{ the jaunty magpie }

2015-09-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

If I could save time in a bottle.... EVERYONE SING! I admit to having an at-times unhealthy obsession with Pinterest, going through pin-binges, collecting scads of ideas for projects I'll probably NEVER do. You know what I speak of. But when I do get a bee in my bonnet to make something, it's usually because I have miscellaneous crafty supplies that need a special purose! Case in point: one random, tiny glass bottle.

It started out as a small cork-topped glass bottle that was packaging for another little piece of jewelry. A charming way to package something, no? And as much as I love tiny bottles, I knew I couldn't afford to hoard more teeny-tiny bits of junk. So I made it into a teeny-tiny crazy piece of junk, hung it on a chain and called it "jewelry."

I took to the Pinterest-iverse, scanning through others' ideas of making charms out of tiny glass bottles. They ranged from charming to goth-crazy. I almost considered making a tiny paper boat in a bottle (yes, there are how-to's on Pinterest to make that), but I liked the idea of making a kind of wearable keepsake jar, and what more keepsake subject is there, than the city of Paris. There are pin boards aplenty dedicated to all things Paris, and country-French-everything. I picked up a small pewter Eiffel Tower charm at a craft store, which I knew would dangle nicely from the cork, inside the glass bottle. And I took a mix of beads and pearls, and tossed them into the bottle, like a collection of sparkles. A few miscellaneous charms pulled from my own random hoard of beads and baubles, and it was an instant craft creation.

It's probably too baroque for some -- this will be a gift for a friend in the near future. And even if it's never worn, but simply admired, it's nice to give something handmade, with the recipient's best-loved things in mind. And, I admit, it's a good prefunc for the holiday season, which I hate to say, is nearly upon us. Get crafty, kids.

Jaunty Fine Print: Photograph by Denise Sakaki

2015-09-01T13:00:00.000-07:00

"...There is no finish line with depression, anxiety, or any other sort of mental illness. We're on this path, and the path is constantly changing. Sometimes it's flat and well-marked, and we can see all the way to the horizon. Other times, it's so heavily shrouded in fog and mist, we can't even see past our fingertips and we need someone to show us where the path is." This beautifully written quote is by someone who was recently playing a round of Magic: The Gathering with actor Wil Wheaton, as fully described in one of Wheaton's latest posts. I know, you're thinking, what the hell is up with this nerdy stuff? Putting it simply, for all the doctors and specialists we talk to about mental illness and its daily struggles, the most comfort we receive is so often from a fellow sufferer. I am one of the many who struggle with depression and anxiety, and I offer hope and encouragement to others that they are not alone in this daily fight, and they are in very good, esteemed company.

This isn't Breaking News -- as anyone with depression knows, it's something you've lived with for what feels like your whole life, it's a part of who you are, and it can take years (or never) to come to terms with how to face it. You're always a little different from everyone else; an Other among the masses, where contentment at being The Awkward Weird Lonely One was the best case scenario for life. That's a win, baby! You felt things deeply, were easily affected, basic daily tasks felt like hurdles, and frankly, you were always a little pissed how life seemed so much easier for everyone else. Or at least, I did -- I still do, in fact. Which is the thing about depression and anxiety -- it's different for everyone, and maybe the hardest thing is to just admit that sense of fear and self-doubt, of being barely tethered to the world instead of one of the many so effortlessly living within it. And like so many people, after years of worrying about the stigma attached to mental illness, I sought help. I got on medication a while back, and though it's a relatively light dose, I know it's the start of a lifelong journey of adjusting the chemicals in my kooky brainpan to combat the days when you feel like you're trapped in a body of stone, or so full of despair, the darkest thoughts masquerade as a beacon of light.

September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day, and by all accounts, a day of mental health awareness. I'm not one for awareness days that don't include ice cream or hamburgers, nor do I wear special ribbons or bracelets of solidarity, but seeing that day of recognition, along with Wil Wheaton's recent post, and knowing one of my favorite humor writers/anxiety sufferers, Jenny Lawson, has a new book coming out (Furiously Happy , JFYI) well, it all seemed like Kismet. A Kismet on lithium, but whatever. Because this kind of struggle shouldn't be shrouded in shame. It's languished in shadow long enough -- it languishes there, still -- and it only continues the stigma that brands us dismissively as simply "crazy." I particularly like actor Jared Padalecki's "Always Keep Fighting" campaign to build support and awareness of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide. Kind of a nice Rebel Yell approach to the Debbie Downer Days. I'm a fan of reading Jenny Lawson's (aka The Bloggess) posts under the "Depression Lies" subject, as well as Hyperbole and a Half, another real life/mental health life blog that is as funny as it is heartfelt. They don't just talk about depression and anxiety being whisked away with a "Keep Calm and Carry On" meme (which I'd love to throw lighter fluid on and burn); they share what the really Bad Days are like. And for those who have felt those Bad Days, just knowing someone else is fighting makes us want to keep our dukes up, as futile as it may feel at the time.

But I admit. I'm stalling. I'm putting rah-rah social-issue-speak in place of what I really want to write about, but have such a hard time putting into words. It's harder than admitting my own illness. It's difficult to just type it out, because the words make it real, and reality is crushing. Life hit a hard, brutal stop this year when I lost a loved one to suicide. It was someone so very dear, my heart still aches to think about this person. And as much as I'd like to talk about this person and how important they were to me, I can't. Or won't. Because it's that stigma of mental illness; a morbid curiosity to know how it happened, and how the specter of suicide forever taints the person's memory and the life they lived. It's hard enough to lose a loved one so suddenly, and then to have them gone by their own actions. They suddenly become a stranger; both attacker and victim, with only unresolved grief for the survivors. Yes, there was a note. I've seen the note. It was short, with a sense of finality. Of despair. To know these were the final thoughts in this person's mind before they died... it all went back to the single thought I had when I found out: I couldn't have saved you, but I wish we had more time.

