A Trip To Salem

I went to Salem, Massachusetts today. I was in the area and figured Salem during the Halloween season would be fun. I wasn't disappointed- there sure was a lot to see, but it made me kind of sad.

We visited the cemetery, which have graves which date from the mid 1600s.  Many of the graves have a sort of flying skull motif on them.

There were many visitors to the town and cemetery, but the cemetery was littered with garbage. It really made me sad to see that while the cemetery wasn't forgotten, it wasn't respected, either. My husband spent our visit to the cemetery cleaning up the wrappers and trash from the ground.

The Salem Witch Memorial really depressed me, as well. It's merely a cleared out area with concrete slabs sticking from a wall. The slabs appear to be benches, but when you get closer, you see there are names, dates and methods of death .

On the ground before the "memorial" were the words of the condemned professing their innocence. To me, this was most important, because, as many people forget, these people were not witches. They were Puritans and most of them were devout.

I was disheartened to discover that these words were rubbed out, worn and covered with dirt, leaves and debris. In the photo below you can read the words "I am no wit..." A partial wall was erected over the rest of the words.

"I Am Wholly Innocent."

"Innocent."

I think what bothers me most about Salem is that the town clearly profits over the misfortunes in its history. While I don't really have a problem with that per se, I do think they should, at the very least, remove garbage from the cemetery and sweep the area around the Memorial. We're planning another trip up to New England next month and, barring any legal prohibitions, I'm bringing a broom to sweep the area out.

Anyway, there was a street performer pretending to be a statue. She was up on stilts (I think) and was so still that I was surprised when she moved. A cauldron sat in front of her and if you dropped money into it, she would pat your head and pose for pictures with you.

We also saw the statue of Nathanial Hawthorne, which was framed in a gorgeous orange foliage.

We're planning a trip to a maple sugary tomorrow. I adore maple, so I am so excited.

Back on The Mainland!

We arrived safely on the mainland. I was absolutely thrilled that there was a crisp snap to the air and dried leaves to crush underfoot.

We hung out with my best friend for two days in Pennsylvania before driving up to New England. We drove through New Jersey, New York (which I loathe) and took the George Washington Bridge, then on through Connecticut, Massachusetts and into New Hampshire.

Halloween has definitely arrived!

On Saturday, we headed off for what may be the last Pumpkin Fest in Keene, New Hampshire. I have never seen so many pumpkins in my life!

There was a giant carved Jack O' Lantern at the top of the scaffolding.

 That one says "Don't Drink And Drive."

I hate raccoons, but thought this pumpkin was pretty cute:

I will say this about people- they are certainly more formal dressers here than in Hawaii. I've seen only two people with hair even approaching my length since arriving on the mainland.

Yesterday, we went apple picking. We picked Macintosh apples and took a hay ride. The kids had so much fun and I really enjoyed myself, as well.

 I just got my laptop charger back after leaving it in Pennsylvania, so look for more updates very shortly!

Aloha, Hawaii

Okay, guys, here we go! I'm leaving for the airport in an hour and will land at our destination tomorrow morning. As you guys know, I am terrified of flying, so I will be blissfully unaware of much for the next 24 hours.

It's weird to think this time tomorrow... I'll be cold. I can't wait to see how the kids react. They can't remember a time when it was cold outside.

Aloha, Hawai'i! Mahalo for the wonderful times! We've been so happy here but are looking forward to the next chapter in our lives.

Brazilian Blowout; I think I'll Pass

I've long been an opponent of the so-called Brazilian Blowout. The company claims that the process is formaldehyde- free and is completely safe, but recently OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) announced otherwise.

"Four separate testing methods reveal the sample contained 10.6%, 6.3%, 10.6% and 10.4% formaldehyde respectively."

10%?! That's a heck of a lot more than "formaldehyde- free". Brazilian Blowout is still maintaining on their website that there is no formaldehyde in their product.

