tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-340150362024-03-05T20:48:33.354-06:00Oh...What a Wonderfully Mundane Life!bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.comBlogger434125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-32607238318698071522015-03-16T23:31:00.000-05:002015-03-19T17:09:30.465-05:00Remember...<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ever since the break of my marriage, I have taken a lot of trips home.<br />
What used to be a journey that was taken every 2-3 years became an almost yearly occurrence. Weddings, special occasions, seasonal holidays...and sometimes, because I just NEED to be home to be amongst my family and friends. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because it takes a lot to pretend that life here is exactly all that I have
envisioned -- actually, I don't think I have ever succeeded in
convincing myself ever of that. But I persevere, because I tell myself I
am doing it for my kid, because the opportunities are better here,
because the standard of living is better here. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of which are probably
true to some degree, but the main reason is because I am a coward. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I
don't like change. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't like uprooting what is comfortable. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't
like making too much of a splash.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Because what if the end result ends up
taking me to a situation that is worse that what I started with?<br />
Best not to risk it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And so I trudge on in life in a cloud of mediocrity, just....existing and taking it day by day. But that takes its toll and eventually, I am in desperate need to be enveloped in the warmth and humidity of my country.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And that could not be more true during the early years of the break.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I went back twice that first year and I
took a lot of videos during one of those particular trips. I wanted
to ensure that there was something that Isabel can go through when she was
older because chances are, she will have no recollection of those
events. And I took it for myself too, because I needed it as something
to hang on to: a reminder of my family to help me pull through when
times got unbearably hard when I returned to the States and back to the
shambles that was my life at that point in time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-DthUQTFEqA" width="711"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I
don't know if it ever occurred to me then that these videos will serve
as a memory of my family members for when they've passed on - as a way
to remember the sound of their voice and laughter, to remember them when
they were so alive and vibrant, to see them interacting and just...to
remember.</div>
<br />
At least, not so soon. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_0023.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/DSC_0023.jpg" height="425" width="640" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://bagfashionista.blogspot.com/2009/09/dedication.html" target="_blank">My aunts are very dear to me</a>.<br />
They were my "companions" during my formative years. I "hung out" with them, I learned from them, I laughed and joked with them -- in short, they played a big part in raising and shaping me. <br />
<br />
And this past Friday, one of my precious relatives passed away.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The youngest of my mother's siblings, she was one of the most welcoming, most gracious person I know. If someone was meeting my family for
the first time and they needed to be put at ease, she was the one who
would naturally step up to that plate and she will do it like the pro that she is. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
She took me on vacations with her family because my mom doesn't really do vacations, she always gave the best presents because being "younger" gave her an edge of knowing what moody, ungrateful teens might prefer, she was the "cool, put-together" relative that won't embarrass you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo PICT0140.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/Wedding/PICT0140.jpg" height="941" width="625" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
She counseled me, comforted me and guided me when I was going through difficult times as a stubborn pig-headed teen. She cheered for me, encouraged me, and was there for me when things were falling down around me. She prayed for me and have always tried to gently encourage me to the way of the Lord.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In simple words, she loved me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am so grateful and so blessed to have known that love. And I am so incredibly thankful that my child has known that love as well, even though she may not remember much of it. The videos, however meager of a substitute they are, will serve as a reminder. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/yee%20chai_zpsswncgwgp.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo yee chai_zpsswncgwgp.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/yee%20chai_zpsswncgwgp.jpg" height="758" width="625" /> </a></div>
<br />
Yee Chai -- I know that you are in a better place, that you are whole and beautiful and healthy once more, that you are safe and happy and reunited with loved ones previously lost. I pray that I will find the strength to be a better person than who I am now. A braver person, a more loving and kind person, in hopes that I will make you somewhat proud. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-83306422190009837862014-02-28T15:48:00.004-06:002014-02-28T15:55:35.375-06:00My Love<div style="text-align: center;">
I haven't taken many photos with my actual camera in a long time. Probably because I don't feel that our lives are special or exciting enough to lug around a bulky DSLR</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But this year, I am making it a point of trying to take more and share more</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cue our first photoshoot (complete with hair and wardrobe) in years, to get into the Chinese New Year mood...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And one can tell that<strike> I am </strike>Isabel is out of practice, because it took an eternity to get the shots that I wanted...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I had lots of goofball ones...be prepared to be bombarded...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i></i><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i>
<i>Wait...let me think of how to pose...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5130_zpsa5c5f790.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5130_zpsa5c5f790.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5130_zpsa5c5f790.jpg" height="577" width="800" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Is this good?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5121_zpsa2122253.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5121_zpsa2122253.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5121_zpsa2122253.jpg" height="577" width="800" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Is this better?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5125_zpse9d19dba.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5125_zpse9d19dba.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5125_zpse9d19dba.jpg" height="577" width="800" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Oh, snaps! This is hard!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i> <a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5121_zpsa2122253.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5143_zpsb8296233.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5143_zpsb8296233.jpg" height="577" width="800" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>How about... </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5142_zps8446e4aa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5142_zps8446e4aa.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5142_zps8446e4aa.jpg" height="577" width="800" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Are we DONE, momma?!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5173_zps64b114b1.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5173_zps64b114b1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5173_zps64b114b1.jpg" height="577" width="800" /> </a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I did manage to get some precious gems...though they are not the type that will make it to the short list of the "acceptable Christmas card photos", they are probably my favorites<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5280_zpsa376ac45.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5280_zpsa376ac45.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5280_zpsa376ac45.jpg" height="577" width="800" /> </a><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5194_zpsd5385c0f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5194_zpsd5385c0f.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5194_zpsd5385c0f.jpg" height="577" width="800" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5253_zps75db6cee.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5253_zps75db6cee.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5253_zps75db6cee.jpg" height="577" width="800" /> </a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5282_zps33f3881c.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5282_zps33f3881c.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5282_zps33f3881c.jpg" height="577" width="800" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-80611551084124210352014-01-22T16:38:00.004-06:002014-01-22T16:38:38.916-06:00I'll Have Some Toast With That, Thank You...<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5298_zps3d9b7ad0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Homemade Kaya Recipe with Gula Melaka photo IMG_5298_zps3d9b7ad0.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5298_zps3d9b7ad0.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Made kaya for the first time ever, despite having intentions for years.
It was simpler than I thought, and I finally found a use for the gula melaka that has been sitting in my pantry forever...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5307_zpscd568222.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Homemade Kaya Recipe with Gula Melaka photo IMG_5307_zpscd568222.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5307_zpscd568222.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Recipe taken from <a href="http://everybodyeatswell.blogspot.com/2013/04/homemade-kaya-coconut-egg-jam-in-15.html" target="_blank">here</a>, although it came out a tad sweet for my taste. I shall probably reduce the amount of gula melake to 2 tbsp rather than 3.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b>Ingredients:</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>- 4 egg yolks at room temp, well-beaten </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>- 45g palm sugar/gula melaka, or 3 rounded tablespoons</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>- 45g white sugar, or 3 rounded tablespoons</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>- 200ml undiluted coconut milk, fresh or canned </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>- 4 fresh pandan leaves (I used a few drops of pandan essence instead)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b>Directions:</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Beat 4 egg yolks thoroughly with a handwhisk </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Add the palm sugar, white sugar, coconut milk and pandan leaves in a pot over medium heat. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Stir constantly with a spatula or wooden spoon until the mixture begins to simmer. Turn off the heat.
