Dahling, Don't You Just Love My Jewel(tone)s?

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Black and White and Yellow.... In a Few Places

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Whirlwind NYC

What a trip! I had a quick yet adventurous visit to NYC that lasted less than 24 hours, but I got a lot done. I missed a turn somewhere on the Merritt Parkway and ended up on the west side of Manhattan rather than heading through the Bronx to Queens where my friend that I was staying with lives. So I decided to drive through the city making my way to Columbus Circle where I cut across 59th Street heading toward the Queensboro Bridge. That was an adventure in itself! It's a bit weird driving your own car by places like Central Park South, The Plaza, and FAO Shwartz. I finally made my way to Long Island City where I parked my car and jumped on the subway. Stomach grumbling, I headed to VP2, one of my favorite vegan restaurants in the city, and enjoyed some yummy Creole "chicken" with rice ball dumplings.

From there I headed up to the Javitz Center to attend the Fame/Moda Manhattan Trade Show, which was the reason that this trip took place at all. What a disappointment. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, but it was a total snoozefest. Granted, the designers/companies showing here were much more mass market mainstream than is my style but can I see one thing that is slightly innovative that I haven't seen a million times before? Please? I didn't go to buy but rather check out what other designers are doing, how they display, what their promotional material looks like, etc. Needless to say, I wasn't very inspired. However, it did give me a big boost of confidence in the sense of knowing that I can definitely do this. Big box retailers and overproduced mass market clothing are on the way out. Small guys who use alternative ways to procure materials, produce garments, and are eco friendly are for sure the way of the future and I am so happy to be a part of that.

I walked up 5th Ave to Bergdorf's to see their always amazing window displays. They were working in collaboration with the Met's Costume Institute on their exhibit "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity" which runs until August 15. They had time period themed windows using new vintage inspired garments and stunning dresses and props made out of paper. Check out the amazing close up shot of the gray dress. I met up with my friend when she got out of work and we sat for a while in the park right on the water in Long Island City. We had the most spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and it was the most beautiful evening. After a bottle of wine on her balcony and a delicious dinner in a small restaurant in her neighborhood, it was unquestionably time for bed. I don't miss the city and am so happy to be living in Rhode Island but I did have the most spectacular time with an old friend, in my old city.

New York

Taking a quick trip to New York City. I'll let you know all about it on Wednesday!

Sarah

I had the unfortunate duty to attend an acquaintance's memorial service yesterday afternoon. Sarah was a truly wonderful person who lit up the room and brought a smile to everyone's face she encountered. After a long night at work I was always happy to hear her infectious laugh from across the restaurant. It meant that whatever was troubling you didn't matter, it would all get better in the end. Today I was going through my photos and found this one from last week when it was one of those weird moments where it's raining but the sun is also shining. I knew immediately there had to be a rainbow somewhere. I looked out the window of my studio and there it was; bright and shining its many colors. This beautiful natural creation of color would not be possible without the gray clouds and falling rain.

Let Sarah's remarkable, yet short, life remind us to be grateful for everything that you have every moment of every day. Appreciate everyone that you love and that loves you, never take them for granted. Refuse to let little things bother you because in the end it's really not worth it. Be happy for every warn sunny day, but be thankful for the rain as well.

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Treasures from Throwaways

On Saturday I went to my first yard sales of the season! I. Love. Yard. Sales. You never know what treasures you might find. As the season is just beginning, I didn't find much but I did walk away with a spectacular book " Treasures from Throwaways" which is a collection of crafts "you can make from things in your attic or discards" put out by Better Homes and Gardens in 1976. I knew I was in love when the first craft was "Tin Can Owls." What a trip! This book has some useful ideas but most are ridiculous such as the "Typewriter Note Holder" which is basically a psychedelically painted typewriter that you put notes in and the "Utensil Safari Wall Mount." This is bunch of old kitchen utensils glues together, spray painted white, and hung on the wall. Then there's my favorite, the "Chicken Bucket Lamps." Enough said. Now here for your viewing enjoyment are some of my favorite photos from the book:


Tin Can Owls and Recycled Container Organizer


Remodeled Dining Set and Hospital Bed Sofa


Victrola Teen Bar and Ice Cream Carton Lamps


TV Tub Chess Set and Feed Sack Pillows

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Busy Saturday, Lazy Sunday

I was blessed again with another spectacular weekend. Saturday was absolutely splendid! Iced coffees from Costal Roasters in hand (first one of 2010!) Brian and I joined Caitlin and Jeff in Warren, RI for a relaxing stroll around town. We stopped at Cutler Mills for their open studios event where I got to check out other local artists in their workspaces, saw some amazing hand sculpted sea life tiles, and had a nice chat with Heather of Heather Jeany. She makes beautiful and whimsical screen printed stationary and tees. I absolutely love her work and she's such a warm and kind person to boot. After that we breezed over a few bridges to have delicious sandwiches from the Provender in Tiverton for lunch. Perfect. Day. On Sunday we were a bit relieved to see gray skies so we wouldn't feel guilty about not really accomplishing much all day. As much as I love being busy, there's something to be said about not doing anything at all.



Sweater: Borrowed from Caitlin cause I forgot mine
Top: UO from a few years ago
Skirt: Thrifted
Shoes: Aldo
Necklace: vintage from Haberdash Vintage
Location: Caitlin and Jeff's lovely and serene bedroom in Warren, RI

Just Another Day At The Office

Testing out a new spot in my studio to take decently lit photos...




Dress: Vintage from Circa in New Bedford, I've had it for many years
Belt: Vintage Thrifted
Shoes: Vintage Thrifted
Earrings: Vintage from an Antique Store
Ring: a gift from Daisy when she went to Costa Rica