USMNT vs. Argentina, My First US Soccer Game and Freezing Tailgate

I took work off Friday to complete my USA outfits for the US Men's National Soccer Team versus Argentina game on Saturday. The outfits were taking me longer than usual to complete due to some mechanical difficulties, but I cranked out a navy blue maxi dress with red and white stripes up-top and criss-crossed straps on the back. Modeled by Hannah below, I have to say the dress was quite a success! I also made a simple red and white stripped tank top to go with red jeans I already owned. USA outfits will surely get more face-time around July 4th.

1:50 pm: On our way to New Meadowlands Stadium from Port Authority

Tyler's repping Hawaii at a USA game...

2:15 pm: High-Five! The five kegs are here

Don't be deceived by the blue skies, the temperature was in the 30s and the parking lot a windy tundra

Smiles all around still...

and lots of USA Pride!

 With high winds we couldn't play flip cup or beer pong, so we had to improvise--beer relays!

 Lunch is here!

 Corned Beef and Turkey Sloppy Joes from Town Hall Deli in Jersey is MONEY

 6:30 pm: Heading into the NY Giants' New Meadowlands Stadium

The game ended in a tie 1-1, and according to people who actually watch US Soccer, it's a win for the US. I still don't like games that end in ties.

At the end of the very long and cold day (5 hours of tailgating, 2 hours of game and 2 hours of traveling), I had fun supporting the US and am glad they didn't lose, but I can now say with confidence that I definitely prefer hockey games over soccer games.

A Snag In My Sewing Project

You know the saying "never judge a book by its cover," well never judge a sewing machine by it's COLOR. After spending two months searching for a 110V to 240V power converter and buying dressmakers' scissors, chalk, pins, seam rippers, tracing paper and fabric, I discovered that my green John Lewis Mini sewing machine can't sew! I knew I was buying it for aesthetic reasons (it being Green) and not performance but I did not think it would suck this hard. Anyways, tough lesson learned: when on vacation in London don't bring home a sewing machine. Now I've hit a snag in my USMNT outfits until I find/buy/borrow a real sewing machine. Leads anyone?

Saturday Fashion District Splurge

Now that my mean green sewing machine finally works, I can get down to making some stuff! First project: patriotic outfits for the US Men's National Soccer Team versus Argentina game in March. Not sure what I am making yet but I bought 3 yards of navy blue bamboo knit and a yard of red & white stripped jersey from Mood Designer Fabrics in the fashion district. I also ventured to M&J trimmings and bought some sweet ass sequined stars and blue chains. Tim Gunn would be proud. I'm hoping my grandmother's seamstress genes have been passed onto me.

Wish me luck and maybe my friend Hannah who will also have to wear my GO USA! creations.

Mean Green Sewing Machine

I came upon the John Lewis Mini Sewing Machine in GREEN, my favourite colour (you like what I did there), on my last day in London.  I'm not much of an impulse shopper but I could not leave the department store without it, so I stubbornly purchased a GREEN sewing machine in London and lugged it back to the US in my carry-on sized luggage.  The only problem is 1) This sewing machine is made for a 1st grader and 2) I don't have a proper voltage converter so I can't use it in the States.  Either way these are petty issues that can be resolved.  I tested the machine tonight with my power adapter (not to be confused with a voltage converter!) and the needle moved really, really slow which I assume is because US voltage is WEAK.  So now my mission is to find a cheap power converter so I can finally hem the millions of straps, skirts and dresses that don't fit me right and provide an accurate review of the machine's performance.  Still HOW AWESOME IS THIS GREEN SEWING MACHINE?!