Car boot sales and Kilkenny

Yesterday I went to my first 'car boot' sale. I've gone to tons of flea markets in my life, but this was a new thing for me. Tons of junk, but Dave scored a dozen vintage vinyl albums, and I got some groovy housewares --- a bamboo souvenir serving tray from Cyprus (shown), beaded metal purse, and fun fish vase. They even had an ice cream truck with soft serve. Yummy! Time off has been good for me. I have lots of new design ideas and love the fashion here in Ireland as well as London. In the meantime, the boutique has been receiving in lots of new Frances sweaters, Suzi tops in silk, and a reversible 'Sheridan' jacket. I'll be blogging more when I get home. It's been good to sleep in and chill with my sister here. XO, M.E.

Kilkenny castle and silly shenanigans

My sister, Blue lives in a small Irish town. It's everything you think of when you think of Ireland...green grass, lots of pubs, and historic ruins all around.

Yesterday we drove to Kilkenny to see the Kilkenny Castle and do to some fun shopping, too! And yes...I'm STILL wearing the Topshop boots and the Frances sweater. I travel light! Here are some photos from our day...from jumping for joy outside of the castle, to just chilling with my boyfriend, Dave.

For more information on the castle, click here.

Spittalfields market in London...ooh! I'm in love!

I'm travelling this week with my boyfriend, Dave. We spent a couple of days in London. I shop and design for a living for my boutique and tend to keep my shopping for pleasure to a minimum. That is so not the case when I go to London! We went to Topshop this past Saturday, then to the Spittalfields market on Sunday. My mission at Topshop --- boots! And I found them --- the "Dolphin" style --- flat, to the knee, and perfect with my designs.

Dolphin boots on Topshop website

The next day, we were off to Spittalfields market. Home to the best independent designers and vintage goodies I have seen under one roof --- ever! I wore my ME & Blue "Grace" dress with my new boots... and Dave got this groovy vintage jacket (we call it the "Steve McQueen") at one of the stalls.

Stay tuned for more details on our travels. XO, M.E.

Bali-licious...Vintage Lamb - new arrivals!

I love the line Vintage Lamb.  I discovered it a year or so ago at a groovy boutique in Albuquerque, NM.  The designer, Danah Lamb is based in Bali.  It's a fabulous addition to my own ME & Blue designs...and I love the fact that most items are made out of vintage recycled silk.  The boutique favorite is the Kaftan (shown above in purple)...and soon to be favorites just arrived --- groovy silk scarves and more!  Please note that colors may vary from the images shown as they are all one of a kind.  All images courtesy of Vintage Lamb. XO, M.E. 

Planes, trains, and zen gardens...

The boutique is open for business...but I'm taking off a week or so to recharge my batteries and get inspired!  Traveling seems to be the best way to put things in perspective.  So, after a hectic week of putting lots of new styles in production, finishing grading at FIDM, and making sure my fabulous shop girls (Danielle, Brittany, Ruth, and honorary guy Phillip) knew the drill, I got out of dodge - to London and Ireland.  Of course, I keep looking at outfits (hello - floral dresses, lots of purple, and short booties!).  And I'll be posting throughout my travels fun fashion trends and other inspirational things...

Flying Virgin Atlantic with Dave.  Ooh...how I love the sleep mask, red slippers, and cozy blanket I got onboard.   That and the great online entertainment...  And waking up hours later ready to start a full day.  

Then - arriving 11 hours later in Heathrow.  We found the Tube (the subway).  Thank goodness they kept reminding us to "Mind the gap"!!!  There's a lot of space between the platform and the train.  It was like the blind leading the blind to figure out how to get to our hotel...but we finally did.

And --- ahh.  Zen gardens...just across the street from the Hempel Hotel in the Paddington section of London where we are staying.  That's ME (in the Frances sweater and Stevie top!), and Dave in his groovy "Shaft" vintage jacket.  

Stay tuned for more posts on fashion trends, inspirational items, and more from abroad...XO, M.E. 

Edison... bring on the glam!

The Edison dress is a one-shoulder glam number.   When I moved to LA, I went to the Edison on opening night.  I was still new to LA and was wowed by the glamour factor of this old electric factory turned fabulous lounge.  So much of LA is so casual, and the Edison has a strict dress code that enhances the glam/retro feel inside.  http://www.edisondowntown.com/

Available in black (other colors coming soon!)  The Edison Dress...at ME & Blue.

Lorisa+Aidan... two pieces in one!

