In God's Country

Road trip alert: Just got back from 'God's Country'- Bend, Oregon. The clarity of the high desert is amazing. Bluest of blue skies, clearest air, crisp nights and warm days make for a fabulous retreat to rest the mind, body, and soul. While hiking (in my new organic Elodie tee thank you very much!) along the Deschutes River, I had U2's "In God's Country" melody in my head as I soaked in the setting of tall spruce trees, skittering chipmunks and lizards, and the only sound but the river rapids. Ahhh, what bliss! Talk about setting your mind at ease right before my busy season sets in and I have to get back to the drawing board and churn out some Fall 2009. I wouldn't say this trip brought tons of literal inspiration (don't worry, there's no plaid flannel shirts in my horizon nor a Patagonia-esque inspired collection). But I can say, the natural beauty of my surroundings and the outdoor lifestyle certainly inspired me for next Fall's collection. I can just see my new palette of spacedye colors - Cascade, Summit, Lava, Butte, Reed, Willow, and Sage. All earthy shades from the high desert will be perfect in my new soybean yarn I have cookin' up (feels better than cashmere, I swear!)

Besides exploring 'God's Country' along bike trails, rivers, and lava buttes, I was able to get a little small-town city vibe by visiting Bend's quaint downtown Wall Street. One of my long-time favorite stores (and wholesale customers), is the chock-full-of-cool-stuff boutique, Hot Box Betty. I remember first visiting this shop in 2004 when I was pregnant with my first child and before I launched by wholesale business in California. Right off the bat I could tell this store had it all figured out, bringing the best of LA and NY designers to the little town of Bend. Although there's a lot of Patagonia clad outdoorsy types living the dream in Bend, there's also a mix of second-homers who live part of the year in California and therefore want some fashion when they're in town. Now in a new location right in the center of town, their store stocks Stacia (of course), but has a great selection of Sharon Segal tees, Kai products, and the latest LA contemporary designers. I was happy to hear they're selling out of our Town & Country bamboo/cotton scarf top and cocoon sweaters. The light-weight, eco-friendly bamboo yarn must be perfect for the Bend climate and casual-lifestyle. I'll be sure to keep that Bend woman in mind when I get back to the drawing board next month.

In God's Country

Road trip alert: Just got back from 'God's Country'- Bend, Oregon. The clarity of the high desert is amazing. Bluest of blue skies, clearest air, crisp nights and warm days make for a fabulous retreat to rest the mind, body, and soul. While hiking (in my new organic Elodie tee thank you very much!) along the Deschutes River, I had U2's "In God's Country" melody in my head as I soaked in the setting of tall spruce trees, skittering chipmunks and lizards, and the only sound but the river rapids. Ahhh, what bliss! Talk about setting your mind at ease right before my busy season sets in and I have to get back to the drawing board and churn out some Fall 2009. I wouldn't say this trip brought tons of literal inspiration (don't worry, there's no plaid flannel shirts in my horizon nor a Patagonia-esque inspired collection). But I can say, the natural beauty of my surroundings and the outdoor lifestyle certainly inspired me for next Fall's collection. I can just see my new palette of spacedye colors - Cascade, Summit, Lava, Butte, Reed, Willow, and Sage. All earthy shades from the high desert will be perfect in my new soybean yarn I have cookin' up (feels better than cashmere, I swear!)

Besides exploring 'God's Country' along bike trails, rivers, and lava buttes, I was able to get a little small-town city vibe by visiting Bend's quaint downtown Wall Street. One of my long-time favorite stores (and wholesale customers), is the chock-full-of-cool-stuff boutique, Hot Box Betty. I remember first visiting this shop in 2004 when I was pregnant with my first child and before I launched by wholesale business in California. Right off the bat I could tell this store had it all figured out, bringing the best of LA and NY designers to the little town of Bend. Although there's a lot of Patagonia clad outdoorsy types living the dream in Bend, there's also a mix of second-homers who live part of the year in California and therefore want some fashion when they're in town. Now in a new location right in the center of town, their store stocks Stacia (of course), but has a great selection of Sharon Segal tees, Kai products, and the latest LA contemporary designers. I was happy to hear they're selling out of our Town & Country bamboo/cotton scarf top and cocoon sweaters. The light-weight, eco-friendly bamboo yarn must be perfect for the Bend climate and casual-lifestyle. I'll be sure to keep that Bend woman in mind when I get back to the drawing board next month.

