Eh-hem...

It's been a while...

I must say this summer, I have been having way too much fun. So that's my excuse, reason, explanation or whatever one may call it, for being missing in action. I have been going to the beach and swimming in the Pacific, it's warm because El Nino is acting up.

I have done a little bit of sewing and cooking. Sadly though, there has not been very much baking or knitting. Unfortunately our oven isn't working right and it has just been too darn hot to knit!

Here are some pictures of what I have been up to! Any questions about my sewn projects, please see my profile on BurdaStyle's website, my member name is sweetpadee. :)

This is the braided tank I made out of a brown jersey I had laying around. It has a fabric belt but the top is made from a tutorial found on BurdaStyle.

Another tutorial that I found online for a knit fabric scarf/necklace.

Coasters I made with muslin and an iron-on transfer printed from the computer.

French Onion Soup from "Martha Stewart's Cooking School." Delish!

White peach tart made from peaches from our backyard.

Chicken Parmesan with tomato.

And the follow up on my yellow post.

My Summer of Yellow-y Goodness

Two posts in one day? What is the world coming to?

Well, I had to post about my obsession with yellow. It's not quite my favorite color, but it is definitely my favorite color to wear.

I have been buying certain articles of clothing that are of a yellow-y nature for about two years now, and I can't quite get over the color yet!

So imagine my excitement when this dress showed up on the May 2009 cover of Lucky Magazine!

Super cute, but a bit out of my budget considering my current work schedule... :/

To my good fortune, my BFF Tessa directed me to an awesome website called Lulu's that had a very similar dress. Even better yet, she had a coupon code, so I got the super cute dress for super cheap! I was super impressed that the dress was well lined also, something that you don't find in cheaper quality, RTW clothing nowadays. Thanks Tess!

And now I have a pretty extensive collection of yellow clothing items including a dress, shoes, sweaters, a button up shirt, tanks and even a hair bow from my friend Lisa.

And so I will be trying out this dress for the first time on Saturday for a friend's birthday in Pasadena, with my black leather jacket and black patent wedges. Hopefully this outfit turns out to be a hit!

And a yellow flower that I received to put in my hair while in Hawaii! It smelled so yummy!

I'm Back!

Okay well I've been back. For a while, from Hawaii anyway. Not so much to blogging...

But I've been looking at the craft sites again such as CraftZine, WhipUp, Ravelry, BurdaStyle, and I'm finding a lot of cool stuff!

I will have a little more time to do stuff this summer since I am only working a measly ten hours a week and only taking one summer school class. And because of this, I think I have found my next project! I found it via WhipUp on the blog this old dress. What a wonderful blog! There are a few tutorials and many wonderful fashion/trend pics, which definitely make me drool.

I plan to make the knit fabric necklace from the tutorial that she provided since I have a ton of knit fabric laying around.

So that's my one plan for the summer of craftiness... Ha ha. Let's see if I follow through.

And by the way, my trip to Hawaii was pretty awesome! I learned tons about Hawaiian culture and love it! I am considering moving there for grad school, but that is probably far-fetched. I can dream, right?

As a traveler I don't really go to party or relax or just say I've been to another place. I am always really interested in educating myself about the history and culture of the place that I visit. And I am super thrilled about the Hawaiian culture and attitude. Hawaii may still be a part of the United States, but I found it much different than living in LA, or even visiting other parts of the U.S, much of the native culture is still somewhat preserved and intact and I find it amazing! I cannot wait to go back and learn more!

Here are some pics from Hawaii for good measure!

This is me on Waikiki Beach with Diamondhead Crater in the background.

The sunset from my room!

Pearl Harbor: The USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri.

The view from Nu'uanu Pali where a battle took place in the late eighteenth century to unite the Hawaiian Islands.

My favorite part of the trip, the Memorial Day Lantern Floating.

Hmmm...

