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Back to the very beginning.

I re-evaluate a lot. I wonder about direction and decisions, mull over the path I have taken and wonder if there are better paths to be experienced and where can they be found.  Sure, a curious manifestation of procrastination, but there are worse uses of my time.

I was looking at my calligraphy this weekend.   I haven’t been consistent with my efforts in calligraphy and often don’t practice and get frustrated with tools, materials, and results.  I started calligraphy a while back (early ’90s) when I received a Shaffer set as a prize.  I copied the italic letters in the pamphlet the best I could and thought I was doing okay.  Later when I was part of the Society of Creative Anachronism (SCA) I picked up Marc Drogin’s book on medieval calligraphy and again, did my best to copy it.  Same with copperplate. I figured out quite a bit on my own like shortening elements of a letter when it was found in a word instead of at the end of a word, baseing it on what looked ‘right’.  I have never practiced a lot since I didn’t know how to improve, probably the plight of many self-taughts. I felt I was practicing the same thing over and over again to no point. Then I was given the ‘Foundational Calligraphy’ written by Sheila Waters.  The first time I looked through the volume, it scared me, the amount of detail was overwhelming. Each letter carefully considered with little notes beside each one with articles with lots of advice and help.  I admit, after that first glance, it sat on my shelf for almost a year until I looked at it again this weekend.  I think it’s time to take the advice of a professional and try their methods instead of struggling with my own. I begin with the Foundational Hand based on the circle. I trust Mrs. Waters, shes been doing this for years and poduced my favourite piece of work ‘Roundel of the Seasons’.

Another area I’d like to explore is drawing. I’ve had ‘Drawing on The Right Side of the Brain’ book and workbook by Betty Edwards and all the necessary supplies waiting for me but had yet to make the plunge.  I had started a long time ago but it fell by the wayside. It might not be the perfect method but again for someone who is interested in teaching herself, it is a good enough way to begin.

As any true procrastinator knows, identifying what you need to do isn’t the biggest battle, it’s the doing.

Ottawa Style: Hair be gone

I know it was inevitable so I pushed the date forward a bit to have the hair chopped.  It’s easier to manage and completely exposes my face instead of hiding behind a veil of hair.  It was fun while it lasted but now it’s time to get a more professional, sharper look.  I am lucky, it wasn’t traumatic to go short as I’ve done it before, and I am able to pull it off. My vacuum will thank me.

And, for the record, I am not imitating Mrs. Beckham (although, it does look good on her), I’ve pixied before.

Wearing a new top that I got a Smart Set (seems to be a favourite store lately for inexpensive knits) it’s plum in colour.

I have learned about hair colouring so I will be setting up a consultation in November and do something  edgier for December.  Short hair lends itself nicely to that option so I might as well go for it and I’m not talking about going for simple highlights either.  Wait and see…

Ottawa Style: Tiny steps

I am confident that every article of clothing that should be donated is being donated.  I have looked through the bags a second time (and even tried to reclaim at least one pair of jeans but it wasn’t to be) to be certain I never want to see these things again.  They will be dropped off this week.

It’s the beginning of a new month so I get another bit of cash this week and I will be focusing on tops.  I have a few more tops I could stand to lose but I need replacements before that occurs.  I will be looking for sales this times to stretch my dollar as far as possible, I am hoping to come home with 3 or 4 on a budget of $140. I wish I could go shoe shopping but I have to focus on my priorities.

I am envious of the “contributors” on What Not to Wear, they get to do this process in a week; this is going to take me a year!  A little bit of patience is needed. Sigh.

eta: I ended up getting two skirts and two tops.

Arts and Crafts Game

I have becoming increasingly interested in researching the Arts and Crafts movement.  Not only does its philosophy strike the right cord with me, the designs that I have seen are appealing.  I have started a collection of links and was wandering through them tonight in more depth.  The Victoria & Albert Museum had an exhibit on International Arts and Crafts in 2005, on the site, I came across this fantastic design game/tool for designing your own Arts and Craft tile. Being new to the style, I am unable to come up with a convincing design but it is fun to play with. Give it a go.

