This last weekend I went on an exciting exploration! I was in search of a fabric store.
Before I moved, I shopped for fabric frequently – possibly more frequently than was healthy for my wallet. But 2011 was rather crazy, and in the (almost) year since I’ve moved I’d yet go in search of a place where I could oggle over bolt after bolt of jersey knit silk, jacketing wool, and oh, so much more. But just a quick check on google I found what looked to be the mother of all fabric stores: Mood Designer Fabrics. I threw on my boots, and Jared and I headed to the garment district.
Mood’s website touts:
“… over 40,000 Sq Ft incorporated into its majestic mega store on 37th St. in New York City, staffed by over 50 experienced and knowledgeable employees, [...] Mood has solidified itself as the fastest growing Mecca for designer fabrics.”
And once inside, it didn’t disappoint.
Mood’s main level is on the 3rd floor, and as I stepped of the manually-operated elevator, I was a more than a little awe-struck! With row after row of gorgeous textiles, it took a bit to get my feet beneath me and my jaw off the floor. How did I possibly live without all of these options?
I wandered through every color of the rainbow and past more textures than I’d realized that I absolutely need, and around each corner a new idea came to mind. Where to start?! Leggings? Jacket? Something with buttons or tassels? I wandered for hours (very literally!) and as closing time loomed (and the pressure was on to just pick something already), I narrowed it down to a gorgeous black fabric destined to be a tank top with a bit of a twist.
And now I can’t stop thinking about another visit to Mood. I’ll definitely need to give myself more time to wander through the selection next time.
Note: If you’re not in the New York area, but are aching for a larger fabric selection… Mood has an amazing website! Seriously!
This beauty came in the mail with my December issue of Vogue, and it’s been sitting on my kitchen table ever since. I’m a little shocked at how completely dazzled I am by it, after all, it’s just a perfume ad. But somehow it’s the perfect blend of decorative simplicity.
I love how something as common as an ad for perfume can be transformed into a work of art. The best part about it is that it doesn’t even have any sort of sample of the smell (as I’d normally expect from any sort of elaborate magazine perfume spread), but the design alone speaks to me so much that I’m actually tempted to go out and get a bottle of it.
At 11:30 last night, Jared and I decided to ditch our plans for New Years and run to Times Square to join the crowd. We pressed as close as we could through the masses, and for it being so late, we definitely got closer than I thought we would: we were just a couple blocks away when the ball dropped! There was so much energy and excitement in the air – the perfect way to start 2012!
Right in line with southern traditions, each New Years Day Jared and I eat black eyed peas for luck in the year to come. This year we added a few mushrooms and ate it with mustard greens on the side. Super delicious!!
Well, I just wanted to check in quickly before I head back to my New Year’s Day festivities (read: lounging, and taking in a fantastically quiet day after a fabulously noisy evening). But I hope that your New Year’s celebrations have left you hopeful for everything to come, and that 2012 becomes everything that you want it to be!
The Friday before Christmas, Jared and I headed to the upper west side to the New York City Ballet’s performance of the Nutcracker!
I started ballet lessons when I was really little, and was a ballerina for oh, so many years. As such, I’ve been to many performances of the Nutcracker, but it’s been ages. Even after all this time, it is still on my list of absolute favorite December activities.
I couldn’t believe how lovely it was out – after all, was a December day in Manhattan! But it was actually rather nice, warm enough that I was happy to shed my coat and pose outside with exposed shoulders and toes.
This shirt is one of my absolute favorites! I’ve had it for more years than I’d like to count… but it’s always fabulous! In fact, I was so pleased with my outfit, that I couldn’t help but practice my sketching.
It was my first visit to Lincoln Center, and it was absolutely gorgeous! Jared and I took so many pictures, but below are just a few of my favorites.
What I wore: vintage black and white halter top, gift; black editor pants, express; black and white strapy sandals.
I hope that your holidays have been full of the traditions that make you smile!
