Jean Genie

The theory is that I'm going to make the Jalie jeans every sewing blogger talks about glowingly and incessantly. Thing is, I can't quite get with learning another new mega-skill (lapped zipper anyone?) in the next month. It just isn't in the cards.

But today, on arriving at the office, I realized that my Gap 1969 trouser jeans (part of the prototype line before the main line launched) had totally freakin' given up the ghost.

When it hit me that I was wearing denim with a shredded inner upper thigh, I knew it couldn't go on a minute longer. I mean, I've been distracted lately, but I'm not coarse.

I have this objective to remain fully clothed at work.

I had an agency meeting in the afternoon. You know how those people like to look cool. At lunch, I performed one of my super-hero mom acts: bought a kid's party birthday present, a new (back ordered book), a healthful lunch of leafy greens and a pair of jeans - 30 minutes start to finish - including the walk:

Gap 1969 Curvy Jeans

I threw out the old pair on my way out of the store. It was a bittersweet moment.

You know I like the 1969 line. I've bought a few pairs, but never the "curvy". In truth, I was looking for a recreation of the trouser jeans, but it was wishful thinking. These have some of the same tailored, but casual, elements. And a similar wash.

They are the only jeans I have that can be - nay must be - worn with flats. Too bad they're kind of fitted in the thigh. Attractively fitted, to be sure, but not exactly wide.

If you are 5'3" with longish legs, you can walk out of the store in the ankle-length. And, no doubt, you'll have to go down 2 sizes in order to get them to fit. Could be worse.

PS: IMO, it's not frittering when you have to replace a fraying, obscene garment in order to get away with a chic look while walking to work in flats. Boot season saved me from a purchase till now. And I suppose it's a necessity until I figure out how to make my own.

PPS: You know you're a veteran shopper when you can size up jeans and buy the first pair you see (aka the only pair you take into the change room).

Flowering Almond - End of March

Remember my precious flowering almond? The one that almost offed itself by blooming so voluminously that it struggled to sustain itself and to grow leaves?

My landscaper told me that she'd never seen one quite like it. She imagined it was a new-plant fluke.

Well, apparently, it's on the same trajectory this spring:

Scott took this photo last weekend. since then - due to much rain and warmer temps - the thing is going absolutely nuts. I expect it will explode with puff-ball flowers, fantastically, sometime this week. I am taking steps to help it to stay healthy by making sure that any dead blooms are quickly disposed of (to make space for the leaves).

But oh, what a week it's going to be... Stay tuned for pics.

Less is MOR

You know how I'm doing my little "no frittering" challenge, which I've extended until early June. It pertains specifically to clothing, nothing else, and I've managed to resist temptation rather impressively. Of course, it's easy to resist when everything else is theoretically on the table.

Today I had to go out to replenish my stash soap and hand cream. I'm certainly not thrifty with beauty products and potions. In fact I threw in a little new body wash.

I should mention: I'm feeling rather overwhelmed lately. I have some pretty big things launching soon at work. I have some significant responsibilities at home. I also have some goals I'm trying to achieve (on the work and life fronts) and I don't know how to find the extra energy required.

My creativity feels a little over-tapped right now, to be honest, and my posting may be a bit short or sporadic - or as active as ever. (You know how I like to fuck around with everybody's expectations.) I may not be as active a contributor on your blogs or as immediately responsive to your fabulous comments. It's not that I'm not reading - and loving your work - because surely I am. I just need to find some way to restore my equilibrium.

But back to the potions: My olfactory sense is particularly acute. I'm sure this is the origin of my 7-month vomit fest during pregnancy. I'm the kind of person who can tell what soap you use from 10 feet. I love scent - of course, except for that which I hate - particularly florals with chypre. My body chemistry metabolizes florals quickly, emphasizing musk. On some, florals are pedestrian. On me, they're sexy (go figure).

Happily, while at my potion shop, I came across this:

On first inhale, I was transported by its lush, almost overpowering bouquet. I should have picked out the ylang ylang instantly (I didn't).

It made me feel a little less stuck. A little more like I'm part of the air and the earth and the change of seasons.

I bought it and, every once in a while, I open the cap (it's a roll-on perfume oil) and smell the heady top notes.

What do you do to restore your sense of balance? How do you manage ennui?

FBA*: First Time's A Bust

I am following the rulez. Swear! This is what the instructions tell you to do.

I can see I may have to stop posting about sewing for a while because every fucking new thing that involves boobs and catering to their voluptuousness seems to be failing. I mean, everything seems to be providing me with a great learning opportunity.

I mean, totally fuck that. What am I, a grade 1 teacher??

Thing is, I'm happy to bitch about this ad nauseum. It strikes me, however, that you may be vaguely irritated by my constant irritation.

Here are my questions du jour - aimed at the sewists but pls, anyone and everyone must provide feedback:

• Have you done an FBA? Did it work the first time?
  
• Was it the Y variety rather than just the normal one?
  
• How big a centre gap do you think you can you accomodate with the regular FBA (not the Y version)? I think I have to add 2.5 inches - is that too much with the regular version?
• Have you struggled with the apex going too low once you make the adjustment?
• Have you struggled with the back being shorter than the front at the end?
• With a narrow back and large chest, do you find that the number of inches you need to increase the pattern by is actually smaller?
  

*FBA = Full Bust Adjustment. It's designed to make woven and, to some extent knit, patterns (which are cut in general for a 34B chest) perfectly fitting for any woman, regardless of chest size. It's a fairly common - but not insignificant - technical alteration.

A-Pooling

How is it that there are so many variations on the appealing swimming pool?

Photo courtesy of Studio G

Toronto Fashion Week: Press Corps

Here are a coupld of photos of me pretending to be a fancy media star at the TFW "tent" at the Allstream Centre:


And here's a view of the press corps I was standing in front of as I (seriously) shamelessly posed.

Of course, here it is during the show. But as I stood there and modeled, pre-show, one media guy shouted "Work it, honey."

Work it I did.

If only I were 6 feet tall, 25 pounds lighter, 20 years younger and more angular - I could so strut, people. :-)

Fashion Person

I've mentioned my supa-cool, plugged-in, media-type friend Jet. She makes documentaries and belongs to terribly chic arts clubs and plays tennis daily.

Lately, she's been shooting B-roll for her new film. The subject: fashion peeps, shows and the world of models (of course, there's more to it but I don't want to give it all away!)

So I just had to accompany her to the "tent" and watch a show and then go to the Spoke and have a lovely meal and then watch another show. One that was filmed for Fashion Television.

I know, I am very au courant :-)

I'm not going to talk too much about those shows. I don't want to bite the hand that feeds me (the fashion mechanism - not Jet, who totally agrees with me, btw), but I was not impressed by what I observed.

Don't get me wrong: The events were phenomenally organized. As a former planner of media events, I have to say I was nothing but impressed by the venues, the set up, the organizers, the PR peeps, the runway, the perks...

The designs just weren't up to snuff, IMO. And, frankly, it amazes me (given the shoddy tailoring and the lack of imagination that paraded left right and centre - in front of my very eyes) that everyone around me was pandering and ooh-ing and ahh-ing all over the place.

It was curious, let me tell you.

But if you catch me on FT, I assure you I'll be the least bored fashion girl you've ever seen: