Down and Dirty

Okay people, it’s time to cross a line.
  
And by that I mean it’s time to get personal.    Now please do not get me wrong ~ I do not want to spill my guts about how so-and-so is doing the perfect job of ruffling my fur or how living in a large household of seven is somewhat daunting; rather I mean it’s time I talked about some of the things that have been going on in my life.

Warning:  for those that have a strong aversions to reading a stranger’s thoughts, please pass by and we’ll all be happy. 

Let’s start with the “why”….  

You may be asking any of the following:

~  why has she suddenly gone mental?

~  why am I even bothering with this?

~  why does everyone seem to succumb to the need to spill their guts on the internet?

~  why is she wasting my time?

~  why is the sky up and not down?* 

*okay, that one only if you have a really short attention span… 

But the plan and simple reason for why I feel compelled to go all personal on y’all is basically this:  I do not know what else to blog about at the moment.

The thing is that I have been trying to keep up with Depict This when I realized that I miss it when I don’t blog.  But the stage of life I am at right now seems to be severely hampering my creative mind and as a result I do not have anything in the usual fields that Depict This touches on to post about.

I have been wondering what other bloggers do when life/writers block strikes and it seems to me that you have three choices as a blogger.

One:  You can keep on forcing yourself to post about your normal topics.  I have heard that having a regular schedule helps with this.

Two:  You can take a break.

Three:  You can blog about the stuff that is relevant to you right now.

Well, I’ve tried the first two methods.  Forcing myself to post ended up in blogger burnout with a five-day update schedule.  Bad idea!

Secondly, I tried the break trick but I missed it too much.  I like writing, even when the things I have to write about are not that inspiring.

So I thought I could try the third option.
 
Now I know you will not want to read a whole bunch of “Gee, I really do not know what to write today" posts because I hate it when that’s all you get for a month from on one of your favourite blogs.  And I do think that a schedule would be a good idea.   How do Tuesday and Thursday updates sound?   And I think I will try to throw in a little som’thin som’thin on Saturdays too. 

But would you mind if the topics are not just about vintage, clothes and crafty art stuff?   If I mixed it up say, with stories about my husky Amabelle.  Would that be interesting?

Or stories about ginger bread house making?  Or the clean floor challenges?  Or desperate dying disasters ~ hair dye that is!!

I know I have briefly touched on personal topics before, such as where DH and I are off too, or trying to buy a house {still in the middle of that one folks!}

But as a lifestyle type blog, I wonder whether topics about my life in particular, not just life in general, are permissible.  

What do you think about mixing general and personal?

xox,
bonita

Fun with Influenza

Say it with me ~ “I dot a stubby nos anb its loabs of fun…”  Not.   Enough about how I’ve spent the last three days in bed.  I tell you what is fun ~ this awesome giveaway by Super Cute Kawaii!  DO NOT FORGET TO GO THE SUPER CUTE KAWAII GIVEAWAY POST {Kookizu Giveaway} TO ENTER ~ this is not my competition and commenting here won’t get you the prize.  Sorry.  ^__^

Kookizu Giveaway

Mes amis! I have for you ze new contest and it is most fantastique! Ma chere Sarah of Kookizu gives me ze prize of these 3 super cute acrylic necklaces which are featuring ze characters of Japan - Lucky Cat, Ninja and Kokeshi, all tied up in ze bundle of cuteness! Une winner will receive all of ze necklaces and be making ze friends very envious, non? Especially since these necklaces are not to be available in ze Kookizu shop until ze contest ends!

To entrez, please visitez le Kookizu shop and leave ze comment on this post telling moi about your favorit Kookizu product. I am thinking you will be finding this most difficult!

I close ze contest at 12pm BST on Monday 25th Octobre and pick ze winner with mon ami le Random Nombre Generator. All mes amis worldwide can be entering so I wish you bonne chance mes cheres!

