Yes, it's HER!!!!!

I talk about her all the time...I love her. I love how much she inspires woman. I love how much she enjoys being a woman. And I love how much of herself she puts into everything she does. I see nothing wrong is saying she's my role model and I wanna be just like her when I grow up. Although our meeting was in passing, I hope to have several more encounters with her. I'd love to sit down and pick her brain because I do believe in the transfer of fabulousity via osmosis!

Cindy and Diane Von Furstenberg

Guess who I am going to go see....

My Idol...My Muse....My Inspiration: Diane Von Furstenburg

You can join me for just $20-$25 if you are in town. I'm sharing this because I like you...otherwise I would have kept tight lipped about it so I can get good seats LOL.

Much has been going on in the Cindyville, but I have been slacking on the blog posts. Mainly because I get instant gratification from Twitter. No worries, updates my latest finished project and F.I.T. soon to come!!!

RESURRECTED

Resurrected....my blog has been resurrected and repurposed!!! So much has happened in the past couple of months. The obvious happening is the "Wall St by Day" part of my moniker. It's no big secret Wall St is in the pooper, and unlike my blog, it may never be resurrected into it's better known state. It's been really hard for alot of the people (the little people like me) on the Street and throw the damn near global recession in the mix and its been really hard for LOADS of people on many streets. My silver lining in this mess is that fact that humans are innately resilient and creative in difficult situations. Many major advances in civilization were incepted during times of scarce resources and hard times. Therefore, I'm happy to be young right now, because I expected the worlds collective resurrection to be massively impressive (and maybe I'll finally get that hover-car that should have come out in 2000!)

My blog format will change a bit and I will be focusing on developing my creativity. So except me to take some risks with my projects and draw inspiration from stuff that may or may not be directly related to current fashion. Also, I've become very interested with how people interpret art..namely fashion..so I'm looking forward to having more interactive dialogues with people out there in the blogosphere. Now don't think I've abandoned technique for the theory...very much the contrary...because this ole' girl is a officially an FIT student!!!! *doing my happy jig* I enrolled in the Haute Couture track to a certificate degree. I haven't received a syllabus yet, but best believe I will be sharing all the nitty gritty details!

RANDOM: Did you see my husband-in-a-different-time-and-dimension/President-Elect Obama's college years pictures in TIME. One word.....seeeexxxxxaaaayyyyy. Even then he had killer swag. Humina humina.

I'm gonna SET OFF in 5..4....3...

One thing you should know about me....nothing comes between me and pair of shoes I want. The good Lawd knows if a pair of shoes becomes the object of my affection its a WRAP! Done deal! They are mine, its just a matter of how much and when. Now, I am a reasonable women, and I do appreciate that shoe love affairs may be fleeting as the seasons and finances are limited. Therefore, if I can't have the real thing I stalk every internet site and local shoe store until I find a knock-off the satisfies my shoe hunger before it blows up and sends my next paycheck down the tubes (Thank you Honnie, Donna, and Kaiesha for preventing that from happening).

Past affections include these spring 2006 Country Pump from Dior. So yummy (enter Homer Simpson drool here). I never bucked the $700, but Auturo Chiang had an awesome renditions for $40 that made me happy. I have also fallen for many a pair of Christian Louboutin pumps (before the mainstream caught on...now red soles are so overdone).

You can only assume at the my latest obession comes from none other than the Sex and The City movie. Dior's Exterme Gladitor Platforms are TOO DIE FOR!!! I blushed everytime they came on screen (I damn near had a coronary when they opened the doors to her closet).

Dior $770

Baker Shoes $69.95

I ordered these puppies as soon as I saw them and had every intention to debut them with my freshly sewn FO's today however Fedex had VERY different intentions. Some BRANIAC delivery person sent my shoes to the WRONG HOUSE. Differenet building #, Different Street name and the only thing they got right is the damn Apt number!! I swear this person must be studing for the Bar because only a pure GENIUS can fumble a order that bad. PLUS my name is CINDY...very girly and I can almost be sure that the 70 something year old man who got my shoes doesn't quiet "look" like a Cindy. So I'm at my desk yesturday and I get a mid morning call from an unknown number on my cell phone. This being very odd, since everyone knowns not to call me during work hours, I picked up. The conversation I wish NO one ever has to experience went as follows:

Cindy: Hello?
James: Uh..Hi...
Cindy: Hi?...
James: What's in the box?
Cindy: What do you mean whats in the box? Who is this?
James: I have a box here, I wanted to know what it is.
Cindy: (Puts 2 & 2 together) Oh damn, they delivered my box to the wrong address. Please don't open the box I'll come by to pick it up. Where are you, what's your name?......

