iParis

1800's "Coqutes" trade their Misures for iPhones...

The Kid

This kid LOVES his 18th Century outfit.. and is too adorable for his own good.

Super Bass

Lined up along a hallway on one of the lower levels are about 10 of these old Bass trunks. They are so beautifully made and also very creepy. They seem like a person could be curled up inside...

Look at Me, Im Crying

This article: Look at me, Im crying is a beautiful insight into a a New York phenomenon. It reminded me of a NY moment that made a real impression on me. It wasnt me who was crying, but a lady on the bench next to me. For a little while I pretended not to notice her subtle sniffles or tear wipes, but then I decided to take off my "mask". I turned to her and said "Are you ok?" and as our eyes met I found myself overwhelmed with emotion. Tears instantly welled up in my eyes as she replied "No thank you. Im alright." We sat there silently for a few minutes more and I thought about how amazing it was that just that brief moment of letting myself connect with another human beingr could have such an effect on me. Sometimes in NY we forget that we are all real people with real lives passing each other anonymously. In that moment I was happy to be reminded. Thanks to Cup of Jo for the article.

The season gets going...

Anna Bolena opened our season on Monday and tonight is its second performance. The bits I got to watch on the monitor backstage were amazing! I dress the little Elizabeth and the Handmaidens:

Nabucco

Monday night is our season opening, so this week was all about final dress rehearsals! Today was Nabucco. Im with the Men's Chorus on this opera and we have about 5 quick changes that we've been trying to master this week. It takes a lot of logistics to make changing 30 men at one time seamless!

Flights of Fancy

This weekend I got myself some paint supplies and dreamed up a few feathers!

New York, New York!

Today was a great New York day! There was a crisp chill in the air, people were smiling, I got a massage AND I rode the "Boardwalk Empire" train! Woohoo!

(more great pics on Flickr)

Scene Stealer

This week we started dress rehearsals for a new production of Anna Bolena (aka Anne Boleyn). The costumes are amazingly beautiful. They were made in London and are 100% historically accurate. That means many layers, no snaps, zippers or even buttons- and a lot of lacing up of bodices. Its been great to have the whole building buzzing with people and to finally be on stage. Also, it doesnt hurt to be dressing the little lady who is sure to steal the opening scene: the future Queen Elizabeth...

Back in the Opera saddle...

Um, I kinda cant believe its been over a month since my last post. Boo on me! BUT, I was enjoying my summer vacay so much I just coudnt spare a minute for typing. So sorry. I spent three weeks in NC seeing family and friends and it was delightful!

I was truly depressed about returning to the city but I was also excited about starting my second season with the Metropolitan Opera!! This year Im thrilled to be one of 13 "steady extras", which basically means I am a full season dresser rather than being hired per opera like I was last year. I think my contract says Im guaranteed at least 250 performances... in an 8 month season! Phew!

This is my second week back, and since its still pre-season its just day work for now. I've been moving a lot of racks, unpacking crates, filtering laundry and dry cleaning, sewing in pit-pads, and repairing hem lines. Its been kind of nice to be 9-5 for a while and be able to come home and have dinner with the hubs. Im savoring this since it will go right out the window when performances start next month.

Also, we've been cleaning and purging from old boxes in storage- and every now and then my boss makes me dress up. Ah, sigh.

Firework Cookies

When I saw the July cover of Martha Stewart Living I knew I wanted to make those cookies!



We will be (briefly) joining Eric's family this weekend I thought these would be a great addition to our trip. My only hesitation was that I'd never even made cookies from scratch before let alone decorate them so intricately. But I guess you have to start somewhere so I gave them a go.



Putting the dough together was a cinch and I went a head and rolled it out right away, between parchment paper, before chilling it.



This morning I got to baking and decorating.



I think the only real problem I had was getting the consistency of the icing right.



As you can see in the picture some of them bled over.



But all in all, I think not so bad for a first time decorator!

I also have to tell you about NY Cake. Martha Stewart recomends them in the magazine and since Im here in NYC I had the privledge of just popping over to their store. WOW! If you love to bake and you're in NYC, GO TO THERE !!

Working on Swan Lake tutus :

Magnolia Prints

Totally OBSESSED with my new prints by Kari Herer (via Decor8)

Summer Sewing- V1224

Back in January I said I wanted to make at least 3 of Vogue 1224 for summer, but so far I've only made one.



It's a super easy dress to sew and would be a perfect summer project for a beginner seamstress. If you exclude the skirt lining (which I did) there are only 4 pieces to put together.



I wore it to work yesterday and it was so comfortable.



I really do want to make at least one more. I thought it would make a great beach cover up if I made it in a pretty sheer cotton and replaced the elastic waistband with a drawstring.

BPTNMT, for short

I have a sickness: its called "buyingpatternsandthennevermakingthem" syndrome. (BPTNMT for short). I probably have at least 10 patterns in my stash that I have yet to make garments from. So what did I do? Bought some more!! But these Im TOTALLY going to make. For sure. No, really. I am.

First up: PJ's. I really want to make a few lightweight summer nightgowns and tank/ short combos.



Also, I thought I would try my hand at a cute babin' suit.


Then there's this great "wardrobe builder" skirt. I can just see it in stripped cotton for summer and a corduroy for fall.




(Hello, these are both $50 at Urban!)

