Discontinued Sandra Betzina Vogue Today's Fit patterns

In case you were wondering, the following patterns were pulled and discontinued from the Vogue catalog to make room for her new ones --

2949 Jacket ($5 online)

1018 Skirt (just pulled, price has not been reduced yet online, may still be in stores)

2967 Tops ($5 online)

7608 Jeans ($5 online)

I've made 2949 and love it. The others are in my stash, awaiting their moment.

Sugarbaby's Cupcake Boutique

Yesterday we stopped by Sugarbaby's Cupcake Boutique, and -- O.M.G.! -- If you live in Houston or within driving or flying distance, this is a must-do, must-eat stop on your agenda. Open since 2007, they were the original boutique cupcake bakery in Houston. Why did it take me so long to find this place?!

They are located 3100 S. Shepherd, between W. Alabama and Richmond. (And their telephone number is 713/52-SUGAR) Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 9 am to 7 pm or until they sell out. There is limited parking available -4 spaces- in the front, but there is also a parking lot behind the store off of W. Main.

We got three cupcakes, as difficult as it was to decide and tempting as it was to take one of each. Velvet Rouge (Red Velvet cake with cream cheese icing and a hand-dipped chocolate covered cherry), 24 Carrot Cake (also with cream cheese icing), and Charming Chocolate with Chocolate Buttercream. The prices are very reasonable - from $2.75-$3.25 for the larger cupcakes.

The store is decorated in pink, white and black, and has square black and white plates to showcase your cupcake. Even a Sprinkle Bar. Beverages include cold milk - a must! Remember Robert Best from Project Runway, Season 3? He was the Barbie designer - there are three SIGNED prints of his Barbie outfits decorating the walls of the ladies restroom.

We will definitely be back for return visits!

<---------

Sugarbaby's even has a special box, depending upon how many cupcakes you would like "to-go." See the notches on either side so you don't disturb the frosting when temptation's siren call is heard later?

Betsey Johnson Socks at Stein Mart

$8.37 for 6 pair at Stein Mart, originally $20 - DEAL!

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

February 4/6 - Butterick $1.99...Vogue $3.99
In-store flyers have a 40% off coupon, good January 31/February 6

Presidents' Sale - February 12/15 - 5 for $5 Simplicity
50% off thread, interfacing and Red Tag fabrics

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Stash Peach Black Tea

Cost: $2.29 at Super Target
Number of teabags: 20
Caffeine: Yes
Type of tea: Black
Steeping time: 3 minutes
Double-Dipping potential: Almost. I gave it 5-6 minutes the second time. It was definitely weaker, but still OK.
Mix ins: Aguave Nectar. Another time I tried a little bit of milk, going for a peaches and cream taste - not quite. : P
Teabag fragrance: Peachy
Ingredients: Black tea and peach flavor
Taste: Peachy-keen!
Opinion: Another winner from Stash. I think this tea would be fantastic iced, too.

Rating: 4 teabags

Sandra Betzina Today's Fit Vogue 1164 - View A Top

The first (home) run of Sandra Betzina's Today's Fit Vogue 1164 - View A top. This turned into a wearable muslin! I wanted to check the length and fit before cutting into my targeted fabric.

First of all, this pattern runs long - the sleeves, the body. I only had to add 1" to both. Usually it's 1 1/2 to 2". You can also get an extra 1 1/2" from cutting on the "J" size line along the bottom and wrap.

I liked many things about this pattern --

Great versatility potential - you can either use a knit or a stretch woven. Long or short sleeved. Can't wait to try the shorter version for warmer weather wardrobing.

Styling -- The three darts on each front piece help ease and style the wrap over fronts, which are secured by two large snaps on the inside. And the neckline does.not.gape! The raglan, two-piece sleeves fit perfectly. I also took advantage of Sandra's suggestion to put a bit of 1/4" elastic centered just above the waist to help cinch in the back a little. It was just right and very J.Jill-ish. I have a J.Jill velour shirt which has the same styling.


If you look at the pattern envelope photo, those sleeves look a little tight, don't they? I thought so, too, and erred on the side of caution and cut the width starting about 2" down from the armscye along the "G" size. The resulting sleeves are perfect, just a little on the loose side but works with the stretch velour thickness. I plan to keep this for future tops, baste and adjust according to the fabric.

I did not relish the thought of moving the darts when I added length near the waist. I had an idea to cut the dart legs approximately 4" to "lift" them up, insert the tissue paper and then tape down. Worked!










