have you Got Craft?

Got Craft? You certainly will soon!
The annual, the famous, the cult, the legendary Got Craft? holiday fair takes place on Sunday, December 5th at the Royal Legion Hall (2205 Commercial Drive in Vancouver, at East 6th Avenue) jam packed with the coolest, most incredible of Vancouver's finest indie designers (and me).

Doors open at 10am, the first 45 lucky entrants get a most amazing, legendary Got Craft? swag bag (packed with goodies from the participating vendors) .... so, in translation - doors may open at 10am but the line up will probably be well underway by 7am.


Be there or be swagless :(

mompreneur monday?

fools and bairns ...., originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

no, this isn't the start of yet another alliteratively titled regular blog posts (heavens, i already have wordless wednesdays, friday fortes and fibre fridays and have flirted with a shout-out saturday) though it is tempting to get the creative juices running by installing yet another theme into my blogging.

as a complete side note, and off topic though vaguely related poser, my new blogging venture will be thru the newly discovered "send to" option on google reader whereby i will be regurgitating posts from the other blog on here (only the fascinating ones)(wait, they're all fascinating)

no, mompreneur monday is something i shall not be featuring on my blog. i truly dislike the term. according to wiki, it equates with very small business, hobbypreneur or home-based business, all of which are correct but are really limiting

there are some amazing and inspiring women who also happen to be mums who are attempting to balance life, motherhood, their family's needs and personal contentment/career matters all together in the melting pot that is Domestic Life. i applaud them totally. and let's face it, it's what i'm trying to do too but i've decided i choose not be labeled mompreneur.

- it sounds cutesy (along with some of the company names IMO)(including mine)(i'll give my reasons for its name in another post).
- it sounds derogatory and somewhat patronising (she's only a mompreneur)(yes, we all know how much it takes to do the family and business thing but ...)
- it sounds like an excuse for not getting back to Real Work (whatever that is)
- it seems to offer a complete opt-out of being professional since the implication is Family Comes First, and don't think that the general public won't latch on to this
- there is now a real pressure on for all mums to be doing this, to be running a cottage bib-making or toy-stuffing workshop while their children nap/breastfeed/watch quality programming on tv/play with their organic handmade fairtrade recycled biodigestible authentic toythings (aka cardboard box)

and finally, when was the last time you heard a man being described as a dadpreneur?
exactly!
my work here is done ..

The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living in Paris- #8 The Art of Entertaining

France is truly a dinner party culture. Up until my sojourn in Paris, I wasn’t really versed in the art of the dinner party. Southern Californians do dinner parties, but not very often (we tend to go to restaurants instead of private homes) and when we do them they can be very casual, barbeque-style affairs, outside by the pool.

In Paris, entertaining really is a part of life. Madame Chic and Madame Bohemienne entertained guests at least once a week. And I’m not talking about having the neighbor over for a cup of tea. They both threw elaborate dinner parties frequently. In fact, I attended more dinner parties in Paris than I have in my entire life.

Madame Chic and Madame Bohemienne had very different styles when it came to their dinner parties. Madame Chic’s were always an elegant affair- classical music, apéritifs in the salon beforehand, delicious 5 course meal to follow… after that a little after dinner smoking (mainly from the men), digestifs and more classical music. Her guests were usually conservative, well respected upper-crust types.

Madame Bohemienne, on the other hand, had more wild, passionate affairs. Her guests were often from the artistic world. Whereas Madame Chic’s aperitifs consisted of whisky or port, Madame Bohemienne loved champagne cocktails . Her dinners were not elegant five course meals but usually consisted of three more casual courses- and afterward… well I never could really remember what happened afterward- we were having that much fun.

I like each style equally and always marveled at how these women would frequently pull off these successes without seemingly batting an eyelash.

I think the key to their success was confidence- major confidence. Those women were the masters of their domains- their signature was in every last detail. Everything from the music to the food to the guests to the ambiance was by their design and they genuinely seemed to enjoy every moment. Entertaining seemed so natural to them. There were no harried freak out sessions in the kitchen or stressed out scenarios over the food. If something went ‘wrong’ you would never have known it- their capabilities as hostesses was so smooth they were practically zen-like.

As I have admitted in the past, I am not the most masterful of hostesses. I admit that hosting a dinner party (or anything really) tends to stress me out. But since my stay in Paris I try to channel my inner Madame Chic whenever I am met with entertaining. I also find it helpful to tell myself the following:

Your guests (presumably) like you very much and want you to succeed.

Whatever you do, do it with style.

You look fabulous (providing you put some effort into your appearance)

The food tastes great and if it doesn’t it’s not the end of the world (confession: Madame Bohemienne was not the best of cooks- certainly not as skilled as Madame Chic- but we never minded. Her confidence as a host made up for it and we always had a great time…)

Calm down, let go and most importantly… have fun! Entertaining isn’t about being Martha Stewart perfect- it’s about enjoying the company of your guests and making them feel welcome.

On a side note I have recently befriended another French couple in California. We had a playdate with our babies and they invited me to their beautiful home (very minimalistic, with amazing artwork, no TV and no clutter!- but that is another story). We had a wonderful time and they served coconut ambrosia salad, homemade flourless chocolate cake and almond milk cappuccinos. It was the most sophisticated playdate I have ever been to! They were amazing hosts- it was really an unforgettable afternoon…

It will be my turn to host the playdate next… I will do so with confidence and perhaps some courage from one of Madame Bohemienne’s champagne cocktails…

Won’t you stay tuned for #7?

The above picture is of the dinner table after one of Madame Chic’s dinner parties…

what's happening?

what's happening?: "what's happening?: a peek at life in the other blog

'
'tarantula: i always get what i want' wire and fibre ring

Life is busy busy busy right now. I'm two-fifths thru a busy craft fair season (next week at the St. Thomas Moore christmas fair) and replacing inventory like crazy (thanks buyers! - you're helping fund my back-to-college attempt).
I blogged last week about the opening for Positively Petite, the miniatures exhibit at Place des Arts - well, how about a peek of what's going on to tempt you away from your computer desk (courtesy of the folks at the V3H, thanks for the mention).

... and don't forget to check the christmas boutique while you are there. You'll find some amazing work by local artists and no doubt complete your gift buying ahead of time. Once you've said hello to Joy Kirkwood's gorgeous multi media collage seahorses in Positively Petite have a look at my 'life'a beach' collection on sale in the gift shop.

'

"

Suddenly Saturday

And it's the weekend and it's another craft fair and it's at a school again

friday forte: how

my in tray tonight, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

I'm sure it's unintentional, but have you noticed how many mums who appear to "have it all" never seem to mention how they actually do what they do? We hear about scheduling, and flexibility, and nods are given to equal parenting and quality time. Mentions are made of delegating automated tasks like housecleaning, laundry and even meal prep. Date nights are written in dual diaries. Good night calls are phoned in on business trips.

But very little about who's looking after the children, though the childfulness of the mum is repeatedly stressed.

This is a complete assumption on my part, but I'm reading between the lines and guessing there is a burden of guilt here in having your own business/career and contracting out your parenting. I'm betting that the price of "having it all" is "having to appear that you are doing it all" ... and that includes all the mummy stuff.

Women in general, and mothers in particular, are open to ridiculous amounts of judgement in their daily lives. Everyone, it seems, is an instant expert on what they are doing wrong and why it is all their fault. Avoiding criticism and judgement is a natural human trait ... but come on ladies, 'fess up!

In the interests of full disclosure from someone who is not remotely "having it all" but would like to think she is on the way to it, here is my "how".

Childcare.


childcare circa 1960's; indoors = one v frustrated mummy

You will get very little done if you try to be a parent day in day out with no break. Multi-tasking is wonderful for laundry, food prep and diapers, but it's crap for writing anything more than a "more milk" note or throwing toys in the toybox. Get real and get childcare if you want to get anything meaningful done while the littla darlings are underfoot 24/7.

Once naps vanished (phoot!) I've had at least one full day of childcare in my arsenal for the last five years. It's let me build my tiny craft business and concentrate on longer projects. There was a brief and dreadful period with no after school care earlier this year (shudders at the memory) but now we've ramped up to two full days, yippee!

Prior to this, we made use of childminding at local gyms and pools for sanity time (him and me) but this was before I became a mompreneur (gee, I do dislike that word). I could not have managed to develop my tiny business without this external help, and conversely I think I would be a worse mum now (is that possible?) if I hadn't set this time aside.


the only work i could do during naptime was to sketch the Wee Guy

Yes, you can work during nap time (but this stops too soon).
Yes, you can work in the evenings (and into the wee small hours while your husband languishes ...).
Yes, you can work alongside your child (we do this sometimes but it only works for certain projects).

Childcare. It's not a dirty word, and it's not a sign of defeat.

blowing my own trumpet thursday

bottom row, middle pic - all mine!!!!
 
You are cordially invited to view two pieces of my work in the Port Moody Arts Centre annual Instructor Show. The exhibition open on December 2nd and runs until December 23rd.

The opening night (6-8pm on Thursday, December 2nd) is also a great opportunity to view and bid on the entries for the 6x6 art auction. Proceeds from this fun sale of art by members of the Arts Centre benefits future programming.

My work is also on exhibition at;

• Ensemble at Maple Ridge Art Centre - wire and fibre flower brooches (until December 19th)
• Positively Petite at Place des Arts - wire and fibre rings (until December 17th)
• ArtsConnect artist exhibition at Port Moody library - sterling and fine silver cuff links (from December 1st)

All items are for sale.

I also have some new wire crochet classes at Port Moody Arts Centre booking for after christmas. There are two Saturday workshops for teens (see page 9) plus a week-long Spring break class (p.11). I'll be running classes for adults in February and April (each runs for three evenings - see p.22 for details).

wordless wednesday: brrrr! bit nippy out

See and download the full gallery on posterous

PS: outside, at her request

sensationalism = SEO?

by lunchtime, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

dear lady blogger

- pulling sensationalist content into your blog on a daily basis is not optimising SEO, no matter how many page views you get.
- gathering a gaggle of yes merchants in comments is not stimulating discussion.
- hammering a topic to death is not going to bring about change
- being silent can be just as effective as being (very) vocal
- syntax doesn't stop your words making others feel guilty or inept

it all just stokes 'big head' syndrome - yours
i've deleted your blog from my Reader and it feels good

love, ebb xoxo

PS: you're __ ____, you probably think this blog post's about you (please feel free to fill in the missing blanks)

one of those days: hunkering down

one of those days: hunkering down, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

So ... I feel like I was jinxed today, reading Amber's blog post on "When Your Baby Is Sick". We live in the same locale, and there is The Virus going around; I think we've had it already .... but the cough still lingers. The Wee Guy, like many other children, suffers from asthma (or more correctly, we all suffer from his asthma)(correction: we all suffer from our own asthma as well as his) and coughs persist.
This month has been such a month.
The Cough has persisted.
Persisted so much so that a visit to the doc's was needed last week to reassure me I was being A Good Enough Mother. Meds were changed but still the cough persisted.
Yesterday he went skiing (yay snow), the day before he went to the Space Museum, and today he went to school - all activities accomplished energetically punctuated with passable impressions of a sealion.
This morning I got two calls from the school, describing my son the seal. The second call requested I collect him forthwith.
So he came home ... and was dispatched to bed. Many grumbles!
He's not really sick so bed is Really Boring, but the house is chilly and I have loads of work to do.
Solution: nest together in my studio with an extra heater, and CBC R2 for entertainment. So far we've talked about Beethoven, listened to Rachmaninov, and learned to navigate thru Scholes. I've made jewelry and had company. He's increased his musical knowledge and quizzed the stuffies.
I think this is what I'm working towards - having the flexibility in life to be available for family matters while staying engaged with the outside world in a meaningful-to-me way.
Wish me luck :)

The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living in Paris- #9 Exercise is Incorporated into Every Day Life

I used to be the type that would park my car as close to the grocery store entrance as possible to avoid walking any further than I had to. In my mind, exercise was for the gym only.

