lightspeed

so many things!

2011-03-13T16:17:00.000-07:00

update, march 13th:

1. wedding plans are moving along. we've got a date (september 3) and a location in our hometown. now i'm working on planning all the details and keeping within our budget. we're planning a pork bbq-style event with lawn games and lots of good food. making and sending the save the dates are on the agenda for this month.

2. i'll be leaving my job this summer and moving in with DT in nyc. i'm planning a complete overhaul of my portfolio and making some beautiful hand-dyed business cards. i've barely begun the job search and i'm relying heavily on my wonderful friends to help me get my foot in the door of the big city.

3. DT is starting his dream job tomorrow! six weeks ago he got an email from a friend of his at an architecture firm in NYC and they offered him a job! in the past few weeks he's quit his job, found a new tenant for his apartment, got out of his lease, found a roommate and an apartment in nyc, moved out of his place in philly and moved into his new apartment in nyc. i helped him move his belongings up five flights of stairs yesterday and i'm sure feeling the burn today!

4. next weekend my friends are having an engagement party for DT and i. i've been worrying about what to wear. i decided that i'll pattern my own little strapless dress based on a j. crew dress. because i'm saving money by making my dress, i'll treat myself to a new pair of shoes.

5. along with my own wedding plans, i've agreed to make three bridesmaid dresses for a coworker. the first fittings are early next month and i haven't even cut them out. i've got to get cracking.

6. more weddings! my good friend alexis is getting married in three weeks and i'm looking forward to spending some time working on her wedding with her.

7. i started a diet almost two months ago and i'm happy to report that i've lost 6 pounds! my students have noticed and have been very sweet with their compliments. i don't feel much of a difference physically but i've made important changes in the way i eat and i'm looking forward to seeing changes come summertime. the loss has been slow and steady, just the way it's supposed to be.

that's the update from where i am!

engaged!

2011-01-11T18:16:00.000-08:00

dt proposed at the pizza place in our hometown where we had one of our first dates almost four years ago. now starts the adventure that is planning a wedding (date tbd).

my ring.

happy new year!

2010-12-31T07:48:00.000-08:00

i have one resolution: to get out of this book-reading rut. i think i've read one (maybe two) books in the last three years.

it ends in 2011.

have a happy new year!

100th post

2010-12-03T18:05:00.000-08:00

i took the day off today in the hopes that i would cross off some of the things on my to-do list (which has grown so long that i actually typed it up and printed it out). so far i've crossed off:

set up and decorate the christmas tree (one string of white lights seems to be on the fritz. i'm not sure i feel like un-decorating the tree to fix it).

make, write and send christmas cards (i'm still waiting on some addresses but most of the cards are going out in the mail tomorrow)

made 30 of the 50 swag bags for the indiemade craft market. i'll be working the DIY table tomorrow from 11-1pm. if you live in the allentown, pa area, stop by!

it doesn't look like an impressive list but it took all day. now i'm going to snuggle up on the couch with my space heater and kitty and catch up on dexter.

dipped spoons

2010-11-12T17:50:00.000-08:00

from: mischief + madness.

for you

2010-10-11T18:23:00.001-07:00

found here.

molly m designs

2010-09-08T18:43:00.001-07:00

i don't wear jewelry often. i have one pair of earrings that i wear on a semi-regular basis, but i would wear every pair of molly m designs. seriously. every pair.

EmersonMade

2010-09-03T12:37:00.000-07:00

EmersonMade. love it.

sewing up a storm

2010-08-31T20:46:00.001-07:00

i've been working in my studio (a fancy word for my slope-floored and poorly lit sewing room) everyday after work. i've been working through some old commercial patterns and trying out new ones. i have to admit, i can't remember the last time i've sewn this much for myself. i sew almost every day at my job and for the last few years, i could only commit to quick sleeveless tops or super-easy, unlined pencil skirts that i could whip up in a couple of hours and still be in bed by 11 pm. i haven't gone so far as to add sleeves to anything i've made recently (it is, after all, still summer for at least another month), but i've been working steadily though a good chunk of my fabric. to keep a log of the things i've done, i'm planning on posting about each pattern and project soon.

as much as i love the satisfaction (and compliments) i get from wearing something to work that i made the night before, i'm beginning to think that it's time i work on some more challenging projects. i'd like to make a grey wool winter coat (and perhaps a copy of the toggle coat below), some well-fitting tailored button-down shirts (maybe one in a soft chambray for the autumn), a pair of jeans that really fits, some wool pencil skirts with anthropologie-inspired details and actual linings. it's time to step my sewing up a notch and work on quality pieces to build my ideal wardrobe.

wants

2010-08-31T20:36:00.001-07:00

all from here. and all well, well out of my price range.

more shoes

2010-08-09T19:08:00.001-07:00

i'm intrigued by the design of worishofer shoes. some say they look "orthopedic" but apparently maggie gyllenhaal likes them. i'd also like to try these on in person.

pin-hole photography

2010-08-09T19:03:00.001-07:00

michael weasley takes long-term pin-hole camera photographs. in the top photo, he set up four different cameras to photograph the re-construction of the museum of modern art building...for three years! fascinating!

out and about

2010-08-09T18:34:00.000-07:00

it's been about a month since i've posted, but i've been starring lots of things in my google reader. here's a few of the things that caught my eye:

i like these toms wedges but i'm intimidated by the heels. i'd like to try them on in person and see how comfortable they really are.

this fomato card just about sums up every trip to target i have ever taken.

shoulder-less

2010-07-14T18:52:00.000-07:00

i know i've been absent from blogging lately but that's what happens when you work 6 days a week in the summer time. my busy summer schedule will soon be over, however, and i'm starting to look forward to some peaceful days in my sewing room. i'm trying to fill my closet with more easy-to-toss-on-in-the-morning dresses. so far, i've made three from the same pattern and i'm looking for more silhouettes. i like the exposed shoulders on these silk dresses by sariah (but i think i'd make mine out of washable cotton).

another quilt to make someday

2010-06-21T15:43:00.001-07:00

add this red, grey and white quilt to the list of things i'm going to make someday. spotted here.

