Oh, to have money to spend frivolously on shiny things.

If I had time and money to spend I think I would rework my whole wardrobe around this bottle of perfume-I-intend-to-own.

I shamelessly want it, even though more than half of my lust is for the packaging. I started wearing Prada Intense when it came out and it was a big step in the warm fragrance direction for me. At this point my taste goes even woodier and spicier than that very sweet scent, but I still wear it every once in a while.



I was very interested in the bottle as soon as I saw it in print, and when I finally saw it in person my inner snob melted. The smoky bottle, gold, pretty pump, and creepy advertising all get a thumbs-up from me. The scent reminds me of a more accessible Dzing! by L'Artisan Perfumerie... with a way better bottle.


Now Smell This has a clear-cut and accurate review of the L'Eau Ambrée here, and a breakdown of the relationship of the Prada amber variations here.

So, on to what I would be wearing if I smelled like those creepy women in the advertisement. I have many thoughts.

For instance, this girly jewelery.




(Banana Republic)

Then there's this ostrich leather clutch that might be a nice accent piece with my otherwise highly feminine look:

(Brooks Brothers)

And what about this attractive modest dress:

(Anthropologie)

And I think I need some of these...

(Nordstrom)

Then, top that all off with a nice soundtrack and my fantasy is complete.

-Papermoon

Darnit!

I finally got around to darning my jeans yesterday, after four months of putting down on each daily 'to-do list' I wrote. Procrastination, anyone?

I shouldn't have dawdled, considering how easy it is to do. Before yesterday, I'd only darned by hand (a pain). With my machine, this quick denim rejuvenation was painless and satisfying! I feel like I have three new pairs to wear!

Here's how to do it:

Before you start, round up your hole-y jeans, your sewing machine, some matching thread (or go nuts with some funky colors! Your choice!), some pins, and a thin, somewhat stretchy, soft material for reinforcing. I used some scraps from a pair of my sister's jeans which we'd just turned to shorts. I would also recommend shirting, thin corduroy, or even polar fleece–which I hear works very well. On to the process.

First, locate your holes and worn areas. (Mine always seem to fall apart at the inner leg on the left side. Consistent problem...odd.)



Second, turn your jeans inside out and cut a patch of your reinforcement material to fit the worn area. Make sure you encompass the area right around any holes you have–the area is likely very weak. (Look for buckling, fraying and super-softness.) Pin on your patch.



Third, put a denim needle in your machine and set it for a darning stitch, inserting the proper foot. (In case you don't have a computer of a machine like I do, a darning stitch should look something like 21 or 32, shown below. Darning is basically weaving–your stitch should feature many small stitches running into each other, close together. I used 21, figuring the 'zig zag' would favor my slightly-spandex jeans a bit better.)



Fourth, darn that business! Run the stitch over the fabric to cover the weakened area. When you're done, tie your knots, cut off any lagging patch corners, and turn your jeans right side out! VOILA!


Alright... your turn! Go make new clothes out of the old! A recession-era pastime...and a lot of fun.

-Papermoon

Covering Up

Oh my, I couldn't be more excited.

I just ordered this sexy modest swimsuit. I can't wait to see how it fits!


I haven't bought a new swimsuit in two years (perhaps longer?) and so my plan for this year was to splurge for a new one, and dedicate my search to modesty. I used to be a big advocate of teeny-bikinis (better tanning!), but as I am no longer in avid pursuit of skin cancer, and am no longer in a stage of my life in which I want to wear a couple of triangles on a string, I have been looking out for more modest options.

Initially, I was hoping to buy something by Jessica Rey–the white power ranger from TV!– purely because I would love to support the messages she promotes about modesty and chastity. She based her whole line on Audrey Hepburn movie characters... very cute. However, In the end I couldn't get as excited about at tankini as a one-piece. My 18 year old self would laugh and laugh...

In any case, here's a link to her line: Jessica Rey: Who says it has to be itsy bitsy?

And here's a link to the store I bought my suit from, which Gabrielle tipped me off about: Down East Basics

-Papermoon

some summer dresses in mind...

... from another time!

i was at vogue fabrics the other day, just taking a gander and picking up a pattern i've been wanting.



i couldn't help but get distracted at look at basically EVERYTHING in the store, as usual. i had a painstaking battle with my willpower over a bunch of vintage menswear buttons (my willpower, thankfully, won). i must have touched and admired every piece of venetian lace and let's not even talk about the remnants i managed not to buy.

in any case, the best part, as usual, was looking through all the patterns and catalogs at the fancy things i would never make and don't need. i became extremely fixated on the summer offerings in the butterick's catalog from their 'retro' section. i think i might order some of these!



my new life plan, in which i toss all trends to the wind and embrace my love of high waists and secretary blouses, is really making me feel pretty. not that it's so important to enjoy one's reflection at all times...but it is nice! :)

-papermoon

one of the best days of my whole life.

