annaminiac

My Shopping Bucket List

2012-01-25T18:36:00.000-08:00

I have a hard time shopping because I always think, oh, I can make that myself. The reality is, designing and sewing something for myself is super time consuming and I don't have a lot of free time, especially since I'm taking patternmaking classes which demand a lot of the time I would otherwise spend on my projects.

So I decided 2012 would be the year I would make a list and focus on the items I want to buy or make this year:

camel coat - a classic, Stella McCartney's collection a few years back really made me covet this staple
wide leg pants - I'd consider it a triumph to be able to design a pair with the perfect proportions for my height/weight
boyfriend blazer - I love the versions from the Row and Elizabeth and James
skinny black pants - super versatile, a nice alternative to leggings
bright colored jeans - a way to update my wardrobe and inject some color
faux fur jacket - I've been search for the right version. Attempting to sew faux fur in my house last time was a disaster, not sure I want to attempt that again. If I found the right one, I would definitely buy this rather than make it.
chambray shirt - really like the lived in, casual feel chambray gives off. I want to make a tailored version with a slim fit.

{Rag & Bone coat via net-a-porter.com}

Thinking about Gowns

2012-01-16T22:09:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about gowns lately - not that I particularly have a reason to wear one, but I am loving long floor skimming skirts and I'm curious about how I might design a gown that works for my height (5'3"). Some photos for inspiration:

{Diane Kruger in Jason Wu for InStyle via tomandlorenzo.com}

{Anna Selezneva by Mariano Vivanco for Vogue Russia, June 2011 via FGR}

What I'm working on now

2011-02-28T12:24:00.000-08:00

My homework for pattern making class is to design 2 dresses, one day dress and one evening or cocktail dress. Here's my current sketch with swatches of the fabrics I plan to use.

After making a muslin of the day dress (the pink one on the right), I decided to switch out the v-neck for a boat neck. I also chose to go with a center v-dart instead of the princess seams. Here's a shot of the muslin - note that the skirt needs to be lengthened. It's a little bit controversial at the current length.

What do you think of the changes? Should I stick with the sketch?

YSL Inspiration

2010-12-30T15:26:00.001-08:00

Image from style.com

I've been coveting a blouse in the color of the season like the YSL one above. I think I may have found my next project, except now I need to go hunt for the fabric with the right drape and the right color. Why did I insist on buying practical wools and cottons when I was shopping at Marche St. Pierre???

I purposely did not make any new year's resolutions in 2010, but I think I will make some sewing related ones for 2011. One of them will definitely be to sew a coat since I've never done one before. I might also try to make a pair of trouser jeans. Stay tuned for the final list.

Guilo Guilo Paris - dishes (almost) too pretty to eat

2010-12-27T12:09:00.000-08:00

Some more inspiration . . . of the edible sort. We felt lucky to get reservations to Guilo Guilo, a tiny Japanese restaurant near Sacre Coeur. There are only two seatings per night and there is only one set course menu. The food was wonderful, the portions just right - although I admit at first we thought we would never get full - and the experience . . . it was like being invited to a secret Parisian dinner party.

5 "tastes" on thinly sliced daikon.

Ika nigiri with caviar.

Sashimi over rice with egg yolk.

Ankimo with bonito.

Winter in Paris

2010-12-25T19:03:00.000-08:00

The fashion world has already moved on to pre-fall, and as far as I can tell, it is all about color. The cheerful monkey prints at Prada, the bright orange blouses at YSL, the neon brights at Miu Miu, the wintry weather seems far from most designers' minds. However, in the real world, it is still winter and Paris gave us plenty of cold, rain and snow when we were there.

Despite the lousy weather, Paris is still Paris, and Jim and I found plenty of colorful inspiration to take back with us. Enjoy!