My Definition of Value

I have begun looking for freelance fashion design work on Craigslist and some other sites that match up designers with companies offering contract work.  I was prepared to sift through the occasional unreasonable posting seeking a designer to make 20 sample garments in 3 days for free, but I was surprised by the general negative attitude toward the notion that a designer might be primarily interested in a project based upon compensation.  For example here is a posting looking for handbag designers:

"I am looking for designers who are only interested in the job firstly and the money second.  If you're just after cash to make your quote [I think she meant 'quota'] for the week or month, please do not forward me your interest."

Um, yeah that's an actual quote from a website that is specifically designed for connecting freelancers with PAID work.  Where I come from a making a "monthly quota" is defined as "earning a living wage."  This woman owns a boutique and I can only assume she does not just give her merchandise away- so she wants people who solely have an artistic interest in designing bags for her so she can sell them and make a profit for herself? Ridiculous!

This just really got me thinking about how individuals skilled in artistic trades are often looked down upon for wanting paid work.  Just because designing and sewing a garment has been defined as "creative"doesn't mean I'm not making a product that has inherent value, and it especially doesn't mean that my time and hard work have no value either.  My boyfriend is a software engineer- if he were to ever take on side work there is no way in hell anyone would ever expect him to write computer code for his "interest" in it.  There's no reason why creative professionals shouldn't be held to the same standards.

Let me just say that I have full respect for making art for arts sake, but in my opinion that only applies to an individual's personal art.  I sketch, make patterns and work on my own designs for me and obviously I do that work for fun and because I want to.  However, you can't expect people to have the same level of commitment to your project without compensation.  I'm not saying money is everything, but I think when you are skilled in a creative trade, when it's something you worked hard at and paid college tuition for then being compensated indicates that you are being taken seriously as creative professional.  Also, let's face it, positive art vibes are not going to buy baby food or help pay a mortgage- money is a necessity.

I think as artists we need to also do our part.  There are too many creative gigs on Craigslist looking for a photographer "who wants a great learning experience" or a graphic designer "who wants to build their portfolio."  Often these classifieds are from other artists looking for free work from other artists to help with their projects.  If we don't value the work of other creative types, then how can expect other industries to take us seriously? I know you may not have money, so then ask a friend or a family member, or use your skills to barter, but don't expect complete strangers to work for free.  It's time that we too start treating ourselves and our fellow artists more in a more professional manner.  Well at least that's my opinion, if you don't agree I understand, but if you ever help me with my website or model my clothes I will at least insist upon hemming your pants that drag on the floor or altering that blazer of yours with the boxy shoulders...and you'll just have to deal with it.

And We're Back Online Folks!

There's some new decor  in my kitchen my sewing machine, the new serger I received as a gift for doing a good job having a baby, and most importantly a jumperoo to contain/entertain said baby (AKA Mirah).

all business.

all fun.

go team.

Mission Accomplished

Guess what? I had a baby, thus this is officially no longer a pregnancy fashion blog.  Fear not, though- now it will just be a fashion blog (exact direction TBD), plus a place for me to showcase things that I make while Mirah is sleeping.

I'm showing this outfit that I wore today because it is comprised of a skirt and top that I purchased while pregnant.  The skirt has an elastic waist so I was able to wear it until I was about 7 months pregnant, and the loose fitting top lasted until the end.  The best part is since neither of the garments were maternity clothes I can still wear them!

No camera tricks this time, the baby belly is really gone!

skirt~ TJ Maxx

top~ Marshalls

purple tank~ H&M

tights~ Express

boots~ Steve Madden

There is a Season Turn, Turn, Turn

Living in New England means that your pregnancy will usually span at least three seasons sometimes all four, which makes finding appropriate clothing even more difficult.  While *technically* it is still summer, today's weather is way more reminiscent of a fall day.  My typical wardrobe with a few slight alterations got me through winter and the chilly parts of spring, whereas summer forced me to invest larger clothing.  Now, I'm 9 months pregnant, and left with oversized tank tops on a cold rainy day.  I tried on some of my old sweaters this morning- that was entertaining.  Then I found a sweater dress I had purchased last winter- huzzah!

I used to wear this tights or leggings before I was pregnant, but those are too constricting at this stage in the game and more importantly this sweater is barely a dress at this point.  It worked well with my jeans because it actually more closely resembled a regular length sweater thanks to my large belly. 

I also had to be a little creative with my jacket selection.  While I couldn't zip it up to save my life, I was able to at least button the top button which kept me nice and warm.

sweater~ Express

jeans~ Old Navy Maternity

jacket~ AKA New York

scarf~ vintage

boots~ Matisse 

31 more days, but who's counting?

I am.  My posts have been limited because during the home stretch of my pregnancy I have resorted to wearing my three-four most comfortable outfits in a well thought out rotation.  That's a total lie, I wear the same thing two days in a row on a regular basis, but I think at this stage of the game I should be afforded this luxury.  Yesterday however I was able to stray from my routine a bit mostly thanks to the cooler weather.

I love how deceiving this picture is because you're probably thinking where's the belly???

There it is!

This outfit is very basic, but in my opinion, it's the cropped sweater that makes it.  Whereas some traditional cardigans begin to feel tight around the hips or look awkward during pregnancy, the nice thing about cropped sweaters is that you don't need to worry as much about outgrowing them.  Also for the days where I'm sick of wearing the same three-four basic shirts over and over this provides a welcomed change.

Even Mirah has her very own cropped sweater for when she needs to spice things up a bit!

jeans~ Gap Maternity

grey tank~ H&M

black tank~ American Apparel

cropped sweater~ Nordstrom

shoes~ Blowfish

necklace~ TKSB

Mirah's sweater~ Baby Gap

Go with the Flow

In previous posts I had talked about the tendency of oversized or baggy shirts to be rather unflattering on preggers because it makes us look like nebulous blobs.  That being said, I have found that not all flowy shirts need to be avoided, but there is some trial and error, or more likely some luck involved.

So I guess I have to give credit to my mom for finding this style of shirt, since she bought me one in pink and I went back and bought the black and white one I am wearing in the above photo.  I'd like to think that her ability to select a garment suitable for my pregnancy is a finely honed skill resulting from my detailed and insightful blog posts...

Anyway, the manner in which the cascades drape along the body helps to give some definition, even though it is rather baggy.  I like this silhouette because it's something different than the typical empire waist, flared bottom shirt, but it's not fitted either.  To me, it's a nice balance of the two, and more importantly it's not a maternity piece, so hopefully I can wear it again!  

tank and shirt~ H&M

Mom Shorts

When my boyfriend commented on the distressing and mock wear and tear on my new maternity shorts, my response was- "yeah I don't usually like that, but in this case I feel like it makes them look less like 'mom jeans.'"  Being the smarty pants that he is, he declared "well aren't maternity shorts the definition of mom jeans?"

I think we can all agree that "mom jeans" are not just any jeans worn by a mom- it's a classification all by itself.  Regardless I'm very pleased with my new maternity shorts.  They have a modern style so when I pair them with my favorite non-maternity tanks I'm almost forget that I have to dress an 8 month pregger body.

I included a close-up because I just really love the detailing on this tank top.   Lucky for me it also created a slimming, shape that definitely worked in my favor.

shorts~ Macy's

white tank~ H&M

purple tank~ I don't remember

shoes~ Toms

earrings~ goodwill