I took a workshop today: Creating a Botanical Terrarium.  It was at the most amazingly beautiful Herban Design Studio at Herban Feast and led by Chad Burnworth, stylist creative extraordinaire. (Have I told you how I love to work with stylists?  I’ve worked with a talented handful and each one is so refreshing and inspiring, everyone should have a stylist in their life… or a few.)

I love terrariums.  I think they are mystical magical lands where fantastic creatures can live.  Have you ever watched moss bloom?

Fortunately, living in the Pacific Northwest, there is a lot of moss.  Tons of it, it’s in our lawn, on our roof, and covering trees, especially in the woods.  While the materials for this were supplied, I think terrariums are the perfect environment to display your nature walk findings. Chad shared some of the history of terrariums, with the beginnings approximately around the desire to watch a chrysalis.

We turned our works of art on lazy susans.  (I also love lazy susans, they are probably on every single table in China btw.)

I wish I could tell you the name of the all the plants in my terrarium above, but instead, just marvel at their loveliness like I do. (Ok, there’s a fern in there, and some tree moss and some mood moss.  For the life of me I can’t remember the name of the pink and green leafed beauty.) I have a plate covering my terrarium now, but I’m on the lookout for a fabulous clear class cover of some sort (LOVE the glass headlight Chad had at the studio.)

We could have made succulent terrariums too.  I love succulents.

One of my favorite things are the “decorations”.  Just think of the possibilities….

I really loved my workshop today.  It was the perfect creative outlet.  Reminded me that I need to make something every day (other than dinner and the bed).

NICK CAVE & PJ HARVEY – Henry Lee from Gerri Sferrazza on Vimeo.

via Lost Bird Found

I’d been heartbroken about the condition of my shoes for a while. I have very wide feet (EEE!!!!) and buying shoes can be a devastating experience for me.  What was I going to do if I lost these shoes!

On my November trip to China, my kind host drove down an alley, pulled over, asked me out of the car and escorted me to this street cobbler.

I have a thing for sewing machines… and supplies.

This man was deaf and mute, but we had no problem communicating.  He gave me my shoes back.  It cost less than $10USD.  I would have paid another $100.  None of my NYC or Seattle cobblers were able to do this for me.  I’m bringing more shoes back with me on my next trip…

I know this has been around the blog-o-sphere, but I just can not stop staring.

Anthropologie has launched it’s wedding site, BHLDN.  I know, it’s ok, pick your self up off the floor.

This dress alone would be reason enough for me to plan…somethin’.

I can’t stop looking at Prada’s runway show. Image from NYTimes.

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

I think I would just wear all Phillip Lim dresses this year….