Cooler than You: Stupid Things I Say and Do

As of late the days are getting longer, or so I hear.  Though, there's still stale, dingy colored snow lurking on the ground . . . in March.  C'est la vie en  New York.  Word is that there is snow, there isn't snow in the forecast.  Who knows . . . all I know is that the pace of life and the dreary days of winter take their toll on anyone.  I've craved and eaten more citrus fruit than I have in my entire life, and in the course of that I've struggled with the toils of Lupus and swollen joints.  When I had to see my doctor for international clearance and got the godsend of a plaq script (while still being devoid of health insurance) it all came in the perfect moment. A little more than a month later and, well, I'm near my mojo again.  C'est la via.  Plus vrai . . . Of course, as I've mentioned more than once (most recently  ) body image is always a Pandora's Box of hell shaped goo that leaks and seeps out a...

Somewhere along the way Christmas happened, or so it seams.  It certainly has been a busy fall.  So damned busy, but in all fairness I can't really complain as that means that things are good . . . or at least in my book it falls that way.  I will say that from my list of fall makes I have one archer and one more blouse to make up.  Really, how awesome am I? Oh, those two hoodies . . . but those aren't needed until I jet off to Amsterdam in late March.  I sew, a lot, I know. Though, Christmas this year is from my sewing machine, knitting needles, wine vendor from the market, or my own kitchen prowess.  I make no bones about it, as well . . . I'm not keen on box stores, shopping for trinkets that are forgotten about in a month, and at this point most people in my life have things they want and need. Gifts this way are really gifts then, meaning more and at least hanging around a bit longer.  If you've been following along on Instagram you sa...

A pencil.  A pencil skirt.  Most women love a good one.  Why? They go from night to day, have a sleek design and look, invoke images of authority, maturity (without being ancient), professional, sleek, and even sexy.  A good pencil can go so many different ways. So today you have a study . . .a study of two pencils.  I had just bought the lovely By Hand London Charlotte pattern, and my Mom came out of her sewing room with a stack of patterns (I was visiting them on that trip a few weeks back).  I certainly wasn't going to tell her no, and even though I just ordered the Charlotte I'm all for trying out a couple of patterns before declaring unadulterated love for one. Simplicity 9084 vs. Charlotte. Simplicity 9084, printed in 1994 .  Sewed by me, from a houndtooth wool blend I got when my Mom and I invaded the Mood of the South, AKA Mary Jos . Ripple insisted on being in the side view.   Yes, I have no shoes on.  I'm i...

Fair warning, you can scroll down to the pictures if you must. At this point I have to wonder if Mood Fabrics even wants my business, or well anyone's business.  Seriously. Case in point, I have 150 bucks to spend.  Twas a birthday present.  I intended on depositing the check tomorrow, on the way to campus.  Well . . . since I really am on a tight budget I would like to order the material (as A) I know what I want and B) well I'm on a budget).  I want to get about 5 yards of silk (two different prints) and four yards of lining.  There is enough to get some knit for a top and a sweatshirt. My silk ain't cheap, but let's face it . . . we all must be creative when it comes to laying out pieces on high end fabric. Yet, whenever I put something in my cart and go to find the lining, a second print, the cost of a fucking needle the contents of my cart disappear.  Then, then . . . I say hey, ya know, maybe I'll set up my online account now.  Perhap...

I just realized I haven't posted in three weeks . . . well, crap.  I'm sorry.  In all fairness, I got back from Kentucky and less than a week later I went to see my Momma.  A week in Virginia, with her and her Bernina and a serger.  Okay, I'm not really that sorry.  I sewed a Briar , two pair of Thurlows, repaired one pair, hemmed pants for my sister (on her Bernina), and . . . that doesn't even include a couple of things I made BEFORE I went.  Like two Briar's and a pair of Thurlows . Of course, there were final book edits, article edits, chaos with academia, and life itself.  Oh, and Lupus.  Yea, the rash has been out (and growing for awhile), and I spent a few days laid out with pain, exhaustion, and did I say exhaustion? Anywho, after twenty plus years  I have come to a few resolutions with that bitch known as Lupus.  A) she can still piss the fuck off and B) the rash is what it is.  I might subdue it, but I'm done spending f...