Edith Head

Since my kids were toddlers we've been going to the library regularly. I let them pick out their own books and I usually bring a few home for myself. I've always loved books and magazines. I read a little of everything, a while back I picked up a book in Costume Design and was fascinated by the costume Designer Edith Head.

As you can see in these pictures, she has a very unique and unforgettable look. Later on when I saw "The Incredibles" I thought she looked a lot like Edna Mode, right?

Edith was "The Costume Hollywood Designer" for decades, from the 20's to the 70's she was very influential, successful and awarded. I really admire the incredible amount of beautiful costumes she created throughout the years, she was nominated for 35 Academy Awards, including every year from 1948 through 1966, and won eight times, that's more Oscars than any other woman. I think that's pretty amazing.
One of the most interesting things I found about her was that she was never trained as a designer, she went to school to be a Spanish teacher!? For her first job she actually borrowed her friends sketches, but in the end she proved to be the best at what she did.

Here are some of my favorite Edith Head's creations:




She is also credited with the fashions Audrey Hepburn wore at "Breakfast at Tiffany's" but most of the dresses were designed by Hubert Givenchy (who I also love!) under Edith Head's supervision, I hope to write about him soon.

Fashion finds

I like fashion, I don't have the time or patience to shop very often. Plus, I usually have little William attached to my front with a carrier, so trying things on is a little difficult :)

I do really enjoy reading fashion blogs/websites, magazines, watching shows like "What not to wear" and I looooove project runway and I wish I was on it :)!

But I digress, I wanted to share with you a few things I found at this awesome site called ASOS, it's new to America (it started in the UK I think), but now they sell in the US and they have free shipping both ways!!

Here are a few of my favorites:

This is cool, edgy but sweet, I love this biker jacket.

I'm not a big fan of Capri pants,
I think they make legs short and they age women,
but these are young, hip and stylish, I want them!I love a nice blouse that doesn't look matronly,
this one is perfect!

This top is a stylish option to a sweatshirt,
it looks so comfortable but not frumpy at all.

Which is your favorite?

How to get that thing out of your kids nose

Every night we have homework. I say "we" because it's not just the boys that have to sit there and do it, Matt and I have to supervise, help and correct the homework. They have lots of homework and they get bored and distracted, I mean they are 6 and 7 they have so many other things they'd rather be doing.

The other night I was helping Nico while Joey was across the table doing his work, the baby was in his play pen and Matt was on the phone. All of the sudden I look over at Joey and see that he's about to start crying.

Me: Joey what's the matter?
Joey: I did something really dumb (crying now)
Me: what did you do Joey? Tell me, I can help.
Joey: I put the Orbeez up my nose and I can't get it out (crying harder now) BTW Orbeez are little gel like balls that grow when you soak them in water, he got one from a friend at school.
Me: It's OK Joey I'll get it out, don't worry (very worried inside, but I faked being calm really well)
Joey: I'm I going to die?
Me: No honey it will be OK (trying not to laugh and cry at the same time)

I looked up his nose and couldn't see anything, to top it off the Orbeez was clear and it was way up there! I remembered that one of my friends had something similar happen and that the solution at the ER was pretty simple, something like blowing your nose while you cover one nostril and keep your mouth close. I asked him to try that a few times, it did not work! It was not good, I really didn't want to go to the ER.

I told him to stay calm and I ran to my computer and googled it, I found an answer right away at this blog and I went to work following the directions.

First, I asked him to lay down, then I covered the open nostril and put my my mouth over his as if I were going to perform CPR, I then blew into his mouth as hard as I could and voila! the Orbeez literally shot out of his nose and hit my leg (along with snot). I was so relieved, Joey was so happy he couldn't stop laughing. Actually Nico and I couldn't stop laughing either, I think it was because we were relieved, nervous, surprised and amused by the whole thing.

In the meantime, Matt was still on the phone and never even knew what happened. Lucky him!!

Now you know how to get that thing out of your kids nose, I hope you don't have to use this knowledge :).

isn't he sweet?

Inspiration

I save pictures and clippings of things that inspire me, not just clothes, but flowers, paper, furniture, toys, etc.

