The Year of Living Fabulously

New Blog

2011-07-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted on this blog for a while. In fact I've created a new one called Making 50 Fabulous. Please check it out. I'm posting daily. Hope you like it and feel free to follow and leave your blog info so I can check yours out, too. Be fabulous!!!

You got your Bile Beans in my Obesity Soap!...

2011-02-15T09:32:00.000-08:00

Weight Watchers sponsored a panel discussion on health and weight loss last month at the Library of Congress. Featured were some pretty awesome vintage posters. There's an article about this on the NPR blog.

Obviously weight loss concerns and oddball diet solutions are nothing new. I just love these posters shown on the blog.

And if none of these tickles your fancy, how about some nice tape worms? I found this ad here.

Wow! Easy to swallow and no ill effects.

Exercise and healthy eating are sounding better and better.

Joanie Coyote and Stuff

2011-02-11T11:09:00.000-08:00

I started a new blog that has more to do with comedy and getting back into stand-up. I have a feeling this one's going to be a lot easier to keep up with since it's on my mind much of the day. Check it out here and let me know what you think.

http://joaniecoyoteandstuff.blogspot.com/

The Dress-Yes, THAT dress!

2011-01-20T08:35:00.000-08:00

The Wedding Dress. Not mine! My best friend's. Remember this post ? Well, I finally got some pictures. I made this from scratch basically. Used a commercial pattern to make sure I got the grain right and all that but in the end there was just a sliver of the tissue left. Wow, it was hard but turned out so beautifully.

We were finishing it up until the last moment. This is my daughter and me and the other bridesmaid, Sandi, putting on the finishing touches.

The wedding was amazing. And she's so beautiful anyway. This is how long ago it happened. Last Sunday I was at this same friend's baby shower. She's due in a few weeks. Maybe I'll put up pictures of the baby shower some time next year. Hah!

New Years Mash Up

2010-12-31T16:59:00.000-08:00

I'm off to my very pregnant best friend's house to have a very low-key New Years celebration. Can't wait. I'm looking forward to next year. I think I'm starting to get my groove back and the future looks promising. I'll leave you with DJ Earworm's always fabulous end of the year Pop Music Mash Up. Enjoy, be safe, and here's to living 2011 fabulously.

(Ed. Note-View at You Tube/DJ Earworm/2011 Mash up)

Sharesies-2011 Calendars

2010-12-30T21:22:00.000-08:00

There are some great free calendars floating around the web. This one from The Blog Guidebook is gorgeous.

If you want something less decorative you can find lots of other options at Frugal Upstate where they have put together a list of 31 different free online 2011 calendars. There's got to be something there for everyone. I like this one.

Tomorrow is the last day of my Everyday in December Challenge. It's been great. I'm not an everyday of anything type of gal and it made me dig deep some days and get in there even when I didn't want to. Thank you to anyone who has been paying attention. I love you all. Hope your New Year is Fabulous!!!

Positive New Years Resolutions

2010-12-29T23:59:00.000-08:00

I saw a great post today on Design For Mankind. Instead of thinking of all the things you're not doing well enough, make a list of things you've done well and want to keep doing.

Here are mine.
1. Keep blogging at least every week.
2. Continue to perform and write comedy. It's coming back, Baby!.
3. You have a great family and wonderful friends. Cherish this.
4. Continue using your creativity and finding ways to get paid for it. That really is the best way to live.

I'll think of more but I'm trying to get this done before midnight. Ha.

ps
I'm crocheting a ruffle scarf. Almost done. I'll take a picture of me wearing it when it's finished.

Whoopsedoodle

2010-12-29T09:04:00.000-08:00

I missed a post! I actually fell asleep on the couch last night and woke up just after midnight. Light weight! Anyway, I knew what I wanted to put up so I'll do this now and something later for today. I wanted to share something with you that is so cool I saw it at Dude Craft which is a really great blog if you haven't seen it. He always manages to find the most creative and interesting things. He wrote about a person who had put up compliments for random people to take.

It created such a buzz that the person who told him about this created a pdf so anyone can print these out and put them up. It's pouring down rain again here but I'll bet they'll let you put them up at Starbucks or at work. Pretty great, huh? When I went back over there for the links I saw he had posted another flyer idea someone else had done. What do you think? Great way to start the New Year, huh?

I'm almost done with the Every Day in December Challenge I created for myself. It hasn't been completely perfect, but I've done it. And I've gained 6 new followers. Thank you!!! And it's been fun. I'll definitely be posting more often than I was before. Thank you to all the bloggers who inspired this. You have a beautiful soul. :)

Say Cheese!

2010-12-27T23:59:00.000-08:00

One of my New Years Blogolutions is to take better pictures. Granted right now I'm using a point and shoot. When I got it six months ago I thought I had really made it. My very own DIGITAL camera. Whoo! Then I saw the difference between how my pictures look compared to people with Nikon something or others. I've already found some good information online and thought I'd share what I've found.

Centsational Girl always has great photos as well as terrific tutorials. I learned a lot from here and this about Picasa which I also use.

here's a tutorial on getting your equipment together
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/07/how-to_build_an_amateur_photog.html
this looks good too
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/07/cheap_and_simple_tools_for_bet.html

Do you have any ideas or information? Feel free to share.

ps
After I posted this, Kate at Centsational Girl posted this in depth information on taking better pictures. Thank you! Perfect timing.

The Day After Christmas...

2010-12-26T22:38:00.000-08:00

Ruled! I had such a great night. I had the feature spot at my local comedy club in the main room. When I got there they asked me to do 10 minutes in the smaller room, too. It was packed to the gills on a Sunday. I didn't know why but then found out Tom Green was the the headliner.

He wasn't there yet so they asked me to do 10 minutes before my main room gig. The audience was amazing and I got to sneak in a new bit. Then I did a longer set in the other room. I did a few more new jokes which all worked. It's hard to explain what a good feeling that is. Especially when you/ve been out of the game as long as I have (four years) Then closed the show in the small room and met Tom Green who I must say was freaking hilarious. I'd never seen him before but I was impressed.

I asked my friend who works at the club to quickly snap a few pictures so forgive the blurriness. Sorry I didn't get any of Tom Green.

