hello, economy.

hello, faithful readers.  i have not died!

but, unfortunately, my camera has.  i dropped it on our bathroom floor and the lens just kinda looks stuck in an ever-present attempt to focus.  The damned thing is done, and we even took it to a camera shop.  The man told me it was far out of his league and that repairs would most likely cost between $150 to $200 (which coincidentally is how much the damned thing cost in the first place!)

so all those lovely crafty photo updates of my projects i had been planning to show everyone are not really possible anymore. 

but y’know, for posterity, here’s a shot of me on that fateful halloween camera-dropping night:

 

a dead bride, duh!

in other news, i made some amazing chocolate chip cookies yesterday to give to a few friends that had done me some favors recently, and these cookies are definitely the best ones i’ve ever made.  i would not recommend them to those out there attempting to watch what they eat, because i cannot stop eating them and they are mostly butter and sugar.  hooray, arteries!

i’m trying to live more frugally as well.  trying being the keyword here.  there’s an art shop around the corner that i’m dying to go pawing through, but i can’t let myself.  i also want to set a limit on how much i spend on drinks etc when going out with friends.  its pretty much an every weekend thing, and i’ve got a wedding to be saving for!

i’m also reconsidering the bridesmaid dresses again.  american apparel has these extremely simple dresses that can be modified depending on how the wearer feels like wearing it–on any given day you can pick strapless, halter, straps, etc etc.  and they come in a wide variety of colors.  and…they’re cheap!  in this day and age, i really can’t condone making my maids pay upwards of $150 for a dress when they’ll already be paying for travel expenses.

i feel incredible guilt about the wedding being in vermont.  its putting everyone out.  i have to keep reminding myself that it isn’t my fault–i want my mimere at the wedding and she cannot travel.  and even if the wedding was here in new york, everyone would still have to travel and find places to stay.

i went to the spca the other day and ended up adopting two abandoned parakeets.  they have joined my little pixie and are currently being very loud and obnoxious.  i didn’t want two new ones, but the crazy-bird-lady would not separate the pair and i felt pity for the little things.  they’re all rough and their feathers are messy.  when parakeets get stressed they get these funny little stick-like feathers called pinfeathers.  these birds are covered in them.  pixie looks like a show bird compared to these ones.  hopefully they will lose their stress and live a good life with me.

ok, enough picture-free rambling.  if only i weren’t so money conscious, i’d go out and buy another.  SIGH.

soft and sweet

i can’t believe how time is flying!

i have a million things i’d LIKE to post, but tonight i’m just going to share my little baby blanket i made for jeff’s sister.  i decided to wing it and crocheted my own little design, with sort of a sixties-ish theme in mind.  

 

other projects i’m working on include paintings on old porcelain, possible calendar designs, and the mess that is my new abode.  i swear i’ll be posting more soon!

pretty maids all in a row

 

it’s funny, you’d think i’d care more about my own wedding dress, but i found that to be a snap.  i found a good one, felt gorgeous and special and marvy in it, and put a deposit down.

julie (a bridesmaid) and i went on a little quest a few weekends back to look at bridesmaids dresses, and we found something that was simple, chiffony, and very un-bridesmaid-y.  

 

 

all of a sudden, though, i’m seeing beautiful dresses everywhere.  lovely, flowing, lacy summer shifts in pale blues and greens.  i find myself browsing at work, and wondering whether i might prefer one thing over another.  so hopefully i can get some feedback from everyone here.  which bridesmaids dresses do you like best?  let me know after the jump!

the big move

well, we’ve finally moved into the new place.  it has been an exhausting week!  our friend doug bought a house right in the heart of buffalo and we’re sharing the second-floor apartment with him.  the windows are shaded by vines, the ceilings are high and the tub is claw-footed.  in short, it’s an immense step up from my little apartment in the suburbs.

 

i’m also finally living with j, and thusfar it’s absolutely marvelous.  i’ll do some more posting once things have calmed down and the boxes are (at least a bit) emptier.

fine china (or, wedding fever, part one…)

 

...would not actually want this example...

something’s happened to me since i got engaged.  i’ve taken an interest in the more frivolous, feminine aspects of life–aspects that i had previous shunned.  it’s caused me to spend hours of time browsing online, looking at cakes and dresses and hairstyles.  i suppose it’s really all about the design element–so many choices, and so many attractive colors!  today’s newest (and most surprising) obsession is in fine china…and i now present to you, dear reader, a list of the choices i’m liking for today’s brides (me) after the jump!

bake sale!

our office had a bake sale to benefit the united way today.  i decided to make the mocha swirl pound cake from mollie katzen’s ‘moosewood cookbook‘–my first attempt at anything in bundt form.  it was almost a mild disaster when the top stuck to the inside of the pan, but i managed to get some clean slices regardless.  (and plenty of crumbly chunks that just wouldn’t be fit for sale…pity…guess i’ll have to eat them for breakfast for the next few days….)

 

it felt good creating something that was absolutely decadent, with no corner-cutting.  this cake is made of real, whole, simple ingredients–and lots of them.  six eggs, four sticks of butter.  but for a simple, occasional treat it is has such a rich feel and such a subtle coffee flavor.

 

in short, i’m damn proud i made something so tasty!  –sr

 

the well-loved journal.

 

do you ever find that something simple and replaceable that you own (say a pair of shoes, or particular shirt) transforms over time into an absolutely indispensable item?  I have a pair of shoes I refuse to toss because they are so incredibly comfortable and pretty (or were…before i wore them to bits).

 

 

 

i found a journal like that, too!  

hi.

good evening.

i’m starting a blog to compile ideas, images, inspirations, crafts and snippets of my life.

i hope you’ll follow along and enjoy the ride.