Something New

It's time to upgrade my cell phone, so look what I got today:

Yep, it's an iPhone 4S.

I'm so EXCITED! I've been wanting one since they came out, but didn't have AT&T. I'm so glad they're available on other networks now. And that it was time for an upgrade. :-D

So sleek. Yes, I did remove the piece of plastic, but not before taking the picture. I was THAT excited.

Even the back is beautiful.

(Happy Sigh)

I believe I'll be playing on this for the rest of the day.

I Wasn't Going To Do It

I'm not a big fan of Black Friday. In fact, I tend to avoid going anywhere the day after Thanksgiving.

I've mocked it.

I've lamented it.

I've railed against it.

I was all set to do the same this year.

And then I looked at the ads.

So, I went shopping, and now have my Christmas shopping (except for stocking stuffers) done.  Plus, I was able to get lots of sewing and crafty goodness at unbeatable prices.

Maybe this day isn't so horrible after all.

It's About Time(pieces)

Growing up, I never had allergies of any kind. 

After 12 years of living in Arizona, and without my approval or even knowledge, that changed.

To make a long, boring story short, when recovering from an illness, a doctor gave me some antihistamines to try to see if they would help, and they did.  So, without any further testing, I was informed I have allergies, and that was that.  Of course, I had no idea what I was allergic to, but no matter.

Shortly after moving to my current home, my watch broke.  Having worn one daily for more than 20 years, I felt completely naked without one, so a replacement was a must.

I prefer my watches to be water resistant to at least 50 feet, to have a metal band that is not in any way elasticized, and I have to like the way it looks.  So, I went shopping with this criteria in mind and found one that I liked.

I put it on and wore it happily for several weeks.  Then I noticed that my skin was getting irritated and itchy where the watch was.  I thought perhaps I'd gotten some water under the band, or the heat was causing irritation, so I took it off for a bit.  When I put it back on that evening, I immediately starting having the same reaction.  Now, I'm not always the brightest candle in the chandelier, but I was able to make the connection.  I took the watch off, and looked closely at the back.  It turns out that the back of the case is stainless steel, with the rest being "base metal" that was plated with something else, and the plating was coming off.  Yep, whatever "base metal" is, I am, apparently, allergic to it.

Being a bit upset, and unwilling to take out a mortgage to pay for a high end watch, I accustomed myself to life without one.  Which was harder than you might think.  Even after three years of not wearing one, I would, out of habit, go to check my watch to find out what time it was. 

Well, on Wednesday, Scott had asked me to pick something up for him at Kohl's.  When you walk into the store, one of the first areas you come to is the jewelry counter.  Being a fan of jewelry, I decided to have a browse.  When I got to the watches, one of them really caught my eye, and it was on sale.  In fact, all of the watches were on sale.  I took a closer look.  With the assistance of the saleslady, I discovered that it not only wasn't water resistant, it was also made from the mysterious "base metal", so it was out.  I looked at all of the other watches, and the ones that caught my eye weren't water resistant, and many didn't list what material they were made from. 

I'd pretty much given up, and was headed to menswear when a watch managed to catch my eye.  The one next to it was even better -- same style but a darker face which I preferred.  Then there was another beneath it.  I called the saleslady back over and, trying not to get my hopes up too high, asked to look at the watch with the dark face, and the one with a more decorative band below it.  I looked at one, she looked at the other and they were both water resistant.  Both had metal bands.  Neither were going to cost me an arm and a leg.  But only one was all stainless steel, which I know I'm not allergic to; the other didn't list the materials.

So I got it.  The watch is made by Relic, has a 12 year warranty, and, when you combine the sale and the coupon I had, was only $35.  I couldn't be happier.

COFFEE???

I love coffee, especially the freshly ground and brewed coffee house coffee.  While visiting my in-laws I fell in love with a coffee maker that provides that same lovely taste at home:  The Cuisinart Grin 'N Brew with 10-cup thermal carafe. 

I wanted it so badly, but Scott wasn't willing to spend that much on a coffee maker.  (Sigh)

When we got our tax refund, we decided to go clothes shopping.  My favorite store, Kohl's, was having some pretty good sales, I had a 15% off everything coupon, and they were doing their Kohl's Cash promotion, so we went there.

Thanks to the Kohl's Cash we earned that day, and the fact that we really did need a new coffee maker, I was able to bring one home!

There is nothing like the heavenly scent of freshly brewed coffee, and since it has a thermal carafe, I no longer have to put up with coffee that tastes like it's been baking for hours.  Bliss!

The coffee is the Mocha Java blend from World Market (my other favorite store).  Rich and smooth with dark chocolate notes and very low acidity.  Just the way I like it.

And if you stop by the World Market website, don't forget to enter the contest.

New Suede Shoes

I didn't go into the store looking for shoes, but since I was already there... Well, you know how that happens.  Another fabulous find at Kohl's.

At first I only saw one of these shoes.  I liked it a lot, but couldn't find its mate.  I'd given up and was walking out of the aisle when, there it was, the missing shoe!  I tried them on and they were MY SIZE!  One of only 2 pairs left.  Unbelievably comfortable, especially with a heel that high.

