Heroine: Michelle Obama

My lefty views are no secret, but I can’t imagine how anyone could’ve watched first lady Michelle Obama’s speech at the Democratic National Convention and not been deeply moved.

“If farmers and blacksmiths could win independence from an empire, if immigrants could leave behind everything they knew for a better life on our shores, if women could be dragged to jail for seeking the vote, if a generation could defeat a depression and define greatness for all time, if a young preacher could lift us to the mountain top with his righteous dream, and if proud Americans can be who they are and boldly stand at the altar with who they love, then surely we can give everyone in this country a fair chance at that great American dream.”

In addition to being an eloquent speaker and champion of children’s fitness and veterans’ employment, Mrs. Obama, at 5’ 11”, is also tied with Eleanor Roosevelt for tallest first lady in U.S. history. (Barack is in a three-way tie for fifth tallest U.S. President at 6’1”.)

Though her approval rating is sky-high—66%, according to Gallup—the first lady is not immune to criticism, especially for her looks. HuffPo Style made slideshows about how Mrs. Obama and the French first lady—former model Carla Bruni-Sarkozy—often wear flats for public appearances. (Mrs. Bruni-Sarkozy is 4 inches taller than her husband, who’s a mere 5’5”.)

He’s trying so hard.

The women who commented on those pieces weighed in on the first-ladies-in-flats debate. Some said good on the first ladies for choosing comfortable footwear, while others said that heels, and only heels, are appropriate with that designer frock.

Some said that the first ladies should be able to wear heels if they damn well please, without worrying about dwarfing their husbands, while others said that the women should play down their heights to avoid making their husbands appear weak on the global stage.

Tall wives just can’t win.

But one thing Michelle Obama is consistently complemented on is her healthy, toned physique. Her biceps alone have inspired a legion of fitness videos and magazine covers. In addition to being a great progressive role-model, she’s helping inspire me to eat healthier and get fit. Another success for Obamacare?

DIY: To ∞ and Beyond!

At Unique SF back in July, Aimee of SwellMayde (one of the best DIY blogs out there) hosted a workshop in crafting wrap bracelets with cord and embroidery thread. I decided to try mayking them myself with leather and a few embellishments...

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A piece of leather cord long enough to go around your wrist twice
• Three jump rings
• A lobster-claw clasp
• Masking tape
• Embroidery thread
• (Optional) a bead or charm for decoration

First, thread all three jump rings onto the leather cord—the first one by itself, the second one with the lobster claw clasp attached, and the third (optional) one with your bead or charm attached. Tape the ends of the cord together with masking tape.

Then, pinch the middle of the bracelet together, with the ring by itself on one side, the ring with the clasp on the other side, and the ring with the bead in the center, like so:

Cut a long piece of embroidery thread and start wrapping it around both sides of the bracelet, covering the masking tape. Be sure to leave a 3-4 inch tail of thread when you start the wrap.

When you get to the center of the masking tape, where your bead is, just keep wrapping. Don’t worry, the tape won’t show underneath. Here’s a close-up of the wrap in progress:

Once you’ve covered all the masking tape with embroidery thread, knot the end of the thread together with the tail you left on the other side, and trim off the excess. I recommend putting a dab of craft glue on the knot to keep it from coming untied.

The final shape is a figure eight, like the symbol for infinity ∞. When you wrap the bracelet around your wrist and clasp it, it should look like this:

With one of my new rings…

Events: Unique SF, Renegade Craft Fair, & NightLife at the Academy

I’ve recently released my inner magpie at three showcases of local DIY and crafting talent. The first was the premier of Unique SF at the Concourse Exhibition Center on July 1. I was dazzled by more than 200 artisans specializing in natural stone, laser-cut pieces, animal bone jewelry, and screen printed tees.

Toyota, the event sponsor, had booths where you could get your hair braided, have a massage, and learn to fashion wrap bracelets from chord and embroidery thread. (Tune in next week for more on the swellmayde bracelets...)