Here are a few things that I used for Spring 2011 that helped me with the design process:

Spring 2011 Sneak Peak

I wanted this collection to have be classic, whimsical, delicate, feminine, modest, comfortable and fun. I hope I achieved it!

The beautiful photography was done by Zenia Photography, she is so talented and sweet!

The collection will be available in stores February 2011. Here is a sneak peak, let me know what you think!

33 FREE!!!

I am so incredibly happy today, I can't stop watching the reports of the rescue. I've been following the news of the rescue efforts ever since the miners were trapped, but when the countdown started yesterday I just couldn't stop watching. I get emotional each time a miner comes up, seeing them finally embrace their loved ones, meeting and hugging the rescuers, having the President greet them and hug them, is just all so touching, did I mention I can't stop watching?!

It's so cool to see great news on TV for a change, reality TV can be about nothing important, many times news can be about silly celebrities getting in trouble, but this, this is real and it matters.

These miners are amazing, simple, hardworking, salt of the earth people. I'm still amazed at how they organized themselves, they made the little food they had last 17 days when they only had enough for 2 days. They made sure they were disciplined by having a hierarchy and following their leaders. They had shifts and planned ahead, they even made dominoes out of pieces of cardboard and played together to pass the time. Once they knew they had been found they danced, sang and gave their families words of encouragement. All the stories about their brotherhood and endurance inspire me and it makes me want to know more about their ordeal. They are a great testament to the human spirit and an I feel they are an example to all of us.

I talk to my parents almost daily and they tell me how Copiapo is doing and how this has changed them, my mom cries with each story (my dad too, but I'm not supposed to tell you that) she calls me when there are news she thinks I'd like to know.
I'm so far away from them, yet I feel so close to all of it right now. I will always remember these events, I hope my children do too. It's been wonderful to see people come together in such a positive way; the miners underground, the workers trying to rescue them and the world watching, hoping and praying for the miners safe return. It just fills my heart with pride and joy.

I taught my kids the CHILE chant, you probably have heard it a dozen times by now, here it goes;

C - H - I , CHI! L - E , LE! CHI CHI CHI LE LE LE VIVA CHILE!!!


Here is a video of Mario Sepulveda, he is such a fun guy, he kept this cheerful attitude even while he was underground!

Winner and other updates

I said I would post the winner this morning, sorry for being late. Pinters, you won! please email me and I'll send the little dress your way.

I'm late writing because this morning I was busy=late getting the kids ready for school, then I was off to the California textile show. I had to take Mr. William with me, I was a bit worried about bringing him along because I usually go on my own and I didn't want him to be bored and tired, but he was such a doll. Everyone kept trying to talk to him and he had a smile for everybody. It took me way longer to see everything and place orders while taking care of him and answering questions about his age and hair (he has long hair at 6 months) but it was so much fun. Most of the designers that attend these types of shows are single or have no kids, so William was a novelty, I even had one of the reps ask me if she could hold him.

It's always a very interesting crowd to say the least, I usually try to dress nice when I attend the show, everyone there is so stylish and original. Having my baby attached with an Ergo carrier doesn't really allow me to be very fashionable, so today I was wearing yoga pants and a t-shirt, it made me feel a little "frumpy" around all the skinny jeans, layered tops, heals and hats, and that's just what the guys were wearing!

I found a few fabrics for Fall 2011 and lots of trims and embellishments, oh the possibilities!! I'm not even done with Spring 2011 and I'm already dreaming about Fall. But seriously; ribbon, buttons, flowers, fabrics and bows are so cool, can you blame me? I could really spend all day at the show, some people spend all 3 days looking, but I have kids to pick up, piano lessons to drive to and homework to get done, so a few hours has to do. I'm not complaining here, I wouldn't have it any other way. I mean, I love everything about designing and fashion, it's a little bit of an obsession, but I have a few (4 at home) loves that are way more important.

I'm having the Spring line photo shoot next week. I'm so exited that Zenia from ZeniaPotography will be taking the pictures. Zenia is a great Los Angeles photographer, she so talented and has such a great eye for children's photography, I just know the pictures will be amazing. I can't wait to share them with you!

Well, I have to go get some more sewing done before I crash tonight and dream some more about fabrics and color combos. Do you have "little obsessions" that you love and dream about?