gratuitous cat photos

Nothing cuter than Sophia sitting there like she's a person.

When these two get along you know magic is happening.

Seymour loves to curl up on the couch with me and sleep while I knit.

Sophia loves herself a good stink-shoe.  She rubs her head all over Joe's sweaty workout shoes when he takes them off.  Even sticks her head inside like she just wants to be inside the shoe.

I can't help it, guys.  A couple of days ago I got back from a trip to Kansas, where I was visiting my family, and I sure missed those dang cats while I was gone.  I think they missed me too, judging by the fact that both of them have slept with us at night ever since.  It sure is getting crowded in that bed.

process: dyeing sample fabric

These photos are from back in the fall when Sarkilahti and I did our necklace collaboration.  We're tie-dyeing the drawstring pouches.  Shortly after this project I started working on dyeing some silk for my summer collection.  I was looking for a specific hue that I couldn't find, so with my guidance, Lissa played mad scientist and experimented with mixing colors.  Eventually she came up with a lovely dye and wrote up the formula for me.  It came out completely different on the silk swatch than we were expecting but was a nice surprise nonetheless.  

After Lissa's internship ended I dyed the yardage myself and a few months later sewed up a sample (after several muslin prototypes).   It's my favorite piece so far from my summer collection, and it only took like five months.  Ha.  I've never really worked that way before, slowly letting an idea take shape over the course of time.  I like it.  Usually I spend an intense week or two at a time with each design until I'm so burned out on it that I never want to see it again (which explains why I don't wear my own pieces that often).

I don't have any pics of the new designs yet, but the collection is starting to come together and should be ready in May.  I'm excited.  It's been so long since I've been able to do anything new.

pancakes for dinner

 

At the urging of a friend who is obsessed, I finally made the sour cream pancakes from Smitten Kitchen.  Oh my goodness, they are ridiculous.  Ridiculously good.

warby parker showroom

I went to the Warby Parker showroom in Union Square last week and tried on glasses.  It was so fun!  I love that place.  You can try on any pair and then take photos in photobooth on their Macs and e-mail the pics to your friends.  They also give you a discount code.  Which ones are your favorites?  I haven't bought them yet, but I already have a favorite.

Top: Owen

Middle: Huxley

Bottom: Preston

looking for a new studiomate

This is a picture I took of Shannon's side of the studio in September.  Sadly, Shannon's moving out of her space at the end of this month to join the Pratt Incubator.  I'm going to miss her so much!  Sarkilahti and I are looking for a new studiomate to fill her spot starting April 1.  It's a beautiful space and an inspiring community of artists.  We have so much fun!  Sarkilahti wrote a blog post about it here, and here's the official listing.

spring outfits

Steven Alan dress and cardigan, Lizzie Fortunato necklace, Swedish Hasbeens Jodhpur clog boots

J.Crew shirtdress, Shabd leggings, Fay Andrada bangles, Swedish Hasbeens Jodhpur ankle boots

Under the influence of Lissa I bought some Swedish Hasbeens clog boots, and I think they're the perfect transitional boot for spring.  (I got them majorly on sale from a store that's now sold out.  They're the low-heeled version in color nature, and I'm a size 9 and got the 40.)  I've been dreaming of new outfits to wear with them ever since.

obsessed with cacharel prints

top row: photos from La Garconne

 middle row: photos from style.com, pre-fall 2011

bottom row: photos from Opening Ceremony

a visit from ermie

 

Ermie is Jennifer Parry Dodge's clothing company, and Jennifer is the striking and lovely woman in the Rachel Comey dress and Shabd tights from my previous post.  When Jennifer was in New York recently for her husband's art show she dropped by Dobbin Mews for a studio visit.  Meeting in person was much anticipated since we have been "blog friends" for what seems like ages now.  Afterward Sarkilahti and I took her out to lunch at our regular spot, Five Leaves, for some yummy food and good conversation.

I loved seeing the Ermie pieces in person, like this dress that Jennifer wore, along with a washed silk scarf from her upcoming collection.  Whenever I meet and really like a designer in person it always makes me even more excited about their work.  Jennifer's prints are just beautiful, and I look forward to owning this dress (which I am going to buy right after I finish this post).

seeing art

...is something Joe and I agreed we need to do more of, so when Jennifer Parry Dodge invited me to her husband's art show opening I jumped at the chance.  Seeing Tomory's work in person made me appreciate it even more.  I'm a fan.  If you're in NY, go see it!  The show is at the CRG Gallery until April 2.  More information and photos of the work here.

More from Jennifer's New York visit tomorrow...

new work from the dobbin mews

top: photos by Fay Andrada

bottom: photos by Shannon South

The shapes of Fay's new pieces are so sophisticated.  Jewelry that makes a statement while remaining perfectly simple is rare.  It's so cool that she makes everything by hand herself.  You should see her hands!  I love hands that are a bit beat up because they bear the evidence of hard work.

And Shannon's new reMade USA leather totes are so minimalist and chic.  Maybe I can buy one and move to Paris and go shopping for baguettes or something.  That wouldn't be too bad.  By the way, they're made out of old pairs of leather pants!  Ingenuity, folks.

sonia delaunay

Looking forward to seeing this exhibit.