Day 63 - Change the Direction

"Take a look around now

Change the direction

Adjust the tuning

Try a new translation

Don't look at your man in the same old way

Take a new picture

Just because you don't see shooting stars

Doesn't mean it isn't perfect

Can't you see..."

These are lines from a Carly Simon song called "Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of".

In my opinion, it's all about wanting something new and loosing sight of the wonderful things you already have. I was chatting with a friend today when he pointed out this great situation I was in...the funny thing I wasn't seeing it that way till he told me. Suddenly I felt grateful for what I had...all it took was a change of direction to see it a new way.

Like this cotton pleated skirt and silk knit top with leather shoulders....look at it one way and it's a conservative view you've seen before...change the direction and you've got a sexy surprise you've been living with all alone....ain't life grand.

Day 62 - Ab Fab

So while the title of the post is borrowed from the absolutely awesome 90's Brit sitcom...it's not where my head is today. 

Sometimes it can be easy for us to get  "down". Work, bills, family, friends, spouses...life...occasionally it gets tough. My take (thanks for asking) is acknowledge it, and then strip off the blue and step to into red...the absolutely fabulous red within us all!

Satin and chiffon beaded cocktail dress.

Day 61 - "Thor's" day

So did anybody besides me not know that today was named after the Nordic God and sometime Marvel comic star?

According to our pals over at Wikipedia, "Since the Roman god Jupiter was identified with Thunor (Norse Thor in northern Europe), most Germanic languages name the day after this god" ...who knew!?!  I guess it's true...you really can learn something new everyday.

In keeping with days theme, I offer this superhero inspired look...complete with color blocking and a banded waist, neck and wrists. I say we throw caution to the wind and construct the whole thing out of pleather!

Day 60 - Completion

Tonight I gave myself the gift of completion. That is not as dirty as it sounds. 

Last year I started the curriculum for a new form of education... Tonight I completed it. I'm present to the satisfaction and pride that comes in attaining the goals for one sets for themselves. Don't deny yourself the opportunity to bask in this sort of achievement....it's a good feeling.

Silk jersey top with a wool pencil skirt.

Day 59 - Friends

"Never leave a friend behind. Friends are all we have to get us through this life--and they are the only things from this world that we could hope to see in the next." - Dean Koontz

I love my friends. They are always with me. I was reminded of this today on a phone call. He and I now live on opposite coasts and had not spoken in months, but in the spam of minutes we connected as though we we sitting in the same room and had just seen each other the night before. These types of relationships are such wonderful gifts and I am lucky enough to have more than one. I wish I could say I don't take them for granted, unfortunately, occasionally, I do...Then moments like today remind me of how blessed I am.  

It is my belief a good friend is with you forever, regardless of geography. To me this is a tremendous comfort...One I share with you not just for the dark days, but the sunny ones as well.

Silk charmeuse and silk chiffon tops paired with pleated silk charmeuse skirts...like goods friends, they fit together beautifully.

 

 

Day 58 - Happy Memorial Day

In honor of this day I offer up a nautical inspired look along with my thanks.  To my father, my uncles, my cousins, my friends and those I do not know. Thank you for your service.

Day 57 - Splash

Continuing the swimsuit theme...

Day 56 - Fun in the Sun

Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone!    Welcome to the official start of swimsuit season!

Day 55 - Milestone

"Life isn't a matter of milestones but of moments." - Rose Kennedy

So today is a milestone on a couple of levels...back on Day 7 I posted about a good friend asking me what I would do at Day 55 of this blog. He was questioning me on what my inspiration would be this far into the process. Well here it is...and I'm going strong!

Continuing this blog has been a simple achievement and I one that I'm proud of. Over the last almost two months I have really enjoyed the process of designing and writing. The response from those of you reading has been genuine and moving...thank you.

And... Today's second milestone came in the form of a job. I finally got my foot into the industry out here in Portland… I'm excited and happy to share it with you.  

