Why not be a perfectly natural red head?

Hi R
I have been dying to talk about hair, mainly about issues to do with dyeing it or not - and now you have provided me with the perfect timing.   I have cut out articles from magazines etc, have observed brave friends who have taken the au - naturale road (no no no! Not me! Silly girl!),  so feel I am quite expert at the subject; and I am totally with  you.  Why not be a perfectly natural red head?  I agree with Lynee - you look like a movie star!  More to come on this strand but in the meantime, I am wondering how it has changed your life.
Clara of blonde tresses

Red, Set Go...
self portrait taken with my iPhone and photo shopped just a tiny bit

Have you ever just wanted a change? You know something to brighten your day, set your world on fire? Well that was me yesterday at the hair salon. Why not go red? After all I was born a red head.My father's nick name was Red. I have fair skin and freckles, perfect for red hair. So I pulled the plug (on the bottle)and unleashed the real me. Reddy, set, go. What do you think?
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Dreaming of Dior

Hi R
A 'Dior' reply from my friend Veronica, who reminds me of you and is a kindred spirit.  She has a interior style business in Mosman and her last blog is also about inspiration.
http://stantoninteriorstyle.blogspot.com/    Here is an extract from her blog.

Back to winter now - I've just been to Orange, New South Wales where the cold and wind were biting (lots of layers kept us warm!).  In the little heritage town of Millthorpe near Orange a colourfully decorated chair and cushions by a sunny window immediately made me feel toasty, and brought to mind autumn leaves in the following photo taken in autumn in Bowral, NSW.

  

Veronica:-
"I love the Dior fashions, past and present. Did you know that an Australian woman (Charlotte Smith) has written a book about inheriting a wonderful collection of beautiful clothes from other eras from her godmother. It's called Dreaming of Dior and should still be in the bookshops.


My first cousin, Hamish Bowles, works for Vogue USA and has a museum collection of dresses from glamorous women.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=  

Thanks Veronica - I love the way Hamish has expressed the creative spirit so concisely.
Clara
                           

clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

Dior exhibition - ongoing inspiration

Hi R

OTT - Inspiration for your special fashion parade coming up in October..

I know it will be fabulous, featuring denim and knitwear, with you having fun knitting up lots of 70's looking outer wear, to mix in with ready to wear.
And of course there will be your inspiration designs and pieces, of which you have many just as Christian has.


Looking forward to seeing it all vicariously, even though I would love to be there.  Hopefully next year.  Australia is sooo faraway!
Clara xxx
ps - can you photoshop me in one of these gowns please.


Extract taken from 'Inspiration Dior'

Exhibitions at the Pushkin Museum - Moscow


The showcase, opening to the public April 28 and running through July 24, is to feature about 120 couture dresses along with some 60 blue-chip artworks, including paintings from the Pushkin’s bulging collection and others on loan from top museums and private collections.


"February 12th, 1947: Christian Dior presents his first collection at Avenue Montaigne.
The revolution is underway and the new look is born. With it, the house of Dior enters the world of legend.

New and highly innovative, this exhibition demonstrates how inspiration has nourished the heart of Dior for decades with its links to history, nature, painting, sculpture, drawing, photography and film. It reveals how an idea, a feeling, an era, a garden, a perception or even a smell can instil an idea in the heart and mind, giving rise to a unique creation.


In this major exhibition, the Pushkin Museum showcases Dior magic and luxury whilst emphasising the outstanding house’s links with art. The key themes of the Dior legend - past and present - are presented on a grand scale in original fashion, set against unique works of art.

As Monsieur Dior said: "finally everything that has been part of my life - whether I wanted it to or not - has expressed itself in my dresses.”

email  - clara@babyboomerconnections.com.au www.babyboomerconnections.com.au

When the goin' gets tough - the tough go shopping!

Hi R
I had had enough of it today, after a social drought due to G being away, so I did what women do - "When the goin' gets tough, the tough go shopping." I still had some credit on a gift card, and I received some vouchers by email for special discounts so I set off to redeem my bargains.

