breathing through hearts

Someone told me that at certain angles, my nostrils appear heart shaped. What about that?

Don Juan DeMarco

I was in high school when this movie was shown. I had always wanted to see it but never had the chance to see. I'm glad I saw it now rather than then, I wouldn't have appreciated it as much. Watching this was a nice way of spending my last 2008 afternoon.

checking

We were musing--if you like.

It did touch on relationships. Never mind those that had happened but more on those that didn't happen.

There was something that was said which was very obvious and I felt like an idiot afterwards. Of course it was the reason!

T: What happened?
S: Nothing.
T: I know nothing happened. I know it didn't happen, but what was the deal? If you do the tick box checking exercise, I'm sure you would have most of the boxes checked.
S: It is beyond the checkboxes. I don't do checkboxes.
T: Okay.
S: It is a common story. It didn't happen because, hindi ko siya gusto.
T: I see.
S: Yung gusto ko lang naman someone na hindi ko na kailangan iconvince yung sarili ko na gusto ko siya. Gusto ko lang talaga siya.

thank you berry much

I try to find things to be thankful about everyday, and there would be times when it is not the easiest thing to do. These are the times when I am caught up with some concern or working to get over (or around) a hurdle. Today is not one of those days. Today, there were so many things to be thankful for.

The berry was only the tip of the giant iceberg icing on the cake.

Jump(suit) for joy, it's Christmas!

I was so happy with my pantsuit that I made another one. The fabric is some suiting material that is the most pricey I got since I started sewing. There is a long story about it being mixed with the fabrics on sale. Oh well, I did my best and it didn't go to waste, so everything is fine.

The front is adjustable, you can add to or reduce the amount of gathering along the neckline. It is a variation of the halter top that is tied in the back of the neck.

It can be worn in so many ways! I did sew a belt for this that quite conveniently got lost in my wardrobe today--the day I decided to take photos of the pantsuit. So to illustrate the different ways, I borrowed a tie from a knitted sweater to stand as a substitute.

I think I like the way it is worn in image B1 best.

this year...

The last four Christmases were quite different from Christmas as I knew it. I could say there were a lot of reflection, that led to self discovery and realizations (not quite as quickly as I would have hoped) done and anticipation, that lead to other things that happened.

I think it had been a balancing act between being excited but not expecting anything. Now that Christmas had once again changed for me. I find that all that balancing was hard work.

So what is Christmas for me this year? It is a day away from my very happy Christmas.

on presents

As a kid, I was not never really super excited about Christmas present. My parents did not really watch us write letters to Santa (I'm not sure if it was because we didn't have a chimney) and make the magic happen on Christmas Eve.

Come to think of it, I don't even recall wanting something so much and wishing they got me that--or someone got it for me. I usually save up for the things that I want--or need--or both. So there goes the excitement about presents.

I give a hell lot of credit for thought though. So if I get an empty box wrapped, it would be pretty good for me. Imagine if something was inside :) I'm easy.

pick me, choose me

I think I made an entry about this in the past, but I will still write about it regardless. I always see people pick their noses. I don't know why, I am not in a constant lookout for such acts, but I do, I always chance by it. Today I saw one on my way to work, during lunch and on my way back home. Bad things really come in threes.

zip it

My sewing machine will be turning one on the 25th and I still do not know how to sew on zippers. I'm not sure if I am simply procrastinating--or I don't see that learning would make a significant difference in the clothes that I make.

I do have a couple of invisible zippers lying around at home. I however, can't think of anything I want to make that involves zippers. The next two items on my list are pretty straightforward.

I think I must have spent too much time figuring out ways to work around putting zippers that I don't see the need for zippers.

Robert Mulligan

I just found out that Robert Mulligan, director of Summer of '42 died on the 20th. I never followed his career or anything, I think I'm gonna check out other movies he directed as Summer of '42 remains as one of my favorites to this day.

(almost) closing time

2008.

How do I write about that?

When I really think about it. 2008 was about...

HIM.

Friends who visited. Friends who went away. Friends coming back.

Friends I made.

Friendships that changed. Friendships that endured.

Getting in touch with the past. Moving on.

Weddings. Engagements.

Weight that I lost--and gained back.

Trips.

Plans. Insurance Policies. Procedures.

Sewing stuff.

Suspicious people.

Sales and being Sales talked.

Surprises. "Somewhat" promises.

Sets. Subsets. Simulated ("end of day") sunsets.

Friday the 13th.

Fever. Persistent fever. That Sunday fever.

Lunches. "First" lunches.

Movies. Movie dates that happened. Movie dates that didn't happen.

Cryptic blog entries.

A crashing driver. A new tennis champion.

Millimeters.

The concert of the year.

Water therapy. Touch therapy. Retail therapy.

Walking. Talking. Talking while walking.

Waiting. Waiting. Waiting.

Fishing. Fish & Chips. Finding a favorite girl.

Seems like a lot of time spent thinking and re-thinking, I mean this is after all, the draft list . Coming up with the text for each is downright daunting. That is where the thinking (and writing) really kicks in.

