Break Time

Say what you want--this little Lego stormtrooper looks like he knows how to take a coffee break.

You know what, Internets?  My creative batteries are registering at Pretty Dang Low so I'm thinking it's about time to take a break from the blog and let those aforementioned batteries recharge a bit, because I think it is starting to show has been showing in the quality of postings and that's not cool.  So for the next week, HH will be on hiatus (or spring break, if you prefer.)

Hope you have an enjoyable week, and see you next Friday!

So for the next week, HH will be on hiatus

Save The Paper

Yes, the subject matter is a paper plane flying through the sky, but there's something about 

this painting I just find charming.  Also, it works with today's post, so there you go.

Considering this is the last Wednesday of the month (and therefore the last day of The Best Little Shop On Etsy [This Week] posts,) I figured today I'd do something a little special for a shop that I mentioned once about a year ago.  Mostly because this is the only way I figured I'd be able to write about it again, because--as you will shortly see--it's not your everyday kind of shop.

And yes, I am fully aware of--in the context of this blog--the irony of that statement, but allow me to explain myself by way of example. Remember this hat?

Yeah, it was in that aforementioned nearly-a-year-old post, and I think you can begin to see why it's hard to work Madame Alyn's Bin into more posts.  Because the lady deals in paper hats, and those really only work when I write a post about paper hats and not too much anywhere else.

And dang it, that's just not right.  I mean, just look at this hat:

And this one:

And especially this one, considering how summer is on the way and all:

Seriously, these hats took some effort, skill and time to make, and more people need to check out/appreciate/possibly even buy her work.  Which is why I am declaring Madame Alyn's Bin The Best Little Shop On Etsy (This Week.)

See you Friday!

Bring On The Old Razzle-Dazzle

If nothing else, I like the fact that this embroidery hoop 

actually illustrated "gaudy" with the cunning use of sequins.  

Well, Internets, it's Monday again, which means we've got another five days or so until the weekend.   And if that sentence didn't just bring you down a little, chances are you're not entirely human, because it's pretty much universally understood that Mondays suck.

So how's about we add a little pizzazz to our drab Monday morning and look at some sparkly sequined hats?  Who knows--it might help get us in a good enough mood to start off the week right.

Like this glitzy golden cocktail hat, for example.  It's kind of hard not to feel somewhat cheerful looking at it, since it just looks so fun and friendly.

Of course, if you prefer your sequins to have a little more dignity, then you may like this black-and-silver fascinator.  It's all sorts and kinds of dignified.

As I may have mentioned once or twice before, I am not a particular fan of the color pink.  And yet, I have to admit that this veiled pink sinamay fascinator is rather adorable.  It looks like the sort of thing a person would wear to tea, but the sequins help keep it from getting too precious.

I like the quirkiness of this sequined headband.  It just looks like it would be so much fun to wear, what with it being all sparkly and spangly and stuff.  Also, I think it looks a bit like a tree branch, but that might just be me.

And speaking of branches, I think I'll end today's post with I think would be found on the boughs of a sequin tree.  Two words:  Sequined.  Apples.

Trivia Note: Apparently this hat was part of a Hello Kitty/Sanrio runway show, so if you click the link you will see an awful lot of Hello Kitty things.  So if cartoon big-headed anthropomorphic felines lacking a mouth freak you out, you might not want to click that.  Just sayin'.

And on that note, see you Wednesday!

House of Straw

This photograph is part of a series, and I heartily suggest you go 

and check out the rest (particularly if you dig old-timey-style pics.)  

Hey, Internets--seeing as it's officially spring now, how's about looking at some straw hats?   'Cause that sounds like an excellent idea right now, especially since I founds some very pretty ones to share with you.

Like this one, for example.  Isn't it pretty?  I particularly like the warm colors of the straw, the ribbon and the birdcage veil.

For some reason, this midi-brimmed straw hat reminds me of some Easter hats I've had over the years.  I'm thinking it's a combination of the whiteness of the straw and the presence of ribbon.   However, I'm willing to bet it's missing the obnoxious elastic chin strap, so that means this hat is infinitely superior to those.

If you're of the opinion that straw hats are too boring/plain, I would like to direct your attention towards this straw cloche and ask you to amend your opinion.  Because if this is plain or boring, then I'm a hedgehog.

Considering how much I've talked about boaters in the past, it's only right that I include one in this post.  But my personal bias aside,  I'm thinking that the stripey ribbon on this one helps it earn its place here.

And finally, just because it's awesome, here's a vintage wide-brimmed straw sun hat:

Because any hat that can keep the sun off your shoulders is a great hat, in my book.

And that's it for this week.  See you Monday!

Hoist The Jolly Roger

For the record:  Pictures of carnival pirate ship rides are infinitely more fun than the actual rides.  

Yeah, I said it.  COME AT ME.

