“Leap Day comes around every four years, but a girl like you only once in a life time.”

This is real life! Actor Dan Hodge kissing his new fiance, Krista, at the end of Wednesday's "The Mousetrap."

 I am a huuuuge Agatha Christie fan, and for those of you who happen to be under ninety who probably aren’t familiar with the delightful Dame Aggie, she happens to be the most published author of all time!{check out her books here!} Quintessentially British, she wrote in the post WWI era, and penned delightfully wry and astute observations of human nature throughout her works. 

       Philly’s Walnut Street Theater is rapping up their rendition of her murder mystery The Mouse Trap, with their last show being March 4^th. This play just  happens to be, “the longest running show of any kind, in the world,” and Wednesday, the elusive February 29th, Melissa, my sister Tegan, and I sat in the cheap seats (ten bucks!) for this delightful “who dun it.”    Walnut St’s rendition was solid. And, I must say it was a joy and a delight to spend time with two of my favorite gals and be pulled into quaint 1950’s England- it’s looks,  humor, words, mannerisms, and murders (their murders of course being allot more civilized than ours…)

        At the curtain call the actors of course requested we keep the secret of the identity of our diabolical murderer, and of course I will. But one surprise I must share! Wednesday night’s audience was treated to an event I suppose those who go for the remaining performances shall not get to see- the proposal of Dan Hodge (who played Giles Ralston) to his totally shocked and thrilled girlfriend, Krista! The crowd was equally wooed as Mr. Hodge got on one knee and declared, “Leap Day comes around every four years, but a girl like you only once in a life time.” As if the crowd could have loved the couple more, they promptly dropped the ring and upon recovering it, both remained on one knee. Love, delightful love, and an ending Aggie would have been proud of! Go check it out while there’s still time! 

                             *Marcie

Can we take a moment… and welcome my new CareWearShare partner, Melissa?

Melissa and Marcie in Fay's car, c. 2001

   Picture it… Perkasie… 2000. Two young ladies, who had been in classes together for years, finally saw one another- finally recognized the insane amount of latent friendship potential within. Melissa and I began our acquaintance in Junior High, at the famed Pennridge Central Middle School. Sitting in the lovely Mrs. Kosa’s English class I remember thinking, “aw, this bobbed hair smiley girl is so cool…” Me?  Not so much. Or rather, I was “o cool” inwardly, but was fighting a formidable shyness and lack of a centered self back in those days. But, I digress…

    Aside from a few interactions in Mr. Daniels’ Barbershop select Chorus and the time on a field trip to six flags when riding a roller coaster (which I hate doing by the way) I happened to look over and see her holding the hand of the boy I liked * insert heinous pop song depicting woeful teen heartache* we didn’t have much contact. We moved in our own little spheres until in twelfth grade, life and Mr. Denton Ponzle’s AP Euro History flung us together. With our friend Fay we created a little triad of fun and mayhem.

     Together, we may have shed the shackles of our upright rural exultance; we may have run just a wee bit amuck. We may have left school to go swimming in-between classes, or called out sick and gone to Philly. We may have seized the day and engaged in little glorious acts of rebellion that can only be savored by those whose lives were as Green Gables-sque as you’re likely to find this day and age. Way may have been just about as bad ass as one can be and still make the honor roll ;) And if we were, I have to say it was good for me.  My relationship with these gals and my other high school friends helped me to open up, be freer, and be more me.

     Fast forward ten years and you’d get to the point in the story where our once joy-filled friendship had dwindled to nothing. With the college and subsequent life we had lost contact, until out of the blue I happen to see a message from my Mel-iller saying she was moving to Philly and asking to get together. I made my reply in the affirmative, but it was not without a little trepidation, “What if things were awkward. I mean it had been like ten years….” I had my fears, but on that fateful spring day in 2011 when I opened my door and saw that same bobbed hair and smiley face, I knew it was the same! In these many months since our reunion I've come to see Melissa being back in my life is such a huge blessing! I’ve gone through my share of rough times, and the rekindling of my friendship with Melissa has been an incredible reminder to be open to the unexpected blessings the good Lord may send my way, even in the midst of chaos. Thank you Melissa! And thank you to all of my friends who bring me so much joy!

