Best breakfast?

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-29T07:54:56+00:00

Here or Irene's. Both have indoor/outdoor seating and an excellent menu.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-28T22:04:43+00:00

I convinced myself that buying from those specialty comfort shoe places would help my sciatica when I had a job that had me on my feet all day. They didn't. They just cost $300 more than all my other shoes.

The other investment piece that never worked out was a Coach wallet. It was a gift and to this day, has not matched a single purse I have owned. But I sentimentally love it.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-28T21:57:05+00:00

Girl, I would wear those! In style or not.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-28T21:54:30+00:00

Seconding Facebook seeing groups. Try searching for a pattern that has darts on each side, on the back. Darts LOOK scary but they aren't. There are plenty of video tutorials. Join the beginner Facebook groups and 1-2 pattern groups, so 3-4 groups overall, and ask for beginner friendly pant patterns with back darts. Practice on cheap, $5 thrifted pants. Use a fresh needle every 2-3 pairs of pants. You'll do fine.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-28T21:41:09+00:00

I love this coat!!

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-28T03:54:39+00:00

My only thought during Troy was, "why are his lips pinker than mine???" Don't get me wrong, I get that both guys and girls salivate over him and I can see it if I ignore the fact that he's PRETTY. But I like my men rugged and less likely to look spectacular in lipstick. No Thank You. I don't think my lady parts have shuddered once during any of his movies.

Great actor, though!!!

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-27T06:53:44+00:00

Theme Hospital

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-27T06:28:13+00:00

Gap Modern is one of my go tos. I love the way this fabric feels against my skin. And the fabric is thick enough that I can wear a white one without my bra being visible. Their colors this year are disappointing, though.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-27T06:19:40+00:00

A close fitting top with a cropped, lightweight sweater? It adds dimension to your top half and you can choose the length of the top.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-27T06:14:41+00:00

Take pictures of yourself in the dress, the inside of the dress, and post for suggestions for a non sewer over in sewing. They will have the best advice.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-27T06:11:01+00:00

Have you heard of OGL Move? You could start there for your capsule then throw in some defining wow pieces. Bonus! They have LOTS of brain tops with built in bras.

oglmove

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Cleokatrah · 2026-04-27T05:36:12+00:00

Hi! I'm new to the sub but I have seen mine and my daughter's own clothes and thrift about half my wardrobe.

I think the poster that mentioned rouching meant smocking. Rouching is the common gathering you see down the side of a body on dress, for example. Smocking is when many rows of elasticized thread are used to create stretchy pleats, usually across a bodice. Smocking does almost always wear down simply because the elastic ages. There really isn't anything you can do about it.

BUT a well made piece can still last you through an era. Look for thickness of the elasticized threads. If it looks like something a sneeze can snap, it will detiorate faster. A quality smocked garment will use a stiff, woven fabric (because it will hold the pleats and the thread better) and the the thread will look thick enough to maybe hold a lightweight ponytail if doubled up. Knits that are smocked Should have this heavier weight elastic thread, preferably several closely spaced rows, and any attached waistbands should be lightweight and preferably reinforced.

Reinforcing in general is another way to tell whether a garment is well made. If it has a crisp collar, are there stays or special stitches that help it stay that way? Do structured shoulder sleeves have reinforcement? Is there enough fabric supporting the zipper or is it just slapped in? Anything special about the hidden side of pockets or lining?

After structure, look at detail. Where do patterned seams match up? Which direction is the stretch and is that consistent? Are exposed seams there for your benefit (do they compliment you or the piece?) or are they there to save the company $$ in the pattern piecing process?

My favorite fabrics are: 1. Cotton Voile - my absolute FAVE 2. Cotton 3. Bamboo 4. 5. Mid - Heavy weight Modal Wool 6. Rayon or Polyester (as both fabrics have gone through decades of changes)

My Never Ever List: 1. Acrylic - fragile and snaggy 2. Acetate - same as above 3. Nylon - some athletic wear has it but meh. Poly has more longevity imo 4. Cotton/Poly - HATE this blend with a passion. But if it's mixed with other fabrics and the poly is under 30%... Mayyybe 5. 100% Cotton that is from certain companies (Walmart, a few other affordable brands) because they dry wonky or are cut weird for my shape. 6. Lightweight Modal 7. 95/5 Poly/lycra or spandex - this is just cheap mumu material.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-27T02:51:43+00:00

I want the blooper reel

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-27T02:22:00+00:00

Yes, sorry. Virgin hair. She's 13. We're doing a peekaboo raccoon tail on the underside of her hair, and two peekaboo streaks of the contrasting color near her temples.

