Bonjour Teaspoon

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! It’s 2012.

This year, I’m presenting aninterview series with People of Style in Alameda. Did you know Alameda was sucha cool community? I’ve suspected, but didn’t realize the extent of it until my friend Heidi and I founded an Alameda based Business Group we call the Lucky Ladies. Filled with an array of creativebusinesses from Sewing Teacher to Yoga Instructor, nutritional counselor tolighting designer, clothing designers to hand felted home goods – you name it! Each woman in my group and theirextended networks represent the best of our little town.

Here is myfirst interview of 2012 HeidiBennett, interviewed in October 2011. Also known as Ruby “Baby” Bennett to those in the music world, Heidi isembarking on a new path….Read on!

JS- Hi Heidi

HB- Hi Jennifer

JS- So, Heidi, what do you do?

HB – right now, I am working, concentrating on being a PR& Sales Rep. I say marketing, but to me, marketing and pr are the samething and I just put them both together. So Pr and Sales rep for By Nieves,which is an Oakland based, hand made, all natural body care company. WomanRun. I’m working with her and in2012 I’ll be expanding my marketing, PR and sales rep business so that I canassist other local small business people who might need help getting productinto stores or figuring out some new marketing techniques or just (helping)somebody who might need some office support or someone to bounce ideas off ofin that area.

JS - How long have you been doing this?

HB - Pretty much my whole life. I mean, I’ve worked for small businesses right from thefirst place I ever worked, which was an authentic NY bagel shop, owned by a manin Sacramento. I started therewhen I was 17 and had a Mohawk. But I was really great for the business. I have a big smile and great customer service skills. So, I found that over the years,whether I’m managing the coffee house, or singing in a band or working as anoffice assistant, that I naturally also become the PR marketing person. Locallyand most recently that was apparent working at Julie’s Coffee and Tea Garden inAlameda, where I was the first person that she hired. She hired me for my management experience but because it wasa brand new business, I just naturally started talking up the joint, goingonline, posting everywhere I could about it and joining local groups whilesuggesting that we meet atJulie’s. Anything to just get theword out. I think my naturaltendency is to find something I love and just spread the word.

JS – Excellent! Who is your dream customer or client?

HB – Somebody who is doing what they love but might be alittle bit mired in the details. Which I think is pretty much anybody. I always think of when you maybe watch the Oprah Winfreyshow, when she’s picked a favorite thing, and it’s somebody that’s startedsmall and they got discovered and then sold a zillion trillion pies or handbagsor something; That there’s this disconnect that happens between Oprah saying toeverybody “Just believe in yourself and you can do whatever you want todo” and then being discovered andmaking a zillion million dollars and in between there, there’s all the hardwork and just saying “it takes a lot of hard work and dedication” – that’s true,but what is all that stuff? Everyday people running small businesses are making all these decisions and I thinkit’s, you know, whether how to price something or what their logo is supposedto be or who they are marketing to. I mean there are all these decisions likehow to balance their day. I feellike those are the people I want to reach out to and say “Let me help guide youthrough some of these or at least give you some other options that you can do.”

JS – So, now on to some more fun questions. What possessiondo you cherish the most?

HB – I peeked at your questions and have a really hard timewith that one. Even though I havea lot of possessions I don’t think of anything as something I cherish.

JS – Something you can’t live without? Or something you useeveryday?

HB – No, I mean, I use my iphone everyday, but I don’tcherish it. You know I think it’sa great tool. I mean, really, Iwould think more of my friend who passed away a few years ago. She and I made a lot of arttogether. Either she and I werecollaborating on art or she and I were making art together at the same time inher studio. Anything that I madewhen I was with her or in collaboration with her, are my most cherished things,because they are connected to this memory, of not just who she was as a friend,but how she always inspired me to be creative and completely myself; because Iam an editor of myself and that’s not the best way to be creative. I think, you know, you write somethingand think – that’s not good enough and then scribble it out right away and soI’ve been that way with my art or that I’m pretty symmetrical with things. Soshe’s one of those people who’s art was so free, so unedited, that I would justbe inspired by THAT; and be able to see what she could do with out anyjudgement from the outside world or from herself, so I guess that’s it.

JS – What is your favorite style secret? Or trick?

HB - I’m knownfor my lip liner, so I guess it would be that. I swear that practically everyhint or tip that I hear or read about is not to use lip liner or if you do useit then you fill in your full lip with it, then this that and the otherthing. The reality for me is thatI have very small lips so I feel I need a little lip enhancement.

