Looking Back on November

The beginning of November seems ages ago! Yet, the month still seemed to go by very quickly. Anyway, it was a strange month... I had to cancel a lot of my plans, but I also still got to do a bunch of fun things.

• I reviewed a beautiful dress that was sent to me by eShakti.
• Visited Ikea for some things I needed. Though I failed to get the most important things from my list...
• Started memorizing some Christmas songs to play on guitar.
• Got excited for Christmas and made both a wishlist and a gift guide.
• Had a lovely giveaway with Love n Lavish.
• Went to a classical concert with a friend.
• My blog had its 5th anniversary!
• Received a gorgeous jewelry set from ADesignJewelry in the mail.
• And kept myself busy with some unintentionally color-coordinated entertainment. 

How did November treat you? Did you do anything worth mentioning? Tell me!

Christmas Gift Guide

After yesterday's Christmas Wishlist, I thought it would also be nice to post a cute Gift Guide, to hopefully give you some fun ideas of things to get for your friends or family members. So let's get started!

Twenty Fingers is a shop I've been eyeing for ages, and they have the perfect winter/Christmas brooches! They also make brooches with mittens or socks, but my favorites from the winter collection are these animals.

This set of bowls from Belinism would be cute all year round, but it happens to have some Christmassy colors that make it very fit for the Holidays as well. Not for all budgets, but they sure are beautiful!

Winter is cold -at least, in most places!- and gifts that help keep one warm are quite a good idea. Especially when they're cute. And this hot water cover by ZippityDooDah definitely is. And it's even made from recycled materials!

Though it can be very nice to receive Christmassy gifts, I know certain things are a little too traditional for some people. Maybe they would like this cute santa tote bag by helloDODOshop. It's modern and very cute!

A wonderful gift for owl lovers would be this sterling silver owl pendant from Jewel Be Charmed. I'm pretty smitten with it myself! I love how the back is very detailed too. They're so endearing, these little owls!



I think Wassupbrothers' creatures are perfect in any season, but there are some furry ones that are especially great to cuddle up with at Christmas and during the entire winter, like this amazing Henry the deer!

Lastly, I'd like to show you Anna Wiscombe's wooden Christmas collection. It's absolutely stunning! And perfect for people that prefer a more subtle and natural color palette for their home. These decorations are very sophisticated!

I hope this gave you some nice ideas for Christmas gifts! Or maybe you found something to put on your own wishlist.

Are you busy getting ready for Christmas too, of do you do everything later on in December?

P.S. Perhaps I should also take this opportunity to mention that I have a ton of Christmas items in my own Etsy shop too. So if you need to shop for any bookworms, look no further. (And all designs can also be made as brooches!)

Christmas Wishlist

You know what? I feel like Christmas today! The holidays are right around the corner, so why not post a wishlist?!

I love Meluseena and own a few things from the shop already, but I am seriously smitten with this Snow White locket! The illustration is so beautiful, as is the color palette. To top it off, you can even add free charms!

I still don't have a rolling pin. But ValekRollingPins makes the perfect ones! I try to only have really cool kitchen essentials, and an embossing rolling pin would fit right in! My favorite is the floral one, but there's one with owls too!

These already made an appearance at the beginning of the month, but I just love them. The US Anthropologie is now carrying them too, and they're also still available in the UK store (creamer/sugar bowl), sold seperately, but they're especially cute as a set! Ah, they're so precious! And I think they look a lot more expensive than they actually are.

How quirky and fun are these cat socks? And I love their little frames. Also, can't go wrong with those colors!

I really love raccoons! And I've also always been a sucker for pink, mint green and white together. So this wall hook by Micush was pretty much made for me. It has such a pretty shape too, and the illustration has so much depth.

And this wouldn't be my wishlist if there weren't any owls involved, so I thought I would end with some amazing clothes by Marty May. I would love the cardigan (in XS) and/or the t-shirt (in S) below! They are grown up, yet still cute.

So those are all the things I have my eye on…. What are you hoping to receive this Christmas? 

Mixed Shelf #19

I'm trying to finish all my library books before they are due. Thankfully they're all fun, and easy to read. And I didn't notice as I was picking them, but all books are quite magical as well. So I'm sticking with that theme today.

