Mind Set On Spring

The bottom of today's front page of the New York Times had a small picture of a bee gathering nectar from the brightest yellow of flowers. While the article focused on an experimental garden at the New York Botanical Garden, it only had me craving warm weather and sundresses. With the hype of New York Fashion Week winding down, a lot of people's minds are already looking towards fall 2012, but at the moment I only have eyes for light fabrics and gorgeous pastels. In the spirit of that article and yellow flower, I looked for some escapism from the inescapable dreary weather.

These outfits are very nature-inspired and exude positive vibes with the extensive presence of white and yellow. Yellow is not my favorite color when it comes to clothing, but it does provide me with a dose of sunshine and happiness and in the final stretch of winter, this is exactly what I need.

Dandy Tandem

Its been two years since a devastating earthquake rocked Haiti.  Relief efforts continue and in my need for tweed (see previous post) I stumbled upon a fashionable way to lend a hand while fashioning Donegal designs.

Bikes for Haiti is partnering with the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in the area’s first annual Tweed Ride as part of the Fibrefest.

Tweed Ride London

Tweed Rides have been popping up across the US, Australia since the first pedal was pushed in London in 2009.  Riders clad in tweed cycle a short tour  of their fair city and raise money for charity.

Tweed Ride San Francisco

Tweed  Riders pause for a spot of tea and picnic to follow.

Cheers!

Tweedy Pie

A men's shopkeep told me one day that guys tend to stick to a "fashion manual" of sorts and most don't stray too far from the golden rules written therein.  Tweed has long had a solid chapter in "The Book." Check out these dandy duds.

Bespoken Clothiers

Creative Recreation

Penfield

How irresistible this tweedy pie!

British Glam

There's gads going on in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and  Fashion and Art are forefront of the London scene.

“Ballgowns, British Glamour Since 1950″ is a must see for me this spring at London's  V & A opening May 19th and running through the beginning of  2013. The museum  is celebrating with the opening of its newly renovated Fashion Galleries and an exhibition of historic haute couture gowns.

Alexander McQueen, S/S 2011
 (Christopher Moore, Catwalking)

"Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950" will feature more than sixty designs for social events such as private parties, royal balls, state occasions and opening nights.

Roksanda Illincic silk dress, S/S 2009
 (Christopher Moore, Catwalking)

Displays will include more than 60 dresses including Norman Hartnell gowns designed for Queen Elizabeth in the 1950s, and the satin gown worn by Beyonce when she sang at Barack Obama's inauguration ball in 2009 from London-based couturiers Ralph & Russo.

Erdem printed silk dress, A/W 2008
 (Christopher Moore, Catwalking)

Other gowns in the exhibition include the beaded Catherine Walker 'Elvis' dress created for Diana, Princess of Wales, and designs worn by Bianca Jagger, Daphne Guinness and Sandra Bullock.

Now the never ending question...what will I wear? Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Flight of Imagination

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The Cinderella of the eco couture world is arguably self proclaimed alchemist and design dynamo Ryan Jude Novelline. His inspired eco couture designs have been nothing short of jaw-dropping. 

The Golden Book Gown, constructed entirely out of recycled children’s books.

The paper skirt is comprised entirely of the original book illustrations sewn together with metallic gold thread, and the bodice is made from the books’ foil spines backed by tape adhesive. Ryan's challenges, "Can the stories of our past become part of a sustainable future?"

The Q. Victoria Dress is embellished with 100 royal, gold-backed topaz and aquamarine Swarovski crystals. His vision is to tell a story of the prosperous Victorian era of Great Britain under the reign of Queen Victoria with the darker underlying tale of the Queen’s tragic personal life, depression, and assassination attempts.

IMG Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model and Harvard student, Sonia Dara, walked Q.Victoria Dress during Harvard University’s fashion show, Eleganza.

Pure Imagination

Come with me and you'll be
In a world of pure imagination
Take a look and you'll see
Into your imagination

We'll begin with a spin
Trav'ling in the world of my creation
What we'll see will defy
Explanation

If you want to view paradise
Simply look around and view it
Anything you want to, do it
Want to change the world, there's nothing to it

There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there, you'll be free
If you truly wish to be

There is no life I know
To compare with pure imagination
Living there, you'll be free
If you truly wish to be


Roald Dahl 

Information Deskussion

Follow my blog with Bloglovin I stumbled across images of this desk crafted of books while I was browsing ways of re-purposing and up-cycling.  The information desk, no pun intended, resides at the Delft University of Technology library in the Netherlands.

