A Perfectionist's Product Preview

 

Making my way around the new camera has proven to be a little more challenging than I expected.  It's more about finding the optimal relationship between lighting, camera setting, product placement, etc. than it is about my learning the technical aspects of the camera (though the latter sure does facilitate things a bit).  I took a few (read: a lot) pics over the weekend of some necklaces in anticipation of a shop update, but I didn't enjoy the output very much.   Since I'm not making said update, I thought I'd give a brief preview of what's to come using some pics that I wasn't compelled to delete right away..  More to come...

The Essence of Inspiration

 October 2011 issue of Essence featuring our lovely FLOTUS.

I apologize for the corny blog title, but it honestly sums up the topic of this post (okay, so I'm not always that creative).  Before I get into things, I have to issue a disclaimer.  I am, by nature, quite cynical and sarcastic, especially when it comes to fashion and its trends.  I love clothes, style, and shopping just like the next girl, but I'm not one to go on about labels, who-wore-what, and things of that nature.  But then I opened the latest issue of Essence, turned to pg. 32, and saw this...

How adorable are these two ladies with their personalized fedoras! I've wanted one for a while and finally bought one this summer.  I love it as is, but seeing this made me want to add my own little touch.  I know I couldn't pull off what the above ladies have done.  I remembered several vintage brooches that were collecting dust in my supply bin, and I tried out each one until I was satisfied with the look, position, and feel of one.  Here is the end result...what do you think?!

(Photos taken by me: 1 and 2 from Essence ; 3 from me)

Cute Dress...

Khaki Safari Dress from Casa Vintage on Etsy

80s Denim Mini Dress also from Casa Vintage

But where did she get those earrings?!  Why they are my very own Jackie's in Turquoise (written about in a previous post)!  Xinthia, the owner of Casa Vintage, used to be the shop assistant for Michelle of Brown Bag Vintage, one of my fave and most frequented vintage shops on Etsy.  Noticing that I was, in fact, a frequent shopper, Xinthia curiously took a gander at my jewelry and fell in love with said earrings.  Michelle, being an astute (and supportive) boss, bought the earrings behind Xinthia's back...as the latter's birthday present, of course!  I am excited for Xinthia as she embarks on her solo Etsy dreams (and her stuff is given Michelle a run for her money ;-), and I am thrilled to have a piece of tyramade along for the ride.  Thanks ladies.  Have a great Labor Day Weekend everyone!

Challenges

a) figuring out how to keep the edges on the wax print fabric from fraying and

b) learning to use my new camera

Just a few obstacles to get through.  I'm excited about both.  What's got you burning the midnight oil lately?

Happy Birthday MJ

Art print by Cleatress found on Etsy

The VMAs aired on MTV last night!  While there were some moments both cute (Beyonce's pregnant belly rub) and interesting (Ga Ga's drag race), I can't say I was excited about the show.  In fact, I don't get excited about award shows at all anymore.  Part of it is that I'm older, and as we get older, we tend to hang on to the music we grew up with, and award shows grow with the time, catering to younger and younger audiences.  The other part has to do with the fact that performers like MJ with real, honest to goodness, studied-up talent seem to be in short supply.  They do exist, of course, but they aren't crazy enough to be popular by today's standards (and yesterday's standards are not respected).  Anyway, I long for the days when my heart would jump in my chest, and my eyes would sparkle in anticipation.  My skin would literally burn all the way to my toes, stealing my breath and my ability to speak or reason.  Unfortunately, June 25, 2009 pretty much guaranteed that I would never be as excited about an awards show as I was this night... 

 

Or this one...

or this one either...

Happy 53rd Birthday MJ!

Keeping My Head Above Water

Tide by Faith Evans-Sills found in her Etsy shop leaves and feathers

I'm volunteering as a GED writing teacher, and I spent the weekend creating a curriculum for the six-week program.  The ad for the position clearly stated that a curriculum and materials would be provided, but I was informed a day or so before the first class that I would have to turn in lessons for the remaining set of classes by Tuesday of the following week (tomorrow).  Although I've been out of the classroom for a while now, I'm still a teacher at heart, so I'm quite capable of creating a series of lessons and goals that will prepare adults to tackle the writing portion of the GED with respect for their strengths and anxieties.  I have a co-teacher for the one-day-a-week, two-hour course, which obviously means the responsibility is shared.  

But, I can't help but feel that the Universe (God) is sending me a message, but I'm not sure how to read it just yet. I've been out of the classroom for three years and have been job searching for almost two.  My Etsy shop turns five on August 14th (also my mother's birthday), but I can't say that it is a successful shop. In fact, I've come very near to closing it down several times in the last few months.  With the state of the economy and the eight million jewelry designers in the world, running a handmade jewelry business is difficult.  Yet, something keeps me going.  In the midst of all this, I'm now volunteering to do work that I used to get paid to do.  I'm not sure how to process it all.  

For now, I'm inspired by the messages in the paintings from artist, Faith Evans-Sills. She combines acrylic paint, ink, and positivity to create beautiful and spiritual affirmations.  Even her shop tag, "Art to Inspire the Soul," is in keeping with her purpose.  Remember -

Strength and Beauty Surround You

And remember to - 

Dream

Vintage Lust

Lovely vintage 70s floral wrap skirt from The Greedy Seagull

I have a quiet, unspoken obsession with vintage clothing.  I've been in denial about it, but I've finally admitted it to myself and accepted it as fact. It dawned on me a while ago that I need to blame this on my mother.  When I was little, my mother would take me to second-hand or thrift stores for shoes, clothing, even household items.  There was one particular second-hand shoe store, Laura's, that we would go to almost every Sunday.  It was our little outing, and we would spend hours trying on shoes.  I was never embarrassed about wearing second-hand clothing, probably because my mother was and still is a genius at spotting quality (I even got the point where I could pick out things on my own; purses were an early addiction), which I understand is the distinction between the words "vintage" and "thrift."  I get it on a philosophical level but not always on an economic level.  

On Etsy, there are vintage shops in every price range, so I've managed to indulge my obsession fairly well.  The shops I go back to are those where the clothing is "old" but modern looking and can meld in with what I already have.  Anyway, the hardest thing for me to find is a skirt because...well, I'm not skinny and older cuts are smaller.  The above skirt, besides being gorgeous, has a 28-33" waist. I'm thinking I could squeeze in it so I pulled some of my other vintage "favorites" to make a couple of outfits.

In one outfit, I'd wear the skirt with this denim vintage Ralph Lauren shirt from Olive, this vintage straw bag from Omnia Wears (I had two of these in high school; loved them both), and this cute vintage loafer wedges from Fab Gabs (all on Etsy).

The second outfit would be the skirt, an adorable, oversized tan and white Gingham shirt and a classic, red vintage Coach satchel both from Pineapple Mint completed by these gorgeous vintage woven sandals from Omnia Wears. What are some of your favorite vintage shops/items on Etsy?