i’m never sure if it’s the designer or the style critic in me, maybe a combination of the two, but inevitably, i never find what i’m looking for to wear to events. this time around, i shopped all sorts of places- online, in-store, expensive, inexpensive, close-out, just-in… and still, didn’t see anything i’d consider.

it doesn’t help that i can see in my head exactly what i want. i’ve been consuming mad men, and joanie’s style has been calling. i have several vintage dresses that fit like a glove- my shape is now being defined as mid-century.  and so, of course, last minute, i decide to make something. inspiration: chanel, mad men.  timeline: 3 days.  here’s what i came up with.  to see all photos, click

the top half starts shaping up, that stand-up collar was just what i wanted

the two halves before i joined them…

almost done, just the armhole finishing and hem are left.

me, the dress and doug from bellevue nordstrom.  thanks to jen for the photo!

this past year has been a study in doing things low cost.  for those of you who know me, i was laid off a little over a year ago, and i don’t think the economy has recovered quite enough that clothing designers are in high demand.  in seattle.  at least that’s been my experience.

so i’ve found other things to occupy me.  among my favourites are museums and performance art.  there’s been a lot of buzz around the kurt and warhol exhibit opening at SAM, and i think you’ll find that they deliver.  i’ll be headed back next artwalk (june 3rd) to savor and linger.  and if you make it there, be sure to check out the surprise at the end of the warhol exhibit.  i’ll be looking for friendly faces.  of course i have a telltale prop in mine… the camera covers most of my mug.

kurt and warhol run may 13 – sept 6

for related programs, click here.  there’s a cool photo workshop with alice wheeler coming up that i hope to participate in.

also, be sure to mark your calendars for the next SAMremix- june 4th 8pm-midnight

i’ve seen a lot of write-up recently about weddings… gearing up to be that time. since i’ve been through it myself, i thought i’d do a post with some links to things i wish i’d had or things i found useful (and include some photos of our day to boot…)

these are a list of items i tackled in this order. i think i also had 2 notebooks and a color story. not everyone does it the same, but the best advice i can give is organization, delegation, and letting go of the little stuff. bows tied on everything is little stuff. this is the rest of your life, not just one day, plan accordingly… and go ahead and forget all the bows.

From needle+thread

the budget- know your limits, and try to stay sensible.  that being said, the first hint of the word ‘wedding’ and the price doubles, plan for it.  be mindful of what you really want, and what will be remembered.  splurge on what matters most, is it necessary on everything?  it’s different for everyone.  it’s my opinion that a goal should be not starting a life together in debt.  one of the best tools i used was the budget tool on the theknot.com (also the guest list organizer- AMAZING) oh, and apparently i’ve been married for 1272 days- SWEET!

From needle+thread

the ring- i don’t care what anyone says, it’s intimidating to pick a piece of jewelry you’re going to wear for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. i knew what i kind of liked, but couldn’t find… just… the… right… one. i must have done 80 million internet searches. i came across seventy seven diamonds not so long ago, and wished it’d been around when i was looking. you can pick the ring, choose the diamond and size, and see the cost- RIGHT THERE. instant diamond ring gratification. someone needs to buy me that vintage medici oval bauble (*hint hint*) it’s gorgeous!

From needle+thread

the place- are you calling every venue and everything’s booked?  pick what it is you want about that one perfect place and quiz friends, search boards, scour magazines, you’ll probably find an alternate.  my one must have was ‘flower garden’, that could be anything from the rose garden at the zoo, to a private residence on american lake.  i also added myself to any and every waiting list and it finally paid off.

From needle+thread

the dress- big one for me.  best advice i can give is… don’t compromise… within reason.  set your budget, and be a tiny bit flexible.  i didn’t have grand visions of myself wearing white, but it’s a good idea to have some notion of what you like/want.  and by far the best piece of advice is wear something you feel beautiful in.  sometimes you’d be surprised at what that is, try on dresses outside your comfort range.  and for fun, try on frouffe, pouffe, BIG and why not, expensive. when else can you parade around in your socks in an $18,000 gown?  the other part of how i gave this dress meaning… i had my mom embroider a wide blue ribbon with a saying and our names and date.  she also sewed it in for me, which was a very sweet notion.

side note on accessories- i made my jewelry, and have loved looking through this lady’s etsy store.  hand-made just reads ‘special’.

