Feeling the squeeze

So today we found out that there will be no merit increases this year. I pretty much saw this coming as the retail sector is seriously hurting (unless you sell food, booze or are a frightening big box store where people get trampled to death). I am thrilled beyond belief to have a job and ecstatic that they aren't forcing us to take pay cuts. But why, oh WHY, do I still need to fill out my yearly performance evaluation?

grumble, grumble...

I've been knitting instead of blogging

Good God it's been a long time since I've written anything! I've been spending all my free time knitting instead of writing. I'm pretty happy with all of my projects so far. Of course none of them have been too complicated. I need to learn cables and to knit with different colors (other than for stripes...like a nice skull sweater)

Instead of learning new techniques I've been designing a knitted tunic for my daughter. I'm half way there so we'll see how it turns out. Anyone know where I can get some good, free, knitting software to help me out?

Back at work

I have to brag about how cute my daughter is. She just recently started laughing out loud and I was lucky enough to get it on video. Enjoy!

I returned to work this week and am really not happy about it. I know I should feel very lucky to have a job (in fashion), especially in this retail climate, but there is just something so magical about watching my daughter discover something new each day. It really breaks my heart to not be with her. I am sure other mothers know exactly what I mean.

While on maternity leave my company went through a other restructuring. The department I work in (Production) went through down sizing last summer and here we go again. I did not lose my job (I am conflicted especially since I miss my baby girl) and will be moving to our international team in November. I'll have greater flexibility in my hours which is great but I can't help but wonder about next year. Will I still have a job in SF? Upper management decided to ramp up our NY Pre-Production operations and try and fix problems at the beginning of a product lifecycle instead of letting them snowball to giant problems that are dumped on SF Production; SF will now focus on inseason management instead of all the fun stuff. We are going to turn into number crunchers. Hopefully, however, moving to international will be different since there are so many international exclusive garment styles. I remain optimistic but must still prepare for my job to go buh-bye. This might just be the motivation I need to finally get organized and get my own line off the ground.

This week's bag obsession

Can someone please tell me who makes this bag? I am OBSESSED!

Now that I have a baby all bags become diaper bags and this one is just huge enough to do it. This photo was taken by the Sartorialist (another obsession) during NY fashion week and I am dying to know who makes it. I'm sure it takes some serious euros to buy but I must know! HELP!

Getting Started

Okay, so here is my virgin posting and to be honest I'm too freaking hot to really post anything about fashion except how brilliant hanging out in your knickers can be. My baby daughter is chilling in her diaper and my partner Gman (clearly not his real name...I am protecting his secret identity) is passed out on the sofa in his boxers. It is definitely an almost naked sort of day. If we had a pool I'd talk about bathing suits but since we don't, I'm starting out with underwear.



Favorite Underwear brands right now are:

• Gap for basic cotton underwear - black, white, nude
• Wacoal bras for my newly acquired D cups (remember that baby I mentioned? well, you get the idea...)
• Mary Green is great for silky knickers even though the mannequins on her website are kinda freaky. I love how this one is wearing glasses! But seriously, she has fabulous silk!

• Stockingirl.com for, well, stockings and garters for when you are feeling racy. Their tights are brilliant and the colors are great. Just don't sign up for the email list! They are like the Victoria's Secret catalog - once you sign up you can't get rid of it!
• Vintage anything. Now some of you might think it's really gross to wear used lingerie but it's not like I'm buying some one's used panties! I am totally OBSESSED with vintage Vanity Fair lingerie. Especially if it's that fabulous leopard print. My collection currently includes a short nightie, a slip with a raged edge that is very Wilma Flintstone and a a housecoat/robe/dress. I have been trying FOREVER to find a leopard bra on eBay but I keep getting out bid (damn it!). Eventually I will have to admit I have a problem...eventually