“September and October in New York are packed with gallery openings, which means I tend to dress a little sharper and also that I have to do a lot of walking.  I went with Indian Summer-inspired pieces to wear with my stacking rings because I’m not quite ready to let go of lakeside afternoons.  But paired with tights and a jacket, these will transition well into cooler temperatures.”

1. Capital Top in amber, Cut Away Skirt in pine, Filly Designs  2. Sculpture Dress in pine, Filly Designs  3. Soph Sunglasses, American Apparel  4. The Warren Wallet in natural, Shelter  5. Stacking Rings, Bittersweet Project  6. Carson Oxford in black, Frye  7. Multicolor Stripe Sock, Missoni  8. Simple Cardamom Lip Balm, Marble and Milkweed

burnt tone Pendleton overshirt (dark brown, burnt umber, raw umber)

grey v neck t shirt

crinkly stiff dark blue skinny jeans (tall cuff)

burgundy oxfords

plum lipstick

amethyst gold posts, gold belt ring

Sing it Dolly. Working women found here.

The little red car did eventually pull away from the curb. My sister left this morning, and I am sad. Not only is she my sister, not only do my girls adore her, but she is also a fantastic person. She is funny, strong, generous, thoughtful, independent, and interesting. I am a better person for spending time with her, and I know the same is true for these girls.

This photo is Emily receiving a massage from Echo and Xi after dinner. She had just finished regaling them with stories of yore, the time she broke her arm, and bust her front teeth, and saved a boy at the beach. They were riveted.

This morning when I said Emy was leaving the girls hardly took notice. In just a short week they had become accustomed to her comings and goings, out with the dogs in the morning for coffee, and again in the afternoon for yoga. They were so sure that she would return shortly that they casually waved as Em loaded herself with the detritus of departure. As an adult I was too aware of how long it might be until we saw her again, so I gave them a bit more information and they hopped up to smother her in a group hug.

Sigh.

After she pulled away I did the best I could to take care of myself by hosting play group. I moped while vacuuming up dog hair in preparation and then swung the door wide for mamas and kids. Surrounding myself with friends and scenes like this

helped take the edge off of my missing, but I still wish she lived here.

photo courtesy of aunt barbara

If you had to guess which of the kids above went on to become a fashion designer you’d pick the one in the pink shower cap right? Well that folks, is my sister, and you’re right, she is a fashion designer. But the reason I bring her up is because this blog is about feelings, and her clothing line, Filly, really celebrates feelings.

These clothes are made to feel good. And I know every designer says that, but I’m not kidding. There is not a snap, zipper, or button in a single piece of her clothing. Every item slides up or down over your body, and every bit of fabric is stretchy.

So that’s how the clothes feel. But how you feel while wearing them is another thing all together. Basically in one word: hot. This is the kind of hot that means you can still ride a bike, pick up your child, or nurse. You can live your life, feel good, and look good.

So that’s how you feel. But how Emily (my sister) feels while making these beautiful clothes is yet another layer. If she’s falling in love (see Fall 2009), if she’s suffering from heartbreak (see Fall 2008), or if she’s excited about moving (see Fall 2007), then her clothes will tell that story.

Emily has lived her entire life swayed by the intensity of her emotions. Now she runs her own business, and instead of shutting down her feelings to become the stoic career woman, she has found a way to let her heart continue to live it’s rich life. I find that commendable.

p.s The Echo look-alike in the front is me! (Of course.)

p.p.s If you want to follow the ebb and flow of Emily’s actually life her blog is a fun read.

p.p.s The scuba diver is my cousin Lesa, a fellow stay at home mom with an MBA in Hispanic Literature.

In the foreground is a little patch of carrots protected from the menacing cats with chicken wire.

All of Santa Cruz smells like the sea. Even miles from the shore the ocean asserts itself- salty and bigger than you.

I didn’t know this when I lived there but I realize it now.

Josh.

Those that know me also know there are so many things I could say about Josh… so I will limit this post to a description of his well-honed skills as a frame builder. He started a little frame company called Frances Cycles (named after his mom) which he operates out of his backyard workshop. He makes these amazing bicycles that are really very artistic with curved seat stays and personal details such as custom head badges and seat cluster cut-outs. And he does all of this without big machinery- hand-built wooden jigs for bending tubes, an architect’s drawing table for mapping it all out, files. He truly loves bicycles and this appreciation comes out in the painstaking way he assembles each one. His bicycles are individuals. But don’t get the impression that these are shiny, prissy, look-like-they-live in a gallery bicycles-these are hardy rides, tested off road in the wilds of North Coast Santa Cruz. He is currently offering fixed gears, city bikes, road bikes, cross bikes, touring bikes, and cargo bikes for carrying your dog around town. I have a gorgeous little yellow city bike that is so precious to me I actually keep it inside my airstream trailer.

When my sister first met Josh it was during a Bike-To-Work bicycle art show in which a number of his prints were featured. She was looking at a red and yellow print with the words: “BICYCLE therein lies salvation” along the bottom and she turned to me with a concerned expression and said “He really likes bikes.” http://www.francescycles.com.

The Fashion Fight Club: A Portland Designer Collective.   My dear friend Kenya (sky&boat.com) has started an independent designer’s collective with the intention of organizing and supporting each other through shared information, group shows, emotional support, guest lecturers, block trade show rates, and camaraderie. Twice a month we meet for coffee and talk. It is so nice to be able to ask someone else how they go about this fashion thing- and not a teacher or boss but another gal like myself who is just figuring it out through trial and error. We have a blog (yes, another blog.) http://fashionfightclub.blogspot.com- if you are in the Portland area check it to look for upcoming sales and parties. Fun fun.

We hope you enjoyed Wham’s Last Christmas. Here are some of our favorite blog photos this week:

• Worship Worthy gives us a glimpse of futuristic unisex sportswear line Hood by Air. We believe we can fly.



• Makeup Beat wonders what happened to Debbie Dickinson, sister to Janice. We’re intrigued.
• Couture Cult isn’t impressed with Royalty, Lil’ Kim’s new fur coat line. Yikes, us neither.
• Style Bubble would rather see the Grey Gardens costumes than get “Carrie’d Away.” We’ll drink to that.
• Clothes Pin tells us all about eco-friendly and super stylish Filly Designs. We are filled with desire.
• Swag and Cradle can’t kick the addiction to Valenki-Felt Boots for moms and babies. Yay!