Let Them Eat Cake

Generally I don't watch tv.  I do watch movies, netflix online, and online postings of specific shows that I enjoy.  I don't like watching tv because I get sucked in and end up watching hours of programming I have no interest in and real life slows down as I focus my energy on mindless watching.  The day dreaming is fun but the inactivity and sidelining of projects is ridiculous.  Recently we upgraded our internet at home and unfortunately with that came cable tv.  And the beckoning began.

At first I resisted but then I started remembering my old friends: Food TV, HGTV and TLC.  They host such amazing programs.  Educational programming if you will.  Then I started remembering my favorite cooking shows and how last time I was at my parents I found this show Ace of Cakes.

So here I am at the end of a week long TV marathon.  I'm tired.  I do work on the computer or crochet while I watch because I can't just sit there; so on the upside it wasn't a completely unproductive week.
Unfortunately, wink wink, there are tons of great shows that focus on pastry arts.

I miss baking.  I miss being a pastry chef and creating amazing cakes and desserts.  I miss catering weddings and parties.  I don't miss dealing with crappy wait and kitchen staff.  But I love the medium of pastry; sugar, flour, chocolate, butter, etc.  I occasionally bake at home but I don't get elaborate since I'm both footing the bill and consuming the calories.

It makes sense that I enjoy cake decorating and fancy pastry making since I love sculpture and jewelry making.  It's all bauble making just different mediums, right?

Oh and a bit of a mental crush slash friend/co-worker envy on the group of cake artisans on the show.  They have the perfect combination of fun, creative, intelligent, sarcasm going on looks like an awesome place to work.  Gives me allot to think about.  Maybe when I finish my art degree I'll put it to use, combined with the 13 years of food background, to work by doing pastry arts part time.  Maybe I need to start baking more??  Or maybe I should try to focus on the job that I have.  Why am I so easily distracted??

My Friend Cadi at MaeheGirl is SO Talented

I have the pleasure of knowing Cadi both online and in the real world.  I joke that she is my only successful online relationship.  She contacted me on myspace probably three years ago.  We have talked each other through many trying situations.  She has visited me in Alaska and I went with her to her divorce hearing, we share dreams, ideas, stories, and laughs every chance we get.  She is one of my closest friends and I value the friendship so much.

In addition to being a great person she is so creative.  An amazing fiber artist.  This girl can knit like no ones business.   I saw she posted a new a new blog with the cutest snowman this morning.  I don't know how she has the time.

Check out her blog maehegirl.blogspot.com.

And her Etsy store: maehegirl.etsy.com

Christmas Just Around The Corner

With all this snow on the ground (a good half foot in the last day or so) it's hard not to remember that the holidays are nearing. Since I'm on bed rest with a broken ankle I have been brainstorming lots of small crochet and embroidery gift ideas to work on for Christmas gifts. This year all my gifts will be homemade.

I have tons of wool so I'm definitely thinking lots of fun little felted amigurumi (means crochet dolls in Japanese) creatures. I came across this great pattern site: Free Amigurumi Patterns.

I especially like this Christmas tree ornaments:

Update on the NO shopping for Year Challenge

Last June I made a vow to buy no new clothes for one year.  It was going really well.  I've been mending clothes and finishing sewing projects and the urge to go shopping was definitely there but I resisted.  Until...the perfect opportunity to rationalize a shopping trip arrived: the job interview.  When I was asked to interview I had a mild panic due to my lack of professional clothes.  As I looked over my current selection of tattered and coffee stained khackis it was very apparent that I didn't own anything professional enough for an interview.  So I told myself I would buy one pair at old navy and be done.

Once inside the store I started to panic there were sale signs everywhere.  Comfy T's for 5.99, Peasant blouses for ten dollars.  I threw all rationale to the wind and spent just under a hundred dollars.    I walked out of the store feeling sick to my stomach.   On one hand I had some new articles of clothing perfect for interviewing and starting a new job but on the other hand disappointed that I didn't have the will-power to go one single year.

So here I am starting again but with a more reasonable goal.   For one year I will participate in the Dottie Angel Challenge; only purchasing used or handmade items for my house and closet.  I will attempt to first buy locally and if that doesn't work then online from small indy stores or etsy type marketplaces.  Additionally I can only buy new fabric IF I use up my ample fabric store (Boxes and boxes of beautiful fabrics I've purchased over the years).  The only exception is I need new carharts, a necessity for Alaskan winters,  and when my broken ankle is healed if I need new shoes or boots thats ok for the sake of my orthopedic health.

Join me in this challenge and check out the Dottie Angel blog.

Beautiful Imperfections

I just came across an article that makes me very happy! I don't read elle or any of those cosmo type girly fashion magazines. I don't relate to the women I see in them and feel that they make women strive for an impossible level of outer perfection rather than to grow into the strong women they are meant to become if they take the time to cultivate their minds and souls. Anyways I digress....Look at the beautiful image of Lizzi Miller from Glamour Magazine.

I found this image in the Viva La Lizzi on Blog Chics. I love that she posed with all her beautiful imperfection to show the world to embrace their bodies as they naturally are.

Real is beautiful.

