The Perfect Boot

Six minutes into the new day, and it's already got me down. Maybe it is because this week's Housewives reminded me that Rita is dead and Dexter will be a single dad serial killer. Or maybe this week's Brothers & Sisters reminded me that Rob Lowe still thinks he is better than every successful show he does. Maybe its the Oscar noms all going to Inglorious Bastards, or maybe it is because Howard Zinn is dead. It is probably just because I have to be up in six hours and I'm to bummed out to sleep.

So the one thing that always makes me feel better? Other than narcotics or a rum and dc?
The perfect cowboy boot.

And how, you might as does one identify the PERFECT cowboy boot?

M-Material. The best boot is ALWAYS real leather. Don't let the fake stuff fool you.
It may look good, but does it smell like leather?

A-Attention to detail. Is the sole actually stitched and made by hand,
or is faked with plastic?

G-Gut feeling. Do they make the butterflies flutter in your tummy?

I-Instep. Fit should really come after all of these others.
Why bother trying them on if they don't make the cut?

C-Cost. Don't think that wonderful shoes should cost an arm and a leg. My favorite boots were a mere $30.





Love the photos? Get them here.
Love the boots? Get them here.

Owls and Cowls?

Bobbi is confused. In a fury of "it's too close to christmas to actually order gifts on time" shopping, I can't seem to escape owls and cowls. So I've written a poem about it.

Owls and Cowls about.
Too many for me to hide from.
Who made them trendy?

No, seriously kids, where in God's name are the owls and cowls coming from? It's everywhere, UO, Anthro, Etsy, EVERYWHERE.

So what's next? Frogs and Clogs? Fishes and Dishes? well?

Even my pals and I at At Home Hipster are exploring the Owl Cowl Craze.

Better Than a Mai Thai

So everyone knows Bobbi hates the gym, but Bobbi being the lady she is does not want to get fat. Getting fat is worse than marrying a republican. So this evening, browsing good ole Etsy, I came across quite possibly the most brilliant thing ever. A hula hoop shop. Yes, hand made hula hoops (who knew). What could be better for my figure than hula?

So it appears Lola runs The Hip Revolution which is quite possibly the coolest/craziest/most entertaining etsy store yet. Not only do these hoops come in a variety of epically named colors, Lola even sells hoop bags. I had no idea hula hoops had bags.

And, even better, The Hip Revolution is out of Olympia, I had no idea you could hula hoop in the rain.

The things you learn...If only I knew how to hula.

Addicts-Not-so-Anonymous

I have had two true addictions in life: weight loss and peanut butter (in that order).

Towards the end of high school, in attempts to health up my diet, I went with the trends: low carb, high greens.  The result was around a ten pound loss.  My new shape and sugar free rush was amazing.  I began to obsess over eating healthier foods.  Leaner meats.  Less processing.  No chocolate.  I hadn't done drugs, but now knew I didn't need to, this was the best feeling of my life.

College hit. So did addiction number two.  I cannot truly explain the joy of eating peanut butter. Creamy or chunky, 100% or full of additives, it didn't matter.  I was no pb snob.  It was creamy and sweet, nutty and fabulous.  The only problem--it was never enough.  In class, I'd pull out a mini jar from the convenience store and a plastic fork--spoons were too easy.  I had to work for my pleasure.

Needless to say, 30 pounds plus, I quit. Cold turkey.  And quittin' ain't easy.

I am here today to fess up to my latest addiction: etsy.  I have become a slave to the internet's largest handmade community, and I need help.  Every day I sit in front of my screen, clicking, refreshing, hoping, praying, screaming in frustrating agony at my laptop.  I just cannot take my eyes away.  Only for moment like this and when my bladder beckons to I have the mental strength to change the page.

My name is Bobbi Noodle, and I'm an etsy addict.

The Most Desperate Housewives

Last night when paroozing the Etsy forums, I came across a disconcerting thread.

There was negative discussion about shop owners bombarding the world with self promotion.

Last time I checked, websites have forums with categories like "critique" and "promotion" for just that reason.

Does it make someone who doesn't shamelessly self promote a better person? Certainly not if the non promoter is poo-pooing their fellow etsians. 

So what is it that has lead to all this self promotion?  Are we really that desperate?  Perhaps we are not all as pretty as Eva Longoria, smart at Felicity Huffman, or as great a baker as Marcia Cross, but we are definitely desperate.

Times are tough, especially for people who make a living through arts and crafts.  Is it really the job of their peers to insult the pursuit of profit?

And perhaps its not all desperation.  Did it ever occur to anyone that fruitless self promotion could be just a person's outlet for sharing their creativity.  Isn't it something they should be proud of, sharing their creations with the world?

Selling hand-made goods isn't always about money, its about sharing art with others.

And lets be honest, I'm sure Donald Trump got where he is in life with a little self promotion.