Little Things

This is my desk of a morning.  It lives in the "sitting room" of our apartment, a little niche in the foyer where there are two closets, a bookshelf, and a nice warm heater.  I actually have two heaters set up in my little office for extra toastiness.  I either sit at my desk to work, or pace around the apartment along certain patterns in the floor.  My thoughts are much more coherent when I'm pacing and speaking simultaneously.  I use a keyboard so I don't wear out the one on the netbook - which is more powerful than any other computer I've ever owned, with a 220 GB hard drive.

Here's my schedule for today and yesterday - not a thing, other than work and working out...  Which are both tracked on completely separate calendars.  I use MS Works calendar for weightlifting and cardio data, and my work schedule is on my company's website, which I can access through the software I use to track students' progress, assignments and areas of success/improvement.  My real-life calendar, the one you see here, is where I track and plan everything else.  I think I actually feel real affection for it.

Participating in the battle for the coolest stuff is futile and neverending.  I'm usually practical and quick to buy items that are low-priced, generic and convenient...  But it's still the little, beautiful, cherished and carefully-chosen things that make life sparkle.  This is a handmade lampwork bead fashioned out of Murano glass and strung with Swarovski crystals to make a zipper pull for my schedule.  Most of my possessions are simple, worn and mismatched - although I have a few treasures around...  But I will never skimp on art!

I bought this fabric yesterday at Colabrijai while chatting with some of the premier clothing designers in Montréal!  They were haggling with the shop owner over prices of fabrics, and I learned that fancy cottons and aubergine are the fabrics and color of the season, apparently.  I bought three kinds of slinky synthetic knit in black (which will become flowing dance pants), smoke (will probably become a tunic) and a deep sparkling blue/black - which will hopefully become a syllabus Latin costume.  Excitement!  I spent $25 on 6 meters total.

These patterns were purchased today...  At 1.99 CAD each!  My favorite French fabric store was having a sale for all members, and I spent $15 total on 8 patterns that originally ranged from $8.49 to $16.99 apiece.  Inspiration acquired!  This will keep me busy for a couple months, at least.  The dress pattern on the top right will be used to make a standard gown; instead of using cotton or pique and boning, I will use all slinky synthetics and chiffon, which makes the boning unnecessary, as it will be very close-fitting and stretchy.  It has an open back and a halter top.  I am mentally squeeing so loudly right now, guys.

And finally, my sewing machine, which is becoming fuzzy and needs a cleaning.  I finished this knit top, which will probably be used for dance practice, since it's both comfy and elegant.  Some peeps dance in t-shirts and sweatpants, but honestly, I feel more graceful when I wear graceful clothes.  Especially if string quartets are going to watch during the last few minutes of practice.