So, I made the (last-minute) decision to pack up and head to NYC for the IFB Evolving Influence Conference, and figured I might as well stay for the Fashion’s Night Out festivities. You know, to support the economy and such.
I’ve been working on the new issue of the magazine seemingly non-stop for the past few weeks, so I could use a fun break…though covering the events actually means more work…ah, well. I plan to have a good ‘n fancy time!
Who else is going? Let’s hook up! And most importantly–what should I wear?
I’d been feenin’ for a mini-cake all week, and when we stopped at ForkHeartKnife for dinner, there was a plate of vanilla cupcakes right there at the front counter. I picked the one with the most icing and started eating it before I even ordered dinner.
Rode my bike 4.5 miles
Saturday morning, I set out with the goal of making it to Northside and back. I got a little lost along the way (because I always get lost), but I made it!
Bought a new desk chair
After weeks of sore shoulders and an aching back, I bit the bullet and headed to IKEA for a new desk chair. I had to walk through a 2.2 mile maze of room displays, household items, screaming kids to get it (there’s gotta be a shortcut), but I think it was worth the trouble. It’s amazing what a little lower lumbar support can do for a girl.
Remembered how much I love my hair
I was watching Esperanza Spalding and admiring her cloud of fuzzy coils when I remembered, “Wait–my hair does that.” YESSS!
Yesterday, I stopped by the Dress for Success Cincinnati headquarters to learn more about what they do and how I could get involved. Because I think about myself way too much–it seems like such a waste not to do more for other people.
The DFS Associate Director, Kelly–who was fabulous and obviously dedicated to helping the women in the program–gave me a personal tour of the operation and explained the suiting process (when clients come and pick the clothing items they need for job interviews and their work wardrobes), as well as the other services and connections they provide. It was a busy day, but the process was clearly very well organized. I love that!
Shopping. For a cause, of course…
The good news is that DFS receives so many clothing donations they can’t use everything to suit their clients, so after the tour, I stopped by the DFS 4th Street Boutique to shop/support the cause.
I initially planned to just buy a vintage belt I spotted in the back of the shop. Purple suede + an oversized buckle? Yes, please!
But, on my way to the cash register, I passed a display that caught my eye…and on that display hung a Tucker blouse that just happened to be my size that just happened to go with the belt that just happened to cost only 7 bucks. Who am I to deny fate?
Then, when I was about to check out, one of the volunteers mentioned that I’d receive a 30% discount if I bought three items, so I picked up this colorful silk scarf. I’m still trying to figure out how to wrap it into a turban headband…
I’m also trying to figure out a way to put my somewhat limited talents to use to help Dress For Success. Obviously, the clothing/boutique aspect is appealing, but I’m not sure… Any ideas?
Due to underestimating traffic (I don’t know how I did the rush hour thing every day), I missed the fashion show, but did manage to snag the tunic I wanted as well as one or ten of the little cake hors d’oeuvres that were being passed around. Win-win as far as I’m concerned.
Found another (?) gray hair.
I’ve had two gray hairs since I was about 8 years old, and I used to be able to pinpoint their location with GPS-like precision. Since I stopped straightening my hair, it’s not easy to find anything in there, so I’m not sure if it’s a new gray or one of the old ones. Hmm…
Doesn’t the name just sound like a good idea? Butter. Tart. How can you go wrong? The tarte tatin used to be my fave, but the gooey caramely-ness of this new concoction has just earned its own place in my dessert-lovin’ heart.
Hemmed a pair of my own pants!
I got motivated and learned how to do a basic catch stitch from this YouTube video:
Now that I think about it, I can’t remember the last skill I learned that didn’t involve a YouTube tutorial–god forbid I pick up a book and get some learnin’ the old fashioned way.
I got out my tape measure, needle, thread, scissors, even a seam ripper ’cause I was serious about getting the job done! One leg at a time, I carefully measured, cut, ripped, and stitched by hand. This was the result:
Oops.
Seriously, one leg was a full inch shorter than the other. Ha! There goes my career as a tailor…
Bought a hot glue gun.
Who knew they were so inexpensive? I’m feverishly searching for random items to glue together at this very moment. As soon as I can think of a good reason to add feathers to my plastic plants, it’s on.
