Joy-O-Joy!

Simple, quality, and elegant jewelry is attainable for us regular folks. If you think you need to spend tons of money for fine accessories, think again. On one fine Sunday in May, while in San Francisco for a wedding, I stumbled upon this little store called Studio 3579 near Dolores Park. The store was small and cozy with a nice extensive jewelry collection displayed that was up my alley. The line is called Joy-O Designs and the designer makes lovely earrings, bracelets, and rings that are simple in design and appropriate for everyday wear. I eyed some pretty bangle bracelets offered in gold, rose gold, and silver – I got all three! The gold ones were gold filled over sterling silver. Joy was super friendly and explained to me that often gold filled means the outside is gold with a different metal on the inside. The metal can be brass, nickel, silver, etc. so one has to be careful if they have a metal allergy. Her items are 14K gold filled or gold vermeil over recycled sterling silver which makes it a nice high-quality treasure for a reasonable price. Unbeknownst to me, the very bangles that I eyed were worn by the likes of Cameron Diaz. I felt very special! Joy offers great deal and prompt shipping. She has recently launched a sister line of eco-friendly jewelry which expands beyond sterling silver to other materials stainless steel, black zinc, and artisan glass to name a few. I snagged a few pieces from Joy O’s collection for myself and gifts to friends. Here’s a picture of me sporting the bangles. Check her out on Facebook and become a fan of her page. You’ll get access to promotional sales which are always a sweet deal.

In the spirit of Winter

White Winter Hymnal from Grandchildren on Vimeo.

I attended this party and all I got was this T-shirt…

I love T-Shirts. I should wear them more often, but I find myself “neckline challenged”. Guys may think a shirt is a shirt, but for women I think it is a little more complicated. Slim-fitting or loose-fitting, crew cut vs. v-neck vs. scoop neck, what the heck!!! So many choices and the wrong ones make me feel like a 10 year-old boy or a frumpy old woman.

One thing; however, that is never wrong is how witty and utterly hipster T-Shirts are becoming. Anyone can come up with an idea and it will surely (don’t call me Shirley) get printed. I personally love a couple of websites that offer clever yet not-from-Urban-Outfitters-so-the-masses-won’t-be-wearing-them type T-Shirts (black rimmed glasses and corporate angst not required).

Threadless is far from an obscure site, but it has a lot of choices ranging from cute to strange. They have low price points and allows you to accumulate points. So if you photograph yourself with their shirt on, you get Threadless points. If you see a shirt, refer it to a friend, and the friend buys the shirt then you get points. Combine that with following them on Twitter for sale notifications and your new T-shirt is practically free! If you are feeling particularly giving, you can score new designs and help an artist get printed or submit your own designs. Here’s one that I think is absolutely adorable called “We are on the same level” that has been reprinted several times.

I am also obsessed with Etsy (I will be posting a separate entry just for this precious site). This site is a DIYer’s dream come true. I love finding a new artist or someone through Etsy to get my hands on one-of-a-kind pieces. It’s also another great source for not-so-mainstream T-shirts. A couple of my favorites that caught my eye are alfieandrex’s adorable dog screen print shirts. This Brooklyn-based designer has silk screens for over 50 dogs so I’m sure you’ll find your favorite lovable hound.  My favorite is the french bulldog!

The second is of a similar genre with Mis Nopales Art. This California-based designer has an interesting point of view that blends Mexican/Latin American influence seen through his cutesy El Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) type characters. He also has, of course, cute animals doing quirky things - mainly various dogs with angel wings and an awfully cute raccoon with an umbrella flying off with a fish under his arm. I’ll be scoring one of these for the boyfriend (aka “the b.f.”).

  

Sew Interesting

For the past 10 days I have been on a glorious hiatus from work (aka vacation).  I spent my time in San Francisco for a wedding and then the rest was a "stay-cation".  One of the things I have always wanted to do was learn how to sew.   I don't have any pipe dreams of going on Project Runway or making my own clothes but I do like the idea of making stuff.  

