I used to work on 7th Ave, and was completely surrounded by fashion.  I was in designers offices all day long, working with designers, always in fashion.  Then I had a baby and left.

I left.  I swore that as a new mother I would NEVER wear sweatpants and always comb my hair on put on lipstick everyday, and remember to moisturize.  I think I did that everyday.  Maybe. I don’t remember much of it, except that my post baby body didn’t fit into my pre-baby clothes. I completely succumbed to motherhood, and it has filled my soul and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Now that I’m back in the work force (fashions for the home this time around), and my 6 year old is gaining her independence (holy moly), I’m realizing I don’t want to wear my fancy t-shirts to the office or out to dinner any more.  What happened to my wardrobe?  I try to look back and think, what happened? I think I turned my back on my closet.

I’ve been out shopping, looking to update my wardrobe with clothes other than t-shirts.  I’ve been following the NYFW, watching the runway shows on-line and I bought a handful of fashion magazines.  I’m 3000 miles away from Fashion Avenue these days, thank goodness I have wifi.

Then I read Louisa Kamps’ article today.  Here was a woman who left the fashion world in NYC and moved to the country and had a baby. Just like me.  The closing line sums it all up: But for me, wearing clothes that speak a message of humor, strength, respect, or glamour is the act of love – of self and others – I never want to abandon again.

Good bye t-shirts.  Soon, I’ll only wear you at the gym, or in the garden.  As one friend said, “Overdress for every occasion” and Coco & Kelly said on her Facebook: “I’ve decided I no longer know how to dress for a ‘casual’ night out. Sorry Seattle, y’all are gonna have to step things up.”

Elle Decor photo: William Waldron

1.  Meditation.  I want to slow down for a few minutes a day and clear out instead of running in a million directions. I’ve been inspired by Karen Maezen Miller. (thanks to Erin for the link)

2.  Speaking Chinese.  Now that I have a job that takes me there, I really want to be able to say things like, this food is delicious, and what a beautiful garden, thank you for your hospitality and where is the bathroom?  Last time I was there, it would have helped if I could have said “I need more toilet paper”, as housekeeping couldn’t figure it out while I was calling them from the bathroom floor at 3am during a bout of food poisoning.  This may be the first phrase on my list.  (note the best cure for a yucky tummy, red sugar and chopped fresh ginger in hot water, instant recovery!)

3.  The science of food.  Big area, maybe I’ll start with cheese.  I think fresh mozzarella would be the BOMB.

4.  Listening.  I’ve noticed so much hate and narrow mindedness this year, I think people have stopped listening? I truly believe listening inspires things like respect and confidence and understanding.

5.  Sunday Suppers.  Local food cooked and enjoyed with family and friends.  We need to spend more time together, and when we are together, we should be eating good food.

6.  Peace.  I’d like to think it’s contagious.  And with my brother and other family members on duty in hazard zones, I can’t help but wonder what their lives would be like if the world were a more peaceful place and everytime they sent a photo, there wouldn’t be an automatic weapon and full body armor in the photo (with a tank in the background), it would be a photo of them with their wife and kids. (Not that their service hasn’t been rewarding, I know my brother is an amazing ambassador and has made friends all over the world, no doubt it is an incredible and fantastic experience.)

What are you going to practice this year?

Picture found at The Selby.

I hope you had a great holiday and fab January.  There’s lots of catching up to do.  While you are waiting, I thought I’d share the latest song I can’t believe I know all the words to, and now, can’t get it out of my head.  Enjoy. xxoo

Click here to watch the video.

I’m a big fan of Craftzine, so I was thrilled when Jenny Ryan posted about my Vintage Spool Trees that I made for the Holiday 2008 Ornament Swap.  Thank you!

The two images above were found on BilbiOdyssey, which is an extensive collection of images and information, prepare to spend HOURS.

Rudolf Leuckart Wall Charts

From Morbid Anatomy.

Ernst Haeckel

Weed Charts

I could pour over the antique and vintage wall charts.

Have you seen the Cabinet of Curiosity, a Flickr group where you can find similar charts and collections of curious things.  Also, Organized Collection, another Flickr group, perhaps the modern version of the older wall charts. Collections.  Vintage Science.  Cool Data Visualization Techniques.  Diagrams.  The Walker Treasury Project.  Museum of Samplers.

I wasn’t sure. Really. Watching the news (which actually, I rarely do), and catching all the hateful and racist and bigoted voters, I thought, is this what America really is? I didn’t want to think so, but honestly, I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know of any, except one who wasn’t voting for Obama because of his name (sounds educated doesn’t it?). And it makes me think, is the media really doing it’s job? Are they being objective. I can think of quite a few that aren’t, that are perpetuating the hate and divisiveness. I wish, wish, wish, they would do a more objective job. People are smart enough to make their own decisions.

America has voted. The REAL America. The melting pot. How lucky are am I, are we, to live here and be a part of all of this.

We’ve been chatting on Facebook, and I’ve been reading, how some are so disappointed. I get it. I think if Obama had lost and McCain had won, I probably couldn’t have gotten out of bed today. I like the John McCain from years ago, the one I saw giving his concession speech last night, the one that called for us to work together. I couldn’t vote for the one I saw during this campaign, he scared me. The hatred and nastiness was not flattering, in fact it was embarrassing. The choice for his running mate was such an insult, it left me speechless and eventually made me angry, really really angry. I saw such a contrast from the last time he ran, he didn’t seem like he was behind his policies or running mate. I wonder really how he felt. He didn’t use to be so conservative, I always though he was more of a moderate. But I am so grateful for his concession speech, spoken like a true HUMAN BEING!!! (I’m disappointed in the booing during his speech, please, people, I mean REALLY!).

I’m excited, so freakin’ excited for what the future holds.

Anyway, I got such a thrill voting last night:

Here’s to the next 4 years of hope and change. ROCK ON America.