1950's Hawaiian Hula

Ever since I was a little girl, my dad had his 1950's camera in hand, ready to capture creative images of his family.  On this family trip to Hawaii, we held a little photo shoot on the beach--1950's style.

As these photos were being taken, performers practiced for their luau--gifting us with live Hawaiian music set to the sound of crashing waves and to the sight of the sun's downward motion toward the ocean.  It provided the opportunity to truly become a 1950's Hawaiian beach babe :).

1950's Jantzen Swimsuit Sketch

Aloha!

Dressed in Diamonds, Lace, and Satin

There is nothing more inspiring to me than being near water and witnessing the rise and fall of the sun.  Here is a collection of words (and images) I formed in response to a sunset observed on a recent trip to Maui:

Splash 

Stir

Smooth

Retract

Reflect

Crashing against the rocks

This fluid substance shatters with a hard sound

How, when it slips through my fingers

And dries from my skin?

Into the rock it pulses

Scattering a splash of diamonds and

Creating a lacey veil of foam

Swirling in her travels

She dances to shore in confident motion

Cascading

Dressing objects with a fresh sheen of satin

Color drips from the atmosphere 

Falling

Reflecting the last drops of the sun’s fading light

Gleaming

The sea and its shore shimmers

Twinkling onto texture and constant motion

Alive

Untamed

Fuchsia's Affinity to be Fresh, Fabulous, & Fun

FUCHSIA, a color famed for its fresh affinity to fill the sense, is this blog post’s focus.

This fine hue can be found in the MAC lipstick color REBEL.

My eyes fixed on the “face paint” for a few, I finally made the REBELlious move to rock the bold color (as a female should)!

Upon arrival to Hawaii, my family was greeted with leis made of fuchsia orchids—this freeing the opportunity to feature a new favorite color…

...

Jill Sander features this fabulous color in her Spring 2011 runway show.

Jill Sander Spring 2011

Be even more REBELlious and pair your bold lip with other bright colors (take a cue from Jill Sander's hues & color blocking technique in her spring collection).

Aloha!

Spring-Inspired Sisters

Sister time.  It's what the Dr. prescribed.

Love.

Laughter.

Friendship.

Honesty.

Freedom.

Creativity.

After some thrifting, Matthew (aka Christiana) and I made a night of white wine, sewing, and a chick flick.  Inspired by a free-people mini denim print maxi skirt, my hippie-clad sister elicited me as her seamstress to create a replica.  Here are the simple steps we took to create this fashion-forward piece:

1) Hunt down some high waisted denim pants that fit well in the waist and rear (don't worry about the pant length, as the legs will be removed) 

2)  In the same trip, peruse the skirt section, and pick out a long maxi skirt with a fun floral print 

3)  Once you are home, pull out your scissors, pins, measuring tape, and sewing machine.   

(Construction) 

4)  Cut the legs off the your denim above the crotch seam, and slip the newly made skirt on.  Now have a friend pin and measure the skirt to a preferred length.  Cut off the excess fabric. 

5)  Slip the floral maxi underneath the denim layer and adjust the length to your liking.   

6)  Match the side seams of the denim and floral maxi and pin.  Now pin the two layers together and carefully remove from your dress form or body. 

7) [It may be necessary to gather the floral fabric to fit the denim--If so, mark the desired length around the circumference of the skirt and cut (leaving a 1/2" seam allowance).  Now baste stitch 3/8" from the raw edge, gather, and pin evenly to the skirt] 

8) Sew the wrong side of the denim to the right side of the floral fabric--leaving the raw edge of the denim skirt revealed.

9)  Remove excess fabric, leaving 1/2" seam allowance 

10)  Voila!  How easy was that?  

...

I too found a treasure, amidst our thrift-shopping excursion. 

Take a gander at this vintage Anne Klein A-line gold skirt!  

It pairs perfectly with a loose-fitting, simple black top.  

To draw the eye up, I accessorized with a pair of heavy chain earrings.

Metallics didn't end with Fall/Winter 2010  

Take a peek at some Spring 2011 runway looks for a tangible way to appropriately implement some sparkle to your warm-weather wardrobe:

Elie Tahari

Ralph Lauren

...

 Now, I leave you inspired to create something fun for your spring wardrobe and to go bold with vintage finds (yes, even metallics).  I also challenge you to spend quality time with your family and appreciate the friends you were born to love.

Playing Dress-up in Mama's Clothes

Monday, the day after Mother's Day, I continue the celebration by wearing my beautiful mother's vintage clothing.  She gifted me a pair of Dolce and Gabbana  pants from the early nineties; and I stole (hehe) this silk Ann Taylor blouse from her closet--a piece from the same decade.  Twenty years later and these classic pieces still maintain contemporary charm.  

Here is another shot of the silk blouse:

Image by Sean Watson as part of the Taking Flight shoot.  

Photos will be posted in the near future--be sure of it (and please excuse the delay)!

...

I love you, Mom, 

Best Friend, 

Dancing Partner, 

Confidant, and 

Constant Love.

(...And not just because you gave me your D&G pants ;) )

You are an inspiration in many ways--Always and Forever.

60's & 70's!

Ladies and Gentlement, the 60's and 70's have returned!  Those of us living in the Northwest are grateful to experience a touch of warmth and a glimmer of sunlight.  Sunday was an exquisite day that has surpassed many we've witnesseded so far this year.  Black and grey rain gear was stuffed into closets, as new spring attire sprang out with excitement.  Goodness, it's May, and we haven't yet had the chance to fully test Spring's latest fashions! Well with that 60 and 70 degree weather brings forth a 60's and 70's inspired look.

I was blessed with a day off from work, and I took advantage of the sunny opportunity.  My afternoon was filled wandering in and out of vintage shops on top of Capitol Hill.  One shop in particular inspired me to do a little trend report.  I had a little fun in the fitting room.  Atlas Clothing Company, on 10th between Union and Pike, is stocked full with fabulous finds.  Picking out pieces that appealed to me, I created three outfits sourced from the 1960's/70's.

These cut-off shorts fit like a glove.  

I was amazed at the length of the zipper for such a short pair of shorts!

My red T features the famed Warren Miller (for you Dad and Bro!)

Be on the lookout for high-rise bottoms, long skirts, and floral patterns this Spring.

This ensemble features a vintage floral swim top and 

a high-waisted, ankle-length skirt from the 1970's

Coral, Cropped tops, and white bottoms 

are the trends noted in this little number.

These items are still available at Atlas Clothing on Capitol Hill.  Have some fun pairing vintage finds with modern interpretations.  Such modern interpretations are featured in the image below.

*Blurb*   An after-work shopping spree on Monday found 

a fabulous pair of bell-bottom jeans.  

They are displayed with another recent purchase of wooden wedged heels.

My sunny Sunday continued with a walk through Cal Anderson Park.  I plopped down on a park bench and people watched.  It could have been a scene from the 70's.  People were sprawled all over the park without a care in the world.  A girl with a dandelion crown relaxed in a sun dress next to me, as a barefooted young man in cut-offs greeted me with a friendly hello!  The soundtrack to my afternoon was played by man playing the djembe and grooving to the beat of life.

...

As you go forth in your day today, here are some images from the 60's and 70's to inspire you:

1960's Jantzen ad campain

Newspaper ad from 1978

"70's Eyes" by Trolleyla 

(wow!)

PEACE!