The English Teacher's Wife

My New Blog!

2009-08-06T14:22:00.003-04:00

Not sure if this blog is even visited, but if so go here to visit my new blog:

blackdog finds

It's about personal style and thrifting.

Cookin' up something new...

2009-05-20T08:05:00.000-04:00

...coming soon...

Spring Ideas

2009-04-15T08:29:00.007-04:00

Spring is always the time of year I like to make resolutions. In New England it seems apropos to resolve to do something in the spring: people are coming out of hibernation mode, it's the time of year for spring-cleaning, there is way more daylight, which always is a motivator to me. This spring I would like to resolve to do the following:

~Make my first quilt. I've collected a bunch of vintage sheets and would like to recycle them into a simple quilt, maybe using this method.

~Finish my 3 sewing projects: a muumuu, the dress you see below on the dress form, and this skirt.

~Read voraciously.

~Learn to become more frugal. I really like the perspective on Kristen's post here re: thrifty versus frugal living.

~Redecorate the apartment in a vintage/retro vibe, which kinda flies in the face of the above resolution, I know, but I can't resist some amazing vintage curtains on sale from this sweet Esty seller:

Patriotic Spending

2009-03-27T10:35:00.004-04:00

Now, what kind of American would I be if I didn't do my civic duty and spend that extra $40 in my paycheck this month? The point is to stimulate the economy, no? A mission I will gladly accept, Mr. President. Here's one way I can think to spend some or all of it:

Mad Men via F21 - by kellsbells on Polyvore.com

Looking to Forever21 for Mad Men inspiration, because honestly, right now my thrifting jaunts have been less than productive in finding vintage clothing.

How Am I Just Finding This Now?

2009-03-18T07:46:00.001-04:00

LOVE THIS! I'm not into high fashion design, but I do love to watch people sew, and these women are obviously among the best seamstresses in the world. The rest of the mini-series is on YouTube, there are 5 episodes. It's inspiring and motivating. These women make me want to sew in perfect technique and form.

"I got bangs!"

2009-03-13T08:09:00.004-04:00

I did. And I oscillate between feeling like a sexy 1970s actress a la Jane Birkin and a fifth-grader. I like them a lot, it's just taking some getting used to. Like, I actually have to comb my hair in the morning now versus rolling out of bed and throwing it all in a pony tail.

Dress form, hurrah!

2009-03-06T09:10:00.005-05:00

My first dress form was acquired from a friend who had no use for it. I've been wanting a dress form for so long but I kept waiting for a great deal to come along and my patience was rewarded with a free one! The dress on the form has been a UFO for almost a year. It's amazing the direct correlation of my level of motivation to receiving a proper dress form; it skyrocketed! Now I just need a name for her.

Comparing Unmentionables

2009-03-05T13:26:00.005-05:00

I like to comparison shop, especially with products like t-shirts, make-up, and underwear. I like understand what makes some t-shirts worth $80 and others worth $10. I grasp the idea that the quality of construction and material make a huge difference, but really $80 for a t-shirt kinda blows my mind. Is it really that much better than a $10 or $20 t-shirt or just slightly better, or alternately not better at all but because X designer produces it the cost is justifiable?

Generally all I can do is wonder because I am unable to procure these pricier items for a true comparison. But occasionally I'll find something on deep discount (which, again, confuses me as to how these items can really cost what they do) and am afforded an opportunity for some comparing. Hence, the following example: Hanky Panky versus Target's Gilligan & O'Malley thongs. I bought a 3-pack of the Hanky Panky thongs at HSN.com for $19.99 a couple months ago. These thongs generally retail for about $18 each . I then purchased 3 pairs of Gilligan & O'Malley which were on sale for I believe $3 which looked pretty similar to the Hanky Pankys.

The Comparison:

Fit:
G&O- Runs large. I bought size small, it was a little loose. The line does not carry x-small.
HP: One size fits all, fit me perfect.

Material:
G&O- 100% nylon, made in the USA has held up fine after many washes. No fraying, fading, or sagging.
HP: 100% nylon, made in the USA, and ditto.