New Dishes

2010-06-21T15:35:00.001-07:00

inspired by a merry mishap, i've decided that it's time to retire my thrift-store purchased yellow-and-white floral dishes (which only have 4 plates but about 38 teacups) and get myself a complete set of dishware. i'm pretty sure i'll be going the classic white ikea route, but might consider adding this pattern of doodled circles myself.

Kitten vs. Converse

2010-06-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

from milk.

wish list

2010-05-18T16:35:00.001-07:00

add this rachel comey bag to the list of things you're going to buy for me (but make it a surprise).

summer wardrobe

2010-05-18T16:31:00.001-07:00

i'm adding this mina stone skirt to my list of summer skirts to make (probably in navy blue, not white).

all dressed up...

2010-05-18T16:20:00.000-07:00

...with a gala to go to! the company i work for has a fundraiser gala in early june with dinner, dancing and a silent auction (for which i'm making a quilt using fabrics from last summer's shows). the big question is, what am i going to wear? this is my one occasion a year when i get to dress up (and i mean big-time-black-tie-dress-up) so i've been looking for gown inspiration. i've decided i'm going to make this dress by carolina herrera worn by christina hendricks:

last year i wore a red gown so i'm thinking i'll make this one in navy blue. now i just need the time to fabric shop, pattern the dress, make a mockup, fit it, cut and build the dress and track down the shoes my sister has promised to let me wear.

baby animal portraits

2010-04-30T13:23:00.000-07:00

these have been all over my google reader but they're too darn cute not to post. i swear i'm going to buy one of each of the prints in this series of portraits of baby animals by sharon montrose.

(also check out her husband's etsy shop, chalk chalk, where he makes chalk drawings of human-powered transportation. i might have to get a couple of those, too.)

ryan marshall photography

2010-04-30T13:12:00.000-07:00

i loved the maternity series that photographer ryan marshall did of his wife's pregnancy. he's doing another series on his blog, pacing the panic room, called the walk to 40 week s. i'm really enjoying how these ladies deal with the whole you-have-to-wear-a-tent-when-your-pregnant issue with some really great pieces (including the stellar embroidered mini dress above!)

calling all sheep

2010-04-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

sheep made from rotary phones by jean-luc cornec’s from the museum of telecommunication in frankfurt.

(found here)

when grown men cry

2010-04-30T12:47:00.001-07:00

this weekend i'll be cleaning out the dozens of bookmarked pages and posting all the interesting things i've been collecting for the last 6 months. first up is this series of 13 portraits of famous actors crying by sam taylor-wood. i picked my favorite actors, steve buscemi, sean penn, dustin hoffman and robin williams. it's up to you to determine if the tears are real or not. i like to think that they are.

flying geese quilt and other quilt inspiration

2010-04-29T17:18:00.000-07:00

due to flickr photo restrictions, i can't post the pictures of this incredible flying geese quilt from the tokyo international quilt festival. i am particularly partial to the flying geese pattern (i think i've made three quilts in this pattern) and i love how the quilter used color and shape to make the quilt into a landscape.

it makes me want to start a new quilt. right after i begin my ellsworth kelly quilt inspired by his 1951 painting Spectrum Colors Arranged by Chance II.

before and after

2010-04-29T16:46:00.000-07:00

call her crazy, but marisa's goal is to take one thrift store purchase a day (costing no more than $1) and turn it into something wearable. new dress a day is where she chronicles her 151 (and counting) new creations. some of the dresses she starts with are truly in the so-ugly-i-could-puke category but marisa seems to be unafraid to cut it up, sew it back together and take it out on the town. there's no way i could do it, but i certainly admire a girl who will spend no more than $365 dollars this year on an entirely new wardrobe.

bethany obrecht photography

2010-04-29T16:41:00.000-07:00

photography by bethany obrecht. wonderful.

summer wardrobe inspiration, continued

2010-04-29T16:36:00.000-07:00

i'm not a girl who goes for short-shorts but i'm really enjoying these looks from nadinoo's new spring/summer collection. the 1940's details are adorable! i think i'm going to have to make some peter-pan collared summer blouses to wear with my summer skirts (yet to be made).

summer wardrobe wish list

2010-04-29T16:30:00.000-07:00

i'm going to be taking some wardrobe inspiration from the spring/summer 2010 line by allison wonderland. it's got everything i like about summer clothes--high-waisted a-line skirts, cotton fabric, big pockets, and adorable cap-sleeve tie-front blouses. i've been disappointed by my local jo-ann fabrics selection of summer-weight cottons so i'm going to have to search extra hard (and perhaps pay a little more) for the fabrics i really want.

kathy mellor

2010-04-29T16:20:00.000-07:00

if i had anything resembling a proper dining room (right now it's an ikea desk in the kitchen) or a wedding to plan, i would be putting these linens by kathy mellor on my list. i love the whimsy of silverware wearing historical neck ruffs!