Once again, it is time to shine the spotlight down on what I believe to be The Best Little Shop On Etsy (This Week,) but if you happened to check out last Friday's post, chances are you already knew what shop it would be.  That's because of all the hats in the St. Paddy's Day post, only one hat in particular kept getting brought up by readers and to be honest, I've featured a few of their wares over the past couple of years already, so it's high time to give this shop its due.

Internets, this week's featured shop is Caribbean Rose Pirate & Vintage Millinery Emporium (or as I like to call it, The Awesome Pirate Hat Shop.)   Granted, my name for the shop is nowhere near as epic as the actual name, but when you have pirate hats like this:

...Well, you can see why my brain tends to remember it as The Awesome Pirate Hat Shop.

But actually, that's not all CRP & VME crafts and sells.  Oh, no--not by a longshot.  Check this out:

They've got cavalier hats...

...They've got cloche hats...

...And they've got Victorian/Edwardian hats, to name just a few.  And if you think I'm being glib with the "just a few" bit right there, I'm not; the sheer amount of selection and awesomeness over at this shop can be described in one word: vast.  So really, you ought to do yourself a favor and click on over to this shop and take a good, long look around, because it really does have a lot of different styles to offer other than pirate hats.

But having said that, I will say that there is obviously a reason for why the word "pirate" made it into the shop's name, and that reason is best illustrated like this:

And this is why Caribbean Rose Pirate & Vintage Millinery Emporium is The Best Little Shop On  Etsy (This Week.)  See you Friday!

Blossoming All Over

Well, if you're gonna post cherry blossom-related things, you might as well 

start it off with a really pretty photograph of some actual cherry blossoms.

Not sure how life is in either Lake Edna or your neck of the woods, but ho-ly cow, it's like spring is on fast-forward around here.  Temperatures have been at record highs for weeks now, and after months of the landscape doing its level best to make people look into being diagnosed with clinical depression, it's finally getting colorful out there.

Case in point:  Ten days ago, I was crowing about the daffodils finally blooming in my side yard; and now, not only are there daffodils absolutely every-freakin'-where, but now the trees are starting to get in on the action, and Internets?  That.  Is.  So.  RAD.

So today, how's about looking some cherry blossom stuff?  Huh?  Huh? That sounds like a good idea?  Thought so.

First up is this beautifully beaded boho headband, which--according to the description--can also be worn as a ribbon choker.  So, y'know, if you like versatile things, you can't do better than this.

And just before you start thinking it, no, today's post is not mainly headbands.  Behold:

See this?   Decidedly not a headband at all.  Also, it's upcycled from an old kimono, so it's dressy and green.  Score!

It's the little lacy butterfly that really makes this fascinator, if you ask me.  Because honestly, how much more springy can you get?

And just because it's been a while since I last posted something vintage, here's a cute little retro straw hat, complete with cherry blossoms and cherries:

And yes, I know that cherries and cherry blossoms don't generally tend to happen at the same time, but considering the weather around here, it may be the case this year.  Also, I adore this hat and want it for my own.  Just sayin'.

See you Wednesday!

Lean & Green

I think it goes without saying that I approve of this sentiment whole-heartedly.  

And as an added bonus, the color fits well with today's theme.  Score!

Well, Internets, Saint Patrick's Day is upon us once again (or it will be, as that it's actually tomorrow and not today, but whatever.)  So once again, I'm going to post some green-colored hats.  However, I am not going to post hats with shamrocks or four-leaf clovers or stuff like that; just some nice, rad hats that happen to be somewhere in the neighborhood of #00FF00.  Because green is an awesome color, and green hats should never be regulated to just one day of the year, in my humble opinion.

So let's get to it, shall we?

First up, there's this upcycled reversible hood, which looks like it would be perfect for this time of year, what with the weather being unpredictable and all.  

Also, the description describes it as being lined with the stolen jams of Zack Morris.  If that doesn't catch your interest, I don't know what will.

On a bit more of a muted note, there's this lovely green-and-gold brocade beret that I found, which is gorgeous even if I associate that particular color scheme with my former elementary school (GO, DRAGONS!)

And yes, I'm serious about the mascot.  My elementary school > Your elementary school, but I digress.

Of course, if you prefer your colors to be bold as brass, then you can't go wrong with an emerald-green cloche like this one.

Normally, I don't post military-type garb unless it's for Memorial Day or Veteran's Day, but this garrison cap topped with a bow was too cute leave out.

And just because I can, here's a green pirate hat:

Because let's face it--if you're wearing this, ain't nobody gonna pinch you.  They just wouldn't dare.

And on that note, that's it for this week.  Have a happy (yet appropriately responsible) Saint Patrick's Day if that's your thing, and have a great weekend if it's not!

The Art Of Mugging

Believe it or not, this is actually a photo.  I honestly thought it was a painting. 

That's the magic of photomanip programs for you.

Well, Internets, it's Wednesday again.  That means it is time for another round of The Best Little Shop On Etsy (This Week,) and this week's lucky winner is KnotworkShop, which also has the honor of being The Shop Where--If I Used Cozies Often--I Would Blow So Much Of My Paycheck.

