Bazaar Bizarre 2009

I went to the Bazaar Bizarre on Sunday. I love going every year-- it's so inspiring. I picked up a few coasters, to match last year's mixer coaster, for my coffee table.

I love the vintage photos that the artist had available. I love retro!

I was also in the market for a nifty print of some sort to replace the Wassily Kandinsky that I had hung temporarily in the living room. I used a piece of black tag board to mat the print.

Seems a little dark so I might change the mat to make it pop more. Wonder what color I should go with?

I also couldn't help but grab up this adorable little airplane/take-off pouch! I already have it stuffed with knitting!

***

Other improvements:
A short bookcase for the foyer along with a cool lamp, large glass centerpiece and cool metal damask print bin.

Glass pull handles for the little piece that I refinished. I like this piece much more with the addition of the pulls.

My house really came together!

"New " Living Room!

Finally! Here's the full affect:

Here's the corner of my new sectional sofa:

Here's the opposite corner with a piece that I salvaged from the curb and refinished:

Still have small touches to finish but it's almost there. I finally feel like this is MY home!

Notice the new Wii!!! I had to part with the last one but she's all mine now. I'm dying for Beatles Rock Band, Band Hero and Wii Fit!!!

PIA Saturday

Something sunny needed to come out of this day!

This past Saturday I rented a UHAUL and drove down to Ikea in Stoughton, MA.I was so ready to get my couch. The website showed that the particular couch I was interested in is only available in the Ikea stores and could not be ordered on the website.

I picked up the UHAUL and drove down there so that I'd be there as soon as the doors opened. Once there, I got a free coffee from their cafe (they know the way to my heart) and then at 10am, I started for the show room. I found my series and sat on it to make sure that it was comfortable and looked through all the fabrics to make sure that I was picking one that I loved. I went up to the sale person to ask some questions and she said, "we don't stock this model in the store. It needs to be ordered."

WTF? Really? How come I was told that the store stocked it and that it was in stock at this particular location when I called? I was beyond irritated. I just spent $65 on a UHAUL and I can't even use it? And now I have to order the sofa and pay a $100 delivery charge. I don't think so.

I went straight to customer service and made my case detailing the poor customer service and told them that they needed to make this right. They were able to eat the $100 delivery charge, but I still have to wait for my new sofa. I was really hoping to go home with it and set up my living room. Wah.

Though I couldn't get what I wanted as far as the sofa went , I was able to find a few other necessities. I found a grill pan, a TV entertainment shelving unit, candles, an ironing board, fabrics (I used the yellow to cover a canvas to hang on the wall-- see top of the post), a wok, and some glasses (of which the bottom of the box fell out causing 3 of the 6 glasses to crash to their deaths). I put the TV unit together immediately and set up all my electronics on it and even had room for my mesh metal magazine baskets on the bottom shelf.

I made a pit stop at Target afterward to return that hideous rug that I ordered and a poster that was delivered damaged. I found a replacement rug for the living room in a cream color for the same price. I was envisioning more of a cafe au lait but I was unable to find it so this will have to do. I moved my black leather woven rug that was in my living room to my dinning room-- under the dining room table. That was a fun task to do without any help. Below is a WIP...just not of the knitting variety.

Once I got back to town, I unloaded and returned the UHAUL. I took a trip to Back Bay to go to Trader Joe's and to hit up Urban Outfitters for album frames-- on sale for 2 for $20 (usually $15 each!). I grabbed two. I framed a couple of records that I got in LA a couple of years ago. Pretty sweet, huh!?

 So, things are coming along slowly but surely...slower than I'd like. Hell, my mom & sister are coming for a visit next weekend and I'd like for them not to have to sit on the floor! We'll see.

On my own

The ex finally moved out. The past month was truly a test. I think that I made it through with minimal damage. I was really sad and weepy on Sunday night after all was said and done but ever since I've been fine. I think that I was just working up to this point all along. I already mourned him.

So now I live alone. For now. Strangely, it was an easy transition from taking care of two to one. He's having a rough time (good!) but I'm being the self-proficient person I've been since childhood, really. I thought that I would be terrified and lonely and afraid to go to sleep at night. It has been fine. The cat is sadder than I am (she misses her feline friend).

So my new situation has brought about the need for new furniture. I've never owned a new sofa. I've always had hand-me-downs or Good Will specials-- not that there's anything wrong with that. But it's time to buy my first brand new living room!

