elegant musings

to my livejournal friends...

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:39:58 GMT

I started this journal over four years ago as a place to network with other costumers and post my own "musings". But since then my interests have changed and after moving my blog to my own server, I've decided to stop mirror-posting here.

However I really don't want to leave you all our in the cold and loose touch! My sister was kind enough to set up a Syndicated Feed of my blog so that you can still subscribe to it (if you'd like), and it'll show up on your friends page:

Casey's Musings Feed

It's been so lovely getting to know you all, and in a way I'm sad about leaving my first blog. I hope you'll continue to stay in touch--you all have been such wonderful friends over the years! :)

:: clutter! your days are numbered... ::

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:42:45 GMT

Honestly, I haven’t been staring at my computer, working on my side redesign exclusively for the past week! lol. Saturday ended up being my self-imposed Computer Break (because I had been fiddling with the site layout too much. I must learn self-control in the area of tweaking little code snippets!). Instead I set to tackle the *dundundun-dun* Mess.

The upside of my compulsive antiquing/thrifting/yard saling/bargain-hunting is that I find some really amazing treasures that have proven to be very useful. It has fostered a greater resolve to not spend so much money, and recycle/reuse. The bad is that it gets to a point where the stuff starts taking over my room (and eventually my little ~~corner~~ half of the basement). Clutter depresses me. It chokes my urge to sew, create, or generally have anything to do with my room besides work on my computer, exercise, and sleep.

I took everything out of my closet, sorted, re-boxed, threw-out and bundled up to give away and sell. I went through all my papers and put aside large stacks of vintage ephemera to package (for the popular Vintage Paper Packets I sold out of last autumn!). Even my bed was pulled out, vacuumed under (the dust bunny population was not happy...). Now I just have to go through my fabric and clothing that is stored in the basement. That scares me! Not because there is so much (though there is...), but I tend towards keeping rather than getting rid of when it comes to old clothing. But what if I need it, you know, later?! is what the excuse is to resist the decluttering.

So, all this to say that in celebration of my newly-organized room and the new site, I’m having a little Springtime Giveaway!!! This little packet consists of a 1930s Vogue Guide to Sewing*, a vintage dishtowel embellished with openwork (teatime picnic, anyone?!), and a cd to while away the springtime hours (in this case, the Emma soundtrack, which I love!). Oh, and there’s a little goody attached to the outside as well...

* I must confess, this is in rather sad condition (it came to me that way), but I couldn’t bear to just toss it. I think it would prove useful for collage--or even tearing out the pages and framing them!

Comment in this post between now and Wednesday evening, and I’ll randomly draw a name on Thursday. Be sure to comment with your email (it won’t be published) so I can contact you if you win!

This week we’re going back into the 19th century with Vintage Monday! I love this illustration from the mid 1850’s; I mean look at the skirt’s flounces!! I sercretly harbor a desire to have a three-flounce skirt, only probably at a more manageable length (I am nicknamed “Casey the Klutz” for a reason...). And look closely: the flounces have stripes. Which is even better, in my opinion!

Thank you all again for your sweet comments about the portfolio site and blog--you all are such dears!

:: so much excitement! ::

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 19:37:28 GMT

After days of furious coding, databases crashing (not my fault...), late nights, and trying not to change the design yet again, I have a portfolio website!

I’m so ecstatic! In the process I also moved my blog, and the new address is: http://blog.caseybrowndesigns.com. As with my last blog-move, I’ll be posting in conjunction with the "old" blog for a week, and then will permanently move to the new home. So please adjust your feeds (sorry about this--I know it’s so annoying!).

So what do you think? ( continue reading... )

:: rainy day thoughts ::

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:46:55 GMT

I’ve been struck by the urge to go through all my stacks and stashes of stuff and dispose of items that I no longer need. I suppose it’s only fitting, considering that it is springtime, and spring cleaning is in order. Most of the items I’m giving away/selling/otherwise dispossessing were collected during my teenage years. Perhaps it has to do with my birthday two weeks away.

I had a very lovely--albeit far too short--weekend with my Beau. He was only up for two days; we had so much catching up to do, things to discuss, places to go... But we did get to just sit on the deck Saturday evening as the sun went down and enjoy the beautiful weather.

I have been listening to the Lost in Translation soundtrack and various Jesus and Mary Chain albums almost constantly since yesterday morning. A rainy gloom has settled over the sky, but its different from the cold gloom of the winter; I think the warmth of the air makes it more bearable--almost fun. I walked around outside yesterday with an umbrella held over my head, my toes splashing in the warm rainwater as it cascaded down the street. I love springtime!

Last week I found a new-to-me antique shop in one of my favorite, small towns nearby. Although it was generally overpriced, there were a few deals here and there--one just had to do some digging! I unearthed these two, darling drum majorette pins (I’m especially fond of the silhouette one), and a 1945 copy of Seventeen. Its kinda falling apart, but I love all the illustrations and fashion and oh! I’m just as in love with the 1940’s as ever. lol. So in place of my usual, Vintage Monday feature, here is an array of images from this lovely find; hope you’re inspired.

[ more images here! ]

Cheers!

[ email me ]

p.s. Oh, and I just wanted to say that I really appreciate the feedback about the site design I did for Kate! *blushes* Yes, I do a little bit of graphic work and website development on the side, I just rarely tend to talk about it here!