Comfort:
G&O- The fit makes it so I'm slightly more aware that I have them on, but not overly uncomfortable.
HP: Very comfortable

Cost:
G&O: 3 pairs for $9, on sale
HP: 3 pairs for $19.99, on sale (offer no longer current)

Conclusion:
If I could always buy Hanky Panky at that price it would be hands down Hanky Panky. But since that offer was for only specific colors and no longer available, not to mention I'd have to pay shipping, I'd have to lean towards Gilligan & O'Malley. I think for an inexpensive alternative to Hanky Panky, Gilligan & O'Malley is a great choice. They hold up remarkably well after washing; I've had Victoria Secret thongs similar to Hanky Panky basically fall apart after one wash. I think if G&O made sizing changes, or introduced a x-small size I'd probably never buy Hanky Panky even on sale. And thus concludes the longest blog post on underwear, ever.

Reading leads to thinking, lots of thinking...

2009-03-03T08:25:00.010-05:00

After finishing the Twilight Saga this past weekend I was feeling the need to seek out and read literature. I never know how to find a good book; it's easy enough to ask The English Teacher, but our tastes differ and he will read anything just to be reading- he gives every book a chance. One of my favorite books is Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides, I love the writing style and stories about familial ties and origins. I Googled Middlesex to see to what kind of list the title might belong, maybe a "Top 10 Books of the New Millennium" or "Top 25 Novels with Verse-y Prose" to find titles to read. It actually was a much more obvious list I found, the Pulitzer Prize Winners for Fiction (Middlesex won in 2003). I love lists, so my goal for the following months is to read most, if not all, of the Pulitzer Prize winners. So to make a long post longer, I saw 2007's winner was Cormac McCarthy's The Road . My husband and other family members loved this book, and they all spoke rather wistfully about it. We had a copy of it lying around so I jumped right in and finished it yesterday.

In a nutshell, it's a post-apocalyptic setting with a father and his young son travelling the road from North to South, seemingly in the U.S., to avoid the coming winter. It's intentionally vague about why and how the world is as it is. It's dark. It stressed me out. I loved it.

There are many posts on others' blogs that thoughtfully review The Road and right now I can't really seem to express articulately what I thought about this book yet, so I won't try very hard here, but I would urge someone to read it. I will say the timing of my encounter with this book may have something to do with how I feel about it; my lackluster job, the word depression being thrown around on the Today Show, the Dow sinking below 7000, and various other crises I'm not sure if it makes me care more or less about them. One part of me reduces the situation in the U.S.- things could be a lot worse, we haven't resorted to cannibalism and another part of me thinks, yeah, yet. The less dramatic part of me just wants to take away from the book a notion of simplicity. What surrounds me in my life is actually necessary, do I work this well-paying, but mind-numbing job because I think it's what's necessary? Is it necessary for me to have a 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath home to sustain my existence?
::sigh::
I don't always get so meta about books, but I think I've been too long in reading a thought-provoking book that my brain is ready to latch onto new perspectives via literature. Vampires are fun and all and I did get swept up in the Twilight mania, but I much prefer getting swept up in examining my life because a well-written piece of literature moved me to do so.

Wanted: Anorak

2009-02-17T08:17:00.004-05:00

Either self-made or thrifted, so I can wear cutie-pie outfits like these:

Anorak love - by kellsbells on Polyvore.com

I think this this pattern from Hot Patterns (HP 1030) might do the trick should my thrifting search be fruitless:

The English Teacher's Stepford Wife

2009-02-04T08:26:00.004-05:00

I never read the Stepford Wives novel nor have I watched the 1970s movie, but I am the happy owner of the DVD for the 2004 version. Despite it's glaring plot holes (are they robots or just brainwashed?!) I watch this movie repeatedly- I am visually addicted to it. I love the color choices, the psychotic tidiness of Stepford, and the wardrobe choices. Example:

This screen cap inspires me to have a wardrobe full of spring dresses, particularly Faith Hill's dress with the little lace trim and the big, bright poppy print. It's not necessarily the dress styles that I love, but just the visual enjoyment I have when looking at all theses dresses together, the colors and the patterns, and the idea I could have that same thrill when I open my closet. It's only February, maybe by May I'll have sewn up a fleet of spring dresses, or at the very least collected fabrics which are sometimes just as fun to look at stacked together.

Cluster-happy

2009-02-03T12:02:00.006-05:00

During these dark cold nights while the Husband is doing grad-work I find myself at a loss for something to do. My homework is not nearly as intense as it has been in the last couple of semesters, so I do have quite a bit of free time. Last night I took out some of my jewellery making stuff, a random assortment of cheapie beads and wire, and decided to have a go at making some cluster rings. I've seen them on Etsy and they are so attractive to me, shiny, bright, cheerful groupings of beads bound together in an organic, random way. Here are the fruits of my labor:

I kinda just winged it (is that the proper past tense for that phrase?), but these YouTube video tutorials were extremely helpful for the technical stuff (i.e. construction, what gauge wire, how to wrap, etc):
Part One
Part Two
Part Three

Brevity Is the Word of the Day: Book Reviews

2009-01-27T13:10:00.011-05:00

Love it so far, a bit cumbersome with all the names and separate accounts.

