Cycling Home.

... from Siberia. *Fist pump.*

My darling sister found this book online (Amazon, of course!) for my birthday and was very excited to see my reaction. Which, needless to say, was extremely positive. The other book I must read right now is titled, "The Day we Found the Universe," a meticulously researched work about the discovery that the universe is infinite, not static, as previously thought. So much to learn.

A note for anyone who does not have an iPhone: buy one, now. It is running my life. Or, rather, I feel empowered to keep my life in one piece. Words cannot describe my love for this device. (If only it would hook so neatly onto my carabiner with my Camelback bottle and keys... but, ah, not even Apple is perfect.) Right now, it is encased in an "OtterBox," the ultimate in impact protection. With my propensity for busting things, this is a must. (I cost myself A LOT of money.) For how much the monthly insurance cost, I'm tempted to break it. Just to get my money's worth.

I am overworking myself. I wish I knew another way to be. To my credit, I went out last night with a friend to a grocery store and bought a giant, hot sandwich. Subsisting mostly on yogurt, protein products, and tea, it is rare for me to crave food... real food... a lot of good food. Swimming will do that to you.

Fabulous update: I found the most perfect pair of black boots for the look book today. We'll see what John thinks. If I was a man, you better believe they would be on my feet before you could say, "Are those steel-toed?!?!" Coordinating a project as large as a look book is, um, a project. But I have the perfect team put together, and can't wait to give you guys interviews on each member!

If I can only find a quarter on the street tomorrow, my weekend will be off to a good start.

P.S. My favorite part about this camera right now is the phenomenal depth of field. The articulated LCD is super happenin' too.

We just can't help ourselves, we just keep making art.

No, really.

iPhone 4.

 

 Well, darlings... my birthday happened yesterday. The way my family spoiled me, you would have thought it was going to be my last (maybe they know something I don't...) My dad owns a floor installation company, and after purchasing the iPhone a couple years ago, it revolutionized the way he managed his business and his time. He sees the potential of this little venture, and was very excited to get it for me. And after two days of playing with it, I am more than happy to pay for the monthly data plan!

After the new site is up, expect a ridiculous amount of social media updates! Tandem Northwest is going REAL TIME with 3G, ladies and gentlemen! (Sheesh. Why don't I have a photo of me doing a fist pump? Tomorrow, tomorrow.)

This excitement brings to mind a stellar, ghetto Apple sweatshirt my best friend thrifted. It was charcoal grey with "Apple" written on the front, each letter a different color. She ended up giving it to her brother. Seeing him in it gives us both intense happiness.

I am very excited to do a birthday post... I had a pretty excellent weekend, and even got my vehicle back from the shop. My youngest siblings washed it with me today in the rain and earned a Dairy Queen date. (A six and three dollar limit, respectively. Haha.)

I am so ready to quit posting updates and begin producing art. And watch a good film.

So: here's to the next two weeks. Here's to the rain.

Here's to shooting the Equinox 2011 collection on October 8th.

Rain, Rain, Please Stay.

It is raining outside; and the air is cool in this room. I am very tired, and sipping a deliciously rich cup of Traditional Medicinals tea to ward off a coming cold. Despite my long lists, I really only want to stare at the illustration I am making and hold my warm, hand-crafted mug. Hmm... and the beautiful garment rack my sweet father expertly stabilized for me, bursting with the coming autumn collection for Tandem, is completely distracting. So, here's a few delectable bits of reality to close a long day:

For cold prevention, I so far have... green tea, rooibos tea, antioxidants, Emergen-C Immune Booster, lemon/ginger/echinacea, Vitamin C, zinc, b-vitamins, Vitamin D, chicken broth, liquid, fruits and vegetables... and sleep. Oh yes; and my Gypsy Cold Care tea I splurged on earlier at the grocery store. If anyone has anything to add to this list (including, 'watching movies all day...') I would love to hear.

Kudos.

The Closet.

