Good morning! The purging/cleaning is slow-going, but look what I found: Finca Perle Cotton Thread in size 8. Such pretty, pretty colors, no? Great for embroidery, crochet, and needlework of various goodness. Anyone out there a doily maker? These — like many of my accoutrements — were meant as props for the book, though I never got the chance to include them. I wish I had because they’re so twee yet cool (is that paradoxical?).
I have to confess that there’s a lot going on behind the scenes, and I’m feeling a little overextended. I can talk about details soon and I’m definitely not complaining because it’s all lovely — just trying to pace myself because…well, you know. I overdo things. It’s what I automatically do. Anyhow, you may be seeing a lot of giveaway posts because I love doing them, they’re quick, and the comments are always fun to read.
OK! So onto the giveaway question…any comment will do as usual, but I’ve been pondering beauty these days and I want to know: what makes you feel beautiful? Is it a certain shade of lipstick? Or perhaps an outfit? Is it the way your kids assault you with hugs when you walk into the room? Or the way your guy or gal lifts an eyebrow? Maybe it’s something more intrinsic like a natural-born skill or a physical trait or an attitude. I’ve been trying to figure this one out for myself. I think I feel the most unselfconscious sense of beauty when I’m connected with someone. Last week, I Skyped with a long-time friend (she’s in New Zealand) — we haven’t spoken directly in over 15 years and had lost touch about 10 years ago, but she’s remained one of my favorite people of all-time.
It was like magic.
We picked up right where we left off as though no time had passed and we laughed in only the way you can laugh with a friend you’re utterly comfortable with (there was, I admit, some snorting). I traveled all around New Zealand with her many moons ago, and we had an uproarious road trip, hithering and thithering in her tiny car. “Carefree” was the operative word and we got ourselves into quite a few scrapes and mishaps and took in vast expanses of unbelievably, achingly resplendent nature that rendered us insignificant; nothing bonds you like sleeping illegally on a historic site in a collapsing tent and jumping into icy lake water together at 5am. We’ve both had our triumphs and setbacks over the last 15 years, of course, and as we caught up via video which would have been unimaginable when we were galavanting through Kiwiland back in the 90s, our words tumbled out on top of each other. We tried to cram in as much as we could into a couple of hours and shared wholly, without reservation, already planning part two and three and four and so forth — in that safety of being unapologetically myself, I felt beautiful.
What about you?
I’ll leave the giveaway open until this Friday, May 27th and will announce the winner the following Monday. As always, international entries are welcome. Good luck!
Hi Sanae! I have been wearing a true red lipstick lately. And, I have a very wonderful progressive hairdresser that insisted I keep changing my hairstyle. So, now the color is so nice and it is cut in shoulder length layers. Requires no care, I just fluff it out. I get really nice random comments from people. But, I really have to thank my hairdresser!! Sounds pretty shallow, but sadly it is true (and you asked!)
Dresses usually make me feel pretty! 🙂 I have several 50s, 40s style repro dresses and I found those to be most flattering for my body type. Putting on a swingy dress makes me smile already, no pencil can beat that. Same with skirts, swingy skirts make me happy, seriously. And pretty.
Never been into makeup or spending loads of time on my hair though, but accentuating my waist and stopping to hide my boobs really did wonders for my self esteem. I think in the end that that is what matters most. Feeling good shows, think that goes for everyone. 🙂
Oh, and I do have grumpy days too, of course. I’m human too. And I don’t strive to wear something different every single day, but yes. I do clean kid-messes and sweep floors in party-like outfits. I don’t care. Even if I don’t go out, I think putting on something pretty is worth it. Worst that could happen is that it gets dirty and that you have to wash it… (well, ironing could be bad, but I rarely (read: never) do that…
I feel pretty great when my kids get compliments in public from complete strangers.
As long as I feel comfortable in what I am wearing and confident in what I am doing that’s the most impostrant thing for me!