 I looked around for a garment which would make a difference to our Europe trip, and still work seasonally now, and found a casual multi-functional khaki top which could work with or without a layer underneath. It takes ages to choose, as you know, as I returned to try it on again, and decided to go for it. Then collected a jeans belt I had selected in order to pay for the two together.


Nothing worked - you had to purchase to the value of $75 in order to get a $20 dollar discount; I had printed off a few vouchers, so thought I was in front. But no.   You have to read the copious small print - what it boiled down to was there were a few dull Myer only brands to which this applied, but the top I had chosen was excluded, as were all of the other decent brands. Then because the belt cost less than $75 I didn't get any discount there either. I felt in "why bother with voucher mode" but since I now wanted the Khaki top, and the belt, and had spent hours choosing them, I bought them at original price.


They got me!  All part of the game.  But I have to say they won't next time.
Clara


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The seasons they are achanging

Hi there R
For a year I followed your fabulous 'One a Day' blog where you photographed designs you had created.  One of the great aspects around this was, because you photographed them outdoors in your garden and around your property, that day by day the seasons were achanging.

Day by day I watch the changing canvas 
Witness early frost brushstrokes
Falling Autumn leaves create
Bare grey branch horizon
Before fresh new snow transformation
Paints in the long long cold.

Stroke by stroke a gradual lightening
Patches of melting snow
Reveal earth's new promise
Of softer warmer times to come.
Renaissance of early spring
Heralds bright new summer.

I am wondering what the new season's fashion will be over there.  Today I browsed in one of my favourite boutiques   When I walked into the store the general hue resembled the bare grey branch horizon, with taupe and grey prevailing (our new winter stock). I actually love these rich neutrals especially when you break them up with accessories and as the sales girl said "You can treat them as black, but they are softer." 
Clara

Project beginnings during 'lovely blizzard'

Blizzard 2010

 Hi R - 'The Blizzard of 2011 in Wisconsin  USA, ' the floods and cyclone of 2011 in Queensland  Australia - does this have a familiar ring to it?

Blizzard 2011

The beginning of your creative year corresponds to the same stark contrasts or extreme weather comment on our blog a year ago. So blizzards were around you at the beginning and end of your project.                                 

On Feb 9 2010,  Shop at Nextdoor blog said...'I've given alot of thought to my blog and decided I don't have as much to say as I do to make. I'm going to make something everyday for a year and post it on my blog. Not food, but fashion. I posted my first day's work, created during a lovely blizzard that allowed me an entire day in the studio. Hope you like it.'

Today's creation is Day 359....  These lovely soft snuggly pieces make me want to be in a situation where I could wear them - not a blizzard however!

Clara

Snowed In...February 2nd

The Blizzard of 2011, day 359 in my project.

Take Cream...January 30th

Cut a Shrug...January 29th

Snow White...January 28th

 

White Out My Way...January 27th

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Renotta's year of creative miracles is almost complete

Hi there


Clara at the coal face

 R wrote -  'I started this project blog on February 9, 2010 with the goal of designing a piece everyday using fiber, photography, metal and beads as my media.' 
 With less than 2 weeks to go of her personal challenge, she says, 'It's been an interesting journey  - what's nice is the 365 days will be in cyberspace forever. A lot of great stuff came out of all this social networking including reconnecting with you. I'm enjoying my
Project knitway alot, tying it into my website; the shelter scarves, facebook etc.  What I will enjoy when it is over is to work at it at my leisure and dedicate more time to each piece.'