JS – You have Great Lips!

HB– Thank you. They are all an illusion. It’s a combination of a lip liner by Gabriel Color, so it’s a naturalbrand. You can find it at someWhole Foods or natural co-op places but for some reason, the specific colorthat I use, which is Berry, they never have. I don’t know why. I really like that I found this lip liner online at white rabbit It’s an online store that sells onlymakeup that is never used on animals (cruelty free). It’s someone who lives inhalf moon bay. A percentage of hersales go to animal related charity. I’ve made the decision that even if I find that lip liner somewhere elsein the world, that I’ll always buy it from her. So yeah, that’s my secret.

I always exfoliate my lips, every day. I don’t wear my glasses or contacts so I can see better close up,and then I spend two thirds of my makeup time just getting my lip liner on. I do my lip liner first, fill in mylips with it, then put on my lipstick. Then look again in the mirror before I’ve started my car, to make sureit’s even, because in the house, sometimes the lighting is just not great.

JS – That is a committed Experience!

JS - We just finished with Heidi’s style secret. What I want to know next is what do youlike best about Alameda?

HB – I like it simply because it feels intimate. It feels friendly and it reminds me insome ways of Mid Town Sacramento, which is where I lived for 20 years and why Ifelt like if I was going to move to the Bay Area, that it felt like a friendlytransition. But I really feel likejust the way it’s laid out it’s easy to walk around and get around and bicyclearound. You can just get on your bike and just head all over town, which issimilar to Mid Town Sacramento. Also, It’s just a hop, skip, and a jump awayfrom San Francisco, which I reallylike getting on the Ferry to go over to. Or obviously, (near to) Oakland and other places in the Bay Area. It’s just intimate and friendly andfairly calm and nice.

JS- What is your favorite place in Alameda?

HB- Well, probably Julie’s Coffee and Tea Garden which Imanaged for four years. The firstfour years of it’s existence. Butnot just because I worked there, but because, no matter where I live, I alwaysgravitate toward the place that feels like community. When I worked there, that was one of the things I alwayssaid needs to be part of what we are bringing to alameda. You can go anywhere and get a cup ofcoffee and pretty much anywhere you can get a cup of tea but if you knowalready that we are serving really carefully made, lovingly made, quality,organic coffee and tea, etc., then is it somewhere you are going to want tohang out? Julie had a great visionfor how it was going to be as far as the stuffed vintage couches….

JS – The aesthetic?

HB – Yes, the aesthetic and I just felt that I wanted tomake it feel like home. And I knowthat it feels like home because I just go back there all the time. If I’m spending too many hours a day bymyself, then that’s where I head.

JS – And that’s where I met you!

HB – And that’s where I met Jennifer! Yeah!

If interested in PR or Marketing for your small business, you can contact Heidi at coopgirlkiz@gmail.com

Finishing Projects

2011-10-10T11:21:00.000-07:00

Ella with her finished bag!

It's such a gratifying experience to finish a project. I usually start them and slowly work through each project and eventually get to the end. Not so easy though. It's easy to get frustrated or bored. Like my friend Pauletta, avid sewer, knitter and practicing Buddhist, told me, it's a mediation in patience. These girls have started that practice and are reaping the rewards!


The Dark Angel Commeth! Cate finishes her Halloween Costume

Maya in her Mustard Butterfly Blouse!

Sasha with her monster!

Finished Monster Kleenex Holder

Suspect Walks into Jail Office

2011-09-30T08:03:00.000-07:00

Interesting things come in vintage pattern envelopes....

Headline: "Suspect Walks Into Jail Office"
Copy reads: "A dapper young fellow, wearing blue corduroy trousers and a dark sweater, walked into the sheriff's office Monday and addressed Chief Deputy Sheriff George Beckstead thus:
"I am Jack Bunce, 22. My address doesn't matter. You want me for a burglary."
And it's just as well that he did, for deputy sheriffs were preparing to jail him within a few hours as a suspect in the burglary of the Texas Oil company service station at Thirty-third South and State streets last Tuesday.
Mr. Beckstead said Bunce admitted taking eight tires from the service station and selling...."

