The Makings of a Perfect Friendship

Sometimes when I imagine two people meeting for the first time, I also imagine what they will say to each other. Like the other day, when my friend Holly* and I were discussing how her first week of the school year was going. She had mentioned that she is working at the freshman orientation. It had occurred to me that a few weeks prior I had noticed a friend’s Facebook status that had mentioned she was off to this very same school for this very same orientation.  Her name is Lynn* and although I haven’t seen her in about three or four years, she still remains one of the nicest people that I have ever met. It just so happens that Holly is another one (and no I don’t consider everyone this nice, it just happens to be a coincidence, but it also probably means that this school is full of the nicest people ever and that if you ever are having a bad day, you should just fly there and be happy amongst the people). Anyway, it’s only natural that they should meet, obviously, so I mentioned this to Holly and of course warned her that she should under no circumstances mention my name and instead just gracefully happen across it in conversation (I haven’t seen this girl in years after all, it’s a little bit strange that I know what she is doing with her life- but I didn’t creep around, I promise, it was the first thing on my feed one evening).  So here is there meeting according to me, it happens across a multiple day span, obviously I won’t come up until they get to know each other better:

Holly- Hello, I am Holly. What is your name?

Lynn- My name is Lynn. It’s nice to meet you.

I don’t want to bore you with their small talk so to summarize they would be very polite (duh) and ask the basic questions like how are you? What is your major? How do you like Pennsylvania so far? Are you excited to start freshman/sophomore year? Etc. (actually that’s probably it)

Holly- where are you from?

Lynn- Los Angeles

Holly- No way, me too, I’m from the valley

Lynn- Me Too!

Holly- oh do you play soccer and tennis?

Lynn- YES! How did you know?!

Holly-oh cool. I just figured.

Lynn- Alright, I’ll see you later, it was wonderful meeting you

(and no this abrupt ending would not seem awkward to either of them, in this imaginary conversation)

THE NEXT DAY

Lynn- Oh hey, Holly!

Holly- Hi Lynn!

(they are very excited to see each other, being nice people, this could be happening at any hour because nice people are nice at any hour)

Lynn- So do you know a lot of soccer and tennis players?

Holly- Oh I only know Molly who played soccer back in the day before she switched to running.

Lynn- OhMyGod. I used to play soccer with Molly, she was awesome

Holly- Wow! what a small world, she’s my good friend. I agree totally awesome.

Lynn- Now that we know the same Molly, we just have to be friends

Holly- Yes, and let’s see Molly when we go home to Los Angeles

End because I can’t go on with their long conversations as they will be friends for a long time.

*Names have been changed because I’ve always wanted to do that

Wool Cabled Beanie (with Pattern)

I finally finished that beanie I started a while ago. That one were I had to cast on LIKE FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES because I kept getting the gauge wrong/being paranoid about getting the gauge wrong. But I finally got it. Ta da!

Here's the detailing on the basic cable.

And on the open one.

And the ribbing.

On its happy new owner.

Note: This pattern (one repetition of the open and basic cable) is worked over 15 stitches. I used 120 stitches while making this hat, however it could be smaller, and if I was to do it again I would probably knock it down to 105. And I have a pretty darn big head.

Pattern:

Cast on 120 stitches on 4.5mm needles (US 7)
Row 1: K2, P2 rep til end
Continue with the 2x2 ribbing until it measures 7 cm (or however long you like)

*Switch to size 5.5 mm needles (US 9) because the cabling will be tighter than the ribbing*

Row 1: P3, K2, P1, K2, P3, K4

Row 2: P3, sl next 3 stitches on cable needle (1 purl stitch and 2 knit stitches), hold stitches on cable needle in back, K2, slip next purl stitch back to left hand needle and purl it, K2 from cable needle, P3, K4 rep til end

Row 3: P3, K2, P1, K2, P3, K4 rep til end

Row 4: P2, back cross, P1, front cross, P2, cross 2 L (basic cable) rep til end

Row 5: P2, K2, P3, K2, P2, K4 rep til end

Row 6: P1, back cross, P3, front cross, P1, K4 rep til end

Row 7, 8 & 9: P1, K2, P5, K2, P1, K4 rep til end

Row 10: P1, front cross, P3, back cross, P1, cross 2 L (basic cable) rep til end

Row 11: P2, K2, P3, K2, P2, K4 rep til end

Row 12: P2, front cross, P1, back cross, P2, K4 rep til end

Repeat this pattern until the hat is as long/tall as you like. I continued for 13 1/3 cm or 2 1/2 repetitions of the pattern. This was equal to 5 twists of the basic cable and 3 twists of the open cable.

Start decreasing somewhere in the middle of the pattern, I started at row 7. I honestly just made up the decrease as I went along but I'll try to remember generally how it was done. I started decreasing halfway through the pattern because I wanted the open cable to come together in the decrease, however now I kind of wish I'd crossed the open cable once more.

