Friday Things
1. Puppy face! He might be eight months old and sometimes have the look of a grown-up dog, but there’s no doubt that Duke is still ALL puppy.
2. Let’s talk jeans… do you have a favorite brand? I have the hardest time buying jeans! I’m short (5’1) and pear-shaped and, well, jeans shopping is a total struggle. I’ve worn JCrew jeans for a long time, but it seems that they’ve changed the cut recently. I’m open to suggestions!
3. My Chief Culinary Consultant and I watched all two seasons of House of Cards in 10 days. It totally lived up to all of the hype, and now I can’t wait for the next season to start! If you haven’t checked it out yet, clear your schedule for the next week, because once you start, you won’t be able to stop!
4. Have I ever told you about my favorite, easiest-most-delicious appetizer? It’s this easy… 1 jar of Harry & David Onion & Pepper Relish (original recipe) + 2 blocks of cream cheese. Stir together and dip, dip, dip! I always keep jars in the pantry, and we even packed them for vacation last year for a quick snack. Totally addicting! The flat pretzel crisps are our favorite thing to dip with, but tortilla chips are awesome too.
5. So true:
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6. Aaaaaand another tear-inducing dog commercial:
I snuggled Einstein so hard after watching that one!
7. My 10-inch cast iron skillet has finally reached rock star status. It is seasoned so well at this point that I can (and do) cook things like eggs and cheesy omelets in it without any greasing whatsoever, and they slide right out on a spatula. A few people have asked how I clean it; I used this tutorial as a starting point. I let the pan cool after using it, then add an equal amount of kosher salt and vegetable oil to the pan. I use this cast iron scrub brush to scrub the pan, ensuring that any stuck-on pieces are pulled up. Once the surface is smooth, I use a couple of paper towels to wipe out the pan, making sure that all of the salt is completely wiped out, then I put it away. That’s it! NO water. NO soap. No drying over heat or brushing on more oil.
8. I’m not planning a garden for this year, but this square foot gardening layout that Shawnda put together is totally inspiring!
9. I’ve been tossing around the idea of taking up knitting. I’ve known how to crochet since I was little (thanks to my grandma!) and I can make a mean blanket, but it seems like you can do a lot more with patterns for things like hats, scarves, etc. with knitting. It’s always intimidated me because of using two needles; how much of a jump is it from crochet?
10. TGIF! We’ve got some brotherly love going on!
I’m petite and have freakishly short legs. Macy’s house brand of American Rags fit me pretty well. I also like Banana Republic, and when I feel like spending more, can’t go wrong with Joe’s, the Provocateur style.
I have the same problem with jeans being 5’1 and my best find is always at a Levi’s store! They’ll measure and fit you, they’ve definitely bece my favorite brand!
We’ll… I do like GAP jeans for my short, curvy self but I LOVE silver suki jeans!! Not too long and very flattering! I have crocheted for years and taught myself to knit. I am only making scarves so far but I love the tighter, less bulky stitches. Just get going. It’s pretty easy once you get the hang of it ( but I will admit I pulled a lot of the scarves apart and started over before I was finally satisfied!)
My sister-in-law found a great fit at Talbot’s. You might try their petite section for your jeans.
I learned to crochet years ago, haven’t done any crocheting in years but have recently started thinking about adding knitting to my “things to do when retired” list. One of the top items on my list though is make more Brown-eyed baker recipes for my family & friends. Everytime I bring something out of the kitchen for them, they say “Brown-eyed Baker?”.
Have a great weekend.
I’m 5’0 and hippy and just recently found jeans that I love at Old Navy. They’re the Flirt cut in the short length. They’re a little lower on the waist and roomier in the hip and the length is perfect!
I love the jeans at Eddie Bauer.
DO learn to knit! Since you already crochet, it will be easier to learn to knit. Knitting is much more relaxing to me. Years ago my father-in-law was fascinated watching me knit a sweater for my husband. He observed that I didn’t look at it as I worked on it. I was working on the back of it in the area that there were no increases or decreases – just knitting and purling. Just so much more relaxing and faster to me than crochet.
Oh my gosh…I am weeping after watching the Chevy commercial. I can understand why you hugged Einstein extra hard.
That said, I love knitting. I find it to be much easier than crocheting and so much more versatile. One you learn the basics , you can learn any of the more complicated stitches and techniques. Honestly, the most difficult thing to master is gauge but with a little practice, you can master it. Most yarn shops will be happy to tutor you for free and are always available to help you sort out problems.
Go for it and you will be sitting by a cozy fire next year, happily knitting away!
First, number five in the post killed me. So true. On knitting, I actually found it more fun than crocheting. I taught myself using online tutorials and books with pictures. Learning is easier one with so many resources. On jeans, I am also 5’1″. I love Paige Premium denim and 7”s with a bit of stretch. They make petites, but if not I just get them tailored. My tailor even reattaches the original hem. They are more expensive brands but are high quality and last forever. Worth, I think, if you wear jeans often.
I am 4’11” I wear Levis in junior size 0 and now 3. I like Old navy and Banana Republic too. It is indeed difficult to find jeans sizes. It took a lot of hit and miss before I found these brands.
Duke’s picture is so cute!
My daughter & I are both curvy, and we like the fit of Maurices brand jeans. I’m 5 5 and she is 5 2 so we get the short length.