Living in Paris truly was the anecdote I needed to shake up my laziness (because, let’s be honest- I was lazy!)

Do you remember my story about my first visit to Madame Bohemienne? The enormous flight of stairs I faced before reaching her front door? My disbelief at how she didn’t have an elevator in her building… Did she and her sons climb this mountain of stairs everyday- several times a day- to get to their home?

Yes, they did. Because in Paris, exercise is incorporated into your every day life.

French people walk everywhere. They climb stairs in lieu of taking the elevator (a lot of the time they have no choice). If they do drive, they are not hell bent on getting the closest spot to the entrance. They are really conscious about incorporating exercise into their day, not necessarily because they have more energy than us, but as a necessity to maintaining those famously svelte figures.

And as for those famous figures… it is important here that I explain the mindset and philosophy behind fitness and figures in the French mind. French women really don’t have a negative mindset with regards to their bodies. As I have mentioned before, if they have eaten a particularly decadent dessert, they are enjoying it, not agonizing over how fat it will make them. They do not sit and plot about how they’ll have to work in an extra kickboxing class at the gym to atone for their culinary sin. Rather, they have made a silent and unspoken agreement with themselves that they will maintain an active life- every day- so that they can enjoy culinary decadence whenever they’d like, without guilt (A good thing to keep in mind for Thanksgiving this Thursday).

Madame Chic demonstrated this really well. Famille Chic only had one car and rarely used it. Monsieur Chic commuted to work and Madame Chic walked everywhere she needed to go. For shopping, she would bring along a cart and fill it with each shop she visited. And a note on that… Madame Chic preferred to visit specialty shops (like the local patisserie, chatucerie or boulingerie) instead of going to one giant supermarché probably for two reasons- the first being that the quality of goods she got at the specialty shops was superior to what one would find in a supermarket and the second being that she got more exercise out of going to more than one shop.

My life now, back in Santa Monica, is definitely an active one. I walk all over the city (with baby and Gatsby in tow, of course)- to go shopping, for groceries, to meet friends and even to go to work. I also practice yoga and qi gong and try to take the stairs in lieu of the elevator whenever I can. Not only does it keep my figure on track (and has definitely aided in my losing the majority of baby weight I put on), but it really makes me feel alive… and decidedly not lazy.

For those of you that celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you have a wonderful holiday and enjoy every last aspect of your family meal… and if you’re feeling a little guilty about any overindulgences you might have had, perhaps a good idea might be to talk a walk after the feast. ☺

Won’t you stay tuned for #8?

The above picture is of Mont St. Michel, the medieval Benedictine Abbey in Normandy. Not only is this famous abbey a spiritual and sacred destination but there are also 900 steps to climb before you reach it! Talk about incorporating exercise into your day…

etiquette

Dear customer

Please do not put your coffee cup down on my craft fair table. Spills and/or ring marks are not appreciated. Please wait till you've finished your drink, or ask nicely and I will hold it for you (or put it on my side of the table where marks are less devastating).

This isn't Starbucks, you know.

love, vendor
xoxo

ensemble group show in Maple Ridge

 The group show, Ensemble, opens at Maple Ridge Art Gallery this afternoon with an opening reception, 2 - 4pm.


My other bits and bobs and I will be at Fab Fair for the weekend so I won't be able to attend :(


Please wave "hello" to my wire and fibre flower brooches which are on display, along with some absolutely stunning 2D and 3D works of art.


It will be well worth a visit (after you've been to see me at Fab Fair of course).

Blackhead Removal

I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent looking in the mirror squeezing blackheads out of my nose, forehead and chin. I’ll never forget the first time I noticed those horrid blackheads! Not that it was so difficult to see them; my nose looked like the checkered black and white tiled floor in the Beverly Hillbillies. They were everywhere and I was in a panic. With my curious first squeeze these little cork screw white cream tarts with a black top hat released from their cradle. Oh my gosh, what a disgusting sight! I didn’t help matters any with my initial horror and shock!

Over time I learned that blackheads were simply the product of my skin pores not draining properly the sebum oil that’s naturally produced. Before you know it a blockage can occur. The bacteria start to do its thing and viola, the pore gets completely clogged and your new best friend on the tip of your nose is a whitehead or a blackhead.

I don’t care how beautiful your eyes are, it’s not going to distract anyone from noticing anything but the pimple that’s taken up residence on your face.

Now the question becomes how do you get rid of that blackhead? You want it gone, plain and simple.

Blackhead removal: Comedome (Blackhead) Extractors – These little handy devices are a much safer method for blackhead removal than squeezing with your fingers. There are any numbers of cosmetic companies that manufacture these blackhead removers and they can be quite inexpensive, around $5.00 or so. You simply apply a little circular pressure with the extractor over the affected area and that little bit of force will push the comedome to the surface. It’s best to do this after a warm shower or maybe apply warm water compresses to help soften the skin and the affected area. After the offending blackhead has squirted to freedom, use an antiseptic to disinfect the area as well as your new found best friend the black head extractor. A little alcohol and hot water should do the trick.

Now that the blackheads have been removed and are gone, we need to take a proactive approach so they don’t return. A little preventative action to keep the blackheads away goes a long way!

