Since the second grade I've approached dressing thematically. I would wake up and think "today I want to be pretty" and put on my twirliest dress, with a slip, tights, matching hair accoutrement and let's not forget the clicking shoes! (Did anyone else beg Mom for shoes that made the loudest click-clack?) Then the next day would be totally different, perhaps "funky." I would conjure my inner Punky Brewster and bust out the acid wash skit, blue shirt & yellow suspenders. I LOVE that my mom supplied me with such ensembles. I could always tell the 'new outfit' shaped boxes under the Christmas tree and ignored the groans and eye rolls of my family as I absconded to try on outfit number 4. What a lucky, lucky girl I was! Stretch pants, vests, feather hair clips, tights, hot pink spandex, jeans patched with leather... these clothes would make today's hipster swoon, I swear.
Obviously, the outer shell has been a concern my entire life. On numerous occasions, my little eight or nine year old mind even considered making a chart to keep from wearing the same outfit more than once a month. I often wonder if this kind of vanity is a weakness and grapple with whether to admit that or not. It can often take me a really long time to get dressed. It's SO important and what if I just don't know what to wear that day!? I wish I could roll out of bed and put on the first shirt I touch... but I just can't. We're taught that it's the inner beauty that counts, which I get and am cool with, but that's not my problem. I can wear messy clothes with holes that are baggy, unflattering, mis-matching, what have you... I just have to decide to and make a "look" out of it. (I'm somewhat comforted by the fact that there are people, stylists, who do this as a career!) It's not like I'm some high fashion slave who needs the next BIG thing. I know my worth as a human being has nothing to do with what I decide to wear, I just need to feel like myself.
Some days this is easier said than done, depending on how much breakfast I've had ( I'm a terrible dresser when I'm hungry) and what my closet is filled with. If I haven't done laundry... it's gets harder. I start to pull out rarely worn items, and then feel weird all day.
One of my resolutions for this new year is to get rid of clothes that don't fit, don't feel right, or aren't unique enough. Life is too short to wear a boring collar, I think, for me at least. I'm so excited for this one, I can't even wait for 2009 to start! The other day I tossed some undies that were too small, then later, a pair that was too big . From now on, if some article of clothing bugs me... I'm getting rid of it or making it better somehow.
Inspired by my friend Cal's crochet tutorials and mission to wear something handmade everyday, I decided to do my first fix up job. Now, it's just and old JCrew 'normal' sweater I've had it since I moved to NY in 2003. Despite it's being super warm and functional, it's not really that cute. Yet, I still find myself wearing it again and again all winter and it never feels quite right.
The answer to your question is..... "Yes"
I did just cut some new "Lego Bangs."
As for your other question, Yes.
I am aware that my room is one doily away from a the "Granny Chachka Museum" award.
Thanks for noticing. It's been hard work.
This set of military flags... (not really a steal though, it was more than $100)
I love how this dealer set up a whole table of green...
Um, the photo is tipped, but cute kitties with rhinestone eyes are always welcome in my book!
Watching It's a Wonderful Life last night reminded me of my childhood obsession with Donna Reed. I watched a lot of Nick at Night back in my earlier days, preferring The Donna Reed Show, I Love Lucy, My Three Sons, and the Dick Van Dyke Show over the typical kid themed entertainment of the times. Oh they were the best!!
The answer to your question is..... "Yes"
As for your other question, Yes.
Sewing themed wrapping jobs...
The pattern for these knitted trees will be available soon!
So it's flea market day in Brooklyn and I'm sitting at home wrapped in a blanket instead. Why would I do this, especially after spending the entire day yesterday making new stuff for my table? Please see the drips at right:
Princess Leia was giving out the candy at this house. Hello storm trooper pumpkin! How rad!
One of these things just doesn't belong.
Santa Monica Museum of Art
One of my trees was featured in this weeks Time Out NY!! Check it out!
The one possibility
didn't last long!!
Eleanor, on the other hand, was much more obliging! Too bad I didn't have more in her size!! This harf actually is more for a grown up, but looks pretty great on her anyway.
Pretend you're cold!!!
REALLY cold!!!
Freezing!
Somehow, it seems like overnight, this child has become an honest to goodness "big kid." Her expressions, concerns, eye rolling, thoughts, abilities... amaze me. Everyday I pick her up it's "Let's go to the park and see which of my friends are there!" And when we get there there's a loud "ELEANOR!!" shouted from at least one, if not more, of her friends. They hug hello, make up games and always make sure to say goodbye to each other individually. Yesterday I started taking photos of the girls as they piled up at the foot of the slide which of eventually led to a whole photo shoot with funny poses and everything. So much pink and stripes and flowers and of course... laughing.
Back in April, some editors from Country Living Magazine visited the Brooklyn Flea to take photos for an article. I'm pleased as punch that they included my hats and a little blurb in their article. I'm in such good company too!!
Where the watermelon grow
whine.