________________________________________________________________________________

Goes to show, you never know what you get with vintage stuff. This was so much fun to receive after a frenzied Etsy and Ebay splurge where I purchased four vintage 1930's patterns for my daughter and myself. This pattern is a homemade additional collar pattern for the young girl's dress. Here are a few more images of the pattern and the dress I'm now working on.

Dress in progress

Pattern envelope and instructions

Newspaper collar pattern

Work in progress.....

Parent and Child Sewing Workshop

2011-09-27T20:12:00.000-07:00


Working together!

Gratia and Dad Ethan

Proud Grandpa

Admittedly, when asked to create a Mother / Daughter sewing class, I cringed just a little bit. Often I hear from parents that it's hard to teach their kids something new.

Well, I kept getting requests. Honestly, I thought the parents just want an excuse to have some fun. Keeping my mind open, I put the word out and was surprised at the response.

Ok, so what happened next was even more surprising. I had one mom say that she wasn't interested, but her husband might be. That blew me away. In today's day and age, I don't get too many male students. It was very exciting. This was going to be interesting and I would have to change the name.

A darling family joined us our first week. It was Father and son with daughter and grand daughter. How sweet to see the men taking such interest in their girls. Even better was the story from Alden and Gratia's grandfather. He told me that he bought a machine for his wife, the girl's grandmother, when she got pregnant and then taught himself to sew. He went on to make her first maternity dress, then taught his son to sew. What a family legacy and how special of them to share this skill with future generations.

In reality, the kids and parents learn and work together. What fun we can all have. I can't wait for the next one....


Patchwork mittens for Gratia


ironing is fun!

don't forget to giggle! Andrea and Sabina

Andrea and Pari


Sabina and her stuffed guinea pig!

Gratia with her mittens and pillow case

Andrea and Pari with their cat pillow ready to stuff with fluff!

Going to the Gatsby Summer Afternoon

2011-09-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

Such a fun way to spend a Summer afternoon. The Dunsmuir house in Oakland, provides and elegant background for this special day brought to us by the Art Deco Society. Every year folks dress up in Art Deco Attire (circa 1915-1940) and come out for this Event. Whether you like vintage clothing, vintage cars, a great picnic or croquet, you will be in for a treat.

There were many amazing picnics, but this year it was all about the clothes for me. My friend Joy Johnson found two fabulous matching dresses for myself and my daughter (see below photo), so we were able to dress up and compliment each other. Such a thrill for a mom personally obsessed with American Girl dolls as well as sewing and times gone by. We were so lucky that the dresses fit and we fit in beautifully. I'm already thinking about what we'll wear next year.

Darling table with a lovely setting!

I was watching these two impeccably dresses ladies about all day. Their dresses were fabulous. I'm not sure if they were vintage or if they made them. In either regard - gorgeous 1930's.

Here are our dresses - Just needing a few minor repairs.

Also Ella Schwartz above, posing on one of the cars.

This ensemble was made from a pattern that belonged to the model's grandmother. So cute! Love the hat.

Wouldn't it be delightful to have a maid by your side? And doubly special if her hair was an exact match to her dress.

Looking forward to my next Gatsby!
Toodloo!

Alameda Wine Tour

2011-06-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

Recently my friend Desiree Salas, a fellow designer, mentioned to me that she thought we should organize an Alameda wine tour. "What a fantastic idea!" I thought to myself with a Mimosa in one and and a (flat head) screwdriver in the other. You see, she had come over to help me build my daughter's bedroom furniture. We got to talking and one thing let to another....so last weekend Desiree and I set out to taste wines and spirits at 3 of Alameda's best Wineries.

First Stop - Rosenblum Cellars - We met up with Desiree's friend Lilian and enjoyed the sunshine out on their lovely patio. Rosenblum is right on the estuary next to the Ferry Terminal. The weather was breezy but nice so we sat and talked quite a while before going in to taste.

Here we are - Ready to go (from left to right - Lilian, Myself & Desiree)!
Our flight started out with a white and we moved on to several Zinfindels. I've never been a fan of the Zin variety, but I tried it and was pleasantly surprised.
After about an hour of tasting, we moved outside to have some snacks - Cheese, crackers, nuts, fruit and Soda - Perfect.

We bid Adieu to Lilian (She's from Switzerland originally) and walked to our next winery, deep in the navy base - Rock Wall Winery. It was about a 20 minute walk from one place to the next and the wind started picking up.
We got inside and were ready for our next flight. It was hard to choose. Flights cost between $5-$15 which seemed very reasonable. We both ended up picking the $5 flight which had more whites. Now we needed chocolate and they accommodated us supremely. The truffles were out of this world.
10 minutes late for our next pouring, we had to skate out of Rock Wall without finishing our flight.

