THE UNIFORM PROJECT

What is it?

The Video Explaination:



(From her website:)

The Idea

Starting May 2009, I have pledged to wear one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how it works: There are 7 identical dresses, one for each day of the week. Every day I will reinvent the dress with layers, accessories and all kinds of accouterments, the majority of which will be vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-down goodies. Think of it as wearing a daily uniform with enough creative license to make it look like I just crawled out of the Marquis de Sade's boudoir.

The Uniform Project is also a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots movement that is revolutionizing education in India. At the end of the year, all contributions will go toward Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for children living in Indian slums.

The Story of Uniforms

I was raised and schooled in India where uniforms were a mandate in most public schools. Despite the imposed conformity, kids always found a way to bend the rules and flaunt a little personality. Boys rolled up their sleeves, wore over-sized swatches, and hiked up their pants to show off their high-tops. Girls obsessed over bangles, bindis and bad hairdos. Peaking through the sea of uniforms were the idiosyncrasies of teen style and individual flare. I now want to put the same rules to test again, only this time I'm trading in the catholic school fervor for an eBay addiction and relocating the school walls to this wonderful place called the internet.

The Dress

How do you design a dress that can be worn all year around? The mastermind behind the uniform dress is my friend and designer, Eliza Starbuck. We took inspiration from one of my staple dresses, improving upon the shape and fit to add on some seasonal versatility. The dress is designed so it can be worn both ways, front and back, and also as an open tunic. It’s made from a durable, breathable cotton, good for New York summers and good for layering in cooler seasons. With deep hidden pockets to appease my deep aversion for carrying purses. More photos of the dress and the dressmaking process coming soon to the Uniform Blog.

The Accessories

The hats and plumes, the dickeys and drapes, the shoes and slips, the belts and brooches – much of what you will see are byproducts of my cyber-slacking on eBay and Etsy, backed by visits to the many local vintage boutiques, thrift stores and flea markets of New York. I am also collaborating with other designers and friends to create original pieces. If you are looking to purge some of your old accessories or if you would like to design a piece or concept an ensemble for The Uniform Project, see Donate Accessories.

The project was written up in the New York Times Magazine blog on November 6th too!

You may be asking --- What has she worn so far?
May, June, July, August, September, October, November...
Tragically there was a fatal accident in the building where they were holding the 6 month celebration of this project last weekend and they have suspended photos at this time. From all that I've read about Jerry Fuchs it sounds like he was a wonderful friend, band mate and overall great man and that he will be missed.

They are still taking donations during this time of mourning even though they have stopped posting photos as of November 10th. I am hoping she will start up again after a period of mourning as this is such an interesting project.

Birthday Festivities


If you want to treat yourself or a loved one to a lovely, albeit glutenous, night - GO! Enjoy!!

Birthday Party Day

This week was a blur of sleeping, working and trying to remember if I should be sleeping or working.

Thursday afternoon I was struck by a car key chain that I saw in the Let's Make Cute Stuff by Aranzi Aronzo! book. From that key chain shape I decided to make up a pillow for my nephew since he was about to get his very on room for the first time. Between Thursday early evening and late night (before and after the wine bar) and Friday evening after work before we drove up to Massachusetts, I was able to finish it up.

The result? A super cute zooming car pillow!!

Zoooooooooooooooom!!

I was happy to have all of the materials in my cupboards awaiting this whirlwind project. Even had the rick rack and piping ready to go.

I found the pillow in his fort on Sunday while helping him look for a misplaced toy, so I guess he likes it. (Hard to compare with new toys at the party... I mean.. it was a GeoTrax fest!)

The party was, as always, contributed to by many creative types. From the "cake" -- a jumbo rice crispies/marshmallow mix in the shape of a dinosaur... to the decorate your own cake car from the Tar Pit!

While some of the big kids were putting together the GeoTrax pieces (old and new), others were building the K'Nex Double Ferris Wheel. How many engineers does it take to put together a toy marked at good for ages 8+?




As the party wound down we busted out the Laser Discs and sung Karaoke until we were dog tired! Fun was had by all! Hmmm...now what to make for my niece for her new room? Her birthday is in a month...

You Take The Good, You Take The Bad...

Sitting here in Chang Ping, China I must announce that the videos are in and the choice was made and sadly I was not chosen this time to join Bobby Flay on Grill It season 2! It would have been fun for sure.

Perhaps they didn't like the video (it was difficult to cut it down so much!), didn't like the recipes (which would be shocking since all of my taste testers have left their plates clean) or I simply didn't fit into the mix this time. There's always next time.

