pink rickshaw

trend: sewing lounges

"A stitch in time, saves nine." -proverb

 

sewing lounge (noun) a commercial space where people may sew, or learn to sew, as members of a community or a location for a modern sewing circle. Sewing equipment one may need is normally available.

Inspired by Project Runway last year, PR gal RW and I thought we would channel our inner fashion designers and try a sewing class. (After all sewing a custom is one way to assure having a truly unique outfit along with being quite recessionista chic.)

Not knowing much about where we should learn the art of stitching, we signed up at a local craft store chain. The results: frustration, loss of inspiration from seeing too many hideous floral jumpsuits and a highly comical, unfinished shirt (pictured left). Note to self: to truly enjoy the experience, we should have have waited for a hip and fabulous sewing lounge targeted for well, hip and fabulous gals.
Drop-in sewing lounges have been popping up around the country. They offer a space to get creative without having to own your own equipment (or having to lug your own sewing machine to a class). Stitch Lounge in San Francisco started the trend offering not only a place to sew but a place to socialize while working on projects. According to Time Magazine, "Once relegated to little old ladies, the frugal-minded and neohippie handicrafters, sewing your own clothes is back in vogue. Inspired by the desire for a unique look and by reality-TV shows like Project Runway, in which aspiring designers compete for an entrée into the established fashion world, more young people are trying their hand at this traditional domestic art."

But the article also notes that sewing has evolved from stay at home moms sewing in their dens. "Newcomers are heading to chic urban sewing lounges for classes on making handbags, lingerie and cocktail dresses."

The lounges offer an alternative to dull sewing classes: lessons for beginners but also access to industrial equipment for those who are more advanced.  Sewing lounges focus both on making new stylish and trendy clothing from start to finish and giving new life to old clothing through refashioning and restyling. Many of the classes and renting of workspace cost as little as $10 an hour.

While Stitch Lounge in San Francisco is no longer open (they are still available online and through their books), the company put together a list of sewing lounges around the country. The best of the bunch include:
Boston: Sparks Craft Studio
Chicago : The Needle Shop
Houston: Sew Crafty
LA: Sew LA
Minneapolis: The Sewing Lounge
NYC: Make Workshop
Santa Clara, CA: Bobbin's Nest Studio
Seattle: Stitches

So, get creative and come up with a truly unique original piece. Hopefully it looks better than my shirt.

image source: getty images

(Special thanks to AP)

-SD

chinese new year: year of the ox

“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” – Oprah Winfrey

 

       

The ox, tiger, and rabbit all agree – it is time for the rat to move along. Today officially marks the end of the year of the rat, as the 2009 Chinese New Year (or lunar Chinese year 4707) introduces the Year of the Ox. It is believed that those born on the year of the ox are dependable, trust worthy and patient. Coincidentally, President Obama was born an ox. With such great strengths tied to those born on the year of the ox, we can’t help but feel anticipation for 2009.

 

The Chinese New Year, the biggest Chinese holiday, lasts for several days and is celebrated throughout the world – often where large Chinese populations exist. Traditionally, during the Chinese New Year, elder members of a family give money wrapped in a red envelope to children, teenagers and young adults. If the likelihood of you receiving a red envelope is looking pretty slim, don’t despair. There are plenty of activities occurring all week that will allow you to partake in the rich traditions of the Chinese New Year. 

Today, New York’s Chinatown will have their annual Firecracker Ceremony and Cultural festival as well as their New Year’s Parade and Festival on Feb 1. San Francisco’s ChinaTown hosts the Chinese New Year Parade and Festival on Feb 7, a parade that is voted one of the top 10 parades in the world. Also, Vancouver’s ChinaTown will host a parade on Feb 1 as well as a Chinese New Year’s Festival in the Vancouver Chinese Gardens. Those living in the Austin area will be heading over to the recently reviewed Imperia, for their fun Chinese New Year celebration.

 

If going out on the town isn’t really your thing, you can participate in the Chinese New Year from the comfort of your own home. Invite some of your pals over and cook up an Asian inspired meal in honor of the Year of the Ox. Food and Wine magazine has put together a list of their top 10 Chinese recipes, that are sure to impress like the tofu dumplings and peppercorn shrimp pictured above.

