_ _ _Running_ _Stitch_ _ _

A Mad Hatter Tea Party Stylist

This morning when you woke up - things were different.  

The air was fresh because the window by your bedside was open and a cool breeze was coming in.  You could smell something sweet... like little frosted cakes.

You stepped out of bed and onto a cold wooden floor, slipped on your robe and slowly approached the curious oak wardrobe over in the corner of the room.  The hinges creaked as you pulled the doors open.  Like I said - things were different - and the things inside looked so unfamiliar.

Such curious things....

LunarraStar on Etsy left this sweet little teapot necklace dangling from a hook on the inside of the door.  It was sparkling in the light that came through the window.  You slipped it around your neck - excited to see what else lie before you within the curious wardrobe.

Luckily for your cold feet, a beautiful pair of ballet slippers were left on the bottom of the wardrobe...

HydraHeart lined them in pink satin - perfect for a spring morning, exploring the contents of an old oak wardrobe... (and wow!  they fit perfectly!).

Hanging from the three hooks within the wardrobe were three different dresses just begging to be tried on... so... you did.  What girl could resist??

The first one was a delicate little babydoll dress, partially constructed from a vintage slip.

It was left in the wardrobe by imyourpresent, with love.

Hanging from the second hook was an intricately detailed and futuristic jumper, handmade by emilyryan.

You tried it on and felt otherworldly.

On the third hook was an incredibly special ruffly party dress.

It was placed into the wardrobe by katetowers.

You don't know how these treasures appeared in your wardrobe - or what is so unreal about the day - but you know that you never want it to end.  A gust of wind swirls into the room and pushes one of the doors to the wardrobe shut.  On the floor, you see another treasure.

FIAZCO has left a silk-lined clutch!  You knew this had completed your outfit for the day and you should make your way down for morning tea.  It is, after all, your un-birthday!

Today will be a little different... as you had sensed... it will be full of crazy mad tea parties from coast to coast to coast.  Stories and photos and inspiration will be shared between friends and strangers alike.

Be sure to enjoy the tea party, as mad as it may be.

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Little Girl Big World - Episode 16

Friday, June 23, 2006

Life always works itself out, no matter how much we think we are in control.  

I knew I took the InfoMat internship for a reason.  It found me what I really wanted: to work with a designer up close and personal.

I start at InfoMat and its alright but it doesn't really get me excited.  Then I am introduced to Marcus, to Witness, and I am excited about life again!  THIS is why I'm here.  THIS is why I went to school!  

Because I was right all along.  Right now he's down at the bottom, he's got good stuff but he's gotta sell it.  He needs customers.  He needs to grow.  It's not glamorous yet, but he's got so much room for potential and that is the exciting part.  I'm getting to see a new brand develop right before my very eyes.  Could there possibly be a better "internship" opportunity for an aspiring designer than to see someone else actually DO it?!  I would never have found this opportunity by just passing out resumes.  It was InfoMat that handed this to me, so in return I will continue to put my all into my work at InfoMat... but I am also going to put my super duper all into working with Marcus and Terry.  

The things I learn from them will be absolutely priceless, because it's genuine and totally candid.  It won't be exaggerated, summarized, standardized, generalized or anything.  It is what it is, which is exactly what I want to know! 

Thank you InfoMat, and thank you gut in which I put my trust.  It's the weekend and I'm gonna work.  Not that I necessarily must, but I'd rather get as much done as I can so I'm not scrambling at the end.  Plus I'm gonna go help Marcus and Terry.  

Little Girl Big World - Episode 15

Thursday, June 22, 2006

After hard times, it is hard to get back into the mindset of a normal day.  I still drift into the events that have just unfolded, and feel sad.  I had a little break from work, I left last Wednesday after a cute little birthday party for Amber and I.  I took the Amtrak from New York Penn Station down to Exton where Dad and Bree picked me up and took me home.  

We celebrated Matthews birthday with cake and presents, I can't believe he is 11.  That is how old I was when he was born.  That's amazing.  I remember the first day I saw him, and held him in my arms.  He farted a lot, it was disturbing.  But at that age I was old enough to appreciate the beauty of a new baby, and I truly adored this new addition to our family.  Now I am so proud to call him my brother because he is so smart and creative and a talented artist, and he has the best sense of humor, and accomplished all this by the ripe old age of 11.  I am excited to see what kind of a wonderful man he will grow into.  

The day after Matt's birthday was Bree's graduation.  I went and took lots of pictures (from far in the stands in the dusk with a bad flash) and called mom during the band so she could hear him play "Pomp and Circumstance", which made her cry.  

Turns out, he skipped out on the band so he could just graduate with everyone else (smart choice, I'd do the same, way to go fellow slacker Bree), so we have many pointless pictures of the band, hoping to capture a shot of Bree.  

The morning after was Saturday, and our day to drive to Michigan.  It was fairly uneventful, arriving on time and safely, to Aunt Molly and Uncle Kevins.  Me and Bree stayed there, and everyone else stayed at the Hampton Inn.  I'm glad we got to say with Aunt Mol, shes so hospitable and her house is beautiful.  I really look up to her, she is on top of everything, in charge, in control, organized, clean, funny, successfull with friends family and work, anything and everything that seems to make a person a good role model is in her.  

Grandpa's Funeral was, in summary, absolutely beautiful.  

I have never been to, or seen, or heard of such a wonderful ceremony to say goodbye to a loved one.  It's not something I've ever though about, or like to think about, but now that I've experienced a funeral in that way, I wouldn't want any others any other way.  It was so personal and meaningful and moving and not only did it truly allow us to say goodbye to Grandpa but as a family it brought us closer.  I will never forget the sound of those bagpipes in my ears, and the image of each beautiful cousin of mine setting their single yellow rose into the basket.  I will never forget the sight of the deep RED rose laying on top of all the yellow roses, from all the love in Grandma's heart to Grandpa.  Katie's voice.  Grandmas tears.  Father Phung telling Grandma to place her hand over her heart as a memory of Grandpa comes flooding back, when she starts to feel the deep pain of her lonliness for him, and in her heartbeat she will feel the beat of his heart and his love for her, and he will be with her.  I will truly never be the same because of this, because of Grandpa, because I have seen true love exist and I have seen the importance of the family unity that we have and I will always strive to maintain that among all my family and my friends.  

The day after the funeral was my 22nd birthday.  22 and nothing feels new.  Maybe it does feel new, I'm one step closer to life.  

Now I am back in New York.  

Heidi and I went to Little Italy for dinner (which she ended up insisting on paying for, as a birthday present) and it was great because we were there during this motorcycle thing that happens once a year where 3,000 of them ride in to Little Italy and eat dinner, on their trip through New Jersey and New York to raise money for hospitals.  This was told to us by our waiter who didn't know all the exact details but insisted we sit outside and eat so we can watch.  It was cool and I got some pictures for Dad because I know he'd enjoy seeing it. 

 Bed is calling my name.

Some say tomorrow is just one step closer to death, I say tomorrow is just one step closer to life.

Twenty Five

Today... I turn 25!!

I won't consider myself old.  I won't consider myself young.  I will consider myself on the journey.  

Twenty years ago I was about to start Kindergarten.

Ten years ago I was acting a fool as a crazy teenager.

Five years ago I was running around trying to figure out what I wanted to BE when I grew up.

And today?  

I'm twenty five.

The Great North

I'm from a little northern Michigan town called Alpena, if you didn't know.

I'm going to be making the journey up there for a 5 day weekend with two of my best friends since childhood.  We have a reunion every year, switching locations each time, and this time we're going back to where it all began!

See you when I return!

Slowly But Surely

I have been slowly and steadily working on a new project.

I did mention, a long time ago really, that I was going to get an Etsy shop up and running.  I do mean it and I really AM going to - but it's not a fast and easy process, considering all the hours I work at my "real" job.  I have a hundred different ideas of things I could make but there has been one idea that I just can not get out of my head and so this is the one I am going to start with.  

I won't give it all away but I can give a little sneak preview.  If anything - to push myself to keep going.  It's hard to get home from an 11 hour work day and then pick back up on a project but that is what I have been doing for a few weeks now and I hope that by Fall I can have enough product to put into my shop officially!

Little Girl Big World - Episode 14

Friday, June 09, 2006

Today at work, at 10:30, Brian called me and told me that Aunt Mary just called to say that the doctors gave Grandpa one hour left to live.  So I worked for a little while trying not to get upset over it.  I was okay until Grace came in and saw that I looked like I'd been crying and she looked concerned.  You know that when someone asks you if you're going to be okay or something similar and that's the tipping point that makes you break down and finally cry.  So that's pretty much what happened.  So she told me I should definitely take the day away from work to just have time to grieve.

  It was noon and I hadn't heard anything from anyone, and I was worried since it had been over an hour.  But then I talked to Dad and he said that grandpa was still alive, but just barely hanging on.  He called there and they put the phone up to Grandpas ear so Dad could just tell him he loves him and is so proud of him and Dad said he could hear Grandpa struggling for his breaths.  Grandma and most of the Aunts and Uncles were right at his bedside, and a priest came and said some prayers with them.  Then Grandma told Grandpa that she gives him permission to go...and he did.  He took a deep breath and then he was gone.  It's like, he was just hanging there at the edge of physical existence until Grandma was ready for him to go.  I didn't know you could actually just will yourself to die.  

