View from (almost) the top

Here is the view from the 30th floor window of our office. The sky was spectacular the evening I took this, however it's not acurately depicted here. I have tons of pictures from our trip home for Thanksgiving, so stay tuned!

Eco fashion

On Wednesday, I attended this panel at FIT for my textile class on the future of eco fashion. On the panel was the fashion director at Barney's, a designer from Sweden who only uses eco-friendly (organic) fabrics, a designer from the US that is involved with post-consumer waste and only uses recycled or organic fabrics, a professor from FIT, and a trend forcaster.

It was a pretty interesting presentation, very timely and informative. The more I am learning about what it costs the environment to make textiles and clothing, the more I am realizing that I have an obligation to do something. Right now the cost of producing and manufacturing organic fabric is very high because the demand is low. I think the more consumers demand it and the more designers that are involved, the cost will definitely go down.

Now we are seeing mass market chains such as H&M and Wal-Mart that are "going green" but people aren't buying it because the prices are higher. I am really feeling strongly that I need to do my part.

For example, to make one pair of jeans, fill a ziplock bag 1/3 of the way and that is how much pesticide is used. That has got to be unhealthy. In this time of fast fashion and throw away design, there has got to be a better solution! We all know the fashion calendar isn't slowing down anytime soon.

There are so many other options to create fabric - hemp, bamboo, corn, etc.

More to come as my research expands...

30 is the new 20...

I have entered a new realm in my existence.
I have been alive 30 years. Amazing.

I must say I have had ups and downs, but way more ups than downs. Although I haven't acquired a lot of "things" in my life, I do feel rich with my family, friendships and associations. My life has been pretty great so far and I am really looking forward to the next 30 to see what challenges life has in store for me.

On my actually birthday I received many calls and emails - thanks everyone! But, I also had my internship and I had to go to class. After class Dereck met me at a Mexican Restaurant in soho and I must say it was pretty yummy!
These were sent to my work. (Dereck forgot I would be at my internship) It was fun to get them the day after my birthday too!

The celebration continued into the weekend we had a small gathering of sorts at our house with some friends. We then went to see Loide perform at a Brooklyn lounge. She did an amazing job as usual and it was a great way to end the birthday festivities for this year.
The coolest thing about birthdays is that they come every year, so I have that to look forward to!

The husband

Just in case I forget to mention him on the blog - he's alive and kickin'. Still cute.

Primary Kids

As you may know, Dereck and I teach the Sunbeams at church. A few weeks ago, we had our Primary presentation in front of the whole congregation. They sing songs, give talks, and usually everyone ends up in tears.
(Our kids are four cuties on the front row!)

We teach Tate, who is the second from the left on the bottom row, and he not only sang a solo with his girlfriend (Hannah, first on left on bottom) but gave a talk as well. He "wrote" out his talk using his own drawings and just read from the pictures that he drew. So fascinating. Part of his talk was this.

"I love Primary. Brother and Sister Cole are my teachers and they are nice. They teach us how to care for shark pets..."

Um, what!...Way to make us look bad! hahah.

For the record we do teach the children about gospel stories not only about shark pets...right...

Who has a shark pet anyway? It was sooo funny!

Cool door

Visit to Boston

Last weekend Sara and I rented a car and drove to Boston for Amberli's baby shower. Or should I say we rented a car and I drove to Boston (and back).
The trip was filled with many a laugh and good eats all around. See here and here for more updates.
However, our miniest rental car got broken into. We had to go to the police station to file a police report and decided it would be a good idea to take some mug shots (you know in case you ever need the practice). I vote that Amberli's was the best, but Clark's was a close second.