Whether you flock to the streets to participate in the Chinese New Year parades or simply savor a fortune cookie this week, we hope the Year of the Ox inspires you to hope for something great in 2009.

 

image source: nytimes.com, foodandwine.com

 

-RW

inauguration fever

"The greatest progress we have made, and the greatest progress we have yet to make, is in the human heart. In the end, all the world's wealth and a thousand armies are no match for the strength and decency of the human spirit." -Bill Clinton, 1997 Inaugural address

Inauguration festivities are already well under way, so don't feel left out if you couldn't make it to Washington. To celebrate the 44th president and the beginning of his four years, here are four things (yes) you can do right now to be a part of the revelry:

4) No doubt President Obama's inaugural address will be one for the history books. Brush up on famous past inaugural quotes with this quiz. Proceed to be a presidential smarty pants all day Tuesday by spouting off quotes left and right.

3) The inauguration has a number of companies feeling generous which bodes well for us. Have a free donut from Krispie Kreme on Tuesday or 44 cent clam chowder from Legal Seafood. Or simply mark the transition with Bliss Spa's Farewell to Bush bikini wax special. So deviously clever, we had to pass it on.

2) It's not too late to throw a last minute inauguration party. Serve some of the newly elected president's favorite foods along with some red, white and blue cocktails. While all eyes will be glued to the tv, make things extra exciting with some some Obama Bingo.

1) Tuesday is certainly not all about Mr. Obama. The big question on every fashionista's mind is what will Michelle wear? Fashion insiders are buzzing over her possible selection for the ball, with many betting on a young American designer like Thakoon or Jason Wu. While the designer of the gown and the gown itself will not be revealed until the day of, take a look at what the fashion world's best designers envisioned for the First Lady. All fashion fun aside, one can't easily forget Michelle Obama will definitely be more than just a fashion icon; so take some time to mark the Inauguration on this Martin Luther King day to answer her call to service.

image source: zazzle.com

-SD

4 minutes: music rocks

"Please don't stop the music."-song, Rihanna

 

Lately, your pals have started to question your obsession with military style jackets and tall hard hats. They might have been willing to let your bizarre attire slide, but the constant click of a snare drum as you walk in straight lines and perfect 90 degree angles is starting to wear on their nerves. You can’t help it - all of the time that you spent playing Guitar Hero over the holidays has you tapped into your inner Band Geek. Some of the best years of your life were spent squawking on your oboe, as the rest of your family cruised the house with cotton balls stuffed in their ears. While it may be time to retire your marching band glory days, your involvement in music does not have to end.

Many public schools have had to cut music and art programs due to lack of funding, or because they cannot provide the students with the necessary instruments or equipment. Unfortunately, that means the students with limited funds may be left out of the world of music. There are several musical aid programs focused on keeping music in the schools or lives of children. Charity Music is a non-profit service organization which provides musical instruments to at-risk and disadvantaged youths as a means for bringing positive change in their lives. Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, inspired by the motion picture Mr. Holland’s Opus, is a foundation dedicated to providing instruments to music programs that are in need of instruments for their pupils.

Consider donating your time, money, or old instruments to an organization that can bring music into the lives of youth. It may be time for you to take a bow and pass on that cherished oboe (and crazy hat), but the music does not have to stop.

More inspiration:
VH1 Save the Music
Sphinx Organization

image source: http://philsblogging.com

-RW 

oh my blog: saree dreams

"The sari's radiance, vigor and variety, produced by a single straight length of cloth, should give us in the West pause and make us think twice about the zipper, the dart, and the shoulder pad." -Naveen Patnaik

 

sari (saree or shari) is a strip of unstitched cloth ranging from four to nine meters in length that is draped over the body in various styles.