(found via design*sponge)

missing you

2010-04-24T18:44:00.000-07:00

dear blog,

please don't think that i've forgotten about you. in fact, i've been filling my notebook for weeks with things i've found that i want to share with you. it's just that i'm working on a big musical and we start dress rehearsal tomorrow which means that i've been too frantic to post this week. next week i'll try to post once a day. cross my heart.

your friend forever,
anna

pap-pap's house

2010-04-14T06:49:00.000-07:00

i spent last weekend at my pap-pap's house doing some spring cleaning and snapped these pictures of the basement. as a child i was always scared to go down there. pap-pap's dimly lit tool room was a terrifying place for a small child with a big imagination.

bits of my weekend

2010-04-14T06:23:00.001-07:00

inspired by kate from for me, for you (who has been taking pictures of her weekends every weekend for over a year), i thought i'd do a photo spread of my weekend. my sister was either working or visiting her boyfriend this weekend so i had lots of time to work on my projects; i tried out vogue pattern #8241 in some very bright fabric from jo-ann's. i think it'll work really well as a long summer dress in some less crazy fabric. i also began working on a charm quilt for a silent auction this summer (i ran out of kona cotton or the top would be done). i also made pot roast, chex mix and peanut butter fudge on sunday afternoon. and, of course, penny found some interesting places to nap.

ever wonder what i do?

2010-04-09T15:57:00.000-07:00

this is an amazing video about the costume shop at the new york city ballet. from start to finish, it shows the process of recreating a tired set of tutus. though i work as a draper for theatrical costumes, the process is much the same. i've also had the pleasure of working with marc happel, the director of costumes for the nyc ballet, several years ago at glimmerglass opera. i also think i saw my friend polly in the background a couple of times.

wish list

2010-03-25T18:15:00.000-07:00

i wish someone would buy me 100 custom illustrated calling cards from anna of rifle paper co. it's only $100 for 100 cards, $65 for the custom illustration and $40 for the hand lettering.

pretty please?

easily charmed

2010-03-25T17:40:00.000-07:00

i'm not quite sure why i found this simple addition of a drawer to an ikea chair so charming, but i'm itching to do it myself. step-by-step instructions here.

jackie kennedy

2010-03-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

(found here via here)

wear your name

2010-03-20T15:50:00.001-07:00

somehow i missed seeing the light speed blouse while shopping on the anthropologie site last night. yeah, i think i'd wear it.

from the sewing machine to the computer

2010-03-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

for the first time in weeks, i had the entire day free. i had hoped to start on a few of those dresses in my previous post but i really need a dress form and i'm not interested in going into work today. maybe it's time to think about buying a dress form for myself.

so, without a project to work on and despite the gorgeous weather, i spent this afternoon investigating the new york public library's digital gallery's amazing collection of images. for anyone doing visual research on anything, the nypl digital gallery has to be your first stop. it almost makes me want to do my thesis all over again. you can find everything from yiddish theatre placards to elevations of middle- and upper-class new york city apartments to portraits of irish prisoners. as a student of costume history my first stop was the fashion archives:

these are two images of imported french fabrics by e. meyer & co. from paris (1930-1931). i love the long slim lines of the 1930's.

i enjoyed the descriptions of these suits by b. kuppenheimer & co. "illustrating a new century of clothing-radically different from the old". i particularly liked the confidence of b. kuppenheimer who says that these class A suits "cannot be appreciated until they are seen. they must be seen".

from the computer to the sewing machine

2010-03-19T18:48:00.000-07:00

these are just a few of the things i'm hoping to make this spring.

the first dress is the picka shift dress from marimekko, a finnish textile and clothing company established in 1951. i have loved their fabrics for years but didn't realize that they sold clothing until i browsed their website. there's a marimekko concept store on the upper east side in nyc and though i'm sure i won't be able to purchase anything, i'd love to touch all the lovely fabrics. i'm going to try to find a striped cotton sateen to make my copy.

the other three items are from anthropologie--another store with beautiful fabrics. i love the racerback detail on the dress. i think i'll be making a lot of things with racerbacks this spring.

(follow-up to the shoe post: none of the shoes i ordered from zappos fit. i tried the clarks erda sandals in a 7 wide but they were still too big. i'm considering getting them in a 6.5. i did, however, FINALLY buy the boots i've always wanted:

i wore my new blondo boots last weekend to nyc. i was hesitant to be breaking in new boots when i knew i would be doing a lot of walking, but they were great! it rained all weekend and my feet were dry as could be. the zipper dug into my ankle a little but i think it just takes getting used to. too bad it's now 70 degrees and sunny!)

a blog entry about my feet

2010-03-07T19:57:00.000-08:00

so, i've been having this horrible pain in my left foot for two weeks. my soon-t0-be-an-athletic-trainer sister tells me that i am suffering from plantar fasciitis and, as far as i can tell, this seems to be the case. i stand at work (not unusual for most people) and the pain in my foot is aggravated by all of the short bursts of walking i do to and from the sewing machine. of course i know that i should be wearing more supportive shoes (thanks, dustin) so tonight, after a particularly painful day at work, i have decided to do something about it. many of my sewing friends swear by da nsko shoes and though i find them very attractive on most people (danielle!) i just can't see myself wearing them.

here's what i wear almost every day:

i LOVE my flats. over the years i've had many pairs and many styles but none have offered the support i need. they have also always been cheap shoes that i wear for 6 months and throw away. however, after shopping online for 2 hours, i haven't seen any flats with arch support that i like. i've decided to purchase arch support inserts and put them in my flats and see if that solves part of my problem.

