Double Lives

We all experience change in our lives, all in varying degrees and at different times, things are always going and continuously evolving.  In my opinion, its the best thing.. and the worst.  The most reliable variable about change is that you can always expect it to throw you for a loop if you're not ready for it.

For any of you who may not already know, aside from making jewelry, I am also a stylist and costume designer / costumer. The latter is my bread and butter, my first love, and second passion.  Okay, I may have a few first loves..but it's definitely up there at the top.  Of course, I would love it if Garage Gypsy could be my bread and butter, too, but that's what I'm here working on :).  Due to the nature of the film industry, having spent 4 years building relationships in LA, and having been in NY for less then a year working mostly on jewelry and a few editorial shoots..I end up back in in LA quite a bit for work.  Since being gone, I can't quite say I love LA more than ever, but it's a bloody close call!  I spent the entire month of May working on the west coast, and officially feel like I live a double life.  It's weird.  Super weird.  Mostly because my life and lifestyle does a 180 degree flip when I go from the east coast to the west and vice versa.  

In NYC, I usually start my mornings by walking around the corner to AP cafe in Bushwick for my morning flat white and croissant or lemon poppyseed scone, where I work on my computer until about noon or 1pm.  Then I either head to my studio to work on some jewelry or I'm running errands/picking up or dropping off in mid-town's jewelry district.  Before having dinner I muster the courage to hit the gym finalllly (after swearing to myself the night before that I would go first thing in the morning).  That's basically the routine, if I ever have one.  NYC also consists of yoga and brunch on Saturdays with my friend, Otmane from London (via Paris and Morocco), lots of Aussie style coffee, walking, reading, and street art admiration.  Oh, and freezing my bootie off..!

Now take me to LA and all of a sudden my life becomes a book of multitasking, driving, and rays of sunshine.  The day usually starts with either a juice from Lassan's or a coconut cardamom smoothie from Nature Well (because I'm obsessed) - if it's the weekend I'm probably eating pear pancakes at The Kitchen.  Then I'm off to work, either pulling at Universal or Warner Brothers, headhunting for clothing at the Americana/Galleria or something of the like, or all of the above.  If I have time to breath, I get lunch, otherwise I go until the day's to-dos are crossed of the list.  Sometimes, I'm painting creepy faces onto masks or sewing things.  And, if it's not a prep day, then I'm either on set for 12 hours or finishing a job with a day of wrapping and returns.  All the moments in between are usually spent squeezing in dates with friends - my super favourite part to being back in LA.  Luckily being on set also aids in seeing/hanging with my favourite people, as there just never is enough time.   This last month was a little extra crazy, as at one point I worked 36 hours straight without sleeping (due to some work hiccups).  The next night I had the chills, was nauseous and shaking so badly that I went to the ER.  After finding out I had an infection, some muscles relaxers, antibiotics and a couple hours sleep later I was back on set working with my body feeling like it had been run over by a semi.  It kind of sucked (especially at the time) but I get such a rush of adrenaline with my job that I kind of feel like I can do anything, and I can't help but to admit liking that.  All in all it was a bit of an exhausting month, but I'm quite a bit sad it's over.   

Now I'm back in NYC, trying to adapt back to life here.  It's weird.  It's also my last month in New York, pretty soon I'll be starting my little adventure in London.  So while I'm missing on LA, I'm massively distracted by the fact that I have only 25 days to live up the rest of NYC.  Yikes!

On that note; I'll head to the photo diary of last month in LA.. bc why not..  :)

 

another kind of gypsy.

This is going up a little late.. but better late than never right?  Right.  Okay, LA fashion week had it's ups and downs, hits and misses.  Gypsy 05's Spring '12 runway collection and presentation were pretty much a hit in my book for the night.  The rest..well, let's just say me and my partner in fashion crime, Vanessa, quickly skedaddled as soon as the pretentious LA scene made its presence.  As far as Gypsy 05's collection goes, it didn't earn its gold star from originality, but rather from cohesiveness and ability to feed into my current desires.  That being my undeniable obsession for sheer, drapy fabrics that hang loose and free from the body allowing the body's silhouette to contrast from within.

My outfit...up close and personal.

 Here we go..

&my favorite piece from Gypsy05 S/S Collection.

the photobooth.

Okayyy, I just wanted to share a few more photos from the Dripped Event that were sent my way. To view the rest of the gallery, visit Rony's Photobooth !! & If you ever need a photographer for your event, hit up Rony, he ROCKS!! You can check out all his previous event work at http://ronysphotobooth.com/

Myself, the garage gypsy, on the right with writer/blogger, Olive, V is for Olive.

 

YEAH YAAAA!!!

[xo] the garage gypsy

Coffee Break

In between work and afternoon errands including a trip to the DMV (again!), I decided to spend my mid-afternoon on Abbot Kinney,  grabbing coffee at Intelligentsia.  Its a great spot for great cup of joe and hopping on the computer.  Unfortunately, my throat is being a tad funny so I opted for their organic 333 tea (which is peppermint, rose and green tea) which really is quite amazing.  I just wanted to share my pictures and drop a line.  I hope you're making it a great day!  I'd love to write more, but I gotsta scram.  I wanna breeze by all the wonderful shops for some inspiration before I return to work!  Fortunately for my wallet, I won't have time to shop, but that only means I'll have to make another trip very soon..

