Why Do Women Keep Judging Each Other?

This is going to be a different type of post than I usually put on my blog, but I have something that I feel is important to say. And, I think it's so important that I'm going to write it in all caps:


WOMEN NEED TO STOP JUDGING EACH OTHER SO HARSHLY!

It's true, we do. Think about it, every day we are judged- and judge others- by what they wear, who they date, their size, etc. That's obvious, we keep hearing about that in the media. But what bothers me even more, is that we are taking away our own rights to choose how we shall live our lives- and whether or not we choose to have a career.

Twice today I read in two separate posts (on a women's forum) women bashing on other women for choosing to get married young, choosing to be a stay at home mom. Why?! We should each be able to choose what is right for us. I feel like by choosing to be a housewife, many women feel as if just by making a choice for ourselves we are passing judgement on those who choose different. As if we are saying "if it's good for us, it's good for every woman", or that being a housewife or stay at home mom is a more "right" choice. It's not! And I'm sure most other housewives/sahm's would agree that we would never want to push a woman into living a life she doesn't want to lead...

Because isn't that what everyone did to women before women's lib? When women HAD to be housewives and moms, regardless of what they wanted to do? It seems like the inverse is happening now. Wasn't the whole point of the women's liberation movement about a woman's right to CHOOSE a life for herself?

Why is it not okay to want to be a housewife anymore? It doesn't take away your choice to not be one.

I am living the life I want to live. You are living the life YOU want to live. Let's stop judging each other because THAT'S the worst thing we could do for ourselves as women.

A Homemaker's Manual

As a homemaker, vintage lover, and a crafter I love finding old books and magazines about homemaking. It's so fun to read about how everyday tasks were done before modern technology. They often have great ideas about how to mend, clean, and make nearly everything! So when I found this book, I was just so excited I had to share it with you!

Download "A Manual Of Home-making (1919)- Legally Free!

A Manual of Home-making by Martha Van Rensselaer and Flora Rose, with others. (1919)

In this 1808 page masterpiece you will find tips on building, cleaning, organizing and decorating a home; methods of washing, mending, and sewing clothing from scratch; ways to save money on food, how to provide adequate nutrition to your family, and basic cooking methods in all types of cookery- include egg cookery, pastry, family meals and more; ways to preserve food by drying, curing, and canning (and old-school refrigeration techniques involving ice!); and so much more. A really great book to learn essential life skills as well as to learn advanced sewing, cooking, and cleaning techniques. I really recommend it to any homemakers, aspiring homemakers, or people who just want a little help learning how to take their of their homes.

Enjoy!

My Drink/ Entertainment Cart

In our last apartment, we didn't have very much space to entertain, so we didn't invite people over much. I want to change that in this new place and make this home comfortable and inviting for guests (and ourselves, of course). So when I saw two very cute drink carts on A Beautiful Mess (here, and here), I knew I had to have one for this new place!

Our drink cart sits just at the edge of our living room, right at the corner of the hallway that leads to our bedroom, my husband's office and the bathroom. It really fits perfectly there, and I love how my husband's guitar fits nicely between it and the entertainment center. It really adds to the room I think. 

We don't drink much, but have accumulated a good number of different sorts of liquors and wines over the years. I put them right on top for display and ease of use. Of course, we keep the freezer stocked with plenty of ice and chilled mixers on hand to mix and match. The center rack holds our extra cans of soda (diet coke and coke zero), as well as extra bottles of water. There's always a few chilling in the fridge too. The bottom rack is my favourite. It's the reason why I call this not just a drink cart, but an entertainment cart. Our boardgame collection. We're super nerdy and love board games/card games- we have way too many Magic The Gathering cards for our own good. 

I love some of the bottles all on their own just for their looks (see that silver, curved, wine bottle on the far left? So cool looking!) This is where we also keep our cigars (Cuban and Panamanian), as well as coasters and our absinthe spoon (we're looking to get an absinthe fountain in the near future too). 

