little red fox

chorewear for spring

I've finally been given a name for something I've loved for so long and never quite known what to call it. Some of my recent-years' clothes-obsessions have hovered around something I've called "orphan-chic" or "street-urchin style" or "depression-era chic" or I even heard something like "dustbowl style" once to describe it. But there were some things I loved that didn't quite fit under those (vaguely hilarious) umbrellas. Until the other day I heard "chorewear" and the cute little Edison-bulb in my head lit up. That's it! That's what I love. 

I found out about the above label via Ginny Branch and I'm obsessed anew: Arts & Sciences. I mean--even the name is just wonderful. Their lookbook is here but here's a few of my faves from the new Spring 2012 line (besides wanting every single piece from the first photo):

 

And then Yokoo has started a homemade label (in addition to her eponymous line of hand-knitted goods) called Mother on Etsy with similar properties, which I also love. 

Something about this idea of clothes to me as an homage to womens' work of the past, I find really moving and extraordinarily beautiful. In contrast to modernity and the place women currently hold in society and the workplace, there was a time when the very simple work of the home was her world. It's humbling to see that represented in clothes, I think. Something about that...

I also think a lot of this could be thrifted then altered into similar ideas. That is certainly the next step for me. And I'm starting with the loose, cropped jeans from the top photo. 

 

 

 

how i'm spending my superbowl (who's playing again?)...

I got down to work today on one of my very favorite bits of Little Red Fox business: the packaging. I like to do it all myself, and though my computer skills have greatly improved, it still takes me quite a bit of time. But it's fun for me, so no skin off my nose.

So if you ordered one--here's what you're getting :) 

I'm also gearing up for my very first Flea Market (more on that soon) AND a women's art co-op nearby here upstate. More on all of this soon but of course I'm so looking forward to it all. I've been wanting to do this for a couple of years but haven't been able to because of all the acting stuff. Now that I'm taking a break from it (of sorts), it seems time. 

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On a dumb note: why-oh-why has it never occurred to me to do some type of links "round up" on this blog?? I'm shocked at myself. I get to read so many wonderful blogs and get to see so many wonderful ideas by inspiring, creative people, so it only makes sense to point out some extra-special-delightful posts. Why it took me 17 years to think of it...well, I'm a dummy. 

So here you go--spreading the blog wealth, as it were...

 

• Heart-breakingly adorable (handmade!) little-girl dress giveaway on An Art Nest.
• Lovely, lovely song/and crafty video over at My Pure Harte.
• Cute little DIY for some spiced-up jeans over at petit pas.
• Casey found what looks to be a delicious recipe combining lots of my food loves in one dish! Definitely going to make this in the next few days.
• Amazing--truly--illustrations/designs/art over at Hawk and Fallow.
• Elsa has started a new blog about miniature artists' books. I'm utterly obsessed.
• Burda Style's Alison Dahl has the best idea ever to spruce up some old shoes. Look for my version here very soon...I'm extremely over-excited about this one. 

That's it for me! I'm going to go express some fake interest in the Super Bowl. It's sad for Mr. Wood to watch the whole thing alone.

Have a wonderful night, wherever you are!

girl crush: amanda vähämäki

I have been meaning to share this. I bought this book a few weeks ago at the amazing Rocketship comic book store here in Brooklyn. Disclaimer: I don't know if I could say I'm a comic book "fan" per se--I love art, I love folk art, I love drawing, I love storytelling and some comics fit into that. I'm generally not crazy about super-hero anything so I don't walk into a comic book store and want to buy everything. I love looking at all of it, I get inspired by a lot of it but not everything is up my alley. So this was a total accident--this happy little find. I knew nothing of this brilliant Finnish author/illustrator but she might now be my very favorite and is a new girl crush only after this one tiny gem. This book is...how to say? It's so weirdly brilliant it's now a 'before and after' marker for me in terms of graphic storytelling. It's bizarre and beautiful and primitive and moving--and short!--and so stream-of-consciousness it feels very dangerous and spooky...and I wasn't quite sure why. I blazed through it the first time and then the second and third time tried to go slow and savor every tiny element. She channels some deep childhood/dreamscape/all-rules-are-off territory that is both dear and terrifying--it's very special. But reading this little treasure makes me want to hang out with her and see first-hand how her brain works and know more about how she sees the world. Some people are fascinating. The only other book of hers I've found I just ordered, and I'm convinced the love will only grow... :)

(If you're interested and don't have a comic book store near you, it's available for purchase here.)