Slowly pour 1/2 of the coconut milk into the egg yolks, stirring at the same time.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Pour the combined mixture back into the remaining coconut milk in the pot, turn on the heat back to medium-low / medium. Keep stirring for the next 10-15 minutes. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>The kaya will thicken gradually over the next 10-15 min. Remove the pandan leaves and transfer the thickened kaya into a clean sterilized glass jar, leave the jar lid open to cool down completely.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>When it is completely cooled, close the jar and keep in the fridge. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5315_zps3c670895.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5315_zps3c670895.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5315_zps3c670895.jpg" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Meet my harshest critic...
<br />
She has developed quite a taste for kaya and butter toast from our recent trip back home to Malaysia</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5326_zpsa4d42d6a.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5326_zpsa4d42d6a.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5326_zpsa4d42d6a.jpg" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It met her standards. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Phew</div>
<br />bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-24468827900942419372013-12-19T00:26:00.000-06:002013-12-19T00:26:00.454-06:00The Many Faces of Isabel<div style="text-align: center;">
Apparently getting older leaves Isabel with mixed emotions...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Stage 1: Disbelief that she is getting that old</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/DSC_0411_zps091c27c2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_0411_zps091c27c2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/DSC_0411_zps091c27c2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2) Shock as she finally acknowledges the fact that she IS getting older</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/DSC_0412_zps5fdac0f2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_0412_zps5fdac0f2.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/DSC_0412_zps5fdac0f2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3) Acceptance --- with a touch of humor..else she might end up crying?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/DSC_0413_zpsc6d291aa.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_0413_zpsc6d291aa.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/DSC_0413_zpsc6d291aa.jpg" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/DSC_0414_zpsa044ae56.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_0414_zpsa044ae56.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/DSC_0414_zpsa044ae56.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/DSC_0415_zps61dfcd6f.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo DSC_0415_zps61dfcd6f.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/DSC_0415_zps61dfcd6f.jpg" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The cake was a surprise -- baked by a good friend (who is crazy and sets the bar so far up that I can't even see it)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Grateful for all the family and friends who turned up (most who met Isabel for the FIRST time, which is crazy...and makes me kind of sad)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-74962900727737386422013-12-18T00:16:00.000-06:002013-12-18T00:16:00.090-06:00Elf-ette on the Shelf - Day 13: Birthday Girl<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy birthday, Isabel! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/4db2e68662c811e388ed123669db74a7_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage11.s3.amazonaws.com/4db2e68662c811e388ed123669db74a7_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My baby turned 5 this year...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5014_zps361e9926.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5014_zps361e9926.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5014_zps361e9926.jpg" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-65070170278599003412013-12-17T00:09:00.000-06:002013-12-17T00:09:16.762-06:00Elf-ette on the Shelf - Day 10 <div style="text-align: center;">
Charlie followed us East...but the humid tropical weather proved too much for her as she was found with her head stuck into a pot of water....presumably to cool her down</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage10.s3.amazonaws.com/a64a73de613011e3b6a3128c8a9275ba_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage10.s3.amazonaws.com/a64a73de613011e3b6a3128c8a9275ba_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-11516997272408354972013-12-07T11:52:00.000-06:002013-12-07T11:52:00.450-06:00Elf-ette on the Shelf: Day 8<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage7.s3.amazonaws.com/81e2b0a65e8311e3a44b125e3ca31262_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage7.s3.amazonaws.com/81e2b0a65e8311e3a44b125e3ca31262_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking with interest at the crap that has exploded in my bedroom, in the name of packing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Probably wondering if she'd be able to hitch a ride in the suitcase instead of finding her own way to our destination</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instagram: #adventuresofCharlietheElf</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-7477616952989698512013-12-06T11:50:00.000-06:002013-12-06T11:50:22.522-06:00Elf-ette on the Shelf: Day 7<div style="text-align: center;">
Stargazing </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/262c4b3a5d6811e3ac430ede6c64d70a_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/262c4b3a5d6811e3ac430ede6c64d70a_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or wondering "oh where, oh where has the kau fu gone?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instagram: #adventuresofCharlietheElf</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-90135024071871560782013-12-04T09:16:00.000-06:002013-12-04T09:16:55.380-06:00Elf-ette on the Shelf: Day 6<div style="text-align: center;">
Clearly.....watching me work was exhausting...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage7.s3.amazonaws.com/b6ae67625c2611e3b666120af7cd0240_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage7.s3.amazonaws.com/b6ae67625c2611e3b666120af7cd0240_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Lush...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instagram: #adventuresofCharlietheElf</div>
<br />
<br />bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-43215075785870231662013-12-03T12:19:00.003-06:002013-12-03T12:19:56.742-06:00Elf-ette on the Shelf: Day 5<div style="text-align: center;">
Charlie has decided to be vaguely helpful and hung out (quite literally, hang...) in my study, which is currently moonlighting as momma's sewing workshop as I try and whip up side gifts for Isabel's teachers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/cb3a16765a9c11e3a1ab0af82f025223_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/cb3a16765a9c11e3a1ab0af82f025223_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instagram: #adventuresofCharlietheElf</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-30914688157522342812013-12-02T08:42:00.000-06:002013-12-02T08:42:23.992-06:00Elf-ette on the Shelf: Day 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sorry -- a little hiatus --- Isabel was away, so Charlie did not come -- probably off throwing snowballs at reindeer and other fun things like that. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But Isabel's back, so Charlie's back.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And she roped in the Winx fairies for an elf vs. fairy tournament of air hockey </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/c0fb8ade583d11e3842f1226673eaad5_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/c0fb8ade583d11e3842f1226673eaad5_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I suppose the fact that they have wings makes it easier to flit from end to end to protect their goal...or perhaps because Charlie is a tad challenged vertically, it makes it a bit hard for her to reach...Whichever it is, the fairies are winning, 7:3, the last I checked</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Poor Charlie </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-73803405008084005052013-11-27T16:05:00.000-06:002013-11-27T16:05:00.229-06:00Elf-ette on the Shelf: Day 3<div style="text-align: center;">
