Planes, Trains, and Automobiles.

I got back on the 30th of September and I haven't said a word. I know; I'm a bad blogger. But I have reasons! Lots of projects! Thesis! Uh, stuff!

I haven't even started editing my trip pictures, in fact, I should do that now. Start, that is. I've been busy doing crafting, setting up some projects, writing up a storm with my thesis (13 pages in one week! For me, huge progress), and working. When I get home, I'm usually too tired to do anything and the significant amounts of rain that have been falling lately do not help at all. But I will remedy this and start talking about the trip. Now.

Damian and I spent 19 days traveling through England and Spain, with stops in London, Oxford, Madrid, and Barcelona, with a Tarragona drive-by. The whole reason for the trip was my presentation at Mansfield College at the University of Oxford. (Squee!) Damian was all, "Oh I will sacrifice myself and accompany you on this trip. Can we make a stop in Spain?" Oh, such a disinterested and noble soul!

We were going to go to Segovia but we overslept. Jet lag is awesome. And I think that was the only day we overslept because the rest of the trip was spent waking up at 6-7-8 AM. In England, we took a Windsor, Bath, and Stonehenge tour which was pretty great. We almost got left behind at every single spot (them Brits, so punctual), but we managed to make it back to London safe and sound at the end of the day.

England was pretty beautiful, just cold. Well, the problem wasn't really the temperature; it was the wind. And the exchange rate for the pound. Our wallets wept the whole time we were in the UK, that's how bad the exchange rate was. I mean, did we really have to eat? Can't we just save the money?

I kid!

Spain was also great. My word, was the change in temperature welcome. Barcelona was gorgeous: I liked the fact that I had the sea close (well, right there) and the mountains too. For some reason, I don't like being landlocked. It's one of those finicky OCD things of mine. But back to the city. Great architecture (didn't enjoy the heights though), pretty sights, and, well. Let's face it.

The food.

Oh, dear god, the food.

I think I'm still composed of wine, sugar and carbohydrates. Everything we ate (with only two small exceptions) was amazing. The seafood was insanely fresh, there were so many varieties of fruits, and let's not even talk about the ENTIRE AISLE OF CHOCOLATE.

Shit.

I'm still feeling that one.

This trip meant a lot to me, and it's not only because I spent my birthday over there, which was nice. A birthday to remember. Specially since Damian is an evil plotter and he made me cry. But I digress. I got to do so many things I've dreamed of doing since I was a child, like visiting Stonehenge and seeing Roman ruins. And presenting at Oxford, among others. It also meant a lot because I got to spend it with someone I love and who loves me.

And I'm going to stop the googly eye talk now because I'm going to lose my readers. All four of them!

I don't think there are enough words to describe how great this trip was. I had a great time and now I want to win the lottery so I can go over there and not have to return! Woohoo! I will blog pictures of the trip sporadically because I have around four thousand pictures that I have to slough through. Meanwhile, I'll do my best to blog frequently.

Take care everyone!

Rar!

Yesterday, Damian and I were getting some presents for his relatives in Spain (and also as a thank you for letting us stay over). His dad came along to help us since he knows more about the family's tastes than we do.

So while at Old Navy, they spot this dragon costume for Damian's baby cousin. And for some reason, they were really excited. I would've never thought that they'd flip over this dragon costume, but they did. And now, I'm taking this in my carry on luggage.

Not to say that I don't find the costume unbearably cute. I mean, I'm already plotting to teach the baby to go "rar!"

Costume is available at Old Navy.

98%.

So I'm almost done packing: only missing my camera, a printed copy of my essay, and some tights. Oh, and some assorted jewelry. But, other than that, I am pretty much done with packing. I did it today because I know that tomorrow I will not have enough time, I have to go to work. And I leave on Saturday, so I'm not going to do everything last minute.

That said, it would've been nice to have some time off and do things a bit more calmly. Oh well. I have to wake up early today to go to work. The waking up early part blows chunks like whoa, but, I HAVE A JOB. That cancels it out.

I was pondering the possibility of making a sign for the plane that says "Wake only for food and emergencies." But, that's not really viable is it? I mean...I'm already going to walk around with a (kid's) dragon costume in my carry-on, don't need to give them additional evidence that I'm a few beans short of a burrito.

The worst part is that I can feel myself getting sick. I've been chugging pills and water like a fiend, but no dice. I will definitely be getting a spot of the flu for the beginning of the trip. Which is disappointing, but I'd rather get sick now and have it just be a cold/flu. I really don't need a repeat of that marvelous digestive pyrotechnia that I experienced in New Orleans. I mean, wow. Talk about making a memory.

Well, bed time. Let's see if I can squeeze another DIY post before I leave. Good night!

The Second H.

Remember a few months ago when I'd said that two very nice things had happened with the word H? The first was revealed, Harvard, but I never said anything about the second. Here's a peek.


Guessed what it is yet?