Slightly overrated, but provides excellent conversation material.

Love the idea, hated the projects. Uninspired and unimpressed unfortunately.

As a 26 year-old I probably should not admit the extent to which I loved it and that I am now obsessed.

I was doing so well

2009-01-22T09:01:00.004-05:00

...posting so often! Oh well, I've got loads of thrifty finds to share I just need to haul out the camera, but between oral surgery, work, and homework lately I've little time to do so...not to mention the dearth of actual daylight to take good pics. Will update soon!!

Ebay Look #2 Inspiration: 3.1 Phillip Lim

2009-01-02T10:34:00.002-05:00

I really love the look of a minimal, monochrome look with a big statement piece. Once again I looked to eBay for vintage finds. While the sweater is F21, it's at least budget-friendly, however this style and color sweater is basic enough that it could just as easily be an investment piece if one wanted to splurge.

Sweater via Forever 21

Michael Kors turtleneck via clee2574

Pants via my_designerdeals

Necklace via savingsbay

Shoes via jessamyneast

Runway photo: style.com

So Fresh 'n So Clean

2009-01-01T11:03:00.001-05:00

Happy 2009!

A year in which I will hope for the following:

.::the ability to let stuff go, stop dwelling on things already!::.

.::increased sewing/crocheting/knitting skills::.

.::motivation/desire to go to the gym again::.

.::a vet-free year::.

.::successful completion of an accounting class::.

.::(cliche disclaimer) to recognize the times where I should just be living in the moment::.

I hope for health and happiness for me and my loved ones, and for you and yours!

.::Sigh::.

2008-12-31T08:40:00.008-05:00

My boy...

Bottle of Advil: $4
Bag of chocolate: $6
3 Emergency visits to vet in 2008: $2500+
Not being reported to the ASPCA: priceless

Sketch, flip image, repeat

2008-12-20T08:20:00.002-05:00

Love this tutorial from Design*Sponge. I was just playing around with her instructions and design for my own and came up with this similar design. Not sure what I'd do with it, but it's so much fun to construct!

Self-serving final project

2008-12-19T08:09:00.003-05:00

I took a digital art class this semester and just finished up today-hurray! For my final project I wanted to do something that I could use once the class was over, as I have far too many old projects just lying around the apartment collecting dust. So I did a series of zombie t-shirts (a la my 28 Weeks Later shirt). The last two shirts I used the pic I posted below, and the top one is an image from a 2 Halloweens ago. As you can see, I'm not so keen on ironing.

The transfers I used are crap for sure, very plasticky and cracked as soon as I folded the shirt. If I do this again I will use my original method or find a better brand of transfer. But at least I have the images ready to go.

When at Work on What Should Be a Snow-Day, One Should Avoid Doing Any Actual Work, No?

2008-12-12T10:18:00.015-05:00

I love Jessica's style over on What I Wore! Via WIW, I sometimes read her other blog, Love Puppy, on which she made a great point yesterday about designers borrowing (sometimes heavily) from vintage pieces. As I mentioned in a post earlier this week I can't and won't spend huge $$$ for something that is fairly trendy which I can find thrifting for potentially similar quality, in my humble opinion.

So, inspired by Jessica, I scoured eBay and etsy for products to make an outfit similar to this outfit Lindsay Price wore on Lipstick Jungle which is presumably new, pricey clothing:

image via celebutopia

Not identical, of course, but similar without the huge price tag, or sacrificing quality. Also, because these are vintage or handmade items one will not run the risk of seeing the exact piece on someone else. Ah well, if nothing else it was fun searching for the clothing and playing around in Paint on a day I should be home with the Husband who did not have to go to work!

Necklace made by wiyomu
Via eBay: jeans via kittens_treasure, shoes via lulamaybeholly, shirt via jtandcompany, jacket via leatherbarn

3 Things I Know For Sure:

2008-12-09T11:03:00.005-05:00

1. Getting dental work done SUCKS!
2. Paying for dental work SUCKS!
3. Paying for dental work would suck a lot more without insurance, I'm lucky I have it! (Being positive about sucky things is a new thing I'm trying.)

Belated Happy Halloween!

2008-12-05T15:31:00.002-05:00

Nothin' like a Halloween post less than 3 weeks before Christmas, but I just got this pic of my husband and me back from a friend, and couldn't resist a little picnik. We were 1980s Zombie Prom King & Queen, in case it wasn't obvious.

Thrifting for silk shirts <-- lame title

2008-12-04T11:36:00.007-05:00

I really love all the ruffly blouses this season, they're festive, stylish, and oh so girly. I can't (won't) pay the price for one of these shirts in a silk fabric, I do not want to buy a cheaper polyester-that-looks-like-silk shirt. I could just search high and low for a moderately priced one, or I could use this as an opportunity to practice my sewing skills. I found three nicer silk shirts at Goodwill the other day (one is Max Studio, which made me very happy) for under $10 total. I'm not sure what I'll do to them, maybe remove the arms and create a ruffly collar with them, or a little ruffly yoke.

Halloween Decor

2008-10-21T11:37:00.004-04:00

My rip-off (yet again) of Pottery Barn:

I should probably fill the glass jars with something, but with a week and a half before Halloween it's probably gonna stay this way.

A little late for a dress like this, but...

2008-09-25T14:54:00.009-04:00

For a DIY version of the $98 Gypsy 05 dress my equation is as follows:

Vogue 8386 Pattern ($10) + Organic Fabric from Emma One Sock ($13.75 per yard x 2.75 yards) + RIT dye ($3.99 per bottle x 2 bottles- Kelly Green and Royal Blue mixed to make turquoise) = $55.79, plus or minus

The bonuses:
You now have the pattern, so you can make more of this dress in various colors
You probably have enough dye left to make a Kelly Green dress and a Royal Blue dress

So, with buying an additional 5.5 yards of the same fabric ($75.62) you get 3 dresses for $131.41 (less if you want to deviate from the higher end fabric), rather than 3 for $294.

For an even closer version, see this lovely lady's post on how to create twisted straps using Vogue 8386.

Or you could just wait for Forever21 to make a knock-off but where's the fun in that?

Fall wishes/desires/inspirations

2008-09-12T10:14:00.007-04:00

Finally, the cooler, crisper weather is upon us here in northern New England, and a girl can't help but be drawn to cozy knits and crafty projects, which lend themselves so well to early evenings and cool temperatures. Nothing seems more cheerful and homey to me than something baking in the oven, me sitting on the futon knitting or crocheting (or at least trying to), Husband doing schoolwork, and a chill in the air. To me that beats sweating trying to cook supper and the inescapable heat and humidity of the summer months. Here are some things I've been thinking about doing to welcome the change of the season:

This is a bit Spring-y, but a sweater nonetheless from Anthropologie :

But rather than spend the $98, I'd like to try this
tutorial from Erica Makes Stuff.

More inspiration: pattern picture on the left, Diane Von Furstenberg on the right

The pattern for the green shrug is from Berroco. It tickled me pink to find the exact same mannequin pose for the pattern and the inspiration!

French women

2008-08-14T08:01:00.002-04:00

So, my obsession this week is French women and their seemingly innate sense of style with everything they do, wear, eat, live, et cetera. Julie, a friend and former co-worker of my husband, is French and when she lived in the states a few years ago she, my husband, and I would hang out mostly every weekend. I would secretly study the way she dressed or wore jewelry; she was so effortlessly chic, yet casual. From studying her style I saw how she wore a scarf gracefully (now much to my chagrin it's apparently a trend) and how she cuffed her jeans to just the right length to look ever so cool. She was fairly daring in her fashion choices and I certainly admire that as a fairly cautious (read: boring) dresser myself. So in lieu of studying Julie I'll have to search the Internet, here's what I've come up with so far:

Style and the City for Parisian street style

Ceci n'est pas une blog for pictures and musings on French style

To deviate a bit, this post from What Would Phoebe Do suggests that Frenchwomen appear stylish to Americans because they put together their outfits differently but not any more creatively than American women- certainly a valid point.

Here's one for fun, My Inner French Girl

This post is an article from The Sunday Times by Helen Frith Powell, who has authored some books about Frenchwomen.

Hmm, this seems too easy...