Sweater-thrifted

Tunic-thrifted

Leggings-thrifted

Boots-thrifted

Neclace, Earrings-gift

Brooch-vintage

Belt-? had for 15 years or so

Christmas Day Is Here

2010-12-25T21:01:00.000-08:00

I spent Christmas Day with the family. Thank goodness I like my family. My sister is a terrific housekeeper and decorater. She really did it up this year.

We had a brunch of delicious homemade baked goods made by her and her husband and son. Yum!!!

I made dinner. Shepherd's Pie with ground turkey since I don't eat red meat. Here it is in pieces. This is one of my favorite meals. Maybe this will be a new tradition.

I got these beautiful towels and more nice things.

Oops. I got busted with my glasses on.

Banana Republic blouse-thrifted

Old Navy sweater-thrifted

Belt-thrifted

Necklace-vintage

Rhinestone Brooch-vintage

Jeans-Macy's

Glasses-Lenscrafters (I tore my contact lens)

Christmas Eve Party

2010-12-24T23:14:00.000-08:00

I am in love with making bows. These are from magazine pages. Not exactly Christmasy but they would be good for birthdays. Great way to recycle, huh?

I went to a Christmas Eve party tonight. We were supposed to bring a $5 gift. I made a matching bow with the wrapping paper.

Tada! It was chocolates in case you're wondering. To celebrate the holidays I dressed like a candy cane.

Bow-mazing

2010-12-23T22:36:00.000-08:00

I found this bow tutorial and felt all happy inside. I like having nice full bows but I hate buying packages full of them every year. This tutorial shows you how to make your own bows. So cool! I will be making these out of everything.
Find out how to make them here at A Spectacular Mess

Although I saw it first on Tales From An OC Cottage . Love these musical versions and great photos

I might have to have a bow making party tomorrow. Woohoo!

More Holiday Inspiration

2010-12-22T18:48:00.000-08:00

Why? Why no wardrobe posts for 3 days? Is it because I am overwhelmed with the Spirit of Christmas? No. It's because it's been raining for 6 days straight and I did all my Christmas shopping today, tore a contact lens and I looked craptastic. So...you can look at this instead. It's for your own good, trust me. I did promise to post every day this month, though, and I am, so there's that. (pat on back)

Anyway you need to see this. This magazine is fantastic. I had a subscription to Domino and they stopped publishing in the middle of my subscription. I was really sad that I hadn't caught on to it sooner. Well, if you liked that I think you'll like this magazine too. It's called Rue. I saw these photos a few days ago and I can't get them out of my mind. They are so pretty. Mix up a chocolate martini or get a piece of cake and check it out.

Totally yum, right? Outfit posts tomorrow I think. Nighty night.

More Gifting Treats

2010-12-21T20:11:00.000-08:00

I'm just now getting into the holiday spirit. Here are some more great gift wrapping ideas and downloads. I love a pretty package.

I found this at the gifted blog which is all about gift ideas. She has a free download for a gift box and tags that are really cute plus lots more fabulous ideas.

You can find fun sparkly ideas at Grey Likes Weddings with a free tag download here

I love these pictures!!!

And for pretty gift wrapping, it doesn't get much better than this at Style Me Pretty crafted by Summer from Grey Likes Weddings

They look good enough to eat!!

Enjoy. Happy Holidays. Good night.

A Regift For You

2010-12-20T23:34:00.000-08:00

Today I want to share some wonderful free gift tag downloads I found while searching around. I'm not the best gift wrapper in the world so I like to rely on tricks like cute gift tags to make the packages seem like they look better than they do. Anything to distract the eye from how badly I manhandled the tape. Some very talented graphic artists are offering free downloads of their wonderful handywork. Here are a few of my faves.

These tags from lovelydesign are adorable

I also love these from Orange You Lucky

Found these on Design Sponge by Julia Rothman

These are great too. Very 50s looking.

Created for World Label by the Shy Socialites

That should keep us busy for awhile right? Meanwhile I still have ALL my shopping still to do. What? Maybe I'll just get everybody gift tags for Christmas. heh heh.

Better Late Than Never

2010-12-20T09:02:00.000-08:00

I wasn't able to get a post up yesterday but I did take a picture. I tried to get photos earlier during the few hours I actually wore something I wouldn't mind being seen in, but the battery was too low to cooperate. I know how it feels. I stayed up late enough for it to recharge and tried again.
Good news. Only a couple more posts and I will have officially created a habit. They say it takes 21 days.

Navy and White Striped GAP T-Shirt-thrifted

White T-Shirt-Nine & Co

Gray Hoodie Sweater-thrifted

Jeans-Macy's

2 Necklaces-Marshalls I think, thrifted

I performed last night. It could have gone better but, hey, 10 people in the audience? And me exhausted? Oh well. The rain is beginning to lighten up after 3 days straight. Love the rain. Thank you for the rain. I wore this so the sun wouldn't feel forgotten. Love the sun.

Blogolutions

2010-12-18T20:50:00.000-08:00

Blog Resolutions. I'm starting early now that I'm going to have some time. (although unfortunately I did NOT finish grading today. Holy Cow! Tomorrow for sure. :p)

I am resolving to:
1) Create a nice inside space for photos for the few times a year it is pouring down rain in Southern California like it has all day today.

2) Figure out why my pictures are blurry (and why it's only when they are pictures of me. Am I blurry?)

3) Learn Photoshop. I have it just need to learn how to use it.

4) Continue to blog regularly-even if I never get past 14 Followers. You never know when you'll accidentally put up something useful

5) Figure out how to do casual without wearing jeans every day.

6) And of course, be a better friend to fellow bloggers by letting them know how much I appreciate them.

I went to campus today for several more hours of trying to finish up this crazy quarter-it's not just me in the weeds btw (if you ever waited tables you know what "in the weeds" means) Only one half-decent picture without my awesome in-house photographer.

Shirt-made by me

Sweater-thrifted

Scarf-NY street vendor?

Juicy Couture Jeans-thrifted

Hat-gift from meeting

Winding Down

2010-12-17T18:48:00.000-08:00

This morning I got up at 4:30 AM (3 hours sleep) took my daughter to the airport. She's visiting family out of state for the holidays. Then rushed to get dressed and down to campus for my last two classes. Afterwards they had the big Faculty and Staff Christmas Party. I wanted to look festive but all I could handle was to throw on this sparkly vintage sweater over some regular clothes.