I have tried knitting but you can’t sit in front of the TV mindlessly knitting like you can with crocheting. You have to count stitches and pay attention to if you are supposed to be knitting or purling. I am very proud of my headband and extremely small purse that I have completed though. Give it a try and good luck! :)
Dogs are just the best, aren’t they? Always ready to snuggle and make all the worries of your day fade into oblivion. Those dog love commercials always get me, did you see the adoption puppy commercial from the Super Bowl? Gosh. Just smiling ear to ear! Always good to find more dog lovers :) Happy weekend!
I’m 5″3 and pear shaped and Lucky jeans are my favorite I have found and I have always struggled with finding jeans too. I have the Sweet ‘N Low cut but they aren’t really low rise. They fit perfectly. Good luck with your search!
I agree! I’m 5’4, also curvy in the hip area, and Lucky jeans are always a great fit. They definitely have a cut made for any size or shape!
I’m less than 5 feet and like a few commenters have already said, Gap is the way to go!
Knitting is cool…socks, scarves, hats, legwarmers, cardigans, jumpers, cushions, blankets etc.
Wide range of wool + Many patterns available = Infinite combinations
You can make great and often unique items for yourself, family and friends, furnishing the home or gifting.
There are a lot of resources online to learn like http://www.knittinghelp.com, YouTube, and a lot of yarn supplies, patterns and videos at http://www.yarn.com.
Have fun knitting if you decide to take it up.
I look forward to your pictures of Duke and Einstein every Friday, and share them with the rest of my office! Duke is definitely still a puppy. Have a great weekend!
I’m surprised at how big and handsome Duke has gotten! Just the pther day you got him and he was alil tiny thing! His fur looks so healthy and he is very well taken cared of! Love it!
Knitting is addictive!!! I took a beginner’s class at Knit One in Squirrel Hill – great teacher and beautiful shop. I’ve made tons of scarves and recently finished my first sweater- looking forward to taking a sock class soon.
Jeans: Old Navy and Gap seem to be working for me right now. I’m also 5’1” and pear shaped….
Knitting: it’s an obsession! Easy to transition from crochet to knitting and there’s room for both. Find a local yarn shop and you’ll be hooked. but there’s plenty of tutorials on line to get started.
I haven’t bought jeans in ages…lately I’m all about Athleta’s Classic Bettona pants. But my all time favorite jeans are from the Gap. Old Navy fits pretty well, but never wears well over time for me…they’re the first to get holes in the knees!
Re: Jeans…I’ve found that Old Navy ones work well for me…I have a hard time too finding ones that fit my shape and stature (vertically challenged, I am).
As for knitting: Careful. Highly addictive. Are you familiar with Ravelry.com? Inspiration. Drool. And fun knitting groups to be in. I’ve joined one this year that sends you yarn, 2 sock patterns and 2 cookie recipes every other month. Baking and knitting combined!!!!
You have great recipes and wonderful stories, but your dogs are the “hook”. I absolutely love those two guys and I am so glad you talk about them alot. We do not have a dog since our little one passed many years ago, but whenever I get the chance I “hug” someone else’s dog. Give your guys a hug from me!
I love Gap’s curvy fit and Express’s Eva fit. I have the best luck with these for my. 5’2″ curvy self! :)
Banana Republics work great for me.
And I decided to take up a yarn craft, so I bought all the stuff and a book each on knitting and crocheting. I found knitting to be SOO much easier! But then, I only made it about 7 pages into my book before I got tired of it, bought some circular needles and started knitting hats. I made some really sweet hats and some lady on the bus wanted my pattern for them. Huh? I never made it that far in the book! I just did what I wanted and if it fell apart, then I must not have done it right! I figured all sorts of things out on my own and made up a bunch of patterns just by allowing myself to have fun and make mistakes. I eventually went back to my book to learn how to read patterns so I could make gloves. But just goofing off with the needles (and examining a bunch of J Crew sweaters!) made me like knitting and allowed me the freedom to create what I wanted in the patterns I wanted. So give it a go – and relax and realize that you still have to start out at the beginning and make some ugly, uneven stitches. I still have my cherished first ‘bookmark’ that was supposed to be a potholder, but it was too ugly to finish. :)
Levi’s curves.
I have the same problem with jeans- I really like Silver brand jeans
Old Navy is by far my favorite for jeans! I’m 5’1 also and they have many different styles that fit me really well :)
You should definitely take up knitting. It’s different for sure but a lot of fun! I’m actually considering the opposite – I’m a knitter who wants to get better at crochet (it’s a goal of mine this year).
For jeans, I love old navy. They have a different styles for different body types.
Maybe try american eagle jeans? i have a hard time finding jeans that fit, i’m short and have pretty curvy legs. I love their skinny kick line.
I also struggle with finding jeans. I’m 5’1″ with big thighs. I used to wear American Eagle jeans, but they changed their patterns a few years ago and now their “short” sizes are still too long. I now usually shop at Buckle. Their jeans are expensive but they fit well and are comfortable, plus they include hemming for free with your purchase. I’ve also been told to check out Lucky Brand jeans, but I haven’t gotten around to that yet.
You guys should check out this company called True Fit- it is an online software company that specializes in fitting brands to body types (but not one of those cheezy in-mall kiosks that are humiliating) they work with Nordstrom, Macys, Joes Jeans, 7 For All Mankind, and they will be launching with JCrew and Gap and many many others this year! Its pretty cool…all you do is sign up online! Check it out!
Knitting is different than crocheting. I have taken knitting back up again after many years. Best thing is for you to take a Beginner’s Class so that u can learn all the basics like casting on/off, increase/decrease, etc.
Hope you do take it, and keep us posted on how and hat you do. Enjoy!