however, i know that for real relief, i must bite the bullet and get myself some better quality shoes. i like the styles of clarks and naturalizer. looking forward to the spring and summer, here's what i bought tonight on zappos.com:

these are indigo by clarks smooch. i have a couple of pairs of cheap gladiator-style sandals that i wore last summer but, again, they have hard, hard soles and offer no support. though these sandals don't have specific arch support, i think the better quality construction and materials should help.

these sandals are also by clarks, the erda. i'm not much for heels (see: standing at work all day) but i have always lusted for heeled sandals (see: blog entry janurary 28th) and wouldn't they just look lovely with the navy blue and white summer wardrobe i'm planning?

i know we're quickly moving from winter to spring, but i've been looking for boots to fit my wide calves for so long that i just wanted to try these on.
and last but not least, these heeled oxfords (also by clarks). i've been admiring the trend of heeled oxfords for the past year and have yet to find a pair. though these shoes have a 3" heel, i'm hoping that all of the customer reviews are correct and they don't feel that high. i'm certain that there will be plenty of opportunities to wear these with tights before the weather gets too warm (spring comes late to northeast pennsylvania).

so there we are. i'll most likely be returning three out of four of these shoes but that's the thrill of the hunt, right?

wish list

2010-02-28T10:47:00.000-08:00

this quote bag just moved to the top of my wish list.

new favorite thing to sew

2010-02-25T07:55:00.000-08:00

i loved this build by wendy top when i saw it on her website, but i didn't love the price tag (origionally $178 but still too expensive when it went on sale for $88) so i patterned my own on a slow morning at work. i didn't make it button up the back like the original (who wants to lean back on buttons all day?) but i did copy the black-and-white gingham plaid fabric. i found a piece at jo-ann's a couple of weeks ago and it was fate that this project came along.

here i am wearing it at work. i want to wear it every day.

the UPDATED big list of things to do

2010-02-15T18:04:00.001-08:00

recover the blue and white ikea chair (done!)
enter something in the pennsylvania farm show
make my own grocery bags
make a duvet cover for my green duvet
make a quilt for jackie dalley.
copy my favorite J.Crew tote bag.
make winter wool skirts from leftover thesis fabric (i made one but i'd like to make more)
make a quilt from the fabric I bought at The Workroom.
finish DT's penrose tile quilt (i have a plan)
recover my purple desk chair
paint my bedroom (on hold--i'm not sure if i want to anymore)
make a padded headboard for my bed
learn Shashiko embroidery
plan a project for the peacock fabric alexis brought me from senegal
copy this blouse by built by wendy
refashion a tulip-skirt dress bought at boscov's into a pencil skirt.
do something with the curtains in the front room (shorter? cafe length? a fabric with a heavier weight?)
refashion a gap blouse with weird sleeves.

february

2010-02-15T17:49:00.000-08:00

like most of the east coast, my house is under almost 15 inches of snow and i was treated to two snow days last week. doesn't the snow almost make my trashcans look charming?

it may only be monday but i'm already looking forward to the weekend. i was hoping to visit nyc to see some friends but i forgot that i have to work on sunday so a relaxing weekend with the girls is a bust. (i'm planning another trip in march when the weather is a little more welcoming). however, the weekend can still be saved by crossing some sewing projects off my list. tonight i'll be updating my big list of things to do and adding some new projects.

tonight i'll also be starting a new to-do list: finally finishing the 6 books i'm currently reading. they are:

an american tragedy by theodore dreiser
lady chatterly's lover by d.h. lawrence
sophie's choice but william styron
sister carrie by theodore dreiser
last night in twisted river by john irving
a people's history of the united states by howard zinn

ever since i did my master's thesis (i graduated almost two years ago) i think i've only read 2 books cover to cover. i just can't seem to make the commitment to finish a book even if i'm interested in the story. so, inspired by my friend meredith, i'm going to try to finish one book a month (i don't think i can read them in a week as meredith does). i'll work backward from the most recently abandoned: last night in twisted river.

romantic

2010-02-09T11:25:00.000-08:00

isn't this the most romantic thing ever? two people go down to the courthouse and get married. then they take the subway home wearing the biggest grins. no fancy dress, no menu, no decorations or guest lists. just you and the person you love most in the world.

(i found jamie and her husband, rob, through her flickr site here.)

wish list

2010-02-04T09:01:00.000-08:00

i want large posters of the work of Stephane Massa-Bidal also known as retrofuturs. i am completely seduced by his vintage-styled graphic design. i am guessing his work will be my desktop background for quite awhile.

no pain...

2010-02-03T09:25:00.000-08:00

...just numbness. got four (of 6!) fillings done this morning. two hours in the dentist's chair. it's 12:30 and i'm hungry for lunch but i know if i eat before the numbness wears off, i'll chew off half my cheek along with my lunch.

boo.

happy weekend!

2010-01-29T16:44:00.001-08:00

this is my favorite picture this week--my friend leah's new kitten as photographed by ali (who took the pictures of my family in mt. gretna).

this weekend i'll be dropping off clothes at the goodwill, basting together a quilt, selling some other clothes at the local consignment shop, making something in the crock pot, working on a little valentine's day project and spending my whole saturday doing whatever i want!

happy weekend!

wish list

2010-01-28T18:20:00.001-08:00

the good news: the boots i want are on sale! 50% off!

the bad news: not in my size.

still on my wish list. but maybe for next fall.

wish list

2010-01-28T18:01:00.000-08:00

sugar ($130)

alcala II ($130)

i've been spending the last couple of evenings going through past issues of real simple (my favorite magazine after domino) looking for recipes. while browsing, i came across these sandals by born crown shoes which were exactly the type of shoes i was looking for last spring. i like the mid-height study heel and cushioned footbed. (plus, the nude colored peep-toes would be great for making my shorter-than-normal legs look longer.)

