Wednesday, October 31, 2012

My Mending Shelf - advice from 1930

This article caught my eye because while we might not have as much darning of stockings or deal with runners in your nylons, but you may still face a huge basket of mending. Mary Waterstone Stuart has a solution for you. Make a shelf with all your supplies at hand and before you realize it your task is done."Definite places for things are such a comfort."

"I used to look at our huge basket of family mending, I always dreaded the task ahead of me. Then one day a happy thought struck me. I had- attractive shelves for books, for dishes, for knives, and for kettles. Why didn't I have a little sewing shelf, which would measure up to the rest of the house, a shelf so attractive that it would lend a glamour to the whole task of mending? The reason I disliked mending, I suddenly realized, was because it meant such a terrible waste of time. My tools were never at hand. And so I had kept putting off the job from day to day and the mending collected and grew more and more discouraging.
My plan was quickly carried out. I made a shelf of three-quarter-inch board, three and a half inches wide and twenty-five inches long, with a back to serve as an additional rack. These dimensions make an adequate abiding place for all the articles I need in ordinary sewing and mending work, but offer no refuge for excess baggage. I painted my shelf a gay lacquer red, treating it as an ornament of the room, but I could have matched the color of the wall had I wanted to make it unobtrusive.
When I had completed the outfit I felt very proud of it and hung it in the room where I usually mend, while the children play around or bring me their clothes which need a button or an odd stitch or two. Of course, it was in a good light for both day and night work, and within easy reach of my low sewing chair.
On the back of the rack I drove in six brads at an angle, and on them placed a few necessary spools of thread. Black and white cotton in two weights—one for buttons and the other of lighter weight for hand and machine sewing—were all that I really needed. As I happen to use beige and black silk frequently I gave these a place also. These spools are merely slipped over the brads and can be changed at any time. There is no need to keep a large stock of thread and sewing silk on hand if you are within easy contact with the shops.
Darning stockings is an all important process, if there are children in the home. Also, runners in grown-up stockings are usually discovered just at the sound of the automobile which is to carry you to some special function. To meet both these needs, I have equipped my shelf with four balls of mercerized cotton in the colors most often used. Moreover, since I frequently have to take a stitch in a hurry, each colored cotton has its own needle and this needle I leave in its particular ball, threaded, and ready to use. Then I can arrive at the shelf, pause for a thread, and almost before I realize it, the task is done, and the needle replaced in its particular ball.
Of course, with this darning equipment must go a darning ball. Mine has a handle which will slip into the fingers of gloves, and I accommodated it to my shelf by neatly drilling a hole through the wood. To the thimble I assigned a special place and it is such a comfort to have it always bowing to me as I approach hastily instead of having to hunt for it.
Next on my shelf, I put two small duplex boxes, which are as gay as the heart could wish. These little things hold a few snaps and hooks and all the buttons which the family will need for a few weeks. Buttons are a product with which we are apt to over-supply ourselves. Actually we use very few.
Below the shelf I put a series of small cup-hooks. The first one holds a pincushion and the second a cushion for needles and needles only. I always have a safety pin or two present. I use them to draw various tapes and runners in bloomers and pajamas.
The next hook I definitely assigned to the tape measure. The next holds a woven band of colored darning threads. They are attractive, useful and inexpensive, and no mending shelf is really equipped without one. On the remaining two hooks I hung the scissors. I find two pairs sufficient; one for cutting and the other, a small pointed pair, for fine work. Definite places for things are such a comfort.
With this equipment on hand, even a large order of mending from a ten year-old son loses its deadly effect, and the running time, of all weekly mending is infinitely reduced."

Beautiful Wedding Set-Up

Something nice...



Just Stunning!!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Useful Tips for Selecting Groom’s Attire

Who to select, what to put on, how much to pay?  These are all very excellent concerns. Which is why Images has top male's stylist Stephen Bishop from Hugh Harris providing you all the solutions.

Groom’s Attire

Who to Choose?
Basically select a service providing presently that, assistance. Without it, despite of the great high quality of item on provide, you may not get what you desire. In the men's formal wear industry, I feel it is important that you select a organization that provides inventory on the property so that you are able to try on lots of designs, shades and of course designs. This way you can be satisfied with your option and should be in no question about the transaction. Moreover, what ensue if you desire to modify anything at the last minute? If the shop you select does not bring stock, in other terms their main factory resources them, and you discover that, on selection, you cannot do the trousers up, what occur? Shops that have stock on the property will be capable to offer a easy and fast remedy with no problems connected.

What to Wear?
Certainly the function you are participating, or really developing, may figure out certain factors, but seriously do what you encounter is relaxed. I am always amazed at the variety of formal wear. From formal wear to an open neck clothing with conventional fit, just do what you are relaxed with, but keep a balanced view - you may end up prefer something a little special. Pay attention to recommendations from buddies or experts, but eventually it is your option.

How Much to Pay?
Most individuals want the finest, but may perhaps be incapable to rationalize the cost. Most of the wedding industry is service-led. Devoid of sensible assistance, item is unrelated. I compared this to a superb food. If it is a charming meal at a charming position then you are satisfied to pay. If the service was dreadful then does that not take the shine off your experience and create the conventional of the meal irrelevant? There is nothing more intense. Consequently service as well as item is awfully high on my record of main concerns, demanding me to invest more on this position – what price can you place on service!

Classy Wedding for Libby and Ethem at The Mahler Fine Arts Gallery!

Libby and Ethem met in an interior design class three years ago. Both are very talented individuals and they gravitated towards each other being just classmates at first, then friends, then a couple. At some point they decided to marry and set their wedding date for October 28, 2012. Libby had a rather precise vision of what she wanted her wedding day to be like. With the help of her wedding planner, Gina Myers of La Cosa Bella Events, they put it together. It is one thing to have a vision and another to give birth to it! What a classy wedding in a very upscale art gallery in the middle of downtown Raleigh with the reception following at the lovely Cardinal Club. Ethem's vision was to support Libby in her vision so that worked out very well!
The Mahler Fine Art Gallery is located at 228 Fayetteville Road. Our rehearsal was on Saturday morning which was chilly and windy thanks to Hurricane Sandy who was slowly churning off the NC coast. I brought my cell phone with me and snapped a few photos of the rehearsal.
We are waiting to get into the gallery and getting blown around a bit.
This young lady is Aspen, our 4 year old flower girl, niece of the bride.
The inside of the gallery looking from back to the front door. Gina, our wedding planner/director, is walking toward me.
The wedding party and bride's parents are in place for the ceremony. We are missing one groomsman. There was an arch for the ceremony area, as you will see below, constructed by the groom's family. They are from Turkey and this was their first experience of an American wedding. The music for the ceremony was by iPod with the gallery sound system. We actually practiced with the music to get the timing right. I loved all of Libby's selections. Shea, Gina's assistant, manned the sound system on the wedding day.
Sunday dawned overcast and windy but no rain. We were all amazed--and grateful! The gallery with this many chairs does not leave much room and so the entire wedding party entered from the street. Gina arranged with the Big Easy, an eating place a few doors down, for us to wait there until summoned for the processional. Marty snapped these photos of our adorable ring bearer, Ashton, age 5, nephew of the bride.
Libby and Ethem met Heba Salama at a bridal show, hired her to photograph their wedding, and she referred them to me. Thanks, Heba! I married Heba and Ed at the Rose Hill Plantation 6 or 7 years ago and will never forget them! First of all they are a delightful couple that I got to know well, extremely dedicated to each other and to becoming the best people they can be. Second, they were winners of the TV reality show, Biggest Loser!  Since then, Heba has given up her former career as a pharmaceutical sales rep and followed her heart by setting up her photography business. Ed gave up his career as a chef and now loves teaching at a culinary arts school in Durham and serves as second shooter for Heba. They are quite the team and it was so good to see them again at this wedding! They already have photos from this wedding up on Heba's Blog.
 The guests are arriving. 
When it was time to begin, I entered first to a very beautiful arrangement of "What the World Needs Now." The parents of the groom then entered and took their seats. The bride's mother was escorted in by her son, Gideon, who stepped up into place as a groomsman. Then Ethem and the rest of the groomsmen entered.
The music changed to "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" and the bridesmaids entered one by one.
The bride and bridesmaids had been waiting in a limo parked in front. When they got out, the wind whipped their hair around. When Aysegul got down front, a piece of her hair was shooting out and the best man whispered to me "it looks like she has a unicorn horn!" This wedding did present a few instances which made me have to decide whether to break decorum and step out of the minister role or let things be! I decided to step out and went over to Aysegul and tucked the errant strand of hair back where it should be.
My next challenge was our precious flower girl, Aspen, who totally forgot to throw even one petal! Guests kept gesturing to her but she was like a deer in the headlights, despite having rehearsed. This is typical for little children--fill the room up with adults and then expect them to remember what to do? Usually does not happen but she did make it all the way down the aisle. So, once more I stepped out of my role, walked over to Aspen, reached into her little basket, grabbed the biggest bunch of petals in my hand and tossed them as far down the aisle that I could! I was thinking that Libby would be disappointed if she did not see petals in the aisle!
My assistant Marty, armed with my camera, was over in a corner trying to shoot over and in between guests to get the processional hence the blurriness but she got Libby and her dad, Pat, coming down the aisle!  When Libby and Ethem and I met on October 2nd, I suggested that they use the version of The Bridal March by Jonathan Cain of Journeys. It is simply magical. I was delighted that they did and since it is only 1:53 long, it worked perfectly at the gallery!
 And so we begin......
Challenge #3: as the bride and groom and wedding party and I looked out at the guests, we saw a sea of cell phones and cameras instead of faces! Should I say something or keep my mouth shut?
I decided that since some of the family members were holding the cell phones, I would say nothing lest I embarrass them. It is not uncommon to see this at weddings these days though. I plan to start discussing this ahead of time with the couple so I know what they want. After all and at great expense, they hired a professional photographer to record the event and not only do the guests holding up cell phones and tablets obstruct the professional's photographs, the guests are viewing the wedding indirectly through the lens instead of being present in the moment.
We remember those not with us and paid tribute to their parents, then I told their story.
They had given me some good material for the ceremony as to why they loved each other and wanted to marry--mostly serious but a few funny things!
Heba and Ed at work--you can see that they did not have much space to maneuver in.
 After making their vows to each other, they exchanged rings.
 The pronouncement of marriage.......and here comes the kiss!  
 It is done and it is time to celebrate! 
After the ceremony, I was surprised when Sibel and Metin, a couple I married on July 3, 2010 walked up to greet me. Here is their wedding post on it. I should have suspected they would be here since Metin is from Turkey and Sibel's father is Turkish. It was so good to see them and I told them that their videographer had recently contacted me wanting to know if I knew how to reach them so he could tell them to come get their wedding video! They are expecting their first child so I might be doing a baby blessing ceremony for them next year!
The guests have all gone to the Cardinal Club and it is time to come back in and take some pictures.
Gina Myers is an absolute dream to work with. She contacted me on behalf of the couple to see if I was available. I am so happy that I was. She kept me apprised of everything and developed a detailed timeline. Her business is La Cosa Bella Events. Thanks, Gina!
That wedding gown is spectacular! Libby is such a beauty and Ethem has that tall, dark and handsome thing going on! What a good-looking couple! By the way, the beautiful florals were done by Fleuressence.
Libby and Ethem, I hope you are basking in wedding bliss, relaxed and contented! It was my pleasure to officiate for you and thank you for giving me the honor of being part of your wonderful wedding!


