Apparently I Wasn't Serious

Of course things have changed again since I last posted. I was laid off from my job and have been unsuccessful at finding a new one. My unemployment benefits ran out and I am waiting for a hearing to contest the fact that I was denied any extensions. SIGH. In the meantime, I have taken sewing jobs, babysitting jobs, housecleaning jobs, and a few volunteer jobs, sometimes working for trade, sometimes working for a few dollars. Definitely not how I want to continue, but right now there's not much choice.
I've passed the point of anxiety and panic (for the most part) and have resigned myself to applying for anything I'm even half-way qualified for and just being patient, knowing that I'm doing everything I can. In the meantime, if I'm going to have time on my hands, why not learn new things?
I have gotten hooked on Pinterest, which had led to new cooking ventures. I coordinated a lunch for my family to celebrate all of the March birthdays and tried my hand at Vietnamese spring rolls with peanut sauce. Also ginger-garlic soba noodles, pickled carrots, chicken satay, and a chocolate cobbler. I don't think anyone would mind if I made that meal again. Last weekend it was chocolate cake waffles. Another hit. I also have a slew of craft projects that I've either tried, or have lined up to try. I've also taken to painting with acrylics, and making ornaments out of Sculpey clay.
I'm still working on my Etsy shop. I cleared out a bunch of stuff and had a yard sale last weekend. My Etsy shop is empty and on hold temporarily while I sort through the yard sale leftovers and decide what to repost, what to ditch, and what new things to put up.
The boyfriend and I celebrated our one-year anniversary, and we still like each other. I'm waiting for July, when we go to San Francisco and see the Giants game he bought tickets to for my birthday.
And speaking of San Francisco....I miss it so much! Even though I was there just two weeks ago! I got to participate in the annual Bay To Breakers 12k race with my dear friend Cindy. Let me tell you, 12k is a long race. Seven and a half miles. We made it in 3 hours, 51 minutes. While it was wonderful trekking through the city, especially from one end of Golden Gate Park to the other, I was beat by mile 6. I made it, though.
So, this entry was not fashion-related at all. But I will work on that.
Until next time...
Red

Still Here!

I have full-on neglected this poor blog. In my defense, I have been a bit busy - I ended up getting a part time office job, I took on a slew of sewing projects, and I met my wonderful boyfriend of, oh, seven months now! (Excuses, excuses, I know...)However, I've been inspired to get back into the blogging world because of my old schoolmate Jennifer, who has had some fun and success with her own blog, http://www.justagirlintheworld.org
So even though I feel like I have my hands full already, I want to try to keep up here, too. I mean, think of how many fashion disasters and Lady Gaga/Katy Perry/Nicki Minaj ensembles I have missed reporting on all these months??

Cheers!
Red

A Fashionably Late Recap

I waited so patiently for the Oscars to begin a few Sundays ago. I settled onto the couch with my dog and blanket, and watched blissfully uninterrupted...until the last 30 minutes of the show, when our television signal went out. Sigh. I missed the awarding of best actor and best picture, but I did get to see all of the dresses and haute couture, so I can't be too upset.

A friend texted me during the show. "Are you watching the Oscars?"
My reply - "DUH."

I made a selection of the dresses that impressed me the most.

ScarJo. She's practically sewn into the thing, but tastefully so. I love the color, the high neck, and that lace. I want some of it - it looks so soft and drapey.


Jennifer Hudson. I liked her dress because it was not only a flattering style, but it was an unconventional color choice. Sweeping across the waist to one hip distracts from any midriff imperfections, then provides a dramatic burst with the bow and train.


Sandra Bullock. She took the sassiest color ever and did it right. It was a bit of a surprising look for her, but it was elegant and very appropriate for the occasion.


Hailee Steinfeld. I was impressed and pleased with her look. She's barely 14, but managed to look grownup and sophisticated without overdoing it. Her dress is glamorous, yet age-appropriate.




I've been designing and making clothing for friends lately, and as much work as it can be sometimes, I hope it continues. It's worth stabbing my fingers with pins, taking out incorrect seams, and rethreading my machine for the billionth time when they are pleased with one of my original garments!

Photos to come soon.

