Wednesday, November 20, 2013

In Production

The Holidays are approaching, which means that I am in full on production mode.  As an artist, I am usually  invited to participate in a few art and craft sales around this time of year.  As a painter, I don't readily have a whole lot of inventory that can be sold at such sales.  Patrons are looking for gifty purchases under $50.  Most of my paintings are over $100.  These do not sell at art and craft sales.  Because of this, I have gotten creative with what I have to offer.  
Last year I bought a ton of interesting picture frames from Goodwill and framed a bunch of prints of my original artwork.

sampling of framed prints
I sold quite a few of these over the Holidays and since then, but I still have a lot left.  I didn't feel like doing the same thing again this year, so to add on to this lot, I decided to take up one of my old past times - sewing.

I used to try to make my own clothes, but was never very good at it.  I was, however, good at simple sewing, like making pillows and tote bags.  About 6 years ago, I made my first bag for a friend of mine as a gift.  She's been carrying it around every day for 6 years and this is what it looks like today.


It's been well loved, that's for sure!  She asked me to repair it, which I intend to do, but in the meantime, I made her a whole new bag.  It was frustrating at first, working the kinks out of myself and my sewing machine, but once I got the hang of it, I wanted to make more.  After going through my massive fabric collection, I came up with some great patterns that I could mix and match to make a butt load of fun bags.


Here's what I've made so far:





I can't wait to make more!

Thursday, November 14, 2013

A Change of Pace

Over the past couple of weeks, my time has been taken up by other projects such as sewing bags for upcoming craft sales, framing prints for said craft sales and this little number that I'm sharing with you today.  I'll probably be busy with crafty projects until Christmas, so the weekly day by day outfit posts might turn into sporadic outfit posts littered with pictures of handmade bags.  Either way, I'll still be blogging.

As you may or may not know, I sing in a band called Herschel and the Detainees.  It's a lot of fun to be a part of this group and it's a great outlet for creative expression, be it music, art, or what we wear for shows and photo shoots.  Personally, I love that part of it.  I can't stand to see someone performing in a band wearing boring clothes.  All I want to do is style that band.  The way I see it is being on stage is your excuse to wear the craziest shit you can imagine.  The stuff that sits in the back of your closet because it's too shiny, too short, too low cut, too colorful, too whatever it is that makes you think twice about wearing it everyday.  That's the stuff that you can get away with on stage.  Herschel encourages fun performance outfits and I appreciate that.  

He also encourages my art, which is where this post comes from.  After I started this blog, he had the idea for me to draw the band in the style of my daily outfit posts and this is how it turned out.

Herschel on Vocals

Alex on Guitar
Anna (me) on Vocals
Devin on Drums 
Josh on Guitar
Lynelle on Keys & Vocals
Mina on Vocals
Ryan on Bass


Sunday, November 10, 2013

Road Trip Capsule Wardrobe

Monday
Similar earrings - My Sister's Closet
Similar coat - Savers

I found this amazing dress at Up 6 when shopping for my Halloween costume.  It's a summer dress, but I really wanted to wear it, so I styled it as best I could for Fall.  I think it's pretty successful.  I might do more outfits like this with my other summer maxi dresses.

Tuesday
Different color skirt - My Sister's Closet
Boots
Similar tights - Urban Outfitters
Similar earrings
Similar hat - Urban Outfitters
Coat - Delia's

Usually, a gray day makes me want to wear as much color as possible, but for some reason, today, I just wore a shit ton of gray.  It did not help improve my mood.

Wednesday
Similar sweater
Shirt
Similar pants - Forever 21
Boots
Similar earrings - Everyday People
Coat - Delia's

I'm still trying to find good ways to style these pants.  This is a little weird.

Thursday
Similar dress - Up 6
Similar tights - Tights
Shoes - Schuler Shoes
Similar coat - My Sister's Closet

I was Veruca Salt for Halloween, but everyone thought I was Little Orphan Annie.

Friday - Sunday



Similar black dress
Houndstooth dress
Similar cardigan
Similar sweater - Savers
Similar striped sweater - Avienna
Similar skirt
Cords - Anthropologie
Leggings
Similar tights in black, blue and plum - Target
Socks
Black boots
Brown boots - Delia's
Similar earrings - Urban Outfitters
Similar penny earrings - I Like You
Similar necklace
Similar hat - Urban Outfitters

I went on tour with my husband's band this weekend to Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee.  I am a notorious over packer, so since I was a non-essential passenger on this trip, I did my best to pack as light as possible and I think I did a pretty good job of coming up with this capsule wardrobe.  I wore 6 different outfits, but could have combined what I brought to make at least 6 more.  When I pack, I like to start by choosing a color pallet.  This time it was black, camel, white and orange.  I started with my tan leather skirt and trusty orange cords.  From there I chose a few tops that I could wear with either of those two items as well as sweaters for layering.  I threw in a little black dress that could be worn with tights, leggings or pants.  Everything else was accessories: a few earrings and necklaces, a hat, a gray scarf, a black jacket, different colored tights, fun socks, black and brown boots.  It worked out splendidly.  I felt like I had options each day.  I could be dressy or casual and every choice was comfortable.
I did have a few flaws in my packing job.  I didn't need two long gray sweaters, I brought two shirts that I did not wear and I didn't pack enough underwear.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Three Days of Jade

Monday
Boots - Delia's

Every time I wear this sweater, the teller at my bank wears the same sweater, but in black.  There's something about it that whispers "curl up by a fire and drink cocoa", which is why it's usually my first choice on cold, rainy Mondays.  I guess the teller at my bank feels the same way.

Tuesday
Shirt
Similar skirt
Stockings - Urban Outfitters
Boots
Earrings

This skirt used to be a dress.  The top was sort of like a ratty gray sweater vest - very gross.  I cut it off and now it's a super cute mini skirt.  The waist band and pockets are black leather and the skirt is black & white herringbone tweed with little colored specks in it. 

Wednesday
Similar sweater - Target
Shoes - My Sister's Closet
Similar necklaceSavers
Similar earrings

I find the necklace I'm wearing to be pretty interesting.  My drawing doesn't do it much justice and the closest thing I could find to it on the internet is a beaded tie.  To describe it, it's a long pearl beaded crochet necklace that comes together to form a 2x4 inch panel, ending with beaded tassels.  It's flapperesque, but it also reminds me of Native American jewelry.  I tend to wear it with outfits that include menswear, so it actually is kind of like a beaded tie.

Thursday
Similar dress - Savers
Tights
Similar boots
Similar necklace
Similar earrings

This is one of those sweet Savers finds.  Beautiful color, beautiful condition, beautiful style, beautiful dress.

Friday
Different color cords
Similar blouse
Similar sweater - Savers
Similar necklace
Similar earrings
Boots - Delia's