Here I am, neglecting this poor little blog of mine. But it is kind of just there... I don't HAVE to write a blog and I don't HAVE to maintain it.

Sorry blog! I'll try to pay more attention to you in the future.

As for me, I'm going to two schools, working and volunteering at a local hospital. Not to mention trying to keep up with my family and friends, it's all a total workout. I think I have mentioned this previously. But I do have to make this brief...

I have been trying to be crafty... Working on that Asherton Scarf, knitting baby beanies, making food. Sadly though, no sewing or baking.

I was able to go to a live art show last weekend, where they had models dress and pose as in the paintings. My friend Lisa was a sponsor and provided the flower hair pieces. This is her and me at the show and yes, I am wearing one of her flowers! She's also starting to dabble in jewelry and is wearing one of her own. I will be getting an Edgar Allen Poe necklace soon!

Good thing is I am going to Hawai'i next Tuesday! I'll be back and very tan on May 27th. I cannot wait to have my vacay! Will post pics... One day. Ha ha!

I'm Knitting Again!

Yep, it's true! I have started knitting again! I decided to pull out the scarf I started for my dad and I knit a few rows each day and I must say it is coming along quite well.


Sorry the picture isn't that great, I used the camera on my CrackBerry. I made a point to pull out this unfinished business because I have been very stressed out at work and on top of that I am going to start attending two different schools at the end of the month. I will definitely be needing a way to channel my stress and I find knitting so relaxing anyways. I hope I don't get too overwhelmed, it's a good thing I'm going to Hawaii at the end of May! :)

Just a Few Things

So I've been cooking, just a little. Unfortunately I have had no time for crafting. I'm trying to get motivated to knit something, but most of my free time is spent studying for my classes. I am going to school full time and working full time so there isn't much left after that.

As far as the baking and cooking goes, I've been keeping on top of that. I learned how to make Arepas from my aunt who is from Venezuela. These are really a no-brainer to make and are a good source of grains.


And there they are! These are great to make ahead of time, then you can just throw them in the freezer to save for the rest of the week. And the best part is you can stuff them with beans, rice, cheese and veggies.

I have also found some cool websites lately. My favorite right now is Wordle. I made one from my blog and must admit that it's kind of fun!

Alexander McQueen for Target

Yep! They finally did it at my favorite mega-retailer! They got a BIG time designer. Not that they haven't before with Isaac Mizrahi, Mossimo, Luella, etc, etc. But Alexander McQueen??? That's amazing. I love the advertising/modeling with the Blythe dolls as well. So cute! I may buy some leggings but the clothes aren't actually looking too flattering for me. Nonetheless, I'm still super excited! Go Target!

Still Liking the Shiny/Leather Leggings!

I was perusing the Craftzine Blog and came upon this wonderful tutorial for latex leggings. These leggings are reminiscent of the tight pants that Olivia Newton John wore at the end of Grease, but since they are stretch latex we have the luxury of stepping into them rather than having them sewn on to our bodies. The leggings look pretty awesome and I would love to make them myself, but I'm pretty sure that I am allergic to latex since my skin gets super red and irritated using the gloves in my classes.

This blog, Making Latex Clothing is really interesting and informative. I am definitely going to be following it to gain some extra knowledge.

I have been wearing the leggings that I bought last fall, but only very occasionally. I need to find, or make some tunics that go with them since I only have a few. I did get a chance to wear the leggings last Friday with my awesome leather jacket (that I also never wear) and my new red patent platforms and a grey tunic that I have. It ended up being super cute and I can't wait to wear the leggings again! I don't have a picture of the outfit which is a bummer.



And just because...

I finally had my hair cut and re-dyed last week. I hadn't done it since September, yikes! But it's looking pretty awesome too!


Side bangs, layers and a flower that my friend made me for my birthday. I'm pretty excited!

Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair

I found an awesome tutorial by way of WhipUp. It's a picture tute and there is a written one on the author's blog, Still Dottie. It is a flower hair decoration/accessory or whatever you want to call it. I thought that this was pretty cute and awesome and knew that I had all the materials needed.

Materials used:

Scraps of silk dupioni from last year's Halloween Costume
Pearls previously bought for some unknown reason
Hair clip from a hair flower that was no longer useable
Felt
Cut up used gift card
Hot glue
Thread

Oh Plans, So Many of Them

I know, I've been MIA.

But that's because I've been focusing on the really important things in life. Like trying to get my career going. The truth is that I don't have one yet, which I know is okay. But I sure do feel like I'm getting a slow start.

I finally figured out, this year, what I want to do. I had quit going to school for my Bachelor's Degree in political science about 2 years ago. I just didn't have it in me anymore. Thankfully, I never actually quit school. I enrolled at a local community college and took some fashion classes and decided that I really wanted to do nursing. Well I took an intro course on gerontology because I was thinking of doing geriatrics and I wanted to learn how to understand the older generations a bit better. This class really stuck with me and I have decided to get my Master's Degree in gerontology. Good news is that I have finally decided to finish my political science degree so I can get my Master's, and the public policy and statistics knowledge that I have gained from it has actually helped with the gerontology courses anyways.

I am taking two gerontology classes right now, will be taking four more next semester and will be starting back at the university in April. I should have my Gerontology Certificate and my Bachelor's by the end of 2009. And then it's time to apply to grad school and nursing school! I am super excited and cannot wait to help make a difference in other people's lives, as well as my own!

So I guess this means I will not have as many things to show for here. But we shall see... In the meanwhile, I did make a super yummy shrimp cocktail the other night! So at least I'm still dabbling in the cooking arena.

This Year's Halloween Costume

So I decided on Monday what I wanted to be for Halloween. A Beatles Fan! I had the perfect vintage dress from the 60's, glasses, looked up some videos and tutes on styling a beehive hairstyle, and made a sign.



Well... Turns out that I decided to nix the glasses, because I put them on and was immediately reminded of a certain female vice presidential candidate... And I did NOT want that.


Ha ha oh well! But my costume was a success, everyone knew exactly what I was. I was kind of scared people (especially the younger ones) would not get it, but they did! I guess that it may have helped that I did go to West Hollywood. I agree with it being described as the world's biggest Halloween party. It was amazing and everyone was so nice and happy! I cannot wait to go next year! Already planning the next costume!

So I Had To...

I bought the shiney, leathery leggings. I had been eying them for quite some time and Sara over at Script&Serif finally convinced me! I think they are absolutely great and to be honest with you, fit it quite well with the LA fashion scene. I now need to find some more tops/tunics/dresses to go with them. Maybe I'll even be able to make some!

Purse

I am taking a Beginning Sewing Class at school. I must say, it is quite easy. Only three projects in one semester! I was the second person to finish the first project... A purse. It's made from a shiny denim and the pink optical cotton print that I bought from Reprodepot a while ago.

Inside

I have decided to give it to my very good friend Christen. I think she'll like it. Besides, she needs a bit of color in her ALL black wardrobe! I hope it comes in handy for her, she just got hired as a Physician's Assistant!

Knits and Bakes.

So I finished a knit something! After almost 2 years, I have finally finished Wendy from Knit and Tonic's Dream Swatch Head Scarf thingy. I knit it with Plymouth Yarn Royal Bamboo in silver. The yarn is so smooth and shiny and looks great in my hair! Tee hee...

I did some baking also. Pretzels and Lemon Sheet Cake.

No Staycations for Me!

Okay, so I haven't been doing any sewing at all... I know, for shame! I have done a little bit of knitting here and there and mostly baking. But really not a lot of this has been done in itself because I went on a road trip!

