Cowmon Sense and Dressing Up

Hello fellow Fashionistas!

Last post we chatted with Ms. Sammie and we came to the conclusion that she looks FABULOUS just as she is...well, she does!!!

Which gives me a pretty good lead into today's post...

We're going to discuss "working what you've got". Basically, we are all individuals with our own styles and "looks" and we should "work it"! Those in the fashion industry really love that phrase. Those younger fashionistas out there use the term "rockin' it". She's really "rockin' that outfit"!

A few weeks ago, I lost one of my nose spots. I was embarrassed and I was afraid to go out or be seen by anyone.




Well, then Donna and I saw on the news about something very exciting happening in San Francisco and it drew us both out last Saturday (I'll explain later) - even with only one nose spot. I didn't care, I had to go!!! While we were out and about, I learned a lot of important things about myself and others.

There were so many people out and about in the City. It was a beautiful day! I did a lot of people watching as I peeked out from Donna's bag. So many wonderful outfits, so many fashion disasters. It was all so wonderful... We stopped for a rest by the waterfront at a little park by the Bay Bridge. There were lots of doggies there playing in the sun. One doggie had a doggie wheelchair!




Lots of people kept stopping and pointing and taking photos, but he didn't care. And neither did the other doggies. They were all running about, chasing balls, sniffing each other and playing all sorts of doggie games! We sat and watched them play for a while. I thought to myself, he's really "working what he's got". He doesn't care what anyone else thinks of his wheelchair. He's doing his doggie thing and no one is gonna stop him!

Sometimes we choose how we look (clothes, hair color, glasses, etc), sometimes we don't (tall, short, round face, etc). As long as you are comfortable with your "look", no one can tell you it's good or bad. We'll definitely wonder whether some of you have mirrors at home or not (you with the pink eyebrows and fried hair, I'm talking about you), or some of you may make us uncomfortable or even jealous.

There were so many "looks" out there. Definitely a "Good, Bad, and Ugly" sort of day. It was fantastic!!!

OK, now it's later, so time to tell you what drew me out of the house with only one nose spot...

The San Francisco Opera had a costume sale!!! They opened their warehouse to the public and put up 25 years worth of costumes for sale. Partly to clear out their inventory, mostly to raise money for the Opera. We saw it on the news Friday night and just HAD to go take a look.

The day started out with going to the bike shop with Spencer where they did the final adjustments on his bikebikebike. He left from there to go riding with his friends, so Donna and I took off to SF for the sale! She was so excited she hardly slept Friday night. She kept mumbling something about it being a bit of a dream come true. So many wonderful, hand made costumes in one place!!!!

When we finally arrived, there was a very long line...it was about 4 blocks long! In the sun. We had no water, no sun screen, and no hats. We were totally unprepared. We knew we were in trouble when we started seeing people with lawn chairs, coolers and sun umbrellas as we walked further down the line. We were so out of our league. As we turned round and headed back towards downtown, we vowed we would try again at the next sale. This time we would go EARLIER and we'd be ready for ANYTHING! All we really wanted was to look at how the costumes were made and then look at the really fancy ones and try on some too! How fun would that be?!? There were some designed by Versace!!! There was even a long beaded dress by Bob Mackie! How exciting, no?

Donna and I just love costumes. We love to look at them, design them, and construct them. I'm studying costume design now...





...so it was very disappointing for us not to get into the sale. We were a bit upset at the world, and that's when we went wandering about trying not to feel too sorry for ourselves. It was a gorgeous day out, so we didn't want to come and lock ourselves away all day again.





We even had a visitor stop by as we ate our lunch!



Anyway, back to costumes... Costumes are fun! They can transform you into anything you want to be - not to mention they are fun to design and to make! It's fun to be someone or something different every so often, but you don't need to do it all the time - just be your own wonderful selves!!

Today is one of the most favorite days of all in the US to dress up - Hallowe'en!

So remember, be yourself - work your own style - have fun dressing up - and use your Cowmon Sense! Happy Hallowe'en!

Next post we'll take a look at a new book we picked up the other day - talk about FABULOUS!



