Life - What an Adventure!

This post is inspired by a friend of mine named Lauren.  She just said the other day "Oh Life, what an Adventure you are" and she is just so completely right.  Every time I'm with her time flies and I feel like I am truly living every moment (as I should) of my life!  If I haven't said it enough, you should go out and buy "The 4-Hour Work Week" by Timothy Ferriss.  She told me to get this book and it has changed my life - just wait and see!

I just wanted to list the amazing things that happened to me/I learned this weekend.  I apologize, dear readers, but as this is truly my diary I feel that I can be somewhat liberal, if a little selfish, at some points.

1. Had a few to many cocktails and was literally saved by Lauren.  (Thank you!)  Only amazing because it really made me realize what an amazing friend I have!

2. Learned what it feels like to work for something you truly believe in and what a rush it can be to work hard for "yourself."  (Or Lauren - who feels like part of me at this point.)

3. S'Mores make EVERYTHING better.  Thank you Ness, I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer - I can't wait to buy some glitter now too!

4. My husband loves me unconditionally.

5. Everyone has an interesting story and you can never judge a book by it's cover.  I suppose I already knew this.  But, when a 16 year old girl came up to our HopeClips booth at the Expo. this weekend and told us that three years ago she saved a young girl from a brothel in Mumbai - I learned it all again.  What an experience.  What an inspiration that she had that strength at 13.  She told us this because my friend Lauren just recently started HopeClips in an effort to profit share with Hopes and Dreams International, a non-profit currently trying to raise money to build a healing center in California for victims of child sex trafficking.  When I was 13, I worried what to wear to school - I'm glad I have my priorities straight now.

6. Eating at Carbone's changes everything.

7. Thai cooking class at ICE - sign-up now.  What fun with Sarah and Erin last night!

8. Joe's coffee makes my whole day better.

And I'll leave you with a photo my dad sent me last night.  Apparently my mom found it in an old box and I think it's the first time I've ever seen it.  I've always loved food...  (By the way, Mom - look how organized you were before you had two teenagers reck havoc on your life in the '90's and '00's!  We're sorry.)  I love you both very much.

Have a great day and enjoy this adventure you're on!

xoxo,

Alex

Wayne, NJ Flooding - & my 100th Post!

Do you have any photos from Northern NJ?  Leave a link in the comments below!

Thanks, xoxo,

Alex

Timothy Ferriss is my new God

I've been inspired to read again.

Much of my thanks really needs to go to my good friend (basically sister) Lauren, who told me to go out and buy this book (and should really get commission for all the people she's gotten to buy it!), but it is also Timothy Ferriss, the author of The 4-Hour Work Week that has changed my life...at least mentally...and at least so far just mentally.  I may not have implemented all the changes I want yet, but I am just beginning and all my friends know that I am the biggest dreamer there is...I never lose hope.  I know now more than ever that I just need to keep adding to my dreams, not crossing them off because I start to doubt myself and think they are unattainable, but crossing them off because I've actually done them.

First one on my list to accomplish: become fluent in Italian.

Speaking of which, it's time to get off line and work for myself.  I need to organize my design studio and spend another hour on Rosetta Stone.

Life is now - what are you waiting for?

xoxo,

Alex

Four new pairs of shoes...am I feeling lonely?

I think yes.  Please see evidence below (thank you DSW clearance!), which also sparked a cataloging session of every pair of shoes...I will now know how many I own...

Happy Sunday!
xoxo, Alex

True British - Temperley London

There she is - Alice Temperley - the amazing mind behind Temperley London and the newest collection; True British.  At her show at Milk Studios in NYC this week, Alice used mannequins once again to show off her collection.  I have to admit that I was confused at first.  As I was helping to dress the mannequins, I kept wondering why she wouldn't want to use models to show the movement and wearability of her beautiful designs.  But after struggling to get the clothes on to the clumsy, awkward (and obviously stiff) life-size dolls, I realized that she is a genius.  The more I stared at these clothes the more I fell in love with them.  They are so well made and designed that if a model just walked past me (and as quick as they do), I'm not sure if I would have appreciated them as much!

