Date dress update

I knew I wouldn't make this dress overnight, but I didn't anticipate it taking this long either. A combo of running in to some bumps on the road, working on a side project plus my full time job, has really made me put this on the back burner. Hopefully, I will be able to finish it this week, fingers crossed!

The date dress

I'm currently working on the date dress. I found this pattern on burdastyle, and it's pretty basic but also kind of plain. So I am going to try to spice it up a bit by adding a cut out back. So far I've puzzled the pattern pieces together, taped them, cut them out, cut the appropriate size, and cut my fabric to it.

So next is the sewing part! Lets hope this goes as painless as possible, but knowing me i'll probably make a million mistakes.

xo

And i'm back in the game...

This boxy shirt pattern has been on the back burner for almost 3 months now. I was a bit distracted this summer, then it was back to school time and I've just been super exhausted. And finally, all in one night, i got it done...and i must say it is one of my favs!

Hoop hoop hoopin!

Since I've been in S.F my friend and I have gotten into the habit of meeting every Wednesday, getting a bite to eat and a beer, and heading to Dolores Park for a hoop sesh. I love it! This summer tops all the summers of the past and the ones to come...just sayin'

xoxo!

4th of July in Cali

A sweet boy

a beautiful lake

2 yummy sandwiches

good beer

new friends

pizza

more good beer

fireworks from the top of the car roof

all in all a great 4th of July!

xoxo!

Alameda Flea Market

California flea markets far exceed Houston Flea markets by a landslide! Ugh, which really drives me crazy. At a Houston flea market you are sure to find aisles and aisles of jewelry booths and well that's pretty much it. It definitely is not a place to go shopping for vintage clothes, or antique furniture, or even just unique trinkets.

Today I made the long trek to the Alameda Point Flea Market, and even though it took me a bus ride, a train ride, another bus ride, and then travel by pata-mobile a few blocks...it was totally worth it!

There were hundreds of booths that carried tons of amazing furniture, I kept wishing there some way to ship furniture to Houston, cause dang there were some amazing pieces at reasonable prices! And even though I have already exceeded the weight requirements for my luggage, I still let myself purchase 2 dresses and 2 tops! I'll have to figure out the logistics later, cause I surely am not done shopping...mmhmmm!

Here's a little a preview, please excuse my laziness...thanks!

xoxo!

Workshop SF!

Part of the reason I was really into the idea of spending the summer in San Francisco was due to their DIY community. There seems to be a lot of people that really take a big bite and really sink into the whole DIY movement, and there are quite a few of supporters as well.

Specifically, there is a place that focuses on giving you that support and motivation to take matters into your own hands. Workshop, a DIY school so to speak, offers a wide variety of classes from learning to brew your own ginger beer, starting an indie business, to sewing, and building your own terrarium.

I've had the pleasure of taking 2 classes with them and also interning with them this month. The first class I took was called "Sewing Sorcery" the class focused on zippers and button holes. Two things that i still need to perfect. We made a little zipper pouch and a business card pouch that buttons closed. The other class i took was "Screen printing for newbies." Both classes were so much fun, relaxed and laid back, probably the best learning environment ever....we were even allowed to have adult beverages....ah i heart SF.

sheck it out, i made this with me own hands, true story:

xoxo!

San Fran Summer- Oakland!

Ok so it has been a little over 2 weeks and I am loving every minute of being here. Sometimes a little too much..wink wink.

I really had the best intention of posting pictures of my adventures here but have been crazy busy so please forgive. Here are a few pics of the place I have been staying in. Since I have arrived I have been staying in West Oakland. Though people are a little put off by this place, I actually really dig it. Here are some pics of the house and surrounding area! Areas include: Revolution Cafe, Burma Superstar, and Lake Merritt

This Friday I will be going to a different location in the city. yay!

xoxo

Music Monday- Lykke Li

After 6 days (and many more to go) of walking and roaming around San Francisco, my dogs are barking and all I want to do right now is sleep. So I'm going to keep it simple.

Another super and interesting musician that I have been blasting lately is Lykke Li. I like what she has to say and I like that it makes me want to shake my ass. Both great in my book!

p.s. I really wanted to post the video to "I'm Good, I'm Gone", but it was disables...so check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRFybeuLh54&feature=related

xoxo

San Fran Summer

So day one set the bar high for my summer here in San Francisco, not really. It was an uneventful day but a day full of wandering around, exploring and getting to know the Mission area of SF. My first stop of the morning was San Francisco Center for the Book. I will get to help out in a few events here that are pretty cool.

After I got to check out the place I had the day free to roam around. I basically walked down Valencia street between 16th and 24th. Stopped at basically every shop, had some an amazing chai latte at The Summit, then headed over to Dolores Park to relax from all the walking.

Here are links to some of the shops I went to:

Therapy

The Curiosity Shoppe

Dolores Park

Susie Cakes

The Tipsy Pig

Later in the evening, I went to dinner and drinks with some friends....Overall, day one consisted of getting to know my surroundings, I am looking forward to many adventures while I'm here...I'll keep you posted!

xoxo

p.s. I took lots of photos on my phone, but my phone is not cooperating at the moment, so from now on i will use my camera...photos for sure next time ;)

Music Monday- Warpaint

Those who really know me, know that I have a thing for girl bands. There is just something so intriguing to me about an all girl band playing good music. Maybe it's because I can easily relate to some of the emotion, or maybe because it seems like something so attainable. These females truly inspire me, as cheesy as that may be, but I really love cheese so...

