The Plaid Shirt Saga

It never ends. I just keep thinking of things to do to this shirt. Remember the plaid shirt?

It's going to be like that children's book where the blue cloth just keeps getting picked apart and whittled down until mice are using pieces of it to make THEIR clothes.


Next thing you know...this shirt will be a head-band.


Anyway, what I've realized is that the shirt is too boxy. It's not fitted in the back, which makes it poof out. So I've decided to add back darts. 

I'm pretty good at darts...I just hope I'm good at them once a garment is already made!

Here are the first pinnings. 

The seam at the top is the yoke...yolk...? and luckily the width of the back of the shirt from boob dart/side seam to the other is 18 inches. Nice! So 9 inches from each seam is the centre, and I measured 2 2/8" on either side of that centre mark to get the pinning locations you see here. 

Now I just have to figure out the next step! 

And I apologize for saying "boob dart". 


I just don't know the real term...

If you know it please tell me so I stop saying terrible things like that.

How Do You Woo?

 

Yea, I really did use the word woo.
My blog belongs in the 16th century.
But sadly...no blogs back then.

If there had been, Shakespeare would have been ALL OVER it.


...


I wonder how many followers he'd have?


So, I was on the phone the other day with my best pal Penny. I was telling her about ...a person. I said "hmm, I should bake him something". She told me I must have a crush on him. I said "why!?" She said "because whenever you have a crush on someone, you bake". 


Which of course, does not necessarily mean the opposite. I DO bake just because.

MAY I REMIND PENNY: that I baked for her many times! Because I like her. She's lovely. 



So that's one interesting thing I learned this week. I have a tell. I have a go-to woo-ing procedure. 


But I swear ladies, the way to a man's heart TRULY IS through his stomach. They stand no chance against fresh-baked deliciosity. 

I would insert a "MWAHAHAHA!" here, but I don't think that would be prudent.


(not at this junc-ture) - if you know what comedian said that, I love you.

What is your go-to woo? 
Would you have read Shakespeare's blog?
How do you get milk from soybeans anyway?

A List of Awesome #2

 I find this funny.

I also find it funny (sad) that it was over two weeks ago when I said I'd do this list every week. See how quickly I lie to myself?

The last two weeks have been eventful, and stressful. And since I need to think positive right now, I'll point out the most awesome things that happened in the past 2 weeks.

And please don't judge me for not being as present in the blogosphere. I promise it'll be over soon.

1. It'll be over soon. I present the results of my MSc project on Tuesday. In 2 days. I smile whenever I imagine the incredible bliss I'll feel on Tuesday at 10:30am (it'll be over at exactly then).

2. My dad's 60th birthday party. I was flown home as a surprise and it was so great. I miss home and it was great to spend time just me, my parents and my brother for a couple days before my brother left for Portugal (that guy never sits still).

3. I got into choir! ...and just to make me feel more guilty for not posting an awesome list in 2 weeks...I've been to two rehearsals already! I love it. Super fun. The Director is constant hilarity. 

4. I baked THE lemon cake (see last post). I ate some today. Glorious.

5. Ecojot notebooks. A pack of 3 adorable little notebooks for $6.75 at the organic co-op. I'm in love. 

HOW CUTE ARE THESE!?

Very. The answer is very.

6. I ate the most amazing meal of my life on Friday. I mean...this would be my last meal on death row. That's how good it was. I want to go to that restaurant EVERY DAY.

Just to give you a hint...dessert was tiramusu-flavoured italian ice cream. *drool*

7. The dresses I ordered from JCPenney are spectacular. Pictures will be posted when I get my lazy ass around to it.

8. The smell of fall. Seriously. It's intoxicating.

9. Finding my other pearl earring. WHEW! It's been missing for months. You know where it was? 

My jewelry box. 

I can't make this stuff up folks.

10. Maybelline Define-a-Lash mascara. I'm not really a make-up girl, but wow. 

Green tube. Go get some. Note: this is not a new revelation. I've had this mascara forever, but it wows me everytime. Thought I'd pass on the joy. :)

Th-th-th-that's all folks! 

I'll let you know how my presentation goes...

eep! :S

The. Best. Cake.

I owe a lot to The Gluten Gal. Her recipe for Lemon Zinger Cake not only gets me through last-minute dinner parties/pot-lucks/birthdays/rainy days, but is THE best way to show people that gluten-free isn't flavour-free. 

It is the best cake, aside from my aunt's Kahlua cake, that I've ever eaten. Ever. EVER.