:: hippity-hop ::

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:04:35 GMT

</p>

[ snippets of Kate's website ]

Just popping up from my little hiding-spot behind my computer screen! I’ve spent a good deal of the week immersed in coding and design... In fact, I think I’ve become a wee bit obsessive lately--formatting and editing code until the wee hours. hehe! Anyway, I just finished working on a website for the lovely Kate! Her photography is really gorgeous--I just love the lush colors and the way she captures the scene. I was so tickled that she asked me to do this for her--go check out her beautiful work!

[ a sneak-peek at my portfolio-in-progress! ]

I’m also busily working on my own website as I have little snippets of time. I think I must be the pickiest “client” ever--I’ve gone through four different design ideas in as many weeks! lol. I finally hit on a look that I feel both captures my design sensibilities, and allows my portfolio to be the main focus. Hopefully that’ll be up in a few weeks... Anyway, I’m keeping this rather short because the Beau is visiting for a super-short weekend! I haven’t seen him in nearly a month, though it seems quite longer. We’re trying to cram all kinds of things in the couple of days he’s back: errands, catching up on ‘news’ and other important-things, celebrating his birthday... Problem is I’ve only got one half of his birthday gift. I purchased an amazing tshirt from Poison Apple Shirts, but the dive knife I wanted to get him isn’t in the local shop anymore. Oh well... I’m sure i can always find something. Enjoy this week’s links. I hope you all have a absolutely fantastic weekend!!

♥ tutorial of recycling magazine pages into bubble mailers!
♥ I love the simplicity of this artist’s work [ via ]
♥ turn an old, chipped or broken platter into a mirror
♥ this photography is breathtaking [ via ]
♥ nubby kindly answered my font question with some fantastic resources!
♥ love the colors and linework of this art
♥ a super-helpful website/blog/book on running your own business

Cheers!

[ email me ]

p.s. Did you know Wendy’s new book is out??? I don’t know about you, but I’m saving up my pennies for this one!

:: dress-spiration! ::

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 19:07:01 GMT

[ this has nothing to do with dresses--well not really; except these are the latest additions to the inspiration notebook! ]

The weekend is over already--I can’t believe it’s flown by. And my goodness--it’s already the middle of April! Thankfully, I did get a lot done on my research paper over the weekend; it was something I wasn’t looking forward to doing, if only because the topic was one I didn’t feel I had a good handle on. Happily I finished it by late yesterday and have handed it off to The Editor (aka my younger sister--she’s a real whiz at proofreading/editing!).

In the midst of being stuck for a few hours on the last page (why is it always the last one that is the hardest?!), I too a little time off to refocus and bring some clarity to my words. A few evenings ago, I struck upon the idea of refashioning this recent thrift find:

Its a very bright, vintage robe! I found it a couple weeks ago while thrifting, and was quite smitten with the shades of pink (it reminds me of the gorgeous azalea blossoms that are due to pop out all over the yards here in a few weeks!). I don’t use robes, however, so it was going to be one of those “pretty” things that just takes up space. Which right now is at a premium (you don’t want to know how packed my closet is!! hehe!). So, I thought, why not make a dress out of it?

The end result isn’t that radical of a change, but I think makes for a very fun evening frock. I basically snipped off 15” from the hem, turned it up 2-¼” and hand hemmed it (the thing that took the longest... but looks very nice!). I added a snap to the cross-over so it stays snugly in place. The sleeve I trimmed down to elbow length and reattached the original cuffs. Quick and easy!

Lately I’ve been feeling quite guilty about simply not having the time to sew from scratch (aka a length of yardage, a sewing pattern--you know, actually cutting out a pattern and constructing it from the flat pieces! lol!). But as my mom said: why sew from scratch when you can refashion successfully?! Hmm... sounds like good sense to me!

Finally, here is today’s Vintage Monday image!! I’ve lately been on a 1950’s kick--full skirts, cinched waist, trawling through Ebay trying to find the “perfect” 50’s summer frock! hehe! I love all the details on these; simple yet elegant. Enjoy.

Cheers!

[ email me ]

:: music, maestro! ::

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:02:47 GMT

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments on my polka dot dress! Your sweetness made me blush so!

Yesterday I stumbled upon the very fun Muxtape site (via Gala’s recommendation). Let’s just say I’ve probably spent more time poking around other people’s play lists than I probably should--being the music fiend I am! hehe! I’m also in the midst of writing a rather long research paper, which always makes me crave playing music constantly. So, in the spirit of sharing and discovering new music, I’ve created a little play list of my favorite low-key, “study” tunes for you today!! sometimes rainbow: a picture (I know... I stink at titles... lol!).

Oh, and as a side note to all Creative Cacophony participants: I sent you emails yesterday with your partner’s information!! Hurrah!! I simply can’t wait to put together a smashup of my favorite tunes and send it off!

♥ inspiring living ideas [ via ]
♥ I want one in a “big girl” size!
♥ gorgeous floral images...
♥ amazing compilation of interior spaces
♥ love the organic form’s of Rachel’s artwork [ via ]
♥ colorful inspiration board

That’s all for this week! I hope you all have a simply lovely weekend!! I’m planning on pretty much staying planted in front of my laptop--until that paper is done!

Cheers!