2008-08-12T08:35:00.004-04:00

I know it has hidden casters- an element I don't care about- but this table from CB2 seems easy enough to make on my own. I think I'll go with pine instead of oak, stain it black, forgo the casters, customize the size, and make peace with the fact it won't be as streamlined and save myself about $200. I really need a narrow table for crafting and sewing, as well as a place for the computer, and this seems to fit the bill.

Flickr inspiration

2008-07-30T10:27:00.003-04:00

AT inspiration
Originally uploaded by kellyb443

I'm attempting the Apartment Therapy 8 Week Cure very, very casually these pictures are what keep me motivated, so simple and clean, not overly designed or decorated, just real.

Harvesting yarn

2008-06-23T07:50:00.005-04:00

I recently attended the University of Maine's annual yard sale where the facilities people sell all the stuff leftover from students' rooms (kinda creepy, yes), things forgotten and many things intentionally left behind. There were many, many pieces of clothing that were clearly discarded Halloween costumes, and various teeny-tiny sized garments that I imagine the owner no longer being able to fit into after gaining the Freshmen Fifteen, so rather than packing up those size zeroes she conveniently leaves them behind. I searched for sweaters made with fairly good shape yarn for harvesting and came up with a few good ones and some hats and scarves as well. After I unravel and wash the yarn who knows in what form they will live their second life. I apologize for the poor quality of the pictures, I'm no good with a camera, but I have since discovered that the manual for the camera is chock full of good information regarding how the camera actually works.

Results of doing my (little) part

2008-06-12T07:41:00.003-04:00

After being more conscientious about our electricity usage at home I just wanted to post that last month we reduced our KWH (kilowatt-hour) per day by 1.5 KWH or about $0.27 per day. From one year ago we are down 4 KWH and about $.69 a day. While that may not sound like a lot it is in black and white on my bill and the difference is only more motivation to keep on keepin' on.

Too much milk and two almost-done projects

2008-06-04T12:26:00.005-04:00

I discovered on Monday that the milk we just bought was set to "expire" that day. I generally don't pay much attention to those dates, I mean if it smells fine and tastes fine...So what to do with a gallon of milk? I made corn chowder and biscuits for supper and rice pudding for dessert, that put a major dent in it. At work, in order to meet our Carbon Challenge we switched from a 5 day week to a 4 day week (4 10-hour days). So Monday, my day off this week, was a perfect day for solving the problem of too much milk. The English Teacher suggested I stay home everyday, when asked if he would subsidize this request he replied yes, as long as I cooked that well everyday. Oh, if only!

I am inches, no, millimeters away from finishing two projects. One is a navy blue polka-dotted dress (see pattern at right) and another is the Go-Go Garter Scarf from Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'N Bitch. I ignored the pattern's request to use purple, teal, and green (I think, I can't remember) colored yarns, and used pale blue, pink, and a cocoa colored organic cotton yarn. While working on it at the In-Laws house over Memorial Day weekend, my brother-in-law saw me knitting together the blue and pink and asked me if I was "expecting" (I am not). I don't outwardly look like I'm in a state of expectancy, so I guess he deduced that knitting=pregnancy or it was the baby blue and pink that threw him. Oh well! Hopefully I will be able to post the FO by this weekend.

Doing my (little) part

2008-05-27T11:05:00.011-04:00

It's sad but true; what really got me motivated to attempt a greener life is the price of gasoline. Maybe that's the American way, we pay attention once our wallets feel the pinch. I guess the reason for the decision to live greener is probably not what matters though, what matters is that I'm trying to do my part by taking (baby) steps to reduce my carbon footprint.

The Husband and I have started buying food locally as often as we can. We buy our meat (yes, we still will be consuming meat) at an amazing farmers market from a quirky farmer who tells great jokes and his elderly mother who has that dry Maine wit so common with that generation. I also bought a half share of a CSA which is part of the University of Maine's Sustainable Agriculture program. Starting in June I will go to the farm once a week to pick up organic vegetables, and I can't wait!

I started taking the bus. While it's not as green as walking or biking it's certainly better than driving alone in my car.

We replaced our light bulbs with CFLs- and we are probably the last people I know who haven't done this already.

I started taking Navy showers, cold but worth it, I think.

I read Colin Beavan's blog No Impact Man, definitely one of the most inspirational blogs I've read. It keeps me motivated and he is always providing his readers with ways to be green and be active about being green.

