All Ends with Beginnings.

The semester is almost done and I'm happy about that. Not that I disliked my classes, it's just that after my life imploded over these past few months, I'll be glad for the change of pace.

I visited my family a couple weeks ago and that really helped put me back on track. Being in the Los Angeles and San Diego sun, surrounded by loving friends and loving family, was absolutely amazing. They reminded me that I have to get back in tune with myself and with my needs- I have to strive for a positive future for myself, not anyone else. 

So with that said, I'm happy to be back to blogging, I've missed it so much. Interesting fashion and sewing and art are really what I love-- so it's going to be great being back to talking about it all. 

Please stay tuned, everyone.

Under the Weather and Comforts

• Being back at school has actually been a great thing. I've missed the structure, missed having things to do that aren't necessarily related to my day-to-day tasks. I know a lot of people don't miss going to college classes, but sometimes they can be a salvation. Having a book to read, an essay to write, or being forced to think outside of the box-- it is helping me a lot right now, especially since this past month has been the most stressful of my entire life. Ergonomics class is actually really challenging...
• My iPad is great! It's lovely having something to be able to help me with my school work. I've uploaded my textbooks onto it so I can read while on public transport-- though I'm sure it makes me look like a crazy woman whenever the muni doors open- looking around all crazy. I will take only minor, acceptable risks, but I don't want to be mugged. Regardless, I bought a 5$, cheapie stylus to start playing with drawing apps... only to lose it the following day. Remind me to only use cheap styluses instead of investing in a nice Wacom one. I'm surprised my handwriting with the tip of my finger isn't completely illegible. 
• I haven't sewn in a long time-- it's actually really depressing. The last thing I made was my iPad case... and that was just because I needed to be able to take it around with me the day I bought it. BUT, I was able to use a BEAUTIFUL Liberty of London fabric: Spring 2012 Picardie, designed by Phil Kim-- and based on the inspiration of A Clockwork Orange. My first time working with Liberty-- and it was amazing. I was able to score a fat quarter amount from Etsy and it was a dream to work with... I can't wait to incorporate more of this iconic fabric into my life! But besides all that, I'm actually in dire straights: I need new clothes but haven't been sewing a damn thing. I'm hoping to start changing that next week. 

Dining About Town. Or Places I Would LIKE to Eat.

So as part of my Eating Well 2013 New Year resolution, I'm determined to hit up at least one of the restaurants in the Dine About Town line up for the winter season-- MAYBE two. Now, I've been seeing this event be brought up for the past year in random ads and bus-sides, but this is the first time I've actually investigated and have been all in. Hopefully I can make it by the last day!

Here are a few of the options that I would want to check out!

The Cliff House

http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/dine/dine-about-town/cliff-house-164373006.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-cliff-house-bistro-san-francisco

The menu is all things I wouldn't normally try, but that's exactly why I want to go and check this place out! Duck meatballs? Flounder? Brown butter cake?! And the views must be absolutely amazing from the restaurant. I've actually walked around outside on the beach, but haven't gotten a chance to really enjoy a full dinner experience from the terrace. And, to be honest, if I'm going for lunch by my lonesome, I still think I'd have a really great experience just looking outside, relaxing.

Cafe Tiramisu

http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/dine/dine-about-town/cafe-tiramisu-164371916.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-tiramisu-san-francisco

I walk by this place all the time on my way to work or to check the post office--- I think this place would be perfect on a day when I get out of work early for lunch. The atmosphere! The little alley it's in! It's so cute! Orecchiette? What's that? I would love to try it! Or a risotto that is made by professionals-- not me, messing around in my kitchen! Seared salmon and a tiramisu with espresso to finish it off? Ah, it honestly makes me hungry writing this post.

Butterfly

http://www.sanfrancisco.travel/dine/dine-about-town/butterfly-164371816.html
http://www.yelp.com/biz/butterfly-san-francisco

Californian food? Asian Fusion? What does that even mean? Well, looking at the menu, I was honestly surprised just how "Californian" it was. BUT-- I've never eaten at a place at the Embarcadero and I'm utterly intrigued! I'm in love with calamari but I think I'd really like to try the Duck Confit Spring Rolls which on reading Yelp, are delicious! Also, the Chicken Roulade seems decadent. And last but not least, who can say no to creme brûlée?


Overall, I'm absolutely excited for this event. Financials aside, if I could eat at every single one of the restaurants, I totally would. But, to at least squeeze in a couple of them, I'll probably just swing a couple of the lunches. Which, truth be told, are sometimes the same as the dinner menus! Still, though, I really think it'd be a fun and super fancy experience.

All a Girl Needs is a Bolt of Expensive Fabric.

New year means new fabrics at Liberty of London and I'm absolutely in LOVE! When I saw their Twitter feed had posted an image of them screen printing a new fabric, I just about jumped for joy. I'm determined to have several garments this year made with beautiful and supple Liberty fabric! 

And to be honest, I wasn't all in on their Fall/Winter collection (…I didn't post about it here)- so this is a great breath of fresh air. The lively colors, the garments that pop up in my head… It really just disappoints me that Britex doesn't carry their most up-to-date line, only the classics. Which is fine, but not up-to-date. I would pay their overpriced yardage if it were up to date. In the meantime, I really have to find some good sources online--  most of the places I've seen ship from the UK… and even with shipping, it's cheaper than Britex (wtf.)

Richard and Lyla C Tana Lawn

Guerrilla gardening-- what a cute whiter color representation! I actually really like it for a shirtwaist dress or even some sort of romper. Though on the topic of rompers, I had one and promptly changed it into a skirt… so maybe not a romper. But some sort of flimsy something for the "summer" (Autumn on the calendar, for SF!)

