Published an Article in the Latest Intercom Magazine!

So, I know none of you would ever think about reading Intercom, but I still thought it would be worth a mention. I wrote an article for the latest issue and I wanted to share it with you all!

It's a technical writing magazine and I was asked to write an article about value in technical communication (my day job), so I did. My article is "Enhancing the Perceived Value of Your Technical Communication Department in Hard Times."

P.S. Going to 2 crafty nights this week, so hopefully I'll have some new projects soon. I'm working lots of extra hours these days, so not finding too much time for crafts and sewing or inspiration. The first BurdaStyle Mountain View club meets on Friday in San Mateo. Let me know if you are interested in joining!

Renegade craft fair in sf this weekend!!!

From the website: The second annual Renegade Craft Fair in SAN FRANCISCO will take place JULY 18 + 19 from 11am – 7pm, at Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion.

I went to this last year and it was a blast! I made a purse while I was there courtesy of Threadbanger! I also talked to the BurdaStyle ladies and the CraftStylish people, too. Plus there were lots of indie designers there. It was super fun!! Come on out if you can.

Giant Clothing Swap in Oakland this weekend!

From the rock! paper! scissors! collective website:

Woooo hoooo! It's Rock Paper Scissors Collective's Best Clothing Swap Ever!

This is the easiet way to new summer wardobe. Bring a sack of clean clothes and shoes and trade them away for new ones.

We'll have food a drinks for sale, sweet mood music, and maybe even a raffle or two! Sewing machines will be available for making alterations on your new duds, as well.

Bring your clothes! Bring your friends! Let's swap!

Day: Saturday, July 18
Time: 2-5pm
Location: 2278 telegraph ave., oakland, ca 94612 (I assume from the website, anyway).

FUN!
PC. rock paper scissors collective

New BurdaStyle sewing club badge!

Just wanted to show it to you. Fun, right?!

Winner of the Amniogenesis skin care giveaway: Alda!!!

Congrats, Alda! You'll be getting your prize soon. :-)

I Like Feminine Fashion Better...

Who What Wear Daily put out their July summer story today and it's a perfect example of why I'm finding myself disinterested in fashion lately. I know you must be surprised. But I realized it this week: I like feminine fashion better.

A few years ago I would have thanked my lucky stars if fashion = casual wear. But I now realize that fashion's appeal for me is more than putting together a work of art. I want a work of art that is difficult, requires new forms or the creative adaptation of the old. It is an item-by-item build of a masterpiece, that, when complete, brings out the beauty and magnificence of the wearer, while managing to be incredibly current at the same time. To me, fashion is glamor. Expense. Beauty. The form of the body.

Fashion right now seems to be about menswear and dressing down. Womenswear looks androgynous. I do find this kind of fashion interesting and inspiring. To a point. And then, I seek the feminine, the beauty, and the drawing out of the female figure, not hiding or masking it. This is why I hate 80's fashion so much. I HATE big baggy clothes that take away from the beauty of the body, which, of itself, is a work of art. What do you think? Is fashion getting too casual? Or is there inspiration to be drawn from it that I may not have tapped yet?

P.C.: WWW daily

I want a new haircut!

I need a new hairstyle. My hair dye is fading fast and my hair is seriously damaged at the ends. I think it's time to try a new cut to get rid of some of the damage. And I'd like to cut a fairly significant portion off. In a little while I think I'll color it darker again, too. But not for awhile.

So, I was thinking something like these. I'm limited in the selection of hairstyles, because I'm way too lazy to straighten my hair (although, maybe I would if there was less of it) and it will be a mighty mess if I get anything too layered or unlayered or not designed for anything but curly or wavy hair. Sooo... what do you think? Could I pull any of these off?

PC: hairstyles-haircuts.net; zimbio.com

Lace Leaf Scarf

So I started this Lace Leaf Scarf. It's my first lace project. I attempted one many years ago, but failed rather miserably. So I gave up and got a few more years of experience under my belt. And, here we are again! I'm making it with some fabulous wool/silk DK weight yarn from Colourmart UK (who I LOVE--you MUST try it). I think the yarn is a bit thick for the needles and hence my lace project is more of a textured one. Oh well! Live and learn.

