4 SKIRTS

Today was kind of a break out day for me. In fact, the last several weeks have been moving that way. In January and February I felt that there was a wall in front of my nose and all doors were locked. Now, like the season, my life seems to be springing up and out and forward!

In honor of the warmer weather and the more liberating feeling I have, I am going to start dressing more freely and more light! I am turning back to Zara, my thin, rayon chiffon skirt. In honor of my first time in the ETSY voter, I am wearing my own advertisement t-shirt!

Hope you are enjoying warmer weather and I hope you will vote for me!! Here is the link: http://www.etsy.com/voter_list.php?ref=voter&room_id=103

Somewhere in the World - Barcelona Spain

In 1985 my husband (then boyfriend) and I went to Europe. We had studied the cooperative society of the Basque city of Mondragon in an organizational psychology class and we wanted to go explore and possibly live in Spain.

We traveled from London, through France and Switzerland, to Barcelona. It was January and, much to our dismay, wet and frigid when we arrived. The city looked dismal and abandoned as we trudged through the streets trying to find food and our pension (a small, low-cost hotel or home with rooms to let). We got some bread and peanut butter at a convenience store. We left our coats on in our room as we ate, then crawled under the covers to get warm, and fell asleep.

About two hours later, we woke to what sounded like crowds of people outside our window. When we opened the shutters, the streets were bright, bustling, and alive with shops, restaurants, families, young people, old people, dogs, laughing, shopping, strolling. We realized that we had arrived during siesta, and our opinion of the place immediately flipped from bad to good.

We spent about ten days there and didn't get to see everything. It is a city full of spontaneity, passion, creativity and flair. I loved the Gaudi, the Miro, and Picasso's Guernica. I loved strolling and shopping on the Ramblas and eating groceries from the Mercat de la Boquería, Barcelona's gigantic central market. There are stalls with everything from flowers to cheese, to hanging legs of jamon (Spanish Prosciutto). I loved the old narrow winding streets and most of all, the fashion sense of the Spanish people.

When we went it cost $3.50/night to stay in a small but clean and safe room. Dinner was about 2-5 dollars. It was before the olympics were there and before the Euro. It is much more costly now but I think it is still very much worth the experience.

From the bottom up, the photos are:

Check out Annafabo on etsy. She lives in Barcelona.

Don't forget the fashionable children! Here is one from Melimelon.

The Market.

A map of the area around the Miro Museum!!

An overview of The Ramblas.

Textile Tuesdays : #22 - Florals

I have always been a sucker for florals, but now I don't have to apologize, because they are BACK!!

Just like any other trend, they cycle through over and over with minor variations. They have been around as long as textiles have existed and thank goodness they are not considered passe in our modern, tech-centric world.

Large or small, printed or embellishment, they are soothing and uplifting reminders of the beauty in the world.

One of my Shecological bags with a Japanese floral detail that gives life to a plain organic cotton canvas.

Laura Ashley made it big with florals in the '70s and she is still going strong with her designs for clothing and home dec.

Marimekko is famous for its ultra-mod poppy pattern but I like this Marimekko fabric used by Mod Diva in this pillow.

Liberty florals have always been the creme de la creme. They were even featured in a new line of products at Target! This small coin clutch by Sew Lola is a lovely example of their beautiful fabric.

Hand made and florals go together amazingly! Just look at this first-class piece of hand printed fabric by Jezze Prints.

Amy Butler is a young, textile designing super-star who uses beautiful, vivid color combinations and combines florals and geometric prints in her fabric lines. Chic Bazar uses two of them here in this colorful bag.

Of all of the florals though, you probably won't be surprised to hear me say, my favorite ones are those of the Japanese textile designers. Like this one used by Blue Manatee, they are just so kawaii!

Sunday - Funday!

This is going to be a place for fun, funny, and random things that make me smile! Normally, they will be video clips, songs, products, etc. Today, however, I am so smiley and happy over the fun evening we had last night sending my daughter off to her junior prom! She and her date were good sports and let us take lots of pictures of them.

I helped her search for a dress on etsy, got some ideas for style, hair and make-up, and in the end, we collaborated to create a gorgeous look for the "Alice in Wonderland" themed dance.

We got a used Jessica McClintock dress at an Elks Club dress swap and upcycled it to amazing results! I made the hair fascinator and Mira made the wrist cuffs. We watched youtube videos to learn techniques for hair and make-up, and Mira chose the look she wanted. She wore my vintage pop bead pearls and earrings from Target. I did her mani/pedi, hair and make-up (including false eyelashes). It felt like I was in an episode of Project Runway! We were rushing in the end, but we all kept our heads and had a blast with it!

She came home beaming with a tiara and sash and told us (humbly) that she was shocked to have been voted by her peers as Prom Princess!

I really don't care what Micheal Kors or Heidi Klum think, I felt like it was a stunning success!

Saturday Socializing

I find so many sites that I love and wish I could show to everyone, so I decided to just post links once a week. I will just share as many of my favorite blogs and websites that I can think of.

Today I want to show everyone a superb, stunning and satisfyingly minimalistic site called just three things. It is run by a textile artist and etsian called CricketApollo. (Her shop is closed right now but I will keep my eye out for when it opens again.) I love seeing what amazing things she finds for her blog and I was fortunate enough to be featured one day! Check it out!

The painting is by Jacob van Hulsdonck, and was featured on a recent post.

The sachets are an example of some of Cricket's work.

4 SKIRTS

The weather's getting ever so slightly warmer. I will try to refresh my wardrobe.

I have an idea!

Whenever we stay at hotels, we collect the shampoos and other free toiletries. We have quite a collection going. Someone suggested that we donate them to homeless shelters. This is a great idea but I would like to take it one step further. I have loads of cosmetics and toiletries that I have used once and shoved to the back of my cabinet for one reason or another. I am going to round it all up and put it in a box for the shelter.

You might think that this is the last thing that people down on their luck need. They don't even have food or clean, warm clothing. Of course those are of primary importance, but a little luxury is probably something they rarely get. A momentary pampering might be the bit of frivolity that cheers them up and gives them a broader outlook.

Personally, I love the company Lather. I got their samples in a Marriott and was thrilled to find that they have a store in Scottsdale. You can get them on line or look for them free in hotels.

Also, I can't resist when Clinique has a free promotion. I usually keep the little bags and never use the cosmetics.

There are probably all kinds of cynical, pessimistic and cautionary arguments against it. But, I am choosing to take a positive attitude. Someone will love it, and it is better than throwing it away.