 

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~

Good luck everyone and don’t forget to visit Super Cute Kawaii for your entry.   I hope you win ~ because it is quite unlikely that I will!   >__<

xox,

bonita

Cry me a river… bonita answers

Oh dear, the sky will not stop crying today.  It is just bucketing down rain.   And that means horse gets an extra day off after his allotted two~day rest break.  Well, he’ll be happy about that! 

*Image off Google

Now for a session of bonita answers and because I am feeling lazy; I am going to do a simple topic. 

♥ ~ Topic:  Shoes  ~ ♥

1.  ~   What style of shoes do you like best?

1920s inspired foot wear ~ there is no doubt about it.  I am in love with any shoe that is inspired by the roaring twenties.  I do not have any particular reasons, except that I think they look great.  Common’ ~ who can resist these darlings?

Mind you, I only wear the shoes and not the fashion.  I am not and never will be a straight-up-and-down girl no matter how hard I try to lose my butt.  The wasp waisted 40s and 50s styles suit me much better.   

Although, I would love to try 20s with the gorgeous cloche hats and shoes.  Aren’t they so glamorous?

That way I would not have to mix vintage styles {*gasp*  Ohnoes!}  Yes, I will confess.  I am one of those girls in 20s shoes with a 50s dress and 30s jewellery.  I am sorry if that offends you, but I wear what I like and I like 20s shoes with 50s dresses. 

2.  ~   How many pairs of shoes do you have in your wardrobe?

Over twenty pairs.  Probably closer to thirty if you count the ‘speciality’ shoes like snowboarding boots, jodhpur boots, long boots, slippers, etc.

3.  ~  Do you wear certain shoes for certain outfits?

Yes ~ as you can probably tell, the reason I have so many shoes is that I am compelled to have the perfect pair of shoes for each outfit.  It does not matter if I have a pair that will do the job, if I find another pair that are just perfect I simply must buy them.  They must be MINE! 

4.  ~  Do you have a buy and throw policy with your shoes or a buy wear til die policy?

Definitely a buy~wear~die policy.   I do tend to wear certain pairs of shoes more than others, but I will keep the less worn shoes and wear them when the time {outfit!} is right.   If I do find a pair of shoes no longer matches my style {this happens when you have many pairs and can spread the wearing over the different pairs, therefore the shoes may last for years and years} I will sell them second hand on Ebay.  They might as well go to someone else who can love them.

5.  ~  What is your shoe taste like ~ expense or cheap?

Cheap and easy.   I figure as I do spread the wear of my shoes over the many different pairs I have, they do not have to be superbly made to last me years.  And my theory is right.  I have a pair of boots that were a}.  the first pair of shoes I ever bought for myself and b}. my first pair of high heels.   Dad nearly had a fit when I bought them home at sixteen even though the heel was all of three inches high!!

*sigh*  Happy days.   I still have those boots as my foot never grew any bigger.  One time I had to reheel them, but other then that they have lasted me almost ten years. 

Besides, cheap shoes means you can buy more.  Yup, when it comes to shoes I am unashamedly a quantity not quality girl! 

6.  ~  Flats or heels?

I know, not a purely unrelated question, but I am having a lot of fun with this lot of confession questions.

Heels absolutely.   No one can deny that a comfy pair of flats will often save the day, or the blisters as the case may be, but my heart is ever for the height of the perfect heel.   I just think that heels make your whole outfit look better, they definitely make me feel better and they do wonders for your figure.  {Oh no she didn’t!!}   I like that heels make me look slenderer and I like how they tap out that sharp rhythm when you walk down the street.  And they are often a darn pretty shoe all by themselves.

So in conclusion ~ I like pretty shoes…

xox,

bonita 

P.S.  ~ Here are more vintage shoe pin ups to drool over ~

  

And today’s post is bought to you by the letter R ~

R for road trip that is!   I have spent today jaunting down to Jindabyne for the night ~ fun times, yeah!!  I love visiting my friends and family so it should be good to do some catching up. 