Ottawa Style: First Major Shopping Trip

Today, I bought clothing for myself and all in all, it went well.  I had a little over $200 in my pocket and my “What Not To Wear” rules in my head when I headed out to visited College Square. I chose this location since  it had enough clothing stores but not a dizzying array on multiple floors.  I figure the shopping centers can be saved for colder weather.

I decided to tackle bottoms first.  I have one pair of pants.  I started looking and tried on what I considered reasonably priced pants, around $50.  The first pair I tried on were scratchy, not an ideal start.  I have no idea how they fit, scratchy pants will never make it into my closet.  I tried on other pants and was quickly discouraged, too low, too tight, too big.  There were skirts, skirts are bottoms. No dice here either.  Something in the cuts, they was too young from my liking, they’d hug my bottom and then flare out. No, no, no.  I need A-line.   So on I went.  I visited all the other stores to see what kind of colour and cut, for this autumn shades of grey and cooler colours seem to be in, no warm browns or caramels.  In my travels I did find the ultimate goal of clothing shopping: Femme de carrière.  Gorgeous clothing but for the moment, outside my price range.  Will revisit another time.

Back to reality, I eventually found myself at Tommy Hilfiger.  Breathing a sigh of relief as I felt this was more age appropriate for me compared to the other stores.  I found two pairs of trousers that fit nicely and were not black/charcoal/grey.  One is a camel colour and the other is a brown pinstrip tweed (for lack of a better description). Now, I had instructed myself not to look for on-sale-only items but these happen to be on sale.  The ticket claims they were originally priced at $138.00 each and they are now on for $59.99. Sure, I can stretch my dollar. For $135.58 the pants were mine.  There was some hyperventilating (remember, I’m new at this) so I decided that an easy purchase was needed next.

Since I bought pants, the next logical step is thongs. I am aware of the “visible pantyline” issue, not always an offender, but better safe than sorry. One stop in LaSenza and 28 dollars later, I have 5.  No need to go into more details here.

I was down to around $50 and figured that I could use a few tops.  I found myself back at Smart Set for this after a few tried in other shops.  I found a red knit sweater with a somewhat boat neckline.  I also picked up a purple camisole, because I could. Came to a total of $42.94. Camisole doesn’t work as a top alone or compliment the red number (for cut, not colour) but I wanted something a little frivolous. It is long enough to put under a top and have a bit of lace sticking out the bottom plus, it allows me to wear v-necks in the office.  I remember that layering makes a outfit interesting and that “pop” of colour that Stacy and Clinton refer to so often, can be done.

I am done.  It wasn’t the most fun but I have a better idea of how to shop. I think every purchase will be appreciated and fit my body properly. I am excited for when the staples are done but that will be a while yet, for too long have I had to wear the same clothes week in and week out, I am still firmly in square one.  I have a lot of shopping to do, but I have to wait to gather the funds first.

I realize photos would make this post better, I’ll post some soon.

Next challenge: find a tailor and find a dry cleaner.

Things change

When autumn starts rolling around, it’s time for re-evaluation.  A potential new hobby might be picked up, where others are tucked away for a spell or more. At this time I am thinking of stretching myself in a different direction.  I often get frustrated by some of the uselessness of the things I do. I like pretty things but I like functional as well, combining the two is something I have rarely entertained.

At the moment, I am considering taking a course called Excellence with Hand Tools with Rosewood Studios.  I am nervous about working with wood and not understanding the properties that could very well ruin a finished piece. Wood groans and stretches under different conditions, I am hoping with study and experience I’ll just understand those mystical properties.

I have been made aware that I tend to stick with “easier” arts. I tend to repeat myself doing step by step, monotonous things. I realize that any art has monotonous steps, preparing a canvas, warping a loom, grinding glass, sharpening tools, polishing metal… but the entire process to creating the object isn’t boring. I need to break out of my comfort zone and push a little harder.

The worse that could happen is that I spend 5 days in a woodworking shop learning the basics of handling and caring for woodworking tools and never touching them again.  I would come out undersanding more about woodworking than when I went in and learning something new, is never a waste of time.

Simplicity in Soups

There are days when I get frustrated experimenting in the kitchen and coming out with nothing awesome.  Edible, yes, but nothing that truly merits repeating or posting about.  I have had a run of mediocrity in the kitchen so it’s time to turn it over to something super simple.  Canned soup.