The Kyoto Costume Institute's: Fashion, a history from 18th century to 20th century...drool!!!!

Oh, and Donna has fixed my nose! Yay!

Spencer's new bikebikebike

Almost forgot...this needs its own post!

Spencer has finished building his "dream bike". Except for a smaller sized wheel on the back, he's got all the bits and pieces he wanted and has them all assembled.

Behold.....




And here he is, Proud Papa with his "baby"....



He says it rides like a DREEEEAMMMMMMM.

So very proud of him and all his hard work. He worked his butt off doing odd jobs to earn the money to buy all this on his own. Along with some gift money, it was all him. And then he used his bike mechanic skills and put it all together - with some final adjustments at the bike shop (for safety reasons).

Still working hard at being unemployed...

Hello everyone,

Things have been tough in the Chaos here. Lately I've been a bit down so NOTHING is getting done around here. Just the basics to get by. Being sick last week, disappointment after disappointment and life in general has just been dragging me deeper and deeper.

No creativity let loose, no making of anything, no sorting, no organizing. Nothing.

I get up late, I chat with Honey for an hour, I sit on the couch with the Kitty and read or sleep the day away. Horror of all horrors, I've actually been watching daytime TV!!!! Talk shows only, no soaps, and the talk shows are of the more "classy" type. No Jerry Springer or that other dude allowed. Sometimes I put on Discovery Channel all day.

I've learned a lot about building cars (Overhaulin') so I guess it's not really time wasted, right? Yeah, right.

My Mom and Sis sent grandma's vintage beads on Saturday. The USPS attempted delivery on Monday (that was QUICK!!). Silly me decided to go out and enjoy the nice weather, so I missed them. I've been trying to get it re-delivered ever since. I finally cornered the carrier today and he promised he'd bring the box tomorrow.

I can't wait to get my hands on them! I have lots of plans in my head and hopefully I can pull myself up and out of my current funk enough to work with them and get going on some really cool stuff!!! Which I hope I can continue and grow into SOMETHING going on around here besides moping and feeling sorry for myself.

Today I decided I need to put myself on a schedule. Time blocks need to happen for daily/weekly chores, deep cleaning, sorting/organizing, creating/making, bike riding, exercising, relaxing, and so on. I need to pull myself up and get my butt in gear or NOTHING is going to keep getting done. And I want this place looking good by Christmas. I want to start the new year with an organized place. I know if I just made myself do something little every day, I could do it. There really isn't that much to do, I only need to apply myself a whole lot more.

I'm even thinking about going back to school. Don't know what I'd study yet, but the thought is there - again. Especially since I'm having such bad luck on the job front.

On the wrist front, I've been dealing with pain from a "cyst" type thing on my wrist. My insurance company is stalling the doc's office. They're not being very timely with responses for pre-auths, etc. I don't know what is worse, the pain or the frustration. Meanwhile, the pain gets worse and worse. Gee thanks insurance company. So glad you care so much for your members. So very glad this isn't life threatening.

On a happier note, Ms Cow will step in and do some more fashion posts. She's really getting into this...she is making notes for a post as I type. We bought a new book about Fashion History and she's had her nose in it since Monday. I can't wait to see what she comes up with!

Part 2 of My Chat with Ms. Sammie

Ms. Cow: Hello again my dear.
Ms. Sammie: Meow...meow.

MC: Remember I said I'd have some things for you to look at?
MS: Merowww...
MC: OK, let's get started then...Here we have humans trying to get with the black and white...



I think it's too geometric.
MS: Meow!
MC: I knew you would agree. Here we have some Ben and Jerry Cows being well, Ben and Jerry Cows. They are very...um...avante garde...



MS: Merow?!?!?!?
MC: OOOH! Look at this Ms Sammie. A kitty really going all out for the black and white Cow look!!



MS: MEOW! Meow meow meowmeowmeow....MEEEEEEOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW!!!
MC: Yes, my friend, I agree. It's a bit much and really, Kitties should stay Kitties and Cows should stay Cows. It's the way Nature intended.

MS:MEOW!
MC: Exactly and you really do wear that solid white well.
MS: meow (blushing)




Until next time, use your Cowmon Sense!!