CitID is a ambitious project aiming to gain global consciousness by giving a (type)face to every city worldwide. Logo design + typography from an international perspective? Hell yes!
Fascinated by this 1848 daguerreotype (haven’t seen those since high school art class) of the Cincinnati riverfront. There seem to have been an awful lot of clothing stores back then: The Cincinnati Clothing Store Exchange Office (?) is downstairs from the Wholesale Clothing Depot, and the United States Clothing Store–which sounds like a pretty ambitious undertaking–is just a few doors down.
I like to flip through this book whenever I’m at the office (aka Iris Bookcafe). The Twenties in Vogue (with foreword by Gloria Swanson, no less) is part magazine, part historical narrative, and wholly entertaining. Not only are the images and illustrations inspiring, the narration reveals a glimpse of the decadent life of high society of the era. A quote from one 1929 society page:
Lady Ashley has altered her appearance from soft prettiness to polished chic, and looks remarkably well with her hair brushed to silk. Spotting each new diamond necklace she wears is one of the sports of the season.
Last but not least, Alicia‘s general craziness has manifested itself as a mini-meme on Twitter. Or should I say #blacktag? As soon as I figure out how to put a pair of snakeskin platform heels on this afrobird, it’s on!
Just realized it was Friday the 13th…now, where is my Chanel hockey mask and chainsaw set?
There was beer, chocolate cake, and good food. Officially, I don’t like chocolate cake–I only like chocolate, not chocolate-flavored things–but I made an exception this time. You know, to be polite.
Completed a really simple DIY alteration I’ve been meaning to take care of for over a year:
I did something easy, removing the lace collar from a puff-sleeved linen blazer. I’m sort of (but only sort of) ashamed to admit that I usually just tuck the collar in and tape it down. So lazy.
All I really did was carefully remove the lace with a rotary cutter, which has been sitting in my dust-covered craft kit unused for, oh, 3 years?
I took pictures, played DJ for the Talent Show, gorged on vegan cinnamon rolls (um, vegan means no calories, right?), and bought a pair of earrings from a friend who makes jewelry.
They look a bit like daggers made from pearly seashells, like something a kickass mermaid would wear. Innocent, yet dangerous…Right up my alley!
When I got home, I fell asleep watching an episode of Poirot:
Does anyone else watch this? Most of the stories are set in the 1920′s – 1940′s, and the costumes and scenery are exquisite. Checking out costumes is probably 90% of the reason I watch television and movies in the first place.
I planned on doing a video blog last year. The problem was, I was scared of looking silly on camera (inevitable, trust me) and hated that I didn’t have the ability to create a television-ready broadcast complete with studio lighting and zippy Flash intro. I was daunted by the fact that I had no clue how to get professional results using an amateur video editing program.
Really, how ridiculous is that? But because I was putting all this pressure on myself to create something perfect the first time around (I do this often, and it is often the source of my frustration), I was so afraid to tackle the project that it never got done.
Do you know how good you get or how much you learn from doing nothing? Mmm-hmm, you guessed it. Zero equals zero. Even I know that, and I got C’s in math. Except in geometry, which is the biz. Anyway.
I had to give myself permission to mess up. Not only did I give myself permission to mess up (because why do things halfway?), I made it mandatory.
I said to myself,
Self. You must make a big honkin’ mess of this whole thing. When you’re finished, it should be blatantly obvious to anyone who watches that you are a goofball and a complete amateur. The results should be so horrifically bad that you never want to show anyone for fear of public shaming by a mob of angry villagers wielding torches.
And then you’ll post it for all to see.
When I changed my mindset, screwing up became my goal. And guess how much I learned? A lot more than I did waiting to magically achieve newscaster-esque perfection on the first go-round using a program I’ve only used a few times.
So, I’m passing on the assignment. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself and find something to really f*ck up. Create a really ugly website using tables(!); take blurry, grainy pictures of the weeds in your garden; make an ice cream and fried chicken casserole; wear white patent leather sandals with fishnets. DO IT. Own it. F*ck-ups lead to freedom.
Look, everybody messes up. Sometimes you have to just do it. It’s not a mistake if you learn from it, and if you learn something, you’re already moving forward.