I've been doing a lot of "window shopping" on the interwebs. I want something modern with clean lines. I found a sectional on the Ikea site that I adore. I *think* that I like the Sivik Dark Gray, but I'm going to check out the fabrics at the store over the weekend. I ordered and already received (and assembled) a new coffee table from Target. I also ordered a new area rug which was delivered today but it needs to be returned. It's not at all what I was expecting. I'll make a Target return trip this weekend. I think that once it's all here I'll feel like I have my living room back. Feeling like my apartment is a "home" is very important to me.

I'm also looking for a funky piece for my front foyer. I want a buffet/credenza with a funky flair. I really like this one and this one. Also for the foyer, I have to get a few record album frames to display some fun records that I have. And I'm in the middle of creating some fun art for over my sofa.

I'm keeping everything else intact as is. Just need a few changes and some some new stuff sans memories. Time to make new memories.

True Blood Love and Short-Rows!

Ok, I have a True Blood obsession. Can't help it. Love it. That said-- I'm obviously attracted to everything True Blood (see this post if you don't believe me). I ordered the 8-book Sookie Stackhouse series and am on the second book. And I have no will power because yesterday I bought this:

I know, I have problems.

I bought these over the weekend:

I'm actually not 100% sure why I bought these because I've been planning on being Joan Jett for Halloween all this time but I'm so enamored with vampires these days that I just couldn't help myself.  I think I may have had a change of heart. Sorry Joan!

On to the short-rows...

I've used short-rows before. I get the concept. I was just always to afraid to use them for bust-shaping. Pretty dumb for a girls with DDs, huh!? Well, finally I took the plunge. I used this article to guide me. After figuring out my calculations, the knitting began. Short-rows are super easy; it's just a matter of knowing where to place them and how many to knit. See the wedge of fabric I've created using short-rows? Hope it's big enough for my boobies!

Make-up Review #3

I walked into Macy's and couldn't avoid the MAC counter...not that I was planning to. Their Holiday Collection just came out! Eyeshadows to die for, seriously. I couldn't pick just one. So I didn't....and $41 later, I was going home with 2 brand spanking new Mineralize Eyeshadow Duos.

I use the following products to create this look:
* M.A.C.Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo in Midnight Madness and Under Your Spell
* Avon Big Color Eye Pencil in Vanilla
* L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen mascara
* e.l.f. Feather Proof Moisturizing Lip Liner in Natural Blush
* Revlon LipGlide Color Gloss in Fuchsia Flash (discontinued, I think)
* NYC Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Smokey Plum
* NARS Blush in Orgasm

Review time...

Already reviewed NARS Bluch in Orgasm, Avon Big Color Eye Pencil in Vanilla, L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara.

MAC Mineralize Eyeshadow Duos are fabulous and limited editions! As all of MAC's shadows are, they are highly pigmented. They can be used wet or dry and are extremely blendable. I only used the purple shades from each pot. I use the lighter lavendery purple on my lid and a bit on the lower lash line. Then went in with the darker smokier purple shade and applied it to the crease and blended. Love the effect. The formula is velvety soft and as vibrant as it is in the pot. However I did not use the accent shades yet (copper and gold). Though the purple shades are just extremely shimmery, the accent colors are more glittery. I think that they'll be good to use when I'm going for an outrageous going-out effect. I'll keep you posted.

Of course I used the Avon Big Color Pencil in Vanilla on my brow bone to highlight! I also used a liner on the upper and 3/4 of the lower in a plum. NYC Waterproof  Eyeliner Pencil in Smokey Plum is pretty decent for such a cheap brand. It was smooth and creamy to apply and stayed put all night.

On to lips. I used e.l.f. Featherproof Moisturizing Lip Liner in Natural Blush to give my gloss something to cling to. I've previously review an e.l.f. eyeliner but the texture of the lip liner formula is slightly smoother and easier to apply. Once my lips were lined I used Revlon LipGlide Color Gloss in Fuchsia Flash. It's an older product that I couldn't find on their website an more so I figure that it's been discontinued. This is too bad because it's a great gloss and a really fun shade with staying power. C'est la vie.

So that about wraps up this review!

Leaf Yoke Top...why do I rip thee?

I've been working on this on and off for the last couple of weeks. The yoke knit up incredibly fast, but I've had to rip the front and the back a few times. The instructions in for the first section after picking up stitches from the yoke are no accurate but there was no errata to speak of. Oh well.

I plan on replacing the folded hem with a simple lace pattern at the hips. When it's done it'll be too cold for a sleeveless top but I'd like to wear a long sleeved tee underneath. Hopefully I'll finish it this month!

