Happy Birthday Michael!!!!

(Dangerous Tour)

(Moonwalk - must see)

(Grammy Performance 1988)

Michael Jackson would have turned 51 today. Here is some of my favorite footage, and the way I will always remember him.

You will be forever missed.

The To-Do List Just Keeps Getting Longer.

While surfing one of my favorite blogs this morning Decor 8, I stumbled across the cutest little vintage pillows. So now that means I must recreate them. At least 10 of them.

Now on to my next feat. I hope to obtain a nice retail location sometime next year, and these pictures from PaPaYa!'s retail space (also featured on Decor 8) are very inspiring.

(warehouse)


















(Images: PaPaYa!/Decor 8)

September Issue Documentary -

I can't wait to see this, I really wish I could fly out to New York on the 28th of August to see it! Overkill I know, but it is the least I can do for my Godmother-in-my-head Anna Wintour. Anna is always dressed to the nines, and her style is definitely iconic.

This documentary chronicles Anna Wintour, and her influential role in fashion, not to mention the making of the coveted "September Issue". The September Issue won an award at The Sundance Film Festival this year (note to self; attend next years festival), so I know it will exceed any and all my expectations. Check out the trailer below;

Change.

Be the change you want to see in the world. 

Mahatma Gandhi

Miss Erlinda Denise

Is another one of my talented friends, she is a stylist, and fellow fashionista. Erlinda has a wardrobe house, yes kids, a wardrobe house *swoons*, and she is constantly working on new and innovative concepts for her arsenal of styling pieces (although I am trying to get her to start a line, real talent is hard to come by these days). Check these out;

(earrings)


(ultra posh scarf)


(scarf details)

For more images through the eyes of Erlinda Denise, check out her blog: www.wardrobechick.blogspot.com - OR If you need a stylist check her out at www.erlindadenise.com

Seven Spiritual Laws of Success

LETS TRY TO APPLY THIS IDEOLOGY TO OUR LIVES PEOPLE!

1) The Law of Pure Potentiality

2) The Law of Giving

3) The Law of Karma (or Cause and Effect)

4) The Law of Least Effort

5) The Law of Intention and Desire

6) The Law of Detachment

7) The Law of "Dharma" or Purpose in Life

For an explanation on each "law", click HERE.

My First Love.

Everyone has one, mine just happens to be fashion. We go way back, I'm his thread to his needle, his pattern to his fabric, his...ok, I am getting cheesy now, I will stop :-) Any who, during my sabbatical from my jewelry line, I decided to do some things to get my mind back in creative mode, and release stress as well. I picked up a few patterns from Joann's, some designer fabric from my new favorite textile company...and went to work.

Then came the big decision....what to make, what to make. I decided to surf on over to my favorite European shop; Asos.com, to take a look at some of the dresses I may have wanted to recreate.

Remember, all clothing is constructed with some of the same basic lines, and principles (there are definitely some exceptions to this), so picking patterns to recreate some of those Asos dresses were easy peasy. The hardest thing was figuring out which fabric to use first. I decided to go with a Cynthia Rowley tunic/dress pattern with Silk Voile floral fabric. I may add some "fluttery" sleeves for some ummph. Pics of the finished garment are soon to follow :)

Serendipity.

I don't know where to begin. Lets start with my launch date, which should have been August 15th, it seemed like everything that could go wrong, went wrong. It took me forever to source last minute materials, and to top it off, the night I was working to get everything done, my car was broken into, and my ipod stolen.

I decided from that point to take a week off, detox, regroup, and resume finishing up my line once I was in better spirits. I can't create when there is too much angst in the air. So here we are. I have two necklaces to finish, a few earrings, and I will be ready to go, much sooner than later ;-)

Now on a brighter note...lets talk about the quirkiest soirée ever! Serendipity!! - I attended this live art exhibit at the Madera Design House with my chica Lo, and her BF Mike. They had sweet treats, live music, poetry, wine, soothsayers, it was sensory overload, in a good way of course.

Check out the flix (sorry for the poor quality, I took these pics with my crappy point and shoot);

Three More Days.

Until the launch of Frank & Myrrh! Still working day and night...revisiting old favorites, and scrapping some completely that didn't make the cut. Knowing me, I will be working up until the final hour!

It doesn't stop with the launch; no no...I am still working on a metal collection that will make it's debut in September, and a mens line that will also find it's way in Spring 2010.

Stay tuned.....

The Best Damn Entertainer PERIOD.

This Friday, I intend on pre-ordering The Michael Jackson Opus ($165 via Ticketmaster). This leather bound book, will be the first book officially released by Michael Jackson's estate, and is said to include exclusive photos, tributes, illustrations, and poems.

The books will begin to ship December 7th, and everyone who pre-ordered should have their copies of the Opus in their hot little hands by Christmas Day. What a lovely Christmas present to myself. I can't wait.

According to USA TODAY:

Kraken Opus reached out to Jackson last year through the singer's attorney Peter Lopez. "We wanted to tell the behind-the-scenes story of Michael Jackson the entertainer," Fowler says. The plan was to include Jackson's concerts at London's O2 Arena, which were set to start in July.

While Jackson was in rehearsals, he invited Kraken executives to his house in Los Angeles. When Fowler mentioned they were working on a Disney Opus, Jackson reacted "like a boy in a sweet shop. He asked if he could contribute and get a copy."

Lopez says Jackson was impressed by the Opuses' "sense of grandeur" and "expressed a definite desire to get on board." But Lopez and Kraken were still in negotiations when Jackson died June 25, which required the company to seek approval from his estate — and amend its strategy.

For the full article, visit USA TODAY.

No Better Time Than the Present.

And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.

- Anais Nin

Sweet Dreams or a Beautiful Nightmare.

Ok so things are getting a bit hectic around here. One week till launch, and my table is filled with unfinished work, and concepts! It is chaotic, I like to think of it as organized chaos. Even though I am launching August 15th, there is more work yet to be done. I will be introducing a line of metal pieces, and rustic over-the-top rings, with black diamonds (amongst other stones), and once those pieces are ready to go, it is back to the drawing board to work on pieces for my Spring 2010 collection.

Check out that pretty little fabric in the pics! I picked up tons of pretty voile' fabric which I will fashion into rosettes and folded roses for some of my vintage-inspired statement necklaces.

Hope.

"True hope dwells on the possible, even when life seems to be a plot written by someone who wants to see how much adversity we can overcome."

- Walter Anderson

Never Stop Moving.

Forgive me if these pics aren't the best, I took them with one eye open at 1AM - Here are a few pieces that were made in the studio last night. Only 9 more days until the launch of Frank & Myrrh!!!

Understated.

I got bored with beads & baubles last night, and started playing around with vintage sequins. I think some of these pieces have a very organic feel to them, the roughness of the sequins along with the daintiness of the chain lends a bit of a flirty feel to the finished product.

Still playing around with these concepts...