He passed away at what Dad said was 3:02pm.  I heard at about 3:15.  Dad told me that about 2 days ago when Grandpa could still talk, Aunt Julie was there with him and he said to her that it meant the world to him when I went and visited them those past two times when he was really sick, in the winter and then right before they moved.  I'm so unbelievably glad that I did.  It was not easy to be with him while he was so sick but it was so so so worth it.  

This week was utterly emotionally draining.  Not that it's just bad things.  Births and deaths are paired I know, but seriously man.  Each day of the month this month almost there was a birthday or a death.  Aunt Claire's birthday was the 1st, Brian's the 2nd, Eric's bday on Monday the 5th, Spanky died Wednesday morning, Kathy's twins were born Thursday afternoon, today Grandpa died (which still looks and feels terrible just to type, like it didn't actually happen or something), and tomorrow is Megan's birthday, and then Sunday is Amber (the other interns) birthday, Matthews birthday then is the 15th and Bri graduates from High School on the 17th, Fathers Day is the 18th and Grandpas funeral is the 19th and my birthday is the 20th.  June is just too much.  The 19th is Grandma and Grandpas 58th anniversary. Grandma wanted his service to be that day, like the closing of a book. I guess it is "perfect" but it's just terribly sad.  And sad they can't actually spend it truly together.  

I will be missing a few days of internship to go to Michigan for Grandpa so I think I will just work Saturdays so I will not have to stay here any later than I have to.  Too expensive and its Dads money so I don't want to drag this on.  I just want to get out of here and be with family and be at the lake with them, then go back and be with my Evan.  Grace was so unbelievably amazing to me today.  She's like a little angel that just flew in and held my hand.  I wish she wasn't leaving so soon, her last day at InfoMat is Monday.  I'm sad and I barely know her!  But it doesn't take much to know that she is just an amazing person just from how she's been for me today.  I need to get her something to thank her.  Man my eyes sting from crying and I haven't cried in hours.  

Grandpa thank you for all you have given and done for me and for everyone in our whole big family.  

Did you know Abe Lincoln was Jewish?  Yeah!  He got shot in the Temple!

That was his favorite joke. 

Little Girl Big World - Episode 13

Thursday, June 08, 2006

Writing is definitely not a daily occurrence anymore.  

I've discovered other ways to occupy my time.  I'm gonna start actually doing things now, I've heard from enough people that have been here much longer than those I've been taking advice from (Evan and Dad) that we are in a very populated and safe and policed area.  I'm not gonna wander at 2AM, but I'll go around town with friends.  At least on weekends.  I can hang out here on weeknights but the weekends are mine for cryin out loud.

  Well anyway to occupy myself for these awesome weekday nights I got a book "The Devil Wears Prada" and it's really hilarious.  It's about the fashion industry and she pokes fun of all the great things to laugh at in the fashion world.  

Oh man I never even said what happened yet!  Courtney gave me a Prada skirt that doesn't fit her anymore!!  I was shocked!  I don't even know what to do with it, its so delicate!  It's light yellow silk and so fragile and nice looking.  It's probably see-through come to think of it so I don't know when or how the heck I'm gonna wear it, but for now until I figure that out, it looks great in my closet hanging above my payless shoes!  They also gave me a $65 book/magazine of Bangkok fashion, it's amazing!  Oh yeah I also bought a sketch pad and some colored pencils and paint because I need a creative outlet so I don't go insane.  

Lots of things have been going on lately.  Grandpa is really really sick at this point.  Dad said he has not drank anything in three days.  And yesterday morning before the kids were about to leave for school, little old Spanky our dog died. Brian called me when he was at lunch and I was sitting in my desk at work about to start a project for Nate and he told me about it and I just couldn't not cry right there.  I expected him to go soon, but I just feel so sad for Teresa, and for the little kids who have never experienced death yet.  Soon they'll have to do it again unfortunately.  I'd say Brian and I were the closest grand kids to gram and gramp Dean, because we lived so close we used to have weekends with them all the time.  And they are so sweet and in love it just breaks my heart to think what Grandma is going through right now.  Her sweetheart is gripping life by a thread, I cannot imagine that feeling.  I don't want to.  I want to do something meaningful for her but I don't know what yet.  I wish I could publish her book...  