I think I would leave it--for now. Or maybe, for good.

say it

I was having an exchange of thoughts with a friend yesterday. It was about the age old question about admitting to a friend that you want to be more than friends. I think this one won't go away for generations to come.

The thing is, everyone is wonderful in a special way and when you are very, very close it is seemingly impossible not to see the light. And that starts trouble--or great love.

I find that playing devil's advocate is best for situations like these.

F: I just know he doesn't feel the same way.
T: (sings "you have no right...") Dude, you can't say that, you don't know. You are not him.

F: He is dense. He is clueless.
T: You know what? Maybe he knows, he just didn't think it was possible for you to feel that way about him.

F: I should tell him. I want to be free.
T: Are you sure? What if he doesn't reply or changes the topic? (sings "you have no right...") You know, you can't hate him for doing that right?

F: You think I should tell him?
T: What if he feels the same way?

F: I will tell him now.
T: Maybe you want to wait a few days? Don't act in haste.

Now that I think about it, there is really no point in this entry. Actually, hmmm. Maybe one. I think I confused her more.

you can do this

I received a photo of a pretty girl from a college friend yesterday with a note that says I should make my version of the top worn by the girl. She says I could make one like it.

Today I got an email from my best friend saying that her sister just got a custom made top (which was not cheap) that she was sure I could replicate. The title of her email was "You can do this tat :)".

One could bet his life that I would really try to replicate these tops. But the bigger thing that has happened here is that, I am blessed to have friend who go out of their ways to help me do something with my time as I am so free, hahahaha. But seriously, I feel overwhelmed that they think much of my hobby.

full bangs

Just to get the image of the that kid off my head, I am posting a photo of my niece, although she doesn't look like me, I don't get goosebumps looking at her.

ella ella ella

It's funny how people always tell me that I look like someone, there is a long list for me. But one that I agree with is this kid called Ella Guevara (thanks Cheng for supplying me with her name). I came across some photos today and well, it was kinda creepy for me. Go figure.

i'm (like) a babe

I wore my basic pantsuit for the first time today :)

I still can't get over the fact that I don't look so terrible wearing one. Sewing your own clothes comes in handy sometimes. You can experiment with cloth and if it turns out great, you are high for a few days, if it doesn't then you could try and make something else out of it. In sewing there are second, third, up to ninety-ninth chances. (I think this is a certain girl with big curls' cue to say "unlike love".)

But with the high (from the pantsuit) comes the low. After going to the toilet, I was convinced that the pantsuit wouldn't quite be as popular as other clothes (like the wrap dress) because seriously, it is such a hassle to go to the toilet! You take everything off! Geez. This is what being a babe is about--not that kind of babe though.

I think whenever I wear this, I should opt for the cubes that allow for diaper changing.

SALE away

Every year, this certain store goes on sale on the second week of December and every year I get new stuff around that time. Coincidence?

Like many other details of my December month, this too has changed this year. I was surprised to get out of the store empty handed. Not so very empty handed, I did get a pair of sandals, but that was it. I didn't even plan to go back and check other stuff.

Another surprise was that the sandals were very comfortable. It is Naturalizer level comfortable! Another change there (all my shoes from this store hurt like hell--why do I continue to buy?).

I had been listing down the changes in my head, and it is quite a long list. I'm not sure about posting about them though.

Good morning. TGIF!

christmas is the time to love

I found myself amused (and mortified) watching a video of my niece singing Christmas is the Time to Love together with her classmates on stage during the school Christmas Party. She was pushing, elbowing, nudging and teasing a classmate a head taller than her. Christmas is indeed, the time to love.

basic pantsuit

I had been seeing pantsuits around since last year and I had often been curious about them. Lately there are some sold in stores here but I find that most have drop crotches--plus they don't come cheap. I don't want to be spending money on something that I still need to alter. So, I decided to make one for myself.

I must admit that I had my doubts, I was not sure it would go well with my body type which is not yatots. I'm happy with how it turned out though, I think I would even wear this a lot as I move around during weekends.Here is a photo of the pantsuit without a belt or any other accessory. This is probably the bare-est it could be. It is very casual. I look like I am dressed to do housework. Or back up Billy Joel in the Uptown Girl music video.

This is very comfortable, it is made with black linen. I don't mind wearing this as it is around the house but it would need something if I am taking it out.I could wear a belt, tie, obi or what have you in two places (three actually), one around the hips so that the top looks blouse-y or around the waist so that it looks more sleek (another option is around the ribs, high waisted). I have not decided which one I like more, but most definitely I am going to put something around a specific part when I wear this.

let's talk polka

If you say blue polka dots does it mean that the background is any color but the dots are blue? Or is it that the background is blue and the dots are any random color?