Winter is coming

It was supposed to snow yesterday but ended up being a beautiful sunny day. Today however has an overcast chill of approaching winter to it.

This is my first winter in Alaska where I will be living with true running water! Not just hauled 5 gallon jugs of water but true plumbing. It makes the idea of winter not so daunting. I'm actually looking forward to the snow this year. I'm walking distance to work and the bus stops right down the street; so if my car freezes it won't be the end of the world. Really its going to be quite cushy this year.

I'm looking forward to the long dark evening to do crafts in my toasty house. In past winters hauling water, snow removal, trips to the outhouse, hanging out in laundromats, etc. (all in the darkness of Alaskan winter evening of course) made me just hate living so far north.

This year I"m not minding the idea so much. Especially because a friend just gave me a lecture about how lucky I am to live in Alaska. He says that even though cost of living is a bit higher we are protected from the national economy here. The more I think about it I agree. I would never be able to find as many good paying jobs as I have here. Anyways, I'm skipping work today so I think I will get back to laundry and napping :)

Second Hand Shopping Guide

The following modified list is from http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/10/23/frugality-in-practice-shopping-for-second-hand-clothes/, which is a handy guide for the first time thrift store shopper. 

1. Set a budget. This is difficult at first — you don’t know how much things cost. But eventually you’ll be able to tell yourself, “I’m going spend $20 today”. It becomes a game to see how much you can buy for $20.
2. Discard your prejudices. Some people consider thrift stores and used clothing shops nasty dirty places. Some are. Most aren’t. Explore your neighborhood. Find a shop or two that you like, and you’ll be hooked. 
3. Go with a friend. It’s good to have a second opinion. Your friend may have an eye for what looks good on you — and vice versa.
4. Try things on. Sizes vary widely between manufacturers and even by eras. (Today’s clothes have looser fits.) But go in knowing your general size and measurements. Note that some places don’t have dressing rooms, so it’s smart to wear a modest thin layer in case you need to strip down in the aisle.
5. Examine each item thoroughly. It sucks to get home to find your new shirt has a hole in the pocket. Or that the slacks you thought were a steal actually have a broken zipper.
6. Check washing instructions. You don’t want to pay $3 for a silk blouse if you’ll never dry-clean it.
7. Use the tags as a guide to find quality brands you like, but don’t limit yourself. Sometimes a brand you’ve never heard of can yield a favorite piece of clothing.
8. Think layers. Maybe that shirt with a stain on the sleeve has a great collar for wearing under a sweater. For $3, you can afford to buy a single-purpose shirt.
9. Use thrift stores as a way to diversify your wardrobe. Buy colors and styles on which you normally wouldn’t spend much. Wear the new clothes a few times to see how you like them, and to gauge the reaction of others.
10. Used clothing stores are great for certain accessories. Why pay $30 for a new belt in a department store when you can get a better belt in your size for just $2? I like to shop at second-hand stores for hats. (Nice hats.)
11. Look for clothes new with tags. Sometimes unsold department store inventory finds its way to used clothing stores and thrift shops. You’ll generally pay more for these items, but not much.
12. If you won’t wear it, don’t buy it. You don’t save money buying a $3 shirt if it just sits in your closet for two years.
13. Wash clothes when you get them home.
14. Watch for sales. Used clothing stores (and thrift stores) run periodic specials.  Value Village has a different discount per day of the week; senior citizen, orange tags, etc.
    
15. If you go to the same store often, ask when they rotate stock. Stores get new shipments regularly. Most also have extra stock in storage. If you become familiar with the owners, you might even ask them to keep an eye out for particular items.
16. If buying used clothes becomes a habit, institute a “one in-one out policy”. Every time you bring home something new, get rid of something old. (Give it away, take it to a thrift store, or save it for a garage sale.)
17. Have fun! Buying used clothing can save you money. It’s also a fun way to kill a Saturday afternoon. At $3 an item, you can afford to be adventurous sometimes.

Too old for this

I went out last night and it was pretty fun. But the entire time i'm thinking I did laundry today and my sheets are all fresh and clean and my bed is made and i could be at home all cozy between the covers watching a movie and curled up with my pets.......oh my pets i wonder how they are doing home alone this evening....what time is it i feel like we've been out for hours oh it's only 11pm?....really? ...i thought it was at least 2am....wow these bars are too crowded tonight.....ughh i hate people especially crowds of 21 yr old army guys....and even worse than 21 yr old silly army guys are the vapid 24 yr old wanna be army wives all bleached out and trashed dancing out of sync to the band....wow this music is just a little too loud...i love this band but it would be so much more enjoyable if they'd just turn the music down a little......omg are they even carding because those kids don't look old enough to be in a bar; oh my goodness i think i used to babysit that girl....man what time is it??....i need to get home because I have things to do tommorrow....and it dawns on me that i am really getting too old for this.........so i went home!

Apple Drunk

The funny thing about this ~to me~ is that I once had a deer, hopped up on fermented apples, jump on my car and shatter the wind shield. All we could do was laugh and be happy for insurance. So yes even wild animals like to get their drink on :)

Natalie Dee is awesome!