We naturally sought answers, knowing in the back of our minds there would be none. I looked through a paper trail of everyday documents -- financials, emails, business materials -- and a pattern of this person's suffering with depression was there, along with odd mood swings that would periodically occur, but always reassured with, "Don't worry, just a phase, I'm fine now." As beloved as this person was, we gave them respectful distance; a private person, always open to hear about others, but rarely opened up about themselves. There would never be a cry for help because this person's fierce independence (or pride), would see themselves dead before what they saw as dishonor. I don't know how you intervene in that situation, or if it's even possible. Maybe it makes it easier to not second guess, knowing how few signs there were. Maybe it allows us a tiny, lonely island to grieve upon amid the ocean of guilt that remains. I just don't know. And I never will. If anyone asks if ghosts exist, there's a part of me that will say, "yes," because some haunt us every day.

Suffering from mental illness and being faced with the brutal results of a loved one's own suffering is a strange perspective. There are questions everyone has, wondering how this tragedy can happen, how a person can feel so lost that they couldn't reach out to their dearest family and friends, but I admit to being burdened with fewer questions than others. I've participated in acts of self-harm, been dismissive over the consequences, truly believing it would be better off for everyone to not have me as a burden in their lives. I have a spare inkling of what those final moments must have been, written simply and hastily on a piece of lined paper, left on a desk for family to find after the police have taken the body. The loss of this person was and will forever be devastating, but the nature of their passing is, I'm loathe to say, familiar as a demon companion.

Depression Lies -- that's exactly the truth. And it doesn't help when it feels like the rest of the world marginalizes you as a nutcase. The portrait of mental illness is not the crazed gunman on the news, being bandied about by pundits, throwing words like "mental health awareness" as carelessly as a Frisbee. Mental illness is not a separate thing, it's not a Them, it is Us. We are bankers, doctors, lawyers, professionals in every industry; we are parents already besieged with self-doubt, easily seeded with more; we are silent prisoners in a cage of daily worries and fears, compounded by the fact that we know they shouldn't affect us, and that makes us even more anxious. We have to build ourselves up for every Tomorrow. We have to remember to take our medication, get out into the world now and then, and be extremely selective about the people we surround ourselves with. We put on our happy, social faces knowing it will leave us exhausted the next day, but grateful to have been able to do it. And we are not alone. We are many, who simply seek a safe harbor now and then to weather an ever-present storm.

Jaunty Fine Print: Illustration by Denise Sakaki

2015-08-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the maudlin post, but I looked at the date, August 19th, and I think it will be a while before it can be just another day in summer. It was a year ago, to the day, that we said goodbye to our sweet, darling pup, Indy. As sad a day as it was, it was one of the most special days we could have hoped for -- we made it a Day of All the Favorite Things. We took her to her favorite places, she ate whatever she wanted, she saw as many of her favorite people as possible, and when it was time to say goodbye, she never left our arms, quietly passing away in our home, in her own bed.

I still miss her, I really do. I'm so very grateful for our new dog, BK (Bua Kao), who we adopted this year; I think if we didn't have her fuzzy, sweet face, today would be so much more difficult. I really dreaded today; I thought about it often, wondering how I would feel a year later, working from home, all by myself. But that's not the case; I have Beeks, and even if she wasn't here, a year gives you a chance to accept a loss. That's not to say you ever get over it. You'll be surprised when sadness suddenly hits you out of nowhere -- I have moments where I miss Indy so much, little things that only she did, that can never be replaced.

But you learn to live with loss, which is something I talk to others about, when a loved one leaves us. You re-learn how to live in the world that's missing a big piece of it. Nothing can ever replace what's gone. You'll always have a little sadness in your life, but at the same time, I think it makes you love more. You value the lives in this world a little more, and you're more willing to give your heart, maybe in the hopes no one ever has to feel as sad as you did when you realized a part of it was gone.

I don't mind not being over you, Indy. I don't think I ever want to be, because it's a constant reminder of how important it is to have an open, vulnerable heart.

Jaunty Fine Print: Photographs by Denise Sakaki

2015-08-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

I know the Interwebs runs on cute cat videos, one giggly gigabyte at a time, but I'm definitely more of a dog person. I have the very good fortune to be able to write a regular column for a local lifestyle publication, 425 Magazine. I work with the editor to come up with themes every issue for my Flavor column, which is normally food/drink, but I did a twist on dog-friendly spaces, since it's summer and it's a great time to include our fuzzy friends on our sunshine-filled adventures!

That being said, all things are subject to editorial decisions -- not everything always makes it into the final cut, and that includes photos. But just because these pups didn't make it to print, that doesn't mean they're not loved and celebrated! This post is dedicated to all the super awesome folks who provided photos of their beautiful dogs (and friends' dogs) -- I wanted to give a huge thanks to friends, both fuzzy and human!

Pictured from the top, going from left to right: Sir Digby Chicken Caesar from Bellevue, photographed by Isaac Barry; Cooper and Harley Blue from Duvall, photographed by Audra Mulkern; Chloe from Kirkland, photographed by Michelle Daniels; Milo from Bellevue, photographed by Carrie Klumpar.

Second row, going from left to right: Marco from Redmond, photographed by Jaime Gonzalez; Percy from Kirkland, photographed by Kathleen Sanders; Toby and Butter from Kirkland, photographed by Kelly Lemon

Jaunty Fine Print: Photographs by dogs' humans listed above

2015-06-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back! I'm back! If you know me personally, you'll say, "You never left!" Which I guess is true -- I didn't go anywhere, I just took a break from blogging for a bit to take some time after a family member passed away. I will, at some point, make some kind of post relating to the issue of what happened, because I think it's something good to share, but right now, let's get to more cheerful things: hilarious Nihilist science fiction cartoons! Yes, you know the cartoon of which I speak, it is Rick and Morty.