Racing through the heavy downpour (how did that happen?) we made it to St. George spirits just in time to meet Maria Janeff, owner of Calliope. All wet and ready to drink, we joined my neighbor and excellent spirit adviser- Emily Winston, who poured our flights for us. I have to say, St. George was my favorite - Hanger One Vodka and Absinthe as well as Pear and Raspberry liqueurs.

My Favorite being the Budda's Hand infused vodka. What a special treat. I'm ready for more!
Such fun to hang out with friends. Come join us next time and let us know your favorite Alameda or Bay Area Winery!

Budda's Hand!

Alameda Style: Your Home is Your Sanctuary

2011-06-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

This is the first installment of my Interview with Style series. Taken from an article I wrote for Alameda Patch:

Interior Designer - Kelley Flynn

In 2010, Kelley won the Best of Oakland reader's choice award for Professional Who Can Make Your Home Look Like A Million Dollars, and she works wonders with personal space. She's not only concerned with each person's style and how your house will look, but also with how it will feel. Kelley really addresses the spiritual nature of our domestic existence.

What Do You Do? I specialize in residential interior decorating, design and color consulting.
How long have you been doing this work? I’ve had my business for five years, but I've been in the architecture and design world my whole career. I grew up with design. My father was an industrial designer.
In five words or less, describe your style. Modern, elegant and simple with a calming effect.
Do you have a style philosophy? I personally like a mix of old and new. Old things immediately give a room patina and history and a story. But I am always informed by my modernist sensibility.
People need a respite when they go home. They need that sanctuary, that space that refuels them or calms them down. Whatever it is for them. We live such hectic lives that we are not aware sometimes and we don’t take the time to do simple little things.
It’s like the analogy of cooking or the slow food movement. We have to ask, “What’s really important in our lives?” Interior design provides that backdrop for what’s really important: To be able to slow down, to notice that beautiful flower sitting there or that beautiful painting or special object or whatever it is that gives you pleasure. If you can create an environment of pleasure, then your senses are slowed down a little bit.
What do you think Alamedans need to know? They can mix sophisticated elements with vintage in a stylish and family-friendly way.

What possession to you cherish most? My Waterman fountain pen with a gold tip and my Japanese scissors.
What is your favorite style secret? Knocking around the antique and consignment stores here in town.
What do you like best about Alameda? The community, the small-town feel, the people.

Do you have a cherished item you won't give up if you redecorate?

Vintage Remodeled Wedding Gown - Part 2

2011-05-23T14:34:00.000-07:00

Well, it's done and listed on Esty.
Here is the before photo:

and here are some after photos:

Voila!

Recycled Sweater Heart Sachets

2011-05-14T11:39:00.000-07:00

This is a totally fun project to do for valentine's day, mother's day or father's day.
You will need:
1 or two wool sweaters ( I like to use different shades of red or pink)
Thread
Sewing machine
Hand Sewing needles
Optional: Embroidery thread / needle
Rice or buckwheat hulls mixed with Lavender

1. Start by washing your wool sweaters to felt and shrink them. They will get thick and sometimes pilly. If they pill, then you can easily either brush or pick off the pills.
2. Make a pattern for your heart. Make sure your heart is big enough to include 3/8" seam allowance all around.
3. Using your heart shaped pattern or by cutting out free hand, cut 2 hearts out of the sweater fabric.
4. With right sides together, pin hearts together around outside edge.
5. Sew around entire heart, pivoting at corners and leaving a 2" hole on one straight side (for turning right side out).

6. Clip the heart between the curved edges at the center point, just up to the stitches, making sure not to cut through the stitches. Trim the seam allowance at the bottom point to reduce the bulk when turning right side out.

7. Turn the heart right side out and fill with the rice/lavender mixture. You can use a cardboard tube as a funnel to help keep the mixture from escaping.

8. Slip stitch the hole closed.

Voila! you are done. If you wish, try embellishing with embroidery or hand applique another heart on top.

Have fun!

