New: Summer 08 Collection

I teamed up with Day this weekend for a dual project. I told her that I was recently signed to UGLY and that I needed moldel-esque photos that did the job of showing of the shop's Summer Collection and happened to be portfolio gold. You can find the rest of the shoot here. This is one of my favorites. Of course, I'd need to get it retouched, but I'm happy with this. And, I'm actually, seriously considering adding this to my own wardrobe. It's a really versatile little number. Pockets and all. Really cute. Click here to shop.

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Treasures Galore!

My brand new sewing machine is here... and before I've left even! How exciting! I damn near fell off my stoop when I saw that huge amazon.com signature smile beaming gleefully at me from it's craft-colored box! If I didn't have so many loose ends to tie up before I go (only three days left!), I'd start learning the thing now! It's a Brother. Beautiful machine... and I made it under my budget!

Goodness! My head is spinning with all the beautiful fabrics and prints and patterns I'm anticipating! ... and the color! Oh the COLOR! I can barely contain myself! Oh rapture!

In other news, I stumbled across a forty-year-old SLR camera in one of my mother's treasure chests. I'm so lucky to have such a shameless pack rat for a mother. She doesn't throw anything away and keeps her things in such pristine condition, even though she has no intention of ever using them. It's a blessing. So, this camera, a 1965 Canon Canonet G-III QL17, is a sight to behold. Haven't tried it yet and I don't expect anything spectacular to happen once I do, but I was so happy to find it!

Alright enough about me and the joy I find in material things. Off to finish tying those ends (checklist, packing, scheduling quality time with my peoples, etc.).

Good night all :)

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On: My Etsy Shop or About this side hustle

Not too long ago, I stumbled upon a website that brings together buyers and sellers of vintage and handmade items. It houses hundreds of shops selling artwork, vintage patterns, clothing, housewares, accessories, an so much more. When Jess rummaged through our cellar last week, I came across 30+ pieces that I'm certain someone would fall in love with and would pay me for. The majority of the items are clothing that once belonged to my mother, but I found some of my own pre-school clothes, house decor, and tons of forgotten jewelry. The working name of my shop is laetiçia/vintagepieces. Dull, but it's the best I could come up with given my 'laeticiavp' user name :( We'll work on that. I'm most definitely taking suggestions.

I found a handful of silk and tulle church dresses that I want to take to a dress maker. I want them to be turned into more casual sun dresses -- strapless, keyhole backs, and halters. I would sell these and other reincarnated one-of-a-kind items (mens shirt as womens jacket, a-line wool skirt as trapeze cape, over-sized sweater as sweater dress, etc) similar to Urban Outfitter's Urban Renewal line, but mine would be much less tacky and far more beautiful. I also thought I'd try my hand at handmade. I want to learn to knit and crochet and sew and screen print and make unique things for me and my peoples.

I'm still working out the logistics. Most of the items need to be cleaned and patched. I need a model or a photographer. I'm scouting spaces to photograph (indoor? outdoor? living space? studio space?). I need a banner and a logo. I need a good strong name. I also need to find a steady source of vintage things for when mama's source dries up.

So much hustlin' to do. So little time. Stay tuned...

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