fact or fiction

Fact: When I go somewhere I look it up on Google maps and proceed to STARE at it for the better part of 3 hours. It's like I'm burning it into my brain. I don't know my way around the city but by the time I finish staring at that dang map? I SO do. ("I'm SO gonna agree to these terms right now??!" hahaha!) Also for someone who loves Chicago and general traipsing I HATE being lost. I like adventures but I like to know what's there so I don't freak out and cry.

Fact: I WILL freak out and cry if there is a change in plans or I feel out of control in a situation. I do this secretly. But it IS a fact. *The More You Know music plays*

This was random. I enjoy being random. I also enjoy attack hugs.

By the way I'm FINALLY knitting again! Of course I started with a friggin' complicated hat but I wouldn't have it any other way. So far I have requests for a few winter baby hats, a beanie and a scarf. I'm willing to knit up the world if you'll help me get to RI for the summer! Also the baking list will be coming out soon. Be excited y'all! Thanks for all your support guys I really appreciate it.

epic weddings and bon voyages

Hey guys, breaking from Rhode Island support (though if you want to hear about it read here!) for a bit to talk about the most epic wedding I've ever been to... EVER.

I'm pretty sure you've heard me talk about the wedding of my friend Katherine and how buh-freaking excited I was about it. Yeah nothing could have prepared me for the most beautiful wedding I've EVER. SEEN. pictures? pictures. GO.

can you see the three cakes? are you aware of them? CAN YA SEE THEM?! and the wreath?! MADE OUT OF BOOKS?!?!?!?! is your BRAIN exPLODING?! also there were tears on pictures 1, 2 and 4. I cried a good portion of half the day. I mean happy, "Omg how is this so perfect?!" tears. Yeah. I love them. It was kind of like the day didn't happen it was THAT awesome.

Move to Sunday! where we said goodbye to the coolest manager at the square. We said bye, took lots of awesome photos by Magali, ate lots of pizza and danced to... Neil Patrick Harris. Yeah that happened. It was grood work bonding. Did i tell you i loved my job? I do. totes magotes.

This weekend is Renegade Handmade and I'm just as excited! Artsy hipsters! ASSEMBLLLLE!!! Will post on that soon. Looking for some yarn to make some SWEET knits to help for Rhode Island! wahoo!

love for sale

Here is a selection of knits I will be making. I will also be taking special requests to anyone that FB messages me or emails me - otherwise there will be set things I'll make in a series of colors. I also make baby blankets, mohawk hats (only for Raiye...) and tea cozies... only cuz i enjoy typing and saying the phrase 'tea cozy'. Better yet just come over and have tea with me. Before that take a look at the knits you totally want (don't deny it!) THEN come over and have tea. I'll bake for you. (click on any image to make it larger!)

Hats (the slouchy awesome kind, the mustache kind, the baby kind) 

Scarves (cabled, ribbed, striped, plain, fancy, double long or airy!) 

Handwarmers and armwarmers (preeetty much just like a scarf for your arm. it's slightly more awesome) 

Cowls - i really like these... they're like mini scarves - my sister also enjoys making them - oh and that's my niece Autumn aka the model for all these lovely knits - she'll be taking over IMG soon... when she learns how to walk in heels. workin. on it.

Legwarmers - do not under any circumstances underestimate the AMAZING COMFORT of these legwarmers. Made from 2 soft knits they're stretchy and durable and... like a tiny fuzzy monster of love is hugging your legs. Leg Love. Renaming them "Leg Love" officially.

Again I'll be making these in set colors and styles except for special special requests. As for baking just click on Adventures in Cooking and eeeeverything I've eeeever made pops up! aka... multiple links to Joy the Baker's website. I'm an advocate for her. She doesn't know that though... so I think that makes me creepy. Unfortunate right? But it's for a cause! justified. yessss.

RHODE ISLAND HERE I COME!!!! W00! WAH00!

exciting news!!

You guys remember my obsession with RISD right? maybe you don't... mayyybe it's cuz i never told you haha. Let's start at the very beginning (feel free to hum the Sound of Music while you read this). A long long time ago before college happened I loved Brown University. I don't know whyyy but I think it was because of this girl I went to high school with, Divya. I have no idea where she is today but she went to Brown and planted that seed that awesome people go to Brown University.

Eventually I realized that Brown didn't have my major but oddly enough the school 3 feet away did - RISD. It was artsy... and not confined by rules and by a major body of water it just... WORKED. It got to the point where I'd tear up just thinking about being surrounded by artistic AND academic excellence. And theennnnn I realized I didn't have a portfolio to show to even get into the school. Eventually the dream faded...

...Enter Olivet... aka most of the previous entries in this blog and my Live Journal... and a good amount of turmoil, happiness and band.

Here we are in the present day! I've graduated (duh) I have 2 jobs and I DON'T want a masters. I DIDN'T want a masters, that is, until everyone I ever met kept asking me if I'm going back to school. Is it like... a common question people ask nowadays? Or just me because I'm supposed to get a masters? WHAT IF I DON'T WANT TO GET A MASTERS!? What if I just go TO the Masters... and take a picture there... then I can say I've already been... people would totally think I wasn't talking about golf. DUPED!

