ME at the photo shoot

 Thought I'd share a bit of what I did.... 

1. Standing in for the model.  Quentin needed to check the lighting and the model was still getting ready. It's a tough job. Can you tell how hard I'm working??

2. Looking in the model's magnifying mirror at my wrinkles. 

Thankfully the light is so bright in the photo that they have been blurred away. Note #117 to self: DO NOT look in magnifying mirror with reading glasses. Ignorance is bliss.

3. Fixing the collar on the model's dress.

Note #118 to self:  Never wear anything that resembles the model's dress! I had on the Hope dress in Platinum Tumbleweed (Spring 2011 sample- I was giving it a test run. And by the way, I think I need to add an inch to the length). The model had on Kelsey in Platinum Tumbleweed (Fall 2010). 

Let's just say it wasn't working out in my favor.  

4. Making wind, at least trying to.

This was my pathetic attempt at making wind so that it would appear that Lauri's hair and dress were blowing in a summer breeze. In the end Quentin traded places with me. He set up the camera and told me to push the button while he actually made the summer breeze.  He can do anything.

5. Pinning fabric.

Even the extra small is a bit big on Lauri. Tall and thin just looks good in the photos.  Let's be honest, it just plain looks good. 

6. Tucking in Lauri's turtleneck. Doesn't everyone need a tucker inner? Also carrying spare camera and spare scarves. I'm such a multi-tasker!

7. Reflecting on a perfect day in a beautiful place working with a team of people I adore.

 Thank you Quentin! 

and Donna, Curtis and Lauri! xo

Tights/ No Tights

Riley dress is Black spots. (available online in September)

Photos by Quentin - Napa shoot last Monday.

Purple tights? No tights? What do you think?? 

Which image should we use?

Napa for the day

We spent all day Monday at a ranch in Napa taking photographs and shooting video. Well, actually Quentin took photographs, shot video and did most of the work. Curtis, Donna and I ran around trying to assist him (in vain). Though we were able to offer Lauri (the model who also worked tirelessly) a tissue, powder, or a hand mirror upon request.

We all brought our boys. They happily entertained themselves for hours by catching frogs in the creek. We did manage to persuade them to be in some photographs with Lauri. By the end of the day they had warmed up to her.

Ready to ship

The ladies at the factory are just finishing up several styles that will ship this week- Riley, Grace, Dottie and Kylie. Just thought I'd post a few images of the piles that they are working on. It was a hot day to be working at the steam iron.

Out Fruited

I was at Berkeley Bowl yesterday and decided to pick up some pluots (a fruit that is a cross between a plum and an apricot) for the ladies at the factory. The ladies love fruit. Really love it. Forget sweets, they want fruit. So I thought that they would really appreciate these unusual pluots. Happy to find them, I bagged and delivered them.

The ladies were grateful, of course. But eager to share their fruit of the week with me. I have no idea what it's called, language is a huge barrier. It looks like a huge alien egg. Bumpy and hard on the outside and filled on the inside with odd little pods that are entwined by leggy, fleshy strands. Inside each pod is a pit, somewhat like an avocado pit but more alienish. The fruit weighs about 50 pounds, and costs $1.50 per pound. Have you ever paid $75 for a piece of fruit??? I haven't.

Susan (the factory owner) separated the pods from the leggy fruity arms, pitted them, and put them in a bowl. If you didn't know better, you'd think each piece was just a peeled piece of some odd fruit, but never imagine it came as a pod in the mother load! The texture is firm, a cross between an unripe melon and a mango. And the taste...delicious? Still uncertain and feeling like it came from another planet. It's taking me a bit of time to warm up to it. And I thought my pluot was special.

Happy Birthday Shirley May!

Shirley May is the ONE year old daughter of Gitty. Gitty helps me mostly with design and pattern making, but also a bit of everything. There's a lot that I love about Gitty, but today I am going to share Gitty's joy of celebration. She always takes time to appreciate the milestones (big and small) in the lives of those she loves, whether with a big party or just a special gold sticker star over a cup of soup. It is a special quality and I wish I were more like her in this way.

Gitty also loves cakes and has a special set up in her garden for them- note mosquito netting hanging from the fruit trees. In the center is the TRIPLE layer GOLDEN cake for Shirley May. Delightful. The cake table sits next to the band. My photo doesn't really do it justice, the majority of the musicians were playing the yukele under the golden pear tree. Could a celebration for one year of life be any better??

This photo shows Gitty's display- portraits of Shirley on the 9th of every month of her life. What a treasure to document her daugher's life in this way. Keep it up Gitty!

Of course the tea party isn't complete without "costumed" guests eager to participate in the parade. Everyone knows to do it up for Gitty's parties. And if you don't come with your own party accessories, Gitty is happy to supply them. We should all be lucky enough to have Gitty in our lives. Lucky Shirley May!

who knew?

Both of my boys like my new technique- TO DO lists! Finally I have found an effective way to get them to do what I want without nagging them. I think they feel a sense of accomplishment checking the little boxes. I've always made them for myself. I thought I was sparing them, but I was wrong. They love it! Plus their future wives will thank me for training them well. Here's Chase's list from yesterday.

Today I added empty the dishwasher and sort the laundry- and they did it! The possibilities are endless, at least for a day or two.