If you've never heard of Rick and Morty - SHAME ON YOU. No, not really -- I had never heard of it up until over a month or so ago when the Mister was like, You Must Watch This. And he was right, it was damn good. No-holds-barred funny, the kind of blisteringly honest humor you'd find in Arrested Development, with the same dysfunctional family dynamics, along with cross-dimensional shenanigans. There's aliens, alternate universe versions of characters, an alien Garfield that only eats enchiladas, and even the Devil. It makes no sense, and that's why it's an amazing series. The best way I've seen Rick and Morty described was in this article by The Nerdist, which quite beautifully summarizes the show's greatest strengths.

I can't put my thoughts into such well-written words, so instead I made this fan art of Dr. Rick Sanchez and grandson Morty Smith, if they were to ever meet up with all the Time Lords of Doctor Who. Which means stealing all their stuff and inevitably Cronenberg-ing them into a de-evolved mass of self-aware goo. Click the image to view a larger version -- Wubaluba-dub-dub!!!!!

Jaunty Fine Print: Illustration by Denise Sakaki, inspired by Rick and Morty and Dr. Who

2015-05-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

I don't want to worry anyone, I'm taking a short break from this blog, but I promise to return. I started the Jaunty Magpie five years ago as a personal blog to collect all the things that inspire or bring me joy, (above photo being a huge part of that, which I'm very grateful for!), but I'm sad to say a recent and sudden death of someone very close to my heart has left me feeling rather broken. Right now, everything is tinged with sadness and a bit of pain, and I don't want that to seep into a blog about good things. I do want to share about what's happened, I think that conversation could potentially be helpful to others going through something similar, but right now the hurt is too close, and I don't want to make announcements before close friends and family are fully in the loop. And frankly, I just need time to recharge, rejuvenate, and find Hope again. So, wish me luck, I promise I will be back soon!

Jaunty Fine Print: Photograph by Denise Sakaki

2015-05-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

The last Monday of May is traditionally Memorial Day, also associated with the three day weekend of summer's official start, but let's not forget why we have a Memorial Day. It's not just about cranking up the barbecue grill or getting stuck in gridlock to spend a few precious hours on the beach -- take a moment to think about all the men and women who have sacrificed their lives, in service of their country. Not to be confused with Veteran's Day, which honors the service of all US military veterans, Memorial Day is a time of reflection for many, so if you have a moment, take some time to give thanks.

Jaunty Fine Print: Photograph by Denise Sakaki

2015-05-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

I went on a Jaunty shopping spree recently... and not a stitch of wardrobe-related stuff was purchased. Who doesn't have a love of beautiful things? That love can extend to the world around you, including the very yard of the home you live in. Gardening isn't for everyone, and it's definitely subject to moods -- I didn't feel like doing much yard work last year when Indy was sick, we just wanted to enjoy time we had with her, so everything around us certainly suffered. But it's a new year, and I have a new outlook on life (with a new fuzzy friend), and that inevitably translates to a need to grow and blossom.

We have a big yard. That's one of the main reasons we chose the house we've now lived in for over 10 years. And it's one of the nice things about living in Duvall -- the space is affordable enough to have the luxury of a big yard, full of trees and greenery. From the start, it's been a learning experience, planting things, learning what grows well not only in this area (Seattle and the surrounding area is considered Zone 8a, if you're wondering), but our yard in particular, which tends to be shady in a lot of areas -- good for the summer when it's hot, but you need to choose plants that aren't starving for that constant Vitamin D.

I've bought plenty of plants at nurseries and hardware stores, but one of my favorite places to shop for bulbs, which grow really well here, is Brecks. I've been a longtime customer; I'd say every daffodil, hyacinth and tulip to sprout up in our yard has been from this place over the years. It seems weird to buy live plants online, but bulbs are especially easy, since you're getting the root bulb, not the grown plant, when it's sent, and frankly, the prices are dang good. I get the biggest bulk order of tulips, daffodils and crocuses I can find, for the best price, just to fill the yard with blooms. They typically send the bulbs during early spring or fall, when it's cool enough to send the roots and bulbs out in the mail. They may not look like much, but think of these as potential energy, waiting to explode -- Color Bombs!

The nice thing about bulbs is that they're very forgiving, even in years when you're not able to tend to your garden, they'll find a way to bloom. And they often propagate, making new little bundles of bulbs at the root, so over time, your garden will grow on its own. Our garden was sorely lacking in love, so I took advantage of one of Brecks' many seasonal sales, and got a bunch of flowering bulbs and more hosta plants. It's an exercise in Imagination Cap-wearing, planting these humble roots and onion-like bulbs into the earth, and trying to envision what the yard will look like the following season. Even though I won't see the fruits of this year's gardening labor until next year, that's OK -- I'm spending this year preparing the yard, cleaning beds, and making way for the year not yet upon us, and that's probably why gardening is so therapeutic. It's all about moving forward, the need to look ahead and make plans for the future, because life springs anew.

Jaunty Fine Print: Lilac photo by Denise Sakaki, bulb/hosta photos from Brecks.com

2015-05-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

I have big news -- or maybe little white fluffy news? It was a heartbreaking loss to say goodbye to our sweet, sweet Indy last year, but we always knew we would make room in our hearts for another dog someday. And we always knew we'd adopt, that it would be a dog with a story to share, versus a puppy whose story is waiting to be told. And maybe in my heart I always knew it would be like with Indy, that the dog would find us, and not the other way around. In a way, that's just what happened -- meet BK (Bua Kao), and here is her story...

As written by BK, you know, if she could write (she's quite clever):
My journey has been a long and sometimes troubled one, but I am blessed to have been surrounded by incredible love. I am called White Lotus, Bua Kao (Khao) in my homeland, but you can call me BK. I am a kintamani, a dog native to the Indonesian island of Bali, and common in Southeast Asia. As a puppy, I survived a catastrophic flood in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2011, and was rescued by the good people of the Save Elephant Foundation, who work towards ensuring the survival of the Asian elephant, as well as providing a refuge for dogs that are displaced or abandoned.

