Treat Yo Self - B-day Week

Sorry for the MIA, I've been floating around on many thoughts in my head. I am going to be firm, that I don't wait to air dirty laundry or negative feelings on my blog. I want to keep this as a positive and inspiring place for myself and my readers.

My Birthday is fast approaching next week and I have been treating myself very well.  With a little influx of cash from some side projects I was able to get myself one of my long coveted dream knitting machines the Brother KH 260 Bulky.

Please excuse the bad photo, this was off of Ebay and I am expected to receive my lovely in the mail today.  I have so many amazing ideas for her. Some of my friends say that a knitting machine is cheating but there are so many more amazing things you can get done with a machine and faster then handknits.  I'm reminded of this great blog post by StyleBubble on a designer called ALL Knitwear.

 photos from Stylebubble

These pictures get me so excited to get the machine in my hands and to get to work.  I've been away from knitwear too long where my heart lies in design. I'm slowly refocusing and designing a few small run collections.

Aside from that I bought myself this pretty dress from Nasty Gal

Lastly my Weaving teacher Pat Bullen is letting me borrow this little beauty for a month so I've spoiled myself with some new yarns to play with on the loom. It is a 4 harness 26" Kyra table loom with attached legs.

 

This is only the beginning as well.  I have a birthday party this weekend with friends a bit early since my actual birthday falls on a Tuesday.  I look forward to the local Spring flea, Columbus Zoo (which my hubby and I have done every year since we've been together) and dinner with my Parents.  I also plan to pick up this cute Gnome Necklace I spied last week when I was shopping for another friend's B-day present.

 Hopefully they still have it!

I Baggu, do you?

A few weeks ago there was this Lucky deal for 50% off of Baggu leather products in Black.  I thought why not. Instead of paying $120 for a small leather back it cost me $60. I realized when I got the package that I have never actually ordered from Baggu before.  I fill up my cart and then I forget about it or realize I already have a ton of totes and reusable bags or that I can make that cute zipper pouch myself. Well with the leather bag I figured I would use it like an instant purse to carry only essentials when I am on the run like my wallet, kindle, keys and lipgloss, maybe a small digital camera and my flip.

 The packaging was about as minimal as possible, which was nice.

Folding out the bag the leather is super soft and supple.  I wish you could feel the gorgeous of it's buttery surface. Although the shape is just that of a normal Baggu bag. I think for $120 it's a bit much, in fact a total splurge. Even though I only spent $60 I still consider it a total splurge.

The interior is raw and just as soft.  I was hoping for maybe a little interior pocket or lining at such a high price point for a bag that is only 10"x18.5"x3.5". I may sound like a naysayer but I love this bag and I am glad that I snagged it. It does work perfectly for a "to go" purse when I am doing a long shopping trip (like in Chicago) and it forced me to minimize what I carry. I was a little disappointed that the deal was only on the black color but now I'm glad it was because the black goes with everything, doesn't show dirt and even for a hobo type bag looks classy. I was even stopped and asked by someone at Nordstorms where I picked it up at. My one hesitation with raw leather is that it can leave some of the oils on whatever things you put inside of it. It didn't discolor anything I had in there but they were mostly black or patent leather, but I did notice the oil on the face of my phone. By the end of the weekend it wasn't giving me that problem anymore but it was just something to be cautious about with a new bag.

If I was someone of more means in money I would like to pick up another one or two in different colors and perhaps try the larger size as well. Alas I am a poor fashionista relaying on coupons and internet offers to enjoy some of life's finer things.