In conclusion, I would like to thank you all for the inspiration you have been to me, not just in this blog but my life. You have filled it with wonderful little moments and I am grateful.

As we move forward, let's do it in a rayon viscose top with matching scarf and a wool and silk skirt...a milestone look if there ever was one.

Day 54 - Runway 2 Reality

So very often, in fashion, what we see on "the catwalk" does not always make it to the stores. Many times hemlines are raised or lowered, necklines are adjusted for modesty and adornments are lessened. The idea idea of this watered-down treatment is make the design more appealing to a broader mass...i.e.  

marketable.

Funny, I think we often do the same same with ourselves and our personalities...we reign it in a bit...all to appeal to a larger audience. We are still in essence who we are, just touch more controlled. We are the same, but different. And, in my opinion, both are perfect in their own ways.

These two cocktail dresses are constructed of satin and silk chiffon with oversized sequin paillettes. 

Day 53 - Bad Girls

"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." - Jessica Rabbit 

Beaded silk charmeuse cocktail dress with a peek-a-boo back. After all, if your gonna be bad, intentionally or not, one might as well look the part.

Day 52 - To be or not to be....

It's my belief that good ole Billy Shakespeare was really talking about choice here. I love choices and the freedom that comes with making them. We don't have to pick, decide or get stuck with what's left…we make the choice because we are free to make it…Simple.

So what's it going to be…silk floral, side zip shorts and a Cashmere sweater or a floral silk minidress…both with "bondage" banding? That, in this case, is the question.

Day 51 - Equal

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."

Today Judge Michael McShane ruled that Oregon’s marriage ban on gays and lesbians is unconstitutional. I am thrilled to be living in the state that no longer sees the decision of two people in love and wanting to marry as something that is wrong. And while this wonderful news is cause for celebration, we should not forget our friends and family in other states who are still living under oppressive laws. I have so many wonderful people in my life that have been in long-term relationships and are not allowed to marry due to their geography. The true celebration will begin when Georgia, Wisconsin, Arizona, Florida and the other 28 states open their doors to equality and strike down these same-sex bans. 

I realize that our forefathers may not of had gay marriage on their minds when they wrote the Constitution. However, I believe they were smart enough men to know that the world would change. I'm proud to live in a country that believes in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness....and I can't think of anything more happy than committing to the love of another. 

I see ivory satin, silk chiffon and lace.

Day 50 - Sunday, Rainy Sunday

Who says you can't wear shades in the rain?!!

A gray tweed shift dress accent with blue leather.

Day 49 - Saturday nights alright…

Time to hit the club!

Beaded silk chiffon and leather corseted top paired with a feather skirt and out-of-this-world platforms....dance!!

Day 48 - Sadness

So sometimes the world comes at us in a way that makes us sad. However, if we turn and watch it pass we'll see it differently from the other side. As humans we shy away from feeling "blue", that's normal....it can be a scary place. Although, in my life, I know the sadness didn't look the same from the back as it did from the front. In the end, I was glad to have been through the experience...it made me stronger.  After all, that which does not kill us.....looks amazing if done in silk twill.

Day 47 - Quick

A quick gestural sketch. White linen trousers with a pink silk top.

Day 46 - Hello

Never rob yourself of the opportunity of meeting someone new. You never know how it could change your lives, even in the smallest of ways....it's in the details after all.

Just like the olive beading on this silk jersey wrap dress.   

Day 45 - Tuesday

Rayon jersey top and wool trousers with satin tuxedo piping.

Day 44 - If I could turn back time

This evening most of my friends back in Atlanta gathered together for one reason....one word actually...Cher.

Yes, the mother of reinvention (sorry Madonna) has hit the road again.  Judging from their Facebook posts, it was  evening filled with sequins, feathers and a wonderfully scantily costumes....not to mention a whole lot of fun.