I actually got a few compliments. Needed it. Here's a close up of the sweater.

This is another little vintage bauble I picked up sometime in the 80's at a yard sale. I put it on a chain and now it's one of my favorite necklaces. Also reminds me of a Christmas ornament.

And I got this at the party!!! I don't know what's in it yet. It's too pretty to unwrap. I want to look at it for awhile. What did you do today?

Sweater-vintage, flea market

Pink Shirt-Nine & Co

Purple Tank-Mervyns

Jeans-thrifted

Shoes-gift

Necklace-yard sale

Scarf-hand made by me

PS After tomorrow I will be through grading and officially en vacance. I have a lot of crafts and Christmas projects to do and some ideas to share so that will be coming up. As you can see I'm not feeling very funny today. Combination of exhaustion and sadness that my baby is away. <: (

The Countdown

2010-12-17T00:01:00.000-08:00

Only 2 more days before I stop complaining about grading and being tired. I graded for 8 hours straight today and there's still more to do. I'm getting up at 4:30 in the morning to take my daughter to the airport for her Christmas vacation and then going right to work for two classes (finals), a company Christmas party and then more delicious grading. The last thing I wanted to do today was take pictures but I made a commitment so my child and I decided to kick it Paparazzi Style to save you and me from showing such a raggedy face. :)

and of course...Superstar!!!!

(her idea)

Burgandy tank-Mervyns

Gray Top-Old Navy

Sweater-well-loved hand-me-down from best friend

Kahki Pants-thrifted

Nine West Boots-gift

Necklaces-thrifted, FIDM Scholarship Store

Flash Drive-Staples

Halfway There

2010-12-15T17:48:00.000-08:00

I am about halfway through my Everyday in December Challenge. I'm very proud actually because I'm not that great at being consistent. I tend to like variety and do a lot of different things at once and start over alot so I'm hoping this could become a habit.

I used to live near CBGB's in New York in the early 90's but got this t-shirt at a thrift store in LA. I spent the day inside grading (surprised?) Now off to teach ye olde night class.

See you tomorrow. :)

T-shirt-thrifted

Jeans-thrifted

Sweater-thrifted

Shoes-Marshalls

Purse-Marshalls

More Of The Same

2010-12-14T18:00:00.000-08:00

4 hours sleep. 8:30 AM class. More grading. I know I sound like a broken record but that's just how this week is going to go. Luckily I came home and took a little nap. Yes, in my clothes. And then took these pictures. Ha. My daughter helped out with pictures. She got all fancy with the camera angles.

Does this look natural?

Oh no. Sugar got out of the house! (my other cat)

Get back in the house, Sugar!

Sugar! Get back in the house, Sugar!!!

(she got back in the house)

Black Sweater-thrifted

Forever 21 Top-FIDM Scholarship Store

Black Tank-thrifted

Jeans-Macy's

Black Flats-Marshalls

Oh The Drama!

2010-12-13T22:30:00.000-08:00

More night pictures because I worked from morning until 9:30 PM. Kind of feeling like a Drama Queen. Anyway, here's what I wore.

Blue Shirt-thrifted

Black Sweater-gift

Black Pants-thrifted

Leapord Scarf-NY Street Vendor? 20 yrs ago

Shoes-Marshalls like 12 years ago

Flower Pin-vintage, yard sale

Black Rhinestone Bracelet-thrifted

Just Another Night In Hollywood

2010-12-12T22:35:00.000-08:00

I spent the day grading notebook projects at home and then off to the Comedy Club to emcee a show. Now more grading. Whee.

Haskell Elementary? They weren't there for our show. (whew)

Holiday Stage. Shiny!!!

I didn't get to take photos of myself at the club so more night pics from home.

Wait! I wasn't ready!!

How YOU doin'?

Banana Republic Blouse-thrifted

GAP Jeans-thrifted

Gray Tank-Target

Sweater-Target

Nine West Ankle Boots-gift

I Love LA

2010-12-11T19:23:00.000-08:00

Today I went on campus to get some grading done. The weather in Downtown Los Angeles was absolutely perfect. Fortunately I was able to sit on the balcony to work.

This was the view from where I sat

Here's what I saw when I looked over the balcony

Here's what the balcony saw when it looked at me

Sweater-FIDM Scholarship Store

Navy Blouse-thrifted

Jeans-Macy's

Shoes-Marshalls

Necklaces-vintage

Welcome to My Lair

2010-12-10T20:27:00.000-08:00

Okay, it's just my classroom.

I was at work all day today and luckily thought to bring my camera. I got dressed really quickly this morning but it must have been okay. Some guy on a bike in downtown LA told me I was beautiful. He didn't even ask for money or directions or anything. I can remember when that wasn't such a big deal. Ah, well.

H&M Dress-thrifted

Jacket-yard sale

Tights-? they might be my daughter's :)

Boots-thrifted

Necklaces-FIDM Scholarship Store, vintage

This Old Sweater

2010-12-09T21:57:00.000-08:00

I'm severely sleep deprived and stressed out. Just normal life around this time of year. So when I finally needed to get some outside clothes on to run errands I chose this goofy old sweater. I love it. It makes me think of Gidget in those 60's movies. It's just so silly and cheerful with it's after dinner mint colored yarn flowers. I've had it for many years and someone else had it for many years before that.
Once again I worked all day at home and didn't get to take a picture until night time with the flash. After next week I am almost completely off from work for two weeks so I will be able to sit back and stress out about not woking. Hah! Well, here it is anyway.

Sweater-1960's vintage

Long Sleeved Tee Shirt-thrifted

Levi's Jeans-thrifted

Black Flats-Marshalls

It's Almost Tomorrow

2010-12-09T00:07:00.000-08:00

I'm getting my Daily December post up right in the nick of time. Today I worked on some stuff at home in my sweatpants until I went out to teach my night class. You're welcome that I didn't take pictures of me in my sweatpants. I took these really fast before class and it was already pitch black outside and I only got one decent shot. I made the shirt from scratch the other day for the Friday Night Sew In but never posted it.

Weird Pop Art. Groovy, Man. It's actually a black and white striped knit shirt.