Drive-by Inspiration

As a designer, pretty much anything can provide inspiration, and oddly enough for me, a parking garage has been my latest inspiration. Driving along 4th Street at the corner of the 10 in Santa Monica sits a colorful new architectural delight. With it's beach-hued panels (sea blue, solar yellow, citrus orange, and palm green) and an airy, open quality, you'd think it was another luxury condominium beach project. But alas, this is Santa Monica, and it's the grand ol' Civic Center parking garage. The cool thing is that this parking structure is actually an environmentally LEED designed structure that's powered by solar energy with its photovoltaic roof panels, open facades allowing natural ventilation and illumination, and a storm drain water treatment system (yeah, no dumping in the ocean!) Although I've really only driven by during the day to enjoy some of my favorite color combinations (blues, greens, yellows, and oranges), the glow at night is even more spectacular. To document this color palette I love so much, I stopped at the corner light and snapped this picture with my Iphone so that I could recreate this color combination for my new Summer '09 collection. The new spacedye color, which I have appropriately named Solar, will be perfect in my cotton/seaweed (yes, seaweed yarn!) knitted Summery tops, beachy hoodies, and sultry sundresses for next Summer.

Drive-by Inspiration

As a designer, pretty much anything can provide inspiration, and oddly enough for me, a parking garage has been my latest inspiration. Driving along 4th Street at the corner of the 10 in Santa Monica sits a colorful new architectural delight. With it's beach-hued panels (sea blue, solar yellow, citrus orange, and palm green) and an airy, open quality, you'd think it was another luxury condominium beach project. But alas, this is Santa Monica, and it's the grand ol' Civic Center parking garage. The cool thing is that this parking structure is actually an environmentally LEED designed structure that's powered by solar energy with its photovoltaic roof panels, open facades allowing natural ventilation and illumination, and a storm drain water treatment system (yeah, no dumping in the ocean!) Although I've really only driven by during the day to enjoy some of my favorite color combinations (blues, greens, yellows, and oranges), the glow at night is even more spectacular. To document this color palette I love so much, I stopped at the corner light and snapped this picture with my Iphone so that I could recreate this color combination for my new Summer '09 collection. The new spacedye color, which I have appropriately named Solar, will be perfect in my cotton/seaweed (yes, seaweed yarn!) knitted Summery tops, beachy hoodies, and sultry sundresses for next Summer.

Design Serenity at The Huntington

I've been itching to check out The Huntington ever since I moved here in 2004. A schlep across the 405 is rarely in my agenda, let alone, a trek to Pasadena on the 110. But after reading Robert Rauschenberg's obituary and being reminded of an artist's long ago inspiration - The Huntington - I was determined to make the trip. I was hoping to go in June when the Rose Garden is in peak bloom, but a cooler than usual Sunday afternoon in July was just right. Immediately I was impressed with the sprawling grounds, reminiscent of Versailles (especially with the bountiful sculptures on the North Vista Lawn. My son kept asking where the David-esque man's pants were!) Hard to believe one family lived in this joint!

First stop, the Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden, to get off on the right foot with my kids of course! The diminutive garden was just the ticket to get my kids in gear for a long day at a museum and botanical garden. It almost felt like being in The Secret Garden with all the little pathways, water features, and botanical mazes.

Next stop, food. If I had planned ahead, I would have booked a table in the Tea Room for a proper sit-down tea and crumpets for refueling, but for this trip, the outdoor tables and à la carte menu would do. With kids (and adults) recharged, we continued onto the Japanese Garden by way of the Rose Garden (reminded me of the Brooklyn Botanical Rose Garden.) Entering the Japanese Garden was like being transplanted into another century and culture with the decadent pavillions, reeds of bamboo, drum bridges, and koi ponds. Immediately my brain was churning up space-dye color repeats after seeing all the various shades of koi fish! I loved the zen Japanese rock garden and serene, fully-furnished Japanese house - clean, refined comfort that is refreshing from the typical cluttered American home and garden.

Next stop, The Chinese Garden, which we discovered along a shady pathway from the Japanese Garden. The lovely outdoor Pavillon of the Three Friends overlooks a tranquil lake stocked with more koi, with a white-washed pathway of bridges that takes you around the lake. My son especially enjoyed the miniature bonsai landscapes, which I told him were homes for all the insects.

