Taste of Kiwi: Blog of Author Shelley Munro

Masks in a Chinese craft shop

Since I’m off on a mini holiday and leaving before the birds even think about chirping tomorrow morning, I thought I’d give you a virtual tour through China during the next four days. I hope to pop in and chat during the day, so I’m going to leave you with a question.

If you could pick any mask to wear what would it be? Something elegant, something silly or something else?

My husband would probably pick a snorkel mask since he loves snorkeling. I have trouble getting him out of the water when we’re on holiday! I’d pick a half mask–one that would be perfect for a Regency masquerade ball. A mask to conceal yet seduce…

What would you choose?

Tonight I came across an old magazine article titled Why Men Find Your Food Angst So Unsexy. Written by a man, the article described a restaurant visit he experienced in the company of his mother and sister. When the waiter came around to take dessert orders, he ordered a sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice-cream. The women passed on dessert, but requested that the waiter bring three spoons.

The man lost it and bellowed at the waiter. “Don’t bring three spoons. If they want dessert they can order their own.”

The restaurant grew quiet, and he turned around to find everyone staring at him. He thought to himself – was it his imagination or did most of the men look as if they wanted to clap?

Some women pilfer food off their boyfriends/partners’ plates. Seemingly, the theory is that if the food isn’t on their plates then the calories don’t matter.

I remember watching an episode of Friends where Joey’s date helped herself to his food—I think it was fries from memory. A big no-no in his book, because he was very serious about his food. He didn’t think it was right and became very upset. Joey dumped her after the food stealing incident.

I have to admit that I’m very territorial about my plate of food. If I order a dessert, I don’t want to share. Call me selfish, but I think people should order their own desserts. This extra spoon business sucks big time, and I don’t subscribe to it at all.

The article goes on to discuss fussy eaters who interrogate wait-staff about the menu and practically starve themselves, embarrassing their dates big time. It finishes with this advice to make peace with food.

1. Don’t starve yourself. Eat when you’re hungry and stop when you’re full.

2. Forget diets. Munching on bits of lettuce will not make you happy. It will just make you crabby, and everyone around you will suffer too.

3. Get real. Eating a piece of cake now and then isn’t a crime.

According to the article, the truth is that most men don’t like super skinny women. They prefer a little padding to hold on to and to spend time with a woman who is happy. And they hate women who pilfer their food, especially desserts.

Source: Cleo Magazine, Damon Syson

What do you think? Are you a food pilferer?

Going out with someone new can be nerve-racking and stressful. I’m currently researching a new story where first dates are involved, and here are some commonsense suggestions I’ve discovered to get through that date without breaking a sweat. I’ll definitely be using these in my fictional first date…or not!

1. Don’t call it a date. Keep it casual and keep the pressure off.

2. Limit the length of the date. If the date is a disaster, it’s best not to prolong it! Choose an activity such as coffee or a walk in the park or go for a drink.

3. Have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.

4. Don’t be late. It sets a bad impression.

5. Agree on what to wear so neither of you are surprised when you meet for the date.

6. Groom appropriately i.e. wear a deodorant and make sure you don’t still have lunch stuck in your teeth.

7. Don’t drink too much alcohol.

8. Be assertive without being aggressive. Make decisions but don’t be too bossy!

9. Go somewhere quiet so that you can hear each other talk and get to know each other.

10. Don’t talk about your ex! No one wants to hear about the one who got away.

11. Offer compliments if there is something about your date that you like.

12. Don’t do all the talking. Listen as well.

I didn’t date that much, since I met my husband when I was quite young, but I do remember a first date where the guy reeked of garlic and wanted to kiss. Yuck!

Do you have any advice for first dates or any first date horror stories?