Longer versions of both recipes I'm adding below (includes more info on the recipes themselves that was cut from the submitted version.) Thanks to the great Jimmy Chan for both doing the photography and editing! I will be helping Jimmy on a project of his own between trips to Massachusetts, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Toronto and California...and that's just the travel coming up on the next 2 months!


Grilled Pork Skewers



Grilled Red Snapper with Thai Vegetables


Enjoy!

NOW I'M COOKING & NEED YOUR VOTE

My entry video is posted!
My entry video is posted!!
For what you ask?

I've entered for a chance to head out to LA and do one episode of
Grilling It! with Bobby Flay!!

My video is posted HERE.

Please go take a peek and if you like it, which I'm sure you will, PLEASE RATE IT!

What's on the menu? Two recipes that I created.

Appetizer:
*Pork Skewers with a Mango Dipping Sauce (the skewers are tastily marinaded before grilling)




Entree:
* Grilled Red Snapper with Coconut Thai Veg (all wrapped up in a banana leaf!)

You will have to sit through a 10-15 second commercial from Food TV (sorry), but I'm sure the video will entertain enough to make it worth your while!!!




Go, Click, Rate and even comment if you have the time! I'd love to hear what you have to say!

Please also pass this along to your friends!

If for some reason the link doesn't take you directly to my video, my video is titled Grilled Pork Skewers & Red Snapper with Coconut Thai Veg and is currently listed under Most Recent.

Thanks everyone!!!

(In the photo with me that's Jim, the videographer, during a break trying some pork... It was all gone in a flash!!)

In knitting...

A long overdue look at the WIPs , UFOs and FOs...

The biggest FO? The felted intarsia bag I designed for Debbie Stoller's next Stitch 'n Bitch book (the advanced one.)

The photo sample has been done for a few months (weeee) and I think she's got everything she needs from me to go forward.

It's here that I must admit how much I like using Knit Visualizer on my Mac for charting. Oooh-la la!!!
More on that as the months progress!!

A long overdue congratulations to my friend Shannon Okey for her recent placement as EDITOR of Yarn Forward magazine!! I'm hoping to collaborate with her on some things inthe near future. More on THAT as the months progress too!

On the sticks:
*Wrapping up the two-stranded man's skully (in Frog Tree Alpaca).
*Stained Glass Scarf (in Frog Tree Alpaca) from handknit holidays - double-knitting.
*Mermaid mits
*cotton child's hat for the next Bonadurer coming this month!

And did you see the article in the Observer this week? Yeah for Knitty City & Ravelry for the shout out!

Some things are too fun to leave behind!

I took these photos on my last whirlwind trip a few months back in China but never took the time to post them. Now's as good a time as any eh?

It seems where ever I go in Asia, the women like to show the peace sign, with both hands.
Here I was asked to show it with my ails out since she had just done them. There had been a small battle amongst the gals as to who'd get to do the white ladies nails (there aren't many white ladies who visit that region and even less who go to the local mall to get their nails done) but as always - when in Rome!

I asked her to give me what was the MOST popular thing right now in nail fashion locally.
She did!

Fingers: Sparkle PLENTY!


Toes: Dressed in flowers and sparkle too!

There was even a feller now working there. I liked his tattoo which seemed to cover an unusual looking scar. See how he's on that tiny stool? No fancy seats or massage chairs here! Just a bucket with warm water for a soak and then they get to work!

I have to make prints of the photos with the nail gal for her booth before I go back in 2 weeks. She said it would "up her cred" to have a photo with her Caucasian customer.

Snowy Saturday!!!

While SJ spent the day relaxing and recuperating (it's almost been a ful 6 weeks since his surgery), I bopped down to Chelsea to meet with a few friends to view the Postcards From the Edge... Benefit for Visual AIDS Benefit Sale

Over 1,500 original postcard-sized works of art. $75 EACH. Buy 4 cards and get 1 free!
First-come, first served. Unfortunately what they mean by first come, first served is that once the postcard is bought it's removed... so I know next year I need to arrive when it opens!

"Postcards From the Edge is a Visual AIDS benefit show and sale of original, postcard-sized works on paper by established and emerging artists. All works are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. The works are signed on the back and exhibited so the artists' signatures cannot be seen. While buyers receive a list of all participating artists, they don't know who created which piece until purchased.

All proceeds support the work of Visual AIDS, utilizing contemporary art for AIDS advocacy and historicizing the work of HIV-positive artists while offering career support."

From here we popped across the street to a restaurant on the south east corner of 23rd and 10th avenue. No, I don't remember the name. I do recall the waiter being funny, the food being sparse and the cost being more than it should have though. Jo, as always, rode her bike. She's a total road warrior - snow and all!

