the whole think with my pocket knife!


First wash out the beer can and cut the top off.


Then crimp down the top edge with some pliers so it isn't sharp.


 Take a awl or anything sharp and pointy and poke some drainage holes in the bottom


Put some rocks in the bottom to promote drainage. Then add your plant and soil. 


This is my beer can basil that has been indoors for almost 3 months. 

I like the art on my can, but if you don't want it to look so much like a beer can you can glue some fabric on it or paint it to make it classier. 

Monday, December 8, 2014

Escape - For a Moment. New Song on Soundcloud!

There are moments in life when the only cure is music. This song is about those moments. 




Escape: For a Moment
by - me

Just holding on
to my favorite song
my hearts in every line
as I close my eyes
I hear every sound
I hear it all around 
and I tune you out
I don't want to shout

You're calling me back but I won't go
You're moving too fast but I am slow
I need this today
I need this today 
I need to escape x2

I'm not ready to take a stand
I'm not ready to hold your hand
I'm not ready 
for anything at all
I'm not ready to make a change 
I'm not ready to rearrange 
I'm not ready 
for anything at all

la dai dai 
la dai dai
la da dai....

Just holding on
to my favorite song
my hearts in every line
as I close my eyes
I hear every sound
I hear it all around 
and I tune you out
I don't want to shout

You're calling me back but I won't go
You're moving too fast but I am slow
I need this today
I need this today 
I need to escape


<3 KM

Friday, December 5, 2014

Two Turkey, Noodle Soups


The weekend after Thanksgiving is filled with leftovers. I like to stretch my leftovers even further. After the turkey has been devastated I pick off the remaining meat and put the skin and the bones in a big pot with some carrots and celery. I fill the pot up with water and boil it for about 4 hours. 

I then let it cool and strain it. I freeze the broth in baggies for future use. Now comes the fun part! Adding the ingredients to the broth.

The soup above is carrots, glass noodles and mint boiled until the noodles are soft. Then I add an egg and turn off the heat as soon as I see the egg white turn white. I stir in some slivered spinach, lime juice, and fish sauce. Top with a sprig of Thai basil.


For this one I used some bits of leftover turkey, carrots, celery, and corn noodles. Almost like chicken noodle soup! Add a bit of lemon juice to each bowl to brighten the flavor.

Be aware that if the broth has been boiled for over 3 hours, it may turn sort of gelatinous in the refrigerator. This is a good thing because you get all the healthy stuff from the bones that some people use as joint supplements.  



Monday, December 1, 2014

Monsters and kittens and bears, oh my! Fun alternatives to the standard ugly Christmas sweater.

It's the perfect time of year to wear ridiculous sweaters. Here are some great options for every budget and for every member of the family.


Monster Sweaters for the whole family!



The center sweater by Elizabeth & James is pretty much what started this whole post. I love the red/orange marl and the overall absurdity of the piece. Genius! I totally want a dog just like this one btw.
Cat Sweaters



This pink fuzzy cat sweater is perfect for those circles where Clueless still reigns supreme. Props to Iggy for bringing it back :).

Bear Sweaters for Everyone



My favorite in this whole lot is the man sweater. How cute is it, aaaawwwww! On the other hand I don't think the model likes it much lol.

These sweaters would certainly make the winter a little less painful for me. Gosh is it's cold out there!!! Hope that everyone is enjoying the holiday season so far.

<3 KM

Friday, November 28, 2014

Big Black Skirts

Here are some poofy black skirts for Black Friday! Enjoy.


Her cyborg arm really compliments her ripped tights.


I've always wanted some black boots like these, but i don't think they would be conducive to walking long distances so I'll probably never get any. If you're interested I think they have some very similar ones at Dollskill.


I've been wanting a tenchcoat dress for travel. I can't seem to find a pretty waterproof one, though.

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

And now for something completely different - My Favorite Sponges!

Sponges might not sound like an exciting topic, but these sponges seriously make my day! After lots of trial and error I have finally found the one - Lysol Multi Purpose Durable Scrub Sponges. I <3 them so!