all throughout my childhood i was a compulsive lister. i don't think much has changed. i was constantly revising lists: in my head, in my diary, on scraps of paper and on chalkboards. i loved planners and pocket notebooks and post-it notes, and have written myself at least one daily 'to-do' list since i was about twelve. (i used to include 'wake up' every morning!) the back of my first diary--pink with ballet slippers, and my name in stickers-- held a running list of 'best friends' that is hilarious too look at, both for the ridiculous reasons i crossed people off the list, only to add them back on, and for the fact that the word 'best' didn't seem to limit my quantity! 12 best friends, really?

one of my mental lists through my growing up years was that of the 'best days of my whole life'. some were very specific events--one particular Palm Sunday in which i felt very grown up, my eighth and ninth birthdays, the day my brother and i filled up a top hat with snow and made beautiful 'snow cake', some family vacations, a 24 hour period i spent exclusively painting as a freshman in college, a very hilarious fancy dinner in which my sister katie and i accidentally got drunk... there are too many to count.

today was one of the best days of my life, despite being entirely solitary and without much to speficically define it. i suppose i will just list everything, in keeping with the theme!

• woke up (without an alarm) to good weather
• spent a lovely almost-hour talking to my littlest sister on the phone (SHE called ME! so nice!)
• cinnamon toast and coffee
• did the underpainting for something new i am working on (mother's day!)
• showered, got dressed in the new ($20) Audrey Hepburn pants i bought yesterday (sorry, it's a cellphone picture)

• lunch on my sun deck, pretending i was on an enormous cruise ship (delicious egg salad and iced tea!)

• read C.S. Lewis' The Four Loves: Friendship
  

and in an hour i will finish it off with Mass. the best.

-papermoon

pollyanna strikes again.

first i hit you with the pollyanna cake (still have to try that recipe).

now, i've unintentionally dressed up as pollyanna. i think it was a subtle subconscious attempt to 'get glad', as i woke up to a rocky emotional state this morning.

my cheerfully ugly outfit is already helping me out. i just love looking a bit off.

it's my day off, so i think i might take a journey out to the bookstore and then work in a coffee shop all day long, pretending i am a book character.

they say that the main reason adults have trouble relating to children's desires is that they lose the ability to actually see the real world through the lens of their imaginary world, instead of vice versa. i think God forgot to take that from me. glad for that!

-papermoon

the boots of bliss

ok if i don't own one or both colors of this boot some time in my life i will just feel upset. does anyone have $128?


or fashion sense they could possibly loan me?




i know if i could wear shoes like these that i would also, magically, be happily married, 28, have a sweet little baby (or two), and long hair (worn in a bun), be insanely rosy-cheeked, eat organic food from a small farm, and i would love my government.

so... if anyone wants to loan me that money, they're at urban outfitters.

-papermoon

loopy scarf for leigh

a bit of a knitting project, as promised!

i should begin by saying that i am NOT a sophisticated knitter, although i have been at it for years. i knit and i purl...but in no kind of fancy method. my preferred 'cheat' is using multiple skeins at once so that i can get thickness without thick yarn. in general i stick to scarves and variations on the scarf.

i had a few thoughts for my friend leigh this year, but they all fell away when i heard her raving about these cowl necked scarves that are 'the thing' this year. i had been diligently working on a mutli-toned grey scarf since election day, and knew that it was going to someone else (hello, wool allergies!) and her name starting flashing neon in my mind. she looks astounding in grey and it was just the kind of thing she'd pair with her cute coats and sweaters. all i had to do was finish it, and stitch it end to end with a matching thread.
plus, i twisted it once before sewing the ends, so that no matter what, or how she wears it, it has a little interest and movement to it.


looking good! especially paired with these great earrings, made by the sister of her friend--find them here. what a chic homemade chick.

this gift calls to mind a set from last year-- the 'EP216 Roomie Cuff Project'. i decided to gift all of my apartment mates (at the time) with a personalized scarf cuff of sorts. they were all unique, with buttons to match. i did some dorky, fun photoshopping to make it look like each of them were already wearing them, and then made cute cards out of the pictures.






apologies... i didn't have the swellest camera back then. not to say my pictures seem to be any better this year...

in any case, i basically knit a little neck sized scarf and attached buttons. great for high necked coats and for people who get flustered trying to arrange long scarves.

-papermoon

christmas outfit, christmas break

every kid's dream--my siblings started their break one friday early today with a snow day!

we had a vigorous snow fight, homemade tomato soup and toasty sandwiches (and kraft mac and cheese), and now they are in the other room, watching Home Alone. I have some cookie dough in the fridge.

here's my christmas outfit--my brother james has the same camera as i do, it turns out!

it's a super high-waisted skirt


and a frilly little blouse.


very old school secretary.


not too good at taking my own picture-- but too lazy to try again. :)

and the only thing i want to tweak about it is the buttons-- a bit military for my taste. i think i will replace them with a silk or velvet covered type of deal.


that's all for now--i have been startlingly unproductive today! back to tasks abounding!

-papermoon