If you are using oil based make-up get rid of it. These products are going to make it a lot easier to clog your pores. They are non-comedogenic (wow listen to me getting all technical and all) what that boils down to is, it will clog your skin, and that’s what you’re trying to avoid! So use water based make-up. It’s that simple.

When washing your face, put down the harsh chemical washes and abrasive pads. They’re only irritating your skin and forcing your skin to produce more problems as it attempts to combat the harsh treatment. Gentle cleanser and warm water washing using your hands should be fine to get rid of and keep those blackheads away. A little Benzoyl Peroxide should be O. K. in helping keep your breakouts at bay. As the anti-bacterial properties should do their job. Blackheads like all types of acne require different methods for their prevention and removal. These all depend on the individual. The trick is to find what works for you and what gets rid of your blackheads.

From Evernote:

friday forte: another money edition

how i earn my "pin money"

 
When you lose your income you lose your ability to put your hand in your pocket for cash. If you've been salaried for any significant period of time, losing that monthly input into your bank account can be hard to adjust to. If you're lucky, there will be a salaried spouse/partner and a joint bank account to keep the roof over your head and food in the belly.

But I'm not talking about escaping poverty, though that is a real luxury that I readily count among my blessings. I'm talking about losing financial autonomy and being a woman and being the non-salaried half of a couple.

There are little adjustments along the way to a zero income declaration on the tax return. A shift to talking about "his money". A near-religious observance of grocery bills and household budgeting. Fretting over billing deadlines which you cannot contribute to. Down-sizing, baking from scratch, thrift shopping, make do and mend, negotiating pocket money or an allowance, buying his christmas present with his money ... all character-building, all a source of friction, mostly inescapable.

Ladies, I heartily implore you - do not to take a back seat with family finances and let "him deal with his money". In fact, I'd urge you to stop referring to it as "his salary" - it goes to the family, no matter why you're unsalaried. I also urge you to withdraw your own salary from the household budget. If it makes it easier, discuss approving an allowance for your husband from "his" pay too. Instead of agonising over treat yes or no, cut yourself a little slack by having your own "mad money". If he has his own similar spending account it also makes budgeting easier - there is nothing more annoying than scraping together a payment for the credit card due date only to see it vanish when he makes his own impulse purchase.

Don't take a financial vacation just because you're not making the money. You are, you're generating wealth by staying at home cooking from scratch, sourcing bargains and contributing to the unpaid childcare economy.

Your contribution is important, and you owe it to yourself to realise your worth.

self portrait thursday: the it's (not) all about me edition

Being in celebration of the Etsy Self Portrait Thursday challenge where a bunch of Etsy sellers indulge in online vanity by taking pics of themselves

But it's not all about me ... or my amazing wire crochet jewelry ... or marketing ....

OK, at this time of the year it's all about marketing. It's craft fair season. It's the time of year when independent designers such as myself can sell really well in the christmas gift market. It's the time of year when many hours are spent at the bench, either creating (joy) or dealing with labeling, packaging, etc (less joy).

It's the time of year when I get to venture out of my den and meet people, buyers and (importantly for me) my fellow designers.
So without further ado, let me tell you about some of the great indie artists you can meet (and I can catch up with as they are all online/IRL friends) at this weekend's Fab Fair at Heritage Hall on Main Street.

First up is the amazing Groovy Glass Girl, creator of stylish and funky art glass pieces of jewelry. Really, we should be rivals since we compete in the crowded jewelry market but one look at her work will tell you she is in a class all of her own. If you like glass and you like "modern and edgy" then please stop by her table this weekend.

Next up is Free Lion Productions with some smart, stylish and what-every-girl-needs purses. These make excellent gifts (or a 'thank you' to yourself for getting thru the christmas shopping). Free Lion also runs the local Etsy sellers team btw (busy gal).


Since Fab Fair is a bags and jewelry show I make no apology for introducing another amazing jewelry designer. Mindan's Designs features beautifully crafted metalwork pieces. Her work is deceptively simple in appearance but a whopping 15 out of 10 for effect. If you're looking for a classic modern, understatededly elegant piece for a hard-to-buy for friend then this is the artist you should be talking to.

Lastly, not jewelry but accessories ... or hats to be more precise. Tomoko Tahara is a skilled milliner who handknits/crochets her designs. Although I've never met Tomoko I feel like I have through her hats. It's almost impossible not to recognise one of her pieces in real life, and its owner will always give it a huge thumbs up. She has a great reputation for keeping heads warm and stylish throughout Vancouver.

Stop The Insanity Of Acne Cycles

Don't Accept It At Face Value

I can't even count anymore as to how many women have contacted me these past several years, about the continuing frustration they suffer from trying to clear up their acne.

Acne has become an all too common experience for many, yet the advice they receive from commercials, estheticians, dermatologists, friends or family may not be the best advice.

Unfortunately, because of that frustration, all too often, these women which contact me have accepted what they are being told at face value, yet their skin screams, "this isn't working!"....and when we speak on the phone, their emotion is real and their pain is real, and it is not lost on me....in fact in many cases, they are literally at their wits end.

Hidden Agendas

Let's look at some of this advice from a different perspective:

Commercial Promotions: Like any great marketing strategy a commercial promotes the product it wants us as a consumer to buy. It isn't necessarily a great product, or it may or may not work, but with all the hype surrounding the product, especially if it is endorsed by a person with the M.D. after their name, creates the illusion, "it must work," so we buy it strictly from an emotional response brought about by desperation.

Estheticians: They are in the business of skincare and they have been trained to address issues specifically targeting maladies of the skin. In many cases, a good esthetician can literally know and understand more fully what is going on with your skin, and can provide sound advice. However, again, be cautious, if along with the advice, they push a certain product on clients, one they may not necessarily have seen absolute results with, but is the product their salon or spa carries and a commission is received for every product they sell.

