Cute Stew, Hello Kitty and Open Books!

I was one of Cute Stew's lucky winners, and won a super cute Hello Kitty nail kit which came with nail polish and a sweet nail file. I love that it gives my nails a great sparkle! I love Hello Kitty's spunky don't speak face or at least its how I interpret it. I guess it could also be Hello Kitty blowing you a kiss, or Hello Kitty OMG! I'm big Hello Kitty fan so it is awesome to win a Hello Kitty prize! I loved the sticker (the dog sticker on my laptop) and the cute card Melly Kay from Cute Stew sent me! I think I might have to get a Blythe doll because of her blog, they are so cool and cute and awesome! I used to play Barbie dolls 24-7 as a kid but then I was "too old". My favorite part was the clothes, with Blythe dolls I can get back to minature stylin'.
I thought I'd also write about Open Books which is the other sticker next to the adorable doggy sticker on my lappy. I am a huge fan of Open Books starting about a month ago, the funny thing is I heard of them before, I even donated books at printer's row to them. A friend of mine wanted to intern there, it just so happened it was right by my other favorite shop Papersource. What is Open Books? They described themselves as "Open Books is a nonprofit social venture that operates an extraordinary bookstore, provides community programs, and mobilizes passionate volunteers to promote literacy in Chicago and beyond." I like to think of it as the awesome store where I can get $1 dollar comics and other books I've been dying to get but was always broke so it stayed on my wishlist.One of those books is A Child's Life and Other Stories by Phoebe Gloeckner, a graphic novel that is beautifully illustrated and written by Gloeckner. I was drawn to it by Amazon's sample of a girl that loves dolls but with a disturbing imagination, kind of like me! :P I also really wanted to get to know more female graphic novel writers/artists since I'm a big comic book fan and wanted to support my fellow womens. Girls like me, need more role models, I know gender is not everything but when it seems only boys are doing it, it seems harder to break through. A Child's Life and Other Stories shocked me because it was very graphic, like penis, pedophiles, drug use, rape graphic. However it is an amazing read because it reveals how girls do unfortunately get used and abused, she gives a voice to all the children and teens that were ever hurt by adults and by the world. One amazon reader wrote ""A Child's Life" by Phoebe Gloeckner is like witnessing a car wreck or a street fight: you are horrified and appalled, but you can't stop looking". If you want to buy it or see some samples click on link below!
http://www.amazon.com/Childs-Life-Other-Stories/dp/1583940286/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
The second book is The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman, I wanted to read this book for a long time after I became enamored by the fairy tale/legend of the Ice Queen. I will save that fairy tale/legend for later post. I read Skylight Confessions just because it was by Alice Hoffman, and I really love that book. She is such a good writer, she also wrote Practical Magic, one of my favorite movies as a kid! She is the kind of writer that can transport you to a new world! I picked Skylight Confessions up at Goodwill for a dollar, and I only thought it was fair to spread the joy and donated to nonetheless, Open Books! So when I saw they had copies of The Ice Queen it seemed perfect! I have just started it but won't be surprised if I read it all night. Be sure to check out Open Books if you are ever in Chicago or live near by! For more information about Open Books you can visit their website.
http://www.open-books.org/

Stuff that makes you go AWWW

I found MiMi Paint via twitter, they had a cute icon and I was delighted to see there was much more from where that came from! I fell in love with these adorable witchy paintings which you can purchase on eBay! They are described as a "Pair of japanese kanji painting "Halloween" version and are the perfect size for a bookmark! I don't know if you are like me but I have a million bookmarks to help with all the books I like to read. I could always use more, perfect for a Halloween gift for your child or friend. Click on the eBay to place your bid!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130434843025&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT


For more about MiMi Paint click below!
http://mimipaint.com/



I'm a huge Hello Kitty fan as many of you know so I had to share this great etsy shop, LICORICE & LOLLIPOPS FASHION ACCESSORIES! You can find many super kawaii Hello Kitty jewelry, she also has a large variety of jewelry themes from Alice in Wonderland, adorable deer,tasty desserts and vintage retro items. She is even having a Super Sale that started today! "180+ items priced 50-85% OFF original PRICES!! MOST ITEMS UNDER $10!!" is from her sale announcement! The Hello Kitty mini television necklace is one of the super sale pieces priced at $12.99. So don't wait, hop on over to buy some cute jewelry!


http://www.etsy.com/shop/missmercy


As you see above I did not forget about dogs! But if you prefer cats, you can find the kitty version on their website as well! Everyday Cute shares lots of adorable GIF and comics about their beloved furry friends, Carmen, the yellow lab above, and gray cat Pusheen! They also share the couple's life and pop culture well the title really describes it well, it is Everyday Cute!

http://everydaycute.com/

Graphic Novels for Beginners

I am a big fan of graphic novels but know many are hesitant to picking one up. Maybe they assume it is only about superheros and villains or for children or the basement dwelling dweeb but comics and graphic novels have come a long way! Many are made into popular movies. So for beginners I would like to suggest realistic fiction based graphic novels. Below are some of my favorite authors and their most famous graphic novels! I also like to add that they have some swearing and can be sexual so it is not for the kiddies.

1. Ghost World by Daniel Clowes

Ghost world is about a spunky teenager Enid and her friendship with Rebecca. The two offbeat high school graduates look for fun in the suburbs at summertime, yes, it can be hard.
Ghost World focuses on the average joes of the world revealing the everyday jewels of life which is hilarious yet touching. The author and artist, Daniel Clowes effectively weaves these funny yet heart felt day to day characters in his work. If you like Ghost World you should read Clowes' newest work Wilson!

2. Blankets by Craig Thompson
Blankets is an autobiographical story that begins with the authors troubled childhood but the heart of the story is his first teenage romance. Blankets imagery is so beautiful and dreamy that it takes the reader into the deep heart of the author and artist, Craig Thompson. Blankets is clearly a valentine to his lost love and lost innocence and readers should treasure the chance or reading such a personal well crafted graphic novel.

3. Clumsy by Jeffrey Brown

Clumsy is the first graphic novel by Jeffrey Brown, like most of his work it is autobiographical . Like Blankets, the story is about a romance unlike Blankets the artwork itself is charming in its doodle like nature. What makes Clumsy and any truly good autobiographical work amazing is his ability to show the his own personal flaws! He does not draw himself as an adonis no, he shows the big potbelly and chest hair. He shows the self pity and awkwardness but what makes him adorable is his desire to find love.