i'm putting them on my wish list. they might have just pushed knee-high boots from #1.

unhappy hipsters

2010-01-27T16:55:00.000-08:00

Even in your company, I feel so alone.

with a sense of humor along the lines of stuff white people like, this blog, unhappy hipsters, takes pictures from issues of dwell magazine and writes witty captions that so perfectly capture the ennui of ultra-hipster life.

goodbye, willow

2010-01-27T16:48:00.001-08:00

goodbye to our sweet willow (1988?-2010)

sick day

2010-01-27T15:39:00.000-08:00

i've been home sick with what i think is food poisoning for the last two days. 5--nope, make that 7--of my family members also got sick after our grandfather's 95th birthday brunch at generations, a restaurant in media, pa. we can't be sure that it was food poisoning; when my aunt called the restaurant to let them know, the restaurant said that they hadn't had any other complaints. my grandmother said there is a also a 24-hour flu bug going around. regardless, it's miserable. i had to leave work in a rush on monday afternoon and it was only this afternoon that i began to feel like myself again. ugh. i wouldn't wish this sickness on anyone.

lighthouse

2010-01-25T09:34:00.000-08:00

stumbled across these blocks during my lunchtime blog-checking. my mom would love them. at christmastime she has the same blocks spelling "merry christmas" on the mantelpiece at home.

weekend to-do list

2010-01-22T18:44:00.000-08:00

1. thrift shopping with becca (who will keep my spending in check) (done with no spending at all)
2. sew a new black and white checked top
3. gym. saturday AND sunday. (sort of done. the gym was closed on saturday because of winter graduation. i only got 15 minutes of a workout.)
4. birthday party for grandpa (happy 95th!)
5. take pictures
6. fit becca in dress mockup. alter pattern. make her a skirt.
7. make curtains for shelves in the sewing room. (done!)
8. make snickerdoodles (grandpa's favorite cookie) for his birthday. (done but have to be re-done. they're more like cakes than cookies.) make a birthday card.
9. go through dresser and closet. donate things i don't wear anymore. (done! and some of it will go to the consignment shop and hopefully make me some extra dollars.)
10. alter gap blouse that never fit quite right.
11. repair flat tire on becca's car.
12. go to q-mart. (done!)
13. clear the clutter. move it to the attic. (it's by the door to the attic. does that count?)

W

2010-01-22T18:07:00.001-08:00

we get W magazine at work for the design students and i can't stop looking at this spread from the most recent issue. wonderful.

good news!

2010-01-19T18:53:00.001-08:00

my landlord said i can pant the dark wood trim! i'm not sure if i'll actually do it but it's nice to know that it's an option.

wee!

wish list

2010-01-18T18:44:00.001-08:00

hand-tufted circles of leaves wool rug ($504.04)

hand-tufted namur wool rug ($491.29)

hand-tufted casablanca gold wool rug ($413.18)

big plans

2010-01-18T17:10:00.000-08:00

i'm having the sudden (but not infrequent) urge to rearrange my house. and as i'm currently on a complete spending freeze at the moment, i'm trying to think of easy, cheap (make that FREE) ways to make my beige-carpeted, wood-trimmed and incredibly awkward layout of an apartment seem a little fresher. i'm considering making these top-down, bottom-up roman blinds for the windows in the front room.

the one thing i have going for me is that my landlord is completely okay with me painting. i believe his exact words to me were "treat this as though it's your own house." i wonder if that means i could paint all the dark, mismatched wood in the house? it might be worth asking and would certainly be an improvement.

here's a color palette that might work for me (from wear palettes):

i'll keep working on this. as much as i love them, it might be time to let go of my black and white striped rugs.

shortbread buttons

2010-01-17T16:27:00.001-08:00

making these shortbread cookies (from nikole herriott at forty-sixth and grace) just made it to the top of my to-do list this week. they're so cute i could barf.

happy weekend!

2010-01-16T17:02:00.000-08:00

i'm enjoying the weekend in new york with dt. today we had bagels and visited the moma. now dt's making a dinner of steak and potatoes while i drink bellini's and explore new blogs like coco + kelly, door sixteen and copenhagen street style.

the graphic is from the website buami which is "a select collective posting unique imagery from various sources with a focus on graphic design, architecture, fashion and art." look it up. you won't be disappointed.

railroad stripes

2010-01-09T18:23:00.000-08:00

i know railroad stripes were trendy circa 2007 but i'm loving this combination of stripes and leopard print. (from the sartorialist).

on a personal note, my shoulders are killing me! i was hired to make eight can-can costumes for a retirement party and i'm working all weekend to get them done. i've been sewing white lace ruffles to the inside of can-can skirts for almost 7 hours. i'm glad to have a little extra money (espeically after the holidays) but i'm exhausted!

TAL infographic

2010-01-08T19:05:00.000-08:00

while browsing through my google reader tonight i stumbled across this website in which the author is posting graphics about every this american life episode. as an avid fan (tonight i listened to three episodes while sewing) it's interesting to look at the show in a different way.

wish list

2010-01-08T18:31:00.000-08:00

this japanese shirtmaking book just moved to the top of my wish list. if only it was written in english (or that my master tailoring instructor, tetsuo tamanaha, lived on the east coast and could translate it for me).

2009 in pictures

2010-01-02T17:10:00.001-08:00

january

february

march

april

may

june

july

august

august, again.

september

october

november

december

2010

2010-01-02T10:44:00.000-08:00

I'll be spending the first week of the new year working on can-can costumes, taking a mini-vacation to Atlantic City with DT and reading John Irving's new book, Last Night in Twisted River. I'm also trying to updated my portfolio and resume in preparation for a potential free-lance job with the Michener Museum in Doylestown, PA.

