Take it from me..

And the instructions on the box... When dying hair a bright bright fire engine red, wear gloves! Or this will happen:

Lesson learned. I will never let this happen again. Now we'll see how long until the red fades back to my normal skin. I washed my hands with everything I could think of. Peroxide, Dr. Bronner's, Goo Gone, watered down bleach, fresh lemon juice, washed with a sugar scrub, Mary Kay Satin Hands. NOTHING HELPS! It's the kind of hair dye that just stains the hair, no ammonia or strong chemicals, it just coats the hair and gradually rinses out.

Work was really enjoyable when everyone that I served a beer was really confused. They either asked why on earth my hand was red, or they were too shy to ask and just tried not to let me see them stare. I can't wait for this to wash off! It leaves a waxy feeling on my skin. Ew. 

Chalk this up to experience. I now know that no matter what, WEAR GLOVES!

Margot + Zeus. Photo story.

 "Meet Margot, Zeus. She's a nice kitty. And please don't eat her."

"I'm just a big dumb dog." 

"Maybe I can jump off this shoulder and claw his eyes out."

 "I can take him. He doesn't look that big" "Shhh.. it's okay Margot."

 "Can I smell her butt? Mmmm..."

 "YOU ARE IN MY PERSONAL SPACE!" (she hits Zeus) "Ow."

"I just want you to be my friend (sadface)." "HISS!"

So it didn't go so well. Margot definitely doesn't like dogs, and Zeus is too excited to play with her. He doesn't understand what hitting and hissing mean. Maybe with time she could get used to a dog, but I don't think it's likely. Margot was so happy to be away from him! Maybe because Zeus is about 100 times her size, but she still thought she could win.

Growing girl

Update on Margot: she's growing and learning. It's been almost a week since I rescued her from my neighborhood, all alone and without her mother. All her fleas are gone. She did not like getting a bath in my bathroom sink. She is so tiny I wrapped her up in a washcloth after her bath!
The vet found that she had worms, and he gave Margot her first distemperment shot. He couldn't believe that she had been a stray being how healthy she looked and her felt. She only weighed a pound when I brought her in! So tiny.

Margot loves rolled up socks. She is so spunky. It's so cute to watch her run. She hops around like a bunny sometimes and it's so funny. This morning she woke me up by burrowing in my hair, again. She curls up behind my neck, under my hair and purrs when she is sleeping. 

Margot's favorite things: fingers. She loves to attack me, especially when I'm sleeping. It's really pleasant (not really). She loves to eat my hair and bite my toes when I'm in a dead sleep. I just want to kill her sometimes but she's so sweet and doesn't mean harm by it so I can't be too mad. 

My cats, Clementine and Stella, have been huge bullies to the 6 week old kitten. Margot is finally comfortable leaving my bedroom. She was so terrified even to go to the litter box with big fat Clementine sitting in the doorway to my bedroom, preventing her from doing anything. I can just hear her saying, "hiss, don't your dare come out here! This is my house."

"WHY are you playing with my jingle ball?!"

"I don't want it anymore. That thing touched it! (sigh)"

Thankfully, I think I found a home for her! I'm sad I can't keep her since my girls will never be happy with a new friend. Stella, maybe. Clem, definitely not. My friend, Sarah, will (fingers crossed) take her in. Sarah already has one black female cat, Sorenson. And she already wanted to get a new kitty for her kids who are around 5 and 7. Margot is perfect, right? 

I don't know how I'm going to stand giving her up. We've really bonded these last few days and she is so sweet. I just have to keep telling myself, "Sally, you cannot have three cats!" But I wish I could.

As I'm typing this blog entry, she is eating the post-it's on my iMac, attacking my fingers on the keyboard (typing is a real joy with her around), and pawing at the screen. Kittens are so entertaining!

Augusta Pride

Augusta's 2nd Annual "Augusta Pride" Day was this past Saturday. I woke up bright and early to ride the float for The Fox's Lair with some friends. Enjoy some pictures from the day, courtesy of my friend Allison. I got all the way down there, DSLR in hand, and I realized I forgot to put the battery back in my camera. Good job, Sally.

The Commons before the festival. I love the rainbow archway! The Commons is a large grassy area between Broad Street and Reynolds, where all kinds of events downtown are held. I recently went to a crawfish festival here a few weeks ago. Arts in the Heart will be there this summer. The best art festival in Augusta, lasting for three days. It's so nice having a downtown capable of hosting some great weekend events!

LOVE WINS! I learned so much about Georgia this weekend. While I am straight, I have many gay, bisexual, and transgender friends. And they do not have rights in this state. The south is so backwards. They should have the same marital rights, employment opportunities, and human rights as anyone else. My boss even, he and his partner should have the option to marry, share benefits, take advantage of each others retirement, etc. I guess I just don't see the big deal about gay marriage. Just because of the gender of the two wanting to marry. 