The recipe is at the link above. I usually just make one loaf so I cut the recipe in half. It's like a lemony, sweet pound cake, and if you're not careful...you'll eat the whole thing. 

I ate half of one once at a dinner party because everyone was too full for much dessert and I couldn't stop picking at it. I really should have moved it away from me. 

If you make this cake, DO NOT SKIMP ON THE GLAZE. It's essential. It'll make you swoon.

Please note: you may have an annoyingly efficient pan which transfers heat like a maniac, in which case you should heed the advice of the pan-making company and turn down the heat accordingly.

The photo above is the result of turning down the heat. 45 mins at 300F did the trick.

Nova Scotia in September. Swoon!

This past weekend I was in Nova Scotia, celebrating my dear old dad's 60th birthday. He was quite surprised that mom managed to fly me home (concealing the flight info) and plan a huge party for him right under his nose. hehe! 

Trying to set up the party was both nerve-wracking and hilarious, as we tried to make sure dad stayed down on the shore burning brush, and didn't wander up for food or a pee break. 


Luckily he was too distracted by fire to remember to do either of those things.


But never mind all the talk, you want pictures. And pictures you will get!

First of all, this is what I saw out of the window of the airplane when I was landing in NS. Sunset. Between two distinct layers of clouds. It was magical.

 

A party in NS requires at least 100 cans/bottles of Alexander Keith's.

(This is 120 cans. Plus a box of wine.)

 

I spent half an hour sneaking up on monarchs. One finally gave up and let me get close.

Getting ready for the party. Mom brought pictures of dad's racing days. #63! 

LOOK AT HIS FOOT! Goodness gracious. Lucky he still has it.

 

BRRR! The day after his party was miiighty chilly!

 

A view of the cottage from the water.

Papa loves his outdoor chores now that they include using saws and burning things.

And he gets to wear his most torn up pair of jeans. 

He's not allowed to wear them anywhere else.

 

Contemplating the last 60 years? Probably not. 

Likely thinking about what to cut down and/or burn next...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA!!!

xoxo

 

Sans interwebz

Hello beautiful readers,

I am currently without access to the internet within my apartment. Hopefully it will be resolved soon. I will attempt to post to ye olde blog from campus but even here the wifi is spotty. Doing my darndest!

Also, I'm writing this from my itouch since my computer stopped responding to the campus wifi. I hope the font is right.

Inconsistent font styles drive me bonkers.

So if it is wrong I'll just have to delete this post later anyway.

Nova Scotia/surprise bday pics should be up tomorrow! :)

PS Season premieres left and right this week. House MD and Glee made me giddy.

That is all.

It's All Over but the Cryin'

But really, we're not expecting any crying.

I just felt that my father's 60th birthday required a Hank Williams (Jr.) quote.

His surprise party has been MONTHS in the making, with each week of keeping it from him wearing on my mother's nerves until they were so frayed last week that she was on the brink of spilling the beans just so she could relax. My pep talks consisted of me telling her to be strong and that he won't hate her for lying to/deceiving him (he literally couldn't survive in the wild without her anyway...and without her...any place he'd be would be wild indeed).


The first surprise (me flying home) was revealed last night when he came to the cottage with my brother to spend the weekend before my brother flies to Portugal, where he'll stay until the end of time. Or the end of his liver. Whichever comes first.


The second surprise (the party today) was almost completely ruined last night when I stupidly made a comment to my brother that dad heard and questioned. I covered reasonably well, but we were convinced he knew. However, today, he went down to the shore to burn some wood and stayed there ALL MORNING while mom and I got the house ready. Good thing he didn't get hungry and come home. Anyway, the people showed up, he got curious and came back. He was blown away, especially as more and more people came. It was a good time, lots of babies, lots of food, and I got to wear my new purple dress (pictures later this week). Dad was impressed and genuinely surprised (and didn't even recall my comment the night before...PHEW!) 


All in all, I learned one thing about surprise parties.


I will never willingly be involved in the planning or concealment of another. 

My nerves cain't take it!

What Does $350 of Culinary Tools Look Like?

It looks like this:

 A little messy huh? Don't worry, I'm no tease.

 Let's get up close and personal now.

Just in case your eyes are failing you, here is what you're looking at: 1 grater, 1 silicone spatula, 1 whisk, 1 "flipper" (maybe that's our next lesson...), 1 slotted spoon, 1 silicone brush, 1 peeler, 1 cup, 4 spoons, 1 butter knife, 1 fork, 1 SERIOUS knife (with case), 1 paring knife, 1 thermometer, 1 set of silicone muffin cups, 1 knife-sharpener, 1 timer, 1 set of measuring spoons, 1 set dry measuring cups, 2 liquid measuring cups and a massive toolbox to keep all of it in. :)

Also included: chef's coat and hairnet.

