heysusy

I AM CONVINCED { day and a mysterious visitor }

So...I ended up not posting a weekender "jewelry to go with your gray sweatshirts" post because I got so absorbed in this website and their compelling asthetic that I completely forgot. I'm sorry! It happens.

I make it up to you, hopefully, with this link. Seriously, click on everything available and get lost in Day Birger et Mikkelsen's excellent wild meets urban meets quiet style sense. Wonderful!

In other tangentially related news this weekend, I'd like to share what happened outside our window on Saturday Night....K. spotted a HUGE bird quietly perched across the way on the opposite fire escape. When I say huge, I mean...like...about as tall and wide as a skateboard, maybe taller and wider. It was tucked just out of sight, with it's face in the shadows. It stayed there all night, sleeping, I imagine. When I woke up at 4 AM, it was still there...but it was still too dark to see many details. I saw it take in a big breath, and the shape expanded. The feathers on it's breast blew in the wind, just slightly...it perched completely still...and stayed.

When I woke up and it was light out, it was gone.

This was truly magical for me-- I often feel something magical has happened when I see a large animal in the "wild"...like when I saw that huge fish swim up to the dock at Lake George... It was a moment when I forgot about myself, completely. What it's like to be completely, surprisingly, selflessly, absorbed into something else...something beyond your own world.

Wherever you are, mysterious bird, I hope you are well.

DOWN, BUT NOT OUT! { the gray sweatshirt gets some love }

Hoodie zip sweatshirts will always be popular for their versatility (if you're too hot, you can open up and air out). But there is something so great about the basic, gray pullover sweatshirt. I love it because you can't escape from it! ...and it's tempered with that sort of awkward 1950's high-school sports team try-out thing (think Danny when he's trying out for track to impress Sandy in Grease...pompadour and all!).

It may look like a weakling....but it is scrappy!

So...I thought today I'd present some classic varieties, and a few updates on this look. Nice for a Friday, right? Of course, I opt for the classic at the top left as my first choice. But-- the one at the bottom right has the benefit of two big hip pockets. Perfect, perfect.

Links...clockwise from top left:
Classic Pullover $11! - here
Ruffle Dress, I pretty much like anything by Preen - here
Long Sweater- normally can't stand anything Juicy has been even part of but this isn't bad - here
Pocketed Dress $39! - here
Classic Pullover (pricey, but I bet it's worth it!) - here
Elongated Classic Pullover - here

I'll be back later today with a weekender... some accssories that are sweatshirt-approved!

WEEKENDER { Get Your Wrap On with Nice Package! }

Feeling uninspired for what to do this weekend? I hope not. But, if that is indeed the case, hop on over to Marichelle and Ez's new website and diy packaging specialty shop, Nice Package.

You probably know Marichelle and Ez from Their respective blogs- hearthandmade and Creature Comforts.  I have had the pleasure of getting to know both of them better over the course of 2009, and I couldn't be more excited to see them launching into a new business idea. 

Both of them are extremely inventive and entrepreneurial, with lots of unique ideas on how to use the internet to connect with their design and handmade-loving audience in innovative ways. NIce Package, filled with pretty goodies, created with love, is probably just the tip of the iceberg for these two style-loving mavens...and I can't wait to see what else they have up their (well-styled) sleeves! For more of what I mean, check out the great tutorials they're beginning to launch on the Nice Package Blog ...with self- styled, beautiful photos, and plenty of pretty ideas for a Sunday afternoon!

Enjoy your weekends! xx s

I Can Be bought { ineke }

So, I was just reading an article the other day about how many bloggers are on the take. Talking up and tweeting away about products from companies that are secretly lining their pockets. It made me feel a little bit bad. Like, HEY! How come all these fabulous companies aren't sending ME stuff??? Lord knows, I'm enthusiastic enough. And I definitely like getting attention. And I could use some new, free, cool, stuff.

Of course, I'm kidding. But, I say this because the people at Ineke were kind enough to send me a little sample of their newest fragrance "Field Notes From Paris" (the first I've ever received as a blogger). So, that's something I feel oddly proud of. But, I've been a fan of Ineke for a long time now, and have mentioned them before-- without any...ahem...persuasion.

Also, I thought that this range would be of interest because it's created by a real person (Ineke Ruhland) who is a real perfumier (trained in Paris). As an independent entrepreneur and artist, myself, I think this is a really special aspect of the Ineke range-- it comes from experiences...not what's in style...not what marketing is recommending...but from memory, interpretation, stories, connections, and emotions. In all seriousness, you can smell how serious Ineke is about her art. I have a...pronounced...nose. And so I can say this in all truth.

