Meat Party

In Colombia for the holidays enjoying some quality time with mi familia and stuffing my face with arepas on a daily basis. Besides enjoying the a nice little rest and soaking up the holiday spirit, I have managed to eat an astounding amount of barbecue. No complaints here, the standard feast includes a heaping amount of guacamole, fresh grilled plantains, salted papas, a nice chunk of corn and meaaaaat!!! (view exhibit A)

Colombia is a beautiful place and I fall in love with a little more every time I have the opportunity to visit...

Making Things is Nice

One semester down. Really feeling inspired and a surge of creativity. Can't wait to dig deeper into textile design. Put together a little site with all my work.

Thankfulness

Thanksgiving went off with out a hitch - great company + even greater host, full bellies were achieved. I'm a thankful girl who loves her family and friends (+ fresh baguettes).

Let the holidays begin!

Pinch Me

Every morning when I open the door*, it's the same feeling...like walking into a dream.

Even after being here for a couple months, I wonder around wide-eyed overwhelmed with the beauty of my surroundings... I'm holding on to my Paris moments. It's been a busy couple of weeks but I can't wait to be a better lil' poster - write more / share more...


*This is my street + freshly decorated with christmas lights

L'Atelier de Henri

I had the opportunity to spend a lovely afternoon with my teacher Henri Matchavariani in his Paris studio or Atelier. It's always so interesting to step inside a creative space, it definitely plays an essential role in the artistic process.

It was a real treat to take a closer look at his oodles of work, check out his library, and enjoy some apple tart...Henri's graceful strokes are inspiring and he's truly a great teacher.

Sunday Stroll

A walk around the our hood in the Latin Quarter and then over to the Marais to stuff our selves silly at yummy L'as du Fallafel...I could walk this city for an eternity...

Sketches

I've been exercising my sketching skills. I really enjoy the process + although I usually stay away from sketching people, I'm working through it. I really have a soft spot for patterns and I had the chance to sketch some kimonos....really lovely.

Fashion Smashion

The first day I entered the classroom and saw the dummy forms, I smiled and thought, "wow, I'm really doing this"...

It's def. a tedious process, but very interesting. I have a new found appreciation for the fashion design process. Here's some quick shots from the classroom. My skirt looks a lil' gnarly, but hey - I mean I actually made it- cool stuff...

To flea or not to flea.....

Sundays are sacred. The day usually begins by burrowing into the sheets for as long as possible, followed by slumping out of bed at the last possible moment + sitting down for a proper breakfast. No rushing to classes, no worries about clients e-mailing, no nothing.

The best thing about the Sunday's here in Paris - is that they are all of the above, plus the open-air markets! This might be one of my favorite parts of my new Parisian life...and besides the regular fare from the boulangerie or patisserie, the flea markets are open for the picking.

This morning, I took a stroll with my buddy Chase through the Sunday flea market in the south of the city. I felt like I was walking through a treasure chest, such beautiful interesting objects everywhere I turned...

When I grow up...

My mind has been swirling lately... living in Paris is overwhelming inspiring and having the opportunity to push myself at school has been eye opening. With that in mind - I'm anticipating the next steps, wherever the wind blows me... I just want to make + share beautiful things.

Fingers crossed - we shall see...in the meantime, perhaps I can climb into the suitcase of this lucky man. What an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G gig!

Premiere Vision

Yesterday I had the opportunity of attending Premiere Vision. There were oodles + oodles of textiles (as you can imagine). One could easily spend days strolling through the exhibition center and not see half of it. It was a great introduction to commercial textiles.

I have to say by far my favorite part was hands-down Textprint, where newly graduated designers display their fresh work. All of the 24 students work was exceptional, from the graphic patterns, intricate weaving and sophisticated color palettes - it was truly an inspiration overload.


Above: Martha Steadman - Woven dress + Holly Flanagan – Beaded neck piece and dress.
PHOTOS VIA Fashion156.com

A Brief Intermission

Gosh- I've been a stinky lil' updater. Honestly, I've been deep in the grips of everyday life and adjusting to the many new lovely changes that surround me.

One of those changes is settling into my new life here in Paris, which includes, stuffing my face with baguettes, drinking far too much wine and learning to maneuver my way through the red tape. I've also just re-entered the school scene! I'll be spending the year at Parsons Paris focusing on textile arts. I hope to start posting some of newly discovered skills...stay tuned!

P.S. very excited to have the invite I worked on with IAAH featured on 100layercake's fantastique wedding blog -cool stuff!

Once upon a time in a town called Rüst...

Pardon my lack of posting, if anyone out there in the great wide inter-web has noticed a complete halt of posting. The summer has swept me away - far far away from dependable internet connections.

While I've been trekkin' around - I came across a little slice of wonder I wanted to share. The charming town of Rüst in Austria looks like every other little town - cobblestone streets, brightly colored houses, but all it takes is a quick glance up and something strange catches your eye....GIANT STORK NESTS! The skyline is filled with these huge silhouettes of bulky nests, with these large graceful birds poking out.

They fly Africa every summer and nest in Rüst - so if you ever find yourself meandering through Austria, check out this little gem.

Güten tag Vienna

There is something magical about Europe in the summer time. The open squares, grand architecture, museums and sipping wine at open cafes - it's a bit dreamy. We're taking full advantage of our geographical location + going on some adventures. Austria is the first stop, I was here many years ago and was very eager to return.

In addition to the deep history, I have to be honest the other major plus (and potential danger) is the foooood! I'm a girl who carefully plots the next meal - I live to eat. Being a super-duper foodie , this is a tempting place to be....they have cafes dedicated to selling just perfect little sacher torts and mozartkugeln everywhere you turn. I've also been having my fill of the grand Austrian schnitzel!! I think I just gained weight writing this....

London Town

Whenever possible, our feet are the preferred mode of transportation. We took full advantage of the sun shining in the sky this week with one epic walk. London is enchanting in the summer time, smiling people, full sidewalks, outdoor dining and all the green...

My hubs + I live in the southwest so we began by wandering through Fulham / up to South Kennsington / with grande-finale stroll through the lovely Hyde Park. After this 6 hour escapade we hopped on the Marble Arch Tube - to give our feet some deserved rest. Here's some highlights:

SEW the Possiblities...

When I was a just a little lady in high school I had the chance to take part in a class called Project Discovery. Nope- this class did not involve spacesuits or constellations, but rather in retrospect, a very progressive golden opportunity. The participating students had the chance to ask a question, any question (appropriate for an upstanding lady attending an all girl catholic high school) and then actively pursue an answer for a year + a half - resulting in a thesis paper + presentation of your discoveries in front of a panel of experts in the subject.

I've always loved to make things with my hands + I had just discovered Built by Wendy - I decided that my year + half would consist of learning how to sew + constructing a piece of haute couture (don't laugh). The result was one custom designed and constructed prom dress and yes indeed a wearable art piece (a fish skirt with hand painted scales + netting top - oh goodness).

Although I've since forgotten how to properly thread a bobbin + traded in sewing needles for a computer mouse - I think I'm ready to sit back down and give it a go. A spiffy new sewing machine should do the trick + Built by Wendy is still making me want to sew my heart out almost 10 years later!

Backpack Love

I was sitting here thinking about where in the world we were last year at this time...

Singapore. Lovely Singapore. We arrived as weary wide-eyed travelers - after being nomads for a couple months already. This was our first stop + starting point for South east Asia. There was a feeling of this tangible excitement as we wandered the streets, soaked in the new atmosphere + smells - as the soundtrack for the Beach played on loop in our heads. It was hot, sticky + we were ready to roam...