I don't make new year's resolutions but I am going to try very hard to cross off some more projects on my big list of things to do. I think I'll tackle the padded headboard first.

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-26T09:03:00.000-08:00

I've had two yummy Christmas dinners and we're about to have a third with the whole Light family. After that: naps, Scrabble and Home Alone all afternoon.

Merry Christmas!

Good Girl

2009-12-16T16:58:00.000-08:00

You know that green bag I bought? Well, it turns out that it's a fake. I only own one designer bag so when I got my "Dooney and Bourke" bag in the mail, I wanted to do some research on it. What I found were many differences between my bag and authentic bags. I emailed the seller and she was just as surprised as I was. She's accepting the return and I have learned some valuable lessons:
1. know who you are. As much as I'd like to be, I'm not a designer-handbag girl. I'm a tote-bag girl all the way.
2. research before you buy! I only had to do a little online research to find the differences between what's real and what's fake.
3. don't keep buying things I don't need! I have a closet full of bags. Did I really need another one?

There.
All settled.

Bad Girl

2009-12-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

Last week, I bought this Dooney and Bourke leather tote from Becky Drolen's vintage shop on etsy. Though it was an impulse buy (peer pressure!), I am convinced that it's going to become my favorite bag. Check out her shop--Becky has great vintage clothes, bags and accessories at very reasonable prices.

Clare Owen, Illustrator

2009-12-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

cats, cats, cats, I love cats

Help Keep Your Elders Warm This Winter

Singer Print.

Black Cat

The Chap.

I'm enjoying these illustrations by UK illustrator, Clare Owen--especially her illustrations of kitties!

Ring

2009-12-08T13:26:00.001-08:00

I love these rings by Bernice Kelly. I'm more of a scarf-and-occasionally-a-necklace kind of girl but I could become an every-day ring wearer with one of these.

I'm Back!

2009-12-06T17:53:00.000-08:00

I've borrowed my family's laptop so I'll be posting regularly again. Speaking of family, here's a preview of a photo shoot we did for my parent's 30th wedding anniversary (December 7th). My friend Alexis Rittle took the pictures of us goofing off in Mount Gretna, PA. Don't judge me on my jumping skills--I always jumped too early!

Absence

2009-11-24T08:58:00.000-08:00

Forgive me for my lack of posting the last couple of weeks. My laptop is broken (I suspect it's a battery issue) so until my computer-whiz of a brother can look at it over Thanksgiving I won't be able to post regularly. The good news is I've been sewing up a storm and crossing many things off my big sewing to-do list. I'm also gearing up to begin my holiday decorating (I made myself wait until after Thanksgiving) and I'll be able to share all of my crafting ideas with you soon!

Ugh

2009-11-07T14:55:00.001-08:00

Today I got my second bad haircut in a row. To make things worse, it was even more expensive than my first bad haircut. I'm completely frustrated with my "transition" style. I don't know if I can wait for it to grow out. Maybe I should just chop it all off again.

The best haircut I've ever had was also the cheapest. Late last spring I stopped at a Hair Cuttery in a Walmart stripmall and walked out with the best-looking bangs of my life--for $15 dollars! Now they've been cut too short twice and I can only wait until they grow back.

Anyone have any suggestions for styling transition hair?

Missed Connections

2009-11-03T18:52:00.001-08:00

My favorite illustration so far from Sophie Blackall, the illustrator behind Missed Connections.

LOVE

2009-11-03T09:57:00.001-08:00

Gardenia bib necklace from Anthropologie (price tag = $198.00). Maybe, if I'm very lucky, a little sister who is good at beading will make this for me.

apiece apart

2009-11-01T16:13:00.000-08:00

I am absolutely in love with the Fall/Winter collection from designers Laura Cramer and Starr Hout and their line apiece apart. As a petite girl (5'2") and with a few extra pounds, the silhouettes of apiece apart are perfect for me-- short skirts and tights, touches of metallic fabrics, and solid, dark colors equal a perfect wardrobe for me. I'm going to be taking a lot of inspiration from them this winter.

While I'm discussing future wardrobes, I've decided that the only thing I want for Christmas this year is a great pair of boots. I have wide calves (16.5") which slightly limits the styles I can wear. I'm pretty certain that I want flat boots that hit just below the knee like a riding boot (I liked the boots featured in the November issue of Real Simple) but beyond that, I haven't any specifications--I'm not even sure if I want black or brown. On the bus to NYC this weekend I sat next to a girl wearing the most beautiful dark green boots. I really wanted to ask her where she got them but she was napping with her iPod on and I didn't want to disturb her. Her boots were a little more western than a riding boot, however. If anyone has any suggestions about brands or styles I should look at, please let me know!

Quick Project

2009-11-01T15:36:00.000-08:00

This certainly isn't a new idea (I'm sure I've seen it on a dozen or more DIY sites) but it's a nice way to fill up a big blank wall without investing too much money. I'm a big fan of rotating pictures so this couldn't be better for me. I didn't even bother to put up picture hangers--I simply stapled the string to the wall. (I'm lucky to have a landlord who says it's OK).

Goodbye, October!

2009-11-01T15:21:00.000-08:00

It'll be another year before the leaves are this color again.

Le Magazine de Mode Enfantine

2009-10-19T16:19:00.001-07:00

I'll never be as cool as they are.
(found here).