I really enjoy the way she expresses the inspiration behind each scent on her website...it has a sketchbook format that is great to browse.
There is also a wonderful gift set available-- which would make an excellent gift at only $25 for six fragrances. wow.

I remain your, as ever, morally intact, honest, perfumed, good smelling, friend in blogland, Susy

COVERING HISTORY { PENDLETON }

Hi Everyone! How you?

So, yesterday before I went and met Kurt and a friend for German Food, I stopped off at the park to sit on a bench for a little while. I love the little walk back to the subway from my new workspace. There's a little park, and although I only spend a short amount of time there on my daily trek, I love having even a minute of nature back in my life (these are the sad truths of being a city dweller!)

The smell of fall was in the air. I watched a leaf make it's way down from a tree, and it sort of swayed here and there, as it fell. It's path was completely incalculable, and it brought me a lot of peace and focus, even though it only took a moment.

So, today, I thought it was the perfect time to post these  Pendleton Blankets. I've been so inspired by Native American patterns lately-- I love the story they tell and the way that just by looking at them, I can feel a more lyrical connection to life's story. Bright, complicated, full of contrast and connections...not to mention something you can hand down through generations...my dad bought me a Pendleton a long time ago...and it's still just as warm today. As blankets go, they are The Best. IMHO a perfect wedding or graduation gift. They last a long time.

The Pendleton Website
Read about the company history-- since 1909
View their beautiful line of bed  blankets and (how cool) saddle blankets.
Also, some of their blanket coats are not to be missed.

I hope this made you feel a little warmer-- I feel a little warmer. xx s

MAKE IT WORK! { laura skelton and prix prix }

Often, when I'm in vintage stores, I see so many neckties...just lying there in all their patterned, bygone glory... Each one with a story...each one, to me, representing the style choice of some anonymous person. And it always makes me a little sad, sigh...ties are a little too small to make anything out of...

Then along comes Laura Skelton. And all the neckties yell out, clamoring in their bin... "Hey, Laura...over here!! Wouldn't I make a great wallet? Whaddaya think of me for a necklace? I could be your guy! Well helllloooo lovely lady!"

She saunters over to the Necktie Waiting Area...and picks one out that catches her eye....Yes...he'll do just fine....

"Hey! She's picking Steve! Hey, Steve, you lucky guy! Bon Voyage Steve! Don't Forget To Write!!"

But Steve doesn't hear them...he's off to live his next life as a new accessory. He's with Laura, and she's gonna make him feel brand new.

I really enjoyed writing this...and I really enjoy Laura's products and concept. I think these designs are very 'of the moment'. Recycled, somewhat preppy, clever without irony, personal, and a menswear look that will work for the ladies. Not to mention, they can probably be personalized if you sent in your own tie-- for example, that one with the whales that your dad always wore! (Hi dad!-- just kidding-- I'd NEVER mess with the whale tie!)

Visit Prix Prix Here
Visit Laura's Etsy Store Here
Visit her blog...Here

Enjoy! xx s

TEAMS { john & yoko, wary meyers }

Hi All.

An early, early post today (it's only 8:30 AM yaaaaawn). But some important news. Wary Meyers has a blog! And, it seems, a Tossed and Found book! So, there's no need to read my blog anymore, because you can just go there, instead. Ha, only kidding. I would love it if you came here on your way there. Thanks for reading and see you on the flip side.

So. I've been a fan of Wary Meyers since I first saw their scripty remade dresser in Time Out NY (which I blogged about way back here in 2007 or so) and it's great to be able to read more about what theY're up to. As someone who grew up in New England in the 70s and 80s, I have an affinity for types of items and melange of decor influences that they celebrate. They seem like things my parents would have had in our chilly old New England house. Right down to the retro posters, yarny rugs, old backpacks, weatherworn anoraks and sailing gear. So, I'm not going to say too much more about it, because you can go and check it out for yourselves. Oh, there's also a book-related interview with them on Design Sponge this week right here.

Anyway, onto the Wedding Album cover and why that is up there too. One of my favorite fashion periods are the years of John and Yoko's partnership. I have always enjoyed their white suits, frazzy hair, and separatist style. The white on white bookshelf at Wary Meyers brought their Wedding Album to mind...and lots of their other early marriage and family photos. So I added that to the mix. More of those iconic years can be seen at this great site. Same decade. Similar energy.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone! Thanks for stopping by. I really hope this made sense. xx s

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS { designers give back }

I love the idea of giving something when I purchase something. Lately, I've noticed several really beautiful new products created with a cause in mind, and I've been thinking of creating a few limited edition products that would benefit environmental and animal-welfare causes.

