Something old, something new

About a month ago, I signed up for a sewing class. I didn't fit in at first, but then someone withdrew from that class and I got their spot! So yesterday I headed for my first session, eager to catch up.

I had already decided to make a fall coat and I had a vague idea in my head. The teacher encouraged me to go through the sewing magazines they had there for patterns—and I found a coat that had the same shape as the one I had envisioned. So this time, I am actually going to use patterns (with some alterations, though)!

At the moment, I don't even have the fabrics for the coat. I am planning to go and look for nice ones tomorrow. However, as this project progresses, I will post some photos here! Until then, we'll have to make do with other photos, like this skirt that I made a loooong time ago:

Lessons to learn

I was watching tv today when I spotted this quote:

"This isn't what I want, but I'll take the high road. Maybe it's because I look at everything as a lesson, or because I don't want to walk around angry, or maybe it's because I finally understand. There are things we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go."
(JJ, Criminal Minds)

It really struck a chord with me. I need to learn to think like that. I'm on my way but not there yet.

I have my faults and I'm not afraid to admit it: sometimes I do things that are not right, sometimes I get hurt, and sometimes I'm weak. However, all of this doesn't make me a bad person. On the contrary, I believe that being able to recognize and admit your weakness is a strength. I believe that reaching out to the world and asking for help when you just can't make it alone does not make you a loser—it is an act of bravery instead. Why? Because it sends the message that when you are at your most vulnerable, you are not afraid to show it to get some support.

I guess I'm trying to say that even though I still have many lessons to learn about life, I know I'll get through it because I know how to ask for help. And today, after an inspiring recruitment event, I finally felt like my old self again. That was amazing.

So everyone out there, reach out when you feel like the world is collapsing—you'll be surprised how many people there are to pick up the pieces.

Living in the moment, part 2

I feel the need to clarify my earlier point about living in the moment. I wrote about enjoying life and doing what feels good. However, living in the moment does not equal instant gratification only.

Sure, enjoying the small things that life has to offer is important.  But living in the moment, truly living and being happy, means having goals in your life that are so important to you that you are willing to sacrifice some of your right-now happiness for the more permanent type. And if you have your priorities right, the work you put into your future happiness is most likely going to make you feel good right now. 

So my earlier posting was not about slacking off—my purpose was to point out the importance of doing things that you truly value. Sometimes these things don’t come easy and require some work, but we all know it is worth it in the end.

Living in the moment

Today I realized I might be pretty good at living in the moment. I have never really thought about the whole thing—I’ve just done what feels good and makes me happy. And I guess that is the whole secret to seizing the day.

Take my current job situation, for example. I officially graduated two months ago, but I was done with my thesis and other studies in early May. So I’ve basically had the whole summer to look for a job. But guess what: I didn’t.

You might think that the reason for that was the break-up, and it probably had something to do with it. However, what it all comes down to is that I did not feel like working, let alone getting a job. I had been working every summer since I was 16 and most of my college years as well. Moreover, I had enjoyed—or loved—my studies, and suddenly it was all done. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. So I decided to concentrate on the things I liked: sewing, my friends, traveling, parties, and so on.

And it worked. A couple of weeks ago I started browsing through endless job search websites, updated my resume, and began the much-feared process of writing applications. I haven’t found a job yet, but I found something more important: my motivation.

So if you feel like someone (your mom, your boss, the society) is telling you to do “something important” right now but you’d rather sign up for a cooking class, don’t feel bad about moving the responsibilities for tomorrow and enjoying your life today.

I guess, then, the key to living is finding your priorities and following them. Or as John F. Kennedy Jr. put it, “Wear your good stuff now.”

Things that inspire me

I find new ideas for clothes I want to make in many places. Wherever I go and whatever I do, I keep my eyes open. I enjoy beautiful things. I am very visual. Here is a small list of things that inspire me at the moment:

1.  Colors
Even though red is my all-time favorite, the colors that please my eye right now are navy blue, mustard, grey, and bronze brown.

2. New York City

The City That Never Sleeps, The Big Apple... It has many names, and for a good reason: it is one of the most interesting and versatile places in the world. It never stops surprising me!

My favorite piece of street art in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

A cool building somewhere around the SoHo area.

3. Fabrics and patterns

I could spend hours at clothing and fabric stores just admiring beautiful colors, materials, and patterns. And of course, sometimes I take some of these pretty things home with me.

Recent purchases. 

(Yes, I like the combination of red and blue, 

especially if it involves a cute print!)

A dress that I couldn't afford to buy.

4. Movies (and celebrities)

I recently re-watched Chocolat and was inspired by many of the things the main character, Vianne, was wearing. My appreciation for beautiful clothing and style is by no means limited to what fictional characters or famous people wear, but ordinary people that I see on the street may inspire me as well.

Back to work

I know, I know, I haven't been writing much lately. I've had so many other things in my life. I finally started applying for jobs, and it wasn't as horrible as I remembered. I am actually a bit excited about some of the job opportunities out there. I'm confident that I will find something if I just keep looking!

I also took a trip to Copenhagen to meet up with a friend. I've never been there before, which is kinda surprising, since I don't live that far and I have a friend living there. But now I went, and it was great!

And finally, back to sewing. Getting things done and enjoying life a little has energized me, and I found some time to sew again. In Copenhagen, I found a nice scarf suitable for early fall, and instead of buying it, I decided to make one myself. So here is the inspiration:

And here is the one I made:

The fabric that I bought is not as colorful as I wanted it to be, but I fell in love with the pattern nevertheless. Look at those birdies!

I just love buttons

In the past two months or so I've come to realize that I know myself pretty well. I know exactly who I am and what I want and I'm happy with myself. I haven't always been here. I have been lost, insecure, uncertain of everything. Somehow I made it here anyways. I think it was because I wasn't afraid to look into myself and learn. I am no longer afraid to feel and ask myself why I feel that way.

I don't like dating. I don't like the games and the uncertainty. I don't understand why people follow the "rules" of dating that only make forming real connections more complicated. I don't play by these rules, and if that makes someone uncomfortable, that person is not for me. I like to be more straightforward.

I also like buttons. Lately, I have been making button jewelry—mostly earrings.

My button collection.

My brand new earrings.

A bracelet/brooch.