Game of Thrones Fans, I Need You!

     I'll let you on a little secret. I'm currently working on my winter collection for Lively Loops. The theme for this collection is apparel inspired by some of the major fandoms out there. I'm about to start working on my Game of Thrones accessories and here is where I need your help!

     If you're a fan of the acclaimed series, would you buy apparel that reflects the different house colours? For example, would you wear something that looks like this:

Or this:


 
Or would be more likely to get accessories based off of some of what the characters have worn in the show. For example, I could take Daenerys Targaryen's blue hood seen here:

And create a piece like this:

     I suppose my question really is "Do you want to show your support for Daenerys Targaryen or do you want to be Daenerys Targaryen?" "Do you want everyone to know that you support the Night's Watch's effort to conquer the Nightwalkers, or do you want everyone to know that you yourself would conquer these evil entities if they trespass into this realm?" "Do love the Lannisters, or do only love Tyrion, and everyone else in that family can feel free to go ahead and die leaving him the throne?"

      Please let me know in the comments below, on twitter, on my Lively Loops Facebook page, or hey if you happen to see me walking in the streets of Toronto run on over and tell me! This would help me get to know what will make you most happy instead of taking a guess at it based off of what my taste is. If you like both ideas, I would love to hear it!

     If you have suggestions for other fandoms I should explore for this collection, please let me know that as well! Basically, I'm looking to hear whatever comes to your lovely little mind when you read this. I aim to please, and if you comment, it shall forever leave a smile on my face, I promise. Okay, I guess I can't promise that. You know, sometimes I have a bad day. But I CAN promise I will smile for one solid minute after receiving your comment. That's a full 60 seconds! Oh boy, what a smile it'll be too. It'll be all toothy and stuff. I'll even turn that smile to someone else in hopes it catches on. See, your comment can start a thread of happier people in the GTA! You CAN make a difference! All you have to tell me is what you think of my ideas.

Beyonce Builds Confidence

     I can sometimes get pretty intimidated by changes and new situations. I can tend to let stress get to me until I get really sweaty and embarrassed about said sweatiness. But once you're stressed out, you've got to stress over being stressed! That's how stress works!

     Lately I've just been having the following dialoge with myself:

Jackie's Inner Beyonce: You are Beyonce.

Jackie: I'm really sweaty. Are people going to notice how sweaty I am?

Jackie's Inner Beyonce: I don't think Beyonce would care about sweat. Beyonce would sashay into that room, shoulders back, hair blowing in the wind, and she would command attention.

Jackie: Well I don't want attention exactly, I just want to feel relaxed.

Jackie's Inner Beyonce: Look, Jackie, Beyonce? She's got confidence, and confidence keeps her relaxed. Just be Beyonce.

Jackie: Got it. I am Beyonce.

Jackie's Inner Beyonce: Okay, look, I know I said you were Beyonce, but that was more like a metaphor for confidence.

Jackie: No, no! I'm Beyonce! I'm going to sashay into that room and command someone to bring me a fan immediately. Then I'll scream "I AM BEYONCE" at anyone who stares at me for having sweat patties at nine in cool summer the morn.

Jackie's Inner Beyonce: ...I've created a monster.

Jackie: BE-YON-CE! BE-YON-CE! BE-YON-CE!

How To Upcylce A Scarf

    A while ago I made a scarf that looked like this:

     It's pretty bad considering a scarf won't keep you too warm all curled up and scared like that. It was even knitted twisted as you can see on the top left part of it. The pattern looked like this:

     Not a bad pattern I guess, but I remember it being really tedious when I was making it. I decided to tear out all of the wool and give it another go. This time, knitting it in a pattern that will be easy for me to use and keep the scarf nice and straight. Also, not having a twisted scarf would be nice.
     So I tore out the wool to make a new ball. First I found the loose string I had tied in, and began to weave it out from the scarf. Once it was loose, I began to untie it, and unwind all of the stitching. As you'll see by the picture below, I came across some tangles that didn't make my final ball.

 So then I knit it all back again. This time, I used a seed stitch where I knit two, purled two, then switched after two rows. As you can see the pattern turned out well, the scarf lays flat and I didn't twist it! I wish I could say that this got me excited for colder weather, but I'm perfectly happy with the cool summer we're having. It's like spring liked me so much it decided not to leave, ever, and I'm fine with that.

My Jewelry Story and Recomendations

     I have had a jewelry revolution. I am not a jewelry wearer at heart. I’m a lazy person who usually thinks “urrghhh, it’s just another thing to do.” That is, until recently.

     I’ve started collecting pieces that mean something to me, and if you struggle with finding meaning to jewelry, perhaps this article will help you. If you don’t struggle, and are an avid art wearer, please read on as well since I have some good places for you to check out. If you’re just here for a story, you might just get that too.

      I started my jewelry journey with birthstone pieces. Obviously it gives me something to connect to as I like my birthstone, and it can certainly connect you to other people and their birthstones. I have several rings, and necklaces with amethyst features, and it’s always something I find I can wear to fancy events, or to work, or on a day that I just feel like a special little dove. I found a great shop on Etsy that sells birthstone jewelry as seen in the picture below, so please click HERE if you want to see more from Dashe Designs! Now, obviously this seller has amazingly gorgeous pieces (as evidenced the the photo), but you're going to want to click the link and go bananas. This shop as so many stunning necklaces and earnings that you're bound to find something incredible for a special someone in your life. Yes, that special someone may very well be you.

      Next, I started getting into infinity bracelets. They're amazing because you can wear them loose or tight, high or low, and best yet, you can wear them around your neck. They work with so many outfits, colours, events, moods and whims. They're the perfect accessory in my opinion. The one in the picture below is my actual hand (aren't I an amazing model too? Look how my fingers are all spread apart like that, and the nail polish clearly chipping off...) and the bracelet/necklace was created by DaisyViolet Jewelry. I've since bought more from DaisyViolet, and the best part about this artist is that she creates such an eclectic mix! My current favourites are her haircelets.

     Then I started using Etsy and noticed a world of incredibly genius creators with such fanciful expression (and I never just USE the word "fanciful"). I was immediately drawn to Tiny Hands Jewelry where you can wear scented mini delicacies around your neck. Of course it took me a while to decide what I was most passionate about, but I eventually chose this adorable strawberry ice cream necklace. I mean, if you're going to buy an ice cream necklace, you've got to get your favourite flavour!

     Lastly, my most recent update has been my go-to weekend necklace. As a massive Harry Potter fanatic, I knew the second I saw this golden snitch necklace that I needed it. Love and Gift sells these magical pieces as well as a bunch of other spectacular goodies! If you're a Potterhead, you'll definitely have a hard time buying only one piece of jewelry.

     Finally, this is my advice; go for pieces that excite you, and mean something to you. It's going to make you naturally gravitate to your jewelery box, or counter, or where ever you keep lovely hangy things. You're going to go pick out one piece and have several awesome options that help you express yourself, and make it hard to decide.