Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Lovebot Restyle

Back in 2010 I decided I would start sewing stuffed animals and kinda jumped into it. I started making Lovebots out of felt and my sewing wasn't very good. Over time I started to improve my sewing and I switched to fleece because felt just wouldn't last after a few nights of cuddling. My first few Lovebots are pretty much terrible. (Sorry friends and family and anyone who bought one. I was new.)


The only Lovebot I have ever kept for myself is the first Lovebot I ever made. His name is Petey Lovebot and he's in bad shape. His head is almost off, his thread doesn't match, and the felt is pilling up really badly. I have to admit that I am in love with him though. I can't resist his silly little smile. 



So the other day, I remade Petey. I used fleece, like all my other Lovebots I make now, and better construction. He looks like a million bucks now! I'm so proud of how far I've come in such a fast year. I really want to work on bringing more Lovebots to more loving homes, I really find happiness in bringing my creations to others.

Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Red and Stripes

I haven't done one of these in a long time so I thought I'd put up a little outfit post. Today is Sunday so we have family dinner, and a few close family friends will be over today as well! It's pretty hot in Orange County today so I'm in as few layers as possible.





Dress: Thrifted-Villians Vintage
Bandana-?
Black dress slip (not shown)-Department Store

We're spending time on the deck until family arrives have a great Sunday!
Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline

Friday, June 24, 2011

I'm Vegas Bound

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The days before this again are the hardest, they're the days I remember the way he makes me feel. Remember the happiness we share when we're together and how it lasts for weeks afterwards. 
Long distance is very hard. We are able to visit one another once a month right now, which is beautiful in comparison to what we have dealt with earlier this year. 

During these last few days before we're together again I thrive on the promise of Las Vegas. The promise of long nights and early mornings. The promise of, eventually, a move to California. ♥

Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline 

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Hair Fiasco: The Quest for a Good Hair Dresser

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Episode I: The Beauty School

For years I have either 1. dyed my own hair or 2. driven 45-60 minutes and paid over a hundred dollars to get my hair done. Well now I live in a new city and along with that move I moved away from hair dressers I was familiar with. I am on the quest for, naturally, long hair and thus I wait about six to eight months before getting the length of my hair cut. 

The problem lies in the bangs. Bangs cannot wait six to eight months. Bangs get into my eyes and hurt me. Also, when they get long I just start to look silly and shabby. I don't really like that. I like to look presentable. So my quest for a hair dress has begun.

Today I tried a beauty school in Orange County. While I have to report that the girl was very nice... it was a little bit of a nightmare. I have naturally brown roots showing with my dyed black hair. I asked her to dye it cherry black so it'll be kinda red in the sun. Instead I received purple roots and cherry black hair. Not really the look I was going for. After 2 more headfulls of dye (ouchies!), my roots are finally close enough to black for me to be happy with. 

Other than that she was wonderful. I had her trim my bangs and frame and she did just fine with that. It was just the 3 hours of dyeing and redyeing that I couldn't handle. 

The quest for a good hair dresser continues...
Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline

Monday, June 20, 2011

Things Always Work Out



I swear, once you put things out into the universe they truly change. God, fate, circumstance, I don't care what you call it but it truly happens. After my blog post about William and my conflicting schedules, I still didn't feel better. Usually I blog and somehow find the positives in it. That was not the case whatsoever. After I blogged about it I felt the same, upset and overwhelmed.

Thankfully last night brought some relief. After watching Dexter Season 5 finale together, while on the phone and on skype, William popped up some wonderful news. His manager, once informed of William's circumstances, offered to change his hours to 9 am to 5 pm if it would help things. That way I can take my morning classes and still be able to see him after we're both done with our days. Hallelujah! Now some of my stress is lifted. I really was starting to worry we would only have time for one another on days off and weekends. Life is once again back to its regular paid programming.

So this week he is going to work 3:30 pm to 9 pm (although he'll get home very late), next week and the time I am in Vegas he'll be working 7 am to 3:30 pm, and THEN the day I leave and from then on out he'll be working from 9 am to 5 pm! Now I'll be able to take my morning classes and still have time for my love.

As William never ceases to tell me, 
things always work out.

Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Happy Father's Day!


He's the best man I know.

Happy Father's Day, everyone! I hope you're all busy telling the men in your life how much they mean to you. I'm very fortunate to have such a wonderful dad who truly supports everything I do. He's always been there for me and always been proud of my decisions, even when he doesn't agree with them. I don't tell him enough how much I appreciate him, but I really hope he knows he's the best dad I could ever ask for.

Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline

Friday, June 17, 2011

...Right?




