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?

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Indulged my cupcake craving

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!

What did you do last weekend?

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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?

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1. Find a box. Cut holes in it.

I used scissors (an X-acto knife probably would have worked better) to cut out opposite sides of an old shipping box and a smaller “flip up” opening on top–all the better to take overhead shots with, my dear.

2. Cover the large cutouts with something translucent.

I used some white muslin from the time I thought I’d create my own patterns (ha!), and taped it to the box with packing tape. Be sure to pull the material tightly before securing it to the box! You could also use white paper or a different type of sheer-ish material.

3. Cover the inside of the top of the box with white paper.

I glued plain ol’ printer paper to the inside top of the box with a glue stick, and covered the inside-facing portion of the “flip up” opening with aluminum foil to encourage light reflection.  For giggles, I also created two small “reflectors” using paper, foil, and the leftover cardboard cutouts.

4. Tape a piece of white posterboard inside for the backdrop.

I got a large piece of posterboard at CVS for 99 cents and taped it to the inside of the back of the box. It naturally curves down to the bottom, resulting in a seamless background.

5. Light it up!

The ‘hood hardware store closed early (go figure), so all I had available were two desk lamps. No matter! These lights were free and seemed to work pretty well.

Results

I tested the setup by putting my camera on the macro setting and taking pictures of small jewelry and cosmetics items. The results:

They turned out pretty well! A few required simple color and exposure adjustments, nothing too elaborate. These images could easily be used to sell crafts and jewelry on etsy or small items on eBay, or turned into simple business cards:

Total cost: $o.99. All in all, not a bad project (unlike the great hemming debacle)! If you decide to try it or have done something similar, let me know how it goes/went!

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Wore the new AllSaints top I bought in the sale.

I love wacky asymmetrical draping, but FriendBoy immediately said “You’re wearing Theo’s shirt!”

It is now officially known as my Gordon Gartrell.

Hit the Jodi Arnold event at The Limited.

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…

Tried the new butter tart at The Bistro.

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.

What have you been up to?

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Forever21 tank, vintage skirt and belt, Ash shoes, bracelets from street vendor

Note the skirt from the flowered Madea-wannabe set I picked up at the theater warehouse sale. I thought about shortening it, but I’m really enjoying it as a long skirt.

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In a rare fit of domesticity, I decided to take it in myself instead of spending another 11 months pretending I’d take it to the tailor “someday.” Since I’m not clever enough to thread my sewing machine (the whole bobbin-catching-thread thing never works and the entire process stresses me out) I pinned it and took it in by hand! It was surprisingly relaxing, and took less than an hour.

Of course, I had to wear it the next day.

I enjoy these hands-on creative projects! I was inspired by Sanchez’s Challenge (where are you, girl?) and though I’m pretty sure I’m not disciplined enough to do a project every day, I think I’ll try to make it a point to do more projects that don’t involve using a computer. Sometimes it’s nice to get your hands dirty, you know?

Do you make things as a creative outlet? What do you make?

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CitID

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!

Panoramic Daguerreotypes

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.

The Twenties in Vogue

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.

 

Get it, Lady Ashley!

#browntwitterbird

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?

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And the winner is…

Emily!

I’ll be in touch with the info via email, dear!

I used the random number generator to be fair, but it’s really not necessary when there are only 8 entries. Does no one shop at the mall anymore? Ah, well…

*By “almost” I mean I totally forgot to do it even though I remembered I needed to. Does that ever happen to you?

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Vintage blouse, belt, and necklaces; Forever21 shorts; Stetson hat; Ann Taylor bracelet; Charles David shoes

*That may not be completely accurate reporting. My bad.

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