Tuesday, October 30, 2007

VIX in West Philadelphia

I visited Philly in March of 2001, and it was love at first sight. The weather was cool and brisk, and offered a nice break from the already rising temperatures in Dallas. My girl Ellen was in grad school at Penn and she lived on Walnut Street, just south of Center City (read: downtown). While she attended classes on urban planning and government this-n-that, I'd hitch rides on their great bus system, headed for CC. I did lots of walking around, people gazing, and visited the original Anthropologie, a beautiful four-story colonial building on Walnut St. (Yes of course, I visited more than once.) I haven't been back since then, but now my jewelry has a chance to go in my stead.



Emily of Precious Meshes and business partner, Sean, are opening VIX Emporium in West Philadelphia. The VIX is not like "Vicks Vapo Rub" but like vee-eye-ex as in the Latin numeral 5009 (with a line over the V), which is their street address. To start, I'm sending them eight wire-wrapped pendant necklaces and four of my signature pottery shard pieces. Their Grand Opening is November 17th. Stop in if you're in the area!

Monday, October 29, 2007

The Bird and The Bee



Ever since Lily Allen cancelled her visit to Dallas several months ago due to "over-exhaustion and partying" (eye roll), I've been eager to see The Bird and the Bee, who was supposed to open for Ms. Lily. They have a new EP out and I haven't heard it yet, but their self-titled album is a staple in my CD player. Their hit "Again & Again" is a must-listen! Check it out here and turn on your speakers.


Greg & Inara get crafty

Friday, October 26, 2007

Seeing Yellow

There are lots of negative metaphors for the color yellow, most of them defining "cowardly" or "scared." But not my yellow belt. THAT'S RIGHT! I got it. Whew, it was tough but I had such a good time. I love challenges and this one was so much fun! It was very Flashdance-y in that there was a panel of 3 (Mr. Goode, Dr. Harkins - el meromero, and Mr. Moss) and we had to stand in front of them and perform our stuff. I think overall I did really well, tho I had to hang my head in shame at some of my kicks. I was just nervous enough so that my muscles sort of tensed up and acted a little useless. My first form was a little on the craptastic side, but I think I nailed my second form. We went out last night and celebrated my promotion with a little karaoke. You guessed it - I sang Carl Douglas' "Kung Fu Fighting" and had my own little Billy Chans and Sammy Cheungs backing me up (a.k.a. Jen, Jenn, Nikola, and Jason). It was awesome. Since this song came out the year before I was born (uh...1992), there's no video for it. However, YouTube has some crazy dumb user-made videos, and here's the kung fu-iest I could find: Can't wait to join the Yellow Belt classes on Wednesday. Yipee!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

My Kung Fu Holiday

Tomorrow's the big day. At 5pm I'll begin my promotion to yellow belt. Well, I'll begin the testing. The promotion is not guaranteed, tho I know everything I need to know. Have I mastered those things? No way. But I know them and I'll just have to perform my best. I know my oath, the 7 requirements of Wujido, 3 basic blocks, 3 basic punches, 4 basic kicks, 2 16-point forms, first 2 wrist bends, my etiquette, and my 5 basic stances. The chain stance drill I'm not so good at, but basically because I let my ego get in the way, then I overthink it, then all randomness goes out the window and I end up looking like a black uniform-clad deer in the headlights. I've been studying these things since February and I'm ready! To get the party started, I've taken the day off. I don't believe in cramming before a test, so I will take it easy tomorrow. I'll plan to do all of the following, preferably in my PJs: * sleep in * make coffee, watch TV in bed, do a sudoku * read over my kung fu journal and add any pertinent info * work on my moss green/red tartan scarf * watch The Karate Kid for ego boost and inspiration * see if any Hong Kong shoot-em-up Chow Yun Fat pics are playing on TV (for extra ego boost, however unrealistic) * paint toenails red * shave legs and arms * wash uniform and white belt (for the last time...?) * drink lots of water and stre-e-e-e-tch Wish me luck!

Monday, October 22, 2007

Watch My Library Grow

Yippe dippy - I finally placed a rather large order for some crafty books I've been craving. I was waiting for the sale prices to go down and they did. Toot, toot!

