Marilyn is the only famous woman I have ever truly admired. It seems cliche, as she is an icon to so many; her image is world famous and often over-used, but for me she represents something deeper and more meaningful than just a pretty face.

I believe she was so much more than the woman she portrayed herself to be. An incredibly talented, funny, intelligent woman who underneath it all, tragically, lacked confidence and seemed to be constantly searching for love and acceptance. After reading about her life, her journal entries and poetry, I cannot help but feel a little sad every time I look at her image.

Despite decades separating us, there is something about her that I truly identify with, and today I felt like writing about it to show my appreciation for a woman I will always adore. There is no other quite like Marilyn and I don't think there ever will be. So I hope she will never be forgotten or cast aside as just a ditsy blonde, as she is the true testament to "never judge a book by its cover".

xxx

Nothing quite gets me like Studio Ghibli does.

Historial fact of the day

"Elijah McCoy, son of former slaves who had escaped to Canada, studied mechanical engineering
in Scotland. After the Civil War, he moved to the United States and worked for the Michigan
Central Railroad. Because the railroad company could not imagine an African American engineer,
he was hired to run the boiler and lubricate moving parts of the train.
In 1872 Elijah patented his first invention, a self-regulating lubricator.
His device was so successful that buyers of steam engines would ask if the lubrication systems were the "Real McCoy"."

... hence the phrase.

Alane Jordan Starko

I think this is what we shall do...

As unfortunately it seems so damn expensive to buy a house now a days, I thought this article about a lady, Sandra Foster was completely inspiring. With little money and living in a trailer, she made a beautiful, tiny house in the middle of a forest in New York. Converting an old hunting cabin with only $3000.

Truly showing you can make any house, no matter how small, a home. So cute!

(for the full article, www.nytimes.com)

"And above all,
watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you
because the greatest secrets
are always hidden in the most unlikely places.
Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

Roald Dahl (all time favourite)

Edinburgh 2009/10
<3