Recently I came across this tutorial, and decided that I had to take advantage of all the lights strung about the city for the holidays.
Jared and I made 7 different shapes, and went to take pictures a couple different times. We ended up with over 1500 pictures and 20 videos… Yep, we went a little crazy. And after hours of sorting through all of the fabulous results, below are my favorites.
(Jared: Thank you so much for taking so many photos and making amazing videos!!) The blue lights are from the tree at Bryant Park, and the multi-color lights are the tree at Rockefeller.
Although it seems like things should be calming down as the holidays approach, this week has been absolutely crazy for me! I have so many pictures and stories to share with you, but no time! I’ll get to it soon, I promise. In the mean time, here’s a little something to put you in the holiday spirit!
Thanks so much to the Amazing Jared for filming and editing this!!
Jared and I went out a few different nights and took literally thousands of pictures and so much video. I have so much more to share… keep your eyes open for it over the weekend.
After all of the gesture drawings and boxes, the next thing in my sketch pad are drawings of different types of garments and fabric. In class we looked at how skirts hung, where the hem of jackets fall to, and how to add pants to my stick drawings of legs.
And as for fabrics, we started with the basics: the smooth, round lines of flowing silk; the crisp angles of cotton; and the large, round folds of heavy wool.
It’s been 9 weeks since I drew these, and my drawings have progressed so much. I’m really excited to show you some of my more recent work… but all in good time!
The holidays are upon us, and thoughts of gifts are in the air! Below are a few things that have caught my eye, and hopefully they help you while contemplating what to get for those on your list.
With all of the sketching that I’ve been doing lately, I’ve been keeping an eye out for a good way to keep my pencils organized. And this one’s a beauty! I especially appreciate that, though it’s light on the outside, the lining of this case is a dark brown, hiding the inevitable ink and lead marks that come with the pencil case territory. Office supply stores do have a limited selection of pencil cases, but Etsy has the motherlode!
The amazing Molly Crabapple has just rolled out her Silkscreen of the Month Club. What an absolutely brilliant idea! With the promise of a beautiful piece of art delivered each month, I may just be tempted to get this for myself. It’s $60/month, or you can really splurge, and pick up the option that comes with a hand-bound portfolio created to fit each piece for the year.
Be brave! Buy a girl in your life an adventure lipgloss! I have a tendency to fall into a routine with my lip gloss; I have the brands I like, and I tend not to deviate from them when buying a replacement. But the adventure lip glosses that have been gifted to me have proven to be some of my favorites!
Really?! This may be the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!!
Okay, this one doesn’t really count as it isn’t available quite yet… but I’ve done some serious research on this (short of actually getting my hands on one to play with) and overall it looks to be absolutely amazing! It will be available through Amazon, but, like I said, unfortunately it isn’t up yet. (I’m really sorry to tease you with this… I thought about leaving it off the list, but it’s just too amazing!)
Last weekend, Jared and I bundled up and headed out to visit the Rockefeller tree, now fully decorated and twinkling. Once we got there, we stood around, looking like tourists, taking pictures of everything that sparkled. I love the magic of the holidays in Manhattan!
Rockefeller Center was completely packed! People bustling about absorbing the holiday cheer. And then something even more magical happened… I heard a clock ticking, and turned to Saks…
I recorded the show, but when I uploaded it to youtube, I found that (of course) Saks had a much better version! (If you’d like to see mine, you can check it out here)
After the show, we headed across the street to check out Saks Holiday Windows. Their theme this year is inspired by the book Who Makes the Snow?; it’s a gorgeous collection of holiday dresses surrounded by shimmering bubbles and the fabulous contraptions that make them!
This next one is one of my favorite picture of the night… if you’re looking for it, you can see Rockefeller Center and the tree in the reflection!
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So, after I watched Saks version of their show, I came across another magical holiday video that they’ve put out. It’s a little corny, but I love it!!
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