I got these in an effort to expand my rather limited D.I.Y. knowledge of stitching:





These will teach and inspire me to make felted beads and such with an awesome lot of merino wool that I recently purchased off Etsy from Mary Jane's Attic:





I hope this will help me improve and further my crafty ventures and addictions:



And these are some books I bought with a birthday git card (yeah, I know it was in May) from Timmy Teabag. The illustrations are beautiful and great for inspirations and use in all sorts of design:





Lastly, I want to add this to my collection once the sale price drops a wee bit:

Jackie Chan, Stravinsky, etc.

Hi all! It's been a rainy past few days with a crispy chill in the air. I love it! With Jason in Philly, I've passed many hours lying in bed, crocheting, and watching Jackie Chan movies. I finished my first ever scarf (not including all the trendy skinny scarves I made last year) and once I get a chance to snap a pic, I'll show it to ya. I'm on my second scarf now and this one will be a mossy green with red tartan plaid accents. Sooooo cute and cozy! I've also been bitten by the New Project bug, and plan to start making felt sachets with embroidery and button embellishments. These might find their way onto my mom's and aunt's etsy shop, Knit Sisters, or just might land in your Xmas stocking. Once the weather clears and I have some free time, I'll go check out dried herbs and such at Whole Foods for the sachet innards. I'm thinking a lavendar and mint mixture... Also this weekend I dodged the KERA pledge fund drive as much as possible. There should be some sort of secret member code so that we who give can listen to regular NPR. Anywhoodle, I did catch a rerun of Radio Lab on my way to kung fu on Saturday. It's my favorite radio show after Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!, and this is my favorite episode so far. The story about Stravinsky's 1913 dissonant debut of "Rite of Spring" is so cool and weird, you won't believe your, um, ears. It's Monday and I think Dr. Tefi is due to write you a prescription for retail therapy. Take a look at some of my new autumn-inspired editions from my Chained collection, and get to shopping - stat!

Thursday, October 18, 2007

A Chimp Named Kitty

No one likes to live in a cage or have crude shoved in his eyes, right? No one likes to be preached to either, so I'll just leave it at this. Enjoy!:

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Window Shopping at Midnight

What a weekend. Pretty uneventful, altho Jason and I went to see The Darjeeling Limited at the Angelika. It was very good. Even if Wes Anderson were ever to make a bad movie, I would still enjoy watching it b/c the visual themes and set decor are stunning. Remember The Royal Tennenbaums? Magical and sweet.

I also started crocheting a scarf, which was inspired by this (more on this later once I finish it - over halfway there!):


Tonite I'm trying to wind down and couldn't sleep so I decided to fill up my Wish List at Anthropologie. Makes me feel like I'm buying myself whatever I want, only sadly that package will never arrive...That is, unless you - my dear reader and hopefully secret admirer (?) - feels like indulging me. You can go online and view my Wish List. Let's pretend it's my birthday! Here are a few things from mine, in case you want to spoil me:


Friday, October 12, 2007

State That I Am In - Texas, That Is!

Wednesday, my girl Jen and I went to the State Fair of Texas. It's become a yearly ritual of ours, so we took some time off from work and headed south.



The weather was great, and we had fried anything on our minds. Among the winners this year of fried goodness were fried guacamole bites and fried banana pudding. We looked for both and had no luck. Rather, we noshed on potato swirls with cheez, an Austrian broccoli puff pastry, beer, nutty bars, and cotton candy. Considering how contientious we both are about health and staying fit, we allowed ourselves the luxury of letting go and eating JUNK. (Things are sweeter when you stay away from them and then give yourself a chance every now and then to indulge.) Other State Fair highlights:

* paying $1 + 3 canned goods to get in (thanks Jen!)

* the pig races starring Brittany Squeals and Rush Limphog

* the petting zoo (Altho we have strong reservations about animals in captivity, we agreed that public exposure is a priority in order to give people a chance to empathize, learn, and appreciate the animal kingdom.)

* the swings (wheeeeeeeee - ohmygodletmeoff!!)

* Big Tex with his ginormous chest and flat, flat butt

* riding the DART rail, then the DART bus (and getting help along the way)

* not having to see Billy Ray Cyrus

* giving the cutest little girl in the world my extra tickets

* post-State Fair drinks at The Meridian Room!

You've got 9 days left. Don't miss it!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Tefi's Stash Hits the Road

It's showtime again! I haven't done a show since early May and I'm itching to get out there and sell my stuff to people face-to-face. Nothing beats receiving compliments and seeing people's faces light up when they see my jewelry up close and personal.