Businesswise, doing a pro-bono or "proceeds go to" project or capsule collection in your own line is a great way not only to promote a cause you believe in, but to gain positive buzz for your own products. Also, as a designer, I think it's a great doorway into designing something that you might not have otherwise-- and to step outside your usual collection's asthetic and allow yourself to be inspired by something new, while using your signature style to express it. (Diane Von Furstenburg's projects up here are a good example).

Communitywise, donating proceeds from projects to ideas you care about is a way to build connections with other creatives and contacts who are also involved, and to share a common purpose with other people. Anyway, I thought I would share some of them here. You can check them out to see which causes they're giving back to.

Links:

I ADORE Sarah Pinto's 2010 planners and notebooks. This new designer has a small, versatile, and focused line of books. View these products and learn more about Sarah's personally charged cause at See Jane Work

A brand that has always inspired with their one for one policy-- Tom's. I'm really loving their new lace-up Cordones!

Diane Von Furstenburg supports local and worldwide causes with her Proud to Be Woman Tote and High Line Beach Towel

And finally, Etsy is a great place to create buzz around a cause you care about... search for Etsy Project Embrace to learn more about what these smart Etsians are doing with their hearts and hands.

If you have seen any products that have a great cause behind them, post them here so that we can check them out!  : )

GATHER ROUND { lovely clusters }

Hi Ducks! Just popping in for a minute today because I am off to work in my new space...and I'm late already. And my boss? Well, you know how cranky she can get.

Anyway...I received a nice email from Rachel Follett, the designer behind Design Lovely about her new venture, a shopping site called Lovely Clusters, where I found some new work by some of my favorite independent designers (White Owl, and Elephantine, a really new line by a different blogger, also named Rachel)  and was introduced to some new favorites (Cassia Beck)! As a blogger, I love sites like Lovely Clusters, because they make weeding through the internet so much easier. As an entrepreneur, I love them because I enjoy seeing where other independent designers are going with their work, and getting inspired through the images and styling of so many different artists.

Anyway...Thank you Rachel F., for the tip-- and I hope you all add a new favorite to your lists today! There certainly are a lot of creative and talented folks out there to choose from. If anyone else has a new favorite they'd like to share here, please do-- I would love to know what else you readers are loving right now!

Enjoy your weekends, all! Thanks for visiting. xx s

CENTS AND CENTSABILITY {penny loafer love}

Hello, Hello! Good weekends? Good. Happy.

Now. Onto today's business. I am SO excited about todays post. I honestly don't think I've been this excited about anything since Krakatoa.  I take the job of providing knowledge on the historical obscurities of classic fashion and personal grooming accessories VERY seriously here at HS* And today, I'm happy to feature The Penny Loafer! 

So, every time I go up to the Adirondacks, I look forward to wearing my trusty loafers; which I leave up in the cabin so I always have comfortable footwear when I arrive. This weekend I said to Kurt..."You know, I'm surprised I don't see more people wearing penny loafers around NYC..." and he said they had a kind of 1960's female expressionist painter charm. This made me realize...it's time to bring my country shoes for a visit to the Big Apple.

The Penny Loafer is a shoe almost as varied as the Penny Itself. My personal favorite is the classic "Penny Keeper" design, which was pioneered by Bass. There are myriad species...heeled versions, patent versions...tassel, and Kiltie varieties (a Kltie is that fringey thing that hangs over the shoe.) My own twist on the PL is to keep coinage with personal meaning into the front.

Shoes aside, I would LOVE to get into the coin-collecting dimension here, but I'll save that little tidbit for another day. I've put a few of my recommendations up here. With mysterious, names like Flowing Hair Chain, Liberty Cap, Coronet, Classic Head and Lincoln Wheat, the US penny has a lot to offer. For a touch of Edwardian or Pre-Punk flair, I recommend looking into UK Coinage as well... Which go by species names like the Britannia, and The Heaton Mint.

Oh, moi? My personal favorite? Glad you asked. A pair of solid gold Widow's Head Queen Victoria Sovereigns. Pricey, but so nicey. Not for spending!

---

Clickable Things...
A History of the Penny Loafer
Where to buy Bass Weejuns
All sorts of PL's. Including the Cole Haan Air Penny shown above
History of UK Coin Denominations (you have to do some digging to find images- but it is worth it)
More info on British coins of the Pound Sterling
All about the American Penny