Finding 'Ish: 2014

Need a haircut

I need a new haircut. My hair is getting longer and normally that would be awesome, but I just wear it in a ponytail. Every. Damn. Day. So I'm thinking of a repeat of last years cut, with some of the bulk cut out, maybe a bit longer in the front and way shorter on the back and sides. I'd go full mod pixie, but I don't think I could do that for myself.

So let's cut ALL The HAIR!

Pls. enjoy these pics of last year's hair cut, which is way cuter than I remember.

I hated this pic, but in retrospect I was fucking adorable!

Hair Sticking straight up.

One day, I will take a selfie where I look happy. . .and clothed.

Carol's Daughter Marula Oil Curl Therapy

I'm attempting to cram in some beautifying in between kittens and sewing up a pants muslin.

Usual disclaimer: I paid for the products, no one asked for or influenced my review. And really? Who would want to?

I picked up the entire Marula Line from Carol's Daughter, because, you know, curiosity combined with some latent product junkie tendencies.

I mixed together the softening mask and softening serum, put them in my hair and did a quick deep treatment.

I mixed these together.

Twisted my hair up once I worked the product in.

Another pic of me with crap in my hair.

Sitting with a plastic bag on my head to trap some heat. Also, I look like my Auntie N in this pic.

I used the gentle cleanser to wash my hair and followed up with the styling cream. Normally I would air dry, but it's been a bit cool lately so I used a diffuser. (Rather than walk around with a wet head)

I'm actually really happy with the shape of my haircut.

The curl definition and softness is amazing.

I'll let you know when I start to run low if I would buy this stuff again, but so far, after one use, my hair is AMAZINGLY soft.

From Threads Magazine

Today I finish sizing up the pattern. I call it 1.5 because I spent a couple of days printing, taping and cutting out the pattern.

To grade the pattern I've been using the reference chart from Threads Magazine. So far the pattern looks a complete mess LOL cut, taped, pen marks all over it. I comfort myself with the knowledge that I have plenty of muslin and a bunch of interfacing.

Both kittens are eager to help.

I know that this is just the beginning of my journey towards pants, but I am already uneasy and wondering if I'm doing the right thing. I just have to remind myself that even if this goes spectacularly wrong that I'll only be out some time and fabric and that even failure will bring some sort of lesson.

...and if it goes well I'll have learned nothing, but will have an endless supply of cheap retro jeans and cigarette pants.

I think I just need to tell myself that this is a win-win situation.

Til next time,
Ish

Enjoy resized pants pattern. Oh, the glamour!

Out of Tape! - 11/10 update

Well, I ran out of tape halfway through taping my pattern together, so I'll need to get tape before I can finish taping the pattern together, followed by grading the pattern and making the first mock-up.

This actually sounds nightmarish in my head. (I truly, truly hate sewing.) I just have to tell myself that I've devoted weeks and months to doing shit I hate, it won't kill me to spend a few days making pant. Especially since success means infinite, cheap pants and jeans.

'Ish

*Update* I found a roll of packing tape, which means I can tape the rest of the pattern together, I'll probably still wait until tomorrow to do the resize. There will be no pics of me taping the pattern together, b/c seriously, do you need a pic of me taping pieces of paper together.

It's my blog and I'm getting bored just thinking about it.

We sits on her and keeps her from blogging.
Also, I have never set the date on my camera.

Well, I've got stuff for pants coming in the mail, so hopefully I can get that started next week. Also, I'm ordering stuff to dye my hair tomorrow and picking up an armband for my new phone. (I have a phone! It's new! and it works! More things with exclamation points!!!)

My red spot have faded and all my shoes fit, now I have shoes, jeans and fewer spots I should stop being such a shut in.

And now for something I hope you'll *really* like! A few weeks ago we found some kittens in the yard, please enjoy some of their mange-y antics.

Featuring a cameo by Mr. Ish, yelling at the TV because I don't use water when I make fresh pasta.

--Aisha

PS Can my new battle cry be, "By the power of Chuck Taylor?"

