I'm feeling better, and here's why

yes this is from a few months ago, but I didn't take any pictures of myself last week, and I haven't showered yet today.

• we're getting our new car this weekend, which means I will finally have my own set of wheels and I can leave my house more than a few times a week.

• out of the blue I had some old friends and new friends call me to hang out. I have so needed girl time, and it couldn't have been better timing. Thanks ladies!

• Tom, my dad, and my brother-in-law Andy went to see Daniel Johnston last week. I love going to rock shows, and this guy was particularly entertaining to watch and listen to.

• I'm feeling hope in the hope department.

• I went to a baby shower for a girl that lives around the corner from me and whom I've never met. It was awkward at first, I sat pretty close to my mom, but after she opened the smocked dress I made for her baby, and passed it around, I was a hit. I'm hoping I finally broke the ice.

• I had some nice long phone conversations with some of my good friends. This always cheers me up!

• After two weeks of no sugar and flour, I finally had a day of indulgence. Sugar cookies, fried scones, easter candy...I still have a hangover.

• I had a nice weekend of relaxation, family time, and spiritual uplifting.

• I registered for more violin teaching training this June. I really think this is what I need to re-motivate myself, make connections, and finally get going.

• I just bought tickets for Death Cab!

• I have a few playdates for myself and Luke scheduled for this week, and I can't wait!

A guaranteed inspiration

Lately my shopping habits have been converted to browsing habits. I still want, but now I want to sew my own. Good for my wallet, good for my right brain, not so good for the stuff I really should be doing. My favorite, and will always be favorite, unless they take a significant detour, is A.P.C.. I was introduced to A.P.C. within the first month I moved to NY. I immediately took to the simplicity and linear look of their style, but had a hard time believing any piece of clothing could really cost THAT much. Unfortunately it didn't take me much longer to figure out that anything under the price point of $200 was actually on the lower end, and it would take a lot of justifying to convince Tom of the value of these beautiful clothes. Needless to say, I never really did, beyond the sample sales I was invited to.

There have been many trips to A.P.C., mainly to sneak the dresses into the changing rooms to study the construction and details, take measurements, and if I was really daring, take a few pictures.  I did this for my second dress, a complete knockoff, even down to the color of fabric. That's the thing with A.P.C., the stuff is really that simple. But they get you on the fabric, the quality and prints are unbeatable.

In my last browse, I couldn't help but want to post some of their latest looks. I usually just pull them into my inspiration folder at the side of my desktop, but these I had to pass on. My favorites are the wide leg pants, which I am so thankful are still in style, the crocheted dress, the circle skirt, and the shirt with the belt. Enjoy!

For the first time ever...

I voted.

I just couldn't let what happened last week happen again.

it was so easy, I voted for my other three favs.

We're mad for plaid!

During one of my vintage plaid fabric crazes a few months ago I bought this very colorful fabric on ebay. Most of my plaids have been purchased for less than a few dollars a yard, which is why I have an abundance of them just sitting, waiting to be sewn together. I had a hard time deciding what to make with this particular fabric. I knew I wanted a shirt, I just couldn't decide on the cut. After combing through patterns, browsing my favorite sites, and debating on whether to use the old standby, I remembered back to a shirt I saw while visiting my dear friend Carrie in Chicago. Very similar to the one I made, it had a more feminine feel to the traditional button up, and could give some room for a possible expanding belly, something I hope to have a need for in the near future.

I used built by Wendy's simple shirt pattern in her book Sew U. The patterns in this book are so simple and basic, perfect for alterations and creativity. The only one I have never used, and will never use is the pants pattern. Just the idea makes me anxious. But the shirt, the only adjustments I had to make to the pattern were in the body, cutting it where I wanted the top of the yoke, and extending the body two extra inches to allow for gathering. I  also changed up the sleeve, giving it more room on the top and bottom for gathering and added the detail of the hem.

And the leftovers? used for yet another tie of course. I couldn't resist, I never thought I would be one of those mom's that wanted to match their kid, but here I am, loving it.

And for the record he posed himself, I just clicked.

My mind races...

at the worst time, 11pm, every night this week.

I blame it on Gilmore Girls. I made the mistake of watching the last two episodes right before bed a few days ago. Too much, too late. I didn't sleep for at least two hours. Lots of crying, lots of laughing, lots of mourning. And this scene, I just can't seem to stop replaying it in my head complete with the "la la la's". The end really was perfect. And how much do I love the Obama Gilmore tie? It's so meant to be.

But no, this isn't the only thing keeping me up. My irrational takes over my rational, and it doesn't stop until my body is just too exhausted to keep up.

2. Why do I always feel like I am being tailed living here. I don't drive slow, in fact I usually drive just above the speed limit. But there is ALWAYS a car just a few feet behind me.

3. How is it that I can exercise, sweat, drink gallons of water, and my body either gets bigger or stays the same? But the second I cut out refined sugars and flour, I finally see something change. It's so frustrating.

4. When am I not going to feel so isolated and lonely living here? and I'm still waiting for that moment, that "ah ha" when I know moving back was the right decision.

5. Is there a future for Rory and Logan? I have heard that if they were going to come back for an 8th season there was talk he might too. He really grew on me, and I was a Jess fan.

6. Death Cab for Cutie. They are coming out with a new album, which means they will be touring soon, which makes me really happy. I have a thing for Ben.

7. I have been struggling to figure out how to be the right kind of support to those I love. How do I provide hope to those that don't have any?

8. Another reason I can't wait for summer. I want to see a good movie!! Indiana Jones, Clone Wars, Batman, I have high hopes for all of you. 

9. Why can't I seem to get going on teaching violin? I have really been procrastinating this. I guess I feel a little bit overwhelmed when I think about how much I have to do to get started. And let's be honest, I would rather sew.

10. And spring dresses. I have so many ideas, I just don't have patterns to make them. If I take this pattern, do this to it, alter it a little here, and there...I actually think about this all day, not just at night.

Surprisingly though, I get really tired in the middle of the day and have no problem sleeping when I should be doing a lot of these things.