On the day of the show, when I was actually in Studio 4 helping to do the final set-up, I also learned about her inspiration; Norman Parkinson.  It seems a family friend happened upon a whole series of Norman's photos this past year.  Alice was so inspired by the photos that she based her entire collection around them and showed them to the world 20 years after his death.  The canvases hanging behind the clothes are directly inspired by Norman and taken in the same style.  In fact, I believe I was told that some of the models were the same models Norman shot in the 60s!  You wouldn't believe it by how vivacious they all looked!

After the canvases were initially made they were sent to India to be hand embroidered and beaded in the same manor as the dresses and leather jackets.  Some of the canvases were made "life-sized" so that the same exact beads could be used in the same proportion as the clothing on the canvases.  It was unbelievable to see the stitching on the back (especially loving to hand bead things as I do and I know how much work goes in to them!).  The reason so much time was spent on the canvases?

Yup, that's Annie Lennox!  She's a friend of Alice's and a huge supporter of Oxfam.  This summer, those canvases are going to be auctioned off with all proceeds going directly to the large organization.  A perfect pairing if you ask me.  (And I'd pay big bucks for the Lily Cole piece!)

Well, I've written too much and I'm terrible at editing - so I know I should stop here.  To see more photos, please visit my Flickr site.  Otherwise, good night and arrivederci, I shall speak with you soon.

xoxo,

Alex

Textile Playtime I

Just started my Spring 2010 classes at Parsons and in Textiles, we have to try manipulating fabric every week.  I have been "dying" to try out this Liquetex ink and here it is!  Very fun.  I definitely want to try it on some different fabrics...I'll try to post more photos when I do!  GO DO!

G'night!

~ Alex

Secret Life?

What is it with this show?  I can't seem to stop watching...it's a terrible show, but I really like it!

"Falling in love, is such an easy thing to do..."

Oh gosh, these awful, awkward conversations.  Did I ever have these as a teenager?  How old are these actors anyway?

I...lost my thought and I'm still hooked.

Happy 2010!

(Taking a walk in the snow in 2009.)

Dear Friends and Family,

It’s about time for our late Holiday Card again…or maybe we should be more optimistic and say that we are just always going to send a New Years Card.  So, HAPPY 2010!

James and I cannot believe how quickly this year has gone by.  We finally feel settled in to our new home and we are really having fun decorating it.  (Although we have yet to paint a single room!)  The cats; Leo and Tank, have really started to feel settled as well, and actually seem to enjoy their car trips up to Connecticut to visit my parent’s house.  (My mother now lovingly calls herself Grandma…and I’m still trying to get used to it.)  [Thank you to my Mom and Dad who have been amazing this year by taking care of our cats when we had to suddenly leave and because they always let us take them to visit CT and play in their house and cottage - their favorite place on Earth!]

James has moved offices again now from Fairfield to Montville and won an award as a part of the Bayer Team for Best International Trial at the Clinical Exit Awards (an Industry event in London).  It seems his position will include more travel in the New Year and I’m hoping I’ll be able to tag along every once and awhile.  We shall see.  He has also been enjoying playing both soccer and cricket and practicing yoga with work colleagues…along with picking-up a guitar and rocking out in our home at sporadic moments (I love it!).

I’ve started my official course of study at Parsons this fall and am going towards an AAS degree in Fashion Design while continuing to work full-time at The New School.  80% of the AAS program participants already have a BA/BS, so it’s filled with people who know this is what they want to do with their lives – truly inspiring – and are also working other jobs outside of fashion.  I love it and it’s great to feel passionate about art again.  I took Fashion Drawing I and Construction I: Sewing.  My final projects were a 10-piece fashion illustration portfolio and a “please-be-perfectly-sewn” dress.  (So much better than a paper or exam, in my mind!)  I’ve also recently taken-up horseback riding again.  I’ve just started learning how to jump for the first time and it is truly exhilarating!