Wanting: Among Others by Jo Walton

A fifteen year-old girl tries to escape some things in her life, she finds solace in books. However, apparently there's quite a lot of magic in her world as well. And her very own mother uses it, though not for good… Anyway, I've heard many wonderful things about this and I'm pretty sure it's exactly my kind of book. Also, fairies! Need I say more?

goodreads // available here

Reading: Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

Earlier this year I read my first Sarah Addison Allen. When I saw her latest one in the library I got really excited, and without even reading the back, I took it home. So far it's just as good as I was hoping. Not a lot of magic yet, but I'm pretty sure that will show up soon. And although I am looking forward to that, I'm currently not bored in the least.

goodreads // available here

Waiting: The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

This one has been waiting on my shelf for way too long. But I watched the movie this week and really enjoyed it. The extra dvd interviews made it clear they skipped some events from the actual book. And I look forward to finding out what those are exactly… So I guess that poor paperback won't have to wait much longer till I actually read it.

goodreads // available here

Are you reading something fun at the moment? Or do you have any magical recommendations?

Lovely Movies: Boyhood

When Boyhood was about to be released, everyone was talking about it. Because of the hype some people were quite disappointed. I was not one of them. I thought it was great! It was so well done, almost like watching a real life.

The fact that you see the same actor while he grows up -and the rest of the cast age as well- definitely helped do that. Also, the acting was really good. There were so many realistic people, and a lot of character development.

The father, especially, grew on me. Even though I hated him in the very beginning, he had a great storyline and turned out to be a decent guy. His storyline was also the only one that had a proper ending, I think. Most of the others are kind of left to explore their own path in life. Which is good, but I wouldn't have minded an even longer movie.

Mixed Shelf #18

The weather is still perfect for hot chocolate and children's fantasy books! The plots are usually too strange to juggle reading multiple books, so I'm pacing myself even though I'm itching to start on lots of fun stories at once.

Wanting: Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge

I recently heard some amazing things about this book. A lot of strange things happen in this story, it's supposedly quite the roller coaster ride. But I also hear it's beautifully written and has a great protagonist, who loves to read in a world where reading is viewed as something quite evil. Also, the illustration looks absolutely amazing! 

goodreads // available here

Reading: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland (etc…) by Catherynne M. Valente

The first time I sat down to read this book, I was a little disappointed, but from the next time on I started to really enjoy it. It reminds me a lot of Alice in Wonderland (although I have to admit I have yet to read that as a book) Also, it's such a gorgeous book to look at! It's actually the first in a trilogy, so if I enjoy the remainder of this one, I can read two more!

goodreads // available here

Waiting: The Fairy-Tale Detectives (The Sisters Grimm) by Michael Buckley

I fell in love with these covers! Also, I love fairy tale retellings. Throw the two together and I simply can not resist it. This is the first in quite a long series and we'll see how far I get. But I'm sure looking forward to starting on the first one. A pretty recent addition to my book collection, but I don't think it'll have to wait long before I read it.

goodreads // available here

What are you currently reading? And do you recommend any series from this genre?

In the Mail...

Melissa recently hosted a giveaway on her blog So About What I Said. Up for grabs was a beautiful jewelry set by ADesignJewelry in exactly my style and colors. I'm so very happy I actually won! And it just arrived!

I love purple and often wear it with green. Fluorite has both of those colors in it, and it's such a nice combination with the ceramic beads! That floral touch is wonderful! I am also impressed by the beautiful closure with shop logo.

ADesignJewelry has a lot of unique necklaces in loads of different styles and in all the colors of the rainbow. Some are more classic, others have an ethnic feel. And a lot of the pieces are made with gemstones even.

Anyway, I'm so happy with my necklace and earrings! I can't wait to wear it and match it with the clothes in my wardrobe! I can already think of some fun combinations, but I'm sure I'll discover some unexpected ones over time.

Owl Things Considered

I suspect Midori Takaki has a thing for owls too, because I already spotted a bunch in her shop. But she does some amazing ceramics in general. And she has items for different budgets too (from big sculptures, to small figurines, to postcards).

