Music Video Break Day

click on title

Dream Jeans

Lately each time I stroll the aisles of my favorite sell out store I find garments from New York And Company selling at prices sometimes 1/4 or even 1/8 of the original store or site prices. It always makes me go hmmmm. Some of the blouses seem to be off size - smalls look like industry larges - or made of inferior fabric - perhaps lots of garments "gone wrong" from a supplier that didn't meet store standards- or just out of step with the current trends - I have taken the opportunity to buy some standard men's style shirts in classic colors because of this.

New York And Company's Jeans are worth heading onto their site or into their stores. They are economical, ranging from $38 - $60 in price and come in the subtle versions of the newest trends. The denim is a mix of cotton, spandex and sometime polyester with percentages small enough not to ruin the standard jean look but with just enough give to allow the jeans to hug and accent your curves when worn in your right size. They also come in petite and most styles come in sizes up to 18.

They may not have hit the sell out stores but they are BUY ONE GET ONE FREE on New York And Company's Site -

Straight Leg

http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=prod1920068&categoryId=cat850058&browseSection=Promotion&FLCat=cat60036&addFacet=1002%3Acat60100

Boy Friend Jean

http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=prod1920067&categoryId=cat850058&browseSection=Promotion&FLCat=cat60036&addFacet=1002%3Acat60100

Skinny

http://www.nyandcompany.com/nyco/browse/productDetailWithPicker.jsp?productId=prod1920044&categoryId=cat850058

More Banana Experiments

Banana Walnut Muffins with Chocolate Chips thrown in!

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

Preheat Oven to 350d F. Line or grease 2 x 6 count muffin tin (large)

1 ½ C Flour
2/3 C Sugar
1 ½ T Baking Powder
¼ T Salt
1 C Mashed Ripe Bananas (3-4 small)
1 large Egg
½ C Butter, melted
¼ C Milk
½ C Chopped Walnuts*
*can add chocolate chips, flax seeds, raisins

Sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into large bowl
Mix bananas, egg, butter and milk in another bowl
Stir mash mixture into flour bowl until blended
Stir in nuts*
Fill muffin cups 2/3 way and bake until tops are golden, about 30 minutes
Toothpick should come out dry from centers .Cool before eating
Can be frozen for up to 3 months

Music Video Break Day

click on title

Dreaming in French

Click on Title

Sewing Inspiration

When you reach a certain age you realize that what goes around comes around, especially in fashion. Hold onto a garment or accessory long enough and it is bound to come back in style. Of course as one matures there are certain fashion trends we choose to leave to the young. My friends and I call it the "been there, done that mistake once" decision. But that doesn't mean you can't pick up and re-visit a classic trend that compliments most wearers or be inspired to forgo the current trends and reach for classic pieces that the trends themselves are based on.

Attached are pictures of my fashion inspiration wall and some sewing projects that I am currently working on. Some of the magazine photos are years old and most of the patterns are "vintage" but whether they are are on point with the current trends or not doesn't matter to me. What matters to me is that I like the styles and intend on making quality garments that are fitted to my form and tastes.

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

When you make your own clothes not only can the sizing be tweaked and adjusted along the way but design alterations can be made so that you create a garment that is totally and solely yours. Even when you follow the pattern instructions to the letter the fabrics and notions make them totally unique.

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

I don't have patterns that are exact matches to any of the photos. Instead they echo the silhouettes and shapes of the garments in the photos and are step off points for creative exploration and expression. The fabrics, lining and notions I am working with are even further points of personal expression that shopping for ready to wear can't really fulfill.

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

Often it isn't just the price of a ready to wear garment that puts many of us off but the fact that we will be wearing the same suit "so-and-so" is wearing and sometimes "so-and-so" is wearing it better. Sewing or having things sewn for us allows for our individual creativity.