In the New Year I will be continuing classes (by loading myself with four in the spring, including Italian!) and horseback riding as well as doing an Internship in Visual Display at Anthropologie in the summer!  I will also continue to design and hand-sew jewelry for ChelCNYC.com as well as work on my Etsy Sites and Blog.  Oh, and I crazily signed-up for a mini triathlon in September 2010 with Laura; one of James’ good friends from the UK who also happens to live in NJ.  James is hoping to take some music lessons (most likely guitar) in Manhattan and getting back in to climbing and swimming again.  He is also considering a Masters Program and is just beginning to look at his options.

We are both very excited for what 2010 may bring (besides our three year anniversary) and feel bittersweet about 2009 passing us by.  We were very saddened by the loss of James’ brilliant father Rodney this year.  His smile and great hugs will be deeply missed. On the other hand, we are thrilled by the welcoming of our nephew Harry James Whatton to James’ brother Mark and his wife Maria on May 18, 2009.  (Sharing my own father’s birthday!)  He is tall and thin and shows a tinge of red in his hair, which is of course adorable!  James and I instantly fell in love with him this past year.  And Mark and Maria are doing their best to train us in all things children (but we’re not ready yet!)!  We think we may be making more than one trip to the UK from now on! ;)

My brother Eric and his wife Kelly Dean joined us for Thanksgiving this year in CT at our parent’s house and we had a brilliant time.  We wish we could see more of them and we are hoping to plan a trip to Colorado to visit in the beginning of 2010.  (Especially for some skiing and snowboarding!)

Please keep us in mind if you are traveling by or through Northern New Jersey and have a WONDERFUL NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION!  (And please pass this on to anyone whom you think may want to read it!)

Sincerely (and with much love), Alex and James (Bill)

Happy Halloween!

The view from my back door - this flowers are beautiful!  I'm thrilled with this burst of color - especially with all the dreary rain days we've had lately.  (One photo of the mums is for sale on my MarthaHaskins Etsy site - click here.)  Both Leo and Tank are enjoying this lazy Saturday morning as well, although little do they know that we will be sewing and painting and gluing in just a bit to get ready for tonight!  Oh, wait, now they are wrestling....I love weekends.  Here's another one of these crazy photos I took the other day (a few are posted on facebook).  I thought it was appropriate for today.  Happy Halloween!

~ Alex

Hello Sunday Morning

Ahh, Sunday Morning - cup of coffee, watching my favorite show and enjoying the rainy day.

If you don't know what show I'm referring to - you are truly missing out. CBS Sunday Morning is the one show I loathe to miss each week. Charles Osgood is fantastic. (Link here.) Right now, they are discussing nerds and how the "lines are blurring." YAY! THE BIG BANG THEORY! Perfect. Definitely cooler than being "hip and vapid." Ha!

See - no matter what, it's all about confidence.

I also went to Lucky Cheng's last night and Kush Lounge. (Click the names for links and addresses in NYC.) What a blast. Happy birthday Ness! Wish I could have stayed later, but we'll definitely do it again.

Speaking of which, just spoke with my hubby in England, and we are ready for ski season and a trip North (or West!)! Scared for my little nephew having a cold in the hospital right now, but holding strong for him. He's a fighter.

Now it's Where The Wild Things are - must watch.

Fight little nephew, fight.

Love to all and everyone - hug those around you today. (Even those kitties!)

~ Alex

PS:

Twitter Obsessed

I am pathetically in love with Twitter. Did you know Governor Schwarzenegger tweets?! It's fantastic, especially since right now he is angry because his wife Maria was caught talking on her cell phone while driving - twice (thanks TMZ) - and he signed a bill making it illegal!

Oh Twitter, you amaze me with your information.

~ Alex

Ruminating

Homework on a friday night and a holiday weekend. I wish I were shopping, can't stand these stupid emails I have to deal with, and want to be home in bed. When oh when will you figure out that I'm not going to take this crap from you? I can't even believe this is how you deal with people. I've never felt so affronted in my life and it's the first time I've met you...ever. Who are you? Or better yet, who do you think you are? You definitely don't know me at all, so please stop making assumptions and wise-up. We won't take it anymore.

Now to make myself happy by sewing the night away with some good friends. Have a great weekend people!

~ Alex

Leo & Tank Part II

Leo & Tank Part I

Michael Kors Spring 2010 Model Mantra!

Trying to apply this to myself today...and every day forth!

~ Alex