I hate surprises

drowning in waves

I had been wanting to do a wrap dress for ages as I love wrap clothes :)

I did find myself a bit overwhelmed with colors when I first tried on the dress. I might have felt just a bit nauseas from the pattern (this is cotton fabric, by the way). I don't know about you, but it reminds me of scenes from movies when a flashback is about to be shown (or when the reception is really bad). Overall, I am happy with how it turned out, as I like how it fit, how the straps match perfectly, how the tie are equal and how the side that overlaps is curved. I think I would wear this dress a lot. (I think I need to stock up on Bonamine.)

the kiss

I went to some friends' house last week and I was happy to see some reproductions of Klimt's work. I was pointing at one and insisting that the painting is called women or girls, and my friend says it was the virgin. I didn't argue, no point.

I googled just now and found that it is in fact called The Girls (The Virgin). I think this qualifies as a tie. Hahahaha.

Anyway, the reason that I am writing an entry is that I almost forgot about The Kiss. (No, I was not kissing someone that day). I first saw it in a calendar and somehow, I didn't get the name of the artist--master or the painting. It was only when I saw the reproductions alongside each other that I made the connection (I know, "good work, genius", right?).

It was kind of cool how finally I know the name of a work that I liked which image almost got lost in my head through time.

who needs the weather channel?

I don't know about the raindance but wearing my tan shoes ensures rain (how about that, Storm?).

I have had them for one year in January but hardly wear them because they are not the easiest to match (and each shoe has two bells that, um, well, makes bell sounds when you walk), but each time I do, wow. Rain.

Three out of three. The odds are very good.

STATICtician

I think my closet is too crowded, I realize this because lately, my clothes are all clingy (even when they shouldn't be), probably because of all the rubbing against other clothes. Electrons. I hate it when this happens.

OX naman o!

It isn't even halfway through December but today will be the last time I would be seeing Kristine this year. It has been an interesting but definitely happy year for her and it is not about to end post climax. I think there were times when I had been too much of a cynic but I hope that she knows that I meant well. Next year we will be working in the same building and I look forward to eating with a familiar face every now and then as I had been spending my lunch hour in front of my laptop the last few weeks.

Kristine, next year will be OX. Hahahahahaha.

(Walang point, but the top I'm wearing in the photo is from Kristine.)

Obi (Bryant)

I remember writing about making an obi inspired belt a few weeks (or days) ago, true to my word, here it is. It is made of blue black denim that has been processed so it looks like it is wrinkled. The material is quite tough. I used aqua colored thread to play up the black in the fabric.

It was quite fun making this one, I am suddenly wanting to make smaller ones to use as a headbands. We'll see how that one goes.

Front and back view shown in photos. When I saw how it looked from behind, I thought that it is cool how it is exacto for me plus it hides the fish and (plateful of) chips I had for lunch pretty well. Hahaha.

throw me on the floor

It has been eleven months since I started sewing and one could well imagine (actually a random person won't) the amount of extra tela I have just lying in the corner of my room. I don't want to throw everything as I keep thinking I might need it for something at some point.

I had been toying with the idea of making a patchwork quilt cover. My mom made something like that a long time ago--two actually, one for her and the other for my sister.

When I got home around midnight last night, full of chicken wings and beer, I decided to sort my lot and start cutting rectangular shapes. I pinned some together too.

I sewed everything this morning and here is the finished product. It is a throw by the way--not a full blanket. I attached cotton (almost t-shirt tela) fabric on the backside, as this part touches the skin. The lines aren't great but I hope this throw would see a lot of long nights (and afternoons) thrown over someone.

(Antoinette) Toes

When cutting toenails, do you move closer to your toes or do you move your toes closer to you?

I do the latter.

blame it on the rain (the rain)

I blogged about my current (this is beginning to sound like a relationship entry--it isn't) umbrella a while back, the one that looks like it is wearing a french maid costume. Anyways, for some reason I haven't had a chance to use it until yesterday.

The wait was definitely worth it as it made me smile how the ruffles flutters as I walked in the rain. Up and down, up and down, up and down. It was just too soon for me when I reached my bus stop.

On my way from the bus stop where I got off to my house, I was walking slowly so I could watch the ruffles go up and down, up and down, up and down. Again, I felt it was too soon when I reached our place.

When I got into the house, I headed to the washing area so I could leave my umbrella to dry. It was only then that I realized the hand strap is broken. Bummer. I think I could mitigate the situation, but I have a sinking feeling that this umbrella, like all my other umbrellas in the past (this post is ending like a relationship entry--it isn't!) will not last.

DDB

I know for a fact that a certain Rochness would most definitely think of something stressful upon seeing the blog entry title. I will burst her bubble by pointing out very early on that DDB is an acronym I came up with for my latest project, D-Ring Denim Belt. I used old rose shade thread for contrast, and to match it with the dress I sew earlier. No photo of the dress yet, maybe after it has been washed and ironed.

I love D-rings! I can't wait to use the other stuff I got like clasps, buckles, etc.

straight line

This is A after getting her hair evened out :) She is the cutest!

how can you "loose"?

I'm attending a triple birthday party this weekend and I just finished wrapping the presents. I hope none of them get pissed that the gifts look like they are dressed in baggy clothes.