Anyway... RISD holds this summer graphics program delightfully shortened to SIGDS. They're 2 week courses for people of all skill levels for credit/non-credit and I've wanted to go since my senior year of college since I kinda gave up on attending the school. The cost of the sessions are expensive. EX.PENNNSIVVVVVE. So I put that on hold... until a few days ago. I was talking with a friend of mine from work and again was asked about a frickin MASTERS, to which i responded, "no," but this time I decided to visit RISD's site for old times sake when I got home.

Something happened... it was like a flame was ignited in my heart and a sumo wrestler slapped me in the face all at the same time! I want a masters. Feel free to yell, "WHAT?!" cuz I would. Totally. Yeah. But first I'd really like to go to SIGDS and try it out. It's my tester course at RISD. If I love it then I'll pursue a full masters.

Are you FREAKING out right now?! I know right this is HUGE!!! Honestly I think it's God. I pray I'm not hearing something else. This is the first time in a while something in my heart connected and ignited. I just don't want to pursue something that isn't for me. I need to raise some funds - all together about 6500 dollars plus a plane ticket. I'm gonna talk to my employers about working at Providence Place for 4 weeks while I'm there and see if there is some kind of scholarship available. I'm also going to be knitting and baking for donations so if you have any requests bring em on! On the knitting side I'll be making hand warmers, leg warmers, scarves and hats helped by Blueberry Cobbler, my family's knitting business and pieces from friends like Maggie who is sweetawesome and crafty, too. On the baking side I'll make whatever you want between my mother and myself we run the kitchen - tentatively we're called The Kitchen Table. Don't gank the name. It is taken.

*sigh*...dang this is long.

I'm gonna need your help to get to Rhode Island in June. I know you want some food. You know I know you know you want some food. However you guys can help I would appreciate it. Between now and April (the deadline) there will be much prayer but I'm so excited. I'm shaking I'm so excited right now. This blog will probably be RISD central for a bit while I rally support so bear with me. Don't worry there will still be baking and knitting and posts about pants sucking at life. I'm just so excited!!!! ok I should sleep. sleep is good.

thoughts on pants

Currently I'm listening to "Killing Me Softly" by the Fugees and it. is. AMAZING. Laurryn Hill! we've got to move on...

Anyway (I digress a LOT!) I was reading over old entries and realized that I never 'another entry for another day'-ed my thoughts on pants. Here's the breakdown:

I wish to abolish pants. 

boom.

Pants are... cumbersome... and restrictive and made by the MAN to oppress and CONFORM your LIFE! ...I tend to get carried away with things sometimes... but I think you understand my aversion to them. 

In an ideal life I would live in boyshorts and tank tops and dance all day. I know that sounds really weird to those with the visual brains (like myself) but if you have not tried a sleeveless top and some shorts/boxers I'm pretty sure you have not LIVED, MY FRIEND YOU HAVE NOT LIIIIVED! 

Also, about dance. I really REALLY really really love dance. Again... we'll talk about that later. Back to the pants and me hating them. They suck! You wear em to bed and they get all tangled in your covers like a cloth covered boa constrictor around your legs. PANTS. boooo! (I'm channeling Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets here)

BUT... Since we HAVE to wear pants can I just say that tights are not pants. Legging are not pants. Jeggings are not pants. A shirt that comes to the middle of your butt paired with all of the above does not an outfit make. That is all haha

GUESS. WHAT.

I got THESE!!!

THEY'RE IN THE MAAAAIL!

by the way this is my 4th post (more like 80th) about TOMS. My 3rd pair. Every time I go to buy the red ones... I end up with the seasonal ones that are going away soon and I just can't resist them! Oh TOMS... i friggin lurve you. I think I'll introduce them to my Emily Dickens... and they'll like fall in love... ok my brain is full of weddings let us stop.

I love the fall. It's comin! : ) and I will be wearing these shoes.

BARRACUDA!

Somehow when I think of Renegade Handmade the song Barracuda by Heart plays in my head. Um... can i just say how much i love that song. Cuz i do. love it too.

BUT the point of this post was to say GO TO THIS.

you will have happy fun times here being an artsy hipster with the rest of Chicago. Actually everyone that went to the She&Him concert? plus Maggie... will be there. And anyone who went to that concert knows what i meant. wahoo!!!

Also as I'm getting progressively more excited for my friend Katherine's SWEET wedding I thought I'd give you a glimpse into my future and tell you what my wedding song is. People need to prepare for my wedding. It will be epic. E.PIC. By the time I get married I'll have everything planned out - just need a groom! So awesome right?! The truth.

right now

shut the front door i haven't updated in foreverrrrrrs! I actually don't have much to say but I thought I'd give a quick update - an overview if you will - on life right meow.