From needle+thread

the pictures- beside venue, a big one on my list, and another area we splurged.  i also bartered with our photographer to get the discs.  and if you can afford it, go ahead and have them do the albums.  speaking from experience, you’ll never get around to them.  our photographer was jack young.  i still love looking through them…

From needle+thread

the ceremony- i’m heartbroken to find upon researching this post, that our officiant, sean patrick o’reilly has passed away.  we offer our condolences to his partner- sean will live on in the hearts of all the people he inspired with his beautiful spirit.  we’ll never forget the personal touches and guidance he offered to us in our marriage.

our ceremony was something we wanted to devote the most time to.  our wonderful officiant offered pre-marriage counseling, we met with him several times for that, and then several times for the ceremony and edits.  it was important that the words we said to each other were our own.  he worked with us, guided us, and we basically wrote our entire ceremony with his help.  marriage to us was about more than just one day.  it was a mindset for our future, sean helped us get into that mindset.  he was voted seattle’s best officiant several times… he will be so missed.

From needle+thread

the favors+the cake- lower on my list of things to get done, important nonetheless.  i think favors are over-stressed about, and they seem to suck a lot of time.  some of the best things i’ve gotten have been music, seeds to plant, or fresh fruit… i wanted to give people something that they’d actually use, not just toss.  we chose music- a playlist of songs both special and funny, alternately chosen by us both (i choose lets go all the way, he answered with waiting for somebody).  for cake, we chose cupcake royale, because they delivered, worked with us on color…and there has to be cake, right?  now there are so many great cupcake places to choose from, trophy is by far my fave (they weren’t around when we got married).  mention needleplusthread and they’ll offer you a dozen free cupcakes with your order of 5 dozen or more- before may 31st! we also chose not to feed cake to each other (or cram it in each other’s faces?) i still don’t get what that’s about.  but just because everyone does it, doesn’t mean you have to.  choose to do things (or not do them) where it’s meaningful.

my last piece of advice is to remember it’s a celebration, it’s also a beginning to the rest of your life together.  take time to enjoy it, and really, don’t sweat the small stuff.  you’ll never remember it.  take time to look around, and see everyone’s faces.  don’t feel panicked to talk with each person, but note that they’re there, and sharing your day.  breathe deep, hold his/or her hand, and eat something.  it’s a day you’ll remember forever.

From needle+thread

i’ve never seen sheena wearing something that isn’t enviable in some way. shopping in london has it’s privileges.

and my husband caught one of the both of us.

From needle+thread

i’ve been taking care of some housekeeping (literally) and came across the november/december ’09 issue of 425 magazine. imagine my surprise when i spotted myself snapping pics pre-neiman marcus gala! fun! what an amazing party that was…

From needle+thread

first up- the lovely rebecca- my co-host and THE clothes horse did a great write up (AND managed to be better at taking photos than my ADD self), you should check it out.

From needle+thread

next- the magpie. after reading her post… i felt that she got the gyst of what i went after when dreaming up what this party could be, and that was community. i love her nimble collages (mine take forever, so i’m less likely to make them) and her juxtaposition of pretty fonts/words and the comprehensive rundown. nice. and thank you!  you’ll see a picture of her later this week.

From needle+thread

hey pretty thing took a photo and posted about the meetup- thank you!  i’m not sure that we met, but congrats on winning one of the giveaways!

From needle+thread

kristina from beauty revolution magazine blog brought mike adams to photograph, and it was so great to see what was going on all over the boconcept showroom- love the images they were able to capture of the event, thank you mike and kristina!

it was super fun to come across this link from visualtypenoise, thanks for the video antonio! (i’m assuming that’s your name, it was on the belt buckle, and i didn’t come across your card!)

From needle+thread

fashion for nerds made it, even with a cold. great to meet you and glad you liked the party!

From needle+thread

last days of light had such kind words about the party, and managed to post the most photos… you can see so many of the great attendees/bloggers in her post. thank you!

From needle+thread

copystrands did a great list of some of our sponsors, and got some pictures of the podogs- thanks for the mention!

From needle+thread

and finally… tarah from urban fashion network did a write up and posted all of mike’s great pics. thank you and thanks for making it!

rebecca is a favourite read… it was fun to meet up with her and some other bloggers at theo chocolates in fremont.  thanks for the link, and thanks for a fun day indulging (chocolate), snapping (each other’s clothes) and perusing (fremont sunday market).

i don’t consider myself overly photogenic, but adam, of le21eme fame (his beautiful pictures were displayed- look above me!), snapped a picture of reba and i chatting at the seattle fashion tv event and managed to capture me in one of those rare moments… reba is a jewelry designer… one of the many talented people in the crowd last night…

molly and i worked together when i designed kid’s clothes at nordstrom. it’s always fun to run into friendly faces at these events… i wanted her t-strap shoes. lots of people asked about my dress, it’s my own design, and i made it a few years ago for a cocktail party.

it was great to finally meet eunice in person, and as she says… we have so many shared connections.  here’s to one more! read her write up of us meeting and be sure to check out the rest of what’s your tale nightingale.