Holiday Shopping

This year I have been unreasonably excited to get a Christmas tree. I started burning my Yankee cedar forest candle a month ago, and have been listening to Sufjan's new Silver & Gold Christmas album nonstop. I just love merriment! And bright! And bells & holly & mittens & tinsel!

In lieu of getting that Christmas tree just yet (because, well... they aren't for sale just yet and I am not about to sneak onto someone's yard and chop it down with an axe) I decided to decorate my corner of Erabellum. The whole shop is full of holiday wonderment and gifts galore. A great place to find one-of-a-kind local gifts for everyone on your list.

Custom and pre-etched drinking, wine, and pub glasses.

Vintage linens and blankets.

Fresh lavender and woodsy pine scented lotions and bath potions.

Great jewelry.

Sweet little potted plants.

Oodles of antique furniture.

Carved wooden bowls.

Vintage clothing.

More more more!

..oh and those Say Ooh glitter-dipped feathers up top are for sale too ;)

Haaaaappy Holidays. Remember, this season is not about gifts, it's about love, and showing your family & friends how very deerly you care for them. One needn't buy presents for that, but they do happen to be fun nonetheless!

A Grand Opening: Erabellum

There's a great new Co-op in town! And it just so happens to be the new home of Say Ooh. I've been so excited at the idea of this for such a long time, and excited at this specific prospect for a couple months now. The Erabellum grand opening was certainly grand. Drinks were flowing, music was in the air, beauty was all around, all the while friends and strangers alike trickled... no... FLOODED through the door! Artists, crafters, and vintage dealers stood by there wares to greet each and every one. A retro kitchen photobooth awaited visitors upstairs. So many smiling faces stayed past closing. Quite the time to be had by all. Thanks to every dear friend who came out! Erabellum's stock is updated every weekend, so please come by and shop, especially for holiday gifts. There's such a great variety, you may only have to make one stop!

EraBellum

I'm such a nerd that I had to post this immediately upon finding out! (because it's after midnight in New York so I can't call my mother) I'm going to be a part of a new artisan co-op called EraBellum in Nashville! It's a beautiful space near downtown which will be brimming with lovely jewelry, woodworking crafts, vintage clothing and housewares, art, and so much more.

I've got 8 days to bring life to my visions! I can't wait to invite everyone to the new space in September.

Paper Accordians

It's been awhile, crocodile! I take the blame. I'm pretty sure that last year I used the excuse, being happy and full of life and falling in love. So, this time I will use the excuse, continuing to fall in love with the same man, being happy and full of life and roadtrips! We have been visiting family lately and just enjoying beautiful summer sunshine. A little while ago, I had an art opening at The Building in East Nashville. Vinea provided some delectable wines, and a delightful time was had by all. Here is a new piece I made for it: Colorado Spring. When I was there in March, there was an odd but wonderful mix of flowers and snowflakes. Magically, at a thrift shop in an old Miner town in the mountains, we found this old lace... flowers and snowflakes! Oh to be back in the mountains. Over the holiday weekend, I loaned some new vintage floral hair accessories out to my sweet friends Feather and Belle. They had fun playing around in them and using Laura's engagement party decorations as props! See one of their videos below.

Fancy Girls & Turban Bands

I visited my sweet friend Carrie Ann at Local Honey to drop off another batch of tuban/ bow bands to keep those ears warm in the crisp winter weather. We had a few minutes of fun, frolicking around the shop for me to take some quick photos. Thanks Carrie Ann!
Recently, I gave my dear friend Crystal a blog-makeover. She has wonderful and creative suggestions to live a fancy life on a dime. Here's a quick before and after shot, but please visit her blog to see for yourself!
BEFORE:

AFTER:

The End, The Beginning...

Okay I have big news that I've been holding onto. BIG news. The cloud that has been hovering my head/ life for more than 2 years is being lifted. I have been caught in this awful lawsuit which has kindof put my future on hold. Well, it's finally OVER! I didn't "win" (I was not the sue-er so I couldn't) but my lawyer settled and I don't have to declare bankruptcy, which was my fear. It's been a long struggle, and it still is as I sort out finances and determine what to do with my life now. I'm trying to take it one day at a time so I don't get stressed out, but let me just say that God is providing, and I'm both scared and excited at possibilities for my future.

