Making a Clutch Purse: The Humorous Side of Getting Started

I wanted to creatively challenge myself with a project while my son and husband were away for a few days in Las Vegas (I will be joining them later in the week for Thanksgiving at his parents house).  After my friend gifted me with a handmade velvet drawstring purse (seen here), I decided that I would try my hand at making a clutch purse.  I found a great pattern on Better Homes & Gardens:  Clutch Purse with Antique Pin Closure.  I had very pretty heavy fabric remnants left over from my “French Boudoir” bedroom project that have been sitting around for awhile.  I just couldn’t bear to throw them out, so I’m glad that this project has given these bits of pretty fabric new purpose.

On Saturday, I went to my local JoAnn’s Fabric and Craft store to pick up some materials that I needed in addition to the fabric I already had.  As I was waiting for the clerk to cut the interfacing fabric at the cutting table, I asked where I could find an item that I needed.  Here is how the conversation went:

Me to the store clerk:  “Excuse me, do you have ‘3/4 inch wide sew on hook & loop tape’?”
Clerk:  “I’m not sure what that is…”
Customer next to me in line:  “That would be ‘Velcro’.”
Me & the clerk:  “Ah…”

Does that bode well for my project?  I cut all the fabric, so I guess I’m in too deep now.  Barring any other little mental pauses, I will be posting pictures as I complete this seemingly daunting project.

Confirmed: Alan Wilder to Remix a Song on the New Depeche Mode Remix Album

This update is from Side-Line.com (article dated Nov 13 2010).  Very exciting!

Alan Wilder to remix Depeche Mode track for new remix album

Side-Line has received positive confirmation that Alan Wilder (Recoil and ex-Depeche Mode) is indeed to remix a Depeche Mode track for a forthcoming Depeche Mode remix-abum, planned for 2011. First launched as a mere rumour, we received solid info that the remix is indeed a fact. In related news, Vince Clarke from Erasure fame tweeted back in October that he had done a “Behind The Wheel” remix. Which could mean that the upcoming Depeche Mode remix album will be the first ever ‘reunion’ CD so to speak featuring all 5 (ex)-members of Depeche Mode, one way or another.

According to Depechemode.de Wilder would have picked a track from the band’s current release “Sounds of the Universe” with “In chains” being the final choice.

(Photo taken at the M-Theory Records signing on 10.23.2010)

Holiday Goodness: Eggnog Cookies

I saw this recipe by Lauren Conrad (“The Hills”) in my latest People StyleWatch.  I love the Starbucks Eggnog Latte, so I’m up for anything with eggnog in it.  I always tend towards very fragrant recipes for my desserts and this one is right up there.  My whole kitchen smelled of nutmeg and cinnamon goodness.  These little cookies taste even better than I could describe.  I guess you could say they’re like a gourmet Snickerdoodle.  Either way, this is just about as perfect a holiday cookie as you can get.

EGGNOG COOKIES
 
2  1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp + 1 tbsp ground nutmeg
1  1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup salted butter, softened
1/2 cup eggnog
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 large egg yolks

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg. Mix well with a wire whisk and set aside.

In a large bowl, cream sugar and butter with an electric mixer to form a grainy paste. Add eggnog, vanilla, and egg yolks. Beat at medium speed until smooth.

Add the flour mixture to the eggnog mixture, and beat at low-speed until just combined. Do not over mix (Note: I just folded the ingredients and did not use a mixer).

Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets (Note: I did grease the sheets with the remaining salted butter), 1 inch apart. Sprinkle lightly with 1 tbsp nutmeg.  Bake for 23-25 minutes or until bottoms turn light brown.

Immediately transfer to cool flat surface with a spatula.   Makes 2 dozen.

Enjoy! 

Homemade & Vintage

The colder weather is finally here and I’m turning some of my summer maxi-dresses into winter wear by combining them with cardigans in all incarnations, scarves and boots. 

I read a definition of “vintage clothing” as anything dated from the 1920’s to the 1980’s.  That means anything that I owned as a teenager has become “vintage”.  I could either stay horrified or just embrace the fact that I have some orignal “vintage” pieces in my wardrobe that I didn’t buy in a thrift store or re-sale shop.  So the sweater I’m wearing is actually from the late 80’s, given to me as a gift.  I removed the broken buttons, so the sweater has this homemade feel to it.  It is now going to be a model for one of the things I aspire to knit someday.

