Spirit Hoods

Thanks to the lovely people at the Lenko Boutique in Melbourne's Cathedral Arcade, I was able to discover these furry little hooded creations which combine the best of beanies, mittens and scarves all together in unique Spirit Hoods. They've been around since 2009 and already have a small cult following of cute nerdy girls and furries alike as well as many eBay listings and home made look-a-likes riding on the back of their success. I personally love them for their imagination and unique ingenuity but during Summer there's not much of a great and desperate need for them.

There's a whole heap pf colour and fur pattern combinations and inspiration used to create Spirit Hoods, including Husky dogs, owls, tigers and bears to name a few. My best friend would absolutely adore the Spirit Hood shown above; it looks just like her dogs fur but maybe a little more puffier with more hints of tinged black at the end of the fur hairs. Even if you don't use the pockets to keep your hands warm, I bet you could hold train and bus tickets in there as well as spare change, lipstick and pens too.

My favourite of the Spirit Hoods collection? It has to be this lovely bear variation with rounded ears and dark brown fur which matches my own hair colour. I also like the contrasting red tartan pattern on the alternative side of the scarf and just visible on the inside of the ears. I used to have a teddy bear just like that when I was little so there's a little bit of nostalgia about this hood for me. Flannel is such a comfortable material so why not wear this amazing Spirit Hood with a vintage toggle coat in red tartan too? It would certainly make for a quirky outfit when worn about on the streets.

As I kid I thought tigers were the epitome of coolness and I know I would have favoured this hood over the brown bear hood but I like the rounded ears of the bear a little more- and besides, next year I'll be going to Canada and may as well try and fit in with the local fauna while being a bit on the ridiculous side. It would take someone with guts to really wear something like this with confidence, unless of course you're at a fancy dress costume party and you're trying to be on the conservative side.

Maybe it's just the contrast between realistic but faux fur and patterned material that I like; there's also this sweet wolf Spirit Hood featuring rainbow Navajo fabric on the underside and dusty brown tinted fur. You could probably wear something like this to a market; I know I have my eye on the Finders Keepers market on the 20th and lucky for me I've been saving a little money for such an occasion and this bi-annual market may even showcase some of these Spirit Hoods too! Then again, I think I've found the perfect solution to this animal lust...

Stella McCartney Lingerie

I spotted these classic looking knickers what feels like years ago on another blog and it only just popped back into my mind to share with my dear readers- on occasion I try and find a new boxed set of lingerie from Stella McCartney for myself but my hunt always ends up unsuccessful. I love the classic frilly bands and hem as well as the neatly stitched names of the days of the week as well as flower underneath and I'm sure there would be a few boys out there that would be excited by them too.

My classic policy of "I can get in in black, then I will" still stands to this very day and minute and given the choice between the two colours I opt for the darker shade. I do like the pure and clean white linen of the panties as well as the little stitched days of the week but when it's on black there's something a bit more demonic suggested. Besides, I wear a lot of black as it is so when the old pants need to be hoisted up, at least black panties meld in to the environment and are a little less apparent. Also, the stitched flowers on the black lingerie isn't as flat and seems to include more floral motifs then its white counterparts.

I would love to have the little set of drawers on my desk or vanity as well, it seems so vintage and kitsch to present underwear like that and I wouldn't mind a chic and indulgent change rather than just buying what's cheap and colourful at the shopping centre with my mother. I've seen a few variations on the design and stitching so far but I wonder what the back looks like and if there's any more flowers on the other side.

 

I've located only two listings on eBay and the prices don't look overly promising- for a full set of these silken bad boys you can expect to pay about one hundred dollars for the box as well as seven pairs of frilly lingerie, which works out to cost twenty dollars for each pair which includes the cost of postage as well. Maybe it's something I'll save for when ever I need to travel and keep track of all my delicates or when Adsense finally pays me for my blog space. That would be a nice treat for the money.

If I can buy a pair of these little lingerie pieces of gold with butterflies on them then that would be even better but for the moment I'll be concentrating on buying clothes I'll be allowed to wear when I go out and that other people can see and enjoy. It's an odd sensation being able to afford things I want now but having to exercise the digression not to buy them, I guess I must be becoming responsible or something.

