Finals, Schimnals.

I have a presentation tomorrow, two finals this week, and lots of studying to do, so naturally I spent this morning shopping. I got an email from Kohl's containing a coupon and a shirt I decided I had to have. I also had an exchange to make at another store.

Well, the shirt didn't work out (so sad), but I ended up browsing clearance racks (of course). As I'm sure I've said before, you can get great deals there for next to nothing. They have quality products and everything is always on sale. Some of my favorite clothing lines found at Kohl's are Hydraulic (capris/shorts), Vera Wang (jewelry, shoes, bags, and some clothing), Jennifer Lopez (clothing), and now Rock & Republic (everything).

I feel so great about my great deals I just have to share. Maybe it will even convince you to check Kohl's out. They redid their email database recently, so if you sign up you get a $5 coupon within 10 days. Pair that with a percentage off coupon and some in-store sales and you can really get a bargain!

1. Rock & Republic spiked flats - on clearance for $13.99 (originally $70), got them for about $11.

2. Vera Wang silver sandals - on clearance for, get this, $6 (originally $60), got them for $4.80 and Vera Wang blue and lime pumps - on clearance for $15 (originally $70), got them for about $12.

I also got a JLo shirt for about $25 (originally $52) and JLo sleeveless cardigan on clearance for about $15 (originally $70). Sorry, no pictures of those, but the shirt is here. I bought it in yellow.

Another nice thing about Kohl's is they offer damage discounts - the cardigan had some snags and I got another 10% off. It doesn't hurt to ask this at ANY store because often times they are happy to just get rid of the stuff.

Those were my awesome Kohl's deals for the day. I ALSO got $10 Kohl's Cash on my next purchase of $10 or more. For every $50 you spend, you get $10 when they're running that deal.

Lastly, a lovely woman I met there and chatted with about shoes and clothes for a while called me a fashionista. I'll take it.

Later on, I exchanged a tank at Express and decided to peek in The Gap. I saw they had 30% off all clearance and wanted to see if I could find a suit jacket. I got a grey one for cheap before at The Gap, and I really wanted a form-fitting black one with long sleeves (I have about 15 but surprisingly none of them fit that description). I'm not a big Gap shopper, but I will shop clearance racks anywhere.

To my extreme happiness, I found a jacket in my size on clearance for about $22! I was so excited about it. I usually wear between a 2 and 6 depending on the brand. This one was a 4, but it fit great! Even though I work at a casual place, I enjoy dressing up when I go in (and in general).

(One thing I do like about The Gap is they have GREAT lighting in their fitting rooms).

So what about crochet? I have a couple crochet projects I plan on finishing as soon as finals are over. I haven't felt much up to it lately - I've been sticking to more mindless activities such as watching old episodes of Steve Wilkos on YouTube (yes, guilty pleasure). I'll probably start posting more varied content on here because let's face it - I love shopping and shoes, and so do a lot of other people. :-)

Some Updates!

I'm taking a break from studying to update my blog. Espresso Royale has been my second home for the past couple weeks partly because it is never quiet at my apartment, and partly because I'm more productive when I go out someplace and study.

In one week and two days I will be done with this semester. My last final is Wednesday afternoon. It's such a great feeling when semesters are over - well, at least after the grades are posted. I'm always anxious to see those.

I did make some time last week to try crocheting a bikini top. I've heard it's easy, so I searched through free patterns until I found one that looked decent, which is here. It actually didn't take me very long, and I think it turned out pretty alright.

I definitely am going to explore more bikini top patterns in the future. There are some cute ones on Etsy I have my eye on.

Also, I have more Star Wars figures. I made these a while ago, but I am just now getting to uploading them. Darth Vader and an Ewok (cute, I know):

As a fun picture, I picked up these lovely shoes last night at Kohl's. They were on sale for $25 (originally $75) and I had a 30% off coupon plus $5 off. There's nothing to brighten a day like shoe shopping with mom.

For those of you who have never been to Kohl's, or don't go there often, I highly recommend it. I love shopping clearance and everything is ALWAYS on sale. You can get really nice clothes for next to nothing. I got a great pair of bermuda shorts for about $15 and a necklace and earrings set by Vera Wang for ~$15. Can't beat that.

Washcloths Galore!

Another post after a period of silence. I have approximately 14 days and 2 hours before my semester is over. Hallelujah! I have so much to do these next couple weeks, but I am trying to relax and not become overwhelmed. I've scheduled my week so I force myself to do a little a day - I will be all caught up in no time. I even got groceries tonight so I have some fresh food (if only I had more time to cook!).

I haven't been crocheting much, but I did do some easy dishcloths (or washcloths, whatever they will be used for). I needed something mindless and repetitive and I wanted to use up some of the extra yarn I've accumulated. The pattern is the Sandy Shore Washcloth Set from Lion Brand and it includes 4 extremely simple patterns. I'm really happy with the way these turned out.

