Have you checked out Madras?

If you haven't, you should.

Very much in keeping with A.P.C.'s simplicity, but with a lower price point. I debated and debated about getting the plaid shirt, everything was pre-order up until yesterday, with no word as to when they would be coming in. And in my typical obsessiveness, I checked again today and everything was sold-out. I freaked, and called the store. Phew...they just got their shipment in today. Why is it the second I realize I can't have something, especially a clothing item, I drive myself mad until I can. I have an obsessive nature sometimes....

But really, this stuff is cute. I just might have to run to my sewing machine.

* Click on the above A.P.C. link to take you to Madras. It is a second line of A.P.C.

We traded in the city

For a gas hogging, earth polluting, unnecessary, but we really love it, SUV.

For a house three four times the size of our NY apartment. It's finally ours!

And for a boy (and mom) who love their new fenced backyard!

packages = happy

I love a good package. The anticipation while tearing it open, hoping it will be as great as you imagined, or not having the slightest clue as to what it could be, in all forms, they make me happy.

This week was particularly good.

The fabric for Luke's quilt finally arrived. And I say finally, because it took me 2 months to make a decision.  Red polka dots for the back, and an orange solid for the binding. Thank you to everyone who made suggestions...it was tough.

And a surprise. This one was for Luke, and it didn't disappoint. A handmade superman/superLuke cape made by Katie for Luke's birthday.

He won't take it off, and really, do you blame him?

Meet the new additions to my salt water family. 

Ok, I didn't really get this in the mail, but I did win it, and would have if I didn't see Kelly regularly.

They get me every time

I'm not a cry baby...really, I'm just touched easily. But usually after the second time I watch a movie I tend to forget about the story and start looking at the details e.g., acting, camera shots and angles, visual effects, etc.

There are a few movie scenes however that keep me locked in the moment, every time. I should also note that I have absolutely no problem with watching movies over and over again. Something I picked up early in my childhood, we only had the movies we recorded off the t.v. to choose from.

Here are my top four in order of tears and sobs.

1. Dirty Dancing

It's true. But only for this particular scene. Every time they do that final lift my eyes fill up with tears. I get emotional this way when I am really proud of someone, especially when they have overcome great odds. I mean Baby stood up to her parents, Johnny finally danced the way he wanted to, and both crowds came together to finally have the time of their lives...it's powerful.

2. Revenge of the Sith

Maybe it's my love for Obi Wan, or the hot lava, but this scene, I can't get over. It's just so heart wrenching, so sad. When Obi Wan yells to Anakin "But you were the chosen one", I lose it. 

3. The Fellowship of the Ring

I have several favorite characters in the Lord of the Rings, but Boromir is probably my favorite next to Galadriel. He's so tormented, weak, and real. His temptation to the ring finally lead to his demise, but his death to me is one of the most touching scenes in the entire trilogy. His last words to Aragorn " I would have followed you, my brother my captain, my king" crap, I am tearing up right now. I have watched this scene over and over, and the tears always come, even when I'm running on the treadmill at the gym.

4. Man on the Moon (not the one with Reese Witherspoon)

Maybe I am just really hormonal every time I watch this movie, but I sob during the entire last 20 minutes of it.  Even after its over, I have a hard time recovering. I think its Andy Kaufman overcoming his own odds; sick with cancer and finally performing at Carnegie hall, but combine that with his death and the final funeral scene, I'm pretty much a wreck.

Is it abnormal to be able to watch something over and over and still cry?  If not, I'd love to know if anything gets you the way these four get me.

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!