Well summer is finally here and to be honest it's a hard one so far for me. I am one of those people who resist change. I prefer my comfort zone and no not often attempt to stray from it. I am an off brand of person, who would much rather spend time at home with family or one person than go out with many. Unlike most people my age I dread parties mostly because they require being away from home for long amounts of time as well as, usually, late into the evening. Change, and parties, make me squirm. 

Recently I've gone through a lot of change. I'm an adult and am allowed to make my own decisions. I just moved an hour and a half away from where I grew up to live with Dad and Kathy who I have never spent more than two weeks at a time with. My boyfriend just started a new job where we won't be able to talk from 3 pm to 10 pm everyday. I am starting college in the fall. And although none of these are bad changes. Most of them are absolutely wonderful and what I want.
They are all still very hard for me. 

The hardest two being college and William's new job. Currently I make myself busy with sewing while William is away at work, stay up to skype for a while at night, and fall asleep on the phone together around  11. We then get up at different times, talk/skype for a while, then he's off to work and the process repeats. So far it's been kinda hard for me. When I'm busy and have things to do it's not so bad but really its summer and I have more free time than I know what to do with. I basically sew my troubles away.
However, when it will get a lot harder when I start classes in the fall. 

If I take morning classes it is likely that we won't have much time to talk. It might come down to weekends, late nights, and a lot of crying on my part. Until circumstances change, William has to take this later shift. I think most of my classes might be in the morning or early afternoon. While I love William so very much, I worry about this lack of communication. He promises we will work through it and circumstances will change and then it will be easier. But until then I'm worried. I'm worried and we're not even at that point yet. All I can think is we're already long distance, only see one another once a month for a few days, and now we won't be able to talk much. He's my best friend and it's going to be very hard to be apart from him so often, in every way. 

Maybe I'm just over worried or stressing too much... I just hope to find strength and get a little used to alone time for a while. I know that these steps lead to better things. Better circumstances. Moves from Las Vegas to California. I know that is what these times bring, it's just until then that will be hard.

I hope I don't come off as unappreciative of the man I have, because that is truly not my intentions. I've been told before that just because I miss him or I worry about things that it means I don't appreciate him. I don't think that's true... I know we can make it through this... he promises every night that we can.
 But I'm allowed to be anxious about the whole thing, right?

Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline

Three New Lovebots ♥


This little fella, as well as two other Lovebots, are up in the shop today! We have 10 Lovebots who need new homes. Please share us with any friends you think might be interested. 
Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

From one friend to another.

Tonight one of my good friends is graduating high school.
Unfortunately, I moved last week and was unable to head up the hill for it. 
I just really want her to know how proud I am of her and how much I love her.

This is insanely embarrassing but this is us back in the eight grade.

And this is my lovely friend now, isn't she beautiful? 

Meredith, of The Violet Rosebush, has been a friend of mine since second grade. We used to go to the same school until she transferred in the sixth grade. We've had our ups and down in our friendship but Meredith truly has always been there for me. She is the most beautiful, intelligent young woman I know and it is truly a privilege to know her. 

I'm very proud of you, dear. 
I hope you enjoy your night, it's all for you. 
I love you very much.

Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline

P.S. Yes, Meredith, I am a creep and downloaded that from your facebook. You love it.

2011 Summer Goals

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After seeing Elsie's summer goals over at A Beautiful Mess, I decided it would be best to make a few of my own! I have been a little lost from my creative side because of graduation and really want to get back on track. I recently bought a new journal and a new sketching journal I really hope to break in soon.

1. Ride my new bike, often.
I recieved a bike from Dad and Kathy for my graduation, so I really want to break it in this summer.
I also have to get it a pretty basket so I can bike down to the post office when I mail out orders.

2. Sew five times a week.
With school and graduation, I put my business on the farthest back burner and am determined to rekindle my love for sewing. I want to have a plentiful shop and enjoy my craft again.

3. Blog everyday.
I will be able to post pictures freely and intend on using that to my advantage.

I really want to keep it simple this summer and not push myself so hard that I do nothing. I don't want to get discouraged or anxious because of too much change. I simply want my creative juices to flow and to enjoy my summer before college.

Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Our Week In Pictures

Here's a little more about my week with William.

We went bowling.

He always beats me really badly when we play. Like doubles my score.

 We did a LOT of driving.


Spent some quiet time.

 We bought a cat print dress (!!!!!)


Smoked a few cigars. (favorite)

Became superheroes.

Got my septum pierced.

Looked hot while we pumped gas. 

Ate at my favorite Mediterranean restaurant. 

Bought me a new vintage dress!

And spent out last morning together at Starbucks with ice coffee, a croissant, and a parfait.

Now I'll just be waiting till July to do it all over again.
Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline

Monday, June 13, 2011

My Aforementioned News!

