Thursday, June 21, 2012

Let's Celebrate the Summer Solstice

Come on down to this fun event tonight and help me welcome in the summer solstice!


Monday, June 18, 2012

Fashion Obsession since Forever Ago

I've been obsessed with fashion since. . . well, since as long as I can remember. But I was raised by parents with a very utilitarian take on getting dressed. They hardly consider fashion something worth wasting one's time on. Which, I completely understand. Over the years though, I have figured out what fashion is for me, how I value it, how I choose to pursue it. While I am the first one to admit that I love to flip through the most recent issue of Vogue or Elle, most of my influences come from my peers and those I see on the streets (and in street style blogs.) My style is fairly feminine, with a strong 60s-70s edge. I love long skirts, layers, big jewelry.

But lately (ahh, you knew there was gonna be a "but" didn't you?) I am finding that the way I love to dress is not exactly meeting my daily needs. I think my lifestyle has changed a bit while my preferred mode of dressing hasn't quite kept up. . . How shall I explain this? My weekdays are primarily spent working at my new studio space. My weekends are often spent either one: at a craft fair, two: catching up on un-glamorous chores and things like gardening or three: (but more rarely) traversing flea markets, hanging out with friends, but mostly, keeping it casual and comfortable.

Basically, I'm finding the distinct urge to scale back on the dressing drama. I want to be able to get up in the morning and get out of the house within an hour (that includes eating breakfast, watering any plants that are thirsty, taking care of my cats, packing a lunch, not an hour on my attire, just to be clear.) I found myself thinking this the other day: "The sexiest women I see on the streets are the ones who know how to dress to meet their life's needs and then dress as well as they can."

So, what am I saying? I'm saying that I'm finding myself more and more attracted to more practical things. Shoes with low and supportive heels, well made jeans that are made to last, practical purses that can carry a lot but aren't so large I'd loose things in it.

Like these clogs, discovered courtesy of Cali Vintage, from No.6. I love the color, I love that there's a sling back to keep them firmly on. And I love that the wedge isn't too high. I feel like these could easily be worn any time of the year (at least in the bay area).




My other recent obsession? Finding the perfect high-waisted, two piece bikini for summer swimming. Once again, I'm being patient and trying to find just what I want instead of the cheapest thing that'll probably fall apart after two summers (if not sooner.) There's so much to love about all of Mara Hoffman's styles. Especially this one:




For now tho, I'm saving my pennies and working with what I have. I wanna take a day or two to go through my wardrobe and pick out the things that are still really working and figure out where my "fashion" holes are. Most importantly tho, I think I'm moving more towards carefully selecting items that I feel strongly about. Doesn't mean I won't hop in my car, head out to the suburbs, and stock up on bags and bags of thrifted goodies every now and then. No, I just think I'm ready to invest a bit more in the pieces that really matter.

And hey, any suggestions from you guys on your most favorite brand of jeans? Leave a little note for me in the comments, if you have the time!

Fashion: also known as juggling vanity with real life? Maybe. . .

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Making time to Grow some things

The gardening bug has really bit me this year. In between moving my studio, keeping up on jewelry orders, and working on some relationship stuff, I've been making more and more time to garden lately. It's been pretty blissful.


The above is a shot of one of my tomato plants. I'm doing a lot of container gardening as the home that Jeff and I rent doesn't have a lot of available space to garden. We have a front (very small) and back yard, but the land lady put in a bunch of plants a long time ago that she doesn't want removed.

But! I have found a small little patch in our backyard that was really just filled with weeds. I'm working the soil to break it up. I need to get a couple bags of bumper crop too tho, 'cause this soil seems pretty poor. Whenever I plant things in the actual ground they don't fair nearly as well as my container plants. 

It's funny how you can wish and wish and wish you had time to do something and then eventually the urge and desire to do it just become so strong that life makes room for you.  

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Flowers, Beautiful Gems, Full Weekends, Preparing

As I mentioned in my last post, I recently moved my studio space from West Berkeley to Jack London Square in Oakland. The former space, while lovely and peaceful (it was actually a space in a friend's home) was difficult to get to at times what with bay area traffic and all. The new space is a hop skip and a jump from where I live. I'm looking forward to the added convenience in so many ways!

But, I am feeling a bit wistful about not working in Berkeley any longer. I always highly enjoyed my afternoon walks to the post office or the coffee shop.

Berkeley gardens are so gorgeous.

California poppies and nigella (also known as "love-in-a-mist")


Also, on Saturday my folks and I got together to have a late mother's day/early father's day celebration. Of the many things we did, my mom and I both went to Baubles and Beads in Berkeley to stock up on jewelry makin' supplies. (My mom does bead work.) I acquired these gorgeous amethyst gems and can't wait to turn them into funky and unique necklaces. They'll be some simple-classy ones too!

brass beads

lapis, pyrite, and African trade beads


Tangleweeds earrings at CH Good Stock

This guy spends many a morning sitting in my lap while I'm catching up on emails or drafting blog posts. (He sat in my lap while I drafted this post!)

my table at the most recent A Fair to Remember

This fabulous fair is coming up soon on the Tangleweeds calendar. Maybe I'll see you there!

Well, there you have it. A brief wrap-up of my life this last weekend/week. I'm busily catching up on emails and Etsy orders today, so if you're waiting for a response from me you can expect to receive one today!

Well, I better get to it!

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Moving my Studio

I just want to share here that this week I am in the process of moving my workspace to The Hive in Oakland (Jack London Square area.) I am beyond excited! I can't wait to get back to sharing more of what's going on with me here. Life, as I suggested a few posts back, has thrown me a few curve balls as of late, and some things just had to give. Unfortunately, blogging was one of those things (temporarily).
 the old space, all packed up

the new space, just moved into and starting to settle in. there's much to be done still!

cute workspace corner =)

And, just to keep you posted, I'll be at this lovely event this Sunday. Indie Mart was, unfortunately, post-poned, so if you're in the market for some Tangleweeds jewelry, you'll wanna come by Jack Kerouac Alley in San Francisco instead!

Have a lovely Thursday evening everyone!