Regretsy

Don't get me wrong, I love Etsy. I am still swooning over the bag I got a couple of weeks ago, not to mention the earrings that warranted their own blog post. But Regretsy.com, this blog that showcases some of the more... interesting (I'm being very kind) items available, is some of the funniest shit I've seen in a long time.

This chicken poncho/wrist cuff is just the beginning. Other highlights include the "Party Sweater" (Don't even think about buying the hat. OFF LIMITS), the "Large Mounted Bearded White Tiger Head with Swarovski Crystal Encrusted Features,"and my personal favorite, the "Just Married Wedding T." I almost peed myself reading the comments. Which means that my heart is likely tiny, dark and empty. But it's funny enough that I'm OK with it.

Something borrowed, something blue, something cornhole.

My friends Carle and Charlie got married last weekend, in cute New England fashion. Opting for small and simple, about 35 guests descended on the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and the ceremony was followed by a happy hour at a cabin-type home called "The Schoolhouse" that belongs to Charlie's family.

These two definitely had their priorities in order, and decided early on that there would be cornhole at their wedding. The game, which I'm fairly certain is referred to simply as "bean bags" everywhere but the Pacific Northwest, is all about throwing said bean bags at holes cut into a board. And it's awesome.

In my most important sewing project to date, I made the super special wedding cornhole bags. (Which technically should be called "bean hole" in this case.) Carle picked out fabric to match the fancy boards that Charlie's brother made, and I followed directions found here. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy they were, and how well they turned out. Thinking about opening up a cornhole store on Etsy. I'll do some market research and keep you posted.

Congratulations again, to the C&C Wedding Factory.

New Hampshire Nuptials

West coast, you've got some competition in the fall department.

Large Apple

I'm sort of embarrassed by this, but up until a few days ago, I'd never been to New York. I've been to Fiji, spent a few hours in Iceland and lived abroad in Australia, but had never set food in this country's iconic big city. And to be honest, I expected to hate it. I am a big fan of space, and doing things at my own pace, and affordable rent. But against all logic, I adored this place.

After a couple days of learning the ropes from one of my favorite gals, gallivanting around different neighborhoods and eating fantastic food at tiny restaurants that seem like well-guarded secrets, I was enamored. I can't wait to go back and get lost in it all again soon.

In the meantime, I'm spending the next couple of days at Beard's folks' place, in central Pennsylvania, which is on the other side of the spectrum. It's quiet and relaxing and lovely. And there is an Amish buggy museum. 'Nuff said.

Redemption via earrings.

Today, after working 10 hours, I came home to find these earrings that I ordered from Etsy in my mailbox - the ones from the seller in Italy that I was starting to think weren't going to show up before I get on a plane to the East Coast tomorrow morning.

Well, they're here! And they're even more lovely than I anticipated. I can't wait to wear them while I watch my dear friends get married, on a mountain, in New Hampshire. (And maybe also while I'm drinking overpriced martinis in Manhattan.)

Here's to small victories, like earrings that seem like tiny miracles after a long week.

Like sands through the hourglass...

Trying my best to appreciate what will soon be replaced by pointy, sideways rain. Sigh.

Photo via my iphone. Not bad, considering I was on a bridge, on a bike, facing backwards, imagining all sorts of scenarios where my body and precious gadget would plummet into the river below. Notice none of those visions stopped me from taking the photo.

Sunday Sewin' Milestones

Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please. I made that skirt. The one answering the door. It started out as a square of fabric but it's been transformed into a fully wearable, not hideous garment. With a zipper. A ZIPPER. As if that isn't exciting enough, I also sewed my first set of darts. Besides a couple patches of crooked stitching, I'm feeling pretty good about skirt #1. Compared to my expectations, it's the Paul Bunyan of skirts. (That's a good thing.)

Or at least it was, until I realized that I had whipped together a piece of clothing that's too small for me. As you can see, it clearly doesn't fit my purple doppelganger. (I thought we'd all feel better about putting Paula the dressform through this kind of public humiliation rather than forcing you all to look my ass unsuccessfully crammed into it. You're welcome.)
So anyway, I'm aiming to give it to someone who can squeeze their buns into it. It's a heavy-ish twill, guessing around a size six, and has some great darts. Some of the best darts I've ever seen. The Swiss Family Robinson of darts. Someone take the skirt. Please.

Skirt pattern from this handy little book.