LOVE!  

Again, found in the clearance section at 90% off.  That means the sale price was... $6.99!  I also had a coupon to take an additional 15% off (down to $5.94) and some Kohl's cash earned on an earlier shopping trip, making my final price, including tax:

$1.37!!!

Fiber!

Last June I spun up a lovely linen/silk blend that I had purchased at Tempe Yarn and Fiber with the intent of turning the yarn into the Triangle Summer Shawl from Knitted Lace of Estonia by Nancy Bush, but feared that I wouldn't have enough for the project.   Well, I was right.  I only had 380 yds. of yarn, and the pattern called for more than 1000.  This meant I had to go shopping.  It's a hard life, I know. ;)

On Saturday I stopped by Tempe Yarn and Fiber to get some more of the fiber.  They had two 2 oz. packs of it, so I snapped them both up.  This should be enough to make the shawl. 

Of course I had to look at the other pretty fibers while I was there, and that necessitated the purchase of this: 

It's 2 oz. of soy silk fiber.  It's soft and silky like bamboo and I've never worked with it before so I'm looking forward to seeing what it becomes.

And because I believe it's important to support as many yarn stores as possible, I also went to The Fiber Factory, where I picked this up:

12 oz. of fabulous tussah silk.  (Sigh)  I LOVE silk!

Shoe Love

I love shoes. Not all shoes of course, just the cutest/prettiest/best shoes.

I also love bargains. Not the discount-on-the-stuff-that-really-wasn't-worth-its-original-price-so-now-I'm-paying-what-it's-actually-worth kind, but the I-can't-believe-I'm-getting-this-for-so- little-because-it-truly-was-worth-its-original-price bargains.

And now I've found a store that allows me to combine my two loves.

Kohl's.

You see, a couple of weeks ago I had to buy a new quilt/bedspread/comforter for my bed, because Gypsy decided that the one I had was just a giant chew toy for her. Since Scott hadn't been thrilled with the last one (he called it "damn puffy") I decided to go with something a little different and got a quilt.

Once that was done I decided I'd just check out the purses (because I love them too) to see if they had any must-haves (they didn't), which led me to check out the scarves and accessories (which I decided I could make), which reminded me to check out the shoes. And I am so glad I did.

I found...the clearance aisle.

And I had a coupon.

So I was able to pick up these adorable shoes for only $9. Yes, NINE dollars. They were originally $55, marked down to $12 with the coupon dropping the price another $3.

I didn't see any others I felt I must have, so I left, only to be back there just a few days later at the request of Jay, who has decided that the fedora is his signature hat and he needed another.

Since I was already there, I decided to check out the shoe clearance aisle again.
I found these $70 Vera Wang shoes marked down to $7.

I couldn't believe it. And the best part is that even though both pairs are sporting 3 1/2" heels, they are surprisingly comfortable. Not that I'm saying I'd run a marathon in them, or even go on a marathon shopping spree while wearing them, but an average day spent in them IS doable.

Boring

A new month has arrived, and I have nothing to say really.

Last Saturday, the Knitwits met at my LYS, which, though small, was very accommodating and has some Really Lovely Yarns. I picked up 2 balls of Noro Silk Garden in colorway 84, and 3 hanks of King Tut cotton in 329. I don't currently have plans for either beyond a swatch of the Noro, but they were too beautiful not to buy.

I've finished knitting up a new pair of felted clogs for J. He went through his last pair so quickly that I've had to let him know that this pair has to last for a while or he must learn to knit. I've also started, and am half finished, knitting another pair for myself. Mine are starting to get a bit ragged and worn through on the bottom, so it's time. I figure that I'll just felt them at the same time when I've finished knitting mine. Pictures of before and after next time.

I had been spinning up the most beautiful bombyx silk, but my dog got ahold of the roving, and, though I saved it, I just haven't had the desire to finish it. I'm sure I will though, as I've plans to turn it into a swallowtail shawl, and am eagerly anticipating the knitting.

Saturday

What a delightful day!

After spending the morning knitting and visiting with the Knitwits, I headed off to the city for a yarn crawl.

A new store, Knit Happens, has recently opened so I had to check it out. And I walked away with these treasures:

Alpaca with a Twist's Socrates 4017 - a luscious blend of alpaca, merino wool, bamboo, and nylon fibers in a heathered green/blue/purple color. Definitely for *Special Socks*.
Also, Crystal Palace Yarn's Panda Silk 3014 - an incredible blend of bamboo, merino wool, and silk fibers in gray (the bamboo and silk lend a sheen that is simply beautiful).

Then I headed to Tempe Yarn and Fiber. I got a little lost, though, and ended up nearer to The Fiber Factory, so I went there next. I was able to get some superwash merino wool roving that I have big plans for.


Next I tried again to make it to Tempe Yarn and Fiber, and this time met with success. I received some excellent help and advice for a project I'm working on, and was able to get a copy of this delightful book:
A must read for every knitter.


In addition to all of this, I was able to visit and have dinner with my wonderful sister, Ilene. Now that's the way to spend a Saturday!