               *Marcie

A Toast, To Getting Older

On a muddy riverbank south of the Thames there is a pub called The Ship. I am thinking about this pub today because it is my birthday, and because last year this time I was living in London, toasting white wine and sharing a plate of chips with good friends there. My 7th grade crush, now a US air force pilot, came to celebrate with two of his buddies from the force. They were stationed in Germany and up for an adventure to London. Then there were my Aussie friends, who always represent on a night out. Friends who I've worked with, studied with, danced with were there. My friends whose shoulders I cried on re: relationships that weren't working out, they were there too. When I think of all the friends I've had over the years I am overwhelmed. The more I move around, the more my friends begin to represent all that I've done in my life.   


So a year on, my life looks completely different. The setting, my hairstyle (long hair, bangs), not to mention the age (29 gasp!) have all changed. In the past year I have 1) resigned from a career, 2) moved from Europe back to the U.S., 3) become a full-time student, 4)gone from being single to being in a relationship, and 5) felt serene about all of these changes.  Like a river rock, never surrounded by the same water but still a rock (with bangs) - that is how I feel right now. It's as if I have reached a new plane of emotional wholeness I didn't know I was capable of reaching. Getting. Older. Is. Awesome.


Marcie and I often find ourselves taking moments to appreciate what is going on in our lives. When one of us begins to say, "can I just take a moment..." our partners inevitably roll their eyes at our sentimentality. But talking about stuff we appreciate is a way of life for us, and no degree of mocking will stop us. So now I'd just like to take a moment... to appreciate all of my friends old and new, and wherever you are in the world. May you drink deeply from the Starbucks cup of life and never want for adventure. 
                             
                                  Love,
                                  Melissa
       

Thank You and Best Wishes to Kia!

Nine months ago my friend Kia and I decided to create a blog about our friendship and mutual love of Philly and fashion, and it's been fun! Making plans and going on “Fashion Fieldtrips” around town we had allot of good times and laughs. Kia’s toddler Maya added to the fun with her smiles and giggles. A few weeks ago Kia let me know she has decided to move on to other projects in her life, and I want to wish Kia and her family the best! I suspect Kia and Maya will still show up in some posts (actually, as I have yet to published all of our “Fashion Fieldtrips” I know for a fact these gals will appear again ;) So thank you again to my friend and former partner for your ideas and your work! I look forward to having coffee with you soon!

     With Kia’s retirement I will be taking on a new partner, my long-time friend, Melissa! We look forward to expanding the mission of CareWearShare so you can plan on reading more ever so witty posts meant to promote a sound, stylish, and sustainable life! Thank you!


                  *Marcie

           

Christmas Gift Ideas: Picture this, Sari Scarves, and Wraps that Rock!

The Gifts:

For friends and family: Framed Photos
For someone with a baby: The Sleepy Wrap

For people like people: Asha imports sari fabric accessories and home fabrics

Zoe, at MomentuM, a fairtrade shop in downtown Boulder CO

The back story: In November I was extremely grateful for the opportunity to Colorado and visit my brother Andrew, sister-in-law, Kelly, and the kids, Zoë, Ashley, and baby Ginger. And, I got to hang out with my old seminary roommate, Robin, and her husband Ben, too! They all live near Boulder, which is a great city for laidback and ethical fashion.



   And this dear friends, brings us to gift idea one, framed photos of family and friends. Before I flew out to visit my family in C.O. my mom asked me to please take a family photo of the Andrew, Kelly, and the girls so she could frame it. Because of the health issues my dad had this summer, my parents haven’t been able to go out to visit the Colorado Brozyna’s and meet the new baby, Ginger. So, we duly obliged, and I’ll be printing this photo for mom and my great aunt, Vivian, for Christmas.

In this age where the vast majority of us are using digital cameras it’s so easy to take a beautiful photo only to have it perpetually remain in the digital world. There are millions of lonely desks, walls, and pianos simply crying out for some updated photos! Why should computers have all the fun? Let’s jazzy up our physical living environments with some printed paper and frames! Bring a smile to those you love and let them remember the good times ;)
 

Another one I need to print!

