Anthony Bourdain: Kitchen Confidential Updated Ed: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (P.S.)
Christopher Moore: Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
Gourmet Today: More than 1000 All-New Recipes for the Contemporary Kitchen
Rebecca Mead: One Perfect Day: The Selling of the American Wedding
Naomi Wolf: The Beauty Myth: How Images of Beauty Are Used Against Women
Barack Obama: Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
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Recently my friend Alex of beadAlex (www.beadalex.com) made me this faaaaaabulous cuff bracelet to wear at the Bravo Wedding Affair. And, ladies, this cuff is amazing. She wired vintage brooches to a base and then filled in the gaps with crystals, fresh water pearls, and other vintage beads. It's amazing.
Okay okay, I'm convinced! I've gotten a lot of feedback about the Etsy storefront debate, and you convinced me!
We had so much fun today at the Hotel DeLuxe! Thanks to everyone who participated! I'll post the shots as soon as I get them!
I'm sooooooo excited to be participating in a photo shoot on Monday at the Hotel DeLuxe here in Portland. It's one of my favorite hotels, and so fabulous! Plus, Nicole Wickens is shooting, so basically I could die happy! Here's a shot that Nicole took of one of my brides last summer...
Um, loooooove Halston. Always have, always will. Simple, elegant, stunning. He's always been an inspiration. Seeing the new line, could you argue with me?
I'm about to take one of my samples down to an eco-drycleaner to see if they can get the grime out of a hem from a dress that was worn at the Bravo affair a few weekends ago. I'll report back on them soon, but first I thought I'd share these tips with you on storing your gown long-term. Thanks to GreenEarth Cleaning for these tips!
Storing
After your gown is cleaned, it is important to store in a manner that will preserve it safely. First decide if you want store your gown hanging or folded. If your gown is strapless, has very thin straps, or is very heavy, folding may be a better choice because hanging will put a lot of stress on the fabric holding it up. However, if your dress is very thin or of especially delicate material (such as antique lace or silk), you should hang it to eliminate the risk of permanent creasing from folding.
It is best to have your gown stored and preserved by professionals, such as Prestige Preservation. If you choose to take care of your gown yourself, here are some tips on how to store it safely.
Hanging storage
o Plastic garment bags are a definite “don’t”—they give off undetectable fumes that can severely weaken and damage the garment fibers.
o It is essential that the gown be allowed to breathe, so that mold and mildew don’t have a chance to grow.
o Purchase a special preservation bag, available at many specialty shops, or use a plain white cotton sheet that has been thoroughly washed. Cut a hole in the sheet so there is a place for the hanger to go through.
o Use a very wide padded hanger to help the gown keep its shape. If you don’t have a padded hanger, make your own by wrapping a white cotton sheet around a sturdy hanger.
o Hang your gown in a dry, dark place in the main living area of your home, not the attic, basement, or garage. Textiles are very sensitive to changes in heat and humidity.
o Take your gown out every 2 years or so to let it air out and inspect it to be sure nothing has happened to it in storage.
Box storage
o Use only an acid-free box with acid-free tissue paper. Regular cardboard and tissue break down over time, damaging fabrics.
o Select a box that is large enough. Cramming your gown into a too-small box or folding it too many times can cause permanent creasing and weaken the fabric.
o Wrap your gown entirely in acid-free tissue before folding. Ensure that none of the fabric touches itself.
o Line box with tissue before placing the gown inside.
o Do not seal the box—many wedding preservation services permanently seal boxes for storage in order to keep air and dust out. But if you want to prevent permanent creases, or if you just want to take your gown out and admire it occasionally, make sure the box lid is removable.
o Store your boxed gown in a dry, dark place in the main living area of your home, not the attic, basement, or garage. Textiles are very sensitive to changes in heat and humidity. Condensation can also develop in sealed boxes, creating mildew and mold growth. Make sure your gown has room to breathe.
o Take your gown out of storage every 2 years or so and air it out.
o Re-fold your gown differently than it was folded before so that permanent creases do not develop.
Usually when my gowns leave the studio I put them in an opaque pink zippered gown bag, but it's important to note that they're not intended for long term storage.
I'll let you know what I think when I get my gown back!
Love,
Sara
I just found out about this awesome event kicking off Portland Fashion Week called Boutiques Unleashed, hosted by local boutiques and DoveLewis to benefit the animal hospital! Looks like so much fun, I hope I get to participate next year!
Hey all!
