Designer

…………………Color blocking can be utilized in many forms, and striping fabric whether printed or cut and sewn together, as these were planned to be, added another aspect to “color blocking”…..All of the styles sketched were to also be in a Ponte Knit…except the little sketch of the dress with the contrast blue and red skirt, and the color stripes down the side. That was to be made in a sweater knit…..These were all about the youth quake of the 70s!

…………………..On every trip I took to Saint Tropez it was an overload of inspiration. There was so much to see, and everyone was showing off their best!…..Here are some very quick croquis I did on one of those trips…….From left to right…..The bare midriff bold stripe off the shoulder knit, short sleeve top with pleated linen “dance” side buttoned shorts. The shorts had a flare that almost made them look like a mini skirt. The pleats helped to give the leg width……In the center is an off the shoulder long knit bold stripe dress with 3/4 sleeves and a high slit. The princess seam on one side was banded in black all the way down on both sides of the slit…….The strapless bold stripe knit top had an attached button front placket, and shirt collar….but it only had real button holes on the collar stand and down the placket to the start of the sweet heart neckline….The rest was faux and didn’t unbutton…….The shoe sketches were also inspired by my trip to St. Tropez….The ESPARDRILLE PLATFORM HIGH HEEL had a classic crocheted toe cap on the linen upper. It had ties that went up the leg….The 1 1/2″ platform was covered in woven jute, and the heel was a bleached stacked wood…..The SLIDE was in the bold stripe, and had a “teacup” heel covered in black and white stones…..The toe character was to be a squared off point………Good times!

………………..Have you seen the social media about this SEVEN YEAR OLD fashion designer named Max Alexander? He is all over the social media, and has already been on many talk shows. He is a child prodigy, and has been designing clothes since he was FOUR!……He drapes, cuts and sews his clothes, and has had runway shows!….He has even dressed celebrities such as Sharon Stone…..He has a GIGANTIC PERSONALITY!……..I can’t imagine what he will be like when he is in his twenties….He is a media sensation…..I have to say I am a little concerned that all of this early attention and notoriety could burn him out, and with the very fickle press, become yesterdays news…..During my 50 plus years in the fashion business I have seen it over and over again where the fashion press builds a new young designer up, and makes them a SUPER STAR overnight…..only to ignore them the moment the next new young SUPER STAR shows up…… It can destroy someone who isn’t well equipped to handle these super highs and inevitable lows….I hope he can handle all of it…..and Max is so young! I hope he is well protected, and his mother doesn’t let all of the incredible attention swell his head, and damage him, which can only lead to disappointment in the future…….He is TOO GOOD, and TOO TALLENTED to let this happen to him…..I will definitely be watching, and I pray everything he wants in his life comes to him……..He is off to an incredibly unbelievable start!………….Best of everything Max!

………………I made MY FIRST CHOCOLATE CHEESE CAKE!!!!!! and OMG!!!! it was FANTASTIC!……Now, I have made many many cheese cakes, but they have been either the traditional Graham Cracker crust cheesecake or the OREO Double Dark Chocolate Cookie Crumb crust with my basic batter with mini dark chocolate chips added……….but with this version I melted the chocolate chips with some whole milk in a sauce pan….let it cool and then added it into the batter, and whipped it all up. Then I poured the batter into the spring pan prepared with the Oreo crust, and baked it for one hour. I then left it in the oven for one hour with the door ajar to prevent cracking, but it cracked anyway….not badly but it did crack. Next time I will do the bath and see what happens…..When I was ready to serve it after being in the refrigerator overnight…..I put plain chocolate cookies in my food processor and pulverized them making a fine powder which I dusted the individual servings with…….but I wasn’t done there! Then I put more of the same chocolate cookies in the food processor and made cookie crumbs, and sprinkled them over the powdered surface of the cheese cake….I stored the powdered chocolate, and the chocolate crumbs in two separate containers for future use……Again…………OMG……….it was a huge hit!…..The picture is of the very last piece……..Next I’m going to make a LEMON CHEESE CAKE!

…………………..The brick patio has been POWER WASHED, and it looks great!……The entire garden is flourishing and certain plants, like peonies, are almost ready to pop……I know when i see the ants crawling on them they will open soon……In early June, which is almost here!!! unfortunately the pansies will go and the posts will be replanted with the summer flowers………….and it will be done!