Not just a pretty face







I have been busy keeping up, let alone actually creating these beautiful pieces.  As you know I had the pleasure of visiting Renotta and lovely Roberto, reconnecting after 30 years and living her life for 3 weeks.  Needless to say we had a ball, and I was able to see how it was done - sheer hard work using skills and talent developed over a lifetime, but most of all the absolute love of the creative process.  I feel very privileged to have been part of her project  - and yes for me too great things came from it - as is the way with communication and creativity annnnd ....technology.(another blog) 

I have put together a random selection of pieces into a video where I had to edit heavily  - a year is a long time!   Renotta's One-a-Day - this is the link to see all the works.
Clara

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How to make a funky hat

R wrote in http://projectknitway.blogspot.com/ The cold weather continues and I have lots of requests for hats, so it's back hat you. I love making these hats. Each one turns out differently and enjoys a place in my studio for a day or two before heading to my store. Once again, I am using Lionbrand Homespun yarn, the same yarn that I knit the shelter scarves from. My plan is to make these hats as well as the scarves for area shelters. The hats are not only warm but fun and funky and lift your spirits when you wear one......Read more on how to make these  ►  Jan 09 (1)




Clara - These hat and scarf combinations look cosy and comforting.  One day they may become a 'collectors item'.



For Evergreen...January 9th



Back Hat It Again...January 8th




 



Mad Hatter - January 7th


 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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 http://www.babyboomerconnections.com.au/

23 days left to complete a year of creating a piece each day

Hi there to other creative minded friends
 R wrote -http://shopatnextdoor.blogspot.com " I only have 23 days left on Project A Day! I've knit over 150 scarves so far and have at least another 50 to go just to use up the yarn that customers brought in.  I've taught Ula how to knit them and created a knitting monster. She loves it. June is also helping me, so now I mostly just sew them together. It's turning into a really great community project. Wish you were here...you are my missing link. 

Clara - thanks R.  It's been a year (what was the exact date?) since we reconnected through Facebook and you have enhanced and enriched my life in many ways, including a fabulous trip thanks to wonderful Roberto, where we caught up after 30 years to continue just where we left off. 

It has been a delight to be part of your Project One a Day, to witness your amazing creativity and drive, combined with community spirit.  What a great way to end your amazing year of creativity; ie cosy, stylish scarves brightening and warming so many lives.  Very very very proud of you!!! 

I've been away on holidays and cannot believe how much has been achieved with this community effort - to such an extent that you have been able to create additional  pieces to complete your amazing  'year of living creatively.' 
C

Go to the link above to view the year of creativity - or scroll down for examples of the wonderful scarf project. 

101...January 6th
100 scarves have been delivered to area shelters as of today. We have at least another 100 to go, thanks to everyone who brought in yarn.

13 more scarves!



We delivered another 28 scarves today!



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Cropped pants and jeans great wear for summer and spring.

Hi R (and Elle and others with jeans too short)
Wish I was there with my clever friend as I have to confess  to a  severe 'taking up jeans New York style' mishap.
Yes, I know I should have actually done it when I was there with you  and  had the opportunity but thought I had got it!  And yes, why did I cut off the excess before checking the length?  Too late to ask these questions as the long and short of it, is my generous offer to take up my daughter's new jeans has ended in the most serious of cardinal sins - ie  they are too short!!!!  

As you can imagine my heart sank at the realisation when I compared one leg to the other so in desperation I sought Mr Google's advice - one site suggested it was the fault of the tailor in these cases, but I already knew that thanks and was already armed with the replacement money when Elle picks up said jeans tomorrow.

But what to do with a perfectly good pair of jeans?  I attempted to try them on myself but alas, even though I have not just had a baby as she has, they didn't fit - then I googled 'cropped jeans in 2011' and found that they are now a trend so this post is to convince Elle to change her thinking.  Scroll down for the story.

• "Cropped pants in shorter lengths are a great wear for spring, and are mostly worn for casual outings. They are a great change from the shorts and very feminine too!
• For casual outings team the pants with tee shirts, vests and tunics. Always remember that if the pants are loose, do NOT wear loose tops as the look will be too casual, plus will add a few pounds to your frame. Wear well fitting tops, vests and tunics instead, over loose pants to balance the look. Team the look with flat sandals, gladiators or pumps. A lot of people prefer wearing sneakers with their cropped pants. Not my personal favorite though, the ‘sneaker’ look is  okay for a casual walk or going to the market.