Two people that don't even like each other can marry, as long as they are man and woman, but two people completely in love cannot because our society is bigoted and backwards. The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) of 1996 explicitly defined a federal law stating marriage was between a man and a woman. Six states and Washington D.C. currently recognize same-sex marriages. Those states are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and starting in late July, New York. Recognize a pattern here? They are all New England states, with the exception of Iowa and New York. Forty states currently BAN same-sex marriage, that's right BAN it! Some of those states are kind enough to recognize other states same-sex marriages or offer civil unions similar to marriage.

I hope to see these laws changed in my lifetime. Love is not based on gender. And neither should marriage. While I don't know if I'll ever get married, I have the right to. And that shouldn't be an option for me only because I am straight. C'mon America. Get with the times! 

Charlie, Traye, and I. Charlie and his wife, Allison, were just married in California last month and they have a baby on the way! Charlie is an officer in the Army. I'm sad they'll be moving to Italy in a few months, but can't wait to plan a trip to visit them!

People like this are the problem. These man stood at the start of the parade holding signs all day. Last year's sign read "God hates fags". We threw beads at them, and a man on our float yelled at them "Jesus still loves you too!" And they were so mad that they were not making us angry. I threw beads at him and he swatted them away with his sign, haha. They're just a bunch of closed minded jerks. I'm sure they also have Confederate flags on their pickups. But they're "Christians". Protesters make me angry. I understand it's their constitutional right, and that's fine, but when they're spreading hate, it's just not right.

Overall though, all politics aside, it was a great day. I had so much fun with my friends. Sorry for the rant, but I am very passionate about this issue. What are your thoughts on gay rights, gay marriage? I'd love to hear them. And do your cities have Pride events this month?

Photo credit: Allison Viera, Fred Swindell, and Facebook.

Ooh La La

I'm featured in this sexy treasury: Ooh La La Lingerie

 My Hello Kitty Repurposed Lingerie. Size 34. Listing here.

 

My favorite of everything in this treasury! I am IN LOVE with this set of underwear from Toad Lillie. The cut out on the backside of the bottoms is so amazing! And I love anything high-waisted. The set is sold separately and is called "The Girl Is A Vamp". How perfect to stumble upon this when True Blood is premiering this evening. Eep! Find the bottoms here.

And the matching bralette. I want everything in this shop!

I hope you are all enjoying your Sunday!

Look what I found.

Matt and I had a little date last night, and upon returning to my house with Zeus after dinner we heard cries coming from my neighbors yard. A kitty darted out from the bushes "SAVE ME SAVE ME!" she cried. I scooped her up and couldn't let her back down. The neighbor who's yard she was in is the worst man in the world. I've had to call animal control on him numerous times because he neglects his dog, so I'm sure he had heard her crying all day. 

We got up on my porch, figuring out what to do, and a woman walking her dog passed by. I asked her if she'd seen a litter of kitties and their mother around. She said she'd heard a kitty crying in my neighbors yard earlier that day. And she did nothing. I don't know how people passed this kitty all day, not helping her. 

I shut my two cats in my sewing room and brought her inside. I have to keep them separated since my cats aren't vaccinated. There really isn't a point since they're only indoors cats and this is the first cat I've saved.

Matt and I both fell in love with her. She's so sweet! I'm guessing she's about 4 weeks old at the most. I think she was separated from her mother earlier this week when the terrible storm hit Olde Town. She always wants to be up by your neck. She'd burrows in our hair, probably thinking we had a nipple somewhere under there to suck on. She clearly misses her mommy.

We put on Royal Tenenbaums and then Matt suggested we give her a name. You know what happens once you name a stray, you keep it! That's how we got Margot. I think it fits her perfectly. And I love old lady sounding names for cats. Now we can't give her away. Hopefully Matt will take her. It's about time he gets his dog a little friend. And Zeus definitely loved her. He licked her head to toe and she didn't seem to mind.

Don't they look so sweet together. As long as Matt's great dane doesn't eat her. I can't keep her. Three cats may be too many for me, and Clementine and Stella are NOT pleased with this little visitor.

She slept in my little cat carrier. I don't know if she's litter trained so I put some little in a small dish and some milk in a custard cup for her. She drank the milk up right away; I'm sure she was starving! Then 6 A.M. this morning I hear her crying. I brought her into bed and went back to sleep.

And this is what I woke up to. She was curled up in my neck, resting her paws on my face, purring and sleeping. Margot is so sweet. We're on our way to the vet this morning.

Have a great day everyone!

