Today was a good day*

Work was good, got WAY too much accomplished. And then the day really began...

I can't recommend The Urban Craft Center enough. I know I've talked about them before but last night I took my first class. Yes, we've already covered that the chicks there are great. But, they're also great teachers and I was super impressed by the materials they use. Everything was top notch. If you're thinking about taking a class there, you really should. I want to do the Natural Dying class (10/10), the handmade soap class (11/28) and the Gocco Screen Printing class (12/11). Let me know if you'd like to join me!

Ok, so I had no clue that my night would get better after class. Did you catch Bionic Woman or Life last night? Holy wow they were fantastic! I'm so in. C'mon NBC, you're doin' good. Keep it up.

*That's right, I grabbed that lyric from Ice Cube. I can admit that. We're cool.

Deep Thoughts for a Tuesday

Personal:

Weehoo! We have a fabulous baby girl. Mother and baby are healthy and happy and really that's all we can ask for.

Knitting:

Why is it no matter how many needles I buy I never have the right ones for the pattern I want to make? And its not that I can't find the needles. They're all organized. No, seriously, they are. I'll show them to you. For whatever reason, I just don't have the correct needles. Ugg, drives me nuts.

Fall TV Season:

I so missed my fall TV. Sure, Burn Notice is fabulous and Ice Road Truckers changed my life. But I need me my Heroes and Grey's Anatomy. And, the new shows are a good diversion .

Will anyone else admit to watching Gossip Girl. Other than the Chuck character who tried to date rape not one but two girls in one episode, it looks really good. Seriously, Josh, keep the date rape down to one per episode if you're really feeling that need. But we get it, Chuck is a skeeze, message received, really.

Speaking of new fall characters named Chuck, Chuck surprised me. I didn't expect it to be that good. (Dude, NBC, work on your ads.) Then I saw the credits as the show was opening and my expectations were raised. I'm definitely interested in seeing more.

Could someone fill me in on Journeyman. I watched the first 5 minutes and ran away. Did I pull out too soon?

Ah, and that brings me to my beloved Heroes. I love that show. As much as I love Masi I'm not loving his story line. But, the show just rocks on such a higher level than 95% of the tv out there, I can deal with one story line I'm not loving.

Un-Raveled

Ok, I admit it I jumped on the Ravelry bandwagon. Now, when I say jumped I really mean I'm walking behind the wagon hoping it stops so I can jump on. Now, I only signed up about an hour ago, here's where we are:

Found you!
You signed up on Today
You are #34712 on the list.
18963 people are ahead of you in line.
23 people are behind you in line.
44% of the list has been invited so far

In other crafty news Yarns Unlimited (828 Pico Blvd., just east of Lincoln) is having their HUGE annual sale...not my favorite kind of sale where you have $1 and $ 3 bins but everything in the store is 25% - 50% off. Now, that's cool. There's some blue wool I've been needing for a few projects so this is the perfect opportunity to stock up on such a basic. Of course, I'm sure I won't be tempted on anything I don't need. Gramma put a ban on bringing any new yarn into the house.

Heh. Yeah.

Aaarrrrrrrrrggggggggg

Happy Talk Like a Pirate Day. Link provided for people like my mother who think I'm making this day up so I can wear my pirate shoes to work.

Reading blogs is an expensive habbit

Seriously.

There are all these people out there who know about all this cool stuff that I've never even heard of. Today's evil influence: Allison. (We've met her before 'cause she owns SuperCrafty and goes to the WeHo Stitch'n'Bitch.) Yeah, she alerted us to the Urban Craft Center.

Ok, I don't know about you, but every now and then (though lately its been daily) I've said to myself, "Gee, it would be nice to learn how to embroider." Or, "Gee, I would love to make soap but I don't want to blow up the house." Well ladies and gentlemen, we have women who have not only thought that, but created a place to make it happen.

Yippee!

Regina and I spent our lunch hour in search of the mythical Urban Craft Center and not only did we find it but found parking as well! After work and on the weekends, you can park in the lot, but during work hours, you're on the meters.

We chatted with the chicks running it about the concept, the marketing, and the classes they're not only having but want to have. I of course was asking stupid questions about some of the classes 'cause they have crafts I've never even heard of.

We're taking the Artful Stitching class next week. If you want to join us, call 'em up and reserve your spot.

Its a small, small (craft) world.

Going Back to My Roots

Ok, so back in the day there was no Ross, no TJ Maxx, no Marshalls. Any true Angeleno knows there was only one place to find fabulous discount clothes...Loehmanns! Back in the day, it was across the street from The Grove, before there was a Grove. Mom and I spent many, many hours there.

