There’s no way around it, I simply love buttons. From vintage to modern, outrageous to simple, button collecting is one of my favorite creative pastimes (addictions). Sorting through bins of buttons at a flea market, and discovering the ones that I cannot live...
Saturday night I saw Janelle Monae in concert..an amazing experience! She did an incredible performance of “Smile” (wish I would have taped it with my iphone but I was entranced), a song that originally appeared in the 1936 movie Modern Times, music by...
In the early 1800s, staples such as grain, flour, sugar and animal feed began to be shipped in canvas bags instead of in the boxes that were used previously. To the pioneer woman whose life was a daily challenge, this introduction of a new cloth into the home spurred...
For the past six months, since my book, Vintage Notions, was released, I have been on the road, on the blogs and on the pages of anyone who’ll listen telling everyone how much Mary Brooks Picken means to me…and why I think she should mean more to everyone....
• Just the other day, Amazon announced that ebooks are now outselling traditional, bound books. Now, those of you that know me know that I am not a luddite by any stretch of the imagination. It’s rare that I am without my cellphone, laptop or iPad throughout...
I have recently been writing guest blogger posts over at BurdaStyle.com. Recently, I wrote an article called Mother of Pearl Buttons: A Uniquely American Triumph. Since I wrote that article, a couple of thoughts have come to me that I wanted to share with you. Lindsey...
New York is a city with surprises and history around every corner. On a recent trip, my husband booked us into the Marriott at 49th and Lexington. Upon arrival, I was excited to find out the building had once been the home of Georgia O’Keefe and her husband, the...
On my recent trip to New York City, my family joined me, making the trip ever so special. NYC is just one of those places like no other that you have to share with someone. It’s especially an experience you want to share with your children. The highlight of the...
As I collected material for Vintage Notions my favorite “department” to concept each month was” Amy B.’s Vintage Advice, from the quirky to the conventional.” The March chapter featured the article “Disguising Generous...
I just got back from a trip to New York, during which I managed some research time at The Fashion Group International offices. Why the Fashion Group? My very own Mary Brooks Picken was a founding member (along with Eleanor Roosevelt!), president for several years in...
Since it’s Valentine’s Day, I thought I would share a few of my favorite items, Valentine-themed, of course. I love this tattered and torn, embroidered Valentine that I found at the Mission Antique Mall last season. It’s so simple and beautiful. I...
