Crystal Power

And another one, this time silver! 

Headdy

I made another new headdress today! I am going to attempt to get back to blogging here.  After all, I started this blog a while ago, it would be silly to give it up!  I wonder if I still have any readers, after majorly slacking for a while there!  XO

Bicycle Bicycle

Life is good here!  I've been having way to much fun to keep up with blogging.  For one I got this great vintage french bicycle that I have been spending lots of time with.  She is so much fun!  The weather in the city has been amazing so riding my bike has been happening lots.   I convinced another one of my friends to get a bicycle so I am awaiting her bike to arrive so we can adventure all together.  

Me, having big ideas to conquer the world. Thanks to my friend Eliza for taking my art direction for this photo, it turned out perfectly.

Tank top, skirt-HnM
Leggings-Hue

Last but not least, I made a new harness/necklace. 

New Headdress

Here is a new headdress I made for a party this weekend.  It's gonna be a fun one, it's a sacred dance party with a white theme!  I am mostly blogging on TUMBLR now so check it out!  

Le Fashion

The first fashion show I have done in 3 years was last night, it was a interesting experience.  I made all the clothes, jewelry, and headdresses except for the gorgeous mohawk hat by Janell Francois.   I also did all the hair for the show, which I kept pretty simple since I had so many head pieces.  Jessica Brown was the makeup artist and she was amazing, we didn't have time to get to all of us but you can definitely tell which ones are pro.

The next time I would like to have more time to get ready, start at the designated time so my announcer is there and have a much larger crowd.  But it was good to get in the flow again and feel inspired.

My guest designer Janell in the amazing hat she made, with her sister.  

Plumage

 I have been creating lots of feather crafts and really enjoying the process.  The latest is this necklace that I am wearing.  I am really happy with the way it turned out!  I also just found out I am doing a fashion show of my designs on July 31st, the first one in 3 years.  I need to get busy!

Details-

Headscarf-Josephines estate

Dress-Vintage

Tunic-HnM

Bracelets-Vintage

Socks-Moksha in Seattle

Shoes-Thrifted BCBG (new)

Feather Necklace-Pretty Pirate Designs

Closeup of the necklace (make with Pheasant feathers)

Spring Fling

The rain has subsided long enough to finally wear my new spring dresses.  This is the one that I altered from a longer silhouette with crazy poofy sleeves.  These old blue tights I've had for years were a perfect addition to the outfit.  The carpet bag is a new find from last week in unbelievably great condition.  I had been wanting one but they are few and far between in thrift shops, especially ones in perfect vintage condition, yea!!

Outfit details-

Jean Jacket-thrifted/vintage and super soft

Dress-thrifted/vintage/altered

Purse-thrifted/vintage

Tights-old?

Boots-Bluefly/Ash

Necklace-Pretty Pirate Designs, DIY

Sunnies-HnM

I lightened up my hair in a few spots. In the fringe and a few streaks around the front.

holding on

After putting this jacket on today I started thinking about some pieces in my closet that are timeless.  Things that you can have forever that go in and out of style but will always come back.  Military style is one of those among others that you can count on coming back eventually.  I have a habit of holding onto things I love for a long time.  I have had this jacket for about 10 years, yes again I am old.  Even after attempting to give it away to a co-worker years ago who then gave it back because he never wore it.   I am so glad to have it in my wardrobe and happy he gave it back to me.  I decided to mix it up a bit today with some romance and toughness. 

Outfit Details

Dress-Self Made (Pretty Pirate Designs)

Necklace-Self Made (Pretty Pirate Designs)

Braided/feathered headband-Self Made (Pretty Pirate Designs)

Belt-Vintage from flea market 15 years ago

Under slip-Self dyed dark brown

Tights-Marshals

Green Sweater-Anthropology

Army Jacket-Thrifted 10 years ago

Boots-Bluefly by ASH

Day Of D.I.Y

Days off can be so rewarding.  Today after drinking a huge cup of coffee I was so inspired to create.  Coffee can change my demeanor dramatically. I need any motivation I can get to stop reading fashion blogs all day.  I'm fairly certain I need to drink it everyday instead of just sometimes. It really motivates me like nothing else.  I recived a lovely package of feathers in the mail today (thanks mom).  My father is a hunter so he has quite a few whole pheasants laying around, they are such beautiful creatures.  Over the holidays he gave me a few since I had been running out of feathers.  I was so excited to get them that I immediately starting making things.

