Fun Updates

In no particular order, nor any particular relevance to this blog...

NEW HAIRCUTS!

The story of me cutting my hair is long... and will probably be an angsty photo-essay by the time I'm done.  But here are some highlights in photos! 

1

2

1. My first major cut, inspired by the Italian Cut of the 1960's.
2. Me playing with pincurls.
3. Growing out

3

4

5

4. Spider 'do for Hallowe'en 2020
5. Full-on pixie! 

FITNESS!

Upon considering that 1) I work in healthcare, and back injuries are a real risk, and 2) I am 36, and bone density loss is a present risk, I decided several months ago to start weight training.  I signed up for a fitness class, crossfit-style, and discovered a new enthusiasm! 

Deadlift notes

Doing fitness stuff meant buying fitness clothes, which was a whole non-comfort-zone adventure, but I'm starting to enjoy spandex, now.  I particularly like stretchy skorts, so I can feel like I'm in a pretty skirt, yet do a squat without flashing the gym.  I find it easier to get up in the morning and go to the gym if I have pretty things to wear!  Once I'm in class, I forget my clothes and enjoy pushing my body, but the clothes do their part to get me there. 

NEW KITTEN!

Our household suffered a loss several months back, when Cutie-Pie, my friend's little boy-kitty, went into a decline and had to leave us.  Now we welcome and enjoy a new little boy, whom I call Buckaroo because he has a bow-legged swagger. 

Buckaroo is a cave-cat, for sure.  Unlike Pretty Kitty, who dominates every perch, Buckaroo lurks in every lair.  Under furniture, behind the washer, in laundry baskets... he likes to have a cave! 

Much like his predecessor, he also loves string.

ON THE SEWING FRONT...

Quilting continues, not apace, but a-snail's-pace.  I have a cool idea for the Acid Trip quilt, and I'm plodding through the last few blocks of the dandelion quilt.  My loss of momentum is not because I enjoy them less, but because I'm neurotic about finishing things.  Sigh. 

For Acid Trip, I am interspersing black pieces, to make the colors pop.  I have a cubist-yin-yang concept guiding the placement of the dark and bright.  Meanwhile, a li'l cowboy helps me wrangle my Barrister's Block units. 

LINGERIE

I picked up some lovely lingerie at the Goodwill (Empress Mimi, but I only paid $12!), and became interested in making lingerie.  Meanwhile I've also experimented with wearing stockings and garter belts, and (predictably), I love them!

Empress Mimi's "La Vie En Rose" bralette in pink; my replica in green/gold.

Shouldn't be too hard to get a pattern off this Dita Von Teese 6-strap garter belt... the shapes are simple!

I'm not used to sewing with stretchy fabrics, but I'm motivated because I enjoy wearing pretty underthings.  So far, the greatest challenge is sourcing hardware: the Mill End Store has enough plush-back elastic to wrap around the world twice, but hardly any sliders to adjust it to fit.  I ordered some off Etsy, and they were too small, so I am looking for the right size, now. 

---

Thus concludes the tour of Karen-life.  Exit through the gift shop; tell your friends.