Kitty Cat

I gave my mother a small fright when on the local news they were reporting the RSPCA in Brisbane were selling cats at 75% off due to overcrowding and each one chipped, desexed and up to date with their needles cost a mere $20.10. Too bad I don't live in that state and I'm not willing to fork out money for a plane ticket as well as many pet carriers and cab fare just to realise my dream of becoming a crazy cat lady. Despite having a boyfriend of nearly a year and a half I do have the inkling that I will be the type of person to abandon all human contact as soon as possible, when possible and I will only speak and sing with my cats and we'll have magnificent tea parties and dance around the room.

Just because I'm not allowed to have a cat myself doesn't mean I'm forbidden from liking cat related things, around my room you will find a money box made of wood in the shape of a cat (broken foot at the moment) who stores my spare change from America and soon I will receive a vintage cat watch with moving eyes as soon as repairs are done and the postal service gets back into swing after the long holiday break. With just a week between Christmas and New Year's, awaiting parcels can be very tedious and tiring as many companies close up.

 

My reasons for owning a cat would be described as at best, very shallow as I am most interested in their tendencies, playful nature and sleek furry bodies for the purpose of photography. Don't be alarmed, I'm not like those sickos who dress their pets in outfits and small sweaters for fun and in the name of 'fashion' but I do feel rather left out when looking at something I know I can snap myself given the chance. For example the purple light which bathes the above photograph can be achieved by placing a small square of plastic in front of the flash, and the contrast of the black fur of the cat held be a naked human torso only adds to its appeal.

This simple iPod encased in floral and on a blanket featuring a cat as part of the album work has given me a rather worrying idea. I propose to make a patchwork quilt of cat fabric. There's a lovely variety on eBay and in the past I have been taken to make a caterpillar based quilt inspired by the children's picture book, 'The Hungry, hungry Caterpillar' as well as a space themed quilt but I quite like this new idea of cats. The only problem is that I am rather slow when I hand stitch and not only am I without a sewing machine, there is simply no room in my house to fit one. Luckily, with bin night approaching I'll be able to commence cleaning my room once more and tidying.

Wishful thinking led me to ponder about the markings on a cat and I reached the verdict that if I ever saw a cat with black markings and a predominantly white body, I may be tempted to name it Mickie or Minnie after the famous cartoon couple. I can only imagine the shame I would bring to a cat if I named if after a mouse though- oh the irony.

Like this cat, in my youth I have settled down into a empty guitar case except I was pretending mine was a boat and I was off sailing the world. I wonder what my father thought of that when he tried to return his instrument to it's proper place of rest. It has been said that lifting a sleeping cat is a difficult task and even waking them can be quite tricky. Maybe it would be best just to take a photograph of a cat in such a pose. I've seen cats resting on top of car hoods to keep warm as well as sitting in sun beams, on top of the water closet of a toilet and a handful of other weird places. It reminds me of the kind of weird poses and ways I try to sleep and get comfy in during a hot Summer's night.

So, since I am unable to own a cat of my own I try and soothe and console myself with the fact I can create little toys in cat images from fabric, there's also paper mache and drawing things in their image and buying jewellery starring cats. I'm not sure how long the quilt fantasy will last since at the moment I am clearing my room for the purpose of finding a clean white wall as a backdrop for photography and actually orchestrating fashion photographs but with so many possibilities on the 2012 horizon, who knows what will happen. Or maybe my room will become messier and in a worse state than it ever was, but finger's crossed that isn't what happens. Not this year, not when I will actually have time to take off from studying and a little time to live and do things that make me happy.

Cat Power

Inspired by all the lovely Givenchy panthers from their 2011 collection I now want to share with the world some lovely pictures of cats to brighten up everyone's days and make them feel cheery. Although cats are perceived to be selfish, independent and uncaring towards their owner as well as callous killing machines, one can't help but feel gooey inside and saw 'aw' when seeing a cat's face magnified through a cliche and perfectly circular fish bowl. I love the way the fish seems to be right between the eyes of the magnified and reflect image of the cat, the composition of this photograph is all just very cute.

