The Costume Closet

I was just asked on our YouTube channel if I make my own dresses for the show. In most cases the answer is yes! It's just not that easy to find a dress that says "Halloween" or "Elvis" or "Jaws" on the rack at the local department store and I'm often scrambling too late to order online. Fortunately for me, at this point I only use two patterns for the show, one of which I've come to call "the VLK dress" and which I can whip up in a morning!

A few examples of the VLK dress

Oddly, Glendora's wardrobe is almost entirely store bought (albeit vintage). I've started seeing things in stores and on women and saying "Glendora needs that," which is probably not sane!

I do have some amazing dresses that I wear for the show that are vintage. I'm sure some of my friends could tell you where to find the best vintage dresses, but I tend to stumble upon mine in thrift stores and at events. 

Our YouTube commenter suggested that we make a sewing video. That is a great idea! In the meantime, if you don't sew and are interested, here are a few tips from a non-expert:

• Take a class. I found one at Jo-Ann Fabrics and it really helped. You'll mainly learn by doing, but a class (or a friend or relative who sews) is incredibly helpful when starting out.
• Vintage patterns are far easier to follow than contemporary. I have no idea why this is, but it has definitely been my experience.
• Insert the zipper, if not first thing, then really early on. Many contemporary patterns have you adding the zipper toward the end, which is a recipe for disaster. Again, I have no idea why.
• Purchase a seam ripper and keep it handy! It's really annoying to rip out a seam and start over, but it's a great way to learn!
• Pick up the best sewing machine you can afford. I have a Husqvarna Viking Scandinavia 200 and love it!

Time to start thinking about that video...

It's Friday! Let's Catch Up Over Lovely Libations!

Are you as ready for happy hour this week as I am? Click here for this week's happy hour video, with a recipe for an easy highball that you can also enjoy for brunch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9hKwrcRJq8

Today I've been wearing my costume designer hat and made this dress for the episode that will go online January 19:

It's a marshmallow world in the winter!

The test kitchen has been busy as well. We'll enjoy the experiments with our happy hour libations this evening!

There's lots more going on, which I'll be able to share soon! 2016 promises to be a crazy year, made crazier by my determination to push outside of my comfort zone as often as possible, personally and on behalf of the show. I'm ready for the challenges!

And, speaking of challenges, be sure to let us know, either here, on YouTube or your favorite social media platform, if you have an idea for a recipe or episode you'd like to see us tackle! We'd love to hear from you!  

The Costume Shop Is Open

Haven't started on our actual costume costumes yet, but I did manage to make matching Halloween outfits for Paul and myself, which will make their debut in our Halloween episode and which we'll be working at StreamCon, a convention for all things online video, which also happens to fall on Halloween. Now I need to get to work on my fascinators!

The painting continues, but fortunately I have Paul's help today. Having him here makes it seem like this job might actually be completed in 2015.

Wait a minute! That's not painting!

Breakfast Nook and Apple Salsa

Our breakfast nook renovation is practically done and I'm so happy! I made the curtains for the new pantry today:

And Paul installed our new light fixture:

I love that fixture so much! I've dubbed it Flintstones Modern, since it looks like something Wilma would have chosen if she'd moved into a mid-century modern home.

All that's left is the finishing touches - putting stuff back on the shelves, hanging pictures, etc. I'm glad to have something done!

Paul has been busy filling holes in the bathroom walls that had to be cut out to install electricity. I guess that's why they add electricity when the house is being built. They had to cut out huge chunks. More wall patch!

In other news, I quickly improvised this salsa last night and it turned out to be really good! All you do is chop an apple, half a cucumber and a few jalapeño peppers (I was using what I had) and toss with fresh lime juice, salt and pepper and a little garlic and red pepper flakes, if you like. It was great with salmon and today we're having it with chips!

Apple Wearing

The Velveteen Lounge Kitsch-en costume shop has been open for business today and churned out this little number, which I'll be sporting in next week's episode, where we go crazy for apples! I make this dress for the show so often that I call it "the VLK pattern." I have about 40!

The VLK Dress: Apple Version