Featured Seller on Etsy

Well, I feel like this is the official how-do-ya-do. I have been keeping up this little blog for several months now and have avoided properly introducing myself. Our Farouche shop has the honor of being the featured seller on Etsy for the next few days. With much procrastination on my part Joe finally got me to take a picture for the event. The trouble is that I happen to be extremely shy. Anything that puts me in the center of attention can make me turn beet red in seconds. I may even hold the record for broadest change in skin tone in 60 seconds. I can imagine the carnival barker now, "Here she is folks! Come and see the amazing chameleon girl... pasty porcelain to fuchsia in a flash!" All kidding aside, my name is Christy, it is nice to finally meet you.

Ten things you may never need to know about me...

unless I become dreadfully famous and some silly person turns trivia about my life into a Jeopardy answer.

1. My eyes are hazel.

2. I adore the steamed pork buns you can get at the San Francisco Zoo.

3. My father's parents are farmers. I learned to drive on an Oliver tractor when I was nine.

4. When I was three I told my parents I had the "option" of being born in Japan but, I had decided to be born with them instead.

5. My favorite song is Sleepwalker.

6. I would like to learn to sail and travel around the world but, the logic side of my brain flashes, "Sharks, seasickness and a single boat can hold only so much chapstick."

7. My favorite Halloween costume growing up was being one half of a two-man-horse.

8. I often miss dancing with my Grandma. Nothing I have found can fill that spot without her here.

9. I enjoy guessing if something was created by a man or a woman by the end strokes left by their brush or pen.

10. I can make a mean hot chocolate.

She's a Meringue

Have you ever seen Four Weddings and a Funeral?

The part where Fiona corrects sweet Scarlett about thinking the bride looks lovely, "Scarlett your blind- she looks like a meringue!" I adore food, it makes me happy down to my toes. That said, I doubt I would ever aspire to look like a meringue... but if I did, I could think of many worse things to befall my wedding day.

In my early twenties I catered a beautiful outdoor wedding in the middle of nowhere. The ideal serene setting out in the country. Then it began to drizzle and eventually pour fat drops of rain on all of the guests and wedding party. There were almost no tents or overhangs and everyone ended up drenched. Some people fled to their cars with their jackets and pretty beaded handbags held up for cover.

In a state of shock and grief the bride stayed seated at the head table. All of her bridesmaids kindly kept their posts beside her. While making my rounds to collect dishes I eventually had to pass by the head table. I think everyone else was avoiding the task due to the conditions. I felt I had to say something to bride so I mustered up my best smile and said... "You're very fortunate. My grandmother always said it is the best luck if it rains on your wedding day. It means that you have made the heavens cry with joy." Okay, so my grandmother may not have ever said that. However, she did teach me to care for the feelings of others, so I figured a little white lie couldn't hurt. Thank god it made her smile. I noticed her maid of honor grasp her hand as I walked away with a stack of fine china and soggy leftovers.

Many of the guests politely excused themselves early and drove home. The mood sunk even lower until somebody convinced the DJ to begin playing music from the safety of one of the tents, despite the fear of electrocution. Little by little people began to dance in the rain, and why not they were already soaked right?! I don't think I have been at a wedding since were the guests laughed with such joy. They showed true love and a care for life in staying to celebrate with the bride and groom. I have decided, if I ever get married, that I only want to invite those who care for me enough to dance like happy fools in the rain... all others need not apply.

Mod in the Kitchen

If these only increase your appetite for mod goodies I suggest stopping by the Danish Collector's flickr gallery where you can gorge on endless eye candy!

Try not to smile...

For a link to these photos please click on the image.

Print and Pattern

These lovelies came out awhile ago but, I still adore looking at them. If you have yet to see the work of Anna Maria Horner I highly suggest taking a peek at her flickr photostream or picking up her wonderful book.

Hey, Good Lookin'

Hey Good lookin'
Whatcha got cookin'?

How 'bout cookin'
Somethin' up with me?

