Beanie Sandfurbs Hippo Hat

It's 15th February, which is apparently World Hippo Day, so here's an excellent hippo I saw at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris last year. It was designed by François-Xavier Lalanne in 1968–1969, and is in fact a bathroom in disguise! Its body opens to become a bathtub and its head flips up to reveal a handbasin.

ellen’s collage craze continues, this time inspired by dimension 20

I am glad that this is how I am ending the year. I have tried fish (in non-fish-stick form) and a shrimp this year. What a wild adventure. Life’s crazy y’all! Happy 2025

just ate a shrimp for the first time, didn’t die, but also unsure of all the hype around them

I now have, to the best of my knowledge, at least 7 first aid kits. Will this number of first aid kits contain the downfall of the chaotic energy exuded as I live life so precipitously? Eh, prolly not. But I have space bandaids now!

Kroger Brand Froster Toaster Treats Variety Pack my Beloved

New Year’s Resolutions and Girl Scout Cookies

Now, you may be thinking, hmmm, those things don’t go together. Unless your resolution was support female entrepreneurs, in which case carry on. No, what I’m talking about is the big New Year’s Resolution I’ve heard about since I was little - weight loss. Whether it’s losing the few pounds you put on with holiday food or a grander goal, many people look to the new year to lose weight.

I’m here to tell you not to tell impressionable young girls who are selling Girl Scout cookies about your weight loss or dieting. In fact, don’t talk to any kids or teens about weight loss.

I don’t care how good your intentions are, how much you think you need it, whatever generation you were raised in, etc. This is not the time for weight loss talk. Did you know that 46% of 9-11 year olds are “sometimes or often” on diets? (x) What about that 50% of teenage girls (and 30% of teenage boys) restrict calories to lose weight? At critical developmental stages, these kiddos are losing vital nutrients and calories that help them grow, their brains develop, and help them develop eating habits for life. From the Mayo Clinic: “In fact, weight talk — both the teasing and the well-intentioned comment — is associated with continued weight problems, increased weight, unhealthy dieting habits and a risk of eating disorders.”

The Girl Scout cookie program is designed to teach valuable skills like business ethics, communication, and confidence. Don’t corrupt something that we all love by talking about your weight.