Once again, she left her previous post without cleaning up her mess...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMAG3438.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/bagfashionista2/IMAG3438.jpg" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seriously...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And appeared in the kitchen this morning, with sparkler in hand. Guess she is ready for the long holiday weekend? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I feel the same way, Charlie.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage4.s3.amazonaws.com/edd971aa577b11e3861412da7d715eee_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage4.s3.amazonaws.com/edd971aa577b11e3861412da7d715eee_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-24689388369749434012013-11-27T10:52:00.002-06:002013-11-27T10:53:53.771-06:00Birthday, Part One<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that to kick my butt into high gear to finally tackle the half finished projects in the house, there needs to be a very definite deadline to get things done.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I threw a party.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4917_zps7c73d1ba.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4917_zps7c73d1ba.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4917_zps7c73d1ba.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isabel is turning five this year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(HOW DID THAT HAPPEN??)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4933_zps54080fef.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4933_zps54080fef.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4933_zps54080fef.jpg" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And since the big party will be in Malaysia this year, I had a small one earlier at the house.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4918_zpsa54563ef.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4918_zpsa54563ef.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4918_zpsa54563ef.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And invited some of her closest friends from her daycare whom she has not seen much of since starting kindergarten this fall </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4957_zpsbdee6d52.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4957_zpsbdee6d52.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4957_zpsbdee6d52.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It makes the heart warm to see all of them together again </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And something to note, almost 5 years olds are VERY noisy when they reunite.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Especially when they are all girls.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/6041c73c-6bd9-4f96-bca4-91f86360ec43_zps127d12ff.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 6041c73c-6bd9-4f96-bca4-91f86360ec43_zps127d12ff.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/6041c73c-6bd9-4f96-bca4-91f86360ec43_zps127d12ff.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4995_zpse0dde366.jpg.html" target="_blank"><br /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All in all, it was fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaPtxj-CjjINH6OnIlwCCmoqc81zQbeEW5dDrRP9dz1Qeen8Q8OF_lolWYILmQg-u_ZoKN3OA5XjPYYhGPKs2s0hum054Yo_6KxujjE3mRYbqP9WElcEKZbFxpWp091O-zJxE5Q/w462-h613-no/IMG_20131117_131242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaPtxj-CjjINH6OnIlwCCmoqc81zQbeEW5dDrRP9dz1Qeen8Q8OF_lolWYILmQg-u_ZoKN3OA5XjPYYhGPKs2s0hum054Yo_6KxujjE3mRYbqP9WElcEKZbFxpWp091O-zJxE5Q/w462-h613-no/IMG_20131117_131242.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The guest list was small enough for me to have time to pay attention to the presentation details and DIY crafts and decorations that I have seen on the web and thought, "Oh, that is such a fantastic idea!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4952_zps9d7b5148.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4952_zps9d7b5148.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4952_zps9d7b5148.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<insert cookies="" picture=""> </insert></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The study/library worked exactly as I envisioned it when I was planned the room -- it was perfect for hosting a sit-down meal. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4915_zps7c4e7263.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4915_zps7c4e7263.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4915_zps7c4e7263.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>2014 resolution</i>: If my friends and family lived close by, I am sure that it would be a frequent occurrence, but I need to break out of my comfort zone and invite people
over for meals (although I may want to leave the actual food cooking to
the experts!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage4.s3.amazonaws.com/a2007adc4f2211e398851245b7a783e5_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-15939183828680510072013-11-26T12:16:00.001-06:002013-11-26T12:16:39.223-06:00Elf-ette on the Shelf: Day 2<div style="text-align: center;">
Isabel has a tendency to sneak into my bedroom in the middle of the night.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last night, she crept in and said, "Momma...Charlie is GONE!" (from the bathroom)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Indeed...she was... (without cleaning up her lipstick scribble first, the little rascal)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We found her the next morning, settled into the doll trailer after her first exhausting night going to and from the North Pole...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCdlV4STumBqn3bz0PZ3eOidF9tj2HBanpetEMzeQ_kvp8c-Vb-bt2xh8yPg5fHBct62jvvHWCVd_dxWLJanjX85NRsdUBzTm54bvzvAZdW-kuH5-1jK9W8k6F2-3bALJkbY2Pw/w462-h613-no/IMG_20131126_084907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCdlV4STumBqn3bz0PZ3eOidF9tj2HBanpetEMzeQ_kvp8c-Vb-bt2xh8yPg5fHBct62jvvHWCVd_dxWLJanjX85NRsdUBzTm54bvzvAZdW-kuH5-1jK9W8k6F2-3bALJkbY2Pw/w462-h613-no/IMG_20131126_084907.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Catching up on her favorite Christmas books after having what I assume was a bowl of hearty stew...it was licked clean, so I can only guess.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isabel, checking out her hidey-hole</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5XB_lFurWJ8Npc7IzDGEMfo-pDNG27DEgj2cCJ8fbSaa9DwT8hLF-52XztTmbh2zNHHf2smaOW3d3Wxl0R7aXFen-EJGUNg6ExVfE9iVXQyFUl_A8bLhqM_nTcClmuPVVztO6A/w346-h614-no/IMAG3439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC5XB_lFurWJ8Npc7IzDGEMfo-pDNG27DEgj2cCJ8fbSaa9DwT8hLF-52XztTmbh2zNHHf2smaOW3d3Wxl0R7aXFen-EJGUNg6ExVfE9iVXQyFUl_A8bLhqM_nTcClmuPVVztO6A/w346-h614-no/IMAG3439.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Instagram: #adventuresofCharlietheElf</div>
<br />bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-9308858085515641572013-11-25T12:19:00.000-06:002013-11-26T11:01:21.992-06:00Elf-ette on the Shelf: Day 1<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Meet Charlie.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws.com/45ceec76557b11e3b6ab1261623df5e6_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws.com/45ceec76557b11e3b6ab1261623df5e6_7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She is the little mischievous elf who has been assigned to Isabel by Santa. She will be reporting back to the big man on Isabel's behavior, to see if it Isabel deserves the items on her Christmas list, or if it warrants her a bag of coal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The problem is, Charlie is a bit of a reprobate herself...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That first night, she decided that she needed to do something grand to
grab Isabel's attention, seeing as it was the first time they were
meeting each other. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5051_zpsc5387a41.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5051_zpsc5387a41.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5051_zpsc5387a41.jpg" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The little stinker swung from the window over to the mirror to pen a greeting on the looking glass...with one of MY LIPSTICKS!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And here she is the next morning, looking all innocent and docile...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_5076_zps6374b9a3.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_5076_zps6374b9a3.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_5076_zps6374b9a3.jpg" /> </a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Except her little smirk gives it all away...</div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-75020534651550219612013-10-22T13:51:00.003-05:002013-10-22T13:59:00.643-05:00Going Batty<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4862_zpsab2d45f8.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4862_zpsab2d45f8.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4862_zpsab2d45f8.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I've never decorated for Halloween before...Figured this was a good year