Row 1: P1, K2, P1, P2T, P2, K2, P1, K4 rep til end
Row 2: P1, K2, P1, P2T, P1, K2, P1, K4 rep til end
Row 3: P1, K2, P2T, P1, K2, P1 K4  rep til end
Row 4: P1, K2, P2T, K2, P1, K4 rep til end
Row 5: P1, K2, P1, K2, P1, K1, K2T, K1 rep til end
Row 6: P1, K2, P1, K2, P1, K2T, K1 rep til end
Row 7: P1, K2, P1, K2, P1, K2T rep til end
Row 8: P1, K2T, P1, K2, P1, K1  rep til end
Row 9: P1 K1, P1, K2T, P1, K1  rep til end

Cut yarn leaving a long tail
Using a tapestry needle, thread yarn through remaining stitches
Weave ends in

Ugh, hopefully that made sense.

Yarn:
1/2 skein Lion Brand Yarn Fisherman's Wool Yarn in Birch Tweed

Missing Magazines

I remember when I started reading magazines around the age of about ten. I was really into a pre-teen magazine called J-14, which I decided was an inappropriate name because, even when I liked it, I really could't imagine anyone reading it past the age of 12 (spontaneous wikipedia research tells me that I was a little bit off and J-14 in fact stands for Just for Teens). Anyway, it took only a few months to realize that my older sister's magazines were way cooler than mine. So I picked my favorite of hers, Jane, and added Vogue and Harper's Bazaar to the rotation (and I kept every single one for years. In fact, I only, begrudgingly, got rid of them right before I left for college). I also started reading anything that caught my eye in bookstores and every magazine that came to my house, which, I can say after many issues, weren't always gems. Unfortunately, there came a time when we just stopped renewing our subscriptions and finding the time to lounge around and read a magazine didn't seem as easy as it had in the past. (Not including the special, pricey fashion magazines that I still hoard from time to time)

Lately, I've been thinking back to that time when I used to sit around and just read those magazines for hours with friends, by myself, and basically always instead of being on a computer (not that it was possible for me to do most of the things that I do on the internet these days). I just really loved magazines and reading them was always one of the best parts of my day. While I appreciate technology and all that I can do with the internet, including the ability to read those same magazines electronically, nothing could ever replace reading them in print (and the best way to remember this if forgotten, is to pick up a magazine and read it cover to cover).

#3 + Blog Love

Ok, so I'll be real right now, I lied with the first numbered look post. I definitely had only made one set at that point, not "a few", and, complete disclosure, I hadn't even made the set until after I typed the words. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that I could literally go on forever with these posts and keep making more and more pretending that I had originally thought of them days/weeks/months ago (and if you could see my Polyvore account, you would know the complete and total truth in that statement).  So I'll post one more- for now- because I just made it and it's pretty dope.

To keep the realness going, I'll actually probably keep doing these posts in the future, I just won't keep numbering them because that will get annoying for me and confusing/boring for anyone actually reading the blog. Also, I can think of better titles than #4, hopefully, but maybe if I'm having a really uninspired day I'll just throw out a random number as the post title. Then, the only people who would understand would be people who have read this post (and maybe i'll link to this post because I know no one actually reads this blog and it would be rude of me to alienate a possible future reader). I realize that I am now on a tangent completely unrelated to my point, but I want to take a minute to share my new found love of blogging since we are basically on the cusp of that topic (well, in my mind). At first when we started this blog, I was super into the fun idea of having a blog with Eva, but not too down with actual blogging. But after realizing that I have no reason to be shy with what i post and that i can write whatever the fuck I want, it became really fun and totally worth it. (i really wish that everyone who ever reads my writing could read it the way I say it in my head, it disappoints me a little bit that I know this probably isn't happening)

Anyway back to original point, Here is set #3
I'm really in love with this skirt, I based the whole set around it. Unfortunately, for me, it's Jil Sander and way out of my price range (as usual). Other than that, the accessories are REALLY cool. And I've been feeling these (or all) Missoni gloves for a while now (which makes little to no sense because when do I ever wear gloves?). Plus, that Celine bag, which comes in multiple colors and textures, would last forever and go with everything (possibly a tad bit of a stretch in that color, but still basically everything). So if anyone wants to get me these things (or if you feel like making me a similar pair of gloves Eva, no pressure or anything) I really won't complain.

#2

There really isn't anything super special about these things, I just liked them all, especially together.

