November news

Hello, dears!

I thought you might have been missing me (he he, I keep flattering myself that someone’s actually reading my posts), so here I am, and with not one but two updates!

A fall knitting challenge!

As you know from the previous post, I love autumn. Unfortunately, this year’s autumn often looks like winter, especially in the morning when you can actually see your breath if you bother to look… Brrr! Now, I love autumn but I hate having cold hands – and that’s exactly what you get if you go out early in the morning five times a week to walk your kid to school (and some of the afternoons are hardly any better).

Those hands are crying for help…

Source: Web (tell me if you know the artist!)

Jacket time!

It’s officially jacket time again!

Source: http://news.dphotographer.co.uk

As much as I loved the summer (especially the part when I dipped my toes in salty water), I won’t exaggerate if I call it a total disaster, sartorially speaking. In spite of hours and hours spent reading, thinking and talking about sustainable fashion, I went all the way down the pit of style rut, wearing nothing but jeans, plain black t-shirts and sneakers by the end of August. Oh, and I did wear earrings, but that was the only embellishment I could stand… Call me an ultraminimalist, it’s totally deserved!

But all is going to change now that my favourite season is back!

Back to school

It’s that time of the year again! Kids return to school and grown-up kids like me get over-excited and sign up for on-line courses…

Because September 1st!

10 things I learned from my sister’s visit

1. Sisters are a girl’s best friends.
2. I can talk for hours (in spite of being a convinced introvert). We’ve had quite a talking marathon and I could go on for a couple of days/weeks/months.
3. Old habits don’t go away, they lie dormant until you get around the people you used to “practice” them with. Coffee at 10p.m.? Hell, yes!
4. Shopping with a like-minded girl is the only kind of shopping that should be legally allowed.
5. An impromptu picnic in your own backyard is all you need to have fun.
6. Kids are easily influenced by older kids (much easier than by adults!) and pick up every silly thing in half an instant.
7. My sugar consumption is ridiculously low, whatever my husband might say.
8. Kids grow too quickly. Play with them while they still want it.
9. I miss my people more than I thought.
10. My self-prescribed cure for sadness is keeping myself as busy as possible. Coffee and chocolate help some, too )))

 

Things you’ll never have to buy again, part 3

One of the readers has suggested running around naked to save on clothes – or so I understand – and I would gladly adhere if it weren’t so damn cold! We’ve had the worst month of June ever, with too much water and too little sunshine… Even the flowers in the garden seem to disapprove (with one exception), which brings me to today’s piece of wisdom. Let’s talk plants!

If you like a little peps in your plate you’re probably deep into seasoning – and so am I. Basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary – all are frequent and welcome guests in my kitchen. And all of them can cost quite a bit, once dried and packed into nice little containers…

Homegrown, by Iryna Klionava (that’s me!)

The good news is, you don’t need dried herbs if you can have fresh ones!

Things you’ll never have to buy again, part 2

In the previous post I explained why you don’t need to buy pyjamas to have pyjamas. Let’s continue with another home-wear item so dear to our heart: the slippers.

Dutch klompen (wooden shoes). Source: Web

Things you’ll never have to buy again, part 1

Green living often implies living with less: the two go perfectly together as nothing reduces your environmental impact better that NOT BUYING things. No, no, I’m not going to tell you to stop buying things altogether – I haven’t reached that shade of green yet! – but what if I told you that you could both have new clothes and save your money? Just read on.

Source: Web

A little green… woman

Hey, kids! You have all heard me talk about how cool it is to be an environmentalist and now I’m glad to tell you that it’s not just words: I’ve actually taken a couple of steps towards a “greener” life!

Source: http://www.doodlesandjots.com/

Bubbly

Lab Experiment by Becky Van Ommen

It takes you by surprise. You’ve just reached your highest level of zenitude and then – pop! – you suddenly feel all bubbly… as if you blood had turned into sparkling wine, sending gazillions of teeny-tiny bubbles right into your brain.