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

And just because we choose to sew for ourselves doens't mean we all want to or should be designers. In fact being a designer and being a self-seamstress are two very different things that only overlap on the ability to create a wearable garment. The designer has a vision and scope that often creates garments that they will never wear, for bodies they themselves don't have and for lives they themselves don't live. A self seamstress takes the time to see and understand her body and is secure enough to make clothing that flatters and highlights both it, her body, and her life.

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

Happy Sewing!

Sewing Pattern Sale Until January 30th

click on title

Music Video Break Day

click on title

Music Video Break Day

click on title

Going Bananas

Never ask for $2 worth of bananas when shopping the fruit stands of New York City's Chinatown. I came home with over 4lbs of bananas that went ripe very quickly. This will be the 1st of a few banana recipe posts.

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip & Walnut Bread

1/2 C Butter. softened

1/2 C Sugar, white,

1/4 C Brown Sugar

2 Eggs

1 C Mashed Ripe Bananas (3-4 small)

1 1/2 T Vanilla

1 1/2 C Flour (1/2 White + 1/2 Wheat)

1/4 C Chopped Flax Seeds or Powder

1/2 T Baking Soda

1/2 T Salt

1/2 C Cooking Oats

1/2 C Chocolate Chips

1/2 C Chopped Walnuts

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F and Grease/Flour a 9 x 5" loaf pan

In large bowl cream butter and sugars until fluffy

Add eggs one at a time and then stir in bananas and vanilla
In separate bowl sift flour, baking soda and salt.
Mix into creamed mixture and then add flax, oats, chips and walnuts
Pour into prepared pan and bake for about 50-55 minutes.
Toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf should come out clean.
I cut into slices and individually plastic wrap before placing in large freezer bag.
It makes it easier to defrost per serving and not over indulge.

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

Vintage Clothing & Antique Textile Show & Sale

Go to the site and print out the invite to save $5 off admission

http://www.manhattanvintage.com/index2.shtm

Tuesday's Mental Musing

Aren't we all selfish at heart? Doesn't that selfishness stem from our internal instinct to survive? Isn't the expression of our individual selfishness determined by who we are trained to be and how we are expected to act within the perimeters of our groups and societies? Whether we choose to expressive it in a way that betters the standing of the groups we belong to or to go against the grain of society and seek individual gain is it truly our choice not to want the things we need in order to feel valid, secure and loved? Isn't it only in the moment of a selfless act that we are ever truly detached from our selfishness? Is it only in the moment we act that we truly touch upon the idea of giving to others without some type of reward in return?

Move of the Moment

Music Video Break Day

click on title

Victoria's Secret....

They're All On Sale for Under $50.00

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=EH-246157&page=2&cgname=OSSLPSASZZZ

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=EH-202857&page=4&cgname=OSSLPSASZZZ

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=EH-241587&page=4&cgname=OSSLPSASZZZ

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=EH-234569&page=5&cgname=OSSLPSASZZZ

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=EH-246617&page=5&cgname=OSSLPSASZZZ

Lace T Shirt

Another trend that's on the horizen is the Lace T-Shirt.

I still have versions from the early 90s, late 90s and early 2000s but if you don't have one or two in your closet collection rather than spending the $1000 plus price printed along side all the examples in the magazines you might consider experimenting with a 1-2 yard of two lace (stretch, silk, retro/vintage) and a simple t shirt pattern ( http://www.mccallpattern.com/item/M6036.htm?tab=list/tops_vests&page=all ) to sort this season's style.

Music Video Day Break

click on title

Trip to Sugar Hill

click title

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugar_Hill,_Manhattan

Get Out Your AquaNet because..

BIG HAIR IS BACK!!

It's been on the runways since early 2009 and as with all trends it is just trickling down to us. The stores are beginning to carry hair thickening lotions, boosting potions and voluminzers!Expect the large velcro roller to replace that flat iron and teasing combs to be all the rage!

Are you ready?

Movie of the Moment

Music Video Break Day

click on title

Heel, Toe, Heel, Toe, Tap, Tap, Tap

All the magazines are pushing the vintage style Tap Pant as the next short silo in line for the Spring/Summer months. I have seen prices for this "new" style short ranging from $100 for a simple ruffled edge pair  to $430 for a silky lace edged pair, French name included.

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

I love this short, also known as French Knickers, because when worn in the correct size it's forgiving and flattering to most figures and can replace a half-slip in a pinch.

If you sew or have access to someone who does all you need is a pattern http://www.sewingpatterns.com/subpage.php?brand=New%20Look - New Look Patterns offer some non-elastic waist pant styles that can be converted into a tap short style, a yard of silk, some amazing lace or ribbon and the inspiration to go from there.

 

The photos attached are samples of patterns and shorts from my collections. One pair of tapshorts is vintage and the other was made using one of the patterns attached. Can you guess which are vintage and which aren't?

All Images © Simone Rene 2010

Retro Big Red

I have become addicted to Clove Gum!

A friend of mine who originally smoked clove cigarettes and then switched to this gum passed me my first stick a few weeks ago and now it's my go to gum. The gum has been around for the last 100 years and was chewed by many during prohibition to mask the flavor of alcohol. One stick can last most chewing hours without turning to pulp and losing its intensity. I love the retro package and intense and uplifting clove flavor.

Economy Candy - $0.75 for a 5 stick pack

or

http://www.candyfavorites.com/Clove-Gum-pr-3684.html?gclid=CN_b5eDTq58CFchn5QodNiBO1A.

Tuesday's Mental Musings

Is it truly possible not to seek some sort of validation from others?

Can we find personal satisfaction in what we do, what we accomplish and who we relate to without having a valid place in a group?
Is it truly possible not to want to be part of a tribe of like minded peers?
Or are we all eventually pushed into or adopted into a group by those who look on?
Do we fool ourselves into believing that we aren't seeking validation or belonging from others by aligning ourselves with those who are outside the accepted boarders of the social circles of the societies we live in?
In the end haven't we still become part of a tribe that accepts and hopefully encourages and validates our choices and actions in ways that we need to either succeed or fail at living the lives we choose?
And in some cases when that outsider tribe we belong to eventually finds itself inside the accepted circle of normal then what?

Music Video Break Day

click on title

"All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem."

Martin Luther King, JR

Stitch in Time Saves Nine

(Yes, that's my vintage Singer featherweight & card table!)
All Images © Simone Rene 2010

Those of you who follow this blog know I enjoy sharing updates on sales and bargains and prefer to highlight affordable product and style alternatives in hopes that doing so will encourage all of us to think outside the media driven box that asks us to shop at specific places and buy label items at prices that may be outside of our true living range.

As much as I love fashion and more importantly style I am sometimes appalled by the full retail prices being asked for mass produced ready to wear garments sewn under major label names. So now it's time to take it to the next level.

In addition to continuing to share ready to purchase items there will now be posts encouraging you to consider sewing the lastest fashions and accessories rather than spending the high prices we are being ask to pay for the simpliest of garments and goods.  Posts will include images from fashion sources and patterns/fabric suggestions that can translate the styles on those pages into wearable, stylish and affordable clothing.

Happy Sewing

Psssssssssssst

See this bra above.

It's featured in a major Fashion Magazine as a steal .

For an even bigger steal go to Kmart's site

(http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_027B229241110001P?vName=Clothing&cName=Intimates&sName=Bras )

Vassarette styles are just $4.19 until January 23rd

Music Video Break Day

click on title

Sewing Up A New Year

I collect fabric and patterns and I sew. I sew more for others than myself. One of the issues I have with sewing for myself is that one really can't properly fit them self and I like clothing that is specific to a body, clothing that hides or highlights the form. In order to tailor make your own clothing you need to work with another seamstress/tailor or have a dress form specifically made to your own measurement, which is a large financial investment most of us don't or can't make. Another option is to buy a dress form tha can be adjusted and create a body sloper (http://pattern.stringcodes.com/ ) that rests atop the form.