This is the best class EVER, albeit the most expensive.

You Against You

I probably looked pretty pathetic last night, taking off in the annual 5K intramural race here on campus. The route takes us on a cross-country trail through our Arboretum (fancy word for woods. or tree sanctuary...). Everyone else in the group took off like a shot, whereas I hung back, jogging slowly. It was rough at first. I felt like my feet were made of lead. Honestly, I was a bit embarrassed at being so far behind. But I also know myself. When I start fast, I don't finish. I die in the middle and crawl to the end. Last year the cold air shocked my lungs, I started too fast and lost control of my adrenaline. I ended up walking the last quarter of the race, wheezing and wincing. 

So this year I knew. I trained all summer for a 10K race. I was strong, I knew how to control myself. So when I started slow, I was ok with that. I was alone for the entire race, so far behind everyone. 

Then the cold air hit me. The temperature drop has been sudden and drastic lately and I haven't been running in the cold yet. My lungs ached, and burned. They cursed at me, tried to make me stop. But I knew if I stopped, I couldn't start again. So I ignored it. I winced. I grimaced. I may have whimpered (you have no proof!)

But I made it. I even attempted to sprint at the finish. And you know...yeah it was painful, yeah it sucked, yeah I felt heavy and slow....BUT... I beat my time from last year by 4 whole minutes, finishing in 25 minutes, 36 seconds!!!

At the end, I didn't care that I was last. I didn't care how bad it hurt. I just couldn't stop smiling because to me, it was a victory. 

I was racing against myself, and I won.

These Boots are My Life

I may have just a teeny obsession with these boots. 

There is a picture of me and my brother wrestling on the couch when I was about 2 yrs old, and I have white rainboots on. For no reason. 

I feel like that today. Laying on my bed (avoiding working on my Master's presentation), in my pajamas and leather boots.

Not. kidding.

If it was legal, or at all sane, I would marry them.

I Suited Up!

I realize that it was unfair of me to post a picture of the suit I did NOT purchase yesterday. But truthfully, the lighting at the store where I bought my suit was not ideal for pictures, so I decided to have a photo session in front of my amazing blank white wall today, to fully showcase "the suit".

Here we go.

 

Will this store ever disappoint me? I'm starting to think not.

 Slim-fit pants, 3-button jacket. 

I apologize that you can see the chair. Someday I'll try to photoshop it out.

I was making silly faces so I banished my head from the pictures.

The charcoal pencil skirt as my 3rd piece to the suit, and shoes I already had that go with the whole shebang!

It's really odd that I used to despise the shape of my legs. They don't look half bad.

Huh.

 The shoes + the pants. A winning combo if I do say so myself.

Now...if only Neil Patrick Harris would show up at my door and tell me to "SUIT UP!" 

I'd soooo be ready.

Does this mean I'm a grown up now? Heavy...

While many people spent the day remembering the past, I spent my day looking to the future. Though admittedly, at 9am, 9 years to the hour actually, I reflected on where I was on Sept. 11th, 2001. How I felt, what it meant, and how much has happened in 9 years. Has it really been NINE YEARS? I was a freshman in high school, and it was the first day of school (late start because of a school flood). I was in french immersion, so I'd spent the past two years, and the four following years, with the same group of kids. We sat in awe, wondering why, how, who, what for, what now? It was a weird day. We couldn't comprehend it, but I spent the entire week watching news coverage, like a detective, trying to figure it ALL OUT. Then I gave up and finally tackled the 3D New York City puzzle I'd been given but had been too intimidated by. It took 2 full days, from morning to night, with periodic crying and reflection. A lot has happened since then. And a lot will keep happening. 


Which brings me to today. Today was the day I met with my stylist. Armed with water, a snack, my gift certificates and a list, we tackled the mall. Nancy was extremely nice, knowledgable and fun to shop with. AND she has the coolest job (dressing models for fashion shows!) 

So after introductions, we scooted off to Danier to find me a leather jacket. And we did. It wasn't difficult! :) 

 Swoon! I'm in love. It's perfect!

Next, I wanted to find THE perfect brown leather boots. I have mentioned my 3-year hunt for these boots have I not? If not...it's been a long and torturous search my friends. But these boots from Brown's? They checked ALL the boxes. I'm in lurv. Also, the men at Brown's (below) were so lovely and helpful and hilarious. I will definitely be back!