Speaking of homemade things, my friend made the cute drawstring purse I’m holding.  She made a scarf from an old velvet dress, then used the sleeves to make a couple little purses and gave one to me as a gift.  I absolutely love it!  Now one of my future endeavors is to make purses out of some fabric remnants that I have left over from a previous room decor project.  I’ll feature my work in future posts.  In the meantime, I told her that her awesome little purse would make an appearance or two in some of my pictorials.

Outfit:  Cotton On floral maxi-dress; 80’s vintage knit sweater; Jessica Simpson boots; handmade velvet drawstring purse

Photos by Deon Chen

Too Good to be True: Will Alan Wilder Remix Depeche Mode?

I saw this on depeche-mode.com (a site called HOME, not the official site), and I really hope it’s true (the post is dated Nov 5 2010):

Alan Wilder remixes Depeche Mode *updated*

Alan Wilder joins Vince Clarke on the list of people who’ve done remixes for the forthcoming Depeche Mode remix album, tentatively set for release early next year. The two Mode legends’ involvement signal a very interesting project is in the works. Also rumoured to be included in the project are YeasayerThe Yeah Yeah Yeahs!, Brandon Flowers and Arcade Fire. More details should be trickling through in the coming weeks.

(Photo taken at the M-Theory Records signing on 10.23.2010)

Hand Knit

Once upon a time, I learned how to knit. Sara, one of my dearest friends, was knitting like a bandit a few years ago.  She made me a couple of scarves, and I absolutely fell in love with them.  As a gift, she bought me the book “Stitch ‘N Bitch” as a tribute to my getting started, and off I went. I think I knitted 20 scarves that year for Christmas or birthday gifts. I vowed to move on from there to start knitting hats, arm warmers, blankets and sweaters (eek)!

I never moved past the scarves.

I recently wore a pair of knitted arm warmers I bought from Topshop around five years ago, and someone asked me if I made them. Sadly, I had to admit that I didn’t, but now I feel like I should know how to make them!  I’ve also been seeing the “Infinity” scarves everywhere in all kinds of incredible knits, and I know in my knitting heart of hearts that I can make those.  I’m going to practice my stitches again, starting with a garter stitch scarf (because that is the easiest stitch), just to get back into the groove of knitting again.  Once I get the hang of it, I’ll be able to really let my creativity flow.

This really isn’t a true “How To” in that I’m not showing you how to knit anything.  However, here are some pictures of a couple of scarves I made a few years ago.  I’ll also start posting pictures of knitted things that I like and aspire to make someday.  I’m also starting some new projects that I’ll share with you all in the next few weeks (not all knitting, but just as creative). 

Photos by Deon Chen

Trainspotting

This weekend, Dominic went on his very first train ride at the Balboa Park Railroad Station, courtesy of one of his little buddy’s birthday party.  I remember going to the same little train when I was a kid (which is right next to the world-famous San Diego Zoo).  So many memories resurfaced, and it made me miss my father even more because I would have loved to have seen him take his grandson to do the same thing with him as he did with me and my sister. 

Dominic has a little train that he rides at home and he’s always saying “Choo-choo!”  I knew he would have a blast riding the train.  My son is definitely an observer, so he sat so quietly, taking everything around him in.  After we finally rode on the train, he ran back and wouldn’t leave the little station. 

Outfit:  H&M t-shirt; Gap for Kids pants; Converse sneakers; Target knit hat

Warm Up With A Whooga Boot Contest & Discount!

I’m sure many people out there have some kind of form of ugg boot (I have a couple of pairs myself).  If you want to keep warm for the winter and stay stylish, there is a great contest at Whooga Ugg Boots to win a pair every month when you sign up for their VIP newsletter.  The great thing about the contest is that it is open to any country.  Click here to sign up and win your pair!

