RhianCaroline

operation christmas child

It may feel a bit early for Christmas for some, but this project has a deadline. Operation Christmas Child means filling one empty shoebox full of gifts and educational supplies for one child in a third world country to recieve. You have to drop off your shoebox between the 1st and 15th of November, at one of the many designated spots around the country. Or if you are American, here is your site.

I am very aware there are complaints about Operation Christmas Child, and Samaritan's Purse who it is run by. It would seem it isn't made clear that this is an evangelical Christian company, who include evangelical Christian pamphlets in up to 95% of the boxes.

I understand the argument, should humantarian aid and evangelism go hand in hand? Does it cause confusion? Maybe. Maybe not. My concerns would be more along the lines of, 'what version of christianity is being sold to people in desperate need of humanitarian aid?' I understand non-religious people feeling lied to when they realise they are aiding in a christian movement, also.

But I have thought about this. Having missed the deadline for the Link Romania shoe box appeal, this is the only other one I can find. And if I have to weigh up a whole shoe box full of fun and necessary items for a child who would love to recieve them, against a pamphlet of Bible Stories. The shoe box has to win out for me.

I'm linking this up in case any of you want to fill a shoe box (or two!) up with goodies, for a child who will appreciate it ten times more than the new pair of socks you buy your dad, or the piece of jewellery you purchase for your friend.

*EDIT* Sarah linked up Blythswood in the comments, who also run a shoe box appeal. They give boxes to not only children, but teenagers, and adults. (Please note, they don't seem to have a drop off location in Wales, for any Welshies out there!) Thank you for the info, Sarah!

fresh+fast

 

i can not recommend this cookbook enough.
i love cookbooks. really. i have one pot cookbooks, the healthy jewish cookbook, multiple cupcake cookbooks, japanese, italian, vegetarian, blah blah blah.
but this one, beats them all. every recipe i have tried so far is a keeper. they are all ridiculously quick to throw together, full of healthy fresh ingrediants, and delicious.
and the photos in this book are beautiful. i won't lie, they are the reason i picked it up in the first place. i just got lucky the food is gorgeous too.
as i say, if you are on the hunt for easy peasy yummy recipes, this is the book for you.
home made pesto pizza anybody?

i love love

 

You can this sticker for free from here. Unless you do not live in America, then you can not get one at all. Ha.

Please send me one American's. Just one. I will send you pretty things in return. I would be more amused if someone who does not support gay marriage sent me one. But that would just be for my weird sense of humour. 

the zine edition

i love a lot of zines. they are my newest crack.
along with cake, gossip girl, books, and ranting.
so here is a list of a few of my favorites.

 Culture Slut

Brilliant brilliant brilliant. Want a glimpse into a retro glasses wearing, tattoo loving, feminist loner's mind? Read Culture Slut. It literally is her version of a diary, put out there for other zinesters to love and adore. She has definitely inspired me for issue 2 of Barefoot.

The La-La Theory

My favorite (so far!) word loving zinester. Not just because there is a Welsh word included in this edition! But because the way Katie writes makes me want to write. This is a good thing to find in a zine.

 The Lucky Ones

I'll admit it. I bought this zine because I loved the name. Then, when I got it in my hungry little hands, I loved this zine because of what the name represents. 54 pages taken from Mark's sketch book, 54 random observations of the wrorld around him, 54 lucky little sketches making it into this inspiring little zine. It made me want to ride on the New York subway, and carry my sketch book everywhere. His follow up, Dead Letters and Rare Words is on my wish list also.

Finally (for today) my understanding of the boundary between zine and MAGAzine is vague, at best. Simply, I understand it as coming down to advertising. Zines are grassroots, they are indie, they are  anti-commercialism, self published from the darkened bedroom of a person wanting to get their thoughts, their issues, their causes out there. So in my mind, when a zine includes advertisments, (unless it is advertising oneself) then it moves over into the MAGAzine realm. 
However, Subtext classes itself as a magazine, but rather has the feel of a zine. There are no adverts, just a group of people writing about things that matter to them, that effect them and us and you. It's a British feminist magazine, that is a breath of fresh air amongst heat, and look, and glamour, etc.  

My first zine list ;)

these are a few of my favorite things

 1. Untitled, 2. state of play: acquired by occasional retirement, 3. Baby Shower, 4. Untitled, 5. Coexistence, 6. ryantown, 7. rainy day, 8. The Lanes, Brighton, 9. Boobs Cupcakes

BOOBIE CAKES! heh heh.

i always get the urge to sing, 'THE HILLLLLLS ARE ALIIIIIIVE' when anybody mentions favorite things.

for people not playing on tumblr yet, i post most of my flickr faves, (along with feminist rants, political news stories that i find interesting, and copious images of ed westwick and robert pattinson) on there. but some of these i don't think i did.

i have neglected dandelion wishes this week. but travelling and tiredness doesn't really make me want to blog. or email for that matter.

i've guest designed for angie delarie this month, so i'll post what i dids next week.

i like chips and dip.

and look at my puppy wearing a hoody.