[ email me ]

p.s. I realize these photos have absolutely nothing to do with this post! But they were so pretty, and make up for my lack of interesting photography today. lol!

:: polka dot pretties ::

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:20:50 GMT

Its taken me a bit longer than I anticipated to finish this dress, mostly because I couldn’t decide whether I wanted a ruffle at the hem or not! And then I had to figure out what kind of trim? Sheer cotton voile, lace, or eyelet? *sigh* I can be such a picky-picky gal sometimes! hehe! In the end, I didn’t like the cotton ruffle, and haven’t really found any lace in my stash that goes well with the dress, so I left the hem bare (for now...). Instead my trusty, vintage petticoat will suffice to add some frill!

</p>

[ the original...

What started out as a rather dowdy, vintage Lanz dress I plucked from the rack a few weeks ago at a thrift store, had to be reworked! I fell in love with the whimsical sailor collar and bright polka dots (I have quite a collection of red polka dot frocks; I think this is my third or fourth!). But not the length, or the sleeves that hit at the wrong point of my arms (who ever thought it was a good idea to have sleeves that stopped right above the elbow?!), or the very high neckline (even for me).

Out came my trusty Gingher scissors and quick as lighting the hem was shortened, the sleeves removed, and neckline lowered! I rebound the armholes with pieces leftover from the hem reduction (lol!), and added a piece of vintage eyelet salvaged (from the ever-trusty 60’s lace dress) to the neckline. I love how fun and happy the dress looks!! Now that the weather is (finally) starting to cooperate and act springish, it quite matches my mood!

I admit, the whole look was somewhat inspired by the lovely lithograph posters of 19th century artist Jules Cherét. Th brightness and exuberance really struck a cord with me and this dress!

So, let’s see, this is my fourth refashion this year, I believe? (I’ve lost count... bad me!) As part of my “year without mass-retail” experiment, I’m quite delighted with how these restraints on what I can and can’t purchase is pushing the creativity envelope! Somehow, I don’t feel as... encumbered by the offerings of the stores and what the going “look” is. I’m much more excited to strike out on my own--so abstaining from purchases of a clothing-nature (at least at the mall--no one said anything about thrifting! hehe!) has been a bit easier. I even find that because I’m not allowed to go to the mall to shop, I actually shop less; its no longer quite the recreational activity it used to be. So in turn I’m consuming less, and spending less. Even with my thrifting I’ve become pickier: if I can’t foresee using a garment as-is, or being able to easily refashion it, then I put it back on the rack!

Anyway, I’m off to do some work and homework! I’ve been busy work on websites and logos, and all manner of fun graphic designs lately! (As well as some top-secret personal projects... look for a debut in a month or so!) Oh yes, and enjoying this sunny day! I want to thank you so much for your sweet comments and emails of late--I’m so tickled that you enjoy my silly ramblings! hehe!

I hope you all are having a lovely day wherever you are!

Cheers!

[ email me ]

:: weekend fun + modern fashion! ::

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:56:03 GMT

How are you all, my friends? I hope you had a delightful, relaxing weekend! Saturday was spent busily doing some work on several graphic design jobs and homework (math mostly... nasty stuff...). But Sunday was quite the opposite! I met a blog friend! I admit, I was a bit nervous (as I always am in such situations!), but Kate and I had a marvelous time. We were angling to do some flea marketing, but alas, the weather conspired against us, and it was pouring rain when we met up. Despite the weather, there were a few stalwart souls selling their goodies, and Kate snatched up some gorgeous china, while I snagged a primitive-style crock for my mom (an “early Mother’s Day gift”... hehe!).

Instead of moping about in the rain, we grabbed some brunch, and then on to the massive Anthropologie store. I thought I was seriously had died and gone to heaven. Or worse--was going to go into serious debt (it was that tempting!). But I managed to restrain myself. I so wish I had brought my camera with me--because there were some pretty vignettes that I wanted to remember. But alas, I had accidentally left it in my car. lol. Such is the life of a scatter-brained gal!

I have lately been doing a huge amount of reading for my Design History class. We’ve finally crossed over into the 20th century, and are powering through the early decades. I must admit, although I really love some things about earlier design (especially Art Nouveau), I am fascinated by the modern movements of the 20th century in design. Reading about such things as De Stijl, the Bauhaus, and such avant-garde artists/designers as Man Ray, quite inspires me! I’m taking many mental notes on the principles of what makes good, recognizable design, since many of these principles are still quite relavent today.

In celebration of the modern look in the early 20th century, I thought it would be fun for this week’s Vintage Monday feature to be centered around the 1920’s (when many of these movements really took root)! Enjoy this trio of pretty frocks and other fancies... I hope you’re inspired!

Cheers!

[ email me ]

p.s. If you’re rather fond of the 1920s, be sure to check out the page of random, fashion images I have on my website!

:: nifty-thrifty | five ::

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 22:12:08 GMT

I’ve re-thought this post about a zillion times since this morning! lol. I think its because there are so many other facets, side stories, and general “interestingness” one can talk about when it comes to thrifting. But alas, I had to narrow it down because it would’ve ended up being the Post of the Century. hehe!

The best part of thrifting, in my opinion is not only the hunting for treasures, but finding something truly fun and exciting that is just nickels and dimes! Something that makes you happy, even if it seems silly to everyone else. I have lots of little collections of quite inexpensive finds I am always on the lookout for...

