a tribute to stevie nicks

feel like i've forgotten.. too many things. except for my love for stevie nicks. that dame will always be a bohemian rock goddess no matter what the year is. pretty sure that 'landslide' and 'rhiannon' were the first jams that really made me embrace being a woman. trying to channel my inner stevie right this second to keep on keeping on. thought i would ease myself back into the world with a simple blog post. and what better way to do so than with praising my admiration of songstress, badass, rock diva stevie nicks. 

girl's been through a lot....all while still maintaining poise, professionalism, staying true to herself, and doing what she loves. i feel like not many women in this day and age are able to play this out very well, or at all. 

How does she do it? 

image..image...image..imagine. everyday i feel like i was meant to live in a different era. time machine connects anyone? sign me up. stevie's persona emulates a strong, free, humble, independent, fierce swan of a woman who gets what she wants all while on her own terms. 

tough girl. tough ride.

Known for her long chiffon skirts, shawls, long blonde hair, layers of lace, platform boots, and dickens style top hat. Nicks style has exemplified her sense of mysticism, free spiritedness, and adds to her stage presence. Standing tall at 5'1" the girl's been rocking suede platform boots since the 70's. Particularly in maroon, beige, black, and cognac hues. 

getting glam, rocking the dickens top hat with s-t-y-l-e.

also known for her jewels, stevie doesn't set foot on stage without her moon pendants. her wrists are never bare and are adorned in silver bangles. most of stevie's precious jewels are from her day's touring in europe during the 70's with her bandmates which has inspired much of her timeless style to this day. she's had jeweler henri david of Philly replicate some of these vintage finds. 

basically I bow down to you stevie. love yo style, love yo voice, love you.

Sew Lingerie

It's been a while since my last blog, forgive me. My world has been jumbled over the last few months, moving to a new city, starting a new job, and having the workspace aka the basement of my current home go under serious construction. Luckily I can tell you that those days are coming to an end and the completion date is near. As far as acclimating to my new lifestyle, it's all a process, a process that has taught me that I severely need to practice patience and meditation....but more to come on that topic. =) 

Thrifting in Spokane, WA (the new city where I reside) has been an adventure, my neighborhood is surrounded with treasure shops and with every visit there is always something new to comment on. My lust for vintage, guilty passion of finding something one of kind, the act of shopping for it, revamping,  and giving it a new home is something I am constantly anticipating for on my days off. 

Stegosaurus & human skeleton made of scrap metal outside of Area 58.

At my first visit to this eclectic little shop called Area 58 on Monroe I found a plethora of goodies that sent me in a predicament of "Okay Caetlyn, do you really need all of these books? You need to put something back." Hate it when that happens. I did find myself getting lost in the little corner that lodged vintage textiles, how to sew books, painting, arts and crafts supplies, and other domesticated subjects in book form. I found this awesome book Sew Lingerie it's easy here's how by Kerstin Martensson, printed in October 1969. From my consumer, designer, and crafting stance I have always wanted to make my own lingerie. Lingerie to me is a very personal, feminine expression of one self, similar to a costume I would say. Enacting the sexual persona one has of them self and expressing that through mediums of lace, silk, nylon, and satin, I find it very beautiful, theatrical in a sense. 

Sew Lingerie cover

Author Kerstin Martensson (right) and one of her successors. Love the bouffants.
Seems like we all could learn a lot from this woman.

Chapter 8: Nylon Novelties, showcases a number of obsolete nylon accessories that are no longer needed for this day and age. Luckily the book includes patterns for each of these expired doo-dads so that the option of recreating these fabled wonders is still on the table.  Maybe even an opportunity to bring them back! I tried taking close up shots of the pattern names and the illustrations accompanying them. I like how the lines are so simple yet detailed enough to really convey the spirit of the 60's domestic housewife. 

