I have a birthday . . . around the corner.

So, my birthday is around the corner, as in like the 16th (a week from today), and the damned day has a long and sad history of being a total shitville.  One year a friend was murdered on my birthday, a cousin was shot the day after, it has been forgotten more times than I can count, I got used samples (as in the friend's hair was in the mascara) one year (let's not talk about that), and the day after I turned 30 I broke my foot.  First broken bone at 30! So, I don't mind getting older . . . I mind shit that happens though.  My 30th year blew, in astronomical ways.  Yet, I've trudged on.  Lupus still sucks, always will, but I was once told that I'd be dead long before now.  I'm turning 37 on the 16th.  Yes, yes I am.

The comics book is in formatting for press, two articles will be done this week, a third book goes for press review at the end of summer, and . . . well, things are busy and that can only mean one thing.  Life isn't too bad.  Yea, I'm an academic and inadvertently took a vow of poverty.  I'm underpaid, overworked, and sometimes I feel under-appreciated, but . . . I get to live in NYC, a place I absolutely love, spend a good amount of time writing (not as much as I would like), and I love my job.  The co-running of a program (or however we term it) has its perks, certainly some downsides, and overall it is pretty fun.  Health insurance would be a sweet, sweet icing. . . but shit happens.  I've got a pretty hefty c.v., so I certainly work a lot.  I'm off to Turkey for a conference in late October, mostly paid for via grants, and in March I'm off to The Netherlands for another that I am co-running a workshop at.  Not too shabby.  Though, I am still in serious need of a vacation.  I've never had one, as in all my travel is work connected.  Blah blah blah.  Of course, I also tinker with my sewing machine a good deal.

On that note, this year I don't care who decides to tell me I am a pain in the ass, an inconvenience, forgets to call, shits on me, makes me the butt of nearly every joke, insults my life, work, and where I live (and this also includes family, don't expect me to call). . . I have a birthday, and in a fantasy world I'd spend my birthday fondling and whipping up this stuff.

1. The Archer pattern . . .

I would make it in a basic silk and in a linen; a deep gray silk and a white linen.  Something to go with jeans and a pencil.

Though, there's also a lovely plaid version that would be beautiful too.  Everyone should have one plaid  in the closet.  

Speaking of pencil skirts . . .

2. There's this lovely, from By Hand London. 

I'm not a ruffle gal, so I'd do it sans ruffles.  In a lightweight wool, certainly a plaid too.  There is something about a plaid done in women's slacks and a pencil that is stunning to me.  Of course, there are some plaids that should, well, be burned.   The pattern has ample room for hips, something *ahem* I obviously need.  

3. And THIS blazer.

One in charcoal.  One in black.  With a funked out lining, like some mustaches, mascara, or some polka dots.  

4.  I want to make a coat, or two this year.  The patterns I'm lurking are: 

Here: 

And here:

And THIS would be awesome on a coat.  

Purple IS my favorite color.  AND black.  Blurple is the new in shade of the day.  

5.Of course I need fabric, but . . . I'm fairly certain ya'll would rather I didn't link the entire Mood site here.  So, here's a few lovelies.  

This Oscar de la Renta.  I already have the Hawthorne by Colette, this would go well on that.  That would be lovely in the sleeveless for summer, and in the fall it would look divine with a black cardi.  

This one would make a lovely coat.  Seriously.  So pretty with jeans, or even slacks.  

I also already have the Darling Ranges dress, by Megan Nielsen.  This silk would be gorgeous.  Imagine it with knee boots in the fall, my hair in a low bun, strolling through Central Park after my Wednesday afternoon seminar.  Oh my, oh my.  

6. There's this culottes pattern, that is SOLD out stateside, and  . . . sigh.  Megan Nielsen really does make some gorgeous silhouettes.  Anyone know a vendor that still has it in stock? 

7.  This number.  In French or English, I don't care.  I can read both.  ;)

And . . . April Rhodes put out a call for testers on her latest Date Night Dress pattern.  I sent her a borderline insane email saying how much I wanted to make it, loved her Staple Dress, and that it could be my birthday dress.  Well, I'm testing the pattern . . . and the first one is done.  Yes, I'm doing two as I bought Oscar de la Renta silk in a brilliant purple from Mood.  I wanted to make sure that bad boy had a perfect fit before cutting up that pricey gift to myself (as in 25 bones a yard).  So by Friday, as she wants it posted by then (I'm shooting for Thursday to have dress two done, there's a slip on this one too!), you'll have a feast to drool over.  Seriously, the first one I put on today and nearly fainted at how stunning it looks.  

On that note, insomnia is saying hello this week.  So, it's the veil article and maybe cutting out the purple slip for the second Date Night.