Blast From the Past

So, I'm kind of stalling for ideas of what to post about. I am completely without inspiration. Until I come up with something, I am going to amuse you with a list of obscure pop culture memories from my childhood. Does anybody remember:

Archie Comics
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Fruit Stripe chewing gum
CatDog
Peace Frog tee shirts
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Gel Pens
Goosebumps books
Bill Nye the Science Guy
Captain Underpants

Maddy

Christian Bale:


I thought I'd just remind everybody just how hot he is. You know, in case you have forgotten or something.

Maddy

Un Peu d'Air sur Terre

I rather like the Spring Lacoste ads. The background is a pleasingly clean gray, featuring only the leaping model and the iconic crocodile, with the tagline "Un peu d'air sur Terre" tucked away unobtrusively in the corner.


They're a novel departure from the smokey-eyed goddess staring smolderingly at the camera lens through the embrace of some genetically perfect male model. I don't love the clothes all that much, but these ads are drastically different, and I think quite refreshing. A little air on Earth, indeed.

Grace Kelly, Summertime, and Other Things

I have been put in a wonderful mindset of loosely braided hair and floaty skirts as a result of the terribly lovely weather of late, and I am done with that whole school thing. Luckily, Summertime is five weeks away from where I'm standing, so I don't have that long to wait until I can break out the bikini and Rainbows. In my idle dreams of the blessed season, I have imagined the sort of things I might wear if I were to actually dress myself stylishly for Summer, which I don't. However, if I did, I would dress like Grace Kelly on a Tahitian vacation. As far as color is concerned, there would be lots of taupe, rose, mint, rich browns, and charcoal. The fabrics would be canvas and leather, tempered with lots of soft woven cotton. Accessories would be minimal but well chosen, and they would of course all be gold and mother-of-pearl, interspersed with the occasional semi-precious stone, like coral or onyx.

Here are some personal approximations of my Dream Summer Look:



Now, some shots of the shoes, which as we all know are the real stars:

Here are a few things that I think would make nice additions to my Dream Summer Look if I were to pursue it:

Free People, $38:

The delicate sea shell pink will flatter tanned skin, and its effect is only enhanced with intricate chocolate brown embroidery. Perfect for lounging on the patio in the late afternoon, listening to nearby pulse of the surf and quietly reading a book.

Anthropologie, $158:
The terra cotta print on the ivory fabric will be flattered by the yellow light filtered through the palms. The neckline is cunningly sexy; wide, showing a generous amount of shoulder, but not deep enough to reveal more than a hint of cleavage. You will be admired by all passing gentlemen, but float by unaware as you skirt flutters in the sultry zephyr.

Kenneth Jay Lane, $85:A series of gold disks will swing gently from each earlobe with your every move. They swing forward as you let your hair fall demurely around your face; the disks collide with each other lightly when you throw your head back to laugh; they tinkle quietly as you push your hair behind your ear. Rather an impressive collection of possibilities for one pair of earrings, really.

Too bad I dress like a bum in a bikini throughout the entire summer. Ah, well, I suppose I am just not glamorous enough for this sort of thing. However, if I ever do go on a Tahitian vacation, you can be sure I would wear heels every day.

Maddy

Business Dealings

Last week, I went shopping with my friend Sasha and her big sister Leona on Carry Street (full of great junk shops and skinny-jeans-and-owl-necklace type stores). Leona was looking for her prom dress, and couldn't find a single thing she liked, even after going to the mall. So it was decided that I would make her dress. I'm not sure how wise a move that was for a girl with only two years of sewing experience who needs supervision to put zippers in, but that's what happened.

The pattern:
My progress:

It's a knit crepe, so it's pretty stretchy. It's basically like jersey, but with a little texture. It's the loveliest hue of dusty purple and the color really looks stunning on Leona. I'm nearly done. I've just got to sew the skirt to the bodice and put in the zipper, then Leona will need to come try it on again (she already has twice) so that I can sew down the straps. Then, it will be done! She's paying me somewhere in the $50 - $100 range, so all in all, not a bad commission for a pretty simple dress. Of course, I've probably just jinxed it and I will mangle the fabric when I sew the zipper in. Ah, well, such is the nature of life.

Maddy