***

In other news--I have finally taken a step I've wanted to do for awhile but needed to take the time to learn HOW and so yesterday--my day off--I spent the entire day learning how to and then building my official home site:

marycatherinegarrison.com

Whew!

I've only become computer-literate in the last 2 years or so, so this was challenging. And exhilerating. It felt so wonderful to cross that off my long-term list of things-to-do (and also weirdly egotistical to use my name). But after all--it's all me--and its always been my goal to have everything under one umbrella and now it is :) And I also feel like I have a bit of a new skill set which is fun!

(ps: that's the new working cover of what will be my new 'episodic-graphic-novel-comic-book'--is there such a thing?--starring someone you might recognize :)

And you probably already noticed but I gave ye olde blogge a much-needed facelift/sprucing-up. I was ready for something a little more subtle and streamlined and I think this does the trick. I also removed the music player I had over the the right. I figured it was a bad sign when it was getting on my own nerves :) The nice thing about these things, though, is that you can change them whenever you want and I definitely like that as an option! And--another giant thing crossed off the list! It's good to be productive sometimes...have a fabulous day!!

julie morstad

I had to create a new category to properly feature this wonderful artwork: girl crushes. It occurred to me that one of the things I want to do on this little blog is feature some amazing, admirable ladies who deserve to be the recipient of our love, awe and respect--thus Julie Morstad is the charter admiree. I stumbled across her just today via The Clothes Horse and fell in love. I love her aesthetic, her style, her imagination, her creativity--all of it.

All of these make me want to be a better artist. They're just wondrous and beautiful. It looks like she's using come tissue and decorative papers for a collage-type effect which I also love to do and wish I could do it to such beautiful effect! So inspiring...

I looked for some of her books on-line (some here) and had to force myself not to buy them all. I may have to get the ABC cards, though. I'd love to do a set of those one day!!! I've already drawn a few in my mind, though its a project that will just have to get in line for now. I do have vintage bloomers to sew, after all!

The images are from her site, and her shop (where she sells some of her prints) is here. I really might have to treat myself to one of them...

In other news--today is my delightful day off and I am doing deliciously little. Still playing hide-and-seek with the sleep ghosts, so my laziness is guilt-free. I love lazy days off! I did some sewing and mending projects that had been piling up, and now I'm working on some new drawings/paintings, listening to Radio Dismuke, while the breeze from this gorgeous, gorgeous day makes me glad I'm alive. We're making this for dinner--pictures to come! 

Hope you're day is/was lovely!!

code word: relaxation

Lucky me :) This is what we woke up to in Jamaica (can you hear those waves crashing?? All day, all night. Eden.). So, so, so, so beautiful. We had a wonderful vacation! It was 80 and breezy and gorgeous, even with the occasional rain-spritzing, for 5 glorious days. We did nothing (as promised) and it was very...disheartening...to come back to 16 degree weather in New York City. Oh boy. I'm working on a post about vacation fashion right now--because frankly I never really thought about it that much before. But I guess since exploring an online fashion life I've started thinking about fashion concepts and such lately...

BUT BEFORE I GET TO ALL THAT! I simply have to share with you an experience I had before we left for Jamaica. My sweet friend Ernestine told me about her good friend, Misa, who has completed her Ayurvedic training and has set up a practice here in Brooklyn. As a Curious Person and One Who Believes in Most All Ancient Healing Techniques--Ayurveda was something I had never tried. I'd heard a little about it, but first-hand experience had eluded me thus far. People--if you haven't experienced it--you simply must. When I first met Misa, right away I was struck by how open, pretty, kind and strong she was. I trusted her immediately. I can't think of better qualities in a person who does her kind of work. Not to mention she makes and blends all of her own oils and products and they smell divine. Truly. I wish religion smelled this good.