• Styles and cuts of cropped pants – based on your body type

  Contrary to popular belief, cropped pants are great to be worn for all seasons – spring, summer and even winter and for all kinds of occasions – formal as well as casual. However, if you do not choose the right cut and length based on your body type, you may end up highlighting the not so flattering parts of your legs. A wrong cut and length of cropped pants can actually make your already broad calves look broader; you may end up looking shorter than your actual height and your bottom may end up looking bigger than it actually is!
  We already know that cropped pants come in various lengths, what is essential to also know that they also come in various leg shapes – you have the comfortable, relaxed straight leg fit, or the flared leg fit and even the cigarette or pencil fit."         All is not lost. Clara
   ps   http://www.shopatnextdoor.com/  is R's store and gives great advice on fitting jeans.

• 
  

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Knitting Machines make short work of creating beautiful garments

A Shrug to Hug

R wrote - Snug as a bug in a shrug...I love shrugs and I especially love making them. My next project on projectknitway.blopspot.com will be how to. It's never too late for you to become a machine knitter. Just google bond knitting machines and you'll find one. Knit up a bunch, set up at your local craft fair and a couple of sales later you have you knitter paid for. You can be the Shrug Queen of Sydney! Seriously.

Clara - Serious Shrug Queen of Sydney!  Has quite a ring to it.  Sydney is actually a perfect place for a shrug as the weather is changeable and can be cool in the evenings.
When I visited you I was fascinated by how quickly you shaped your beautiful garments on the knitting machine.  When you are accustomed to knitting stitch by stitch, the knitting machine seems amazing,  similar perhaps to how women felt in the past when they first used as sewing machine.

I look forward seeing how a shrug is fashioned on http://projectknitway.blogspot.com/.
Clara

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Shrugs add glamour and warmth to winter and summer - as well as cover arms in summer

'Shrug' rhymes with 'Hug' and that's exactly what it does.  A shrug sits over a basic palate  - in winter to drape over a basic T of any shape, neckline etc, with best jeans or pants.  It adds warmth, glamour, and  style to a basic palate and as such is seriously Schick.

In Summer, non focus now re Wisconsin but Down Under , they cover the dreaded upper arms, whilst providing for necessary warmth when temperatures drop. 
Clara adores shrugs and will post a few summer numbers


A shrug a day ...November 26th

Shrug of the Day...November 2

Fairisle is Back...November 24th

This snowflake pattern is appropriate. If you look carefully, you will see our first snow on the ground.
Shrugs and Kisses...November 18th

Shrug It Off...November 17th

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Accessories to die for

Hi R
Thought I would checkout your new fashion blog - since I am lucky enough to be visiting in fall, I'm wondering how I will decorate myself.  As you know I adore scarves and the way you put them together with complementary jewellery and stunning bags.  Old Rose is my favourite - very flattering colour, hope it is still there when I arrive. 
Others can visit http://www.shopatnextdoorfashionscene.blogspot.com/ to view more fabulous looks and even buy online if they like.
Clara

Scarf: Vivante by VSA in brown $22
Necklace: EM 30" 2 row in Animal
Bag: Big Buddha with chains "Ajaitlynn" in green
                                                         

Scarf: Vivante by VSA with studs in Old Rose $44
Necklace: EM 19" Hematite Chain Drape
Bag: JOY Print Hobo bag in Brown $48

Scarf: VSA with fringe in Navy
Necklace: Crystal Ring set $35
Bag: Nicole Lee Queena Edgy Pieced Black $81




















Scarf: VSA Geometric in Grey $32
Belt: Nicole Lee Studded Belt in Taupe
Bag: Fashion Express Silver Circle in Mustard $62


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 http://www.babyboomerconnections.com.au/