Valley of the Muse

I’ve updated the side bar with a list of blogs I follow. These have been part of my dailies for years in some cases, which in blogging terms is quite a long time.

Bentos

Lunch in a Box: Building a Better Bento
If you’re new to bento-making, I really recommend “Lunch in a Box”. Be sure to check out the FAQ and top tips to read about the basic principles of bento-ing.

Bento Lunches community
Once you’re ready to start sharing your bentos, you can showcase them on the “Bento Lunches” community on LiveJournal. Lurking helped me learn what works and what doesn’t and gave me the confidence to try it out myself.

Fashion

The Fashion Police – Fighting Crimes of Fashion
Features a great mix of high fashion, affordable trends, and fashion disasters. Images and witty writing keep me coming back.

Personal Finance

The Simple Dollar – Financial Talk for the Rest of Us
One of the best blogs around for personal finance and frugality, updated several times a day. The writing style is clear and personable, the topics varied and easily applicable. There’s a reason he’s ranked as a top blogger, and he sets the standard for all blogs regardless of topic.

Wise Bread – Living Large on a Small Budget
A number of different bloggers contribute to various topics centred around personal finance, frugality, careers, family, etc. Includes product reviews and giveaways.

Photography

Dark Roasted Blend – a weird and wonderful photography blog
I’m always fascinated by what’s posted. The images are at times humorous and achingly beautiful art.

Publishing Industry

Trio of publishing blogs that I always enjoy.

Editorial Anonymous – A Children’s Book Editor
Mostly writes about being a children’s book editor, but if you’re interested in being published, there’s a lot of good information here. Takes the time to answer reader questions about things like why you don’t need to illustrate your picture book before sending it to a publisher, and what to say when an editor calls you and tells you they’re making an offer on your manuscript.

Editorial Ass – a recovering editorial assistant
Mix of personal anecdotes, publishing news and what it’s like to be an editor. Personable style that’s amusing and helpful.

Pub Rants – a literary agent blog
Publishing industry from an agent’s perspective (rather than editor like the previous two), this blog covers industry-specific information that an unpublished author needs to know about, such as advances, query letter etiquette, etc.

What are some of your favourite blogs that you check daily?

From Science Fiction and Fantasy Novelists: The Value of the Bechdel Test
A breakdown of the three components of the Bechdel Test and how to include women in your novel or short story, even if it’s written from a male point-of-view.

From Meta Writer (on livejournal): Pet Peeve Words
Words to remove from final manuscript while editing, such as including, just, nearly, feel, etc. List compiled by community members.

From Playing With My Food: How to Cut an Intricate Design out of Nori
Instructions on how to create special designs in nori (seaweed) to decorate bentos with. The example is from “Nightmare Before Christmas” for a Halloween-themed bento.

From Simple Dollar: What is a “Good Job”?
Examines the fallacy of defining a “good job” by salary as the sole criteria.

From John Scalzi: Rationilizations Run Thick
Comment on rationalizing why you shouldn’t even try being a writer

From Writer Beware Blog: Writers’ Myth: “You Have To Know Someone”
Dispels myth of needing connections in order to be published.

From Pub Rants: Glazed Like Donuts
Quick tips on successfully pitching at a writing conference.

From My Bad Habits: How to Capitalize on Your Breakthroughs: Elation, Reflection, Intention
Great reminder with practical tips on celebrating your accomplishments and milestones.

From Freelance Folder: Top 10 Biggest Website Redesigns of all Time
List of 10 famous online companies that includes before and after shots of their sites.

From Editorial Anonymous: Series Potential? Seriously?
Have I linked anything from Editorial Anonymous yet? This is one of three publishing industry blogs that I follow religiously. This post talks about querying for a series of children’s books and why it’s not a good idea.

From io9: Tor Editor Patrick Nielsen Hayden On the Future of SF Books
Interview covers electronic publishing, online serialization, and the future of reading formats.

From Salon’s Broadsheet: Is it ever OK to tar your kid in print?
Battle brewing between author Julie Myerson and her portrayal of her son as an alleged drug addict. Article examines the repercussions to the son and the morality of writing about your children in a way that portrays them in a negative light.

From lifehack.org: Ten Great Ways to Crush Creativity
Tongue in cheek look at how a corporate leaders’ behaviour can impact and destroy innovation and creativity in their department or organization.

Pictures of Neil Gaiman’s personal library
I saw this linked on John Scalzi’s blog. It’s a bibliophiles dream room.

Eye Magazine (Toronto weekly): Nine Inch Nails – The Last Canadian Show Ever?
Trent Reznor talks about NIN disappearing for a while, memorable Toronto shows, the record industry and creativity.

From Pub Rants: What Agents Talk About When We Talk about Auctions
Pub Rants is one of the best publishing industry blogs because of posts like this. Book auctions are explained from editor, agent and author perspective.

From The Simple Dollar: Rule #11- Find and Work Toward Your True Passions
Concise and thoughtful list for transitioning your career to something you’re passionate about.

From PresidiaCreative: 55 Epic, Weird and Totally Awesome Images
Some fantastic images in this collection of digital images. My favourite ones are the lego hospital, the robot hiding an infant, and the soccer players made of fingers. It’s worth clicking on the larger images to see all the detail.

From Blood-Red Pencil: Book Trailers that Answer the Buy Questions (by Lisa Gottfried)
An excellent and pointed advice post for authors creating book trailers. Can easily be applied to promoting any creative product via youtube.

A few weeks ago I went to San Francisco and couldn’t resist buying the most adorable purse. The store was Loyal Army Clothing and I had the hardest time deciding what to get from it. If you click on the pic below, you’ll see the details, like an onion with a tear and a carrot with a toothy grin on the healthy side, and the hamburgers with vampire teeth on the unhealthy side.

If you’re looking for cool T-shirts and accessories go to http://www.loyalarmy.com/

Then I went to a BBQ where I met a girl who makes purses out of recycled magazines and wrapping paper, and decided to make this into a post featuring some of the unique bags that I’ve found.

Hamiltontankgirl makes purses out of recycled magazines, and my favourite one is the sushi purse shown below. I like that it reuses magazines and that it’s waterproof. She also can do custom designs. Her etsy store is here.

This bag is also from etsy, and I love that it’s made of different fabrics. The artisan has a few different styles, but I thought this colour/fabric combination was the best one. Tremundo’s etsy store can be found here.

If you prefer bags with sleek, clean lines, you’ll love these bags from Revamp Productions. They have a retro pin-up feel, and my favourites are in the style of a classic car (shown below). Check out their website for more styles and colours.

Or if you’d prefer your purse look like modern art, you’ll love the purses by Eylem Binboğa. The black cherry touch at the side is so pretty against the purple leather on the purse below. Visit Accessories by Eylem Binboğa here.

I couldn’t resist including the following two. They’re not really bags, but instead cakes that are made to look like bags.

If you’re in Toronto (like me), you’ll want to contact “Sweet Things” for your next creative cake art. This Louis Vuitton purse looks delicious and pretty. Blog with other examples (including a yoda cake!) can be found here.

Or, check out this Prada inspired purse cake by “I Dream of Cake”. The website has some beutiful high end creations.

What do you think of these purses? Do you create unique purses and bags? Have you purchased one? Leave a comment and link!

A fantastic speech by author Elizabeth Gilbert on the creative process and nurturing artists. If you’ve ever struggled with being creative you should watch this.

Very few speeches are this touching and meaningful.