We're 1/3 of the way through May already?

[clevermanka]

Finally, a good night's sleep. Ahhhh.

I am often brought up short by the realization that there are a lot of people out there who make a lot more money than I do, and they spend it very, very stupidly. Who has the money to buy clothing like this at these prices? It's a shift dress for godssake. For cough, choke $395. That's three hundred and ninety five dollars American, people. How do places like this stay in business? Because that is a load of shit. I don't care if the dress is 100% silk (as that one is). It is not worth four hundred smackers. No. No way, no how.

I completely blew off my sewing goals for this week (last week I did manage four garments, so that's not too awful). This weekend, however, I shall lock myself in my sewing room, emerging only for sustenance and potty breaks. Oh, and a trip to KC to go sew with a friend I haven't seen in too long. Um, and maybe a night of heavy drinking. OK, well, maybe I'll get something cut out anyway.

adammaker has been posting interesting information about intermittent fasting on his LJ lately. I'm not interested in the one-day-off, one-day-on approach, but he also posted about the Fast-5 method, which I think sounds not only possible, but appealing. It's pretty much a daytime fast that allows you to eat between the hours of 5:00 and 10:00 p.m. (or any regular 5-hour time block). That's how I ate when I was building the Budig Computer Lab during the summer of 1997. I was working 10 hour days with no lunch break, going to the gym regularly, and feeling great. I wasn't fasting on purpose, I just didn't have time to eat during the day. I'd have a meal when I got home around 7:00 p.m. or so, and I don't remember being hungry during the day--I was busy. I think that's a key, too. After extensive email and conversation with adammaker, I've decided to give Fast-5 a try, in the hopes that it might raise my metabolism to normal person levels (because the standard 3-meals-a-day-with-small-snacks has only suceeded in lowering my metabolism over the years), and he says some studies suggest that diets like this can boost immune systems. Of course I'm all over that. Since I'm not involved in finals, exams, or anything of the sort, I decided to go ahead and start trying the Fast-5 today. I'll keep you all posted.

EDIT Adam says:
"Feel free to talk it up, feel free to mention that I'm collecting data about anyone who is trying it. I'm also OK with you mentioning that I'm investigating several variants of intermittent fasting, and am doing a sort of data gather or canvassing of anyone who tries it. I'm looking for failure data as well as success data!"

Comments

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Actually, it's a closed group--I'm sorry!

[tessagratton.livejournal.com]

>>That's three hundred and ninety five dollars American, people.

AND it's in a pattern called "Wallpaper Floral."

Charlotte Perkins Gilman, anyone? I know a dress like that would make ME fantasize about naked women.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

If nothing else, I would certainly be fantasizing about my date not wearing that dress.

[stuology.livejournal.com]

I wonder sometimes how I would be if I had gobs of money.

It is also based in New York, so the prices don't surprise me much. The designer doesn't think the price is too outrageous either given the "mission" on the website:
Perceiving a void in the market for a sophisticated American aesthetic at an accessible price point, Ms. Burch wanted to create stylish yet wearable clothing and accessories for women of all ages.

It is exactly the same for kid clothes too. There was a sundress on one of those patterns you sent me (the second one, I think) that I saw a very similar cut dress while shopping with Ada. It was soooo cute, and I thought Ada would look adorable in it. Then I saw that it cost $70. I'm not sure who pays that much for one sundress that you can't even be sure the kid won't outgrow by the end of the summer. I was going to e-mail you to say you should make and sell little girl clothes on the side because somebody must pay that much for them.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'm not interested in making clothes (especially in large enough quantities to keep them as stock) as a business. But if you want a dress for Ada out of one of those patterns, we should chat (Butterick patterns are even on sale this weekend). Those dresses were about as cute as anything I've ever seen. Well, maybe not as cute as this (http://mfrost.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/05/03/picture_073_2.jpg), but pretty damn cute.

[stuology.livejournal.com]

especially in large enough quantities to keep them as stock

That's the beauty of it. You don't have to. All you need is a reputation. You have to be rare. Then you only make one every once in awhile and charge $200 for it. There is a certain point where people stop paying for quality and they start paying for the label and reputation. That's why I said "on the side."

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

All you need is a reputation

Well....*looks around nervously*

[stuology.livejournal.com]

Hahahaha

Re: Cute Image

[the-themiscyran.livejournal.com]

I HOPE that that hamster is just giving the parakeet a lift somewhere...

Re: Cute Image

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

See the pic in context here (http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2007/05/lets_check_in_o.html).

Re: Cute Image

[the-themiscyran.livejournal.com]

*Grin*

That is totally teh cute.

[shrijani.livejournal.com]

That second paragraph is hilarious. :)

Hey, I want to try Fast-5, too. Next week would be perfect timing for me, too.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

=)

There's a downloadable PDF of the entire Fast-5 book on the website. Keep track of your progress and experiences. I'm sure Adam would love the info.

[auroraceleste.livejournal.com]

You know, that fast-5 thing is interesting. It's essentially Lou's entire diet, because he doesn't eat lunch ever because he doesn't have the time. I'll have to look into it, see what constitutes fast and whatnot.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Let me or Adam know if you decide to try it out!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

This dress can be yours only for $1725 from SAKS.

I'm alternating between wanting to rant and shred things and wanting to just sit down and cry.

I could set up a scholarship for someone to attend college for a semester at KU with that. Cameron Diaz bought a fucking dress.

[anerys.livejournal.com]

great googly moogly....we're gonna have to have a little talk about a lady i know.....

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

*rubs hands in anticipation*

Can't wait to see you next week!

Five

[otterdancing.livejournal.com]

I'd like to try this too. I have lost about 10 pds but need to break my plateau. This might do it.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

And what makes me even sicker? Imported dresses at that. Yes, the careers page has an import manager. so it's not even a lil one-off by some smart young designer.

I may try the FAST-5 also, I'll read, look into it, and talk to A.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Oh, exactly!!! You know those are sewn up by some Chinese woman making $.20/hr. vomit followed by seething anger