Shirt-Handmade by me

Jeans-Macy's

Shoes-Marshall's

A cool thing happened today. I got a copy of a play I worked on that got published by Samuel French. My name is in it as Costume Designer. Neat!

I think it's actually tomorrow now. Whoops.

Now All I Need Is A Nap

2010-12-07T14:09:00.000-08:00

I'm sleep typing. zzzzzz. Had an early morning class today. It was cold and I wanted to be cozy. I got a little more comfortable with the self timer and I think the pictures are less blurry. Anyhoo. Here goes.

Okay. Not bad.

Whoa. Now we're talkin'. Give us some attitude.

That's it. Flip your hair. Work it. Work it.

Okay. Now you've gone too far.

Black Sweater (same as Sunday)-Walmart

Leapord Blouse-FIDM Scholarship Store

Old Navy Cargos-thrifted

Nine West Ankle Boots-gift

Black Rhinestone Bracelet-thrifted

Our Little Girl Is Growing Up

2010-12-06T19:22:00.000-08:00

I'm talking about me. I noodled around and learned how to use the self timer since I was going to be home alone at picture taking time. I was running a little later for work than I wanted so I was completely rushing when I took this.

I love that you can tell exactly what I'm thinking by my facial expression. "Okay Self, move it or lose it. Let's get this over with!"

"Can you hear me now?" I'm not actually holding a cell phone. It's just force of habit.

"Cute pose or audition photo for the TV show 'Snapped'?."

Blouse-thrifted

Jacket-thrifted

Skirt-thrifted

Leaf Brooch-Vintage

Shoes-Marshalls

I got to wear a new to me blouse and jacket. I got the shirt from Goodwill. It's Banana Republic and so so pretty. The jacket has a silver shimmer in it which I am way into right now. Okay now I'm off to teach my night class.

Everybody's A Critic

2010-12-05T12:59:00.000-08:00

Today is a day off although I have tons of grading to do. So of course I've spent the firs half of the day looking at all your blogs. Ha ha. Oh well! I actually got myself dressed to go pick up some sandwhiches from Subway. My daughter took these pictures for me. Here's how it went:

My daughter: "Mom, you look too posed. Stop posing."

Me: "What? What are you talking about?"

""This is how I really stand."

"Do I look skinnier when I do this?"

My daughter: "Okay. Never mind. Just pose then."

Black sweater w/faux fur collar-Walmart like 12 years ago

T-shirt-thrifted

GAP jeans-thrifted

Black flats-Marshalls

Toys For Laughs

2010-12-05T00:12:00.000-08:00

Tonight I got to perform Stand Up Comedy at a benefit to collect toys for kids from underpriviledged or abusive homes. It was at the Elks Lodge in Lakewood. It was really fun and everybody was great. Plus it was a really good cause. One woman in the audience was knitting the whole time. I felt like I was around you guys. Ha. Anyway. Here it is. And thanks to Cindy Burns who was also on the show for taking the pictures.

Black beaded vintage sweater-Gift

Red shirt-thrifted

Trouser Jeans-thrifted

Necklace-yard sale (same as yesterday)

Shoes-Marshalls (not shown)

In The Navy

2010-12-03T20:50:00.000-08:00

Today was a long day of teaching. I'm still looking for the right place in my small apartment to take pictures on those days where there is no day left in the day. I actually used Picassa to crop and mess with the picture a little. Fan-cee. Anyway, today I wore some old favorites. The sweater is from the 1950's. I got it when I was in college in the 80's.

GAP navy wool dress-thrifted

Sweater-vintage

Necklace-vintage

Boots-thrifted

The necklace is one of my favorites. I bought the little bauble at a yard sale when I was a college student around 1982 and put it on a chain.

By that time I had moved from Punk Rock to Rockabilly. The Stray Cats ruled. I still have a lot of the vintage costume jewelry I bought back then. The great thing about buying jewelry is that you don't have to worry about it still fitting 30 years later. :)

Does it look like I'm about to fall asleep? I am. zzzzzzz

P.S. any hints or tips for taking awesome photos? This is probably what has kept me from posting more often. Thanks, wonderful bloggers.

Day 2-and I had to work for it

2010-12-02T20:27:00.000-08:00

It seemed like everything went wrong with trying to get these pictures up but I did it! With a little help from my daughter and my cat. I wore this to work. It was an Educator's Luncheon and I was outside at a table for the first few hours. LA weather is a little weird right now changing from cold to warm to cold again within a few hours so I just did easy layering. My friend Kady took some nice pictures during the day but all she had was her phone camera (my camera batteries ran out) and the pictures ended up too small. Oh, well. My wonderful daughter took these at home after my work and her school and her Orthodontist appointment and dinner and me helping her get started with an AP Euro project. Yeah, so here it is. You're welcome. Ha ha.

Jacket-FIDM Scholarship Store $5 (donated from forever 21)

Beaded undertunic-Hand-me-down

Sweater-gift

Pinstripe pants-thrifted

Shoes-Marshalls like 12 years ago

Necklaces-Vintage

Belt-came with thrifted dress

Whoa! Strip tease! Look out.

Getting frustrated

Sassy. Wait, is that a raccoon?

Oh. It's just Mews.

Everyday In December Challenge

2010-12-01T13:25:00.000-08:00

Okay that's a terrible name. There's probably already a challenge like this but, eh. There's a cool challenge called Dressember going on right now but I don't want to give up my jeans and sweatpants. I have been terrible about posting, averaging one a month, and this is specifically so that I can face the time management issues and space challenges that have kept me from producing a blog like the ones I like to read. (see examples below) So now, at least for 31 days, I'm going to do it. Hopefully by the end of this month I will have figured out Photoshop and how to work my camera. heh heh.

Today I gave a tour of the FIDM campus to a high school so I'm dressed for work. Anyway, without further ado, here's what I wore today:

Sweater-Vintage

Blouse-Thrifted

Skirt-Thrifted

Tights-Gift

Belt-? Had it forever

Boots-Thrifted

Necklace-FIDM Scholarship Store ($5)

And now some of my favorite blogs by dedicated posters:

What I Wore

Grosgrain

Casey's Elegant Musings

Style Underdog

Confessions of A Wannabe Fashionista

Friday Night Smackdown!!!

