Housewife Tip #3

The "Out of the Dryer" Smell 

One thing I always loved was going to my mom's house and having my clothes washed there- they always smelled nicer from mom's house than if I had washed them. It was the same at my brother's house; he would be a sweetheart and offer to put a load of laundry in the wash for me when I stayed for a long weekend. They'd come out of the dryer and smell SOOO nice, and they'd stay like that for two weeks.

I finally gave in and decided to give myself the luxury of that smell-
Fabric Softener. Dryer Sheets. Heaven.

I'm usually a thrifty shopper and avoid unnecessary items *cough like fabric softener cough*, but moving into a new house and wanting to feel as comfortable as possible, I gave in.
At Target, I bought the 100oz Snuggle Blue Sparkle Softener and a 267 count box of Snuggle Blue Sparkle Dryer Sheets, both about $8.50 each. Now, I know it sounds dumb to buy $17 worth of stuff just to make your clothes smell nice, but really, it is AWESOME.

  Good reasons to use fabric softener and dryer sheets:
- reduces the smell from wooden drawers and closets 
- if you're like me and wear your clothes more than once... or even twice... before washing them again, you feel a lot less gross
- if you accidentally forget to wear deodorant or don't have time to take a shower, you still smell relatively nice
- I have sheets that I use as couch covers, and it is such a nice feeling to have a clean house and literally clean smelling furniture, especially if you're about to have company over
- it's like Febreze on your clothes for longer!
- the dryer sheets can help reduce clothing wrinkles and static cling


Warnings:
Some people are allergic to things like fragranced detergents, fabric softeners and dryer sheets (due to the chemicals they contain). Also, it has been stated that fabric softeners reduce the lifespan of your clothing as well as the absorbency (for something like towels) over time. And finally, some people say there are cancer causing agents in them. But... honestly, there are a bajillion different cancer causing agents around us and you're either going to get cancer or not. 

Curtis OUT.

Housewife Tip #2

So... Have you ever heard of an "eye gouger"? That's the lovely nickname for the melon baller, a seemingly pointless kitchen device that could actually get a lot of use.

Interested to proceed further into the HOW part of a melon baller? 

So... HOW can I use this mysterious mellon baller? Well, taking a hint from its name, you can totally make little melon balls with it. You have to press down hard and twist the wrist to make pretty perfect spheres appear. 

So... WHY would you want little round balls of melon? Maybe for a classy fruit salad, an accent to a food display, or as part of a dessert topper. 

BUT! Here is the awesome part - you can use it for more than just melons! Who would have guessed?!?

After an apple has been cut in half, you can use the melon baller to cut out the core (same with pears). You can use it to do fancy designs for pumpkin carving. Truffles can be shaped with the help of a melon baller.... Also, you can take the leafy top off of strawberries with it (Also, there is a whole strawberry stem remover to help with that, if you are interested in another kitchen gadget)!

AMAZING!

Keep checking in with my blog to see if there are more life lessons for you to learn...

Curtis OUT.

Housewife Tip #1

Here is my attempt at keeping up with this blog better... adding the little "housewife tips" I've learned/heard about/gathered over the years of being friends with moms.

Housewife Tip #1
Having been in a number of theatrical performances, I've received a number of flower bouquets. But one thing people don't realize is what you're supposed to do with the flowers once you get home!

When you get your flowers home, BEFORE putting them in a vase with water, cut the stems wherever you want at a diagonal angle. This allows a fresh part of the stem to be showing with a greater amount of surface area to absorb water to keep your flowers fresh. Apply this method to cutting fresh flowers out of a garden as well.
(Also, a lot of store-bought flowers include those "food packets" - I've never really noticed if they worked, but remember to put that in the water before the flowers. Also, the flower stems will take up space in the vase and raise the water level, so try not to make a mess!)

Curtis OUT!