My friend Lorisa is one of my dearest friends.  I met her years ago in Philadelphia.  I kept seeing her at social events and one day said --- "We HAVE to be friends.  You seem like a ton of fun!"  Her son Aidan knows me as the "red wagon lady" for the day that I bought a red radio flyer wagon and assembled it in their living room.  Hopefully Aidan will now think of me as the designer who made a groovy cowl/hood in his name.  Not that he'd wear it, but his mom would. Lorisa+Aidan.  The tunic/dress with detachable cowl.  In black and grey (shown).  $95.  XO, M.E. 

schlep-o-rama

I have to laugh...it's the glamour week in NYC.  Fashion week.  Models, limousines, over the top price points, and lots of fabulousness.  I decided a long time ago to keep it a bit more real.  This means working for myself, teaching to supplement my income (and tell my students what it's really like in the fashion world), and to do lot of the work myself.  My car no longer has a back seat, but has become a u-haul and my second office.  If my dog wants a ride nowadays, she needs to sit on my lap...not so safe!  Rolls of fabric are in the back and I can barely see out the back window.  Good thing...I see results quickly of my work!  

Check out the new (as of yet, unnamed) cowl neck dress in the works.  That's me wearing it.  Super real.  XO, M.E. 

Sign O Rama

Today was the last day of teaching at FIDM for the quarter.  As I was headed to the parking garage,  I noticed the new Project Runway billboard sign just across the street from campus. 

Then I was off to work on product development for ME & Blue (harem pants!) and saw more signs that inspired me in the sketchier section of the garment district --- the hand painted "In LA" factory sign and the hand painted taco truck sign.  I had to dodge traffic to take these, but it was well worth it!  

And then...the best hand painted sign of all.  The sign that the day was done --- the handpainted label "sign" on the Bohemian Highway bottle of cabernet.  Yummy!

Baby Blue...

ME & Blue is named after myself (M.E.) and my sister, Blue.  This is her circa 1981.  I made the ribbon barrettes.  Check out the dark denim overalls, plaid shirt with puffy sleeves, toothless grin, and the fashionable pose that she struck.  XO, M.E. 

inspirational women...Kim Barnouin of Skinny Bitch

 

Today I met a New York Times best selling author!  Ooh, I love meeting smart, savvy women. Kim Barnouin, the co-author of Skinny Bitch was in and bought several dresses to wear for her book appearances.  We talked about what it means to be vegan and mindful of the lifestyle if you're not a vegan (like me!)  My latest step - only faux fur. Here's a link to her savvy tips.  http://www.healthybitchdaily.com/

My friend went to Fashion Night Out and all that I got was this LOUSY (not!) --- FABULOUS t-shirt!

 
 
Oooh....how I wish I was there!  My friend Suzanne snapped these photos in the Soho section of NYC on 9/10/09.  The streets were packed with lots of fun fashion events going on.  I need to do a fun event here in Venice with my Rose Avenue neighbors...this was the inspiration that I needed! XO, M.E. 

yo! Suzi!

My friend Suzanne has a dress named after her already.  I decided to name this newest top "Suzi" to represent the boho, breezy, and laid-back version of the Suzanne dress...the silly side ...but always with a sense of style.  The photo above was taken of me (r) and Suzanne (l) a few years back in Costa Rica on an automatic timer.  Silly!    

 This top is perfect with a skinny pair of jeans, flip flops, and a simple pair of hoop earrings.  Belt sold separately.  $68 in a range of prints.  Enjoy!  XO, M.E.  

Cozy! The new Frances wrap sweater/cardigan.

Frances is the latest design to hit my boutique...(shown above - 2nd from r) in this photo taken in the early 1970's in a farmhouse in Cherokee, OK.

I always remember Aunt Frances to have her nails perfectly done and to posess a sense of class and grace that I don't see so often.  Maybe it was the down-to-earth upbringing of growing up on a farm with two surly (but lovable!) brothers.  One of them being my very own grandfather.  

Frances now lives in Bartlesville, OK and is now in her early 90's.  I saw her several months ago and am hoping to see her again in the next few months.  I hope that you wear this sweater and remember the coziness of people you love and the warmth that they give back to you.  She'll be wearing the nubby brown version to match her lovely red hair.  Here's to you, Aunt Frances.  

Now in store - $85 to $95.  In a range of fabrics...wear them as an open cardigan, wrap them up, create a hood with the plentiful shawl collar (like I did in the striped version) and cozy up with the ones you love!  XO, M.E. 

doodle doodle

I was daydreaming today between grading final exams at FIDM (photos above).  I like sitting outside during my office hours on the patch of grass just outside of where my class meets.  Now I need to fine tune these sketches and get the real deal into the boutique.  But sometimes post-it notes, green grass, and a fine point pen  help me envision what designs are to come.  XO, M.E.