2010-11-14T12:25:00.000-08:00

Okay,Smackdown may be a little extreme for this project. Hah! In fact, I've decided to participate in Heidi's Friday Night Sew-In.

I have a lot of projects to finish and some sewing to start. It starts this Friday on the 19th and postings are supposed to go up on Saturday. Yay! An excuse for being home on Friday night.
You know I don't like to leave you without putting up some pictures. I made my nephew's Halloween costume. Most of it was thrifted or refashioned from thrifted clothes. I made the Madhatter hat from scratch using a great book for hatmaking called From The Neck Up to get me started. It turned out really well. Here's the cutest Madhatter I've ever seen.

The Future is Now

2010-09-29T14:36:00.000-07:00

I saw this interesting and kind of weird video on the FIDM Facebook page. Major advancements are happening in textiles including making fabric from banana peels and breeding blue sheep. This one I found very strange but...well, what do you think?

There's more info here.

It's official, folks. We're in the future.

Derelicte

2010-08-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

One of my students told me about a weird fashion-related story coming out of China. Apparantly a homeless Chinese man is now a fashion icon and sartorial celebrity. It's extra strange because he's not some fashion model who wound up on hard times and is artfully pulling together refashioned outfits from the dumpster. He's really not okay. Celebrity is a very odd thing sometimes. Here's the story from The Independent.

The photograph shows a starkly handsome Chinese man walking with a model's measured gait, and wearing a rag-tag but well co-ordinated overcoat on top of a leather jacket. His eyes peer into the middle distance, in what one fan described as "a deep and penetrating way", and he strides confidently forward.

But this is no catwalk model. This is a homeless man in the city of Ningbo. And now a band of web followers are calling him the coolest man in China.

His good looks and bohemian dress sense have won him thousands of online fans after a resident of Ningbo posted a picture online. Web users in China have called him the "Beggar Prince", the "Handsome Vagabond", and, most often, "Brother Sharp".

He is 5ft 8in, around 35 years old, and always has a cigarette between his fingers. He also appears to have a fondness for women's clothes, which has only served to fuel his status as a fashion icon. His good looks are reminiscent of popular Asian actors like Takeshi Kaneshiro or the Oscar- nominated Ken Watanabe.

One particularly striking picture juxtaposes Brother Sharp's with a model showing the latest Dolce & Gabbana collection. "Look at him wrinkle his brow... nothing needs to be said... sexy...", ran one comment on the Tianyu site.

Another wrote: "He doesn't really look like a beggar, more like a vagabond. The quality of this person's tops are all not bad, a down jacket, cotton jacket, even a leather jacket inside, and though they're a bit dirty, they're all in good condition, not the kind that beggars find from the trash."

The suggestion that homelessness can be cool chimes with a fashion trend that many have considered tasteless: in January, the designer Vivienne Westwood presented a "homeless chic" show in which models were styled to look like rough sleepers, a move prefigured by Ben Stiller's satirical film Zoolander, which featured a similar show called Derelicte. Two years ago the supermodel Erin Wasson revealed the homeless were her fashion inspiration, saying: "When I... see the homeless, like, I'm like, 'Oh my God, they're pulling out, like, crazy looks and they, like, pull shit out of like garbage cans.'"

But anyone with similar designs on Brother Sharp's sartorial tips is out of luck. His identity remains a secret, and social workers in Ningbo say they want to keep it that way. "Homeless people are vulnerable. It is incorrect to use them for entertainment purposes," said one worker at a homeless centre in Ningbo. Brother Sharp is said to appear mentally disturbed when approached on the street.

In China, begging is technically illegal, as the Communist Party-run state provides all a citizen could need. In reality, the rapid development of the Chinese economy in the last 30 years has marginalised many.

The rumours surrounding Brother Sharp's true identity persist. Some say he is a university graduate who lost his mind after his girlfriend left him. Others have blogged about how they sought him out and tried to help him find work or to go back to his family, but that he appeared frightened and cried out without speaking.

The local government in Ningbo said it had a policy of looking after the homeless, and that it would extend the same treatment to Mr Sharp.

Recycled Costumes

2010-07-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

Just closed the last show I did costumes for. The Eco-Fashion exhibit I posted about earlier inspired me to show some of the costumes since they are all thrifted but two.
I also did a few refashions when I couldn't find exactly what I wanted. Here are photos of those:

This apron is my favorite of the refashions. I have made so many vintage style aprons I can't even count them anymore. This photo doesn't do it justice because of the lighting. It's actually a beautiful light aqua rayon. I made it from a baggy dress from the '90s. This is Barbara Tarbuck, by the way, from "General Hospital". Isn't she adorable?

This skirt is made from a jumper dress. I needed a Catholic School uniform skirt and couldn't find anything in her size.

There was another dress this character wore but apparently we don't have a picture of it. It had to look frumpy and also hide the school uniform underneath for a fast change. I made it from a maternity dress, cut the sleeves off to a jumper and velcroed the shoulders to make the change faster. Also added a couple of big black buttons to the front. The dress was a gray and black kind of herringbone knit.

My favorite costume piece in the show was this beautiful vintage smoking jacket I got at Playclothes vintage store in Burbank. It's from the '70s which is roughly when this play takes place. (The timeframe is vague because of the fable-like quality of the story and because it's set in a small town in Ireland which time has somewhat forgotten) The actor wearing the jacket is the lovely and talented Harry Hamlin.

It's Flipping Hot!!!

2010-07-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

I wore about a pound of sunblock because it was a million degrees outside. But I got to wear my summer embroidery shirt so I guess it all worked out.

Vintage embroidered shirt-thrift

Abercrombie shorts-thrift

Sandals-Marshalls

Fashion Institute of Technology - Eco-Fashion: Going Green

2010-07-18T10:24:00.000-07:00

This exhibit at FIT in NY looks amazing. I really want to go.
Fashion Institute of Technology - Eco-Fashion: Going Green
It features not only clothes from the past that are eco-friendly, but also some of the worst offenders in the other direction. This is my favorite:

The color is called Poison Green and it's dyed with arsenic. What??? Here's a quote from the Los Angeles Times article:

"New synthetic dyes brought exciting colors to apparel, but there were health ramifications, as an 1865 two-piece "poison green" silk tulle dress dyed with arsenic attests. "We tried not to breathe in while we were handling it," Hill says."