And as I love crafting, I also have been searching the Internet for ideas for green crafts. Crafters and DIYers are resourceful by nature and, I think, have always been pioneers of figuring out ways to reuse thing that might otherwise become trash. Here's a small collection of links about recycled materials for crafting:

Recycling yarn from old sweaters:
Neauveau.com
Recycled yarn

Recycling wool:
Sew Green Recycled Slippers
Two Green Chickens Recycling Wool Sweaters

Various materials:
A Little Hut
Sew Green

Buying things...

2008-04-09T14:30:00.006-04:00

I am in dire need of some dresses and skirts that can transition from one season to another, hence my recent Forever21 purchases (I threw in a top for the free shipping).

Making things...

2008-04-07T08:42:00.003-04:00

I mocked up these invitations this weekend for my sis and her fiance. I'm definetly a novice at graphic design, but I did manage to do my own invitations for my wedding so I thought I'd give it another whirl. I sketched, then scanned, then used Photoshop to manipulate the images. I really need to do the Save-the-Date cards, probably should've started there.

Current Obsessions

2008-04-01T13:55:00.006-04:00

Here's quickie post just for the sheer purpose of posting something, these are things with which I am currently obsessed:

Crocheting, or rather learning to crochet

Redecorating my kitchen, I want to paint the walls and floor, and buy new cabinets

Juno soundtrack

Inventing a new career for myself

Other people's blogs

Spring clothes, enough with the snow Mother Nature, do you hear me?!

Wardrobe Overhaul

2008-02-19T13:18:00.003-05:00

The long weekend allowed me to take inventory of what I had (or lack thereof) hanging in my closet. My crowded, messy, shared closet was the first hurdle, I couldn't see anything that was in there. My first step was to buy a garment rack and designate a new home for my clothing away from the black hole of a closet, out in the open. After hanging up my sad duds I sifted through what remained of several recent purges, which was not much. I have a few things that I do wear often which are in good condition and are well-made, but one's wardrobe cannot subsist on two nice button-up shirts, two nice sweaters, and some work pants. Truly, sad duds. With the help of Lucky's Style Manual and a couple of my favorite blogs (Chic & Icing's Wardrobe Taming posts) , I figured out what I needed most to start building a basics wardrobe. It will probably take me a while as I like to research and price compare, but I think it will be fun and chronicling it here will keep me organized (I am a Capricorn).

The Black Pump

2008-02-19T12:10:00.012-05:00

Of course Louboutins and Manolos are obvious choices that will last forever, but I currently don't have that kind of scratch and I am looking for a mid-range, instant gratification standard black pump.

My criterion: Black, closed-toe, non-platform, non-stacked heel, over 3 1/4 inch heel, leather or patent leather, no-frills professional-looking, under $300 (preferably under $200)

The finalists are:
Via Spiga Amanda $182.95

Nine West Gaffer $82.95

Michael Kors Cairo $229

Charles by Charles David Fate $113.95

Calvin Klein Vida $100

BCBGirls Nice $92.95

Anne Klein Chesna $263.95

Some zombie fun!

2008-01-04T09:00:00.002-05:00

Here is a pic of some zombie note cards I purchased from seller MATTY8080 on Etsy.com. I plan on arranging them behind a frame and putting them in my new office. It's not too over-the-top ghoulish/grotesque zombie imagery so I figured I'd be safe displaying them in a professional environment.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-04T08:53:00.000-05:00

Happy 2008 to anyone that stumbles across this blog!

Wow, posting definetly fell the wayside in the past few months. Grad school papers and reading (heavy, heavy, heavy reading!) and a new professional position left me with little time for blogging. But a new professional position means I should probably get some new professional clothing so, if I can organize myself I'm going to get a wishlist up on here.

Halloween inspiration

2007-09-19T10:44:00.001-04:00

ARRR! Happy Talk Like A Pirate Day! I am attending a Pirate Party tonight in full pirate regalia and that has me thinking of Halloween. Unfortunately most of my thoughts have been on grad school. First semester of grad work and I'm already struggling; full time student and full time job does not equal happy Kelly. Shiver me timbers!

Anyway, posting will probably fall the wayside, so here is a lazy post with some Halloween inspiration pictures from Flickr.

Autumnal wishlist: knits

2007-08-30T09:20:00.001-04:00

I like big picture books

2007-08-29T09:23:00.001-04:00

I stumbled across this book in doing some google searching for costume making (see prior post) and the cover had my attention instantly. Fortunately, the library had it so I didn't have to continue my recent trend of spending way too much money on books. This book has the most intense pictures of clothing details I have ever seen. It makes me want to sew reproduction historical pieces- I have zero reason to sew an historical garment other than the pure fun and frustration of it. I would love to find more books like this- there must be a series- of clothing from different time periods, especially modern couture pieces. Let the search ensue!