My Weekend in Pictures

2009-10-19T15:48:00.000-07:00

THE BIG LIST OF THINGS TO DO

2009-10-16T17:40:00.001-07:00

Inspired by The Workroom, a craft-by-the-hour space I visited while in Toronto this summer, I have decided to make a master list of crafting and sewing projects I'd like to tackle over the next year. While DT is away at graduate school in NYC, I'm going to take my own advice and keep myself busy. Here we go:

recover the blue and white Ikea chair.
enter something in the Pennsylvania Farm Show
make my own grocery bags (I hate going to Weis' with Giant bags).
make a duvet cover for my green duvet.
make a quilt for Jackie Dalley.
copy my favorite J.Crew tote bag.
make winter wool skirts from leftover thesis fabric.
make a quilt from the fabric I bought at The Workroom.
finish DT's penrose tile quilt.
recover my purple desk chair.
paint my bedroom.
make a padded headboard for my bed.
learn Shashiko embroidery.
plan a project for the peacock fabric Alexis brought me from Senegal.

So Lovely

2009-10-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

On a good day I can command this kind of casual elegance.

(From one of my favorite blogs, The Sartorialist.)

Bedroom Makeover

2009-10-07T16:27:00.000-07:00

My bedroom doesn't feel very cozy. It's a small room (really only big enough for the bed) at the back of my second floor apartment. I like the room because the windows open to the little creek that runs behind my house. In the summertime it was so nice to fall asleep to the sound of the running water. Now that it's colder and I don't want the windows open, I am looking for a way to make the room cozier for the winter. I can change the wall color and the curtains very easily so that's where I'm focusing my search. I've spent the last hour looking at all my favorite design sites to fine color palates that would suit me. I only found the two images above (minus the leaf mural in the second picture).

My bedding is varied--a purple quilt from target, a yellow and white quilt I made two years ago, a lime green duvet from Urban Outfitters--so I'm not sure what to do about the miss-matchy look on my bed. I need all of the blankets for warmth so maybe I'll make a new mustardy-rust colored duvet cover to hide the rainbow underneath. The plaid-shirt pillows should be easy. Perhaps I'll stop by the thrift store tomorrow.

(P.S. I found the images at kelly+olive.)

What Not To Wear

2009-10-06T17:41:00.000-07:00

I wanted to do a post about transitioning into my autumn wardrobe (last weekend I put away the short-sleeves and pulled out the sweaters). I did some looking around at my favorite place to shop (but rarely do): anthropologie. I shopped their site and several others and was so dissapointed; everything I saw was UGLY. There were too many ruffles and hideous lace inserts. For example, please see the horrible sweater above. Unless you want to look like you've lost 400 pounds and your skin is dripping off of you, please, don't buy this one! Even the twiggiest twig of a girl would look fat.

I've got a couple of bolts of good, fine English wool in my closet left over from my thesis. It looks like my autumn wardrobe is going to be homemade pencil skirts.

2009-09-29T14:51:00.000-07:00

I'm enjoying these organized-by-color collages as my desktop background. I found them here.

Gloomy Saturday

2009-09-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

Here are 10 things I'm doing today (or have already done):

1. Going to the fall-off-the-truck market for dented boxes of Quaker Oatmeal Squares.
2. Buying a new shower curtain liner (the old one is beyond icky).
3. Lavishing Penny with love and attention. And treats.
4. Thinking about special surprises to send to a boy away at school.
5. Working on Christmas presents for Robin.
6. Importing cd's into itunes. I recently cleared everything out of my itunes library. Now there's a lot of re-importing to do.
7. Watching one of the six movies I got from the library.
8. Staying warm. It's getting chillier in Limeport. The leaves are beginning to change. Autumn is coming.
9. Making macaroni and cheese from a box.
10. Reading A Prayer for Owen Meany.

Here's a picture I like a lot:

(Found on signs and wonder's flickr photostream here).

Rainbow

2009-09-10T19:02:00.000-07:00

I was pleasantly surprised to see this rainbow as I was beginning the evening dishes. It's the second rainbow I've seen in a month. I must be lucky.

Improving the wardrobe

2009-09-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

I bought this top at Target because:

1. I liked it.
2. My white blouses always get armpit stains (any ideas about how to get them out? is it my deodorant?) and I am constantly replacing them.
3. I knew it would be easy to pattern.

At the end of my workday, I lifted a pattern from the original blouse; it took me about half an hour. When I got home, I cut it out and built my new top in under two hours--I was done by 9pm. Now I have a pretty new top for tomorrow and it didn't cost me a dime!

I didn't have enough of this cotton to make a complete back so I had to do some clever piecing. I did a roll-and-roll hem on the armscyes which turned out a little puckery. Next time I'll do a bias facing.

I can't wait to make more of these!

Praising the French Press

2009-09-08T09:19:00.000-07:00

Last night, my friend Ben was praising the superiority of the french press. He's convinced me that I really don't know what good coffee tastes like (I know it's certainly NOT the IKEA coffee that I bought and have been suffering through for the last week). I like this french press travel mug from Target as I take coffee to work with me everyday. I wish I could get this press from Willams-Sonoma but it's a little pricey for me right now. (Christmas present, hint, hint?)

Yosigo

2009-09-02T07:11:00.000-07:00

I am really enjoying the photography of Jose Javier Serrano. I stumbled on his work by randomly searching Flickr, one of my favorite ways to spend a spare moment. You can see more of Serrano's work on his website, Yosigo.

In progress: penrose tile quilt

2009-08-28T08:30:00.001-07:00

penrose tile quilt begun
Originally uploaded by light_speed

Last night I got this project out of its box and started working on it again. It's gotten so big that it's become difficult to work on. And, of course, Penny likes to eat all the paper diamonds. My goal is to have it done by the end of the year.

