(Into) the Fray

Irina Troitskaya

I don't recall whose blogroll I was clicking through to arrive at Irina Troitskaya's site, but I'm so glad I did.  Granted, she's been featured many other places for her amazing work, so I'm actually a bit behind the curve when it comes to her wonderful work but better late than never.

You may recall I'd noticed the sudden prevalence of matryoshka on fabric, in jewelry and even in clothes.  Her versions, however, are a completely different take on the traditional Russian nesting doll.

The inclusion of the sloth is what immediately caught my eye.  Costa Rica is currently on the top of my travel list if only because you're virtually guaranteed to see one when you're there. 

And of course beyond the concept, which I love, is the rendering of these unusual animals.  The neutral colors, but for the bright blue of the blue footed boobie's feet, are just wonderful--simple but detailed and somehow perfect for the nesting doll shape.

You might also want to check out Irina's flickr for more of her work and some wonderfully surreal photos.

Simplicity 8346

The Simplicity 8346 pattern is ostensibly for a dress but I only planned to make it into a top and bought enough seersucker to do so.  Now I'm wishing I'd bought more of the seersucker because I love the fabric.

You may be wondering what became of the 3 fabrics I was considering for the contrast bib front.  It was only after I started laying that part of the pattern against the fabric that I realized I didn't have nearly enough of any of them.  This modern floral, one of my favorites from my stash, was one of the few I really loved that made sense against the summery seersucker.

I was worried the elastic back might look funky but I actually like how it pleats and gathers up.   I'm also really pleased with the French seams, a necessity for a neatnik like me since I don't own a serger.  Now if only the weather would warm up enough to wear it!

Vintage Dresses - Austin Style

So many vintage dresses!

I've always heard the vintage shopping is much better in the south, and Austin Style Watch is making me believe it's true.

Latest Loves

Things I'm longing for but will not buy (I think)...

I've said before that I really don't do the expensive handbag thing.  I also haven't ever really understood Orla Kiely's appeal--I'm often drawn to graphic prints, especially in textiles but her designs haven't ever really tempted me.  I think this bag features her signature petals/leafs in a subtle way--and that red twist closure is too fantastic against the blue.

I'm also loving these sandals spied in the Anthropologie catalog I got earlier this week.  I have absolutely no need for another pair but I love the materials used in these.

And these sailor shorts are too tempting given my love of all things nautical.  However, I rarely wear shorts and certainly wouldn't pay $179.00 for a pair so I'm pretty sure these will remain firmly on Nordstrom's racks.

Gamey

My sister got tickets to see Margaret Cho for her birthday.  For some insane reason, she chose me to go with her.

I don't think I've laughed so hard for so long ever.  She was unrelentingly hysterical.

And I so wish I'd had my camera.  There were so many pretty people there.  Unbeknownst to me, Cho helped to put on a burlesque show that ran for four weeks in New York and now has quite the 1940s pin up following--I even saw a woman in a little hat like Dita Von Teese wore to Coachella. 

Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera so you'll just have to take my word for it.

Decisions, Decisions

I finally got around to cutting the pattern for the bib front jumper, the pattern I purchased what feels like ages ago and just haven't had time to start.

I plan on making the version with the contrasting bib and tie and the length will only be to the hip.  I'm just having trouble trying to decide what fabric to use for the bib.

I was initially tempted to play up the blue stripe of the seersucker with a watercolor-like floral print--but I also thought the cranes looked mighty pretty.

Now, however, I'm leaning towards this simple white on white fabric that I think might make the top a little more versatile.  Regardless, all the fabric is going into the wash while I try to make up my mind.

In other news, this made me laugh.

Happy Saturday, all.

Etsy Love

Recent Etsy love:
I have most of my online purchases delivered to work and a colleague managed to intercept me as I was opening this package from Heart & Dart.  We both laughed at how tempted we were to eat this chocolate soap--it looks just like a brownie and smells twice as good.  I was worried it might not lather up much but it's plenty bubbly--and has exfoliating bits of cocoa in it.

These earrings took a bit longer to reach me given that they were coming from Poland.  I actually had to open them up on my way to the gym, I was so eager to get a look at them and try them on.
   
They're quite a bit bigger than the earrings I typically wear so I've been keeping my outfits simple when I have them on.  But it's so tempting to wear them all the time!

I've been really longing for a summer weight scarf, something with a loose, open weave and a little color.  I contemplated some of the brighter scarves I saw at the Gap and J.Crew had some pretty colors as well--but I knew there had to be something on Etsy that would fit the bill.  By heartisans (lots of heart shops on Etsy, it appears), they have lots of colors--I'm kind of wondering if I shouldn't get the yellow & green one, too.