Surprisingly (to me), I found ten items I was ready to part with–I have a hard time letting go of clothes–and managed to bring home a few new things in support of what I’ve decided to deem “sustainable shopping.” What? It’s a real movement.
Clothes kept coming in as people arrived, so there was plenty to choose from.
The place was packed with swapper-shoppers and filled with sweltering heat. No air conditioning + 90 degrees + lots of people = sweat dripping down my face. I tried not to sweat on the clothes up for grabs, but I’m not making any promises. Launder your stuff, ladies.
Rosie from The Brush Factory doing some on-the-spot alterations. Brilliant.
I have a habit of buying stuff that doesn’t fit from thrift stores and convincing myself that I’ll get it altered, or even less likely, promising to alter it myself using my handy DIY skills. Needless to say, none of this ambition leads to any actual productivity.
However, I am productive when it comes to procuring anything even remotely dessert-y, so after I’d bagged my goodies from the swap, I marched straight over to the Whirly Girl truck and indulged in a macaroon. Which I insist on over-pronouncing in French as macarON. ‘Cause I’m pretentious like that.
UPDATE: I did a haul video about my finds! Watch it here.
Have you ever been to a clothing swap? Did you come home with anything good?
I’ve really been slacking on this whole blogging thing lately. Every now and then, it feels like my life is better as my own, no sharing necessary. It’s nice to be able to keep things close to the vest, though frankly, things have been a bit boring.
Let’s see:
I spent last Sunday running up and down Main Street like a crazy person during Second Sunday in OTR. After taking hundreds of pictures, chatting up vendors and shop owners, and trying to eat as much as possible (a favorite pastime), I was sweaty and exhausted.
Then I had a meeting.
I’m working on another magazine project, and we met at a cafe to discuss the mock-up I’d created and a bunch of other logistical issues. I was pleased to discover that I know stuff! Have you ever been surprised/impressed at how much you know concerning a particular issue or skill? I’m really getting into this custom publishing thing…
After the meeting, I walked outside to hop on my bike and finally go home, and my bike was…gone. The cable lock was still there, dangling innocently from the meter. The combination was fully locked, yet no bike in sight.
I was pissed.
The bike wasn’t one of those cutesy riding-around-in-a-full-skirt-with-a-basket-of-flowers-while-the-Sartorialist-takes-your-picture deals, either. It was a full-on Schwinn man’s mountain bike, all rough and tough and perfect for riding around the ‘hood.
I walked my tired self home, abandoned bike lock in hand, ready to start swingin’ and take out whoever might’ve taken my bike. Trust, I was ready to do serious damage to somebody’s cranium. Now I just feel silly for not locking it more securely, though that still doesn’t give anyone the right to steal. Lesson learned.
For my fellow ride or die biznitches, here’s how you should lock your bike:
Last Friday evening I hit the Purple People Bridge with Style Sample magazine photography assistant Brandy for Cincy Chic’s Red Pink and Blue event. It was much bigger this year, and I ran into a few familiar faces.
Jewelry sponsor Serket Jewelry had tons of gorgeous pieces, including a substantial collection of statement necklaces. I’m dreaming of wearing 6-7 at a time, like ancient Egyptian pectorals.
DJ Storm Bennett kept everyone entertained (he’s obvs. a ham for the camera–he struck a pose as soon as he saw my lens pointed at him), and I finally met Kasmira of What I Wore Today, who was wearing a really cute vintage-y looking dress and belt.
We had the chance to go “backstage” (back-bridge?) before the show to see the clothes, meet the models, and chat with the hair and makeup artists. I ran into two friends from Cincinnati Fashion Week–Nathan was coordinating and styling the show, and Nicole gathered the survivor models and hair team for photos and introductions.
Breast cancer, diabetes, and heart health warriors and their physicians.
Around 9, the sky turned dusky, the music pumped up, and the show started!
The models had to walk a looong way in some pretty precarious footwear, but everyone looked lovely in their ALK Fashion dresses.
Thanks to Amy at Cincy Chic for a great event for, not one, but three great causes!
Hello, I'm Tamia. I like clothes, shoes, the interwebs, ice cream, design, dancing, pretending to know what I'm talking about, big cities, pretty pictures, technology, creative people, foreign languages, eating, typography, indie magazines, and telling people what to do. Not necessarily in that order.
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