The hair-do saver frightens me and I'm sure doesn't respond well
to those who are claustrophobic. Maybe if you live in a windy climate or
drive a motorcycle or convertible. I don't picture many women as seeing
 this is an accessory must-have.

No woman should ever need a makeup cape for her daily beauty regimen. Unless she's performing in a circus or is a contestant in a beauty pageant. This is just another one of those fuddy-duddy gadgets that I don't view as necessary. At least this serves a purpose as a protective shield for your garments.

Hosiery Savers: accessory used to wash or put on nylons.

Hosiery Saver pattern. If you know anyone or seen anyone use one of these in REAL LIFE I would love to hear about it. I have only learned of this accessory's existence from this book.

Roller Bag: the beauty about this is that bags are multi-purpose. I do rock hot rollers for those special occasions, although I must confess I haven't been in a situation where a roller bag would come in handy,
but if I didn't have a case for my hot rollers, I'm sure that a roller bag would be my hero. 

Elegant nightgown. Rockable if made with the right textiles.
Someday I will try to re-invent something similar with a modern twist.
Beautiful nonetheless.

I love the little floral appliqué's on these undergarments. Very dainty and cute.

This scarf was then called a Smoke Ring. Sounds French chic, but now with the alarming information
that cigarettes are bad for your health, it is now referred to as a Figure 8 Scarf. 

I'm not saying that wind scarfs are a thing of the past, but I do think that they are highly functional
towards keeping one's hair in tact, as well as serving as a protective device of the ears. Very elegant, chic, and Thelma and Louise. Comes in handy after a wine night with the girls and a pair of dark sunglasses. 

This little book has been very insightful as far as how to make your own lingerie at home using simple sewing techniques, and a low standard of sewing equipment. Awesome for me since I'm still saving for my dream Janome machine, and my sewing equipment is very standard at this point in time. The content and design of the lingerie as you can imagine isn't exactly sultry, but classic, tasteful, and exhibits fine lines. There are lots of pictures and detailed instructions for those wanting to recreate the looks offered, but with some of the sewing terminology used I would say that these directions are written for the experienced sewer. Hope you enjoyed this little blurp as much as I did sharing with you this vintage treasure.

Great Expectations: directed by Alfonso Cuaron

A movie I know that I can always turn to when longing for a 1990's surge, is Alfonso Cuaron's Great Expectations. A spin off from Charles Dickens classic novel. The film is set in modern day NYC. I must admit that I have not read Dickens classic...but it's on my list of future 'to-reads.' 

Finnegan Bell's portrait of Estella during their teenage years.
All of the paintings and artwork shown in the film are works of Francesco Clemente.
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Francisco Clemente is a contemporary Italian painter, whose career embellished since the release of Great Expectations, ever since then his work has received recognition on a global scale. He is renown for working with artists such as Andy Warhol and Jean Michel Bassquiat.

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Francesco Clemente's portraits posed as Finnegan Bell's in the film.
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Truly this is a beautiful story. Romantic if you will, quite sultry, but also provides a sense of adventure and mystery. Orphan and protagonist Finnegan Bell (Ethan Hawk) falls for the oppressed rich Miss Dinsmore's (Anne Bancroft) niece, the beautiful Estella (Gwyneth Paltrow). Miss Dinsmore hires Finn to play with her niece while she visits her in Florida during the summer. Since Estella was born she was raised to make men weep, twirl them around her finger, without investing any emotions of her own. Finn was an exception, he was an artist, light hearted, good dancer, and would do anything for her. But this could never be enough for Estella. This is a story about a boy who loved an unreachable girl.

Water fountain kiss. Young Finn and Estella.
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First dance lesson.
Love Estella's adorable ballet shoes and Rapunzelesque locks.
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And then it begins...
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A mysterious benefactor makes it possible for Finn's dreams to come true as a famous artist. This person is not revealed until the end. Making it so that Finn is no longer just scraping by, but is now an up and coming NYC artist with a to-die-for artist's loft on the Hudson River.  