So in honor of grand Diva herself, I offer up this Mackiesque creation.  Peacock blue silk with a hat and the feathers to match...WOOOOO!

Day 43 - Happy Mother's Day

"Perhaps it takes courage to raise children.." - John Steinbeck

Once a year we have a holiday to celebrate our mothers. Most of us call or send flowers or take her out to lunch. We tell her we love her and thank her for being a good "mom". I wonder how many of us stop and ask ourselves, "What did that take....Who or what did she set aside to do this?" After all, Before she was our mother, she was her own person.

I think it's good to occasionally stop and reflect and put yourself in another's shoes. On this Sunday in May, I am doing that for my mother. I dedicate these sketches to the woman she was before I came along and hopefully the woman she still sees herself has....playful, sophisticated and beautiful. Thank you Mom...I love you.

"Playful"-on the left... Rayon knit jersey turtleneck with silk twill trousers and attached peplum.

"Sophisticated"-on the right... A silk and satin tweed suit topped off with a très chic pillbox hat.

and finally...

"Beautiful"-center....satin gown with leather trim and (lots of) silk chiffon.

Ps. The woman loves red!

Day 42 - Foul Play

So one of my favorite films is a comedy/mystery from 1978 called "Foul Play". It starred Goldie Hawn, Chevy Chase and Burgess "Beware of the Midgets!" Meredith....See it, if for only that line. We had this movie on videotape when I was a kid and I just about wore it out.

Towards the end of the film, Goldie wears a blue bridesmaid/cocktail dress...this is my version. I've designed it in silk charmeuse. I'm assuming hers was polyester… It was after all the 70s. 

Day 41 - Double Trouble

Sometimes all one needs in life is a partner in crime...that and beaded silk mini dress.

Day 40 - Star light, Star bright...

.... First sketch I did tonight.

Silk knit with gold appliqué.

Day 39 - ?

I don't really know where the inspiration come from for this design....this happens sometimes...I just start sketching and the idea appears. I guess there is a metaphor for life in there somewhere.

Satin dress with beading. 

Day 38 - Ever After

Does happily ever after exist? Sure it does...we just have to go get it.  He's my message to all the little princes and princesses....and prince(esses) out there...make the fairytale yours.  Slay that dragon...climb that tower...punch the wicked stepmother square in the jaw and say, "Clean your own house, I've got places to be!"  

For the modern princess, a cropped jacket of wool and silk paired with satin leggings and beaded ankle boots...happily ever after indeed!

Day 37 - HELP

Why is it so difficult for us to ask for that one syllable word?  Truth is, we want to more often than not.  I think the Beatles said it best:

When I was younger so much younger than today

I never needed anybody's help in any way
But now these days are gone, I'm not so self assured

Now I find I've changed my mind and opened up the doors

There are times we all want to ask for help, we just need the assurance to do it...And when we do, something will magical happen.

Tonight I was feeling a little artistically blocked, so I asked a friend, "What should I sketch?"  The answer I got was, "Vests...I like vests."

So there you have it… A little request and in turn we get my version of a "vest dress"...done in a worsted wool navy pin-stripe.  Thanks for the help.

Day 36 - Audrey

One of my favorite movies is Charade. Audrey Hepburn would be 85 today...Her sense of style was wonderful. This is my tribute to her.

Silk tweed skirt and matching cape....with kitten heels of course.

Day 35 - A Night at the Opera

Baby blue sequins on bias cut silk.

Day 34 - Spring into May

"The world's favorite season is the spring. 

All things seem possible in May." -  Edwin Way Teale

Pink and green...the perfect color combo for this time of year.  It's fresh, clean, romantic, youthful...it's spring. 

Silk chiffon blouses paired with cotton sateen walking shorts and a pencil skirt.

Day 33 - Uncomplicated

We all strive for easy, but often the most simplistic is, at its core, beautifully complex.

Jeweled toned velvet shifts with over-sized keyhole closures in the back.