The architecture matches in whimsy and modernity. 

 Designed by Delft alumni Rancine Houben whose believes that “Architecture must appeal to all the senses and is never a (purely) intellectual, conceptual or a visual consideration alone.”

The library is a building of glass and grass. Rising up from the earth like a wave, the University swells with glass and sunlight and an interior eddy of spiraling levels where thousands of study spaces are used by more than three thousand students each day. 

 The wave crest makes a great sled hill to boot!

Snow Play

Follow my blog with Bloglovin Hitting the slopes this season?  I am a big fan of winter wool.  

Dale of Norway

Wool is naturally insulating fiber. It traps air to keep you warm while moisture escapes keeping the user dry and comfortable.  Quality wool does not itch and comes in Norwegian and merino varieties. Dale of Norway have been crafting natural wool knitwear since 1879.

The designs are still produced in the village of Dale, about 40 minutes outside of Bergen, by third and fourth generation knitters and craftsmen.The detailing: remarkable!

I'll be pulling out my Sweaters, woolen leggings and socks and searching out some snow play.  Dale anyone?

Got Milk … Fashions?

OK so calcium from milk is great for our bones, but lately runways and celebs have been lapping up milk derived fashion as the next micro trend.

 One designer hopping on the milk wagon, Anke Domaske, has high hopes for this material made from high concentrations of the milk protein.  She heralds from Hanover, Germany and hopes to revolutionize the fashion industry by designing clothes made from a milk-based fabric.

Her label, Mademoiselle Chi Chi is a favorite with stars including Mischa Barton and Ashlee Simpson. Germany is once again on the forefront of the development of innovative fabrics. Time will tell if milk will provide a staple fabric as it does staple food source to many.

Arch itecture Kirkwood+Haring a Love Match

I am continuing my exploration of color. Couture footwear designer Nicholas Kirkwood found inspiration in the renderings of Keith Haring for his colorful and artistic collection.

Posh Polish

Nails are a fashion accessory and can have a huge impact on an outfit, so getting them right is crucial. Fingerless gloves will even show your nails during the winter months when out of doors, and color coordinating with the cool colors can be a challenge.

Nonie's Favorite Fashion Moments ~ colour picks of the season

These adorable non-toxic butter LONDON offer the perfect pop of color for winter.

The Fash Pack ~ edgy high fashion colors

LONDON products are formulated without the use of the harmful ingredients like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens. Fashionable friends include designers like Alexander Wang, Victoria Beckham, Betsey Johnson, Vena Cava, Calvin Klein, Issa, Rachel Zoe. I'm getting my blood flowing and my cells rockin’ and all dolled up for the coming winter months. Now off for a Green Tea.

Taking Stock in 2012

Its snowing in a fast horizontal furry out my studio window and I am sitting cozy inside with a cuppa joe and thick slice of homemade pumpkin pie.

My New Years resolutions never involve self restraint where the sinful indulgences are involved. A new year always does often elevate me to a state of self inventory, however. I take stock, so to speak, and often, shed excesses.

To manifest new growth I am shedding clutter - again.

Some things are harder to part with than others.

My Mom's Fringe Jacket...a keeper~miss you Mom

Vintage Designer Cocktail Dress~a classic

Pillbox Veiled Hat~ love love love, but time to pass on to new owner

Here is my twist on a classic Pumpkin Pie - Makes 2 Pies

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsps ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tsp ground cardomom
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 4 large eggs lightly beaten
• 2 can (15 oz.) Organic Pumpkin Puree
• 6 oz. Lemon Greek Yogurt
• 2 can (12 fl. oz.) Evaporated Milk
• 2 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell
• Whipped cream (optional)

Directions

MIX sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin, yogurt and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.

POUR into prepared pie shell.

BAKE in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving.  
Crust:

• 1 cup almonds, whole or slivered (blanched or with skins)
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour (plus extra for working the dough)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks)cold unsalted butter
• About 1/3 cup cold water (possibly more)

MIX the almonds in the food processor and add 1/4 cup of the flour until the almonds are ground to a fine powder. Add the rest of the flour and the salt, and cut the butter into the mixture. Sprinkle a clean work surface with extra flour, and turn out the dough onto the surface. Flour your hands, and swiftly and minimally push the dough into itself, until it holds together.

Roll and to glass pie pans, and refrigerate until you are ready to finish the pie.