Looking at her work is like peeking into a dream. I really like how she combines human elements and animals. Also, if you'd like to stay up to date on what she's creating, you might want to subscribe to Midori Takaki's blog.

Drumroll, please...

There was much excitement over the Love n Lavish giveaway. Together you earned over 800 entries! Of course, only one lucky lady -she's already notified via email!- will receive both pretty necklaces. So without further ado…

If you didn't get lucky, be sure to check out Sil's beautiful Etsy shop. It is filled with lots of different necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Here is a little glimpse of some of the other items she has to offer. Aren't they wonderful?!

There are even a bunch of items on sale right now! So you'd better pay a visit to that shop section as well.

"That's What People Say…"

Most of you have probably heard of the Shake It Off/80s-aerobics mash-up that's going viral right now. I'm usually not very keen on Taylor Swift's music, but I love Shake It Off. Especially after having seen this genius video:

Isn't it amazing how the song and the aerobics routine sync up? I don't even think there was any extra editing done...

Don't Forget...

Only twenty-four hours left to join in on the Love n Lavish Giveaway! The winner will walk away with two cute necklaces. So check out the giveaway page for more info, or join in with the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lovely Movies: Chef

I keep on catching amazing movies in the last week they're showing, and I'm always so glad I didn't miss them. This was definitely the case with Chef. I was convinced I was way too late, but I got lucky and managed to still see it!

It was, without a doubt, one of the best movies 2014 had to offer. Jon Favreau did an amazing job! He wrote it, directed it and gave us some phenomenal acting as well. As did the rest of the fantastic cast, including the kid.

The moment this movie comes out on DVD, it's mine. This is one of those stories that makes you all excited about food and cooking again, and even life in general. It's the perfect cheer-up film for any rainy day!

P.S. This movie also shows that Scarlett Johansson and Christina Ricci can look eerily alike. Who would have thought?!

Don't Forget...

There's only a day and a half or so left to enter the Kawaii Box giveaway. So if you haven't yet, you'd better do so now. You can read more about it on the giveaway page. Or you can just enter by filling out the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wishlist

I find this cute creamer and sugar bowl set so very endearing! I love how they look very chique and very quirky at the same time. And the details -like the golden shoes and the cane-shaped spoon- are absolutely amazing!

Both are available on the European Anthropologie (not the US website), but note that they are sold seperately.

Find the creamer here, and the sugar bowl here.

An eShakti Coupon!

If you missed my eShakti review from last weekend, I recommend you still check it out. I received a gorgeous dress fit to my measurements and desires. And if you did see it and are planning on shopping at eShakti, you are in luck!

Just use coupon code "blueeyednightowl" and you will get 10% off*! You could even order the owl dress above, with the sleeves, neckline and skirt length of your choice. And in your exact measurements, of course.

So if you wanted to treat yourself to a tailor-made garment before the holiday season starts, look no further!

*Please note:

Code has to be entered in the ‘promotional code’ box.   It is not case-sensitive.  

Code can be used any number of times until the validity period. 

It can be clubbed with any other promotional offer, gift coupon or gift card in the same order unless explicitly specified otherwise in the offer conditions.

This discount code is not applicable on clearance / sale, gift cards & overstock categories.

Not applicable on previous purchases.

5th Blog Anniversary + Plans & Goals: November

Yes, I'm awfully excited! It's been exactly five years since I started this blog. Can you believe it? I still remember doing my first posts, waiting for the first followers, and getting super excited about each new one (which still makes me happy!)…

Thank you all for the massive support over the years! You are all keeping me so very excited about blogging!

Here's to the next five!

So, on with the order of the day! I still have my monthly goals to post… Anyway, it's NaNoWriMo and I already know I won't have enough energy to do the whole thing. I still hope to do some other stuff too, after all. Like:

• Get back in the habit of going to the movies.
• Play some boardgames over at a friend's house.
• Visit some bookish events.
• Finish reading some books. I have too many going at once!
• Enjoy some hot chocolate.
• Cross some boring stuff off my to-do list.
• Finally go to Ikea to get a few missing items for my place. Have to go again though!
• Turn my latest Etsy sketches into real items.
• And still add at least a few chapters to my book.

What are your plans for November? Did you sign up for NaNoWriMo?