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SCOUTING ABOUT { explorer's sprit }

Hi Everyone!

As you can tell, I'm excited for the weekend. While I am not going anywhere, I have been thinking about all the fun things there are to explore here in New York City. I just finished a great non-fiction account of Amazonian Exploration, and Liutenant Col. Percy Fawcett, called "The Lost City of Z"...which makes me want to get out into the Lost City of NYC....Perhaps I'll venture over to Central Park or Governors Island... or maybe just around the corner to pick up a can o beans, some weenies, and a black and white movie. Anyway, Summer in the City requires creativity, perserverance, and a good, comfortable pair of shoes. Beans are optional. And for the record, I don't think Lt Col. Fawcett would EVER carry a striped tote.

Clickable Things:
Simple Striped Tote Bag here
Field Notes here
Squaw's Necklace here
Cool Bird Feeders (although I can see a squirrel making an easy trip up and into this) here
Faithful Saddle Shoes. Get ready for a big comeback.  here

Enjoy your weekends all, and don't forget to write. Thanks so much for visiting. I had a wonderful, wonderful time posting this week! xx s

MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS { posters }

Hey Kids! 
Doing a speed post today because I have beaucoup to do around here... vrooooooooom! Anyway, as a creative entrepreneur, it is ALWAYS hard to stay motivated. While I love a nice motivational poster now and again, sometimes, I just want something that has a little more oomph. When I need reminding why I'm trying, when I'm in a state of high anxiety, or when my blues get the best of me,  my motivators need to be easy to understand.

I like these posters by Linocutboy on Etsy.
There are lots to choose from, but this is my favorite!
The upside down part...well, that feels right to me today. And this will remind me not to take myself so seriously. Seriously.
Enjoy your Thursdays, all!

DIY {packaging do-it-yourself}

How now, dear readers?

Just a short post today...I am in Bar Code Hell....but there is lots of exciting stuff going on at SusyJack* HQ. Provided I survive July.

So, I thought these knitting kits were really fun, and I liked the concept behind them. Although I was hesitant at first, I have to give these girls credit for trying out this idea...and executing it so beautifully. I love finding out about other independent designers really giving it a go. To see the way these ladies have crafted their brand, and told their story is pretty interesting. I also like the idea of Kits...there's something so much more inviting about trying something new when it's all assembled for you. And I like the way these kits take knitting out of the stale, ye Olde Crafte Shoppe box and put it into a new context.

More about Wool and the Gang Here!

FOUND YOU { golden age vintage swatch watches }

You'll never find me saying "Happy Monday!" or "Happy Friday!!" on this blog. Because, to be honest, I am a egalitarian about the days of the week. And really, does the fact it's Tuesday really indicate cause for a celebration?

Well, actually, I can stop kvetching and say that today, it is truly a Happy Tuesday. Because I have managed to feed my eyes all morning with wonderful vintage 1980's Swatch Watches from the Golden Age of Swatch. As a visual person, few things can compare, for me, to unearthing a detailed photo of something that my memory has had to fill in the blanks for over the years.

Going over these watches, and looking at all of the different designs reminded me not only of the watches themselves... but of the people in my school who wore them. It's funny, but to this day, I link each watch with a different kid's personality. I remember I used to think that the kids who were cooler wore the dark, less flashy swatch watches, and the kids who were more daring (or just less neurotic) wore the ones with the white or pastel bands (they would get dirty after like a day, and then that kid was running around with a filthy watch on.)

The girls who were really social wore the brightly patterned watches with bright bands...the ones who were a little more private definitely opted for a more monochrome look. Certain kids even opted for the Swatches with numbers...something I always wondered if a parent had the final word on.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy these as much as I enjoyed posting them. I was SO excited to put this up today. Which one did you have? Mine is the furthest left on the second row. I had to laugh because the pattern looks alot like something I'd draw today. Time goes so fast, doesn't it?

See these and more vintage swatches, search by date and style... at Squiggly Swatch Watches

PAINTING AND SCULPTURE { fashion pallette }

I love, love, love clothes that have a lot of structure. But, not structure as in shoulder pads and strong angles (tho those are nice at times, too) but styles where the structure is so pared down that the piece lets the wearer become a part of it.

I'm in love with the simple statements made in these pieces up here...A chunky, sculptural shoe (a pedestal for your foot!) with perfect proportions... Painterly pendants... An important blue note to a bracelet... and a massive swath of paint that knows no bounds.

I had fun creating this layout, and as always, I love seeing new shapes and ideas that actually seem wearable. Enjoy your weekends everyone, and I'll see you on Tuesday-- I'll be away from the studio on Monday. xx s

Dresses @ Virginia Johnson
Exquisite Agate Necklaces @ Barney's Coop
Shoes @ Robert Clergerie (also here)
Lots of fun, sculptural Bracelets for little dough @ Charlotte Russe

ART DIRECTOR'S AWARD { great styling on etsy }

The other day, a friend of mine called me and asked about starting an Etsy shop. My advice, like many other sellers, was to take great photos of your products, first and foremost. Of course, there's a lot of other stuff that goes into being a successful seller on Etsy, but, that's one of the biggies.