Friends and Family: They have nothing but good intentions at heart, and we want nothing more than to believe what they tell us. Perhaps they had acne as a kid, but not as an adult or vice versa. Depending on the type of acne or how severe it is, can make a huge difference on how to treat it. Though their heart may be in the right place, what they did to treat their acne, may not actually be the best course to take today. Their acne may be cleared up, but at what expense to their skin....and if it isn't, you have to wonder if you can take their advice seriously.

Dermatologists: They have the skilled knowledge of working with skin disorders and can bring about some relief for acne sufferers. However, I can't tell you how many women have seen their dermatologist, only to still be suffering from the angst of acne, or endure continuing pain, or have ongoing issues unrelated to the acne, but more from the acne treatment. Literally causing more harm to their skin than the acne itself, including eroding their self esteem.

I have even been told stories by these women, as to how their dermo actually bullied them into using a product they knew would dry out their skin worse, but the acne would be gone. In this context, this suggests to me, these types of dermatologists only concern themselves with clearing up the acne, but leave little in results of overall soothing and healing of the skin in its entirety, or providing patient support to the underlying emotions behind the affliction.

Unfortunately, some doctors are afforded a certain type of reverence based on their title, but sometimes we need to remember they are still just people, whereby, they do and can make mistakes. And in some cases, they will promote a particular line of skincare products with the same harmful ingredients which contribute to more dryness or irritation.....this utterly flabbergasts me!

If you have an intimidating doctor, seek help elsewhere....there is a fabulous doctor for you somewhere...I know....my dermatologist is the kindest and gentlest doctor, and is one of the 3 I see for their specific specialty! Mutual respect is a must for both patient and doctor, and life is too short to deal with a doctor whom lacks empathy.

Finding The Balance And Stopping The Raging Battle For Control Of Your Skin

Acne is not something to go at with a full blown assault. When it is approached in this manner, the results will be less than favorable. Yes acne is not attractive, but it is a tender issue for skin and something which should be treated gently to mitigate as little damage as one can.

Using products which dry up the acne, will also dry out your skin terribly. Then the skin tries to compensate by producing more oil (sebum). The irony of this is, overproduction of sebum is the very thing which clogs pores and feeds the bacteria which causes acne in the first place. It is almost like a call by the "dinner bell" for Propionibacterium Acnes to have a feast on your face, followed by their rapid growth which then explodes into the cystic acne, and this form is very painful and can and will leave scarring in its' wake.

What also contributes to the raging battle on ones skin is the use of drying ingredients combined with moisturizing ingredients. The skin literally fights itself, trying to compensate for all the different chemicals being used to correct one thing while destroying another.

This is insanity and makes absolutely no sense to continue with this tactic of fighting facial acne. In fact to quote the definition, "insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results."

The Vicious Cycle

Face produces oil....oil attracts dirt and debris and plugs pores...... oil feeds bacteria.....acne breaks out..... you use products to dry up acne and remove excess oil..... face produces more oil.....attracts more dirt and debris and plugs pores...... oil feeds rapidly growing bacteria.....more acne breaks out....you use more products to dry up acne and remove excess oil.....infinity!

And in most cases, these same women avoid moisturizers....very bad idea....or they use a moisturizer with synthetic emollients, or the wrong type of emollients, thinking this is all they can use. Yet certain emollients contribute to more occlusion of pores and can actually still contribute to enhancing dry patches on the face.

Also product labels which state "oil free" are not necessarily oil free, but are comprised of silicone oils. So the connotation really means by definition, doesn't contain mineral oil or other petroleum based emollients. But due to this labeling practice, it has many acne sufferers afraid of anything "oil."

Bottom line silicone oils of dimethicone or cyclomethicone and their derivatives are a synthetic oil and do not moisturize but are actually designed to trap moisture against skin, which is not sustainable unless other moisturizing properties are utilized. So you are essentially sealing your skin with a thin oily, slick coating of Saran Wrap....results, typically more acne.

12 Ingredients To Avoid Which Contribute To Irritation, Dryness, Flakiness, Or Occlusion Of The Skin

• Benzoyl Peroxides
  
• Salicylic Acids and Glycolic Acids
  
• Bismuth Oxychloride
  
• Fragrance Oils
  
• Retin A
  
• Mineral Oil (Petrolatum)
  
• Lanolin
  
• Silicone Oils (dimethicone and cyclomethicone)
  
• Beeswax
  
• Detergent (Sulfates)
  
• Alcohol Derivatives (thickeners, surfactants, emollients, emulsifiers)
  
• Nanoparticles

What is also contradictory to treating acne, is the fact that many of these ingredients will also leave the skin in a constant state of inflammation, giving a never ending pink tinge to the face.

The Oil Factor Can Be The Magic Bullet

There are actually fantastic natural essential oils known for treating and clearing up acne, while also soothing skin and moisturizing it. Certain oils are not the enemy when used correctly and will actually control and reduce the over production of pore clogging sebum.

In fact the oil cleansing method works wonders for cleaning and dissolving debris, dirt, and excess sebum, while soothing, softening and balancing the skin, whereby finally ending the vicious cycle of oil production which contributes to acne. Not only does this method not strip the skin, but leaves a micro thin layer of protection on the skin.

A skincare regimen which utilizes herbal extracts and natural oils will work beautifully for gently and slowly aiding in the healing and prevention of acne breakouts.

Do not fear a moisturizer, but fear the moisturizing ingredients used in substandard products which only drain your pocketbook, contribute to ongoing frustration and essentially do little for resolving your acne.

Essential Oils Known For Treating Oily Skin and Acne Associated With It:

Never use these full strength but look for them as a component to your skincare products.

