Day in LA

My mother and I went on a shopping trip to Downtown Los Angeles last Friday; she was in search for some fabrics and trim, and I happily joined her (I was also in desperate need of a new pair of sunglasses, and the Fashion District isn't far from where we were going). While we were at Berger's beads and trims I took some photos. The store is so interesting with pink walls and boxes of beads and sequins up to the ceiling, with one corner just stuffed with all sorts of sewing notions... There are just rolls upon rolls of sequins piled up in a ramshackle order, so sparkly and appealing under the bright lights, along with huge winding cards of decadent ribbons and trims.

Three lovely bolts of goregous pink sequins

Sequins on strings, instead of bolts, and all seperated by color

A box full of tiny suede bows

little beads that looked like faces!

Then we were off to another trim store! We were actually quite frightened, considering that damage that would be done during an earthquake! The boxes were stacked so high they often blocked the lights on the ceiling.

But, it was all worth it when we discovered a 100 yard bolt of vintage French grosgrain ribbon in a perfect delicate pink, and a 50 yard bolt of double-backed satin ribbon in aqua that was labeled 1983.... and all for only $16!

This was some of our haul when we got home: different trims, ribbons, and zippers, along with a ginormous ivory hair bow that I purchased for $2.

Here are all of the things that I brought home: my hairbow, new sunglasses (which my mother swears that her mother owned), and all the things needed to construct 2 bead and charm bracelets.

Before we went into Los Angeles, we went to an estate sale where mother purchased a plethora of vintage postcards. I love the delicate star edging on this one; it is a happy birthday card, with two beautifully bold roses.

I love bluebirds, and these cards are so very sweet.

Here are the bracelets I made with the beads and trimmings I purchased; the lighting is poor so you can't see what a lovely shade of aqua the beads are. My favorite parts are the wishbone and love token charms.

I hope everyone has an equally inspiring week ahead!

Into the light

"Yes, the Gorgon has dried your tears," he said.
"Well, she opened my eyes too; it's a delusion to say that she blinds people. What she does is just the contrary-- she fastens their eyelids open, so that they're never again in the blessed darkness."

The quote is from The Age of Innocence, which is an excellent book if you have the patience for the slow methodical potrayel of peoples lives and deepest fears (fans of F. Scott Fitzgerald would enjoy it).

The photograph is mine. If you are interested in seeing all of the photos of the peonies, visit my flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thecupcakecrusader/sets/72157618945018656/

Had a wonderful day and have many photos to post, so expect a nice long addition in the coming days! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

fireflies

It was in moments like this that she missed him. In the quiet times, when she sat alone, were the times when she wished the most that he was only a phone call away. She didn't miss the cold stare of his disengaged eyes, or the swelling insecurity that seemed to strangle her in those last days; but she missed the tone of his voice over the tiny speaker when they were apart, his hand over hers when they were together.
What lingered even more, however, was the hurt and resentment which settled over her memories like a fine layer of dust. She could no longer even be certain of those fleeting, happy moments; she couldn't be sure how far is his lies had infiltrated into his actions, words, kisses.

Everything seemed like a lie now, and she missed when he was everything. She missed when he was anything...

Belated May Day

I wanted to post something yesterday in honor of May Day, but it was cloudy and I was sick, so there was no posting to be done. But today I am feeling better and the weather is a little nicer, and more appropriate for some flower posting, so I'm having a little belated May Day celebration!The goregous white roses that are blooming in the front yard right now...

The Proust Questionnaire

So in French today, my teacher had us fill out The Proust Questionnaire (I'm really not sure why... she had us do it in English...), and I decided to go ahead and post it as a little get-to-know the cupcakekiddo!

Your favorite virtue: Compassion

Your favorite qualities in a man: Sense of humor, attentiveness, fun-loving, strength (not just physically), and the ability to effectively communicate.

Your favorite qualities in a woman: Fun-loving, spontaneity, sense of humor, and the ability to be classy while not being stuffy.

Your favorite occupation: Anything involving art or fashion

Your chief characteristic: An over-active imagination

Your idea of happiness: Being with friends

Your idea of misery: Being seasick on a boat with about 100 retching fourth graders. I speak from experience.

Your favorite color and flower: Pink, double-delight roses

If not yourself, who would you be? Betty Broadbent, who is generally regarded as the first fully tatooed woman to perform as a sideshow in a circus. I can only imagine the life that she led.

Where would you like to live? Somewhere in the county, in a little house with an orchard and with a group of close friends. My friend and I want to start a commune :)

Your favorite prose authors: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Your favorite poets: unknown young adults, without training or pretensions

Your favorite painters and composers: Degas, Monet, Lautrec. Sorry composers...

Your favorite heroes in real life: George Washington, Abraham Lincoln

Your favorite heroines in real life: My mom, Coco Chanel, Susan B. Anthony, Audrey Hepburn

Your favorite heroes in fiction: Rick Blaine, the nameless narrator in 'Invisible Man', Nick from 'The Great Gatsby', Nawat Crow, Edward Cullen

Your favorite heroines in fiction: Alice in Wonderland, Lux Lisbon, Aly Cooper

Your favorite food and drink: Mom's Chinese Chicken Salad and cherry coke. Or mimosas.

Your favorite names: Jordan, Emerson, and Lola for girls. Kennedy for a boy.

Your pet aversion: Self-centered people

What is your present state of mind? Acceptance of imperfections

For what fault do you have the most tolerations? Forgetfulness

Your favorite motto: Live fast, Dress pretty, Die Young

Harlequin Girl

"So testosterone boys and harlequin girls

Will you dance to this beat

and hold a lover close?"

-Panic at the Disco, "Lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off"I was inspired to have a mini portrait photo-shoot this afternoon with some costume-esque makeup... these are my favorites!

status: I don't think I've ever hated anyone like I hate you now

"Counting down all the hours I've spent here

Drowning in all of your lies dear

I wish I could have been warned"

-The Scene Aesthetic, "The Alamo Is No Place For Dancing"