Yikes!

According to the FIT article one of the best ways to wear eco-friendly clothing is to recycle. Yeah, we know. Pretty much everyone on my blogroll lives by that theory. Please go through the rest of your day knowing you are a hero and one day you may have a museum exhibit dedicated to your efforts. And try not to wear anything called "Poison Green".

Alice In Wonderland Costume Contest

2010-06-19T14:19:00.000-07:00

My daughter won a costume contest at FIDM. She's 14 so she entered the kids' Alice category and won a cute Alice In Wonderland lunchbox. I usually have stuff to pull together for just about any costume but I didn't have anything like what we needed. We went to the thrift store and found this little nightgown for $2.99. I gathered and safety-pinned the skirt up. My daughter put all the accessories together and did her make-up. She wanted to be kind of an edgy Alice which we put together in about 20 minutes. Here are some of the other entries in the adult categories created by Amateur Costumers. You can see more here.

New Look

2010-06-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

I tried one of the new design formats from Blogger. What do you think? I was so 100% swamped working on the costumes for a play that I haven't been a very good blogger. It's been so long since I've had time to read blogs much less post, that I don't know if these new design templates are actually new or just old hat. Speaking of old hats, here are some fun Schiaparelli ones.

1936-hat with gloves

1937-1938 Collaboration with Salvador Dali

I Said Yes To The Dress

2010-04-14T17:22:00.000-07:00

I'm making my best friend's wedding gown. Yipes!!! I will be honest, I'm askeered a little. I know how to sew and make clothes. I made costumes for Broadway. I have a degree in Costume Design and have been doing that professionally for 20 some odd years, but I'm not fashion trained. And I still feel like a fashion making fraud. Ha.
But so what. It's for my best friend.

So we met on Saturday and got a head start. I'm using commercial patterns and changing them as needed which I am more comfortable with than starting from scratch. We got the muslin bodice fitted. It's actually looking good. Now to find a proper skirt pattern. This is going to be a Frankenstein dress-but hopefully with much more subtle stitching.

Glee, Emma Pillsbury or Oprah Fans-Red Alert!!!!

2010-04-05T21:43:00.000-07:00

Wednesday April 7th is a special Glee Episode on Oprah. The Advanced Mixed Show Choir from my daughter's school is performing as an example of a real Show Choir. Please watch. It should be fantastic. I'm so excited. My daughter is a freshman and in the beginning show choir at Burroughs High School in Burbank. They filmed the choir room scenes for Glee in her school's choir room. I guess that's why they chose us. That and because the choir is amazing.
I am also a fan of Emma Pillsbury's style by the way. I don't know if she's on the Oprah episode but a lot of the cast will be there. Thank you, Oprah, but no picture of you. More Emma.

Where Have I Been?

2010-03-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

Designing costumes for a play while working two other jobs. Yikes. I just put my head down and tried to meet all my deadlines. Now I'm starting to be able to look around and see what else is going on. Hi.

The play I worked on is called "The Psychic". It's new and written by Sam Bobrick who was a television writer for shows such as "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Gomer Pyle". I created a 1940's-esque look for most of the characters using modern clothes. They're supposed to be believable as modern people but there is a film noir tone. It was fun. And the play is hysterical.

Here are some pictures. The blue top that the dark haired actress is wearing is not what's actually used in the play. I wanted to use this beautiful vintage looking silk blouse from Forever 21 and finally found it in her size. I don't know that it would have photographed as well as the blue so maybe it's okay. Here's the blouse we're using. So beautiful.

Walking In L.A.

2010-02-20T16:51:00.000-08:00

Today I met my class downtown for an Architectural Walking Tour . I chose the Art Deco tour this time and it was great. My favorite part was the cool bachelor pad from the 1930's atop the Oviatt Building. I wanted to hide under a piece of furniture and live there like Eloise in the Plaza Hotel but unfortunately common sense prevailed. The Penthouse Apartment and sun deck are now rentable for weddings and parties. Here are a couple of pictures from the website:

We were blessed with perfect weather even though it rained last night and a little bit this morning. I'll show what I wore but I'm warning you, this was a 2 hour walk in downtown Los Angeles so comfort trumps style. (especially the shoes-oh well, my feet thanked me)

Shirt-New York & Co

Jacket-thrifted

Off-white Sweater-thrifted (Donna Karan)

Jeans-thrifted

Scarf-Forever 21

Sneakers-Big 5 Sportswear

ps-this is another military style jacket

Measurements And Read-Thru

2010-02-18T16:52:00.000-08:00

I'm designing costumes again at Garry Marshall's Falcon Theatre. I didn't realize he directed and produced the new movie, Valentine's Day, until I saw the poster in the lobby. I still have to see that.

Today is one of my favorite kind of days, which is the first time I meet the actors and hear them bring the play to life in their own unique ways. I also show them my sketches and take measurements

Once again the play is well cast and everyone is super sweet. This is my fourth time working with Susan Morgenstern as director and it is always an immense pleasure. I mostly dressed for comfort today since I would be bending up and down to measure. These are stretch jeans and very comfy.

Sweater-thrifted

Top-thrifted

Jeans-Macy's about 4 years ago

Shoes-Marshall's

Necklace-thrifted

Bracelet-thrifted

That's the shadow of my daughter taking the picture. Thank you, Honey.

Girly Man

2010-02-16T20:11:00.000-08:00

I got a spectacular pair of shoes a couple of days ago at Buffalo Exchange and today found a great belt to go with them at Target.

I decided to put an outfit together so I could wear them both. Here's how I put it all together for work.

How cute is that belt?

What we have here is essentially a mannish look, a blue button down shirt with a glen plaid skirt (the fabric is mannish, not the skirt, although glen plaid is originally from Scotland and those guys wore...never mind). So to make it more feminine, I added the leather belt with flowers and to make it more "me" I wore the fabulous leopard pumps. I needed a short necklace to draw attention back to the face. After trying several different things, this vintage necklace won out. It doesn't compete with the other accessories and goes with the blouse. You can tell by my expression that it was really time to leave for work.

Shirt-thrifted

Skirt-yard sale (1/2 of a suit for $5)

Necklace-Vintage

Belt-Target

Shoes-Buffalo Exchange

Thanks to my Mom for helping out in a pinch and taking these photos.