Over the last week I have been going through the tedious process of putting all my possessions into my tiny Honda and driving an hour and fifteen minutes to Dad's house. Slowly but surely I managed to get, almost, all of my things into my car. On Saturday I put the last of my necessities, said goodbye to my cats, Mom, and Rex and moved into my Dad's house. 

Ever since I was born I have made this trip every other weekend and stayed just the weekend. I'm used to sleeping one night and leaving the next. My thought process is always "No, I left that at home." or "I hope nothing gets on my shirt because I only brought enough for one a day." Now that is very different. I am officially living here, everyday. My sewing things are here, all my clothes, all my knick nacks (omg so many knick nacks), everything I own is here. 

I am also glad to say that this means I have free, unlimited internet. I am now free to blog everyday. I am free to skype every night with William after work. I am free to watch youtube videos!!!

Over all it's just another step into my adulthood.

My new home.

I'll try to remember to do close ups sometime!
Well William will be home soon and I'm going to prepare to have my ears talked off!
Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline

Proud Girlfriend is Proud

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Today is William's first day at Fry's Electronics. 
I really wanted to wish him luck in a very public way, to really show him how proud I am of him.
William is a major computer nerd. When I had a PC he would fix it over the internet all the time. We were just friends then but I always knew he wouldn't mind helping me out
 (and he never let me pay him to do it!)
He's a little nervous today but I know deep in my heart that this job is going to be a perfect fit.
I know he'll sell those parts everyday and make new friends there.
He'll also make lots of money so we can see each other often! (when we can, hehe.)
I just know he'll be very happy.

You'll do great, honey!

I'm very proud of you, Pants.
Extra Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline Pants

P.S. I'll be blogging about my aforementioned news later today!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

The Whirlwind of My Life

     I honestly am unsure on where to start about my last week, we were so busy I'm still catching up on sleep! I had the most amazing week of my life, I've never felt so loved and accomplished at the same time. It was a week of love, school nonsense, and liberation.
  
     On Thursday my man came back to me to celebrate my graduation. We spent the day at Victoria Gardens window shopping, food eating, and cigar smoking. We've discovered our favorite way to spend time together is to just sit, smoke a cigar, and talk. Since we don't spend a lot of time physically together we tend to enjoy the quiet moments even more than the exciting ones. Also we enjoy window shopping because it's a cheap way to spend time together when money is tight.


     Friday was graduation day and there were more activities than I truly care for, haha! In the morning we had senior breakfast, which was a sweet way for us to bond as a class one last time. Afterwards we had senior chapel, which is where the Class of 2011 put on a chapel service for our families. We had speeches, testimonials (including mine), an "over the years" video, and my personal favorite was my good friend Tim's teacher appreciation song. I hope someone video taped it so I can share it with you all! It was truly beautiful. Then we had a crazy long graduation practice, which my sweet man had to sit through like a true boyfriend. Once that was done we had Mediterranean food, which was to die for and then headed back to my house so I could get ready.


      William wore his suit, which is smoking hot, and I wore this year's Homecoming dress. I wish I would have had more time to get ready, but truly I didn't care all that much. I was getting nervous at the idea of a thousand people staring at me for an hour and didn't really focus on the fact that my hair was a little wet still. So I donned my blue robe, gold sash and rope, and my goofy blue hat and headed up on stage with my thirty fellow graduates. Our ceremony is very personal compared to public school graduations, we have videos and as few speeches as possible. It's lovely, really.

     Once we were all graduated, of course screaming and hugging was in order, all was right in the world. I adored my school, not so much the whole high school thing, but my school was lovely. However, it has become time to fly the coop and indeed we all have! It is now my time to grow into the young woman I aspire to be.


     And then the next day I got my septum pierced.

     The rest of the week, well until Tuesday, William and I celebrated my accomplishment with friends and family. Sunday we had a party at my Dad's house, which I truly loved and felt so loved. We had food, karaoke, an ice cream bar, and a ton of nice cards. I can't express how loved I felt with my family and friends there, it's truly a beautiful feeling. I felt loved to have everyone there and it made it perfect to have William in with the mix.

    On Tuesday he left for home in the early afternoon to get ready for his new job at Fry's Electronics and we kept smiles on until the very last second. It's always hard to say goodbye but we always have another trip planned and that makes it a lot less painful. Fortunately we had just made plans, that morning, for me to come to Vegas to see him and his family in the first week of July. Robert, William's brother, has a birthday that week so we're not gonna tell him hehe, it's gonna be a neat surprise! :)

    Over all I'm still amazed that I'm out of high school and officially a freshmen in college. Things are so radically different in such a small amount of time that I'm still adjusting. I'm going to college in the fall, William starts a new job on Monday, summer is here and I'm free to visit him, truly I'm free to make my own decisions; it's all new for me!

I have even more new from this week but I'll leave it for tomorrow!
Love and Turtledoves,
Jacqueline