My favorite collection is vintage laces; finding a bag of assorted laces is one of my favorite surprises! Usually they’re mixed up with some truly hideous, synthetic lace. But for a few dollars--who cares?! hehe!

I love using it about my space too; pinning it to my bulletin board, or displaying a fetching collar on an old hanger!

I have many other collections, of course (I tend to be a bit of a packrat--lol!), but I think this is the collection I’m always hunting down new additions to add to while I thrift. Do you have any collections that you find yourself amassing when you thrift?

This ends the week of Nifty Thrifty posts--I sure had fun! I think the best part was hearing about your thrifting stories, adventures and amazing finds! Thank you for sharing this week of thrift love with me!

Cheers!

[ email me ]

:: nifty-thrifty | four ::

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:59:37 GMT

I was going to post this one on the fifth installment of Nifty-Thrifty, but I think I’ll switch the posts, and instead do my last post of “favorite finds” tomorrow! So instead, in keeping with the usual “Inspiration Friday” linkage, I’ve gathered a bunch of links on thrifting and recycling those finds--I hope you’ll all enjoy!!

♥ Amanda’s fantastic list of thrifting tips!
♥ national directory of thrift stores (great especially for finding places when you’re travelling!)
♥ Lorimarsha makes some really swanky refashioned clothes
♥ painfully hip’s “thrift stars” category--quite inspiring
♥ Tricia is the Queen of Thrifting (in my humble opinion! hehe!)
♥ a wardrobe “thrift-along”! [ via ]

Know of any good thrifty-links? Please share!

[ Read the other Nifty-Thrift posts here. ]

Cheers!

[ email me ]

p.s. Curious about the photos? They're a couple little treasures I picked up this afternoon whilst thrifting! Click on the images for more...

:: friday’s fancies ::

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:49:28 GMT

Oh dear! I missed a day of Nifty Thrifty posts... looks like I’ll have to play “make up” tomorrow, perhaps? hehe! Anyway, I will do today’s installment later this afternoon. For now, I hope you enjoy these links to various, inspiring spots about the web I stumbled upon this week!

Oh, and I must tell you that Bead Simple is turning out to be quite a favorite book around here; I’ve finally been poking about in my stash of bits and bobbins. I unearthed a pretty wren (I think... I’m so bad with bird species!) ornament I bought after Christmas. I thought it would make a fetching necklace pendent, but I never found a necklace suited to attach it to. So yesterday evening I pulled out some chain, a few beads I scrounged from an old rummage-sale necklace, and voila! Perfectly suited to the spring weather, don’t you think?

♥ a thought-provoking post on the current state of fashion
♥ brilliant method for repairing torn tissue sewing patterns!
♥ inspiring interview with design-extordinaire Nubby Twiglet
♥ these sweet images make me smile! [ via ]
♥ a whole site of found snapshots [ via ]
♥ gorgeous artwork by Hillary Webb
♥ a fun way to use orphaned belt buckles!
♥ dreamy frocks and more...
♥ a variety of snazzy, easy-to-make headbands! [ via ]

I’m off to spend a day of poking around in thrift shops with my mom (we’ve been planning this for months and schedules just haven’t meshed! hehe!)!! Have a lovely Friday... stay tuned for the Nifty Thrifty post later on!

Cheers!

[ email me ]

:: nifty-thrifty | three ::

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:14:37 GMT

I grew up with a wardrobe stocked of mostly thrifted garments. Saturday mornings were devoted to hitting our two favorite mega-stores, right as they opened; Mom sifting through the racks searching for garments to clothe both myself and my sister. Inevitably, we’d get bored following her around, and start darting through the aisles, pulling out gaudily beaded evening gowns and howling in laughter at ourselves in the mirror when we’d hold them up.

This was back in the early 1990s; and I still remember to this day seeing the racks of 1960s prom dresses, and fur coats. I credit my sense of “eclectic fashion” style to these early years spent in thrift stores. Where Christian Dior rubbed shoulders with fringed hippie cast-offs. Somehow it made the idea of mixing things up, and not being “trendy” a lot more palatable when I decided to return to my roots (thrifting).

Needless to say, I still love going through and finding gems of garments; even though its a bit harder these days to really strike gold with vintage. But occasionally, you do... usually when you’re not expecting it!

These are a few of my favorite finds; some of which I thrifted a few years ago, and others that are more recent. None I’ve ever shown here. Be sure to click on the photos for larger views and descriptions! (And stop by my Flickr stream for more photos.)

Have you ever found a real, thrift-store gem? Tell me your story!

[ Read the other Nifty-Thrift posts here. ]

Cheers!

[ email me ]

p.s. This post has a rather humorous anecdote... I had planned on showing the most gorgeous gown I happened up last year. Its a beautifully-constructed, 1960s wedding gown with a long train that can be gathered up into a dramatic, sculptural bustle. I bought it for a song (at least, considering how much wedding gowns normally cost). Alas, I haven’t ever been able to post photos, because a certain Boyfriend reads this blog occasionally. lol. And you know, that would be bad luck--just in case! hehe!!