Finally, on the kid's last weary legs, we sneaked quickly into the refurbished Huntington Art Gallery to take in some European art. I had wanted to check out Robert Rauschenberg's inspiration - The Blue Boy - and see for myself what made Mr. Rauschenberg want to become an artist. The subtle, painterly shades of blue in the boy's pants was mind-boggling to say the least. My favorite, was actually in the Virginia Steele Scott Gallery of American Art - Mary Cassatt's Breakfast in Bed (an affectionate mother and child portrait.)

All in all, it was a serene visit and one of design inspiration. Even if the inspiration wasn't literal, it at least got my mind at ease so I can go back to the drawing board in the next month and crank out some Fall 2009.

Design Serenity at The Huntington

I've been itching to check out The Huntington ever since I moved here in 2004. A schlep across the 405 is rarely in my agenda, let alone, a trek to Pasadena on the 110. But after reading Robert Rauschenberg's obituary and being reminded of an artist's long ago inspiration - The Huntington - I was determined to make the trip. I was hoping to go in June when the Rose Garden is in peak bloom, but a cooler than usual Sunday afternoon in July was just right. Immediately I was impressed with the sprawling grounds, reminiscent of Versailles (especially with the bountiful sculptures on the North Vista Lawn. My son kept asking where the David-esque man's pants were!) Hard to believe one family lived in this joint!

First stop, the Helen and Peter Bing Children's Garden, to get off on the right foot with my kids of course! The diminutive garden was just the ticket to get my kids in gear for a long day at a museum and botanical garden. It almost felt like being in The Secret Garden with all the little pathways, water features, and botanical mazes.

Next stop, food. If I had planned ahead, I would have booked a table in the Tea Room for a proper sit-down tea and crumpets for refueling, but for this trip, the outdoor tables and à la carte menu would do. With kids (and adults) recharged, we continued onto the Japanese Garden by way of the Rose Garden (reminded me of the Brooklyn Botanical Rose Garden.) Entering the Japanese Garden was like being transplanted into another century and culture with the decadent pavillions, reeds of bamboo, drum bridges, and koi ponds. Immediately my brain was churning up space-dye color repeats after seeing all the various shades of koi fish! I loved the zen Japanese rock garden and serene, fully-furnished Japanese house - clean, refined comfort that is refreshing from the typical cluttered American home and garden.

Next stop, The Chinese Garden, which we discovered along a shady pathway from the Japanese Garden. The lovely outdoor Pavillon of the Three Friends overlooks a tranquil lake stocked with more koi, with a white-washed pathway of bridges that takes you around the lake. My son especially enjoyed the miniature bonsai landscapes, which I told him were homes for all the insects.

Finally, on the kid's last weary legs, we sneaked quickly into the refurbished Huntington Art Gallery to take in some European art. I had wanted to check out Robert Rauschenberg's inspiration - The Blue Boy - and see for myself what made Mr. Rauschenberg want to become an artist. The subtle, painterly shades of blue in the boy's pants was mind-boggling to say the least. My favorite, was actually in the Virginia Steele Scott Gallery of American Art - Mary Cassatt's Breakfast in Bed (an affectionate mother and child portrait.)

All in all, it was a serene visit and one of design inspiration. Even if the inspiration wasn't literal, it at least got my mind at ease so I can go back to the drawing board in the next month and crank out some Fall 2009.

>>Happy birthday C!!!!...<< Heidy

“…happy birthday to you..happy birthday to you..happy birthday..happy birthday..happy birthdar Carl!!!!”

...hohohoho…

Today’s outfit :
Oversize shirt : Pasar Gedebage Rp. 15.000 (less than $2)
Skinny pants : Pusdai Friday Market Rp. 17.500 (about $2)
Bangles : Pasar Asemka Rp. 10.000 each ($1 each)
Bag : Pasar Senen Rp. 25.000 (about $3)
Sandals : Bellagio

Carl’s :
Shirt : Pasar Gedebage Rp. 5.000 (less than $1)
Faded jeans : Pasar Gedebage Rp. 25.000 (about $3)
Shoes : Pasar Mayestik Rp. 25.000 (about $3)