Merry Christmas!

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Early Spring Simplicity Patterns

The new Simplicities just came out. There are actually a few I dig. Here's my take on some of the new patterns.

Hello, Cleopatra! The top dress looks very Egyptian-inspired. However, I love the view in the top middle. Though it calls for a woven, it might be really nice and comfy in a jersey print or stylish mesh knit.

These pants look very familiar. I guess the major difference is that the pattern is drafted for different body shapes.


I love the jacket in this pattern.


Is anyone else tired of tunics besides me? These two patterns are just rehashes of the same old trend.



I am kind of feeling these tunics though.


This one would be especially cute in sheer fabric.


What do you all think?

Lessons from a Towel Rack

First of all, I want to say thank you to those who left me some encouraging words on my Life Shifts post. Just to clarify, I haven't fallen off the wagon or anything. I was just in my contemplative, I-need-to-figure-out-my-life mode.

This may sound odd, but I learned a very valuable life lesson through a simple towel rack--you know, that single chrome bar that you mount to your wall in the bathroom.

For over a year, I had been struggling with this rogue towel rack. The rack was installed by my ex too high for my 5'6" stature, and it was mounted into drywall, not wooden studs, so it had no anchor. In addition to being too high, the rack was not stable, and at times it would become completely dismounted from the wall.

I would grumble and complain every time the bar would clank to the floor from me trying to remove or place my towel. I tried sticking the screws back through the mounting into the wall, but they would never stay put. I even thought about repositioning the rack a little lower, but I live in an apartment and did not want to put more holes in the wall.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to visit my cousin, and I noticed that she had an over-the-door towel rack, and it seemed to work just right. I’ve never really been a fan of those kinds of towel racks, but something struck me. I realized that the solution to my problem was right at hand: “I’ll just get one of those over-the-door towel racks. That will fix my problem!”

So I finally went out and bought one for $8.99, which was a small investment for my peace of mind and sanity. The rack assembled easily and quickly, and it was on the door closest to my shower in a matter of minutes. I marveled at how such a simple solution to a frustrating problem could have alluded me for so long.

But soon after I had to ask myself, why did I put up with a poorly mounted, unreliable towel rack for so long when the solution was so simple? Why did I suffer for over a year with that annoying rack? Why didn’t I get a replacement sooner? I could have saved myself a year’s worth of grumbling.

In a way, I believe I became comfortable with the dysfunction. I couldn’t think of any other way of existing, because I was trying to make something work that had proven that it was not going to work. Just like that towel rack that was not anchored properly into the wall, so many times we go through situations and relationships that are not well-anchored. But we struggle with them and try to persevere, becoming accustomed to the dysfunction in hopes that things will get better eventually. How many times do we suffer with circumstances for long periods of time without giving a second thought to the possibility that there might be a way out of our misery? The solution may be simple; it may be complicated. But there is a solution. There’s always another way.

Sometimes we need to branch out and see new things. It took me driving three and a half hours to South Carolina to see my cousin for the light bulb to switch on for me. If I hadn’t gone, I might still be grumbling and complaining about my stupid towel rack.

I guess I’m saying all this to say, don’t get comfortable with dysfunction, whether it be in your job, your relationships, or even something as simple as a towel rack. Branch out and seek solutions to your frustrations. I don’t think God wants us to live in constant frustration and discord. He wants to see us prosper and thrive, full of life and purpose. Remember, with Him, there is always a solution. There is always another way. And that way is Life.

All These Things -- Meme

I laughed out loud when I read this meme on Adrienne's blog and was inspired to do my own. Some of the items were surprisingly difficult to respond to, and some I was just tongue-in-cheek with.

10 Things I wish I could say to ten different people
1. Yes, I am sensitive, dammit.
2. You don’t know ANYTHING about being 30 and single (actually I have said this to someone, but I wish I could say it to more people).
3. No, I don't want your husband.
4. See, if you were technically trained, you wouldn’t have trouble with this movement.
5. Will you just come out and say it?
6. Umm…we are NOT friends.
7. You’ll reap what you sow, buddy.
8. Just chill. Don't try so hard.
9. I am sooo out of your league! :-P
10. I think you are freakin’ awesome. Will you marry me?