Lately, in mainstream media, the sari has been catching my eye more so than usual. Whether it was Anne Hathaway donning one in Rachel Getting Married or Golden Globe winning Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto wearing one while making her press rounds.
So how does one keep up with the sexy and iconic sari? I was delighted to discover the blog, Saree Dreams. The clever site showcases the sari in more ways then one could ever think possible. From sari and sari blouse fashion to saris in the news, sari humor, saris in art, ads, history and even politics.  Did you know the Spice Girls recently wore saris in their concerts? Or that a sari can be haunted? Feathered? Virtual? In addition, to these fun facts, the site is an amazing (and one of the few) sources for gorgeous images and inspiration of saris from Indian fashion shows and Bollywood. One of the most notable features of the site is Wordless Wednesdays where creators of the blog post a striking image and "let the sarees do the talking."

image source: turquoise sari and blouse, vintage sari ad, Rachel Getting Married still and pink sari all from sareedreams.com

-SD

jan super six

"A new year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other."-Unknown

By today, studies show that 30 percent of all new year's resolutions made have already been broken. Apparently, there are better odds of staying married for 10 years than keeping a resolution for more than four weeks. So, in case you want to forget those over ambitious, impossible goals you made for 2009 (unless it was to stay married for 10 years) we thought we would help you start over in mid-January with simple, fun ones you may actually remember to keep. Six resolutions and a song that will hopefully remind you to stick to it:

 

1) "Your BODY Is a Wonderland" by John Mayer
Body resolution: Resolve to have fun when working out.
For a rhythmic way to get the body toned up, try rocking out to local belly dancing lessons. If your lack of coordination has you singing “You Know I’m No Good” there’s no need to fear the public scrutiny of a class. Bring class directly to the privacy of your own home with instructional belly dancing DVDs by twins Veena and Neena Bidasha.

2) "What's On Your MIND" by Information Society
Mind resolution: Resolve to flex the ol' noggin.
Haven't written an essay since 10th grade English class? Pen a composition and put a wrinkle in your brain doing it in 2009. A difficult question of morality is this year's brainteaser in the annual philosophy contest called the Great American Think Off. "Is it ever wrong to do the right thing?" is the theme of the contest. Anyone can enter by submitting an essay of 750 words or less by April 1 (postmark date). The four finalists will be chosen to debate the question on June 13 before a live audience.

3) "Smells Like Teen SPIRIT" by Nirvana
Spirit(s) resolution: Resolve to drink more red wine.
Indulging in more spirits is not a party foul when it involves luscious red wine. With all the great health benefits, conventional wisdom has going for another glass. Our favorite pick right now is Ravenswood Vintner’s Blend Cabernet Sauvignon which pairs nicely with hearty Winter foods such as lamb, steak, and dark chocolate.

4) "HEART of the Matter" by India Arie
Heart resolution: Resolve to listen to your heart (or at least monitor it)
Heart rate zone training is gaining increasing popularity as uber gyms such as Lifetime Fitness emphasize training the heart in all of its aerobic zones. Polar heart rate monitors will track your heart rate stats, as well as the calories that you have burned. Great for conditioning the heart and a reality check when you want to see how many calories you really burned in Wii bowling.

 

5) "SOULmate" by Natasha Bedingfield
Soul resolution: Resolve to feed your soul.
Sometimes the best food feeds the body and soul. Food and Wine magazine predicts comfort food as the next big food trend with gourmet soul food popping up in fine dining establishments across the country. Ready to jump on the soul food train? The below restaurants are top soul food inspired spots.
Dallas – Jaspers, Hattie's
Washington D.C – Art and Soul
Napa – BarBers Q

6) "ENERGY" by Keri Hilson
Energy resolution: Resolve to energize a small space.
When it comes to redecorating, think small instead of taking on a massive project. Pick a small portion of your office cubicle or the smallest room in your apt or house. Use Feng Shui tips and sites like Apartment Therapy, Design Sponge and Domino magazine's photo galleries for inspired ideas for tiny spaces. (Domino's site even lets you create an online scrapbook of images you like). When your small project is done, not only will you have a new redecorated, re-energized spot, you'll actually have some energy to spare for resolutions 1-5.

Have a suggestion for the super six? Post it in the comments or email us at [email protected].

image source: bellytwins.com, howtobellydance.com, redwineheadache.blogspot.com, fried chicken: cookiemag.com, bedroom: apartmenttherapy.com

-SD/RW

trend: recessionista

"Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping."- Bo Derek

recessionista (noun) a term originating in the U.S. during the economic difficulties of 2008. Combining the words recession and fashionista; it is the new name for the style maven who strives to remain fashionable on a budget. Predecessor to the depressionista.

