It's that time of year again...

I bought a new machine! A Bernina 215.
(Only because this post was a year ago... not because I really get a new machine every year. Promise.)

They refer to this one as a "sewing computer" in the manual- an important differentiation for me because I've never owned a computerized machine. I've actually spent a lot energy avoiding them.

I gave in because this machine is super sturdy, well made and has everything I need, nothing I don't.  It was the most basic Bernina the store carried, which automatically make it the most appealing to me. I was amused as the saleswoman tried to coerce me into the machine that "has the most amazing embroidery software you've ever seen!" (read: many K more than this humble model). I just let her know nicely that, "I would honestly never use that once." I think that was the first time she'd heard those words, and I sensed her confusion.

In a little over a week, I've hemmed three pairs of jeans, two pairs of trousers, one dress and altered another dress and a shirt. It stitches beautifully and I'm loving the feature I thought might annoy me, needle up/down.  It's also just the right size for my sewing table.

Aww, aren't these two just so cute together?

I'm thinking about a coverstitch & chainstitch machine next, does anyone have experience with one?

One more thing! I can't forget to mention that last weekend my good friend took a bunch of us to a trapeze class for her birthday. A TRAPEZE CLASS. We did this move (below), and flips and catches like pros. It was so much fun! Try it it you ever get the chance.

Here I am, flying in my StyleMint Fillmore tee that I wear three days a week (slight, not gross exaggeration). I am also sporting a skin belt, which is not a style recommendation.

/berries & weekends

I've got to spill the beans about this cake, which is the most fabulously easy and adorable dessert I've made in a while. I mean, it's a cake baked and served in a pie pan, and it definitely counts strawberry shortcake as a close relative (must be enjoyed with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream!) - what's not to love?

The batter is super easy, and is topped with gorgeous strawberries & sparkly sugar!

Out of the oven, the strawberries peek out the top & seep into the cake... so good.
It certainly gets my award for the most adorable cake involving the least amount of work.

I've also recently had some super fun weekends! Scottish twee hotshots Camera Obscura decided to skip Seattle and play in my little city for 1/2 the cover, which had been filling me with glee for months! They were altogether lovely, super, wonderous, etc. (As were their openers, Princeton).




This weekend, I enjoyed an awesome time in Seattle, including a great ball game with great friends (and will again this week! lucky me!). Although it was a loss for the M's, it was at least action-packed and we sat by some really entertaining chaps. I suppose it would take some pretty extreme circumstances for me not to enjoy attending a Mariner's game, because I can always count on two things to get me through even the most terrible of losses: hot dogs and beer.

...and of course the pretty grass!

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brunch with lovely friends always ends a weekend right.