Amazon.com - Lysol Multi-Purpose Durable Scrub Sponges, 4-Pack - Cleaning Sponges



I have had major issues with sponges in the past. I would go through them quickly because either the texture would bother me, or they would start to smell weird. I tried putting them in the microwave and the dishwasher as suggested but they would still bother me. Replacing sponges so often got to be expensive and super irritating. Thankfully I discovered the Lysol brand a few years ago and they are still my favorite by far. Absolutely no stank. 

The goopy feel of traditional wet sponges makes me cringe. Some of them feel that way straight out of the package. These Lysol sponges are not goopy at all, even when they are old! I have had one for quite awhile now and it still doesn't smell at all. I am finally buying more because 1. it looks a bit stained 2. it's my last one and 3. I think I should replace it just in case. It has survived the dishwasher and countless cleanings. If there was ever a world ending crisis of some sort, I would surely attempt to bring these sponges with me lol. 

Why do I love these sponges so? Let me count the ways...
  • The soap washes out of the fibers easily
  • They clean just as well as any other sponge
    • Maybe even better since it wont leave stink sponge smell behind
  • The scrubby side works without deteriorating much
  • They are antibacterial
  • They feel better 
  • They smell better
  • They are just better
Any downsides? 

These sponges tend to cost a bit more than others in many stores although they are pretty affordable at Walmart and Amazon - only $2.97 for a 4 pack which comes out to 74 cents a sponge. Some people don't like the fact that they contain antimicrobial agents, however they have never given my family a problem. Also, many sponges have antimicrobial sponges to begin with and I think it's a good thing when you have to clean up extra yucky messes. 

I've heard that it can be harmful to try to kill all of the germs in your house by overdoing it with antibac sprays and Purell, however we use mostly natural products. In our case I think a little antimicrobial action is a good thing.

Hope that you are having a great start to your Thanksgiving week! We sure are busy making sure everything is ready :).

<3 KM

Friday, November 21, 2014

Fashion Don't: Condom Beanie


I'm fine with leggings as pants and Uggs. They don't seem that heinous to me. In fact, I can't even remember the last time I hated a trend. But I have finally found one I think is utterly ridiculous: the condom beanie. There are many ways to wear a beanie. Why are people suddenly resorting to this option?


So many people in my neighborhood have been wearing these things the past month. This trend seems to have started on the coasts a few years ago, but I was blissfully unaware of its existence until now. I do not understand it. Do people really want to look like they have a condom on their head? Or do they just not realize?



I mean seriously. Look at this hat from HalloweenCostumes.com. It is actually supposed to look like a condom. Look at the beanie above. Striking resemblance, right? I am not sure whether to cringe or laugh when people rock this bizarre fashion...




Monday, November 17, 2014

Fanciful Dinnerware

I have always had weird, vivid dreams. Last night I dreamt that I had brightly colored plates with a two horned unicorn printed on them. The unicorn happened to be a cyborg. They were so cool lol!

Before I went to sleep I was browsing artist Sasha Unisex's color block tattoos and I am sure that had something to do with it as well. They are sooo pretty. The art on the plates in my dream looked like it could possibly be one of her drawings, if she drew cyborg unicorns :P.

When I woke up I knew I had to continue my search for an awesome dinnerware set. Here are some that I found:





Hope that everyone is having a great week! I don't know about you but I am really looking forward to the holidays already, and Black Friday :P.

<3 KM

Friday, November 14, 2014

Autumn Veggie Feast



I got delicata squash, butternut squash, and tat soi, all of which are in season. I love trying new veggies! I had never tried delicata squash before. And romanesco is my favorite. I wish they would sell it like frozen broccoli at the grocery store here like they do in France. 

Unfortunately I have never found the right recipe for butternut squash soup... it always turns out too sweet. It did this time, too, so I wont give you the recipe for that. But I will give you the incredibly easy recipes for the other three veggies. 



Romanesco
Separate the florets
Steam romanesco until tender (5-8 minutes)
Shock in cold water to retain bright green color
Toss in melted butter and lemon juice

Delicata Squash
Cut the ends off the squash a dig out the insides of seed and gunk
Cut into rounds a little less than 1/2 inch thick
Coat squash in olive oil and roast at 400F for 15 minutes
Turn squash over and top with Parmesan cheese
Roast for another 15 minutes

Tat Soi
Cut the leaves from the base
Boil tot soi until wilted (about 2 minutes)
Shock with cold water
Top with a dressing of soy sauce, sugar, and sesame oil



And as bonus I had left over romanesco: something that has never happened to me before! I made some pasta with arugula, Canadian bacon, and Parmesan for lunch the next day. It was amazing. 

