ebay backpack

here it is!!!! the newest addition of happy!! i've been wearing her all week, and i finally had paul take photos of me with my new backpack (which arrived monday in the post). i immediately clamped on some black studs, i felt i should keep things minimal, and apply more later if so desired. no more slipping off my shoulders while i tromp down the hilly streets, weight comfortably distributed, and not too shabby indeed...

i must have the medusa affect on the camera because as soon as i looked deeply into the lens they blurred...isn't she pretty? soft grayish-tan LEATHUH.
black studs were ordered from studs & spikes...

white stripes

white stripes bid conan farewell...

good stuff

this is the skirt i worked on over the last two nights. two zippers and 8 episodes of metalocolypse later it fits like a dream. thank god. i BROKE the first zipper, having made the waistband too high, the zipper was too short to get over my better half and it snapped. my pride is still a bit bruised but anyway... i started by pinning 2 pieces of fabric on my mannequin (kept them together like it was just one piece), fashioned some inverted pleats, and hand-stitched the zipper in so that there are no seams on the outside. i'm terrible at explaining things so if anyone has questions about sewing just ask...

AND i just won this backpack on ebay, and cant wait to slap some black studs on!!! i'm riding the wave of triumph... for $9.99!!!!!! high fives all around**P.S. is ANYONE else obsessed with this show? i'm partial to toki wartooth...

so sick of the weather

i am bundled up and cozily frumpy, watching a rain/hail combo out my window. i cannot WAIT for some warm weather even if only for a day. SO, since an outfit post would be anticlimactic, here is what i wish i were wearing:

the 3-strap platform sandals by pierre hardy for gap $98. torn between them all...mirror/dash blouse (by kim gordon of sonic youth xo) for urban outfitters $68this chick, seen on the sartorialist, is adorable. i especially love her skirt, and want to make one on my own. i think a light khaki color would be perfect.and a vintage leather backpack (like the one i found on ebay). my multiple bag situation to and from work is taking a toll on my neck and shoulders and if i could find a neat backpack to replace such a mess i would be thrilled. i only just started looking, but i think either light tan or black is the way to go for me...

valentine's day

yesterday was valentine's day, and i had nothing planned other than making heart-shaped toast and watching the tarantino gem 'true romance' (though legend has it he was only allowed to direct one scene...) patricia arquette is at her most sexy, as call-girl-with-a-heart-of-gold alabama and christian slater as her elvis-hallucinating boyfriend clarence. michael rapaport's stellar performace as a struggling actor (playing himself? snap!) and brad pitt as his stoner roommate are just icing on this campy cake... yay!!
the day was made a wee better too hanging out with friends at a bar, getting donuts, and listening to some real sweet tunes...though adorable, peaches geldof has nothing to do with my valentine's day other than i saw this photo on the selby and got really excited about the TR photo in the background....

chain & wire necklace

this is the story of a necklace that could. after crocheting a blue thread triangular necklace, i wanted to make a wire version. many a hang-nail later, i succeeded, only to feel ok about the end product. it hung awkwardly, and was a bit warped...SO i attached the black chain trim to it, after rummaging through my trinket box, and was happier, the extra weight straightened it and added texture. but still... there was potential to do more....

(necklace mid-concept. sorry about the weird smirk, it was cold. and yea, thats a gingham shirt. i'm doing that trying-to-wear-all-of-my-clothes thing...)

while watching the magnificent anjelica huston in wes adnerson's steve zisou, i was mesmerized by her mermaid-like ensembles, specifically the epic jewelry, and thought why not do something like that to my necklace...though adding three stones is not by any means a stroke of genius, i am very pleased with how things turned out :) sad side note: also while watching the life aquatic, i noticed robert graham's brief cameo and remembered he passed away last december. i loved how he and anjelica were an older terribly in love couple. its creepy to say i feel like i have a connection to them, but i do have some random things in common: he went to my college, she and i share the same birthday...

recycled leather bag

though i did not tackle the sketches in my previous post this weekend, i did accomplish an entire project from start to finish: a bag made from old boots and a belt. the boots were made of a soft drapey leather that only became more wonderful with age. the soles, however were beyond repair and let every bit of gravel and moisture in. so i hacked off the ankle up and played with the different shapes. after i opened up one of the seams, the top part of the boot resembled a bustier and for a moment i reconsidered the project's direction... no, better to make a purse. the gold spotted bit of leather is from the scrap bin at britex fabrics. i think i paid $3 for it? the strap is an old gap belt that my mom had. i used 2 dowels to keep the bag structured, they also distribute the weight magnificently! this is one of my lighter purses, even with my honking camera in it. i used a magnetic closure, which you can get at any craft store, and lined each piece with some funky wool blend from a garage sale. its my first truly green item and i loooooove it...

wunderkind

i was poking around style.com and came across wunderkind, a BRIGHT collection from wolfgang joop full of checks, polkas, and flowers.....! love at first sight, my eyes consumed as much as they could i'm obsessed with the color and cut of everything! i promptly took screen shots of all the outfits i needed for my inspiration folder, close to the entire collection... my favs as follows after whirling around in a photoshop/indesign hurricane:

date with myself

i went home last night and laid on the floor in front of my stereo with my sketchbook and evening cup of coffee...what was conceived were feminine, simple, edwardian-esque sketches. i was thinking of sarah bernhardt (my namesake) hence the scrawled type. paul joined me and got an impromptu portrait, albeit hasty with all of his fidgeting...he doesn't normally look so smug, its a concentration frown...
not sure if i've already vocalized this but i've decided not to buy any new items of clothing. i want to make everything, use what i already have, or buy vintage/thrift. and material-wise i hope to use sustainable or vintage fabrics. belated new years resolution. in regards to wearing old clothes, i wore my garage sale levi's i think from the 50s? they're "sta-prest" and boast of never needing an ironing; with nine west sandals from a year ago, and one of my many white tees....

doin it right

there are always those things you dread, maybe not dread but put off, that you have to get done sooner or later and when you do you're the only one there to pat yourself on the back. you know, like cleaning your bathroom, or doing that mounting stack of dishes? this weekend i organized my shoes into one of those door-hanging shoe racks, cleaned my plants (yea i wiped them down...) AND got a 12 pack of TP from target. i also took portraits of myself wearing my jewelry

to update my etsy store, and have decided on a new name for my clothing line (if it ever comes to fruition). which also means i get to start working on a logo... i'm quite pleased with these minor accomplishments, so much so in fact, that i bought myself these:

*succulent plant & butterfly from paxton's gate, fresh's pink jasmine eau de parfum