steamer-bag-05

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

Phew, I just turned in my final project for my Anatomy and Intro to Accessories Design class. It was a research paper and I chose to do it on the Louis Vuitton Steamer Bag from 1901, which is still being made today. Quite interesting, and it is said to be the precursor to the modern day backpack, whether that’s true or not, I’m not sure, but what I am sure of is that it is the anscestor of today’s popular soft luggage. It was created to hang in LV luggage trunks as well as on the back of cruiseship doors, to hold laundry. Wha??? A Louis Vuitton laundry basket… whoa, now that’s luxury. In addition to the paper, we had to sketch what we think it will look like in 2006, and I just turned my sketches in realizing I might not get them back, in order to scan and show ya’ll. I was pushing it to the minute to finish, so I raced up to class to turn them in. Basically, I think it would become french decadence and over-ornamentation, very art nouveau inspired, yet with modern day bling, featuring semi-precious stones, colorful embroidery in organic shapes (vines, flowers, etc) and a revamped Logo in scripty font across the front to take the place of the LV monogram. Who knows, maybe Marc Jacobs, Fashion Designer Extrordinaire and Creative Director for Louis Vuitton will read my blog and find inspiration from the sketch, and it will really happen! Hah! I do have a vivid imagination, good thing I’m doing something with it!

1901-steamer-bag

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

rickety fence

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

One class down, 2 more to go, another 4 weeks of classes! Photo taken in Williamsburg.

Birthday night

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

I had a great birthday night. I rather like that crazy flash above my head (reflection of the flash in the mirror)so I didn’t photoshop it out… it’s like some kind of halo or something! I feel smart with it there!!!

fish

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

cake from 1981

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

Happy Birthday to me! I’m 29 today! Although I was 5 when I colored this extra-special birthday cake for myself… Since it’s midnight (Eastern time), I can officially wish myself a happy birthday. After class tonight, a few friends and I will venture over to Sushi Hana on 82nd and Amsterdam in the upper west side to celebrate most appropriately! Happy 29th birthday to me, it will be a great year, I just know it… And a very special Happy Birthday to my best girl, Melissa! Love you girl, and we’ll celebrate for reals next month when you come for a visit!!!!

st helens cafe

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

Saturday my new friend Sakura and I ventured over to Williamsburg to go to the Renegade Craft Fair. This ain’t your granny’s craft fair! It was great, but so hot, I cannot even describe to you how hot it was, that we only lasted a little over an hour and we had to take refuge somewhere and find food and drink… So we ventured over to the St. Helen’s Cafe on 8th and Wythe, and had a lovely little meal. We sat in the garden in the back and enjoyed the little fountain, the deer statue, the little virgin mary statue, the koi fish and turtle in the pond. It was just lovely. Then inside, I watched a waitress catch a small baby bird that had flown in and lost it’s way… it felt like Alice in Wonderland for a moment, both with the heat numbing my senses and being in a place that was a break from the Manhattan sirens and insanity. For about 3 hours on Saturday, I forgot I was in New York. It felt a little more like Portland or San Francisco, with all the cool kids walking around, and the fact that it is pretty quiet over in Williamsburg, with little tree-lined streets and the cutest walk-ups, it was delightful. And a quick ride over from Manhattan.

Sunday Sakura and I and another new friend Chie went back over in an attempt to actually buy something at the craft fair, hoping it was a little less hot. It was still sweltering, but I found a few treasures, and this time we wandered around Williamsburg a little more and I snapped some photos. Eventually the breeze took over and it was very nice to wander around Bedford Avenue. It’s darling over there! We ate lunch at a Hawaiian restaurant that has sand on the floor. I have to admit I haven’t thought about surfing or sand in a while, but the surf board signage reminded me… I also got loads of sketching done (for my portfolio) and some handbag assembly completed. A productive and fun weekend!

midtown

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

Some days, it’s too much to take in all of the city’s life. I wish that my eyes were cameras, with the ability to record what I see, and that my ears could record the audio. Whether it’s the subway doors opening to reveal a xylophone player, or the things that people wear or say, or even better, just the basic yet distinct east coast flavor spilling into all forms. But alas, technology has not caught up and so us humans do not have such robotic features. I do try to write down at least one funny/freaky thing a day, but at the end of a long day, sometimes it’s too exhausting to relive it on the blog!

Tomorrow I’m heading out to Brooklyn to check out the Renegade Craft Fair, over 150 art and craft vendors, many I’ve admired from afar via the web, so I’m excited to see their stuff in person. A classmate is coming with. More on that later!

Graduating Girls

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

May I never be numb to life on the street here… rushing to class I happened upon this gang of four, walking down 7th Avenue, with prom gear on! I asked to take their photo, and asked what they were all dressed up for, they said they just left graduation. They looked darling amongst all the dog poop and litter and the honking rush-hour traffic. So cute! I’m telling you, it never ceases to amaze me what I will see on the street, the good and bad both.

water or wine

Originally uploaded by FunCupcake.

Well of course, Wine, and then some water. Rose and I took Maggie out her last night in NY on Monday. After cocktails at the view, on the 48th floor of the Marriot in Times Square, Maggie headed home and Rose and I went out for a late dinner at Schillers in the lower east side. Now that I’ve just finished my 2-hour midterm, I could use a glass of wine, but instead I’ll drink water and head to midtown to buy leather lacing and rivets, so i’ll be ready for tonights class! Tomorrow I get started on my 6-page term paper that’s due next week.