9 Things about myself
1. I’m a Yankee at heart and will always be.
2. I love being creative.
3. I’m a dreamer.
4. I enjoy solitude.
5. I have about four or five businesses in my head.
6. I love watching the ducks and geese at the lake.
7. At this time, I only go to church when I have to.
8. I’m introverted, and I’ve finally made peace with it.
9. Often times I don’t want to turn the other cheek.

8 Ways to win my heart
1. Be honest.
2. Be on time.
3. Tell me how beautiful I am, and mean it.
4. Take me out and pay for me. And Subway, Quiznos, Pizza Delite, etc., DO NOT count.
5. Know who you are in Christ.
6. Have integrity.
7. Walk in your purpose.
8. Be sensitive to my needs.

7 Things that cross my mind a lot
1. Is it 5 o’clock yet?
2. I wish she’d shut up.
3. It’s so cold in here.
4. Hmm…I can make that.
5. I can’t wait to [fill in the blank].
6. I feel like I’m wasting my time here when I could be sewing.
7. Girl, just get through it.

6 Thing I do before I fall asleep
1. Make my tea
2. Shower
3. Read my Bible
4. Pray
5. Brush my teeth
6. Throw a scarf on my head

5 People I couldn’t live without
1. Jesus
2. My mom
3. My dad
4. Fifi
5. Myself

4 Things I am wearing right now
1. Black silk/cotton cardigan
2. Black slacks
3. Red and black mesh surplice top
4. White gold hoop earrings

3 Songs that fit my life perfectly
1. "God in Me" by Mary Mary
2. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Beyonce
3. "Heaven Sent" by Keyshia Cole

2 Thing I want to do before I die
1. Vacation in Hawaii
2. Wear my hair in a puff

1 Confession
1. I have come to embrace my inner b!tch, and I find it very liberating.

Review | McCall's 5752 Dress

When I saw Mimi's version of this dress, I just had to make my own!

Pattern Description: McCall’s 5752 Dress B has a gathered, wrapped bodice, gathered self-lined midriff, A-line skirt, gathered shawl collar and extended overarms; dress B is mid-knee length.

Pattern Sizing: I made a 10, but sized down the top to probably a 6 in the end.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you completed your project? Yes, but I was surprised at how "boyish" this dress made me look before I took in the side seams. Also, my back gathers droop/flop.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Well, I didn't pay to much attention to the directions other than sewing the back and front shoulder and neck seams. Based on the suggestions of some PR reviewers, I sewed the front pieces, then the back pieces, and then straight up the sides seams (to avoid having to sew tubes together).

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the look of capped sleeves, and I love surplice necklines. In the end, I guess I wasn't that crazy about the ruching in the front, or in the back since it drooped a little bit. Maybe just a simple flat midriff would look nicer on me. Also, I don't know if this was my fabric or from picking the wrong size, but my bodice also droops and gapes a bit. The jersey I used is on the thin side with lots of stretch, so maybe this is the reason. But the facing keeps wanting to flop out, and it could produce a few self-conscious moments. Also that pattern has alteration lines on the actual pieces. They were not very helpful to me, but to those who understand them, I sure they could be very helpful.

Fabric Used: Printed jersey from Fabric.com.

Pattern Alterations or any design changes you made: Also like other reviewers, I left off the midriff facings. But I did use the stays to maintain the gathers inthe front and the back. I originally cut a 10, but I had the take the top way in, beyond the 1" seam allowance. I think I ended up taking in another whole inch.

Would you sew it again? Would you recommend it to others? I might sew this again in an 8 and in a solid color. If you sew this, you may want to go down a couple of sizes.

Conclusion It's not bad. It's pretty cute.