I picked this tote up back in January, and I’m still feeling it’s awesomeness.  It’s absolute madness how much a woman needs to carry with her when she has more than one child.  Madness!  Sometimes I feel like it takes more time to pack us up than be out.  But with this Mary Poppins number, I’m never without a thing. It’s just grab the bag the size of my torso and go.  In fact, I almost feel like I’m living out of a carry-on and I like it. Now I can just as resourceful as Michelle Pfeiffer in One Fine Day.  Remember when when her son accidentally gets ice cream all over her work attire before her big presentation, and she pulls on that child size dinosaur shirt from her bag and throws a scarf over the rest? Or the raincoat she just happens to have with her as it starts pouring at the soccer match? Or the best use of the bag: when she constructs superhero costumes for the kids at the the 9th street drop-off because it’s hero day and the kids can’t go inside without costumes, right?  And that’s when George Clooney turns to her and says, “W-Where’d you get a bag like that?”

Dearest Fred Flare,
Please bring back your diamante fox ring that went on backorder and then never returned.
Because you broke my heart.  And I would give him such a nice home.

Signed,
Jenny

While looking for some royalty free images for a project I’ve been working on, I came across paper pursuits.  Browsing through the vintage spreads and couturier sewing patterns has me wistful for days gone by when women dressed to the nines.  Good thing there are so many occasions to dress up this time of the year – because I love to!

These Christian Louboutin Miss Clinchy boots completely fascinate me.  Probably because I can’t get through my day on anything higher than a two and a half inch heel, and even if I could, they aren’t really my style… but still, I can’t stop looking at them. I had an issue of Flare that I picked up while in Canada spread out in front of me the other night when I was painting landscapes and somehow ended up painting these too.  I mean – - – Ponyhair. Leopard. Print.  So outrageously high and sculptural and insane, they look like an object d’art to me.  Can one use a shoe as a vase?  Oh well, If you can’t wear ‘em, paint ‘em. (The other boot is just out of my imagination, but more my style.)

Over the weekend, I went thrifting for the first time in ages. I didn’t have my usual shopping mojo, but I did come away with this incredible pair of twist earrings. I can’t decide if I will wear them as is, or turn them into rings…

Speaking of sweet knits… for all of you in the Portland area, you have a fantastic opportunity to attend a special trunk show held at IDOM Designs Boutique this friday, August 21st!  (Click on the flyer for enlarged view with all the details.)

Textura offers handmade knits from Uruguay to consumers who value both high-quality design and fair compensation. Our curated collection has been crafted by a diverse group of women, including rural knitters, seasoned weavers and emerging urban designers. In expanding their market access to North America, Textura aims to preserve an ancient craft, promote economic and social development, and offer you, the consumer, modern knits that are both beautiful and practical.

Over a year ago, I was excited to find an email from Christina DesVaux, a recent Brown graduate who was then about to move to Uruguay on a Rotary Scholarship to do research.  She told me that she was looking for the relationship between Fair Trade and artisan cooperatives in South America and had some questions about my own impressions from living there.  So we swapped a few notes here and there, and since then I have often wondered what Christina’s adventures brought her.  I’m so excited to find that Textura is the result of her time down there!  I can’t think of a more meaningful way to shop, so lucky you if you happen to be in PDX and can make it to see this fantastic collection and come home with some gorgeous treasures to wear this season!

Be still my beating heart.  It has just been announced that this december, RODARTE will become the next installment in Target’s GO International series. Squeal!  (Just in time for my new mommy body to be back into shape, yes!)  I’ve browsed the racks each time Target has had a designer collaboration, but I’ve never been more excited than this one, not even when Orla Kiely hit them.  I wonder how the Mulleavy sisters will translate their intricate, layer loving designs for the masses?  (And hey, if it doesn’t fit the average jane’s taste, more for me!)

Some rodarte to gaze upon until december comes . . .

You gotta love this genius blog I recently discovered whose tagline reads, “Proof from the wizened and silver-haired set that personal style advances with age.” I couldn’t agree more. I don’t understand how people fear aging.  Certainly the more wisdom and experience we have, the more we come into our own. And best of all, the more we can get away with wearing whatever we want.

Like these darling ladies, sitting outside the New museum cafe, 85 and 92 years old!

Or Mimi, with her an elegant hat, pictured here with Mr. Advanced Style himself.  Note to self: if I ever make it to my 90s, hats like this are a must!

See more age-spiring photographs at Advanced Style.

Check out this nifty little formula to help you get in front of everyone’s favorite fashion photographer Scott Schuman, aka the Sartorialist, created by Refinery29.  So brilliant! I think some laminated pocket sized editions of this are in order.  And speaking of order… I already pre-purchased The Sartorialist book and cannot wait for it to arrive at my doorstep.

While waiting for the big news, I thought I would share some art related news.  My jewelry recently accompanied the work of talented fashion designer Jennifer Evans, going down the runway at the London AIU 2009 Fashion Show in May. I’m so honored to have been a part of the show! And as you can see, her collection is absolutely breathtaking…