Holidays

I know its just the beginning of October, but I can't help but be excited about Christmas!! In my mind, Halloween and Thanksgiving are just precursors to a better holiday. I love the music, the atmosphere of happiness, and of course the Christmas gifts I give and receive!

This year, since I started up this new hobby of sewing I have decided to make a few of my gifts. I'm not quite sure if it will be cheaper, but it will be more fun and definitely more special to the gift-getter. I have most peoples presents figured out already, but others are more tricky to buy/make things for... but the good thing about starting shopping early is that I have plenty of time to figure something out.

This year also brings a new challenge - the ever dreaded budget. Working on a budget is not something I like doing, but I am getting better at it and it forces me to be creative, which is fun! The husband and I are also considering going somewhere or doing something special for Christmas instead of presents for each other... which is exciting!

Technically it is not the time for busting out the greenery and holly, but it is coming... I can feel it!

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!

My New Favorite Things: Vintage Inspired Faves

The Apron - I completely understand why the apron is no longer an essential part of a woman's necessities. In its heyday every woman wore an apron daily; she did not want to get her dress dirty while she was cleaning, baking, cooking, and taking care of the house in general. Pants or grungy clothes were not an option for the 'proper' lady. One certainly had her day dresses that she would wear in the house but not outside the house, but even those had to be protected by an apron. When women began working outside of the home, wearing *gasp* pants, and sharing household duties with her partner, the need for the apron declined.

These days the only people that wear aprons are older adults and the vintage lovers. Of course, I also wear an apron, seeing that I am a vintage lover and older adult at heart. I find my apron to be a necessity. I am so messy in the kitchen! When I wash dishes, clean, bake, or cook, I always end up dirty; therefore, the apron is my BFF for life. Plus, it has pockets to put a rag in or your cell phone! It also makes me feel feminine, even if I didn't do my hair that day... and that in itself is worth way more than the cost of the apron.

Dresses - I was never a big fan of dresses until I began loving all things vintage. Growing up I was always the jeans and goodwill t-shirt kind of girl. However, the bigger my waist got the less I started liking jeans. If they fit around my waist they were too baggy on my butt. If they fit my legs they were too small around my waist. Jeans shopping is the worst. If I had to pick between going to a Justin Beiber concert or going jeans shopping, I would choose the concert.

Anyway, I realized that there was a better option for me than jeans; skirts and dresses to the rescue! They look super cute, make me feel feminine, and I don't have to worry about pulling a whole outfit together. I have a hard time figuring out if my clothes match, and since the husband is no help in the fashion department I opt for simple outfits instead of taking my chances. I also don't have to worry about finding tops that flatter my body type (which is - big belly and little everything else). I know some women prefer jeans/pants/leggings/shorts, but I love a comfy dress.

ps... speaking of Beiber Fever, watch this video.

What Outfit Makes You Feel Your Best

Last week Mrs. Attempted Domestication, Ms. Apt 16, and I were discussing the new real Simple magazine. Well, more like drooling over it. I didn't have anything to offer to the conversation since I hadn't read it yet (my mom gives me her copy when shes done reading). I have since read it and agree that it was FANTASTIC! Mrs. Attempted Domestication came up with the glorious idea that all three of us blog about the editors question of What outfit makes you feel your best?

If I were 9, I would have said a sweat-suit (matching with my Granny of course).

If I were 12, I would have said baggy Nike Shorts and an over-sized t-shirt.

If I were 15 I would have said a child sized goodwill t-shirt and my holey Mudd bell- bottom pants.

If I were 18 I would have said 'anything my friends would tell me'.

Right now, at the age of 25 I would have to say the outfit I feel best in is my teal 1940's inspired dress I got at Banana Republic in 2008. The dress is perfect for me: it highlights my natural waistline, has ruched shoulders, and falls perfectly at the knee. It is also silky and oh so comfortable! I bought it on credit for my cousins wedding when I was a VISTA and making 9,000 dollars a year. I justified buying it because it was on sale (as is everything I buy at BR) and because it had been such a rough year for me I decided that I deserved to splurge once in a while. Even though it might not have been the responsible thing to do, I believe it was the right thing to do. Ive had the dress for 2 years and still feel gorgeous in it!

I have worn the dress to weddings, swing dancing, and to a housewarming party I threw for myself! When I wear this dress I am completely in my element. I put seamed stockings and small heels on , and complete the look by adding a vintage hairstyle. This is when I feel my best (however, a close second are my pajamas. When I get home from work everyday, the first thing I do is change into a comfy nightgown).

What outfit makes you feel your best?

The Weekend

This past weekend our 4 friends that live in Lafayette were gone, so the husband and I decided to drive to southern Indiana to visit 2 of them who happen to live about 1/2 an hour from each other. They both also live in the country, so finding their houses was fun! Our direction to Lynns included counting houses on the right side of the road and turning left when we see a brown trailer!

It was nice to be in the country. Lynn's mom came home from town and was talking to Lynn about who she saw at the grocery store and I couldn't help but smile and feel right at home, even though I didn't know these folks. While I loved living in the city and am enjoying living in this mid-sized town, I can't help but look back on fondness of my home of 500 (and now 700) in Illinois.