Vintage Re-Done Wedding Gown

2011-04-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

Here is the before photo of this late 1960's silk organza and lace wedding gown.
Here the sleeves have been removed and I'm starting to develop the neckline.
The sleeves in this photo are still attached and I'm beginning to remove the lace from around the neck to see what it looks like underneath.
The sleeves have been removed and neckline lace is off, revealing a nicely shaped neckline and much wider without the lace. A little more attractive I think.
The lace on the dress is actually quite nice. The cheap lace around the neck is being removed. to reveal quite a pretty dress.
I'm beginning to remove the lace.
In developing the neckline, I'm deciding it would look good with straps instead.
Now I need to cut the neckline and re-shape the lace on the bodice.
Lace is cut and pinned in place.
I need to peel back the lace at one point to decide where the neckline should be.
Here is the side view of the gown as I'm shaping the neckline and changing the style.

Above you will find the beginning of a gown remodel. The dress above has about 6-8 hours of work in it already including the tub soak it took after I received it from the Ebay Seller. I still have some more work to do before it's finished, but luckily it's just bodice work and a lot of hand sewing. This dress has a terrific detachable train.

More photos to come as it evolves.

Big Table Farm / Love & Squalor

2011-04-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

Emma & Clemantine at Big Table Farm
Collecting Eggs on Big Table Farm
Houston the Human Whisperer!
Emma Riding Hummer Bareback!
Moo!!!!!

Mom - Photo by Emma Serr
Matt Berson - Photo by Emma Serr
Clare Carver and her artwork along with Family wine- Photo by Emma Serr
Big Table Wine - Photo by Emma Serr

Wine Sample - photo by Emma Serr
Emma and Clare sorting egss for the CSA.
Angie washing dishes from Lunch.
Emma filling egg crates for the egg CSA.

Art by Emma
Angie and Matt's livingroom
Baby Roxy in a great outfit picked out by Emma - leg warmer's and all
Playdate Pdx- crazy spring break day.

I recently ventured to Portland Oregon to visit some very good friends. Not only are they wonderful people filled with live and good humor they are amazing cooks and they make wine! What a great combination. My daughter Emma and I spent a week with Angie, Matt and baby Roxanne for Emma's Spring Break from school.

We visited our favorite Portland Restaurants (Broder & Pho Van) and Vintage Store (Xtabay). The supreme Mr. Gabe the Pomeranian was summoned from home to visit Xtabay just for Emma which was quite a treat and offered me a few extra minutes of diversion so I could entertain my vintage fantasies and purchase a wedding gown for re-purposing. Later in the week we even ventured downtown to Play Date Pdx just for Emma and Roxy. It was a little crazy but totally fun.

The highlights, however were wonderful wines - Lots of Love and Squalor Riesling and a new Wine from Matt - Behemoth (coming soon), which is a rich full bodied red, ripe for indulgence.
We were also fortunate to taste a lovely Pinot Noir at Big Table Farm - Spicy and delicious!

Ok, so I have to admit, I'm a bit of a farm junkie and Big Table Farm was one of the most enjoyable I've ever been to. Emma got to collect eggs, ride a horse bareback and help me save a chicken from unfortunate demise (which unfortunately, no one photographed). I hope you enjoy these photos of our wonderful Portland experience.

Franie and the Midgets

2011-04-04T09:02:00.000-07:00

My grandmother Frances (grandma Fran) lived quite an interesting life. Not only has she been my style icon from day one, but her life was rich with such interesting stories. This one is about her time with the Singer Midgets in the 1930's.

For some reason related to the fact that her father was a wild animal dealer, my grandmother and her brother Bob (Frances and Robert Heger) were assigned with the task of entertaining the entertainers, when they came to town. Apparently over the course of the years, they became quite good friends. My grandmother would hang out with them off stage and in their dressing rooms. She told me tales of squeezing her waif like frame into their tiny costumes which made everyone laugh. She was particularly fond of a fellow named Gabor, who is pictured in one of the photographs with Fran.

The diminutive size of these wonderful "little people" made them a delight to all, however, I think they must have struggled quite a bit and were bound for a life of entertainment. Because of this all of their clothes were hand tailored and fit like a glove.

It always pleased me to hear the stories my grandmother would tell, especially after seeing the Wizard of Oz. She was particularly keen on me watching the film and I did, on TV, in her living room on her golden striped velvet divan. It was a wonderful discovery to come across all these pictures, once again, after she had passed. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Bag Edeavor Update

2011-03-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

We've had quite a few students make progress on their Amy Butler Bags from the Style Stitches book, so I thought I would share a few more photos.