I love the way our drink/ entertainment cart looks in our living room and I'm so glad I get to share it with you! 

Tell me, what is your favourite thing in your livingroom? 

Hello Spring Sale!

One week from today is the first day of spring! I'm so excited to start wearing more dresses, eating more fresh (local) produce, and having longer, warmer days! Spring is really the best season.

I've just updated my Etsy shop to include a handful of new (spring) items, and I will be continuing to do so all week.

**Bonus! Use code ' SPRING10 ' at checkout and receive 10% off your purchase of anything in my shop! Good until March 21st.**

Here's what's new:

You can now have this painting in your home!

You can now buy this cross-stitch art for your home- or make it yourself with my pattern, or kit! The kit comes with everything you will need to make this piece!

Keep your pup dry and stylish this rainy season with a handmade waterproof raincoat!

There's plenty more to come in the next week so stay tuned! 

What are you working on this week?

**Remember! Use code ' SPRING10 ' at checkout until March 21st!**

Sneak Peek Into Spring...

I've decided to get a head start on some items I would like to list in early spring (around march), and I thought it would be fun to give you all a sneak peek!

I plan on making some doggy rain coats...

My little boy is going to be nice and dry this spring!

I also have some PJ pants in the works...

And I'm also getting pretty close to finishing a workshop that I will be releasing in a few weeks! 

I love being so busy!

Happy Crafting!

What are some projects you are working on? 

Everyone likes free stuff!

I love getting free stuff- who doesn't? It always feels like you're receiving a present, which is awesome because usually you only get presents at birthdays, Christmas, etc. Well here's a way you can get yourself a little (free!) gift!

These sites offer free fabric swatches, all decently sized and perfect to use for quilting, scrap booking, crafts, etc! Plus, if you really like their fabric, you can buy their drapery for your home. 

Smith And Noble

They make drapes, and shutters and the like. Limit of 30 samples. 

I Dream of Drapery

No limit on the number of samples you can get! 

French Door Curtain Company

Limit of 15 samples. 

The Shade Store

Limit of 30 samples. 

Put all these together and you can certainly make a quilt! I think they only ship to US addresses though (including P.O. boxes), sorry fellow Canadians! I'm happy I have a US mail box just for things like this! 

Happy Crafting!

E-Courses

I'm super excited to start working on some e-courses in the coming months, but the only problem is, I just have too many ideas! So, since I already go to the internet (mostly Google and Web MD because I'm a hypochondriac) to solve all of my life's problems, I figured I might as well consult the internet on this too.

Here are the e-courses ideas I have thus far:

-Basic Pastry Techniques and Recipes
This workshop would take you through all the basic techniques I learned in pastry school. There would be pictures, videos and plenty of text to guide you through recipes like: pate a choux, buttercreams, and meringue methods. Recipes would increase in difficulty for each lesson, and there would be some scientific info given with each recipe, either as a just-for-fun fact, or to help with technique.

-Learning to sew
This workshop would teach you how to set up your machine, basic stitches and techniques and would include cute and fun projects! You would learn how to make a simple skirt, sew simple gifts, and of course, how to mend things. Pictures and videos and plenty of text will of course be included just as above.

-Beginner Knitting
This workshop would give you the basics you need to start knitting. From casting on, to the stockinette stitch, you'll have the skills to knit nearly anything. Plenty of pictures, videos and text would show you how to complete various projects from infinity scarves, hats, and dog sweaters!

Out of these three options, which do you find the most interesting? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Crafting!

Currently

Currently:

-I am working on my Etsy About Page 

 -Knitting up a new design

-Redesigning my logo, and taking business type notes

I'm excited about all I have to do presently- even if it can be a lot of work at times. Next up: design and create items for Valentine's Day! (Oh, and speaking of, here's a little Valentine's Day treat: use code ' LOVE10 ' and receive 10% off anything in my shop!)

Happy Crafting!