A sloper is a pattern that closely follows the lines of a person's figure. Most pattern manufacturers call them fitting shells (http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V1004.htm?tab=list/dresses_includes_designer&page=all ). They are available for dresses, which can be used to make suits, skirts, tops, jackets or coats, and pants (http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V1003.htm?tab=list/skirts_pants_includes_designer&page=all ).

In this post I will only address the "dress" sloper.

Using gingham print or a muslin fabric (I prefer heavy weight) follow the instructions to cut and pen mark the body lines (back and front centers of body, mid hip, waist, mid chest, elbow, wrist point) before piecing and basting the shell together. I usually ask my sister to help tuck, pin and re-mark the shell so that the lengths and widths are correct to my height and shape. Arms are tricky. Pin the sleeves so they are fitted but not overly tight and do make a sleeve for each arm as our arms are never an exact match. Remember to wear undergarments that are reflective of what you usually wear so that your body shape is as "normal" as possible.

Carefully remove the sloper and stay stitch all the adjustments, re-mark the various body areas (back and front centers of body, mid hip, waist, mid chest, elbow, wrist point) and then cut another "shell" using the fitted and pinned shell as the pattern. Don't forget to transfer the body line marks! The 2nd shell should be basted, tried on and if need adjusted again before being carefully sewn and ironed as if it were a garment. Leave the back seam open but stitch alone the seam line on each side of the sloper so it can be properly closed and pinned on the form. I hand sew in the body markings (back and front centers of body, mid hip, waist, mid chest, elbow, wrist point) using colorful embroidery thread and long marking stitches.

Here comes the fun part - fitting the sloper onto the adjustable dress form. Again, the form should be adjusted so that its size is as close to your actual measurements as possible, specifically the length/height of shoulder to waist, waist to hip and left shoulder to right shoulder. Before I begin to shape the sloper to the form I first pin shoulder pads to it to add "real" breasts. The sloper is accurate and once on the form will expose the further adjustments needed for it to become a second skin for that form.  Pin and close up the back of the sloper so that the seam closes as if you have sewn it close. Do not pin it to fit the form unless by some miracle it does. With sloper closed the needed adjustments will be apparent. Once the sloper is in place adjust the dress form if it is too big or small in some areas. To fill in those areas where the sloper needs more shape than the dress form can fill use batting or pillow stuffing but be careful not to over stuff. You may have to remove the shell to wrap the dress form with batting. The fitting shell should be firm and full but not taunt. This is especially important when stuffing the arms, make sure not to overstuff or you'll create sausage limbs.

Once the shell is fitted on the dress form step back and make sure all your body lines are as straight and centered in position as possible. Remember our bodies are individual works of art and never perfect so don't be surprised that the left and right sides of the form aren't exact matches.

Happy Sewing!

(PS - sorry for not using my own pictures. I removed my fitting shell in order to make a new one and I haven't been able to schedule a work day with my sister. I am hoping sharing these suggestions for making your own personalized dress form will encourage all of us to get sewing this new year!)

Movie of the Moment

Music Video Break Day

click on title

Send Help

To donate what you can to help send medical aid to Haiti

click on title

Doctors Without Boarders

Angel on Cloud 9

Sensible me ended up buying the Angela from NineWest instead

http://www.ninewest.com/Angela/4348953,default,pd.html?cgid=101001&itemNum=18&variantSizeClass=&variantColor=SAGESU

Natalie Would

want these shoes..

Kensiegirl's runway inspired Natalie suede sandal.

Macy's carries this item but not in the hot orange color that, in my opinion, makes this lower priced style fashion affordable, but Paperline does - http://piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=738895&kwid=1&sem=false&sdReferer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.piperlime.com%2Fproducts%2Fkensiegirl-womens-shoes-accessories-C53368.jsp

Music Video Break Day

click on title

Tuesday's Mental Musings

It's a new year and for many of us that means the opportunity for new beginnings. For some of us these new beginnings include continuing to strive to achieve long term goals. And for some of us it means referring to a list and actually prioritizing those dreams so that we attempt to make them real. Most of us say to hell with resolutions and laugh at those of us that see this turn of the sun, this new beginning, as a reminder that we can still achieve and create the lives we want to live and experience.

