10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5...

Need a last minute outfit for New Year's?
Feel like channeling the spirit of Molly Ringwald channeling the spirit of Annie Potts in Pretty in Pink?
Might I suggest:

"in Molly Ringwald's Dream" product info here by downanddirty

Happy New Year's!

I Smell Something Steamy

What happens when the brilliant perfumiers behind Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs think steamy thoughts? Phoenix Steamworks and Research Facility is born.
This new perfume line draws its inspiration from all things steampunk.
With names like The Coil, No. 93 Engine, and Ether how could you go wrong?
I can't wait to get my mitts on The Obsidian Widow (notes of pinot noir, dark myrrh, red sandalwood, black patchouli, night-blooming jasmine and attar of rose) and The Robotic Scarab (notes of metal, leather, frankincense & star anise).
Perfect for the mad scientist, avid explorer or steamy little urchin in your life.
Yummy-yum-yum.
Illustration by Mlle. Julie Dillon.

ps- make sure to check out their sister shop Black Phoenix Trading Post...there you can find various and sundry dry goods and beauty products.

Exter-r-r-r-r-rminating Christmas

, originally uploaded by x PLASTIC NEUROSPASTA.

I stumbled across this dalek Christmas tree (yes indeedy, there's a tree under there!) on We Heart It. Thank you to the individual that hearted it...and thank you, Lindsey J. (aka x PLASTIC NEUROSPASTA) for kicking SOOOOOOOOOOOO much ass!
EXTERMINATE!

Like Pepe le Pew

I am in love.
I am completely tits over ass for the following:

The music of the ever fabulous Nina Hagen.

Fireside Chai Tea from Zhena's Gypsy Tea. I currently have one bag left of this delicious tea. *sniffle sniffle* Thank heaven for my ever faithful English Breakfast.

The early work of Greta Garbo


This A-FREAKING-MAZING Hemp Hand lotion from the Body Shop that the smashing and dashing duo known as Carrie and Chris sent me for Christmas. (Yes, Carrie, it really is some good sh*t! Muwah!)

photographs of old books, dusty books, dirty books, books on shelves, books in piles, books, books, books (a little OCD anyone? yeah yeah yeah...i know i know)

by stuart interiors



Dig fashion? Check out Only Shallow & Sea of Shoes ...they're always full of inspiration...and speaking of fashion...Are you in need of a giggle? Read this "How to Dress Goth" article. Make sure you read the "Warnings" section at the bottom of the page.

What am I not digging on? I do not dig the fact that:
1) the weather has been too grey and flat for me to go out and play with my new lensbaby muse lens...grrrrrrrrrrrrr.
2) every time I find a perfume I really really like it's either a limited edition or it goes the way of the dinosaurs (par example: kenzo's Flower Satin (which is damn near impossible to track down...damn ltd ed's or Urban Decay's Sin RIP) So my quest of the perfect violet and yummy amber/vanilla perfumes continue...

I'm off to obsess.
well...obsess some more.
xx

Just Received Notice in the Post

Well I just received notice in the post and the verdict, ladies and gents, is in.
It's lumps of coal for you, I'm afraid.
But who's to say that being naughty is such a bad thing?

Down & Dirty Designs wishes you and yours the naughtiest of holidays and a wondrous New Year.

Learning Curve for Cannibals

I learned something important this morning:


What I did not learn is how long and how well those 8 cannibals will feed.

I finished two new pieces yesterday (can you tell I was in a bit of a fluffy mood? still brooding, but a fluffy kind of brooding...)
from the north:


she creates herself:


if you're a geek like me then the subject matter and the titles should clue you in on the inspiration for the pieces...if not, then I hope you enjoy them nonetheless.
I'm off to get some coffee...it's freezing and I require caffeine.

Kickin' It With Bob

For those of you that have yet to figure it out, I love Bob Hope.
I adore the man. I have ever since I was a wee tot. I was two years old and he was my first crush.
So you can imagine how happy I was when awoke this morning having had the most awesome dream ever featuring none other than my beloved Bob.
I bumped into him at a grocery store and invited him to dinner...we were fast friends...so much so that he invited me to do an improvisational dinner theater show with him for an entire week...it was very vaudevillian. I never laughed so hard.
It was fantastic.
Ordinarily I wouldn't bother you with details of a dream (save the one I had a few years ago where I was given a pencil of MAC eyeliner that could punch holes in reality, causing rifts in time and space) but this caused such elation (I actually woke up because I was laughing out loud) I simply HAD to share.
So who was your first crush(celebrity or otherwise)? Inquiring minds want to know.
I hope your day is as awesome as my dream.

sniffle sniffle

I have a cold...a yucky, nasty miserable cold.
Due to this fact I will provide you with the only thing my fevered brain is capable of processing right now and that is mindlessly entertaining nonsense.
I hope you all enjoy.
xo

Are you miserable? Feel like playing a game that will put you out of said misery?
Then allow me to suggest this game.

Though not technically mindless or nonsense, Bob Hope is, and forever shall be, entertaining:


I prayed this movie would play near me, but alas...I was not so fortunate...now I must patiently wait for the dvd.



And the best advice I've ever heard, courtesy of Jimmy Stewart:

A-HA!

sometimes epiphanies suck.
have a nice day.