• Tea Tree Oil
  
• Bergamot Oil
  
• Clove Oil
  
• Lavender Oil
  
• Rosewood Oil
  
• Orange Blossom Oil
  
• Calendula Oil
  
• Lemon Oil
  
• Sweet Orange Oil

Carrier Oils For Balancing, Moisturizing or Cleansing Skin

• Jojoba Oil
  
• Grapeseed Oil
  
• Avocado Oil
  
• Olive Oil
  
• Coconut Oil
  
• Meadowfoam Oil
  
• Neem Oil

Herbal Extracts or Distillates For Soothing, Balancing or Restoration of Skin

• Aloe Juice
  
• Chamomile Flower Extract
  
• Green Tea Extract
  
• Fruit Extracts (gentle AHA's)
  
• Comfrey Root (Allantoin)
  
• Marshmallow Root
  
• Oatstraw Extract
  
• Rooibos Extract
  
• Sandalwood Extract
  
• Rose Distillate
  
• Witch Hazel (alcohol free)
  
• Chamomile Distillate
  
• Cucumber Distillate
  
• Lavender Distillate

Raw Ingredients For Soothing, Calming or Reducing Acne (in mineral makeup or masks)

• Rice Starch
  
• Kaolin Clay
  
• Oat Powder
  
• Allantoin
  
• Zinc Oxide (non nano dry form)

Finding Peace And Calm

This is what will actually begin to stop the insanity of acne cycles, by treating the skin gently and allow holistic methods to do their job and bring about real change on the skin naturally. In some rare instances there are liquid makeups which can be used, but for the most part, they are comprised with many pore clogging ingredients, which is why mineral makeup was clearly invented. Besides when minerals meld with your organic moisturizer, it is like wearing the ultimate in makeup application.

Furthermore, by using some of these botanical ingredients such as Jojoba, Grapeseed, Avocado and Olive oils, they simulate the fatty acid profile, squalene and wax esters of your natural sebum, but without clogging your pores. The best part is, they not only do not disrupt skin function, but work in tandem with your skins natural functions while also working to soften, soothe and hydrate the skin continuously.

The final outcome, sebum production reduces, acne begins to heal and even lessens between occurrences, and the skin can at long last return to a more revitalized appearance with fewer or zero outbreaks in the future....and that is a good thing....beautiful skin can be a reality!

To learn more about moisturizing oily, combo or acne prone skin, my article, "Does Oily Skin Need Moisturizing Too?" will explain in detail the benefits of how, why and best ways of clearing up and reducing oil on your skin forever!

Also another great article is dealing with the "Myths About Acne Revealed and Debunked." Or to learn more about botanical and synthetic ingredients in skincare is "Synthetic Chemical Skincare vs Organic Botanical Skincare."

We are also closing early on Wednesday, Nov 24th, at 12 pm to enjoy a long holiday weekend. All orders placed during the holiday weekend will be processed the following week.

The Skin Care Guide will not publish next week. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cheers

wordless wednesday: just a few notes then

From Evernote:

O when the saints

  
Download now or listen on posterous

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positively petite

yes - that is my ring on the right (squeal!)

The grand opening of the Positively Petitie miniatures exhibition at Place des Arts takes place on Thursday, November 18th. It coincides with the official opening of the christmas boutique where you can browse through some wonderful gift ideas made by local artists.


My wire and fibre rings will be on display (and for sale) in the exhibition which features works in miniature by local artists, some of them also instructors with Place des Arts. Last year it was  feast of tiny canvases, photographic art, felted pieces and tiny ceramics. This year ..... why not come down and see for yourself.

Happy anniversary darling, well done

 

Yes, this is the retro seventies porn star (see here in his "Man Who Would Be King" Sean Connery phase) who I have been married to for the last seventeen years (and been with for a couple of years longer).
I'm not currently one to celebrate anniversaries, but I do think we both deserve medals for endurance.
Well done for making it this far.

PS: normally he looks more like Sting - it's all downhill with Movember right now

The Top 20 Things I Learned While Living in Paris- #10 Seek Out the Arts

You’d never know it based on my prior posts, but I didn’t actually go to Paris to party, gallivant and observe lifestyle traits, but rather to study and further my education. I studied French, Theatre and Art History. My classes were unique in the sense that on Monday we would discuss Manet’s Dejeuner sur L’herbe in Art History class and on Wednesday we would go see it in person at the Musée D’Orsay. For Theatre we would read a play as an assignment- such as Molière’s Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme and then the following week we would go see the live production at La Comedie Française. As you can imagine… I was in heaven.

The total immersion into the arts was an exquisite experience for me. Not only were we shown the world famous institutions such as the Louvre and the Paris Opera but our professors introduced us to smaller, niche museums and theatres. One experience I’ll never forget was seeing Ionesco’s La Cantatrice Chauve (The Bald Soprano) at a tiny theatre that only sat 20 people in the audience. We were so close to the actors- it practically felt like we were onstage ourselves!

My classes in France inspired me to seek out the arts and really incorporate them into my life- seeing the secret midnight quartet perform at the Louvre, for example, was particularly satisfying.

Back in Los Angeles I try to keep on my toes by seeking out independent theatre and film, attending art galleries and listening to live music. Being a patron of the arts is perhaps one of the most important aspects I took from living in Paris because it is an aspect of my life that brings me so much joy- a joy that I look forward to passing on to my daughter…

If you live in a large city and have access to a lot of cultural activities take full advantage- attend the symphony, the theatre, the ballet, the opera. Visit art galleries. Listen to writer’s talks.

If you don’t live in a place with a lot of artistic culture (or even if you do but find yourself longing for more) here are a few fun suggestions:

Reacquaint yourself with a musical instrument. So many of us learned a musical instrument as children. For me it was the piano and saxophone. (Yes! Saxophone- I went through a jazz phase). I recently picked up the piano again and take so much joy in playing.