I have found a very few of the awesome selection of Baxters Soups at my “Superstore”.  I only wish I could find a wall of this brand instead of Campbell’s.  There are amazing varieties in the UK varieties like: Butternut Squash & Roasted Red Pepper Soup, Broccoli, Stilton & Bacon Soup, and Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup.  I can’t find those but I can find the Canadian ones: Winter Squash (aka Pumpkin) & Carrot Soup  and Lentil & Smokey Bacon Soup and a few others. At $2.49 a can, it seems a bit steep but I can get two lunches out of it, at $1.25 per lunch, I can’t pass it up.  I am hoping to find a wider selection of soups or hope that as I keep buying them, they stock more.

Ottawa Style: Hair (and an Update)

Got the hair cut as mentioned here.

Before photo (only brushed it through upon waking up):

Before hair

After:

After hair

I seem to have highlights but it’s just a trick of the light and the fact that the hair has been smoothed out by a pro with an arsenal of hairbrushes.  I am hoping to do it on my own without too much effort.  The best part of the new cut, I have a neck again. It’s not as short as I imagined it would be but I can try something shorter next time.

Next chore: visiting the opthamologist.  I haven’t gotten new contacts in over 2 or 3 years (it’s probably bad when I can’t remember).  They are also tinted blue.  Although I had chosen a shade that wasn’t too different, my eyes do get noticed for their colour. Now it’s time to get compliments on my own grey eyes. More importantly, newer contacts with an updated perscription is needed and recommended.

To update:

The basics have been met:  I eat properly, stay hydrated, get sleep, and exercise regularly enough.

The criticals have been met, all my dentistry is done with only regular check-ups for cleanings to do (and yes, I floss regularly).  And now eyes are being taken care of this month.

The not-so-criticals are also being taken care of: grooming (most details left un-typed), including hair maintenance every two months.  Make-up is making an appearance on my face everyday to look more polished.  I’m also making an effort to keep my nails on the fingers and toes manicured to some degree.

During all this waiting, I continue to watch “What Not to Wear” and this week I learned that my jeans are too tight (not obscenely, but enough), as there are a few horizontal ripples on the back of the thighs (horror!).  It wasn’t pleasant but now I know to watch for that and what makes a good fit.  I have also been learning what is appropriate for work, including the preference of closed-toe shoes which I agree with.

A list of clothing that I have started based on watching the show:

  • Jackets, a detail below the bust line can help emphasis a small chest
  • Straight leg, dark wash, denim jean
  • A good suit that comes with pants and a skirt.  (Avoid pure black, too severe.)
  • Light sweaters that don’t hide the shape for warmth.
  • Trousers in neutral colours that fit well.
  • Thongs (to avoid the dreaded vlp)
  • A-line skirts (no pencil skirts for me!)
  • Wrap dresses
  • Shoes!
  • Purses

I have learned the importance of a good fit and have learned how to evaluate a good fit on me. Once the clothes buying starts, I will need to put in the effort to find a good tailor.

Ottawa Style: At a Snail’s Pace

As much as I want to get all those lovely new clothes into my wardrobe, it can’t happen over night.  Worse, I am down to one pair of dress pants that are still on the big size but still not so loose. I had to give up the other pair since I was floating inside them and they were falling off.  Needless to say, the next couple of purchases will be pants, at least two pair. The search begins at The Gap (upon recommendation) in the middle of the month.

Meanwhile, I have my appointment to get my hair cut on Saturday and I can’t wait. It is time and I hope to look sharper and more professional.  If you’re going to do one thing at a time, this is definitely at the top of the list of the priorities.  I am not colouring since I don’t want to spend the money to keep it up at this time, maybe later.

I do have a little bit of spending money in my pocket so I am hoping to find a pair of shoes that I can walk to work in. I know that ballet flats are in but I am wondering if the look is too young for me.  I’d be changing into heels once I arrive, but still, I guess it’s better than runners.  I’ll have to see.

Update: no shoes for me, sent money in a wiser way.

Wedding Copperplate

The copperplate for the wedding was done on time and the bride was happy.  Attempted many photos but only one came out that was decent enough to show:

copperplate place card

For the record, it was a fantastic wedding. It was an honour to be asked to add to the day.