I've been struggling with deep unmotivation lately. I've been very tired from running. Aaron and I are training for a 1/2 marathon and the 8 mile runs on weekends tire me out. Plus, it's summer and there's lots to do, so I haven't done much sewing. I have so many projects I want to make, though. At least I'm reading how to start a fashion business, so if I'm sitting on the couch, I'm still being productive... Also, I'm probably going to take a draping class in the fall, so I'm excited to learn more stuff.

Biggest Dog Ever, Gorgeous Wedding at Half Moon Bay, and SummerThing

My dad was in town this weekend, so we took him around town for Father's Day. In Palo Alto we saw a huge dog. I don't know if you can tell by this pic, but he's at least 3 feet tall:

We did some wine tasting in the Santa Cruz Mountains and stopped at the Ritz in Half Moon Bay for some wine at ENO. While we were there, we got a gorgeous view a long with some pics of a gorgeous Indian wedding that was taking place. Isn't this an amazing place for a wedding?!

On Sunday, we headed up to Golden Gate Park in SF for SummerThing--a free music festival put on my 97.3 ALICE. We saw Sugar Ray, Matt Nathanson, and Gavin Rossdale (YUM!) there. Good times!

Another Blog Giveaway (YAY! FREE STUFF)--this time it's easy for you, folks!

Comment on this post by June 30 and you'll be entered in a drawing to win this!

Endless hot summer days inevitably bring about the battle to protect our skin. As we unpack our favorite beach blankets and swim suits, we also pull out bulky hats and goopy sun blocks in an attempt to ward off the damaging rays of the sun.

As we know, prolonged exposure to the sun- UVA and UVB rays, pollution, and even wind can damage and age our skin. According to a study published in the scientific journal Biogerontology, “environmental factors have been shown to cause major changes in both the structure and biophysical properties of the skin.” Over exposure to the sun actually changes the DNA of the skin, free radicals are produced feeding off of naturally occurring antioxidants found within the body. Antioxidants can work to ward off free-radical damage and can slow or even prevent oxidative damage (the aging process) to the body.

AminoGenesis Skin Care is leading the way by developing the first amino acid-based skincare line. According to AminoGenesis founder Ron Cummings, “collagen and elastin are both made of amino acids, which are proteins found in the skin. The skin becomes depleted of amino acids through environmental factors and the natural aging process.” Combining plant derived amino acids with anti-oxidants, AminoGenesis has created Perfect Reflection, an all natural anti-aging serum. By utilizing:

• Vitamin A
• Improves skin elasticity, texture, firmness and smoothness
• Vitamin C
• Protects collagen from oxidation, reduces dark spots, helps the
  skin remain soft and supple
• Vitamin D
• Helps improve skin feel and texture and is an important factor in
  epidermal cell turnover
• CoQ10
• This element is the spark that helps cells create energy and helps
  preserve vitamin E

Perfect Reflection has been proven to repair sun damage, relieve dryness, decrease the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and improves skin elasticity, texture, firmness, and smoothness.

• Perfect Reflection: AminoGenesis’ Perfect Reflection anti-aging serum combines four powerful anti-oxidants (vitamin A, C, D and CoQ10) with AminoGenesis’ base formula of 17 amino acids. This silky smooth water-based formula penetrates the skin rapidly delivering moisture and skin-rejuvenating nutrients for the most beautiful, youthful and healthy skin possible! Price: $69

Winner of the last drawing: Aaron!

Congrats, Aaron! You're gift will arrive soon. Fortunately, I know your email address (and your actual address), but in the future please be sure to put that in your comment! :-)

Fashion Bash Review: Institute Liberal, Effie's Heart, Klub Nico and more!

I went to fashion bash and found some fabulous new and interesting clothing designers! Most of them were local and the lines were small enough that I got to meet the designers right there! I'm now a big fan of some new lines of clothing I want to share with you.

First, Institute Liberal. I could not find a website and online I found only a couple stores selling random stock, so keep an eye out. The designer himself was there (didn't catch his name) and his clothes were unique and fun without being childish. A little punk, a little casual, a little edgy, and still fashionable and feminine. I was surprised to find a line that held my interest with lots of little details--leather appliques, embroidery, lace, and screen printing.