I have been wanting to make a braided headband for a while.  After attempting it,  the size was a bit too small for the headband which led me to the idea to put feathers underneath it to make a combo of feathers and a braid.  It's great that the faux hair matches my color so perfectly!  I am really liking this, my plan is to make some more to sell in my Etsy store.    I want to say thanks to the beautiful creatures who made it possible to make these things.  I love being able to use all the parts of things and my father hunted these for the food but art was made as well. 

The braided/feathered headband

Feather earrings coming soon too!

I made this ring/bracelet about a month ago and had misplaced it until today.  I was so thrilled to have found it.  I have been wanting to find it and wear it again!  It's so comfortable that I can wear it while I do hair, not many of my rings have that going for them.  Wow, my hand is looking pretty beat up, silly cats. 

Forecasting the future

Another work outfit, funny thing is I wore a long skirt and then watched all the shows from the first day of fashion week and saw tons of long skirts.  I must be a psychic.

Outfit Details-

Lace and jersey blouse-Self made (Pretty Pirate Designs)

Necklace-F21

Hat-Burlington coat factory

Belt-Vintage and thrifted

Bracelets-Thrifted all over

Skirt-Thrifted dress I altered into a skirt

Shoes-Thrifted Banana Republic and then hand studded

Velvet coat-Vintage/ thrifted and changed button

Fur collar-From a 70's coat I've had since the 90's, it was in bad shape so I cut all the fur off and am planning to make some purses out of it.

double the pleasure

Can you tell I needed a pick me up today, dressing pretty and feminine always helps.   I woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.  I have been thinking a lot about life lately and wanting to find a new path, one in which I feel like I am making a difference in the world.  I love my job as a hair designer but I think I need something more in my life.  Maybe this is what we all go through from time to time.  Being in my 30's now,  I feel it more than ever.   Wanting to travel, be married, have kids.  I need some more fulfillment.  I did start making a dress today inspired by The Boudoir Queen, who I love.  I am not happy with it so far so I will have to alter it some more and then I'll show it off here.

Outfit Details-

Lace blouse-Thrifted (my new favorite layering piece)

Dress-Vintage 

Tights-Vintage danskin (new in package from thrift store in Oregon)

Shoes-Vintage, Thrifted in my home town (mens I think)

Necklace-Self made, Pretty Pirate Designs

Flower pin-Self made 

This is what I wore to work yesterday, I was getting some seriously crazy stares on the street.  I find it really amusing when people stare at my outfits.  It makes me feel good, knowing that I look different and am not a clone.

Btw, these new boots are from Bluefly.  It was my first purchase on that site, they were a gift from my BF for my birthday.  I had many problems with them and eventually got a damage refund from them.  These boots are the most expensive shoes I have ever owned and I wanted them to be perfect.  I have been searching from some simple riding boots for a while and these were exactly what I wanted.  They came to me with some smudges on them and creases on the toes, it looked as if they had been tried on a bunch and returned.  They were the last pair available and not in perfect condition but they were sold as new and perfect.  They said they would give me a damage refund for $21.80 and then refunded me $17.80 (after this I could never return them).  I had to email them to tell them they messed up (again).  The whole experience was terrible and I'm not sure I will ever use the site again.  I do love the boots though and am happy with the quality besides the damage (which is not too noticeable).  I got a great deal on them but the hassle was dreadful.

Outfit Details-

Earrings-Burlington coat factory

Beaded Jacket-Vintage, Thrifted in my home town

Cardigan-Nordstrom

Dress-Old basic, cant't remember

Wooden Belt-Thrifted

Tights-Marshals

Boots-Ash, Bluefly

Backward process!