The Summer Update

I still work 9-5pm at Rockbrook.
I did not end up stage managing Brevard Little Theatre's "Annie".
I have done alright with visiting with friends, not as well as I should have though.
I am to episode 52 of Bones. There are about 110 available on Netflix.
I auditioned for America's Next Top Model in Greenville, SC. Waiting to hear back (if I hear back at all).
I had a photo shoot with super cute pics with both Kathleed Rogers and Ella McCoy. Madeline was indeed my stylist for Ella's photo shoot.
I don't have a program and have not worked on the Gamma Phi website; I think I'm just going to have to do it on a PC once I get back to school.
I have gotten a lot better at remembering names, but haven't really come up with a method.

I have been going to yoga, but totally have not been using an elliptical or running... shame on me. Oh well. I'm hoping some of my Gamma Phi sisters will help me out with that!


In other news, I was thinking about changing or adding a focus to my blog- "housewife tips". We'll see how that works out...

Curtis OUT!

General Summer 2011 Plans

So here are some general summer 2011 plans:

- Work a general 9am-5pm shift, M-F at Rockbrook Camp.
- Stage Manage the Brevard Little Theatre Production of "Annie".
- Visit with friends (in B-Town, as well as my lovely Nick in Ashevegas).
- Watch all the episodes of "Bones" on Netflix. Looove it!
- Potentially audition for America's Next Top Model if they make their way to Atlanta.
- Have a photo shoot with Ella McCoy as my photographer and Madeline McKeller as my stylist!
- Get a website editing program (Mac) to fix up the Gamma Phi website.
- Work really hard to figure out a way to remember the names of people I meet.

Some of the nitty gritty details:
I'm starting my "summer makeover" plan next week (after my birthday!). I'm signing up for a membership at the local gym... I plan on taking yoga twice a week and to start working on the elliptical. I have to build up my jogging abilities on the treadmill too- I was doing pretty well for a while but have fallen very far behind. I'm hoping to build up to running on 'Charlotte's Run' which is a trail at camp that a lot of the girls use for running (but it has lots of hills and I'm not ready for that yet, sadly). I want to start using free weights and make a routine that I can do while I watch "Bones" or re-runs of ANTM. I am thinking about starting a morning stretch routine because I have horrible flexibility and poor posture. I need to save up to buy a nice, comfortable, perfect fitting pair (or two!) of heels and learn to walk in them. You can't really be a top model if you can't wear heels...

Sorry for the rambling... My next post will likely have to do with my favorite designers... so keep an eye out for it!
Curtis OUT!

The Terrors of TV

Almost everyone I know is aware of the fact that I generally don't watch TV- I didn't have a TV in my apartment this past year, I didn't have "a show" my senior year of high school while I was at UNCSA... I DID however, watch American Idol and America's Next Top Model in middle/high school on and off.
My mother was excited for me to watch American Idol with her tonight. There were only 4 contestants left and they sang two songs each, so I was totally down for that. No big deal.
BUT- here is the real reason I don't watch TV... after Idol was over, I had to hit that Guide button and see what else was playing. And of course, my ultimate soft-spot: Next Top Model.

I remember from a young age my aunt said that I should be a model. I never really took it to heart; I've always had my family say I was pretty or beautiful, and once you hear it so much from them (and not really anyone else), it's hard to believe. But I did pursue acting, which doesn't really require great looks, just bearability and a decent personality.

But damn, every time I watch Next Top Model, there is this little part inside of me yearning to be on that show. I have the energy, the charisma, the lack of a piss-poor attitude or diva-ness, the emotion, the ability to relate to a story, the understanding of marketing... and the height (although I'm about 1/4" too short, but who is counting?). I look kind of average/normal, which is a problem, but I do have big soulfull eyes.

So there it is. One of the main reasons I stopped watching TV is because I was sick of yearning and wanting to be a model and actress. Sick of watching these shows and thinking, "I could totally do that 100 times better."
People say follow your dreams... Years ago, my dream was to have a normal life. I'm not sure what normal really means, but my current self says that it means I need to get over myself and graduate from college before making up crazy life goals like modeling and acting.

TV, how I love and hate you so.

Curtis OUT.

Summer Commences! Portfolio Pages Abound!

Summer is here! And here is my Powerpoint version of my portfolio... It's not complete because I need to scan a number of drawings that I've completed since I did this version, but it's the rough version. I would change the order around too (like, have the renderings/pictures for the show that I actually designed for first). Enjoy!