A subway hop home, toss together some cheeses, sausages, crackers, dips and snacks, pop the wine and voila...time to hang out with SJ and his friend before we head to the show. What are we seeing?

Al Di Meola World Sinfonia '09: Fusion Jazz Guitar Legend at The Concert Hall (2 west 64th street). Happily my friend Lisa is back from her holidays at home with family in Italy and was able to join us. The space at the Concert Hall was wonder. Small, almost intimate with a feeling of a modern church (which I think it's used as more often than not.)

The international ensemble was wonderful.

Beautiful sound and well worth trudging out in the snow for!!

If Di Meola comes your way, run, don't walk, to get a ticket or two.

Pretty

Sometimes things in the kitchen are just so pretty. (ie: leeks and tomato in the pan cooking at right.)

I made this soup today -- Winter Lentil Soup -- which is perfect. I can't think of a single reason to change the recipe.

Try it! You won't be sorry!!!
Oh -- and it's super healthy to boot!!!

Happy Birthday Jane!

Jane joins us this month in the 30s club!!!
It's nice that we were able to meet the lovely Jane while on the singles weekend away last Memorial Day weekend. My friend and I had booked the 4 day weekend away, single, a few months in advance. By the time we went, we were no longer single but thought we'd go for the heck of it.

Let's just say the sports and activites by day were lovely. It's the lusty 15-year-old boys attitudes that were carried by the 30/40/50 something men that was so lousy.
Thankfully, as said, we were no longer looking to meet men for any sort of relationship (especially notches on belts), but we did met Jane!

Jane threw a lovely party last night at the White Rabbit Lounge down on East Houston. Her friend Orion was tending bar and the staff who were taking care of us - did in deed take care of us. The apps they sent around were tasty too. No complaints. Seems a lovely time was had by all!!

Happy 30th Jane! Many happy returns!!!

Rockin' and Rollin'

Jane's been telling us for the longest time that we need to come hear her friend Orion and his band play (The Orion Experience). Sadly every time she's announced a show, I've been busy. But...not this time! She gave me enough notice that it was planted in my calendar and voila!

Mercury Lounge, Thursday night, 10pm.

SJ & Hiromi were able to join me and we met Jane and her pals there too!

The band: Front man, Orion Simprini on lead & vocals.
Linda Horwatt shown here in the sequined shirt and cape, sings vocals and plays a little keyboard. Not pictured, guitarist Reef, drummer Jon Weber and bassist Chris Lucas.

Catchy tunes like "Obsessed with You" have set You Tube on fire with Fan videos containing coked-up Mr. Potato Heads, teen age girls and stalker fans.
Even Perez Hilton has sung their praises!

Check out their new video:
Obsessed with You.

One aside... I really liked the performance. The band seems to have a great chemistry and their tunes kept my attention through out the set. I've since met Orion twice off stage and he's a lovely fellow. BUT...No more white trousers!!! I think that was the thing I heard most from the women in the audience. Whispers of "They're great, but what's with the white pants on the men?" Yes, the next band also had men sporting (tighter) white jeans...um - still a no no. They just don't look good!!

Orion, call me up before your NBC gig and we'll put together a great outfit for nationwide consumption! (A white suit on TV...no no no! TV adds 10lbs before you add a WHITE SUIT!!!)

Towards the end of the set Yuko was able to stop in too! After the music we headed down the block for a feast of Turkish and Middle Eastern delights.

Happy and Sad

It's often the little things isn't it?
Today I had to throw away my mug. The mug that I drink my coffee in. Have that cup of soup in. The mug that makes me smile and maybe even giggle when I pull it out of the cabinet.

It's my foolish Uncle Donut mug that I picked up years ago in the mall at the Peak in Hong Kong at, duh, Uncle Gene's Donuts. They make mini donuts and serve them with a variety of dipping sauces. Perhaps I'll makeit back to the peak of these trips. It's just so out of the way from where my work brings me in HK.

Rather than dwelling, I met up with my friend Allegra for an early breakfast at my local diner, the Metro Diner.

She was in town for an interview and we were lucky to be able to meet up! I figured I'd best take this opportunity to give her her house warming/holiday gift!!

By the way --- if there's anyone who's reading this who needs a wonderfully talented designer of children's clothing/textiles etc., drop me a line as she's just WONDERFUL!!! (Damned layoffs!) Full time? Freelance? Let me know!

It was a wonderful way to start the day after the mug incident.

Thanks for meeting for breakfast!!!