Today I had dinner with the funniest girls ever.  Last night I was getting some Junior Mints out of the vending machine and they got stuck so this one girl helped me get them out.  Then on my way down to dinner she was in the elevator too and we introduced ourselves, and then she invited me to eat with her so I did.  The girl she was eating with is the girl that looks JUST like cousin Jane.  She even talks and moves like her.  It is crazy.  And  seriously this girl is hilarious! She has a personality like the kind you only find once in a while, and you never forget because they can always make you laugh and the conversation is never totally serious.  That's not even the crazy part.  She's from Michigan!  She's a fashion student from Eastern.  Yah!  A small world.  

I heard a noise.

It sounded like a gun shot.

I saw a guy standing in the middle of the sidewalk hunched over with drool hanging out of his mouth like he was vomiting, but he was not moving at all.  Drug withdrawal?  Overdose?  It's NYC.

And I saw a dog shitting on the metal grates on the sidewalk.

I saw a pirate on my way back from SoHo.

I saw a clown in the elevator again.

I heart New York.

Zombie Walk Columbus 2009

On Saturday, June 6th 2009 - a hoard of hundreds of flesh eating Zombies walked the streets of Columbus, Ohio.  They gathered at the south east end of Goodale Park - bringing with them blood, brains and... non-perishable food items??  

Zombies of all ages congregated in the park and as a group they walked through the city causing a dramatic yet peaceful spectacle.  

They were on a mission.

They caught the attention of photographers, reporters and even innocent onlookers just going about their day.

This annual event grows larger each year as it catches the attention of people who see it unexpectedly as they are having dinner at their favorite restaurant or just driving down the street.  The zombies were mostly welcomed with laughter and smiles and photography.  A few were shocked and confused.

A squadron was sent out to try and shoot them down - but the zombies were relentless in their mission to walk the city.

To see all of my photos from the Zombie Walk - 

go to my Flickr.

To see more photos taken by others during the walk - 

check out the Zombie Walk photo pool on Flickr.

Little Girl Big World - Episode 12

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Today was a great day.  

Thank god for weekends!  I was going to go to work today, but I'm actually just going to go in tomorrow instead.  

Today I went to stores for more "market research".  Heidi needed to do some too, so we went to Bloomingdales and Bergdorf Goodman.  I love Bergdorfs!  Last time I was there I looked only at the Lingerie stuff, but this time I looked at the actual "Modernist" Designers (thats what they call them) which was like, Alexander McQueen and stuff!  Ughhhhhhhhh Heidi and I were drooling over everything and studying every stitch and pleat!!  Oh my gosh, I know I'm in the right area of study, because when I finally get a chance to be really in and surrounded by fashion I feel so great and so inspired!  I don't feel like shopping I feel like designing!  This is it for me, nothing else in life will ever make me happy (as far as a career goes).  Of course other stuff makes me happy, tons of things make me happy, but for a job... everything else just sounds... gross.  

(Make an ugly outfit in H&M contest. Heidi wins.)

When we were at Bloomingdales looking at the Contemporary Sportswear we wandered into the BCBG section and Heidi found a shirt that used the smocking technique that Evan's Mom taught me to use for the waistband of that skirt for my 2006 fashion show, and Heidi also used it but a little differently for the waistband of her dress!  

Then I saw some pants like the ones I made for the fashion show but they were in pinstriped suiting fabric.  Mine were cuter!  :P.  

When we were at Bergdorf we went up to the Eveningwear and that was craaaaazy!  Some of the dresses were like hideous 80's prom dresses, and then some were absolutely fabulous hand beaded embroidered elegant works of art.  We touched the most expensive piece of clothing we have ever seen.  It was a dress that was apparently in a collection of all one of a kind gowns but this one was the most expensive out of any price tag I looked at in that whole place.  The average price we were seeing was like 3, 4, or 5 thousand dollars (which is a lot) but this one was astonishingly more!  It was over $11,000!  I can't believe it man.  It was pretty, but not THAT pretty.  I can see how the ones at the Met could be that much because some of them were amazing... way more amazing than this thing.  But the best part was that Heidi was holding it up in front of her so that I could take a picture of it and then she dropped it on the ground cause it fell off the dumb hanger it was on!  

So we're like struggling to get the damn (heavy!) thing back on the hanger before anyone notices.  She dropped an $11,000 dress!!!  We left immediately.

After those we went to lingerie stores which was a little fun but we were so tired and hungry by then.  It's fun walking around that area, like Park Avenue and 5th, because it's so NICE!  It's like the high class part of New York.  You don't even see any begging people in that area.  Although you'd think thats where they'd go cause thats where all the money is.  Maybe the rich people aren't very giving.  Who knows.  I wonder what Harlem is really like?  I'm not going there to find out, but I am still curious.  I know it's the 'bad' part but I wonder how bad it is?  

So did I mention I saw a clown in the elevator today on the way down to breakfast?