Every store we went into, Nancy would tell them I was the grand prize winner of the mall contest. I got soo many handshakes! I felt like a (very un-famous) celeb. I couldn't stop smiling!

After the very successful boot purchase, we headed off to find a suit. We first found one at Cassis (below), buuut it was very pricey AND it would have cost over $100 extra dollars for hemming/cuff shortening/button-hole adding/dry-cleaning. Not cool. So we went to RW (eee!) and though doubtful about polyester, we found an absolutely amazing suit at a great price that did NOT look the part of polyester. Again, lurv. 

 First suit attempt at Cassis. We decided slim-fit pants were more youthful/modern than wide-leg pants...which were drowning my short self!

So I spent my day investing in my future and feeling very pampered. Do you know the best part of suit-shopping? The way the sales-people take off/put on your jackets for you. You just stand with your arms out and they dress you. It feels classy. Everyone should try it!

I have $350 left in gift certificates. I'm thinking wool coat? We picked out an amazing black one, but I'm gonna sleep on it! 

Whaddya think? Did I do alright? :)

Worrying is Useless

I'm a worrywart. Have I told you this? You could probably figure it out, even if I haven't. 

I've worried for two weeks about this adult choir audition. TWO weeks of my life have been spent in a (pretty low, but existant) state of worry. That's just not right. And you know why? Here's the run-down of my audition.

Introductions, hi's, how are ya's. Told him I had a hard time picking a song, so I brought one I can sing along with a guitar. "Oh you play guitar?" "In a moderately-okay-I suppose kinda way". "Anything else?" "Trumpet" "Me too!" "No way!" That was pretty neat. Very rare to meet other trumpeters.

He said not to worry about the song. We'll start with scales on the piano. Which weren't hard and I followed along. "Great ear!" he said, "Uuuh thanks!" I replied. I'm so witty and clever in person. More scales, but looooower. He said "You're in!", "Hurrah!" I said. I actually did say "Hurrah!". I say "Hurrah!" A LOT. It's a problem.

I'M IN THE CHOIR! (and I didn't have to sing my song!) - See? Worrying is never worth it.

The song was, for the record, "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train. If ya haven't heard it, do it! :) 


This is exciting. For one, because I haven't been in choir since high school, and I miss it so. For two, it rehearses on this campus, a 5-min walk from where my butt is planted RIGHT NOW! And for three, I get to cross off another one of my 25 before I'm 25 goals! Huzzah!


Spend your time anticipating, not worrying. It's much more rewarding.

A List of Awesome #1

Were you aware, dear readers, that there is such a book as "The Book of Awesome"? I kid you not. I would never joke about a thing like that.


In said book, are random little things we encounter in life that are...well...awesome. Such as...getting all green lights when you're late for school/a meeting/work/etc. (That may or may not be in the book, I just thought of it as an example right this VERY minute).


So...I will attempt each week (and because I don't stick to my own rules...this will slowly devolve into me posting whenever the heck I feel like it) to post a list of things I've encountered that day or week, that are...well...awesome. Get it? Of course you did, you're a bunch of smarties.


So voila, today's list of things that are making me love life:


1. This warm carrot walnut muffin with butter on it (and by butter I really mean Becel)


2. My final and unwavering decision to finally ditch the Becel and buy REAL BUTTER from here on out. You know why? I'm tired of saying I put butter in a recipe, or saying I used butter for anything, when I know in my heart I really used margarine. It makes me wish I'd really used butter! Besides, it's more natural than whatever's in margarine and GAL-DANGIT IT TASTES BETTER! So that's that.


3. Gentle rain outside my window.


4. Finishing my final experiment for my Master's project (still lots to do, but the big part's done)


5. Leftover baked potato and sausage for lunch, which were promptly thrown in a pan and fried until the anticipation/tummy rumbling was too great. Ketchup was involved. I can't help it.


6. Accidently running 8K when I'd only planned to run 6K...(not awesome DURING, but awesome after!)


7. That feeling like your life is missing something, and then you chug a half-litre of water and the world is once again balanced. Dehydration is no joke, kids. It can totally mess with your Zen-ness.


8. Putting in a long day at work (a. because then I don't feel guilty about doing nothing for the rest of the evening, and b. because I'm paid by the hour! :P)



9. Wearing earrings again after a summer of neglecting to do so.

The End.

What?...I never said this would be a list of 10 awesome things. Don't get that notion in your head! I also just want to make your eye twitch by ending a list at 9. Teehee!