Why I do not shop at the mall

This movie trailer for the documentary, "Made In L.A." is painful to watch. It breaks my heart that this is happening in this country, and anywhere in the world for that matter. I could go on for days about this issue, but I will try my best not to go into a rant. In the thumbnail for the video below, she is holding up a shirt sold for $13 at the store, and she is paid 19 cents to make it. Can you imagine working under these conditions and for that pay? It is inexcusable.

I encourage you all to watch this trailer and become educated on labor practices of the companies you support when you buy their clothing. Know what you are buying! No one should have to suffer for fashion. 

Check out the website www.madeinla.com for screening across the country. Get involved and spread the word! Share this video with 5 friends. And please, think twice before you purchase that shirt at the mall you have to have! Consume less, and purchase clothing made fairly and without hurting people that are just trying to survive.

New color of lingerie: olive green

I've been experimenting with new colors of dye lately, and I'm ready to share with you all a new favorite, olive green. While the dye is actually "dark green" the fabric absorbs it such that it comes out an olive green. I love it! I'll have them sewn and up in my shop early next week. Be sure to keep checking in for new items. I'm  busy bee this week!

Before and after. Still needs to be sewn.

For those of you that are new to my blog. I repurpose and redesign vintage slips. I dye them and re-sew them to give them an update look, making them the perfect lingerie! See more by visiting my Etsy shop. Not a piece of fabric is ever wasted. I save all the excess fabric when they are shortened and use it to add on bows, and the larger pieces I'm saving for made-to-order lingerie, tops and bottoms, coming soon. I'll be making bloomers and bralettes. Lots of work ahead of me.

Time for work. Half way through my work week, almost to the weekend. It's been so hot this week in Augusta. I'm talking 100+ degrees! It's miserable. Especially since yesterday was the first day of summer. We're in for a hot hot summer in the south. A huge storm came through last night and a little cool front is helping with the horrible heat wave we've had. There is still so much to do before the week is over! There are never enough hours in my day. Hope are all having a great week and staying cool, where ever you may be.

At the river

I forgot to share these pictures from a recent trip to the river with Matt. He and I went, along with his dog Zeus. He went NUTS! It was so entertaining to watch his dog swim and play in the water. He likes to bite waves, catch water I throw at him, and when he swims he is constantly trying to walk on top of the water. It's hilarious. I wish I had a do like Zeus. Someday when my cats let me, I'll get a dog.

Other dogs in sight?

Exhausted.

Matt and I.

Our matching river shoes. Walmart, $5. Awesome.

I can't wait to go to the ocean in the next few weeks! Maybe I'll take a trip down there this weekend. In order to justify a weekend getaway, I have to get a lot done this week. I just finished dying two batches of lingerie. One was dark green, but everything came out olive, a pleasant surprise. And the other was wine, everything came out a deep pink. While they dry I'm working on a few pieces in my sewing room. Busy busy busy! 

Apple Strawberry Blackberry Pie. Mmm.

After my Saturday morning trip to Saturday Market, I thought I'd do some experimenting in the kitchen. With my fresh strawberries and blackberries, and a few apples from my fridge, I made a delicious pie.

Recipe:
-3-4 apples
-2 cups strawberries
-a handful of blackberries
-1/2 cup suar
-3 tablespoons flour
-2 tablespoons butter
-pie crust

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Start by slicing the apples really thin. Cut the tops off the strawberries and cut them in half. In large bowl, combine sugar and flour. Add fruit. Pour into pie pan. Cut the butter into small cubes and scatter on top of fruit.

Using a pizza cutter, slice the top piece of crust into long 3/4" strips. Starting with the longer pieces, carefully weave them together on top of the fruit. This will take some time if you haven't done it before. I like to take three pieces and lie them one direction. Then take another and weave it perpendicular to them. Eventually work to the smaller pieces. It's quite fun! Save a few small pieces and combine them to make a long strip of crust. Roll it into a long snake-like pieces. Place it over the edge of the pie pan, and use a fork to press it down over the edge, giving the pie a finished look.

Bake for 15 minutes on 400 then lower the over to 350 for 35-45 minutes. Remove from oven. Don't forget to turn the oven off! I accidentally left mine on for an extra hour or two. I'm so forgetful sometimes. I'm going to have an awesome gas bill ha.

It was perfect! With a glass of milk. Mmmmm. I can't wait to try other fruits. I love that all the fruit was locally grown. It makes the pie that much better!!

Good Day Sunshine

I'm featured in this treasury: Good Day Sunshine.

Good Day Sunshine lingerie, size 34, listed here.

I would LOVE this pitcher and glasses, also featured. If only I had a huge house and/or room in my apartment for my hoarding tendencies. I can see it now, I'd have tea on the porch with my guests. Sitting on a porch swing and wearing a sun dress. I love the south. It makes me want to slow everything down and just relax.