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It’s my birthday… sale.

Anxiety, Lingerie, Sales, Sewing Patterns June 30, 2017

Happy birthday to me… happy birthday to me!

My birthday really snuck up on me this year. I guess that’s what happens when you get older. Sigh…

33 has been a pretty good year. Well actually, it was difficult. 33 was the year I got help for my anxiety ‘issue.’ It’s kind of funny, because I am ending out 33 doing not quite so well, but during this year I’ve learned so many things about how to maintain my sanity. Most importantly I learned that I don’t have to feel like something terrible is about to happen all of the time.

On the bright side, I sleep now! And I very rarely have nightmares. I did have a bout of sleep paralysis/wake-up screaming two nights ago, but as a whole, my sleep is much better. However, my bouts of nightmares really make me feel like a crazy person. There is no nice way to put it. They are terrifying and the feelings linger for days. Actually, when I think of it, a lot of my intrusive thoughts as well as my dreams leave me feeling like, “a good/normal person wouldn’t have these thoughts. There is something wrong with me.” It’s not a good feeling to have, on top of the effect of the imagery and content of my dreams and intrusive thoughts. I feel embarrassed sharing this, but I know there is probably at least one other person out there who feels the same way!

My physical health is much better. I’m running 10k on a regular basis and planning on training for 15! On the downside, I’m finding that my mental health maintenance is lacking… I’ve really let it slip and it’s showing. My body images has also been not so good – this is a thing I still don’t feel I have a good grasp on. But as a whole, I am doing much better.

Life is full of highs and lows and lots of stuff in between. It’s the “in between” times that I have a hard time with, and summer is always one of those times for me. Things drag along a little more slowly, which I should enjoy, but I thrive off of the adrenaline rush of being busy (or of crisis). I’m trying… really trying to be ok with life just chugging a long.

Anyway, enough about me…

I decided to celebrate, I’d have a sale, and it’s going to be my BIGGEST sale of the year. Take 20% off all lingerie & sewing patterns with the coupon code HappyBirthday 20. Offer expires Monday July 3 at midnight!

Shop Lingerie on Etsy

Shop Sewing Patterns on Etsy

Or, shop directly on my blog!

I thought this might be a good time for a sale since it’s a long weekend for many of us, with Canada Day and July 4th in the US. This is a great opportunity to pick up a couple sewing patterns and work through my new swimsuit tutorials *wink wink*

And YES! I ate that giant brownie.

Enjoy!

Honeymoon

Uncategorized July 11, 2015

Dan and I have been married for a few years now… Our wedding was a lot of fun, but if I could have a second one (with Dan of course), there are lots of things I’d do differently (or remember to do, period). Surprisingly,  I seemed to neglect to make myself any wedding lingerie… a fact which I remembered the day before our wedding. Ever since I’ve been slightly obsessed with blue and white Bridal pieces. I guess it’s like the old saying, “the lingerie maker never has any lingerie on her wedding day” (ok, I totally just made that up, but you get the idea)…

As much as it would have been nice to have a bridal trousseau full of pretty lingerie, we spent our Honeymoon camping (like, in a tent camping) and hiking, and I mostly found myself wearing layers of hoodies and track pants. In my imaginary second wedding, I think we’d go someplace remote but a little less rustic. Something with a hot tub and spa. Somewhere where I could have pranced around in these things…

I had the opportunity a little while back to work with model, Mathy Pacquette and photographer, Kim Gaudreau.  They put together this beautiful shoot, showcasing a few of my new pieces. I just love how the photos turned out and am excited to share a few of them with you.

