My quick but soon to be unsuccessful foray into the world of seamstresses Part 1

Now before you cluck your tongues and judge, I have read a couple of books and blogs into skirt making but I ignored every advice due to my laziness. In my mind, making a dress was easy and all of this extra equipment was unnecessary. Boy, was I wrong. I'll take you on a journey into the method to my madness and tell you where I went wrong.

1. I didn't measure myself and just went to trace my best fitting skirt onto a piece of fabric that I bought. I don't know much and most of the books were recommending me cotton but I though that this was cheap (3.00 per yard) and thick enough so that it wouldn't be too sheer. Perfect sheath material. My sister said that it felt like curtain or table cloth material but whatever. 

2. Most recommend cutting the back and front separate but I totally ignored it and just folded that sucker up and traced it until I realized that I needed to cut it and cutting it separately might make it uneven. So i folded it up again (four stacks) and started to just ignore all of the starting doubts.

3. Here is my finished outlining and just realized that this fabric picks up all of the crap on the floor. I also heard that you need seam allowances so I just picked up some lined paper, instead of a ruler, and just approximated 2 in. all around. 

4. Now I realized that I needed cut out the fabric and just used my regular shears. Big mistake. I obviously am a crappy shearer and left jagged ends. Next time, if I do decide to continue, I'll be sure to pick up some fabric shears. I also needed to pin the back and front sides together but didn't have any pins. I know that they're somewhere around my room but couldn't find it. I remembered that I had some fabric glue from my last year's failed pant hemming project so bam, there went the glue.

5. Remember that this is part 1 so I am still waiting for the glue to dry before I start sewing. Seeing that I don't have a machine and my hap-hazardous ways has tainted my first attempt, I don't hold out much hope. Next time, I will be sure to follow the directions and not be so damned lazy and unprepared. 

Murad's Oil Control Mattifier

It finally feels like spring here and I am in heaven. Allergies are in check and I recently started enjoying the city again. During the winter I tend to like staying at home huddled under a blanket but this warm weather brings me out of my hibernation and into the wild. Recently went to Smorgasbord and unfortunately,and didn't get any pictures. I was to busy eating myself into a food induced coma. I also have vacation plans for this year and have to get into shape. Started this shake for two weeks but have been sabotaging myself with lots of junk food. Have you seen the ranch flavored Cheese Doodles? Not good but addictive as hell.

It's also been quite a long time since my last post and although I've promised a sponge review, I haven't used it yet. My most sincerest apologies. I have this for you instead. Murad's Oil Control Mattifier is something I received as a sample and have just started using it. 

This product is lightweight, goes on invisible and feels great under my makeup. Although I haven't broken out, I can see it irritating certain skin types. No real scent to this and I've used this a handful of times. Today was 70-80 degree weather and I usually sweat and grease up like a pig. 

 This is my forehead after a wash and lightweight lotion.

After application.

and after powder that has no oil control properties of its own.

This is my forehead approximately 7hrs later with no touching or blotting. It was good at keeping oil at bay because without it, it would be much worse. I'll place a picture with nothing applied at the end of a long day as well. It makes my makeup go on smooth and leaves no white cast tinge, despite the low SPF. Tried this with both liquid and powder foundation   I really do like this product and it's not a bad deal for $40 considering the small amount and selective places you might need to apply. I am afraid that this will break me out so I've used this on my T-zone only and I haven't seen any adverse effects yet. So far so good and I'll make sure to update once I've used this more often.

I've started a potentially dangerous hobby. Due to the ill fitting and frustratingly low hemlines when shopping for clothes, I've ventured into making my own clothing. Haven't made anything but have borrowed a lot of books on that subject. What makes this hard is the lack of a sewing machine. I have to hand sew everything and to tell you the truth, I can't sew for shit. I'l put up some of my progress for show and tell but have little to no expectations. Living in NYC makes fabric shopping a bit easier, so crossing my fingers for the best.