Join a book club or your local writer’s group.

Write that novel you’ve always wanted to write. My writing teacher and mentor Alan Watt has recently published his book The 90 Day Novel. It is the ultimate writer’s tool to help you get the words on the page.

Or… if you are the adventurous type and feel like taking it to the next level…

Are you familiar with the idea of a salon? A salon is described as gathering of people in a fashionable household. These people are usually of intellectual or artistic distinction and get together to amuse each other with their pursuits. Well, I love the idea of holding an artistic salon in one’s own home.

Here are some ideas:

Enlist your musical friends and throw a concert in your home. Perhaps you could play a song on the piano, someone else could do a violin (insert any instrument here) solo, or someone could sing a song… This would be so much fun to do on the evening of a dinner party…

Are you artistic or do you have an artistic friend or friends? Turn your home into an art gallery and showcase their paintings or sculptures… Get really into it- wine, hors d’oeuvres, music…

Stage a poetry reading. You could have a theme such as romantic or Gothic poetry. Or you could read original pieces…

Put on a play in your living room. It could be a one act play or a series of short plays or even a night of improv. (This is especially fun if you are dealing with amateurs… that way the pressure is off and you know it is OK to laugh!)

As you can see the possibilities are endless.

I would love to know… how do you seek out the arts?

Won’t you stay tuned for # 9?

The Eiffel Tower at night is pictured above...

shop local, shop handmade

For shop local, shop handmade fans in the Tri Cities area (Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam) please add this in bold red pen to your calendars.


The Blackberry Gift Shop Christmas Market Place will be opening on December 1st (grand opening in the evening of December 2nd). For those of you who cannot wait please check out the gift shop as becomes more seasonal from the beginning of November, and to get right into the spirit, visit the Arts Centre after November 15th to check out the tree with it's wonderful handcrafted artisan decorations (all for sale through the gift shop).

shout outs: Soap

Today's shout out is for an online friend from waaaaaay back on Etsy, Soap. This talented Etsian works out of San Francisco and makes the most awesome handcrafted soaps available on the internet. I've been a regular buyer since 'meeting' her back in the early days and always have little stash of her goodies set aside (they make excellent spur-of-the-moment gifts).

When I was sick after losing my balance and hearing, the nausea was so bad that regular scents made me physically sick. Luckily I discovered that Soap's products didn't provoke that response so, in her own marketing slogan, I could still banish stinky. I'm not as sensitive these days but I still use her soaps in the shower.

My favourite scents tend to be her more unisex ones; Black Velvet and Surfer Dude are my favourites. I have a profound weakness for Dragon's Blood and my all-time girly go-to is Stroke Me.



But it's not just soaps from Soap; she also makes vegan/vegetarian lip balms and tints (awesome), mixes perfumes, deodorants and scrubs. However, it's her most awesomest ever body moisturiser in existence that I sing the highest of praises about. Her Whipt Pudding™ "touch, melt, rub, repeat" is a true delight for the skin, curing the most stubborn flakiness with ease. It's worthwhile getting a tub of the stuff in with your soap order. My favourite, OCV (orange, clove, vanilla), is worth looking out for but Stroke Me is a very worthy second choice (or first, depending on the mood).

And talking of ordering - check out the specials, especially the seven- or five- bar packages for shipping economy ..... and tell her ebbandflo sent you :)

all photographs copyright Bathing in Luxury.com

PS: and don't forget to check out her other shop for some great novelty, art and  kid soaps. The Wee Guy thoroughly endorses Wet Grass cos of the mud scent in the 'earth' layer :)

gone shopping

 Hope to see you at the craft fair :)

 CARNEY  PRESENT:

12^TH ANNUAL     CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR

Sat. Nov. 13,   9:00am-4:00pm

Sun. Nov. 14, 10:00am-3:00pm

1335 Dominion Ave., Port Coquitlam

(Near Costco, across from Art Knapps)

       Over 120 JURIED tables!

             

     Enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas and get a head start on this year’s Christmas shopping with our unique selection of quality hand-crafted gifts.  Many NEW QUALITY Artists & Crafters!                                                                                  parking attendants

                                     Wonderful surprises are waiting for you.

Hourly  free North Pole raffle

From Evernote:

friday forte: the incredible lightness of giving

I never considered this previously but being unsalaried/dependant on another's income can diminish your capacity to give.

Of course, I'm talking about the slipping your hand into your wallet type of financial giving, not the endless cycle of give, give, give that goes on as a parent.

Without your own salary, and with the burden of having to run a household budget on income not earned by you, giving financially can become problematic .... at least it can in my own experience. 

As a former fulltime-and-a-half career gal it was definitely a luxury to volunteer in areas of interest. In my former life, an hour and a half each way commute in and out of London left me exhausted, fit for nothing other than a hot bath, a glass of wine and molto sleep. Money was easier to give than time, and the money was my own earned income. Before motherhood I was a free-wheeling, newly emigrated, trailing spouse with empty hours at her disposal through the week.

BC (before child) I had time available in buckets even if I didn't have cash. I felt happy that if I couldn't give, I could at least lend my time. It wasn't completely altruistic - I gained new friends, a network, knowledge, discounts, a ski pass, free meals, and that most valuable of all commodities, Canadian "work" experience.

AC (after child) time was at a premium though I did try to keep up. Even while pregnant I was involved in winter sports volunteering, in a less physical manner. When the Wee Guy was born he spent his first year sleeping through a number of board meetings and continuing education seminars. If I couldn't volunteer in person, I learned to work at home on projects. It worked ... for a while.

Then nap time stopped. The art of walking was gained. Life got busier.

For a while I lost the support my volunteerism gave me as I felt I couldn't commit. My hours, along with my networks, dwindled, and I didn't contribute to my community. I felt useless, isolated and frustrated. I still had no income. I had no way of making an income. I was bound and gagged at home with my child.

