South Africa: Kalk Bay

 Sleepy little beach town that we stopped in on our way to the Cape Point.   we had amazing crepes at "Excuse My French, "  a creperie meets old vintage furniture shop.  It was a really amazingly pleasant that morning...  the sun was shining... there were boogie boarders on the surf that we could watch  from our breakfast spot.  There was a man jamming on his guitar there too. super lovely.

This was an old bookstore we passed by. I loved these images.

There were some really unique boutiques there as well. Mythology was my favorite.

South Africa: Handbag idea

 To me, this looks like a handbag waiting to happen. 

It's just some climbing rope ( attached to the keys to our hostel) sitting on top of someones chalk bag.  Or it could be a very casual fun little purse.

You can even keep your keys on the bag strap. :)

South Africa: Vibrant Locust

Crazy little bug I saw on our hike today. Apparently some kind of a locust that other animals think is poisonous, but actually isn't.   I love how beautiful the colors are together.   He really is bluer in person if you can believe that.

South Africa: Thai pillows, French Cafe, Dosas, Pan-African Dining

Well, obviously a lot of Thai influences in Lauren's beautiful  Fourways home.  But relevant to my personal style.  These pillows are something that Bryan and I are obsessed with finding for our new place in PA.

Our first night in Johannesburg, Lauren and Chris brought us to a beautiful outdoor market, where we had dosas and coffee from Bettina's cafe. I loved the ballerina slippers and the old phonograph paired with the fresh flowers.  Trinkets abound already!

Moyo was our dinner destination. It was a very authentic South African restaurant.  There were pillows around, and blankets to wear over your lap as we were outdoors, there were torches and candle light everywhere and larger contained fires for warmth and light that smelled of burning wood.  Upon being seated, the waiter brought us a wooden bowl and a cloth and poured water over our hands (so we could wash them) and then dry them.  I had never seen it done this way before, but I did enjoy the ritual.

The following day, we went to the local African market to see their wares, before we headed by car into the wilderness of Waterval Boven, where we would stay for the next 3 days. These fabrics are made in the Congo with natural vegetable dyes. There were so many different patterns and variations, I felt like I was at a print show! 

Taking off for Africa...

 I am reading the guide book on the plane to South Africa.... there is so much color theory to experiment with... you can use the same shapes over and over again, but inserting different colors into those shapes, they look entirely different.  This was a key element in the Xhosa traditional designs I casually tried to recreate and study here.

Some Pretty Things for Romera in the Dream Hotel Downtown

cotton panné velvet silverware mez en place for Cristofle silverware trays. 

To be featured at Romera NY in the Dream Hotel.

SWANKY, HUH? ;)

Once upon a time I had this printed top.... it was very blah... And now? :)

Mike's New Shirt!

So, my bro posted my mods to his band tee on his site yesterday.

http://www.errico.com/mike-errico-t-shirt-pimped/

I just want to be clear that I love this shirt, not because it is my bros, but because it is an awesome shirt.

 What is so super lovely about it-- is how it photographs, how it glows in blacklight at those crazy burning man parties, and how lookbook.nu  temporarily shut down my profile to give the leaders a day buy one of these tee shirts so as not to be unseated. (what a god damn conspiracy).  

The crazy thing is, I could have modified it in a MILLION different ways. 

 Mike Errico fans are  coming up with other ideas...

and so am I... This is T-shirt war! 

(You will also notice the tights from previous post.

Clearly, you have your answer. I fucking went for them. You should all buy a pair)

1to3 at SevenNY.com

Butterfly rings and polka dot nails? Why not ? :)

Mermaid parade

 I made this dress out of lots of fabric and findings...kind of a last minute decision, but well worth it!