A bit of this and that

I haven't posted lately mostly because I have been very busy making my sisters baby shower invites. I would LOVE to tell you all about them and the kick ass party coming up (on NOVEMBER 14th at 2:00pm), but the theme is a surprise! So the post about that will have to wait until I mail out the invites, which will be early next week.

Another thing I have been up to is vintage hairstyling. I am proud to say that after about a year and a half I have mastered the victory roll! My hair is long enough to roll the front now, so thats exciting! I haven't quite figured out how to marry my hairstyles (ie rollers) and morning exercising though. While I have no problem with people knowing that I wear rollers to bed, I do have a problem with people seeing me in my rollers whilst walking downtown at 6:15am. this may be another reason to try pincurls though; you can put a bandana around your head and no one can tell you have them in!

The husband and I have also been watching Mad Men. It has been praised for its realistic settings, outfits, and hair. It also has been praised for its accurate portrayal of life in the 1960's, which is a bit scary to me. This is because of the way that men treat women in the show. Only 1 woman so far has a high position in business, the men all treat women like they are not as smart as the men, and the men are also constantly making jokes about women and sex. ugh. No wonder there was another surge of feminism! While it has taken me a while to get used to seeing that, I do like the show. It is not my favorite (big love is better), but it is good!

So thats what this lady has been up to lately. I hope that you are all doing great!

I didnt mean for all 3 to start with an H; i'm not that kind of girl.

Sorry it's been forever friends; i've actually been busy at work! I think things are a bit slowed down now, which is good. I like being busy, but I do not like being stressed out!

Anyway, I thought i'd give you an update of sorts.

1. Health - I went to the Doctor for my newest lab results and my cholesterol went down 30 points! It was my triglycerides that made the biggest difference; they went from 360 to 153! Im excited about that, but I still have work to do. My good cholesterol is still too low and my bad cholesterol is still too high, as are my triglycerides. I am going to start taking a supplement that my doctor recommended. It is an Omega 3 pill that is filled with high quality healthy fats from fish. I also will continue to eat healthy. I am also trying to up my exercising... that is the key for the good cholesterol to increase. my dictor also said that my thyroid levels are good. My next update is in 6 months. Oh, and I've also lost 12 pounds, which is 1 pound a week! I am happy with that.

2. Hobbies - For my wonderful sister-in-law's birthday I sewed her a laptop case. I forgot to take a picture, but trust me - it is awesome! I was impressed that it turned out so nicely! Right now I am in the process of making a headband for one of my good friends baby. I am also attaching a flower made out of ribbon on it. As it is going to a little one and will most likely end up in her mouth and not on her head I am being extra careful in constructing it with child friendly materials (ie... I am not using my vintage buttons). I also got my first real pattern in the mail; an apron. I am excited to make it; it will be a great challenge! It also is a good step towards my goal of sewing vintage dresses.

Might I also add that I am PUMPED about my sister finding out if she is having a boy or girl so I can get to sewing multiple things for her or him!

Oh, and it is also vintage hair weather; thank God! I was getting so bored with styling my hair the same way. I hope to post pictures soon. I also have decided to take a big step and try pincurls. I have been avoiding them like the plague, but I think it's time.

3. Halloween - I am going to be a sailor girl for Halloween - words cannot express how excited I am! The husband has not idea what he wants to be, so any suggestions would be helpful!

Today's Potential

This has been a pretty boring week. I can't pinpoint exactly why. Perhaps it is that nothing exciting has happened lately (except for Kagans Baby being born). I think the most thrilling thing that happened this week was that I made a really healthy and delish dinner last night.

But, today has potential. After work Tim and I are going to Indy. I am getting my hair cut there (woo-hoo!!) and then going out with my friends I met through VISTA. Emily and Mark are moving to DC in August, so it is our farewell dinner and drinks. We are going to the Elbow room of course! We weighed other options, but there is just no place better than the Bow for us. We can be loud, don't have to be really dressed up, and they have cheap drinks and meals.

So, here's to hoping tonight makes up for the boringness of the past week; and knowing my friends, it certainly will!

Website Wednesday: Thursday Edition

Sorry about not updating my blog lately! I was going to yesterday, but I was super-cranky for no reason, so I thought I would spare you. You are welcome.

Anyway, since finding out about my high cholesterol I've started to live a healthier lifestyle; a lifestyle that involves far less sweets. I've been doing pretty good about things, but I often get cravings for yummy things like muffins, hot fudge sundaes, waffles, and buttercream frosting. I may sound a bit crazy, but it's the truth!

I was pumped to stumble across the blog How Sweet it is today. It has a good mixture of typical sweets (i.e. things that include buttermilk, cream, and a lot of sugar) and healthier sweets in which to indulge. The recipes that really got me were the strawberry-yogurt-granita and frozen hot chocolate. It's pretty obvious I am in an ice cream mood. ;) So while I may not be eating my sister-in-laws almost famous frosting, I am able to satisfy my taste buds with a wonderful substitute.

