Book Report: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

For me, Sherlock Holmes began with the British series, "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes," starring Jeremy Brett and David Burke. Even though I enjoy the BBC's latest incarnation of Holmes, as well as the classic Basil Rathbone portrayal, Brett is still at the top of my list. Of course, this is about the book, not the television series! Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories and novels about his consulting detective were incredibly popular in the late 1800s, and I think The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes definitely stands the test of time. I mean, it must since it's been endlessly remade to fit the screen, big and small...

Insta-sista

Mt. Rainier from my recent trip down to Tucson.

DIY: Confetti-filled paper hearts

It seems I'm perpetually behind on every holiday, so I decided to get a jumpstart on Valentine's Day with a simple project. This will be my year. I plan to keep telling myself that until I make it so. (Jean-Luc Picard reference!) As usual, I wandered my apartment looking for materials and inspiration, and I happened upon some thrifted confetti and thought: Hmm. This is festive, now if only I had a way to contain it... 

Home and Away: Weekending at home

It seems that I am getting busier and busier, which can be fun, but sometimes I need to stop and sit around the house on the weekend. Let me tell you, if I could, I probably would spend nearly every weekend at home. I always find so many things to do and I love being around Olive, even though she does a lot of napping. 

Last weekend I did just that, but I was pretty productive. I even took down the Christmas tree in time to put up Valentine's Day decorations (aka the heart garland Christine made for me). There's always a reason to celebrate and decorate...

Peanut & Purls: Hearts on hearts on Peanut

Love is in the air. Well, not always with Peanut. Sometimes Peanut isn't all about love, but when she's cold or tired and wants cuds, she loves you (read: your heat) to death! I decided to show some love back by knitting her a little heart cat toy that she can rub on, get a little loopy, and then go to sleep (probably on me...but who doesn't love a cat on their lap?!?)...

Brief Musical Interlude: Bat for Lashes

Where Robyn is my Brit dance pop crush and Solange is my sweet newcomer crush, Natasha Khan (aka Bat for Lashes) is my haunting synth dream crush. Five years ago I fell in love with "What's a Girl To Do"--mostly because my bat lightning heart wants to fly away--but also, it doesn't hurt that Jon Hamm has a crush on her, as evidenced in the "Would you rather?" segment of this episode of Comedy Bang! Bang! (Be warned: it's explicit and hilarious.)

You can read about Natasha's new album, The Haunted Man (which is truly terrific), in Pitchfork's wonderful article, "Glitter in the Dark." (Spoiler alert: they tour the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire!) I read the article after listening to her new album and watching several of her new videos (like the one above, "All Your Gold") and found that it deepened my feelings about the music. Plus, I so dig her semi-creepy dance moves--in my eyes, a combination of flag-twirling arm and Black Lodge Twin Peak-sian body movements. Love her.