Skirt 13

I've gotten rid of Skirts 11 and 12. So, here I am in Skirt 13, a simple black pin-stripe number. I feel like it's more suited for working, but since I am not technically working, I feel a little bit silly, but dressed up! And I should clarify... technically working YET! As in soon, I will be.
Ok, enough of that. Off to Cow Town now!

Suit Skirt

This is my Suit Skirt that goes with the suit that my sweet cousin bought for me. I feel very professional in it, almost too professional. Clothes are amazing that way; no matter what you feel like on the inside, clothes can transform you so that you change to match your appearance. I realize that this is not always a good thing, but today it was.

I'm standing in front of Wave, a sculpture by one of my favorite architects Santiago Calatrava. I was first introduced to the work of Calatrava in the summer of 2000; the summer I spent in sunny Spain. I stayed in Valencia, traveled to Madrid, Toledo, Barcelona, Alicante and Sitges.

The words of Belle and Sebastian always remind me, "I spent a summer wasting," but the memories and essence of that time are still with me.
I feel happy and realize that I am such a lucky girl, I've had some great experiences, and there are still more to come!

"New" summer skirt II

I bought another skirt the other day on my thrifting excursion. It was a real deal, $6.99 for a J. Crew pleated, preppy mini skirt. It was pressed before I threw it in the wash the other night. The tag does say "dry clean only." I get impatient, and want to do things the hard way, but there was no way to iron all of these teeny-tiny pleats at 6 am this morning.




And now for today's apron:

I got lots of compliments on it.

My "new" $4 skirt

I went thrifting this weekend with my friend Genevieve. I also started a job today... Finally! (sigh) So happy!
My skirt is a full green cotton number with green embroidery at the bottom that I bought at Westmoreland Thrift for $3.99.

My skirt is under the apron, but the apron is SEW cute! (I may have something else to blog about, AND another project.)


Skirt detail, it sort of looks like it's smocked.


It must be from Target, I recognize the brand. I also bought some things for a new project, but from all of my purchases, which were less than $25, I think that green is my new favorite color. After visiting four different thrift stores, I can't believe how much STUFF is out there! Seriously, after yesterday's excursions I can see that there is absolutely no need to buy anything new again.

Go Stars!

Skirt 10

I wore Skirt 10 last week. I didn't do much in it, but I have a feeling I'll be donning this number again soon.
My girl Moxie and I in greener pastures:


We matched!

Skirt 9

Guess what? I couldn't find it! I must have gotten rid of it, which makes me laugh. I do need to clean out my closet... I didn't wear a skirt, instead I wore shorts. I used to rock tailored shorts before I switched to skirts last spring. Anyway, this is ok because my friend Genevieve met me out last night, wearing a fantastic skirt. She looked absolutely adorable and all of her pieces were from second hand stores here in Dallas.

Genevieve, you are my precious friend, and you must share your thrifting secrets with me!!!

Ok. About last night...
I saw the On Kawara exhibition at the Dallas Museum of Art which opens Sunday. On Kawara has been creating art for the past 4 decades revolving around his daily activities: who he met, what time he got up, what he read, etc. It's definitely worth exploring if you like collecting things, or even if you think anything you do in life can be art... Which it can be. My skirts are.

What's art in your life?

Skirt 8

A day late... oh well.
I know that I didn't like the polyester skirt last year, but I can't get rid of it! It's not that bad actually. It's just a little bit too big in the hips, nothing I can't fix.
Wednesdays are now my work days, actively spending time searching for the right job or career. There IS a difference, ya know. I had some interviews today too:

Is the corporate world really for me? Check out this hideous sculpture:

Where's my next appointment?

R.I.P. Robert Rauschenberg

A great American artist and fellow Texan Robert Rauschenberg died today... He is one of my heroes. Through his work and projects he pushed the boundaries, using techniques and materials that challenged traditional art and ideologies.

I learned that his mother was one of his earliest influences, watching her pattern and piece fabrics together to make patchwork clothes for her family.
The family lived so frugally that his mother, Dora, made him shirts out of scraps of fabric. Once she made herself a skirt out of the back of the suit that her younger brother was buried in. She didn’t want the material to go to waste. From the NY Times article, published earlier today.

Not just one of my influences, I'd like to show some work by skirt maker/artist Alison Willoughby, whose work is also influenced by Rauschenburg and other artists.




Robert Rauschenberg, Untitled, 1955. Oil paint, crayon, pastel, paper, fabric, print reproductions, photographs and cardboard on wood., 15 1/2 x 20 3/4 in. (39.3 x 52.7 cm). Jasper Johns Collection. © Robert Rauschenberg / Adagp, Paris.


Robert Rauschenberg, Monogram, 1955-59, combine painting: oil, paper, fabric, printed paper, printed reproductions, metal, wood, rubber, shoe heel, and tennis ball on canvas, with oil on Angora goat and rubber tire, on wood platform mounted on four casters. 42 x 63½ x 64 ½ in. (106.7 x 160.7 x 164 cm). Moderna Museet, Stockholm.

I remember walking out of my art history class the first time I viewed this slide, utterly confused and bewildered, yet it resonated with me.

I'm not sure if this skirt is a homage to Monogram, but I feel like it should be. I'd wear it in a heartbeat.

Justice Skirt 7

At the courthouse this morning, waiting... waiting... waiting...

and more waiting...
At least it's good reading!

My city: such a dismal day. Depressing case too...
Very sad.

Justice was served on Justice Street.
I didn't get selected, Woo hoo! More about that later...

And for lunch: meatball sandwiches at Jimmy's.

Whew! I'm glad that's over with.
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I have jury duty today. I've never been before. I'm excited to see our justice system at work, up close and personal. I hope my excitement doesn't wear off to early in the day, the website said to be prepared to stay the entire day. Hope they let me take my knitting needles in....

Incidentally, I'm wearing the exact outfit that I wore for my Skirt 7 post, one year ago. My how things change; at least my outfit hasn't!

Penney's Skirt at the Urban Street Bazaar

This past Saturday in the Bishop Arts district, I went to the Urban Street Bazaar hosted by Make Shop & Studio. What fun!

Fun handmade wooden pendants by Pamela Michelle


Vintage button rings by Juxtapose Designs

Urban Street Bazaar first timer and Make alum Lola Falk infront of her line of handbags.


Sew S U P E R cute!


Silk screened T-shirts by FreeLisa Designs

Check out these adorable onesies, also by FreeLisa Designs Good thing Starly is having a girl!!!
Yay! Hoo-ray for girls!

This is Lisa's apron over her skirt, but it looks really cute like a skirt!


Eureeka!!!

I found it at the Urban Street Bazaar!!!
Now, where could that seersucker be...

Read more about USB and DIY on the KERA Arts + Culture blog