I couldn't go home because I had S-Factor right after work and its Pole Week (I take Pole week very seriously) so I called him back and ask him if it was OK if I came tomorrow and he said yes. Its "tomorrow"and its 4:30pm - I have been calling all day...I CAN'T find James! My day has gone to waste trying to get this man on the phone so I can get my shoes :-(

My takeways on from this experience: avoid using FedEx as your carrier. This is not my first bad experience with them and I NEVER have a problem with UPS. Always leave your phone number on the shipping information. Its usually optional but in the event this was to happen to you at least you can be located via phone.

Wish me luck ya'll. If you don't see a picture of my 6.5's in those pumps before sun down, just know I done went off on some customer service agent at FedEx :-(

Pretty Pleated and Out the Closet

BWOF 116-09-2007

So I really don't remember when I finished this skirt because I've worn it so many times. I finally made something work appropriate and my co-workers loved it and I absolutely adore it. I traced a size 38 and no pattern alterations were necessary - it fit just right.

I purchased this fabric with the gift card from Gorgeous Fabrics Mimi G sent me. It has some elastene in it so its perfect for long hours at a desk.

Over all I'm a SERIOUS BWOF convert. Their silhouettes are so refreshing and aside from the whole tracing ordeal haven't found my self requiring much fitting time....I'm in love....but not convinced enough to pay for the subscription, lol.

********

So I alluded to something earlier I just want get back to it. I CAME OUT THE CLOSET AT MY JOB ....the couture closet that is. I mentioned to a co-worker that I sew and she ran me down the following week to be featured in a "celebrating our own series" which celebrates the talent of our colleagues. I actually brought in my work and was interviewed Oprah style in front of a room of men and women employees. and to my surprise the organizer contacted my boss' boss to come in. He couldn't make it he so he sent some kinds word about me that was read out loud. Later on, in a mini town hall my boss' boss' boss mentioned my talent's recognitions in front of all the people in my division..... I was flattered and half way mortified.

Ok that was a mouthful but this was a huge day for me. I chose the title of by blog as statement and proclamation that you can have your cake and eat it too. We can pursue a fab career yet not suppresses our domestic desires..revel in them even. But before that day I only considered my audience ..you, the creative person...wherever you are who might be inspired to pick up a piece of something and make something after a long day with the kids...long day of lectures...or the crazy work day because you are worth your OWN time to explore You!

This is my philosophy, my mantra. however I forgot something. My audience is actually everyone I ever have the fortune to connect with, including my co-workers AND managers. Because I work at a large investment bank (stiff suits, old boys club, etc) I suppressed my girly side at work in fear that people would take me less seriously. So much so, that I wouldn't even share a drop of emotion when my Honnie called me. And I especially did not have ANY intention on sharing my after hour activities.

However, Cindy's expose did the very opposite of damage. People felt like that knew more about me and I had an entry point into conversation with so many people. Slowly but surely I dropped my barriers and embraced just being myself at work. Since I have convinced 2 people to explore their creative side in a new way and the kicker...I'm so much more confident and proud of my work (in and out of the office).

This happened the week of my B-Day but I wanted to share after the dust had settled. :-)

Next Project - AKA Commemorative Coat!!

"I think that I shall never know, another love that thrills me so...dwells in my heart by night by day - as does my love for A.K.A. I think that I shall never fear, where hearts are Loyal, True and Dear...."

On January 15, 2008 my beloved Sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated celebrates her 100th Anniversary. Founded by 20 phenomenal woman on the campus of Howard University, as the first Sorority for collegiate Black woman. 100 years later, thousands of phenomenal woman have taken the oath of sisterhood and supreme service to all mankind.

This year I also celebrate my 5th AKAversary with my 3 linesisters (I'm #3). This is a picture of us on campus the night after we crossed in the wee hours of the morning. Our big sisters had a surprise get together and invited local Greeks to hang with us.

4, 3, 2, 1

I was the crafter of the line. I made these padded photo albums with pink and green satin and sequins and calligraphed a poem inside. The front had an Ivy Leaf (our symbol) trimmed with 20 pearls. This was our line gift to our Dean and Assistant Dean and they loved it!

In commemoration of our 100th year and my line's 5th year I'm going to make this coat from the September BWOF - view 107. Although it is unseasonably warm in in NYC right now, I hope to get some good wears in before spring hits.
This fabric was purchased when I went shopping with Carolyn and I knew immediately it would be a coat one day. Salmon Pink and Apple Green are our colors, and the brown complements the two nicely. I haven't started yet. Mainly because this is my first BWOF and I'm terrified of tracing it all wrong. I'm also terrified of preshrinking this heavy wool. I don't know if I should steam it, soak then line dry, or just take it to the cleaners :-(
I better hurry up...I want to wear it now!