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On a completely different note, I am considering cutting my hair again. I have my hair cut in the traditional "middy" style of the 40's in order to make putting my hair in rollers easier. The cut is wonderful in that sense, but the problem is that I have not been rolling my hair much due to the humidity and all around hotness that is Indiana summers. Therefore, i'm thinking about going with a bob or some other shorter style that doesn't require much work but still has a bit of versatility. I think when fall or winter hits I would go back to the middy - but another style might be best for now.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

Hobbies do a body good... plus website wednesday

Sometimes I find myself getting bored with life; not that I am not like 112% happy to be living... it's just that I want things to be a bit more exciting. However, I'd like to tell you of some little things I've been doing in order to break up the day-to-day stuff:

1. Gardening - we live in an apartment, so while I cant have my own garden, I am able to help out with a community garden that my church is starting. All involved pay a small fee and water/weed the garden in exchange for fresh produce! Leftover produce is given to local shelters. Today is my first day there... so wish me luck!

2. Sewing - this hobby has been a long time coming. Since i adore vintage clothes and its very rare to find vintage clothes for big gals I knew I would eventually want to learn to sew. Also, I could make a lot of awesome presents for people with a sewing machine! This past Christmas I got a sewing machine and have finally learned to thread it, wind bobbins, and all that jazz. I'm practicing my straight lines now. Also, I have my first sewing lesson tomorrow at the local handmade store! I am so pumped! We are going to learn to use my machine and make a pillow. yay!

3. Cooking - I haven't been very good with this one lately as i've felt lazy after work... so ive been making things I am confident will taste good. Hopefully i'll get back into the swing of things soon.

4. Vintage Hair - This hobby has been lacking too; my hair is a bit long (shoulder length) for some styles, so i've mostly just been teasing the top and making it a 1960's look. It looks good, but im ready for a haircut! Oh, I've also mastered the victory roll, but they don't look good on me, so I wont wear them. The next goal is learning to pincurl my hair!

Also, since its Website Wednesday, I give you... My Parents Were Awesome. My parents are still awesome, but for those who aren't as lucky there is this website.

Swingin Weekend!

No, not that kind of swinging, swing dancing!

This weekend the husband and I are meeting some friends down in Indy to go swing dancing! I am very excited! I've been daydreaming all week about my hair and outfit... here is what I have so far:

Hair: Faux victory rolls as taught by Lisa Freemont. This style is so easy to achieve with my haircut (called a middy) and it looks kick-ass.

Clothing: Not this is a bit more difficult to decide because most of my cute dresses don't fit very well these days. However, I am thinking that I may wear my wedding dress with a colorful cardigan. I'm hoping the cardigan will make it look less 'wedding-ish.' Seeing as it is was a casual wedding dress, I think I can pull it off. Plus, I really want to wear my awesome petticoat again! Im debating on the fully-fashioned seemed stockings. Oh, but if that doesn't work out I have a back up dress.

Shoes: Something stylish and comfortable!!

Arm Candy: Husband

The last time we went swing dancing we got our picture in the the local newspaper; it was so fun! The above picture is me in all my vintage glory on that night (40's inspired dress was bought at Banana Republic).

And now for something completely different; congrats to Rosy and her live-in for a successful move to Chicago! We are slowly and surely becoming adults. I am very excited to visit her this summer so I can see her place and have her cook me a delicious meal!

Well, I am off again to search for the perfect summer dress... wish me luck!

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*Note: Myrtle, my fish, is miraculously still alive! He is mostly dead, but as we all know there is a big difference between mostly dead and all-the-way dead (for those who don't know that Princess Bride reference, shame on you!)*

Cooking and Such

Well, it's finally happened! The Husband is done with his second job! Wa-hoo! Obviously I'm excited to spend time with him, but i'm also very excited that we will now be sharing the cooking duties! Tonight he is making this chicken and veggie thing; I think he made it up. It's good, easy, and doesn't dirty many dishes!

Which is good, because all of our bowls are dirty. However, we use bowls for everything. And we (okay, I) eat a lot of cereal. We normally don't let the dishes get too out of control, but they just sneaked (apparently snuck is not a word) up on us! I can not WAIT until we get a dishwasher... someday.

In other news, it is a whopping 68 degrees outside! I was so happy that I could finally start wearing my spring dresses again! Perhaps this will motivate me to try some new hairstyles... I have so many I want to try, but I am finding that i am not patient enough for all of them. We will see!

One style I do not want to try; a Farrah hairdo from the 80's. No disrespect (RIP Farrah), but I am just NOT a lover of the 80's hair. A co-worker saw a lady with this hair today and told me that this could be inspiration for me. I'm not very good at hiding my emotions off-the-cuff... so I think I looked mortified. Good thing she was walking away when she said that!

Well, only 1/2 an hour until I am off of work and with my love! I'm thinking that I might be able to persuade him into going to a coffee shop after supper... I want to enjoy this weather (and perhaps a sweet treat)!