as ever to start after an impulse purchase of $2 cobwebby fiber
thingamajig from Savers....and cut out 60 bats, essentially copy-catting
<a href="http://www.danamadeit.com/2010/10/bats.html" target="_blank">MADE.</a><br />
<br />
And drew out this little ghost family portrait as a filler for an empty frame in my project-gallery-wall<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage4.s3.amazonaws.com/91924dc8377211e39bae22000ab4814a_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage4.s3.amazonaws.com/91924dc8377211e39bae22000ab4814a_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
A little $5 Halloween decor project that makes everyday life a little less mundane. Cheap, easy and fun.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
On another note, my coat stand broke (grrr) so it was the perfect time to change things up and put up these coat hooks...<br />
<br />
Thing 1 and Thing 2, as Isabel puts it.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4880_zps139e2897.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4880_zps139e2897.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4880_zps139e2897.jpg" /> </a><br />
</div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-19909654846536180902013-09-27T15:51:00.002-05:002013-09-27T15:53:14.631-05:00Cake + Cloth Napkins = Impromptu Tea Time!<div style="text-align: center;">
I finally went grocery shopping after trying to bleed out my fridge/freezer/pantry.<br />
I have butter, oil and eggs again.<br />
<br />
Yay! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can finally make a chocolate cake</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4784_zps24799cac.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="purl bee tutorial napkins with giant ric rac, ooey gooey chocolate cake recipe photo IMG_4784_zps24799cac.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4784_zps24799cac.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Which prompted me to finally sew cloth napkins that have been on my to-sew list for years now.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4788_zps11cf517e.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="purl bee tutorial napkins with giant ric rac photo IMG_4788_zps11cf517e.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4788_zps11cf517e.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
YEARS, I tell you, to sew up two squares together</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4791_zps274adb7b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt="purl bee tutorial napkins with giant ric rac photo IMG_4791_zps274adb7b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4791_zps274adb7b.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fabric was even all cut up and ready to go...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes, I don't understand myself.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Napkin tutorial:</i> <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2010/3/7/mollys-sketchbook-spring-napkins.html" target="_blank">Purl Bee's Spring Napkins</a> (mine turned out more fiesta-ish than spring, which needs to be rectified)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Cake recipe:</i><a href="http://notenoughcinnamon.com/2013/03/04/decadent-ooey-gooey-chocolate-cake/" target="_blank"> Ooey Gooey Chocolate Cake</a> (note from the wise -- if using a springform/cheesecake pan, cover the outside of the pan with aluminum foil to prevent the water from seeping in while baking - else you'll end up like me, with a soggy cake that needs to be dried out --- it was fine after microwaving slices for about 30 seconds prior to eating, but still...soggy cake is gross)</div>
<br />
<br />bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-58798432969501839272013-09-06T10:17:00.000-05:002013-09-06T12:05:54.052-05:00Lets Go Picking!<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to my little square foot garden!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(LOVE my little harvest basket)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4696_zps26bd24ba.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4696_zps26bd24ba.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4696_zps26bd24ba.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tomatoes are doing well -- I was under the impression that tomatoes should be in abundance in the middle of summer...If that is the case, my tomatoes (and eggplants, for that matter) are late bloomers</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFL94eN6Uv4gNT0Nm8fK0gLiqqdzhdE6jmlGXGTOjUIGDX_xueQq827TJIIwoE8azMddxuE6Dxl0E1eUi3gN3RwGr1H7DAw5hKUD1lItTFEXS12bCeDLUqgtUzlwLdRqYimWQZQ/w243-h431-no/IMAG2984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFL94eN6Uv4gNT0Nm8fK0gLiqqdzhdE6jmlGXGTOjUIGDX_xueQq827TJIIwoE8azMddxuE6Dxl0E1eUi3gN3RwGr1H7DAw5hKUD1lItTFEXS12bCeDLUqgtUzlwLdRqYimWQZQ/w243-h431-no/IMAG2984.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My Japanese (Ichiban) eggplants are doing well -- it has yielded quite an abundance (to me, at least) of fruit.<br />
Whereas the regular eggplant has had 2...one of which is still in the mid-stages of growing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4700_zps15f2195d.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4700_zps15f2195d.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4700_zps15f2195d.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It currently has about 4-5 that should be ready for picking in the next week of so, with some tiny little babies still growing (looks like a little Christmas light bulb!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4699_zps4f90408b.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4699_zps4f90408b.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4699_zps4f90408b.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A regular harvest for me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4702_zps0be19900.jpg.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4702_zps0be19900.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4702_zps0be19900.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sometimes in the span of a few days, a week, or longer than that -- it
really depends on the plants - I do not treat it with fertilizer. I
don't do much other than water them occasionally, to be honest.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seems pitiful in comparison to serious gardeners. But it is sufficient for this household of 1 1/2.<br />
<br />
Even with these meager pickings, I am at a loss of what to do with them sometimes, as there are only so many eggplant/tomato/basil cravings I get.<br />
<br />
For today, it shall be a simple omelet type mash<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s879.photobucket.com/user/bagfashionista2/media/IMG_4710_zps5f9cff65.jpg.html" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4710_zps5f9cff65.jpg" border="0" src="http://i879.photobucket.com/albums/ab360/bagfashionista2/IMG_4710_zps5f9cff65.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
In other parts of the garden, my lavender in the side garden is going into second bloom...love my lavender!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_UOV6TTQZQ56ANO_UOYug_Cyr9zp_U1fxVAqzF0_lEHZKUrR7IlERN3ilM3N72EQGOUewOLoMxyd4AJgvNhzBjiZZP7hAULuVOKQOp5kzsv7LuS0w69tZKpDwMWWVSZ6RPQ6ow/w243-h431-no/IMAG2982.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw_UOV6TTQZQ56ANO_UOYug_Cyr9zp_U1fxVAqzF0_lEHZKUrR7IlERN3ilM3N72EQGOUewOLoMxyd4AJgvNhzBjiZZP7hAULuVOKQOp5kzsv7LuS0w69tZKpDwMWWVSZ6RPQ6ow/w243-h431-no/IMAG2982.jpg" width="360" /> </a><br />
<br />
And a random picture of Isabel as she went to school this morning -- <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJ4EqNcUxPn6yJ_NZ_iE3luvQV1JwBTYJKN9O8fc4ndrk_je56c2A67XLSv0P7Tslmqc_eSpJhRCtvyIdtfAwEqC_Ir7-_I5IYbMGYpm63WrGy2qC4jeI393DgFUkxz6qzMrGAw/w243-h431-no/IMAG2981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJ4EqNcUxPn6yJ_NZ_iE3luvQV1JwBTYJKN9O8fc4ndrk_je56c2A67XLSv0P7Tslmqc_eSpJhRCtvyIdtfAwEqC_Ir7-_I5IYbMGYpm63WrGy2qC4jeI393DgFUkxz6qzMrGAw/w243-h431-no/IMAG2981.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She looks like a skater girl/tomboy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rarely does she ever dress like this - it's the baggy jeans that gives that impression. Again, another outfit courtesy of her dad. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
