Green Peppa (ROCK LOBSTA!)

If you read my blog (or at least the most recent posts), you know that Alex and I are building up our tool belt for cosplaying at Megacon next year. So that we don't have to dump a bunch of money all at once, we've been getting some things here and there that we are sure we will need for our cosplays and any sewing adventures. Today we got our patterns from The Green Pepper in the mail (only about $5 each-- shipping costs are low because it's pretty much just paper). I was very impressed that it only took them two days to get the order out and shipped. I admit I had my doubts because you can only order over the phone or through snail mail but I must say I am very pleased. (In comparison, I ordered a needle clam for the sewing machine from Sewing Parts Online over a week ago and just this evening did it get registered at the post office for shipment). Not only were they quick to send out and have the items shipped, their quality is wonderful. They folded the patterns the least amount possible and everything came in proper condition. The patterns we ordered were sport tights and then a racing suit. Both can potentially be altered to be a catsuit for red lantern and numerous other cosplays.
The Green Pepper also sells fabrics and notions-- mostly geared towards outdoors-y projects because it's a outdoors-y company. You can get some of their patterns at Joann's but not many.
Another thing I'd like to rave about real quick before I get ready for bed is this awesome bag of chips. They're called Boulder Canyon: Ancient Grains and they are amazing. AMAZING. You take a nice crisp bite and you're in chip-bean heaven. These delicious crunchies are gluten free and are made with brown rice, corn, quinoa, pinto beans, black beans, chia seeds, and a bunch of other yummy goodness. I bought them at BJ's and they go great with classic hummus. If you think it's just for vegans/vegetarians, Kaitlin (who is a happy good-food, no discrimination against meat eater) enjoyed them a bunch too!
I hope everyone's Friday help their weekend get off to a good start.
Namaste.

Make up for Makeup

Yesterday I got to spend the whole day with Kaitlin. She helped me figure out makeup for my brother's wedding. I want my face to show up well in pictures so I needed some help with accentuating my features well enough. Once again there is much going on in my life in addition to the build up to this special event. More and more I have been feeling like there is just enough time for anything. I suppose that is just how things tend to be when you have unavoidable responsibilities.
While Kaitlin was over we played just dance and I actually scored well on quite a few this time! Especially Rock Lobster lol. Then we realized it was late and I took her home but for some reason I felt nauseous on the way back. I ate the rest of Alex's pizza and that seemed to help though it wasn't very good of me to eat it right before laying down.
The night before last I ate Publix chocolate chip cookies. I'm having a hard time with my appetite because I always seem to want whatever isn't in the apartment. I don't want to cook vegetables, I want cookies and pie and pizza. Boo.

Yester-do-da Day

Grrr I need to start doing my post the moment I think of it during the day. 

Yesterday Alex and I spent a bit of money paying off bills and getting his dress shirts for my brothers wedding (which I had a crazy dream about last night). I think I'm just so excited for him and Jenny that I keep thinking about it. Plus I have to figure out what I'm doing with hair and makeup still. I have the basic idea I just have to practice and make sure I have everything I need. I know these pictures are going to be super important to my mom. Weddings are a big deal after all. 

Kaitlin is coming over today to help me with the makeup. She's pretty awesome at doing her own so it'll be nice to have her steady hands to help. 

Today I'm also going to the allergist. I think this appointment is to determine the best route for treatment and then I somehow need to make sure I have $90 set aside each month for the allergy shots... And I need to learn how to administer them to myself. >_< boo needles and me holding them. 

As for my workouts they've been going awesome and this goal of cow playing in a catsuit is far more motivating for Alex and I than the Race2Abs ever was.

Sewing for Dummies

At the beginning of this cosplay adventure Alex and I purchased the DIY book Sewing For Dummies. This is the very first dummies book I've ever opened beyond the front page and I must say I am pleased. While our debut costumes are still ways away from being in physical production, this book is making me more and more comfortable. I'm still waiting on my needle clamp in the mail but afterwards I'll be heading to a sewing shop to get someone to adjust the tension to where it needs to be (because I have no idea what to do...).

THEN I will work on mini projects like making a fabric clutch purse, an apron, a simple dress, etc. Alex and I are still so excited and to be entirely honest I'm getting antsy to get to work on this project (that's why I need the mini projects-- they also help build my sewing skills so I can be better prepared for the big project when the time comes). 

A book that I've been suggested for cosplaying is Fast Fit: Easy Alterations For Every Figure. I tried the library but no luck. That's okay, there seems to be some other good ones I could borrow. I went ahead and bought the Fast Fit on Barnes&Noble for $14 (free shipping if you're a member). So I can let you know how that one helps when it gets here.

Lots of waiting and learning but it's good to have this time so I can have a good end product from months of practice and adjustment.

Tomorrow I have the gym, selling Alex's old Yugioh cards to a kid on campus, and then I'm spending time with Kaitlin.

I haven't been getting much homework done because the cosplay/sewing research interests me so much that little else stimulates my attention.

When Life Hands You Lemons...

... make sure they're actually lemons so you don't actually make lemonade with lemon squash. Today my coworker gave me seeds that were left by a customer. Apparently there are squash that look just like lemon (but still taste like a summer squash). There are so many things I enjoy about working for Worm's Way and being surrounded by people maybe even nerdier than me is one of them. Plus when there's no one coming to the store, I still get paid and I have time to do research for cosplay and sewing.
It's interesting when Sundays come for me because they feel so much like Fridays yet still note quite. I will be doing the gym classes again this week, bringing my ear buds so I can still enjoyably work out if a class is canceled. I look forward to it. With the scheduled classes it's easy to go and then be done (I don't have to trudge to the gym then wonder what I'm going to do; instead I ride my bike swiftly!).
I was wondering if anyone would be interested in me posting about gardening (Indoors and/or outdoors)?
Let me know.

I hope everyone had a nice weekend.

Behold!

Behold Kale Mountain at Sanwa!

I'm not sure what to write tonight other than I wish I wrote my post sooner when my brain worked. My wrists are really hurting from playing tennis yesterday then moving heavy nutrients around at work. They really need some r&r. In the morning I think I'll do some Just Dance instead of the elliptical like yesterday and this morning. 

Alex and I are both doing well with keeping up with activity levels and working out. Now we re working on incorporating healthier more veggie rich meals. I bought a ton of fruit so we could do smoothies/juices for lunch during the week. Tonight for dinner I made mung beans with corn, quinoa, and Okra. Alex complained that I served him balls. End of story. 

I Am a Kitty, a Very Active Kitty

So I'm still awful at tennis. Alex and I went to play on campus and it went okay. We had fun and it's nice to be outside with him-- it's also nice to have an option other than the bicycle (give my knees a break). When we were bicycling back home from the tennis courts I realized that we still haven't made it to the pool since the start of  "summer". I think it's because we want to get out and stretch our legs. Since neither of us are swimmers, the pool is a source of relaxation not activity. 

I'm excited to say that I've been doing awesome with my workouts and activities. I told you about Soulful Yoga but I don't believe I talked about Muscle Madness. I kicked my own butt and did moves I didn't know I could do. Yesterday Alex and I went for our usual route bike ride (7 miles). Today was elliptical in the morning before work and then tennis when I got home. 

I must express how happy I am at the level of activity both Alex and I have been exhibiting this past week. I know I said before that the cosplay craftiness was helping our relationship but I definitely think that working out and doing physical activities together really makes a difference. I feel like this is why he and I work so well together; be both like to be active and do research but we have differences that make us interesting to each other. I can't imagine being partnered with anyone else for my life.