my mini step for forward

On Sunday I had my first official small business venture selling my aprons.  The aprons are being sold  on etsy, but it was my first time selling in person.  I had grand plans to make my grass space like a mini store, but unexpectedly a full-time job opportunity came up (which I have accepted with benefits!) so this got pushed to the side and I ended up just going for it and have fun.

My friend Kathryn was kind enough to help me out and we had 5 hours to make sales.  I began to stress not being fully pleased with my display and lack of commitment.  But I was there and had to make it work, right Tim Gunn?  We ended up selling 8 aprons-not great, but not bad!  Some people love your work and some pass by without a thought.   All in all, it's a step forward in the right direction putting myself out there and a good experience to expose my work. 

Now I've got my new job to focus on as well as continuing on my side ventures because who knows where each project may lead me one day!

Distractions in yoga

I'm not a yoga junkie but I try to go once a week or more.  Mostly for the stretching and breathing.  I decided it was necessary to go yesterday because of a string of events (though exciting) I needed some peace.  I go to the same class each time with the same instructor and usually the same crowd with mostly older people and never have any issues. 

This class was just an odd exception.  At first, I was the only one there and I thought maybe I'd end up in a private session! Keep dreaming. Within 5 minutes, the class was slammed and mats were getting to close for comfort for me. But, what can you do, go with it.  This time, I just happened to notice a few too many distractions.  An overweight young girl with black leggings on. Oh wait, oh no. No, no.  They were pantyhose.  I don't know if she was trying to do the legging fad and didn't realize her leggings were not leggings.  Sadly had chosen to wear them to the gym with a shirt that didn't cover her butt.  All I know is I could see her skin and her blue and black stripped underwear.  Poor thing.  I almost wanted t o let her know in case she didn't realize, but that would really do no good but embarrass her. Skinny or not, see through stockings are not for the public's eyes.  Then a whole mess of extreme sweat entered the room.  One older lady who I see in there frequently and likes to sit front and center had a sweat mark that well, to put it nicely, it wrapped all the way around from her belly button to butt crack and I don't mean around the waist.  She proceed to do stretching as if she wanted to show off her horrific sweat marks.  I can't ever look her in the face again.  Another lady who squeezed in front of me took her sneakers off which let out a horrible stank.  Ugggh. Ok, Molly, just breath, go with it.  So my wonderful instructor starts out with our deep breathing exercises and I'm fully engaged with my eyes closed, breathing deep.  Suddenly we are interrupted by a woman who felt the need to yell out to the teacher that sneakers all over the floor are disrupting to her and she find its a huge distractions and for the teacher to please remove all the sneakers.  In front of this woman is Ms. Stretching Sweatmarks and became embarrassed and rightly ticked off went to remove her sneakers.  My instructor seemed taken off guard but then handled the situation tremendously well.  She said no, wait, don't remove your shoes, let's discuss this.  And went on to discuss 'distractions'.  How in this classroom, there are distractions all around us.  The trucks driving by, the train station, the stomping runner outside, but the point of yoga is to learn to deal with these distractions whether internal or external.  Life is full of distractions, you can't avoid them but deal with them and this is where we learn to deal with them.  Luckily I internalized all my qualms because, do I really think its valid to express my silly irritants to my teacher? Hell no! So thank you presh for rudely interrupting our deep breathing exercises,  not getting your way and being the example.

I did learn a good lesson in yoga that day.  Deal with life's distractions through practices in yoga because they never go away, so we might as well learn to deal with them.  Though, I really hope next time, there are less obvious body issues with my fellow classmates!

Do you know who Liza Minnelli's mother is?

Oprah's guest was Liza Minnelli and during her introduction she says something like, "Liza is the daughter of Hollywood Royalty, Vincent Minnelli and Judy Garland.  Judy Garland starred in The Wizard of Oz."  And I thought to myself, wow, sorry but who does NOT know this about Liza- AND Judy.  Even if you aren't interested in this type of entertainment. Obvious trivia.  A minute later, my friend Rachel text me, " ok I feel REALLY STUPID.  I did NOT know Liza Minelli was Judy Garlands daugher!!!!!!! WTFFFF." I couldn't stop laughing and told her I had just asked myself who would not know this.  She hasn't seen Cabaret either and that she hope she lives long because there is so much to catch up on in life. hahaha aww  Raaaach.

I told her I'd make her a list of movies I believe she needs to see as well as anyone else out there who ... doesn't know that Liza is Judy's daugher.  ;-)

Liza and Judy

Movie list coming soon.

Betty White

A friend of mine works at SNL and was so thoughtful to get her autograph for me without asking! So so cool!

PS

Paypal is so not fun to figure out

Apron #1 Sold

I finally sold an apron. 

I was beginning to loose hope.  It's so hard to put yourself out there and not get the response you were anticipating.  I guess I expected immediate purchases, but realistically these things take time.  Feeling a bit blue, I slowed down the process, but with one purchase I feel immediately rejuvenated! I realized I don't have as many aprons as I should have done for selling them at a booth next week.  Ugh.  I should have gone to the city this week because next week will be busy with new events and it sucks trekking into the city with a3  hour round trip and not making a day of it.  I want to go to the store Purl Soho to get my accent fabrics.  They have what seems like thousands of fabrics to choose from and I used their fabric as accents on the aprons I have now.  Any new purchases gets me creatively excited and energized, but now the days are counting down and I've got a lot of work to do!  My great friend Anna from college always reminds me when I stress- you'll work it out, you always do! And I do.

wrapped up to go. nice enough right?

apron and it's box, too small?

