The other day a little tidbit came zipping into my inbox about a set of Seattle women making leaps and bounds in local, eco-chic designs. The women of Prairie Underground have quite the list of achievements under their belts and a hip line of northwest couture to back it up.  Their past seasons are killer and their current season is no different.  Their line is a great mix of easy to match separates that would be the perfect addition to any girl’s summer closet.  The pieces lend themselves to quick layering options that will carry you through early fall – it’s not often you see a line as wearable as this in any season.

From their summer 2010 lookbook:

Your orbit string art poncho & savoy pant - Wear it to northwest art openings at Jam Fest galleries (Like Cullom Gallery) while waxing poetic on Hiroshige’s influence on impressionist art

Flaming heart tank & denim legging - Wear it to work with a boyfriend blazer to battle the difference between the AC in your office and the blazing summer heat.

Pointelle leggings & bullet cami - Wear it on date night, while you’re sipping mojitos and watching the sun set on Alki.

Asymmetrical wrap, flame skirt & pointelle leggings - Wear it to your friend’s Friday shindig at Golden Gardens – because the beach is the best place to picnic and people watch.

The Day Dress - Wear it to that afternoon wedding because it’s both sleek and daytime-casual.

Can you tell I’m enamored?  Also, how do I fill my closet with all these things?  Their website offers a bundle of stores who carry the line including Clementine in West Seattle and a quick list of online retailers.   In fact, Tobi is carrying this hoodie that would be perfect for our strange Seattle weather:

And check out what others are saying about the line.  What do you think, ladies? Love it?

This weekend was BUS-AY!  After a week and a half of solid, non-stop preparation, I met up with Kimberlee at the Deco Modiste showroom to capture some of our spring and summer looks.

I like to look at opportunities like this as a learning experience; this weekend I learned a little bit about professionalism and what it takes to make a successful photo shoot.   It’s difficult work, trying to coordinate props and equipment, designers, models, hair and makeup – especially when you don’t have a set studio of your own, or models you know and regularly work with.

Of our three girls, we had two no-call/no-shows (*insert angry fist shake here*).  One model promised me on Thursday that she would be there, but then dropped off the face of the earth.   The second model called an hour after our call time to let me know she’d love to come, even though she wasn’t feeling 100%.  An hour later she said she was on her way, and an hour after that when I called to make sure she was okay (did she get lost? was she in an accident?), she’d turned her phone off.  We had a long delay while hair and makeup waited for these two girls that never turned up.  We didn’t have the time and capacity to shoot the full line.

This really emphasizes the importance of professionalism as a model; it’s like any other work, and it takes a lot of coordination to make editorial magic.    Portfolio looks aren’t an excuse to act unprofessionally – the poor work ethic a model exhibits has a resounding effect on their success.  There are designers and photographers, assistants, hair and makeup artists, editors and graphic artists whose jobs all depend on whether or not that girl is on set and prepared.  Those people know other people in the industry and the impact of that word of mouth is huge.  Like any other job, if you consider yourself a professional, you act like one.  Unfortunately, on large sites like Model Mayhem, it’s hard to tell who is professional and who is not – for both models and photographers.

(Kimberlee, prepping our model Pepper)

I needed a quick way to distinguish the professionals from the amateurs (who are usually the type to no-show) – however, you can’t really do that based on their photos alone.  A portfolio can only tell you so much, and it generally doesn’t reflect their work ethic.  In that light, it’s a good idea to ask models to come in for a fitting and test-shoot before the actual photo shoot, to get a feel for whether or not you need to have a backup on-call.  Most amateur models can be weeded out at this step.  There are a number of cues to study in test shoots – including range of emotion and pose, ability to take cues, what their “resting face” looks like, and how prepared they are.

The models we did have were fantastic!  Our original model, Pepper, arrived early with stockings, her own makeup kit and an array of shoes.  She looked amazing in pincurls, finger waves, and vintage-style dresses.  She was cute and coy one minute, glamourous and vampy the next.

(Kimberlee making a few more adjustments)

Our second model actually came down to hang out and assist as needed.  And you’ll never guess who it was…..  The lovely Laura from Birdie Royale!

I actually met Laura at Nadine’s Jersey Shore party a couple weeks ago.  She came out to my Birthday Bash and we’ve been trying to connect since then.  She mentioned she’d love to hang out behind-the-scenes and when our models didn’t show, we realized Laura would look PERFECT in Deco Modiste.  Note to self: Always bring a back-up plan!