Anyway, for the interest I thought I’d do a photo dairy of the day.  

~ * 9:30am * ~

         

Breakfast time ~ apple juice & a carrot   ~ ♥ ~  Packing the bag ~ not quite done yet

~ * 10:30am * ~

         

Hair straightening time ~ I love my ghd  ~ ♥ ~  Outfit for the day ~ keeping it simple

~ * 11:30am * ~

         

View from my window ~ rain, rain & more rain  ~ ♥ ~  On my way ~ off to Jindy

~ * 12:30pm to 1:30pm * ~

         

Driving in the rain still  ~ ♥ ~  Snack time ~ I know it’s not the best, but it’s only a little bit…  >o<

~ * 2:30pm* ~

         

Afternoon tea ~ sharing a scone and a catch up with my bestie  ~ ♥ ~  The lovely rustic interior

~ * 3:30pm * ~

         

Whee!  Made it! Unloading  ~ ♥ ~  The gorgeous view from my window ~ complete with a cow

~ * 4:30pm * ~

          

Fire ~ oh yummy  ~ ♥ ~  Tea again ~ a delicious cup of Lady Grey

Well, that’s not quite the whole day as there is still dinner etc, to go, but I am on KP so I am off to cook said dinner!   Chicken Biryani oven bake is on the menu, and I am looking forwards to it.   So hungry.   x__x

Hungry, hungry I am starving, table, table here I come!

xox,

bonita

Floriade {Maiden of the Daffodil} ~ Outfit Nineteen

This week has been rather full ~ after our long weekend holiday at the beach {mostly occupying ourselves by playing Killer Bunnies and Munchkins} I have ridden Copper, taken my sister for her driving test {she is now on her P plates}, spent time with family and done a whole bunch of stuff I can not remember.   Oh, and got a bit of reading in too….   > > 

So as a consequence of the blogging absence, {sorry everyone!} this Friday I decided to skip the confessions, and just do a gratifying outfit post instead.   And yes, I do wear glasses.   I usually take them off for photos, but in one of them I forgot and I liked the picture too much to care.   So that’s me with my spectacles on.    I do want to change them over though as I feel that the frames really don’t suit my style any more.   But enough of that, let’s get on with the real post.  

My sister and I visited Floriade two weeks ago, which is a flower display in Canberra that happens every spring.  It’s free entry, so a lot of tourist visit the display and so do a lot of locals.  Once they tried to put on an entry fee, but no body went!

Anyway, it’s a really nice afternoon out, strolling between the beds of tulips, daffodils, pansies and other lovely flowers.  My sister and I really enjoyed it.   We took photographs of course!

 

This is another of my Jane Austin inspired outfits.  This dress is quintessential Regency style, with the exception that it is cut to fall just below the knee.  If it was floor length, and the cloth was muslin {instead of a nasty modern polyester cotton blend} it would be ideal.  Oh, okay, and the colour would have to change.  I am not sure that they wore navy blue as a dress colour back then.   I still like it though. 

 

 

Accessories  ~ Rose Hair Pins {b dot depictions ~ available on Etsy}

Pearl Necklace {Thrifted}   Pearl Bracelet  {b dot depictions}

Dress  ~  Jeans West    Shoes  ~  Thrifted

This was my first outfit shoot in public and I must say, it is a bit a nerve wracking.   I noticed some people staring which was awkward, but I just ignored them and as a whole, most people did not really seem to care.  I guess that’s because you always take photographs at Floriade so it isn’t altogether that usual.   

The most embarrassing part of the whole thing was that I realized that I was flashing everyone during one my of poses, but I did not know that until after I saw the pictures and of course by then it was too late!!!  = >.< =   *dies*  Seriously, colour me mortified.   I really wish my sister had warned me but oh well, what’s done is done.