Halloween 2007!

2007-08-24T08:31:00.002-04:00

Kodak Moment!
Originally uploaded by ivanaskwith

I'm seriously considering making these costumes for Husband and myself. This pic is from a Flickr member ivanaskwith and was taken at ComicCon.

This is a seriously intense crafty undertaking, I think it's fun to set my ambitions very high, because it's fun to dream and try.

*this will not be the last Halloween entry before Halloween, I do so love it!

Thrifty finds

2007-08-08T08:15:00.002-04:00

I've been on a huge vintage/thrift store kick for a couple weeks. I'm thinking about maybe doing some reselling eventually on eBay, but for now I'm just having fun hunting for stuff.

I came across a vintage Diane Von Furstenberg dress, unfortunately not one of her wrap dresses, but silk nonetheless, and $5.99!

I also found a plaid vintage top. I don't think I have the personality to pull it off, but it is very cute. It's by Rio Blouse.

Another dress, there's no brand tag but there's a small tag that says Lot 5. It almost looks homemade. I tried it on after I got home, and again, not sure if I can pull it off...still very cute, though.

I also found 2 pairs of heels. One is a maroon pair of peep-toe Hush Puppies, and the other pair is by Made in Brazil, they are a brown leather peep-toe with a wooden heel. I'm keeping both pairs, for sure.

Long time, no post

2007-07-26T07:46:00.001-04:00

I haven't even been that busy not to post. I have no excuse. Well, last week I was on vacation in Sunset Beach, NC. I took zero pictures as it was the same thing everyday, lying on the beach and swimming in the warmer part of the Atlantic Ocean (Sand Beach it is not!).

I made a resolution on vacation that I would get my financials in order, e.g. SAVE MY MONEY, BE ABLE TO RETIRE SOMEDAY. I'm certainly not in dire fudiciary straits comparitively but I could use some stringent budgeting and saving.

But that stuff is no fun to post about...the family Lobster Feed is Saturday, I'm pumped for some good Maine Lobster (especially after an unfortunate Alaskan Crab experience). Last year it was at my parents' house in the country, this year it's at my aunt's house in the "city", so PuppyMan will not be attending. It's a shame as he so loved his first experience with a crustacean:

I have no idea what was going on in his puppy-brain but the resulting behavior was hilarious.

The Sewer-Worker's Wife

2007-06-27T08:00:00.001-04:00

Maybe I should change the name of this blog for the summer. Husband is temporarily working for Bangor's Public Works, the Sewer Department, as a laborer. Last summer Husband did the scholarly thing and attended a 3 week workshop on Longfellow at Bowdoin; this summer it's 6 weeks of jackhammering manhole covers and sewer flushing.

I married this man knowing he had a flair for the unusual and I am very proud of him for venturing out of his comfort zone of indoors and non-manual work. Husband apparently loves what he's doing. He's a poet in a hardhat.

For the Love of Vintage

2007-06-20T09:52:00.001-04:00

I'm obsessed with, and have always been, Old Stuff. I majored in Art History, that was an amazing four years of looking at and writing about Old Stuff. I like things that have had many owners and "seen" eras come and go. Antique or vintage or ancient I love it all.

I am fortunate enough to have some truly amazing vintages pieces via my late Great Aunt Gertie. I have her wooden ironing board, some of her tablecloths, some of her costume jewellery, her kitchen chairs, a pink dinnerware set, and some dainty teacups. I wish I had more of her Old Stuff. Perhaps this is why I love vintage stuff so much, I miss her and this Stuff reminds me of her. Her Old Stuff was the subject of an entire semester of artwork, the Gertie Series, if you will. Think Wayne Thiebaud and his cakes and pies-ah, he deserves his own post.

I'm certainly no purist, though. Anything that even looks vintage or is reminiscent of something vintage gets me too. Take for example my large collection of pink KitchenAid, not actual vintage, but that 1950s light pink...*drool*...or reproduction fabric, I dig it. Here are some of my favorites:

FabricAttic.com

FashionFabricsClub.com

And, of course, ReproDepot.com!
I'd push people out of the way for this fabric...

