All posts by Peneloping

Shoulds

I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned this but I’m off to France in less than a week! I studied abroad there in college and I try to go back every year or two to visit the Host Fam. This time Boyfriend is meeting me there for a few weeks of sunshine and culture shock. :]

While this is all very awesome and exciting, I’ve been absolutely terrible at getting ready for this trip! I should really start carrying a small notebook to write down all of the things I suddenly think of to pack.

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To be fair, I tossed my passport in the front pocket as well as a travel adapter so I’ve got the very bare necessities. Andd I have clothes (but no undies) for about three days. Go me!

Andd here’s all of the stuff I’ve meant to blog about but haven’t gotten around to finishing because of the stupid heat.

These are all about 90% done but need an hour or two of tweaking to be finished and wearable. Look for them soon..ish.

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PS this pen tablet is so much fun! You’ll have to forgive the blatant overuse.

2 Comments life - - -

Weekend Wants

I’m really excited for this heat wave to end because my productivity has been abysmally low. My apartment building is very old and terrible at keeping out the heat, so it ends up being just as hot inside as out. It’s pretty miserable.

I’ve been consoling myself by looking at pretty things on Pinterest. I might start making this a weekly post just because it inspires me to work on things on my Sewing Inspiration board –and, uh, buy the things in my Wants board. *cough*

This week I’ve been super obsessed with collars. Nothing new, really, I just keep seeing them everywhere. How gorgeous is this dress? I want to make one in every color!

 

 
My first Sorbetto was kind of a trial run so I went with a cheap and plain fabric. I want to do the same thing again but in a polka dotted print, like this one!

 

 
I bought a pattern for a simple button up shirt recently and I’ve been toying with the idea of making it into a dress. Like this one.

Source: shopruche.com via Ping on Pinterest

 

 
Or this one!

 

 
This shop on Etsy is absolutely adorable. I love love love this camera pendant!

Source: etsy.com via Ping on Pinterest

 

 
I’ve also been lusting over the flower hair pieces from this Etsy shop. I need to do more interesting things with my hair. In high school I never wore my hair the same way two days in a row –which is not to say I didn’t go to school with some weird hair-dos a lot of the time, but I miss that attitude. Plus, how gorgeous is her hair?

Source: etsy.com via Ping on Pinterest

 

 
I also recently discovered this food blog and holy salivation! I’ve been trying to eat healthier lately so I love running into blogs written by people who love food but strive to be healthy at the same time. I tried her recipe for green chile enchiladas tonight and it was so yum! I have a few tweaks to make next time but definitely a great recipe!

 

 
This weekend I’ll be hiding out at Boyfriend’s to avoid the heat. Shh, don’t tell him but I’m only dating him for his air conditioning. *wink*

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!

2 Comments life - - - - -

10min homemade ice cream

No, I’m not joking. And if you’re yawning because you’ve seen this a million times, bear with me because I just discovered this idea and I’m astonished and fascinated.

(You’ll also notice that I got a new toy in the mail today! I meant to post this much earlier today but I hadn’t counted on it taking so long to get used to writing on a tablet, so also please excuse the chicken scratch as I learn how to use this thing. Also, I love Photoshop Elements! I can’t believe I’ve never tried it before.)

Anyways, onto the ice cream!

Here is what you’ll need.

Ice cream in ziploc bags

– 1 cup heavy cream (The first time I did this I used whole milk –my attempt to make this a bit healthier. It turned out ok but was more sorbet-y than ice creamy. This time I went all out and used heavy cream. I think half and half works as well.)
– 1.5 tablespoons sugar
– 2 tbsp vanilla
– 2 trays of ice cubes
– 1/4 cup salt (You’re technically supposed to use rock salt or ice cream salt, but I couldn’t find any so I used regular table salt.)
– 1 gallon ziploc bag and 1 quart or pint ziploc bag (I used a quart one but it probably would’ve been better if it had been smaller.)

This next part’s important. We made ice cream in empty juice cans in summer school when I was little and one unfortunate kid accidentally put his salt in with the ice cream. No happy ending there.

Ice cream in ziploc bags

Sidenote: My favoritest ice cream in the world is Haagen-Dazs vanilla, so I went with plain vanilla on this one. Feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations! I want to try adding crunched up oreos or assorted berries.

Make sure the small bag is completely sealed shut and give it a shake to mix up the ingredients. Then just slip it inside the bigger ziploc bag.

Ice cream in ziploc bags
See how mine’s a little too big and all of the ice is at the bottom? It turned out fine, just called for more creative and rigorous shaking.

Now just shake it! It takes about 8-10 minutes for it to become ice cream.

Ice cream in ziploc bags

I got impatient after 5 minutes and had to take a peek!

Ice cream in ziploc bags

All done! Just make sure you rinse the salt off of the smaller bag before you open it! I forgot to when I opened mine up for a taste and it was not at all pleasant.

Ice cream in ziploc bags

<3 Collars

A while ago I saw a gorgeous Beatric Holloway dress and fell in love with the collar. The more I stared at it the more I became convinced that I could recreate it. I even took a piece of paper and started folding it various ways trying to figure it out.

Source: modcloth.com via Ping on Pinterest

 

 

Of course, when I finally did figure it out, I realized it was ridiculously simple and that I’d been thinking far too complexly.

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It’s just a triangle, folded inwards and tucked under the large collar. I was under the impression that it was all one giant piece. 

The main dress is this pattern from Burda.

I feel like I need a huge headband and a puppy in a basket to complete this outfit. And lacy socks.

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Sorry for the brevity, it’s 95F here with 60% humidity and my brain is slowly meltinggg..

I’m off to stick my head in the freezer for a few minutes. Look for a warm-weather recipe tomorrow!

9 Comments finished sewing project -

The girliest sorbetto

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Well, I think I’ve jumped on the Sorbetto bandwagon!

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This pattern is so simple (only two pieces!) but so customizable. I added a peter pan collar and buttons to mine, and some lace trim under the pleat. I also lowered the neckline by a few inches. It’s so girly and I love it.

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I’d probably wear this with jeans and a long cardigan but I also love how it looks with a simple skirt.

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PS Have I mentioned how much I love my Lottas? They’ve barely left my feet since I bought them and I’m trying reaaally hard to resist buying the red ones too!

8 Comments finished sewing project - - - - - -