A Pretty Personal Project

I'm really lucky to live right near the Concourse Exhibition Center in San Francisco because when the Art Deco shows come around, it's a nice, short, 20-minute walk to my idea of heaven.

Deco The Halls was this weekend and I took an hour or so on my sunny Sunday to peruse the amazing selection of vintage clothing and furniture. It shouldn't come as a surprise that I latched mostly onto the clothing, and came out with this lovely (and shockingly inexpensive) Edwardian petticoat remnant.

I'd originally thought to make this into one of my Souvenir Tops, but then I realized it's been awhile since I sewed something up for yours truly. So this one's mine!

This piece is in superb condition (including the meticulous ribbonwork flowers), but the whole shebang is missing a waistband. It would make a gorgeous skirt, but even better? A dress! It's certainly long enough and with a simple lace yoke, it could make for one uber-feminine layering piece. I'm really excited to get started on this one, and even more excited to wear the finished product.

Rubie Makes Her Stage Debut

For those of you unfamiliar with San Francisco's drag scene, let me lay it out for you: this city takes its drag culture very seriously! There are tons of drag queens here, and each of them is awesome in her own way. Singing, lipsynching, dancing and general fabulosity aside, SF's drag queens are known to be incredibly creative and talented dressers. It's been a secret dream of mine to outfit the goddesses of SF drag in all manner of frills, sequins and other pretty stuff. So I was uber excited when a Facebook friend and drag show champion sent me this photo of Tara Wrist (haha!) wearing my Rubie Bow Belt on stage at The Castro's EdgeSF.

Check it out!

Photo: Paris LaQuinta

This photo absolutely made my day!

Now on Etsy: The Victoria, Stella and Henrietta Bow Belts

They're up! Check out more shots of Victoria, Stella and Henrietta in the HCH shop now.

I sewed up extra Bow Belts in time for the holidays since three of mine have been adopted by Bohemian Boudoir's booth over at the Dickens Christmas Faire.

These new additions make great holiday gifts because they work for just about any size and body type. Better yet, they give you the appearance of a cinched waist without the commitment of a traditional corset. Perfection!

The Victoria Bow Belt, The Stella Bow Belt, The Henrietta Bow Belt

Preview: Henrietta and Stella Bow Belts

Just in time for the holiday party season, meet two lovely new Bow Belts. The first, Henrietta, is made of a yummy striped satin and antique Victorian braid. It's topped off with a smart bow and antique crescent moon vignette button. Stella is made of a lovely taupe ribbon printed with shiny silver stars. Both make the perfect stocking stuffer or finishing touch for your own holiday ensemble. Take a peek!

Henrietta Bow Belt (left) and Stella Bow Belt (right)

Detail of the Henrietta Bow Belt 

Detail of the Stella Bow Belt

Look for them in the Honey Cooler Handmade store tomorrow and stay tuned for an uber-precious gift wrap option for all your HCH gift giving needs!

Calling All Flappers...

I can't live without my iPhone.

It's glued to my hand at all times (excepting, of course, when I'm sewing). I use it for grocery lists, checking in on my Etsy shop, playing Words With Friends, Sudoku and Mah Jongg, taking on-the-fly product photos, and killing time in uncomfortable situations. I keep it in my hand when I'm out and about, even if I'm not using it at that particular moment... in short, I'm obsessed.

When I think of early mobile phones, I can't help but think of the charmingly humungous breadbox phone Zack Morris used in Saved By The Bell. Or the one used by the sinister Patrick Bateman in American Psycho.

Photos: Zack Morris Cell Phone (yes, really), Tontadas Verias

But I guess cell phones go back further in history than I'd initially thought! Check out this amazing 1922 Pathé video from How To Be A Retronaut: "World's First Mobile Phone".

So much prettier than a breadbox phone, don't you think? Perhaps less practical, but hey, when has pretty ever truly needed to be pragmatic?

Holiday Sale!

If you've had your eye on something special from the HCH store in time for the holidays, you're in luck! Everything in the store is 15% off until New Years Day! Just use code 2011HOLIDAY at check out to take advantage of the discount.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

The Calm Before The Storm

Thanksgiving's tomorrow, so I'll be cooking up a storm today. My husband is working on the manlier aspects of Thanksgiving Dinner, intended to pair with our pal's killer bacon-wrapped turkey. Among the hearty offerings, we're having meat-heavy stuffing, gravy from scratch, and artery-decimating mashed potatoes.

I, however (and probably unsurprisingly), am working on the sweeter side of things: yam casserole, Ukrainian apple pie and pierogies. None of it is healthy and all of it is delicious.

We did all our shopping yesterday morning and in trying to square away as much with HCH as possible before a little holiday hiatus, I lost complete track of time. Before I knew it, the sunset was lighting up our cornucopia and I couldn't resist snapping some pics.

So, a little prettiness before the insanity begins.

Happy pre-Turkey Day, everyone!