She offers different treatments, but the one she wanted to give me was the Ayurvedic Detox Facial. I adore facials. Frankly I love just laying there having things done to me, period. But facials are a giddy treat--especially given my actress' vanity :) But this was unlike any other facial I've ever had. Misa gave me a (very) brief explanation of Ayurveda and she got to work. Without going into too many specifics, it was 70 minutes (that felt like about 25), she worked on my feet, hands, shoulders, arms, scalp and face. And the best explanation I can muster of what was an incredibly beautiful experience for me--is that it was a spiritual healing that took place on my face. I came into her room with a certain amount of weary-making "baggage" (i.e. useless tension, thoughts, etc) and I left with such a joyful, positive heart. I practically floated back home and was filled with so much--the best word I can think of is--clarity. Just simple joy. Which I happen to think is the way we're meant to be--we just get distracted by life and such.

I am writing all this because if you live in New York--you need to know she's here! She's on Union and 6th Ave. (748 Union St.) in the Spoke the Hub building in Park Slope and her email is vediccare (at) yahoo.com and I can't say enough good things about her (as you can no doubt tell). I'm going back for the Shirodhara treatment which is supposed to inspire bliss--so excited! Ok. We're off to meet a friend for a cocktail so I'll be back tomorrow with more of life's little surprises... :)

some of you guessed it right

 

And no, it wasn't origami kleenex :)

It's a tad lop-sided but this was my not-so mysterious project from the last post. To sum up: we're not allowed to paint or wall-paper so I needed something happening over our bed. I might still make a covered headboard or paint a trompe l'oeil one, but for now I really like the way the garland turned out. Sort of hap-hazard and homemade looking, old and new at the same time... I first saw it here which led me here (loved that blog, by the way) which finally led me to this blog which I also completely love. Not only do she and I have the same last name, but I love her deep desire for art in her life, plus she seems fun and I'd invite her over for a party.

Essentially what you have here are brown coffee filters, various shades of tissue paper (red, fuchsia, turquoise and emerald green) and vintage music paper (her brilliant idea)--all of it crumpled up and strung along on plain ol' white string. The whole project (due to what I already had at home) cost me about $9. None too shabby. And even if it doesn't stay above the bed, it'll look great hanging on the side of a mirror or over a window or something.

I really love the way hers turned out but my unfair prejudice towards pink allows me to go no further than the fuchsia I used here. I love the pale pink that she used, but my room is leaning more towards the brighter colors. And trust me--fuchsia is a big step for me!

The rest of my time has been swallowed up in getting etsy orders out and Christmas-present-making. We're trying so hard to spend as little as possible for the holidays. And I think we're done, actually and spent around $300 for 17 people. Not too bad, right? I had to buy some fabric for some things, we had to buy some food ingredients for some other things, and of course some things I just couldn't make (which is a hard thing for me to concede!).

I absolutely love Christmas so this isn't me miserably trying to get out of anything--on the contrary--it's me trying to be super-smart in trying times and most importantly creative. I actually enjoy the challenge of working within these parameters--though the best-case scenario is showering everyone I love in hundreds of presents :)Though I love, love, love giving presents I'll just have to shower them with love instead...

(I can't share too many details about what I'm making just yet--though I'm DYING TO!!--since some of the recipients read this, but soon I can spill a bean or two...)

way to go, girls!

The girls were so wonderful last night! They sounded and looked beautiful and I just could not be happier for them.

