Liberty @ J.Crew

Have you been to J. Crew lately? It is brimming with Liberty florals. Shirts, pants, jackets, shoes, belts...all in bloom! The best thing though, is that right now a lot of it is on Sale. I totally snagged a shirt and jacket and am considering going back for me. I'm seriously tempted by the pink jacket below. 

What else have you been up to this Spring? I've been a bit MIA, as I started a New Job (!) and have been busy with that. I am happy to say that I am working at Indygo Junction, a pattern/fabric design company who happens to be in Kansas City. It's been crazy as we are getting ready to go to quilt market next month, but I'm excited that I still get to work in the fabric/sewing world.

Anyway, back to J. Crew...

Selfridge window displays

I have a very romantic vision of department stores. Marshall Fields & Co., Liberty of London, Harrods, Bloomingdale's, the list goes on. I love the idea of a monument built for shopping. The variety of products, all bought to tempt and delight customers. The detail that went into customer service at the great department stores is amazing. Restaurants, dances, even all girl gun clubs. So, when I saw the trailer for Mr. Selfridge on PBS, I was SO EXCITED.

Selfridges is a great department store. In fact, they have been voted best department store in the world in both 2010 and 2011. Not too shabby. Anyway, when I think of Selfridges the first thing that pops in my mind is window displays. They are known for their innovative and artistic window displays, and I found some that I would like to share...

Women's wear from the 1920's

Delicious cheese from the 1930's

Swingin' 60's window 

David Hicks front and center

Selfridges centennial celebration window

 

Yayoi Kusama and Louis Vuitton window from Fall 2012

 

Vivienne Westwood window

See more Selfridge windows at Wallpaper, The Window Display Blog, & smudgetikka

Pink palace

I with I could tell you that I haven't been blogging because I've been sailing the high seas, or sewing a gown or learning to fly or something. That's not the case though, I've just been kind of busy, and kind of lazy. A deadly combination!

This weekend though I did make something useful, curtains! I bought this gorgeous pink stripe upholstery fabric at Home Fabric and Rugs for $5 (!!) a yard. That my friends, is a deal. I made 4 curtains for our bedroom to divide the huge room. 

Then I realized that this old Amy Butler fabric would look really nice with it. Currently it is in dress form, but since I never wear the dress, I think I can cut it up for throw pillows. 

 

The bedroom was never meant to be pink, and now it's looking like the pink palace. This all came about because our huge pink breakfront from the store landed as a bookcase in the bedroom. Then we saw the stripe fabric, and look how perfect they are together! 

Don't worry though, we will be diluting the color a little with some dark grey carpet, which is on order. (SO excited!) and a dark grey valance which is on order in E and I's head. Which means that we are going to make it. Hopefully soon. Has anyone ever made a 12 foot valance? I could use some advice...

Diaghilev and the Ballet Russes

Friends, I think it is time to make a visit to our nation's capitol. Not to see the monuments, or visit historical buildings, no, we must go to see the new exhibit Diaghilev and the Ballet Russes at the National Gallery. 

The Ballet Russes was the groundbreaking dance troupe that brought the art to new heights using collaborations with artists such as Picasso, Matisse and Chanel, among others. The costumes! The sets! The posters and inspiration! I can't even imagine how amazing this show will be. It is born of an exhibit shown at the V&A in 2010, but has new pieces previously unseen. 

I've already started nagging J about going to DC this summer. However, it may take some time to convince him, since we just booked a (very short) trip to Nashville. Really, I'm barking up the wrong tree on that one, what I should be asking is, E, do you want to go to DC with me? You will love it!

Glitter shoes

 Here is a question for you, have any of you glittered shoes before? I assume all you need is some spray glue, glitter and a dream, but I haven't done it, so who knows. What I do know is that I have an extra pair of tap shoes and a whole lot of glitter. My main tap shoes are a plain black heel pair, but I still have my patent flats from when I was in high school, and I think it's time to glitter them. Any advice would be welcome.

Also, what color should I glitter? It seems that silver, gold and red are already available. Do I go pink, green or even purple?? What would you do?

Redecorating. Again

So, today really is my first fully no-work day after closing the store. (By the way, if you hear of any awesome jobs in KC, send them my way!) It turns out when you know you are going to have some time on your hands, your mind (if you are like me) runs, naturally, to redecorating. Again.

Our front room is a bit of a wasted space. It has a baby grand piano which takes up a lot of it, and a couple of attractive, though, perhaps less than comfortable chairs. To welcome the hulking black piano in the corner I brought black pieces in the room..rug, armoire, etc. That however, was a mistake. Now, I think it is time to bring in the light. Which, I hope will bring J and I in to use it the room.

And guess what my inspiration is! Oh, you know, just a little trip to Disneyland. Hear me out now, before you judge. Our walls are a light blue/green with white trim. I want some color and noticed that the blue very similar to the blue in these classic Disneyland cups.

I love that blue with the creamsicle orange. That same creamy color I was taken with in the rooms below.

If I had this patio, I would never leave it. Ever. 

Then, I saw these images on pinterest with a sunny yellow with a similar blue/green and how gorgeous is that? But, I'm iffy about yellow, it is so hard to find the right color. At any rate, may have found the perfect creamsicle fabric today for drapes. At $3 a yard! I'll keep you posted.

Also, we have to put my new Dumbo print in here. So, the room will basically look like an Easter egg. Also, look at Walt with that hat on! Hilarious!

Paul Poiret

So, Paul Poiret. Hats off to you, my good sir. Your fantastic creations are among the most stunning I've seen. As one of the first designers to push the non-corseted look, I think I can speak for most women, and their internal organs, in saying we appreciate that. Although your more fantastical costume-y creations tend to spring to mind when I think of you (you and your lampshade tunics!) at closer inspection, your tamer designs are perfect for every day wear. 

It is a shame that your design house only lasted a mere 23 years, closing in 1929. And even more shameful that you died penniless and forgotten by most. (High five to Elsa Schiaperelli for keeping your name alive!) However, in the long run, you will be remembered for you exotic designs that propelled fashion forward to the modern age. Well done you!