Make-up Review #2

I was happier than I looked in this pic, I swear

I really don't go out very often. Now that I'm man-free I better gt back into the swing of things. Saturday night I went out for dinner and drink with one of my girl friends. I've been so down because of the man situation that I've just been feeling really ugly. Not exactly in a good place.

 Wish my pics were better...sorry for the dark shots.

I figured that if I wanted to feel good on the inside I better pretty up the outside. I wore my black jeans, a tunic-y t-shirt w/ peacock feather & paisley detailing, 4 inch black wedge sandal (don't have to worry about a short bf anymore!), this necklace, and a black motorcycle jacket. I figured dark and smokey eyes were in order but decided to break up all the black with a dark blue shadow and pale lips.

I use the following products to create this look:
* Revlon Matte Eyeshadow in Riviera Blue
* Avon Big Color Eye Pencil in Vanilla
* L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen mascara
* e.l.f. Brightening Eyeliner in Ash
* e.l.f. Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Sun Kissed
* Avon Beyond Color Plumping Lipcolor SPF 15  in Twig

Review time...

Revlon Matte Eyeshadow is a nice rich dark blue shade with a very matte finish. I layer the shadow from my lide to the crease, keeping the color more concentrated closer to the lash line. I do like this formula, especially for $4.99, but it can be a little hard to blend. I think that that may be true for most highly pigmented matte shadows. Lots 'o' blending! I really like this color though.

L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara is one of my favorite dramatic formulas. It thickens and lengthens dramatically. It is the only formula that I've found to date that can compare to L'Oreal Lash Architect, which I haven't been able to find in ages. According to the website it doesn't appear to be discontinued but where, oh where art thou?

I already review Avon Big Color Eye Pencil in Vanilla here. I won't bore you with the details. I used it on my brow bones, but not on the inside corners this time. I wanted to keep the effect smokey.

e.l.f. cosmetics are comparable to NYC, the cheapo drugstore brand. e.l.f. has a great selections but the quality is just mediocre. What do you expect when most of the products are $1!? I found the liner to be dry and hard to apply. I tried to warm it up a bit and then apply to upper and 3/4 of my lower lash line. The warming up seemed to have helped a bit. Though it's not the best liner.

The bronzer is really nice and subtle. It gives glow and creates radiance but doesn't look orangey and/or unnatural. I used it in place of blush and applied it to each side of my face in a number 3 motion (about 1:35 into video) to create a natural sun-kissed look.

Slicked on and blotted Avon Beyond Color Lipcolor SPF 15 in twig for an understated lip. This formula is very velvety and not the least bit drying. This shade is very neutral, which is exactly what I was going for.

I need to remember to smile.

Cozy Cowl

I knit this cozy accessory last weekend and as soon as I did, the weather warmed up. Like, to 80. Damn. Today is going to hit 76 so who knows when I'll be able to wear it!

It was knit in Lion Brand Lion Cashmere Blend in Black on US 10 needles. It took approximately 1.5 balls of yarn and it is of my own design. You don't really need a pattern for a seed stitch rectangle with YO buttonholes!

I used the left over buttons from my FLS from earlier this year. I apparently really over estimated how many I needed for that project.

And there you have it. It looks cozy and warm. I'm planning on wearing it with my motorcycle jacket to give it a feminine touch. But first it has to cool off.

My First Makeup Review!

I LOVE eye make-up. I don't always wear it but when I do I like to apply it creatively and have fun with it. I'm addicted to buying all kinds of eye make-up products-- especially when I find them on sale. I mostly buy and wear drugstore brands but do occasionally splurge on more up-scale brands. I have a weakness for Sephora, but usually just browse unless I'm specifically looking for something.



I use the following products to create this look:
* L'Oreal Carbon Black Voluminous Mascara
* L'Oreal Carbon Black Lineur Intense
* L'Oreal H.i.P. high intensity pigments Bright shadow duo in Brazen
* NARS Blush in Orgasm
* Avon Big Color Eye Pencil in Vanilla
* Mark by Avon Glossblossom Ripening Lip Tint



Review time...

I'm a big fan of high-pigment eyeshadows. It's tough to find this at the drugstore but there's the occasional exception. L'Oreal H.I.P high intensity pigments Bright Shadows are pretty decent for the money. I purchased Brazen-- a duo of bright pink and chocolate brown, which is what I am wearing in these pictures.

These shadows are true to the hues in the pot and are pretty blendable. Not as blendable as my Urban Decay singles are but considering that they are half the price at $7.99, these shadows are well worth their cost.

