17 October 11
I have a winner
I’m delighted to say that the Random Number Generator has chosen a winner.
The winner of the Red Fir dress in a size AWESOME is:
Caffrin, aka commentor number 10.
I’m sorry that I didn’t have 20 dresses, because I think each of you deserved to win a dress with your great comments.
08 October 11
Shabby Apple Giveaway
Before joining Pinterest, I’d not heard of Shabby Apple before. But I kept seeing all these super-cute summery dresses pop up and found myself “liking” and “pinning” several of them.
Then last week, a rep from Shabby Apple contacted me and said “We really like your website and we wonder if you would be interested in either reviewing one of Shabby Apple’s women’s dresses for your blog, or perhaps choosing one of our women’s dresses and giving it away to your reader. Since I’d never purchased from them, and since I’d not written about them, I was skeptical about how this would fit with my personal ethics because I don’t like promoting something I don’t know about.
And with dresses like this Tomcat, I knew I would find a dress that many or all of my readers would like.
So I decided to check out their website to learn more about the company. I knew I liked their dresses, but did I like their business values? I learned that the dresses are either made in Maryland, India, or in Guatemala. Considering most dresses are priced under $100, I’m not surprised there is offshore production involved. However, I wanted to make sure that the women (or possibly men) who work in the garment factory are treated well, or that the business is doing what it can to make sure women are treated well.
They have an entire page devoted to explaining how 5% of each net sale is donated to Unitus which is then used to provide micro-loans to women, which has been proven to be very effective in ending poverty, increasing the rates of children receiving education, and improving overall health of the entire family.
So the values seemed reasonably in line with my own, but I wanted to know more about how the company started, who owned it, and why it is run the way it is. So, I emailed the company and asked some basic questions about the owner, the original vision behind the company and more. Not only did Athelia Woolley LeSueur reply quickly, but she replied at much greater length and in a very non-formula manner. Knowing the owner of the company isn’t so removed from one small promotions opportunity made me happy. She started training as a dancer and health issues ended that career, so she then worked with battered women as a social worker which is when she wanted to find a way to help empower women further and personally. Health concerns appeared again, and she decided to pursue a long-held interest in clothing design. So she began selling dresses through Shabby Apple in 2007. She wanted to make sure that women in a variety of body shapes and body sizes could find a well-fitting garment. A properly fitting dress CAN do wonders for a woman’s self-esteem. It’s corny, but very true.
There is a great Fit Guide that not only shows you how to measure yourself but shows how their dress sizes compare to those at other retailers. There is also a great part of their site called Fit to Flatter that will help you determine what styles and cuts of dresses are appropriate for your body shape. And their advice was spot on for my own body type.
They also have an
So if you’ve read this far, then you’re rewarded because you have the option to enter a contest to win the Red Fir dress above in your size. I think it is an absolutely gorgeous dress and wouldn’t mind owning it myself. The reviews of people who have purchased it rate it highly (although the design is to be snug across your hips so measure yourself closely). And picturing my friends I know in person, I think all of them would look great in this dress, which means that even people I don’t know stand a darned good chance of looking great in this dress.
I have to make this a contest, and Shabby Apple has suggested that I ask you to “Like” them on Facebook. So feel free join them there if you have an account. But for the contest, I would love you tell me where you would wear this dress if you win it? I will draw the winner using a randomized number generator on Sunday October 16th at midnight. So you’ve got a full week to check out their site, and leave a comment here.
Shabby Apple has also permitted me to give you a coupon code that expires in 30 days to permit you to get 10% off any of their dresses, aprons, swimwear, athletic wear, and more. Just enter “poise10off” when checking out.
In order to win, you must have a US shipping address. If you are the winner, I will need to provide your name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and the size of the dress you want to Shabby Apple.
And in case you’re looking for a gift for me for any reason at all, I’d love this Madison dress in a large size.
Comment [21]
26 September 11
Stability vs. Stagnancy
I think this is where I am right now, and trying to decide which is which. I’ve given a lot of thought (on those nights when I can’t sleep, on the commute home when I forgot knitting and my book, etc.) about how I wonder how well I deal with stability. I’ve spent a huge part of my life not really feeling like it was stable. I moved a lot as a kid and into adulthood. I adapted and rarely fought it, even as a kid. And I remember the times I did fight it and think I still owe my mom an apology for being a brat. But for the most part I looked at every move as a chance to “start over” to “be better” to “learn how to be cool”. And well, I don’t think I ever did learn how to “be cool” and I think I wish I could say that I just never think about it, but I do occasionally, and more than I’d like to.
But the stability thing exists for me now. I’ve lived in the same home for 7 years. 7! It’s crazy to realize I’ve been here that long. I’d never lived any place more than 5 years, and that only happened once. Things with Andrew are good. We both wish we had more money and more time for travel and relaxation, but we’re doing better about forcing ourselves to completely unplug on a semi-regular basis. Something as simple as watching a Dr. Who episode with cats on our lap is enjoyable and rare. So when it does happen, we enjoy it, instead of experiencing it as a time when we’re avoiding other things.
But it is still stability. And stability feels like stagnancy. And that’s what I’m trying to warp my head around. How do you experience stability without experiencing the feeling of stagnation? How do you do the same things day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year and not get bored with it? How do you make little challenges instead of big challenges exciting?
I’m not sure. I’m trying to think on a smaller scale. I don’t want to upend my life. (Unless it involves moving to New Orleans, which just isn’t realistic yet for a variety of reasons.) But I had a banner year a couple of years ago. And now I feel so humdrum. I’m not writing a book. I’m helping to organize a craft show, but in the 9th year, it feels less like an adventure than it did at first. I’ve got this small business, but I just don’t have the time to do all the things I want to do with it and feel like I barely have time to do the things I have to do. So I need to find a way to focus on doing small challenges.