Sexy-streetside-kissing in the rain scene.
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Estella in Finn's loft.
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The roots of the film was set in the late 70's Florida gulf so the imagery is very nautical, and lush with a twist of fruit punch. Aside from the beautiful artwork and cinematography of the film, glamour-puss, basket case, Miss Dinsmore rocks a swanky, gypsy-like style where wigs, rouge, excessive eyeliner, and Iris Apfel style necklaces aren't out of the norm. Always with a cigarette in one hand and a drink in the other. This lady has some serious s-t-y-l-e. Chica boom! Dancing to the beat of her own drum, I secretly aspire to acquire this level of sass when I am a woman of her age.

Dinsmore: "Do you feel that?"
Finn: "Feel what?"
Dinsmore: "That!"
Finn: "Um your boob?"
Dinsmore: "No. My heart..and it's broken."
(Source).

"Feel it!"
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Cuaron uses a primary color scheme of deep green, which is evident throughout the film. Miss Dinsmore and Estella are always dressed in rich jade and juniper hued frocks that makes their relationship between one another and Finn very symbolic.  Miss Dinsmore's wardrobe defines her character to a tee; a lonely old maid, who was left at the altar on her wedding day, who hasn't left her home in decades, saucy, and bitter with sadness, with no one in her life except for her darling niece Estella. Miss Dinsmore has a burning hatred for the male sex ever since her wedding day and her role as a sporadic guardian for Estella has taken it's toll on Estella's perception of Finn. 

On top of the film's A+ cast, cinematography, and wardrobe, it also has a killer soundtrack. Some serious zeitgeist reppin' the 1990's. Portishead's "Life in Mono" was made the theme song of Great Expectations during their trip hop period. The sound acclimated gracefully to fit the film like a puzzle piece. Another reason why this is a must-see.

2012: quick blurb: nonsense banter

Hope that you all had a wonderful new years! and were lenient with your new year's resolutions. I have come to the conclusion that I don't believe in them. Whenever I decide to attempt to follow one they never last longer than a couple of weeks. I mean naturally after the holidays and cold weather, when people have been pillaged inside stuffing their faces with whatever is around them, they will want to attempt a path in the healthy world, which is where New year's resolutions are the most effective. I totally promote them for this reason. For the human species, we should always be striving to do better, live happier, healthier lives, establish goals, and to promote good in the world. A start of a new year, what better time for people to share this attitude.  

Yoshidog Photoshoot

For those of you who know me, you know that I am enamored with my 4-legged life partner Yoshi, and if you don't know me, I have a 6 year old beagle/jack russell/corgi/snozzberry/mutt that I rescued from the Spokane Valley animal shelter 3 years ago........she is my muse. Even though she has grumpy tendencies, dominance issues, is obsessive compulsive with food, and struggles with befriending other bitches, she is loyal, loving, laid back, and an excellent companion in return. Not to mention her modeling career has taken off by storm.

Sherlock Holmes

Chilly day at the Vikings game.

Thug Life

"Need more pearls!"

"I don't get enough treats for this."

I know what some of you are thinking......I did not entirely force Yoshi to model these outfits, no cruel action was taken, or deprivation of snacks. She was rewarded handsomely for being such a Turlington, not with treats (she's on a bit of a diet) but with loves. Look at that lush sheepskin she is resting on, queen B luxury right there. The idea behind these photos is to use them in my holiday Christmas cards that I have not yet made/sent out....whoopsies. I have 8 days left. Still good.  I don't usually dress Yoshi up, you can tell she is not amused by her facial expressions and stoned countenance. Well behaved, I know for a fact that she does indeed enjoy sporting a pashmina scarf when it is chilly out. I'm not a crazy dog lady -promise! 

cHOres/craFt dAy/cOin pUrSEs

Finally got a day off that I could devote to neglected household chores and getting crafty for Christmas. I usually make a majority of the presents I give away. More love and sentiment right? This year I felt somewhat stagnate for ideas. From Christmas' past, I've made gifts ranging from crocheted scarves, hand painted wine glasses, blankets, hair barrettes, earrings, earring holders, and even hand painted mail boxes. Over the last year I have collected several scraps of printed fashion fabrics....thinking that someday if I ever take up quilting, or made a million appliqué's, that they would come into use.  OR I could make tiny-to-medium sized coin purses! 