Bamford Blouse

While on the subject of last night, I wore a blouse I've had for some time now by Bamford.  I acquired it through a trail of people who take what they like and pass the rest along.  There is a wealthy woman somewhere who buys tons and tons of clothes and doesn't wear them.  She gives them to her sister.  Her sister gives them to her co-worker, my aunt.  My aunt gives them to my mom ( she has about 12 pairs of Armani and Marni pants now).  My mom gives them to me.  So I got this Bamford blouse purchased at Bergdorf Goodman for $695.00 so the tag says and according to the website, they don't sell Bamford anymore either.  No question the most expensive article of clothing I own.  The blouse is beautiful.  It's 100% silk made in Italy.  It has pin tucks running down the front, thread covered buttons and a fabulous neck tie lined with silk ball knots.  I appreciate its craftsmanship so much I've been afraid to wear it and do something to it.  Oheka Castle felt like the appropriate place to wear the blouse.  During the evening, I noticed thread pulls on the front of my silk shirt.  Devastating.  The pitfalls of a garment so beautifully made and so pricey. 

My visit to Oheka Castle

Last night my mom and I went to  for Oheka Castle Bridal Showcase.  You know, where the Jonas Bro got married last year?  I'm not engaged, but I love weddings and what's involved.  I just finished designing and creating a wedding gown for a bride marrying this Saturday!   Photos of that later.

About Oheka- it's a stunning mansion on the highest point on Long Island in Cold Spring Harbor. Around 1919, financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn purchased 443 acre plot. It cost an estimated $11 mill. ($110 mill. today). It's a French-style chateau with 127 rooms used as a summer home where he hosted lavish parties and entertained everyone from royalty to Hollywood during the 1920s.  It is still the second-largest private residence ever built in America. It was also used as partial inspiration for The Great Gatsby!

What struck me more then anything else was driving up the tree lined driveway and cobble stone parking entrance to the home.  I was imagining what it was like to have actually lived here in the height of the 1920s and driven to this castle each day as if it were my own or even as a party guest!  It's magnificent.  The meticulous grounds blew me away, the views, the original dining halls, library, its attention to detail, crown moldings, fire places, marble staircases, high ceilings and doors, everything is really incredible.  They just don't make anything like this anymore.  The thing is, I can't help but get disheartened when you are inside and its a little more commerical now. I kind of get it though.  It's for today's wedding. And actually, the only parts that I think are really different is their grand ballroom that was added on a few years ago to hold more guests and the 4th and 3rd floors with rooms for guests.  Some looked as if its intergrity stayed but others were decorated a little cheeeesy.  What can I say? I'm very picky and appreciate what was there! It also smelled a bit like a funeral home upstairs and I just needed to leave the rooms quickly. Ok seriously, I should stop.  Anyone would be lucky to get married there.  This place IS stunning.  As far as the vendors go, the only one that just excited me beyond belief was a band called New York Orchestra.  I made my mom listen to them twice with me.  The singer was INCREDIBLE! She sounded like Aretha and Beyonce rolled in one.  I hope I'm lucky enough to book them when I get married.  Side note, one thing that disturbed us was at their bridal fashion show was a snotty young couple that sat in between 3 seats so that no one would sit next to them. How rude are you!?

I was twisting and turning all night with bridal imagery.  Too much info for my brain in only a few hours I guess! All in all, it was fun to see Oheka Castle up close and spend time with my mom!

Aerial view 1915, take from Wikipedia

My view

Rude!

The Bees Pees

My random moment yesterday involved my small Bernese Mountain Dog, Beesly.  She got "stuck" in my car after jumping in while I was cleaning it out.  I should have known better to not have the dogs outside while I cleaned because they love going in the car.  Bees panics and stresses over everything. She thought she was stuck, wouldn't get out, jumps into my front seat, sees how far it is to the ground and ...starts peeing in my front seat!!! Her nervous bladder let go.  Suddenly she has courage to jump back and forth in the car.  Big mistake on my part. Lesson learned. However, it's hard to stay mad at this face.

Will the 3rd time actually be a charm?

I am pretty sure this is my third attempt over the years at blogging.  I feel silly doing it a lot of time so I quit. I think I'm not a good enough writer, not posting "cool" enough photos, not being able to write thought provoking words and I suppose most of all, being unknowingly judged by people ... but um, who really cares, right? I certainly should not. And maybe that can be the lesson in this for me.  To be myself and not worry about judgment and criticism.  I think its sometimes the curse and gift of being an artist, but I will be fearless.  I am watching Fashion Night Out on CBS as I type and just watched Diane Von Furstenberg speak about herself and work. And she sees herself as fearless.  Look what this incredible woman has accomplished!  It's what she learned from her mother she says, to be fearless. So I will learn from Diane Von Furstenberg and be fearless too!