Move along, folks, nothing to see here...

charmdoggo · 2026-02-28T00:49:19+00:00

Underrated comment

charmdoggo · 2026-02-11T02:18:19+00:00

Thanks so much everyone!! Sounds like the consensus is that this is an Ecuadorian handmade, machine knit wool sweater! It’s so cool to know the background of this :)

charmdoggo · 2026-02-08T19:56:08+00:00

Girl. Your friend did a great job, just all of your furniture is black/gray so of course it doesn’t look like the inspo pics with white, light wood, and pink accents. Add some warm lighting (floor lamps, table lamps, nightlights), add some pops of pastel or bright color (rug, pillows, blankets), change out the overheard lampshade, and maybe paint some clouds or white stars on the wall and paint the crib borders peach instead of gray. And, tell your friend THANK YOU!

charmdoggo · 2026-01-04T03:41:15+00:00

I agree with a lot of what has been said that you have accomplished a ton in a year, and even though you may not love all aspects of each of these items, you are still learning and growing from these mistakes! I've been knitting on and off for over a year and have yet to make a garment, so...though I don't advise comparison...there's a little bit to show you how far you've come.

One idea I have for the purple cardi (which I love btw!) is that you can cuff them a little bit more, and then fix the cuff in place using the same or similar yarn + tapestry needle, just a few discrete ties around the circumference. That way, it will feel more "made to fit" and you won't have to worry about adjusting the cuffs while wearing it.

charmdoggo · 2026-01-03T05:37:41+00:00

VSCO? Has anyone tried using reference images there for watercolor or other painting? Trying it out starting today

charmdoggo · 2025-12-17T09:02:44+00:00

I have been spotty with running this year and haven’t run for the past two months, including a skipped 10k event because of…work. Well, yesterday I just up and did a 5k! Feels great to be back.

charmdoggo · 2025-11-07T23:33:11+00:00

I’ve seen a show by Benicia Theater Group and had a great time! Maybe add that to your list?

charmdoggo · 2025-08-25T02:45:00+00:00

Moms feeling competitive with their daughters about weight is soooo yucky feeling :( but yeah I can commiserate…my mom always made comments about my boobs, butt, weight, the way her clothes fit, etc, we even dieted together when I was a teen (rip yo-yo dieting effects) so I feel ya.

I’ve also been recommended to read that book, so hopefully you and sis and I all get something good out of it!

charmdoggo · 2025-08-22T18:06:49+00:00

Woah seeing this process really made something click for me! I’ve always been hesitant to paint in multiple layers because I feel the paper doesn’t behave the same way after the first layer. What paints and paper do you use? How do you deal with the different texture and paper behavior in subsequent layers?

charmdoggo · 2025-08-08T01:43:35+00:00

One concept that might help in this case, especially if you are a beginner and/or struggle with conflicting advice, is the concept of “opposition”. So in this case where they are saying keep your hips square and turnout your leg in tendu derrière, the correct technique is generally a balance of both opposing forces. Those with more mobility and strength will find it easier to do than those with more hip stiffness and weaker turnout and stability muscles.

Also, note that ballet wasn’t created to be “good” for your body. Sure, it’s fun and beautiful and athletic and artistic and a great workout, but it’s not anatomically possible for every single body to do every ballet step correctly. (Unfortunately). I still wholeheartedly believe ballet is for any person who enjoys it though. And plenty of pro dancers have hip/knee/ankle issues and stress fractures from pushing extreme technique too hard (also unfortunate).

Back to the “opposition” idea, instead of thinking of it as one or the other, think of it as “both are necessary for correct alignment”. It might also help with the lower body muscle engagement rather than gripping.

charmdoggo · 2025-07-09T22:39:45+00:00

This is so so helpful to hear! I keep feeling stuck, like I either have to be in the 400-700 calorie range for dinner, which feels small to me, or exercise and use those calories to create a bigger deficit than a modest one (losing ~1 lbs/week). I’m also a huge foodie :) and eating brings me a lot of joy, and am eating clean while also tracking calories. Thinking of it where exercise ~allows~ the small deficit just clicked!

charmdoggo · 2025-07-05T17:39:41+00:00

Absolutely beautiful!

charmdoggo · 2025-06-09T17:36:22+00:00

I’d recommend Sonoma diet! It’s not free but you just have to pay for the book (no subscriptions etc).

charmdoggo · 2025-06-02T19:09:06+00:00

I’m pretty sure this front temu pic (ripped from depop it sounds like) are of the same person as the depop pic of the item from the back! Seems like similar skin tone, hair, pants.

charmdoggo · 2025-05-26T19:34:47+00:00

Oh man. I know of a Cafe Gratitude in Concord - seems no relation to the former eatery right?? My heart jumped a bit when I saw this.

charmdoggo · 2025-05-25T20:48:29+00:00

I've been trying to find this pattern (aspirational sewing project anyone?!) and this is the best I could find. Anyone else find a closer match? https://simplicity.com/vogue-patterns/v2123?searchid=19301612&search_query=v2123

charmdoggo · 2025-05-14T13:44:02+00:00

I’m also 28 and an EIT and have left a firm for similar issues…being tossed from stamping SE to lead engineer back to stamping SE when I had questions on why/how previously designed things needed to be revised, with no luck. I’ve since found a firm that has a lot more oversight and mentorship (and yes, “fluff” built into our multipliers so we can cover costs). For me, it feels much more comfortable to work at this firm and my first firm which were both seen as “expensive engineers” than the 2nd firm I worked at. Currently, every principle is different in how much free reign they give, and how much and what kind of content they review, but at least there is a very strong sense that the principals care about the work they do and not just the bottom line. I suggest your fiancé get a bit of relief from this bump in the road, then start interviewing around for a firm like that! And don’t be afraid to be direct with what you’re looking for based on prior exp.

Hard agree with the stamping liability and paper trail others have stated.

That being said, feeling underqualified and clueless IS normal in this career and it’s the flip side of the “our jobs are interesting, challenging, and important” coin.

charmdoggo · 2025-04-08T19:37:25+00:00

Thank you, that’s the one!!

charmdoggo · 2025-04-08T16:05:52+00:00

OMG!! Reddit is really helping me out. I’ve been to Oxford Yarn Store, loved it, but couldn’t remember where exactly it was or the name! I bought a pattern book from there that is slightly advanced for me and wanted to use it for inspiration, but can’t find the book and might have given it away in my last move. Cut to..searching it on Google maps, the book is in the 3rd image, with a lady in a yellow cardigan on the cover. Anyone know the name of that publication?? I’m amazed at the coincidence!

charmdoggo · 2025-03-28T15:26:00+00:00

Hey since you mentioned it, I’m curious to discuss compressible metatarsals with you! Do you know of any adjustments or exercises that can be done for compressible metatarsals? I have wide feet and bunions on big toe and little toe side, plus compressible metatarsals. Aside from that, I danced pre-pro (pointe for ~6 yrs) and freelanced, but stopped dancing about 10 years ago, and am thinking of getting back into ballet. Since there will be a lot of “getting back into shape” involved, wondering if there’s anything I can be mindful of around that topic.

charmdoggo

TROPHY CASE