Living up to my Blog's name

2007-06-13T09:17:00.003-04:00

This past weekend I certainly filled the role of The English Teacher's Wife, demure and supportive, as we spent a large portion of Saturday and part of Sunday attending various graduating seniors's parties. These seniors, or maybe 18 year olds in general are always so surprisingly grown up and at the same time so naive. What a strange stage in life.

Earlier on Saturday I went shopping with my mom "for Father's Day". Somehow Mom and I managed to get a few things for ourselves as well. Mom actually bought me a rose toile patterned quilt for our bed and (thoughtful Mom, she is!) a color-coordinating blanket to go over the quilt so PoochieMan could luxuriate without getting hairs all over it. Doesn't he look comfy?

I also made some headway on getting my summer dress made. The fabric is cut out now I just need to find some free time to get it stitched together.

Did I say I was obsessed?

2007-06-07T12:29:00.001-04:00

I made this t-shirt to go see 28 Weeks Later...yeah...I did.

Consider it like people that dress up to see Pirates, or Harry Potter. I just happened to be the only one to do it for this movie.

I used this amazing tutorial except I used fabric paint instead of screenprinting ink. In the future I think I will A.) Use screenpriting ink B.) Use a looser weave of fabric.

According to the site from which I got the image: "The first draft of the IR promotional poster was 'too in your face'". Well, considering I almost had to leave the theatre while watching 28 Days Later because I was so disturbed by it I'd say this creepy poster would have been very apropos!

Enemy Territory

2007-06-07T11:54:00.001-04:00

It is hard for me to admit this as a Red Sox fan, but touring Yankees Stadium for an Uncle's 60th birthday party was awesome. I married a New Yorker and fortunately he did not inherit the Yankee Fan gene, the rest of this family however...

Two of the more thrilling parts of the tour was being able to sit in the dugout and visiting the club house. This was the weekend the Yankees were in Boston, so I'm not sure if the locker room looks any different when the players are at home. The lockers were surprisingly personal, Mussina apparently reads Field & Stream magazine (Husband remarks, "I read that!"); according to his locker contents Matsui uses Speed Stick deodorant and is a very neat and orderly individual. I really wanted to see both Jeter's lockers, one for him, one for his fan mail, but it was in the back (we were smooshed in a small area separating us from the lockers by means of those nylon "velvet ropes").

Considering the fact that this historical stadium will be torn down soon I am happy I was able to see it. Whether Yankees fan or not one cannot help but be a little bit in awe of the Greats that have played in the "House that Ruth Built".

More dessert goodness

2007-06-06T16:06:00.003-04:00

I'm certainly not the cook in our house, not for lack of skill, but Husband is so very good at it. My domain is dessert. This is an Everyday Food recipe from Mahtha Stewaht. These went over really well when we had some friends over for supper last week. On a side note, I had no intention of posting recipes here, but this was too good not to post, from Martha:

MAKES 6
2 packages graham crackers
3 milk chocolate bars (1 1/2 ounces each)
3 cups mini marshmallows
Chocolate ice cream
Vanilla ice cream

Heat broiler. Break graham crackers into squares, and place on a rimmed baking sheet. Layer chocolate over a third of the graham-cracker squares; cover the remaining graham-cracker squares with marshmallows. Place under the broiler, and toast until chocolate is just melted and marshmallows are lightly browned, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Remove from oven, and while still warm, transfer a marshmallow-covered cracker to each serving dish. Add a scoop of chocolate ice cream. Top chocolate ice cream with a chocolate-covered cracker, and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Top vanilla ice cream with another marshmallow-covered cracker, and drizzle with hot fudge sauce. Serve immediately.

Zombie Love

2007-06-06T11:37:00.009-04:00

Okay, I was hesitant to make this my first actual post as it is quite disgusting, but I feel it expresses my love for homemade things as well as zombies. This was a birthday cake for a good friend who lets me indulge in my zombie fetish and doesn’t call me crazy. He too, appreciates all things zombies so it was only fitting this be a cake for him. I copied the idea from a post on the Craftster forum.

** 10/21/08**Updated picture to my actual cake...apologies to Kate (Craftster author) for using her pic for the last year and a half- I had them both saved on my computer and erroneously uploaded hers and never looked back.

New and Novice

2007-06-05T10:24:00.000-04:00

This is an experiment....Welcome! As the title of this post indicates I'm not quite sure what I am doing. There are some really well-done, fascinating blogs out there and I have no intention of ever actually living up to those, but I am willing to give it a go.

This will hopefully be an outlet for getting back into the swing of writing and for other creative endeavors.