The top image and following photos are pictures of the Miss Maven ruffled handbag. My daughter Emma and I worked on it while we were visiting friends in Portland Oregon.

It took several days and lots of fusing. Fusing, fusing and more fusing, but lots of sewing fun. Well worth all the fuss.

Here is Nancy's version of the Flight bag. She is really coming along and I can't wait to see it finished. All that piping around the petals is hard work.

Stitching down the piping.

The strap alongside the top piece with the zipper.

The strap to the Tear Drop Bag.

Madhu working on the bag's "hip" that reinforces the side near the strap.

Madhu's bag is almost complete.

The Bag Endeavor

2011-02-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

This is the beginning of a long story. My affair with Amy Bulter and the ultimate Bag Endeavor.
I started off by purchasing Amy Butler's Style Stitches: 12 Easy Ways to 26 Wonderful Bags by Amy Butler - Yet another irresistible craft book with wonderful photography and a set of patterns in the back.

It seemed so economical, as patterns usually cost between $10-$30 each. The only problem with these gorgeous books is that I usually buy them, look at them and file them on my shelf. I am determined not to do that again!

On the insistence of Madhu, one of my ever loyal and encouraging sewing students, it's my plan to make every bag in this book. It will take several months, even with my students pitching in to do their part. It really hasn't been that hard to convince them to take up a bag project of their own. These bags are gorgeous and totally challenging.

The tote pictured above is called: . I made it for my friend Kristen. This was the first bag I started and it took me a couple of months, working on it a couple of hours each week.

Each bag is a complex project of it's own. They make wonderful gifts, but it will be hard to part with once you finish.

To the left, pictured is the flight bag. Nancy is making this out of an old Ikea Curtain with an awesome print.

The first step is cutting out all the pattern pieces out of the main fabric, inside fabric, applique fabric. This will take a couple of hours. I try to keep them with the pattern pieces. There are a lot of rectangles in Amy Butler's work, so don't forget to label your pieces, as it gets confusing really fast.

Nancy keeps on cutting....and we haven't even gotten to the complex system of interfacing.

The next project pictured is the _____clutch. It comes in two sizes. I decided to do the small version. This small bag looks simple, but don't be fooled. it has a very complicated pocket system on the inside. While it's difficult to complete, the pockets are a great asset to this bag once it's finished.

After cutting out all the pattern pieces and interfacing, I started putting it all together. You will start with the main body of the bag. There is a whole technique Amy Butler uses with interfacing and Peltex, where the Peltex (stiffer interfacing) is cut smaller than the fusible interfacing, and placed on the wrong side of the fabric, positioned very carefully. The fusible is then placed over the Peltex and fused to the fabric/Peltex. It allows the seam allowances to be less bulky while keeping the body of the bag reinforced.

The main bag and flap are then sewn separately.

The magnetic snaps positioned and secured.

The handle finished and stitched to the flap.

The inside card pocket completed.

The lining (with zipper pocket!) completed.

Then you get to stitch it all together! Eventually the inside card pocket gets sewn to the lining and the lining gets placed and sewn delicately into the main bag. It's done! This one took me about a month to finish and I topped it off with a great Broach that came from the Alameda Antique Fair.

Lots of Fun and lots of Work. This one took me about a month, working on it a few hours each week.

Good luck with your projects and I'll be posting more progress soon!

Getting Gorgeous for Alameda Patch

2011-01-23T19:38:00.001-08:00

Recently, I started writing a style column with my friend Debbie Chapman for our local on-line newspaper - Alameda Patch. We create our own assignments and go forth to expose the style of and on our island. It's a little silly and a lot of fun. Our February theme is "Getting Gorgeous”. It comes just in time for Valentine's Day. We had the pleasure of visiting Spank - a salon here in town, ripe with talented stylists, aestheticians and make-up artists.