I was fortunate to have found a place in the hearts of Tracy and Nathan, a kind couple from Washington State, who were volunteering at the park. They found me hiding in a storm drain, so terribly afraid, because the world seemed too large for such a little dog. And so they took me to a smaller place, beautiful Orcas Island, in the San Juans, where I lived with them and their other rescued animals for a time. I saw mountains, tall evergreen trees, walked on trails every day, got really excited by deer, and never had to worry about being hungry or forgotten again. I was rescued again, with love, patience, and a brand-new home.

But the world can still be a big place for a little dog, and I get fearful of what I don’t understand. I’ve had so many things taken from me, I forget myself, and I sometimes feel the need to protect the things I love, even though I don’t need to. And so Tracy and Nathan made the hard decision to give me my best chance, to find a new home that could give me both the space I need, but the protective people to make sure there’s nothing to fear in the world. This was a difficult decision, but one out of pure love, and I am thankful for that.

Through the kindness of a mutual friend (and Facebook! THANK YOU, LISA!!), my humans met one another, and a new home in Duvall was offered to me. I’m still getting used to this place, and these people, Brock and Denise, but I think they’re all right. And they certainly like me, judging from the constant petting and snuggling — I can’t get enough! I can still sense the previous dog they had, there is still some sadness in this house, but I see the smile I bring to these new people, how their faces light up every time they look at me. I’ve gone on drives in a weird little white car, neighborhood walks, and I have a huge fenced-in yard where I can run anywhere I want! Although whenever it’s time to go in, I’m happy to do so, I’m finding I don’t want to be too far from Brock or Denise. They’ve already introduced me to some of their friends, who are very generous with head-pats and snuggles, and the house is full of happy laughter. I have my own spot on the couch, beds all throughout the house, and someone is usually home all day, so I’m rarely alone. This is just one small part of a very blessed life I’ve had, despite a rough start. I’ve been saved twice, and I am eternally grateful.

If you would like to learn more about what you can do to help the Save Elephant Foundation, please visit them online, and here is a video of the animal rescue efforts from the 2011 flood that BK was rescued from:

Jaunty Fine Print: Photographs by Denise Sakaki

2015-04-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

I've clearly been a shutterbug of late. Which isn't a bad thing. I'm very fortunate to get photo gigs now and then, shooting what I love -- FOOD. I've been working with Black Bottle, a longtime favorite tavern/gastro pub in Seattle, getting their menu photographed, as well as their great space in Belltown, as well as their Bellevue location. I spent a mostly sunny afternoon crawling all over the place to get just the right angle, craning over food while standing on chairs, all the photo-acrobatics that anyone who's done this before totally gets. And it's kind of a good core workout -- I was a bit stiff the next morning. But doing what you love, oh man, it hurts so good!

I definitely don't get to do this kind of work all the time. This was a total treat for me, just going with the flow, chasing the light all day, trying different angles. I don't use a tripod, I prefer swapping lenses as the mood strikes, laying on the floor to get just the right wide angle, balancing on furniture to do overhead shots -- everyone has their own style of shooting, that's just mine. It was a creatively invigorating day, to be sure, and the shots turned out beautiful! I loved every second of it, even sifting through hundreds of shots to weed out the "meh" ones, and doing color/light balancing in Photoshop for hours -- I love it all. For as many late nights and long hours spent doing my usual freelance work, it's really nice to have these creative Treat Yo Self days, when you can embrace the frenetic creative energy and use it to help tell a story through photos. Even if it's just for a few days out of the year, it's the moment where you have to pinch yourself and say, I truly have a Dream Job.

Jaunty Fine Print: Photographs by Denise Sakaki

2015-04-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

Indulge the Birdy's penchant for photos lately -- the springtime blooms and more hospitable weather is inspiring to my shutterbug tendencies. I know it sounds silly, but I consider the camellia plants in the backyard my Miracle Plants. I put them in YEARS ago, and they have been overdue to bloom, but thankfully over the last couple of years, we've been getting a steady and growing number of flowers. I can see the bright blooms from our bedroom window, it's so very nice, and I like to celebrate that.

This year's blooms did not disappoint. While I know they have no relation to the rose, and apparently they originate from Asia, I think of camellias as a Northwest rose. It's rose-like in shape, the leaves manage to stay perfectly evergreen, even during the cold winter months. They're typically one of the first to bloom at the far edge of winter, but ours seem to enjoy the height of the springtime weather, when it's still cool, the skies flip-flop between drizzly gray and sunny blue, and these gorgeous flowers stay vibrant through all of it. Sure, this Bird's pretty easily amused, but this is definitely one of my favorite photos so far this year, and that's a good sign of the year to come.

Jaunty Fine Print: Photograph by Denise Sakaki

2015-04-14T00:00:00.001-07:00

Blame a crazy week, but dammit, this Birdy needs a mini-Spring Break! I am overly excited to cast off my Workaholic/troll-like existence and get out to have a little fun. Well, between other work stuff. You know... moderation. Looking forward to catching up with some friends and literally sipping the season at this year's Woodinville Reserve: A White and Rosé Affair. Ooh, sounds scandalous, no? ;) Don't worry, it's probably one of the most pleasant springtime events you could treat yourself with.

This would seem like something that's a better fit for my food blog, but the appreciation of wine is so much of an atmospheric experience -- a bit like fashion. Wine is about terroir -- a sense of place; it evokes memories of travel, both near and far. You feel just a little fancier sipping wine from a proper long-stemmed glass. And, like our wardrobe, it's very much seasonal. As I fold away heavy sweaters and pull out lighter, brighter pieces, I'm looking forward to sampling the latest spring releases of local Washington Rosés. This year's White and Rosé Affair will be at one of my favorite places, Novelty Hill/Januik Winery. Modern and sleek with Northwest warmth and textures, it's a beautiful spot for springtime sips, wearing a springtime dress, be it rain or shine. Rosé All Day, indeed!