Lace and Ribbon Side Tie Panties
Model: Mathy Paquette
Photography: Kim Gaudreau
Hair & Make-up: Camille Lacasse

Silk Sleep Mask
Photography: Kim Gaudreau
Photo by me, including my very own wedding dress! And yes, you can bet I put it on after taking this photo.
Fleur Romper
Model: Mathy Paquette
Photography: Kim Gaudreau
Hair & Make-up: Camille Lacasse

Fleur Romper

Merlot Lace Lingerie Set
Model: Mathy Paquette
Photography: Kim Gaudreau
Hair & Make-up: Camille Lacasse

What we wore… Edwardian Shirtwaist & Corset Cover

Uncategorized December 4, 2011
I think I’ve graduated from being obsessed with Victorian Clothing to obsessing over Edwardian Clothing… I’ve moved a century closer!
This is a very usual corset cover. It is made of a starched cotton (beautiful hand), with heavily starched ruffles over the bust (hiding some beautiful pin-tucks). The Edwardian shape always amused me – it is so unnatural with the large bust and thin hips. You can see how this corset cover would help achieve that look, by adding extra volume to the bust with all of those ruffles! If Ohhh Lulu were around 100 years ago, I probably would have designed this:

The shirtwaist is in rough condition. It is a net lace exterior (which is near perfect) over cream silk, which is pintucked down down the front. The silk has seen better days and is beginning to crumble in quite a few places. It has metal snaps down the back and is quite obviously handmade.

What we wore… Antique Clothing Collection.

Uncategorized December 4, 2011
As you may have gathered -I love vintage clothing and textiles, but even more than that, I love antique clothing and textiles.
I have finally gotten around to photographing some of the items in my very small collection. The unfortunate thing about pre 1940’s clothing is that alot of it is made of silk or fine cotton… which just does not stand the test of time. I want to make sure I keep a record of what I have so I will have a reminder even after the silk is too brittle to touch….
These are both gifts from Dan’s grandmother. The black collar is Victorian or Edwardian and is hand stitched. It is not finished, and I wonder if this was to become part of a top or whether it was meant to be just a separate collar. I think the shape is really unusual, and the lace is absolutely beautiful. I love the appliqué down the front.

This bolero came with the collar but I’m not sure that it is as old. It is stunning and in excellent condition. It is very tiny and just fits my small shoulders. This is one of my favourite items…

Handmade Histories…

Uncategorized December 4, 2011
Dan’s grandmother’s house was full of treasures. My mother-in-law packed 3 large bags full of hankies, silk scarves, hand trimmed cotton pillow cases, handmade doilies and some silk babies clothes. I love all of these little handmade and sentimental items.

I sorted through them last week and found some real treasures, and so many silk hankies!

Many of these were embroidered and tatted or crocheted by Dan’s great-aunt and Dan’s Grandmother. I really love these items… even though I never got to meet these people, having these precious items makes me feel close to them.
Among some of the items were little silk baby dresses and a small silk bonnet and cotton bib that belonged to Dan’s mom and Dan’s uncle. They are so precious, I love them dearly!


Post Camping Bliss

Uncategorized July 12, 2011

Dan and I went on an over night camping trip this weekend to Arrowhead Provincial Park, with my aunt, two cousins, and 2 little ones. We had such a nice time, and went on a nice long walk through the bush to the most beautiful water fall on Sunday afternoon. I absolutely love camping.
We’ve decided that because finances are a little tricky right now due to our work situation, we are going to forego a traditional honeymoon, and instead, just pack up the car and head north and camp in random places for the week, or however long we feel like staying.
I’ve gotten so much done the last few days. This morning I woke up at 5:30 and worked for 3 hours before heading to my day job… I’m now at work taking a little breather, preparing to go home in a few hours, print my last 6 wedding invitations, and spend some time with my cuddley pug.
I also wanted to thank everyone who commiserated with me on my last few blog posts. It’s nice to feel like I’ve got people “on my side” in tough times, and I really appreciate the comments. I can’t wait until the day when I look back on this time of my life and smile at how we got through it…
Just like I smile and think fondly of my life when I was in college – living in that cockroach and bedbug infested apartment in Toronto… the one that I learned, the first night I moved in, that was beside a very noisy and frequently used train. The one with the Rastafarian next door neighbor. I ate nothing but dollar store Sidekicks pasta for nearly 2 years! And I feel like a better person for having done it.
I’d love to know your stories… is there a situation that you persevered through and now look back upon fondly?

Camping…

Uncategorized August 8, 2010

Dan and I just got back from Camping and a wedding at the place of my initial failure in life… Trent University!

It was nice to go back and re-visit it, though I felt strange walking around there, I hardly remembered it at all.