It was around this time that I started my home business, mainly as a diversion from the tedium of 24/7 SAHM-life. In the beginning it was just meant to be self sufficient and not a drain on the household budget. Over the years it's grown to be profitable enough to support after school care and put me through a few college courses. This year I'm hoping it will pay for a part-time diploma program.

But more importantly, my venture into entrepreneurship has meant I can once again give back to my community. Selling my work has given me enough confidence to donate pieces for fundraising. While I still can't hand over wads of cash to an organisation I can offer instead a piece of jewelry, and know it will be a valuable contribution. Yes, I can write if off on the business taxes and network a little from it too, but it also means I hand over a physical object. I can donate something from me in place of my precious time.  Personally, I'm giving of my own endeavour, rather than parceling out my husband's income ...

and that, dear readers, is worth its weight in gold :)

PS: There's a momcafe event on this subject coming up next Friday (19th) - register here.

As a footnote, I have managed to increase my hours of volunteering as the Wee Guy's schooling occupies more of the day. Although I've still got limited time at my disposal I focus on projects I can manage from home or which upgrade skill sets I'm interested in. It's a useful way of working on a portfolio and filling in those 'empty' gaps on a resume.



lest we forget

Move him into the sun -
Gently its touch awoke him once,
At home, whispering of fields unsown.
Always it woke him, even in France,
Until this morning and this snow.
If anything might rouse him now
The kind old sun will know.

Think how it wakes the seeds, -
Woke, once, the clays of a cold star.
Are limbs, so dear-achieved, are sides,
Full-nerved, - still warm, - too hard to stir?
Was it for this the clay grew tall?
- O what made fatuous sunbeams toil
To break earth's sleep at all?

(Futility by Wilfred Owen, 1893 - 1918)


The "Lacrymosa" from Britten's War Requiem. 
Soprano, Makvala Kasrashvili. Tenor, Anthony Rolfe Johnson
conducted by Mstislav Rostropovich, Royal Albert Hall 1993

Veterans Day Changes Perception

A Day For Changing My Perception

As I sit up in the wee hours of this morning, I wade through the many meaningless shows and infomercials just to find something which will distract me from the worries and emotions I feel during this time of year. Having just finished with my skin cancer scare and the surgeries to remove them, and now having to pay the mounting bills which are now arriving in my mailbox, it is all I can do to move past the reality of how this economy has affected individual families and our entire nation....so much for health insurance...have to meet that deductible before it kicks in....and of course renewal is next month...can't wait to see the increases for the coming year....whir, whir, whir of my brain.

Panic and anxiety for many of us has become a daily occurrence.

As the Holidays approach, busy doesn't even begin to describe what happens within my family, but also within my business. We are working toward expanding with the launch of new products throughout 2011.

I am receiving feedback by the way of emails and phone calls, which serve me so well to further distract me from what might be eating me at the time. I truly do love hearing from my ladies when they take the time to contact me....your emails and phone calls do more than just reflect a business goal, but give me excitement and great pleasure when I am able to interact with so many of you that essentially have shared similar stories to mine and many others. The interactions keep me motivated to continue to do my best to bring you excellent customer care and exceptional mineral makeup and skincare products....my business goes beyond passion, but a complete love and sheer enjoyment of what I do.

Despite the many countless hours I spend working, sharing time with friends and family or simply stressing over what amounts to stupid stuff, my attention and focus is never more in tune to the images and stories of camaraderie and sacrifice which are being played out on early morning newscasts today.

The commissioning of the USS Jason Dunham is being celebrated today along with remembrance being shared in memory by those that are alive today due to the heroic act of this soldier serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. Cpl. Jason Dunham of the U.S. Marine Corps gave his life at age 22 to save the lives of his platoon.

By using his helmet and body to shield his fellow Marines from a grenade, Dunham made the ultimate sacrifice. He died a week later.

A military ship has now been named in his honor. Currently, the USS Jason Dunham, a 510-foot-long missile destroyer, is stationed at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The warship will be commissioned into the U.S. Navy on Saturday.

There are countless stories of our military heroes giving up so much, including the very lives of which they live and love with family and friends, only to now be thrown into a war through no making of their own and being faced with those that only want to kill them. They then rely on the friendships they create overseas and the trust they place in that friendship to keep them from harm. A truly remarkable courage they possess to perform this duty asked of them by the people in charge of our nation.

As I listen to the many stories of life lost to a war that now exceeds the time frame of the Vietnam War, it reminds me of how fortunate I am and that my mind taking and growing what may seem like a catastrophic event in my day, is simply paltry in comparison to the families daily lives serving in the military.

Many of us are worried about our future, the stability of our nation, the future of generations to come and the economic climate, but through all of that, if we simply focus on those around us, be giving of our time, always remember to show some kindness and SMILE, our day can be a special day depending on our perspective! Because it is so true, when you smile, it puts others at ease and worry, fear, anxiety and even depression seem to be lifted when greeted with a smile. And when those things are lifted from our hearts and souls, our day is a little brighter and I remind myself the SUN will come up again tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that.

Perception is reality, so by changing our perception, we can literally create our own reality. And today Veterans Day has changed mine and brought me back to reality of what truly matters to me. God, Family, Friends, Health and Ability to Persevere....and finally, taking to heart "this too shall pass" for all of us.

Blessings to all the military and their families who sacrifice much!

Hugs and Kisses!

more wordful wednesday than usual :)

From Evernote:

I speak

More blah blah blahs

  
Download now or listen on posterous

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inventory prep

Busy at the bench preparing inventory for the busy run of chrismas craft fairs.
If you want to know where you might get your hands on these beauties please check my Events tab.
See you soon :)

See and download the full gallery on posterous