Jaunty Fine Print: Photos by Denise Sakaki

2015-04-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly amazed at how good cel phone cameras have gotten. I daresay most smartphones probably have what would have been considered a top-of-the-line point-and-shoot digital camera way back in the day. I spent a long weekend snapping photos of our journey to Eastern Washington and back, to see the Mister's family. It's amazing to see how drastically different both sides of the state look, when you go from rainy, mountainous Evergreen Western WA to the big sky, rolling farmland of Eastern WA.

It was a bittersweet time with family. There had been a recent loss, one whose memory will be cherished forever, and their absence is sadly felt. The drive home, through the springtime fields that were just starting to show signs of this season's harvest, and the skies that gave us a brief rainbow as we sped along down the highway, were like little signs from something greater than us. A reassurance that souls find their way home, and that our loved ones never truly leave us.

Jaunty Fine Print: Photos by Denise Sakaki

2015-03-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

As promised/threatened, the Bird is BACK. I had some time with family to rejuvenate and recharge, and now I'm back with renewed energy. Or at least, that's what I tell myself -- there's always a bit of a vacation-hangover when you're back from a break. Uuuuugh. But whining aside, I wanted to share some simple DIY projects I worked on prior to my trip, something I like to call, You Look Cheap (in a good way). Upgrade existing wardrobe pieces with inexpensive fixes!

We all have those items in our wardrobe that we're a bit "meh...." about. They're not favorites, but they're good staples to have, yet it's tough to keep these staples in the regular rotation because of their "meh..."-ness. My answer to these basic staples is: Fabric Paint! Metallic, specifically, although a bold fluorescent hue would also be perfect. I had some leftover gold, silver and bronze metallic fabric paint from projects long past, and I remember how easy it was to use and how well it took to fabric -- nothing crazy, just a pretty sparkle and it doesn't flake off in the wash. They're like a dollar per bottle at the craft store, water-soluble for when you're cleaning your brushes, and once they've dried onto the fabric, they just need a quick heat-set using an iron (or if you're impatient/lazy like me, I throw it into a hot dryer for 15 minutes).

Stripes are always chic, and super easy when you have a roll of painter's tape -- a must-have for every household. Just sticky enough to adhere to a surface, but easy to remove without damaging that surface, and perfect for blocking out even, straight-lined stripes. I've been a fan of painting the bottom half of shirts and sweaters. I took a clearance rack $5 cardigan and jazzed it up with some metallic copper stripes. Tan can be so drab, but the little hint of sparkle and stripe pattern makes it more fun to wear. And it keeps you from looking like a baked potato with all that tan/brown.

Another DIY/inexpensive upgrade -- Voltron your jewelry. Which is to say, all those random costume jewelry brooches and decorative pins you never wear? Attach them all to a lace applique you can buy at a fabric/craft store, attach this sparkly tangle to some spare jewelry chain, and make a big statement necklace. I had a lot of little brooches and odd pins that I don't wear often, but don't want to get rid of -- arranging them onto the applique, along with some spare decorative buttons, I made a big, chunky statement necklace that's full of personal pieces. And I don't have to stare into my jewelry box wondering how I'll ever get around to wearing all these little sparkly bits and bobs -- I'll just wear them all at once on one necklace!

Jaunty Fine Print: Photos by Denise Sakaki

2015-03-10T00:00:00.000-07:00

Tis the season for the Magpie to fly the coop and visit the family. I realize it's been almost a year and a half since I've seen my dad (Mom visited last year), since I wasn't able to get back to Da Islands last year. Thanks to some hoarded frequent flyer miles and a need to use-it-or-lose-it, I'm happily heading out for a couple of weeks to spend some quality lazy time with the family. Even though I'm not from Hawaii, it's always been where my heart lives, and thankfully, where family resides, so I always have someone to embrace with Aloha when I visit. That being said, I'll leave you with some of my favorite little Hawaii doodles made a while back; everyone thinks palm trees and sandy beaches, but I think of comfort food and love when I hear Hawaii mentioned. Aloha oi, will be back soon!

Jaunty Fine Print: Illustration by Denise Sakaki

2015-03-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Indulge my Nerd-ness once again, if you will -- I'm totally digging on season 2 of SyFy Channel's Helix. I've always been vocal about my nerd tendencies and a love of genre TV/movies/books, and I thought I'd share a bit of fan art I recently created, inspired by Helix's episodes so far. I also wanted to say a big THANKS to all the fellow fans (and even the actors and producers/writers!) who have been sharing and saying such nice things about the piece over Twitter -- glad people have liked it so much!

I think television content as a whole has gotten worlds better over the years with edgier material -- and no, I'm not counting Reality TV or shows where you sing for votes. I think one of the main reasons why Helix caught my attention was its unexpected plot directions -- first season I thought it was about a viral outbreak in the Arctic and CDC shenanigans ensue; it was, but became something very different. Second season has so far brought just as many unexpected turns of events, to the point where I would call it a totally different show, similar to the American Horror Story narrative, where you have the same cast, but a totally different situation per season. I won't spoil anything, but suffice it to say, I created this poster design based off all the information we've been given so far, everything in the design has a meaning -- and who knows, from the latest episodes aired, it may not even be relevant!

I also just wanted to dive into a fun, layered photo collage project. No client, no deadline, just something that popped into my head as a visual idea, and taking to the interwebs for some image searching to help provide the raw materials. Creative exercises are a good thing, and it's totally worthwhile to just let the inspiration take you wherever it wants you to go, no matter how geeky it may be. Yes, this is my definition of "fun." Here's a look at the full piece:

Jaunty Fine Print: Photo illustration by Denise Sakaki (all photos from Helix/SyFy series and the Interwebz)

2015-02-24T00:00:00.000-08:00

Well, if you're going to throw flowers at my feet, they may as well be decorating some fabulous heels. At least that's what the voice said in my Magpie-Mind as I was looking through all the wonderful springtime-fresh fashions starting to emerge. While I'm less able to wear such beautiful but impractical high heels, a girl can still dream and admire the color and over-the-top embellishment on shoes like these. These gorgeous heels range from the wearable to the WOW.