They aren't really my style, but whatever floats her boat. She is still cute as a button </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(with a little hooligan hiding within that cuteness)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-37911480434205349712013-09-02T11:13:00.000-05:002013-09-02T11:13:00.628-05:00Little Gifts<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9623457874/" title="Drawstring giftbag by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Drawstring giftbag" height="683" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2816/9623457874_70b36c45f9_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For the girl, a book, a <a href="http://bagfashionista.blogspot.com/2013/08/things-to-do.html" target="_blank">simple skirt</a> and a <a href="http://bagfashionista.blogspot.com/2013/08/its-birds-life-and-mini-me.html" target="_blank">reversible top</a>:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9620223993/" title="Drawstring gift bag - girl by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Drawstring gift bag - girl" height="683" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/9620223993_a6b8571ab0_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9623568034/" title="washi tape tag by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="washi tape tag" height="266" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7392/9620328337_2fbaaf4e6b_c.jpg" width="400" /> <img alt="washi tape tag" height="267" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5515/9623568034_9306676df0_c.jpg" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
With little washi tape tags to indicate the size </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And for her big brother, just some random little things, so that he has something too:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9620219077/" title="Drawstring giftbag - boy by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Drawstring giftbag - boy" height="683" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5522/9620219077_4ba1b03d5c_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am quite enamored with these little bags -- I think it would be perfect to put Christmas (4 more months!) gifts in.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I couldn't find a tutorial for making an unlined drawstring bag when I was settling down to make them for the 2 kids, so I winged my way through, using a buttonhole to weave the drawstrings through</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OBzQw3DrvmlolQXZ6C2k3X_4xhmw9HaFT4GQAWOOX-w8GHSCgESH2EngSXBAxrQDyCsQCliQ58QArXq4KPCPxZ0joRkhWHWM1A-IELO7NWhC_XATrY4Od1DoS0prQoEEC_8uwA/w362-h642-no/IMAG2896.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9620285511/" title="unlined drawstring using a buttonhole by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="unlined drawstring using a buttonhole" height="683" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3706/9620285511_54720f49b5_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I even had half a mind to post a tutorial for this, but then I had a light bulb moment....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wrong search words in Google.<br />
"Not lined" does not give you much in terms of results. "Unlined" was the correct search term.<br />
Doi!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OBzQw3DrvmlolQXZ6C2k3X_4xhmw9HaFT4GQAWOOX-w8GHSCgESH2EngSXBAxrQDyCsQCliQ58QArXq4KPCPxZ0joRkhWHWM1A-IELO7NWhC_XATrY4Od1DoS0prQoEEC_8uwA/w362-h642-no/IMAG2896.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3OBzQw3DrvmlolQXZ6C2k3X_4xhmw9HaFT4GQAWOOX-w8GHSCgESH2EngSXBAxrQDyCsQCliQ58QArXq4KPCPxZ0joRkhWHWM1A-IELO7NWhC_XATrY4Od1DoS0prQoEEC_8uwA/w362-h642-no/IMAG2896.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I made another for one of Isabel's preschool teachers, this time using the<a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/2010/02/18/a-drawstring-bag-tutorial/" target="_blank"> "correct"</a> method. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5d9ZQ5XHpEbxVMlkoV9hlAvmx5tECyqKYZhq1SOQGXl2VWtTURnKzlCnNTJQ9Z_YrsGm6E7AIsSV4Q8WaOp5pb4Jz4gwEZGsk3FRcPsAihYSt0xsgd7fe0vT0k54ACpdIfNNYQ/w362-h642-no/IMAG2897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5d9ZQ5XHpEbxVMlkoV9hlAvmx5tECyqKYZhq1SOQGXl2VWtTURnKzlCnNTJQ9Z_YrsGm6E7AIsSV4Q8WaOp5pb4Jz4gwEZGsk3FRcPsAihYSt0xsgd7fe0vT0k54ACpdIfNNYQ/w362-h642-no/IMAG2897.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know...I think I prefer using a buttonhole. Except I would alter it to include interfacing in order to strengthen the area, since it is unlined.</div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-89518416035020608462013-09-01T15:12:00.002-05:002013-09-01T19:30:40.847-05:005 Random, Mundane Things #1<div style="text-align: center;">
1) Obsessed with this song:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/q24z4XcJxnM?hl=en_US&version=3"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/q24z4XcJxnM?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The church I have been attending have had a turnover of their choir/singing group (with a fantastic new lead/guitar player) and they have been introducing a lot more contemporary songs -- this one was played with a strong drum beat (like the march of an army) and is sing-at-the-top-of-your-voice FANTASTIC</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2) Still awed by the fact that I am actually GROWING food. It is a humbling and amazing experience. And quite fool proof as I have basically been ignoring my plot, except for random watering and weeding.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnH889tNcGEZNvrGMkAwqMWh4c-CT57vyS4VoKTzmwRnrvjxcxInBTV2EtoP0mSC7czwFLOD0BPoYNeAG9P22s5NSqRPUZnhfDyqaysO7YWarlPvzhWIoqjdN2ICyU0nQfPsnAGw/w362-h642-no/IMAG2888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnH889tNcGEZNvrGMkAwqMWh4c-CT57vyS4VoKTzmwRnrvjxcxInBTV2EtoP0mSC7czwFLOD0BPoYNeAG9P22s5NSqRPUZnhfDyqaysO7YWarlPvzhWIoqjdN2ICyU0nQfPsnAGw/w362-h642-no/IMAG2888.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
3) Books I recently finished and loved</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>The One and Only Ivan</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tears fell, my heart ached, I wondered about the cruelty of humans and I don't want to go to a circus ever, EVER again</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bWGFtGK1L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-58,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bWGFtGK1L._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-58,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It is a children's book, which I have a soft spot for. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Edenbrooke</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A historical romance, my favorite kind. I read a lot of these, but this is definitely one of my favorites, along with <i><b>She Walks in Beauty </b></i>by Siri Mitchell.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I borrow my books from the library because if I bought all the books I wanted to read, I would go broke and will live in a cardboard box under a bridge.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But this is one I will be purchasing for my own library </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(that sends a thrill down my spine---"my OWN library")</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Evp9aT4iL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Evp9aT4iL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA278_PIkin4,BottomRight,-64,22_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some of my old friends and I are trying to form a book club where we will read and talk about books. We all live on different continents, with probably very different tastes in reading materials (I prefer to read those with a hopeful air, happy endings and basically something, that at the end of it, will make me have a new perspective on life and hope for the future. One of my friends prefer sad books -- She loves Wuthering Heights..I wanted to smack Heathcliff, and shake Catherine)...so it shall be interesting.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I am excited.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