:: nifty-thrifty | two ::

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:42:38 GMT

Besides the clothes rack, my biggest preoccupation whilst digging through thrift stores is vintage patterns. While yes, part of the motivation is that I do sew, and thus am always on the hunt for some new and “exciting” style to whip up, I do love collecting them for their graphics! (Because honestly--I don’t think I could ever sew all of the patterns--although I’d like to think I could! hehe!)

They’re little time-capsules of previous eras and fashion styles. I love seeing how not only the trends have changed for the home seamstress, but also the sewing techniques!

I also feel a slight connection to the ladies who owned these patterns before me. I think the best patterns are the ones that have pin markings, notes, or even just simple circles around the size they needed to cut out! (Something I do!)

I also occasionally light upon a “how-to” booklet from the 1950s or 1960s. I love flipping through them for ideas and inspiration! Look at some of these pages:

See more vintage-pattern goodness here and here!

[ Read the other Nifty-Thrift posts here. ]

Cheers!

[ email me ]

:: nifty-thrifty | one ::

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:55:02 GMT

Nifty-thrift is a week-long tribute to my favorite pastime: hunting for old treasures! Feel free to join in on your own blog with photos and musings on uncovering a diamond in the rough. Or feel free to share your favorite “nifty-thrift” story in the comments--I’d love to hear it!

I think I gasped quite loudly when I found this tablecloth. It was sitting quietly folded in a pile of other vintage linens in one of my favorite thrift shops. Mom and I had been spending the day traveling from one thrift store to the next, rummaging. But this was without a doubt, my find of the day--no--possibly year. I had been searching for ages for a pretty, vintage table covering. And I felt more than satisfied and surprised by this little gem!

Just look at the colors! I think it must have been made for a card table, as it is the perfect-square size for just such a surface!

My favorite is the gorgeous embroidery!! I daresay it’ll only come out on extra special occasions, but I look so forward to using it.

Cheers!

[ email me ]

:: {slightly odd} musings ::

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:08:46 GMT

The weather has been going back and forth, forth and back, for the past two weeks. It is now starting to affect my head on a daily basis! I woke up this morning with the distinct impression that I had cotton stuffed between my ears... which has made my morning a rather muddled, and entertaining mess (thank goodness for to-do lists!)! hehe! So I apologize in advance if this post is a wee bit... well... out of it. lol.

I relaxed all weekend; which was nice after the ups and downs of the previous week. I try not to get into personal matters on this blog, but let’s suffice to say that we had a situation with an extended family member, taking up a good deal of emotional energy. Its been stressful for my parents especially, so I’ve been having to step in and “hold down the fort” as my daddy likes to say. hehe. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this week will be just a wee less dramatic. So, as a result, I feel rather bad that I don’t have a ton of exciting things to blog about this morning. But I hope you will understand...

I have been doing some reading--non-school reading! Hurrah! On Saturday afternoon, my sweet mum surprised me with my own copy of Bead Simple. Thank you, Mom!! I am now plotting what to make next... and being quite bad spending time searching through Etsy’s wonderfully-tempting bead supply category. I already made a few little purchases. hehe! But I’m trying to be a little good, and “go shopping” through my collection of vintage jewelry that I don’t wear often.

I’m also reading the utterly inspiring and delightfully-written Anti 9 to 5 Guide by Michelle Goodman (per Kate’s recommendation). I haven’t gotten terribly far in it yet, but the first chapter has made me feel quite a bit more at ease about my seeming “inability” to stay motivated working a normal job. hehe! I shall have a full review when I’m done!

Something I wanted to share with you all; a super-simple project that is perfect for adding a bit of sweetness to any outfit! Last week, in a fit of needing some new, pretty accessory for one of my “tried and true” outfits, I pulled out some antique dress trim and whipped up this little bow pin:

Its made from an antique, 1880s dressing gown I purchased years ago (the photo is of an art project that I showed last spring in the school-wide art show, in which I used this gown). Its falling apart, but the moire ribbons are still largely intact. Which means perfect for salvaging and reusing! Just stitched together and to a pin back, it makes for a quick, and interchangeable little bit of flair for any outfit! I’m thinking perhaps I need to make one up in a piece of wide lace as well--and maybe one of my favorite, vintage cotton prints (with the edges unfinished--just so it doesn’t get too time consuming and complicated!). Do you have any favorite, quick and easy tricks to liven up an outfit? Do share!!

Now for this week’s Vintage Monday feature! This is from a 1947 pattern catalog in my collection, which I am constantly referencing for ideas! Just look at the sweet ruffles and shirring along the skirt! Would be so pretty in a modern dress too, I think--perhaps with a more modern fabric or even something like a knit!

Keep an eye out for the first Nifty Thrift post later this afternoon! I’m so excited to launch a week-long thrift-love fest!

Have a lovely Monday, my dears!!!

Cheers!

[ email me ]

:: hurrah! its friday! ::

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 15:27:51 GMT

First things first: Today is the last day to sign up for the Creative Cacaphony Swap! Be sure to email me by this evening (with the information outlined here) so I can add you to the list. I’ve been quite surprised by the enthusiastic response--I think its going to be loads of fun!

Alas, I still haven’t attached the ruffle to the dress. It’s turned out to be one of those weeks, where everything is just zooming by far to fast. hehe! Not that I mind, but I am definitely spending some serious time with my machine this weekend... once I finish leftover homework, that is! However, I have gotten some creating done! I checked out Bead Simple from the library yesterday (after Tricia posted a glowing review), and managed to try out a few things with my stash of vintage bits and bobs collecting dust. lol. I made this super-simple, but very pretty, necklace using some odd chain I had and about fifteen minutes of time while making dinner. I’m itching to try out a pair of earrings, or perhaps another necklace!