I am a very lucky lady to have so many incredible friends in my life. En masse they are an embarassingly rich collection of beauty, talent, intellect and crazy fun times and two of these dear, dear friends have a star on the rise and it's so exciting to watch. They are consistently classy, gracious, kind, sensible and where a lot of celebrities in real life can be disappointing (and believe me, I know), these girls get better the more you know them. And it's comforting to me to see great things happening to people who truly deserve it. At least parts of the universe function like you think it should :) Their new album is coming out in February--so keep an eye out and if you buy their music, know you are supporting some ladies who are salt of the earth sweethearts who have manners and were raised right.

Also thrilling was getting to meet the adorable Juli Anna! A fellow blogger and all around good soul who was so sweet to introduce herself after the twins played. One of the more amazing aspects of writing a blog is the gift of meeting like-minded people and feeling connected in a world that can sometimes give you the opposite sensation. It really is a present. In the midst of a big life adventure, the writing on her blog is always so positive and fresh with a serious intellect cooking underneath--and as I came to find out last night--unsurprisingly she is a writer as well! She also looked absolutely adorable but I have no proof as neither of us thought to get a picture of us together. Next time, Juli Anna! And truly it was so nice to make your acquaintance :)

After I forced a ridiculously healthy smoothie concoction down their throats (it's hard to eat well on the road!) the twins sped off into the glorious afternoon on their way to the next tour stop. Safe travels, girls! We're all so proud of you both.

(P.S. I'm actually not sure how this works, but Little Red Fox is on Facebook's Networked Blogs. You can follow it here if you like to do that sort of thing. Maybe you already subscribe to the RSS feeder thing? With Networked Blogs, it might be similar--I imagine you would be notified when I post but I'm not 100% sure. Isn't this the vaguest offer of not-quite-sure-what-ness you've ever kind of gotten or not gotten?? Sigh. I'm just trying to keep up. :)

etsy love

Being a part of the etsy community is a really proud thing for me. It's such a wonderful idea and I feel so lucky it's there and I get to be one of the artists/people who are a part of it. And there are so many amazing etsy artists--I have to constantly restrain myself from buying a million things when I visit some of my favorite sellers, but every now and then--I'm not strong enough. Here are a couple of things I just couldn't resist...

The print set above is from the artist Sarah Blank who also has a blog I really enjoy. I was so taken with these prints. I especially loved that they both seem to be taking place on some mythical magical "stage." (Secret reminder: I'm an actress...) I've actually been working on a couple of drawings (more sketches at this point) that are framed out by stage curtains but these are so beautiful, I don't know if I'll even need to finish them since these are so beautiful.

I now need to find two mis-matched vintagey-looking frames...

And then this perfect little badge. It's by Julianna Swaney--who was one of the very first etsy shops and blogs I ever happened across and one of the ones that inspired me to try and do one myself. I just think this is remarkable. It's one of her lovely drawings (of which there are so, so many) turned into a gorgeous little piece of jewelry. Brilliant.

And goes so well with my outfit, don't you think?

(p.s.: That skirt is one I just thrifted and painted. The 'how-to' is coming tomorrow!)

OK I'm going to watch a BBC miniseries period drama and draw--which is the only acceptable activity on cold, rainy, gray days like this. Au revoir!

new favorite thing

I am a very lucky girl. A lot of good things come my way, and of course it is usually via a wonderful person I knew via the aforementioned luck/good things part.

Today I was "introduced" to children's book illustrator Sophie Blackall. We have a mutual friend who thought we may have a thing or two in common, and she was quite right. :) Her illustrations are so beautiful and can be seen in about a million and one books--and they are just divine. She has a blog (where you can see some of her illustrations), a beautiful etsy shop (look at the fox and girl paperweight! sigh...) and another blog where she illustrates the missed connections ads from Craigslist. Like this one:

I think this is one of the most wonderful ideas I have ever seen! I just lost hours of my life looking at them...

as promised: costume sketches

I know it took me more than a minute to get these up--but here are the costume sketches I wanted to show you from the show I'm doing ("Accent On Youth" at MTC in case you're just dropping in :) And something you should know right off the bat--is that our costume designer Jane Greenwood, is one of the very best in the business. She's costumed so many plays and films and is absolutely revered in the world of both theatre and film. (This is a good article, and here's her resume, in case you're curious.) She and her assistant, Jen, are both so cute and sweet and are people you want to go drink 3 bottles of wine with right when you meet them. They are both awesome people I have the honor/pleasure to work with, as are so many who are involved with this show...so without further ado: my first costume....

