Poco-Cocoa

So it’s, oh, 1:30 in the morning and I can’t sleep. I took a nap earlier in the day, so that may be why. Or it could be that feeling that I didn’t accomplish anything today. I didn’t create, I didn’t finish, I didn’t do. I slept late, I ate, I watched television (the first episode of Stylelicious on DIY, hosted by the Austin Craft Mafia), I worked at the shop, I napped, I ate again, I surfed, I read a bit. For some reason, that’s just not enough in my perfectionist brain. I could have washed the dishes, washed a load of laundry, organized our file box, sewed an apron or two, made a few purses I’ve been thinking about, written some poetry, knitted something, created something with my huge stash of paper, cooked an elaborate meal, or gone for a walk. At the end of the day, it’s the shoulds that are stuck in my head. And somehow, staying up late makes up for that. What is that all about?

I’ve also been thinking about the comments situation. Man, I hate spam. And my little old blog isn’t equipped for spam-blocking. I could move it over to another blog program, which would entail lots of work, many hours of my husband’s time, and possibly the loss of some old stuff. Or I could keep getting email after email letting me know that George Humbledeebug left a comment saying “Great site, webmaster!” or “Buy this drug!” I worry about not having comments…what if some of you have questions about a recipe or a website, and don’t want to email me directly? What if I’m losing the opportunity to find your great blogs through the comments you leave? What if I feel lonely all day without an email or two saying that one of you stopped in to say hi?

I haven’t decided what to do yet. I thought I had, but maybe not. So, comments are on.

Sally tagged me for this meme…I’m guessing it was originally for April 5th, but you don’t mind, right?

1. Five minutes to yourself: how would you spend them, ideally?

Writing in my journal, emptying out my head and scheming new things.

2. Five bucks to spend right now: how would you spend it?

Twenty sheets of gorgeous paper from Hobby Lobby.

3. Five items in your house you could part with, right now, that you hadn’t thought of already? (In other words, cull the junk, mentally at least.)

A pair of beige sandals I never wear, old half-burnt candles, wilted lettuce in the fridge, the Anatomy Coloring Book, copies of recipes I’ll never make.

4. Five items you absolutely, positively could never part with in your house?

My knives, our old brown comforter (called the catnip blanket because it’s so deliciously comfy), my journals, my little pillows that my grandma embroidered for me, a music box my mom gave me that plays the song she used to sing to me when I was in her belly.

5. Five words you love?

Elegant, earthy, behoove, create, feminine.

I’ve decided to turn off the comments for a while. I’ve been getting lots of spam comments, (a while back it was over 100 a day), and I’m tired of dealing with them. I’m not sure how long I’ll leave the comments off, but if you’d like to ask a question or contact me, please feel free to email me at comments(at)poco-cocoa(dot)com. This post will be the last one that allows comments…for a while. 🙂

While I’m at it, I’m also going to change my categories and links a bit. I plan on having just a few links that I will change up every so often. Don’t think of them so much as places I visit every day…they’re more like places I’m into at the moment and would love for you to check out, too.

Happy Wednesday, everybody!

Oh, internets! I’ve missed you! It has been a crazy, crazy week for me…lots of fun, but maybe a bit too much. Thursday and Friday were spent in Dallas at Market with Pam, the owner of Plume. Friday night was my birthday dinner (I’ll fill you in on that soon), and since then, I’ve been working, working, working. I’m exhausted. I went to bed at 8:00 last night! That’s insane!

So maybe there are a few of you out there who are fashion junkies, and if there are, please excuse my novice attempt to describe that wonderful, tiring experience called Market. We visited both the Fig and the World Trade Center, where clothing vendors set up shop to show their designs for the upcoming months. There were big names like Betsy Johnson and Calvin Klein as well as small, independent designers (which we gravitated toward). This is the drill: You see a piece (a top, a skirt, a dress) from the window, and you step into the showroom to take a closer look. You know what you like and what you want…you want just that piece. But to get to it, you have to get through…the Sales Rep. The Sales Rep will ask you if you’d like to take a look; this means you sit down in a comfy chair with paper, pencil, and various snacks and watch the Sales Rep go through every piece in their line…just in case you see something else you might like (even though you KNOW you just want the one piece). It’s a lot of, “Feel this fabric” and “It comes in three colorways” and “Just look at the detail here.” And you nod and “hmmmm” and smile until you make it to the end.

Still, it’s a lot of fun to see all the different designs, and wish that you could pay wholesale prices for all your clothing, and eat the snacks. Pam is amazing at spotting “special” pieces…those that will be new, different, beautiful. I see them on the hanger, and think, “That’s too big, it’s unflattering, it’s just a sweater.” Then she asks me to put it on (there is a short period of me naked in the corner, shimmying into dresses or skirts), and I see it…that perfect drape, that wonderful detail, that amazing shape. She’s so talented, it’s fun just watch her work.

We found a few designers that don’t currently sell to anyone in Austin, which is a good thing…only Plume will have these great designs.

We had a few mishaps…we locked our keys in the car and had to call someone to come break into the car, then I left the lights on and our battery died, so we had to call someone to give us a boost. We locked ourselves out of our room, we got a parking ticket, and we lost one of our exhibit badges. Pam said something about Mercury being in retrograde, and that seemed to explain it all. I have to say, though, that even our bad experiences were good experiences. The locksmith and the security patrol came within five minutes of our calling them, and everyone was friendly and helpful.

Thursday night we were able to watch the last part of the fashion show, which was a lot of fun.

A few of the designs were a bit funky, but for the most part, they were gorgeous.

On the way home, we stopped in Waxahachie to have lunch, and we found the cutest little cafe on the town square called the Dove’s Nest Restaurant. It was a beautiful little dining room, with plenty of sunlight and a lunchtime kind of feel, and they served up the most amazing chicken salad sandwich I’ve ever eaten. I bought their cookbook so I could try it at home (though I’ll most likely use eggs or tofu instead of the chicken).

I had a great time, and learned a lot about the lingo and traditions of the fashion-buying world. It’s a completely new world for me, and I’m so glad I’ve been able to experience it. Next post: Birthday goodies!