Ethical Fashion

The tragedy of the factory building collapse and horrific death toll in Bangladesh is bringing forth new dialogues on clothing manufacturing. After listening to the interview Terry Gross had with author Elizabeth Cline on Fresh Air about ethical fashion I thought about the manufacturing chain that gets our clothes go through. While a good portion of my wardrobe is vintage, used, made by either R or my family tailor, the discussion made me think long and hard about my choices in purchasing new clothing  and how I can improve on those choices by buying less, and making more ethical choices. I applaud the major retailers for finally taking a move in bringing about change in the safety standards of the factories that manufacture their clothes in Bangladesh.

Do you have any recommendations for sources of ethical fashion?

10 ft. Single and Stella Dallas

We had to run an errand in Williamsburg last Friday so we decided to go and check out some stores while we were at it. I remembered this old blog post from Lena Corwin and thought it would be neat to check out the vintage textile store, Stella Dallas, and it's sister vintage clothing store, 10 ft. Single. Ross especially loved the selection of fabrics from Stella Dallas. We poured over the piles of fabrics, blankets, sheets, curtains, and bins. Ross picked out two pieces of vintage denim for an early bday gift for me to gift him. He was one happy guy when we left. Those two stores alone provided us with an afternoon's worth of entertainment especially since 10 ft. Single has such a huge selection of vintage clothes and shoes that we kept on saying "wow" as we moved further and further back into the store. There was a pair of black riding boots I fell hard for. If it weren't 3 sizes too big, they would be part of my Fall wardrobe. le sigh. Here's more info on store hours and location.

Where I yearn to go

I've been eying these hand-blocked quilts from West Elm ever since I got the catalog. I've been working on some old images of India at work and now this video of the artists hand-block printing the quilts has my heart yearning to go to Rajastan. I can just imagine the dilemma I'd have falling in love with all of the colors and patterns and trying to get everything to fit into my suitcase. *le sigh*

Fall Cozy

The temperature has dropped here in NY and I've been exclusively wearing this J.Crew sweater jacket and this goldenrod colored merino sweater on heavy rotation. I also re-found this fab belt that I scored in Beijing and had in the back of the closet for months. I totally dig that this mustardy yellow is popular.

I do want to mention that I felt extremely self conscious taking photos of myself. It seems bold. And speaking of self-consciousness in portraiture, on Saturday, I went to the opening of Matthew Buckingham's show, Likeness, at Murray Guy. The pieces bring forth a discussion about portraiture, self-image, mirrors. Plan to spend some time there as you contemplate the text and monologue.

Industrial Chic

Mags and I loved the industrial decor of the AllSaints store in Soho.

I want a broom for Christmas

Dustpan and Broom ©MOMA

Remember the broom and dustpan that I fawned over in Sweden? It's available here! MOMA has the Hans Edblad and Tove Adman designed Dustpan and Broom in red for $75 and DWR has the green one for $100, and the Irisgruppen site shows the full range of colors. Yes it's nuts to lust for something as utilitarian as a broom and dustpan and want it for Christmas as early as August but it is beautifully designed and I've tested it in the store. It's def. on my Christmas wish list!

Liberty of London

I've long admired Liberty of London fabric so the store was on our to-see list for London. I had no idea that it was much more than a fabric store. It's a beautiful department store with to-die-for wood detailing and well selected merchandise. We were all over the furniture department, as in trying to sit in every chair we've ever only seen online and touching everything. It was so awesome that we visited twice and bought a meter of the Memories of Rain fabric as our London memory. This photo is a bit yellow but you get the idea. Ross is going to fashion a tank top out of it for me. Fingers crossed that it happens before summer is over.

Sweet Success

On our way home from the country on Sunday, we decided to stop by Ikea to get brackets for some shelves Geoff is giving me. I remembered that there is a Cole Haan store at the Jersey Gardens Mall, an outlet mall. You never know when you might get lucky and Ross was super patient with me. We ran in to check out Cole Haan and I was granted the sweetest success after my long search for some waking/ work shoes. They have a 75% off sale and I found a pair of Cole, Rood & Haan shoes I've long admired but were way out of my price range. So I bought two pairs, in two colors. (Not pictured is the black pair.) I totally indulged (who needs two pairs of the same shoes?) and these won't be comfortable enough to walk all over the city in. But gosh, they are gorgeous.

I want want want

I killed my last pair of sweet hemp walking shoes from Simple while in Norway. I got caught in the rain one day and my shoes got soaked. After letting them dry out, I noticed mold on the inside of the shoe. I put them in the wash, on low spin and cold water and they shrank! The nerve. And I just got them this Spring and was planning that they'd last at least a year. So I pretty much spent the rest of my Norway trip looking like an American tourist in running sneakers and jeans. Very dorky.

I'm now on the hunt for new shoes even though I am on a budget, though you wouldn't believe it based on the wish list below. Did I mention that Norway is the most expensive place in the world and I spent all of my savings there? Think budget budget budget in the middle of the want want want chant.