Avon Big Color pencil in Vanilla is a great shade to use as a highlighter. I applied it to my brow bones and the inner corners of my eyes to brighten my look. It's a nice blendable formula and a great shade. Just wish it didn't have little flecks of glitter. Shimmer is fine but glitter isn't really my thing, though it's not terribly noticeable with this product.

Last week CVS had a special on L'Oreal Carbon Black Voluminous mascara Carbon Black Lineur Intense. $4.99 each sounded good to me so I brought them home. I'm not a huge fan of L'Oreal Voluminous mascara usually because I find that it's too natural, but I wanted to see if Carbon Black was more dramatic. In my opinion, there's nothing worse than putting on makeup and not being able to tell that it's there. I guess if I wanted "natural" I forgo the makeup!

Let me just say that I really like the long, thin shape of the felt applicator that the Carbon Black Lineur Intense has. It makes it much easier to apply the liquid liner with precision and creates a thin line that you can gradually build up by adding a little liner at a time without it becoming caked on and flaky.

The Carbon Black Voluminous mascara needed a couple of coats and wasn't as dramatic as the L'Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen mascara but the formula applies very evenly and NO CLUMPS! This, I like.

NARS Blush in Orgasm is totally not something I would normally buy just by seeing the shade. This shade has gotten a lot of hype from people saying that it is a universal shade that is flattering on everyone. When I first saw it as Sephora I thought that there was no way that this peachy-goldy tone could look good on me until I tested it. And...I loved it. It's now my go-to blush.

Mark's Glossblossom ripening lip tint is a nice thinner-consistency gloss that "ripens" to a rosy pink shade once applied to the lips. It's actually a knock-off of Smashbox's O-gloss Intuitive Lip Gloss, but I think that it is actually a superior product comparatively. I like the consistency of this product better-- O-gloss is a bit sticky-- and I like the Glossblossom's shade is slightly more intense.

So there ya have it.

Any suggestions for what I should review next?

Ishbel for Michele!

My Ishbel is finito! I wet blocked it last night and it was dry by this morning! So of course, I'm wearing it now. Couldn't resist.
On a seperate note, I got and drank this last night:
It is delicious blood orange flavored soda inspired by HBO's True Blood series! Love it.

The 9th Anniversary of My 21st Birthday!

Well it happened today...I turned 30. My entire family came up from NY and surprised me at Douzo yesterday afternoon. My Dad and Ilise came to visit and Jorge coordinated a family surprise party for me. My Mom and Ed, Jonny and Sam, Kristin and Gram. I've never been surprised before but I was totally shocked (and confused at first!) when I saw them all at the table.

Not only did everyone travel up to Boston from Long Island but they brought me fabulous gifts.





I can't believe that I'm no longer in my 20's. I feel like I was just celebrating my 21st birthday and here I am checking the 30-35 box. How time flies.

In knitting news, I'm almost finished with Ishbel. Just have charts C, D, and E left. Then to the blocking board.

I'm scrapbooking everything we do!

A little something for my crafty ladies to bust a move to!

Back in the game

I actually want to knit. I cast on for Ishbel the other night. I'm using 1 hank of Handmaiden Sea Silk in Marine.

I'm on the first lace section right now. I decided to make a size medium-- the stockinette section in the small size and the lace section in the large size-- since I only have 437 yards to work with here.

I'm using un-waxed dental floss for my life line. I figured that I would place a life line after each lace section. Just in case...

On another note, I was contemplating reviewing make-up and other beauty products here. Would anyone be interested in this? I love to buy and play with makeup and thought that it might be fun to share. I know you're saying, "but isn't this a crafting blog?" I do feel like make-up is an artistic medium and that techniques used to apply it can be very creative. We'll see. I have been test driving several different eye makeup looks as of late. I'd like to start photographing my work. I know that it's tough to take pics of yourself but think I'm gonna give it a shot.

I abandoned my blog...

I have been so busy with work that I just don't have the energy to do anything but mindless shit when I'm home for the last several months.I abandoned my blog, my knitting, my crafting mojo. Sad.

I have been creative though, a little bit.Mostly putting fun fashion-y things together. I've been on the hunt for cool/vintage pieces. And I've even made a bit of jewelry for a change. Where to start, where to start...

I guess that I will start with the my vintage finds. I spent the 4th of July weekend at my sister's in Queens for the second year, while she was away (annual Vegas trip).While in NYC, I really wanted to got to the Lion Brand Studio. This was my second attempt to visit them. I tried to go back in February and they were closed on Saturdays (WTF?). This time I made sure to go on a Friday...they were closed for the holiday (WTF!?-- they're retail!). I guess that I'll never be able to visit them! I digress.