So with my allotted free time, I signed up for a couple of sewing classes at the local G Street Fabrics store.  It was an intensive two 6-hour days where I had a tote bag and a pair of pajama pants to show for all my hard work.  I never really thought about what went into sewing but it is a very involved process.  I learned things from fabric selection, sewing seams, pressing, tracing and cutting patterns, how to read patterns, to new terminology.  Did you know that "nap" and "baste" have totally different meanings in the sewing world?

The teacher was quite comical, an appropriately saucy African American woman who asked us all at the beginning of class what are expectations were because (and I quote) "these expectations probably won't be met" and "you won't be ready for Project Runway after one class".  She went on to limit our fabric selections for our projects since we probably would have been overloaded with choices.

All in all, I really enjoyed the experience even though the pajama pants I made ended up being capris (read the wrong pattern!).  I think the most stressful part was learning the thread the sewing machine and then reading a pants pattern.  I have a whole new appreciation for pajama pants -- cheap pajama pants.  I originally picked a nice print to make the pants but realizing that I needed 2+ yards and it was $19.98 per yard that I would be making $40 pajama pants!  So I settled for a scrub-like green broadcloth that are way to thin :-(  Oh well, it's my first time so I shouldn't be so hard on myself.  The teacher at one point said "you seem like a person that is used to getting things fast" and implying I should apply more patience...where would she get such an idea??!?

In the end I was more proud of the tote bag.  I think I am going to be just a tote bag maker for now.  Gil was impressed and had much lower expectations for me.  I think the key is to pick the right fabric, it makes a world of difference.  Here's a snapshot of the tote bag, I don't care to show you the pajama pants...

Shoe High

I went to a sample sale with my friend Renee. Our mission, find fabulous designer shoes at deep discount. The taller the shoe the better!

I found my true love, a pair of Christian Dior Anniversary Sandals. The little authenticity card that came with it says "We recommend that you do not wear your shoes more than two consecutive days." I don't know how I feel about that statement...

My Plug For the Week: TranquiliT

An obscure fact about my hobbies outside of work is that I truly enjoy practicing yoga.  I am absolute awe as to what my body will allow me to do.  It's a great way to relieve stress, muscle tension, and lift your spirits.  I have been going to a yoga studio in DC for almost 4 years now (short hiatus when I lived in NYC).  The place is called Tranquil Space and has a very vivacious owner named Kimberly Wilson.  This place is so cool, it's a little community and the teachers are great.  The place recently moved to a new location in DC, a much bigger and more beautiful place.  The whole studio is made of eco-friendly bamboo and reused wood from an old farmhouse.   A definite tranquil space away from the hustle and bustle of the city, work, and life.

  

Kimberly, the owner, has also come out with her own line of eco-friendly clothing called TranquiliT.  These are by far the most flattering wrap dresses I have ever worn.  I normally have much trouble with wrap dresses, they usually reveal too much neckline.  I also purchased the Grecia

n Maxi dress from the TranquiliT line and I am absolutely in love with the pleating detail in the front.  The picture does not do it justice.  In the words of the Gap Girls from SNL - you can belt it, cinch it - it's versatile!

The clothing offered is made of organic bamboo and organic cotton.  It has a jersey feel but keeps its shape through washing.  You can even cut it and it won't unravel like regular jersey.

The clothing is made in DC by a local seamstress so the prices aren't H&M/Target low but I think anyone who tries it will not be disappointed.  These purchases were a highlight to my weekend!  Ohm and Namaste :-)

Absurdity At Its Best

The condo building I live in has installed two new improvements in the mailroom area located in the lobby - #1 Automatic lights that turn on and off based on a motion detector and #2 Bulletin board to post information, want ads, etc. a communication mechanism for the "condo community".

Take a look at what are the only two things posted on the board...

If you can't see the picture, the one on the left is posting for a "Parking Space Needed" and the one on the right "Parking Space for Sale". It's not like there is clutter obstructing the view of the other sign! Brilliant people...brilliant...