ciclavia

We had a great time at CicLAvia this Sunday. After such a terrible week of bad news, it was a relief to be outside, doing something positive. Venice Blvd was packed with cyclists and I couldn’t help but dream that a giant bicycle highway was possible. I love riding my bike in Los Angeles, but even I’ll admit that sometimes the car situation makes it a bit too stressful. Today, over 100 thousand cyclists (and skaters and runners and walkers) all road together across town which honestly made me feel better about humanity.

photos by Shawn Bannon

after suicide

I’ve been trying to share more short films here, it’s nothing official but maybe it will be a Friday thing. Now that I’ve said that it probably won’t be.

In any case, this film is one that is near and dear to my heart. In part because Shawn made it, but beyond that, because it addresses some ideas about depression and suicide that I think are often overlooked.

When I first watched After Suicide, it hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s not often that I have such an intense reaction to short films, but the subject really resonated for me and I couldn’t quite shake it. In so many films suicide is romanticized or in some cases just glossed over. It’s such a dark subject, it’s easy to understand why it’s so hard to address. This film takes a personal look at how suicide effects those left behind.

AFTER SUICIDE from Shawn Bannon on Vimeo.

After Suicide is the antithesis of the viral video; it’s thoughtful, emotional and lingering. I hope you’ll take a moment to watch it and share your thoughts.

laurel beginnings

After much dressmaking debate, I settled on making the Laurel from Colette patterns. It was my first time printing a pdf pattern at home actually. The good thing about it is I’ve already got a fairly sturdy pattern for the next time I’d like to make the dress (which will probably be soon) and of course, I was able to get it immediately, without a trip to the store. It did take awhile to cut and paste together but it wasn’t too bad overall.

The dress is by far the simplest thing I’ve made in awhile. I’ve got the basic construction done, and am in the process of adding a few alterations and embellishments.

In other news, after a new set of paint samples we’ve finally decided on a color for the living room. I can’t wait to get painting. Unfortunately, some other repairs are going on in our apartment building so it will probably have to wait a few more weeks. It’s really for the best, since I have several projects going at once already. It will be nice when I’m finishing some of them instead of just starting.

A rare moment of Mochi not minding Weetzie.

whateverest

WHATEVEREST from Kristoffer Borgli on Vimeo.

I’ve loved this short film Whateverest since I saw it at AFI Fest last year. It’s got great music and some wild antics. Love love love.

dresses

I tend to get obsessed with multiple projects at once. Right now I’m balancing painting and writing and brainstorming dresses to sew. I often fantasize about only wearing prairie dresses, even though I realize everyone would look at me funny if I did. I am in love with these dresses from Anna Allen. I’m very pleased that she says she’ll be offering sewing patterns in the future because I’d love to make my own.

I’m also thinking about entering the Laurel Sewing Contest from Colette Patterns. The prizes are crazy good. I tend to wear dresses that are a little more fitted, but I have some fabric I’ve been meaning to turn into a dress since last summer. It would be best for me to just just make some adjustments and make a dress rather than keep the fabric as nothing forever. Plus it’s a very simple dress, just the right thing to get me back in the sewing habit.

Do you have any dresses you love? Share your favorites.

photos from Anna Allen and Colette Patterns