Look What I Made!

OK, this probably doesn't constitute a trend, but I had to share with everyone what I made last month at Duncan's Hobby Shop. They are Picasso-inspired, fused glass bottle stoppers. Aren't they fun? My husband and I took the 2-hour class with about seven others. We layered glass and used a flame to bend the thin glass canes into fun facial expressions, and placed wire between the glass layers to make hair. Then into the kiln they went and one week later I went over and picked them up. I used my jewelry pliers to spiral the wire and add beads. Once I got my little "Picasso's" accessorized, I headed to Pier I and picked up a set of corked bottles. Being creative is always "on trend."

The Classic - Plaid

Yikes! In my rush to stay on top of Christmas I have neglected my blog. But what to blog about today? I got up this morning knowing that I would need to update it and talk about something trendy and relevant. But what? It's the day after Christmas, after all. As I sat in my cozy chair this early winter morning, drinking my coffee while reading the newspaper with my husband, an article caught my eye. "Everyone's Mad About Plaid," it said. The article (by Melissa Magsaysay, The Los Angeles Times) talked about being fashionably plaid. But hey, hasn't plaid been around forever? Plaid is a classic we see almost every season. It never loses its appeal. So what makes this season different? I think it is where and how the plaid is being worn that makes the difference. Plaid has an air of eccentricity to it, it can be very punk, it can be festive, depending on the color, texture, style and size. If not worn subtly it can look overwhelming, and it is not the easiest thing to wear without looking like you lost your bagpipes. Sarah Jessica Parker wore a tartan Alexander McQueen gown to the 2006 Costume Institute Ball at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Normally a fashion favorite, she was criticized for her plaid faux paux. Sometimes plaid makes a better statement when worn as an accent piece rather than as the entire outfit. Think shoes, belts, even jewelry. Jessica Simpson offers plaid shoes in flats and pumps. Converse is making a preppy plaid sneaker in brown and Brooks Brothers is using plaid to add detail to just one pant leg. All this talk of plaid made me think about the bigger story here: Just because something is a trend doesn't mean it is for everyone, at least not in one big dose. A little can go a long way. And be choosy about how you wear the latest fashion trend. Think outside the box. Wearing a classic in an unexpected way can add freshness to an old favorite.

Blast From the Past

As I am getting ready for Christmas and browsing through some hip catalogs like Sundance and Urban Outfitters, I start noticing that there are images of nostalgic machines popping up before me. Seeing these retro-designed cameras, vintage typewriters, transistor radios and even turntables for albums makes me smile. I know these old friends! I grew up with them. I even recognize the old typewriter that Sundance sells with the actual replacement ribbon! How old-school is that? (If that is just too old for you you can always buy the typewriter ornament for your tree.) My dad had one of those black typewriters in his office and he actually used it. I thought it was ancient then. My sister and I used to tease him about it. However, when my dad passed away last year it was me who staked claim to that vintage form of communication that spent so much time with my dad's fingers tapping its keys. What is most interesting to me is that a youth-focus company like Urban Outfitters is marketing these cool re-creations, updated with the latest technology, to the under 25 group. I have to wonder what someone who possibly has never had a vinyl album in their hand thinks of the turntables for sale.

Refashioned Bags

I think by now we all know that "green" is the new black. This means we must all be responsible and recycle, and there are so many opportunities to do this. If you yourself are not the creative sort you can at least be fashionably supportive of those who are. Back in August I had the opportunity to attend the Sourcing at MAGIC show in Las Vegas. It is really three shows under the MAGIC umbrella: Pool, Project and MAGIC. The Pool showroom was my favorite because it showcased the grassroots artisans. They make cool things, some from recycled objects, giving new life to used items. Worn skateboards were cut up and refashioned into totes and wallets by beck(y) . I love these! Then I went looking for even more refashioned purses and found Kim White Hangbags. Made from vintage automotive fabrics, Kim White uses dead stock never-used textiles intended for use in American automobiles-cars, trucks, vans. Each handbag is tagged with the years and make of the fabric, so you know exactly what car your bag comes from. Very, very cool.

My First Day As A Blogger

I love blogs. I think it is the voyeur in me. It is so intriguing to read about how other people are living their lives. I find it fascinating. It's why I enjoy movies and reading so much. I am also a natural observer. I love to people-watch. I think it is the artist in me. I watch how light falls on objects, how colors play off one another. I am always thinking in my head, how would I paint that, sculpt that, create that? I am forever collecting inspiring objects and pictures, things I can touch and see. At home I have bowls filled with an eclectic mix of little treasures . . . things like beaded beads that my friend Jonica made for me, a sterling silver wishbone, a moonstone egg, some tumbled glass . . . just stuff that makes me smile when I pick it up and roll it in my hands. In my kitchen window I have a rustic hand with a glass stone that has the word "grace" etched into it. I think "grace" is one of my favorite words. If more of us had grace and extended grace to one another the world be a lovelier place. So, what is all this rambling about? Well, I just wanted you to know how I see things so you can appreciate the way I observe trends. That is what this blog is about - trending. So let's get to it . . .