Salem, OR

So I'm not traveling anymore... I mean, not constantly. I rented a house, I got a job... pretty settled! I started my job on Monday and so far I really like it. The people there are really nice, I'm looking forward to getting to know them better and being able to joke around a little more at work :) That's how I like it!

I may have planted some roots but I am already thinking about trips to take, beyond driving to the beach, Portland, mountains and Eugene. All within 2 hours from where I live now! It's a pretty sweet location. This weekend is the film festival and a friend of mine from Portland is supposed to come down Saturday and help me paint (a couple shades of blue, medium in the living room and light in the kitchen). It's only the 5th day on the job tomorrow and I already get to go to the job site... an old warehouse, 2 blocks West of the office, that is being converted (via adding 4 storeys) to a 100 unit apartment complex. I've been working on the demolition plans and today started tweaking the floor plans and elevations. It's fun :) I like autocad. I've also been to a young architects gathering at an office on the other side of the creek from my office, as well as had free lunch at a lunch-n-learn today.

Yesterday I went to Broadway Coffeehouse, in a building that it turns out my office (or some people in my office) had hands in designing. It was a really big open space, felt a little lukewarm. The space is big and open, and the chai I had was delicious, but it could use more rugs and little "living room" type areas. Then drove all around town with my new friend trying to find JoAnn Fabrics. Third time was the charm and we found JoAnn fabrics, hooray! It's freaking HUGE! It was like 7:45pm and I hadn't eaten dinner yet so we went in, I got my white felt for my Halloween costume and a couple sewing patterns. I need to sort out my sewing pile and get started on some projects. I have to dress nice at this office (ie. no jeans) so I'd like to have some dresses to wear. So far I've been complimented on cute shoes everyday (2 different pairs). I bought several V-neck tees and have a few pairs of dress pants... with V-neck sweaters... My clothing isn't that interesting yet... but I'm excited to start sewing stuff! It'll be great!!

Right now I'm working on that Halloween costume. I'm planning to drive up to Vancouver BC for a Halloween/birthday party so I figured I'd actually step up and make a costume! I've never given Halloween this much thought before :) I'll post pictures when I'm done... don't want to spoil the surprise :)

It's nice having a kitchen but I miss my pots and pans and well stocked spice cabinet... I have a lot of setting up to do yet. I'm really looking forward to when my aunt and uncle get here with my stuff. They are going to drive across the country in my mom's car with a trailer filled with a bunch of my stuff. So awesome! I thought I was going to have to wait until May. This means I will soon have my stand mixer... watch out office waistlines :P

My Final Jaunt to New York

I just came back from a whirlwind trip up to New York. I drove up yesterday morning stopping in Dover to drop off my sick sewing machine for repair, and to find a button for my step-dad's vest then made it to New York, ate at Bark where my old roommate works (she was in a meeting when I got there but we got to chat briefly) then had dinner and a board game with 3 of my favorite people. Then today, the whole purpose of the trip was realized. I went to the Alexander McQueen "Savage Beauty" show at the Met. (It's up until July 31st, if you are in NYC before then, GO!)

It was unbelievably amazing.

Mind-blowing even.


A little side note about my background. I learned to sew in 4th grade and it's been my hobby ever since. I used to sew a lot in high school, my freshman year of college I was even in the junior fashion show with 3 outfits (I will have to find pictures of that at scan 'em!). It was fun but I decided to study architecture because sewing was my hobby - ie. not something I wanted to turn into a job and therefore, in my mind, suck all the fun out of. I haven't been sewing for a while because I've been too busy (school/work/travel) and/or lived in a place where I didn't have space to set up a table and actually sew.

I also have been feeling lately that my skills have plateaued. My mom and grandma (her mom) taught me to sew and to read patterns. I've also tried my hand at pattern making and draping... but have been getting frustrated with it. I have books on the subject but I just don't learn from books very well- I prefer to learn from a skilled and experienced person. So, I've started researching pattern making and draping classes. I found some in Portland, OR and might decide to stick around there for a little bit and stay with family while I brush up on my skills. I have already sketched some new designs and I'm feeling re-invigorated about fashion design. So what if it's not "my career", and who is to say it won't become some aspect of my professional life. I'm tired of putting sewing, my passion, on the back burner because it "doesn't count" by some standards as something to focus on in this time when I should supposedly be focusing on my "career", whatever that means :P

I recall when I was announcing I was going to school for architecture, many friends were surprised that I wasn't going for fashion design. I wanted to study architecture, I'm glad I did. Architecture school taught me a way to look at the world and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I think it even helps my clothing designs. Now, it's time to up the ante on my sewing skills. When I have a pattern I can make beautiful clothes because my craftsmanship is very good as well as my attention to detail (something that also shone through in model building in school, where I was known for using tweezers to build my models with micro-lumber!) But I feel like I've stagnated in my abilities as a clothing designer/ seamstress because I've been self taught for so long and honestly, that's just not the best way I learn.


Additional side note, I had also hoped to see Forks over Knives in New York as it just came out in NY and LA yesterday, but by the time I was done with the show and had caught up with my buddy and was anticipating the 4.5 hour drive back to DE *and* sitting in a movie theatre (and paying $13) for an hour and a half... I decided I will try to catch it when it's in wide release in another, more affordable theater :) I still really want to see it, but I would also like to finish reading The China Study before I see it. This idea of food as medicine makes sense to me. Eating vegan can be done, it's not easy, and will probably be especially difficult when I'm on the road, but the more I read about it the more I am convinced it's the right thing to do; especially considering my family health history and my own health and energy levels. I have been enjoying the book even though I haven't finished it yet... I will work on that in Vermont :)

Project #1 = complete!

I took these pants I bought at the GAP factory outlet (like 2 years ago) and finally made them into shorts. I was my plan all along so they have been sitting with my sewing stuff unworn, untouched. And now they are shorts, Project # 1 is complete! Unfortunately I can't fit into them at the moment. The desk job was not kind to my waistline!
But that's ok, I'm working on it. I went for a jog this morning and I am thinking about riding my bike to the grocery store now so I can try out some awesome sounding vegan recipes. Like this one for Mac & "Cheese" and one for Cornbread as I have been wanting cornbread for like months now!

This morning I dreamed of Vermont and it was awesome, I'm excited to get there and for now I'm working on projects that I have wanted to do but haven't had the space. Yay for houses instead of apartments! Woot!

UPDATE:
I made the vegan mac and "cheese" and vegan cornbread... amazing!!