Have you ever had an accidental flash in public?

xox,

bonita

bonita answers

I was thinking about boundaries on the internet.  We all know the “stranger danger” stuff ~ don’t chat to randoms on IM, avoid giving out personal information, keep you FB page locked to friends only, etc…  But what about blogging?  Where are the boundaries and when is it acceptable to cross them ~ if ever?

So this is the next topic for bonita answers.

♥ ~ Topic:  Boundaries in Blogging  ~ ♥

1.  ~   What are your blogging boundaries?


I must admit I have not thought that hard about what sort of blogging boundaries I might have, but I do know I have them.   For starters, I go by my real name, but I do not name anyone else in my life on this blog.  Even my husband, who is probably the most mentioned person just goes by DH {for Darling Husband}.   I know there are people I know IRL who read this blog, and I don’t mind if they know who I am talking about.  The thing is, I guess I do not want to cause any potential problems for the people I mention, so they do not go by name.

I also take care not give away any specific information.   If you looked around, you could quite easily discover that I live in Canberra, Australia.  But I will not let on where exactly, or what places I hang out, and that sort of thing.  I figure if people want to contact me they can do it by email, they do not need any other details unless I choose to give it.

2.  ~   Do you think that there should be boundaries, or should bloggers just be totally open and honest?


I do think that it is a good a idea to set boundaries, and not just ones that protect your identity.  I guess there are also boundaries that are personal.  I have read some wonderful blogs that are very open and honest, but sometimes I feel like I might be reading their journals or diaries or something!  It’s great that they can share that stuff, but I do not think that I can or will.

I can also see the downsides to getting that personal on the internet.  I mean you can always delete the posts/site, but usually you do not want to after putting in so much work.  And there maybe people who tear you apart using the stuff you have shared with them.   Ouch!!  So do you let it all hang out, or do you hold some stuff back to deal with IRL?   As I am quite a private person IRL anyway, I tend to just keep things close and share the stuff that’s really bothering me with my DH and my LLBFF {life-long-best-friends-forever}.  Oh, and my Mom.  Yay for Moms!!

3.  ~  Why are blogging boundaries important?


I think that they are important for protecting your identity and also your relationships.  I would hate to see the fallout of sharing too much and that ruining a friendship.

4.  ~  What boundary would you never cross?


I do not think that I would ever share identity information.   I know that it sounds impossible, but there are really crazy people out there that would not hesitate to mess up your life if they could….  Not that I think any of you guys are like that, but I guess you have just got to be careful.  It’s not worth the risk.

5.  ~  What is your advice for internet safety?


Keep your details ~ land line numbers, addresses, birthdates off the web!   I have my mobile available on FB, but that’s easy enough to change if I must.  Stuff that is not easy to change, just don’t put it out there. 
*whew*  Well, that has been rather heavy going.  I hope everyone doesn’t mind the serious stuff once in a while.  Anyway, now onto the fun question.  ^__^


6.  ~  Beach or snow and why?


Okay, I wrote this question knowing that the answer would be super hard, and it is….   but after eons proclaiming that the beach is best, I think I might have to say for this year at least, the snow have edged into the top spot.   This is because although I love the beach {hey, we got married on the beach ~ it is pretty central to my life} this year has been better for the snow.  Gorgeous scenery, AWESOME SNOWBOARDING, fantastic mini-vacations and a full one too….   Of course, summer has not come really for this year, so may be there fantastic beach times in store. 
Hey, my family and I are all going to the beach this very weekend, so who knows.   Yay jetskis!!!
So I guess in the end, they both win.   Yay for snowbeach!  \ ^__^ /


That’s all from me today.  I have a lot of cleaning and packing to do, so I must get on.   Byes.

xox,
bonita

Today I ~

So I spent today out to lunch with my Mom {darn it!  I should have taken photos now that I think of it!  Next time I promise….} and we shared a delicious bowl of Noodle Laksa soup with BBQ pork and Wonton noodles.  We both were not keen on the pork bits, but loved the Wonton noodles, so now I know what to get next time.  ^__^

An then I came home and designed a new avatar to sprinkle around the wide world of web~ness. 

   I think it’s pretty cute. 

I am sussing out a new hosting service for the b dot depictions’ studio website, and if I go with the one I am thinking of, I do not need my Etsy shop for prints any more and can sell my art and photographs directly through my website.  The only downside is that the subscription fee is quite exorbitant ~ $150.00 USD a year to use their service.  Ouch much!!  

So I haven’t decided what to do.   But I am already thinking of how I’d redesign my Etsy shop so that it  focuses on the sale of amigurumi and other stuff I make and long story short, that is how I decided I needed a new avatar.   Strawberry with bow time!! 

Oh and I also filled out a Property Purchase Offer Form which I am going to send off as soon as I finish this post.   Yup, that’s right, DH and I are trying to buy a house…..    O_________O

I will let you know how that ends up going down….   >o<

Bye for now!

 

xox,

bonita

Springtime Fancies ~ Outfit Eighteen

An old outfit shoot, but not too old.   These photos were taken when the plum tree still had all its blossoms.  Now it is just covered in dark leaves, but it still looks nice.  ^__^

  

   

Accessories  ~  Hair band  {Diva}  Rose Earrings  {so long ago I have forgotten… >>}  

Necklace  {Florence, Italy.  No idea what shop.}

Single Stone Ring  {Goldmark ~ it was my 21st birthday present}  

Garnet Butterfly Ring  {Portobello Road Markets, London.}

Jacket  ~  Valley Girl    Top  ~  La Pearls   Skirt  ~  Hong Kong, unknown shop

Boots  ~  Parklea Markets, Sydney

I really like markets don’t I?   Well, I did already know that I guess.  Whenever my whole family goes to Sydney we always make it a point to stop at the markets on the way home and always end up with so much stuff that the car {which was already quite full with six people and luggage in it} will be bursting at the seams!   Ahh, family traditions.   I think all of my sisters and my self inherited our love of shopping from our Dad.   For a guy, he really shops a lot and he loves market almost as much as we do! 

But for totally different reasons it must be admitted.  We like the clothes and shoes and jewellery, etc, and he likes the tools and work gear and gadgets and such like.   Still it is a lot of fun to go as a family.   I really like this tradition, although I am afraid that DH is not so much impressed!!    >o< 

Oops...  Side track’d.  

Anyway, my spring time fancies this year involve dreaming of moving into a house before November, decorating said house, lots of flowers and one day planting my own garden.  

Amabelle, however, dreams of food….  

Yes, she loves carrots.  And broccoli.  And capsicum and cucumber and eggplant and tomatoes and beans and ~ well, let’s just say that she’d eat a salad as happily as a hunk of steak.  ^w^  ~ ♥  She’s a funny one but we love her to bits.   

So what are your spring fancies ~ if you have any?

xox,

bonita

 

P.S. ~ Yes, it is hard to climb a tree in high heeled boots.   -___-‘

Relying on LOL catz

I am feeling unwell so I do not have anything much to post today.  : (   I thought maybe some LOL cats could cheer us all up.  {Well, those of us who are sick, or maybe have a severe case of Mondayitis.}   ^__^    Please remember that LOL cats do not have much of a point, or even reason for existing beyond making fun of internet grammar.  So enjoy the random kitties ~ brawght to uz by teh internetz.   >w< 

 

And my personal favourite ~

although it probably should be “Curse u villain!11!!1” to be a proper LOL cat! 

To finish it off I leave you with a positive message from the world’s biggest cheese of cheeseburgers ~

xox,

bonita

Nail Art & bonita answers

So to start off with the text and end with a bang….  That’s what I figure, so here is part one ~ the confessions Q&A. 

♥  ~ Topic:  Fashion  ~  ♥

1.  ~   When did you first get interested in style and fashion?

