This Looks Like It Was Filmed in a Cave...But It Wasn't

From last night's Coffeehouse event (a monthly talent exhibition the medical schools put on): Scott is the dark silhouette on the left, rocking that banjo and encouraging handclaps, with his classmates Ramya on vocals and drum-beating, and Yoni on vocals and guitar-strumming.

(song is "The Cave" by Mumford & Sons) 

  I don't think I'll ever tire of watching my guy make music.

This Jacket Makes Me Silly

Apparently.

Today I present to you the Minoru Jacket!  It's almost like magic because I made this jacket before it was even released for sale.  How?  I was a pattern tester for Tasia's Sewaholic Patterns!  Tasia's blog is one of the first I ever started to follow.  I loved when she started to design, make, and sell her own patterns for pear-shaped women (because I am one!), and all the Sewaholic patterns were cute to boot.  When she made a call for people to test out her newest pattern, I signed right up, and was quite excited when I was chosen.

I made the outer part of my jacket from a green cotton twill and lined it with ivory quilting cotton, both from Fabric.com.  It was my first time working with a separating zipper...but wouldn't you know, it's just like working with a regular one!  How about that.  Except that is separates.  And in this case, that's a good thing.

There are pockets on the inside that close with velcro - a perfect spot for keys or your phone...or my Kindle, if I had one.  CHRISTMAS LIST.

Probably my favorite feature is the wide elastic across the back.  It draws the excess fabric of the jacket in to give you a nice, feminine shape, even though you're wearing outerwear!  Which is usually rather unflattering.

This jacket comes with an option to put a concealed hood, hidden in a zipper pouch, in the collar as well. The Minoru Jacket pattern is available for preorder now through Tasia's mailing list! Click here and scroll to the bottom of the post to join the mailing list and receive info about preordering.

Tasia, thanks so much for allowing some of us to test this pattern for you! I loved every moment of the construction - your instructions were so easy to follow and made everything a breeze. Thanks for fulfilling the need for modern, wearable patterns for us pear-shaped gals!

A Day Off

Yesterday was a University holiday - no work!  I had a long to-do list and grand plans of accomplishing things and cleaning up and getting ahead on my sewing and maybe even taking a trip to Brooklyn.

Instead, I stayed in my pajamas, never went outside (though it was a gorgeous 65 degrees - so we opened all the windows instead), listened to a lot of banjo-playing, and made this blueberry breakfast cake.

Sometimes you have to allow yourself to take a break from yourself.  Much needed!

Dottie Adele: Celebrating Three Months

Three months!  My little shop on Etsy has been open for three months!  I've loved every day of it.

Also, I just added a new item!  A soft grey jersey knit blouse with an adorable white lace Peter Pan collar.  I love it, and have already worn it twice!

Go see more pics in the Look Book, or click here to see it in the shop

In other excitement, a customer bought one of the Heart-Shaped Waistband Skirts a little while ago, and recently sent me a video of her wearing it in a dance performance!  If this song and dance look and sounds familiar to you, it's probably because you're a fan of White Christmas (and really, who isn't?)!  She is so talented, and I love watching that skirt doing a little dance!  Go Allison!

And lastly, in honor of now having 100 followers who have joined this blog on Google Friend Connect, I'd like offer you all a coupon code!  Until the end of November, for anything you buy from Dottie Adele, feel free to use the coupon code TTT100 for 10% off your order.

Thanks again to everyone who has clicked over to my shop and browsed around!  Dottie Adele really is such a labor of love for me, and I appreciate all the support.

Weekend: Marathon

This weekend was the world-famous ING Marathon in NYC!  Almost 50,000 people from all over the world came to run this year.  I had watched the marathon a few years ago when my friends came to visit, but Scott had never been.  So we took the train downtown a few stops, then walked across Harlem to the East side to find a good place to watch.

A marathon is just like a parade, except that everyone in the parade is a runner.  People line the streets and sidewalks, and you cheer for everyone as they run by.  Some people get really into the cheering part, like this guy in the full-on bodysuit above (and his buddy holding a sign in a language unknown to both me and Google translate...but apparently contains a bad word?).

A marathon is such a great reminder of the strength and drive that humans possess, and the inspiration that lies within us all.  The man above was completely rocking that race.  He was fast, and he was amazing.

Women's race leader at mile 20, Mary Keitany.  When we saw her, she was probably 2 minutes ahead of the next two women.  I didn't think there was any way they could catch her, but she actually ended up finishing in third, 4 seconds behind the other two women.  Would have loved to be at the finish line for that one!

Men's leader at mile 20, Geoffrey Mutai (he went on to win, and broke the course record - by several minutes!)

Sometimes the runners like to dress up too...

Can you spot the guy dressed like a stereotypical French man?

And the guy dressed as a monkey?

Next time there is a marathon in your area, go out and cheer, even if you don't know anyone running!  I've been on both sides (I ran a half marathon three years ago), and it is so motivating to hear people cheering for you as you fly by (or jog by very slowly....).  Marathon cheering is such a fun way to spend your morning.  And just about the most inspirational thing you can witness, on top of that.

Congrats to everyone who ran the ING Marathon this weekend!

Want Free Clothes? I Do Too!

You have until next week to enter, but thought I should let you know you just might want to head over to Scenic Glory and enter to win the Tulip Skirt from my shop!

Picture it with tights, tall boots, and a cozy oversized sweater this winter....and a tucked in T with sandals once spring and summer return to us.  This skirt could be your go-to all year long!  Click here if you want it to be yours :)  Or click here if you just can't wait to see if you win and you want it right now!

Corduroys of My (Almost) Dreams

I have been plotting sewing some kind of autumnal-colored corduroy pants for some time now.  I originally thought red, but couldn't find any fabric that was a really bright, vibrant red, so I settled on this sort of maroon color instead.  (Although, Joann.com calls this "biking red"...what is that supposed to mean?  Is this particular shade preferred by bikers somehow?  And does that refer to cyclists or motorcyclists?).  I ordered this fabric months and months ago and I finally scrounged up enough time to finish them! Ta-da!:

To toot my own horn, I think these turned out almost just as I pictured them.  I actually love this color more than I would have a true red, I think.  Yay fall!

I can't give these pants the 100% stamp of approval and call them the cords of my dreams because of one thing:  the rear.  They are a little 1970's mom jeans-ish.  The pockets are too high and I wish the waistband was a little lower.  I tried to move the pockets, but when I ripped out the stitches, they left tiny but obvious holes in the fabric!  So they had to stay where they were.  Unless I wanted lines of tiny holes in the shapes of pockets to be visible on my rear.  Which I did not. 

I love you anyway, Biking Red Cords!

Fabric: from Joann
Pattern:  Burdastyle Narrow Leg Pants 04/2010