This really makes no sense, but I am a runner, and I feel so good & almost even pretty when I am running. I’m usually red faced & huffing & puffing, so not really pretty to anyone who happens to see me, but I just feel so good about myself when I am running, I guess the good feeling translates into feeling pretty somehow.
I guess I feel pretty when my kids hug me!!
The trip with your friend from so many years ago sounds so wonderful Sanae. It’s lovely that you connected with her.
The threads look beautiful and we don’t get really good pearle cotton here (or I haven’t found any, and so I am craving ….:-)
To answer your question: I think I am finding out that a lot of it is about self confidence for me. Even on days that I am home (most days, i.e.), I try to make sure I dress properly, take care of myself. Yes that’s it–self care makes me feel beautiful! This is a very recent revelation, and one that I have been happy to discover.
The thread is beautiful! I love making doilies! Thank you for doing the giveaway. 🙂
I feel beautiful when my husband smiles at me and reaches to hold my hand. Other times I feel beautiful when I forget myself and enjoy conversations with friends and my children.
I probably shouldn’t say this…I feel beautiful when I’m taking a bath…that’s the only time, though it’s embarrassing to say so.
I feel pretty when I get my hair done and my husband actually notices.
What a wonderful story of your trip together. I have a friend from our college days and really should connect with her again. I think about your question of beautiful and believe it is all in the attitude. There are days with minimal makeup and yet my husband will tell me I’m beautiful, but a look in the mirror would tell myself otherwise! So, there’s that comfort level too like you mentioned.
I feel most beautiful when I have comforted someone in distress; when I have been able to encourage someone who is down; when I have made an original design that truly connects me with who I am now and who I want to be in the future; and when I love someone, and they love me back– no conditions–just love me the way I am.
I feel pretty from the inside out every day I when wake up & know I have another new Beginning starting! 🙂 (& have conquered cancer still! YAY!) I also feel pretty when I see my Husband Smile when I come into a room! (such a Twinkle in his eyes! ) I am truly Blessed!
Thank you for chance to win your Give-a-way too! 😀
Being myself and not worrying too much about what others think has made me feel better about myself. I’m 64, and have decided to let my now gray hair grow out a bit. Who says it has to be shorter to look my age? I look like me, gray hair and wrinkles. Wearing a smile makes me feel beautiful.
What makes me feel beautiful is being comfortable in my own skin. But with that said, I do love it when I have mascara on and my favorite perfume!
Mmm, I would say that when someone pays me a surprise compliment. It doesn’t matter what. Be it on my clothing, the way my hair looks, how well something was done or how good a meal was, be it from colleagues, my husband, family or friends. You know its spontaneous and from the heart – it make me feel beautiful inside and out.
Great question and answers!
I have a question for you – do you use pearl cotton for sashiko stitching or specific sashiko thread? We had a hand quilter share at our meeting this month who does sashiko quilting instead of traditional quilting and now I have more questions and am reconsidering some projects.
I feel beautiful…
When the wind is blowing in my face.
When I wear real flowers in my hair.
When my kids faces light up when they see me.
When I get to spend a day outside in a beautiful place.
Looking forward to hearing your big news!
Hi Beccy, I’ve used non-Sashiko embroidery floss for Sashiko though not all were cotton (I’ve used silk too). With generic embroidery floss, I stitch with about three or four strands. Hope that helps! 🙂
Beauty is a strange question as we grow old. For me it’s just a good walk outside in fresh air, a cool shower, clean crisp clothes and I feel wonderful.
My 5 year old son has recently started telling me that something I’m wearing is pretty or that I am pretty. It is just the sweetest thing and really does make me feel beautiful.
Am just learning Sashiko. These would be lovely to work with.
I’m happy with a good hair day! LOL. I do feel amazing when skiing but with a helmet and goggles on, no one can see what I look like. I use perle cotton for hardanger. I can get the size 5 in many colors easily enough at a store close to home. But, getting any size 8 requires a trip to a specialty shop.
Well I’m a guy but I feel capable when I’m wearing a nice button down shirt from the Gap.