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I had a chance to see the Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity exhibit at the Met over the weekend with Elizabeth, Cindy, Ann and her daughter, and Claudine.

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The exhibit was much better than I thought it would be, featuring paintings by Manet, Monet, Renoir and others as well as samples of clothing from that time period. There were some dresses on display with impossibly tiny, straight-laced corset-trained waists as well as the paintings that feature the dresses.

We couldn’t take photographs since there were guards watching (and yelling) at people who were trying to sneak photos, but I found some good photographs online. There were some beautiful intricate black lace dresses, white lace dresses, a gorgeous evening gown in silk with artificial silk flowers that was breathtaking, a polka-dot and striped dress that reminded me of Tim Burton, some corsets, some hats, and even some menswear.

After the exhibit was lunch, and the rest of the ladies then went on to the garment district for some shopping. I had to bail since I was, um, really hungover from the night before, but all in all it was a good time.

The exhibit goes on until the end of May, so definitely check it out if you have a chance.

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Source for Met photographs: dapperlou.com

After many, many weeks of no sewing, there is still — no sewing.

I recently got a new job doing something very different than my day job, and I’ve been really busy settling in. The work starts earlier, the hours are later, the work is a lot more difficult, but moving from web design/dev to straight iOS dev (making iPhone apps) has been a lot of fun.

I really want to finish sewing what I’ve been sewing so I can move onto the next which I need to sew — a special occasion dress for my friend’s wedding.

Lately I’ve been up to Mario Kart tournaments, staying out late, studying during my spare time, working on side projects and generally being busy.

Mario Kart tournament at work.

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Astoria.

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Botanica.

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Brewing beer with no stove at work.

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The Norwood House.

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Toby.

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Waiting.

Snow in Mott Street, which is strangely deserted.

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Changes in your day to day life are always going to be stressful, no matter how welcoming you are of change. Sewing has been the last thing on my mind these days, but here’s what I’ve been up to in my spare time.

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Trying to get through Scarface for the second time.

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Other people’s guitar (and keyboard) porn.

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Creepy dolls.

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Reviving old projects.

Ninja socks + homemade tote bag.

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So I haven’t done much sewing (or much of anything) this week since I’ve been trying to get over this cold/cough/flu for the past week or so. Last weekend I sat on my couch for 12 hours in my pajamas, huddled in a blanket with The Esteemed Sewing Assistant, drinking hot tea and watching a Sopranos marathon. I’ve managed to drag myself coughing and sputtering to most of my normal activities this week, but hopefully next week will bring more sewing.

Which reminds me, for any of you who participates in Sew Weekly — do you know how to access the themes for January/February? I want to plan my next few Sew Weeklys, but the area where the themes are usually updated haven’t been updated since December.

I’ve been recently trying to learn how to play guitar. Here’s this week’s updates.

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Apparently I can barely count.

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My friend’s Epiphone Riviera.

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Something tells me I’m going to have a collection of donated guitar picks one day.

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The Ibanez + Bean.

Santa Bean.

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I actually finished my tote bag over the Xmas break, but have no pictures of it yet. Here’s what I’ve been up to.

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Midnight Mass.

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Homemade paella.

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Homemade Filipino fruit salad (my mom made this).

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Oh and I’m learning the guitar.

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Tote bag picture soon to come, hopefully.

There hasn’t been a lot of sewing this week since I went to visit my cousin in San Francisco. Here are some highlights of my trip.

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Kittens for adoption at the Macy’s store window.

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Cable car.

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Chinatown.

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Rainbow.

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Driving.

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Land’s End.

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Alcatraz.

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Alcatraz window.

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Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

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Trees at the Golden Gate Park.

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Hopefully more sewing soon, once I figure out what to work on next.

There hasn’t been a lot of sewing around here these past few weeks, except for one sewing project I can’t reveal yet. There will be even less sewing next week, since I’m going to San Francisco to visit my family. I should be back the week after.

Here’s what I’ve been up to lately.

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Auditions.

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Filipino-style Thanksgiving.

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Wrapping up some freelance.