 

While I have been looking for vintage armchairs made of velvet on eBay to get cheap, I think I would be a lot happier with this large cat shaped beanbag that is certain to take up half my room, replace my bed and also be replaced with all my clothes to save on storage. By comparison it makes a normal human shrink like Alice when lying around with this large and faceless beast but imagine the comfort of lying in the sun streaming through the window while lying on it. I can imagine it now, a good book and slumped into a position that is sure to make any practicing chiropractor cry. That's what holidays are for.

This happy snap reminds me of the scene in 'Snow Dogs' in which the main character bites a dogs ear in an attempt to command respect. However, I would like to point out that this guy is holding the ear of his cat between his lips and not using his teeth, Therefore he isn't actually biting the little fluffy beast and isn't causing it any harm. I used to do this a lot with my rabbits, just because I could and they had long soft ears.

 

I don't know what kind of sick individual dresses a cat in a shirt but I do like their take on decor with this lovely furry deer. My friend had a similar kind of deer sitting in her front sitting room but they usually come in pairs and are facing each other. I guess someone moved on and now has a love for cats and not other deer.

 

While getting tattoos on your fingers will prevent you from getting a job as a teacher in Victoria Australia, it sure does look cool. My hero, musician and singer Dallas Green has the words 'True Love' on his fingers in red but I do love the 'Cats Meow' tattoo as well. Is it just my imagination, or do the letters look a little lop-sided compared to the next one? Since I'm a perfectionist, I can't imagine a fate worse than having someone permanently muck up a tattoo on my skin and being reminded of it every time I look in the mirror. That would be the perfect way to slowly kill and depress me- remind me of something I've done wrong or a mistake I regret.

Apart from cool vintage furniture that looks french and is made of either tapestry or velvet I would love to have a cool feature wall on the inside of my room. The black cat staring hauntingly behind the back of this young man reminds me of all the lovely panthers used for the Givenchy collection... I must be quietly addicted to it. My reasoning behind lusting after furniture as well as a pint job for my room is that it will prevent it from becoming the mess it is so likely to become again and again when the stresses of study get to me again. The hours are much lighter for university though; so you never know, I may just have time to live a little as well and actually enjoy life.

I love cats with different coloured fur around their little eyes- for example, take this sleeping beauty. One of my favourite things to do when alone with my boyfriend is spoon together and play footsies. I love the idea of owning a cat content with spooning as well and this toy is perfect for the little guy to cuddle with.

 

Cats can pull off some of the most photogenic poses when they're in the mood for it. I sort of want a cat but I don't really know where to begin when it comes to caring for them. While I do like their bodies, stylised faces and have shared the foot of my bed a couple of times with a kitty to keep them warm I suppose I really do prefer owning rabbits. You don't have to worry about them destroying anything while your away or getting lost, or fighting with anything else in your street because they're good and stay put in their hutches. Also, giving them medication is a lot less of a struggle.

 

"I love cats. I love every kind of cat. I really love cats. I just want to hug all of them, which is crazy cause I can't hug every cat. But I just want to."

"I think about how many don't have a home and how I should have them and how cute they are. And the ears and the whiskers and the nose.

"I just love them and I want them and I want them in a basket and I want little bow ties.

"I want them to be on a rainbow and in my bed. I just want a house full of them and I just want us to roll around."

If I ever get off my duff to do something constructive I may just buy a magazine on cats to make a fun collage and at the centre I'll have a neat picture of myself, just like this darkly coloured magazine extract.

Cats- Our Furry Friends

The thing about cats is that it's acceptable if they act antisocially or they leave once you feed them- or their cold and indifferent demeanour in general. Because they're a cat and that's just the way they are. Now if a dog you had loved since it was just a puppy became all snooty and uptight I think it would break your heart. It's weird to see how things can change from idealistic puppy love to heart-wrenching drama right inside your own head. It's weird and I don't like it- I normally like weird things but this time I don't. I'm using these weird pet analogies for how I feel right now... I don't feel too flash and I'm kind of upset. I also think that I miss having the company of my fluffy little companions, my five rabbits. I could sure use with a rabbit cuddle right now and burying my head in tufts of soft fur- just to let it all out and have a good cry.