One thing you should note - the front is lined. That means two things - it is hemmed in process and you need to determine the finished length first. OK, three things -- And find a lining fabric. You can also self-fabric line if your fabric is lightweight enough. A velour - no. Sandra suggests a stretch mesh or tricot. Even living in the 4th largest city in the U.S., trying to find these fabrics is locally was difficult. But I did have some leftover TIGER print lightweight 4-way stretch knit, which worked just fine. A little peek of the tiger beneath is fun!

The instructions also call for fusible stay tape. Jo-Ann's didn't carry this either, so I made do with regular stay tape.

Next on the sewing horizon - 1165, Sandra's new pleated blouse. Someone has made this already and it is gorgeous. Take a peek at Sandra's Power Sewing website under the Garment Gallery tab.
Update 1-31-10: I found stretch mesh knit at High Fashion Fabrics (thank you, Peggy L!). It comes in a few different colors beyond black, beige and white -- plum, navy, etc. Even some metallics and glitter! Prices range from $5.99 to $13.99 per yard.

Update -- Here's a link to my February 27 post with two more recent versions!

Pretty (and yummy!) in Pink

L and I tried the new Yoplait Light Fat Free "Red Velvet Cake" yogurt today. We like this the best of all their "dessert" flavors. It really tastes like cake batter, and it's a pretty shade of pink. Found it at Super Target for 52 cents.

Baton Rouge Adventure Part 2 - Slow Cookin' in The Fast Lane

Baton Rouge had HUGE Barnes & Nobles - we went to two different ones. One to shop, the other a free wifi iPod Touch fix to get directions for our next stop. Not only do I heart BN, but I love to check out the regional section whenever I travel, especially the cookbooks. And I found this -- "Slow Cookin' in the Fast Lane" by Julie Kay. Double bonus, it is a slow cooker/crockpot book!

Julie Kay writes a weekly column, "What a Crock", in Baton Rouge's newspaper, The Advocate. You can also find and buy the book online. 126 pages, covered spiral bound hardback. Poultry...Beef...Pork...Soups & Stews...Louisiana Favorites...Lagniappe. Crocking with a Louisiana flavor. There are several unique ones I plan to try soon.

Baton Rouge Adventure

I love Baton Rouge! It is such a pretty, friendly city. When Louisiana State University wrote to my daughter in September and asked her to apply, then accepted her the next week, I got all excited. You'd think I was going to go there! The city, the school colors - purple and gold, the Tiger pride...I could barely contain myself. We decided (I persuaded) it was worth a trip to hop in the car and drive, drive, drive I-10 - willing to confront my fear of bridges and heights for a return trip to Baton Rouge and check out LSU.

Bridges! Houston Ship Channel...Lake Charles...the 18 mile "swamp" bridge...and finally the Baton Rouge Mississippi bridge... Step one: Grip steering wheel tightly, Step two: Drive, don't look down, Step three: Peel fingers from steering wheel, wipe sweaty palms. Oh, and keep breathing. Repeat, repeat, repeat...

The people are so nice there -- I love the accent, the friendliness. They make great crystal clear iced tea - "sweet or unsweet?". And could it have been a sign as we drove to our hotel I had a sense of deja vu? Actually it was the same one we stayed at our last visit - 14 years ago!

One of the front desk clerks even gave us the name of a great bakery for King Cakes - Baum's. We went to both locations. And bought two King Cakes (traditional cinnamon and Bavarian Cream), amongst other goodies. So worth the trip right there.

And a stop at Baton Rouge's Hobby Lobby for Mardi Gras craft supplies. They even print the date of Mardi Gras - February 16, 2010 - on the packages!

Will L decide upon LSU? Still up in the air. She was recruited, applied and accepted to seven different colleges and universities. So much for that idea of weeding them out. But at least we had time for another a fun mother-daughter trip adventure before she leaves the nest.

Netflix Stars - Grey Gardens

1/5 stars -- A made-for-HBO movie and the one that is getting all the buzz and awards for Drew Barrymore. What we watched of it, she did give a great performance. But movies about the mentally ill are disturbing to me, and we stuck it back in the envelope after about 30 minutes.

On the cutting table right now - Vogue 1164

Sandra Betzina's newest Today's Fit Vogue 1164 wrap top. This was the first time I ever ran out and bought a Vogue pattern without waiting for the $3.99 sale at Jo-Ann's. Hopefully the 40% off $16.50 will be enthusiasm and money well-spent. Honestly, can you believe Vogue's new price point of $27.50?!