Pants? PANTS!

It shouldn't be this hard to find retro pants.

All I want are high waisted, retro styled cigarette pants, preferably with ankle slits, side or back zip.

Oh, and it has to be in my size.

Like this, but on a fat chick.

and what's my size? Well it depends on the store, the brand and the cut, but here is the breakdown.

22w-28w

2x-4x

44DDish

9-9.5 shoe

Even places that have cigarette pants, and carry my size don't carry cigarette pants in my size.

Yeah pinup girl clothing, I am calling you out.

I can't even find a pattern in my size.

This is going to suck.

I haven't sewn in years.

Butterick B5895 if you're interested.

I guess I'm going to need to get a pattern, resize it and make some damned pants.

Pros

I can get the pants I want
In the fabric I want
In my size
Having the pattern means I can make many pairs in different fabrics and colors

Cons

Initial Cost - pattern, tracing paper, muslin
A lot of work - resize pattern, make muslin, tweak pattern, new muslin, make pants if it goes well
I kind of hate sewing

Ugh, well, watch this blog for updates on the pants problem.

Have a happy and safe Halloween all!

--Ish

News, Rage, Whatever

Feel free to skip the rambling.
I'm still waiting on both pairs of shoes, which is really just as well since I'm trying to avoid going out in public and meeting with people right now. You see, I'm covered in red spots.

Covered in spots

I'm not contagious, just itchy. . . and spotty and would really rather hide until the spots are gone.

So when the shoes finally there will be pics, of the shoes, maybe with my feet in them.

Stay beautiful! (and so not itchy)

Aisha

Well, assuming everything fits the shoe part of my capsule wardrobe is finished! (Hooray)

The week in Review - FFS

I was going to post a bit about some gel nail techniques, but instead. . .

I go through shoes pretty quickly. I don't drive so the shoes I don't dance in, I walk in. A lot. So I tend to need new shoes every 3 to 6 months.

Someone make cute shoes last longer.

My jeans just had a blow out. I'm now down to my fat pants and pjs. I also ripped my favorite striped shirt earlier this week.

If this keeps up I'm going to have to walk around naked.
Naked and pissed off.

I've already bid on a new pair of ballet flats, hopefully they'll last longer than the last ones. I wanted to spend my play money for the month on learning about pizza dough, maybe taking an art class, and out glitter gradient nails instead I'm going to have to buy clothes, not because I saw something cute I like but because I CAN'T LEAVE THE FUCKING HOUSE NAKED!!

Stay beautiful friends,
Ish

Balance, where are you?

I'm just going to rant a bit about feeling anxious, so feel free to ignore this post.

Are ya smokin' yet? and Ebay Stuff

Back when clove cigarettes were readily available I would smoke a pack or two a year. Well, recently, I found a place where I can buy clove ciggies online. I haven't ordered any yet, but I'll end up doing it eventually.

I like nicotine, but I LOVE ritual. It's part of why I love hookah, espresso and wine. So if I am going to start smoking cloves again I decided that I'd have to bring my own person aesthetic to it.

Behold! My ebay find!

A vintage, unused, meerschaum cigarette holder! Meerschaum is easy to clean, cools the smoke and most importantly looks neat!

Now I just need a new cigarette case and some butane for my joker lighter!

My lighter is like this, only "well loved"

A detail shot of the carving.

Return of the list

This is the list that I'll keep updated.

I know this new list seems long, but I've actually started on quite a bit of it. I'll update this post as I start writing entries and taking pics. *Last updated 10/26/14 - I'm fascinated by the idea of capsule wardrobes, so I'm combining shoes, accessories and clothes into 1 list. 33 items maximum.

Hair
Henna and Indigo to cover gray
Natural Hairstyles

Makeup
~~Foundation/tinted moisturizer~~ - Still Loving Urban Decay's BB Cream
~~Red Lips~~ - MACs ruby woo, also going to try Fresh's Cherry
New red lippie - I'm in love with Urban Decay's F-Bomb
~~Mascara~~ - Besame's

Capsule Wardrobe

~~Ballet Flats~~
~~Saddle Shoes~~
~~Low Heels - I have these in awesome comfortable black leather~~
I love my saddle shoes so much that I want them in black/white, pink, red and green!

