New Polish Color

"Flat Iron Green" by NYC In a New York Color Minute, Quick Dry Nail Polish

Okay, so I saw this color in a magazine and immediately fell in love with it. In the light it's very green, but without the benefit of UV, it's an almost black color! I just had to find it! So, I scoured the shelves until I found it on the very bottom of the display at the local Wally-World. I thought for sure this would become my new favorite polish. But I was completely unprepared for this. I expected, with it being one of those 60-seconds-to-dry type polishes, that it would also be a one-coat polish. WRONG! It took 4 coats total. And it dries so fast, sometimes I couldn't get the entire nail painted before the drying kicked in. Lots of streaking going on.

On the up side, it didn't chip right away like most polishes. A couple days after applying it, I trimmed my nails and gave them another coat. And now it's the color, and coverage, I want! While not technically a "spring" color, it does a good job of playing with spring. This probably won't be one of my go-to polishes since it takes so many coats before it's looking pretty, but when I have the time for multiple coats, it'll be right up there at the top of my list.

Knitwit Files Vol 7: Slouch Hat and Pattern

Trial run with my first pattern inspired by some others I'd read but written by me! It's not slouchy enough for my dreads, but it works quite well for The Girl. She snagged it up before it was even finished! The next one will have to have an excessive amount of slouch and a bit bigger headband if it's going to fit me. And if I make it big enough, I make even get to keep it! :)



Here's the pattern if anyone would like it.

1. CO 68 stitches in the round. Place marker, join round, be careful not to twist!
2. K2P2 Rib for 1 1/2" on #8 - 16" circular knitting needle. It's gonna be tight, but it'll get easier soon enough.
3. Time to increase: K1M1 all the way around. You should now have 136 stitches.
4. Knit until body is 6 1/2"
5. On last knit row, place marker every 34 stitches (use color other than 1st one so you know where the beginning of the round starts)
6. Begin decrease: Row 1*K2 K2tog(15 times) K2* repeat ** 3 times - make sure to move markers. 76 stitches left
7. Row 2: *K3 K2tog(7 times) K2* repeat ** 3 times making sure to move markers - 48 stitches left
8. Row 3: *K2 K2tog(4 times) K2* repeat ** 3 times, moving markers - 32 stitches left
9. Switch to (4)DPNs
10. K32 putting 8 stitches on each DPN - 32 stitches
11. K2 K2tog(2 times) K2 -all the way around. 24 stitches left
12. Cut tail of thread at least 18", thread on needle and pull through all stitches, pulling tight to close up opening. Weave in ends.

Materials: #8 16" circ, #8 DPNs, stitch markers, tapestry needle, yarn #4 worsted acrylic blend about 200 yds (244yd skein)

The Knitwit Files Vol 4: Mohawk Hat

Little Man's new winter sport hat

Let me first start by saying, I did NOT knit this hat. Little Man saw it (sans 'hawk styling) lollygagging around at Penney's when we picked up his winter coat. Being the "in" thing to wear this season it immediately caught and held his attention. I gave in and bought the silly thing and it laid around the house for some time, getting no use whatsoever.

A couple of nights ago I just couldn't stand it any longer so I gave the poor little dear a bit of a makeover. I picked up some yarn to match the braids and cut about a zillion 4" pieces and stacked them next to my chair. While watching TV I was able to latch hook these bits of string into the stitches of the hat, creating a lovely faux-hawk along the top center. (Any of you fashionistas out there will have seen several of these types of hats available at the local mall.)

No longer a skinny little nothing, this hat now has some major 'tude. Little Man was suitably impressed with his momma's crafting skills. I daresay this hat is about to see a wild and crazy time!

New Nail Colors!

I am in love with these new(ish - I actually got these last October) nail colors from Avon! From Left to Right: Violetta and Grey Cement (both matte finish), Jade and Vintage Blue (both from the Nailwear Pro line). I love the look of the matte colors, unfortunately, they chip rather quickly. The Violetta even leaves a bit of color behind when it's removed. The Jade is soft and luscious and the Vintage Blue makes my heart beat just a little faster. eeek!

I think I may be a little bit addicted...I want to try some new colors!

Fun New Top

So I went shopping at the local thrift store recently. I found this top and immediately felt a connection to it. Normally I only wear solid colors, in T-shirt style cuts,  so this print (and style) is really pushing me outside my comfort zone. I carried it around the store for a while, thinking it over, trying to envision myself wearing it and with what would I pare it? and then I got myself all frustrated so I put everything back and left. Which is usually what happens when I go shopping for clothing. :(

A couple days later I was still thinking about "that" shirt, so I went back for it. I thought about shortening it but then I wore it around the house for a bit and got used to the length. I did have to wear a shirt underneath as this top has an insane V-neck! I will need to find some camis in the near future.

Bathing Beauty

I love this get-up! Talk about stylin'. This is beachwear :)

Now that the weather is warmer we'll be spending some time by the pool. I wish today's swimwear had a bit more swagger, character and class. Four triangles of fabric just doesn't cut it. Where's the creativity? Where's the mystery? Where's the modesty?!

And I'm not just saying this because I'm not a size 2. I believe there is something to be said for maintaining some modesty in our attire, whether it be swimwear or everyday wear. We need to have more respect for ourselves and for those around us. We need to understand that we are more than a pretty face and hot body. We should treat ourselves as more than a commodity on the exchange.

We are more than meets the eye! :)

Hey, Doll!

Another paper Me! A more Rock-n-Roll kinda version.

A pretty punk. I made the skirt out of a cupcake liner! I even gave her some tattoos! I like the idea of the little heart tattoo - that came from Katy over at Skunkboy Creatures. She has a heart tattoo right there on her inner elbow. So cute. I think my doll  needs a little more bling - it's like she's a little light on the accessories. Maybe I should switch out the maryjanes for a pair of funky galoshes?! That would be too sweet :)

New Favorite Color for Spring!

Blue Me Away by Sally Hansen has got to be the best new color of the season! I picked it up as soon as I found it and K polished her nails as soon as I showed her the shiny blue bottle!

Hey, Doll!

One of the projects in my plan for 2010 is to create a paper doll each month. I've been looking at various patterns and reading up on projects in some mixed media books and I have lots of ideas! This one is just a colored-in version, nothing major. I did have fun, though! I forsee making way more than 12 of these this year! Especially if my daughter plays along. She saw me coloring today and pulled out her Project Runway paper dolls and patterns that she'd gotten for her birthday a couple years ago. We may make this a mother/daughter project! How fun that would be! We'd be doing the same thing but coming up with completely different outfits. *She's way more stylish than me*