Posted in December 2010

Good Intentions 1.

Remember last year how I made the “New Year’s Intention” to be more, um… intentional in my clothing purchases? Preferably, I would spend my cold, hard ones on American-made goods and ethically sourced this-and-that. And, well, it kind of worked. But in a backwards way. Instead of seeking out quality made goods, my resolution manifested itself in just plain-old not buying much new clothing at all. This year’s total comes to:

Shoes were a little more of a toss-up or, if cheesy jokes are your thing, a stumbling block. It’s difficult when a buddy opens a shoe store, y-know?

So, to round off this year of thought-out spending, I’ll pass on these two things:

-and-

A good question.

Thrift Score.

12/24/10 Goodwill of Bayville, NJ.

Vanity Fair house-dress-turned-go-go-dress (needs darts sewn in), polyester, polka dot dress that looks just like the other one I have.

Faux Navajo print heavy cotton.

Summertime platform wedges!

Presents!

Every year around the day before Christmas Eve, my mom and I take a trip to Point Pleasant, NJ to nose around their antique stores and buy ourselves presents… although… I mostly end up getting the presents.

I found this great, huge, red, white, and blue ribbon. When I took it out of the package, a little note reading 7/12/1939 fell out. (Also visible, my pine wood derby award that Dave found for me and a Dead Kennedykes button from my pal. I swear that I am not trying to hide a DK reference in my photos, although it is becoming a running gag.)

In keeping with the theme of that which is horizontal, I also bought some antique gold and navy corded braid.

French, unbleached woven lace made from flax.

I might actually like the card even more than the lace.

I can never pass up a good pair of scissors… and I have needed some little snips.

And last year’s spoil: a scrimshaw pendant brooch.

 

Andandand! For good holiday measure, this year’s cozy Christmas tree.

View from the 3rd Floor.

Two cool rodents, sitting outside of my studio window, watching me type.

This Weekend.

Everybody was working for Liz’s birthday weekend.

Friday night was trunk show fun* at Queen of Hearts.

*free wine and beer!

 

I didn’t even plan the part where all the wares were set up on an old Singer 301A, my favorite sewing model sewing machine ever! Karen also kept the Psychedelic Furs playing all night long. She must be some sort of super intuit-er.

Commerce!

Adam and Kelly are on the same wavelength.

 

The next day, that is, Saturday, was a super-rad-i-cooool studio sale at Andrew and Emmie’s house (fortuitously located just down the street from my own).

Yet another in the series of frustratingly cool dwellings of Providence, RI. Please note that it is not always wrapped in brown paper.

Context.

Muffy Brandt

Carole Ann Penney

Frequent commenter Jean Cozzens and Chuck Forsman, side by side.

 

Sadly, by the time the show was over, I was so over heated, stress’d, and tweaked on refined sugar from all the snacks. I really quickly grabbed my stuff and skipped out before I was able to buy anything. A real bummer; everything was so nice. I know that my buddies and local contemporaries are all talented misses and misters but sometimes it is nice to be reminded of it… en mass… in a warm, sweaty apartment… filled with a countless rotation of people… and babies… and kittens… each one tinier than the last.

 

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Gillian Gilbert.

I’ve noticed that a large part of the overwhelming fashion blog world involves the studious study of the “personal style” of other ladies.

I’ve also noticed that these ladies are, infrequently, at all very interesting. Or, as I note to people, “‘Muse’ is not a viable response to ‘Prior Employment’”. But! I have been kind of into searching around through both Got a Girl Crush and Tomboy Style. Both sites feature some good lookers of merit so I’ve decided to add my (so geeky*) suggestion to their ranks.

Ladies? Gents? Can we please give it up for Gillian Gilbert?

You probably have no idea that you know who she is but as the long-time keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist for New Order, her notes probably grace the aural space of your studio or bedroom or car at least once and again (although, we are on a pretty strict everyday schedule at work.)

There’s something so wonderfully understated about her style. She really works the “One-Of-The-Guys”/ “But-I’m-A-Girl” dichotomy. Or maybe I’ve just spent so much time in that space during my life that I’m really sensitive and receptive to it. It’s like you want to be taken seriously or are taken seriously but if you go too far into the femme, you risk becoming a token… and then sexualized… objectified… marginalized… and then it’s pretty much back to the beginning, eh?

I did a little searching, but could never find any evidence of GG talking about her thoughts her place and experiences in music as a lady. I’d love to hear them, if you come across any.

 

*guys! I am actually listening to an interview with post-punk authority Simon Reynolds RIGHT NOW!!!

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Dog Care.

 

Last night, our most precious little dog, Mr. Martin Denny- The Father of Exotica Music, became really lethargic and was acting as if he was in a lot of pain. In the morning, he was still in quite a state. Maybe you are unfamiliar, but I am totally ruled by my dog and can no longer pass judgment on folks who treat their pets like children (untrue. passing judgment is my favorite past time!)

So, after freaking, worrying, and an emergency trip to the vet (which served just as much to make us feel better as it did for the dog), it turned out that Martin has what appears to be a slipped disc in his tiny spine. It should get better over time and, frankly, he’s already disregarding his doctor’s orders of taking it easy for the next month. And I had better not catch him selling his pain meds to the other dogs in the neighborhood.

So, as kind of a super secret sale but also a way to take the edge off of his medical bills, I’m making up a WITH CARE coupon code that will take 9% off of you purchase; a dollar for every little dog pound! Just type in GETBETTERMARTIN when prompted during your check out and Etsy will take care of the rest.

 

 

 

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Attention, You.

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Notions.

Based on yesterday’s Colette Patterns blog post, I snapped some quick photos of my favorite notions and their cards.

 

I think everyone is familiar with the Sewing Susans. I like to think of the group as “the Susans”, working in synchronization, like members of a great hive mind. When not anthropomorphizing my needle cards, I like to stare at their sparkly innards.

Giving It Away.

It’s true! I am just giving it away at LuluLetty.com.

Hop over there and give it a try, friends!

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