ASTALI’s bullet charms, snake vertebrae bracelets, and subway token cuff links inspired me to start working more with coins and bullets (hint: check out my background shot). Corey Egan’s silverwork and Nous Savon’s shoulder chains were also highlights. What’s a shoulder chain, you ask?

Check out the last picture in the slideshow .

 

Psst: The Unique Made in America show will be expanding to NYC for the first time on November 17 & 18!

 

I hit my second wind on July 21 with the Renegade Craft Fair at Fort Mason Center. The level of creativity in the crafting community never ceases to amaze me: belts made from fire hoses, earrings from skateboard wood, and necklaces from pieces of actual starched lace.

 

My only complaint about Renegade was that most of the fine jewelry, pottery, and textiles at the exhibition were far out of my price range. I’m still dreaming about the silver brain rings, lung lockets, and tentacle pendants Peggy Skemp had on offer. Sigh…

 

 

I met the lovely Caitlin (5’10”) at Renegade, too. She and her tall, tall mom suggested I check out the Lizzie Bennet Diaries—a Youtube adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Somehow, my boyfriend’s now hooked on Jane Austin.

 

 

Last (but probably best) was crafter-themed NightLife at the California Academy of Sciences on August 16. Every Thursday night the museum has a 21+ cocktail event, and this week featured steampunk pieces from Scene, Not Herd, pressed insects on vintage maps from Bug Under Glass, and laser cut and 3-D printed accessories from Christina Westbrook.

 

After shopping my heart out, I wandered through the aquarium and rainforest dome, and past a one-man exhibit on animal penises (no joke). Unfortunately, the academy’s new Earthquake exhibit was underwhelming, except for the 51-day-old baby ostriches. Illustrating the evolutionary power of plate tectonics—with cuteness!

 

Street Style: Natasha, 5’7” and Victoria, 5’10” at the SF MOMA

And by the way, if you haven’t seen the incredible Cindy Sherman exhibit at the MOMA yet, do so.

Heroine: The Best of the Boys

There’s nothing I love more than a strong female character in a book, movie, or show—one who triumphs on her own merit and in spite of the odds. And there’s no better example than Brienne of Tarth from George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, the first book of which is A Game of Thrones. Brienne is a fierce warrior and expert swordswoman, living as a knight in armor at a time (modeled after the Middle Ages) when a high-born woman’s sole purpose was to have sons.

In the HBO series Game of Thrones she’s a new character; she was introduced in Season 2, Episode 3, played by the statuesque, 6’ 3” Gwendolyn Christie. But those of us who’ve read the books know her well and are looking forward to her continued adventures with the haughty hottie Jaime Lannister.

Though kick-ass in many respects, Brienne is also a tortured and insecure character. The first thing out of people’s mouths when they meet her is, “You can trick out a milk cow in [armor] and silk, but that doesn’t mean you can ride her into battle” and,  “Is there any creature on earth as unfortunate as an ugly woman?” That last was from Catelyn Stark!

Everyone she encounters mocks her for her height, male dress, and “beautiful” face. Other knights will never accept her as their fellow, though ironically, Brienne is always the better man. She slays misogynistic foes left and right, keeps Jaime in check, and takes her vows of honor to heart.

In an interview with Access Hollywood Christie said, “All of the bullying and insults that I have received, very painfully over the years — about being tall and about, you know, my androgyny — I was stepping into that. And I found it incredibly difficult, sometimes, to look at myself. But it was in service of something that was so much greater than that, that you’ve just got to make the best out of it, really. It’s my dream job.”

Brienne’s (and Gwendolyn’s) ability to take abuse and give hell—without loosing faith in humanity—is what makes her a heroine and role model.

Blogger LeAnne Rudy gets Brienne right: “She’s strong and ugly in a society that wants her to be weak, demurring, and, most importantly, beautiful. Just her quiet defiance is inspiring to me. She doesn’t go looking for trouble, but when it finds her, she doesn’t back down.”