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

When Did You Go? First song on Soundcloud!

Hey beauties! I am finally up and running on Soundcloud, yay! I just posted one song tonight and will be posting more soon. No big productions yet, just me and my guitar but it's a fresh new start after deciding to give Youtube a break to focus on sound quality. Gotta <3 Garageband!

This song is for anyone missing somebody in their life right now. 



When Did You Go
- KM Fern

When did you go
out of my life i need you so
whenever we’re down and out
i only want to hear your voice
we didnt even have a choice

As the sun moves
So many days have past
But our memories
You know theyll always last
The time is ticking slowly
The stars across the sky
I cant help wondering if only
You got to say goodbye
Neither did I

When did you go
Out of my life i need you so
Whenever we’re down and out
I only want to hear your voice
We didnt even have a choice
mmmhmm mmmhmmm
mmhmmmhhm
mmmmhmmmmmmhm

I only want to hear you
Only want to hear you
Only want to heeeeeeaaar you

The smiles you left on my face
Are forever in my heart
The laughs weve shared at your place
Are never very far
Though we’re apart

When did you go
Out of my life i need you so
Whenever we’re down and out
I only want to hear your voice
We didnt even have a choice

Happy Veteran's day to everyone that has served or is serving America, bless you all!


<3KM

Friday, November 7, 2014

Haphazard Sewing Lesson: Old Jeans into New Vest

I'm not big on patterns. They are so ridged and it seems to add useless steps for me. Plus, you have to pay for the pattern... yeah, I'm a little tight with my wallet. This lesson will also include the mistakes I made along the way. I hope that you don't mind that your teacher is not all-knowing. Also, if you have very large boobs or very skinny thighs these instructions may not work for you. Oh, and if you a very blood-phobic you might want to stop reading. 

Anyway, take an old pair of jeans you don't mind sacrificing and a vest you like out of your closet. 

My jeans had a nice little curve in them so I lined up the waist curve in the vest to it. Yours might, too, so utilize that. Then cut the legs off to the length of the pattern substitute vest. 


Try to be careful when doing this. I accidentally cut into one of the pockets I was going to sew on to the front later... oh well


Cut the waistband off the jeans and down what will become the inner seam of the vest. This will probably be the inner seam of each leg.  I left most of the seam that was already there on the front so I would not have to re-hem it. 

Then pin the pieces together and sew up the back seam.

Cut the arm holes to match the ones on the vest. I didn't leave quite enough jean on the top, so I had to add a little. Not a problem. Extra pieces of fabric add interest. Hem the inside of the armholes. 

Pin the shoulders up. Make sure the edges of the armholes line up. Try it on in the mirror. Do the armholes droop? Pin away more fabric. Are the armholes cutting into you? Either re-cut the armholes larger or add an extra piece of fabric on top like I did. Sew it up when you are happy with it. 


You can double stitch these seams for added stability, durability and interest.   

Add some shaping seams. I like the diagonal-across-the-top-of-the-boob ones. Does that type of seam have a better name? Probably. Do I know it? No.
 Be sure so try on carefully before you sew. If you have extra fabric in the waist area you can take it in vertically there. Just make a triangle shape starting right at your boob going down. If you are a man, do not bother with this step.

Oh - and be careful when trying on clothes with pins in them. I ripped my finger open on one.

Sew the waistband on the bottom. It's okay if the button side spills over a little, but not too much.
Also hem the neckline. If you want to add a collar, do so. I did not.


Sew on some buttons and some holes. Try to make sure the buttons line up with the button from the waistband. I do not have any pictures of this because the buttonhole setting on my machine was pissing me off too much. My buttonholes are not pretty. Luckily they are mostly covered by the buttons. 
Don't forget to add some pockets. Sew along the seams that are already there. 

Then you are done. Whore-ray!