Girl Crush

Today is our first anniversary! Happy Anniversary Sgt Puff (Puff for short).

I've had my beautiful bike for a year now and I love her! We've gone on many adventures and covered many miles together. I've been keeping track (sort of) of all our rides and have a sort of mileage tally for you. Keep in mind that I'm about 3 months behind on entering our rides, so the numbers are actually a bit higher*.

Distance Traveled: 429.12 mi.
Carbon Offset: 461.5 lbs. of CO2

Isn't she gorgeous?




And here's a photo of the happy couple taken this past Saturday on their way out. It was a great day for riding.



To celebrate, we're off riding today with Spencer and his bikebikebike when he gets home from school. And the BIG GIFT is a trip to the Bike Kitchen tomorrow for a tune-up. She DEFINITELY deserves a bit of TLC for taking me everywhere I want to go and for getting thru Thorn Season.

This next year, I think we should increase our mileage! I'm not going to set a concrete number, cos then I only get myself in trouble. Just promising to get out and ride more is enough for me. The numbers will tell the story next year!

Oooh, final count for the entire thorn season (incl original tires):

Puff 6 Thorns 2

*I promise to post the final numbers once I'm finished entering in all of our rides...

New Feature...Cowmon Sense Fashion with Ms Cow!

Welcome everyone to Cowmon Sense Fashion!!!

Donna is off working very hard at being bored and so on, so I decided to post a little something for the fashionistas out there. She made me promise to use spell check so that everyone would understand my fashion tips. She has a valid point. Sigh.

For those of you who don't know me, I love Fashion! I watch fashion shows on TV, I read fashion, design and sewing blogs on the internets, and I read fashion, style, and sewing magazines. I am a student of design and hope to have my own cowture line some day. I have my own little notebook that I carry round taking notes and jotting down ideas, and of course, sketching out my designs. I'd show it to you, but it's all top secret. Don't want any naughty fashion spies stealing my designs!

My first post today will be about Black and White. It's the latest thing! And being a Black and White Cow, I'm at the height of fashion. Today I interview Ms Sammie, local house cat and demon kitty from hell - who is ALL WHITE.





Ms Cow (MC): Hello my dear. Can we talk?
Ms Sammie(MS): Meow.




MC: Ms Sammie my friend...you've got the White bit down...you need some black to break it up. It's just so...pale. You're not a Vampire Cat are you?
MS: Meow.
MC: Let's have a look at you...lovely coat (pet pet pet)...yes, some black here and there would be fab!!!
MS: purrrrrrrrrrrrr





MC: Yes, yes, yes, that's all nice, but what are you going to do about getting some color?
MS: Meow
MC: Getting hair color dripped on you when Donna is coloring her hair is not quite what I had in mind...
MS: MEOW!




MC: Yes, yes I know...it's color...but it's brown. She needs to dye her hair black. Then you go give her a nudge. Better yet, take the bottle of dye from her! That spot is just too small.
MS: meowwwww
MC: You tried my dear, you tried. Don't fret, she'll be at it again in 4 weeks. We have time to formulate a plan...

Next episode, we'll have some examples for Ms Sammie to look at...until then use your Cowmon Sense*!

(*copyright 2009, Ms Cow Cowture)

2 years today!

It's been two years since my car stopped working and I couldn't decide what to do with it. Eventually I donated my "Scooter" and I've been car-free since.

I've become buddies with the local car rental agency and they give me deals whenever I really need a car - visitors from out of town, KublaCon and so on. Various friends ask me every so often to "babysit" their cars when they are out of town.

All-in-all, I have not missed not having a car but for the few inconvenient times I was in a hurry, or it was HOT out or I had just missed the bus. Not really any occassions that would warrant buying a car.

That being said, I will buy another car eventually...most likely when I get another job. But it will be a small fuel efficient puddle jumper (as my Dad used to call small cars).

In the meantime, we have our awesome bikes, our transit passes and our feet to get us to where we need to go.

Happy 2 years without a car!!!!

Stay tuned - in two weeks, it's my first anniversary with my Bike. :)