How did it come to be June already? Seems like spring is flying by! With a new month, comes a new schedule of classes! Want to learn to sew? Or, want to learn a new project? Keep reading. Or click here to download your own printable calendar PDF to hang on your fridge. Don’t see what you want? Contact me to inquire about private lessons!

Sewing 101 Class

Straight stitching, threading a machine & more will be second nature in no time! While you learn, make a stylish envelope pillow for your home! This is a two-part class, for 2 hours each night.
Session 1: Tuesday, June 2 & June 9, 7pm - 9pm, Cost: $80
Session 2: Tuesday, June 23 & June 30, 7pm - 9pm, Cost: $80
Class held at: ReForm School: Home Ec
3902 W Sunset, Los Angeles, CA 90029 Phone: 323-906-8660
reformschoolhomeec@gmail.com
Contact ReForm School to sign up & for more details.

Reversible Wrap Skirt Class

Make two skirts at once, with this adorable and body-friendly reversible wrap skirt. This class will teach the beginning seamstress all the skills needed to make this timeless skirt again and again. See the skirt in my Spring Collection in the Shop.
Saturday, June 13 & June 20, 11am - 2pm, Cost: $125 non-members / $120 members
Class held at: The Urban Craft Center
2433 Main, Santa Monica, CA 90405 Phone: 310-392-0139
hello@theurbancraftcenter.com
Contact the Urban Craft Center to sign up & for more details.

Indian Summer Sundress Class

Following the Indian Summer Dress project from my book, Chic & Simple Sewing, this is a great staple for your summertime wardrobe! This is a beginner level, two-part class, for 3 hours each night.
Thursday, June 18 & June 25, 7pm - 10pm, Cost: $100
Class held at: ReForm School: Home Ec
3902 W Sunset, Los Angeles, CA 90029 Phone: 323-906-8660
reformschoolhomeec@gmail.com
Contact ReForm School to sign up & for more details.

The day after my book was released, I was lucky enough to be on the Martha Stewart Sirius Network. I talked with Betsey Karetnick, one of the hosts of Morning Living. And now, I have the audio to prove it! Click on the arrow below. Please enjoy…

In her last film, 2 Days in Paris, Julie Delpy jumped ahead of every other actress in her field, as she not only starred in it, but she wrote it and directed it, making her quite a beautiful triple threat. This film is quirky, hilarious, and perfectly neurotic, in a gorgeous Woody Allen type of way. If you love that style of intellectual banter, you should give this film a try.

And, let’s not forget that it co-stars some other brilliant actors, namely Adam Goldberg as her spot-on neurotic New Yorker boyfriend, and Delpy’s real-life parents playing the same role on screen. They alone are worth the rental.

I recently received this gorgeous Orla Kiely tote for a “happy book launch” / “you need a cute new tote for Paris” gift. Isn’t it beautiful? I love it. And nearly everything else on her site is worth breaking the piggy bank for too.

I am not sure if I will make it up to Cherbourg during my upcoming trip to France, but that isn’t going to stop me from watching one of my all-time favorite films in my trip preparation: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.

If you’ve never seen this film, stop reading the blog and just go rent it immediately. Seriously, it’s one of the best films ever made. Almost painfully vivid in its set hues, the colors jump right off the screen. And, let’s not forget the absolutely gorgeous and fresh-faced Catherine Deneuve. She is simply stunning in this film as a young girl in love.

I don’t want this to sway non-musical lovers, but this film is essentially an opera. Every word is sung. Every word. However, after the first 15 minutes or so, you almost forget that they are singing. You’re deep in the emotion of these fools in love and the fact that it’s all sung actually goes by the wayside.

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg tells the story of a young couple in love, and what happens to them as the man in the relationship is sent off to war. Will their love prevail? Haunting, lush, beautiful, and heart-wrenching, this film is an absolute classic and isn’t to be missed.

This fall, I have the trip of a lifetime scheduled, as I’m spending most of September in Paris. I cannot hardly believe it myself. I’ve wanted to go my whole life, and now I finally am.

With the trip in mind, it seems that everything in my life right now is Parisian and/or French themed: films, music, books, magazines, blogs, food, and of course, the French language itself. I’m slowly teaching myself how to get by on the basics, which for me include phrases like “how much does this cost?” and all the numbers I can store in my head. Knowing that I’ll be doing some shopping, these will come in handy!

I’ve along been a lover of the French cinema, and the French New Wave specifically and am taking some time this summer to revisit some of my favorite French films, both old and new. One absolute classic is the Godard film, Une Femme est une Femme (A Woman is a Woman). It’s one of my favorite French films and so worth a watch, if you’ve never seen it before, or if it’s been a while since you’ve visited this classic.

It stars Godard regulars Anna Karina and Jean-Paul Belmondo, along with Jean-Claude Brialy. Anna Karina is always gorgeous and mesmerizing to watch on screen, and this film is no exception.

My view of the world today…

I love my records. I don’t have a lot compared to real collectors, but I have quite a few. I try to hit up the sales at Record Surplus in West LA, as there’s no better deal. When they have their sales, the “attic” area, which is a loft overlooking the store, all the records up there are 3 for $1. Really, how can you go wrong for 33 cents?

Sometimes I pick up records just for the cover alone. At that price, it’s some of the cheapest home decor you can get your hands on. I have a handful of these vintage albums with sassy ladies on the covers framed in my hallway.

Another great score, found in the loft and given to me from a special someone, is a Berlitz Basic French language record set, with booklet and verb wheel included. The 1960’s graphics on the inside are worth it alone. But, this is particularly timely, as I’m planning a Parisian holiday in the fall and need to learn the language. It’s really fun to listen to, with all the cracks and snaps of the record included with the narration.

The next Record Surplus sale hits July 8th and if you’re in the LA area, it’s totally worth a visit!

Sally

Pinta

and Lloyd