Tap, tap, tap. Is this thing on?
It feels like it’s been forever since I sat down to write. I can tell you how much easier it is to write without fake, gel nails. Every time I get them done I swear I’ll never do it again. And then, like clockwork, a special occasion (or nail envy) comes around and I forget my oath. Out come the long French tips I wish I had effortlessly. After a while I remember how hard certain things are to do and I want them off. And then I end up having tissue-thin nails, partially detached from my fingertips, that take weeks to heal and grow out. Sorry for the TMI.
Never again. Mark my words.
It goes without saying that 2016 is in full swing. However, 2016 greeted me with a fever, coughs, chills, a sore throat and a sinus infection. I went two full weekends without singing. It was rough, man. But thank God for makeup! It covers the haggard zombie look quite nicely.
The upside? I think lost five pounds.
Being sick really put a damper on my energy for being in front of a computer, so I turned my attention to other things this month–sewing. I started making my very first curtain panels. Not only that, curtain panels with a pinch pleat at the top!
We have 9 foot ceilings on the first level of our home. This is way taller than we’ve ever had and our old curtains just aren’t cutting it. But, when I went shopping for curtains, I liked the look of these Pottery Barn drapes–just not the cost. None of the lengths would have worked for me, and even just two panels (and having to hem them) would put me at $100 per window not including the hardware. No dice. And since I wanted to add Greek key trim to them anyway, it just made more sense for me to make them myself.
I was shocked to learn that it cost me less than one Pottery Barn panel to get a whole window done WITH trim! I used several sources for inspiration and even more for the how-to. As a newbie, a lot of the tutorials I found online were a little over my head. As in, basting stitch? Say what? I might put together a tutorial for dummies like me. I had a few hiccups along the way (like having to hem one panel three times because I didn’t measure correctly!) and as soon as I’m 100% done with this panel for our living room I will share it with you all. It’s a bit time-consuming to do but so easy once you get the hang of it.
I’ve been blessed with another year. We celebrated with friends over a swanky dinner (complete with hors d’oeuvres and mini chocolate soufflés that were to die for!) at the Ritz Carlton’s restaurant, Salt. I had a much needed haircut earlier that day so the surprise dinner was an extra special pampering I wasn’t expecting!
While I could say a whole lot of things about how I feel about my 32nd birthday, just writing it out made me feel old. Yet, I feel so young, both physically and mentally. Like, the adult adults are those who are 20 to 30 years older than me. Will that feeling ever go away?
How has life been treating you lately?
Jackie says
I have taken an interest in sewing too because you’re right, some curtains are ridiculously expensive. I’ve even found a sewing calls I’m going to sign up for.
Lisette says
Aren’t they?! What classes have you signed up for? I’ve seen Joann offering some.
Areeba says
I’ve started sewing too, tried sewing one shirt and it didn’t go so bad.
Lisette says
Yeah? How did it turn out? Did you blog about it? I think I might try sewing a pencil skirt. I starting a Sewing board on Pinterest and there are some good tutorials out there!