Men's Fashion Outfits 2012

Here are men’s fashionable clothing style 2012, As for the men fashion clothing, the primary idea is that the less noticeable the superior. Select for a simply clothing, but if you do not like.

See More : Wedding Collection for Men


The denims must be use with shoes with a smooth matte finishing and a wider only than sports shoes. For periods reduced in the range of process, use footwear with dense feet, possibly something like a start or behind to range with distinct sewing or jumping.


But if you are dressed in denims to a mixture, increases the ladder of complexity with suede footwear or loafers. The denims gaze superlative with a extensive buckle belt has a flat, bulkier than a official.


A see a fee overarching style that will bring into the new season with them the ongoing reinvention of the 80s styles with argyle sweaters, skinny ties and the revival of the Member’s simply overcoats.


Linen, while it has by no means been out of fashion, I think will craft a extra powerful come back next summer time. Write your feedback and suggestions in below comment box.

Lindsey Wixson for Mulberry FW 2013

Mulberry remains true to itself and also draws for this year's Fall / Winter 2012.13 Ad Campaign on the issue of forest. However, Model Lindsey Wixson romps not with the ordinary inhabitants of the forest, such as the fox, hare and deer, through the undergrowth of Blackheath Forest...

Due to Emma Hill's (Creative Director) penchant for "Dark Fairy Tales", the English leather goods manufacturer borrowed ado the friendly monsters from Maurice Sendak's "Where the Wild Things Are" to the new collection of dramatic play to the gallery.

Lindsey Wixson

Lindsey Wixson
Lindsey Wixson for Mulberry
Lindsey Wixson for Mulberry
Lindsey Wixson for Mulberry
Lindsey Wixson for Mulberry FW 2013

Source: blog.thaeger.com