Gypsy!
I was so happy that Sandi and Jason were able to join me for dinner at Hagi followed by this amazing show! As always, [Sake Bar] Hagi was delish!The Pork with garlic sprouts was simple and fantastic . I have a difficult time finding the garlic sprouts in the US. Sometimes I can find them in Chinatown. What are they some have asked? Think chives but thicker and with a garlic flavor. Um - YUM! We of course got the Daikon Radish Salad with its million little eyes from the crispy tiny sardines that top it, a bowl of Pork Ramen, Bonito Sashimi, and grilled Hamachi (Yellowtail collar grilled and served with lemon. Perfect.)

It has been said long before now that LuPone was made for this role. She certainly gave it 110%. She must be exhousted at the end of each performance. Boyd Gains portrays an amazing
Herbie. You feel his pain and his love for Mamma Rose. Her more mild manored and wall floweresque daughter, Louise, is played beautifully by Laura Benanti. When she breaks out of her shell she transforms into a beautiful and sexy woman. Really well done.

Is it Out with the Old or Onward and Upward?

2008 was a busy and explosive year around my house full of life's ups, downs and surprises.

*Was thrilled to witness a gorgeous wedding - Indian and Puerto Rican - in PR dressed in a beautiful Sari with wonderful friends. (Little did I know there could be more Sari’s in my future.)

*I met a beautiful man in the early summer who I’m blessed to still be in the company of.

*Watched a dear friend, of my age, go through breast cancer, a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy, coming out the other side with her wicked sense of humor still in tact.

*Missed out on another trip to South Africa. (Not that I wasn't invited...I had to work. Grrrr.)

*Designed and finished a felted intarsia handbag for the next book in the Stitch and Bitch series.

*Had all of her travel in the last quarter of the year canceled due to budget cuts. The timing ended up being more perfect then I ever could have expected it to be.

*Learned more than I’d ever expected to about partial nephrectomies and spent a few days and nights in the hospital, bedside, with fingers crossed.

*Was witness to either a miracle or brilliant stroke of pure luck.

*Designed 2 more collections that WILL (with positive thinking) help to keep the company I have worked at for the last 10 years charging ahead in this uncertain economy.

*Rejoiced in the outcome of the election.

*Was blessed with the love, caring and affection of friends far and wide right when I needed it. I’ll never be able to thank you all enough for that.

*Got an approval I’ve waited my entire life to get.

I know I’ve taken some time off from this space...but I’m back...even if it’s a little less often than before. One of these days I’ll be able to just think it and it’ll appear on the screen...until then it’s a constant balancing act!

Looking forward to seeing you all around again... HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

North Fork - Day 2

After a lovely day and night yesterday with Don, Sandy and family at the pier, we spent a little time at the outlets looking for a wedding gift for SJ to bring to South Africa next week before heading back down the North Fork for a walk down Love Lane and a chat with Sandy at the shop where SJ got a tidying up haircut from the Mastress barber herself!

Next Stop? The tasting menu at the North Fork Table and Inn. Driving through Southhold, you'd likely pass right by this simple yet elegant looking B&B. Do call and book a reservation for a table. The food was delish... but the wine pairing wasn't quite as good. Skip it and get a good bottle instead!!

The Beet Salad was TO DIE FOR. Between the amazing sherry vinaigrette and veg from "The Farm" by K.K. Haspel... add in the micro greens, chives and slightly candied pistachios... and you have YUM!
I enjoyed all of the courses... but this was by far my favorite. I will try to recreate it for sure!!



Off to see Darlene in the morning!! Yippee! South Fork here we come!

North Fork - Day 1

After far too long a hiatus, I decided to head out to the North Fork to visit Sandy and Don and see their new house (which they are doing a wonderful job renovating/decorating by the way!)

SJ and I hopped in his car and zoomed out from NJ arriving right on time enabling us all to hop in Don's truck to spin out east to Claudio's in Greenport to hear Sandy's boss, Frank, and his band rock the pier all afternoon.

Seafood and rock-n-roll on a sunny pier -- sounds great to me!!

Who's Birthday? SJ's!
Happy Saturday!! Happy Birthday SJ! A little mani-pedi.... some shopping for those last minute things needed for his trip to South Africa and a new 3G iPhone... a picnic in the park and a little food shopping. What a full day!

With little time to cook I was happy to be able to make a fine two-course dinner for SJ's birthday. Always tough when using someone else kitchen, it came out nicely if I do say so myself. It helps that he has good cookware, knives and a nicely stocked spice cabinet!!
Paired with one of the lovely whites we picked up at the 13th Annual Hudson Valley Food and Wine Festival... and with the promise of cheese to end the meal... which we fell asleep before getting to?

NEW PRESS
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