happy feet

 

I finished making my socks last night.  Good thing, because there's a blizzard happening outside right now.  Yesterday's slush was no fun, but the snow today is beautiful.  I actually can't wait to go outside and walk around in it.  I'm even tempted to ambush Joe with a snowball fight when he comes home from work.

This pair of socks is made with merino wool, which is my favorite for socks because it's not itchy.  Itchy socks are just the worst.  These are actually red and oatmeal in color, but no matter what I do the red shows up orange on blogger.

i'd rather be....

 

photos by Elly Fales

In my daydream I'm wearing this dress, and it's seventy-five degrees outside.  In reality, I spent the day outside in a slush blizzard, wet and cold (long story).  Now I'm home, wrapped up in leggings, a sweatshirt, two pairs of socks, and an electric heated blanket.  No way I'm going outside again until this thing is over!

permanent vacation spring 2010

 

photos from permanentvacation.se

  I'm always inspired by the Swedish clothing line Permanent Vacation, and these spring dresses are just right.

(via Dores)

winter whites

photo from elle.com

There's something a little crazy about this outfit, which is maybe why I like it so much.  It's part of Alice Ritter's fall 2010 collection.  What fascinates me about it is that I would never think to put these elements together--white dress + white tights + white shoes.  White tights are something I haven't worn since I was a little girl, but I've seen people wearing them lately in really cute ways.  I'm always wearing white dresses with my white Chucks in the spring and summer (sneakers make the look less precious), so maybe I need to throw some white tights into the mix for winter and fall. 

I'm also loving those glasses.  They remind me of Erica.

shipley & halmos fall 2010 collection

Wow.  This collection has everything I love--stunning simplicity, luxurious knits, rich colors, and sophisticated prints.  Check out the whole presentation here.

circle shoulder dress

 

  

  

  

photos from Stand Up Comedy 

I'm totally in love with this dress by Electric Feathers.  The draping is just beautiful.  Looks like the cut out sleeve is a big trend for spring.

necklace update

 

On Monday (Feb. 22) at 8PM EST there will be more necklaces in the Wiksten shop!

mini shop update

 

  

I made this dress and top as samples for the last sewing class I taught, and I noticed that they've been sitting in my closet unused ever since.  Since I'm teaching a different pattern this time around I don't really need them anymore.  They're in my shop right now, both size 6/medium.

i love this bag, i love this bag, i love this bag

photo from Refinery 29 Shops

If you're reading this post while simultaneously pondering "Gee, what am I going to get Jenny for her birthday in May?" then problem solved.  Just get me this bag by Me and Arrow.  Just kidding, I don't know if I could sleep at night if someone spent this much dough on a b-day gift for me.  The guilt, oh the guilt.

march sewing class

I'm going to be teaching another sewing class at Lena Corwin's studio during the month of March, and the pattern I'm using is the Tova shirt/dress.  See more details and sign up here.

alexa chung for madewell

 

  

  

 

I really like these outfits from Alexa Chung's Fall 2010 collection for Madewell.  They have that part preppy/part hipster, part tomboy/part girly look that works so well for Alexa.  All of the colors are really lovely and classic and the fabrics luxe.  But it would be a sin to leave out the footwear.  The boots, clogs, and platform sandals are all pretty perfect as well.

warm + dry

I love snow, but yesterday was not fun.  I was out and about all day running important errands, and at one point I had to dig my car out of the snow with a shovel.  The weather was so nasty--everything was half icy and half slushy, which made driving a real treat.  So last night I stayed home and started working on some really thick, warm socks while watching Lost.  They'll be perfect for inside my Sorrels or for just wearing around the house.   Knitting always has the power to give me such comfort at the end of a long day.

suno

 

  

 

photos from style.com

What a fun fall 2010 collection from Suno!   The colors, prints, and textures are so inspiring.

new mociun is here!

 

Mociun's spring collection photos are now up on the Mociun website.  Aren't they lovely?  The photographs are by Alyson Fox (see below post).  Incredible.  The pieces look amazing, and I can't wait to see more details.  I think the cut-out sleeve design on this dress (available for pre-order at Beklina) is really cool.

alyson fox, a small collection

 
 
 

photos from www.asmallcollection.com

I love Alyson Fox's new collection of jewelry and tank tops (+ one dress).  It's very much what I'm into right now.  The ikat print tank and square bead necklaces?  Perfect.

perfect basics

 

Check out these adorable classics from Jack Willis.

president's day sale

 

Use the code PRESIDENT in the Wiksten online shop today only and get 20% off plus free shipping.

valentine's day

 

Joe and I stayed home last night and cooked together.  My sister Mindy suggested we go with something decadent yet simple like this meal.  It was just the ticket.  And for dessert?  Chocolate mousse with raspberries.  Joe made that for me on our third date, the first time he ever cooked for me.  It brought back good memories.  Looking through our recipe binder is like looking through an old scrapbook--I can remember each meal we've cooked together and when.  Now that we've spent eight Valentine's Days together, that binder is bursting at the seams!  When I first met Joe I didn't even really know how to cook anything much.  We learned how to cook so many things together, but the truth is that he really taught me all of his skills.  Now days his 90+ hour work weeks don't leave him time to cook, but when I cook for him there truly is love in every bite. 

inspiration board

Read about my design process and inspiration for spring today over at Lucky.

teepees and triangles

 

 

I really like these paintings by Mark Warren Jacques (via Arrow & Arrow).  The colors make me happy.  And that, folks, is the extent of my ability to critique art.  Sophisticated, right?

In other news, my shop update last night was kind of a disaster.  Something urgent came up which prevented me from activating my shop at 8:00.  I really want to apologize to my customers!  As soon as I was finally able to get to it I experienced some technical difficulties, and most of my products ended up without descriptions.  It wasn't Big Cartel's fault--it's a problem with my internet connection.  Anyways, I just want to say how sorry I am to the people who were trying to buy stuff.  Sometimes crap happens, and hopefully next time will be better.  Thanks so much for understanding.