Speaking of weight loss...

Oh I wasn't?  Well, it comes after pie dontcha know?  Yummy pieeee.

Anyway.

I told Shannon I was going to make a chart for my fridge with all of my "rewards" for inspiration.  Blogger works too though.  Ouch.  Reinforcement strategies FTW.

First weight loss goal (in 11 lbs):

Miz Mooz

And, um, since I technically already purchased those... (they pinch my ankle the tiniest bit, which I'm hoping evaporates with that next 11 lbs) the next goal will be an anthro sweater of choice. (I'm rewarding myself at 10 lb increments). I suppose it will depend largely on what's still available, but here are several current ones I LURV:

Cute clothes.  The ultimate motivator.

 

Last, but certainly not lease...  Happiest of Birthday's to my best friend, my sister Desiree...

 

Thanksgiving Feast: Peanut Butter Pie

So my brother's girlfriend brought this crack to our Christmas dinner last year:

image credit: Allrecipes.com

The expression on my, my sister's, and my mother's faces at the first bite was... priceless (technically thinking of another word, but we're talking about my mother here.)

I knew I could never (never ever ever ever) make this unless it was for a GIANT FAMILY FOOD EXTRAVAGANZA. 

WITH WITNESSES.

But, you know, if you don't believe me, the recipe is linked up there below the photo.  Which I stole from All Recipes.  Then credited.  Fair Use, yo!

The recipe doesn't point out that the real killer is adding chopped Reese's cups to the top.  That's sort of a must-have. 

My problemo right now is... I've been thinking about it since the day after Halloween because PIE DAY is comin!  Mmmm....pieeee....

I've been doing "less (i.e. I can't yet do NO) sugar, fewer carbs" for about a month.  (Loosely doing the "Belly Fat Cure" plan, although I'm not religious about counting anything.  Down 9 lbs!)

I'm pretty sure peanut butter pie is the #1 pie of choice for low-carb recipe modification aficionados.  Or maybe #2 behind cheesecake.   

Substitutions that won't bring about an OMG!SUGAR! coma, mucho appreciated.  We can do this! 

...

Please?

ps for my Fringe crowd. 

PETER.  

You're breaking my heart.

I love you.

Once Upon a Time...

Is anyone watching this one with me?  Lu & I are LOVING it.  It's our new "must see".  In fact, it's on the "I think we need an Amazon Season Pass" list.

If you haven't been watching, in a nutshell...Prince Charming and Snow White send their baby daughter through a "portal" of sorts to another time/place to save her from the evil queen.  Meanwhile the evil queen sets a curse upon all of the kingdom that deposits every character into present day Storybrooke, Maine.  Only, they have no idea they are fairytale characters.  They have no memories of their actual existence...they're just in limbo.  Emma, Snow & Charming's baby, is the one who can break the curse.  Only, you guessed it, she has no idea who she is either.

It's been a ton of fun so far, and we get excited when a new fairytale persona shows up.  This week it's Cinderella.  It's smart too...the storyline isn't linear so you have to pay attention.  I appreciate smart TV.  (I appreciate dumb TV too. heh.)

I also appreciate gratuitously good-looking heroes.  Mmmm. Charming...

But what has really captured my fancy (shocking) is Mary Margaret's wardrobe!  (MM is really Snow White).  Just a few lovelies she has worn in the first 3 episodes...

Dying for this lacy top.  Dying.

Anthro dress!

I've been finding myself searching for a knit pattern similar to this top...BWOF? BS? HP?  I've seen it somewhere.

Mary Margaret has this sweet, schoolteacher vibe (totally opposite her true characterization of Snow White...show you that another time).  I love the cardi's and florals.  Especially with the pixie haircut!  Too cute.

Fangirly goodness.

Ahem.

The top that inspired this post...allover lace, deep teal cardi. Yum.

Paired with the cutest pants (cords?  Can't tell!) and GAH.  SHOES.  Must have these shoes.

And how about this cute top...  in lawn??  I have some lawn stashed.  I've got that Simplicity top that is very similar, or the HP Sunshine top.  both would need a placket alteration. 

Yup, lots of inspiration to be found here, which was sort of unexpected!

My weekend plans consist of finding a birthday gift for my sister... not the easiest task.  And, hopefully stitching.  I had a cutting-out fiasco last weekend that I don't even want to talk about. It killed my mojo, let's leave it at that.  But I think I'm over it and can proceed to the nearest sewing exit...

Have a good weekend!

The End.

wednesday wisdom

The Colette Sewing Handbook

GREAT (i.e. filled with stuff for ME) mailbox made a long day end on a high note!  Look at what was waiting for me:

 

I haven't had time to do more than thumb through it excitedly (haha) but here are my first impressions...

The format is different than your normal sewing book in that useful chapters and lessons are sprinkled throughout where it would be natural to run into that particular fit issue or design change.  Smart!  

(and we know how I love smart!)

Where were we?  Oh yea.  Here's the thing:  I don't really need a "how to" book, and this book is targeted to the "New Seamstress" (says so on the cover).  So I wasn't planning on picking this one up.  What changed my mind?

The patterns!  I had to wait until a preview on Amazon to get clarification, but YES this book has new Colette patterns included! In the FULL size range (33-1/2 to 47-1/2" bust!)  My faves are the Meringue Skirt:

 

The Pastille Dress:

And the Taffy blouse (I am SUCH a sucker for fluttery sleeves!)

All great basics, wrapped up in what looks to be a really great book to add to your sewing shelf.

I'll be happily reading for the rest of the night...