I’m a last minute Betty, so I have yet to get this photo printed, but I’ll be taking my USB to Ritz Camera. This is a good place to have either film or digit prints made. You can of course also take them to many drugstores for printing, but check online first to see who has them in store. Also, remember many no longer develop film. Additionally, if you haven’t waited to the absolute last minute, as I seem to have, you can digitally send your photos to Kodak online and they will main prints back to you.

Kelly, Ginger, and Ashley looking sassy

My trip to Colorado also inspired my second gift suggestion, the Sleepy Wrap. My sister-in-law, Kelly received one and she says it is simply the best baby wrap/carrier she has ever owned, and she’s on baby number three, so she’s tried quite a few over the years! Kelly was saying it is extremely comfortable and versatile, allowing you to wrap it different ways to safely suite the needs of you and your baby. Additionally, it comes in a myriad of colors, so you won’t get bored looking at it, which is important as parents wear it daily! One of Kelly’s favorite colors is orange, and here you can see her, Ginger, and Ashley looking cool and hanging out in downtown Boulder! 

Cute hats at MomentuM in Boulder

Asha Imports Sari Scarf

We also went to Boulder’s awesome fair-trade home goods and accessories shop, MomentuM. They write, “The products in our store support fair trade, environmentally friendly production, independent artists and organic farming.” If you’re heading to Boulder, be sure to check it out. And for the rest of us, soon we’ll be order from their website. My favorite product from the store is my gift suggestion three, a recycled sari scarf/table runner.I purchased one of these beauties made by Asha Imports {Asha means “hope”}. They are  fairtrade and recycled, so what’s not to love?! You can order them from a couple websites, including the Green Heart Shop. Enjoy! 

                    *Marcie

Kick-Ass Christmas-Craft Party and Gifts!

Our gang of elves, created 10/12/11!

One of the things I love most about the Holidays is the parties! Christmas, New Years, and my birthday, which is Christmas Eve. Spur of the moment I decided to through myself an early party. You don’t need to plan for weeks and weeks, so it’s not to late to put together a holiday get together of your own! My friend Nate holds weekly screenings of VHS movies (and here’s the blog), and this month has been showing Christmas flicks. He gathers friends, gets some food, and pops in a tape, and presto -instant party! All you need is good friends, some food, and maybe something to do. We have time before Christmas, so what are you waiting for?!

Nathelie, Nikki, Mekissa, me, Miriam, Jess, and Brie

This past weekend I had a small birthday and Christmas party, affectionately named, “Marcie’s Kick-Ass Holiday Craft and Birthday Party.” Seeing as there are parties every weekend in December, I do concede it’s a tough time of year to get people to come to a  party, but you just have to invite lots of folks!  A little under half of who got invites were able to come, and I am so thankful they did! For this little gathering the wine flowed freely, the Christmas records spun constantly, and hands were busy making awesome crafts.

busy bees!

The inspiration for these awesome pinecone elves came from Martha Stewart’s 2009 December Magazine, but my mommy tells me they’ve been around since the 70’s. Kia, Maya, Mark, Steve, Jess, Nathalie, Miriam, Phil, Brie, Melissa, and Nikki make totally bitchin’ pinecone elves and pipe cleaner decorations!

Steve and his many stars!

All dressed up with no where to "snow"

The pipe cleaner stars are so simple! Just three take metallic pipe cleaners, cut in half, so you have six pieces, and twist in the middle! Add a ribbon, and poof (!) Christmas cheer! Also, they are super easy to bend and twist into the shape of other Christmas symbols! These elves are super easy, and kids just need a little help with the glue gun for the pinecones. Both of these crafts make sweet whimsical gifts for the holidays!



Marcie, Maya, Kia, and yes, this is my kitchen!



Kia and I recently joined the Ethical Fashion Bloggers, a group of fashion bloggers concerned with social, environmental, and all around sustainability in the world of looking stylish. Ceri, the organizer recently put out a call for Christmas/Holiday party outfits, so Kia and I submitted this pic.  Because the main activity of this party was making Christmas crafts, we went low key and casual for our attire.  I am proudly wearing a tunic dress I sewed last year using a Simplicity pattern, leggings from American Apparel, and knee high leg warmers I found in my grandma’s closet! My hat is from Krochet Kids International, a fair trade non-profit that employs women in Uganda and Peru so they can support their families. It was given to me as a birthday gift last year by my good friend, Malorie.