This is some yarn I picked up over Christmas break at the GoodWill called Flutter. It was super cheap and the colors are quite lovely (my favorites). It's thin, about as thin as Knit Cro-Sheen. I really want to make something pretty with it, I just don't know what yet.

I plan on starting more projects after I graduate. The next couple weeks are going to be insane, but they will be over before I know it. A little over two months remain until I am a college graduate! Can't wait.

Finished Doily!

So, I finished my doily. The pattern was 22 rounds, and I ran out of yarn and decided to finish it off after round 20. I contemplated doing the rest in white to give it a cute little border, but for now I think I am going to leave it how it is. I can always add to it later.

It still needs to be starched, but that will be done some other time. It was made using a knock-off of Knit Cro Sheen, a 0 hook, and a pattern from an old crochet magazine (gotta love the Goodwill!).

Today was the first time in a while I have spent much all day in my apartment (besides a short break to the gym). It was rather gloomy out and a great day to sit in and craft. Tomorrow I really need to got more homework done, as today was spent crocheting, watching Netflix, cooking, working out, and not really paying attention to college priorities.

The rough draft of my thesis is due Monday, and I really need to get that together. I plan on going out tomorrow to work on it. It drives me a little crazy just sitting in the same place all day. I definitely appreciate a change in scenery.

I wish I had more time to crochet, but I am trying to fit it in where I can. My classes will be done in a little over a month (thank goodness!) and I will hopefully have more time to read for pleasure and craft. I did finish something else today - a gift for a friend - but I will post that later on. I'm working on Darth Vader and other Star Wars figures as well.

The temperatures have dropped - it's been so hot lately. I'm not a big fan of mid- to high-80s temperatures, but I love upper 60s and 70s. We've definitely been spoiled here this winter/spring, so I can't complain too much.

It's Been a While...

It's been a looooong while (longer than I anticipated, anyway). Classes, work, homework, exams, and spring break have kept me away from crochet and this blog for too long. I also joined a gym, and that's been eating up lots of time and energy. I graduate in a little over 3 months and there's lots to do before then.

I wanted to get back into the swing of updating, however. I've missed crochet so much. I have some projects I'm currently working on and some other things in store.

I made another R2, this time for one of the guys I work with (he was the one I made the previous Yoda for). I'm slowly making him the entire set. He is passionate about photography and plans on taking some pretty splendid photos of them when he gets his new camera (and, of course, when I get him the rest).

I also started a doily. I am using Knit Cro-Sheen (well, not EXACTLY that brand, but basically the same weight) and a bigger hook than it calls for, but I wanted it to turn out bigger. The yarn is a pretty light peach/pink color and I like how it's turning out so far. I've never followed a pattern like this, but it's easier than I thought. It's explained for the first part and the rest is symbolic, as shown:

That is going to be my constant work in progress. I love working on doilies partly because I feel so accomplished once they're finished. It will be another item to add to my craft fair bag. 

My overall project has been trying to use up a lot of the yarn I've accumulated (I don't have room for much more!). It's funny though, because so many times I go to start something specific I find I need yarn I don't have. Someday I will have my craft room and yarn wall!

Tonight I am going to start a Darth Vader and watch the MSU basketball game. Go Green!

Urban Jungle Hat

I started this hat a few weeks ago and just got around to finishing it this past week. It's called the Urban Jungle hat, and I found it on the CARON website (pattern is here).

It was an easy pattern to follow. The finishing was a little tricky, but by attempting to follow the pattern, eyeballing it, and making a bunch of scs it ended up looking pretty good. I used the heather grey simply soft yarn and I do recommend sticking with that yarn for the hat. The finished product looks pretty tall as you can see below, but it slouches in the back when it's put on.

I apologize for having no pictures of me wearing the hat, but it looks the same as the picture on the page the pattern is located on. I also had quite a long day and am not feeling the most photogenic right now (I know...excuses, excuses). 

The only issue I had was that the band seems a lot looser than the rest of the hat, but I imagine once it's worn that problem will fix itself. Overall it's pretty cute and is pretty versatile and something that could be worn during any season.

Spartan Helmet Hat

I can never get over the cuteness of baby hats! Being a student at Michigan State University (our mascot is a Spartan), this hat was especially relevant to me. From the moment I saw it on Etsy, I knew I had to purchase the pattern and make it. The pattern is so affordable for such a cute item. I am SO happy with how it turned out.

I used chunky yarn for the actual hat and worsted weight for the plume. It turned out fine, but Kat used chunky yarn for the plume. I think the chunky yarn may have stood up better, but it still ended up looking great either way (I would still recommend using chunky yarn for the actual hat, though). The plume did take quite a bit of time to finish and I just eyeballed it until it looked about right.

My mom gave the hat to a lady she works with for her grandson (she is a big Spartan fan). Look at how cute he is!

I look forward to making more of these hats. I still have some Star Wars figures to make - 2 exams this week and hopefully after my life will be a little less busy. I am almost done with another hat I started a while ago - I'll post it soon!