I had the idea that we should do a piece on lips. All the magazines profess that if you do nothing else, throw on some lipstick before you leave the house. This is a bit of a stretch for some of my friends who are moms that wear very little or no make-up at all. I asked Spank make-up artist Deidre Alexander for some tips and maybe a little instruction. Little did I know I would get a full makeover. Wow, it was fantastic and the pretty lips were only the icing on the cake. Deidre started with a tinted moisturizer by being True. She applied the tint with a makeup brush, which was a new experience for me. It worked great and provided a super smooth finish. Next, for the concealer under my eyes. This added a couple of hours of sleep that I missed the night before - who new? Then she dusted my face with a being True triple milled mineral makeup. Blush on my cheeks and then on to...Lips! "What, lips next" you ask? Yes, it was a shock for me too. Usually I move onto eyes, brows and then finish with lips. Well, apparently the philosophy is that you do your lips first, in case you have to run out the door. You will look more finished and balanced with good lips than you would with eyes done up and no lips.... go figure - she has a point. First, Deidre applied a lip treatment balm to add moisture. Then she penciled the outer edge of my lips starting with an "x" at the center of my top lip to define the shape. Next, she filled in my lips with the pencil. This gives your lips color after the outer layer of color or gloss wears off. Out came a lip brush and my lips were coated with crème in a gorgeously neutral shade of rose called Protagonist and then a light layer of gloss in the color, Intuitive. I love cosmetic names!

Next for my eyes! And Wow did that change my look entirely. She brushed a soft, light color, Shell, over my entire lid, then defined the crease with a color called Rosewood, accenting the crease with a neutral brown - Lotus. Deidre finished the shadow with a shimmery pink on the inside corner of my lid. The look was very soft and reflective.

With the finest of liner brushes, my eyes lids were dabbed with a very smooth and narrow line of Lapis (navy blue) liner, and then finished off with mascara.
Brows were last, starting with a waxy base color and
finishing with a colored powder.

This is my finished look!

Needless to say, I'm very impressed. I've had my make-up done before but not like this. I looked great but not overdone. I'm going to practice my lips because that really did make a difference. Thanks so much Deidre!

Sewing at the Library

2010-09-24T14:38:00.000-07:00

In August I had the opportunity to visit the Noe Valley Branch of the San Francisco Public Library. My dear friend Jean Sweeney is the librarian in the children's room. She had me come out and teach a short sewing program to young children.

It was super fun!

We worked with felt embroidery floss and jewels to create little pouches. It's a great quick project that packs a punch. I had 4 students and 1 helper Student (Aka - Emma my daughter!) aged between 4 and 9.

Each child picked their favorite color felt, folded over, like an envelope and stitched the sides up using embroidery floss.

Afterwards the boys and girls got to decorate with glitter, jewels and sequins.

My daughter feels pretty lucky because she not only got to make one, but got to keep the example that I made too.

Check out all the lovely designs the children came up with.

All the while we were joined by our favorite American Girl, Kaya. Kaya loves to join in on the fun!

Pickling with Mona!

2010-07-26T19:14:00.001-07:00

Mona Personius of Mona's Table here in Alameda, gave a terrific class today on pickling! We pickled cucumbers, asparagus, cauliflower, carrots, and all sorts of veggies. I felt so old-fashioned and domestic. It was great! Mona led the brigade through the process (no pun intended) and we had a great time.

The veggies were cleaned, sliced and prepped. Mona prepared the brine, which was a combination of vinegar, water, herbs and spices. And, for sweeter pickles she added a little sugar.

Preparing the brine:

I made a jardiniere batch with cauliflower, corn, onions, celery and carrots. The one Mona had for us to sample was amazing! (I kept at the jar the whole time. Yummm!!)

After preparing the brine, we blanched the vegetables that needed to be blanched, in the brine, then stuffed the previously sterilized jars.

The sterilizing of the jars, lids and bands is a crucial step to ensure no "funkiness" happens and to keep it all safe.

After the jars are filled, then we poured more brine into the jars and capped them off with lids and bands. The jars are then "processed" in a boiling pot of water. We were told that they needed to be on an even surface and then left undisturbed for a while afterwards in order to make sure they are properly sealed. I think I'm writing all this down to keep it properly stored in my own memory as well as sharing the experience with friends. There is a lot to remember!

While all this was going on, Christina from

the Alameda Point Collaborative, was cooking up some blueberry syrup. (Pictured with Michelle, who is helping her out).

On the outskirts of all this action, Mark Hardwick, our fearless Slow Food Alameda leader, plodded away, filling his jars with green tomatoes, garlic, jalapenos and curry parsley.

When she wasn't helping Christina, Mona's friend Michelle filled her own jars with gorgeous tiny vegetables. She used both a savory brine as well as a brine made with lavender (wow!).