My mom & step-dad came in for dinner and we went into Brooklyn to Williamsburg. After dinner, we wandered a bit and came upon a neat little artsy shop. They all sorts of cool handmade things. I found a necklace that I had to have. It was made with all reclaimed materials. Very unique.

Next few vintage find were made at the Garment District in Cambridge, MA. I wasn't looking for anything in particular but came away with three pairs of shoes and a plaid men's shirt. I got a pair of rockin' light brown mid-calf cowboy boots, a pair of Capezio character shoes and a pair of black ankle booties.

So far, I've only worn the cowboy boots (with a trapeze dress and a shrunken cardi that I knit last year). Unfortunately, those well broken in bastards gave me lovely blisters on the backs of both heels. I think that I just wore the wrong socks. I can really picture those boots with a simple short flowy dress and the plaid shirt unbuttoned and tied in the front, with a slouchy leather bag.

Let's move onto my jewelry obsession. I have been both making and purchasing pieces that I don't know how I've lived without. I'm really into long chain necklaces lately. Like, really long, like 42" long. I made a couple different strands that I wear separately or together depending on my mood.

I think that the obsession started in June when I purchased this awesome rosary bead key necklace. I fell in love with the Tiffany Key necklaces but just couldn't see spending that kind on money on silver. So I was on the lookout for a skeleton key necklace and found a great version at a little jewelry shop called Chemistry on Newbury Street in Boston.

I love the length and the uniqueness of this necklace. Not to mention the 3 skeleton keys. Take that Tiffany's...but I still am obsessed with their Crown key, I'm not gonna lie.

I made these earrings from some components that I found at Bead Works in Cambridge while looking for supplies for some prototypes that needed to put together for an Etsy venture that I've been really thinking about. Like 'em?

Found this beauty at Newbury Comic's...cutie, cute, cute.

The right-hand ring: my answer to all of my friends with rocks on their LEFT hands. Why shouldn't I have sparkly bling on my hand too? Do you have to commit suicide(i.e. get engaged) just to sparkle? I think NOT.

Isn't it a gorgeous replica of an art-deco piece? It's merely sterling silver and cubic zirconia. Eat your heart out: bling with no marital repercussions.

This piece was found on my new favorite jewelry website Eve's Addiction. I also got a Tiffany's knock-off necklace there. I love Elsa Peretti's Diamond's by the Yard for Tiffany's but I do NOT love the price tag. Then there it was on Eve's Addiction, all sparkly and at a fraction of the cost. Plus 15% off...

And that's all she wrote (bought!), for now.

I'm Ba-ack!

I've never taken a month and a half break from my blog since I started in 2006 (not that I can remember anyway). Well, there has been a LOT going on.

The largest of which is that my company that I was with for 8 years basically was going under so it had to be taken over by a larger organization in order to "survive". Sadly, a lot has changed our organizational structure and staffing needs. We lost tons of staff and a few doctors in the transition.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to apply for the practice manager position. The job is much more demanding and I have a lot more responsibility than before. It's been really hard but I'm keeping my head above the water, so far.

So, along with everything going on, I've had a few weekend visits: one with my mom, one with my dad, and one with Jorge's family down in Virginia for his sister's Quincenera. This didn't leave me with tons of time to knit or craft but I have made a few things since last I posted.

When my dad visited he decided that I needed an electric sander. So we went to Home Depot and got this lovely:

I primarily needed it because I was refinishing a piece of furniture and sanding it by hand which sucked. The piece was an old phonograph cabinet from the '30s. We stripped off the brown finish, then stained it black and added a coat of polyurethane for a bit of sheen. It turned out beautiful and now serves as the home for our stereo and turn table.

For Jorge's sister's Quincenera, I made her an aquamarine (her birthstone) necklace.

Not sure if she actually liked it because I didn't see her open it but she's pretty ungrateful in general so I guess it doesn't matter. I liked it.

My bff, Rebecca, is having a baby. She just had her 21 week ultrasound and found out that she's having a boy. Even though I'm pretty anti-baby in general, I still want to be supportive of her. This is something that she's always wanted so I've been making stuff for her to show how much I care.

So far, I've only made a few things. I made a couple of rock'n'roll onesies and a light blue hat for Jr.


This oughta tide her over for a bit. I also want to make a sweater and some booties, but I have time. She's not due until the end of October. But since she'll be in town this week, I'd like to give her what I have for Jr. so far.

And that's it folks! I've also been altering clothes but no pics yet. Hopefully I do not disappear again for any length of time. I really want to continue being crafty as often as possible. Just have to keep my motivation up and hope that I have the time to create.