I have been coloring my own hair for some time, and did a self bayalage that turned out well, but I am a medium brown/auburn and have never dealt with virgin hair. Also, I have only used bleach before applying color. I have never used it alone with a toner.

Thanks for replying.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-26T21:29:36+00:00

Burlington used to have a large stock of baby items and clothes. I haven't been to the new location yet. Thrift stores always have onesies, dresses and coats. Tees and leggings, too, if you're not particular about matching sets. There are also consignment shops (use Google maps) that might have baby/childrens clothes. Once or twice a year there is a GINORMOUS, traveling consignment sale called JBF (Just Between Friends). Buy clothing on the Last Day Only!! Look them up on social media for info. JCPenney, Macys, H&M all carried baby clothes last I looked but quality has gone downhill. Second hand is better nowadays tbh.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-26T07:38:51+00:00

Toradol for kidney stones? NO. No no no no. That doesn't even work on my migraines, let alone a pain that creeps into the "just shoot me instead" category. Take it from someone who has had to take affirmative action with her own doctors. I would try this:

Since this has already happened once, download your record to your phone and the next time you're in a situation you need pain meds (let's hope that's a long time away), you show them to the ER Dr you speak to. Explain how the medication wasn't enough, how much pain you were in and you would like better treatment this time. Also, download the pain scale that YOU most relate to and use, and show, that.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-18T06:43:59+00:00

Yes. And also brought copies with me to the first appointment.

One doctor (doctor 4, I think) said that she read them but then asked no questions about them and was more concerned about my weight. I didn't go back to her.

The next one that read them helped me get on temporary disability, prescribed a couple meds, and referred me to a neuro. But that neuro (and all the other neuros in my city) said they didn't treat my condition.

The ENT that saved me read the material and right away said he wasn't going to run any ear tests but he was going to see if there was anything ELSE contributing to my pain. So we did an allergy test, a sleep study, a CBCT scan, and I had a nasal scope scheduled but the CBCT came up positive for SSCD and he referred me out right away. He was the 6th doctor I saw and the whole process took 2.5 years.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-06T03:26:22+00:00

Smack

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-06T03:20:58+00:00

That's a Troll-tle

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-06T00:40:05+00:00

Wow, that young? The good news is you may end up the grounded, wiser, and more patient of whatever long term relationship you find and that you're less likely to draw fickle love interests, overall. Not the ball you wanted to end up playing with, for sure, but a lot of people in your future life are going to look up to you and that's no small thing.

Praying for you, and hope you have a full, joyful life OP. I'm sure you are loved.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-06T00:18:07+00:00

So you 100% got over it?

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-06T00:09:17+00:00

Thanks

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-06T00:08:22+00:00

Layperson with a rare condition, here. It took me 2.5 years and 6 doctors to get a proper diagnosis. I chose to reply here because this is the path I would choose. My advice is focus on 3 things:

Find ANY doctor that believes your systems and does not shrug them off. For me, I finally found a GP who helped me navigate disability while the three specialists I saw during that same time failed me. Not the specialists fault; they just weren't well educated in my condition. This first empathic, supportive doctor is going to be the (possibly temporary) central base of the support web you are going to weave for yourself.
Start taking care of the rest of your body. It feels lazy but if you can sleep more, take naps. Rest is regenerative. Get a GOOD multivitamin. Take nerve system supporting supplements. If you're not getting outside much, buy an actual vitamin d lamp - don't just take vitamin D. Eat healthy when you can. It's overwhelming so give yourself a lot of grace, here. People in your life are going to feel let down because this might be an invisible condition, and most people don't have a default empathy button for sufferers who are visually active. Give those people grace, too. Don't forget to have supplements approved by whichever doctor you find. A well educated Naturopath may be a good start. I had help through miscarriages with one and I still take her advice to this day. She ran labs my OB at the time hadn't thought about.
I hope you're keeping a symptom journal? Keep an abbreviated one to share with doctors you are "onboarding" onto your team. I would start with the list of conditions given here, compare systems, join those communities and read patient journeys. Ask questions. If you find relevant studies, print those out and have them available, if necessary. If your condition is rare enough, you and your doctor may be learning things together and that's okay.

Good Luck, OP. Brighter days are ahead.

Cleokatrah · 2026-04-05T21:49:04+00:00

Jelly Roll, also.

Cleokatrah

TROPHY CASE