Once it moved from 3rd to San Vicente we never went back. Maybe it was because we had Ross and TJ Maxx and Last Chance, I really don't know. But, while I was on vacation (pictures and blog posts and stuff coming soon), this magical thing appeared in the mail...a $10 off coupon! Then, just a few days later, one of the girls at work told me that she was at Loehmanns and she saw a whole rack of Hello Kitty.

Ok, that's enough I'm in.

Now for those of you who have never been to Loehmann's, here are a few things you need to know:

1. Size: I'll be honest, its huge and overwhelming and the racks are super close together. Take a deep breathe and just take it one rack at a time.

2. Selection: I was impressed. The store is divided into departments and then by designer. It makes taking on the store much easier. Also, then there's The Back Room. That's where they keep all the designer stuff...the REALLY expensive stuff. I remember in the old Loehmanns there was a security guard standing in front of a huge red curtain which ushered you into The Back Room. That red curtain always seemed so magical to me. Now, instead of a red curtain, there's a glass partition. I miss the red curtain but I'm sure the glass makes much more sense.

3. Price: People carry around huge piles of clothes like they're giving it away for free. Uhm, yeah, they're not. If shopping sales doesn't bother you, then you're better off at the clearance days at the department stores. I saw a pair of Juicy Couture shoes there for about twice what I paid for them.

4. Dressing Rooms: Danger Will Robinson! Danger! They have group dressing rooms with an attendant to deal with your go backs and to ensure you don't wander off with anything. So like your mother always told you, wear good underwear.

5. People: Go early. I got there right after they opened and by the time I left about an hour and a half later it was pretty packed. I don't think I would have lasted more than a few minutes with that crowd.

6. Parking: They have their own parking ($1 for 2 hours). Definite plus.

7. The Insider Club: Dude, they have their own Ralph's Club cards. So, you do the little card thingy and they send you coupons and stuff. Cool by me.

Now after telling you all of that here's where I stand on my new-old discovery. Although I do better at my clearance sales at Bloomingdale's and Cusp I would definitely go back. If you need something specific and you're like me and you have name brands that you like and fit and trust and all that, this is a really good place. I found a L.A.M.B. skirt that I think they mismarked 'cause all the other L.A.M.B. pieces were WAY more expensive but it was cute and it fit and I got to use my coupon and I have the most fabulous cape to match it. But, I don't think I'd go there more than occasionally, that is, until they send me my coupons.

Late to the Party

Don't mind me, just jumpint on the Technorati bandwagon...nothing to see here, move along...

Technorati Profile

The Return of the Century City Farmers Market

Well color me excited! Not even oxygen related challenges could keep me away from the rumor of the return of the Century City Farmer's Market. Word on the mall was that if you crossed over the bridge (over Century Park East) there it would be in its market glory.

And there it was.

I was first met with my favorite flower place. I love these guys. The always have the freshest flowers at the best prices. And, every now and then, like today, they have really odd looking flowers (fuzzy, blood red, and $3, oh my!) which of course I had to buy.

Because all the kids are not crammed up against half a sidewalk anymore, it *looks* smaller. But all of the usual vendors (organic and non-organic fruits and veggies, soap chick, cheese crisp guy, etc...) as well as my favorite vendors (almond guy, Greek guy, previously mentioned flower guy) were all there. And, there were quite a few new ones. Not to mention quite a bit of choices if you want to buy more than fruit and veggies for lunch. There's Korean food, Hawaiian food, African food, Mexican food, and at least 3 other food stalls I don't remember the type (please note the oxygen related challenges above). But, I'm super excited to make this a weekly walk.

So yeah, if you work in Century City or plan on stoppin' by the market, please do! I was told that the vendors are being charged more to sell there so they're trying it for a few months to see if its worth their time. Seriously, the prices and quality are fabulous go spend your money there.

Top 10 Things I Didn't Know About South Dakota

10. There are flies *everywhere.*
9. There's a basketball court inside the Corn Palace.
8. South Dakota is for families but not for vegetarians.
7. Buffalo is good.
6. You can buy Lawn Gnomes at Wall Drug.
5. Sturgis is not just an event, its a lifestyle.
4. Every jewelry store that carries Black Hills gold is a "Factory Outlet."
3. There is WiFi in every town, no matter how small, but cell service is a challenge to keep.
2. ...except in De Smet, SD
1. The Badlands are bad ass...amazing...seriously.

Since its 9/11

I randomly decided this morning that everyone has to be nice to each other today. For the most part, at least for me, this idea has been working.

I remember, during the original 9/11 in 2001 that was what struck me most...the kindness that came out of that time. That day and the days that followed people were nice, at least for awhile. I think if we're not doing a national day of mourning or something, we should do a national day of nice. Like Talk Like a Pirate Day, only you can talk as you usually do, but you're nice to people.

Just an idea.