Anyhow, I never get that personal. But it's such a major part of my life that I had to share! I know I didn't put any details, but if you are a close friend you might know, and if not, well, I'll keep you up to date about whatever changes this means in my life and Say Ooh. Oh and unfortunately, due to recent events partially involved, I will not be making it to Buffalo next week. Aaaand my ticket was nonrefund so I'm not sure when I'll make it. Oops.

My friend Rachel recently sent me this video and said that this is how she pictures the inside of my head. It moved me because a. I love Müm and b. this is a pretty good representation of my mind (especially lately).

This weekend is the Feedback Fashion Show. I love doing it because Aubree and Kallie take care of eeeeverything. All I do is give them clothes and accessories and set up my little table. No drama, no setbacks, no.. wait.. Well... there WAS the flashflood last year but that was beyond their control! Anyhow, it's $5 at Belmont at 7pm on Friday. I'll have some GREAT deals on cute spring headbands.

Today I googled: "Qingdao" And today my mother gets here for a visit. Ecstatic.

and... Take One!

Today I had the honour and pleasure of working on a Say Ooh commercial with my friend Peter and my new friend Lance. We set up at Justin's downtown loft with minimal props (as Justin is amazing at creating environments and having interesting things all around. Sidenote, he creates and builds the look in Urban, as well as designer pop up shops around the world), and a ton of lighting and film equipment. It was a lot of excitement in a little bit of space, on a gloomy Nashville afternoon. Never you mind, the spirits of models Kris and Lauren were high, and they fit into the roles I threw at them quite effortlessly.

I can't wait to see everything edited together, and share with you. For now, here's a little collage from our day's work. Please click on it to see much better!


Oh, and Justin made us muffins before heading to work at 5am. ...what a guy.
Today I googled "vintage tap dance costumes".

Lesson

Strangers and my best friends always pronounce my name wrong. My birth name, and my company name. No matter how many times I correct. It's kindof silly. So, here is a lesson for you to refer to.

Colleen Wandel
rhymes with
"Y'all Seen Pond Ell"

Say Ooh
rhymes with
"Pay Boo"

End of class.
Today I googled "millinery techniques".

A Girl & A Little Boat

I love using treasures bestowed from my Grandma, or gems found at estate sales that once belonged to another's Grandma! A couple months ago I had the pleasure of an impromptu backyard photoshoot in the crisp early winter air with my dear friend, Chelsey. It was fun and everything looked so darling on her. I wish I could describe music, but if you know me you know I am poor at it. So, rather than trying (and embarrassing myself on the internet, where everything is public and permanent), I will just say that it is very pretty. Check it out for yourself.

Today I googled "moussaka"... which I cooked... and it was WONDERFUL!

Tellier Nights

Mainly, a few preferred photos from my shoot with Chels. These pieces are currently sprinkled about Mesh, Local Honey, and my etsy. Next goals are to stock up in my studio for an upcoming collaboration as well as the next runway show, and knock out some of these fun wedding projects I have going on for a few ravishing brides-to-be. Oh, please be on the lookout for more fun at LH.






Today I googled Conrad Roset. (again)
And tomorrow, I will be on the West Coast.

Googling

Custom projects: love/hate relationship, certainly thankful for them. A little bit of cash, and always a learning experience. My friend Brian asked me to sew a onesie for his daughter out of his fiance's favourite VS pajamas. Initially we wanted to just use the top as fabric so they could have a lil matching set, but that pattern demanded every inch of fabric. I found a vintage Simplicity onesie pattern on etsy. In my past experience (we're talking high school here, looong time ago), Simplicity patterns are quite... simple. As in, 1hr or less and no questions asked. Not the case. This one was a nightmare, to be honest. BUT! If I wanted to make another, I could certainly do it in less time. The directions were not very clear, I ran out of fabric, and I had a problem with fray. Nonetheless, I finished it in two days. Approximately 5 or 6 hours, start to finish, including pattern confusion and fabric cutting/ planning. I'm the girl who won't look at directions, I just want to figure it out myself. 90% of the time I revert to directions because I've really screwed up and possibly broken a brand new product (building something out of wood, coffee pot assembly, automobile problems, anything requiring directions really). That said, I detest and almost never use sewing patterns.

Enough rambling.