1. Legends of werewolves have been with us since Greek times and even earlier.

2. European folk law in particular is full of tales of men shifting to wolves.

3. In one of the legends, Ovid (Metamorphoses) served human flesh to Zeus. In punishment, he was changed to a wolf.

4. Lycanthropy is a mental illness where a patient believes they have transformed into a wolf.

5. Curved fingernails, red hair, eyebrows that meet, hair that grows beneath the skin are all signs of a werewolf.

6. Werewolves have superhuman strength but are vulnerable to silver bullets.

7. The vulnerability to silver only appears in tales after 1935.

8. Werewolves are very active during a full moon.

9. In some tales, a special salve is rubbed over the body and this transforms a man to werewolf.

10. Some werewolves transform after donning a wolf skin or a wolf skin belt.

11. If a werewolf bites a human, the human will become a werewolf. This method of turning is a modern invention and does not appear in early legends.

12. Many of our recent thoughts/perceptions are due to Hollywood movies and popular novels, and they bear little relation to the old legends.

Today kicks off my Lone Wolf tour. My first stop is at Book Junkie. I hope you’ll pop over and visit. Don’t forget – every time you comment on one of my Lone Wolf VBT posts you’ll go into a draw to win a $20 Amazon gift card.

What do you think about werewolves? Do you have any tidbits to add to my werewolf list?

There is a new documentary starting on TV down here. It’s about silence and follows the journey of five people as they go into seclusion and practice silent meditation. The documentary starts off by saying that in our busy society we’re seldom silent, and in fact, some of us fear silence. It goes on to say that many of us would benefit from silence because the act of quietness gives us a chance to look deep into ourselves.

Here’s a link to The Big Silence, and you can actually watch the documentary online.

It made me think how seldom I sit in silence. When I go for a walk I’ll wear my iPod, and with puppy, Bella, things are never quiet anyway. When I’m writing I usually have music playing, even though I don’t hear it once I get into the groove.

I do enjoy silence, but not for too long. My husband doesn’t like silence at all. The first thing he does when he arrives home is to switch on some form of noise–either music or TV–and he’s done this for as long as I’ve known him.

Do you like silence? Do you practice silence?

Yesterday Mr. Munro and I were listening to the radio while driving down the motorway. Hubby listens to a fuddy-duddy station with lots of chat, but it turned out to be interesting when the discussion turned to bonsai trees.

The lady speaking about them made growing bonsais sound very easy. Hubby and I like projects, so this weekend we’ve done some research.

Although bonsai is a Japanese word, bonsai trees were first known in China back in 1000BC. They were grown as gifts to give to the wealthy and were called pun-sai.

Bonsai are grown in shallow pots and usually kept outside. They should be kept out of direct sunlight because there’s not much moisture in the pots. Quite a few varieties of trees are suitable to turn into bonsais, including several New Zealand natives such as the pohutukawa and kowhai. The lady on the radio mentioned Japanese maples are very pretty since their leaves turn color with the seasons. Basically you choose a seedling or small “junior-sized tree” from the plant nursery. Trim one-third of the roots off the tree and also trim the leaves so you gain a nicely shaped tree. The branches can also be wired to attain an attractive shape. Special soil is required – check at your plant nursery – and of course you need your special shallow pot. Once the bonsai are established, they require yearly root trims and shaping.

We have lots of small seedlings underneath our hedge, and we thought we’d try growing a pohutukawa bonsai.

Here’s a video on how to make your own bonsai tree

Do you like bonsai trees? Have you ever grown one?

I suffered a bit of an oops with my post for Thursday Thirteen this week and decided to save it for next week.

In writing news, I’ve been busy working through edits for my second Carina Press book. It’s a contemporary mystery with a romance thread (of course!) and, as yet, remains untitled. This story is due for release in Feb 2012.

In puppy news, Bella is a constant amusement to us. She is patiently waiting for a walk, sunning herself on my husband’s comfy chair. She’s not meant to be up there, and she knows it. Last night before we went to bed, I suggested my husband should put a bottle on his chair the minute he stood. (We have two plastic bottles with stones in them. Bella hates the rattle sound they make and steers clear when she sees one). As you can guess, hubby didn’t follow my excellent advice.