I must, unfortunately, keep this post short; I’ve got a to-do list nearly a mile long! hehe. Take care, my friends; enjoy the links and have a simply wonderful weekend!!!

♥ such pretty, simple garments @ nooy [ via ]
♥ how to properly rip out sewn seams
♥ an artist we briefly talked about in Design History
♥ to die-for vintage [ via ]
♥ interview with Maira Kalman!
♥ save polaroid. ‘nuff said
♥ alana davis’s beautiful photography [ via ]

Cheers!

[ email me ]

p.s. Interested in doing a week of thrift finds? I’m blogging five days of favorite thrift finds next week, and if you’d like to join in the fun, please do! There is nothing fancy, no rules--just happily talking and showing off thrifted goodies! If you would, you are more than welcome to snag this button to post in your blog...

:: breathlessly excited ::

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:07:27 GMT

I still haven’t quite finished that dress I posted a sneak peek of on Monday (the polka-dot material was snipped from the most major alteration I did). It is just missing the voile ruffle, but I dare not show the entire piece until it is complete! hehe. Hopefully by Friday I shall have eked out an hour of sewing time to finish it...

Anyhow, I spent a little bit of time the other night, winding down with a cup of chamomile tea, my pretty little cahier (I found the website of the manufacturer--they are some other, absolutely delicious notebooks!), and a pile of inspiring images that had been sitting on my computer.

As you can see by this page, Art Nouveau has been absorbing me quite a bit lately! Design History class this week we spent most of the three-hour class discussing the movement and viewing utterly gorgeous slides!! I was in heaven! I think I took nearly four pages of notes... hehe! I just love the color and vibrancy of line; I think it fits quite well with the mood springtime brings. Do you ever feel a stylistic look fits well with a particular season?

I think perhaps next week I shall declare it A Week of Thrifty Finds! I’ll post a photo (or two...) of some lovely goodies I have happened upon in the past months, since I have been so bad about sharing them (and its quite a pile now! hehe!). Is anyone else game for five days of blog and thrift-fun? Do let me know... perhaps we can organize an informal little something.

Oh, and before I dash off, I wanted to remind you that the deadline for signing up for the Creative Cacophony Swap is nearing! Be sure to drop me an email by Friday evening if you’d like to be included... I think it is going to be so much fun!!!

Have a lovely Wednesday, all!!

Cheers!

[ email me ]

p.s. Ali, is having a week of Amelie themed posts!!! What a perfectly lovely idea... a whole week of basking in Amelie goodness! Read all the posts (thus far) here. Discovered via Frolic!.

:: integrity ::

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:52:57 GMT

I haven’t talked much lately about what I’ve been doing in school (besides the emotional turmoil of midterms), which is a pity because in Design History it’s starting to move into the territory that I find fascinating! Specifically, we’re beginning to cover the Arts and Crafts, and Art Nouveau movements, which sadly are only briefly covered in the book--I think I could devote a whole semester to studying it. I just love the marriage of influences (Eastern and Western), the creative and artistic energy and exchange of ideas that one perceives, and the beautiful legacy of this era in design history.

Going over the assigned reading, it struck me how closely both movement mirrors the current revival of interest in the creative pursuits that is going on right now. Aesthetics, and returning to a sense of the wonderment art can produce, and creative exploration seems so prevalent right now. Perhaps it is just me, but I can’t help but think there is a bigger movement going on that is touching so many areas. I suppose the best label to slap on it is “DIY culture”. It has influenced so many areas of the arts and created a sort of frenzy among artists of various types to reach out and express their own vision of the world (whether real or perceived).

Yet as I was reading my textbook, this paragraph caught my eye and resonated: “...art historian Herbert Read once suggested that the life of any art movement is like that of a flower. A budding in the hands of a small number of innovators is followed by full bloom; then the process of decay begins as the influence becomes diffused and distorted in the hands of imitators who understand merely the stylistic manifestations of the movement rather than the driving passions that forged it.” I can’t help but feel that we’re beginning to see the diffusion of the DIY Movement into commercialism and the greater, societal “aesthetic”. Take for instance the oft-cited Urban Outfitters, a company that peddles a wide variety of “faux handmade” items in an effort to bring the look of DIY to consumers who may not fully embrace (or understand) the concept. In a way, is Urban Outfitters (and like, mass retailers), not cheapening and causing the “decay” of the original movement in its effort to cash in?

There is no doubt that the “handmade look” resonates with quite a few people; I think in many ways the DIY culture is a reaction to the overly sleek and impersonal manufactured goods that are available to the wider market. Its a return to the feeling of “soul” in a piece because someone, not a machine, put thought into the design and process of creating those goods. I know I personally am drawn to making things myself, or purchasing them from other artisans, because it gives a feeling of integrity to the piece; that it wasn’t just slapped together thoughtlessly, nor am I just following some whim or trend without thought.