Of course, the grass is always greener on the other side. Towards the end of my college career I was very tired of seeing the same faces all the time (family and friends excluded). It always seemed that I never ran into the people I liked but rather those that I didn't. Plus, you couldnt get away with anything since you knew everyone.

While in Lynn's neck of the woods we also went to her church. I swear it was my home church, just with different people and at a different location. Seriously, it had everything my church back home had: a small church, long prayer requests shouted out by members of the congregation of 30, a lot of family ties, a children's moment, and various hymns. The church is set in the country too, so we were the only visitors. :) We felt very welcomed by the congregation and I loved the hymns (the husband, not so much).

After church we went back to Lynn's house and had lunch with her family. It was delish; and by delish I mean it had butter. Yum. Lynn also made an ice-cream cake for dessert. I have one word to describe it; heavenly. Obviously it was not a healthy dessert. She made 2 flavors of ice cream and separated them with fudge and oreo crumbs. To top off the ice cream she made whipped cream and covered the cake. So to make up for this decadent treat i am promising to eat salad for lunch the rest of the week and to exercise via walking.

We left for Lafayette shortly thereafter. I was so relaxed that I slept almost the whole way home! It must have been the sugar and butter... or maybe it was fresh country air.

My New Favorite Things: Food Edition

I always get ideas for blog posts right before I go to sleep. That usually means that I forget them, but I didn't forget this one. I'm not one to brag (okay, I am), but I am so proud of myself for remembering!

I remember 3 dreams I had last night. Two of the three were about chocolate cake and cereal. I obviously miss these things, but I do have some yummy substitutes!

• Fresh Dates - Seriously folks, these things are delish! They are great with your morning oatmeal or just as a little snack. I would recommend getting the fresh ones though; the ones that are dried are not nearly as flavorful. On a side note, they are also full of potassium!
• Splenda - Mrs. Attempted Domestication has raved about this sugar substitute for years, but being a sugar purist I never even tried it. Now that my triglycerides are high, however, I have given in and joined the Splenda wagon. I get the granulated variety and it tastes pretty darn close to sugar.

• Fruit, Fruit, Fruit - I have a hard time limiting myself 3-5 servings of fruit per day, especially if it is a weekend as I eat when I am bored. My favorites are honeycrisp apples, strawberries, dates, and peaches, but I like virtually all fruits.

• Frozen Yogurt - I get a craving for ice cream nearly every day, but once in a while ill indulge in some frozen yogurt instead. Its not as creamy as ice cream, but that also means that you don't feel as if you're about to explode if you eat a bit too much of it.

• Natural Peanut Butter - JIF and Skippy have really yummy natural peanut butters. I know I eat too much PB, but they are so good! I should get the PB with less sugar in it, but that stuff is like a chore to eat.

Okay, so obviously I have a sweet tooth as all of the above foods are sweet... but that is where my life has changed the most in the past 7 weeks. Thanks for all your support friends!

music musings

We had a good time while home this past weekend. We got to see 2 of my friends from high school and their children, both our families, 1 friend from college, and I went shopping at my favorite second hand stores! Also, I splurged a lot and ate too many sweets and delish fattening dips. No worries all, I paid for it on Monday with a killer stomach ache. I also am finding myself craving more sweets than I had before we went home... I hope my detox is not as bad as it was when I first 'quit.' However, I am learning about more and more slightly-better-for-you sweets. Thanks to my family for being supportive of my new lifestyle change!

This past weekend the husband and I were driving and one of my favorite songs from high school came on the radio. I cranked up the volume and went into a full on rendition of the song, microphone and all (ps. the mic was also my thumb). The song was "Grand Illusion" by Styx. For those that may not know, I was a HUGE Styx fan circa 2000-2002. While most of my peers were loving Usher, Destiny's Child, and whoever wrote 'who let the dogs out', I was lovin 40 year old dudes who used to have mullets. Whatevs, they got me through some hard times (aka hello clinical depression). Anyways, this got me thinking about favorite artists and bands that I had growing up... so here is a list about it.

5th Grade - Hansen: Sorry, but I was 11. I had no musical taste. My favorite one was the drummer. Its always been drummers...). The spice Girls were a close 2nd though.

6th Grade - I dont remember really being into music this year... except for Mariah Carey and No Doubt

7th Grade - Puff Daddy and the Family: This was my brief stint into the rap scene. I loved me some Puff Daddy, Ma$e, and Usher. Coincidentally this is also when I discovered contemporary christian music (Avalon, anyone??!?).

8th Grade - Aerosmith, Steve Miller Band, Styx, FFH. This was also the first year I went to a real concert. my parents took a friend and I to see Steve Miller Band. it truly was trippy.

9th Grade - Styx, Carole King, tons of Christina bands (Jennifer Knapp, Jars of Clay, Third Day, SuperTones).

10th Grade - Styx, Creed, POD, Kirk Franklin, Jars of Clay, bad worship music, Jennifer Knapp, and Skillet

11th Grade - Any and all Christian Rock Music. I owned a lot of of 2.99 music samplers.

12th Grade - Dave Matthews Band, early-mid 90's music, Carole King, Jars of Clay

These days I am enjoying the occasional classic rock, but I am mostly sticking to Rilo Kiley, DMB, Gillian Welch, and Sufjan Stevens. I may stick with this folky scene for a bit... I'm really enjoying it!