Sing Alongs

Today I decided to take a moment to talk about how I can't help but sing every single day. Usually, I can keep it to myself, but on certain days it just comes out without warning and I don't even realize it at all, which actually only really bothers my twin brother (but I mean REALLY), no one else really cares. In fact, when I bought myself a guitar and learned a few chords, sometimes people even asked me to sing! (and to understand the exclamation point, you should know, that in my house that is kind of unheard of)

Anyway, this week is one of those weeks where I'm just breaking out in song left and right. It must be all of the productivity. I've really been on fire- an entire season of Freaks and Geeks in < 2 days, not sleeping all night and then sleeping half of the day, drawing pointless things on about 15 pages in my sketch book, mattress shopping, etc. (and by etc. I mean max. four more things including breathing). I spent a good chunk of time yesterday looking up instrumentals to my favorite singing songs and then, of course, proceeded to actually sing along.

So in honor of yesterday, I thought it would be appropriate to give a shout out to my favorite artists to sing along with, so everyone knows that when they are looking for a song to belt it out to in their alone time (or whenever they feel so inclined), these are your girls, they have never failed me:

Amy Winehouse, I'm still mourning you

Alanis Morisette

Fiona Apple

She & Him

Regina Spektor

also, for some reason, I find Fleet Foxes very sing-along worthy, but they are neither girls nor do I put them on my girly sing along playlists (for long, lonely car rides). But honestly, I find pretty much any song is good to sing too (as long as you know the words, but if I don't that has also never stopped me, it's just a tad bit embarrassing/semi-obnoxious when someone makes it their duty to correct you)

Here's hoping today is just as song filled, but maybe a little more constructive

On my mind

Lately, I've been picturing a few looks in my head...a lot
which basically translates to things I want, so i made a few sets on my secret polyvore account to share what's on my mind and here is the first one:

#1

This actually isn't exactly what I was picturing, but it fits the idea of sleeveless collared shirt, a long textured, slightly fitted skirt, and clunky shoes. I also kind of love these things and even though I can't afford any of it (except possibly the shoes that would come with a lot of guilt for spending more money on shoes) I can still dream.

sidenote: not a fan of how these sets look on this blog page, I was hoping it would just kind of blend (you know, white on white), but it sticks out annoyingly. I wonder if this can be changed...by the time I figure it out, this will have grown on me (as usually everything does)

DIY Gold Doily Pattern Tank

I saw this post on Honestly WTF and felt very inspired to try it. I've been really into gold recently, mostly delicate necklaces or details on clothing, so this was right up my alley. Although I figured a tank top would be a little more wearable compared to jeans. Plus I'm cheap and was worried about ruining my jeans.

So this is how I did it, I took the tank top and put a piece of cardboard inside of it to keep the the paint from leaking through. I laid the big doilies on the shirt and just went crazy with the gold fabric spray paint. 

This is the aforementioned paint. You can also use non-spray paint, I just though this stuff would be easier/more fun.

And this is the final project:

Up close...

And le back.

I was running out of gold fabric spray paint by the end so the back is considerably less exciting than the front, but whatever.

C'est la vie.

Hiking

I'm not much of a hiker, or anything outdoorsy for that matter. I blame it on bad parenting. But it seems as though all my friends are so they always invite me to go on hikes and bike rides and grizzly bear fighting. Usually, I can find a valid enough reason not to go, but yesterday I failed. Plus friend Lexi's boyfriend was in town and I hadn't met him yet, so I would have felt bad about ditching. Maybe. Here are pictures!

And here is friend Lexi with her man, Patrick. Cuteness.

Yes, I was third-wheeling it.

But friend Lexi was nice enough to make me feel included. So kind. 

LOOK HOW FAR I CLIMBED.

I hiked up to this thing too. No, really.

Just call me...

http://edwindsyam.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/grylls.jpg

And then this is me just playing with more cool settings on my camera.

Doesn't this look like Middle-Earth?!

I asked them to pose like hobbits but they would not comply. See what I have to deal with?

Also, I went to the beach the other day and took more pictures that are probably only interesting to me. So that's why I'm posting them. On the internet. For all to see.

No, these aren't my friends. Didn't stop me from taking pictures of them though.

Happy weekend!

5 Deutsch Mark (DIY Coin Necklace)

I have quite an affinity for really long, really slender chains with a biggish pendent. They are basically the only jewelry I wear to be honest. I have to work to get outside their little bubble.

I had wanted to make one from a coin since forever, and when I saw friend/future housemate Caroline wearing one with a quarter sometime last year I got extremely jealous/inspired. Rage inspires me. Obviously.

But annoyingly enough, Caroline had just "found" the coin with a whole in it, she didn't drill it. I'm still skeptical, I think she just wanted all the awesome coin necklaces to herself.

But I prevailed, and managed to find the coolest old coin ever in my mom's desk, along with a drill, and a great chain. Voila!

Check out this sick eagle. POWER.

And look how delicate and perfect the chain is! Oh happy day.

I wear this thing almost everyday, seriously. Plus wearing money makes me pimp, so why wouldn't I?