On top of the formaldehyde, the "treatment" requires flat ironing hair at temperatures up to (and possibly exceeding) 450 degrees! Skin burns at a mere 130 degrees and ignites at 480 degrees. I can't imagine that would be good for your hair.

There have been reports of stylists sustaining nose bleeds, burning eyes and having trouble breathing. I've seen pictures of stylists donning masks while applying the product to protect themselves. I personally wouldn't put anything on my hair that required a mask and could cause nose bleeds.

I know that a lot of people love the Brazilian Blowout and feel that the benefits outweigh the risks, but for me personally, I'll stick to traditional methods of keeping my hair happy. At the very least, if you are hell bent on getting the treatment, do the research first so you know what you're getting yourself into.

Trying the Treseme Fresh Start and Grahtoe Temptations

I clarified my hair this evening and boy, was it overdue! My hair feels amazing again; so clean! I used Lush Big Shampoo. It's a little weird because you're scrubbing your head with sea salt, but it works better than anything else I've tried. I know tomorrow my hair is going to be so shiny and bouncy again. Never again am I going this long without clarifying.

I bought some of that Treseme Fresh Start Spray and wasn't impressed. It's kind of like scented water spray. The scent isn't too bad, but it really didn't do too much for my five year old's hair.

I much prefer hair mists from Lilypad Bathworks (in whatever scent you want!) for the same purpose. Sofie loves her hair mist in the Candy Fluff dupe.

I got a message from Grahtoe yesterday and I was doomed. They made an applewood fork mermaid's tail with a perched owl. My dream fork! I asked them to hold it until we move since the movers are coming Monday (!) and we'll be between addresses. I will certainly post action shots as soon as I receive the fork.  That's just one thing I love about Grahtoe- they really get their customers.

I may be off the radar for a while while we're moving, but I have my MacBook and will update as much as I can. 

Grahtoe Knot?

I've been playing around with new buns, trying to come up with something to name in honor of Grahtoe Studio. ....maybe I should rename this blog "Crazy For Grahtoe...."

Anyway, it's similar to a Nautilus bun, but wrapped differently.

 I've been doing research to make sure this hasn't been done before, but I'm planning on calling it the "Grahtoe Knot," (with Grahtoe's permission, of course. )

What do you guys think? (Please excuse the unbrushed hair. It looks neater when I comb my hair first.)

Apple Wood and Owls

I know I've been gushing about Grahtoe Studio a lot lately, but I just saw an announcement about a new shipment of wood they've received and I am excited!

They announced that they now have apple wood which is currently uncut and prime for custom orders. I love apple wood.

Apple wood is traditionally symbolic of fertility (which doesn't limit it to your fertility. Think of the word "fertile." It can apply to a fertile mind, or fertile land, etc,) and also to peace, happiness and plenty (that's where that fertility comes in.) It can also be applied towards love.

What a wonderful wood to wear in your hair! I'm trying so hard not to buy anything because of the house, but I am sorely tempted by Grahtoe's acquisition of apple wood and I think I may get something small.

Grahtoe also has cocobolo ("rose wood") and zircote wood with mostly dark staining, just ready to be cut.

I've also been thinking a lot about owls lately. I love owls. They're my favorite animal. I've been trying to resist purchasing owl hair accessories.

Grahtoe made a fork with an owl medallion. I much prefer a perched owl and this one is in flight, so I am thankful for that. If it were a perched owl, I would have to buy it.

 

If Grahtoe makes a apple wood fork with a perched owl- I am doomed.

Speaking of owls, check out this awesome buffalo horn comb from Quecraft:

I'm a huge fan of horn combs. One can never have too many (especially in this house where my kids like to snag them and sword fight with them.)

I've ordered from Quecraft on Etsy once before and was satisfied with my purchase.

One final announcement; Grahtoe has extended their free hair stick promotion through the end of the month. Purchase a hair fork and get a FREE matching hair stick!