The Fabric of Our Lives

Saturday morning I gave up sleeping in and braved the trek to L.A. to see the garment district. I've been to FIDM before, but never quite stepped foot in the actual fabric center of it all. I was blown away. Talk about endless inspiration. Anything is possible with stores filled with fabrics, beads, and every finding in between. I occupied myself on the way down there by reading Selvedge. Love love love the dress on the cover. Is it not amazing?

As someone who sees finished, published work all the time, it is especially of interest to me to see how everything begins, the ingredients before the recipe. I am in awe of the people I work with and the people who design for a living. I think the real art of designing wearables lies in the ability of being able to discern what materials to use, as there are so many gorgeous colors, patterns, weights, materials, and textures.

The reason for my trip was to help my good friend Alexis pick out items for her wedding. I love that Alexis will be making so much for her big day. I think that makes the whole affaire all the more personal. So what makes a wedding? What makes a dress? A necklace? A magazine? I think so many times we become wrapped up in the big picture of it all. It's nice to break things down and remember where everything came from, those small components that make up a larger piece. Only when we appreciate every small facet of a process can we then learn to love the bigger picture in all its parts and appreciate the work that has been invested.

If you ever get the opportunity, I highly recommend a jaunt down to the Fashion District in L.A. Even if you arent getting married, arent a seamstress or a jewelry maker, it's worth it to see these small shops all holding small marvels, that when combined make up a huge, lush industry and a truly amazing city.

Double Happiness

So glad to have the honor to be working with jewelry designer to the stars/author Stephanie Wells. Her book, The Earring Style Book is currently available. It's a stunner, and when you visit her Web site, http://www.doublehappinessjewelry.com/ you can buy some of her exquisite handmade goods. If you want a crack at creating your own pieces with her techniques, you will want to reference the upcoming Jewelry Affaire (out April 1). I'm partial to the ring directly above, as it is named Esme, which happens to be my favorite name.

Stephanie's company is called Double Happiness Jewelry. The term "double happiness" refers to marriage in Chinese culture. When I read about this term it got me thinking, about what it means to be truly happy, and how you can't really make someone else happy (double your happiness) unless you are happy with yourself.

After doing a lot of thinking on these things, I've come to the conclusion that when love finds you (and it does find you, you don't find it) it gives you many gifts. Sure, happiness is one of them. But perhaps some of the greater gifts it gives you is that it makes you realize a great deal about yourself. True love makes you see those things inside of yourself that you have put off, ignored for too long, those things that need work, that need changing, oftentimes, need fixing. You see these things because you want to make yourself better, you want to make yourself happy, so that you can make someone else happy; so that you can share in each other's joy, in helping each other, and ultimately you both come out for the better, and in turn make the world a bit better.

Loving yourself, like loving someone else, takes work. Loving the things you make (be it jewelry or a magazine) takes work. And we should take pride in our work, even if it's self-help. There's something infinitely encouraging in realizing your own shortcomings rather than having someone else point them out to you. There's something inspiring in knowing that with one step at a time, you can help yourself be happy, rather than relying fully on someone else to fix and support you.

One time I said to my good friend Paulette (http://www.summerlandcottagestudio.blogspot.com/) "we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves" and her reply "yes, but no one loves themselves anymore" stuck with me. I think she's right. But I also think when we open ourselves to loving another, we are given the immense gift of learning to love ourselves more. One of my lit. professors in college made the observation that "love is selfish." And perhaps it should be. Otherwise we would never learn about those things that make us truly happy. We tend to become consumed in another person on the road to finding love, but when love finds you, it causes you to be consumed in the relationship, that goal of finding double happiness, so that you can reflect on yourself as well as the other person.

Happy happy Friday. Show yourself some love.

The Finish Line

I've realized lately that I am a builder of walls. I am a runner. I like things moving fast, I dont like to rest, I like the thrill of wondering if I'll be able to keep up, and ultimately, I love the high that comes with finishing a race.

Sometimes work is my drug of choice. It's an odd thing to say, but there are times I take great comfort in my work. A sentence will always be in need of punctuation, a book will always need to be read again before being published, a magazine is always in the works. I have grown so comfortable with my job and what I do here, that it seems fixed; it seems safe. It's so easy to stay in the confines of my office walls, get lost in a blog, to think of every January as Springtime (because we work so far ahead) and getting used to thinking it's Christmas in July. I've worked so hard at keeping myself safe, sheltered, and structured that I'm not used to seeking or needing comfort from those outside of my bubble.

It's instances when I get holiday greeting cards from someone like Nerissa (www.creativerantsfromnerissa.blogspot.com) that I remember that the world is big, and as far as Im concerned, vastly undiscovered. Nerissa sent me these photographs/calendars from Kuwait.

Or when I receive the lovely surprise of a greeting from THE Marisa Lynch (www.newdressaday.com) who will be featured in the February issue of ALT. Marisa and I have only just begun working together, but the kindness she has shown me and Altered Couture, make all the hard work of producing a magazine worth while.

And when my friends Paulette (www.summerlandcottagestudio.blogspot.com) and Julie (www.julienuttingdesigns.blogspot.com) came to visit me on Friday, I remembered to slow down, sit with them, relax, and take in a meal. And it actually felt good to let people in, to share, to say some of the things I'm used to just thinking. Julie gifted me with this delicious mug (cherries!) and while she and Paulette were here, two more friends arrived: my preview issues of apronology and Altered Couture.

It was so exciting to hold apronology in my hands and to share that moment with these women. That's when it struck me, that this is the thing I'm running towards, this feeling, this sense of accomplishment. How easy it is to get so excited over something, then to set it down and start on the next thing. But it really did me some good to cherish the moment, to touch every page, to breathe a sigh of relief and say "this is what I hoped it would be." Magazine makers have the strange job of predicting the future. They write about trends to come and capture great moments on film and in words that will speak to audiences and hold their interests for months of shelf life. And while things rarely turn out as we plan, while there is always a risk, there's also always the chance that you will win the race; but it all comes down to who's waiting for you at the finish line.

Thank you Nerissa, Marisa, Paulette, and Julie for your words and your friendship. A special thanks to Monica (www.the-white-bench.blogspot.com) for inspiring this post. I'm so glad I can share with all of you.

Sand & Sun

Resort Wear is typically not my favorite of the fashion "seasons" (and yes, the fashion world abides by its own calendar). But after returning from a place that's all about casualness and ease, I've realized the importance of producing collections meant purely for the vacationer's eye. These laidback looks remind me of the sand and sun in Kauai, lots of earthy tones and Mai Tai oranges. Just like watching a sunset on the beach. My favorite are the rings from House of Harlow. All can be found at www.shopbop.com. Even if you're not going to an island paradise anytime soon, these are great pieces to stock up on. Summer will be here before you know it.

Coming Alive

I was honestly dreading returning to work. After a long trip I expceted to find e-mails and loads of paperwork stacked on my desk. But in actuality, there were no paper monsters ready to devour me; no emergencies had occured; everything was as I had left it, properly stowed in its place.

Better yet, there were a couple of treats waiting for me. My colleague Jana Holstein, who knows me so well, left me this pink tray with a crown, proclaiming me the 'Fashionista Queen.' I think everyone who works with Jana loves her, and it's apparent why. She takes time to do pay attention to the details of a person.

There was also a card (that was spot on) and package (decorated with spots) from Lisa Loria (www.lisaloria.blogspot.com). I've mentioned Lisa several times here, particularly because we both love color and dont shy away from it. So it was a lovely surprise to receive from her these beautiful black and white pieces. I love how the box, the earrings, the bracelet, and even the tissue paper complement each other. Lisa does things so purposefully whimsical. I am a big fan of cameos, so the cameos in all of these pieces are the perfect accent for me. Thank you Lisa for your frienship this past year and for being one of the people who have helped me fall in love with and understand the art of jewelry making : )

I also received this necklace from Marie French (www.mariefrench.wordpress.com). Coincidentally, Marie's piece also was in circular form, just like the pattern on Lisa's box. Being a lover of words, it brings me great joy to find deliberate wording on a piece of jewelry, where words aren't meant to be. Jewelry is a great gift when there are no words, but when a necklace says something, it's even better. The discs are imprinted with "Heart", "Idea", and "Alive". I'm sure Marie would agree with me, that it's those ideas and the heart behind them that keep us alive, that make us feel alive. Thank you Marie, for reminding me that an idea can start small, but with enough passion behind it, it can redefine your life; thanks for making me feel alive.

A Sampling of Kauai

"'And so you are going abroad; and whe do you return?

But that's a useless question, you hardly know when you are coming back,

You will find so much to learn.'"

I just returned from my vacation to Kauai. So often I find it easy to splurge on things that can be purchased from a retailer, but the most rewarding splurge is a trip. I love traveling, and if I save more money and make more money, I hope to go more places. Sure it's nice to drink foreign drinks, eat local cuisine, and buy souveniers, but for me, a trip is about learning.

It's a rare experience to go, live, eat, and breathe as others do, even if it's just for a bit. And the best trips are ones that teach you about yourself. When I went to Europe I went with my boyfriend at the time, and it shed new light on our relationship; it made me realize we wouldn't work out. I went on this trip with some of my girlfriends and it really caused me to re-examine the values I place on friendships, people, and faith.

"'Perhaps you can write to me.'

My self-possession flares up for a second;

This is as I had reckoned.

"I have been wondering frequently of late

(But our beginnings never know our ends!)

Why we have not developed into friends."

I feel like one who smiles, and turning shall remark

Suddenly his expression in a glass.

My self-possession gutters; we are really in the dark. "

The above images are samplings summarizing my time on the island. It can be summed up by beach, liquid indulgences, music and dancing (especially at Tahiti Nui), and nature. Hope you like this taste.

*Quotes are excerpts from T.S. Eliot's "Portrait of a Lady"