Wherein I Disclose that I Don't Like Podcasts

At home, in bed, still feeling like crap. Scott just came back from the doc with a script cuz he has bronchitis. I'm not getting bronchitis, btw. I am fighting and winning against aches and fever and sore throat. (Just putting it out there.) You know of my anxious feelings about illness but, have to say, when I can sidestep the hovering dread, there's much to be discovered on the internet.

I came across this series of podcasts on a new-to-me blog called Woolful. The site is gorgeous in that "ideal creative-town America" kind of way (you know Ashville, NC or any of the Portlands). All of the photos are crunchy-yarn delicious and perfectly simple.

Lord, podcasts are boring. Here's the thing - I've got a continual podcast running through my mind (it's called having a conversation with myself) and it's way more interesting than most of what any actual podcast has to say - even when I am sick. Furthermore, I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned this but, one of my less gracious qualities is that I cannot stand the timbre of some people's voices. OK, many people's voices. Anything nasal or flat is a no go. Vocal fry makes me homocidal. Women who reflexively speak in questions need to stop that shit. Men with effete voices drive me up a freakin' wall. I routinely turn off TV shows because I don't need the irritation. Look, I realize that everyone has a unique voice and it's not his or her job to make it pleasant to my ears, but the thing about radio is that they actually choose those people because they have (generally) good tone and they know how to carry on a conversation. Your average grass-roots podcast-talker? Not so much.

At any rate, listening does pass the time and it's free and if I don't appreciate it, I should just keep my mouth shut, I realize.

Point is that one of the podcasts alerted me to a blogger called Felicia who does this thing called The Craft Sessions and has also put together this awesome "stash awareness" series. I was already to get shirty with her for stealing my idea :-) and then I realized she started her own stash busting journey a year and a half ago. Wish I'd seen this sooner! There's nothing quite as delightful as discovering a great new knitting blog, one that's pedigreed with a deep archive of posts, except (perhaps) one that speaks your language. FWIW, Felicia's voice is in no way annoying. She has an adorable cadence.

In my bed-lazing travels, I also came across this hilarious video advertisement for StashBot:



It's an enjoyable, and possibly relatable, 4 minutes.

It's Oz-some!

Hey - due to the time differences between Canada and Australia, I neglected to tell you about my latest interview on Inside Out Style - Imogen's awesome blog. Imogen is an image consultant who really knows her stuff. I've learned so much about body shape and clothing to suit different bodies in the years I've been reading her posts. Please check it out and let me know what you think!

Even More of My Favourite Things...

Have You Noticed? Australians are to fashion blogging what Scandinavians are to uber-chic, minimalist design. Which is to say rockin'. Of course, you are under no obligation to agree with me, though you will. (It's part of my evil genius :-))

OK, moving right along... If you haven't yet discovered these sites you have no more excuses. Click now!

Skylark & Son: This woman is tremendously creative, modern and fashion-forward all while running after an adorable toddler!

Lady Melbourne: Steely chic incarnate. Her hair is so shiny straight you'll wonder what pact she made with the pixies. And she always looks perfect. Seriously.

Style Discovery: My newest find... Songy profiles some very beautiful things. Can't wait to get to know this site better.

Imelda (The Despotic Queen of Shoes!): My blog boyfriend. Egad, I think I just outed myself :-) Matt is a genius with sole! (What is it with me and the puns today??)

Super Kawaii Mama: Elegance itself - with a feisty, subversive undertone. SKM is also a new mum but you'd never know from her fashion togetherness. She makes child-free, Hollywood starlets seem, frankly, a little blah.

Esme and the lane way: Also a new discovery, Esme reminds me vaguely of Naomi Watts with brown hair - which is to take nothing away from her uniqueness of character and style. Both of which she certainly has in spades.

PS - If I've neglected to mention any of my Australian daily reads, it's only because I haven't clued into the fact that you are not only great, but also from Down Under. If that's the case, please don't let me get away with such an oversight!