La Cloche Clay Bakers

A clay baker received as a Christmas gift (Thanks, mom!) has revolutionized my baking. No more pans full of ice cubes, no more hurrying--in fact, this little loaf of bread makes me downright philosophical. From the Artisan  Bread in 5 Minutes a Day book, this was about as hard as making pancakes and then shoving the dough in the fridge for a week to develop some flavor. It takes time, but not active time.

This is one of those things where a good strategy, the right tools, and a languid pace make for better things than any amount of labor or fuss could. I wish I knew how to do everything in my life like this.

Waxed Denim, Here We Come

Available at http://www.otterwax.com/shop/fabric-care/otter-wax/

After a very brief period of aversion to waxed denim, I saw the light and realized it's completely amazing. I then proceeded to wear a single pair of waxed J Brands until there was nary a spot of wax left on them, and then my face behaved about like this slow loris in this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9f-6jygRJk

But now I've discovered otter wax. All you do is rub it on your jeans, hang 'em up, and revel in your sleekness. I will neither eat nor sleep until it arrives. Excited.

The Cutest Coat Ever?



Amazing '60s tapestry swing coat, shortly to be available via Artifact Etsy.

 Would you look at this? Would you just look at it? Look at it with the absurdly well-coordinated vintage Garolini heels (which I cannot bring myself to part with).

This coat is what I love about the best of vintage outerwear: full yet simple, practical yet whimsical, a little bit irreverant and brash--fearless yet feminine. I get the feeling that if this coat were a woman, it'd be the kind who laughs to itself and won't always let you in on the joke, but in whom such mystery is charming.

The 2012 Silhouette

Rules for 2012: At least one element must be huge. Possibly both, if you're into pajama dressing. But keep it classy and draped.

I'm totally ok with this, as it means that, if I'm not wearing vintage, the only thing I'll be wearing is Ulyana Surgeenko--a designer I can't help but feel I'd like as a person: classic/edgy, modest/fearless, so much of one thing it becomes the other. (Shown is the Fall 2011 line).

10 Travel Resolutions

I just booked a one-way flight to somewhere else--for an open-ended amount of traveling in someplace between Lisbon and Istanbul. I've been backpacking before, with mixed but satisfying results, and I have some resolutions for how to do it better this time:

1) More meals, less snacks (Why get fat on toast? Why be in Paris and not eat out?)

2) More wine (No explanation necessary)

3) More books (You should never be so busy or involved that you forget to take time to reflect, learn, and study)

4) Take advantage of what's near at hand (more sightseeing, more buying, more indulgence, more everything--just because it's close now doesn't mean it always will be. Do it now!)

5) More exercise (even if it's just a good, long walk or a lovely swim--or perhaps especially if it is)

6) More socializing, more revelry (You never know what you'll learn, or what you might miss)

7) Be more honest & frank (it's surprising how many problems go away if you're clear about what you want and don't want)

8) Go slower (most things are better done slowly and thoroughly--do it right when you're doing it, and you'll have no regrets later for a job hastily done or a place too quickly passed through)

9) Fewer things (They really do own and limit you, and it's harder to find what you're looking for if you have too much)

10) Better things (One good maxi skirt and a comfortable pair of shoes is worth a thousand slightly wrong or painful jeans and shoes. Futhermore, there's never a reason to be a slob, even if you're traveling--take things that are easy but look nice, as you never know what will come up.)

These all seem entirely applicable to my daily life, too--fewer, better things, more whimsy, less self-consciousness and timidity, more zeal, more wine, more friends.

Lost Arts: Spencerian & Ornamental Scripts

I've been thinking lately about penmanship (to tell you the truth, I've been watching the BBC's edition of Bleak House, which features quite a lot of salacious and beautifully penned missives).

Now that I'm sending thank-you notes (you know--trying to "Be a good person" and all that), I figure my penmanship could use a little dusting off. Or a lot. A lot of dusting off.

Inspiration:

With bird flourish -- this was fairly common, as were floral decorations and botanical motifs.



Signature Writing - from Lessons in Ornamental Penmanship
C.P. Zaner, 1920



From the inspirational scrapbooks of Francis B Courtney, http://www.iampeth.com/books/courtney_scrapbook/courtney_index.php



Spencerian style

Life Lessons from Drycleaning & Cooking

1) Slowly done is almost always better. Patience is more than a virtue; it should be a way of life.
2) There is almost always hope. Few things are ever really ruined.
3) But if they are, they are. Face it and move on.
4) Delicate things are unforgiving; treat them carefully and avoid them if you're in a reckless mood.