But where does the line between “bloom” and “decay” become crossed? The popularization in the social consciousness of the DIY movement has in a way, I believe, created a movement away from thoughtful creation and effort to protest against impersonal consumerism, to a more frenzied appeal to “standing out” and looking “handmade” at any cost. While I applaud anyone who does take an interest in engaging in DIY (after all, I do encourage everyone to find their creative outlet!), when mass marketers and manufacturers begin to mimic the essential “look” of handmade, have we lost the edge and have begun to witness the beginning of the end?

What are your thoughts?

To reward you all for having read through this rather tedious, muddled post (thank you if you stuck with me the entire way! hehe!), here is the Vintage Monday feature for today!! Hurrah for pretty things!

Another, pretty 1840s print! Although this one is just black and white (I think I've posted most of the hand-colored ones), I love the details and lines of the gowns.

I hope you have a lovely Monday, all!!!

Cheers!

[ email me ]

p.s. I was aimlessly surfing the web yesterday, and stumbled upon Julia Kuo’s pretty little illustrations. I love how light and storybookish they are; go take a look!

:: changing of the seasons ::

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 13:13:30 GMT

[ my outfit yesterday that consisted of an alarmingly large number of vintage '80s, thrifted pieces! ]

Happy Spring, my dears!!! Life has been such a flurry of activity lately. Yesterday I went on my first, proper retail shopping trip since my little experiment commenced in January. Though, I must say that it was for an entirely-allowable cause: footwear! My springtime shoe situation is a little pathetic, and despite my frequent thrifting, finding vintage shoes in my size (and a color/style that I like) is proving nigh impossible. lol. So I bought a pair of patent-leather dress shoes for the spring (I know, patent for spring? We shall see!), and lighted upon this delightfully 1930s-esque pair of heels for 70% off:

Hooray!! Confession: after I took this photo, I kept them on all evening, whilst catching up with my emails and listening to The Shins (oh! how I love them!!). I am such a silly little someone! hehe.

There are so many, incredibly inspiring links this week! I hope you have a moment to look through them...

♥ ah-yi’s utterly inspiring blog
♥ a clever idea for hanging vases!
♥ Tricia’s thoughtful post on fashion’s do’s and don’t's
♥ an utterly feminine, inspring little nook
♥ colorful clothes from gudren sjödén [ via ]
♥ a great article on design
♥ check out these beautiful spaces featured on Poppytalk here & also here
♥ fairytale-like photos
♥ beautiful, artistic embroidery

Have a utterly lovely weekend! For those of you that celebrate Easter, I hope you all have a beautiful day (and lots of yummy Easter candy... hehe!). I shall be back on Monday!

Cheers!

[ email me ]

:: swap scheming ::

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:43:30 GMT

I have been plotting this for awhile, but the idea of organizing a swap was slightly intimidating! lol. However, the idea has persisted for well over four months (I know... talk about procrastinating!), so I suppose that means I must do something about it, huh? I would like to announce the first-ever (for this blog!) Creative Cacophony Swap! Read on for details...

Participants will create “mix tapes” (cd’s) of their favorite music that inspires the creative process. Music has played such a pivotal role in shaping my creative moods, and I am constantly tweaking and changing up my mix of favorites as the days pass. I always find it interesting to know what inspires other artists not only visually but acoustically as well! Interested in participating?

Here’s how: Email between now and next Friday (March 28) to sign up. Be sure to include your name, email address, blog/website (optional), and mailing address. Please be sure to note whether you are willing to ship your mix internationally.

Depending on how many people sign up, I’ll either match participants up individually, or in smallish groups (up to five people). You’ll create up to five mix cds of your “creative cacophony” to mail to other members of your group. Creative expression through the cd packaging is encouraged! All mix tapes will be mailed no later than May 2, 2008 (that gives you more than a month!! hehe!). I’ll email everyone more specifics once I have all the sign-ups.

So, if you think this sounds like fun (I know I do! lol), send me an email me with the required information by March 28.

I hope everyone is having a lovely Wednesday! I'm off to do a little reconstruction project...

Cheers!

[ email me ]

:: bittersweet ::

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:15:04 GMT

Aw... Thank you for your sweet comments about my wee posting that my Sweetheart was home for the weekend! It was really so lovely to find those in my inbox this morning; softened the feeling of loneliness a bit. Thank you.

Onto sweater-reveal goodness! Its a cardigan that originally looked quite drab, unfitted and well... basic. (Somewhat like this one, although this is a different sweater. I forgot to take a “before” shot! Ack!!) I picked it up at one of the local thrift shop’s dollar days, and since it was a lovely silk/cashmere blend, I thought it would be worth refashioning into something a little more... me!!

I used this book, The Yestermorrow Clothes Book as a reference point for starting the refashion. It details how to take apart a sweater, adjust the fit, and put it back together again! I figured out how much I wanted to take the sides in (‘cause the fit was too boxy for me), cut the side seams apart, removed the bottom ribbing band, cut the sleeves off, and shortened the body of the cardigan by about 4”.

Despite the fact that it is a sweater knit, it wasn’t really that hard to sew the pieces! I just used a very narrow zig-zag (almost a straight stitch... but not quite) on all the seams, trimmed them down and then did a larger zig-zag over the edges. The sleeves I shortened by cutting off the original sleeve cap, and cutting a new one (I was bad... I just eyeballed it, although the book does recommend using a pattern!), and then reattaching to the new armhole (which I narrowed at the shoulder seam).