Yes?


I'm not a watch person, but after seeing the Hermès Medor on Mimi from Brook & Lyn, I freaked. I'd always said that if I got a watch, it would be something that looked like a bracelet. I'd seen a Timex that I liked and mom was so surprised that I mentioned a watch, she got it for me as a Valentine's Day present.

But I saw the Medor some time later on Mimi on her blog. And it stayed in my mind. I decided to get it for myself as a gift for successfully presenting at several conferences. Also, because I needed to stop being late everywhere.

That last part hasn't stopped. Sorry, I will seemingly never arrive early anywhere.

So far I'm very happy with it. And now I'm sort of addicted...I really like the new Medors with the double straps. But I'm definitely not getting any one now. Perhaps in the future!

Studded.

I have returned. And I finally have a new camera! I'm still figuring it out, but I mourn for my old E900...oh well. Keep calm and carry on.

I'd promised eons ago to put pictures of my stud DIY and at last I can do that. I guess it's been built up on a lot since I've been unable to post the pictures up. This jacket was inspired by Mimi of Brook & Lyn and Zana of Garbage Dress.



Originally, it was supposed to be covered in studs, but I didn't like that. So I took some out and made a little pattern. Tetris inspired? Maybe.

I got this linen jacket at the Salvation Army for a dollar and ordered some studs from Studs and Spikes (thanks for the recommendation, Mimi!). I studded it entirely, didn't like it, let it sit there while I fired out what to do with it, and then finally figured it out.

So there it is. My stud DIY. I still haven't properly worn it out yet. Can't wait to wear it out thou!

And I'm headless in that last picture because it had been a long day.

Still hanging.

For a while I thought of completely chucking the blog, but I just don't have the heart. I've been busy with school (meaning thesis), work, some DIY, personal things, and, the all-encompassing paper draft that was due this past Friday.

Also, my camera finally caved and it was shipped off last week to see if it can be fixed. If not, it will be replaced. Sadness! I hope that the fixed (or replaced) camera arrives before I leave for my trip next month. Ah, yes, that's the other thing that's been occupying my time. Frantically planning or trying to because I say to Damian, "we've got to do this!" and he's all, "yes!" And then we fall asleep or forget.

Clearly, we cannot rule the world. Oh well.

I'm hoping to get some paid design work in before November because the situation is serious...barely any jobs out there.

Well, now it's back to work. Have to get some things done today, no dice. For those of you still reading this, thanks for hanging on! And just wait a little longer until I get my camera back for updateds on my DIYs. :)

Style wants.

A couple of style desires that have been occupying my mind lately.

First, the Ikea Knappa lamp. Hell, the series.
I've been wanting one for ages and apparently nobody lives near enough an Ikea to get me one. I also like the floor lamp, but this one is the one that is calling to me like a siren to a sailor. Seriously. And now, a cafe in my town has them and I am going insane. I need this lamp. Yes.

Another style desire is a sequined long-sleeve mini dress. Not so mini that I breathe and my lady parts are exposed to the world, but short enough so I can prance around in heels and feel absolutely fun.

Next, a lace dress. No, no...none of that Prada stuff. I actually disliked that line immensely. I would like a 50's style shift with a lace overlay...I can dream, I can dream...

Also, white! White, white, white! No, I'm not being elitist, but I've always wanted a white blazer, a white pencil skirt, and white pants. I actually have a white blazer (second hand, thank you Salvation Army), but I have to line it. I have white pants, but they are linen. I'd like something that could pass off as a fabulous suit. And I have not found a white pencil skirt, which makes me sad. One of my (sillier to some) life list wishes is to have clothes tailor made for me in Hong Kong. Guess this will be one of those projects.

Feather print or feather covered shoes. Yes, a bit morbid, but ever since I saw them on Style Bubble I have lusted. Oh and how. Maybe if I tried them on, my cravings would be satisfied. I guess I like weird stuff.

Zippers: I want a solid black (or white; wait, how about both? or gray?) dress with an exposed zipper going down the entire back. My word, one of my classmates wore a style like this and I almost murdered her to take the garment off her body. I need a dress like this, but no one has zippers long enough for me to make this! I'd also like a blazer with zipper trim.

I'd also like a fabulous job in which I could prance around with all my dream outfits. And while we're at it, fairy godparents, how about a nice sewing machine too?

Ah, fantasies...

Why do I want this?

Please, someone, tell me. I don't know why but I am drawn to this. Perhaps I just have some irrepressible magnet towards the most peculiar things in the store (because lord knows that only one other person checked out the ombre shirts at the Gap outlet yesterday...).

Back to the topic. I want these to wear them under a black dress to work or for nights out. I must obtain these. Part of me thinks I need to learn to make leggings..after all, they should be simple right?

And that's how every dark DIY project starts: it must be simple, right?

If anyone else is as interested in these as I am, they're going for $9.80 at Forever 21. Click here.