Irvine, a unique suburbia

Since there is close to no public transportations here, everyone drives, drives like mad people mostly.

There are these gorgeous brand new swanky association salt water pools but I don't have a bathing suit here with me,  it is somewhere in burning dock(this time, literally there was a fire in the dock, not just hot burning weather...crazy) of Los Angeles in a container, for goodness sakes, can I get my things please?????

Of course it is an excuse about the bathing suit.  I just don't like going in the public swimming pools that much as clean, new and beautiful it is.  So, I make sure I take 30 mins evening walk.  The weather cooled downed a bit but again scorching last few days. I was enjoying the beautifully hazy and hot desert evening walk.  Humans are creature of habit they say....  I am already getting used to being here. Driving to school, Ralph's, Trader Joe's and buying overpriced European cheese. That is a real bummer. Quality of dairy is very lacking here in America, sorry, but it is so so true.

hazy dusk of my hood

OK. so in my crafty part of my daily life,  I have taken over my mother's project, which she worked so beautifully, but is having some problem making armholes.  We have a beautiful memory buying this yarn at a Phildar store in La Souterraine when my papa was still with us and visiting.  Us ladies took forever in the shop and he would just walk around the little medieval street waiting for us to finish.  So, this yarn holds very special memories for me and my mom.

this yarn will always make me think of that summer day in La Souterraine and papa

crocheted cotton blend boatneck tank pattern

Finished product

I finished crocheted top.  As all cotton yarns tend to be, the final product is somewhat weighty. Not as light as I wanted it to be.  But it still looks pretty. I may put it up for sale on my Etsy shop since I don't think I will make a good use of it.

I have made one for Arielle when we were still in Israel, after finding a decent yarn store in Ra'anana.  I used dark navy blue and it looks more posh and classy.  I have a request from Alexis to have it made as a dress for her.  This pattern is also mine but I did use basic idea from an incredible Japanese crochet magazine.

fancy crocheted lace shirt I made for Arielle

So here is my first project back in the USA. 

I attempted to draw an instruction diagram for roughly how to make this piece.  I do not have patience to make it detailed for beginner, but it is more for people who already know how to manipulate shapes and patterns on their own.  If you have any questions, please email me or leave a comment.

using yarn for the needle size, this roughly fits US size 10 to 12

Enjoy my first pattern.  Thank you for visiting.

London memories and crochet

Did I mention how amazing London sky is?

Notting Hill, London, Spring 2014

I have started crocheting a summer tank top, out of necessity.  We brought two tiny luggage and we have only few pieces of clothing which I have worn over and over again during this summer.
Instead of trip to Liberty and John Lewis in London for fancy shmancy yarn collections artistically merchandised in gorgeous setting, I had to head to Michaels, for some humble not so fancy white cotton mix yarns. Get used to it! my other self yells at me.  For now, at least...  There is no department stores that stock up rooms full of most glorious collection of European yarns in my neighbourhood, so really, get used to it.

Here is a side of my tank which I designed with a crochet diagram I saw from Pinterest post which I will be illustrating it for my viewers including the pattern details that I made up.

a side of crocheted boatneck tank

I am almost done with the other piece and excited to complete it and add to my currently a sadly small wardrobe. Once I figure out how to connect the neck and arm area, I will share my designs, so, yeah, lets hope I follow through this.

our Broadway Market flat which was the coolest place I have ever lived.

London, Azerbales, I miss you both!

As I wonder, why I came back to this parched and currently burning vast land called California, I can not help but miss my years in rural France and England.  I miss it so much.

Why did I sell that heavenly, beautiful farmhouse in Azerables? Why?

Although I did have my reasons, of course, I really wish I hadn't.

Life doesn't always go as you planned and you have to make the best of what he brings you..... I know, I know.
Let's look at the bright side, we have best Asian food anywhere outside of Asia here in LA area.  

This summer was a very trying time for me, to say the least, but I am thankful that I am somewhat still in one piece.

Our plan of living happy in our gorgeous rented hampstead flat in London with my girls went wry, thanks to UKBA. A colossal misunderstanding and sheer cruelty by this one truly mean agent crushed our plan of life back in London,  after three years of being in Israel reluctantly. It was horrid experience being detained and flown back to US when you have done absolutely nothing wrong. Things do happen and I am still wondering why this happened but I do believe in higher power that is planning things for me as well. As a saying goes.... You are exactly where you should be.  

So, here's to my life in California, at least for the time being. It will be alright .... hope my shipment container comes soon, it is currently sitting in a burning port of Los Angeles, waiting for customs to clear. We have been living out of our suitcases since June 24th.... more than 3 months, thank you once again UKBA, you @@£***^!!!. And as a bonus, abnormally scorching summer of 100F weather is continuing through most Sept. and October here in the god forsaken desert.  Am I really wrong to miss London weather, and basically everything about London, the cool breezy rainy summer days alternating with clearest days with bluest of skies and luscious cloud?  Please let me, complain a bit... I am entitled, its my blog.  

I am sharing a few photos from my years in France and Londres. 

our farmhouse in Azerables, 2012

our farmhouse in Azerables,2012

Dordogne river,2012

mom and dad, Dordogne river,2012

                                                      Breakfast Club, Bishopsgate, London,2011

La Belle Gare de Limoges 2011 Juillet 14