The reconstruction work was a breeze; deciding on trim and buttons was the hard part! hehe! I hunted through my stash of vintage textiles and pulled out two sleeves I had chopped off an old, eyelet and lace dress. I knew the salvaged eyelet would come in handy one day!! I just enclosed the front edges with the eyelet, topstitching everything down. The buttons were just from my stash; and I decided to go with the white and red because I didn’t have enough red buttons of the right size.

So... I have a very cute (in my opinion! lol!) cardigan for only nickels and dimes, as my dad would say! Now that I have made you endure the long, drawn-out details of how I did this, here is the fun, belated, Friday links roundup!!! Oh, and now you can reference the older posts of Friday links just by clicking the “inspiration” image. Hurrah!!

♥ make a no-pattern, no-zipper skirt!
♥ sweet ideas for accessorizing with vintage doilies
♥ beautiful, inspiring fashion and outfit ideas
♥ a great interview with Polaroid artist Jen Gotch [ via ]
♥ Jenny’s meditation on creativity and developing a collection
♥ knit a very cute, stripy hat!
♥ breathtakingly beautiful photographs and illustrations
♥ how to take a pattern from a favorite garment!!!*
♥ I so want to live in this space...

*I am dying to try this! I mean... wouldn’t it be great to finally take some patterns from my vintage collection?! *sigh*

Enjoy all the linking-goodness and inspiration! I shall post the Vintage Monday image a wee bit later today...

Cheers!

[ email me ]

:: m.i.a. ::

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:22:56 GMT

Good morning, my dears!! I just wanted to apologize that I didn't get the Refashion Reveal up or the Friday Inspiration links yesterday... But my Sweetheart came home a day early, so its been a bit of a muddle around here with my schedule!! hehe. I will post everything late tomorrow instead... so stay tuned!

I hope you all are having a lovely weekend!! I'm off to enjoy the lovely, springish weather we're being treated to! Hurrah!!!

Cheers!

[ email me ]

:: late day frenzy ::

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 20:19:44 GMT

A sneaky-preview of another refashion to be revealed in tomorrow’s post! Or, how I spent an hour last night. hehe!

Oh, and I had to show you these singularly odd Peeps that my sister picked up yesterday! We've dubbed them the "X-Peeps", 'cause they're all kind of mutant! lol. Seriously; not one in this string has their eyes in the proper place (and one is missing his altogether!). We got such a laugh out of them! hehe!

Cheers!

[ email me ]

p.s. I have been getting no emails on my Gmail account the past several days. So if you've been trying to contact me, please try again! Sometimes technology just is more of a muddle than a help! *giggle*

:: the inspiration is palpable ::

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:27:40 GMT

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

I have been so inspired lately by everything around me. Books. Music. Textures. Flickr friends. Its kinda insane; my brain is on overdrive, and I feel I can’t pull the ideas out of my head fast enough before they become lost in the jumble!

If you were to open my sketchbooks, you’d be more likely to find a mish-mash of pasted cut outs, technical drawings, letter-faces I sketch, and a jumble of other odds and ends than any fine art. (Which leads me once again to believe my art professor who told me I’d never be a fine artist--but was more suited to design. That is a whole ‘nother post though!)

I like to pick apart designs that intrigue me: be it fashion, architecture, interior design, photography, or type (just to name a few). Which is probably why I have taken to cutting out so many pictures and doing little doodles of basic ideas. It is the notes next to the images that is where I really start to think. Pattern schematics, measurements, variation ideas, trims, fabrications, paint colors, etc. come alive on the pages. The little cahier I brought home from the National Gallery trip last week has been earmarked for my latest slew of springtime fashion ideas and inspirations! Here is a wee peek at some of the pages I have been filling up:

Yes, most of the images are from Anthropologie! I have a serious addiction, evidenced by over three years of catalogs I’ve saved:

Quite, quite bad, don’t you think? *giggle*

And look what yummy-inspiring book arrived in the mail yesterday:

I have been dying to get my hands on Claire McCardell by Kohle Yohannan for years. I was really sad to find out it was out of print, and both Amazon and Alibris were listing used copies at astronomical prices. So, after bidding on a couple copies over the past few months on Ebay (and loosing), I finally got one for less than $10!! Only thing that is “wrong” with it is the dust jacket is missing. But I hate dust jackets, so that isn’t a problem. lol. Now I have a whole book of inspiration from my favorite, American designer!! Hurrah!!!

Speaking in inspiring music, I have to share this new music I discovered yesterday evening while watching a pod on CurrentTV: Radical Face is just amazing. I love the sounds, the haunting sing-song style! I am dying to dow It fits in very nicely with the rest of my current creativity playlist.

I’m off to do some productive things with myself today. And wait around for my sweetheart to call. I got a surprise phone call late yesterday night from him; after three weeks of not hearing his voice it was so good. I got that silly, butterflies-in-the-tummy feeling when I picked up my phone and saw who it was! I’m still smiling today.

Have a lovely afternoon, my friends!!!

Cheers!

[ email me ]

p.s. I got my hair cut yesterday! Well, nothing too radical (I am somewhat loathe to loose the length!), but I got some longish "bangs" cut, which I think gives me a rather '70s look; what do you think? (Ignore the fact that I look depressed in this photo... rofl!)