Kia and Maya making stars

Kia’s daughter, Maya, is attired in a tunic dress, much like mine as great minds do think alike, from the Salvation Army thrift shop. Her leggings and shoes are hand me-down favorites. Kia is sporting a fair trade scarf from Ten Thousand Villages, and her favorite denim jacket, which she has proudly owned for about a decade! Her long maxi skirt is from a fashionable Philadelphia second hand shop, Buffalo Exchange. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and Haoppy Holidays with however many parties you like!

Phil, Jessica, Stephen, Mark, Nikki, Melissa, and Miriam just starting to get their craft on!

*Marcie

     

Halloween Party Time!

Robot Ben H. proud winner of the night's costume contest

The other week friends of ours, Jenn and Dominic, hosted a Halloween party, complete with costumes, tasty treats, mauled cider, and a trip to the State Penitentiary. Now, as I do love Halloween, but do not enjoy being frightened I had no plans on joining the party into the bowels of the prison. Ah, but things seldom go as planned {but more on that later…}

Jenn, the hostess with the mostest

Earlier in the week I acquired an 80’s jazzy jazz witch top at Past and Present in Mount Airy, which I coupled with black stretchy pants, a classic witch hat, and a wee little broom.  Jenn was keeping her costume a surprise. And when my boyfriend, Ben (who wore IN-Security guard jacket of his own creation ;) arrived at the fete, we discovered Jenn had created a cute and appropriately creepy baby-doll persona. 

Dominic's so scary, I want my mummy!

Her dress was a carefully chosen secondhand little number. Her boyfriend Dominic donned a homemade mummy costume, constructed out of long-johns and ripped cloth. 

Jake's Lederhosen made with love, by Grams!

I was quite fond of the costume worn by Jake,an absolutely lovely lederhosen sewn decades ago by his grandmother. Apparently it was not leather, but one of the first pleather incarnations! Hats off to Grandma because anyone who sews knows what a pain working in pleathure can be!

PCOM partygoers! 

Naturally this party had a costume contest, which brings me to the most creative costume of all, the robot by Ben H {pictured at top}. Inspired by LCD Sound System’s video for Home (video is great, but not suitable for young kids), Ben constructed this costume from cardboard, venting, duct-tape, and silver spray-paint. It was an industrial masterpiece, in which he managed to do everything, from dancing to traversing the haunted halls of the Penitentiary.  The only thing he couldn’t do was sit….

dance dance party party

 By the time I took the picture at the top the haunted halls had taken their toll, and  our robot friend showed some signs of wear and tare. But, as you can see even in this condition, R2D2 and Johnny Five would still be proud! Both at the party and in the prison Robot Ben, seen to your right -------->
busting a move, was quite the hit! 


Then this party moved our costumed behinds to the Penitentiary... {more to come...}

Mr. "In-Security" and I

                 *Marcie 

Lookin' Hot While Cookin' Hot, or why this guy thinks I'm a creepy creepster

Our very gracious waiter and his swanky apron!

 

So months upon months ago I decided to do a post on DIY aprons, which are just about the easiest item to sew! Especially if you are a sewing novice, you’ll find making an apron satisfying and fun. You don’t even need to buy a pattern, I promise! I’ve included pictures of several beautiful aprons my good friend Sarah sewed as Christmas gifts years back. As these aprons are so feminine and fun, they are great inspiration for stylish gals who like to get down and dirty in the kitchen! But these days awesome gentlemen are also making their mark with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And, they deserve to look good while they’re heating things up in the kitchen, too! With this in mind some friends and I asked this great guy, a waiter at Max Brenner’s, if we could put up a pic of him in his super manly apron. I love how it almost looks like a utility apron from a wood shop or smithy!  So my friends, Suzanne and Alan, and I were talking with this guy and telling him all about the up coming post months and months ago, and promised him we’d send him a link…. but as you can see I never did.  So now I’m pretty sure he thinks back upon his interaction, with our bold manner and imposing camera, and he shivers… And of course I lost his contact info, but if any of you see him at Max Brenner’s, give him the link and tell him thank you! Oh, and ladies, he was so sweet and gracious, and so single!

Heather, Malorie, and Erika, circa 2006 in aprons made by our dear friend, Sarah

Now, on to the nitty gritty of DIY aprons, go make your selection at your favorite fabric store (Jomar stores have an excellent and very inexpensive options, and if you sign up on line at Jo-Ann Fabrics they will occasionally send you a coupon for 40% off one item, including fabric). You’ll need maybe a yard (to have room for the body and the ties), and you may want to get to different colors so you can line the apron or have it be reversible. If you choose not to line your apron, purchasing decorative notions (lace, piping, etc) can be sewn around the seams to give a nice finished look. Make sure to purchase thread (either matching your fabric or using contrasting colors). You can also use ribbon for the neck loop and ties if you like.

 Lay your existing old apron over your fabric, and trace or free cut around, leaving 5/8 or an inch or so extra (this will be your seam for sewing). Measure the neck loop and the ties based on your old apron, and double the width and then add the 5/8^th inch. Put right sides together and sew along the 5/8^th inch along the long-side of you ties, and along one of the short sides. Push in a wooden spoon into the seam in stitched short-side and use it to pull the fabric of the tie right side out. Fold your un-sewn short edge over at the end, having about an inch overlap and sew it.  If you are lining it, put the right sides (patterned side) of your fabric together, and sew along the 5/8^th, leaving the top section by the head un-sewn. Use this section to turn the garment right side out. Pin your ties and neck loop to the side that will serve to be your lining or wrong aside. (If you are an experienced sewer, go ahead and sew the ties in-between your front and lining).For your ties make sure you have at least an inch and a half of overlap with the body of your apron so they won’t rip. Stitch it securely, and enjoy lookin’ hot while you’re cookin’ hot. 

                            *Marcie 

Happy Belated Mother's day

Happy mother’s day, mom





Vintage momma
My mother is in the middle wearing the shift dress and turtle neck

  

It’s Kia the “Princess of lateness”. I did tell you yesterday in person but I would like to say it in Blog world as well. I love you mommy so much. You are my most favorite person in the world , ( Okay it's actually a tie between you and Maya B.).

You are the Bees Knees, I love you sooooo much.



Vintage Momma

 

What We Wore: The Spring Time Dilemma

Suzanne and Alan, you can't fake cool

I love spring. I welcome spring. I embrace spring. Ahhh, but even so, springtime fashion can so often leave me cold.  Or more accurately, it poses a dilemma: How, just how, can I embrace the blossoming colors and spirit of spring without donning pastels? I mean, some people are very well suited for light pinks and mellow yellows.  But alas my coloring and temperament are not.  So what’s a girl to do? Well, lucky for me I can draw inspiration from my friends... 

Kia, easy, breezy, beautiful! 

Through no prompting of mine, Kia and my good friends Suzanne and Alan all showed up to hang out this past Friday fashionably attired in fresh, non-pastel, spring wear. Now, I’m going to get a little poetic and even cheesy with my language here and say in their cool gray, tan, brown, and blue earth tones my friends embody the breeziness of spring. The pop of orange offered by Kia’s cardigan, the cranberry detailing of Alan’s sweater, and the playful textured tights and red scarf of Suzanne’s remind me of those simple and beautiful quintessential spring flowers, tulips.  Nicely played, my friends, nicely played.

                                 *Marcie*

Kia and Marcie, Marcie and Kia… a Brand-new Friendship

Kia and I met in late 2009 at our place of employment. Though we work in different departments, we are frequently brought together to work on a common task. It was on these occasions I had the opportunity to get to know Kia better, and I liked her more and more each time we talked. It was her warmth and wiliness to think I was funny were what first drew me in ;) But, as I’ve gotten to know Kia better I’ve been impressed with her intelligence, her tact, her ability to be supportive, and her talents as a professional and as wife and mother. Of course, I have always been impressed by her fashion. Kia’s fashion is awesome. She exists as an elegant mix of classy and funky, a combination not easily found. This love of fashion is one of our first bonds, and a source of fun for us both. When we first began talking about possibly doing a joint blog, part of our excitement was the idea of being able to spend more time together, letting our friendship grow as we explore the fashion fun Philadelphia has to offer. I’m excited, very excited.  

* Marcie *