Which is your fave?

Time Traveler

Wore my Mama's 1972 Laura Ashley dress to work yesterday and got LOTS of compliments!



Somewhere there is a picture of her standing in this same spot wearing that dress but the difference is, SHE'S on the poster!

Miss Misty

Assisted the amazing Misty Copeland at a photo shoot this morning.

Ballet and Blouses

Phew, have I been busy! Today is my first day off in 2 weeks. The Opera ended May 14th and load- in for ABT was May 15th. I LOVE working with ABT. The Company and Crew are great people and for the most part I cant believe I get paid to dress Ballerinas and watch from the wings every night.

Also, in my spare minutes I made a shirt for my dear friend Katie G. We went to college together and worked at American Girl Theatre together too. She is going to be a bridesmaid in a friends wedding this weekend, but Katie prefers to wear mens clothing and asked if I would make her a shirt in the same color as the bridesmaids dresses. I love to help a sista' out so I said Yes! and we went to work. First we ordered a swatch of "Matisse Blue" fabric from J. Crew and I did some hunting to find a matching fabric. It turned out to be a bit of a challenge to match the color but we decided on a beautiful silk dupioni for only $10 a yard! Sweet.



We used McCall's Pattern 4079. First I made a muslin and we had a fitting. Good thing, too, because it needed a lot of adjustment. The main problem I think was that the shirt pattern was meant to be worn a bit slouchy and oversized, but we wanted a more tailored fit. Sooooo, I adjusted the armcye, made an FBA dart and shortened the arm length, too.



I think it turned out really nicely. Oh, also I had the button holes done at Johnathan's Embroidery. It took 5 mins and cost $5 to have 10 small holes done. It is sooo worth it to save you time and end up with beautiful, professional button holes.



I handed it off to Katie today and it looked great on her! I'll update with pictures from the wedding next week!

***UPDATE***
There she is on the far right! The color was perfect!

Happy Mothers Day

Thanks for everything you've taught me, Mommy! I'm proud to be so very much like you.

Orfeo

Ok, so there are only two more full weeks left at the Opera. I'm not gonna lie, its a lot of work, and I think we're all ready for a change of pace. The last show Im dressing is Orfeo designed my Isaac Mizrahi. He was at final dress today but I didnt get to meet him. The costumes are really cool, especially the Chorusters'. They are each a notable dead person from history like Marie Antoinette, Charlie Chaplin, Princess Diana, etc.

Here is a clip.

I dress the female dancers who are dancing hard in this Opera, as it is directed and choreographed by Mark Morris.



The last performance of Orfeo is May 14th, then I have one day off before ABT opens May 16th.

Ive been so lucky to have had such an amazing first season with The MET!

How to Succeed

Last Wednesday I found myself with an entire weekday off! I took myself straight to TKTS to get us some Broadway tickets. I arrived at 1:30 (opens at 3) so that I could be first in line and get prime seats. It worked a little too well because I ended up with front row center seats to How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying starring Mr. Daniel Radcliffe. There was no room to be picky, but front row center is too close to see a Broadway show. I knew I was in for an evening on looking right up Harry Potters nostrils, and I was right. Still, I loved the show. Here's why;

1. Daniel Radcliffe. Im such a Harry Potter head that admittedly I was a little bit giddy about seeing him. Especially sooooo close up. Like, I could have reached out and touched him, close. He did pretty well, too. He sang everything nicely and danced well. He didnt blow me away with either skill but he was perfect for the character and his American accent held up, too.

2. The dancing. Directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford, I knew the dance numbers would be sharp, witty, and impressive. I was especially impressed by the men's ensemble who were dancing in nearly every scene, it seemed. They were fierce. Especially in the "Old Ivy" football inspired number. So good.

3. The costumes. Designed by my favorite designer d'jour, Katherine Zuber (designer of Comte Ory) She has a way of using monochromatic tones and blending them in a beautiful way. They were bright and beautiful. LOVE!

Did it move me or make me think about life? No, not really. But it was fun and light and I left tapping my toes and humming the tunes.

Chic on the Cheap

Picked up a new skirt and earrings on the cheap at F21 this morning!




Now if only I could go back here to wear them...

Phone Booth Humor

Just outside my door at work there used to be three old-school phone booths that you could sit down in and close the little door. I thought they were pretty cool, like a reminder that everyone didnt always have cell phones. They were other places in the bulding too, hiding in various liitle nooks and cranies. But yesterday there were removed. It was brutal. and loud. All day, bangging, and hammering, and slaming of metals. Well, today the little alcoves where they were are getting transformed into storage closets. If only I had know what a source of comedy these alcoves were going to be. Litteraly every one who walks by thinks they are really funny when they come up with "So who's office is that going to be? Haha!" Yep. Little offices. Very funny.

Quick Change

Dresses puddled and ready for a quick change!

Le Comte Ory - Act 1 Aria - The Metropolitan Opera

Here is a clip from the final dress rehearsal of Comte Ory. Love those dresses and the headpieces!

Trouser Oxfords

Just got these adorable Steve Madden Oxfords fromZappos! Cant beat Zappos. Seriously, I ordered them yesterday afternoon and they arrived today, with free shipping! LOVE!

Bohemian...

Posing on a part of the La Boheme set backstage a few months ago...