Also, I have a fun, new game. With every post, I will share something I googled that day. I'm not quite sure what my life would be without googling. I can imagine life without internet. I cannot imagine life without google search. This is definitely a window into my soul. So please never make fun of what I google. (okay, fine, just do it in good nature). Today I googled "tangled bobbin 1/4" elastic fix". (sidenote, if google doesn't help, call your mother) Whew. That was just to ease in. After learning what to do for that, I googled "olsen twin boyfriends".

Don't ask. Never ask.

Furry Vintage Friends

I claim no rights or talents to being a photographer in any manner, as the extent of my experience is film photog in highschool and 2 semesters in college (in conjunction with easy-to-learn Italian cds). But I do enjoy the physical act of composing and snapping easy shots. And it's always convenient to shoot your own work.

I'm really excited about the mini shoot today over breakfast at a friends. I took a quick 5 minutes to edit one photo and share with you! More to come...

Pointless

I'm beginning to realise that January 1st is a pointless date. I tend to place too much emphasis on it, and "fresh starts". I'm often tempted to write about my personal life here, but thank goodness I don't. A lot of you read this and then randomly tell me months later, when I'm surprised. Which isn't to say I won't share with you, but words are always better in person, and much is better left unsaid anyhow. All to say, 2009 was, as a whole, the most difficult year of my life. Which started 2010 off to be possibly the best, and most hopeful year. For a couple days. It's been a difficult two weeks, and I'm struggling to fight feelings of hopelessness. Sound depressing? Sorry.

That was just an introduction to my NEW resolution! To find, create, contribute to, and appreciate as much beauty as I can get my hands and eyes on. Truly. Typically this is a staple of my life, but I'm going to place even more emphasis on it.
This video is what inspired me. I relate to it on a lot of levels. Erika Janunger is pretty incredible.

Here are a few newer pieces I shot, as modeled by my friend Alanna. If you snoop her tumblr a bit, you'll catch a couple shots she took of me. & my home! We had a little playdate with her camera, but my d70 is back from Dr. Wolf; I am oh-so-excited! (Lingerie photoshoot tmrw.)

Beauty Sleep vs. Workaholic

I'm in Nashville for a while now. So I might as well get comfortable. Which, in winter, usually means snuggling in my four poster white bed, space heater on low, and some type of french film or my lala (ehhem, email me for an invite to connect) on the speakers. All the while working on something crafty, obviously. I admit tho, it's difficult to successfully sew via machine from under the covers. And Mom... you're probably reading this. My cross stitches are getting vulgar. I'm sorry. It's supposed to be funny, tongue in cheek, they're not hanging around my house I'm just selling them. I promise!




When I was in Buffalo, I restocked a shop where I sell, Urban. If you live there, you've probably been. I was addicted during my high school snowboarding phase, and they still carry great brands like FCUK, David Bitton, Penguin, etc. If you're bored with your hair, don't get a cut or dyejob, just go there and buy some Say Ooh accessories. I've gotten back in the game of updating my online shop too, so please check it out! If you're local I won't charge you shipping, and I'll probably give you a cupcake or apple or something too. In typical fashion.



Everyone knows I'm obsessed with deer. If you didn't, then we've never met and you've certainly never seen my bedroom. I've been looking for the perfect golden deer ring for awhile, but everything is $500 or really ugly. I finally found THE ring during my setup at The Market last month, right smack next to my table. His jewelry is fashionable, unisex, and absolutely gorgeous. Pleeeease, I beg you, do yourself a favour and checkout Digby And Iona. You will certainly have an urge to impulse buy at least 50% of the pictured product. Your credit card may hate you for it, but definitely worth it.



Ugh, deer, okay, bringing me back. I was going thru old files and found some art I had made three years ago, when I was concentrating more on curating as well as getting my own work into shows. Here's some old textile work I did. Stitching and screenprinting backed on a wooden frame. I think these were abt 4ft wide. Just for old times sake...





I've been frequenting my favourite Nashville spot, Patterson House, a little too much. I used to just go for special occasions, birthdays, celebrations. In the tiny handful of days I've been back in Nashy, I have found myself there "when I have a good day", or "when I need to help a bad day", um that covers it. Good day, bad day. It's probably the winter blues. But it somehow seems justifiable to my dreary bank account if I eat cottage cheese for dinner and follow it up with a yummy Juliet & Romeo.

Anyhow, it's much too late, and certainly impossible for me to get a proper amount of beauty rest necessary. Bon soir, mes amis.