NerdBliss

As previously discussed, I’m working on improving my wardrobe. One of the first things I did was pull all the items with stains for extended soaking in vinegar and multiple wash cycles. Some of them came perfectly clean, but some were left with a ghost of a stain. Honestly, the stain left on this sweater I bought on clearance for about three dollars when I was working at Target would have been fine to wear as it was. Only very close up in very bright light is the stain viable, but once it dawned on me how closely the color matched somepony I admire.

by KurosakiSoarin

I knew this was destined to be my first real embroidery project. I’d picked up Doodle Stitching: The Motif Collection in a little kit with a six inch hoop, a couple needled and some starter thread at Barnes & Noble right after Christmas and an assortment pack of thread at Walmart, but I had only played at various stitches. While practice may make perfect, I have to have a purpose behind my practice or I simply cannot motivate myself. I don’t mind messing up a “real project” as I learn a new skill and believe me, learning to sew over the last handful of years has been full of mistakes.

Likely because I’m experienced in hand stitching to begin with, I didn’t have much trouble turning a resized imagine of the cutie mark into a thread and fabric representation. The white felt was the base, then after all the embroidery was done I carefully cut out the area where the blue fabric applique would go. I really didn’t want to cut it, but I also didn’t want the blue third to be filled in with stitches. Seemed a little too much. Too uniform. Too much like imitating store bought. It would have been a safer option, but it wasn’t what I envisioned. Sure, I’d spent the better part of a couple days on the project, but if I didn’t try to make it match the idea in my head, the time would be wasted anyway.

As for embroidery itself, I really loved watching the imagine take shape and using thread as a medium to draw on fabric. Add in applique techniques to lend the colors, patterns and textures of fabrics – I freaking love fabric – and the possibilities are endless. I’ve been saving scraps of fabric since I began sewing and now I can put them to use in other projects. Very exciting. I also love how portable the most projects can be. The pleasure of a “project in a bag” is one reason I tried so many times to get into knitting even though I never really improved. A little thread, scissors, hoop and I can do it just about anywhere. Granted a lot of Dash was done on the sofa while watching Capria on Netflix last weekend, but that is besides the point. I’ve got a couple ideas up my sleeve already which will remain undisclosed for the moment, but that I’m super excited to get started on.

2 Comments | In: crafts and creations | tags: embroidery, fashion, My Little Pony, sewing. | #

Chris snapped my Self Portrait Sunday picture for me last night when we got home from an evening out with Alex. We’d hit the local comic book and game shop for them to play Star Trek Heroclix . I don’t care for strategy based games, but I do love tiny starships and the company of geeks, so it all works out. Afterwards, we picked up Alex’s sister, Lucy, and their mom to go out to dinner. A good time was had by all.


I’m not getting all deep with my SPS with a title like “Layers” or at least not tonight. My outfit yesterday brought to mind an article I read on Cracked a while back, The 7 Most Baffling Things About Women’s Clothes. As per usual, the piece is dead on. Thing point I held on to the most is who clothes are deliberately designed in such a way to require layering. Be it see through fabric or cuts which would reveal even the most discreet strapless bra. “Bra showing” isn’t a look I’m willing to condone.


The layering trend is has gotten to the point where it’s unavoidable. It’s even worse for girls with boobs. The dress I wore would be fine without anything under it on a someone with a smaller chest. I even wore it once like that not realizing how badly it would shift over the evening. Earlier in the week, I found the perfect printed tank-top on clearance and thought, at least if they’ve got me trapping into buying a second piece of clothing to wear with my dress, I spent less than $3 on it. I think I got the dress for $6, so overall a great deal. It’s cold enough out that tights are a must. The sweater is many years old and from Torrid. I was pleased with the look and might try more tanks and camis in the future. Darn fashion industry.

No Comments | In: egocentric | tags: Alex, dressing, fashion, self portrait Sunday. | #

First, I freaking love dresses. It’s no more effort to wear something people assume is fancy. My collection is growing and I have no intention of stopping. Clearance racks are my friends.