 

i would like to purchase some grey converse high-tops.

finally. i am going to amsterdam next month. the boy does not realise this yet, but i'm sure he will be fine with it. will there be tulips? this is my biggest concern.

i need to buy a book on amsterdam.

goodbye.

brighton bits

 

SweetTarts = the taste of tennessee whilst walking around the laines, pretty cupcakes that make you feel sick because they are so sweet, but still good, a vintage mustard yellow typewriter that was too heavy to carry home but had my name written all over it, pebbles scurrying up purple canvas shoes as seagulls soar above and the sunshine falls down, constant sightings of those fucking hipsters, free organic muesli, near death moments and lifetime fears, george, the whole of the eurovision, and all the laughter that comes with it, no vintage photo booth, not enough sleep, not even any photos with s & r together, but goodtimes.

here commenceth

 

a four day homage to the beard.
the beard which is no more, since Saturday. but will be honoured forever more.
article 1: blurry beard.
amen.

its comin' up

 
1. it's cold out there.. I really miss the spring!!, 2. Home Sweet Home, 3. happiness, 4. Spring inspired shelfs, 5. Egg Legs, 6. Spread some la la la looooove, 7. clouds polaroid, 8. the home of ladybugs, 9. Untitled, 10. Машенька, 11. Untitled, 12. day 94, 13. eye spot me14. Not available15. Not available16. Not available

the clocks went forward, and the rain came down.
spring is the time for planting seeds, holga photos, mowing the grass so it can grow in time for summer, catching the ever illusive british sun glare, reading by a window, snap shots of the sky, glimpses of hot pink, cherry blossoms and vanilla scented candles, newness and freshness and creating mini pieces of blooming art.
here's to spring *chink chink*

fyi

  

i am officially playing on tumblr. i've had the account since january time coz my bestest uses it (who also happens to be one of my favorite blogs) but i havn't really delved.

now i am officially delved. its mostly a localised place for my zine stuff. not necessarily things that are in/going in the zine, but all medias that are shaping and inspiring it.
its kind of like an on-going stream of conciousness.
with pretty pictures.

dandelion*wishes* is staying around, and will continue to be updated monday-friday, including things to do with Barefoot Wondering, but tumblr feels more liquid. more community focused.

please add me if you have accounts. as always, i love new friends :)

reviews schmeviews

i forgot how much i love Wuthering Heights. i shouldn't leave it so long next time.
goodreads is like my version of imdb. although granted, i couldn't live without imdb either. ("oooh ohhh, whats she off! i know her off something!" "I'll imdb it!")

my brother watches a lot of films. a lot of bad films if his recommendation of Raise Your Voice is anything to go by. when he finishes the movie he goes on imdb to read the boards, and probably flame some people too. i'm sure he was telling me recently how he was sticking up for ashton kutcher on a denzil washington thread?
when i finish a book, i like to go on goodreads and read the reviews. now, thankfully, the people on goodreads seem to have a little more intellect than some of the users on imdb (my brother included.) most of the reviews are clever, witty, and well thought out, my favorite review i have ever read on there so far, is this. 
even if i don't agree with them, i don't feel the need to roll my eyes, warm up my fingers, and reply with high sarcasm.

untill now.

i have come across two reviews, for two different books that i happen to love almost more than the sun, that have been so ridiculous i have had to bite my fingers to keep from commenting. i don't want to be that person. that annoying person who comes across as all, "oh your opinion is stupid."
BUT REALLY.
these reviews were stupid. one for Wuthering Heights.
and one for The Disreputable History of Fankie Landau-Banks. a book i want to press into the hands of every young girl who believes Bella Swan is a female character worthy to look up to.
it was that review that stemmed many a page that will be in my soon-to-be released zine.

i was not so much concerned by her dislike of the book. but by her apparent lack of understanding of it.
in a book that is bravely and intelligently asking, "who created these assumptions we all adhere to when it comes to our gender?" a book that beautifully articulates how young girls are encouraged and expected to perform to a certain role, and portrays just how suffocating and limiting those roles may be for some.
there is a review that supports the mainstream stereotype, and actually dares to suggest that this is just the way it is; now quit moaning girls and get on with it. boys will always play video games and ignore you, and if we dare have an opinion otherwise then we have just become that whingey, moany girl none of us want to be.

i have so much i could say. so very much indeed. but i will save that for the official introduction of my zine. and when i am feeling more focused for a bitchcake session.
in the meanwhile, i will say, read it. read it now. put down whatever book you are reading, and run to the store/order The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks.