Save the Jaguars!

This beautiful Jaguar was on the back of a truck meant to advertise a local circus. I however felt bad that the jaguar, who would have typically roamed in the mountains from the Southern United States down to Central America, is now caged up with little room to turn around. 

These Jaguars and their habitat are now almost extinct within North America due to increased hunting and other human activities. Let's hope that we can prevent this from happening!! And if you are into the whole leopard/jaguar print trend this season - for the faux fur!!! For further reading check out the Northern Jaguar Project.

Ciao,
Karen

Goddess Divine!

Ok, so I know that these long dresses are soooo last season, but I couldn't resist snapping this Grecian-like photo when we happened upon this amazing building in San Blas, Nayarit, Mexico!!! The photos however are taken in front of an  Colonial military shipping port, which is now a museum/art gallery and town office.

The grapes on this hand weaved basket match my dress to a tee. I bough the basket from a man selling a variety of weaved goods on the beach. Although it wasn't actually a diamond in the rough - it was however the nicest piece of hand woven art I have ever seen. I am sure I will be able to find a spot for it somewhere in my home!!

                                           

                                                        

Ciao,

Karen

Viva Las Vegas

 While the Vegas strip has long attracted gamblers from afar, it has now become one of the most renowned shopping centers in all of America. While one’s budget requires a lot more than I have to spend, it was great t o pere into the windows of Prada, Chanel, Dior, Fendi etc. Still one of the most prominent outfits on the Vegas strip is the Elvis onepiece jumper – always a classic!!

Check ya later,

Karen

Mexico Bound!!

So we have finally have embarked on our much anticipated road trip to MEXICO with two of our greatest friends!! I am sure our trip we will be full of adventure and fun and as such I promise to keep you posted on all of the most fun and fashionable people and events!!

Our first fashion stop on the tour was a Salvation Army store in Montana!! I thought that the building was so cute - almost like a ski lodge!!! While the store was pretty picked over we managed to hunt down a few great finds!! I found an amazing vintage dress pattern circa the 1960's. I can't wait to get home to make it!!

                                                

My friend Erica also managed to find a few beauties as well. This is a picture of her and her newly purchased poodle t-shirt!

   

                                                                          

Hasta Proxima!!

Karen

My 80's Inspired Headband

While it is obvious that there is a definite 80's inspiration in the fashion world right now, I have to admit that I am not all that keen on most of the 80's inspired trends. One trend I do love however, is the 80's inspired winter headband. Although I never liked to wear these in the 80's, I love this newer, more feminine, less floresent version.

The limited shopping options in Saskatchewan have left me desiring a winter headband. Alas, my amazing sister-in-law came to the rescue as she hand knit me one for Christmas. It was a lovely surpirse as the color and fit are perfect. I have worn it everyday since I got it.

Check out the blue moon in the background of these photos!!!

Adios,
Karen

The Never Ending Cross Stitch

I have finally finished this cross stich after starting it over 10 years ago. I actually started it while I was in high school and have worked on it on and off since then. I was finally inspired to finish it when I discovered this amazing frame at a second hand store. The frame is an antique wood frame which I purchased for a mere $1.00. What a great purchase!!!

I think the end result turned out amazing.The image reminds me of the amazing summers in Northern Saskatchewan. Although the summer is short, the pristine beauty of the north can be found no place else on earth. I think the endless hours of stitching have functioned to complete the vintage modern feel I was going for in my kitchen.

Ciao for now and Happy Stitching,
Karen

The Rainbow Rug

My mom got me this braided rug for Christmas. It is hand made by a lady in Naicam (which is a town near where I am from).

These kinds of rugs are a dying tradition and I that is why I was so excited when I saw this one. This praire tradition was initiated by women trying to keep the floors of their homes warm. While these women made their rugs in many different shapes and sizes, as to cover as much floor space as possible, they are now typically made into a circle or an oval.  In the days of the settlers, the rugs were made out of scrap peices of material, today however the use of new materials has allowed for new color combinations giving the rugs a modern edge.

I just love the way the colors transition from one to the next on my rug. It is so colorful that you can't help smile when you see it. If I ever find the time, I would love to learn how to make these beautfiul but useful peices of art.

Bye for now,
Karen

P.S - Those are my favorite pair of my ruby red Repettos (a shoe company from France that orginally began designing shoes for Danceing including jazz, tap and ballet).

A Toast to the New Year!!

Happy New Year to everyone!!! I hope that the new year brings wonderful and warm expereinces to everyone!!!

Thanks for the great evening Sonia and Trevor!!

Christmas Treats!!!

I had a wonderful Christmas holiday this year!! Not only did I have great company and delicious food, but I was showered with wonderous Christmas gifts.

My husband Dominic gave me a Pyrrha necklace which is a silver pendant cast from 19th century wax seals. It is a great idea which origninated out of a couples home in Vancouver, Canada. I received the bee which I love for two reasons. First it symbolizes Vita, meaning life and second because it is a bee and I am a bee keeper!! I only have one necklace but I think that wearing two at a time would be great!!
The second necklace from my Christmas collection is from my oh-so stylish sister in law. The necklace features a eggs on one side and birds on the other. It suits my personality to a tee- it seems to be whimisical and makes me feel like I am in a Jane Austen film.
And the bonus is that both of the necklaces look great when worn together or separate!! Thanks for the amazing gifts you two!!!
Cheers,
Karen

Corduroy Queen

It has finally warmed up enough to wear skirts again yay!!! I was starting to feel that my wardrobe was being so confined to pants and jeans!

Anyways, this is a skirt that I sewed this fall. I bought the material for $4.00 this summer and although I wasn't quite sure what I was going to make with it, I knew I had to have it. The material is corduroy, which I think is perfect for fall/winter. While the corduroy is ultra modern, the patterned dainty, little roses add that extra bit of antiquity which I love.

The design of the skirt was inspred by a skirt from Steven Alan's fall collection. While I couldn't find the pattern I wanted, I decided to design the skirt by combining two completley different patterns (Burda 7741 and Simplicity 2656) . I think it turned out quite nice and it fits perfectly!!!

I am sure that I will get many wears out of this great skirt!!

Ciao for now,

Karen

Christmas Tights!!

The fashion trend this Christmas has over-whelmingly been colored tights. Not only are they festive, they add that extra bit of holiday cheer. The tights at our Christmas dinner varied from a mulberry wine (Joe's Superstore) to a candy cane red (American Apparel)to a champagne punch (Joes's Superstore).

Although I am enjoying my Christmas holiday s at the family farm, I am sure there are some great sales happening in the city. Happy Boxing Day Shopping to all!!!

Merry Christmas,
Karen

Candle light!!

It is getting to be that time of year when the days are getting shorter and shorter and darker and darker!! While it may be a bit depressing, I like to think of it as an opportunity to light some candles and cozy up on the couch for a good read of your favorite book (Anna-Karinana- My all time favorite)!!

Here are some of my favorite candle holders. The glass ones are from a Finnish Design house called Iittala. They have an amazing collection of glass art work - make sure to check them out online!!! I think that a peice of their artwork would make a great Chritmas gift!!

The brass candle holders are actually new!!! I have been on a hunt for some nice dinner table candle holders for a long time. I finally found these ones a few weeks ago while antique shopping with my aunt. They were a great find and are perfect for a romantic dinner!!

So light some candles and stay warm!! And remember the days start to get longer again on December 21, which is just a few days away.

Moi Moi,
Karen

Celebration Dinner!!

Mu husband Dominic just completed his first degree in Toxicology. So, following his last exam EVER, we celebrated with our own personal champagne and cheese spread!!Doesn't it look great, it's hard to go wrong with great cheese and bread!

Cheers to Dominic,
Karen

P.S. Sparkling wine is my absolute favorite drink, especially this bottle of Prosecco (The Italian Equivalent of Champagne and often tastier) Villa di Maser which was amazing and given to us by Dominic's parents - Thanks!!!

Antiques and Treasures

This fall, my cousin moved into a new home which also came with this amazing barn. The barn was full of all sorts of wonderful finds, I felt like a pirate on a treasure hunt. I finally caught my eye on the cutest antique chair which my cousin so generouslly gave to me. How lovely!!

We had a wonderful day touring around her yard. Thanks Jessie.

When I got home and cleaned up the chair, I realized that it didn't even need to be painted. It had so much character the way it was. I found the perfect spot in my apartment for it!!!

Ciao for now,
Karen XOXOX

Vintage Earrings

I have recently really started to love vintage jewlery. I love day dreaming about the previous owners and their lives and knowing that the jewlery is totally unique, which is sometimes hard to find when you live in a small town.

Check out these vintage earrings that I picked up a few weeks ago. It was a totally unexpected find as I just happened upon an antique sale in the same building where I buy my sewing fabric from. I managed to find two great pairs of earrings, both for under $20.

The tea cups that the earrings are displayed on are the newest additions to my tea cup collection. They are both from a cute little antique store in Vancouver, B.C called Curios.

Cheers,
Karen

Leopards and Concrete

Leopard print has made a come back in a big way and I am in love. Leopard print was revived by Valentino who has been incorporating it into the collection since 2007. Finally, this year, it has made it onto the ready to wear scene, and big fashionistas like kate moss and Alexa Chung have been spotted wearing it. I don't usually like to play into trends that much, but I just can't seem to get enough of the leopard print. I bought these amazing tights at H&M and now I have my eye on a faux fur leopard print jacket. What do you think??? Is a Jacket to much???

Here are some links featuring leopard print at its finest!! Check them out!!!

Valentino Paris Fall 2007
Alexa Chung
Kate Moss

Ciao,
Karen

Welcome To My Blog!!!!

Welcome to Ruby Tuesday, a blog for fashion, design, sewing and travel (my four passions in life). I thought that this first post of my bike would be a great way to start out my blog. First of all, I love my bike and collecting old bikes, of which I have a great collection that will be revealed to you in time. I actually found this bike on the side of the road, in really rough shape. To most people, it may have looked like a big pile of metal, but to me it was inspiring. In no time at all, the bike doctor had it all fixed up and it was ready to go. The only problem was that the paint was a bit chipped. So, for the first time ever, I took the entire bike apart so that I could paint it. I chose a beautiful pastel yellow - the color of a lemon meringue pie. And Voila, this is the end result.

P.S. It was a perfect day to wear my new leather jacket from MANGO.

Until next time,

Karen