So the play takes place in 1934 and stars David Hyde-Pierce as a middle-aged playwright and this is what I start out wearing. I don't know if you can tell a lot of the detail, but it has a really interesting front panel zig-zag detail. My character (Linda Brown) is the secretary to Mr. Pierce and though she is a reserved and mousy secretary and desperately in love with him, he has no idea. And may I just reiterate, that pretending to be in love with David Hyde-Pierce is incredibly easy. Stupid-easy. If every man were as charming, talented and....just....attractive as he is--the human race would never die out. That is my first-hand-experience-opinion.

So the above is her in secretary mode. The wig is a medium-blonde bob with bangs and did I mention all the shoes are being handmade in Italy?? They are :)

So in Act I, my character confesses her love to him (in a scene that I love and think is beautifully written--both heart-breaking and funny) and we move on to Act II where we learn that he has made her his leading lady in his new Broadway play and I get to wear this:

(Just a note: sometimes designers attach swatches to the sketches when they have specific fabric ideas, which is what you see in the upper right corner.)

Please note the matching gloves and clutch. Mouth-watering.

This scene/Act takes place in Spring and the dress/suit jacket are a beautiful royal blue with blue and white silk blousy aspects and a blue structured jacket with some sort of eyelet trim. And the shoes are blue and white spectators made in Italy. And I just found out the hat is a dainty little blue felt beret. So fun!!! And the wig at this point is a little more glam, parted on one side and swept back on the other.

Later in Act II:

It goes glam!! This is a floor-length gold hammered-satin gown with a dramatic black satin bow on one shoulder and very fancy jewelry. I can't wait to wear this (drooling)!!

And my next (in Act III) is this:

I think you can tell this is the back view--its a gorgeous black satin gown with a deep v-neck and a peach satin train, which is pretty enough by itself, but when you pair it with this overcoat:

Which is more of a bright mossy green. And when you combine it with black and peach satin--you get art deco gorgeousness. I just think this particular design is so inspired, both of the time and the moment in the play when I burst in and beg him to take me back--bold colors and yet soft textures; a little vulnerable and soft but ballsy and sexy.

I think it's worth noting that I am NOT accustomed to being in glamourous digs in my career, so this is such a thrill for me. But I really felt like they understood my particular body and designed and cut the clothes to me which I think would be many of our dreams come true. I feel very, very fortunate. And rehearsals are going so wonderfully--it's so hard and challenging (much more than I thought it would be, actually) but still incredibly fulfilling and exciting. I'm incredibly full :) I've left out other gorgeous costume sketches of the other characters--and they are all so beautiful and inspired--because I never asked the other actors and I figured it was really only appropriate to talk about mine. However the story of all the characters is all so hilarious and heart-breaking, and completely reflected in the costumes, though you'll have to take my word for it--unless you come see the show--which would be so lovely :)

And if you like this sort of thing--here's some press shots we did the other day (I'm not thrilled with any of these pictures, but it's still kind of fun to see, I think):

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/127305.html

and this:

http://baltimore.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Coverage_ACCENT_ON_YOUTH_Meets_the_Press_20000101

**On another note: I am trying to keep up with etsy shop orders so if you are looking for something--it's coming! Days are flying by and my intention is to get orders out in a day or two, but I have been falling a little short lately. I will get there, though! I promise!

**Also: watching this tonight! Apparently our set designer used some of the furniture from this for our actual theatrical set. I love that this is "work" and "research" :)

Oh, you lovely people--please, please have a wonderful, wonderful day/evening wherever you are and thank you so much for stopping by....it really does mean the world and universe and all things lovely to me :)