Me and my honey definitely did not want to take a "staycation" this year. I think they could get a bit boring, I mean really, I take a staycation every weekend, don't I? Yeah gas is high, especially in California, but who does not deserve a little rest and relaxation with nature? We decided to take a weeklong camping trip up the California coast. Boy, was it amazing! I don't think I have seen so many different animals on a vacation in my life! And mind you, my parents took us on two to three week long camping trips every year when my brother and I were littleuns. Of course back then we had a trailer. This time around we took the trusty ol' tent, and my car...

We drove up Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) most of the way. This has got to be one of the most gorgeous highways ever! There were so many places to stop off and look at the rolling hills, beautiful mountains, craggy cliffs and expansive ocean.

I planned the vacation only a week ahead of time. Hee hee... I know, it was so scary planning on such short notice! We started out driving in Santa Monica and drove all the way up to Santa Barbara to this small campground called Gaviota the first day.

Gaviota State Beach: Campsite, Sideways stone, Sunset, More Sideways Stone, Pelican.

The following day we went to Solvang, a nice little Dutch town with lots of touristy places and activities and then we drove up to San Simeon. San Simeon is home to the lovely Hearst Castle. We went there because I knew my honey would love it. He was not as fortunate as me as a child and he did not get to go traveling like me, so I try to show him things that I have already seen and that I know he would love. Even I learned all kinds of new things! The last time I took this trip I was 11 years old! We found out that W.R. Hearst even owned zebras at his castle and we saw the descendents of those zebras grazing by our campground! It was so strange, yet exciting to see African animals in California...

Solvang & San Simeon State Park: Windmill, meatball sandwich with mashed potatoes and pickled cabbage, the Red Viking Restaurant in Solvang, random sea creatures at San Simeon.

Hearst Castle & San Simeon: The Neptune Pool, Castle gardens, the creepy indoor pool, The Castle from afar, zebras, elephant seals.

We next drove up to Big Sur; which was recently devastated by massive fires. Thankfully the fires did not destroy the town, and I cannot help but think that nature was doing its job as it so often does. I forgot that there are so many cliffs here and winding roads! The pine trees next to the ocean baffled me! We ate at a nice little lodge called the Fernwood Resort. They had great homemade food and bloody mary's.

Pacific Coast Highway & Big Sur: A viewpoint, the burnt mountain from our campsite, more viewpoints.

Then we went off to the Redwoods via Monterey. We took the 17 Mile Drive in Carmel and then we stopped at Cannery Row (made famous by one of my favorite authors) and visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Let's just say that I think everyone should go here to learn about conservation, animals, the ocean and sharing among so many other things. What a wonderfully educational and fun place this aquarium is.

The 17 Mile Drive: Spanish Bay, Bird Rock, Bird Rock rock, Ghost Tree, a Cypress.

Monterey Bay: Canadian Geese, Jellies x 3, Penguins, Cannery Row.

The Redwoods were nice, we drove up this tiny, twisty road just to stay at our campground, Big Basin Redwoods State Park, which was outside of Santa Cruz. It was so beautiful and foresty, but some rascals, or more specifically, raccoons somehow got into our ice chest at night and snatched our bread! But I guess that's my fault for being too lazy to put the bread back in the car...

San Jose & San Fran: Winchester Mystery House and Alcatraz from Fisherman's Wharf.

The next day we got up and went to see the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose and then drove up to San Francisco and had dinner at Neptune's Palace on Pier 39 on the Wharf. I had not been to San Francisco since I was about 9 years old, and I must say that I loved Fisherman's Wharf! I only wish we had more the 5 hours to spend there. We did have to get going to out last destination, Fremont Peak State Park, before our long 6 hour drive home!

San Francisco & San Jose: Coit Tower, Player Piano, Sea Lions, view from Fremont Peak, Apple Farm in San Jose.

All in all we had a wonderful trip. It was very relaxing not to think about work, even if it was for a brief week. If anyone wants a new trip to take I recommend taking one up the California Coast, even if you have kids, I did this one with my parents when I was about 6 years old!