4) Since I love historical fiction, it is probably a given that I like period movies and shows as well. I don't watch much TV, but PBS has made available fantastic shows</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Call the Midwife</b> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2013/1/21/1358783673556/Call-the-Midwife---We-don-010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2013/1/21/1358783673556/Call-the-Midwife---We-don-010.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/emma-brockes-blog/2013/apr/26/call-the-midwife-pbs-hit-import" target="_blank">via </a></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Set after the war in the 1950s, it follows the life of midwives in London's East End.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The second season is still up for viewing <a href="http://www.pbs.org/call-the-midwife/season-2/season-2-episode-1/" target="_blank">here </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Downton Abbey</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://philadelphia.foobooz.com/files/2013/02/DowntonAbbey1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://philadelphia.foobooz.com/files/2013/02/DowntonAbbey1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="http://philadelphia.foobooz.com/2013/02/05/downton-abbey-comes-to-blackfish/" target="_blank">via</a></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Also made available via PBS, it is about lives of aristocrats (the Earl of Grantham and his family) in the post-Edwardian era</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I have recently signed up for a trial of Amazon Prime and to my delight, they have made this series available for free (All THREE seasons)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Whereas Netflix has taken down Season 1 (the one and only season offered on streaming) from their online selections. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Boo Netflix.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
5) Trying to be super fantastic mom and make inspired lunches for Isabel as she starts her new school. Japanese containers rock.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/4c028b1a087e11e3bf2722000a1fbc66_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/4c028b1a087e11e3bf2722000a1fbc66_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Sunflower butter sandwich, hard-boiled egg, fish nuggets and a tomato FROM MY GARDEN</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And I don't know how American kids can survive (and actually LIKE) having some form of a sandwich day after day after day for their lunch. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-21633408568062671612013-08-29T22:36:00.000-05:002013-08-29T22:38:02.380-05:00And So, A New Chapter Begins<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9624444270/" title="IMG_4593 by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_4593" height="683" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2834/9624444270_ac6254d489_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her bag was packed, and she has new shoes to boot, courtesy of daddy (Actually, her whole outfit is almost all courtesy of daddy)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9621221651/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Isabel's first day of kindergarten by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Isabel's first day of kindergarten" height="266" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/9621221651_1178b5e27e_c.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9621219005/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="1st day of school - kicks by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="1st day of school - kicks" height="266" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7421/9621219005_b988ca6f0d_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her new adventure was about to begin.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We woke up early and had breakfast</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(That's not really Snapple -- it's orange juice in a Snapple bottle) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9624451686/" title="1st day of school - breakfast by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="1st day of school - breakfast" height="1024" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5336/9624451686_2ff7acd64b_b.jpg" width="683" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
I packed her lunch...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9624449244/" title="Bento lunch - 082913 by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Bento lunch - 082913" height="683" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3729/9624449244_9e2ff4a940_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
We snapped some pictures...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9621207217/" title="Isabel and Momma by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Isabel and Momma" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/9621207217_040c36245f_b.jpg" width="683" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And it was off to school!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEQ8BF1s-axf3jhnkx0cByxyNwlo-NDt00bT_ByySUXtyGSY_VkMG0RNEWsdqUQvooMGjm6PYyOY0wT69Ni1OzVWtao3pN0Wca-DstKPNkaMQWU5UA4qQpmCW2-aQxhqPbho3Bw/w362-h642-no/IMAG2903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtEQ8BF1s-axf3jhnkx0cByxyNwlo-NDt00bT_ByySUXtyGSY_VkMG0RNEWsdqUQvooMGjm6PYyOY0wT69Ni1OzVWtao3pN0Wca-DstKPNkaMQWU5UA4qQpmCW2-aQxhqPbho3Bw/w362-h642-no/IMAG2903.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We got there a tad early (a rare occurrence, and will probably never be repeated again...we are never early. We are never on time either), so we snapped more pictures</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi3Yta_pvbpHtkru_pfRaCLR3MjDprbKxTbHm2ecrk-Oa2zP74YOCy9Gf5rGoPyT1Mj4otZgdwvrbOVfT8xSrBlpehV6v4XjzDFHSjLNV4jALp-0CrJSqYBdLEPXb0ocd6yZICA/w362-h642-no/IMAG2910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi3Yta_pvbpHtkru_pfRaCLR3MjDprbKxTbHm2ecrk-Oa2zP74YOCy9Gf5rGoPyT1Mj4otZgdwvrbOVfT8xSrBlpehV6v4XjzDFHSjLNV4jALp-0CrJSqYBdLEPXb0ocd6yZICA/w362-h642-no/IMAG2910.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am usually not in pictures with Isabel, so this is a field day for me!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGyuX7UCHZLrqIO5vBaLRWzA0IOWmcCfb8AfUIMIwJp8OeDayN3WgLQ40SoEPXCbTs-ke7cwmqkZJay37ivdaasy8VR_wM2WplhQ-yeeGq5gUNURwqDa7yyRJHd-uOkMyH8qjGw/w362-h642-no/IMAG2908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGyuX7UCHZLrqIO5vBaLRWzA0IOWmcCfb8AfUIMIwJp8OeDayN3WgLQ40SoEPXCbTs-ke7cwmqkZJay37ivdaasy8VR_wM2WplhQ-yeeGq5gUNURwqDa7yyRJHd-uOkMyH8qjGw/w362-h642-no/IMAG2908.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the teacher came up, called her students and whisked them away.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
John and I were like, "Is that it?!" and stood around at loose ends for awhile.<br />
It was very anti-climatic.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't think that Isabel even had a chance to say goodbye before going off into the classroom.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A few hours later, I came back to make sure she got on the bus (and really, it was to familiarize myself with her new routine) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizB0FpsbTdqyWsGISvUfnNog9pjss3rRFJ6Gq1SIICYYm1imhljqSBd26vynX4kVkSFEaUzWEMNJU0VQtbWNwE_7Rw80QD-q5IOc3Sx4XGquZo1D3h8z7Q3TS6p7nc_jyUooHOTQ/w362-h642-no/photo.jpgz" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizB0FpsbTdqyWsGISvUfnNog9pjss3rRFJ6Gq1SIICYYm1imhljqSBd26vynX4kVkSFEaUzWEMNJU0VQtbWNwE_7Rw80QD-q5IOc3Sx4XGquZo1D3h8z7Q3TS6p7nc_jyUooHOTQ/w362-h642-no/photo.jpgz" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And it is goodbye again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBUAMaRF272IiKUhtLjVphZ1H5kjoJ90kXF4tVWfLxPCsafbyjUFEmr32uITqKB3RAq3ReIrzNXLxSD4HqCGstCt1_dMJiBIJ0qdX1_a7e4f-drF5IkNIQPZl70D_7MoNuXXMcg/s1600/bus-+edited.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBUAMaRF272IiKUhtLjVphZ1H5kjoJ90kXF4tVWfLxPCsafbyjUFEmr32uITqKB3RAq3ReIrzNXLxSD4HqCGstCt1_dMJiBIJ0qdX1_a7e4f-drF5IkNIQPZl70D_7MoNuXXMcg/s1600/bus-+edited.bmp" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can just gobble her up, she is so stinking cute (and yes, I am probably overly biased here) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Her verdict?<br />
<br />
She loves her kindergarten<br />
<br />
But dislikes the afterschool place.<br />
<br />
The bus ride was apparently "HORRIBLE", as she loudly exclaimed.<br />
In public. Strangers were amused. <br />
<br />
All in all, she had a good day because:<br />
<br />
<object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/ka6mutegNR0?version=3&hl=en_US"></param>
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param>
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param>