I got this sweater dress before Christmas at Ross. The ruffle at the neck line makes me happy. The color is unusual and flattering. It’s warm and comfortable. Sleeves and a modest length made it an obvious choice for today since we’ve getting winter temperatures for the first time in a long time. I picked up the belt and new tights a few days ago. While you can’t see them in the small version of the picture but if you click to enlarge you can see the tights have polka dots. I love polka dots. I didn’t used to like belts for decorative purposes, but I now own three, plus the one I wear with khakis for practical purposes. With something solid like this dress, it feels like I need something to break up the solid block of color, but I am ever vigilant not to break too many visual lines thus making myself appear shorter.

Before I spend to much more time rambling about my all important fashion life, let me tell you about my day.
Finding I had a rare Sunday free and clear from work-type obligations, I’d made plans with Chris‘ parents since I hadn’t seen them in a while. I tagged along to the evening service and Valentine social at their church. Pro tip: Southern Baptists know how to throw a pot luck. “Not a full dinner” was an abundant feast. I think there were four kinds of meatballs and lots of other goodies. My lovely practically-mother-in-law, Sandi, organized a version of The Newlywed Game which she renamed Trulyweds since they didn’t have anyone newly married to pick on. Maybe I’m biased, but the questions she wrote were clever and creative, not to mention in the style of the old game show. It was a hit and all the participants had fun. I had fun and got my parental unit time in, always important, and a reasonable excuse for not having the mock up for my dress done for today’s self portrait as intended. There’s always tomorrow.

2 Comments | In: photography | tags: fashion, meme, self portrait Sunday. | #

I figure when a good portion of my Christmas day was spent watching BBC America’s Doctor Who marathon, I’m entitled to count the next day as Boxing Day.

It’s unfortunate we Americans do not formally celebrate Boxing Day. In fact, all major holidays should come with a recovery day. I’d be all for the Fifth of July and All Saint’s Day being official pajama and rest days.

I had a wonderful Christmas. Couldn’t have been more perfect. Spending the day with Chris and his family on our first Christmas together was topped off with a lovely layer of snow. It’s been decades since South Carolina had a white Christmas. Even the snow was perfect – a few inches of pretty without making the roads dangerous. The picture below was the view from my balcony this morning.

The self portrait was also taken on my balcony. I’d have worn a coat, but I wanted to show off my awesome t-shirt and pretty new necklace.  My beloved has wonderful taste on both counts. I didn’t do well with the shirt, I know, but you can check it out on ThinkGeek. I’m mildly obsessed with Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I’m also enough of a geek-snob to love an obscure reference. Was super excited to get a comment on the shirt while out to lunch this afternoon. Even better, I found blue tights to compliment my first geek t-shirt. Someday, no doubt, I’ll have an impressive collection of tees a vast majority of people won’t understand. With any luck, I’ll find tights to go with all of them. Skirts, tights and tees referencing science fiction  – we’ll call the look “geek-girly-girl” and go with it.

2 Comments | In: photography | tags: fashion, holidays, self portrait Sunday. | #

The automatic timer on my camera is doubling as a full length mirror. Of all the things I don’t have yet, like any living room furniture, I would say I’m least worried about a mirror.  The camera does the job and leaves me with an image of what I looked like at the before I head out and smudge my lipstick. Not a bad thing. I tend towards being camera shy, so it does me good to put myself in front of the camera. I intend to participate in Cass‘ Sunday Self Portrait, if not weekly, often as I did on the old blog.

I took this picture Saturday afternoon in my empty living room before heading out for a Christmas party at a friend’s house. It was a great time. Any evening which includes Chris, good friends, yummy food, and a screening of Wrath of Khan is automatically one of the best parties I’ve ever attended. Our gracious host Doug has an enviable number of Star Trek model starships. Fortunately for everyone, he doesn’t have batteries in them or I’d still be gleefully pressing buttons.

I’m digging the red tights, my newest acquisition. The only thing missing is some festive Christmas jewelry. Back in junior high and high school, I used to deck myself out in holiday accessories. Antlers, candy cane striped tights, gaudy holiday themed earrings and necklaces. I’d even made myself anklets with bells on them. If there is one thing I love as much as I love Christmas lights – and I freaking adore lights – it’s bells. Next year, I’ll have to return to the personal tradition that once had my high school counselor call me “festively annoying.” A proud moment. Where there a reasonable excuse, I’d wear bells all year long.

4 Comments | In: photography | tags: fashion, holidays, self portrait Sunday. | #