Frye Alex Camp $138 on sale for $62, the sale price doesn't apply to me since it's not in my size. Damn! I've been wanting this one for at least half a year. Need to try on though and I can't find it in a store.


Camper TWS $170 down from $109. I know, heels don't constitute walking shoes but I lust for these. Also I can't even walk in heels. I tried these babies on and I definitely can't make it down the street in them.


Camper TWS $119 down from $140. These are nice and cute, wonder about comfort. They don't have these at the store. Only way to try on is to order them.


Camper Peu $79 down from $85. Affordable but I think I need to be able to waterproof them. (I apply gore-tex stuff to all my shoes to waterproof them, except of course, the last pair of Simples I mentioned above.)


Camper Peu $145 down from $160. I love the look of Peus on other people but they might just be a bit too flat for me. Love the grey. Not sold on the comfort level of these which I have tried on.

Air Elly Criss Cross $139 down from $198. My friend Crystal has these and they are so cute in person. Not a walking shoe though.

Air Astrid Ballet $148. I love ballet flats but they are always too flat. So I'm wondering if the Nike technology can really make these feel like your foot actually has support. They did not have these at the store.

The Jane $279 down from GASP! $375 (still expensive) Anyone have a Cole Haan connection for a discount? I wish I could afford The Jane.


Camper Slipper Pigskin Flat £54.03, only available in the UK (& Europe) but I cannot find it here. They are affordable and comfortable looking. Why did I not see these at the Camper store in London??? Anyone want to bring me a pair of these from the UK?

Knowing that I have super picky feet, I need to try these on in person. Plus Camper doesn't make half sizes and I am a half size so trying Campers on is a must for me. I went to the Woodbury outlet and hit Cole Haan and every other place I could think of that might have good shoes and it's a no go. I really need a fairy to bring me some shoes from London. Why is this so difficult?

(all images from Frye, Camper and Cole Haan)

Drawer space

We finally, finally, found a credenza to call ours this past weekend. I've been searching high and low on CL for a credenza for our bedroom and have come away empty handed for for weeks. We spotted our new love listed on CL by Open Air Modern, a store in Williamsburg that deals "Used Rare and Out of Print Books" and "Mid Century Modern Furniture." It's not a big store but the storekeeper, Matt, was very helpful and also put me on his email list for the next shipment of desks he's getting in. I'm looking to get a desk with some drawer space. I'm aiming to have an uncluttered desktop. Meanwhile, I'll just stare lovingly at all my new (used) furniture.

Furnishings

I have not been in a huge rush to furnish our apartment. I have things on the wish list and I can wait patiently until the right thing comes along. Well, after eating off my lap in the kitchen for nearly half a year, and staining more clothes than I really would like, I got fed up with not having a dining table. I threw a mini fit and declared it a mission for Saturday. We needed a small table, nothing too precious, just functional. Ross kindly whisked me away to Brooklyn Flea to launch our search. It was the perfect day. The Flea was totally packed with more vendors than I remembered and lots more food options. Unfortunately, there were barely any furniture vendors, or at least ones with a selection I preferred. So the only thing we walked away with was the table lamp above. I love the wood detailing and will use it as a bedside lamp.



We try not to waste our trips to Brooklyn (it's an effort). We went off in search of Brook Farm General Store in Williamsburg. It's beautiful in the "I wish I could be this neutral and serene" kind of way. I had spotted the solar powered radio online and coveted it. We immediately took a liking to it in person and scooped it up. It's compact and green, what's not to like?

The search did not end there. On our way back to the BQE, I spotted a store front that had some pyrex on display and then a sidewalk sale a block down. The pyrex display turned out to be a shop that sold cookware (new and used), some food items, and it had a butcher counter in the back. I didn't catch the name but I swear it was the hippest butcher counter I have ever laid my eyes on. The sidewalk sale turned out to be a diamond in the rough. I scored this round mid-century-esque formica table and the cute sewing box there. Both cleaned up nicely with some soap and water (The sewing box/stool was so filthy that I thought it would be a re-upholstery project). I was so giddy after finding that table it was ridiculous (some really basic things can make me so satisfied).



I'm trying to decide if I should find a pendant light or just install these double yellow lights I have (need to photograph them). I also need to hang something on the wall, it's a bit empty right now.



The sewing stool is now sitting by the entryway and will be used for storing hats, my umbrella and to be used when putting on shoes.



PS- We had a People's Pop's plum and mint pop at the flea. It was worth the $3.50 splurge and they also have a location at Chelsea market. I am on the hunt for a nice popsicle kit. Any suggestions?

Touch of Special

Anthropologie is my favorite store to go into for inspiration and I almost never buy anything from there because I come away with the idea that I'll make something instead and get my craft on (though I almost never do). They're having a fairly good sale right now, with different merchandise on sale at each store (yes, I've been to all 3 in NYC this past week). I picked up a couple of things but am most smitten by this tank with a knitted collar. It's neutral but with a touch of special.



You can see just a bit of the new linen curtains Ross made for the BR. He's going to make some actual ties for the curtains so that they can be hooked onto those hooks I also picked up as curtain tie backs (not on sale).