Conversation {from Afar}: UK Blogger Georgia Lloyd

Just in time for the London Olympics, I had a chat with Georgia—a 19-year-old blogger, Etsy seller, and vintage enthusiast from Liverpool, UK—about the games and her up-and-coming style site Satiable Fashion.

All photos courtesy of Satiable Fashion.

Why did you decide to start collecting and selling vintage clothes?

I really started to notice vintage fashion about a year ago, and I just fell in love with it. Ever since, I’ve been getting up that hour earlier on a Saturday morning to visit my local vintage market. When I’m shopping on the high street, I don’t just walk past the charity shops anymore; I find some amazing treasures—things I just wouldn’t be able to find in high street stores.

I decided I had to share what I found with other people; I couldn’t just keep it all to myself because that would be selfish (and I’d get a very full wardrobe)! My hope is that I can introduce fellow fashionistas to the world of vintage and supply some amazing products to amazing people!

Was your fashion blog an extension of your store, or have you always enjoyed writing about fashion?

It was about the same time I decided to start an online vintage store that I decided to write my fashion blog. I’ve always enjoyed writing and I’ve always loved fashion, so it made sense that I put the two together! I then used my fashion blog as a springboard to launch my vintage store.

Georgia on a recent trip to San Diego, CA

Which styles are you most excited to try this summer and fall?

I think (when worn well) galaxy print looks really fabulous! I have to say, I’m still working up to braving this style myself, but some girls wear it really well. I love anything with studs on it too; I just got a gorgeous studded dress for my fiancée's birthday party that I can’t wait to wear.

Of course, I have a whole list of styles that I’m loving…lace, asymmetric hems, anything dip-dyed, and in the autumn my big thing will definitely be big, woolly, retro sweaters!

You mention in your blog that your family’s very patriotic; how does it feel to be the host nation at this year’s Olympics?

I think it’s amazing (as does my family)! The country has really got together to support our athletes, which I think has brought a really nice atmosphere amongst people. It’s had an effect on fashion too—there are Union Jacks everywhere! I really like our flag and I think it can look so fabulous when it’s worn! I own a pair of Union Jack tights from Selfridges, which I’ll be wearing sometime this week to celebrate the end of the Olympics.

Of course I have to ask: how tall are you?

I’m not actually that tall, I’m just fortunate to have long legs. (Thank you mum for passing them to me!) I’m about 5’7” (1.7m).

What styles of clothing (or vintage clothing eras) do you think work well for tall women?

I think maxi skirts work really well for tall women. They flatter long legs and can really accentuate your figure. If you’re going to a party, it’s great because you can get away with just wearing flats.

If you’re not like me, and don’t want to accentuate the fact that you’re tall, then 1920’s ‘flapper’ dresses are perfect. They have a dropped hemline, which gives the effect that your torso is longer than your legs; it will look like you’ve dropped a few inches in seconds! They’re so glamorous and sparkly. They had fabulous accessories back then too, so your whole outfit will be sorted!

Event: Proud to Be, You & Me

I love my city, and I love the non-judgmental openness San Franciscans take pride in. Pun! Before I lived here, I’d drive in from the Central Valley to see the PRIDE parade every year I could. As a newly-minted resident of the Castro, I couldn’t miss PRIDE 2012, could I?

Megan and I interned at VIA, the AAA company’s travel magazine for the Northwest. She and I were invited to march with AAA’s float (read: tow truck), dance, hand out bracelets, and be merry. In the dark days of Chic-Fil-A Appreciation, it’s nice to see some big-name companies publicly supporting the LGBT movement.

We and Madi arrived at the staging area at 11:00, but didn’t march for almost three hours—at least there were 1,000 things to see and photograph! We were lined up near the Leather Pride Contingent, the cast of my favorite Rocky Horror live show Barely Legal, 200 Facebook employees, and a cadre of “Southern belles.”

We shook our asses, smiled, and gave out tchotchkes for 12 blocks—I think we deserved the cookies & cream milkshakes we got at Super Duper after.