Since we plan on doing many more of these little shoots, I need to make a list of things to bring (tripod, extra flash batteries, reflector) and a prep-sheet for the shoot.  Do we have a hair stylist?  Do we have extra bobby pins?  Is my makeup brush set clean?  Do we need some Sally Hansen spray on color for tattoos or bruises?  Do I have all the models phone numbers, measurements and shoe sizes?  Do we have a planned series of outfits?  At what point does the hair and makeup need to be retouched? Do I have a lighting plan?  Is our seamless clean?  There are a lot of variables to consider!

Doing this shoot gave me a lot to think about in how to prepare for the next shoot.  For example,  it would help to start picking models sooner than later.  Having an inspiration prompt for models really helped them prepare; to evoke a certain feeling in their poses and range of emotion.  I think the key is to build a rapport with models before the shoot – and though you may end up using the same girl twice, you have someone who’s versatile and knows what you’re looking for in your own shoot.

On that note, I know we’ve got hair and makeup nailed for the next shoot and I can’t wait to start putting that event together.  In the meantime, I’m going to be a busy bird, editing all these photos!

Edit: The gallery for finished photos is here.  Enjoy!

The gorgeous girls at Green Grechen hosted a contest featuring clothing from Mountains of the Moon, and yours truly was a recipient of one green goody that I’ve been waiting weeks to show you! (Unfortunately, I didn’t have access to my workstation, because we had company.)

But first…

A little about Mountains of the Moon:

At the age of five, designer Melissa Baswell started creating clothing for her dolls using a needle, thread, and reused fabrics.  In high school, she was the president of her school’s Ecology Preservation Club, and wore her own handmade clothing created from natural fabrics.   While a student at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Baswell divided her free time between interning with WISPIRG’s Environmental Education Department and recycling thrift store clothing into “renewed” garments on a hand-me-down sewing machine.   Well before the green movement became popular, she was using organic cotton and hemp fabrics and dying with low-impact dyes in an effort to create fashion-forward clothing that would break the stereotype of eco-fashion being defined as bland, crunchy and boring.

A few years later, after much success selling her designs at local shops and events, Melissa decided to to form the Mountains of the Moon Eco-Fashion line.

Now based in Chicago, Mountains of the Moon Eco.Fashion is a sustainable design and apparel organization aimed at creating chic, high-quality clothing that helps, not hurts, the earth and its inhabitants.  We see ourselves as collaborators with our customers in an effort to take a stand in making environmentally and socially responsible decisions through our wardrobes.  Our goal for our company and our customers is to work together to express ourselves through fashion and art while making a profound collective difference in the state of our world.

… Mountains of the Moon represents more than just a clothing line. We represent the blending of fine art, style, ethics, environmental and social responsibility and awareness.

They have some gorgeous apparel on their site, and I chose the Lily blouse:

It’s slightly wrinkly for it’s maiden photo-voyage… but I wore it with ballet flats (H&M – not pictured) and a pair of black leggings (Charlotte Russe).

Wait… what was that you asked? Am I wearing leggings as pants!?  Why … yes, I believe I am.  Normally an inexcusable trespass, I did get away with wearing leggings as pants because this top is long.  In fact, I’ve got about 5″ of solid coverage before I’d be in danger of showing up on DaddyLikey’s “Don’t Show-cha Your Chocha” posts.  The guys in the office all thought it was a dress.  Ha!

The top’s construction is totally solid and the fabrics are super lush.  The print is a sateen-finished twill and the purple is amazingly soft to the touch.  The top has loops to string the belt through – and my package included two belts for it in the print and the solid.  The buttons are wood and the design is overwhelmingly adorable.  I’ve worn this top 3 times since I’ve gotten it.  It’s cozy enough to wear in my overly air-conditioned office, and cool enough to wear when the temperature was a blazing 103° (The Emerald City was a FURNACE! >.<).

Huge thanks to Mountains of the Moon and Green Grechen for the chance to participate.  If you, dear readers, haven’t had a chance to drop by the MotM website, please do so – their line is luxurious and eco-friendly, without breaking the bank!

So, you may remember my post on Festival Season necessities, which included a section on SPF?  It seemse  the Elle News Blog just found out about the “miracle” of Powder-Perfect SPF – or mineral SPF brushes.

The beauty of mineral SPF, as they point out, is “when the mercury soars and humidity, perspiration, oil, and—for New Yorkers, at least—general urban ickiness kick into overdrive, the last thing you want to do is apply another greasy layer.”  They are completely right – sunscreen under your makeup only does so much, for so long.  It’s important to remember to apply every 3 hours, or so to make sure your gorgeous visage doesn’t get the burn.

The editors at Elle recommend the ColoreScience Sunforgettable SPF 30 – available at Amazon.

Which seems great, until you find out the price is $50 for 0.23 oz …

So, I firmly stand by my recommendation for the Peter Thomas Roth Mineral SPF 30 or 45 which is .32 oz for only $30 – available at Amazon (click that link) or at your local Sephora.