I can see why a cat may be wearing such a begrudging facial expression if it were dyed blue and made to look like a rain cloud, then as if it weren't humiliated enough, it had to be used as a hat by a Katy Perry look-a-like. I'm not sure why I would save something like this from Tumblr other than amusement as well as the intriguing mixture of pastel coloured hairs on the human and cat.

There used to be a cat that lived near the kindergarten two streets away from me- I'm fairly sure the poor little mite is dead now. It was such a good natured cat and it would jump down from a brick wall of a similar height to the one pictured and it would let me rub it's soft and furry stomach while batting at my arms playfully. Thankfully it never brought out it's claws when it did that, otherwise I might feel deterred from studying to become a veterinarian. Or hold a weird and seemingly-unexplainable grudge against cats in my work.

Cats also have the uncanny ability to look so stylised, smooth and sleek especially when they are caught in a mood in which they are willing to be photographed. I can't count the amount of photographs I've saved of cats posing artistically in front of a lens on my hard drive from the micro-blogging site Tumblr. It's really quite amazing, considering I don't really like cats that much. My father thinks that one of them killed one of my bunny rabbits, Ronald who was orange and lop eared. I think they look nice but sometimes they can be rather horrible, nasty and cruel animals. The worst part of all this is that the nastiness and cruel nature is often instinctive- the way a fox will kill a whole barn full of chickens but only take away or eat one or two. I'm quite glad that many civilised humans don't have the instinct to kill... there would be more problems than usual say at school, at work, and when I act as a basketball referee.

It was the bags that really made me smile, the unsightly and weird corners of the satchel have been cleverly transformed into the ears for that cats. I know it's a bad idea to have a white bag, it would only end up getting stained and dirty but it's a much bigger bag and there's more detail and shading  of the face shape and colour in the eyes compared to the black cat bag. They're still both very cute and endearing, a good gift for someone who's an animal lover. The sweatshirt on the far left would be an idea, I've seen a few myself on eBay but nothing has really spoken to me by volumes, in any case I am quite broke at the moment.

You wouldn't think that a cat's tongue would be rough, what with all the grooming it does but it is actually quite rough! In fact a cat's tongue sort of has these small scales on it's tongue to help clean and scrub. Sometimes there are some very curious designs in animals for a range of strange purposes but I suppose that everything eventually finds it purpose and true calling in life. For a cat's tongue it's to taste food and to lick all over it's fuzzy and furry body.

A bit unusual to find a cat's head submerged in a body of water but I suppose if that is a fish tank then he may be trying to hunt for a bite to eat. I would have thought that the water would have hurt the cat's eyes though and that he would've shut them, rather than risking the water flooding into his eyes. Oh well, I suppose cats just don't take the time to really think about these things. Instead they're happy just being cats as well as letting their owners take cool photographs of them to share on sites such as Photobucket, but mainly Flickr.

The reason behind the asymmetrical colours of this cat's pupils is to prevent deafness in white cats. In their old age, white cats which have blue eyes usually go deaf but it has been found that if a white cat has green eyes it will not go deaf. Sometimes breeders can get some strangely mixed cats with mismatched eyes such as this little guy. So for him he'll only be able to hear in the ear which is on the right side of his face, the same side he has a yellow eye. It doesn't really mean that they won't be happy in their old age, and if they aren't then I suppose it's how any degenerate old person feels in a society ill equipped to deal with them.

Snape. Poor guy, I should read a few pages so he's not doing something that makes him miserable and I can feel less guilty.

I imagine this effect was achieved by using a colour gel filter in front of a camera's flash to produce such an effect. I like the purple tone of the skin, as well as the light purple hue in patches of fur that have caught the light as well as in the cat's ears. Mainly the black fur has absorbed the flash rather than reflected it. The thing that attracted me to this photograph was the wide dilated eyes of the cat- their the perfect shape really.

I was contemplating getting these little critters, but there's not much of a point since all of my furry friends have passed on and headed towards the great beyond. I like the cat though, the large tufty chest as well as the short legs, red nose and blue eyes. There's such life and warmth in that small little ornament. These animals are available on Etsy and I'm sure you can make custom orders if you have something special in mind.