The Forest

We've Moved...

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:20:00 +0000

www.secretsoftheforest.com

Announcing...Forest Foods!!

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:30:00 +0000

I decided to start a small food cart buisness and expand the Forest into the food industry...I set up this cart and a craft table on my front lawn last Saturday, and, armed with nothing but a brown bell and an owl bank I decided to try peddling my home baked wares...

What was on the menu? My special blends of Forest Trail Mix and Trick or Treat Trail Mix (which were snatched up by hungry customers faster than you can say "did you see that squirrel?"); chocolate harvest fortune cookies; candy apple pops; granola bars; owl cookies; leaf cookies; and the lunch special, sandwiches!

Recipe: Trick or Treat Trail Mix

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:25:00 +0000

To celebrate the holidays and use up a bit of leftover candy corn, I came up with a new recipe for trail mix. Trick of Treat Trail mix is a savory delight that is perfect for a fall camping trip or to give out on Halloween..

You will need...

peanuts
vanilla & caramel flavored almonds
small bag of candy corn
sunflower seeds
toffee-covered peanuts
peanut butter chips

Working Hard...

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 18:30:00 +0000

...on my new fall collection. Stay tuned, friends of the forest!

Review: Wicked Bamboo Nails

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:25:00 +0000

I've never really been interested in nail art because I couldn't find designs that I liked and fit my forest style. Recently, I started challenging myself to create my own designs, like using wood grain shelving paper to do my nails, or sticking leaves on them. The other day while shopping for a new bottle of green polish, I came across these Salley Hansen Salon Effects Strips in Wicked Bamboo. I was so exited someone finally atttemped a wood design, I decided to try them out...

These strips are from a limited edition collection, I couldn't even find them on the Sally Hansen website! You can buy them on amazon.com...

It was my first time using these strips, so it took me a few minutes to get the hang of it. They seem a bit complicated at first but are actually really easy to use! They lasted almost two weeks for me, and when they started to chip I just stretched the effects farther with a duotone effect...

I would get them again, but the only problem was they just weren't detailed enough wood grain for me, I'd love it if Sally Hansen would make a faux bois effect strip! Until then, I'll stick to shelving paper...

Daily Outfit: Country Miss

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:20:00 +0000

dress: thrifted
belt: thrifted
tights: Dollar Tree
accessories: my creations
boots: thrifted at Motherlode

I made this acorn necklace by drilling a hole into the cap, then screwing in a closed hook. I glued the acorn back in then strung in on hemp!

A few weeks ago I found a petrified squirrel in the fields. I couldn't just let this cute critter waste away in the streets, so I took it home and tried my hand at a few taxidermy projects. This lucky squirrel paw bracelet is one that will be on sale at my next Motherlode swap meet!

I made this stump ring with a piece of wood I found while thrifting. Sorry for the blurry shot, but I had to get those green books in the background and this was the only photo that had them!

Recipe: Forest Trail Mix

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 18:25:00 +0000

Friends of the forest, have I ever shared with you my secret recipe for trail mix? I haven't? Well, then, get out an index card and add this to your recipe box! It's my favorite food of all time, I honestly think I was a squirrel in a past life, hoarding away nuts and berries the way I do! I finally perfected my mix of ingredients from the Dollar Tree...

one bag of cranberry trail mix (pick out the raisins and peanuts)
half a bag of dried cranberries
cashews
almonds (the vanilla flavored ones were at the 99 cent store so I stocked up!)
a bag of pistachios

It's Finally Fall-Fun Things to Do

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 04:50:00 +0000

Now that it's finally fall (though living in Southern California, I don't think I'll ever experience a real fall! It's 7 am and I'm already hot and sweaty as I write this!) Let's all get into the spirit of the season with some fun activities...

Curl up with a good book!

I had my one year anniversary of working at the library a few weeks ago, so Jesse took me to the bookshop after work and bought me a stack of books. I was in the children's section when Wildwood caught my eye. Once I saw that it was written by Colin Meloy, lead singer of The Decemberists, I knew I had to read it!

Get a faux bois manicure!

I love the idea of nail art, but I could never find any ideas that went with the forest style. Until I tried using wood grain Con-Tact paper to cover my nails and a leaf hole punch for an accent!

Bake some autumn treats!

I love the smell of baking cookies in the fall, so to bring in the new month, I had a bake-off yesterday! Owl cookies are sweet with cranberry eyes and an almond beak, and not too sugary for those who prefer natural foods.

Our New Forest Friend!

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 17:05:00 +0000

Name: Foxy Little Bear

Breed: Ringtailed Fox Cat

Astrological Sign: Aries

Tempermant: Wild

Meet our new feline friend, Foxy! She was found abandoned at the apartment complex my mom worked at just before she quit for a better job! Foxy was born & raised in the wild, a field behind the River Ridge apartment complex, and eventually was adopted by some people, but was too wild too handle. She was on her way to the shelter when my mom saved her!

This fiesty feline sure has calmed down since she moved into our cottage. Sure, she still gets into mischief (trying to sqipe Twoface's tail, running away and getting lost, climbing furniture...) but she's adapting to life in the forest fast!

Daily Outfit: First Day of Fall

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:05:00 +0000

dress: thrifted at Dollar Madness

necklace: 99 cent store

ring: bought on a whim at the gas station

shoes: thrifted at the Lord's Closet

You'll find them owl-most everywhere, but their natural habitat is the forest! I bought this necklace at the 99 cent store and stocked up on more to make into new jewelry...

I've got a fox in me pocket...