Jacket - duffle or peacoat I have a red coat, may also get something shorter in plaid
~~Boyfriend button-up in White - Old Navy has something perfect~~
~~Sweater Black - Probably Old Navy~~
Sweater Grey - Old Navy
Sweater Red or Stripe - Torrid
Boat neck striped shirt - the black one is great, now I want one in red!
Capris - Denim - torrid, need to hem
Capris - Black - old navy
Skinny high waisted Retro jeans - torrid or pug
Cigarette pants black, spotted, plaid ALL THE COLORS - Old Navy has some great ones that just need a bit of altering.
Full Skirt - Knee Length, Black - pug
Wacky Modcloth dresses
Fleece tights
Cardigans in black, red, navy, and colors to match dresses and pants
~~Pencil Skirt - Black~~
Purse - I'm thinking pan am bag?
~~Laptop/computer bag~~ - Skull bag fits my laptop
sunglasses
beret - black - I wear berets, berets are cool now
statement necklace - silver
statement necklace #2 - brass
big silver ring 1
big silver ring 2
big brass ring 1
big brass ring 2
belts black
belt red
Scarf
Sweater guards

Stuff That Doesn't Count Towards The Wardrobe
~~Bobby socks~~
MOAR BOBBY SOCKS
~~No Show Socks~~
New Underwear

Face & Body
Cold Cream
Witch Hazel
Squalane
Wax
Laser
Razor
Exfoliate
Rose Jam
Ro's Argan
Mani
Pedi

Reading List
I have a massive reading list on oyster and amazon, but I find myself wanting paper books.

Msc
Hookah Stuff
Start dancing and zombie running again
Take photos?

What kind of a person am I?

Well rockabilly pinup didn't work out. Too fussy I think, so I asked myself, "Well, who _are_ you?"

And of course, I mean that in a pretty superficial style kind of way LOL I actually have a pretty good handle on my own inner workings for being such a mess.

I'm not a pincurl kind of girl, clearly. But, I'm definitely a have-too-much-wine and cut her own hair kind of girl. (Seriously, I got up to whiz and came back with a lot less hair.)

I like heels, but when you take the shoe-leather express ballet flats just make more sense.

The red lips have to stay.

Maybe grab some black capris to go with my favorite striped shirt.

Yeah I think something might be coming together...

Why I disappeared

I'm going to keep this short because it was a craptacular year and I haven't really processed it all yet.

So this is how my year went down:

Mr. Ish no longer needs dialysis
Uncle diagnosed with cancer
Quit giving readings to help with uncle
Made new friend
New friend dies while I look on helplessly
Uncle dies
Try to start giving readings again
Can't get in tarot groove - It's like part of me is gone
Join Mturk to bring in extra cash
Another friend dies
Made two new friends
Kittens dumped in yard - they needed to be bottle fed

Somewhere in there a lot of dental work, not much sleep, and some general confusion about where I will be living next year. Oh and the depression made a comeback, but seems to be under control again.

Codeine

I don't know if I feel this way because of the drug or because I'm pain-free for the first time in a few days.

I feel hazy
Surprisingly grateful
and completely in love with the world

I am the kind of sleepy you get when you've worked all day and finally get to crawl into bed.

It's a good feeling.

I hope I'm not in pain when I wake up.

I guess I won't be making fresh pasta tomorrow.

Finding 'Ish

Need a haircut

Carol's Daughter Marula Oil Curl Therapy

Day 1.5 sizing up the pattern

Out of Tape! - 11/10 update

Coming Attractions and Kitten Video

Pants? PANTS!

News, Rage, Whatever

Covered in spots

SHOES! SHOES! SHOES!

The week in Review - FFS

Balance, where are you?

Are ya smokin' yet? and Ebay Stuff

Return of the list

What kind of a person am I?

Why I disappeared

Codeine

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