For example, I suck at baking. It’s not my thing. I get bored with the sifting and all the measuring, and the constant tending to an oven wondering “is it done yet?” over something that still seems jiggly and undone even when it is. But tonight I decided to try my hand at baking Hummingbird Cake. I have no clue why it is called that. But it has bananas (my favorite fruit) and pineapple (Andrew’s favorite) so I figured it was worth a few hours of time on a night when I wanted to take it easy. I’ll ice and eat it tomorrow and see how successful I am.
And I’ve been getting a CSA share from Videnovich Farms for a few weeks. So it has been a struggle to cook everything I’ve purchased. But I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve got more roasted poblanos than I know what to do with. But, I know that chili season is upon us, so I’m sure I’ll use some then.
So I know I need to alter my expectations of myself and my life for now. But I always expect more from myself than I’m capable of carrying off. So for now, I’m challenging myself to be happy and stable without feeling stagnant.
Comment [3]
23 August 11
Gone Fishin', but Hopefully Not Swimming
I’m on vacation.
We leave Wednesday morning, but I’m officially on vacation as of a few hours ago. I have a little bit of packing to do. And I’ve admitted not everything on my to-do (or teaux-deaux) list is getting done before I leave. But I’m feeling pretty relaxed anyway.
Which is good, considering a few folks want me to be all stressed out about the fact that I am going to New Orleans during HURRICANE SEASON, ZOMG!!
Yes, I know that I’m going to be New Orleans during hurricane season. And, yes, I do know what has happened there in the past. Believe me, I know. Not as well as those who lived through it. But I lived glued to my television and computer for 2 weeks feeling more upset, helpless, and ill with each bit of news, with each story, with each painful realization that our country was ill-prepared to help a city the size of New Orleans survive a “man-made disaster of epic proportions”. (Google that phrase, if ya please.)
I’m so aware that I’m going to be in New Orleans during hurricane season and during the 6th reunion of when the storms hit, that I’ll be attending the Rising Tide Conference while I’m there. This will be the cheapest blogging conference I’ll have ever been to, $25 for a day of learning, and quite possibly the one that strikes me to my core the most.
Because even though I’m a Chicago resident, and even though I’ve lived here for 14 years and consider this my home without a doubt, New Orleans also feels like home. Stepping into New Orleans is like putting on your favorite pair of jeans after wearing suits and pinchy-toe shoes for a week. It feels so natural, hits you in all the right places, makes you feel freer and more comfortable than you thought possible.
And this time I’ll get to meet at least a few of my favorite New Orleans bloggers and spend more time with the ones I’ve already met. Spending time with bloggers in my favorite city while we talk about ways to make it better and make people realize it is better than they would think sounds like just what this gal needs to get her groove back. Cause I can’t think of a better city to do that in, than New Orleans.
08 April 11
Life gets in the way of living
The problem with having a day job that has me working through my lunch “break”, working extra each night (from the office and then after I get home), and having a side gig where I get to unwind by making cool stuff, is that I have no time for frivolity, and things that once seemed necessary for my sanity now seem frivolous. Blogging is one of those frivolities. Cooking fun and involved dishes is also on that list. As is writing up the recipes for One Good Meal. (How did I ever write a cookbook? I have NO idea!) As is spending time with friends and doing fun things while in a relaxed mode and not a “I should really be working” anxiety mode.
So, tonight, when I should have been sewing and cutting out fabric, I decided to catch up on email (work and personal and Poise.cc) to at least some degree and do it while sitting on the couch so Boos could have a lap (something he’s been missing lately). And, truth be told, I was exhausted and whiny because I didn’t eat dinner until 9:30.
I’ve been thinking about how I miss writing a lot lately. I don’t think I’ve ever been a “great” writer. Honestly, on a scale of 1 to 5, I think I’m a 3. I occasionally ping a 4, and have gotten a 5 once or twice, but most of the time, I’m a 3. And I’m okay with that. Because most of the time I’m not writing for a grade, just writing because it gets stuff out of my head (hello insomnia!) and makes it possible for me to think about other stuff instead of getting caught in dwell-ugly loops. Getting it “out” of my system helps make me happy.
So, while cruising Twitter, because my attention span is exactly long enough for Twitter these days, I came across a link to a list of steps on writing from Neil Gaman.
Step 1: Write.
So, I did.
09 March 11
Conversation with my cat
Boos: (eyes the luggage suspiciously) So just the guy is leaving?
Me: (smiles encouragingly hoping to ward off a passive-aggressive display of displeasure) Yep! But you’ll still have me.
Boos: (starts to walk away and then comes back) So is he taking Rocky with him?
Me: Oh no. Going by himself.
Boos: Can he?
Comment [1]
25 January 11
Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.
I’m often told that I’m calm, and that I calm people down. Or that I’m cool-headed and even-tempered. And I think I am. All skills born of necessity and bordering on coping mechanisms, but they’ve served me well. I think the incredibly low blood pressure helps with this as well.
Comment [1]
18 January 11
Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.
Continuing the 30 Days of Truth meme.
I’m incredibly lucky to say that there is no person in my life currently that this applies to. I’m grateful that my life is full of people I wish I could see more often and devoid of people I have no interest in continuing a relationship with. There have been plenty of people who I needed to have leave my life at various points, and eventually I either wised up and removed them, or they decided they needed to remove me. That decision is never easy to make, it isn’t as stressful as the break-up of a marriage would be, but still painful and hard and it requires reallocation of mental and emotional resources. But I’m fairly good at adapting (generally, but not always) so I’ve moved on and find myself grateful to have people in my life that I like, that I care about, who are good people who treat me and the people I care about well. And these are the people I’ll continue to invest my energy in. Because they deserve it.
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