‎"The most important thing in life is to stop saying 'I wish' and start saying 'I will.' Consider nothing impossible, then treat the possibilities as probabilities."
— David Copperfield

[xo] the garage gypsy

Eccentric City

Okay, its no New York or even San Francisco for that matter.  But, none the less Los Angeles is a very happening city and a great venue of inspiration.  I've had a creative couple of weeks, aside from new jewelry designs, I finally finished my ink drawing and pulled out the watercolors for few simple paintings. I have to admit I feel like I've accomplished something good when I finish a drawing or painting because those projects so often get left on the back burner.

No, I didn't paint that :)  I can only take credit for the picture.

New necklace display.  What do you think?

I'm English, and clearly I think about going to London.

Bamm!

Modern Cocktail Rings in watercolor

Sometimes I'll be folding clothes and I'll lay two things together that will spark an idea for an outfit.  I never wear the same outfit combination twice.  My brain just doesn't work that way, I'm only satisfied if I'm being inventive.  I came up with this basic, but cute combo the other night and decided to photograph it so I'd remember to wear it.

Work and creativity are always on my mind.  I wish I had a penny for every idea that popped in my head when I lay in bed at night before falling asleep.  If the idea is worthy enough I just have to force myself out of bed and put pen to paper before it escapes my mind, like so many often do.  Last week I had an idea for a promo video for my fall collection, and well thats I crawled out of bed to draw up.

[xo] the garage gypsy

Hot Funk, Cool Punk.

With California sunshine, summer feels like its in full force!  This gorgeous weather just fills me up with inspiration, I love so!  Turquoise, hot pink, orange coral, sea shells, pyrite, black onyx, and gleaming sterling silver!  It was a busy day in the workshop!  Here's a few photos I managed to snap..

[xo] the garage gypsy

Omelets, Shopping & Cupcakes

Happy Monday Lovelies!  Did you have a nice Easter Weekend?  Of course it's always nice if you can spend it with your family.  Mine always gathers at my aunt's house and everyone brings a delicious homemade dish, but since I'm thousands of miles from there I decided to make it a "me" day and spend it doing things I haven't done much of in a while.  It was especially nice to just take it easy, since I spent last Saturday road tripping to Coachella & Sunday recouping. Click Here to see a few photos and read what one of my partners in crime wrote about our weekend away.

I thought I'd share with you the highlights of my day along with the new additions to my wardrobe.  I was in dire need of some bold stripes and fresh colored basics. Now I can play up that beloved 1968 vibe that's happening.

I got an early start on the day, and then wandered over to one of my favorite cafes, Solar De Cahuenga for a cup of rich coffee and a delicious omelet.

Omelet with sautéed spinach, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, pesto, mozzarella, and avocado.  I even went the extra mile and got the sweet potato fries. YUM!

Here's what I got into at Zara..

I love jumpers, they're easy and comfortable - it just sucks when you have to go to the bathroom.  Typically I wouldn't wear it with the leggings, I was just being lazy.

Sleeveless top with green stripes, need it!

I loved the lace, but wasn't a fan of the neckline and the color was a little off.

STRIPES! Gimmee more stripes! I felt like Twiggy. 

I couldn’t resist what Zara had to offer after seeing their lookbook.  I’d prefer not to shop pieces that are one of thousands manufactured, but I just can’t help myself at Zara. 

I’m always amazed at how quickly Forever 21 rips off designers.  They are a copy cat manufacturer that produces bad quality clothing for cheap.  I don’t mean to be rude, but I can’t help but want to throw up when I walk into Forever 21.  I decided to boycott it at the end of last year because the quality is really horrible, and I don’t like junk invading in on my life, not to mention Forever 21 conveys the wrong message to consumers.  It says, “buy more because it’s cheap, and who cares if it is destroyed after three go throughs in the wash, just buy another.” I say, “NOO, that is demeaning to art and fashion, not to mention incredibly wasteful.  I think we should have less things in quantity, and more pieces of quality. You should truly treasure and love what is yours, meaning every garment should be that of quality and beauty.  What you wear, and how you wear it says a lot about who you are.  So I say, let’s not wear cheap, mass produced pieces that are merely stolen designs.”  Okay, I feel strongly about that, as a designer, but I will digress.  After all I just stepped on my own toes by walking out of Forever 21, bag in hand.  But I promise you, I will go another 6 months before I step foot inside :)

Now for the dessert of the day.  Every Easter my grandma makes these delicious "Lamb Cakes" as we call them. Which basically is homemade pound cake baked in the shape of a lamb and covered in the best homemade frosting.  To bring them to life she adds jelly beans for eyes and nose, and then ties a ribbon around it's neck.  They are adorable, and probably my favorite thing about Easter.  Okay, so it ties with a good Easter egg hunt!  I was a little jealous, so I got myself a pistachio cupcake from Crumbs Bakery.  Not as good as the lamb cake, but it sure did satisfy my sweet tooth!

And here's what made the cut..

[xo] the garage gypsy