Even if you're hard-pressed to find an event or an outfit to rock some of these heels, you can't deny their statement value. I'm totally loving on the throwback 1990s/Sex and the City vibe I'm getting with this season's shoe styles, with the peep-toe strappy sandals and beloved pointy-toe slingbacks! This is just the springtime shock to the system I need to get my wardrobe feeling inspired! A Jaunty garden of wearable delights: {1} metallic floral applique sandals by Marni, {2} BB floral-print pumps by Manolo Blahnik, {3} floral-applique satin slingback pumps by Giambattista Valli, {4} Rousseau Jungle floral pump by Sophia Webster, {5} Issy high heel floral pump by Tory Burch, {6} hibiscus floral-embroidered suede sandal by Charlotte Olympia, {7} jewel-embellished floral print sandals by Dolce and Gabbana, {8} floral architectural sandals by DSQUARED2, {9} floral-print leather ankle wrap sandal by Givenchy, {10} Tulip Ortensia heels by Paola d'Arcano, {11} Levita sandal by Chinese Laundry

Jaunty Fine Print: Images from shops listed

2015-02-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Can this Birdy just say - WHEW!! It's funny that this Lunar New Year is the Year of the Ram/Sheep, as I'm reminded of that saying that goes with the month of March: In like a lion, out like a lamb. I would call this year so far: "In like a lamb who acts like a lion." ROAR. It's been a little hectic at the Magpie's Nest. Work is going well, keeping me very busy, and my stressbuster of late has been baking. Not so much eating what I make, just enjoying the process, which can be very zen. My latest challenge has been teaching myself the method of French macaron-making, which is very much process-oriented. So while this is probably a better fit for my food blog, Wasabi Prime, I'm sharing this photo of an imperfect first attempt at these tricky cookies. Imperfection is OK. We learn from shortcomings and it only encourages us to keep learning. And at the end of the day, it's a nice reminder to not freak out, and just eat a cookie. Class dismissed!

Jaunty Fine Print: Photograph by Denise Sakaki

2015-02-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Oh, Library, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways... It's certainly no News Flash that the library is awesome. It truly is. Aside from being a handy research aid for many school years, it's been a great event space for meeting authors, my source for browsing magazines for free (and not having newsstand owners yell at me for browsing, not buying), and of course, books, books, books. I didn't renew my love of the library until recently, over the holidays, when the Mister gifted me with a new Kindle Paperwhite, as well as a snazzy cover (it's bright orange, my favorite color). And thus began my e-reader OBSESSION...

I was a longtime analog reader -- paper books were my jam. I also hadn't bought a book in years; everything I'd read over the last half decade has been borrowed or given, so I didn't even need the library, I had a steady stream of reading material at all times. I fell behind on favorite fiction series, I had so many scribbled notes of books I wanted to read "someday..." Upon receiving the e-reader for Christmas, it was at first daunting -- will I like reading off a screen? Will I get eyestrain?? Will I feel pressured to catch up with many years of unread books??? I took the plunge with a copy of Barbara Demick's Nothing to Envy, a nonfiction book detailing the daily life of people in North Korea. A longtime "I want to read that" book on my mental list, Brock immediately purchased it for me, and it was my first e-book experience. The book is as magnificent a read as I'd hoped, by the way -- HIGHLY recommend it. Much like heroin, this e-reader was immediately addictive and I was pleasantly surprised how easy it was to read off a screen. If anything, being able to enlarge the type slightly made for faster reading (at least for me) and I required MOAR KNOWLEDGE.

A faster reading pace means you want a ton of books queued up. But even at a cheaper price than printed books, it's still money spent on something you may not ever read again -- or like, for that matter. TO THE LIBRARY, ROBIN!

I had to updated my library card in-person, but beyond that, it's a misanthrope's dream being able to borrow books and other materials like a maniac, in the comfort of your own home, at any odd hour. I don't know how other systems work, but the King County Library System is a breeze. The checking out of e-books sends you out to Amazon to do the actual borrowing (if you have a Kindle), and you just click the "borrow this book" and designate which device you want it downloaded to, and within seconds, you've got a book on your reader. The e-books basically have a poisoned pill in the file, so you don't have to return the book, it will disappear off your reader in the 20-odd days of borrowing you're given, which is plenty of time. I've managed to get caught up on most of a longtime mystery/thriller series I've been reading since college (anyone else an Agent Pendergast fan?); tore through The Rook, a book highly recommended by a friend, and highly enjoyable. I have probably a dozen books saved on my KCLS wish list, so I can easily see what's available or what second choice book I can borrow while I wait for something else to become available. Even if you don't consider yourself an avid reader, you no doubt have a long list of "I've been meaning to read that" books, and it's ridiculously easy to start chipping away at that list with the ease (and free-ness) of the library.

Another big plus to taking advantage of the library is access to a lot of free magazines, and not just the print versions. KCLS uses Zinio to access its free titles -- not sure what other library systems use. It's a free account and it's easy to download the reader app on any full color device, like an iPad. I'm very pleased to say I went on a magazine binge, electronically "borrowing" a dozen popular and recent issues, like Martha Stewart Living (seen above), Vanity Fair, and pretty much all the major food/cooking magazines. I can happily browse issues of Lucky and Glamour -- magazines that I usually only bought when I was going on a plane; something I could mindlessly leaf through and not mind leaving behind.