This season, I'll be selling more than just my jewelry. As most of you know, I've got an Etsy shop devoted to all the supplies that have my studio busting at the seams. So I painted, papered, and assembled a little bulletin board chock full of beads, pendants, charms, and findings. Look for these goodies and my handcrafted jewelry at these upcoming shows:

Oak Cliff Artisans fall show - November 17-18
more info HERE

Etsy Dallas trunk show - December 8
details TBD





And did you notice these adorable alphabet thumbtacks by Paper Farrago? (Psst! Guess where I bought them...)

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Craving Anthropologie

I love this blog. I stumbled across it by accident and found someone who is just as fanatical about Anthropologie as I am. I told Jason last night that when we have a baby and I begin working from home, that I will get a part time job at Anthro. He looked so sad. Why? Because he said then that we'd be poor. He's right.

So last night I returned a top I bought online. I found out that I could return it at a store - who knew? Man, that's dangerous, and the angel demons at Anthropologie know it. They know that if I go in to return a $40 top I bought on sale that I will leave with $100 of more sale merchandise - a brown top with poofed up sleeves, an embroidered floral skirt, a chartreuse sweater with flower applique, and ohmuhgod.....I'm blanking out on the last item! I've got Anthro overload right now.

My dream job: To live at home and make beautiful little nothings Anthro-style. One day.

In the meantime, I've ordered some beads in an attempt to emulate this design:


Monday, October 8, 2007

Meet the Knit Sisters!

My mom and aunt are mad knitters, and I finally helped them set up their etsy shop. So far we've got 8 scarves listed and 5 sets of stitch markers made by me, Tefi!

You're gonna get cold this season. Here's how to cozy up:

Friday, October 5, 2007

In Good Company

I'm both excited and bummed about the Dallas Symphony Orchestra's upcoming Beethoven festival. The exciting part is that my mom and I got tickets yesterday for a performance of his 5th and 6th symphonies, arguably his most well-known of the symphonies. The bummed part of this whole thing is that I can't go to all of the performances. The DSO's Beethoven festival runs for five weeks, each week hosting a performance of 2 symphonies in chronological order, the last week being B's 9th. Wow. Can you imagine witnessing all nine symphonies in order and in person? I'd need a box of Kleenex, for sure. But time and a busy season keeps me from attending all but one performance. Also on the cultural agenda is a performance by the Shaolin Warriors at MacFarlan Auditorium. Initially I had bought myself a ticket, intending to go alone. But in our Beethoven rapture yesterday, my mom decided to accompany me, and we were able to get her the seat right next to mine. This event is important to me on many levels, but mainly because it is two days after I test for my promotion to yellow belt. There is no guarantee that I will pass, but if I have any say (and philosophically, I believe I do - you know, free will, accountability, and all that), that belt will be mine. Kee-yaaah! And in retrospect, I regret that I didn't write about a performance I attended of Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice at the Dallas Theater Center. It was, to be blunt, freakin' awesome. The stage direction was so interesting and I loooooved the costumes. When beauty and comfort come together, life is good.

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

Pushing Daisies

I stayed home sick today. Been sneezing and wheezing all day long. Too much TV. Funny thing is, after all the junk I watched today, the last thing I watched (technically I'm still watching it, and it's just that good that I couldn't wait to blog about it) is Pushing Daisies.



The show is a complete delight. It watches like a fairy tale - a sort of mix of Edward Scissorhands and Willie Wonka. The two main actors are just adorable and the dialogue is quick and witty like Gilmore Girls. (Dangit, I miss GG.) The main guy, Ned, is a piemaker who owns a shop called The Pie Hole. He has a strange gift where he can raise the dead with a touch, and return them to death with a second touch. His lady friend, Chuck, was murdered and so he brought her back to life only this time there was no second touch so now she's alive but they can't touch. One of her two crazy aunts is Ellen Greene as in "Suddenly Seymour" Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors. So Ned and Chuck spend the season trying to find out who murdered her and why. Too cute. Not at all morbid.

I don't normally promote watching TV - I mean, we all do plenty of it as it is - but here goes: watch Pushing Daisies on Tuesday nights at 7 (Gilmore Girls old spot!). And the recurring pie theme reminds me so much of an old whacky and unique favorite, Twin Peaks. But alas, there's no Agent Cooper here.