If the chilly weather is just too much for you to take and can’t wait to see if you won, Any Second Now readers also have a special discount.  Enter 8592ndnow at check out to get 10% off your purchase (for 1 week only).  They ship to a variety of countries and provide prices in Euros, Dollars and Pounds Sterling.   Click the picture to get to the main site. 

Whooga Ugg Boots are ranked consistently as the most comfortable ugg boots around due to their ThermoFleece lining, which makes them more plush.  The only way to find out is to enter the contest or try a pair yourself with the discount code.  If you do, let me know what you think by leaving a comment. 

Good luck to those entering the contest and have a warm and wonderful weekend!

(FTC disclosure:  While all opinions belong fully to Any Second Now, I did receive compensation for its publication.)

Links à la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup for November 11, 2010

(Thanks again IFB for featuring my blog in this week’s Links a la Mode!)

Behind the clothes

Edited by: Florrie Clarke of Intrinsically Florrie

It’s war of the underwear this week! What can lingerie do for our figures, what does body shaping underwear say about our feminist principles and how does our choice actually affect our health?

The post that will stay with me this week is The Button Owl’s, which broke my heart. Fashion isn’t just about vanity, but how we present ourselves to the world and this is all the more important when you have troubles to hide.

Links à la Mode: November 11th

  • Any Second Now: Is it really practical financially to buy high-end clothing for children? Parents can be creative and frugal with wardrobe for their kids.
  • Bachman’s Sparrow: Heels usually get all the glory when it comes to fashion, but in this post I want to show you a few ways to kick the heel habit.
  • Be Fabulous Daily: Why I’m throwing away my Spanx (and what I replaced them with… it’s not entirely self-love).
  • Fashezine: 4 ways to wear a basic American Apparel shirt, illustrated photography included.
  • Forever Amber: Channeling Joan Holloway.
  • Haute World: Deliciously fashionable: edible couture & more at Salon du Chocolat in Paris.
  • Independent Fashion Bloggers: The Copywriting Scorecard for Fashion Bloggers
  • Intrinsically Florrie: Dress success and another reason why I love the online fashion community.
  • Love of Lace: A Lesson In Style From Europe: A comparison between ‘Secrets of French Girls’ and North American style.
  • Modly Chic: How to read your google analytics and make blogging decisions based on your findings.
  • Out of Order: Do-It-Yourself pom-pom headbands.
  • Perfectly Indecisive: Pushing your fashion boundaries in summer (for those just heading into Summer not Winter)
  • Retro Chick: Lingerie Love – Retro Shapewear from Gok Wan.
  • Seamstress Stories: Can I wear a corset and still be a feminist?
  • Simple Subtle Style: The Art of Layering for Winter.
  • Style Every Day: How to travel with your jewelry.
  • Style Geek: Interview with Dallas-Based Designer Sarah Jones of STATUS Talking about her line, how she started & the Dallas fashion scene.
  • Style Symmetry: How To Purge & Pare Down Your Closet.
  • Sweet Faced Style: Translating art into a look: An ode to Flaming June in an orange dress.
  • The Button Owl: My best friend began dying when she was eleven years old as a result of kinder failure; “clothes are my defense”.
  • The Demoiselles There’s talk of creating a “Photoshop Law” for fashion adverts. What do you think?

SPONSOR:

Shopbop Dresses: Thayer, Milly,Rory Beca, Theory, Spanx, Shopstyle, Veda, Thakoon, Ports1961, Ella Moss

PLEASE READ IF YOU’D LIKE TO PARTICIPATE:

If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

Black & Velvet

Velvet during the day is something that I’ve been wearing for a while, so I’m embracing the current trend and diving in.  I bought this jacket at H&M 6 years ago in Toronto, long before we had any available in San Diego.  It’s held up so well over the years, and I’ve worn it casual as seen here, and dressed up with shiny skirts and sequined dresses.  Today, I matched with stripes, dark denim leggings, and a nice big patent leather purse.  The weather has officially cooled, so now is the time to take advantage of layering with jewel tones and lush textures.

Outfit:  H&M velvet jacket; Express striped shirt; Miss Selfridge necklace (bought in London); Forever 21 ring; American Rag denim leggings; Mixx booties; Perlina purse

Photos by Deon Chen