And to the Elle News Blog ladies – at $50 a pop, the ColoreScience seems exorbitantly priced.  The Peter Thomas Roth brand is a better bang for your readers’ buck.  Still, “CHEERS!” for recommending mineral SPF.

It’s Wednesday.  I suppose many would say this is no cause for celebration unless you’re lucky enough to have Wednesdays off – but it’s important to not get buried in a workweek and keep your head above water.

Sometimes, right about noon on Wednesday, this cookie needs a break!  This is right about the time I start online shopping for things I don’t need, but want (and this Wednesday, I’ve started early! ha!).

This week I have my eye on these:

The Dolce Vita Molly Spectator!

Dear Fates, I want these Dolce Vita spectators!!!  Imagine them with a black pencil kick-pleat skirt.

(Img via OrangeBoxJewelery on Etsy)

This looks like the perfect addition to a light white summer outfit (see Alix Rose’s post on white for inspiration!).

♣ ♣ ♣

And while we’re thinking about style madness, I’ve had a boatload of Marie Antoinette inspiration, getting ready for the Parasol Party!  For example, parasols and big hair are so in.

(Parasols by Bella Umbrella)

Aren’t they gorgeous?  Bella Umbrella is supplying parasols for the Parasol Party and I may just have to exercise my purchasing power!

How about bathing yourself in gorgeous scents?  Lush has you covered with their Quinquereme of Nineveh soap – a gorgeously decadent experience!  Yum!

(Image from Lush.com)

Creamy coconut, vanilla and orange soap fit for a queen

Feel the sun beating down on ancient Nineveh, see the haze rise from the Tigris river, and watch the sweat pouring from the oarsmen on the quinquereme carrying its cargo of exotic fruits and spices to the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Bathe in cool waters and wash with a soap made from the finest of those fruits and spices. With fresh coconut milk, sweet vanilla absolute from the seedpods of a rare orchid, refreshing orange oil and calming benzoin, Quinquereme of Nineveh is that soap.

Or imagine baking cupcakes in THIS little number:

Glitter Girl half apron by Party Girl Aprons

Sign me up – what a cute addition to ANY Marie-inspired outfit!  This apron features a black and silver tulle skirt with black satin band edging joined with silver braid trim; tulle pocket, black satin waist, ties and pocket trim; black organza underskirt.

I’ve been taking little bits of inspiration from a multitude of sources to come up with hair clips, ribbons and other adornments of the cupcake persuasion.  It means I get to bust out my glue gun,  take trips to Display & Costume and drink merlot while gluing tulle to silk flowers.  The Deco Modiste dresses are coming along well, too.  Kim has done a STUNNING job putting together just the right touches on revamped gowns.

The show is tomorrow, so if you HAVEN’T purchased your tickets, they’re available on Brown Paper Tickets for only $15 – quite the deal for a pampering evening of garden party fun!

I hope to see you there, loves!

Spring rose outside her window – buds of life began to push forth from branches. The old truck would be covered again. The sun would beat through the panes. She found herself deep in daydreams of open roads, wind whipping in her hair, stereo blaring, as the small Toyota dove and sailed through the vast desert.

She was no longer confined to a desk, but she was piloting their tiny car towards freedom. They’d driven the coast, and were now surrounded by cacti and sand. Her mind was filled with sun, desert winds… bangles and print skirts… desert pit stops like petrified ginkgo forests.  They’d be bohemian road warriors – with nothing but their little car and a suitcase full of treasure.

The nights would be filled with full moons and stars and plateaus on the horizon.  There would be hotels and diners and slices of Americana, and the occasional highway-side campground, where they’d pitch their tents and have dinners of sandwiches and red wine, packed in a cooler in the back of the car.  There would be dusty rest-stops and amazing drives into wooded hills and mountain monuments.
Boheme by shawnabird featuring Forever21 bracelets

I’ve got summer daydreams stuck in my head… Are you dreaming of summer adventures??

The first Deco Modiste Showroom Sale (March 13-14, 09) was a success!! All our designers were amazing! We had locally handmade clothing, ceramics, glass and crafts – including earrings, hats and other accouterments (by moi), little hand-sewn cards, and delicious cupcakes!

While there, I caught some amazing pictures of Jennifer Nicole (Awakened Aesthetic)

(Featured in the flat-front denim trouser, belted jacket and lace-panel camisole)

I met Miss Agent Noir – Seattle’s Social Detective; her keen sleuthing brought her right to our storefront!

I got a Lekkerlife dress as well! I can’t wait for it to be bright and sunny out so I can wear this beautiful goddess-style dress.

How was your weekend, lovelies??

Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes

I know, it’s JUST a picture of the band and not a great video but the song is happy, and Animal Collective are playing Sasquatch.