There have been so many great versions of this classic country song from Hank Williams to Tennessee Ernie Ford. We had to make a set of giclees for the kitchen to honor it. These flirty prints come complete with an adorable cook, who is a hot dish herself, in kitten heels and her best apron. Printed in retro tones of aqua, yellow and dove gray. Stop by Farouche for more closeups.

The Traveling Kind

In the mood for a little traveling? Click on the images above to start your journey.

Then Somebody Fainted

It took me three passes to make sure I had read this right. Then out poured a hearty belly laugh, which was followed by some giggling. This seemed to happen every time the thought came back in my head. You know, some of those little aftershock bursts of laughter. The same kind that make you look crazy if someone was to see you a few minutes after the punch line had been delivered. You try to explain the joke, but the more you speak the more you seem to confirm their belief in your lack of sanity, and consequently your chances of ever being invited back to their Christmas parties.

I used to assume humor was different for every generation and that I needed to remember my manners for the company I was in. I have an aunt who will give me "that look" if I forget my manners and let my other personality join in the conversation. Have you ever seen "that look"? If you visit this blog regularly I bet you understand. It is that polite yet, slightly confused smile that says, "She was such a nice girl."

*Side note: "that look" is very different from "the look."
"The look" is what you get when you put your new red t-shirt in the wash with your mother's fancy white sweater. Getting "the look" means chances are you will be dead by morning.

To my complete surprise last summer I realized my grandparents have a perfectly wonderful sense of humor. For some reason, they just never let me know it when I was younger. We had gone out to pick vegetables in the garden. I was near the squash and my Grandma was picking tomatoes. After a while, she quietly brought one over for me to see.

"Oh, it's a conjoined twin," I said.
Grandma responded, "I know, Grandpa and I got quite a chuckle out of this pair."

I looked at the tomato twins again and realized I was so blinded by my manners I didn't see that they were quite the pair indeed. They would have been a size DDD on Barbie, complete with perky nipples. I could have fainted. I now know where I inherited my lowbrow humor. I like to picture my grandparents giggling about vegetables shapes like immature teenagers out in the garden where nobody can catch them.

Fresh Fruit

All of these lovely tags were found here.

You are...

We have been meaning to finish this poster for a while now. Here it is finally done, in all it's blinging glory. Now available in the shop in you want to take a closer look.

And the winners are....

Congratulations to yvette and Jeannie for winning our craft tag giveaway! Please email the name you wish to have them personalized with and the address where you would like your tags shipped to farouche@cruzio.com. There were many inventive handmade gifts to choose from. Certainly a crafty bunch!

Gift Guide: Yeti and Abominable Snowmen

Lets not forget our Yeti friends this holiday season. We have compiled some great ideas to ease your shopping dilemma.

A cashmere covered hot water bottle would be both luxurious and functional for those long cold Himalayan nights.

It is becoming easier these days to find Yeti appropriate clothing thanks to the Large Legendary Mammal Awareness Act. You can show your support by purchasing a t-shirt.

There are also some wonderful artists open to doing Abominable Snowmen family portraits such as Berkley Illustration. They are willing to take on these special clients despite the fear of being eaten and we salute them. They also have a large range of other animal portraits available in their shop.

We have found that well stocked stores are not always near the areas our friends live. A large supply of quality floss and toothpaste can be a thoughtful gift. Imagine having a piece of a some villager's bone stuck between your teeth for three months. Then you would be wishing someone had been thoughtful enough to send you dental floss for Christmas, huh.

A Yeti can never have too large of an ice chest. Sure there is snow all around the house but, who wants to chance keeping your cold ones anywhere near yellow show? These ice chest are also practically bear proof which is an added bonus.

A fashionable white fur cap can be a wonderful gift if your friend is beginning to show signs of balding. There are many caps on the market these days to help hide the embarrassment of premature balding in Abominable Snowmen.

Our last gift idea is one we think is best for Abominable Snowmen and Yeti of all ages. With an over abundance of ice near their homes what better gift than a snow cone machine? Guaranteed to delight with hours of family fun. Happy Holidays everyone!



For links to all gift items please click on the images.