I Love Perks!

2010-02-15T23:11:00.000-08:00

My wonderful job had a dinner meeting that we got paid to attend. So nice!! The dress code was casual but since I work for a fashon college it doesn't mean "going to the store and not caring who sees you" casual. I chose to go with a trend that has been around for some time and is hanging on for dear life: Military.

The kind of military style popular now is more vintage, like Civil War through WWI. It's mostly identifiable by the buttons and band collar. I wore a plaid vest that has a band collar and some cool military-like hardware. It has a bit of small ruffling on the armseye and yoke which makes it more feminine.

Another trend right now is mixing opposites so if you want to do military and be super "now" you could put it with something soft and innocent or bohemian. I chose a shirt with puffy sleeves and a 1950's charm bracelet which echoed the copper in the vest buttons and, in a way, resembles medals.

I'll give some more vintage military decorating ideas later. For now, here's where this stuff came from:

Vest- thrifted

Shirt- thrifted
Jeans-Macy's 4 years ago
Necklace-Vintage (Grandma's)
Charm Bracelet-Vintage
Boots- Nine West- gift (Thank you Sandi!!!)
And thanks to Devesa for taking the pic.

Platinum, Mine!

2010-02-14T15:44:00.000-08:00

There is an all-over trend of paleness in fashion right now. Clothes, hair, make-up, it's everywhere. Light skinned people have to be especially careful not to look washed out. The secret is to know if you look better with warm or cool tones.
I look awful with yellow or warm under tones and must go to the cool side. Fortunately, very pale or platinum hair is becoming more popular. Not just the golden California girl tones, but also icey white. This trend may have been influenced by top model, Agyness Deyn.

and how about this?Anne Hathaway in Alice In Wonderland

I say fortunately because as I posted around New Year's, my hair is prematurely white. Yesterday I finally got the dyed parts bleached and toned to match my roots and I can let go of dealing with skunk-like roots every couple of weeks.

And here's what I'm wearing:

Jacket- thrifted

Shirt- Macy's like 3 or 4 years ago

Jeans- thrifted (Juicy Couture)

Belt-? Had it forever

Shoes- Marshall's

Glass Ring- handmade by an artist

Buttons- mine from the '80s

Why Trends Matter

2010-02-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

One of the ways a period of time is defined is by what people wore. Even though fashion trends may seem random and arbitrary, they actually are a reflection of the zeitgeist. or "spirit of the times".

1920's

1950's (although this came out in 1947)

1980's

No matter what the fashion industry puts out on the runway or in the market place, if it doesn't match what is going on socially, politically and economically, it doesn't stick. That's why trend forecasters work so hard to predict what people are going to be into at least a year in advance. Designers and retailers use these predictions to create what they think we'll want.

One of the biggest trends right now is thrift. A lot of us are going back to that Great Depression Era and WWII mentality of reduce, reuse and refashion.

I believe creativity is a great alternative to massive spending. This not only applies to one's wardrobe but also to home decorating, party planning and meals. For now, though, we'll just stick with clothes and accessories. In the meantime, start looking through fashion magazines and see what is being consistently shown. Don't forget about your local library for free magazine browsing.

Trends? We Don't Need No Stinking Trends...or do we?

2010-02-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

Clearly, if you read my blog roll, you know I am all up into vintage and thrift store clothing. I rarely buy clothes new off the rack. And yet, I believe that keeping up with the current trends is important. What? How superficial! How shallow! How utterly gauche!

Well, when I was a punk rocker in the '80s ( Yes, really. It cracks me up that that's how my generation starts their old-timer stories. "When I was a punk rocker in the '80s we didn't have Facebook. We had to poke people in person!") Where was I? Oh yeah. We were all about bucking the trends and you couldn't exactly do that at the mall. That was the whole point. So I began thrift and vintage and yard sale shopping so as not to be "trendy".

Unfortunately I don't have too many photos from that time period. This picture is actually from 1985, post-punk and post-Rockabilly but I was still kind of doing my own thing.

Now I'm normal. I have a kid. And I still like to buy my clothes for $4 instead of $40. Having been a costume designer for theatre for almost 25 years and a teacher on the History of Fashion, I feel I've become an expert shopper and have a unique take on putting pieces together.

No, this is not a job interview. It's leading into a series of posts I'll be writing on how to make used clothing look current and how to use what you already have to enjoy getting dressed and to feel good about yourself. Dressing up should be fun. And affordable.

The Year of Living Fabulously 2010

2010-01-01T11:47:00.000-08:00

Yes!!! I love new beginnings.

I'm excited about this year. I have some resolutions, the main one being to appreciate what I already have and what I already am. To make an effort to make the little things more fabulous. Like not only eating healthful delicious food but also to serve it in a lovely manner. To wear my nice clothes and jewelry more often even for everyday things like going to the store. To wear make-up even when I'm not at work. To listen to music at home more often. To make a cleaning schedule, wear my nice new apron and crank up the jams while I tidy up. This was really the idea behind the name of my blog to begin with.

Also, I've always been more a fan of Audrey and Jackie (as if you haven't figured that out by now). I was brunette as a child but started going gray when I was 15. I just started lightening my hair about 7 months ago to let the roots grow out which at this point are mostly white. I've decided under the circumstances to embrace my inner Marilyn. So for 2010, this is me:

What are your goals?

Happy New Year! 1957-1958 style.

2009-12-31T12:18:00.000-08:00

76° and Sunny for my Christmas Party. Seriously?

2009-12-18T17:53:00.000-08:00

Okay, it was really nice out today and I don't want to be one of those creeps who brags about Southern CA weather when everyone else is freezing their yule logs off. I do, however, like a little chill in my Holidays. Enough of that.

I work at The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising as a teacher and speaker and today we had our Christmas Party or Holiday Party or Seasonal Greetings Party whatever is most appropriate. I love working there. They are very good to us and I love the campus.

