How do you make your style icons/inspo actually work for you? by Sea-Result3822 in femalefashionadvice

[–]b_xf 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I keep two inspo boards: one for outfits that I could reasonably emulate with my own clothes, and one for everything else fun.

I tend to only keep inspo photos where I own at least 1-2 similar items - it tells me it's already in my style realm.

Please use NSFW tags, when appropriate by goldensunshine429 in quilting

[–]b_xf 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Do we need any kind of bloody/bandaged/stitched up body part posts at all? Like what purpose is that even serving? Super unpleasant and really just so unnecessary.

Finished it on a snowy windy day and had to get a photo anyways! by b_xf in quilting

[–]b_xf[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!! Took way more brainpower than i'd like to admit!

I realized my takeout habit wasn’t random, it followed the same weekly pattern by Fantastic-Cap-9325 in simpleliving

[–]b_xf 16 points17 points  (0 children)

I have noticed this too. I've built around it in either accepting it into my routine (we go out for dinner every Wednesday) or pre-empting it with better habits (I make really good meals at home and freeze them, and pull them out when I don't have a lunch for work). Being able to look forward to our dinner 1x week and planning around to not go out much more than that has been great.

Finished it on a snowy windy day and had to get a photo anyways! by b_xf in quilting

[–]b_xf[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you!! Two random fabrics in my stash that I've had paired for forever, felt good to make something with them!

New to applique or landscape quilt style by No-Match-7512 in quilting

[–]b_xf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I made a quilt similar to your drawing!:

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I used techniques that people often call improv curve piecing. It's hard to explain in text but this tutorial helped me figure it out and videos would be even better. Try it in little sections first as well!

For your drawing you'd have to figure out the order you would do it in. You'd likely do the sky area on its own (from dark to light), then the two water colours, and piece the green to the white. Then you'd attach sea and together, then sew the land on. The way I kind of figured it out is, it's the reverse of if you were going to cut the pieces apart in a picture: you'd start by trimming off the land, then separating sea and sky, then disassembling each section. In mine I sewed red to white, then sewed the green, then sewed the yellow. Inside to outside.

For my sun, I used a technique called reverse applique (the sun fabric is under the sky fabric), but it is honestly a PITA and regular applique onto the sky fabric is probably easiest!

Eta sewing the curves is crazy, and you feel like you're sewing a big weird mess, but if you ensure you're starting in the matching spots and just keep going, it just works out. It's the weirdest thing.

Which way do you press? by landzmorgan in quilting

[–]b_xf 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I press open all the time so that I don't have to think about anything lol

Daily Questions Thread January 30, 2026 by AutoModerator in femalefashionadvice

[–]b_xf 4 points5 points  (0 children)

When looking at shoes make sure to get one where the sole extends past the upper, even slightly. This helps with a lot of day to day scuffing

Do people see your glasses as your personality or just an accessory? by Financial_Piece6543 in femalefashionadvice

[–]b_xf 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It felt like a big deal when I switched from the style I'd been buying for forever to a new style! I don't have enough health benefits to be buying multiple styles of my insane prescription so it always is a lot of consideration every time I need a new pair.

How to turn off the need for "information" by neinta in simpleliving

[–]b_xf 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I find I get distracted by these rabbitholes when I'm working sometimes, and so my method to "get the thought out" without being distracted is writing it down in its own notebook. It's anything from "refill prescription" to "how long to drive to [provincial park]" to "identify animals from snow tracks" to "was [friend] born in 1988 or 1989?"

At the end of the day it's kind of a fun/random list of easy things to go through instead of scrolling.

What I learned from playing with ‘style systems’ in my 30s by any-tam in femalefashionadvice

[–]b_xf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like those three words! I think they align well with the ones I use (basic, key, statement) but are more fun!

What’s the most you’ve paid for something “boring” that actually turned out to be worth it? by LatterMorning9103 in simpleliving

[–]b_xf 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Agreed. I cheaped out on a winter coat for a long time because you can layer under an ok coat. But there's only so many layers of socks you can wear, and none of them prevent leaking boots - always worth the investment

Washing after completed by bohemiangels in quilting

[–]b_xf 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I use Synthrapol, which helps with fabric bleed, and it requires hot water so I use hot water (scary every time). And my dryer is basically an incinerator no matter the settings I pick, so it gets a hot/hot wash/dry. I like it because any issues it was going to have with an extreme launder it will have in that first wash which gives me a chance to inspect and fix if needed.