And why is that, you ask?  Well, grab yourself some of your favorite warm beverage of choice and sit back, 'cause you're about to find out.

 If you love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches like I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, then I'm thinking you're gonna like this particular mug cozy.  

Note: I am not a fan of Tom Jones (AKA that guy who sings that song that Carlton Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was always dancing to,) but I am rather tickled that there is a mug cozy inspired by one of his songs.  It's certainly less embarrassing than pitching your knickers at the guy.

Meanwhile, this mug cozy makes me think of Aretha Franklin's song from the original Blues Brothers movie.  And as earwormy songs go, that's not a bad one to have running through my mind all day.

As a sucker for onomatopoeic words, it only seemed right to post this mug cozy, even if this is not a noise I have ever caused to make.  Y'know, seeing as I suck at basketball and you kinda have to be good at it in order to pull off a slam dunk, but hey--I still like the word.

And just because we're all aware of this dichotomy, here's a mug cozy for both optimistic and pessimistic mindsets:

I think what I like best about it is that you can actually switch back and forth between "half full" and "half empty".  It's like the mug cozy form of one of those "how am I feeling today" fridge magnets, and therefore far more useful, since you can take the mug cozy with you anywhere.

And that's why KnotworkShop is The Best Little Shop On Etsy (This Week.)  See you Friday!

Shaping Up

For some reason, this looks like it belongs on the front cover of a geometry textbook.  

And I mean that in the most complimentary manner possible.

You know what, Internets?  I'm feeling like looking at some shapey-type stuff today.  Not really sure why that is, other than the fact that I like stuff like triangles, squares, circles and rectangles, and I like the not-so-common shapes, like rhombuses, trapezoids and stuff like that, too.  And seeing as it's been a while since I last posted some shape-related things, I figure I can indulge myself a little.

So I hope you're in the mood for shape-shaped things, because that's precisely what we're gonna look at today.

To start off with, there's this colorful hypotrochoid headband, which--on top of being really, really stinkin' hard to spell--reminds me of Spirograph.

Also, question: Do they even make/sell Spirographs anymore, or have they gone the way of the Shrinky-Dink?

The description says this is a leaf headband.  I think it looks more like a drop-shaped headband.  In the end, I think we're both right.

Meanwhile, firmly on geometric ground, there's this multi-colored headband made up of multiple polygons, which I kinda like.

And just because it neatly fits in with today's theme, here's a triangular pillbox hat:

And if that picture doesn't make you flashback to the late 1980s-early 1990s, that's probably because you weren't alive then, or at least not old enough to actually participate in the fashion of the time.

And on that note, see you Wednesday!

Narcissi Magnifica

No, this isn't one print of bunches of daffodils--it's a bunch of daffodil prints, but good guess.

You know how everybody has a favorite flower?  Well, mine is the daffodil.  Granted, I know that's an odd choice, as that they're not exactly what most people think of when they think about favorite flowers (probably because they don't do well once cut, and cut flowers seem to be the type people like the best,) but if I'm honest with myself, the giddiest I get over blooming vegetation is in early March, when I first start to see clusters of yellow and/or white dotting flowerbeds around town.*

Why is that, you ask?  Probably because I think of them as a harbinger of spring.  Yeah, I know hyacinths and tulips are also springtime flowers, and I am also aware that snowdrops and crocuses are the floral equivalent of those message board commenters who post "FIRST" on a new post, but it's only when daffodils start blossoming that I really, well and truly believe that spring is on the way.  

So needless to say, I am very pleased that there are blooming daffodils in my yard right now, and this is why today we're going to be looking at head gear featuring daffodils.  Because spring--like Aslan--is on the freakin' move.

Admittedly, I am not a fan of the boho/hippie-style headbands.  However, I will say that my opinion of them is greatly improved by the inclusion of a daffodil, so now you know the depth of my bias regarding daffodils.

Speaking of headbands, I also found this one, featuring a gigantic silk yellow trumpet.  My guess is whoever made this must've taken "go big or go home" to heart, and I approve of that thought process.

 And seeing as apparently daffodil stuff is automatically relegated to the realm of headbands, here's an embroidered one that I'm actually rather fond of.  It's like the offspring of a cameo and a sampler, strapped to a headband.

As to whether you find it unholy or not is purely up to you.

The description for this one says it's supposed  to be a dandelion, but I'm thinking it looks more like a daffodil than anything else so I'm including it in this post anyway.

And if you want to argue, I am going to use this as my justification.  Enjoy!

And speaking of cameos, while this isn't something you can wear on your head, I'm gonna include it anyway:

Yep, that's an embroidered cameo necklace featuring a daffodil, and I love it dearly and would actually wear it were it given to me.  Because it's just that flippin' awesome.

And on that note, that's it for this week.  See you Monday!

* The other being chrysanthemums, natch.  Apparently I'm just a sucker for perennials that bloom during transitional seasons.