Whew. Over the weekend I gutted my space and very nearly overwhelmed myself---which is a truly rare experience. At one point, my sister walked into my room to find me standing listlessly with my Subliminal Messages t-shirt (can't wait to share that one...) pulled over my head. 

"Maybe if I don't look at it, it will go away."

If only. After much pain, stubbed toes, a walk with a friend, and gallons of black tea, I successfully revamped everything---my closet, storage, vintage organization, various equipment... etcetera. I added a couple goodies, too, which you guys will be very stoked to see...

The startup-disk is nearly full on my computer (groan) so I'll just share these photos of my closet for today! I really do think a person's space says a lot about who they are and what they value, so I'm very curious what you guys are going to think.

I found the 50% off sign in a parking lot. I purchased the beautiful, Indonesian-made mirror in Seaside, Oregon last summer.

Note: The bottom, grey/black sweater is my best friend's. Both her older brothers squeezed their bodies into it for a time. I cannot bring myself to get rid of it.

The clothes. There are a couple things I don't wear even still! In all reality, the up-cycled black jeans, cropped blue sweatshirt, charcoal grey, v-neck long sleeve are the only things I "need" to keep.

The little chest of drawers has made it to Australia and back and survived for decades in the family. 

Peacoat, hung up. It's weight is ripping a hole in my wall because I didn't take the time to properly mount the nail...

The tight fetish! Tip: tie them in loose knots. I DID give up a few pairs. 

This baby and I will go places someday. Kudos to anyone who owns an American Tourister.

I find a strange pleasure in the fact that the size of my laundry hamper is completely disproportional to the volume of worn clothes. 

Right now, I am ridiculously happy. Because I am painting. You guys are going to love this logo... I am essentially balking every common sense law of intelligent graphic design. (What's new?) But, I won't ruin the surprise. We'll see how it turns out. 

Trend Alert.

I posted these beautiful little things under the label 'corsets' several months ago, but it wasn't until recently that I noticed a growing admiration and playfulness with the style in the online fashion world. When Forever 21 picked up the trend with their "Style Clique" interview of prominent fashion bloggers (via the unbelievably gorgeous Elora) I decided to relist them as 'bustiers.' Lo and behold, these beauties have garnered a lot of traffic!

Elegant Nude Bustier, in store now.

Delicate Lace Bustier, in store now.

Silky Hourglass Bustier, in store now.

Daring Black Bustier, in store now.

I often notice them worn with cardigans, blazers, high-waisted tapered pants, and platforms. I kind of envision a semi-sheer, cropped tunic overtop with high-waisted jeans. And, of course, a fabulous skinny belt. What do you guys think?

 

Well, in a few days I should have a lookbook to share on a new website! I just overcame the strangest mental doldrum, and have various plans for a gorgeous new logo waiting to sketched and photographed. After that, I would like to do a 'studio' (hee hee) tour of the space I work out of. Have a lovely weekend, friends!

On our way...

Whew. The last couple weeks have been a bit of whirlwind; but I can happily say I am on my way to putting the shop where it needs to be!

My last  shipment from Amazon finally arrived today, so I can now start photographing and re-photographing some new listings for the shop. I have a fabulous 'back-to-school' mini look book planned. Teaser: think menswear, polka dots, geometric, Washington apples, and bold attitude.

I had the most delightful meeting with a good and lovely friend, Sonja. I asked her to be my stylist for a collection I'm planning to release in early October. Her skill is beyond belief, and she has professional-level styling tools. She said yes! We speak the same language. We are both obsessed with culture study, human nature, art, and potential in its various forms.

Her brain is the one I want to have next to me when I attempt this. When I showed her the very daring platform boots I bought on ebay for the look, she got this look on her face and said, "18th century England meets 90s grunge." WHAT???!?! Talk about genius! I almost fell over, I was so happy.

Even more perfect, this lovely woman is going to be in England for two weeks! We are going to have a serious fresh inspiration-fest when she returns.

Next up... nabbing a model. Cross your fingers, ladies; I need him to say yes!

Spent yesterday afternoon out at the spit. Oh, beauty.