I was first interested in fashion when I was thirteen.  For my early years, I was aware that stuff was cool or not cool, but I often didn’t really know why.  Most of my inspiration came from street style around me.

It was not until my late teens {very late teens} and early~mid twenties before I really started to take notice of high fashion and couture and the like.  But now I love checking out blog styles and vintage fashion; that is where my heart is.  ♥

2.  ~   Do you think that there is a difference between style and fashion? Why?

I do.  I think that fashion is what comes from the designer houses, magazines and it is the season to season items/outfits that everyone wears and when they do they all look the same!  To me, fashion is a uniform.  You have to have a certain look to be fashionable.

Style on the other hand, it’s often undefinable.  You can look at someone and just know that they have style, even though the clothes they are wearing may not be in ‘uniform’.  I think style is an attitude.  It is an approach to the way you dress usually based on what you like to wear mixed in with a nonconformist tang.  The leaders of fashion ~ they have style.  The followers are usually just fashionable.  

3.  ~  What is your favourite fashion?

My favourite fashion is based on 30s, 40s, 50s wear ~ usually girly~goth.  My favourite style is vintage and doll~like clothes.  ^__^

4.  ~  What is your least liked fashion?

Hmmm.   Where to start….  Tights as pants.  Mini shorts/skirts that look like belts.  Swimwear as clothing.  Lingerie as clothing {although the corset over a blouse thing can be very attractive}.  Sheer clothes without anything but underwear underneath.  Sheer clothes with nothing but a strategically arranged piece of embroidery.  Leopard print ~ animal prints full stop actually.  Anything neon except nail polish!!   And I will stop there to save your sanity.  >o<

5.  What fashion/style do you wish you could pull off but do not have the guts?

A full head to toe vintage look, hair and makeup included.  That or Hime Gyaru.  I wish I had the man parts to do it, but I can not see myself doing this any time soon.   I would also need all the required items for both outfits, so there is also the difficulty there. 

6.  ~  Flowers or  chocolate and why?

Flowers!  Mainly because although I loved chocolate, I prefer it in the form of frozen dairy.  Yes, Ben and Jerry ~ I will confess my undying adoration for you and lay my heart at your feet.  Well, I would, but it is already taken.  So sorry.  

I just love receiving a bouquet or even a single wild flower.   They are so pretty and just brighten up my day.  DH brings me roses and I have dried all the petals so now I have three pretty glass bowls filled with beautiful petals as a constant reminder that he loves me.  Is not he the best?   Oh yes, he is the best.   > ω <   ~ ♥

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~

I was hanging out with my sister {number two} today ~ as we do every Friday.  It was nice and relaxing.  We had tea and raspberry tarts, painted our nails and amused ourselves on YouTube.  Yes, I converted her to the guildside too.  ><

Anyway, my nail art turned out pretty good if I do say so myself, so I took some photos.   Yay!  Photos!!

 

 

 

~ * The Dragon Flies over Flowers Nails * ~

Konad Nail Polish ~ White

Konad Plate ~  M5

OPI Nail Lacquer  ~  Matte Aqua Green {I can’t actually read the colour; it’s in French...}

Klean Color  ~  Madly Matte {matte finisher ~ take the shine out of the shiniest polishes, it’s brilliant!!}

Okay, all these polishes, Konad tools included, are my sister’s as my Konad stuff was at home.  I love the matte green and the matte finisher is soooo cool.  It goes over the top of your colour polish, like any top coat and takes the shine out of the polish.  It looks so awesome.  I really want a matte finisher myself now.

And finally, the wind was blowing the plum tree all about today, and the blossoms looked so pretty that I thought I’d take a video to show you.

My first video!  Sorry it is so short, but I figured you would only want to see so much of trees in the wind.

I am still thinking about what else I would like to video.  I like watching vlogs {video blog posts, which should technically be vlogosts??}, so I am trying to think of some good content that you might be interested in watching.  Any ideas??

I hope you all enjoy your weekend.  ^__^  

xox,

bonita