We’re looking forward to our visit to China and have new passports and Chinese visas. Our packing is a work in progress. Today I intend to tackle the ironing pile because some of the clothes in there are off on an outing to China.

Last week, I purchased an iPad. I’ve long lusted after one, and I intend to put it through its paces this weekend. I’ve been too busy with edits to do much more than name him Rohan and stroke him now and then. Yes, my iPad is a him. Do you name your computer equipment?

Carina Press author, Cathy Pegau is visiting tomorrow, so I hope you’ll pop back and say hello. Don’t forget every time you comment on my blog you’re in with a chance to win an ebook bundle. I’m also doing a giveaway at Goodreads for The Bottom Line.

As I prepare for my visit to China, I’m thinking about ebooks to read,music to listen to, and iPad apps. Do you have any recommendations?

I’m really excited to introduce my guest today. Maddy Barone writes romance and has a love of all things paranormal. In her own words, “I’ve been writing since junior high. Werewolves, time travel and handsome princes who can wield magic and lead armies are my thing. Any damsel in distress that I write can darned well rescue herself and if the hero’s ego can’t take that, then he’s not a hero. I want strong men who can respect their ladies and treat them like partners, not dainty little dolls. Is there anything sexier than a tough man who finds that one perfect woman and is willing to do anything for her?”

Maddy is also a keen member of SCA, a non-profit education organization that studies the renaissance and middle ages. She gets to dress up, mainly in garb from the Italian Renaissance but she has Japanese, Viking and Byzantine garb too. Just quietly – she has a rather cool steampunk outfit that I have my eye on. I’m very tempted to launch a surprise attack from New Zealand to nab it for myself!

Today Maddy is taking us through the process of making our own fascinator hat. Give her a warm welcome. Over to Maddy…

How to Make a Fascinator Hat

HRH the Duchess of Cambridge (nee Kate Middleton) has made fascinators the newest rage in headwear. Appropriate for every social event from weddings to the races to cocktail parties, a fascinator can add the perfect finishing touch to any outfit. But –gulp!—have you seen the prices?! Wouldn’t it be a lot cheaper to make it yourself? I made this one for $10.00 (USD) in 40 minutes.

Do you think you need to be a milliner to be able to make a fascinator hat? Well, you don’t! All you need are a few things you already have around the house and a couple things from a craft store.

Materials:

A round base. This can be a ready-made sinamay base available from some millinery supply stores and Etsy.com, or a small plastic lid covered with fabric.

Veiling. About 12-15 inches (30-37 cm) This can be purchased from bridal supply stores, eBay, Etsy. But you can do without it too. Use tulle or take a veil off some old hat from the thrift store.

Feathers. I bought mine at JoAnn Fabric & Crafts. I used:
a half-pinwheel of black feathers
a 3 inch piece of black and white marabou feather boa
2 red feather clumps

A focal piece. I used a brooch from my grandmother. You might use a silk flower, a fancy button, a cute bow, a rhinestone earring or clip.

Fastener. I’m using an old black plastic headband. You could use a comb, a clip, a barret or elastic.

Needle and thread or glue. I sewed my items on so I could remove them and re-make the hat with other items and colors, but you could easily use a glue gun if you prefer.

Directions:
1. If you will be using veiling, gather it to a length that will go half way around your base. Stitch or glue in place along the back edge. If it looks a little wonky that’s okay. The wearer can use hair pins to put the edges in place.

2. Begin adding your feathers, layering them in whichever fashion you like best. I sewed the pinwheel on first. See what big ugly stitches I used? I plan to take this off and remake it sometime to go with a different outfit. Big stitches are easier to remove, and who is ever going to see them?

3. When the feather layer is secured by stitching or glue, add your focal piece. I used my grandmother’s brooch. I can take it off and replace it with another one to change my color scheme.