Patchwork Rip Off

When I was advocating paying real prices for the amount of work that goes into an item as detailed and labor-intensive as patchwork, I did not mean this:

Sheer jersey haphazardly pieced together from remnants and the hem's not even finished?  I'm reluctant to even call this patchwork.

The Patchwork Trend & the Target Dilemma

It was simultaneously encouraging and disheartening to find the quilted patchwork trend that I've seen in various forms on craft blogs being mass produced by a major retailer.

It was encouraging because I love the idea of this tradition gaining visibility but disheartening because these were being sold for $12.99 (and $9.09 on the Target site).  Given all of the binding and sewing that would go into these necklines, my first thought is for the people who made these and got paid nothing to do so, then for the crafters on sites like Etsy who couldn't possibly charge so little. 

I mean, how adorable is this little tote by Frecklewonder?  The colors are bright and fun, the fabric is vintage and the inner lining is an apple print.  Adorable, right? 

I wish I knew the answer to the dilemma of affordability versus honoring the artisans in our own back yards.  The green movement is gaining hold daily (I've never seen so many people with their own grocery bags as I have in the past few months at my local grocery store) but there's still a long ways to go.

And God knows my own hypocrisy is wrapped up in this given that we were at Target to pick up things on the cheap: razors, new pillows, some eyeshadow for the wedding we went to later that day and God knows what else.

Who would have thought you could have a love/hate relationship with Target?

Ooo, Shiny

When I was in Portland, I rescued a crazy necklace covered in mirrored discs; it was long enough to wrap around the waist and might have been more suitable to a belly dancer's hips than someone's neck.  But I thought the little mirrors might look appealing on their own.

 

These were fun to photograph, trying to make sure me and my camera weren't being reflected in the images--or the house plants, or the cats trying to get in on the photgraphy action.  They're in the shop as we speak.

And a necklace just 'cause.

This Fabulous Century - 1900-1910

The second in the series of Time-Life books, the 1900-1910 book might be my favorite given my love of all things Edwardian.

After all, this was the decade that spawned the Gibson girl.

And featured her real-life counterpart, Alice Roosevelt.

It was also the decade that saw the germination of the women's rights movement and features women engaging in the activities that had once been reserved for men.

And I love the pictures of the beauties of the day and seeing how much standards have changed--especially our super groomed brows.

You might not recognize the center portrait but she's the great aunt of a contemporary actress.

This might be my favorite photo from this book for a variety of reasons.

Between her rich garb, her wistful expression, and of course the impossibly tiny waist, it just seems like this portrait more than any other represents the decade like no other.

The Shelf Quest Concludes

While it would have been awesome to find an antique or have a custom piece made, the boyfriend and I finally replaced his utilitarian Ikea shelf with something a little nicer:

A little more us:

And given that the stain matches the majority of the living room furniture, the front room finally feels complete.

Edited to add for K-line: our view.  You can also see the old shelves there.

Asymmetrical Shoes

Asymmetrical shoes kill me.  Maybe it's because I've always loved mary janes and this gives the look a grown-up, modern twist.

These colorful jelly flats are available at Urban Outfitters while these leather heels are by Corso Como.

 

Then there are these two pair from Endless, one of the easiest web sites I've ever used for shoe shopping.  The only bad thing is that this search yielded very few asmmetrical mary janes--and the few I found had chunky heels I don't usually go for.  You can always trust Fluevog to bring the quirkiness and this pair are no exception.  I love the little ruffle on the heel of the second pair, but...the heel.  Sigh.

Red Lipstick

You know you spend a lot of time on flickr (and the internet in general) when you put on deep red lipstick and the first thing you think is, 'I feel like becktress.' 

I forgot I had this lipstick and can vaguely recall buying it for a costume party.  Wonder what the Queens would make of the name.

I've said before that though you might think my love of clothes and jewelry and shoes might also translate into a love of make-up, that's simply not the case.  Most days, I put nothing on my face.  On less rushed mornings, I'll occasionally put on mascara and concealer for the dark pigment under my eyes (no amount of sleep, vitamins or detox has managed to get rid of them.)

This last shot I took specifically for Alyson's white space flickr pool.  I think it might be the first picture I'm truly happy submitting.

8 Things

You may have seen 8 Things posts by any number of people and now I'm no exception.  Carley tagged me to do this some time ago but it took me longer than I possibly thought to list these.

8 Things I'm Passionate About:

1. Animals.
2. Making Things.
3. Cleaning.
4. Music.
5. Getting outside.
6. Hating on the weather.
7. Travel.
8. Good food.

8 Things I Want to Die Before I Die:

Choose from this growing list.

8 Things I Say Often:

1. The thing is...
2. Dude
3. Seriously
4. Yeah, no.
5. I don't want to go to the gym.
6. [swear word]
7. I was reading on [insert web site]...
8. Uh uh.

