Monday, April 28, 2014

New gym

This past March I decided to change gyms, one that had more locations and variety of classes, and a lower membership price. I get bored easily with routine and need a way to stay motivated and challenged. At my old gym I worked with a trainer twice a week for about 6 months, which I found really beneficial, but not wallet friendly. 

As someone with anxiety, it's not easy for me to walk into someplace new and feel comfortable, but I'm trying to challenge this by going to different locations and taking different classes. Finding the gym, locating the change room and the class studio, adjusting to a new instructor or routine, figuring out where the showers are… can all be very stressful for me. There's also the challenge of getting organized at night to ensure I have everything I need for the day, including a healthy lunch and snacks, and getting up when the alarm goes off at 5:30am. I find that going in the morning is easier than after work – the TTC is far less crowded and I'm more likely to go, as sometimes things come up after work. I also find that my energy level is more consistent throughout the day and I sleep much better at night.

In the past 7 weeks, I have managed to visit 6 different locations and take a variety of classes (I love Zumba!). I'm really proud of myself for not letting the anxiety prevent me from doing the things I want to do. Going to the gym 3 times a week has become part of my routine and I'm really happy with how fit and healthy I feel.

Monday, April 21, 2014

New dress which took far too long to make!

I started this dress back in December, and just finished it. Sometimes I can finish a dress in a week-end, but with this winter being so long, dark and cold, I just wasn't feeling creative or motivated. It's a vintage pattern I found on Etsy, from an Australian and New Zealand company called Style.

I had a few problems with making this dress, the first being that it was a Miss pattern and I wasn't sure how the measurements would work out, so I added an inch all around, which turned out to be unnecessary. Also, since I started the dress, I've gone down a size so I had to make more adjustments. It seemed that each time I tried on the dress to see how it was fitting I had to make more adjustments. Also, the contrasting fabric I purchased to use as the sleeves was too heavy and it wasn't draping nicely, so I ended up putting it around the neckline, and somehow it actually lined up.


Overall I'm not very happy with my sewing skills on this dress, it's not my best work. This should have been an easy pattern but because it took me so long to finish I kept losing motivation and focus. I'm relieved it's done, too bad the weather isn't nice enough here for me to wear it yet!


Monday, April 14, 2014

It's finally spring!

This winter was pretty awful for a lot of people, myself included, and I'm slowly trying to fight my way out of hibernation. Getting through the ice storm and power outage, the stress of the holidays, major ongoing stress at work, and a resurgence of TMJ pain and a subsequent neck injury meant that I wasn't feeling very motivated or inspired to do much. I started sewing a dress in December and it's still not finished, much to my frustration. My basement isn't heated so it only gets residual heat from the furnace, and with it being so cold this winter I just didn't feel like being in that space. At the beginning of April I had to deal with raccoons, who made their way into my attic over the winter, meaning I may need to have some repairs done to my attic or roof. 

But, one good that happened recently is that I was treated by a friend to a really nice high tea at Toronto's Windsor Arms Hotel. I was really impressed by the décor and service, and by their gluten-free menu, meaning I was able to enjoy cute tiny sandwiches along with my friend. It made me realize how much I've missed by shutting myself in and that I need to go out more and spend quality time with friends.


Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Closing of Wise Daughters Craft Market

At the end of March, Wise Daughters Craft Market, in the Junction area of Toronto, closed after 5 years. For 3 years, I had the pleasure of selling my coin purses, glasses cases and magnet sets at this store, and found many wonderful gifts for friends and family. I even took some classes there. I'm sorry to see the store gone, and I'm sure it wasn't an easy decision for the owner. The space has been taken over by LaDeeBee, which will sell yarn and bead supplies and offer workshops. For now, I'm still selling at Jinks Art Factory and Artisans at Work.