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/ka6mutegNR0?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br /></div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-45754412892277076332013-08-28T21:19:00.000-05:002013-08-28T21:19:56.081-05:00And So, A Chapter Ends...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage9.s3.amazonaws.com/a82199500dcd11e39d4222000a9e0706_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage9.s3.amazonaws.com/a82199500dcd11e39d4222000a9e0706_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Summer is over. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tomorrow is the beginning of a new school year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This time of year has never affected me before. but this year... TOMORROW (!!!), Isabel will embark on the next chapter of her life as a kindergartener.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_s3r8r1yzM8dZAL60FAmiGVdVXKQrPXVes1STYVyrntOBhAw34DH3h_4lY4DFxJ-QA8kHz_HrtJNfcPevwAuOVor0e7R2Oda_SZWcE_lEZB4h4LJv0vWX7zKiZT9VeY-Up7__iw/w762-h677-no/IMAG2134-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_s3r8r1yzM8dZAL60FAmiGVdVXKQrPXVes1STYVyrntOBhAw34DH3h_4lY4DFxJ-QA8kHz_HrtJNfcPevwAuOVor0e7R2Oda_SZWcE_lEZB4h4LJv0vWX7zKiZT9VeY-Up7__iw/w762-h677-no/IMAG2134-1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She has grown so much </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnkXfjDx4xh-Ct83WSN6nLBCUyNkaH-EmlUCKofmHOPJEuZcar8CWG4xiiGva1YDfCKMXQh33Az9oSrzKpAA_jwLneig_yHOmYYWxCmWEjdr4l7BsQxI0MeP8yRb1eHt1C3_JNA/w903-h677-no/100_1869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnkXfjDx4xh-Ct83WSN6nLBCUyNkaH-EmlUCKofmHOPJEuZcar8CWG4xiiGva1YDfCKMXQh33Az9oSrzKpAA_jwLneig_yHOmYYWxCmWEjdr4l7BsQxI0MeP8yRb1eHt1C3_JNA/w903-h677-no/100_1869.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She is starting to go on monkey bars by herself now. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxwRG15_4Ps42rzdOmFbzDyrJGg3FjPPMp9FX-LNJZUizkSI0EXQWICqjtiyad1-9ItprmRaBKSX13KXKIBqwUmk5KyHizmSiEXzyaIjbFZ3uswY-vmeS0TS5ef9xSwnkwA7n0w/w382-h677-no/IMAG2882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxwRG15_4Ps42rzdOmFbzDyrJGg3FjPPMp9FX-LNJZUizkSI0EXQWICqjtiyad1-9ItprmRaBKSX13KXKIBqwUmk5KyHizmSiEXzyaIjbFZ3uswY-vmeS0TS5ef9xSwnkwA7n0w/w382-h677-no/IMAG2882.jpg" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She is a bit of a monkey herself too</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://distilleryimage10.s3.amazonaws.com/cfc881a4fb7a11e2b0e522000ae904e7_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://distilleryimage10.s3.amazonaws.com/cfc881a4fb7a11e2b0e522000ae904e7_7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
She can do a cartwheel! We practiced for a whole week in the evenings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/516hGmFfGLI?hl=en_US&version=3">
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/516hGmFfGLI?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></object> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And she is still a pretty dismal singer</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<object height="315" width="420"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/rzWla6IAHXY?hl=en_US&version=3">
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
<param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">
<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/rzWla6IAHXY?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="420" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></object> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her reaction after watching herself on the video: "<i>I didn't sing like that! That wasn't me!!</i>" </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Uh-huh...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am sad that she will be leaving all the kids that she has grown up with since she was 2 months old. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Her best friend at school is feeling quite sad too...<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4llh9Glgw4P72I0ZaWRrDmPBAO0nNb_8Un7BR8ESuwkt-gDm412D59l__FnmelZzwHCpNJpXqcdpeDbT4V9-jF8IwxeUWjydoaCdbA834motTHwK1nPpEqxJXPh7qYlHB1TMyw/w1118-h630-no/IMAG2808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4llh9Glgw4P72I0ZaWRrDmPBAO0nNb_8Un7BR8ESuwkt-gDm412D59l__FnmelZzwHCpNJpXqcdpeDbT4V9-jF8IwxeUWjydoaCdbA834motTHwK1nPpEqxJXPh7qYlHB1TMyw/w1118-h630-no/IMAG2808.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And the boy Isabel intends to marry gave her a stuffed puppy to remember him by</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(sweetest thing, EVER. My heart melts. I think I am more affected by this gesture than she is) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMWFnG8garp75K0_nWtbuvHOLwWM4ni9pRQIA4DU8z9jQ8IRQbGVrZYNPEAk9_xMB2bF2stKvHMCNMYLjcsFS-_A6R3t_2_tHzWir5k0p5GvChAf6NLxevCmSjjzz7RTdoFunBw/w382-h677-no/IMAG2898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMWFnG8garp75K0_nWtbuvHOLwWM4ni9pRQIA4DU8z9jQ8IRQbGVrZYNPEAk9_xMB2bF2stKvHMCNMYLjcsFS-_A6R3t_2_tHzWir5k0p5GvChAf6NLxevCmSjjzz7RTdoFunBw/w382-h677-no/IMAG2898.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We went to each of the rooms at her daycare today to give out little tokens of appreciation to the teachers and caretakers who have looked after her and nurtured her and kissed away her boo-boos when I was unable to because I had to work.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6SoPr7hnkKdHDUU9lA4A8SF40c_IY60gmgYqUJrTCQVTgAyulA9Y88khslPErDA5IYhK-nVv5h4eRJr3CSFNthkOCRKFoGQJwA6EWt8Vvmtm6qARyqkx727L-6he_TG6edFYSA/w1118-h630-no/IMAG2900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6SoPr7hnkKdHDUU9lA4A8SF40c_IY60gmgYqUJrTCQVTgAyulA9Y88khslPErDA5IYhK-nVv5h4eRJr3CSFNthkOCRKFoGQJwA6EWt8Vvmtm6qARyqkx727L-6he_TG6edFYSA/w1118-h630-no/IMAG2900.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
These people have been with her almost as long as I have, and I don't know how they do this, year after year of saying goodbye to kids who will most definitely not remember them or remember all that they did for them.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Heart-wrenching.<br />
<br />
It has been 4 and a half years of joy and worry, contentment and frustration, guilt of feeling like I can never do enough and pride that she has turned out the way she did (Though there are more that some parts of her personality that just makes me want to throw up my hands and give up)<br />
<br />
And the journey has barely even started. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Momma loves you, my not-so-baby girl.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-84088496236159503742013-08-24T14:55:00.002-05:002013-08-24T19:12:13.167-05:00Things To Do<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9587309132/" title="Let's Go Fly a Kite - Simple Skirt by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Let's Go Fly a Kite - Simple Skirt" height="1024" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3833/9587309132_9d49e9d58e_b.jpg" width="683" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
If only my weekend to do list was that simple, I'll be set.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Whilst waiting 10,000 years for my junk of a work computer to finish running a (VERY SIMPLE) query, I sew to distract myself from tearing out my hair.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A part of the "Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!" present, made a simple skirt that I think will fit a 12/18 month child....I hope.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's been awhile since Isabel was that young, and the skirt looked impossibly tiny to me. Was Isabel really that little once upon a time? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9587312794/" title="Let's Go Fly a Kite - Simple Skirt2 by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Let's Go Fly a Kite - Simple Skirt2" height="1024" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7367/9587312794_b0b7a741a5_b.jpg" width="683" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The kite applique is a complete rip-off from <a href="http://homemadebyjill.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Homemade by Jill</a> when she posted one in she made in her Instagram.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I never quite liked cutesy detail on children's clothes, but this one appealed to me because the song "Let's Go Fly a Kite!" from Mary Poppins played in my mind throughout. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love that song. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Isabel and I sing it together</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9584515929/" title="Mary Poppins - Let's Go Fly a Kite - Simple Skirt by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Mary Poppins - Let's Go Fly a Kite - Simple Skirt" height="1024" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3799/9584515929_12dbd677df_b.jpg" width="683" /></a>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It took perhaps an hour to get this done. Simple, quick and fulfilling. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Meanwhile, that computer still isn't done yet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzZBlJWkUEDgUac2KX8-Dg7pGaBVrCh_BCDgFXPHa5MCgIQempStiWf6EfG1dULe1Snd4xzCREgLCPgFQzV3nBwXrFsIveOIF0f3aFJtGjafaccQ9_D87_lC1OFpXTGvm7SkpEA/s1600/Let%2527s+Go+Fly+a+Kite+-+Simple+Skirt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-62738839889394651402013-08-13T14:09:00.000-05:002013-08-13T14:12:38.664-05:00Evolutions of a Study/Library/Office<div style="text-align: center;">
