before I write more

I just want to say how much I advocate massage therapy.

I just got back from a massage. They're wonderful. I didn't really think I needed it too much, until I went for my first time in November. I think it's one of those things you don't notice until you see the improvement, and then you wonder how you ever managed without (okay, maybe that's a bit extreme). I'm so happy that I get massages covered through my work's insurance.

I had no idea where to go to get a massage before I started going, so I asked one of my coworkers where he goes and he recommended Down To Earth Massage. It's on Corydon Avenue, within walking distance from my house. I really didn't want to go anywhere pretentious, where I'd feel out of place or where people had bleached blonde hair and wore stilettos. Down to Earth Massage is perfect for me. I've only had massages by Meagan, but she's very sweet and very down to earth and helpful. She always gives me tips and exercises to do to help keep my muscles loose. I was scared of massages hurting too much or being really sore the next day, but they really work with the level you're comfortable with, which put me at ease.

So that's my advice for you - get a massage!

I definitely recommend Down to Earth. They don't have a website, but you can find out more about them here.

Louis Riel

My beloved fashionation is back online with new content! I am so excited to once again be seeing high-fashion campaigns from around the world.


Natalia Vodianova photographed by Craig McDean for W Magazine. Beautiful.



I am always working on my afghan. After spending about 40 hours on it, I am currently done 27 of the required 64 squares. It is exciting to see it take shape.


I was watching one of my favorite movies last night while crocheting and was once again reminded why it's a favorite. Little Miss Sunshine is so clever and cute and honest, without trying too hard to be something different. It has an all-star cast, but you wouldn't know it. There's nothing pretentious about this film, and even Steve Carell manages to reign in the drama in his role as a suicidal uncle.

Here is my favorite shot from the film. I just had to include it. Aren't the colors wonderful?




And now I'll leave you with a picture of my (almost 2 year old) nephew Ben on Valentine's day.


He had gotten his mother tulips and was quite intrigued by them. He had also been quite mischievous earlier in the week, having built a tower of pillows on the bed and then promptly fell off of it and scratched his face up on the way down.

It's raining in February

I've been working like crazy on my afghan! Here's an updated picture on how it's going.



Essentially I have to make 64 individual squares (called granny squares) and then stitch them all together to make a queen size bed blanket. Each square is about 9 by 9 inches and takes just under 1.5 hours. I've made 20 as of tonight, and I'm very proud of how fast I've been getting this thing done. Hopefully it won't take another 5 years like my last one!

It's a lot of fun, and I find it really soothing and relaxing to do when I get home from work. Probably because it's repetitive and you don't have to think to do it. It's quite therapeutic.

My goal is to be finished it by the end of March.

An Afghan update!

So I found this super awesome tutorial on youtube about how to make granny squares, the foundation of the afghan I'm making (essentially you just make a lot of squares and then stitch them together). At first it's a little confusing, and I had to re-watch a few parts. But after following it for a few rounds in the pattern, it's so easy!

Within two hours (which I could do in much less time now, the first time is always the trickiest), I made an entire granny square! I think it's probably 9 by 9 inches.



There's one mistake, but I'm proud of it and I'm definitely on the way to completing this project in less than 5 years. Mine is a little bit "looser" than the Urban Outfitters one, but I think it's more home-y this way, and it'll be a lot faster. Plus I couldn't find a pattern for exactly how Urban Outfitters had it. I'm very happy with my results though.

Afghans

I absolutely love afghans. There's nothing cozier than snuggling up with an old afghan.

So I recently found, while cleaning out my room at my parents' place, a crocheting project I started five years ago. My friend was having a baby, so I decided to take up crocheting and make her a baby blanket. I never did finish the blanket, but I've been working on it again the past few days and it's a lot of fun.


It's just white, with a simple pattern.

However, I decided to become a bit more ambitious. After looking at one of my favorite store's websites, I found a blanket for sale at Urban Outfitters that I decided to try to re-create.


I went to Michaels this afternoon and bought a ton of yarn. It's a much more complex project than the blanket I started so long ago, but I think it'll be fun. It'll probably take another five years to complete though, haha.