Doctor Who Fangirling

WARNING: Geeky fangirl post ahead!

Last week I found out that the sixth season of Doctor Who (2011) was finally available on Netflix. Let me tell you, I GULPED down all 13 episodes. The season came on like gangbusters and every single episode after the first built and built on the large arc of the season. I love it when the story is tight and focused like that; even the requisite stand-alone episodes revealed something important about one or more of the characters. My very favorite side character on the show, River Song, finally had her story explained throughout, and it was FANTASTIC. From the moment her character was introduced in the fourth season, I have loved her for her ability to fluster the Doctor. I don't know how viewers felt who had to watch the show week by week last year, but I was so glad that I didn't have to wait for the next episode or the next. Before I knew it, I had watched three or four episodes in a row when I had only meant to watch one while folding clothes. That was how my weekend was.

River Song - always dressed to kill

But now, because of my earlier intemperance, I have no more Doctor Who TV to watch. (Thirteen episodes per season seems like nothing compared to the American custom of 23 episodes. See Battlestar Galactica, for instance, of which I'm only midway through the third season.) I'm considering getting cable just so I can catch episodes on BBC America, but I know that, in the long run and for my family, that is just a silly waste of money.

So what to do? While on Pinterest last night, I decided to look for Doctor Who-related images. I found a bunch of awesome things, including a TARDIS cover for the Kindle Fire that led me to a TARDIS cover for the iPhone 4 which I may or may not have purchased on impulse....

But in particular I felt inspired by the fabric -- yes, Doctor Who fabric! There is a bunch of designs on an indie-designer site called Spoonflower, and despite the expensiveness I think I'm just going to bite the bullet and get some. Because they're specialty, the fabrics seem to be high-quality cotton. They even have cotton knit, which means I can make myself a t-shirt at some point.

Oh man, along with my Fluevog addiction, I really don't need another. But good fabric is going to be another one, I think.

xo, Gladys

Spring Flowers and Happy Blues

Amazingly, here's a second outfit post for the week. (Aren't you amazed? I am!) It's another simple ensemble. The weather yesterday was wonderful, so I pulled out this dress and was happy that I didn't have to layer a long-sleeved tee and pair of tights under it. It's the first time I have worn bare legs since late last fall. (Luckily I managed not to cut myself with the razor.)

Dress: Chuti via ModCloth | Mary jane clogs: Fluevog Guide (Prepare family)

(Ooh boy, I need a tan!) As promised, I'm showing off my new haircut. I know what you're thinking...why not leave it long and PERM it instead? My stylist nixed that idea, sadly. I am not joking. I actually asked if going curly would work, but she thought my hair was too heavy/thick for it. Oh, all right. So I asked for a straight bob. I know what you're thinking again...BORING!

But...

Can you NOT imagine it styled smooth and sleek under a beautiful cloche? How about this one? Or how about this darling paperboy? I was thinking vintage 1920s. I think I can make it work one of these days! And, yes, I bought such hats. They are on their way. Wheeeeee! :-)))))))))))

So I loved this outfit, simple as it was. The dress has pockets! and a lace collar! and a shirred waist! And the shoes are amazing! (Of course they are. They're Fluevog. These are my current favorite pair.)

I felt so Spring-y! I had to put on some makeup and bright red lipstick to match the new flowers. Happy Spring!

xo, Gladys

Happy Snapshots: March

The kiddo took this photo of me with my iPhone while we were outside pruning rosebushes.

Learning to write his capital letters (I draw hearts next to the letters that he writes by himself, with no help.)

I drew the kitty.

Tea and scone, out with friends

Z brought her own mini teapot and teacup -- SUPER adorable.

What Stella likes to do all day -- sit on unopened mail

Grain-free brownies (a Pinterest test-drive)

My chocolate addict getting rid of excess batter

Handmade birthday card (I love scrapbook stickers.)

First rose

This dog LOVED being pushed around on the doll stroller.

He didn't want to take off this lamb-ears headband.

Have a great weekend!!

xo, Gladys

16 of 30: Green Stripes

This is so dumb, but I've had this very simple ensemble in mind for months now and have only just been able to take photos of it. Lucky #16. I wore the same outfit a few weeks ago but didn't get a chance to get photos, and given the way my clothes cycle through the wash, sometimes it takes a while for a hand-washed sweater to come back into my closet.

It's become clearer and clearer that my closet and style of laundering do not mesh with 30 for 30 challenges -- however, I still want to finish this challenge (in my own, ridiculously drawn-out way) since I do like the idea of clothing longevity in the first place. I mean, it's pretty cool that the same set of clothes can be worn over the course of three seasons. (Although it might turn into four....) Of course, I live in Southern California where distinct seasons don't really exist.

Sweater: Cooperative via Urban Outfitters | Jeans: GAP | Socks: old, Kohl's, Target, or even Mervyn's? | Flats: Blowfish via Amazon

I had my mom take the two bottom photos. I didn't tell her what for, only that I liked the outfit and wanted to remember it for another time. So I was stiff during the picture taking (not to mention my poor posture). Also, I did want to show you how my hair is in serious need of a cut and style. I finally broke down last week and called my stylist, so I'll be getting a haircut before the day is out. I'm not sure if I'll go short again or if I'll just have her restyle the layers. I'll try to put together another outfit photo set to show you what I decided. :-)

xo, Gladys

My Crafty Better Half

Last month, I wrote about how my husband comes from a crafting family, and I mentioned that I wanted to share photos of the special box he made for my birthday a few years ago. I'm finally getting around to it now.

He and I were talking with our friend M about our hobbies a couple of days ago, and I remarked that I was starting to become obsessed with fabric. I jokingly said something to my husband like "You were hounding me for a long time to get a hobby besides reading, but now I bet you're sorry." He responded, "Not at all. I'm just jealous since I haven't been able to work on any of my hobbies."

That made me a little sad. It's mostly because he's been working so hard on the yard at our new house that he hasn't found the time to clear off his work bench in the garage, but I know that he needs a creative outlet given the kind of person he is. When he said that, it made me want not only to ensure that he gets some extra time to himself to work on personal projects (and, yes, I need to get cracking on clearing out the random boxes in the garage), but also to share some of his work with you.

First, here is the palm-sized wooden puzzle box that he made for my birthday. There are four pieces all together, made using a scroll saw and sander, and they have to be put together in a specific order to close properly. Hence the "puzzle." He shaped the agate into a heart and polished it. I love the gorgeous color of the stone -- he knows me so well -- and it contrasts perfectly with the stained walnut. When I opened the gift, I admit that I teared up. Wouldn't you have? :-)

This lovely wooden grasshopper is actually a pull toy that he made for the birth of our good friend E's son. He doesn't quite like the way it turned out functionally (the back wheels don't turn when the toy is pulled by the string because they are too small to power the long legs -- a leverage issue?), but I think it's SOOOO adorable! And so do our friend and her son!

Finally, this is a cookie-sized dealer button that he invented for our good friend M mentioned above, who loves card games and taught us how to play Texas Hold 'em poker. We were using random kid toys to designate the dealer during our games...which was fine until one of the kids wanted to play with them. The picture of the winking kid on the back of the button was taken from a package of horchata mix, to which she also introduced us. This button took a long time to make as he was experimenting with paint color and finish. But it turned out fantastically, and the vintage-y look is icing on the cake.

Cheers to my crafty better half! I'd love it if I were half as talented!

xo, Gladys