Any who, one of those 'all-girl' bands that I have really been into lately is Warpaint. They're from Los Angeles, California and make some really pretty and interesting music. What I really love about them is how dynamic their music is. Also, it doesn't hurt that the bass player, Jenny Lee Lindberg, kicks ass, which is something I can totally appreciate! Y'all have a good night! xx

Sew cool!- T-shirt mini dress

I have been working steady on my sewing skills for the past few months. I have completed 2 dresses and a skirt. I wish I had more time to work on perfecting my skills, but alas I must work to pay the bills, ya know!

I used the T-shirt mini dress pattern from dixiediy.com. She has some really great and easy patterns, and she is also from Austin, TX!

Like I said, I am saving money to purchase a nice camera so bare with me. The sweet pup in the picture is my sister's dog named Juicebox, named by my little niece :)

Music Monday- Talking Heads

Now, I realize that the Talking Heads have been around since the mid 70's, but I just can not get over how awesome they are. David Byrne is such a creative and unique person not only with his music but visually as well. And Tina Weymouth, well she is just a bad ass! Here are a couple of my favorites from them. Enjoy!

Matters of the Heart...

It's funny when you realize what experiences have molded you into the person you are. What decisions help mark the path taken, and what mistakes shape the progress of life. Being the person I am, I constantly think about the decisions that I have made and whether they led me astray or if they led me to happiness.

Then I have to slap myself....and realize where I am is where I am suppose to be, and it is never too late for anything.

The days are passing fast, and adventures are near! Smiles!

p.s. Pics of sewing projects coming soon! yay :)

Music Monday- YYY YELLE!

Ok, it is a little late in the day, but Monday none the less.

So a few weeks ago Yelle, the french electric pop trio, played at Fitzgeralds. The place was jam packed, the air conditioning was non-existent, and the energy was turned all the way up! Those things combined made one amazing show/dance party/ cardio workout. Front woman, Julie Budet, put on an amazing show, with rad costumes/ stage wear, energetic dance moves, and just all around cuteness. I left that show drenched in sweat and ready to keep moving which is always a good sign!

So I do not own a nice camera and wasn't able to get any shoots or clips from the show. Instead I leave you with a you tube video to get your ass shaking! Have a super night :)

Haute Wheels Houston!

This weekend marked the first food truck festival for Houston. Food trucks from around the city gathered to feed the mouths of the hungry. Although things did not run smoothly, understandably, I still had some amazing goodies.

I started the day off with 2 scrumptious cupcakes from mmm cupcakes, one was cookies and cream, the other has slipped my mind but it was super yummy! Then a vegan panini sandwich from Seed, it had a spicy garbanzo spread with spinach and plantains. Next, I gobbled down sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo from Cut&'Fry...and when I say gobbled I mean gobbled which doesn't really happen that often with me. I am truly a slow eater. After that, I sampled some fried chicken and waffles from Zilla...I probably could have had my own plate, but refrained from doing so.

After walking a few laps around the parking lot, I headed for the Katfish Kitchen and got a kids meal that had 3 pieces of catfish, fries and a hushpuppy. Oh snap! I almost forgot to mention the cake balls from Angie's Cake. Those things were no joke, and really capped off the day sweetly!

Because I was in a food coma and was unable to think or move for that matter; I only took a few pictures....

Below are the links to the trucks i mentioned, just in case you want to have your own makeshift food truck fest. Which I would definitely be interesting in doing...

http://www.mmmcupcake.net/
http://www.facebook.com/greenseedvegan
http://www.facebook.com/cutandfry
http://zillastreeteats.com/about-us/
https://www.facebook.com/KatfishKitchen
http://angiescake.com/

A quick update:

A lot of things have happen since November. From being newly single, to traveling to Germany and New Orleans for the first time.

This summer I will briefly experience what it is like to live in San Francisco when I stay there for 2 months. Although two months is not that much time, I am looking forward to the experiences, and all the crafty people I will meet.

There are so many other things that I am looking forward to that I can not disclose. But lets just say, life is good.

'Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product.' - Eleanor Roosevelt

Music Monday

After a short hiatus I return with Passion Pit. I missed this band when they were in town, and really wasn't into them at the time. During some retail therapy, in which I grabbed several albums and rushed to the register without even worrying about the cost, Passion Pits Manner was in that stack.
I didn't listen to it immediately, after a couple of weeks it made the rotation and it instantly took me back to my early 20's, drunken times, and awesome dance parties my friend and I had on a daily basis. With a combination of good electro beats and lyrics, they make my route to work just a little bit brighter ;).

Music Mondays

Note this Monday as the first of many music Mondays to come...I hope. I will say this is all based on my opinion and that i do not think I am any sort of music expert.

Lately, I have been really into girl/boy duos. The idea of 2 sexes coming together and mutually agreeing and acknowledging the others musical talent is, well, is sweet. Here are a few of my favorites:



1. The Kills:

Alison Mosshart and Jaime Hines use the bare minimals to create grungy clever songs.





2. She&Him

Zoe Deschanel and M. Ward make sweet harmonies with dreamy guitar riffs to compliment.




3. Best Coast

Bethany Consentino, Bobb Bruno (now former drummer for the Vivian Girls, Ali Koehler has joined the group) make care free music complete with a 60's surfer vibe.



4. Beach House

Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally compose the kind of music you can daydream about while floating on clouds.

Summer to Fall Dress

I have been working on this dress since the beginning of the summer. And when I say working, I mean cutting the pieces one day, waiting a week or 2 then sewing the top, waiting another few weeks to work on the pockets. It's a pretty simple dress and it wasn't until I started my weekly sessions with a sewing instructor that I felt the pressure to finish it. So now all I have left is the zipper and my sweet summer dress will be ready to wear in the fall!