So Sylvie

BHG in My Home!

Well I survived the photo shoot last Wednesday with Better Homes and Gardens. What I mean is, I survived my nerves, self-doubt, neurosis, and lack of sleep from doing so much at the last minute. Example: I made a slipcover for a wingback chair the day before the shoot. It's a good thing that I didn't unearth my book How To Make Slipcovers until I was halfway through the project because, therein were the words, "The wingback chair is the most difficult of all slipcover patterns. Do not attempt this as a first time project."!! I'll photograph the chair for a later post.

The crew who came to do the shoot felt more like guests, and the atmosphere felt more like a pastry party. Below are the lighting maestro Chris, and the perfectly delightful assistant to the editor, Mikhael.

The photographer, Edmund, has the rare attribute of sharing my taste in music, and using my CD collection, he doubled as the DJ for the entire day (they were here from 9:30am til 6:00pm). He's close to my age and shares my background of experiences with various bands and musicians. We know a lot of the same people in the business. So that was fun, gabbing and reminiscing.

I wish I could have gotten better, clearer photos of the action, but I don't like to use flash and I didn't feel like getting out my tripod. So the images are a bit dodgy, but you get the idea.

Below left is a shot of the perfectly lovely editor, Paige; my new best friend! Below right is a shot of Chris showing off his octopus tattoo. You can see my famous slipcover in this shot.

They were all very kind and generous with Marcel. Chris let him push buttons on the lighting equipment and Edmund even let him push the shutter on the camera for some of the shots. Edmund is a geography buff, so he and Marcel had lots to talk about. And Chris, like Marcel loves Johnny Cash, so of course we had to play his music during the shoot, as well as Cheb Kaled, Tom Waits, The Band, Dolly Parton, Otis Redding, and Wilco, among others.

I had such a wonderful time, and really felt like I had bonded with these beautiful people. In fact, Paige and I are planning to go thrifting together! Thank you all so very kindly for your good wishes. Love, Sylvie

More Femme Blogs

I want to continue my posting of blogs I hope you'll visit. Here are some excerpts from Apron Thrift Girl Selena's blog. She has a great sense of humor...

"Apparently in this small farming community you can sew and get sauced at the same time. Even when I spotted this sign, I figured that the two stores might be side by side and sharing a sign name. Nope. When I walked in there was your whiskey and vodka on one side and your quilting fabric on the other. Quilting classes must be really popular at Wild Flowers."

...and is really a fun Mom...

"I think my passion with thrifting may have influenced the children a bit. Today I found them in our yard doing this:

My daughter is quite the business girl. At the front of the table she is selling thread that we purchased for .15 each at a thrift store. She has marked them up to $5.00, $8.00 and $11.00. But like a good yard sale seller, she accepted less. I paid .45 for three. (she emptied my wallet). She was also offering free mint from our garden as an incentive to shop. That's my girl."

She's also quite the thrifter.

I've been enjoying Maryam's site, My Marrakesh. If you're interested in Morroccan interior design check her out. If you're not sure if you're into it, you will be after visiting her site. Her is the summary of her site: "The bemused tales of an American family's quest to design, build, and decorate a guest house in Morocco. Life, culture, style, shopping. And a couple of belly dancers thrown in there for good measure..."

Now let's hear it for Jes (the collector formerly known as Jes the Pea; or formerly known as Prince Princess and the Pea!). First of all her birthday is the same day as my Marcel's, February 7th, and she's in Maine where all of my relatives are, and she has the dream Mom...an antique dealer!!

Her blog is full of great vintage things...

And her lovely online shop, Junque Revival , reveals the beautiful jewelry that she creates...

I hope that you'll check these ladies out. I will be sharing more femme blogs after the big Better Homes and Gardens ( or as we say around the house, BHG!) photo shoot Wednesday. I still have to get one slipcover finished for that. I actually thrive on having tight deadlines. I don't know why. Another great motivator is if out of town guests are coming; my house gets clean as a whistle, and then I get to enjoy it even after they're gone. I should take a before and after shot...the Before would be what the living room looks like when ready for the magazine shoot, and the After I'll take about one week later. You'll see how we really live!

Better Homes!!!!

Better Homes and Gardens magazine is coming on Wednesday to photograph my living room!! Yippee!! The editor came this past Monday and had pastries, coffee, and a wonderful leisurely visit! We plan to go thrifting together after all of the business is done. Yippee again!!!

I was telling Marielle, of Chez Shoes, that I suddenly have lost my ability to see the room. I have lost all perspective. It's as if I'm stuck in one of those dreams where you're unable to move or speak. I have to say though, the editor is soooo sweet and charming that she's able to put me at ease.

I will be blogging about it, but of course! Please wish me well. xoxoxo

In Celebration of Other People!

I've been wanting to do this for some time now and I thought, what better way to start off the new year than to celebrate some special blogs. I offer these in no paticular order...equal specialness!

For a taste of French craftiness visit the blog and Flickr site of the talented stitchery femme, Adèle. Her style is so refined and infused with patience and thoughtfulness. Here is a sampling of her work:

These are little pillows filled with lavender, "des oreillers remplis de lavande", to place under your bed pillow. And she is a cross-stitch genius...

If it's style from the Netherlands that you're craving _!_ look no further than Yvonne's site, decorator extraordinaire. What can you say about someone whose range runs from Ricky Gervais to The Bloomsbury Group! Fabulous and fascinating!

You can also check her Flickr here.

Down L.A. way, Garvanza/Highland Park to be precise, you'll find Dewey Decimal Queen, Marielle. Don't let the glasses fool you (I'm smiling Marielle). She's so much more than a master of Library and Information Science. She knits and embroiders lovely creations...

and let's not forget, she's a detective of devine shoes! And...she's a much better writer than I am :) Always amusing and personal. And...I love her photos on Flickr documenting the architecture of L.A. She has a great sense of what is special in our midst.

I'll be featuring more blog buddies soon. Happy New Year dear friends - xoxoxo