Vacation Highlights

2009-08-22T14:52:00.000-07:00

After staying with friends in Boston on Friday night (thanks, Danielle and Lindsay!), DT and I drove to Maine to pick up my sister from her job at a summer camp for girls. We couldn't pick her up until Sunday morning so we spent Saturday night in Freeport, Maine, a town whose only claim to fame is being the headquarters of LL Bean. Rather then spending a lot on a hotel room, DT and I camped at the Desert of Maine campground. The desert is a genuine freak-of-nature; about 100 years ago, sand began piling up on what was a fertile farm. Now the entire farm is buried under 20-30 feet of the purest, softest sand I ever touched. As registered campers, DT and I got free admission to the desert.

The LL Bean boot in Freeport, ME.

As thanks for picking her up from camp, Becca treated us to a lobster lunch in Naples, ME.

We arrived at the vacation house in the Adirondacks on Sunday night. With 15 people in the house, getting groups of hikers, kayakers, birdwatchers and painters out the door every morning was insane. But the kayaking was great and we had the best view of the meteor shower on Tuesday night.

On Wednesday, DT and I went to Montreal for the day. It was scorching hot, even in Montreal. I was glad when we finally had lunch at this cafe. I loved the salad I got--black rice (dyed with squid ink?), asparagus, tomato, mint and vinaigrette dressing--and the lemonade was tart, just the way I like it.

Because I'm a nervous passenger, I did most of the driving.

The highlight of the trip for DT was stopping at Sticky Lips BBQ in Rochester, NY. We sat on the outdoor deck until the yellow jackets became too bothersome (Becca is allergic) and we moved inside.

In Buffalo we stayed with Joyce, one of DT's professors from Temple. She took us on an architecture tour of Buffalo. We saw lots of buildings but my favorite was the one that wasn't there; Frank Lloyd Wright's Larkin Administration Building was demolished in 1950 and all that remains is this parking lot and a retaining wall. The demolition of the Larkin Building is considered to be one of the saddest moments in American architectural history.

We took a day trip to Toronto for more architectural sight-seeing. While DT looked at buildings, Becca and I walked a long, long way from center city to visit The Workroom, a shop I've been admiring for a long time. I bought some fabric to make new pillowcases. I spent more than I should have, but their selection of designer cotton fabrics is fantastic. I can't get anything like it in Limeport. You can follow their blog, make something, here. (The above picture was of some beautiful dresses in a boutique window on Queen Street West.)

We spent a lot of time in the car. Becca finished a cross-stitch project she had started 10 years ago.

After Buffalo, Becca, DT and I drove to western PA to see FL Wright's Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob. Doesn't it look like DT and I are in front of a fake Fallingwater?

We spent the last day of the vacation road-trip at Knobles Amusement Park in central PA. I loved that it's a pay-per-ride park that encourages you to bring your own lunch (unlike Hersheypark that charges a $60 admission fee AND $6 for a bottled water). The Twister roller coaster was hands-down the best roller coaster I've ever been on.

Now it's back to reality--school starts on Monday and DT will be moving to NYC soon. Time to start finishing all of the projects I've abandoned this summer.

2009-08-19T17:03:00.000-07:00

I'm back! I'll be working on a day-by-day breakdown of the trip starting tomorrow. Tonight I'm too exhausted to do anything.

(Above photo: a cafe where DT and I ate lunch in Montreal)

Penny, the naughtiest kitty

2009-08-06T15:10:00.001-07:00

She stole raw chicken off of the kitchen counter, bit a hole in the bag and after I yelled, mewed for forgiveness. She's in a time-out in the basement.

Penny will be home alone for a week while we're on vacation--part of me feels bad about leaving her alone. Part of me thinks that she needs some time to appreciate that I saved her from a life in a freshman's dorm room.

Road Trip Vacation

2009-08-06T13:45:00.001-07:00

View Larger Map

I'm leaving tomorrow morning for a ramble across New England and a little bit of Canada. Destinations include (but aren't limited to):

Boston, MA (a visit with old friends)
Exeter, NH (to see places of architectural interest)
Poland, ME (where we'll pick up a sister from summer camp)
Jay, NY (where we'll vacation with the whole Light family in the woods)
Montreal, Canada (for the food!)
Buffalo, NY (more visits with old friends)
Niagara Falls (self explanatory)
Toronto, Canada (because it's so close to Buffalo)
Bear Run, PA (to see Wright's Fallingwater)

(approx. time in the car, according to google maps: 1 day 6 hours)

After Bear Run, there isn't any travel agenda. DT and I will wander the back roads of PA until we want to go home. We'll camp every other night so we can swim in hotel pools every other day. It's an abridged version of DT's road-trip-without-a-map plan--a vacation we're still hoping to take one day. This trip will be our last big blow-out before DT starts school and I get back to work.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

2009-08-05T19:25:00.000-07:00

Watch this.

Not only is this Wes Anderson's first animated film but it's based on a book by one of my favorite authors, Roald Dahl. Actually, a few nights ago I was just reading some of Dahl's short stories before bed. Anyway, I couldn't think of a better project for Wes Anderson. I can't wait to see it.

I like Hampus.

2009-08-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

(From my new favorite blog: souvenirs)

Discovery

2009-08-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

I love the new Charley Harper needlepoint patterns available now at purl patchwork. I don't do much needlepoint but I'm seriously considering taking it up. More Charley Harper needlepoint patterns are available from the purl and purl patchwork online store here.