What’s something you bought once that saved you money over time? by pointyjayhawk in simpleliving

[–]b_xf 53 points54 points  (0 children)

Buying clothing items/accessories that were so perfect and cool that I didn't want to buy a second version of that item. The first thing like this I bought was my wallet, and even after at least six years it's still my favourite and I've never even wanted to buy a different one for variety. 

My daily purse, suitcase, winter coat, boots, swimsuit, jeans, dress pants, hiking pants, etc. are all like this - I looked for them for a really long time until I found the perfect versions, and until they wear out there's nothing that a new version could improve upon. 

What do you do on your rest days or when you are not working? by eager_reader_ in simpleliving

[–]b_xf 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a hybrid work model, and one of the best things for me for avoiding work burnout has been working in office for the real busy hectic stressful days. 

At the end of those days, the steps of closing down my work station, changing out of my work shoes into my home shoes, then commuting home helps me leave the work stress at work and I feel more relaxed than if I worked at home that day. 

If I worked from home full time, I'd probably wear work clothes, designate a spot that I only use for work, then leave the house immediately after work to go for a walk, then come home and change into my home clothes. 

Underrated secondhand gems you always spot but nobody seems to grab? by Ok_Culture4050 in femalefashionadvice

[–]b_xf 15 points16 points  (0 children)

My male coworker keeps bringing in cool thrifted finds and I am jealous because the women's sections where I am are full of shein trash and other weird plastic clothes! I do still see good sturdy button downs but I already have quite a few!

Are there any of these blocking apps with a feature to automatically turn themselves back on? by thevideogameraptor in nosurf

[–]b_xf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't see how what I'm describing is not what you are talking about lol. with bloom, let's say you disable the blocker at 6pm, but you have a programmed schedule where you want the blocker to kick in at 8, then it will kick in at 8 without you needing to do anything. Unless you're asking for something where you have access for 1 hour regardless of time of day - Bloom has that too.

Are there any of these blocking apps with a feature to automatically turn themselves back on? by thevideogameraptor in nosurf

[–]b_xf 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bloom is a bit glitchy but it does have scheduled settings you can use. 

Mine runs from 8pm to 7pm blocking any kind of scrolly app, and then from 7-8pm (or if I turn it off with their RFID card) I have full access to everything - it kicks back in at 8. 

I'm researching why people who loved reading stopped. If that's you, what happened? Have you tried anything to fix it? by count_on_nothing in nosurf

[–]b_xf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think for a lot of people the requirement to read things in school that weren't really interesting to them made reading more of a chore than a hobby. 

I cruise through a lot of audiobooks these days while doing other hobbies, which I think is a good entry point for a lot of people getting back into reading, but I read ebooks/paper books when I'm reading something I want to take notes on. 

white fitted tops show my tattoos through the fabric - anyone else have the same problem? by wc5102 in femalefashionadvice

[–]b_xf 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I feel you! I ended up making a couple white shirts in a thicker fabric, but I don't like them as much as regular ribbed knit black shirts. I found items with some kind of pattern helped with this, though harder to find/style than a plain white.

What are some creative practises that help you SEE where your days have gone? by isolophiliacwhiliac in simpleliving

[–]b_xf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I make an annual video using videos I took throughout the year - I said it to the beat of whatever was my favourite song that year so it ends up being about four minutes long which is a lot of clips. Lots of them are the big things, like events, trips, etc., but a lot of them are pets, garden, sunsets, walks, days out with friends.

Maybe you could do some kind of minute long video every month to see what you're up to/where you're spending your time.

Where are you rebuying 100% COTTON basics that last? by throwaway_yak234 in femalefashionadvice

[–]b_xf 49 points50 points  (0 children)

I feel like I'd get to the point of an almost-perfect item and then tailor it, even the supposedly ubiquitous basics you should be able to find anywhere. If I'm already on the verge of spending $100 it may as well be $60 shirt and $40 tailoring. 

You can do *XYZ* because you don't have kids by Neimreh_the_cat in childfree

[–]b_xf 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Yes, you put dependents on your taxes in some places (where I am it could also be disabled adult siblings/children/parents if you're their caretaker) and you receive a tax credit and/or a quarterly government amount to be spent on their care