I came across these photos yesterday, and while many of you have probably seen White Owl featured on other blogs, I hadn't seen their work yet, so I thought it was worth posting about here; but from a different angle. While I love the jewelry, the styling of these photos really brings out the magic in each piece, and lends a beautiful cohesiveness to the entire collection. I, personally, was greatly inspred by these-- and I hope they inspire you, too! I wouldn't be surprised to see some larger store chains pick this styling idea up. It's incredibly appealing.

Link > White Owl

PAIRS { new discoveries }

Oooooh. Ooooooh! I love it when something new pops out at me and makes me stop and look!

Anyway, not too terribly much to say today. I have to run off to a photo shoot (which is taking place on my kitchen table, ahem.) in a couple of minutes, but I wanted to share these pretty picks.

Loving the newest collections at Liberty.
This collection features patterns created by artists for Liberty of London.
New patterns for Fall...loving the hint of orientalism/nouveau

Seriously excited about some of these wrist corsages, Can't wait to see more from Wristielove.
Wristielove Wedding Corsage Collection

Also liked this cuff

And, I adore the rough quality of these Tourmeline earrings. I am turning 35 this year. What I love about these earrings is that their rough beauty would fit in with my crows feet and my gray streaks...I like that this jewelry could be really striking on someone who is a little older.
Earrings by Laura Lombardi Jewlery  Here
Also love these dipped 24k crystal necklaces.

ADVICE COLUMN { DIANE VON FURSTENBERG }

Hello Wunderkinder. How are you all today? Taking Tuesday by the horns, I trust.

I apologize for directing you repeatedly to the Times, but really, of late, they've had some articles that are not to be missed! Some of you are probably fans of Diane von Furstenberg's clothing, and I know I've featured some of her pieces here in the past. But...for a while now, I've been looking out for one of her kernels of spoken wisdom to feature. And I thought it would be a nice follow up to yesterday's post about Lillian Bassman.

Some time ago, I caught an interview with DvF on NY1, and was delighted and intrigued by her candor. She told a story about being seated next to a male business executive on a flight in the 1970's, and his complete surprise at seeing a woman reading the Wall Street Journal. Well, times and trends have definitely sided with Ms. von Furstenberg...who was a pioneer in creating not only a new role for women at work, but a model for women in life.

I greatly enjoyed her honesty, humor, and practical yet memorable views in this article; which offers a great mix of business and life wisdom.  I hope you'll enjoy it too.

Enjoy your day, all!
Article > here
DVF blog and news...well worth exploring! > here
Latest Collections (with a very cool splash page) > here

DISCOVER, REDISCOVER { photographer lillian bassman }

Hello Darling Dears, weekends good? Good. Happy to hear it. Mine was pretty good. We went up to Bard to check out the Canter for Curatorial Studies, and a show by Rachel Harrison which neither of us enjoyed. Although she deals with interesting ideas, I wasn't convinced the actual work was really that extraordinary. Maybe I missed something, but I doubt it.

Anyway, here's some work that is extraordinary, and with it comes an extraordinary story. Lillian Bassman was one of the most revered fashion photographers of the last century...even though she made the decision to cease shooting fashion in the early 1970's. There is currently a revival of her work underway...along with the release of hundreds of negatives which she hid from view for decades.

I find her work relevant because it is such an interesting exploration of not only fashion, but femininity, at a certain point in time. The idea of a charged, yet restrained, sensuality, is something goes beyond glamour and channels a type of power that women once relied upon, or were relegated to.

Here are some links, if this is of interest.
Recent article about Lillian Bassman here and slideshow here
More work to be found here
And a book of her work soon to be published Pre-Order Here

Another photographer you might enjoy...Wingate Paine. posted in a guest post last week at WPM.

DO YOUR OWN THING { versatile and fun for fall }

Since I saw these boots at La Garconne, I have not, not, not been able to get them out of my head. Stomping around in them would just feel WAY too good, and they may need to be purchased. While I'm hesitant about the sound of the wooden soles (peasant approaching!)

I like the idea of dressing a little more loudly than usual, though. And to me, a good way to do that is not with anything that's too flashy...but with a lot of smaller statements. Busy textures, the matte weight of greased leather, pops of color, and unexpected combinations speak with just as much voice as that gigantic giraffe print monstrosity forever sitting at the back of the closet...that seemed like a good idea at the time...

Plus, with items like this in your arsenal, you can easily re-interpret them and pare down when needed. For example, I like the idea of a simple cable-knit cotton sweater, which echoes the textural idea, but lends a classic, conservative note.

Boots >  here
Necklace (love the pearl accent) > here
Rojas Skirt (I adore this fabric) > here
Tights (I like that these are a combination of tatting and lace- an updated look to 1980's lace tights) > here
Chunky, Versatile, Sterling Cuff > here
Classic Cable Crewneck > here