Sunday, May 15, 2011

Treasures Part One

As a romantic, as an addict to the past, to flea markets, to history, as a triftaholic, I am surely a treasure seeker. Lately, as I have been sorting through my closet, getting rid of this, keeping that, I have begun to wish my closet could be only full of treasures. I mean abolish practicality in my word robe, and only hold on to those things that feel like treasures. I don't think this is something that would really work for me, but it got me thinking that I would like to do a series of posts here on the items I hold most dear. Treasures doesn't necessarily mean the are vintage or that they would be commonly perceived as such. I just want to share the pieces that hold the most value for me.

I thought I would start this series of posts with a category that is very important to me. Rings. If I forget to put on rings when I get dressed, I feel naked the rest of the day. Some rings are filler. They take up a finger, I like them, not love them, maybe they match well with one of my favorites. Rings are very easy to hold as treasures. They are small, easy to lose, they are long lasting, often given as gifts, and sometimes hold a sort of symbolic meaning. For me, my favorites range from hand-me-downs, to flea market finds, to forever 21. Also I have a few favorites that I don't really treasure. Right now I want to show you the ones that I do.

from left to right: Forever 21, Thrifted, Chelsea Flea Market, Handmade from City Bird, Chelsea Flea Market
With the above five rings I can't say that there is sentimental value, nor much monetary value. These rings were purchased by me for me and cost no more that $30. Some are vintage, some are ceapo, but they all are rings that would feel irreplaceable if lost. These are five pieces that never fail to have me happily gazing down at my own hands in giddy admiration.

one and two: Grandma Claire, Grandma Doris, gift from Michael
Here we have rings that were a sort of hand-me-down or a gift. When I was younger one of my favorite things was to look through my Grandma Claire's jewelry when I was at my grandparent's house. I would try it on in dress up and occasionally, if I thought it was appropriate, I would ask her if I could have a piece. This jewelry box riffling was highly connected to my love for treasures. One day, in my teens, I asked her if I could have the first ring, the spoon ring. She had looked at it, and said "I don't even think this was mine, I don't remember it." She said it was fine if I took the ring. Who knows how this unrecognized ring mixed itself in with my grandmothers own treasures but it surely became one of mine, a staple on my fingers. The second was inherited after she passed away. The same for my grandma Doris's pearl ring. These rings from my grandmothers have served as very important reminders of these wonderful women, and as a result are among my most cherished possessions. The last ring was just a little gift from my boyfriend. He bought it at a thrift store in his home town. It is a simple but interesting ring that I really love. It's big on me and I have had to bend it a little to fit the shape of my thumb. Eventually I think I will get around to resizing it to fit.

Made by me
Back in my sophomore year of high school I got into metalsmithing and jewelry making in the jewelry class offered at my school and taught by the wonderful Jenny Jones. The fun of that original 7th hour class maybe got me hooked on it. Although my craftsmanship is very far from perfect and I know I still have a lot to learn, making jewelry is something I passionately enjoy to this day. My favorite of my rings I've made is actually not pictured here as it recently broke (I think fixable). These are, I think, lined up in order of when I made them from most recent to oldest.


Friday, May 13, 2011

What a weird girl

This is just a picture of me being strange. I don't photograph the best so mostly when I try to take outfit photos they just look silly like this one.
Sequin slip-Free People, shirt and boots- thrift, headband and sunnies-H&M, rings-vintage and f21

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Rar

A new hobby of mine is wasting away my days watching Ally Mcbeal on Netflix. It used to be, back in the first two season that Ally and her female colleagues showed up to their law firm in suits. Short skirted suits, but suits nonetheless. Then season three roles around. With the addition of Portia de Rossi and Lucy Lui to the cast, many an over the top late 90's look graced the screen. Ally and pretty much all the ladies suddenly began to dress casually in looks that didn't quite scream law firm. But this show is somewhat silly entertainment so, the clothes might as well be fun. After one to many almost envious color block sweater made it's apearance. I was excited to see this outfit, by far my favorite yet since the show's embrace of fashion, in an episode where Ally falls for a homeless man....

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Garden of Horses






When I first saw this print peaking out of the crowded rack of my second favorite thrift store I pulled it half way out and then wedged it right back in. I started to walk away. My step almost complete, I reeled back around and pulled the shirt fully from its bar. Hanger in hand, I studied it a minute. I inched it back toward the rack and then one more second guess. I placed it in my armload of goodies. In the end I am happy that I parted with the $1.50 for this wacky button up. But the print, I just cant imagine the textile designer who found it necessary to put shaped hedges onto striped fabric. Nonetheless I think I love that person. It seemed the perfect companion for this skirt which I have had for ages but never wear anymore.

top, cardigan, belt, bracelets: thrifted, skirt: Free People, shoes: Steve Madden

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Dress Up

I had a great time helping out with styling a photo shoot last week with a fun team. We rolled with the inspiration of "twisted circus" and it turned out some great photographs




Photo: Luis DeAndre
Styling: Liz Harvey & Minette Higden
Makeup: EJ.Gregory
Hair: J.Brown
Model: Natalia Olivares