Hugo Grenville C Tana Lawn

I can actually see this as a midsummer lolita dress, in a country or classical style. A simple JSK with a square neckline and box pleated skirt, little to no trim. And the accessories could make it DANCE! Lots of flowers in the hair, cute tan heels, knitted cardigan. It'd be a great dress for the ward robe. Maybe would need to be underlined to give it a little more body.

Beth's Flowers C Tana Lawn

I was really torn as to which color scheme I liked for this design but I think this would be a great rectangle skirt for day to day. With a matching belt? It's spunky and modern and knowing the hand of the fabric, would just swoosh beautifully. Dress it up in a full lolita coordinate for the 4th of July. Dress it down with a mustard cardigan, mustard flats, and brown blouse. 

Oceanid D Tana Lawn

This print is super relevant to my interests! I can imagine it as part of a JSK where the bottom skirt is pleated, and the bodice of the JSK is a solid grey or white or black- two toned. It's so very classic! I love how it looks like a charcoal drawing (probably is!)

Irma D Tana Lawn

How lovely is this? I think maybe I would want it in something other than Tana Lawn, to use it as a lining pattern for a light coat or something. Maybe for the inside of a bag--- or for small clutch bags for the inside of a purse or lingerie drawer. It's a very delicate design for sure!

Abbey Pool B Tana Lawn

I kind of want this for The Boy. This would make a GREAT Hawaiian inspired shirt. It actually makes me smile just looking at it--- he'd look adorable!  It fits his personality and with a rocking Hawaiian top, we could go on a mini trip together <3!



I've been following the Liberty of London Twitter feed and I'm really glad I have been-- they really post some nice things! Their blog recently wrote a post about the inspirations for each of this season's fabrics and it really makes me even more excited to see these prints up close. One of the blogs I've recently started following, top notch, has a Liberty of London fabric scrapbook and I would love to do something similar; it'd be a great lifetime collection. And if my dream comes true of working for them, I think my scrapbook would explode!

2013 Project Ideas

Ah, so much sewing and knitting and so little time!

I've been keeping an eye on pattern websites like a hawk-- any time something is updated, I rush over to see what the Big 4 (+BurdaStyle) have released... and don't even get me started on Ravelry!

I think that for 2013, I'll be trying to make myself a new garment every couple weeks- I want to aim for 2 a month. After vowing to NEVER BUY A PAIR OF JEANS AGAIN, EVER-- I need to really revitalize my wardrobe- otherwise I'll wear out what I have left pretty quickly. My mother disagrees with my philosophy overall, though. She says jeans don't lie and are a surefire way to keep track of my weight.

Regardless of all that, I'm happy to say that I'm happy with most of my closet-- I've been thinning it out and have a huge pile of things that need to be donated or sold. Making my own clothes, though? That will keep it curated and me happy. Besides, I'm frankly starting to get bored of things and need new pieces.

Here are a few patterns that look really nice and I HOPE I can make, time allowing. You can follow my Pinterest board with all my sewing ideas, though!

BurdaStyle Princess Sheath 01-2013 #107

How beautiful is this?! This dress would most certainly require getting my FBA down using princess seams, but why not? It'd be a challenge and I'm sure the toile stage will be a long one. But it's so classy and beautiful! I would love a version in pink like the model--- but a dark, heathered grey wool? The color scheme might even blend in nicely here in SF.

BurdaStyle Side Panel Dress 01-2013 #102A

Definitely not my normal style dress, but I think I could make it work. Most RTW in this style don't fit me AT ALL--- but if I'm making it myself- it could be a complete difference. I would raise the waist line to fit my natural waist--- rather than my high hips (as is usually the case :/ )-- and maybe flare it out a bit more for the hips as well. Plus being able to make my own waist tie in proportion to my actual waist? Perfect idea. I think this dress would look great in Pantone's Grayed Jade-- very seasonal.

Butterick B5814

I love how this would be absolutely PERFECT for Valentine's Day! Yes, it might be the sample colors, but damn it, it's the truth! I've never worked with boning so it'd definitely be a learning experience-- but I can imagine making this in red or black and it looking absolutely sexy and stunning. Here in the city I would most certainly need a great cape to match it, too. But I can totally picture myself in something as sultry!

McCall's M5525

A lot of the designs on this particular pattern are great... but I actually only really want the traditional trenchcoat design-- how bratty is that?! The yellow one is also kind of nice-- the neckline is lovely. But frankly, I've wanted a traditional trench for YEARS. I've never owned one-- and as much as I want the tried and true Burberry--- right now I can only dream! There are some really great ones out there--- the one I would LOVE from Burberry is trimmed in leather. I'm sure I can arrange that in my own handmade version...! Somehow, making it myself, and possibly spending 80$+ on materials--- I'm happy with it. The possibilities are more rewarding, I feel. 

Anthropologie Ascot Bow Scarf

78$? Anthropologie, you must be trippin'!! I checked out this scarf in person, and the real-life version is most certainly not that rewarding. The scarf was very scratching and not particular warm and cuddly... Wool and acrylic? Really? I know it can help the bow keep its shape, but I wouldn't pay 80$ for something as uncomfortable. I can't imagine this scarf needing more than 300 yards. I'm thinking of an alpaca, cotton blend with a sturdy hand--- and in this color. The stitching is super simple, too, so I know I could finish it quickly. The bow itself needs some wrangling, though, and some good clasps to keep it together. Momentary engineering feat, of course, but otherwise, a great rewarding project that I know would work with SO MANY of my outfits. It fits right in and I'd look great in it!

Overall, I'm really looking forward to all the great ideas floating in my mind for 2013. My skills have developed so much over this past year-- I'm actually really proud of what I've learned in 2012. I honestly can't wait to be a better seamstress next year. Who knows all the new skills I'm going to learn?