I also like when people show what they are wearing and when most of it is thrifted or vintage. Usually when I try to brag to people about how cheaply I bought my clothes they just look at me like I'm cheap. But not you, dear bloggers!!! You are kindred spirits. Here's what I wore to the party:

Tunic- FIDM Scholarship Store $2.50

Jacket-yard sale $1.00 (I'm serious)

Tights-gift

Boots-thrift store

Necklace-thrift store

Black rhinestone bracelet- thrift store $2.00

My 14 year old daughter took these pics. Didn't she do a good job? The one above was taken in the shade. Here's how sunny it was:

Hideous Dress To Glorious Apron

2009-12-17T11:09:00.000-08:00

I have always repurposed clothes for play costumes but rarely do anything for myself. Well, those days are over!!! I now have a stack of refashioning projects. Yeah. more projects. Just what I needed. Anyway, it's fun, right? And eco-friendly. And I'm getting an Anthropologie-style apron for a few bucks and some elbow grease. I found this gross and too large dress at the thrift store for about $4. The fabric was great though so I got it.

Hi kitty! I didn't realize he was in the shot! Weird how many sewing bloggers are cat ladies. Anyway, I sat and unpicked all the stitches...NOT! I cut the dress apart at the seams. It's an APRON people. Sorry, I didn't mean to yell.

I got rid of the weird elastic shirred waistband.

Also cut the bottom ruffle into two pieces lengthwise, not quite equal widths. One piece became the waistband and ties and the other piece went back on the bottom because I thought it was a little short without.

I actually put the top band back on the way it was and angled and stitched down the ties to tie like a halter instead of going down the back like it was made to do. For the picture I clipped on a pair of vintage earrings for some sass.

It's possible I may add a little ruffle or pockets or something in the future but for now I like it the way it is. It just happens to be Christmas colors which is also cool. Okay, here it is:

Next!!!

Thank You, Roundheads!

2009-11-27T09:36:00.000-08:00

I am stuffed from a delicious Thanksgiving dinner and tremendously grateful for time with my family. One of the things I'm most thankful for right now is that I wore a dress with no waistband.

When I was a kid we would make Pilgrims for our parents out of cardboard toilet paper tubes. Classy, I know. They wore tall black hats with a buckle in front and black clothes.

In actuality, black clothes were only worn by wealthier Puritans. Black dye was expensive and not very colorfast meaning the color washed out fairly easily. Most of the Puritans wore drab colors.

This was not the popular look in England. The British Royalists, or supporters of the King, dressed lavishly and flamboyantly- think The Three Musketeers.

Clothes are always a reflection of the beliefs, politics and spirit of the times so it makes sense that the Puritans wore simple, modest clothes that matched their religious and political sentiments.

Another style choice of Puritan men was to closely crop the hair. The British Royalists derisively called them "Roundheads". The Royalists, or Cavaliers, wore their hair long and messy. Short hair looked ridiculous to them. With the threat of absolute rule by King Charles I and the disempowerment of Parlaiment, the Pilgrims set sail to America to start a new life that included freedom of religion, government by the people and barbers.

Just over 300 years later, in the 1960's and 1970's, many Americans again used clothing and hair to distance themselves from the establishment and to rebel against politics and social injustice. Men grew their hair long and wore brightly colored clothing. They were sometimes called "Longhairs".

You wouldn't think Pilgrims and Hippies had so much in common. But there it is.

Inspiration-1920's Flapper

2009-10-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

One of my all time favorite periods for fashion and style is the 1920's. My sister is going as a flapper for Halloween so I thought I would post this video I found as inspiration.

All Hallow's Eve Eve Eve etc.

2009-10-15T11:06:00.000-07:00

I'm getting excited for Halloween this year. Normally it sneaks up on me and I half heartedly celebrate what used to be my favorite style holiday. I have always loved The Munsters and kind of spooky glamour so this year as part of my focus on fabulous I'm going to enjoy Halloween more. Here's a little early inspiration if you'd like to join me.

Coco Before Chanel

2009-10-12T23:55:00.000-07:00

I got to see the movie COCO BEFORE CHANEL tonight with my wonderful sister.
We decided to dress up. I went full-on Little Black Dress. We both wore pearls galore. This reminded me of our punk rock days when dressing up was sometimes the funnest part of the evening. This was a really good movie, however, and worth the effort. Here are some pics to celebrate going out on the town.

Thanks to my sister for making me look like an Amazon.

Whoa. How'd that little Longhorn get in the picture?

This is how much I love Chanel. She seems a little uncomfortable with my affection.

Inspiration-Audrey Hepburn Quotes

2009-10-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person.

There is more to sex appeal than just measurements. I don't need a bedroom to prove my womanliness. I can convey just as much sex appeal, picking apples off a tree or standing in the rain.

I've been lucky. Opportunities don't often come along. So, when they do, you have to grab them.

For me, the only things of interest are those linked to the heart.

I was born with an enormous need for affection, and a terrible need to give it.

Vintage Style Right From The Source

2009-10-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

Here are some other books I'm dying for. I saw a book about Dorothy Draper in the FIDM library. This book was written in 1941. It's back in print and has wonderful vintage pictures and style.

Entertaining is Fun: How to Be a Popular Hostess

This one was written in 1939 and was out of print for 60 years.

Decorating Is Fun!: How to be Your Own Decorator

A fabulous gift idea

2009-10-11T12:36:00.000-07:00

I was truly inspired by a book written and illustrated by Jacqueline Bouvier (aka Jackie Kennedy aka Jackie O) and her sister Lee. It's called One Special Summer and it's a wonderful recounting of a trip they took in 1951 when they were but 22 and 18 respectively.

This is a great gift idea in two ways. First, the book itself is a treasure. I found a copy in the local library but if anyone I know is reading this, I desperately want one of my own. Hint hint!!!!!

Also, you can try this idea for yourself. Make your own illustrated journal of a special trip or for an anniversary or birthday. If you can't draw as well as Jackie, don't worry. A friend of mine made a similar keepsake when we were in high school. She used lined notebook paper and drew stick figures. She kept drawing throughout our church ski trip and later made copies for everyone. It was hysterical and better than any photo journal because her hilarious comments and silly cartoons helped us remember all the inside jokes and craziness.

One Special Summer is a great way to look into the early mind of a woman who knew classy and fabulous as few have.

Bon Voyage.

My top 3 favorite classy and fabulous women of all time

2009-10-11T11:00:00.000-07:00

Of course, Mademoiselle Chanel

Jackie

Audrey

Who are your top 3?