One of my dreams was always to have a room that is to be deemed a "study". Just one of those quirks of mine.<br />
<br />
When we bought the house all those years ago, there was an extra room that was designated as such.<br />
<br />
This room was where I would pay the bills. That was the extent of its use for a long time. Eventually, it became the place I sewed, and now, craft with Isabel. <br />
<br />
The first time the room was painted, circa 2008 thereabouts, I went with a darker green for a masculine, serious feel... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo 000_0005.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/000_0005.jpg" height="300" width="400" /> <img alt=" photo 000_0006.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/000_0006.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Looking back, I cringe. It looks dreary, and boring and empty.<br />
I don't even LIKE green.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then I went through my white phase, picture circa 2011:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0806.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/IMG_0806.jpg" /> </a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Room is still equally empty - I've never been good with accessorizing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But the room feels lighter, more airy, more girly.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_0804.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/IMG_0804.jpg" height="266" width="400" /> <img alt=" photo IMG_0801.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/IMG_0801.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And here she is now:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="study 2013, dwell studio striped wool rug, pottery barn mia chandelier photo IMG_4485-1.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/bagfashionista2/IMG_4485-1.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With actual bookcases...filled with books, books and more books. I think that was what was missing all those years ago...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Books are an important part of my life. Always have been. And I am glad to be reunited with them. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4482.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/bagfashionista2/IMG_4482.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A glitzy chandelier is also an obsession. <br />
This room is by far the most "colorful" room in the house, with the exception of Isabel's bedroom. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Study, library, Pottery Barn Mia Chandelier photo IMG_4490.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/bagfashionista2/IMG_4490.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The walls have something beyond paint on them</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4495.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/bagfashionista2/IMG_4495.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_4499.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/bagfashionista2/IMG_4499.jpg" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
The room is done (for now -- just need two more parson chairs to complete the seating)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I came across lots of old pictures of Isabel while looking for the original study pictures -- my darling, my love (although she really hates it when I call her my love...that term of endearment is apparently reserved for her future boyfriend to call her)<span style="color: blue;"><u></u></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" photo IMG_8558.jpg" border="0" src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/bagFasHioNisTa/IMG_8558.jpg" /> </a></div>
bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34015036.post-68693694723690267352013-08-12T15:11:00.000-05:002013-08-26T09:50:58.033-05:00It's a Bird's Life --- And a Mini-Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e8/98/26/e898263ca37f2273527a0b9df866eca6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e8/98/26/e898263ca37f2273527a0b9df866eca6.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Did I mention that I bought a ton of fabric recently?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am trying to make a dent in my stash prior to cutting into the new. Because it pains me to cut in to fabric that was recently purchased. A hoarding symptom, probably.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have a long list of items that I want to sew.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I started trolling round the net for patterns again, so first up, <a href="http://birchfabrics.blogspot.com/2013/08/free-pattern-tutorial-featuring-eiko-by.html" target="_blank">Reversible Wrap Top with Flutter Sleeves pattern</a> by Craftiness is not Optional</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9495113943/" title="Reversible Flutter Sleeved Wrap Top by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Reversible Flutter Sleeved Wrap Top" height="683" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2852/9495113943_f2c409e8bc_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
It is definitely one of the better free patterns that I've used, and dare I say, better than some that I have actually purchased. Easy enough to follow along and the finished product is pretty durn cute. Sizes are limited, but sufficient.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Usually not a fan of reversible patterns as one sides gets used more than the other, so if I make it again for Isabel, I shall probably make it with a plain lining on one side.<br />
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9497913566/" title="Reversible Flutter Sleeved Wrap Top by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Reversible Flutter Sleeved Wrap Top" height="683" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3699/9497913566_15bc745792_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Isabel's was made using the 4/5T sizing. It fits fine with room to spare on her now. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Made a 12/18M version as part of a "Welcome to the World" present for a little girl of a friend</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...except she's been in the world for about 6 months now...another case of where the aspiration is there, but the motivation is not. I am working on it.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Fabric Selection: </b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isabel got all stash-fabric (she was consulted on the fabric selection, as usual) and the baby got part new, part stash.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9495116395/" title="Riley Blake Simple Bunting, Michael Miller Lil' Daisy by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Riley Blake Simple Bunting, Michael Miller Lil' Daisy" height="683" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/9495116395_7fa90bbe60_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<b>12/18M </b>- <i>Michael Miller's <a href="http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/lil-plain-jane-2.html" target="_blank">Lil' Daisy in Grey</a> from the Plain Jane collection, Riley Blake's <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/shop/product/c3023-red/" target="_blank">Simple Buntings</a> in Aqua from the Simple Life collection, sleeves in Heather Bailey's Hello Roses in Taupe from the Nicey Jane Collection </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47782161@N08/9497911388/" title="Michael Miller Humming Bird, Love birds; Riley Blake Trees by bagfashionista, on Flickr"><img alt="Michael Miller Humming Bird, Love birds; Riley Blake Trees" height="683" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7303/9497911388_1057c6f549_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<b>4/5T</b> - Oddly enough, all fabric in her top has a bird theme -- definitely purely coincidental...<i>Michael Miller's Humming Birds in White from the Flora and Fauna
Collection, Riley Blake's Trees in Blue from the Happier collection and
Michael Miller's <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/47297715/new-michael-miller-hedgehog-collection" target="_blank">Love Birds in Black</a> from the Hedgehog collection (<b>LOVE </b>this fabric) </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />bagfashionistahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11333545352923043668noreply@blogger.com1