Fall Outfit Planning

So since I'm planning on having all my outfits handmade/vintage/second hand, I figure it'd be fun to list out what sorts of things I'd like to do for the fall, including the patterns I would like to use and buy and blahblah. Though to be honest, the most annoying part of the entire thing is finding the correct patterned fabric... Hmph. I really just have to find cool places to source from.

Fall 2012 - Lemon Tree by aquavert featuring slip on shoes

How fun is that lemon print? I found a place in Berkeley earlier this year that has amazing fruit prints and I'm 99% sure they have something similar to this fun lemon-y print! With some cute flats, cross-body little bag, cardigan and scarf? Perfect for a day off. The pattern I found (McCall's M6557) is probably the closest that I could find that's still in print... with a modified pencil skirt piece, I think it'd be pretty simple. The trick might be after I my FBA, being able to add the keyhole zipper top... Not necessary, but I think it'd be adorable. Also, it fits in with one of my favorite colors from Fall 2012 Pantone color: Honey Gold.

Fall 2012: Blues and Greens by aquavert featuring high heels

I've never made anything with a collar so this one would be interesting, I think. Still though, for something a little more dressy, this one would be fun. Semi-dressy. And definitely not in khaki: I want Olympian Blue or Aquamarine Green. I think contrasting tights, shoulder bag, trench coat, little boots? It reminds me of rain, but in a happy way.

Fall 2012: Cool Weather and Cute by aquavert featuring oxford shoes

Not exactly the same, but I think a simple sash belt and matching peter pan collar is a piece of cake. I'm not sure I would add the contrast color to the button area, but more than likely would. The breast pocket flaps- no. I don't need more attention called to that area! As for the colors, Rose Smoke and French Roast! I think a beautiful fabric with a delicate design in those colors would be simple for me to match in my closet. Matching accessories like a (handmade!!) chunky cable sweater, fedora or felt hat, black tights and flats.

As of right now I have the sewing pattern from the last set-- so I'm really excited about that. Considering I have a lot of sewing projects going on, I won't be making that soon... but probably starting in September I'll start picking away at these ideas.

Ya, I'm Stressing.

Stress is no joke, and lately I've been under a lot of it. While I was in the shower this morning, trying to decompress, I figured this topic definitely needed covering because honestly, it's overwhelming. Not in a depressing way, necessarily, but in a way that asks: "what do I do?!"

My dad has ulcers so I know that for me personally, I have to watch out before something like that happens to me. But sometimes, my mind gets the better of me and I can think of nothing but that stressful thing that replays over and over in my mind. "Downward Spiral"! It's of course nothing like some drug induced melodrama, but for someone like me, it's serious enough for me to ask if I should have a systematic way to handle it; a routine.

Common activities people suggest:

• Yoga.
• Drinking soothing tea.
• Sleeping more.
• Meditation.
• Just Stop Stressing.

The last option always feels like a slap in the face for me. "Just Stop", my boyfriend says. But for someone as stressed out as I am, it's kind of like saying to someone depressed, "Get Over It". It doesn't help, doesn't make me feel better, doesn't make the stress and worry any less terrible. If anything, I feel it accelerates it. 

When I was younger I used to have panic attacks pretty regularly. I particularly remember one incident where my mom found me curled up against the wall of my room, breathing heavily, having a straight anxiety attack. I've mellowed out a lot since then (I think I was maybe 14 or 15 at the time)-- but the stress is still very real for me today. I've never gotten it checked out because I've only ever viewed it as directly correlated to my circumstances, not implicitly inherent to my physiology. 

Still though, the more time passes, the more I think I should probably be trying each of the things written in the above list. Stress is keeping me up at night, waking me during the night, waking me early. It's like I can feel my stomach in nothing but knots, all the time. So, no more mentality of yoga for weight loss-- I need yoga to de-stress. And less stressful situations in my life, as well.  

I would appreciate the rain if I had pants that could tuck into my rain boots.

Busy girl is an understatement! I'm working on quite a few things, including finally getting my bathroom into shape.

Plain, plain, plain. I don't yet have "after" pictures considering there's still lots of things I'd like to fix up before I can feel really proud of what I've done. Since these "before" pictures were taken, I've put up a shower curtain, put in a bath rug, got some new towels and some random trinkets.

