lorimarsha

One of my customers emailed me to comment on the Marlene Dietrich quote that’s been a part of my storefront information for a while. The quote was

"I dress for the image. Not for myself, not for the public, not for fashion, not for men."

Her version is "I dress for myself and to suit the occasion, be comfortable, be stylish and have fun. (Also, to enjoy being a woman "

I liked what she said and that she was willing to share it with me so I am including her quote on my storefront for a while.

Wanna play?

I’d like to continue to change the quotes and would love to hear your thoughts on how you like to dress. Credited or anonymous …your choice! Just add your comment here or to remain anonymous flickr mail me.

Heartfelt thanks to all of the participating artists and friends and family who came out to the show this past weekend! We had a fun day in the vibrant and soul-nourishing environment that is Blue Mud Yoga Studio.
Special thanks to Heather Stevning, owner of the studio, who graciously hosted the show and provided us with such a nice venue.

I am overwhelmed by your support and encouragement and filled to the brim with your love and kindness. You have no idea how wonderful it is to see my garments worn by such fabulous women and to have my work appreciated and commented on. It makes the quiet hours in the studio so worthwhile.

Here are a few photos from the show. See you next time!

Doretta on her Harley and Bettina, the store

“‘Oh my daughter could wear that– she would love this store.’ Before the customer in question had opened her mouth I knew what she would say. Every day I hear comments ‘If I were 15 years younger’ or my personal favorite ‘I hate when women dress like teenagers.’ These words come spilling out of the mouths of women, some attractive, some not so, some mature in age, some younger than I.Words that undermine the individuality, personal style and , gosh darn it, send us straight into the matronly zone.”

Doretta’s New Rules of Dressing as she calls it, says everything I’ve been thinking but unable to articulate. The idea that when we turn a certain age, we have to start buying Sag Harbor….give me a break! Thanks, Doretta, for speaking for many of us who choose to express ourselves through fashion and refuse to be defined by what others think is appropriate.

I met Doretta through my Etsy store a couple of years ago. She purchased one of my favorite tops that incorporated a vintage corset. There are certain sales that really make me want to know more about the customer…who they are, what they look like, their personal style. Well you can imagine my excitement when I learned that she owned a fabulous boutique, Bettina, in San Francisco. So when I was visiting the Vivienne Westwood exhibit at the deYoung last year, I stopped in to take a peek. The visit confirmed everything I expected- a beautifully edited collection of women’s clothing and accessories with a clean and modern aesthetic. She was at market so I didn’t get to meet her in person. And it wasn’t until I read “Doretta Says” on her website that I fully appreciated how much I love her.

Let’s hear a round of applause for Doretta and be sure to visit her website or store if you’re in the City by the Bay.

Revisiting my senior year in high school, originally uploaded by lorimarsha.

An email from flickr friend, becktress, got me feeling a little nostalgic recently. She knew someone who went to the same high school that I did and we were trying to figure out if we knew anyone in common. That got me to thinking about the fact that over the years I had lost all of my yearbooks. Moving away from home, renting storage units…who knows where they ended up? I have no idea. But it felt like there was this little hole in my personal history.

So I decided to go to ebay and see if I could replace them, or at least one. And would you believe that one was available from the Goodwill store in Tacoma, Washington? It was from my senior year and had belonged to someone who I had shared what we called "homeroom" with as a senior. We had the same last name..and in those days, for this one class, we were seated alphabetically. So…there it was on the internet and available for purchase. Of course I bid on it. I was the high (and only) bidder and it came in today’s mail, in pristine condition.

Only one person signed it. (That part is kind of sad.) As I looked through the pages, I was taken back to that year, to that time in my life that was not entirely pleasant. But not awful, either. Just not my "glory days" as some feel about their high school years. Then my thoughts moved to the prior owner. What had become of her? How did this yearbook end up at the Goodwill? And…how did they know her last name? She was addressed only by her first name in the signed comment.