8 Books I've Read Lately:

1. The Claudine series by Colette.
2. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter.
3. Letters Between Six Sisters - the Mitfords
4. The Power of Style.
5. Don't Get Too Comfortable.  This was hysterical.  If you like Sedaris, you'll probably like this.
6. Girls on Film.  Out of print but so worth it.  She's biting, clever & insightful.
7. Insert fashion blog here.
8. Insert craft blog here.

8 Songs I Can Listen to Over & Over Again:

This changes pretty regularly.  This week, they are (song links will take you to videos):

1. Bryn - Vampire Weekend
2. Nantes - Beirut
3. American Boy - Estelle
4. The People - Common
5. Rock My Boat - Dntel (I recently looked up the video for this and was blown away.)
6. All I Need - Radiohead
7. Dead Disco - Metric
8. The Heinrich Manuever - Interpol

Dita's Dedication

It take's real dedication to maintain the painstakingly made-up appearance that Dita Von Teese cultivates.  Especially in triple digit temperatures at an outdoor music festival.

Really, really need to just buy some red lipstick already.

Vintage Image Inspiration

There are a few things from the past couple of weeks that I've found beyond inspiring but haven't had time to form a coherent thought on how they connect.  Not saying I'm coherent now, but I figured I'd share.

I love how, if you look quickly, this image could almost be mistaken for a contemporary photo.  The simple tee and red jeans, the polo & full skirt, the rolled up chinos and fabric flats--they're all very simple and casually fabulous.  Even more captivating is that these three women were in the middle of an overland expedition, a 16,000 mile drive to the Himalayas and back.

From the Telegraph:

They were the first European women to venture into Zanskar, where foreigners were forbidden to travel...Probably the first European women to cross Afghanistan unescorted...They dressed in their husbands' long johns, drank pints of Brooke Bond tea (Eve, by mistake, ordered enough 'to keep a family going for 150 years'), and insisted their two Ladakhi guides have jam as part of a proper balanced diet. Moreover, at the planning stage, neither Sims nor Deacock could drive.

I've also been smitten with this image for some time, of Charlotte Stribling, aka 'Fabulous,' a model waiting for her cue at a Harlem fashion show.  I've searched and searched trying to find more information on her but other than having the good luck to be photographed by Eve Arnold, there isn't much out there.

Catching L.A. Confidential late at night earlier this week didn't help my vintage obsession.  I don't think I noticed Kim Basinger's costumes nearly as much the first time I saw it--I was probably too distracted by the gritty plot and great acting.

Her clothes in general were pretty fantastic but the lounge wear was just gorgeous.  It really makes you long for the days when hanging out at home didn't mean yoga pants and ironic tees.

Though you can't see it in this screen capture, the jumpsuit she had on in this scene was breathtaking.  Wide, draping legs and a back that knotted together in this Grecian style that I don't think I've seen in contemporary clothing.

Obviously, I just need to start wearing some bright red lipstick and call it a day.

Nordstrom's Lingerie

I have never been much for lingerie--I tend to veer towards things for function rather than fashion.  That doesn't stop me from being tempted though, especially when there's dreamy, ethereal photography involved.

These images from the Nordstrom's catalog I got in the mail earlier this week are so appealing, I'm almost wondering why I've never considered having items like these in my wardrobe before.  I love the darkened edges and gauzy quality--it's crazy how pervasive the lomo look has become.

Realistically, though, this is probably the only item from the catalog I'd actually have the gumption to wear.  And given that these PJs were priced at 70 dollars or so, I think I'd rather make them.  Just gotta break out that Amy Butler pattern again...

A Lazy Saturday

As you might have noticed, weekend posts are often pretty craft heavy since that tends to be the time that I cram in a lot of my projects.  And while I did have some more fun with the beads I got in the swap, this Saturday was far lazier than most.  It might be that I had the foresight to check the forecast and don't want to be squinting and sour-shouldered by the time our friends arrive for the barbecue we're having.  It might just be the sunshine.

Besides finally grouping together all of the random bits and pieces we've been meaning to donate (and hopefully we'll have time to do so tomorrow), I occupied myself with trying to replicate an old photo I like very much.

Of course, our cats are a lot less obedient than Joan's dachshunds.

Enjoy your weekend.

Out with the Old

New earrings, courtesy of a swap, featuring some new beads as well as others from my stash.

I think these, pearl and lapis and so Egyptian, might be my favorite.

But the colors in these are so much more me. 

It had been some time since I felt inspired by anything other than fabric so I'm really grateful the swap gave me the desire to sit down and make something new and pretty.  All in the (Into) the Fray Shop.