Next, I met Kimo from Effie's Heart and OMG, these clothes were amazing. She has somehow mastered the art of comfortable fashion. The clothes were cut well for many female body types and the fabric was perfect (I don't say this lightly, believe me). It was excellent quality--silks, cottons, hardly any synthetics, and thick or lined. My favorite dress was the sweetheart dress (the red one above). It was a silk knit (YUM!) and fully lined. It was cut perfectly and gorgeous. What's more, is the price was only $86 retail. Frankly, this is the kind of thing I'd see from Tahari or DVF for at least $500, so I was really impressed with the quality. Kimo herself is incredibly fun and nice. Definitley buy this line if you can!

Finally, I met Kelley from Klub Nico. I tried on a lot of her shoes and they were VERY comfortable. She's another local designer based out of the Santa Cruz area.
Her shoes seem to be very well made and cute! Every pair I tried was sexy AND comfortable, which is hard to do. Her shoes are made in Brazil and surprisingly inexpensive for the quality. Consider this line, too!

Yay! Indy designers! I'm starting to really see the value in supporting local independent designers. I'm becoming more and more impressed at the good deals for high value of lesser-known names. You just have to know a bit about quality (spend an hour feeling all the clothes in Saks or Neiman Marcus and you'll figure it out) and you're all set. What do you know? I might be a convert for paying full retail on indy fashion yet...

Off to Fashion Bash! Join me if you are in SF!

80% off designer fashions? Um, YES! Count me in! Go here if you are interested in more info...

What's Your Favorite DIY Website? Comment Here and Win Stuff!

So it seems that I just can't get away from rompers. I was shopping in Loehmann's with a friend this weekend and saw what I thought were adorable dresses, then I saw the shorts and shuddered. Then I had a conversation with a friend who found them adorable and now BurdaStyle.com has posted a pattern for one and I'm left thinking, "What the heck?!" So I guess I better get on board. Or, maybe just sit in silent protest. At the very least, it got me even more motivated to create some patterns for some other new and bizarre fashions, like these here:


Threadbanger posted a DIY project for these drop-crotch pants recently and frankly I don't like any of their pattern suggestions. I'm totally convinced that these can be really easy to make, so I'm on a mission to create an easy version and, hopefully, a tutorial. I need to get on that. So, while we are in the spirit of DIY, I needed a new contest for another blog GIVEAWAY! YAY!

This time I'm giving away a three step line from Aroma-Sothys. To enter, simply comment on this post with your favorite DIY website or blog (I will also accept a fashion website or blog or discount fashion website) and your email address or a way for me to contact you if you win. I'll enter you in a drawing to win! YAY! Here's more about Aroma-Sothys and what you'll get:

Luxury French skin care company Sothys, has been pampering women at the spa and at home for over 60 years, and are introducing a more affordable and relaxing way to experience spa quality products without breaking your budget. The Aroma-Sothys relaxation line from Sothys features a three-step program designed to benefit the skin and the mind.

Refresh and cleanse with an indulgent bath

• Aroma-Sothys Energizing Bath Essences Tablets are effervescent, playful, and revitalizing bath pebbles that will enrich your bath with their tonic and energizing fragrance. Price: $26

Pamper and awaken the senses with the beneficial virtues of essential oils

• Aroma-Sothys Energizing Essential Oils Elixir, is a magical experience of concentrated essential oils that promises to restore and tone the skin’s natural essence. Price: $26

Seal and protect to keep your skin moist and glowing all summer long

• Sothys Aroma-Sothys Massage Elixir Message your body with a cocktail of ginger, nutmeg, orange, marula and mandarin essential oils. This elixir is sure to leave your skin with a satin-like gloss and perfume finish. Price: $38
  

PC: Burdastyle.com, Threadbanger.com

Winner of the Confusing Fashion Giveaway is....

Megan! Congratulations! You won this yummy body souffle lotion from Votre Vou.

Don't worry, everyone else. I'll be giving away more stuff soon. Very soon. Stay posted.

In the meantime, I loved all the fun comments I got for this contest, but I just had to mention Andrew's comment about meggings (men's leggings). This is the most awesome confusing fashion ever and OMG, I hope it comes over here because I will LOVE to see boys wearing this stuff! It's both hilarious and awesome at the same time. For your viewing pleasure and the link in case you missed it:

PC: heraldsun.com.au