Uh oh...

The Princess got me started watching What Not to Wear about a year ago, and along with Dirty Jobs (Mike Rowe? Hot like tamales.) and Mythbusters, it makes up the bulk of my TV watching. I've picked up a few hints from WNTW and Stacey and Clinton, and have to say it's helped as I've gone through the process of building a work wardrobe.

But shoes? No. I am absolutely not doing those heels, the pointy toes. I mean - c'mon.

And then the TP dropped this like a hanky in front of me the other day:

"Mom, you look so much more stylish lately. It's weird, but you really look a lot younger than you did a few years ago..." (italics mine).

And then, JMan really needed a messenger bag for school, and we couldn't find the *right* one. So we went to Zappos.com.

And then...well. I saw these. And they claimed to be "comfort shoes" (they lie). And free shipping? All over it.

They got here, and I wore them today (I had clothes on, too) and I *swear* to you that people treated me like I was CEO of the hospital. And I kinda felt like I was. All the patients I saw today just hopped into line and didn't argue with me about whether it was time for this or not time for that, and the doctors deferred about who would go in to see patients first, and you'da thought I was the Queen of the May.

I see shoe issues in my future.

More August FOs (And FO In the Making)

Not to blow my own horn, but I'm kicking butt craft-wise this month. Well, compared to recent months.


Here's the "muslin" version of the diamond quilt pattern I had in my head - a stash reduction project that will go to Project Linus. I ended up with the orientation wrong, and learned a lot about cutting diamonds with four bias sides and up/down orientation in the print, and was reminded that I am a total doofus where it comes to free motion machine quilting (I ripped and went back to my trusty walking foot and straight lines).

But overall, I'm happy and will use what I learned with the fancy fabric, soon. First up will be finishing the rose quilt (top done), as a baby just entered my world (her mom is a new co-worker) whose name happens to be Rose.

Also did a cute and quick crocheted scarf with gacky all wool yarn that untwisted and turned into bunches of wool thread and drove me nuts. But the scarf is cute.

Finished object in the making is JMan, who entered my world 11 years ago tonight. It's been a super 11 years...thanks, dude.

August Finished Object #3: Purple Sweater

One of the few downsides to having a nearly perfect teen princess around is that my clothes look remarkably better on her than they do on me.

I got tired of searching for impossible-to-find lavender Nashua Cilantro, so bought the dark purple for the sleeves, and actually like it better than the single color design.

'K, I have to say this was the most fun to knit project ever. I love this yarn and the fancy Skacel Turbo needles so much, I hated it to end. I may just have to make another one.

JMan is at the Episcopal camp this week, spouse is at Fishing With a Friend camp. TP and I did a girls' night out this evening, seeing Stardust, (unicorns and Claire Danes as a magical star!) book shopping and dinner out. I forgive her for making me look like a Disney dwarf when I wear my purple sweater.

Next up: astonishingly adorable fabric has arrived and awaits me.

August Finished Object #2: Bathroom Redo

Well, I'm calling it finished, anyway. It needs some artwork, which I shopped for today but didn't find. I did find, and got all gurgly over, this distressed mirror and fabulous pigskin suitcase below (home to toilet paper, now).

This bathroom re-do is remarkable for being the first time in my home improvement career in which I made use of Liquid Nails. I now love Liquid Nails. I may not love it so much when and if I have to remove it, but for now...all good.

Next FO will likely be The Purple Sweater. One sleeve left to go. I'm on a tear.

GRE: Verbal: 710, Quant: 800

That's on a scale of 800 per section. My goal for Quantitative was 720, so I'm a little bit in shock. I feel kind of like I just won an Academy Award, you know? Three cheers for the folks at Kaplan, they know what they're doing!

It's an incredible relief to have it over with. Over the last few weeks I lined up my letters of ref, so all I have to do is write a bit about myself and send checks, and I'm done until somebody accepts me.

Anyhoo. My new goal is to get some stuff DONE besides studying. So for the next few weeks, I will endeavor to post only when I have a FO to show off. The GRE is my first FO. I hope to have more by the end of the weekend.