While I still love print and the feel of paper, I'll save that fetish for art books and cookbooks. There's a liberating feeling of casually glancing through an electronic version of a magazine, where most of the content you're only moderately interested in, or once you read the article, you're done. There's no nagging desire to keep things, tear out recipes or ideas, so that you feel the purchase and the landfill/recycling will be worth it. It's just an electronic tap and it's gone. The same with books -- I rarely re-read anything, especially fun, pulpy novels. Everything doesn't have to be serious; along with a rekindled (ha, bad pun) love of the library, I'm falling back in love with silly, fun books that I can power through in a weekend. So, dust off that library card and get reading -- there's so much good stuff out there!

Jaunty Fine Print: Photos from the Feb 2015 issues of Martha Stewart Living

2015-02-03T00:00:00.001-08:00

Apropos of absolutely nothing: here is a draw-ring. I've never made it a secret that I'm a total TV Nerd, especially for genre/sci-fi series. Because honestly, REALITY IS BORING. Let's have ghosts, monsters, angels, demons, and an Apocalypse in a pear tree. I love the American-Revolutionary-War-goes-mystical series Sleepy Hollow, which recently introduced a new character, Orion the avenging, zealot-like angel, and I equally love Supernatural, a long-running show that Brock best describes as Flyover-State X-Files, which has featured longtime angel and Team Free Will cheerleader, Castiel.

There's really not much else to say other than, if you watch both the shows, you'll totally get it. If not, I'm sorry I broke your mindgrape with this. And yes, this is what happens when I'm waiting for feedback between work emails. Productive, right?

Jaunty Fine Print: Illustration by Denise Sakaki

A Rare Moment of Sportsing: GO HAWKS 2015!!

2015-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

Has the Bird gone TOTALLY MAD?? I am the last person on this planet to be crowing about any Sportsing of any sort, but I am a fan of Fandom, more specifically, the inspiring spirit of Seattle and its bear-hug embrace of the Seahawks. I don't know what Sunday will bring, but win or lose, let me say with all my heart: THANK YOU, to the team, its supporters, and most importantly, the whole Pac Northwest for rallying around the 12th Man spirit. I was so inspired by this outpouring of support that I actually put together a little video, compiled of Seahawks footage and photos, set to one of my favorite football movie scores, "Rudy," composed by Jerry Goldsmith. Because at the end of the day, it's always about the spirit and heart of a game.

Jaunty Fine Print: Video footage and photos from the Interwebs -- I don't own any of the material, but I did edit everything together

2015-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't say I'm particularly drawn to pastel/Easter hues, but it got me thinking -- why not wear such light, subtle hues in the dark days of winter? What makes a look so stylish is an understanding of opposites -- wearing a layered summer dress for winter, a tough moto jacket and boots with a feminine skirt or dress. I daresay pastel colors can almost be called rebellious when worn in winter -- oh the scandal!

Instead of Sunday dresses, why not have a wooly bubblegum pink or minty blue coat? Scarves and hats are everywhere, but instead of getting something to match your black/gray/neutral winter coat, get something that will frame your face in color. And don't forget your feet -- how about a pair of lemon-yellow loafers? However you wear or accessorize these anti-freeze colors, use the Power of Pastels to fight through the winter grays.

Pastel Powers - ACTIVATE: {1} Oblique zipper crop yellow coat, {2} Pilcro Hayden booties in pink, {3} Draped front coat by Chloe, {4} LIV crossbody in pale blue pebble leather by Coach, {5} Lady Dior large tote in aqua by Dior Vintage, {6} Chunky knit beanie in Cosmic Sky by 1717 Olive, {7} Chunky knit/rabbit fur cowl scarf in orange by Hat Attack, {8} Abigail mustard loafers by Penny Loves Kenny, {9} Paint Can open knit scarf in Bone Lime by BCBGeneration, {10} Ultimate Slim Coat in mint by ASOS

Jaunty Fine Print: Images from shops listed above

2015-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

I'm sure by now, most of you have either binge-listened or at least heard of the podcast phenomena that is Serial. Birthed from the wonderful nerdtopia radio series This American Life, Serial focuses on a single story, reexamining the details and the people involved, done with the intent of providing fresh new answers. Inevitably, it creates more questions and gives us all plenty to talk about. The first season -- free for download off iTunes or the Serial site -- was about a murder of a young high school girl named Hae Min Lee in 1999, in Baltimore, Maryland. Adnan Syed, her ex-boyfriend, was investigated based on a friend, Jay, who claimed Syed came to him to help bury Lee's body. Syed refutes Jay's account and says Jay's story is a total fabrication, he had nothing to do with her murder, and a confusing web of accounts over his whereabouts and motives are all explored in the 12-part podcast by host Sarah Koenig. That's the shortest way of describing what Serial is, without spoiling anything if you haven't yet listened. But this post isn't about the endless strings of conjecture, more about the phenomena of true crime obsession, and how this story is quietly changing the way we look at justice and starting real conversations.

Everyone loves a good mystery, especially one that actually happened, not just some crime show with an acronym in the title. Crime has a lurid attraction to people; it's not just about the satisfaction of using logic and evidence bring a criminal to justice, it's totally about the scare factor, and the opportunity to peek into the darkest parts of the human condition. And I think that's why Serial really caught on with people, because it wasn't the typical crime taken to extremes that attracts tabloid headlines. Adnan Syed, who was convicted of Hae Min Lee's murder, isn't the faceless Bogeyman or a lurking murderer with a hook for a hand, he's a young man now in his twenties, serving a life sentence, and having his interviews with Koenig via a prison phone. I don't want to inject my own personal thoughts on the investigation as a whole, but whether you believe Syed should or shouldn't be in jail, Serial puts a human face on everyone involved, and that's what keeps us engrossed. By taking time to humanize all the individuals involved with the case, showing both their good and bad sides, your ability to form a confident opinion feels about as helpless as a flag, flapping in a windstorm.