First of all I would like to stress my disappointment with how people have tried to phase out the coin purse. And what is this multi compartment wallet? (just kidding). I understand that it is an additional object to add to your purse and if you are anything like me... constantly looking for ways to live a more simple life by minimizing the mass of objects burrowed in your purse, you may view the coin purse as wasted space in your precious bag of tricks, but let me assure you that there are infinite reasons as to why they are awesome, and why you need one! 

Reasons why you should use a coin purse:

1) Easier to dig through

2) Less wear and tear than using your wallet coin slot

3) Ease of transport/handy/fits in your pocket

4) Ideal for small fragile objects (lost earrings, hair ties, pins, etc.)

5) They are adorable!!!!!

What you will need:

Fabric scissors, fabric scraps (outside layer & lining/ 4pcs. total to make 1 coin purse), 7-9 in" zipper, ruler, marking pen, thread. 

To prepare for a gradual order of operations: measure out fabric rectangles for the lining and exterior of the coin purse, I purchased 7" zippers so a majority of my coin purses were 6 1/2" - 7 1/2" inches wide, and 5" - 6 1/2" inches in length.  

If you want to make custom coin purses, select prints/colors/designs that you know the gift receiver will like (obvious, but fun).

Prepared fabric pieces/ fashion fabric & lining with zippers.

Serge/ or zig zag stitch lining and fashion fabric pieces together, having the ugly sides face one another.

Measure a seam allowance for the zipper. I chose 1/2" inch and marked it with chalk on the right side of the fashion fabric. 

Press the marked seam allowance in towards the lining of the coin purse.

Position right sides of fabric on top of the right side of the zipper and stitch sides with a 1/4"-1/2" inch seam allowance. 

Press open seams

Voila! Flip right side out and press if needed.
Result = a precious little coin purse!

This was a very simple and quick project. For the next batch of coin purses I make, I will definitely add more design elements, for instance; more dimensions, possibly some buttons, pleats, patchwork, or ribbons, the possibilities are endless really. 

diY: Sunday Sugar Scrub

Do-it-yourself sugar scrubs! Tis' the season. Been getting my craft on for the holidays. Found a really simple-fun-delectible recipe for homemade sugar scrubs from petitElephant.

 This recipe is simple and just calls for regular cane sugar, brown sugar, olive oil, and vanilla extract. I wanted to jazz it up a notch and made a variety of different scrubs adding my own ingredients.

Measurement of each ingredient depends on the size of container you choose to keep the scrub in. An equal portion of brown sugar and cane sugar is ideal, whisk together, add olive oil (can be substituted with soy bean oil, coconut oil, baby oil, vitamin E oil, or all of the above), let oil settle down to bottom of container. You can stir concoction to speed up the process if you desire.

Sugar scrubs after olive oil has been added.

Peppermint Scrub:

Peppermint aroma therapy oil (2 drops)

Turbinado sugar

Brown sugar

Granulated cane sugar

Coconut oil

Vitamin E oil

Soybean oil

Olive oil

Vanilla Extract

Basil Lime:

Ground fresh basil

Lime juice

Lime zest

Brown sugar

Granulated cane sugar 

Turbinado sugar

Vitamin E oil

Coconut oil

Soybean oil

Olive oil

Vanilla Extract

Just a few concoctions I created to name a few. So much fun, really want to get into making perfumes now. To top it off add ribbon, fabric scraps, decorative paper, stickers, buttons, etc. and adorn each scrub to your liking.