SUMMERTIME AND THE LIVIN' IS EASY

It has surely been a whirlwind summer I'll tell ya! Ive been running from the ocean to the lake & back over again, sewing up dozens of new clothes for those lovely ladies in need, getting more and more excited for a super special end of the summer road trip with a fellow cupcake-loving friend from London, but most importantly, the best part of summer, is that my birthday is coming around again. This time though, I look forward to a glass too many of my favorite pink champagne & a souffle or two at Jacqueline's with my ladies du jour...and perhaps a new pair of knickers, or two, or three...This summer in San Francisco has just been incredible. Summer weather all around except for the occasional blanket of fog. I'm looking forward to taking a warm evening stroll with my handsome man & only can hope for him to take me to Zuni for a roast chicken. I have been grateful for a bit of free time to rediscover old music I had forgotten about, lovely frocks in the back of the closet that need a night out & after this next order is complete - selfishly sticking my nose into a book & dreaming of a world that is not mine. Cooking...cleaning...sewing...daydreaming...story of my life. xx.L

GRACIOUS CURVES

Gracious - adj.
1. pleasantly kind, benevolent & courteous.
2. characterized by good taste, comfort, ease, or luxury.
3. indulgent or beneficent in a pleasantly condescending way, especially to inferiors. 


Well, are yours? I've drawn you this photo,  measure them out! xx.L

YOU DO THAT VOODOO THAT..

Did I ever tell you Peggy Lee has always & will always be my forever favorite? Wiggle around the house with me. xx.L

"You do something to me, something that simply mystifies me. Tell me, why should it be, you have the power to hypnotize me? Let me live beneath your spell, you do that voodoo that you do so well. For you, do, something thing to me, that nobody else can do. You do that, voodoo that you do so well." -Peggy Lee

SINNER NOT A SAINT

I've been dancing around the studio to this since friday, so I think you should too. xx.L

TRULY INSPIRATIONAL

So rarely do I repost something from another blog, but this woman made me smile, made me giggle, made me dream & made me tear up. I so so so wish there were more lovely ladies like this in the world, so fearless in wearing what suits you best. Perhaps you are out there. Perhaps someday I will see you walking down the street. If I do, I hope you put a smile on my face like this colorful soul. xx.L

Video courtesy of the amazing blog - http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com

NEW FANCY

It has been so dreary & chilly outside, drizzling enough to have to take the bus to work instead of my normal lovely walk & cold enough to want to stay indoors. I have been one busy bee, as I unexpectedly have about 13 orders to fill, currently working on the 3rd - very happily back to the sewing cave I go! It feels amazing to get back into the swing of things as they say, lots of new ideas have started buzzing around my mind, and the general excitement that I wake up with every day now if refreshing compared to the past stressed feelings of being uninspired. So since my orders I am working on are private, I thought I would show you a photo or two of my new fancys. Drool-worthy, scalloped, laminated & zig zag bakelite - because every now & then, a girl needs to treat herself, right? Funny enough, I have no problem doing this on a constant basis. Ha! xx.L

ROCK ON DOWN THE LINE

Thursday morning, the handsome man & I ventured on bart to the airport, almost missed the connecting train directly to the airport, but made it nevertheless! This is why I try to squeeze everything into one suitcase & one bag - as it is so easy to hop on the train & plant yourself at the airport with no traffic. This year we had to as Obama was in town & was clogging up the highway to the airport at the time we needed to be leaving! We were the last of our friends to get there & I had high hopes of this year as sadly some of my most favorite people in the world were not able to make it out, it would be a small clan of us, I knew (and was still hoping) that it would be a great time. Turns out I was a fool for doubting, because with our group & with one of my most favorite men around - Patrick, we ALWAYS have a blast. Rain, sun, shine, wind, you name it, the second we all get together from all around the world, it is such a trip. So thursday we rocked up to the Orleans, where we always stay because it is just easier than staying anywhere else, unloaded the bags, slapped on the wrist bands & headed out for some good ole rockabilly fun. Where's that you ask? Why, straight to Frankie's tiki bar! After that adventure it was a night filled with crazy shenanigans, bands, dancing, drinking, laughing until you were red in the face..which continued all the way thru the weekend where sadly, always sadly, Monday morning peeks its evil head & its time to go home. To those amazing, gorgeous friends who made it, I had a total blast with you, can't wait to do it all over again! To those amazing, gorgeous friends who didn't make it, you were sorely missed & you'd better make it next year! But you all know, you all have my heart. This year I  wore pink lurex - vintage, emerald green/black lurex - vintage, aqua/silver palm tree lame - vintage fabric, made by me, green & white playsuit - vintage, heaps of fun dancing fits (which I don't have photos of), gold silk pajamas with matching quilted smoking jacket and two vintage Cole of California Scandal Suits - one leopard, one red & white stripes for our "nautical" themed pool party. So happy to meet some fabulous new friends this year as well. Cheers! xx.L

THE INFAMOUS

One of the best performances at Viva 14. Such a thrill to hear her sing, such a doll to meet in person! If you haven't heard her, then you've really been missing something. She covers one of my favorite versions of this song, done similarly by Rose Mitchell in the 50's. A little voodoo version, Ms. Gizzelle. xx.L

SHE'S BACK!

With a re-cap even!

How are you lovelies out there? Let me tell you, I am so happy to be back. Totally inspired, totally exhausted but as we do, all we need is a fresh coat of red polish on the nails & a swipe of red on the lips to not look as tired as I feel, right? I can blame this tired feeling on being sick as a dog, even thru Viva I had absolutely no voice & no energy to speak of, but life is too short to worry about being sick right? Right so I had to power thru the weekend as much as I could to keep up with my crazy friends until Sunday evening when I had an absolute crash out at about 3am - I really thought I could keep dancing but my headache gave in much earlier than my feet & out like a light in bed I went! As you know, the gang & I do try to keep dancing until 6-8am (whenever the rooms close down), then goes breakfast, then sleep for the night. Tis the way, all the time, every year. I've got heaps & heaps to share with you, so many fabulous outfits were spotted around, so many fabulous new friends met this year, fantastic moments - I got to meet Tempest Storm! (gasp), Gizelle (gasp), The Caezers (gasp. gasp. gasp.) The famous Mr. Tony Nylons took my photo poolside...so without further ado let me start at the beginning. First, as a suggestion from a friend, a quick dissection of my viva wardrobe. This year I packed 5 day outfits, 4 fancy dinner outfits, 4 dancing outfits, 2 poolside outfits & 1 lounge outfit - with every possible accessory (pretty sure you know this about me by now) all fit into one carry one suitcase & one carry on bag. You would think I was trained by the navy! ;) Here are some quick snaps of the best outfits, I will post the photos of all of us next up. xx.L

ROCK THE BOP

To get all you gorgeous readers in the same frame of mine as I am in, stroll with me! xx.L