Rick & Julien

from the Feel Good Bakery were on hand to help and put together jars of bread and butter pickles, dill pickles and cucumber Kim Chi.

What a great day! Thanks Mona!

Fashion Sewing Camp Week Two

2010-07-17T08:22:00.001-07:00

Maria Janeff and I had our first week of Fashion Sewing Camp together. There were a whopping 13 students this time. It's amazing how different each group of girls tends to be. This group was particularly good at making inspiration boards and a little shyer on the runway. The girls did an amazing job all around and turned out a fantastic show on Friday. Here are a few pictures of all their great work and awesome fashions.

All Things Swedish

2010-07-13T21:08:00.000-07:00

It's summer time and I've been working on my house projects. I do this mostly because my daughter is in school and I have time to get my hands dirty. Right now the kitchen cabinets have been sanded bare and I'm trying to decide what colors to paint, what kind of counter top would look best (in an ideal world) and what kind of tile backs plash will go with the fantasy countertop.

I'm so grateful that my good friend Kelley Flynn can help me make these decisions. You see, she's an amazing interior designer. So, I'm very lucky indeed!

Over the Spring Break I went to visit some dear friends in Portland Oregon and as always we go to Broder, which is one of my favorite restaurants. Of course they have a fabulous kitchen and the space is very cool. It's a little Swedish Bistro with lovely pickled beets on the side. So, I got to thinking about it as inspiration for my own kitchen and also about all the other wonderful and inspiring Swedish delights out there in the world right now. Here are some of my favorites. Let me know about some of yours.....

Broder and friends :

I could just spend the whole day at Ikea! Not only can you purchase your butcher block counter top, but you can outfit your entire pantry with Swedish Yummies, AND have lunch while you rest.

Oh, there is also Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, with her Villa Villakula -

And ABBA.....

And the Millenium Series by Author Stieg Larsson -

Not to mention True Blood Star Alexander Skarsgard!

Stories of Frannie - Part 1

2010-06-30T22:44:00.000-07:00

My Grandmother, Frances Anna Heger Askin Beniades introduced me to the world of fashion. When I was small, just a young girl of eight or so, she started her stories.

Frannie grew up in San Francisco, and then Oakland, California. Her father was an exotic animal dealer who also invested in Real Estate. Grandma Fran was raised in a household with her mother, father, sister and brother alongside dogs, cats, monkeys and the occasional cheetah. She was born in 1904, lived through the Great Earthquake of 1906 and then went on to experience the roaring 20's in one of the most interesting Cities in the United States.

She often made her own clothes, designing them and then sewing them. She desperately wanted to study design. In that era, however, Fashion Design was a man's profession. So, ironically, she became a model. In that capacity, she was able to wear all the amazing clothing of the times. She was photographed in these clothes (see photos) and she modeled them informally at I Magnin in San Francisco, wher

e she walked the store, glamorously clad in gowns, furs and jewels.

Fran was an independant girl. She refused to meet a bo

yfriend at the "employee entrance" and instead walked out the front door of the store she worked in, never to see him again. She claimed to have been one of the first ladies to wear pants in San Francisco during the 1930's. And after her husband died in WWII, she ran her own boarding house.

Always in style and my own personal fashion Icon, my grandma Fran continues to influence my life. I think about her daily and I miss her very much. She died in the winter of 1996 after a long battle with Alzhiemers. She was almost 92 years old. I hope you enjoy these photos of her in her youth. They remind me of the stories she told and the adventures she had in the prime of her life.

Starting a Blog

2010-06-27T10:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Blog! This is my first posting and I'm hoping it will interest you.....I'm working the bugs out - like learning how to use my scanner and where everything appears on my blog, so be patient. I'll get there, I promise.

Last week was week one of my Fashion Sewing Summer Camp and we had a great time. There were 9 students, myself and my excellent camp councilor, Bennett Smith.

Each girl brought their own sewing machine and made at least one garment and in some cases, a whole outfit with accessories. Some of the girls hadn't even sewn before. It's so incredibly awesome to see them learn how to use this machinery and empower themselves with a new skill. On Friday we had a fashion show with all their new clothes. The runway was set up with lights, seating, even a little paparazzi!

During the week the girls also learned how to create mood/inspiration boards as well as beginning fashion illustration on a croquis.

I can't wait for Week 2 of Fashion Sewing Camp and my next group of future Fashion Designers!

Stick around and there will be photos. Please feel free to leave comments. I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say!