WARNING! If you want to end this on a happy note, close your screen now! If you want to feel enlightened, up-to-date with news, and/or read about the stupidity of other humans...read on. But don't say I didn't warn you if it bums you out!




One un-awesome thing for the day.


Some pastor named Terry Jones down in Florida is planning on getting his whole church to burn copies of the Qu'ran on Sept. 11th, which is, among many things, disrespectful to the ultimate extreme (and might I add...not very Christian of him!?!??). I am not religious in any sort of way, but it is my position that everyone has a right to their own belief system and before you decide to burn a book, you should have to read the whole thing. But really...I would never, ever, ever condone the burning of any book, ever. And in this context, it is just a hateful and ignorant thing to do. 
Sept. 11th should be a reminder of how important acceptance, tolerance, forgiveness and peace are in this world and not an opportunity for vengeance and pissing contests. 


Sigh.


That is all.

3 Weeks to D-Day

And of COURSE, by D-Day, I mean my Master's presentation. It's crunch time folks. I'm getting a little twitchy over here. Never mind the fact that there are two professors who I believe are truly out to get me and will likely attend, ready to ridicule me into a heap of blubbering nonsense. Never mind the fact that I am still currently working on my project and my presentation has yet to be organized into a coherent stream of intelligent words. Never MIND the fact that I have no idea what I'll wear in order to look friendly, confident and smart, but not so smart as to get hard questions asked of me at the end. 

The real problem, is that when I stand in front of people to speak, especially for a 20-minute long period, I lose all control of my grammar, my Maritime accent, my volume, my speed, and most of all, what in tarnation I'm even saying.

Case and point, last year I presented my Honours project to the Biochemistry department at Dalhousie. I actually aced the questions, apparently my presentation was good, but do you know what I remember of it? Nothing. It was a blur. It felt like a blur even while I was doing it, like I wasn't even in my own body.

I don't like it, guys. Not one bit! I don't even like practicing in my room, because I embarrass myself in front of MYSELF! Why do I repeatedly put myself in these situations? Why can't I just be working already, not having to present my work to people...just have them accept that I came in at 9 (or 10), did various things and left at 5 (or 4)? Huh?

I've been told I shouldn't worry. My data is good, the project is simple enough and usually people don't even ask questions during these things. If they do, they're usually very easy questions. However...these two teachers...they might be there. They will ask me something hard. I'll say I don't know. I'll crumble. I'll beg for mercy. Then I will jam the heel of one shoe into the toe of the other foot in order to get myself together. It may or may not work.

I can only hope that my supervisor sticks up for me in this very remotely possible event. My other fantasy is that I sprout an awesome cape from my neck, tell them off, maybe throw a punch or two, my whole presentation spirals into an unstoppable mess of fists and madness and I stand triumphantly in a cloud of dust, my enemies slumped on the ground with x's for eyes.


Of course, that whole scenario is ..well...very unlikely, and I will just give the presentation, answer questions, smile (grimace) and immediately exit the building. 


Much less exciting, but somehow more nerve-wracking? Go figure.

 

If you give a mouse a cookie...

he's going to want to take a picture of it.

Wait...that's not how the book goes?!

Well, turns out if you give a 20-something gal a makeover, she's going to want to take a picture of it.

And by "give", I clearly mean, she does it herself on a boring day inside.

So...after teaching myself a new way to do my hair...THAT led to teaching myself how to do a smoky eye...which led to me wanting to take pictures of both. But you can't take a picture of a made up face while in pajamas. So I put on alllll of my favourite dresses. And jackets.

And my pearls. Because...well why not?

Then I forgot to take pictures of my eyes...but you know, they weren't that smoky. 

I know, I know, this is a very well-known trick, but I'd never done it before and I was very pleased with myself so...y'know...don't rain on my twisty hair parade.

Aah...the LBD <3

Mexx elastic-waist shirtdress

 I get tired of looking at the camera. Then I pretend something interesting is happening.
(PS Smart Set trenchcoat, purchased 4 years ago for a job interview...still awesome!)

 I don't know how this looks to you...but I just wanted to show the cute buttons on the back of the dress. I swear.

I just didn't want both hands on my hips AGAIN ok!?

I think I'm smitten with this dress. It's in half of the photos...

I also seem to like short boxy jackets... 

 A bit grainy, I apologize. I love this RW&Co. dress. So warm and cozy!

Wow, this blank white wall is amazing. There will be many photos taken in front of it this year.

Well that was my evening. I sincerely hope everyone else got up to something a bit more interesting! ;)