Curtis OUT!

HATCH - Asheville

I really hope I can go check this out...
HATCH - Asheville

They have everything from photography to fashion to music to journalism!

The dates are April 14-17th...

There are workshops, panels, presentations, exhibits, performances...
Individual events cost $5-7, but you can buy a 'Pack' ticket that includes other events too ($20-66).

Asheville is awesome!

Curtis OUT!

"Badge Attire"

I'm having trouble keeping up with this blog...

A peek into the Greek Life:

So, for Gamma Phi Beta we decided that Mondays are "Badge Attire" days- That means you dress up/wear business casual or more fancy outfits AND, importantly, your 'badge'- for me, it's a New Member pin. For the initiated sisters, they have their own badge (from Tiffany's, of course, with their name inscripted on the back).

The purpose?
A combination of publicity (PR stuff) and sisterhood.
You dressing up is supposed to provoke someone to ask, "Why are you dressed up?" and then you explain Badge Attire, and of course, mention that you're in a sorority named Gamma Phi Beta. Cha-ching! Associating girls looking nice with a sorority (and particularly, if you are respected/liked by that person, they'll probably think highly of the sorority too).
Another part of this is the sisterhood aspect- we are all supposed to dress up; you're more likely to comment on a sister's outfit if they're dressed up! We comment on each others 'badge attire' being cute, which can start a conversation and relating to each other.

Back to work!
Curtis OUT!

NYC

Noted necessary items for life in NYC:

• Collapsable/small umbrella that fits in your bag for unexpected rain
• Awesomely awesome cute rain jacket, long, with giant hood for when you expect rain
• Comfy comfy comfy comfy comfypossiblycutecomfy heels
• Smart phone with GPS
• Fingertipless gloves or those fancy gloves with magnets in them so you can use your touchscreen phone while wearing them
• Unlimited subway pass
• and probably more that I haven't thought about yet or had an issue with

Curtis OUT.

Sneak Peek

Hello all...

Just in case you missed the memo - I'M IN NEW YORK CITY!!!

Other than that, I'm giving a quick sneak peek of my portfolio stuff. My plan is to get a website set up by summer so I can have an actual nice portfolio instead of my musings mixed with actual work. 

For fun drawing w/swatches:

Picture taken by Rob Bowen from "Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage:

Off to a meeting with someone from Disney!

Curtis OUT.

Common Sense Fashion

The greatly anticipated blog post is here- Originally conceived in the "World Coffee" coffee shop in downtown Asheville between myself and Nick, I am finally typing out some of the noticed fashions that need to go away. FOREVER.

• Animal print anything: It has never been cute or fashionable. Ever. In all time. You are imitating a dead animal; what is less sexy than that? 
• Camouflage on non-military persons: You are offensive. Please don't wear purple camo pants with a twill military cap and a Juicy Couture shirt. You are only camouflaged in groups of 7, 8, and 9-year-old girls who are still wearing brightly colored legging-pants and clashing shirts. 
• Skunk hair: If a bunch of horny skunks invaded a wig shop... No, really. Why would you do this to yourself? Do you really want a skunk to track you down and hump your hair?
• Dressing inappropriately for the weather: 
• If it is raining, wear actual shoes. Don't wear Uggs- they are not water resistant. Don't wear heels- you will slip and hurt yourself. Don't wear flats- if you step in a puddle your shoes/feet will be submerged. Duh. 
• Uggs and shorts. WTF. (I can make exception for actual dancers, ballet particularly- I think they like to keep their feet 'warmed up' between dance classes/rehearsals and warm boots are a great way to do that.)
• And what is up with wearing wool hats in the summer time? I can understand if you're camping at night and want to keep the chills away, but when you're on the quad playing frisbee? Really?
• I know you think that Calvin Klein 3/4 length sleeves "jacket" is cute, but really- it is 35 degrees outside, with a hefty breeze- put on some clothes! You are making me cold just watching you stand there as you text.
• In honor of my brother, although I don't follow this rule: Sandals and long pants- they are contradictory. Are your feet less sensitive to cold than your legs... or what?
• I don't have the notebook that we wrote down the other things, but I thought getting this down now is better than nothing :)

Curtis OUT!