I found the glass pieces and tin tray at the local Goodwill for under 7$ and am actually very happy with them! I cleaned everything up and have filled the glasses with Q-tips, cotton balls, and hair pins--- they all sit happily on the tray on top of the toilet. 

I pulled out my embroidery circle to start working on a piece for the wall! I designed the pretty vintage-inspired sign on tracing paper, scanned it into Photoshop, and then found a great font for my little phrase. After I situated it how I wanted it, I printed it out and then using a makeshift lightbox (piece of glass in front of a lamp), traced it out onto some fabric and got to embroidering! It still has a long way to go and I'm hoping to not run out of the green thread in the picture before I finish the design!

I also spent some time designing some recipe cards on Photoshop! Turns out I've been hoarding an Italian cook book from the library and figured I might as well get on with the whole business of turning it back in! I used watercolor and painted the little sink+dishes drawing after seeing a free clipart of it online, scanned it into the computer, fixed it all up and did the layout in Photoshop. Printed it out on some card stock and now I have my own, one of a kind recipe cards! 

And on the topic of libraries, I also picked up a French textbook. More info on that soon, though- including a video! (it's been a while, hasn't it?)

That was a Roadhouse Roadie margarita. Delish!

Texas was definitely a change of pace for me! It was a lot more vast than I had expected; having that much space is always a little bizarre for me. I'm so used to living in suburbia or densely populated areas so empty space amazes me.

I think next time I head out to Texas, I'll be a little more prepared for the experience. For some reason, I left San Antonio feeling like more could have been done with my time there and I didn't really get to see what the city had to offer. I will say, though, that it was great spending some time with my brother and see him so grown up. It's astounding what two months did to his personality and just generally how he carries himself. I'm really proud of him.

My pale-ass legs are excited to see some sunshine!

Without a doubt, I have to remind myself repeatedly that my trip to San Antonio next month isn't a trip for me! My little brother is graduating from one of the military branches in the city and I have to be there to support. But still, the city of San Antonio is really starting to intrigue me as I look at all the pictures I've recently come across... and I'm excited!

I can't easily hide that I'm definitely not in line with the regional politics-- nor am I necessarily culturally drawn to the state. I haven't been there since I was maybe six years old but I'm looking forward to a change of pace for a couple days.

Riverwalk // Cobaltski @ Flickr

Mission // asergeev.com

The Market Square // nationalgeographic.com

Natural Bridge Caverns

I can only hope I get to see something out of the ordinary while I'm down there! And the food... well, I'm not normally into Tex-Mex but I'm willing to give it a try while I'm there. Plus I can't deny I'll be loving the warm weather when I visit-- I'm pulling out some dresses and heels to rock the mini-vacation! Can't wait!

Its like a purple straw. I thought it was unique.

The past couple weeks have been a whirlwind because of the numerous images, ideas, situations, and focus points have flashed before my eyes. Sitting on the BART a week or so ago and realizing that I'm nowhere near the person I used to be this time 2010 made me feel amazing. The above-mentioned streams of thought seem to compound this belief and the fact that I have multiple unpublished posts regarding the same topic reinforces it. Browsing Style.com and memorizing the season's trends never used to be me, but I suppose that's how it is now- I'm not fighting it.

I recently took a trip down to Los Angeles and San Diego where the entire time away was filled with friends, family, (real) Mexican food, and my new iPhone. In the time I spent down there, I couldn't help but feel that nothing had really changed in the seven months I had been gone-- that it was as if I never left. Needlessly said, it was unsettling and disenchanting seeing many people I care about still in the same rut as before and a vivid nightmare last night regarding my leaving makes the separation still an issue. Regardless of all that, I can't help but compare and feel as if I've slowly gotten somewhere. Maybe it's the simple pair of cute wedges I wear now that made me feel more accomplished--- but in the long run, that last sentence is ridiculous. Shoes don't change a person- I don't think.

Even though so many months had gone by, I felt sick to my stomach when I said good bye to my family and thought of all the friends I'd leave behind. The idea that parting of ways becoming easier and easier with time is the only real consolation I can draw from my predicament. That's another whole stretch of "growing up" I've yet to accomplish. So yes, the departure from San Diego was bittersweet. The only thing that really shook me into reality was spoting the San Francisco skyline from the airplane on my return.