Anyhoo, I'm trying it in a stash fabric first - a wild leopard print. And to make things even crazier, lined with TIGER tricot. "Hoo, Peggy!" you must be thinking. Actually, the pattern calls for a stretch mesh or tricot front lining. This was from the Wally-World $1/yard table a few years back. As was the leopard print. RIP, that crazy Wal-Mart $1 table and fabric department.

In the meantime, if this turns into a winner, if anyone has sources for (sedate) stretch mesh, please let me know. I've also emailed Sandra for her suggestions. Though I'm thinking she, too, would go with the tiger tricot! : )

Eggs-cellent

Boy, you gotta love the social media -- For instance, you can find Eggland's Best Eggs on Twitter, Facebook, their blog and newsletter. But you can also find the savings, too. Sign up for any or all of these and get your fill of coupons and recipes.

Thursday Tea Time

This week - Stash Coconut Mango Wuyi Oolong Tea

Cost: $2.19 at Super Target

Number of teabags: 18

Caffeine: Yes

Type of tea: Oolong

Steeping time: 3 minutes

Double-Dipping potential: Yes, give it 5 minutes the second time

Mix ins: Aguave Nectar, second time added a little bit of milk just for grinsies

Teabag fragrance: Tropical fruity

Ingredients: Wuyi oolong tea, orange peel, and flavors of pineapple, coconut and mango

Taste: Without the milk, the taste of mango and pineapple really comes through. Add milk, and you get more coconut flavor.

Opinion: Second time at bat for Stash and I'm impressed. Target carries quite a selection and I'll be going back to get more and see what else I can find. (So much for reducing my panty stash, lower case. haha.) I think this tea would also be fantastic iced in the warmer weather.

Rating: 4.5 teabags

Updated! Sandra Betzina's Fashion Forecast - Spring/Summer

Sandra's Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Forecast is online now! Click here for the link.

-Here's 1165-

New patterns making their Spring catalog debut will be 1171 (a dress)...1165 (shirt which she says will take 10 pounds off. I need that NOW!)...1184 (shorts and vest)...1161 (dress). When I visited their new, revamped website this afternoon, I found this -- 1164 top also.

I really like this one!

Not knowing which current ones will be pulled to make room for these, I'd hit the next Jo-Ann $3.99 Vogue sale and grab the ones you've been wanting before they are gone.

Tonight, Tonight, Tonight!

Penzeys Mardi Gras recipes

A new Gulf Coast recipe every Tuesday until Mardi Gras, February 16! Click here for this week's recipe - Grillades and Grits.

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Song

"Fort Knox", Goldfish

This is from the current Kia Soul car commercial, the one with hamsters. Try this mid-tempo song the next time you are on your hamster wheel, er, treadmill!

Today's Favorite iPod Workout Songs

"Haven't Met You Yet" - Michael Buble'

"Tik Tok" - Kesha (or Ke$ha)

"Uprising" - Muse

Cinnamon Raisin Bread - Bread Machine Version

Another favorite bread machine recipe from Betty Crocker's Bread Machine Cookbook. The Sun Maid Organic Raisins at Costco are smaller, so you'll get more in each slice! And the new Penzeys Cinnamon blend adds a perfect cinnamon-ness.

CINNAMON RAISIN BREAD

For 1 pound size, 1-1/2 pound size in (x)

3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water (1 cup plus 2 tablespoons)

1 tablespoon margarine or butter, softened (2 tablespoons)

2 cups bread flour (3 cups)

2 tablespoons sugar (3 tablespoons)

1 teaspoon salt (1 1/2 teaspoons)

3/4 teaspoon cinnamon (1 teaspoon)

1 1/2 teaspoons bread machine yeast (2 1/2 teaspoons)

1/2 cup raisins (3/4 cup)

Place ingredients in your machines recommended order. Add the raisins at the Raisin/Nut signal or 5-10 minutes before the last kneading cycle ends.

Enjoy!

A peek inside the closet

No, not mine - Leanne Marshall's from Project Runway. She has lots of cool clothes, be sure to mouse over the top of the photo for the descriptions. Here's the link, thank you Project Rungay guys!

Don't forget, Season 7 of Project Runway starts tonight...they are back in NYC! Yay!