(back later with more additions)

Unabashed Apparel

Cool and cute clothing designed by a UNC Asheville alum!
Unabashed Apparel
She focuses on sustainable practices, which is something I would love to explore.

Time to finish my 'elements and principles of design' paper...


Curtis OUT!

Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage

Check out Flaming Guns of the Purple Sage!

February 23-27
Carol Belk Theatre (UNCA)
Students $5       General Admission $10

It is the show I am assistant costume designing for. They also keep a cute blog with background history of the show and fun things like "the cowboy code". I'm designing for the characters Big 8 and Memphis Donnie.

I also have some pictures that I can upload next time I am free at home... Hmm that won't be soon but... I'll try.
We have "Dress Parade" next Monday so everything must be ready by then! I'll hopefully have some pictures up after that too!

Nick and I never got around to writing that blogpost... Soon enough, my friends, soon enough.

Curtis OUT!

Random Sidebar: I have recently become a new member of Gamma Phi Beta! Just in case you wanted to know :)

Costume Construction Final Project

Finally! Exams are over, Christmas is complete, as well as the New Year. This post is to show what I presented as my final project for Costume Construction.

The original plan was to make a warm jacket that was long enough for my gangly arms and also long enough to reach about my knees. I wanted one side of the jacket to pull across further. I ran out of time to create the "skirt" part of the jacket, but the rest is pretty good so far.

So- here was my process!

I used a bodice sloper that we made in class as a basis for the bodice part of my jacket. I used a sleeve sloper for the sleeves... Pretty straight forward. I draped the skirt part of the jacket. I used some maroon colored fabric that we had in the costume shop since we don't have muslin.

Not very representative of the final project, but it's a pretty funny picture.

I went to Hancock Fabrics and bought 5 yards of my outside fabric and 5 yards of my lining. I was going to wait on interfacing to see how thick I would want it. 5 yards ended up being a ridiculous amount too much, but better safe than sorry!

I originally wanted a chocolate brown for the lining, but they only had 2 yards. Oh well.

The purple fabric was originally a white polyester cotton mix (85/15 I think) that I dyed in the shop. I used a combination of dark brown, tan, and green Rit dyes and got purple. I also dyed it by hand instead of in the washing machine, so there are little dots and splotches colors like red, yellow, and green. Technically, that's what you DON'T want your fabric to look like, but the pink coat fabric had dots of white and green so I loved the way the purple turned out.

I ended up getting a padding for the jacket instead of normal interfacing. Part of my wish for my project was that I could wear it when I go to New York in March, and I wanted it to be warm!

I spent about 5 hours in the shop the Friday before it was due so I could cut out and surge all of the pieces, as well as do the darts, so I could sew at home non-stop. I also ended up having to write a horribly difficult paper at the same time, so I ended up in a time crunch.

I stayed up all night the night before it was due to finish it. I cheated. A lot. I should have hand sewn in the lining, but I blew through it on the machine. I have also never done sleeves before, so I don't even know how I made them work. I have also never done padding thicker than regular interfacing, so I had a hell of a time trying to fit all of the pieces together.

Let me add- I had no instructions for any of this project as a whole. There were instructions on completing the slopers (which I altered as well), but there were no instructions on how to put all of the pieces together. It was SO FREAKING HARD.

So... Here are some pictures of the semi-final project. I still want to get the "skirt" part on later.

Candid shots, compliments of Nick... hahah. 

The purple flower is a temporary piece. Once I get the rest of it all together, I want to use the rest of the purple fabric to make big flower petals on the side, one of them to reach across the front and act as a securing piece. I'll probably add whopper poppers later.

My first time doing lining was for a vest. This was completely different, especially with the padding.

I will hopefully take it apart and redo the lining by hand, fix some snags in the back, and make the shoulders a little less poofey. I have big shoulders and a large armscye and the jacket is a little tight there. I will add the skirt and the decorative petals...
Hopefully all of this will be done in time for my trip to New York City over Spring Break!

Keep an eye out for another post concerning the fashion faux pas that should DIE with the end of 2010, with special comments and editing by Nick Bury.

Curtis OUT!