Until then,

Red

Red Carpet Review

I'm not quite sure what's going on with all the pale pinks and flesh tones that have been popping up on stars at awards ceremonies, but I thought I'd pick out some of my favorite looks from the past month.

The People's Choice Awards are much more casual than most ceremonies - a bit of a nice change from the glitz and perfection of the bigger awards shows in Hollywood.
My picks:
Mila Kunis got rave reviews for her Alexander McQueen dress at the SAG Awards, but I like this look on her more. Cute, fresh, professional, and understated.

Kristen Stewart gets extra points for the way she pulled this off. The shoes, hair, and makeup made it work (oh, and the legs). Plus, I think she might have genuinely smiled for once.

The Golden Globes:
I liked the green of this dress, plus the intricate pin tucks. I think I would have added a necklace though, just something small and delicate, or traded the earrings for a showier sparkle around her neck.

I'll make an exception in the flesh-tone-hating for Carrie Underwood - she dressed with her skin tone and got a very elegant look.

And what's an awards ceremony without Angelina on the red carpet? What I liked most about this dress was the cut. It's very much old-Hollywood, and I'd love to see it in other colors.

The SAG Awards:
This was such an interesting dress - in bright lights it's vaguely metallic and neutral, but with less light it appears very silver. The cut and drape look lovely on her, though.

Two more instances of dressing with their skin tones. I think both of their hair colors help accentuate the looks as well. And it never hurts to show a little leg, either.

I'm looking forward to the Oscars!
Until then,
Red

Reboot.

There are times when life takes a look at you and says, "Whoa, she is wayyyy too comfortable there. Let's mess with her!" and *whoosh!* there goes the rug out from under your feet and you find yourself knocked on your ass, wondering "What the hell?!"
Yep. Rarely is it fun.
There hasn't been much in the way of crafting, or bargains, or creative artsy-schmartsy stuff, but I certainly don't want to give up on it. It will just take a little time to get back into it, and before you know it, I will be boring the world to tears with my blog posts once again. :)

Today's Post Is Brought To You By The Letter "C"

As in "C" is for CUPCAKES!

My aunt just recently got married, and seeing how good food and good drinks are things she considers priorities in life, they played sizeable roles in her celebrations. I definitely do not shy away from food and drinks, so this post is less fashion and more foodie.

There was a pre-wedding brunch, a bridal shower, and the wedding reception - I did not go away hungry from any of those events, and everything was soooooo good.

My aunt's friend Chris hosted the brunch and made the wedding "cake". He is a cupcake wizard. The first flavor we had was at the brunch - a dessert cupcake (if dessert at brunch is legal??) that was maple flavored cake with a cream cheese frosting, and BACON crumbled on the top. Um, yes please.

It might be ridiculous to add at this point that in addition to these cupcakes, there were also two gourmet cheesecakes made from scratch. (But ridiculous in the best possible way.)

A couple of weeks later we attended the wedding, which my aunt amazingly did the cooking for, and we were treated to even more spectacular cupcakes.

The spread came complete with a chart that told you which flavors were which, according to the cupcake wrapper. I tried at least one of each, and they were all so delicious. Of course, I was too busy stuffing my face with cupcakes to pay attention to the exact flavor combinations, but I do recall there was a spice cake, a lemonade cake, a red velvet cake, and the one I am still hoarding in a container in the fridge - chocolate/Nutella with sea salt sprinkled on top. The fresh fruit on top of the icing was an excellent touch.

I also adored the presentation - the tiers were surrounded with flowers and fruits and it was a cornucopia of yum.

I am thinking that Chris and I could open a shop - he bakes cupcakes, I make dresses, and it will be like a one-stop shop for all your tea party needs. (Ponies and rainbows not included.)

Cheers!
Red

Raffle Donations

Sometimes life gets in the way of crafting, and that's what happened to me. I did not get to finish as much as I had wanted to for the Cancer Copay Raffle, but I at least had something to contribute! I ended up with 3 pairs of earrings and 3 sets of hair clips. Hopefully they will bring in a little something for the charity.

I've got a craft table and a little more room now, so I hope this leads to more crafty stuff :)

Cheers!

Red