I am with those that see the turning of the season and the beginning of a new calendar year as a chance to be grateful for what has passed and to continue to reach towards long term goals that require marker achievements and have no true completions.

I believe there are no true arrivals, instead this journey is a series of rest points that accumulate to make up our big picture. When we believe it is OK to stop dreaming and doing once we have accomplished those things we desire we chance killing a life before its journey and its picture are complete.  It is only in death that our journey ends and our picture is truly complete, everything up until that moment is an opportunity to live a full life.

The turning of the seasons, the rituals we maintain, the mark of a new calendar year are all opportunities to examine our lives and reaffirm our intent to live.

Happy New Year!

Yoga IPractice Special

Yoga Journal is offerring a great specal for those of us who practice yoga and are addicted to our iphone.

$2.99 for 15 classes!

Check out http://www.yogajournal.com/ipractice/ for details.

Limited time only - so hurry!

Music Video Break Day

click on title

BRIC Studio Presents

Melvin Van Peebles & Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber

in residence at BRICstudio

Present

Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Song
(the Hood Opera)

Tickets $10

February 3rd and February 4th at 8pm

Tickets go on sale Mon. January 11, 2010

Join us at BRICstudio for an unforgettable evening with legendary artist and director Melvin Van Peebles as he directs Burnt Sugar the Arkestra Chamber and a large cast of actors and singers in a musical stage adaptation of his groundbreaking 1971 film, Sweet Sweetback’s Baadassss Song! Experience a work-in-progress preview of Sweet Sweetback ahead of its international premiere at the 2010 Sons d’hiver Festival in Paris, followed by a post-performance discussion with the artists

http://www.bricartsmedia.org/events/sweet-sweetback-s-baadassss-song-the-hood-opera-2

(side note - I grew up with older cousins that spent their allowances and Saturday afternoons sitting in dark theatres watching movies like SSBS. Blaxploitation movies came into their own in the 1970s and opened the door to actors who didn't fit the Hollywood norm at the time - they weren't white or bright (old saying for a light skinned African American (being politically correct here) - and introduced "urban living" to the rest of the world in a way that dramatized and romanticized it all at the same time. In researching the web for an image of SSBS the movie to post with this announcement I found a site listing an auction of some amazing posters for movies from that time. It took place in 2007 but have a look at the images - http://www.bennettauctions.com/2007/120207_posters2/12.02.07.session2.blax.html  . Of course working on the sexism is/was the next step!)

The Arsenal

Cutting back on my coffee intake has made making coffee even more of issue for me. I do not own an electric coffee maker. Instead I own the simplest of machines that work with just heat and/or boiling water and in my opinion provide the best coffee possible. Now my problem isn't with how much coffee I drink but with choosing which machine partakes in that daily morning ritual.

Stove Top Vacuum Coffee Maker

The faithful French press

The classic stove top espresso maker

The Coffee Sock (pot not included)

Music Video Break Day

click on title

Charles Kleibacker (1921-2010)

R.I.P. Master of the Bias Cut

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/08/fashion/08kleibacker.html?ref=obituaries

Movie of the Moment

Music Video Break Day

click on title

Feathering the Nest

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/shop?query=feather

Recently I have had a yearning to wear feathers so into my box of goodies I went and pulled out a pair of peacock feather earings, a vintage ostrich feather bag, a rather large obnoxious feathered pin and a feather necklace from South America. Of course I didn't wear them all at once, in fact I ended up just wearing the feathered necklace and surfing http://www.polyvore.com/ to further quinch my desire for the fur of my flying friends. This site is great for those of us with a particular fashion obsession. Just type in any word of interest into the search engine and pages of clothing and accessories that match that obsession come up!