And aren't my string of pearls growing nicely? (courtesy of nice bf)

The Big Tax Day

I filed my taxes before I went on the second Mexico trip. And to my delight, I'm actually getting money back (thanks to the home credit)! I already have plans for that money. The first thing to do is to hand half of it to my Mom who was completely generous during the purchase of THE Apartment. Some of the other things I'd like to do with the money (obviously I'm not thinking too hard about saving) is to finish furnishing THE Apartment. Here's a small list of things I want:

1. food processor (currently borrowing my Mom's)
2. Curtain tracks for BR "closet"
3. Fabric for those curtain tracks
4. Mid-century credenza for BR storage
5. Night table (maybe a wall mounted shelf)
6. Some kind of dining table solution (maybe a desk or just some legs for a leftover piece of butcher block we have)

I better stop there, otherwise I'll just sound rich and greedy.

The Jane

Instead of a dining table, I think I should save up for the Jane. I wish it came in another color, like dark brown. So out of reach...

While I'm at it, I also like these oxfords. And I really am in need of a pair of comfortable walking shoes as all my current ones are wearing down. Alas, my debt to my contractor NEEDS to be paid off.

Gridlock

View from (new) Living Room, originally uploaded by plumandlion.

My weekend was spent in the car. It felt like we were on a long never-ending road trip. On Friday we went to Ikea Elizabeth and picked up base cabinets for the kitchen, only to figure out later that we didn't account for the width of the water pipes.

Saturday we took a 4 hour round trip drive to Mine Hill, New Jersey where there was a new Kohler tub for $200 at the Habitat for Humanity Restore. Unfortunately someone beat us to it by an hour. No tub. We did pick up a pendant lamp that looks Danish Modern that we plan on hanging in the living room.

Back to Ikea Red Hook on Sunday for about four hours of waiting in lines and reordering kitchen cabinets. The saving grace to Sunday was ducking into Fairway around 4pm for a late lunch on the waterfront. The temperature was amazingly mild enough as we watched the skies turn pink over the water.

We're still waiting on one more bid for the bathroom redo. The first two being higher than we anticipated. I was hoping to settle this before taking off to have Thanksgiving with the Minzenbergs in Pittsburgh tomorrow. Humph. Good things come to those who are patient?

Growing Up, and Becoming Scandinavian

Feet in the Air Rona Chang

I've decided that it's high time to grow up. Physically I mean. I've always worn flats because I like the way they look and I tend to trip in heels and never got used to them. But earlier this year, I started having foot/ shoe trouble. I went to the podiatrist and he basically recommended that I wear some heels and get a custom orthopedic shoe insert made (kaching $$$500). I've been buying shoe inserts instead and while it's gotten better, I still haven't gone for the the height. This summer I realized that clogs might be the answer, they are higher but not tippy. Cool Swedish girls like Camilla wear them and have been wearing them forever. A whole population of people can't be wrong, right? My new boss T was wearing some Dansko ones and I asked her about them. She said they were great. Clogs are kind of clunky but I went and tried on a couple of Dansko Professional Pull-Up Clogs and think they could possibly work but are slightly pricey. So I'm considering those or a pair of vintage ones (the set back is that I can't try the ones I have my eyes on online). Anyone have clog wisdom they want to let me in on? I'm all ears at this point. (All other wisdom taken too.)

Simple Mocs

It turns out that I think I'm pretty gifted. Check out the mocs I made from the Simple kit. To those who think they might want to rock the same look, be aware that this process makes your fingers really sore!!! (These run narrow and you have to order up. The kit is on super sale and is below $5- the price amazingly includes shipping!)

Flokati Baby!

I know it's way too warm to think about anything this fuzzy and warm but I scored this Flokati rug at a estate sale this past weekend. Love it, love it, love it (esp. now that it's clean). I also got the chair of my dreams, but more on that later.

The Run Around

Sorry to not have popped in sooner. I have another cold clogging up my head. I'm just sitting here wising it would let up because it's so beautiful outside, everyday. It's torturous. I thought I'd share some pics from last weekend to make up for posting. Ross and I went to DUMBO with Jack, my cousin's cousin. He's visiting from TW and I thought I'd show him around Brooklyn a bit since he had no clue what the borough looked like. We walked around Brooklyn Heights and DUMBO and went to Grimaldi's, whose service is lacking but is still serving some amazing pies. We also saw some shows at NYPH so it was a lovely day.

I picked up a new Mr.T-shirt from my friend Noah. Love it.


Noah gave me this button for my soon to be status.


I bought an old Coach bag from a stoop sale for $5.


We went to see my friend, Jennifer Williams's show [FLŌ] @ A.I.R. Gallery which is up until May 24, 2009 (This Sat!!!) It's an amazing show, so go!




A.I.R. Gallery
111 Front Street, #228 Brooklyn, NY 11201
Gallery Hours: Wednesday - Sunday 11am - 6pm
212-255-6651
info@airgallery.org
www.airgallery.org

When I got home, I got two of Ann's books in the mail. I will be working with some of these poems for the Breathing In book. More images coming soon, maybe in a week or two. Promise.