Every fashion website I visit or magazine I receive in the mail all want to show me how to be a recessionista. Words like "luxe" and "glam" have been replaced with "frugal", "penny-pinching" and "recession chic". With today's "new economy" and an uncertain outlook, the fashion world has quickly picked up that hard times needed to be spun into a trend. And it seems to have worked.

Recession chic has become such a huge trend that even the bible of luxury Vogue Magazine declared this summer (through their website style.com), "You should know that while the fashionista may have locked herself in the vault with her tiaras, her younger, hipper sister—recessonista—is at the mall finding designer threads (or diffusion designer threads) at discount prices. Look for her at Target, Uniqlo, Payless or Kohl's, all of whom have inked deals with designers recently. That's because recessionistas aren't letting a little thing like falling stock prices and rising gas bills get in the way of their wardrobe."

Is the trend of recession chic a way to cope with the economy or simply a way to keep fashionistas buying in a tough time? You decide. According to A Label for a Pleather Economy in the New York Times, "the word reflects the efforts of fashion and beauty publicists to spin the economic downturn as an attractive retail trend." and the word recessionista is "making light of a situation that isn't so favorable for the consumer driven industries of our nation" and "carries an upbeat tone."

Trend or marketing ploy, there is no denying being a recessionista is all the buzz. A quick google search will present you with hundred of blogs and articles on the subject. So, with such an abundance of information and tips being thrown out on being recession chic, I sorted through them to find the most helpful ones. Many are (not surprisingly) common sense tips that we should be doing all the time. But quite a few serve as a great reminders on how to save a few pennies as the economy unravels faster than a Forever 21 sweater. Here are the best of the bunch:

Common Sense: Never pay full price. Even the ladies that lunch scope out their favorite pieces at the beginning of the season and wait for a discount later.
Recessionista tip: Big items like designer purses can be purchased at online sample sales on sites like Gilt Groupe for big markdowns or at sample sales around the nation. The PR gals keep up with sample sales in Texas with Daily Candy's listing of sample sales. Also, a big theme in the recessionista world is that tough times do not mean abandoning big labels all together. Almost every discount chain it seems has signed designers to make lines for their stores. A PR favorite is of course Target's designer collection. The latest from Target is the famed designer Thakoon.

Common Sense: Eat in. Fairly simple, right? Try fun recipes like the ones featured in Foodie Corner.
Recessionista tip: At high-end restaurants (like Philadelphia's Le Bec-Fin), a five course lunch tasting is almost the third of the price of a six-course dinner (From Glamour's Penny-Pinching Strategies)

Common Sense:Cut back on extra beauty services.That blow-out may just need to be reserved for a special occasion.
Recessionista tip:When do you still want to indulge in that massage, pedicure or manicure (I mean come on, being a recessionista can get stressful), head to schools. Beauty and massage schools offer services and treatments for a fraction of salon and spa prices. (From Tips from a Recessionista)

Common Sense: Work with what you have in your closet and play it up with new accessories. Try accessories from bargain outlets like Charming Charlie or a unique find from flea markets. Or find a whole new outfit in a friend's closet, by hosting a clothes swap with girlfriends. The old Theory jacket you don't wear anymore might be the perfect trade for your friend's Marc Jacobs top.
Recessioniata tip: Get extra creative. If you're feeling uninspired, Anthropologie is launching styling workshops to help women get the most of their existing wardrobes. The classes will run at selected stores throughout the year. (Just fight the urge to pick up a new dress while you're there.) Also, if you're feeling crafty, blogs and magazines have increased the number of DIY projects for making jewelry and even dresses. Case and point, I recently spotted on Slaves to Fashion, a great and super easy DIY necklace. Take four or five different pearl necklaces to layer. Add a brooch to one of them, and you end up with a great recession chic necklace.

More inspiration:
The Recessionista blog
On the Street: Keepers
Frugal Fashionista
Frugal Snob
Tips from a Recessionista

image source: cartoon: Glamour Magazine (February 2009) print edition, necklace: glamour.com

-SD