My Week in Photos

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:25:00 +0000

We had a bear storytime at the library, the kids made puppets and I passed out Smokey the Bear bookmarks. At least working there lets me promote my message of saving the forest to children!

A guy walked into the library was wearing this shirt, I asked him where he got it and he said "a thrift store in Utah" It just goes to show, thrift stores have the best clothes! I really liked the shirt, so he sent me a photo of it for the blog...

After work Jesse picked me up in our bug and we drove to the craft store then to the local forest for extra supplies like wood scraps, logs and leaves...

The Last Campout of the Summer!

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 04:10:00 +0000

The other day, Jesse and I made an escape to the nearest wilderness we could find...the Cleveland National Forest on the Ortega Mountains!

We spent some time checking out all the local tourist attractions we had never been to before...The Ranger Station, the trails, the candy store that sold berries and squirrel nuts, old Smokey the Bear memrobilia, souvenir shops, the secret mountain roads...

Our campground was host to a whole troop of boy scouts who marched by in uniform as we were cooking breakfast (fry bread with honey and glazed nuts)...They even helped Jesse push his bug out of a ditch!

Jesse and I are used to camping in the backwoods where no one bothers us, so we were quite surprised when the local Forest Ranger threatened to give us both a ticket for not depositing our cash right away! Normally we always do on the way out at Mt. Palomar... Jesse explained that we were sorry and had made a mistake and please not to give us a ticket as it would ruin my reputation with the Forest industry I am working so hard to get into. The Ranger lectured us for a bit then gave us his number to call for a volunteer oppurtunity!

Come into the Forest to see What is For Sale!

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 01:05:00 +0000

Friends of the forest, I do declare I've struck gold in finding the Motherlode! The owners are so generous they let me put up my buisness cards at their front counter. I'll be selling my crafts on Saturday, September 3 at their parking lot swap meet. Just look for the green tent with the squirrel out front!

The Workshop is Open for Buisness!

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:00:00 +0000

I've been hiding out in my magic workshop the past few days, re-decorating and crafting it up! Jesse and I found a vintage wood shelf on the side of the road for free so we took it back to the workshop. I was able to organize tons of supplies that had nowhere to go and use it as an office desk for my buisness!

I used to feel so uninspired, I barely went into my workshop. It's in the garage and is usually dark, hot and messy. I never wanted to open the garage because the neighborhood kids bug me and I don't want distractions while I'm working. (plus, I like to play music and movies and don't want people making fun of me! then again, sometimes I say "who cares, they blast rap all day?" and start playing what I want!)

Now I love my craft room and can't wait for fall so I can work in there on a cloudy day! I've been working on my packaging lately, it was never very good before and I wanted it to reflect the Forest's brand image better. I sit at my new desk and tap out price tags on my typewriter while listening to Rasputina-Five Fleas!

Now all my products come with cute foresty cases and are mailed in green packages! I'm so exited, I'm ready to launch my new company next week! Be sure to keep an eye on my etsy...

Forest Film: Pom Poko

Tue, 23 Aug 2011 02:35:00 +0000

It seems I just can't get anough of those crazy 'coons these days! I checked out a new (to me) animated movie at the library, Pom Poko! I highly reccomend it...It's like a mix between a Wes Anderson film and Studio Ghibli animation. The plot centers around a tribe of raccoons who use shape-shifting powers to try to save their forest from destruction.

Thrift Treasures: Cute 'Coons!

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:25:00 +0000

Hi, friends of the forest! I've been collecting a ton of raccoon stuff lately at the thrift shops... I found a ceramic raccoon family on a tree at the Motherlode,

a japanese mug with blue mushrooms from the Cornerstore, a racoon mug from the Motherlode,

...and a cheap lil critter from Cornerstore!

Re-New'd Furniture: New Shop in Town

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:30:00 +0000

On my recent thrifting adventures, I wandered into this cute repurposed furniture and vintage goods shop! Re-New'd is a new buisness run by two sisters who salvage old pieces and turn them into charming, retro goodness worthy of a hip home!

Not only do they offer the coolest furniture in town, but they also have a small variety of knick-knacks and vintage kitchenware for sale.

I can't wait until I move into my forest cottage and can buy myself a housewarming present here!

I hope when I make another trip next week that faux bois thermos is still there....I want to take it on an autumn camping trip and make soup or tea for a night hike in it!

Daily Outfit: Forest Librarian

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 18:10:00 +0000

shirt: thrifted

necklace: vintage

skirt: thrift store dumpster

tights: dollar store

shoes: thrifted vintage Jeffrey Campbells

What I wore to a buisness meeting at the Motherlode's book loft with Neil and Jesse to discuss the new book club we want to start.

While at the meeting, I was able to give a few suggestions for the book loft. I asked Neil to name my favorite shelf where I often buy books he puts out for me about the wilderness. He got out the office label maker and made it official!

Be sure to check out the book loft on the second story of the Motherlode for vintage books at great deals!

The Green Gallery: Forest Art I Love

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 18:25:00 +0000

love this print by Penelope Dulaghan

forest hair by ambird.

I love this print, it really expressed how I feel, like more than a girl, like the spirit of the whole forest in human form.

art print by Kilkennycat

Twoface becomes an honorary Forest Scout!

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:05:00 +0000

My kitty Twoface is now a certified cat scout. I recently came across a ton of vintage girl scout uniforms, and dressed Two up in this brownie necktie with some pin "badges". Now we just have to earn her a badges in mousing, tree climbing, napping and nature!