Hummmm where to start! Oh wow I'm actually out of words... I honestly don't know where to start. I feel like I should just tumble it all  out in one lonnnng string of words. Cuz that's how I operate most times. Ask people. I just spout.

Work has been constant... Like I haven't had any time to breathe and be alone in a LONG TIME and it's starting to wear. I'm staring to put all my eggs in one basket again at work, too. I expect so MUCH out of it! I expect development and unity and a sense of belonging all day every day so when that's not met I feel like I did something wrong.... or angered some higher up or something. I think I'm seeking gratification from the wrong source. Speaking of source... I'm also still in the same place with God... actually I'm worse so... *shakes head* I don't know how to move past it. I would really like to but I'm holding me back. Isn't that THE WORST?! When you know you're preventing yourself... from yourself! How stupid is that!? But I'm pretty sure it's the dilemma of like... the entire human race haha. So... OK i'm gonna stop talking about it. Though I would appreciate any input.

And, ok, I have to write this out (and I apologize beforehand) because in Abby's world this is epic. You'd just have to know me to understand. OK maybe it's not so epic but for a split second of my life... I let someone else in. Let's skip to the end and read the last page so you know how it ends (sidebar: I totally read the last page of every book I've ever read since... forever. I literally read the last word. Sometimes it gives stuff away... sometimes it doesn't but I can't NOT do it. I have to! I just gotta! I hate horrible surprisesOKSIDEBAROVER.) - it didn't work out (does it ever? haha) - but like... this is huge! Have you MET me?!

*shakes your hand* "Helloooo I'm Abby, I'm a fan of fake moustaches, fonts and giggling all the time and oh, let's just out with this now? I'm closed off."

It was kind of like a storm. The feeling hit like lightning and all the sudden I was feeling EVERYTHING and there was thunder and rain and it was exciting and confusing and liiiittle bit hazy... and as quickly as that storm moved in just a few seconds later everything went away just as fast. Even though it seems like a kind of horrible ending? I think it was all for the best honestly. It's been a long time since I've FELT anything so... I think it's a good step. *shrugs shoulders*

OK so i DID have stuff to say. Did I lie? Maybe... but i honestly thought I was gonna do bullet points. I love bullet points. Here, I'll do them just so I keep my word.

• i totally wanna bake something soon!
• I need to find an amazing wedding present
• I'm going to a wedding! I did NOT tell you that! this is the first wedding I've gone to with "Guest" next to my name. I am not bringing a guest. This is the first wedding I've gone to that I'd actually LIKE to bring a guest...
• WHAT. IS THE DEAAAAL!? (seriously HAVE YOU BUH-FREAKING MET ME?!?!)
• alright this is getting obnoxious.
• bye. 
• for real. 

Yes, we have no bananas

This is what I do on a Friday night. You will probably never see me in a club - let's think about that for just a moment. Can you actually SEE me in a club?! Be honest. OK. Let's move on. On a friday evening I'm folding bananas, sugar, and vanilla into flour and cinnamon to make Banana Crumb Muffins and think about what I'm gonna write in a blog. Lame! hah... *sigh...*

The oven is set at 375 which happens to be the exact temperature of our unairconditioned apartment too. Obviously ideal conditions to make something that requires MORE HEAT. There was a point where I was DRIPPING sweat. How sexy is that? Well let's just say you have noo ideaaa how much it's... NOT. Once they were in the oven everything was okay. 20 minutes later your nose is all but jumping off your face because you can smell that crumbly streusel topping coming together in the oven. I tasted one while warm - I couldn't resist - and oh, mama, they're SO. GOOD. Coming from the epic fail attempt at making churros this is a good win! and breakfast tomorrow! ohhh yeeeeah.


poor bananas. they were on the way out. so obviously i became my mother and rescued them to be made into delicious muffins. and that La Croix saved my LIFE while I was sweating out 24 years of body weight in the kitchen.

Ingredients! inspired by the Pioneer Woman haha and i had to close up that nutmeg... cuz i don't get it. do you understand it? seriously it's like an alien spice. tastes so grood. looks soooo weird.

breathe in... breathe out... grab your keys... drive to my house... CUZ THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

Banana nut crumb muffin? Meet cream cheese. mingle... mingle... pure. ecstasy.

oh gosh

Being on phones at work tests every limit of patience you have. Somehow when someone is in front of you... you can gauge their anger and deal with it. On the phone it's like their alter ego to be EXTRA. HORRIBLE. Like today. This conversation will go down in my little history book because I retaliated a little bit. I'm not proud of it but... he asked for it.

dude: I was just on hold for 27 minutes for you to tell me you don't have it?
me: i know sir i'm so sorry! i appreciate you holding and apologize that we didn't have it.
dude: well! thanks for wasting my time...
SIMULTANEOUSLY dude: bye. me: you suck.

*click!*

I couldn't resist. I'll do better tomorrow... when I'm on phones ALL. DAY. O.O...

anyway how is everyone? I haven't updated in foreverrrs! hope everyone's doing okay! : )