Is this entertainment? Don't kid yourself -- yes, it totally is. We are absolutely engrossed in these strangers' lives, and unlike the supposed "reality" television that has completely dulled our senses, the fact that this is truly a life and death situation provides a vicarious thrill. The Human Circus isn't anything new, we've been entertained with derring-do and abject gore since the Roman Colosseum days. I'm not sure how to feel about that outside of a sheepish admission of guilt. I certainly don't maintain that listening to Serial is somehow moving the wheels of Justice, but I think it's sparked the art of conversation again. We're not just parroting information fed by a Facebook page, we're referencing something, discussing it, and often debating over it. This exchange is a positive thing. We're not arguing political/religious principles which really have no right answer, we're questioning facts and motives, ultimately taking a healthy, critical look at the shortcomings of our justice system. The fact that these people are strangers give the luxury of being able to look at their personal accounts as raw data, and the podcast is designed to leave you with a lot of unanswered questions. You're allowed to change your mind, to be confused, and just be lost in the information. It's not like a procedural crime show, where everything gets investigated, solved, and taken to trial within the span of an hour. This is a mystery with real people, life-changing consequences, and the unanswered questions and lingering ennui are a fitting result at the price of it being entertainment.

That leads me to another true crime mystery that gained a wider audience as a result of Serial's popularity -- the 8-part documentary series called The Staircase. It chronicles the investigation, case-building, and trial of author Michael Peterson, who was arrested for the 2001 death of his second wife, Kathleen Hunt. She was found lying at the bottom of a staircase, blood everywhere, and investigators questioned Peterson's claim that it was a terrible accident, that a combination of too much wine and some vicodin had made her lose balance, causing the fall. The whole series can be viewed on YouTube -- I highly recommend not looking up details of the case, if you're unfamiliar with it, that way you're following the story in real-time, with the documentary.

Unlike Serial, which is about the reflection of events, and its underlying themes of motive and memory, The Staircase is chronological, and you allow the story to take the lead, bringing you to unexpected places. Again, without spoiling anything, I will say, I went into The Staircase with a forensic bias, thanks to all those acronym-titled crime shows. There's so much blood! How can this be an accidental fall down the stairs? Get the CSI team and Dexter on this, STAT! The documentary crew primarily follows Peterson and his family, and his defense team as they build his case, so you have this sense that they're trying to convince you of his innocence before the trial even begins. Your mind wants to trust in the power of forensics (TV told us so!), but you realize how flimsy the reliance on scientific experts can be. Hard data can be as inconclusive as personal accounts. And while the intent of justice is to be equal, the people serving it are not --sometimes the demeanor of a forensic expert can win over or totally turn off a juror, regardless of their testimony.

There's a moment where Michael Peterson is driving through his city, and he speaks very truthfully about the inequities of the justice system. He fully admits his White Privilege, that he's fortunate to be of the upper-middle class, with the ability to afford a high end legal team, and that if he were assigned a public defender, he'd probably be pressured into admitting guilt and accepting a plea bargain. Whether you believe Peterson to be innocent or guilty, his words ring a sharp truth.

Peterson's case has echoes of the OJ Simpson trial, except that while the subject of race became a shield for Simpson's defense's argument, the subject of sexuality/morality becomes the weapon for Peterson's prosecuting attorneys. Peterson's character comes under the microscope when it's revealed early on that he had engaged in extramarital affairs, more specifically, with men. The affairs speak to motive, but one can't help but think that his bisexuality placed Peterson in a negative light in juror's eyes. This adds to the engrossing complexity of the story, and thoughtful fodder for discussion.

So much is said over being thankful that we are not victims of senseless crimes, so the inversion of that would be the fear of helplessness if you are accused and possibly convicted of something you didn't do. The people featured in both crimes are not murderous ghouls; they seem normal, even likeable, and we're likely to find more in common with them, save for a criminal investigation. That's perhaps another attraction for mysteries like these. It's as much of an examination of the human condition and its moral limits, as it is a search for justice.

Jaunty Fine Print: Logo from Serial Podcast site, alteration by Denise Sakaki

2015-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

No, it's not Valentine's Day (yet) but here's to ringing in the new year with luck and prosperity - paint the town RED. A powerful, bold color, red is also associated with good fortune in Chinese tradition. It wards off bad spirits and it's associated with celebrations of great joy. So for the first post of the new year, the Magpie says, ring it in with red.

I love the power of a true red. Not maroon, not oxblood -- bright, cheerful, candy-like RED. I also know it's not the easiest color to wear, and certainly not from head to toe, but that's another reason why I love using bold colors as accessories. Rock the red lipstick and fire engine-red nails. Wear a bright red scarf over that dark wool coat. Even a bit of red in a room can brighten things up. We're in the long haul of cold winter days for at least a few more months, let's keep our Mood happy and lucky.

Objects of good fortune: {1} Layering vest with Primaloft in Sweet Persimmon from J. Crew, {2} Perspektive pyramid rubber strap watch by Karl Lagerfeld, {3} Original high gloss boot in Military Red by Hunter, {4} Be Dazzling scented candle by Kate Spade, {5} small enamel skull bangle by Alexander McQueen, {6} Come to Bed Red nail lacquer by butter LONDON, {7} Red Amour Creme Smooth Lip Colour by Laura Mercier, {8} Hamilton mini messenger bag in Mandarin by MICHAEL Michael Kors, {9} cashmere wrap in red by Nordstrom Collection

Jaunty Fine Print: Images from shops listed

2014-12-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

No matter how you celebrate the season, I wish you all kind holiday greetings. I always make our holiday cards every year, they're often a reflection of how the year went, and of course, this was the Year of Indy. Our beloved pup is no longer with us, but remains forever in spirit, and her memory is a reminder to love and cherish every day we have. So take that blessing from our fuzzy pup as we say farewell to one year and hello to a new one! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Jaunty Fine Print: Illustration by Denise Sakaki