4. Stitch or glue the fascinator to the headband or whichever fastening method you chose.

5. Try on the fascinator. Pretend your hair is perfect, your eyes are dramatically made up and your lips have that 1950s red pout. Use hair pins to arrange the veil in the most flattering way.

You’re done!! Congratulations! You have a fascinator hat to wear to your next cocktail party!

Wolf’s Glory

After the Crash, Book 2

When goth-girl Glory Peterson’s plane crashes she walks to find help. What she finds are people living in teepees like it’s the Old West. Wolf’s Shadow knows Glory is his mate. Glory’s happy to take a roll in the hay with him while she’s waiting for transportation back to civilization, but when she finds out she’s gone fifty years into the future and Shadow is a bossy werewolf who thinks he owns her, her attitude changes fast. Shadow is used to giving orders that are obeyed. Glory hasn’t obeyed an order since kindergarten. When two strong-willed lovers clash, who will win?

Available from Liquid Silver Books Now

Visit Maddy Barone to learn more about Maddy and her books.

CONTEST: Book one in Maddy Barone’s series, After the Crash, is actually one of the ebooks in the ebook bundle I’m giving away. The contest closes soon. Details of how to enter are on my contest page.

Sometimes I look at my to-read pile and not a single book grabs my attention. Yes, a reading funk! While other readers turn to their keeper shelf and pull out a copy of their favorite book, I’m not a big rereader. I pass my print books on to my sister and don’t keep a single one.

I do have comfort authors I turn to such as JR Ward, Ilona Andrews, Lorelei James and Deanna Raybourn. These are authors I know will produce a book to keep me enthralled and fulfil my reader expectations. If the stars are in alignment, I can download a book written by a comfort author. Instant gratification. You’ve got to love it.

I’m currently reading Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews, one of my comfort authors. This made me think. I wondered what other people do when they get in a reading funk.

So here are my questions for you. I look forward to your replies.

1. What do you do when you hit a reading funk?
2. Do you have comfort reads that you pull off your keeper shelf and periodically reread?
3. What are they?
4. How many books do you have on your keeper shelf?
5. Do you have comfort authors?
6. Are you like me in that you don’t reread books?

Don’t forget about my current contest. Full details are on my contest page.

Today I started polishing/editing the new gothic romance I finished last month. Part of my day was spent surfing the web and consulting my collection of reference books. One of the points I needed to check on was 18th century cosmetics.

Last week during my blog hopping, I visited Carol Dunford’s blog, Les Femmes d’Ecriture. Author Brinda Berry was visiting and discussing the use of podcasts for research. Brinda said she finds podcasts an excellent way to research various topics. You can read her post here.

The idea of using podcasts struck me as brilliant. I spend a lot of time walking the dog and often wear my iPod. Sometimes I listen to RWA workshops but hadn’t thought of checking out podcasts for research purposes. Today I came across the perfect podcast at the Colonial Williamsburg website, which answered all my 18th century cosmetic questions. It was called The Art of Beauty. For those who are interested in history or who write historical novels some of the other podcasts look exciting too. Topics vary from The Art of Cut (about men’s tailoring) to Music and Dance and Animals.

So what did I learn about cosmetics?

1. Pale is good and tans were frowned upon. A hat was a woman’s best friend.
2. Dark eyes and hair were preferred because both set off a pale skin.
3. Most people of the time bore scars and smallpox marks on their faces and many had hollowed cheeks after losing teeth.
4. Things like lead and other harmful substances were used to make the skin appear pale.
5. Patches in the shape of moons, stars and other shapes were very popular. They were perfect to disguise smallpox marks.
6. Mouse fur was used to make eye brows appear thicker and darker. Yuck!

Armed with this information, I’ll be able to make my heroine appear more authentic. If I suddenly time traveled back to the 18th century the other women would laugh for sure. Each summer my freckles join hands, go forth and multiply. A hat and suntan lotion don’t seem to help much!

What do you think of the beauty ideals of the time? Pale skin and dark hair? Do you listen to podcasts? Do you have any favorites that you subscribe to and would recommend?