For me the evolution of my outfits is most of the fun.  When I have time I like to try different things, add, take away and play.  It's so much fun.  Sometimes I miss having lady housemates to play dress up with.   When my friends do come over I tend to dress them up in my fabulous vintage dresses and accessorize accordingly.  I am a crazy old lady, already.  I can't wait to see what I do with my kids and grandkids.  Watch out kids, momma's gonna make you look fabulous.  Can you tell my clock is ticking, ha!

Wearing

Blue suede coat-Vintage and thrifted in Oregon

Dress-Thrifted and shortened

Hat-Thrifted

Feather head dress-Self Made, Pretty Pirate Designs (will be selling these soon)

Leggings-AA

Shoes-Vintage and thrifted in my home town

Cream blouse-Thrifted

Tassel necklace-Thrifted in my home town

Locket necklace-From a deceased family friend who I never met, I call them the Josephine collection.  When I was home for the holidays I acquired a ton of great vintage jewelry, lots of rhinestones.  I'll do a proper post to show you soon. 

First look (minus feathers and Jewelry)

Minus coat

Feather headdress I made a while ago.  More to come for sale when my feathers arrive.  My father is a hunter so I have 4 pheasants coming. 

Necklaces

I love these shoes, they look great with almost everything.

DIY tote

I found this amazing vintage fabric a few weeks ago at community thrift, one of my favorite thrift stores in San Francisco.  I was going to try to make a dress with it but then this design popped into my head a couple days ago.  I decided to execute it today and share it with you.  The holidays are approaching and  this is a great gift idea/project for those of us that are short on funds (isn't everyone these days) but have time and sewing skills.  I suggest using a strong cotton type fabric for this design.  You could use scraps and sew them together as well.  You can click on the photos for more detail.

Here is the design, I folded the fabric in half so the bottom did not need to be sewn.  The bow is a bit hard to see in this photo so see the details below.

The basic shape of the tote

The extra piece for the bow detail, make sure it is wider than the bag piece. Hem the sides of the bow piece.

To make the bow sew a small piece of the fabric together around the middle.  It can me movable but make sure it is tight enough to stay in place well.

Next, sew the bow to the front piece of the bag, then turn inside out and sew the sides together.  If you are confident you can just pin the bow to one side and sew it together all at once.

Sew part of the sides of the bow down (only to the pin shown) to the front of the bag so it doesn't sag.  And then the attach the straps.  The straps were made by using a piece of fabric about 4 inches wide and ironing both sides down and then folding it in half.  You can also see the tote I used as a guide in the back ground here.  Everyone has one so I would suggest using one that you like the size of and tracing it for the pattern.

Modern Art

The Sf MOMA is having a Richard Avadon exhibit right now.  We finally went to go see it today.  Seeing his photos up close and personal was a amazing experience.   Most of his art is simple but striking which allows the personality of the subjects to really shine through.  In addition to the R.A. exhibit we checked out the rest of the museum which was really neat.  There were lots of very simple art which most times I can't get into.  A huge painting of a all grey canvas does not speak to me at all.  I guess I am more into the art that seems like it takes a special talent and creativity to come up with.

I really liked the outfit I choose today, it was sort of a accidental, magical pairing.  I put on my dress, tights, shoes and as I was finishing up the mending of my vintage kimono I tried it on to make sure I had sewn the sleeve back on correctly and it somehow looked perfect with the rest of my outfit.  This is the same kimono I got a couple months ago and am in love with.  I hadn't been wearing it because it was in need of repair.  I am so glad I got a chance to fix it today which lead to it perfectly complementing the outfit I had already chosen to wear.  I love happy accidents.

Outfit details

Dress-Vintage

Tights-Marshals ?

Belt-Vintage (new this week)

Necklace-New DIY (Pretty Pirate Designs)

Boots-Vintage

Kimono-Vintage

Bag-Marshals

Eye Glasses-Vintage from Grandma H

The Ceiling of the SF MOMA

The cutest little mini, embroidered hippie shirt

Not quite sure about this piece, it was made from lead, scary

Close up of the necklace I made out of a vintage belt that was my moms